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Weaving A Web To Freedom

Book Three: Fliegerabwehrkanonen Spells FLAK

Chapter Ten

A Change in Plans

Armin removed Daniel's blindfold, "Sorry we have to bring you in like this, but we can't be too careful." Daniel looked around the cellar for anything that would indicate where he was.

"I understand," he said. "How long will you keep me here?"

Armin looked the man over before answering, "I don't know. We have to make some arrangements. One of us will always be with you. Sorry, but we don't know enough about you to leave you on your own."

Daniel nodded. "I wish there were some way I could put your mind at rest, but our work was very secretive. Black Paw recruited me almost a year ago, after learning of my dissatisfaction with the Third Reich. I don't think London even knows about me," Daniel said, trying to stop their fears. "I was afraid something would get out and my family would suffer. I didn't figure on Black Paw being captured, let alone killed. So now I'm in a bigger mess. Lucky I had that meeting with you or I wouldn't be on my way to England now." Daniel paused. "By the way, what happened to the others that I met with the other night?" Maybe I can find out what happened to the man that was shot. The Major said he had lost a lot of blood and would have probably needed help.

Armin stopped himself from answering right away. He paced away from Daniel and then turned to answer. "They're all safe."

I'd better not get too inquisitive. "Ahh, good! I've been worried, it took me a day to stop trembling" Daniel added, smiling.

Armin nodded and looked over at Horace. "I will leave 'Kurt' with you for now. Just try to get some rest, I'll be back later."

I don't trust you will real names yet, Daniel, Armin thought. Reaching the door, he glanced back, taking one more look at their guest and then at his watch. I hope Lutz didn't run into any trouble getting to Papa Bear.

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"Hey, there's a staff car in front of Klink's office," Carter exclaimed.

Kinch, Newkirk and LeBeau joined him at the window.

"Isn't that the car that German Colonel arrived in this morning?" LeBeau asked.

"I think you're right, Louis," Newkirk answered, as Hogan and Schultz came into view.

"That must be why Klink sent for the Colonel. Come on, let's get the coffee pot out!" Kinch headed for Hogan's quarters followed by his friends.

Hogan and Schultz entered the outer office where Helga was just finishing up her day's work.

"Wait here, Colonel Hogan," Schultz directed. "I'll see if they're ready for you."

Schultz knocked on the door and waited for permission to enter.

Hogan stepped over to Helga's desk. "Has Klink been doing any yelling?" he asked, trying to get a feel for the atmosphere of the room on the other side of door.

"I have heard nothing, Colonel Hogan," she answered.

Seeing the handsome American airman always made her pulse race. She looked down at her desk and shuffled some papers, acting disinterested. "Did you do something to upset him?"

Smiling, Schultz had his head tilted listening for the Kommandant to answer but had his eyes on Hogan and Helga.

"Yes, come in," Klink answered.

Schultz quickly turned his attention back to Klink and opened the door.

"Herr Kommandant, I have Colonel Hogan."

"Oh, show him in Schultz," Klink answered with enthusiasm.

Before Hogan could respond to Helga's comment, Schultz motioned him forward.

Hogan moved toward the door but looked back over his shoulder at Helga, who quickly turned back to her typing with a smile.

Swiping his hat off his head, Hogan entered the room. He glanced discreetly at Dozier, who was sitting relaxed in a chair by the window, and then abruptly returned his attention to Kommandant Klink.

Hogan saluted formally and asked, "You sent for me Kommandant?"

"Yes, Hogan, you may stand at ease." Klink looked at Dozier and announced, "Colonel Dozier, this is our senior POW officer, Colonel Robert Hogan, United States Army Air Corps., former Commander of the 504th Bomb Squadron," Klink crowed, proudly displaying his prized prisoner. "Colonel Hogan, Colonel Dozier wanted to meet you," Klink announced.

"Colonel Dozier," Hogan said, nodding in greeting.

Dozier's eyebrows arched. "So, Colonel Hogan, this is where you ended up after we plucked you from the skies over Germany. You flew through a lot of Flak presented to you by our Eighty-Eights, before you were shot down by General Biedenbender."

Dozier stood and walked behind Hogan, "You were extremely lucky, my guns didn't get you first." the German chided.

The memory of that day still hung fresh in Hogan's mind. Lucky, was not a word he would use to describe that day. His jaws clenched and the veins in his neck became visible. He could feel Dozier looking him over and he didn't like it.

Hogan countered, looking Dozier straight in the eyes. "Well, Colonel Dozier, if your Eighty-eights are the threat you think they are and yet failed to bring my plane down, what is that telling us?" Shrugging his shoulders, he added, "Or maybe it's just that they aren't as big a threat as you think."

