The 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 Marty Miller

Chapter 10

Ring—ring

Klink slapped his hand down on his paper work and looked at the phone. What now?

"This is Kom…,"

"Klink!" Never a man for pleasantries, Burkhalter took command of the conversation emmediately.

"General Burkhalter! Heil Hitler!" Klink sat straight in his chair, his arm held high.

"I've called to give you some information about Captain Steffan. Major Hochstetter came to see me this morning and informed me that the Captain was joining the Gestapo."

"What?" Klink exclaimed.

"It seems the Major and the Captain have decided to join forces. The Captain leaves tomorrow to begin his training." Burkhalter sounded disgusted. "The Major is still looking for someone to charge with the sabotage in the area around Stalag 13. Just be alert. Do you think you can do that, Klink?"

"Yes, General."

"I hope so. Both our necks may depend on it. Hochstetter has failed once; he will be more determined now. You better be certain you can account for your prisoners at all times. Understood?"

"Understood, Herr General."

"Is Colonel Hogan giving you any problems?"

"Colonel Hogan is in the camp hospital recovering from a concussion. He will serve his 30 days as soon as he is able."

"See that he does! I'll be by in a few days. Keep me informed if his condition worsens. Heil Hitler!"

"Heil…"

Click- the General hung up.

Klink replaced the phone on the cradle. So, Captain Steffan has joined the Gestapo. He's the type. If Colonel Hogan is any indication, his punishment of prisoners will fit right in with the Gestapo's techniques.

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv vv

Major Hochstetter entered his office and began reviewing the files of the undergrounds' activities.

Maybe if I go back over some of this something that I missed will jump out at me. Perhaps I can tie Colonel Hogan to more than just escapes.

He'd looked at these files a hundred times. There was never anything left behind to give him any direction.

The only thing I have to go on is proximity to Stalag 13. But the acts were also close to Hamelburg.

He closed the file he was looking at and stroked his chin. Why did General Burkhalter advise me to look in another direction? It sounded like a warning. What have I missed?

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

Camp Hospital – mid afternoon:

"Wilson?"

Wilson turned from what he was doing and walked toward the Colonel.

"How long…have I been out?"

"About 15 hours Colonel."

"Fif…teen?"

'Well, you've come and gone, but for the most part, 15 hours."

Wilson picked up a glass and poured some water.

"If that's for me…ouch" Hogan made the mistake of trying to move. "…not thirsty."

"Yes, it is for you and you need to drink it. As simple as it sounds its important and can prevent a host of other problems."

Wilson helped Hogan hold his head up to drink. Hogan grimaced and pushing the cup away, turned his head. "Uh, 's awful."

"It's not that bad! Its an old family physicians cure, just water with a little salt and sugar."

"Wilson… can't drink that."

"If you can drink the 'rot gut' the men in barracks 9 brew, you can drink this. But I'll make you a deal. I'll graduate you to straight water—if you'll try eating something."

Hogan looked at the medic suspiciously. "Is it… family recipe?"

Before Wilson could answer the door opened and Klink hurried in out of the cold.

"Kommandant, he just woke up." Wilson stepped back to allow Klink an unobstructed view.

"You look…better." Klink offered hesitantly, with a not so certain look on his face. Stepping next to Wilson, he asked, "Is he?"

Still disoriented, Hogan tried to get his bearings.

"Were you here earlier…Kommandant?" Hogan stopped. Not being able to remember was unnerving him. Maybe if he stood up he could think better. But as he started to sit up his head felt like it exploded and he fell back biting his lip.

Grimacing, Klink glanced at Wilson who stood shaking his head, and then back to Hogan.

"You don't need to get up, Hogan. I just came to see if you were improved."

"No, just give me a minute." Hogan slowly placed his legs over the side of the bed, and grabbed the bed frame. Holding his breath to stifle a moan, he pulled himself up.

"Happy?" Wilson asked sarcastically.

Sweat broke out on Hogan's face as he slowly exhaled.

"Yes."

It was one of those bold face lies the war had made him an expert at delivering. The truth was his head was pounding with every beat of his heart and it felt like every muscle in his body was being torn from his body.

Wilson was afraid Hogan would be stubborn enough to try to stand and remained within reach.

