SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1The T.V. show Hogan's Heroes belongs to Bing Crosby Productions.
No ownership of the Hogan's Heroes characters is implied or inferred, (except for the 7 new characters introduced in this story) and no infringement is intended.
Weaving a Web to Freedom,
The Truth is What We Make It
By MLM13
Chapter 9
"Major Hochstetter, what can I do for you today? Burkhalter had hoped he had seen the last of the Major for a while.
"I've come to talk to you about Captain Steffan." Hochstetter nervously slapped his gloves in and out of his left hand.
"I thought you might." The General sighed. "I've noticed your interest in the Captain."
"He has the making of a good Gestapo officer. I have spoken with my superiors and they are willing to give him the opportunity to prove it." Hochstetter turned his back to Burkhalter and stared at a picture hanging on the wall. It was of the Fuhrer and Burkhalter shaking hands. He had often wondered about this event. What was the circumstance being commemorated? He hadn't been able to get a straight answer from Burkhalter, which made finding out a pet hobby for him.
Turning, he continued, "So, in the interest of the "Father Land", Captain Steffan will be moving into the Gestapo."
~ It's in somebody's interest but I doubt it's the "FatherLand" ~ Burkhalter thought.
General Burkhalter did not like the idea that Steffan was going to side step being punished. He had disobeyed direct orders, but he also knew that the Gestapo had absolute power in selection and acquisition of men for their ranks. They operated without restrictions by civil authority, meaning they could not be tried for any of their police practices. This elitist group knew there would be no consequences for whatever actions they took, a perfect position for an ambitious man.
"I assume you have already discussed the matter with the Captain." Burkhalter leaned back in his chair.
Hochstetter smiled his snide half smile, "The Captain welcomes the change, Herr General."
"Then there is nothing more to be said. But Major, I would be careful. The Captain is an ambitious man."
"Aren't we all, Herr General?"
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vvvvvv
Back at the camp hospital 9 a.m.:
"No!" Hogan demanded, his eyes still closed.
"Yes, Colonel! You're going to drink more water. Come on, you've lost some blood. We need to get your volume back up. You're not going to dehydrate on me. That's better." Stubborn!
"Trying….drown me …"
"No, I'm not trying to drown you…swallow! And off you go back to sleep." Wilson sighed. "Ok, but I'll be right here when you wake up next time."
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
"Mama Bear Calling Papa Bear, Mama Bear Calling Papa Bear, Come in Papa Bear."
Kinch walked into the radio room just as Baker was getting ready to acknowledge London.
Kinch took the offered headset and slipped it on.
"This is Papa Bear, Go ahead Mama Bear."
"In answer to your request for information, the 12 state that your description matches Sergeant Albright. He has been a POW at Stalag 4 for almost 12 months. They wonder if you might be wrong? Over."
Newkirk and Carter arrived in time to hear London acknowledge Albright as Steffan. Newkirk turned took a step and turned back to look at Kinch. Carter stood frozen listening.
"Not if they are sure he matches the description. Over."
"They were afraid you would say that. He is very active on their escape committee and knew the route. Over"
"Does he have any other damaging information? Over."
"They state he is close with the other prisoners and well liked. He would have access to all the camp gossip. Over"
"Acknowledged. Over."
"London wants Papa Bear in person at the next broadcast. Over"
"Acknowledged. Over."
"Mama Bear Over and Out."
"Papa Bear Over and Out."
"Well that tears it. He knows every bloody thing going on in that camp! The dirty…." Newkirk turned his back and mumbled to himself.
Carter watching Kinch take off the headset said, "He could have enough information to end everything."
"Maybe." Kinch said. "But if he had that kind of information, I think he would have used it by now"
"Well, you've got a point there, mate." Newkirk admitted.
"Maybe he just doesn't know he's got it yet. Maybe after he thinks awhile he'll remember something important." Carter suggested, his eyes wide.
