This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any actual resemblance to persons or historical persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Some characters are named after actual persons holding rank in the United States Armed forces during the Second World War

The Hogan's Heroes characters, settings, ect. are owned by other entities who have not endorsed this fic nor have they given permission for their use. Author makes no claims to these characters and is not making any profit off their use.

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© Copyright: ­2004. Lisa Philbrick

Stalag 13

November 1944

Day 2

Colonel Robert Hogan, US Army Air Corps stood outside of Barracks 2, tossing a baseball up on to the roof and catching it as it came back down in his old baseball mitt. It was another standard day at Stalag 13, the late morning sun was shining and prisoners were occupying themselves within the compound, some playing an organized game of volleyball, others reading or just doing activities to keep themselves active.

Out of the corner of his eye, Hogan saw the sudden movement of camp guards. He stopped tossing his baseball and turned to look. Sergeant Shultz was coming from the direction of Klink's office and was shouting orders. The camp was being placed on lock down.

"All prisoners back into the barracks!! Back, back, back!!"

"What's going on Shultz?" Hogan asked as the Sergeant approached.

"How do I know? I just have my orders. All prisoners are to be confined to the barracks, immediately, Colonel."

Guards were ordering the prisoners back to their barracks, receiving grumbling complaints in return. Newkirk, LeBeau and Carter who had been playing volleyball walked back to Barracks 2 along with other prisoners. LeBeau was being the most vocal with Newkirk and Carter adding their two cents worth.

"Into the barracks!" Shultz ordered. "Schnell, schnell, schnell!"

"Awright, awright we're moving..." Hogan said. "C'mon fellas, you heard the man, inside."

The men all filed into the barracks building. "We were winning, Colonel," LeBeau said.

"'E's right, Colonel. We were beatin' Barracks Four, and every time we're winnin' at volleyball they gotta put us in lockdown," Newkirk said.

"You can pick up the game again when the lock down is over," Shultz offered.

"Bloody lot o' good that's gonna do," Newkirk grumbled. "Lost our momentum by that point."

"Awright, fellas just simmer down," Hogan said. "Colonel Klink must have some big surprise for us, right Shultz? Doesn't want us to see it until he can wrap it up?"

"I know nuthin'. I was only told by the Kommandant to have the prisoners placed in the barracks until the all clear signal is given."

Hogan walked over to the window. "So I guess that means we can't even watch out the window either right?"  Hogan peered out, long enough to see two staff cars come into the compound.

"Nein! You can not look out the window either!" Shultz immediately came over, closed the wooden shutter and stood in front of the window, preventing anyone else from looking out.

"Eh, shoulda figured on that." Hogan turned to Newkirk and LeBeau and then looked toward the door.  The Englishman and Frenchman both nodded. "And seeing as we can't look out the window, you don't want us peeking out the door either, right Shultz?"

"That's right."

"Okay then, I'll stand here then and make sure no one looks out the door." Hogan stood with his back to the door and when he was sure Shultz couldn't see him, he turned and along with Newkirk and LeBeau they looked outside. They recognized General Burkhalter, saw there were at least two Gestapo guards, along with Major Hochstetter and then finally an American army officer stepped out of the car. The group walked to Colonel Klink's office

"A new prisoner, Colonel?" Newkirk wondered.

"Confine everyone to barracks for a new prisoner?" LeBeau said.

"They've done it before when it's somebody they don't want us to see," Hogan said. He squinted trying to see the American officer, whose back was turned to the barracks as the group walked into Klink's office. "But why are they taking him to Klink's office first and not the cooler?"

"All new prisoners go to Klink's office first," LeBeau said.

"Not when it's somebody they don't want us to see..."

Once the door to Klink's office closed, a whistle blew. Hogan quickly shut the door and he, Newkirk and LeBeau turned their backs to the door.

"There's the signal," Shultz announced. He looked at Newkirk and LeBeau. "You can go back to your game now."

"Momentum's shot, Shultzie," Newkirk said. "We'll have to pick it up some other time."

Shultz shrugged and left the barracks. LeBeau opened the door and watched Shultz walk across the compound towards Klink's office. He closed the door and nodded to Hogan. The Colonel turned and waved for everyone to follow him to his quarters. The coffee pot was set up and the heroes listened in.

"....for he will not be here long, Colonel Klink," Hochstetter said. "The Propaganda Ministry wants us to keep him moving around, so as the Allies can not find him easily."

