Chapter 7: Surprises

Maria walked back to the barracks thumbing through the Bible. When she walked into the barrack, she got a lot of stares.

"I want to say thank you fella's for being so kind, patient and understanding. I know you want to continue to help me, but this is something I must face. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me1." Maria turned to go into her room when Hogan stopped her.

"Are you sure about this? You know we can get you out of here." Hogan asked concerned.

"I appreciate it, but if I start running, I will never stop. I will always be looking over my shoulder for Hochstetter."

"Well, all I can say is your better than I am. If I was facing what you were, I'd be shaking in my boots and running for the 'ills." Newkirk stated in awe.

"God is the one giving me the strength and courage. They also say if it doesn't kill you it will make you stronger. See ya in the morning."

Maria went into her room and did not come out except for roll call. She spent the time reading the Bible and praying. "Lord if it be your will let this cup pass from me; never the less not my will but thine.2"

Shultz walked into the barrack the fallowing morning not wanting to announce that it was time for roll call. He just stood there looking at each man. "Its time." Is all Shultz said.

"Morning fellas. How is every one doing?" Maria said as she came out of her room

"We are a bit chipper this morning for what is in store." Kinch commented

"You boys are not up to any monkey business are you? I have never seen anyone who was going to face Hochstetter's wrath be so happy."

"No Shultz, they are being good. Its all in your state of mind." Maria said

As everyone came out of the barrack to stand in formation, there was Major Hochstetter waiting.

"Morning Major. Beautiful day isn't it?" Maria said cheerfully.

Hochstetter started to turn red with anger. He has never delt wtih anyone that was brave enough to treat him like this, except Hogan.

I do believe I have met the queen of mind games. We could diffidently make a deadly pair. Hogan thought to himself with a smile. Too bad we wont get the chance to find out.

"Klink get on with it so I can take my prisoner and leave." Hochstetter growled through gritted teeth.

"Reeeeeeeeeeepooooooooooort!" Klink bellowed

"All present and accounted for."

"Finally, Maria if you will please come with me." Hochstetter said through gritted teeth as two guards went to escort her.

"No need for the escort Major. I am looking forward to this dance."

"Hold on Major. Not so fast. Maria isn't going any where." Klink said as he walked up to Hochstetter.

"Klink! You cannot stop me from taking my prisoner unless you want to wind up at the Russian front!" Hochstetter asked with a fond thought of sending Klink to the Russian front.

"You are correct, but Maria is no longer a Gestapo prisoner."

"What are you talking about?"

Klink pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and started reading "It has been determined, that in the best interest of all parties involved, to transfer custody of prisoner Maria Crockett, who iscurrently being held at Luft Stalag 13,from theGestapo to theLuftwaffe. Signed Reichsfuehrer Hermann Goering."

"You have got to be kidding? Why would he do such a thing?" Hochstetter yelled.

"You will have to take that up with him. Since you have no more business here, you my leave now."

Hochstetter went up to Maria, but was blocked buy the men of barracks 2. "Maria, you have not seen the last of me. I will be back!"

"Bye Major. Don't be a stranger." Maria waved by to Hochstetter as he and his men left.

Hogan goes up to Klink "How did you do that?"

"Contrary to what everyone thinks, I am pretty intelligent and have a few connections."

"How can I thank you Kommandant" Maria asked as she walked up to him.

"Lets just say you have put a down payment down. I will think of something else in the future."

"This calls for a celebration Louis." Newkirk exclaimed

"Oui, I shall make a grand meal for Reine Maria."

"Oh LeBeau that is sweet, but I am not a queen." Maria commented before she realized what she had done. "I guess now that I am a permanent resident of Stalag 13, I have some explaining to do?"

"You can tell us over dinner. I am anxious to hear why you said what you did when we first met."

"I know you are not a queen, but any one who stands up to Hochstetter like that deserves to be one."

REC HALL

"Everyone has done a fine job decorating and fixing the meal. Thank you everyone for the wonderful welcome."

"Now Maria, if you don't mind enlightening us a little."

I wonder how much I should tell them? They would never believe that I am from the future. Well here goes nothing. "About four years ago, my daughter Misty went on a trip to Europe for class. I lost contact with her. The last place that I knew where she was, was Germany. My husband and I came to Germany to look for her. Unfortunately, the war started and traveling was difficult. We had to give up the search. She would be sixteen now."

"That's why you got excited when we mentioned Neblig."

Maria just nodded her head. "If she is my daughter…" Maria started

"I will see if I can arrange a meeting with the two of you. Now how do you know that reine is French for queen?"

"When I was five, I was separated from my parents. The person who adopted me traveled to Europe a lot. So I picked up a few different languages."

"That doesn't explain why you told Hochstetter that Papa Bear was your husband." Kinch asked

"I knew it was a long shot, but I figured that I would try and get him off of your trail. My husband passed away a few years ago, so I figured he wouldn't mind me saying he was Papa Bear. We did help the underground some by hiding escaped prisoners. One called you Colonel Papa Bear, and said that you were in a POW camp in Hammleburg."

"How much do you actually know about the operation?"

"Look guys if you are worried about me being persuaded to talk if I am caught, I hope that I have proven to you that you can trust me."

Colonel Hogan looked at the rest of the men "What do you think?"

"I would love to 'ave a female on the team, except from the obvious, I wouldn't 'ave to dress up like a granny any more."

"I think Maria would make a better looking one any way." Commented Carter.

"Any objections?" No one said anything. "Welcome to the team Maria. Now what can you do besides foreign languages?"

"Whatever you need me to do. I'm willing to help. I do have many different talents."

"Can you handle a gun?"

"I've been shooting a few times."

"Any good."

"Not bad."

"We'll have a shooting lesson down stairs later. Now lets enjoy the rest of the party."

That night. "Kinch, get on the radio and tell London we have a new member joining the team. And find out if we can set up a meet with Neblig."

"Sir. London said if you trust her, so do they. Just to be on the safe side though, they want the back door installed. As for Neblig…" Kinch trailed off.

"What?"

"She has disappeared. They say they lost contact with her not too long after she saw Buttons talking with the SS. You don't suppose?"

"I hope not. I don't want to cause Maria any more grief or worry. For now keep that between us. I guess I'll tell Maria to fake a tooth ache."

KOMMANDANTUR

"Kommandant, I have a request." Hogan asked innocently.

"You always have a request. What is it this time?"

"Maria is complaining that her tooth hurts, and was…"

"Hogan, you know that you Americans have poor teeth. Every time I turn around, one of you is going to the dentist. I will have Shultz take her this afternoon."

"Thanks Kommandant." Hogan gave a lazy salute and left.

Maria and Shultz come back from the dentist. Her cheek is swelled. She marches up to Hogan and mumbles. "Whon ou anted me oo go oo the enis, Is didn wealize Is weally aving my eeth orked on."

"What did she say?" Carter asks innocently

Kinch laughed and said "She didn't realize she would really get her teeth worked on."

"Ut da do dat for?"

"London wanted a back door incase things get too bad and it looks like you are going to talk. Your tooth in the back is hollow. In it is a poison capsule. You use your tongue to lift off the cap and bite the capsule." Answered Hogan

"Akes ence. U ould ave orned me ough."

KOMMANDANTUR

"Hello, Colonel Klink, Stalag 13 speaking. Heil Hitler. Blood work? You found WHAT? Please keep this between us doctor. Oh, and please do me a favor and destroy all results and the blood sample. Thanks." Klink hung up the phone. Things just keep going from bad to worse. How do you keep a thing like this a secret?

1 Psalms 23:4

2 Matthew 26: 39