Kinch and Newkirk stood staring silently at Carter.
"Well, there's got to be one in every crowd. And just when I was starting to breath again, why 'd ya have to go and say that?" Newkirk fretted.
"We've got a more immediate problem. London wants the Colonel here for the next broadcast. I'm not sure he can make that broadcast. The Colonel always said not to tell London anything that would provoke them into taking over command until we are sure that is necessary. I haven't told them anything about the Colonel for fear they would order an immediate evacuation. But if the Colonel can't make the broadcast, I'm going to have to tell them something!" Kinch paused.
"Well you can't tell them the truth, Kinch. We all know London would pull us out, and that would mean abandoning the Colonel. This outfit is runs on gut feeling a lot of the time and London's not here. They don't know how we operate. You're doing the right thing. Lie!" Newkirk patted Kinch on the shoulder.
"We'll tell them we all decided not tell." Andrew announced.
Kinch smiled, "That's nice Carter but the army doesn't believe in Democracy, they just fight for it."
Newkirk reached up and knocked Carter's cap forward. "Come on lets go find LeBeau and fill him in on what's happening."
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Back at the camp hospital 10:45 a.m.:
"It's a nice cold beer, Colonel. Let's chug it."
"mmm….s'… flat."
Wilson Chuckled, "No, it's water; I lied." But I got you to swallow!
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Captain Steffan arrived at General Burkhalter's office and was ushered in. He was surprised and pleased to see Major Hochstetter sitting in a chair talking with the General.
Steffan came to attention and saluted.
"At ease Captain." Burkhalter leaned back in his chair with a disgusted look on his face. "Major Hochstetter and I were just discussing your future."
"What the General means," Hochstetter added. "Is that you have been selected for service in the Gestapo."
Burkhalter's expression did not change.
The Captain smiled and clicked his heels. "Danke, Herr Major!" Just in time Major, I have a feeling I was only minutes away from an assignment to the Russian Front!
Burkhalter glared solemnly at the Captain. "I will sign your transfer papers and have them sent to Gestapo headquarters today. Your transfer is effective immediately. Any questions for me, Captain?"
"Nein, Herr General."
"Very well, you are dismissed. You are now Major Hochstetter's headache."
Hochstetter stood to address the Captain. "Wait for me in the outer office, Captain, and I will give you your orders."
"Jawohl, Mein Major." Steffan saluted, did an about face and exited the room.
Hochstetter turned back to Burkhalter, "I wanted to let you know, General, that there had been a lull in the underground's activity while Hogan was under arrest. But I imagine that will change soon, now that Colonel Hogan has been exonerated. I hope we can work together to stop this underground movement, General."
The General knew exactly what Hochstetter was insinuating and was not about to let him have the last word.
"The short time Hogan was incarcerated in the cooler could hardly be considered a test of the undergrounds lack of activity. You would be well advised to stop looking in his direction. As far as our 'working together,' I have no doubt that you are quite capable of handling the underground without my help, Major. But I will be glad to offer my assistance again, should you need it, just as I did this time."
Hochstetter clinched his fist, clicked his heals. "Auf Wiedersehen, General."
Captain Steffan waiting in the outer office, as ordered, could see the flush of anger in the Major's cheeks as he approached him.
"You do not have much time, Captain. You will be leaving to start your Gestapo training tomorrow. Phase one will consist of basic police training. Phase two will teach you paramilitary operation in open terrain, primarily dealing with partisan and resistance organizations. Phase three is training in roadblocks, house to house searches, and crowd dispersal."
Hochstetter walked out of Burkhalter's outer office and down the corridor toward the stairs.
"Learn these techniques well. But remember, once you have your prisoner you will have to be able to extract the information from him. Pay particularly close attention to the techniques that are taught to encourage criminals of the Third Reich to share what they know."
Hochstetter stopped walking and turned to face Steffan. " We will expound on those later, when you return. You were doing well from what I could see last night, but there are a few details, that you will learn that will produce results quicker." Smiling, he added, "Although, I imagine Colonel Hogan's pain is arguing with him loudly today."
