Kinch and Carter got down into the tunnle, where they sat down beneath the telephone. Kinch saw that Carters hands were trembling slightly and asked gently: "Carter, are you nervous?".
Carter nodded. "I´m afraid to mess things up. I´ve messed up a lot of things in the past and I just feel as if this is going to be another mess of mine.".
Kinch placed his hand upon Carters shoulder. "Andrew, you do not need to be afraid. I am sure you will do everything fine. We trust you.".
Carter smiled thankfully and then took hold of the telephone. Kinch made contact with the Gestapo Headquarters.
Kicnh gave Carter the thumbs up and then Carter got a secretary on the telephone. After a while, he finally caught Wachtelschneider on the phone.
"Heil Hitler, you are speaking to General von Kattenscheit. I need to inform you, that I am here to inspect the whereabouts of the Gestapo by orders of our beloved Führer. The Führer suspects inspections from the Red Cross and wants everything to be perfectly legal. Therefore I will inform myself about this region and the actions of the Gestapo in the last months.".
Kinch waited, while Carter listened carefully to Wachtelschneiders reply.
Then Carter said: "Yes, Herr Obergruppenführer, as you assume, I will also visit the POW camps in this region and inform myself about the way they function and the circumstances in which the prisoners are kept. You will keep in touch? Very well, Heil Hitler Herr Obergruppenführer.".
Carter put down the phone and sighed with relief. "Ok that´s it. He himself made the suggestion that I should visit the POW camps, so that´s out of the way as well.".
Kinch nodded, thought for a moment and then wanted to say something, when Newkirk rushed down into the tunnel.
"Fellas, one of us must go through the tunnel to the solitary confinement and take place in our little guard post. Hochstetter has arrived again and is headin´ for the solitary confinement.".
Kinch looked at him and made a fast decision. "I will go. Newkirk, go on with the papers, we need to get them ready as soon as possible. Carter, go to LeBeau and see if he has got the uniform ready.".
Without a word the two disappeared and Kinch, worried made his way to their watch post.
Solitary Confinement
"Hogan, there you are, my friend.". With a sarcastic smile, Hochstetters face appeared at the small opening in the cell door. Hogan tried to ignore him, he was not in need of more trouble and least of all he wanted to provoke Hochstetter.
Hochstetter however wanted to have some fun with his prisoner, which he regarded as a finally defeated enemy.
"And Colonel, now your little tricks do not work, don´t they? Aren´t your friends trying to save you? You should see yourself, here in the darkness, awaiting a firing squad and nobody´s there to save you. Nice friends they are, surely. They don´t even try to see you, they don´t try to save you, after everything you´ve done for them. Pityful isn´t it?".
Hogan couldn´t stand Hochstetters words any longer. He knew, that Hochstetter was not right, he knew, that his friends hadn´t forgotten him and that they certainly had not abandoned him. The only thing they were doing was to obey his last orders, nothing else and that meant to him, that they respected his orders and thereby respected his person. Hochstetter was only here to make him give up, to go into death as a broken man. Nothing would satify Hochstetter more as to see his enemy broken. No, he would not get that satisfaction.
Coolly, he looked at Hochstetter, but did not reply. Hochstetter, thinking Hogan was driving of into melancholy decided to put on something extra.
"You know what? Even your own army and government are letting you down. They are not making any progress, your liberty will never come, because the Third Reich will last for thousands of years. And do you know why? Because we are the Herrenrasse.".
Hogan could not hold back a comment. "Herrenrasse? You? I think you have got nothing somebody of Hitlers beloved Rasse should have. You´re small, black haired, brown eyes. And your fancy Führer? He´s exactly the opposite as what he thinks to be the Herrenrasse. Let him make up his mind and look into the mirror, because he gives way to his fancy thoughts.".
Hochstetter turned purple. In fact, Hogan had touched a tender spot in Hochstetters ego. "Hogan! You fool. You have got no idea, but I wil, teach you the right ideas. Heinrich, Hans, come here!".
During the entire conversation, Kinch had been sitting in the watch post, which was, if you did not know its position, completely invisible. With horror, he realised what Hochstetter intended to do. What he was about to start would certainly not be a fair fight. He had to do something. Without thinking anymore, he rushed out of the tunnel. He needed to inform Klink, he needed to save the Colonel.
