No ownership of the Hogan's Heroes characters is implied or inferred. Copyright belongs to others and no infringement is intended.

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Carter, Le Beau, and Kinch huddled in a corner of the barn, anxious despite their success. "What time is it?" Carter asked again.

"Look at your watch," Le Beau hissed.

"Ten past eleven," Kinch replied. It wasn't worth trying to calm Carter down now. All he could do was diffuse the tension. Hogan and Newkirk had not yet arrived. They weren't late, yet. No need to panic. But Kinch was feeling a sense of dread that he couldn't explain, and he had a feeling that the next five minutes weren't going to bring any good news.

"Where are they?" Le Beau asked, his anxiety coming out as anger. He didn't expect an answer.

"They've still got time," Kinch said, trying to convince himself. "Maybe Abington came late."

Carter agreed. "Maybe he didn't come at all, and the Colonel and Eichberger waited till the last minute to leave."

"Maybe." Le Beau didn't sound convinced.

The sound of a car pulling up halted their tense conversation. They made sure they readied their weapons. "Colonel Hogan said they are not coming in a car," whispered Le Beau.

Kinch nodded as they crouched down behind some bales of hay they had stacked up when they arrived. Aiming his gun toward the door, he held his breath and waited. The door burst open, and in the pale moonlight the outline of two figures appeared to be framed.

"Fellas, it's us!"

Kinch put the safety back on his gun and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. He stood up, Le Beau and Carter following suit, and came out from behind the hay. "Glad you could make it," he said lightly. But his mood changed quickly as he felt no serenity coming from the new arrivals.

"We've got trouble," Hogan said. "Big trouble."

Carter and Le Beau came out to the rest of the group. "What do you mean?" Carter asked.

"Eichberger was Hochstetter's plant," Hogan explained. "And now Hochstetter knows all about the operation."

"So Black Forest did turn traitor!" Le Beau spat.

"Black Forest is dead. Eichberger took his place a long time ago." Hogan stopped as he took in the bewildered looks of his men. Now wasn't the time for long explanations. "Look, Eichberger told Hochstetter everything. Hochstetter's supposedly at the camp now, waiting to round up me and anyone who's helping me." The reality of what Hogan was saying started to strike them. Hogan said simply, defeated, "It's finished. It's time to get out."

Newkirk shook his head. Carter looked devastated, and Le Beau drew his face into an angry sneer. Kinch looked all around him. Why was focusing so hard? "Colonel, what are you saying?" asked the radioman.

"We've done our work, Kinch. We have to close up shop." Stunned silence filled the barn. Finally, Hogan added, "We got the preliminary escape route for Klink from the Underground last week. I want you guys to go to the first stop tonight and wait until they're ready to get you out. I'll go back to camp and destroy the records. We can't let them stay in the tunnels; if they're discovered, hundreds of people will die."

"You can't go back, Colonel; you just said Hochstetter's there waiting for you!" Kinch protested.

"We can't leave details of the operation behind. You know we have to get rid of it!" Hogan insisted.

"Then we'll all go back," Le Beau announced.

"No. I go alone," Hogan said.

"Not this time, Colonel," Newkirk said. "You can court martial me if you want, sir, if we live through it. But you're not going back on your own."

"Oui, me too."

"Same goes for me," Carter piped up.

"I guess it's unanimous," Kinch observed. "We all go, or none of us goes. You can't protect us this time, Colonel. We won't let you."

Hogan looked overwhelmed. Tonight had been too much for him, he realized. When it was all over, he would happily collapse for a week or more. But right now, there was no time to think of such luxuries. "Okay. But you do as I say when we're there. Our main goal in going there is to destroy any evidence of our existence, and get out alive. Got it?"

"Got it."

"Then let's go."

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Hogan motioned for the others to stop and duck down low as they approached the camp on foot. In the interest of secrecy, they had ditched the car about one hundred yards up the road and hidden it in the scrub in case they needed it later. They looked down at the barbed wire and the only home they'd known for the better part of three years.

