Chapter 39

Time

General Burkhalter was right; it has been a quiet drive back to Stalag 13. Klink glanced at his sleeping prisoner Why do I think this is just the lull before the storm? Klink played through the scenario that still lay ahead for him and the, sleeping American Colonel. I'm going to wish I could give you more of whatever it is that Schmidt gave you to knock you out when you start demanding answers. Klink's head began to hurt just thinking about it. Well, at least we won't be discussing the removal of any of your men from camp. Gruber reports that Krantz finally found another, more logical, lead to follow. Klink felt relieved that LeBeau and Newkirk had not been taken away. Am I weak for not wanting to see men suffer? God knows, between the last war and this one, I've seen enough!

Klink reached over and shook Hogan's arm. "Colonel Hogan, wake up! We're almost back at camp."

Hogan opened his eyes and closed them again.

"Hogan!" Klink jostled the American's arm again. "Wake up, Hogan, and pull yourself together. Your men will be here to meet you in a few minutes."

The Kommandant's words leaked into Hogan's consciousness and he enveloped them into his nightmare. My men? My plane…we're going down! Hogan's eyes flew open as he straightened in his seat. His pulse was racing; his right hand flew across his abdomen grabbing his left side, as his eyes darted around the inside of the car looking for the cockpit he was just in. He blinked as the vision in his mind was replaced by the reality of his surroundings. Dreaming…again

Klink looked hard at Hogan, "Bad dream?" The Kommandant recognized the look of panic in Hogan's eyes. He had seen it in the waking eyes of his comrades during the "Great War". Hogan slumped back in the seat, his strength drained. "Where are we?"

"We're almost back at camp," Klink answered, still watching Hogan.

Squinting, Hogan attempted to look out the window of the car. "Is it morning or night?" he asked. Hogan removed his hat and ran his hand through his hair, then replaced the cap on his head.

"You mean you don't know?" Klink asked, surprised, as he leaned forward to gaze at his senior POW.

Hogan frowned and looked in Klink's direction. His eyes strained to see the Kommandant's silhouette outlined against the car window. "Just tell me what time it is."

Klink, concerned and curious, asked, "What time do you think it is?" Klink paused as Hogan looked away, not answering. "Do you remember what day it is?"

The question registered, but the confusion that came with trying to remember was still too uncomfortable to be faced. So, he turned the tables and put Klink on the defensive end of the conversation. "I remember you forgot to tell me what they had in store for me today…yesterday…whatever day it was!"

Surprised by the assault, Klink began his defense. "And what could you have done any differently? It wouldn't have changed what was going to take place. If anything, you would have made matters worse. You know, Hogan, you don't always choose the path of least resistance!" Klink shrugged. "What am I saying? From what I have seen, you never choose the path of least resistance," Suddenly realizing that Hogan had turned things around and made him the focus of their conversation, Klink's demeanor abruptly changed. Frowning, he began his angry reprimand. "In case you have forgotten, Colonel Hogan, you are my prisoner! I do not have to tell you anything."

"I…you…just…forget it!" Hogan's thinking was beginning to cloud over again. Yawning, he waved his hand in a dismissive gesture and mumbled, "I have…" he hesitated, as the urge to sleep suddenly became overpowering. "…better things…" He yanked his cap down over his eyes, "…to do." He succumbed as the car made a sweeping turn and stopped at the gates for recognition.

Shocked at being dismissed, Klink shifted in his seat. "Hogan, you have not been given permission to…" The sound of deep breathing filtered past the crush cap that was over his prisoners face. "Colonel Hogan?" Klink peered under the cap. He's out again! Replacing the cap, Klink sat back and watched his driver roll down the window to be recognized.

"Herr Kommandant!" the guard barked, as he looked into the back seat and saluted. Then, looking up, the guard gave the okay to the tower sentry and ordered the gates to be opened. As soon as the gates opened, the car sped around the compound and pulled up in front of the Kommandant's office.

Looking at his sleeping prisoner, Klink reached his hand out to wake him, and then stopped. There's not much point in waking you up. You'll just fall right back to sleep. Klink's frown softened. And I can't help thinking that sleep is a good thing…for both of us.

Schultz rushed forward to open the car door as the vehicle came to a halt. "Welcome back, Herr Kommandant."

"Thank-you Schultz, it's been a long day. I think the only one who got any rest was Colonel Hogan." Looking back inside the car, he added, "Schultz, take our sleeping prince back to his barracks. Tell Hogan's men that their Colonel has been delusional with a high fever and given a new medicine invented by the Third Reich to fight the infection, and that they should watch him closely for any side effects until morning."

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant," Shultz answered, and then asked, "What are they watching for?"

"I don't know! Anything! Everything! Just tell them to let you know if there is any change, good or bad."

"Jawohl!" Schultz started to turn back to the car but stopped as Klink continued to speak.

"Oh, that reminds me, get the guest quarters ready. Dr Schmidt will be here later and will be spending the night."

"Jawohl," Schultz saluted and then frowned. "Who is Dr Schmidt?"

"It's a long story, Schultz. Come to my quarters after you get Colonel Hogan to his barracks and have talked to his men. I'll be trying to catch up on some of this paperwork." Klink lumbered off, thinking only of getting his boots off and his feet up.

Turning back to the Kommandant's car, Schultz was met by five anxious faces. LeBeau, already in the car, was attempting to rouse his Colonel.

Kinch turned around from peering into the backseat. "What happened, Schultz? We thought the Colonel was just going for pictures."

LeBeau stuck his head out of the car, "Kinch, I think he's been drugged."

"I told you! Krantz said they were using him for some diabolical purpose they dreamed up! Okay, Schultzie, give out the information. What's been going on?" Newkirk asked as he turned to help get his CO out of the car.

Hogan opened his eyes as his men got him on his feet. He looked around matching the familiar voices to the blurry faces. "Whoa, whoa, wait a minute' guys." Hogan leaned back against the car and rubbed his eyes.

"You okay, Colonel?" Carter asked, stepping next to Hogan's left side. Looking at Carter, Hogan offered a weak smile. "Yeah, Carter," he said, rubbing his right temple, "Yeah, I think so. Except for this rotten headache." One thing was certain, he was having trouble waking up. Hogan took a step, trying not to look conspicuous as he placed his arm on top of the open car door for support. Keeping his hand on the door, he took a couple more steps away from the car, as the cold and dark began to register. "What time is it?"

His men looked at the watch on their Colonel's wrist and then at each other as Olsen called out the time. "It's 19:30, Colonel."

"Oui, that was a long picture session," LeBeau commented, angrily.

"Pictures...?" That rang a bell. "Oh, yeah…" Hochstetter… and my Hogan gingerly laid his hand over his injured side. The cool air was helping him to feel more awake. Taking in a deep breath he held it a second, before blowing it out, and began to feel a little steadier on his feet. Rubbing his eyes, he said, "Okay, let's get inside before they shoot us." Realizing his vision was not clear enough to focus on the building itself, he used the light leaking out around the door and windows of the barrack as a homing device.

"Listen to you," Schultz said, feigning indignation, "What kind of talk is that? You still have twenty minutes."

"Oh yeah? Since when can the guards tell time?" LeBeau asked, giving Schultz a quick questioning glance as he walked by and stayed close behind his now moving Colonel. The other men followed suit and formed an arc around their commanding officer. If he stumbled, he would never hit the ground.

As Kinch turned to join the others, Schultz reached over and grabbed his arm. "Kinch." Schultz motioned him a few steps back away from the others.

"What is it, Schultz? I need to go with the Colonel," Kinch had not taken his eyes off of his commanding officer. "He's asleep on his feet!"

"That's what I want to talk to you about. The Kommandant said you should watch Colonel Hogan for a…reaction!" Schultz whispered, tilting his head down and looking at the Sergeant.

Kinch's head snapped around to look at Schultz. "A reaction to what?"

"The Kommandant said Colonel Hogan had a high fever from an infection in his wound, and they gave him a new medicine at the hospital invented by our glorious Third Reich."

"What do you mean they gave him a 'new' medicine? Do you mean like in experimental? Oh that's just great! What are we supposed to be watching for?"

Shaking his head negatively, Schultz answered, "The Kommandant just said to let him know if there were any changes in Colonel Hogan," Schultz paused, and then added, "…good or bad!"

"That's pretty vague, Schultz!" Kinch rubbed his chin and headed for Klink's quarters.

"Halt! Where are you going?" Schultz stepped in front of the American Sergeant.

"I'm going to get some answers!" Kinch's look hardened.

"Nein! The Kommandant is tired and cranky. You'll only end up in the cooler."

"I'll risk it; I want to know what's been going on!" Kinch tried to step around the German barrier standing in front of him.

"Nein, nein, nein!" Schultz sighed, "I will find out, you go take care of Colonel Hogan!"

Kinch stood staring at the German Sergeant standing in front of him and relented. "Okay, Schultz, I'll let you talk to the Kommandant, but if you don't tell us what we need to know, I'll go myself!"