While Kinch was running of to get Klink, Hochstetter called in his goons.
"Heinrich, Hans. Have you heard what this inferiour American said about the Herrenrasse and about the Führer? Let´s make him aware of the Führers power!".
Hogan jumped to his feet. Allthough there were three of them, he could at least defend himself. He retreated back into the corner, because from ther he would at least have cover from behind.
Hans en Heinrich jumped at Hogan at the same time, but the Colonel had learned how to fight. But after a few seconds, he realised, that this was no fight to see who was the best fighter, it was a fight to cause him pain and suffering.
While Hogan was wrestling with Heinrich, Hans got out his handcuffs and grabbed Hogan at the arm. Hogan tried to get away from his grip, but Hochstetter intervened, by punching him into the face. While Heinrich tilted his arms together and secured them with the handcuffs, he felt blood trickle down the right side of his face. He had no time to check on his injuries, because Hans kicked him in the stomach. Gasping, he rolled onto the ground, trying to protect his head and stomach from the blows and kicks. He cried out in pain, as one of the guards hit his right wrist. A memory flashed into his head. Wachtelschneiders guards had broken it during interrogation.
Now he had only his left arm to protect him. Hochstetter, realising, that Hogans wrist wasn´t entirely okay made a game of it to try wether he could hit him there again and again, whereas the two guards tried to pull at the handcuffs so Hogan would have to give up his protection. A hard kick against his head, and Hogan slipped into unconsciousness. It might had been a dream, but he imagined that before he finally lost consciousness he heard Kinch shouting, but he was not sure.
Kinch however was sure. He thought he had never ran so fast as he had done just now. Without a word to Klinks secretary, he had bursted into Klinks office, explaining in a few words what they had observed from the Barracks window. That Hochstetter had come back and had gone into the solitary. Klink, seriously disturbed at the thought that Hochstetter was interrogating his prisoner without any word to him, Klink, the Kommandant, followed Kinch.
When they arrived at Hogans cell, they could only see Hochstetter and his guards beating someone. Kinch, knowing it had to be Colonel Hogan shouted: "Stop it!".
Hochstetter looked at Hogan, noticed that he was unconscious now and decided to turn his attention to Klink and the other man. To his guards he made an uncaring handmovement. Upon this, they took Hogan and threw him onto the bed. Then they stood behind Hochstetter.
Hochstetter turned toward Kinch. "And who are you, American, that you dare to interrupt me during interrogation? You, a black, American sergeant?".
"I´m sergeant Kinchloe, U.S. Army Aircorps and I must protest due to the Geneva Conven-"-
He was cut off by Klink, who did not want another POW being inprisoned.
"Hochstetter, what are you doing in my camp without permission? What are you doing here, without first informing the Kommandant? What are you doing to that prisoner?".
During Klinks argument with Hochstetter, Kinch slowly walked towards Hogan, who lay, unconscious on the bunk. However, as Kinch sat down beside him, he moved and opened his eyes a little. "Kinch?"
"Yes Colonel, I am here.".
Hogan smiled a faint smile and said. "Then everything is ... all... right" and he became unconscious again.
Kicnhs stood up and walked towards the two arguing Germans. "Kommandant, i´m sorry to interrupt you, but you need to send the camp medic to look after Colonel Hogan.".
Klink nodded and turned towards Hochstetter. "Hochstetter, it is time for you to leave now. Otherwise I must inform the Gestapo Headquartes of your behaviour towards an higher ranked officer.".
Hochstetter growled, but moved away. The guards however remained, to guard Hogan.
Kinch turned to Klink. "Kommandant, could you please make sure that the camp medic sees Colonel Hogan, I just watched him and I don´t think he looks very well. They were quite rough with him.". Kinch chose his words carefully, but he wanted to shout at Klink, that he should get the camp medic and end this, end Hogans imprisonment, end the threat upon Hogans life, end Hochstetters visits, just end...
Klink nodded. "I´ll sent Rickman and I´ll tell the guards that he is in need of an assistant, so you could join him, I think Hogan needs this.".