"Krauts everywhere," Newkirk said grimly. "Look at them all, swarming like a bloody knocked-over beehive."

Hogan nodded, never taking his eyes off the scene before him. "So Eichberger was telling the truth. Hochstetter's goons are bound to be there. We're going to have to figure out the best way to get in...and then get out... without being seen."

A noise from somewhere nearby drove them face down to the ground, where they waited breathlessly until they realized it was just the rustling of the trees in the night breeze. "I'd say walking in through the front gate is out of the question," Kinch observed, as they watched two more guards join the ones already at the fence nearest them.

"Look at them all!" Carter whispered. "They must have every Kraut in town on patrol!"

"Well, you know the Nazis, Carter—they put everyone to work—women, children, prisoners..." Hogan let his words drift away. Prisoners. Oh, God, he thought, tonight's destruction of the train coming back to haunt him, sickening him. God, those poor men. Could I have stopped that from happening?

"Okay, here's what we're going to do," Hogan decided. "I'm going to go down and check out the tunnels. If it's clear, I'll come back and you'll follow. Give me five minutes. If I don't come back, head for the first checkpoint and don't look back. Got it?"

Every one of Hogan's men opened their mouths to protest. But the look on his face stopped them from speaking, and they simply nodded agreement. Hogan crouched down low, his gun clenched tightly in his hand, and scanned the area for any immediate threats between him and the entrance to the tunnel. Seeing nothing, and accepting the same conclusion from the others, Hogan ran stealthily to the tree stump and hopped in, closing the top and securing it behind him. Hogan's men were left to scrutinize the woods as they remembered the expression on Hogan's face: guilt, with a bit of fear, and determination. They had to let him do this his way, or the guilt would never go away.

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Stripping off the German coat and hat as he ran, Hogan burst through the tunnel and back to the area under Barracks Two. "Any problems down here yet?" he asked the stunned Wilson and Klink.

Wilson stood up, worried by the Colonel's incessant, nervous movement; even now, as he waited for an answer, Hogan was darting in and out of corner rooms, stopping only to listen for any sounds coming from above. "No, Colonel, no problems. Are you all right? Where are the oth—"

"Check the other areas. We have to get out," Hogan said, not listening past the "No." Wilson felt his own stomach tightening. "Eichberger was one of Hochstetter's men. We've been betrayed; the Gestapo is all over the camp. Are you sure you haven't had any trouble?"

Wilson shook his head. His body seemed to be frozen in place. "No, Colonel. No trouble," was all he could say.

"Good. Keep an ear out. I'm going to go get the others. We've got to get rid of as much information as we can before we leave. Otherwise a lot of people could die."

And he was gone.

Klink finally found his voice. "What does he mean, one of Hochstetter's men?"

"I don't know," Wilson said, still watching where Hogan had disappeared. "But I have a feeling no one's going to be getting any sleep tonight."

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"Carter, I want you to start getting the explosives together. Wire up the tunnel, and do it big. We're not coming back so it's okay if we collapse it all. Newkirk, get a fire started and make it a big one. Le Beau, Kinch—start burning all our documents—maps, names, places. We've got to get rid of everything. I'll get the stuff upstairs."

"But Colonel, there are Krauts up there!" Carter protested.

"That's exactly why we have to get rid of the stuff." Hogan took a deep breath. "Make sure you get out of those clothes. We won't be very welcome anywhere dressed as saboteurs." Hogan glanced at his own clothes. "And I won't get us in anyone's door if I stay dressed like this." Hogan's men stood waiting. "Okay, get moving."

The men ran off in their own directions, doing the jobs they had been assigned. Hogan listened carefully for any noises coming from upstairs and then tapped for the ladder under the bunk to release.

Coming cautiously into the dark room, Hogan moved quickly across to his quarters. Making sure his windows were darkened, he switched on a small light at his desk and started digging for hidden files. Under his bottom bunk, a small hole to store code. Near the window, pull-down maps. Under a floor board under the desk, a larger area to keep more detailed information about contacts and assignments. Hogan gathered as he went, and started the papers burning in the stove in the common room. The men sleeping in there stirred but did not waken; they were used to Hogan and his men creating noises in the middle of the night.

Hogan went back into his room and started changing out of the German uniform that Eichberger had given him. He gave himself little time to think about anything but the tasks at hand, but he could not help his head spinning at all that had happened tonight. Here he was, pulling on his US Army Air Corps uniform, running around the barracks for the last time, trying desperately to destroy any proof of his mission's existence, putting his men again in the face of danger. All because I trusted someone I shouldn't have. Hogan winced briefly at a pain in his hand as he hurriedly buttoned his shirt, but the pause was only for a second. Nothing more than you deserve, Hogan said punishingly. It'll be a nice reminder of your failure. He grabbed his jacket and crush cap and a couple of books and files that needed saving and took off to head back downstairs.

Three years' work.

And all traces of it gone in less than ten minutes.

When he was halfway to the tunnel, the door to the barracks opened. Hogan froze, and looked toward the open entrance to the people downstairs. No, not them, too, he thought desperately, and he quickly dropped what he was holding down the hole and banged on the bunk in the hopes that it would close before anyone realized what had happened.

The lights came on then, and Sergeant Schultz entered the hut. His eyes widened when he saw Hogan, and he quickly shut the door behind him. "Colonel Hogan!" he said in a loud whisper.

Hogan looked back at Schultz, no longer wearing a mask of innocence. "Schultz—" he began.

"Colonel Hogan, you have to get out—the Gestapo is here. They think you are coming back into camp with Captain Eichberger tonight, and they are waiting to arrest you and your men!"

"I know that, Schultz," Hogan answered. "I just came back to clean up. I'm heading out soon."

"You have to go now," Schultz insisted. "Major Hochstetter is starting inspections of the barracks to see if he can find anything with any of the other men while he waits for you. He is at the Barracks Five now; you have to go!"

"He won't find anything anywhere else, Schultz." Hogan stopped to think. "But you are in a position to do me a favor."

"Please, Colonel Hogan, my favor is to let you go and to say I know nothing. Please, go now through that tunnel of yours. Please, please go."

Hogan looked straight at Schultz. The time for charades was over. Whatever Schultz wanted or didn't want to know, Hogan didn't have time to sort out now. So he spoke plainly. "Schultz, a lot of people could die if we don't do this right. Not just us, but people like your brother who put their lives on the line every day to fight the good fight. And people like Colonel Klink." Schultz's eyes widened again. "He's downstairs, Schultz, always has been. And he won't live if we can't take him with us. But we need a head start. You can get us that."

"The Kommandant? He is here?" Hogan nodded. Schultz shook his head. "I don't believe it." He paused, then looked at Hogan. "Should I?"

Hogan let out an exasperated sigh. He didn't have time for this. "Do I have to prove it to get you moving?" Schultz seemed rooted in place. Not out of spite, but out of confusion. Hogan turned around and banged the bunk again. "Klink!" he called down. "Hurry up and show yourself!"

A few seconds later a bewildered and somewhat uncoordinated Kommandant Klink made his way up through the bunk until his head and shoulders were in the room. He squinted in the bright light, and even the prisoners who were waking up to the booming voice of the guard were surprised by the appearance of the Kommandant. "Hogan? Are you sure I should be up here?" Klink asked. As he got used to being in such an open area, his eyes alit on the Sergeant of the Guard. "Schultz?" he asked, as though he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Herr Kommandant!"

Schultz came closer to the bunk.

"We got him out of the cooler before Hochstetter and Burkhalter put him in front of the firing squad," Hogan said, as the two Germans studied each other. "We have to go, Schultz, and he has to come with us. If you stall, we'll have a chance."

"Schultz, will you be all right here?" Klink asked. Schultz reached past Hogan to help Klink up into the hut.

"Jawohl, Kommandant, I am safe enough." Schultz looked at his commanding officer. "You look... tired, Herr Kommandant."