The door to the hut opened and Kinch walked in followed by Carter, LeBeau and Newkirk. Their faces lit up when they saw the Colonel sitting upright, even though he was obviously exerting a lot of energy to do so. Seeing Klink, they stopped just inside the door.

Klink took notice, but continued, "I thought you might be interested in knowing that I received a call from General Burkhalter. The Captain you're so eager to punch in the mouth has transferred into the Gestapo." Klink watched Hogan digest the news.

The Captain, I…? Events of the past two days began flooding back. It was a mixed blessing.

"When?" Hogan whispered.

"Effective immediately this morning, he leaves tomorrow to begin his training."

"Training?" Hogan's jaw tensed. The familiar glint appeared. "You mean you have to train to be a …"

"COLONEL!" Wilson rushed forward, afraid of what was about to come out of his mouth. "I really thing you should lie back down."

Kinch rushed up to help.

Hogan quickly found himself flat on his back again. And as much as he hated it, it felt good.

Klink, who had stepped back to avoid the "rush", again stepped forward.

"Do as your medic tells you, Colonel. I've postponed your 30 days in solitary until you are strong enough to finish it."

Turning to Wilson he added, "Let me know when that is. It appears Colonel Hogan still needs some time to think!"

Wilson looked at the Kommandant with his arms folded, "He's not himself, Kommandant!"

Klink turned abruptly, his coat whipping around in a furl. "Yes he is!"

All eyes were on the door as it slammed.

Newkirk was the first to break the silence.

"Well that went well." Then turning to look at Hogan, continued, "You're looking better, sir. But that still isn't saying a lot."

"I forgot you could be this…sore." Hogan admitted. He hadn't felt like this since he was shot down over Hamburg. Those events began to pop back into his mind.

Carter quickly helped bring him back to the present. "Kinch talked to London about Captain Steffan,"

Hogan rolled that statement around in his head. It finally fell into place and he remembered his last order was to get in touch with London and find out what the men of Stalag 4 knew about Captain Steffan.

He looked at Kinch, "What do we know?"

"Captain Steffan was known as Sergeant Albright at Stalag 4 and apparently was very well liked. He was part of the escape committee and had an ear to all of the camp gossip."

While sharing this, Kinch had been studying Hogan to determine the extent of the pain he was trying to mask and weighing whether to make his next statement.

"Colonel, London wants to talk to you at the next broadcast."

"Wait a minute!" Wilson stammered without notice.

"Okay," Hogan sighed. "What time is it now?"

"You've got plenty of time before London's broadcast, Colonel, about seven hours. It's only a little after 3 p.m." Newkirk answered.

"Do you really think you can pull that off?" Wilson admonished.

"I don't have a choice, Wilson." Hogan answered.

"How much do we tell, London, gov'nor? They'll still pull the plug on us if they think we've been compromised."

"Let's go over what we know? Steffan was well liked and trusted." Hogan began.

"He had the confidence of the men and was privy to all the camp gossip." Kinch added.

"Who did he report too?" Newkirk questioned.

"Wasn't it Hochstetter?" asked Carter.

Hogan answered, "It could have been, but the Captain isn't Gestapo. What was it he said?" Hogan frowned, as he tried to force his battered brain to remember.

"I had discredited him to …." Hogan forced himself to relive the moment. "…Hochstetter. But that makes me think he was trying to impress him. And if the Major had already picked him to be a Gestapo Mole that wouldn't be necessary."

Kinch suddenly remembered, "When Steffan was dismissed, Burkhalter told him he would see him in his office-as ordered!"

"He did?" Hogan asked. "When was that?"

"Right before you said you were going to punch him in the mouth after the war!" Newkirk smiled.

"How'd I miss that?" Hogan asked.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Colonel. You had a lot going on at the time. " Kinch offered.

Hogan wasn't comfortable with that answer. His ability for almost total recall was vital. He had to focus.

"So we can conclude it was Burkhalter he answered too. Which means he was probably just gathering any random useful bits of information he could from the prisoners, and not necessarily focusing on exposing any underground operation. When he learned of the undergrounds assistance in the escape, he must have decided the information was too valuable to pass on to Burkhalter who would take credit. He wanted to give it to whom would benefit him the most."

Newkirk summed it up. "Of course, where else would an ambitious man go if he wanted to advance and have the power to direct his own future? He would have limitless authority as a Gestapo officer in all areas of military and private matters."