"Thanks Kommandant.". Kinch could only wonder. Klink had changed during the last few days, he showed interest in human life, he cared for his prisoners.
Maybe the view I had of him is not right at all, maybe he is a good person.
Half an hour alter, Rickman and Kinch entered the cell. They noticed however, that one of the guards had opened the small window in the door, to listen at their conversation.
Slowly and carefully, Kinch approached Hogan. He did want to see if the officer was asleep or still unconscious. However, as he stood beside the bunk, Hogan opened his eyes and tried to sit up. Rubbing his head, he said with a faint smile: "Hi Kinch, what are you doing here, not visiting me for long, I hope?".
Allthough this answer could be taken the bad way, Kinch knew it was not meant like that. Hogan wanted to make sure, that Kinch was only here for a visit, not for imprisonment.
"No, sir. I just brought another visitor, you look as if you would need him.".
Hogan turned his attention on Rickman. "Aha, docter´s here again? Telling me I should take care of myself and not overdo anything? Sorry doc, but at the moment that´s out of my hands.". Again he tried a smile, but grimaced as a sharp pain shot through his head.
Rubbing his head, he said: "Damn, who was so eager to see my brain, that he tried to smash my skull?".
Kinch and Rickman smiled, obviously Hogans humour had returned, but Rickman felt the need for action, because the Gestapo guards had only allowed them a short time.
"Now Colonel, enough joking and enough of your stubborness, how are you feeling?".
"Fine, except a truck ran over me.".
"Ok, I´ll take that as a "I do not feel so well". There´s dried blood on your face, let me take a look at your head.".
Growling, Hogan shifted on his bunk, toward Rickman. Rickman examined the small wound at the back of his head.
"Mmh, I don´t think this needs stitiches, the blood that dried has closed the wound. Just make sure you do not bump it again, then everything will be all right.".
Hogan protested: "Hey, don´t make me look like a stupid kid that fell out of a tree or something. It wasn´t my fault.".
Rickman nodded. "Okay, I admit, I´m just telling you. Now let me see, Kinch told me they were kicking you, what about your ribs?".
"They´re fine, thanks", replied Hogan as he tried to push Rickman away, who just tried to lift Hogans shirt. Then he stopped in an instant.
That wasn´t a good move Robert, trying to shove him away with your right hand.
Rickman had noticed the painful effect of the defending move and turned his attention toward that.
"Colonel, what´s up with your right hand?".
"Someone thought it to be funny to try and bend it as far as possible and even farther and then another happy guy came and tried how many times he could kick it.".
"Let me check it then:".
Unwillingly, Hogan extended his arm. After a short examination Rickman said. "Colonel, how long have you been walking around with this?".
"Since about a week I think". Rickman shook his head. "This stubborness will bring about your death one day. Why didn´t you tell Klink or anyone else, that they should fetch a doctor. This is broken and it is not a good thing to keep it like this for a long time.".
Now Hogans patience came to an end. "Rickman, do you really think anybody cared?".
Rickman shook his head. "However, i am going to go to the camp hospital and get some plaster to fix this. Kinch, you can stay here, while I´m off. I´ll be right back.".
After Rickman had left, Kinch said with a carefull look at the guard.
"Colonel, do you know that the game is up the day after tomorrow?".
"Not really, but I suspected something.". He wanted to say more, but did not.
Kinch took the word again. "Colonel, we´re having a coffee party the day after tomorrow. We will make you one as well. LeBeau, Newkirk and Carter are preparing the stuff.".
Hogan nodded, he had understood what Kinch was trying to say. "But don´t make the coffee to strong, you know I hate coffee that´s to black and be careful when pouring out the coffee into the cups, it´s very hot and I don´t want you to burn yourself.".
Kinch smiled. "We will take care, you know LeBeau works very hard on his coffee and Newkirk is baking the cakes, while Carter is arranging the decorations.".
Hogan looked Kinch deep into the eyes. He wanted to say something, which he could not, due to the guard. He hoped the look would do it for him and Kinch understood.
I thank you for what you are doing, but do not put yourselves at risk, do not risk your lives for me, I do not want it, i could not live if anyone had died instead of me.