"Thank you very much," Klink said with some sarcasm.

"Look, we're all tired," Hogan said with some impatience. "But if we don't get moving, we'll be resting permanently. I brought Klink up here so you'd understand why we need your help. So are you going to help or not?"

"Come with us, Schultz," Klink said suddenly.

Hogan raised his eyebrows. It was a thought he had not considered. "Herr Kommandant?" Schultz said.

"Schultz, you won't survive with Hochstetter around and no one to protect you. Captain Eichberger is working for the Gestapo. You must leave, too."

Hogan turned to Klink. "Eichberger won't be coming back to Stalag 13." Klink looked shocked.

"No, Kommandant, I cannot leave. My family is here. And although I do have a brother and family in England," he said, with a brief nod toward Hogan, "my duty is here. I will be safe." He lowered his voice conspiratorially. "I know a lot more than people think I do," he said.

Hogan waited only seconds. "Schultz, we need five minutes. Can you get us just five minutes?"

"Ja, I am sure I can do that." Schultz took a moment to look at Klink as Hogan was about to bundle the Kommandant back down to the others. "Herr Kommandant, it was a privilege working for you, sir."

Hogan watched quietly. Klink's expression was almost wistful. "Thank you, Schultz. You are a good soldier. And a good friend." Schultz saluted, and Klink returned the gesture, then held out his hand. "We will meet again, my friend," he said. "Auf Wiedersehen."

"Auf Wiedersehen," Schultz replied, a lump forming in his throat.

Sudden noises from outside startled the trio, and Schultz watched as Hogan practically pushed Klink back downstairs. "Five minutes, Schultz," Hogan reminded him. "Make sure all my men are out of the building—and you, too. See if you can manage to keep Hochstetter in here when you go. Got it?"

Schultz looked surprised. "Ja, I got it," he said, recovering. "Colonel Hogan," he called, as Hogan started down to the tunnel. Hogan stopped and looked at the guard. "Thank you for making this war a little easier to take."

Hogan smiled a genuine, warm smile at the Sergeant. "My pleasure, Schultz. For an enemy, you weren't a bad friend."

"Colonel Hogan, if you are looking for a place to hide, go to my house. Tell my wife I have sent you. She knows Colonel Klink, and she knows you. You can stay in the barn until you find another place. The Kommandant knows the way. You will be safe there."

"Taking sides, Schultz?"

Schultz shook his head knowingly. "Ja, Colonel Hogan. I think I am."

"I'll make sure I tell Ludwig when I see him." Hogan took a final look around at the remaining men, and took one final look toward his quarters, then slid quickly down the ladder and to the others who were waiting, packs in hand. Kinch hit the release to close the entrance, and Hogan turned to the others.

"This is it. Klink, you're coming with us. Wilson—"

The medic looked at Hogan, wide-eyed. "I'm afraid you're in on this, too. The Krauts are all over the other barracks already. If you suddenly appear, you'll be taken in a flash."

Wilson could only nod.

"Carter, have you laid the charges?"

"Sure have, Colonel," Carter answered.

"It's time to set the timers. Have them go off in five minutes, and make the one for this area big enough to bring down the entire barracks."

The others gasped.

"I've made sure our men will get out. Is everything burned?"

"Oui, Colonel."

"Okay. Let's get those timers going. Kinch, get the radio cranked up. Don't try to reach anyone, just make sure the radio detection truck picks up a signal so Hochstetter's men will hang around the barracks till the timers go off. As soon as you've done that, haul freight out of here. Leave the radio on. Newkirk, take Klink out, and take Wilson with you. Carter, you and Le Beau set those charges closest to the exit, then head on out. I'll follow when I've set the ones back here."

Newkirk recovered long enough to speak. "We should all go out together, sir."

"And we will," Hogan answered. "As soon as the charges are set. Now get moving." He grabbed his own pack, registering somewhere in his mind that one of his men had gathered the stuff he had dropped down through the bunk and bundled it up for him. "Last one out turns off the lights. We're running a conservative war, remember?"