"And if he could work under Hochstetter as his mentor, he would have the protection of his immediate superior officer. Because Hochstetter would want him to look good, as it would reflect back on him for choosing him for the Gestapo." Kinch added.

Wilson listened silently. He was seldom privy to what went on behind Hogan's door in Barrack 2. This was insightful. Watching these five men together, he could see they were a team. And so far, they were successful. He would have to have faith in that success and not interfere…unless absolutely necessary. After all, he was expected to do his job as well. But for now, he would remain silent.

"Ok Kinch." Hogan paused and closed his eyes. "What does London know about what's been going on here?"

"Nothing, they only know that we learned Steffan was leaking information to the Germans and that he was discredited by the underground."

Hogan looked at Kinch and smiled. "You men did a good job."

Looking at the smiles on his men's faces another question was begging to be answered. "Tell me, how did the underground discredit Captain Steffan?"

The moment of truth, Kinch cleared his throat.

"Well, sir, they planted evidence to make it look like the prisoners went in the opposite direction. And…."

Kinch paused trying to think of a good way to tell the Colonel that they pulled some innocent men from Stalag 3 into the loop.

"And?" Hogan looked from Kinch to the other three men who averted their gaze and looked elsewhere in the room. Zeroing back in on his second in command, he asked again, "And, Kinch?"

"And they had some of the prisoners from Stalag 3 make an escape. They were planted West of Stalag 3 so that as they were captured, it would confirm that escaped POW's were not coming to Stalag 13."

Hogan was pale and silent. His strength was running out but he had to continue. After a moments pause, he asked, "How many men's lives did we put on the line to accomplish that, Sergeant."

"Eight, sir." Kinch answered, softly.

"But they were all picked up without incident Colonel." Newkirk added. And then noticing the stern eyes of the Colonel had shifted from Kinch to him, he quickly swiped the hat from his head and stood ringing it with his chin on his chest.

Carter added, "Yeah, Major Hochstetter interrogated them but they must have fooled him because he and General Burkhalter released you."

Hogan ran his eyes over Carter and then to LeBeau.

"Oww, Louis." Carter rubbed his arm.

"That's a lot of lives to put on the line." Hogan's voice came out raspy. He wanted to take a deep breath but neither the bandages nor the pain would allow it.

Wilson reached to check Hogan's pulse. Hogan was too tired to stop him. "Colonel, you're pushing yourself. You fellas will have to leave now."

Hogan looked at Kinch, "We'll talk about this later, in private."

"Yes sir."

"One more thing, Colonel."

Wilson shook his head, "Not now, Kinch."

Hogan, eyes closed, asked, "What is it?"

Kinch looked at Wilson.

"Go ahead, he won't rest until you do."

"Colonel Klink filled out a Red Cross report of the injuries Wilson treated and the charges against you."

Hogan's eyes opened, "Did you get it?"

"Yes sir. Carter and Newkirk intercepted it."

"Good, we don't need the Red Cross poking around here getting in the way." His eyes closed again.

Wilson moved into the conversation. "That's it, we're done. You have to let the Colonel rest."

"How about something to eat?" LeBeau beamed.

Wilson nodded, "That would be great Louis. Make it something light to start with."

"I have some soup ready. I'll go get it and be right back."

Kinch quietly herded everybody toward the door. It looked like the Colonel was already asleep.

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

LeBeau returned with the soup but was stopped at the door by Wilson.

"Thanks, Louis. I'll take it from here. If I let you stay he'll be asking questions instead of resting."

"Oui," LeBeau answered.

Wilson took the soup from LeBeau and sat on the chair beside Hogan's cot.

"Smells good, Colonel."

Hogan stirred and opened his eyes to see Wilson sitting next to him.

"Louis brought some soup, it smells good."

"I'm sure it does but I don't know if I can eat it." Hogan said placing his hand on his stomach.

"Are you welching on our agreement?" Wilson slid his chair back. "I'll go pour some water."

"No!" Hogan pleaded, "Please…Wilson…I…"

"Upset stomach?" Wilson asked.

Hogan nodded and wished he hadn't.

"That's from the head injury. Let's give it a try. Even if you loose it, you'll get some nutrition from it."

"Wilson, you're a hard man. "

Wilson smiled. "You made me that way."