"The Propaganda Ministry wants to keep his whereabouts as well concealed as possible," Burkhalter said. "And you are not to place him in with the rest of the prisoners. Given that he is well known by just about every soldier of the Allied forces, no prisoner here is to see him or even know he is here."

"Where am I to keep him?"

"The visiting officer's quarters will do," Burkhalter said. "You will have a guard posted at all hours of the day and night. No one is to go near the quarters unless authorized by Major Hochstetter, myself, or by the Propaganda Ministry."

Klink nodded. "Understood, Herr General." He smiled. "You can rest assured gentlemen, while Major Miller is here at Stalag 13, no one will know he is here."

The heroes all looked at each other and Colonel Hogan. "Major Miller?" LeBeau said.

Carter looked at Hogan. "Sir, you don't think that's..."

"Major Glenn Miller?" Hogan said. "He's the only Major Miller I know of that they might go to all this trouble for and have the Propaganda Ministry involved." 

"The band leader?" Newkirk said.

"The same. But I can't believe the Germans could have some how nabbed him." Hogan looked at Kinch. "Kinch, send a message to London. Ask them where Glenn Miller is."

"Right," Kinch turned and left the Colonel's quarters.

Hogan unplugged the coffee pot. "What if it is Glenn Miller?" Carter asked. "What are we going to do?"

"Figure a way to get him out of here and back to London where he belongs."

"If it is him, Colonel, what do you think the Germans are going to do with him?" Newkirk asked.

"If the Propaganda Ministry is involved it could be anything. They may try to use him in some of those Berlin Betty broadcasts or Axis Annie or something." Hogan paused. "Or they could be holding him for a ransom of some kind. Maybe swap him for some Kraut that our side captured. Whatever they have planned, if they do have the real Glenn Miller, they've got themselves one hell of a bargaining chip."

***

Across the compound, Colonel Klink and Sergeant Shultz were showing Major Miller to the guest quarters. Burkhalter and Hochstetter were present as well.

"Here we are, Major Miller," Klink said. "I hope you find these quarters to your liking."

"He's not supposed to find the quarters to his liking, Klink," Burkhalter scolded. "He's not a visiting dignitary."

"He should not make himself too comfortable here anyway," Hochstetter added, casting a glance toward Miller, "as he won't be here for long."

Miller kept his comments to himself, although he looked directly back at Hochstetter. It was clearly becoming evident by this point that Miller had no use for Hochstetter and Hochstetter had no use for Miller. Truthfully, Hochstetter didn't like the idea of the Gestapo being babysitters for the Propaganda Ministry's prize catch, but with direct orders coming from Himmler's office, Hochstetter had no choice but keep his mouth shut. So he gave Miller all the Gestapo charm he deserved.

Miller, on the other hand, refused to show any fear toward Hochstetter, which only made Hochstetter all the more irritated. Plus the fact that Miller was considerably taller than Hochstetter the Gestapo Major didn't like either. Despite this, Hochstetter took a few steps toward Major Miller, to remind the American of the fact that he was a prisoner of the Third Reich. "The Major should also be reminded that he should not attempt to escape..." he said, "or he will not be treated as lightly as other prisoners of war."

"Yes, there has never been a successful escape from Stalag 13," Klink added. He then stopped and looked at Hochstetter. "What do you mean he won't be treated as lightly as other prisoners of war?"

"He means I'm not a prisoner of war," Miller said casually, looking at the Kommandant. He then turned his gaze back to Hochstetter. "Therefore if I escape, I'll more than likely be shot if found. That is what you mean, is it not Major?"

Hochstetter straightened his shoulders, but didn't give an answer.

"Of course, if that should happen," Miller continued, "then the broadcasts from London will resume as normal. And the Propaganda Ministry will be rather upset that you got a little over zealous....don't you think?"

Hochstetter's moustache twitched in annoyance. Obviously Miller had figured out he was essentially untouchable. "Enjoy your stay here, Major. We'll see each other again."

"Looking forward to it."

Major Hochstetter turned and marched out of the quarters.

Burkhalter turned to the Kommandant. "Keep him well guarded, Klink. The Propaganda Ministry has a lot vested in this man's capture."

"Yes, Herr General!" Klink saluted. Burkhalter turned to leave with Klink and Shultz following. Shultz looked back at the American Major and gave a slight bob of his head, a silent bravo for getting Hochstetter pretty well flustered, before shutting the door.

Major Miller found the portly sergeant's action odd but shrugged it off. He sat down on the sofa, removing his crush cap and tossing it into the seat next to him, and then removed his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes. This was going to be a long confinement...