Steffan shook his head. "If I had just a little more time, Major, I believe I would have gotten our confession. I was close."
"Maybe not as close as you thought, Captain. According to his records, Colonel Hogan was questioned quite extensively when he was first captured. You will have to be very skilled to break this man."
"I am eager to learn, Major."
"Good, when you finish your training you will be returned to me for some field work. Now, I have some business to attend to and you must pack. Keep in touch Captain; I want to know how you are doing." Hochstetter raised his hand. "Heil Hitler."
Steffan snapped to attention and returned the salute as the Major disappeared down the stairs. Whew, right to business.
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
CampHospital12 noon:
Wilson was wrapping the arm of a prisoner who had cut his arm on a nail protruding from the doorframe of his barrack when Colonel Klink walked in.
"Now the next time you decide to go over the wire cut it first, and then the barbs won't catch you.
Klink stopped in his tracks and starred at Wilson.
"Oh, hi Kommandant." Wilson winked at the POW whose arm he had just wrapped.
"I'll try to remember that, thanks." The soldier called as he ran out the door.
"Very funny, Sergeant." Klink groaned. Then nodding toward Hogan he asked, "Is he awake yet?"
"Off and on, mostly off. He's been pretty restless for about the last hour."
Klink looked at Hogan's bruised face and mumbled out loud. "That was quite a beating."
"Yes, it was." Wilson agreed. "I'll see if I can rouse him for you, Kommandant. It's time for our 'water fight' anyway."
The Kommandant looked questioningly at the Sergeant. "Your what?"
"It's just a little inside joke between the Colonel and me. He's dehydrated and…"
"How do you know that?" Klink asked.
Wilson pulled Hogan's arm out from under the blanket and placed his fingers over the artery in his wrist. "His heart is beating faster than it normally would. It's well over 100 beats per minute. Add to that the loss of blood, 24 hours without food or water…"
Klink nodded his understanding.
Wilson raised Hogan up enough to slip his arm behind him.
"Colonel, Colonel Hogan!"
Hogan grimaced and slowly opened his eyes. Awareness settled in and he took in a slow deliberate breath.
"My chest… is tight." He whispered.
"It is supposed to be. We have your ribs bound to help stabilize them. You went from cracked ribs to broken ribs thanks to Captain Steffan."
"I'll…Stef…" His eyes drifted shut.
"Aaaa, Colonel, the Kommandant is here to see you." Wilson warned.
Wilson took a breath and put the cup to Hogan's lips. "Drink, Colonel."
The Colonel was caught off guard and had to drink…or swim.
"Half a cup that's a record."
Hogan frowned and put his hand up to push the cup away saying, "That's enough,…What time…."
"It's about noon" Klink offered.
Hogan's eyes fluttered open and he turned his head toward the voice, "Kommandant?"
"Yes?"
"What can….do for you?" Hogan's hand went to support his battered stomach as the pain flooded across his face.
"Nothing Hogan, I'm just checking on you."
Hogan brought his hand to his forehead in a salute and said, "Dis..m…s" His hand went lax and he drifted back to sleep.
Wilson smiled and looked at Klink, "I guess you've been dismissed, Kommandant." Shrugging his shoulders, he added, "He's a little confused."
"Will he be like this long?" Klink asked.
"Until the swelling goes down in his brain."
Klink frowned, "Whaaat?"
Wilson explained, "The blows he took to his head caused bleeding and swelling in the brain. As the swelling goes down, he'll improve. Right now he's a bit irritable, a little confused at times, and sleepy. But he's improving. He's waking up when I disturb him and responding to me before he drifts back to sleep. That's a good sign. I think he'll be able to stay awake long enough to carry on a short conversation by late this afternoon."
Klink shook his head, "I'll be back later."
"We'll be here, sir."
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv