The T.V. show Hogan's Heroes belongs to Bing Crosby Productions. No ownership of the Hogan's Heroes characters is implied or inferred, and no infringement is intended

Chapter Five

Destinies

The trip to the Durchgangslager der Luftwaffe was a noisy one filled with adrenalin packed exuberance. Both men were expounding on their luck.

"Heinrich, you have always been on the lucky side of Fate! Finding this American Colonel alive is going to send another wave of exhilaration through Berlin! This has got to make the Fuhrer happy, which will in turn make Goering happy. I'd say you've exonerated yourself twice over!"

Biedenbender laughed loudly. "After standing in front of Goering and the High Command and being chastised for inefficiency, I can't tell you the satisfaction I'm feeling at being able to hand this curse to the Fatherland over to them, for interrogation."

It was Hogan's upcoming interrogation, and expected relinquishing of information that prompted this trip to the Durchgangslager to visit Kommandant Killinger. Like a cat playing with a mouse, Biedenbender wanted to be kept informed of Hogan's progress.

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

"Yes, yes, Oberst Biedenbender, come in. I have been listening to your praises on the radio. And you must be Major Schinner!" Kommandant Killinger stood next to his open office door and waved them inside. "Have a seat! This is indeed an honor. What can I do for you?"

"I suppose, since you know who I am, you know who Colonel Hogan is also," Biedenbender waited for affirmation before continuing.

Rolf watched with amusement as Heinrich gave Kommandant Killinger the good news.

Killinger was leaning back in his chair nodding his head. "I do. But the information is that he hasn't been found…nor his body identified…yet." The silence from his guests prompted Killinger to sit forward. "Are you telling me he has been found…" Killinger leaned across his desk, as it dawned on him that his guests wouldn't be here unless, "…alive?" Killinger anxiously awaited an answer. He could feel his heart quicken at the thought of adding this Allied officer's name to his prisoner roster. The Kommandant would then be able to claim some of the glory this American's capture had been spreading around Germany. As commander of a bomber group, Colonel Hogan will have vital military information to be obtained and handed over to Berlin. Killinger smiled as he realized that he would be identified as the man under whose direction this information was attained.

Biedenbender smiled, "Yes, Herr Kommandant, he is at Hohemark hospital recovering from surgery to remove shrapnel from his left side, right shoulder and leg. He had lost a lot of blood and was practically dead when we found him. Dr. Weinzaphel said to tell you he would be ready to transfer to your care in seven to ten days."

"Wundervoll! Thank you for taking the time to come by and tell me yourself." Killinger was already forming a plan for managing his prize prisoner. "I will have Major Junge assign our best interrogator to take charge of this man."

Biedenbender could not contain his merriment and laughed out loud. "I'm glad I could bring you the good news, but there is something I would like from you."

Killinger looked questioningly at Biedenbender. "Yes? What is that?"

"I would like you to keep me informed of his progress. And…I don't want my name mentioned to him. Call it an idiosyncrasy, or a pilot's superstition, but I don't want him to have any knowledge of me."

"But of course." Killinger nodded. And we will also be glad to keep you informed of Colonel Hogan's progress while he is our guest here. Is there something you hope to learn in particular from this American?"

Biedenbender nodded, "I want to know his character. I have made a study of this man for several months, and I'm curious about how he handles himself now that he has been defeated. He was the scourge of the skies over Germany, raining destruction down on the Fatherland. Let's see how he handles being on the ground and having personal contact with the enemy." Biedenbender's eyes twinkled with satisfaction. It's retribution time, Herr Colonel.

Smiling, Killinger sat back in his chair and answered, "I understand…perfectly."

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

FRIDAY IN BERLIN

"Ja, Ja, Come in!" Biedenbender bellowed, stepping back to allow the waiter to wheel his cart into the room. He and the members of his Stabsschwarm were being treated like royalty. Food, drink, female companionship, life was indeed good for these heroes of the moment. They had arrived in Berlin early in the day, been greeted by the highest-ranking officers of the Luftwaffe, commended for their bravery and accomplishments, and then were paraded on horse back through the thundering crowds. The cheering people of Germany had reached to touch the feet of their heroes where their boots slipped into the stirrups, and to hand them flowers in grateful appreciation for stopping at least this one notorious monster from dropping bombs on their homes, cities and families.

With one exhaustive day behind them, they were now resting up for the next day. A day that was promising to be filled with even more prestige than what had already been lavished upon them. In the morning, Biedenbender and his men would receive their decorations from the Fuhrer himself, at a presentation in front of all of Berlin. It was a presentation that would be filmed as well as broadcast on the radio, an event that promised to be both unforgettable and rewarding. And it proved to be all of that…and more.

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

Biedenbender was in shock and continued to replay the Fuhrer's presentation in his head, seeing in his minds eye the insignias as they were removed from their presentation box and pinned in place on his uniform. He could still smell the presence of his leader standing in front of him, and hear the Fuhrer's words echoing out across the crowd, "…for outstanding leadership…undeniable courage… exemplifying the supremacy of the German Luftwaffe… grateful nation… promote you to…General Biedenbender!"

Biedenbender knew his promotion was as much a case of being in the right place at the right time as it was a reward for his own abilities and expertise. The propaganda ministry was using him to pump some pride and confidence into the German people. But he didn't mind being used in this manner. Shaking his head free of the memories he brought himself back to the present.

"Are you listening to me?" Rolf questioned, after receiving no response from his friend.

"Huh? What'd you say?" Biedenbender asked..

"I said, I think I'm going to be deaf for the next week!" Rolf complained, as they arrived to dine the officers of the High Command. This was Biedenbender's welcome into the club.

Biedenbender had heard, and knew exactly what his friend meant. The roar of the crowd left a definite humming in the ears. He stopped in the middle of crossing the elegant restaurant and turned to look at Rolf, while laughing mischievously, as his wingman and friend began again for the third time.

"I said I think…" Rolf suddenly realized Heinrich was having fun with him. "Ha, ha, very funny!" Rolf picked up a roll from a table he was passing and began to feign throwing it at Heinrich, and caught himself. "I guess I shouldn't throw things at a General." Rolf shook his head and added, "Wouldn't you know it, I finally make Oberst and you're still a grade ahead of me!"

"Some things never change, Rolf," Biedenbender kidded, clasping his arm around his friend's shoulder as they continued to traverse the dining room. "Our move to Berlin will not change our friendship!"

"I never thought it would," Rolf said with admiration. He was beginning to feel uncomfortable with the serious turn the conversation had taken. Stopping suddenly, he looked at Heinrich, flashed him a big, tooth filled, grin, and joked,

"So now that you're on a first name basis…what's the Fuhrer really like?"