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The men in the barracks held their breaths. LeBeau closed his eyes waiting for the repercussions, while the other three sat frozen staring at the speaker.

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Dozier lost his smile and stepped in front of the POW. "You may have been considered one of the Allies' best pilots, but you obviously weren't good enough!" Dozier shot back, his eyes squinting as he re-evaluated the American. "And as for our Eighty-eights, I would think last night's reign of terror would have convinced you otherwise."

Hogan had just recoiled for the return fire, when Klink intervened.

Stepping in between the two, Klink looked at Hogan and quietly warned, "Do not start anything that I will have to finish, Hogan. Any further disrespect and you will find yourself in the cooler."

Klink's job was to keep Hogan in one piece and under wraps. If the only way was the cooler then that was the way it' was going to be.

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"You tell em gov'nor" Newkirk praised. Louis stood up tall and crossed his arms in an air of approval. The Colonel was known for his quick wit.

Kinch strained to hear Klinks warning. He didn't want to miss anything.

"Boy, Klink is sure trying to put a stop to this quick!" Carter laughed.

Newkirk smiled, nodded his approval and whispered, "Let em have it, Colonel."

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The anger passed through Hogan's face and dissipated as the threat registered. He decided to keep his mouth shut…for now. He would make a nonverbal statement later when he blew up Dozier's guns.

Seeing Hogan step down, Klink exhaled. He often felt as if he were sitting on a time bomb where Hogan was concerned. Often caught between the American Colonel's own self destructive tendencies and the High Commands demand for his secure and safe keeping, Klink felt he was always one step away from disaster.

Restraining himself, Hogan answered, "You obviously have a point, Colonel Dozier, I do seem to be at a disadvantage at the moment." Hogan conceded, while clenching his fists and trying not to choke on his words.

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"Whatever Klink said, it must have made an impression, he seems to have backed off," Newkirk decided.

"I don't believe that! It never stopped him before," LeBeau countered.

"You're right, Louis. I think he doesn't want to rock the boat before tonight's mission," Kinch figured.

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Dozier looked with approval at Klink for putting the POW in his place and decided, Klink must be doing something right to have this kind of control over his prisoners.

Especially this one, he thought. He's a maverick and needs a tight rein.

"Kommandant, you and Colonel Hogan will join me in town tonight. We will have a good meal and exchange war stories," Dozier said, while sizing up the American Colonel.

"Well, that is very good of you, but I'm afraid I can't allow Colonel Hogan out of camp. Besides, camp funds do not allow for-" Klink was interrupted before he could go any further.

Dozier raised his voice and slapped his hand down on Klink's desk. "This night is my treat! End of discussion! We will go in my staff car. You won't even have to use your vehicle," Dozier said, determined not to take no for an answer.

Klink knew Burkhalter would have his neck if he let Dozier take Hogan out of camp and Hogan escaped. Yet, he was not authorized to tell Dozier why Hogan was not just an ordinary prisoner.

"Colonel Hogan is a dangerous man and I …"

Hogan did a slow turn to look at Klink. Dozier was a power maniac. That last statement was like dangling meat in front of a shark.

"I thought you had your prisoners cowed, Kommandant?" Dozier interrupted. Picking up the letter opener and a piece of paper from Klink's desk he began to stab little holes through it.

Hogan crossed his arms and stood staring at Klink, wondering what the Bald Eagle was going to say next to make matters worse for him.

"Well, yes, but…" Klink stuttered and then relented. "Colonel Hogan, we will go with Colonel Dozier into town, but one wrong move and …"

"I'm sorry, Kommandant, I really don't feel up to it tonight. Maybe another time!" Hogan declined.

Dozier stopped stabbing the paper he held and began cutting it into little pieces.

Klink looked at Dozier and explained, "Colonel Hogan suffered severe smoke inhalation in the process of rescuing Major Hochstetter. He is still recovering."

Good comeback, Kommandant, Hogan thought, as he looked at Dozier and nodded in agreement.

This little bit of news peaked Dozier's curiosity about the American even more. He dropped what remained of the paper and looked at the prisoner.

"Not to fear, Colonel Hogan, we will take good care of you. If what the Kommandant just told me is true, and I have no reason to doubt his word, you have earned a good meal. Consider it a reward."

Still trying to remain in camp, Hogan continued, "No, really, I…" but was cut off when Dozier stabbed the letter opener into the top of the desk and left it swaying there as he unsnapped his Lugar.

