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.
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
When Hogan returned to the barracks, he had Kinch go down into the tunnel to monitor the calls coming into Klink's office. The Colonel wanted to be on top of anything the Germans had planned for Miller, while at the same time trying to plan for Miller's escape. As he had told the Major, Hogan did have a few ideas but what he didn't admit was that they were risky. Of course, every escape had its inherent risks, and Hogan had got important people out of Germany and to England before...but with Miller the game was different. Firstly was that Miller was easily recognizable and once they got him on the escape route he would have to be well disguised. Really well disguised. Secondly, and this was true with just about every escape, one slip up, one mistake, and there was the possibility that the Major could be killed. Or he could be moved from Stalag 13 in a shot, taken somewhere and hidden where no one could find him thus squelching any further attempts for escape, and then Hogan would have to forward Miller's request back to London...and the same end result would be met.
However, the broadcasts would continue as the Major wanted. But for Hogan, to lose the Major would be equal to failure and failure was never an option. Deep down, Hogan knew there was the possibility and he was feeling the pressure because Miller's status raised the stakes considerably. This wasn't just another Army Major...this was Glenn Miller! Hogan knew that every decision he made put the lives of his men into his hands sometimes and it was an awareness that he never took lightly. And as he paced in his quarters, considering possibilities and contemplating plans, he knew that the Major's life was now in his hands. And that wasn't something to take lightly either.
While Hogan paced, Kinch was listening in on a phone call between General Burkhalter and Klink.
"The Propaganda Ministry is eager to use Major Miller in several propaganda methods and they will be there tomorrow to speak to him about it," Burkhalter was saying on the telephone. "I will not be able to attend this meeting, but I want you to be there, Klink."
"Of course, Herr General. You can count on me."
"Hmmm..." Burkhalter refrained from comment on that. "Major Hochstetter will be at this meeting as well, seeing as Miller is being held under Gestapo authority."
Klink nodded. "Of course. Who will be here from the Propaganda Ministry?"
"Anna Gebhart and Hauptmann Horst Reigels. Fraulien Gebhart is very anxious to feature Major Miller in some of her broadcasts. She is also working on some other broadcast material that she would like to feature him in."
"I see," Klink said.
"All of that will be sorted out tomorrow when they meet with Major Miller. In the meantime, you are not to say anything to the Major about this meeting...."
Kinch listened to the end of the conversation and then put his headphones down. He climbed up the ladder to the barracks, where the others were sitting at the wooden table.
"Where's the Colonel?" he asked.
"In his quarters..." Newkirk stood up from the table and went over to Hogan's door. He knocked and Hogan opened the door.
"Kinch has something," the Englishman said. Hogan came out and the heroes gathered at the table.
"I just over heard Klink on the phone with Burkhalter," Kinch said. "The Propaganda Ministry is coming here tomorrow to have a meeting with Major Miller."
"Who from the Ministry?" Hogan asked.
"Terrific," Hogan muttered. "Axis Annie."
"Blimey...she'll want to get Miller to say how great and wonderful the Third Reich is and all that rubbish," Newkirk said.
"He'd never do it," LeBeau said.
"No," Hogan said, "but I'm sure they'll be very persuasive." He paused. "Kinch, we don't have the guest quarters wired do we?"
"No, sir."
"Could we?"
"We could but we'd have to run a new wire out and then set up a microphone somewhere inside. Considering how hard it's been just to distract the guard long enough for you to get in there..."
"Could the Major do any of it?"
"Sure. It's a straightforward set up. If we can smuggle a microphone in, all he would have to do is connect the wires." Kinch paused. "We can run the wire through the tunnel to Klink's quarters and then just route it under the floorboards of the guest quarters."
"Good," Hogan said. "Get started on it. LeBeau, help him out."
"Oui, Colonel."
"I'd like this done before tomorrow morning. I want to know what the Propaganda Ministry is going to be up to so we can stay ahead of it."
"What if they try to move him out of here tomorrow to some undisclosed location?" Newkirk asked.
"If they do that, they're going to be in for a surprise."
"We bust him out?" Carter said.
Hogan nodded. "We bust him out. I want you and Newkirk to have the commando stuff ready to go and make sure there's a car we can take from the motor pool."
"Right, sir," Newkirk replied and stood up with Carter. All of the heroes set out to tend to their tasks.
I never figured out if the stove the fellas come up through once in awhile is in Klink's quarters or the guest quarters. Near as I can tell from the various episodes I've seen (I have not seen all of them) it looks like it was done interchangeably. Of course, I could be totally wrong and maybe there were no guest quarters at Stalag 13 at all. LOL. But for the purpose of this adventure, there is a guest quarters, which is located next door to Klink's and there is no direct tunnel access. What, you think I'm gonna make it that easy? =)