"I will not take 'no' for an answer," Dozier threatened. "You can spend the evening either eating or bleeding."

Seeing this action and not knowing exactly how big a madman Dozier was, Hogan responded, "Well, when you put it like that, how can I say no?"

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"What just happened?" LeBeau asked.

"It sounds like the Colonel is going to dinner!" Newkirk answered.

Carter looked at his comrades and asked, "Well, now what are we going to do?"

"This is going from bad to worse." Kinch agreed.

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"Daniel, do you still want a chance to prove yourself?" Lutz asked.

"What do you mean?" Voss asked, looking at the man who had just entered the cellar.

"We have a job to do tonight and could use another man. Interested?" Lutz was setting the trap.

Voss stood and answered, "It beats sitting in this damp cellar! What are we doing?"

Lutz handed Daniel a Lugar. "The rest of the team will be here soon and we'll go over the operation."

"You'll find out in a little bit." Lutz turned and went back to the table. "In the meantime, I've brought some food, let's eat."

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Hogan burst into the barrack and slammed the door. "Did you hear?"

"Oui, Colonel, we heard!"

"I've only got a few minutes to get ready." Hogan shook his head. "I can't seem to get a break," he mumbled.

"Okay, if I'm not back, go as planned and I'll try and catch up. Remember to plant your powder under the bridge with a pressure detonator before you go for the cannons. If we mess this up, and they get suspicious, odds are they'll pull them out using that bridge. We've got to get those guns tonight. We won't have another chance. Carter, do you have everything you need?"

"Sure, Colonel, it's all ready to go. Are you sure you want us to go without you?"

"It'll be all right, Carter. Just follow Kinch's orders. Besides, I'll probably be back in plenty of time."

Things can't keep going wrong forever, right? Hogan thought.

"Kinch, you know what to do. Get the explosives on the guns, set the timers, and get back to camp. I don't know what Dozier has in mind, but I can't imagine he wants to just take me to dinner. You'd better tell the Underground to keep Daniel in that cellar. One surprise is enough for tonight. We'll deal with him later. Hochstetter will undoubtedly have security beefed up. So be careful."

"What do you suppose Dozier could be up to?" Newkirk asked.

"I haven't a clue!" Hogan answered. "But he was dead set on me going with him!"

LeBeau turned from his sentry post at the door to Barrack Two. "Schultz is coming!"

"I guess my time's up. Any last minute questions?" Hogan looked around at his men, who were shaking their heads. "Don't worry guys. It'll all work out fine!"

I hope, he silently finished.

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"Papa Bear calling Nighthawk. Papa Bear calling Nighthawk, come in Nighthawk." Kinch was trying desperately to reach the Underground unit.

"Blimey, they surely haven't gone out yet. Where are they?" Newkirk lit a cigarette in frustration.

"I don't know, but I don't think we're going to reach them," LeBeau answered.

Carter stood watching and listening to his companions and his anxiety was building. "So the Underground will end up bringing that 'Daniel' guy with them, and the Colonel wants him left out."

"It's beginning to look that way," Kinch sighed. "Our luck had better change soon we're running out of time!"

"Hadn't we better try and get word to the gov'nor? There's only one place worth eating at in town, and Maria is still working as a waitress there. We can call and have her slip the Colonel a message." Newkirk stamped out his cigarette.

Kinch thought it over, "Okay, Newkirk, go ahead and make the call. Let's keep the unknowns to a minimum as much as we can, for everyone involved."

A short time later, Kinch, Carter, and LeBeau watched Newkirk as he climbed out of the tunnel and closed the entrance. Newkirk shoved his hands in his pockets and was looking down at the floor as he walked over to the table.

"Well, Newkirk, is Marie going to give him the message?" Kinch prodded.

"Newkirk took a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket and shook one out. "Yeah, she said she would try to find him."

"Try to find him? Isn't he at the Hoff Brau? Carter questioned.

"No!" Newkirk lit his cigarette.

"What? Well, where is he?" LeBeau asked, as he stepped away from the soup he was stirring and closer to the group.

Newkirk shrugged, "But Marie said she had an idea. There's a new place in town with a quieter atmosphere that a lot of the officers have migrated to. She thinks there's a good chance he'll be there."

LeBeau threw his arms up in the air, turned and spewed a line of French phrases, before turning back around and ending with a question he translated to English. "Things are not shaping up to well here, how do we know this isn't all part of a Hochstetter trap?"

"I guess we'll find out in a few hours. We have our orders. We go as planned," Kinch stated.

Newkirk walked over to the stove. "When's that soup going to be done, Louis? If this is my last meal, I don't want to rush it!"