Chapter 7: Sacrifices
Hogan paced as much as he could in the crowed barracks. "She should be back by now."
"Colonel there is trouble in front of the Kommandantur." Carter said looking out the window.
Hogan went over to the sink and used the periscope to get a better look. "Oh my goodness! I don't believe he is here."
"Who?" Kinch asked.
"Hitler"
"WHAT!" Everyone in the barrack said in unison as they ran to the windows and doors to see for themselves.
"Kinch get on the radio and tell London. What's going on over there?" Hogan ordered.
"Ahh a fräulein. Stand her up." Hitler ordered. The guard yanked Maria up and held her so she couldn't move. He ran his finger down her cheek."Such a beautiful fräulein at that." Hitler turned to Klink. "I take it that you are Colonel Klink" Klink still in shock just nodded with his arm giving the Nazi salute. "At ease Colonel. I have heard many times about the reputation of your camp. I have decided to hold a top secret meeting here. While I am here, I want all prisoners confined to barracks. I will be staying in your quarters." Klink nodded "And I want this fräulein to join me."
"B…B… But my Führer, She is a prisoner here."
Maria looked nervous. "All the better. That way no one will try anything foolish for fear of harming her. Shall we go my dear?" Hitler held out his arm. Maria looked at Klink for instruction. Klink lowered his head and nodded. Nervously, Maria took Hitler's arm and went to Klink's quarters.
"What the heck is she doing? She is going into Klink's quarters with him! Tell Kinch tolet them know he has taken a hostage."
Later Kinch came back up from the tunnel with a look of shock on his face. "Here Colonel." Kinch handed Hogan a piece of paper.
"They have lost their minds. How do they expect us to do that?" Hogan picked up a coffee cup and threw it against the wall shattering it. "Casualties of war, sacrifices have to be made!"
Everyone lowered their head. "Colonel Hogan sir, what does that mean?" Misty could tell by the look on everyone's face that it wasn't good news.
Hogan looked at Misty with tears starting to come to his eyes. "It means they want us to do what ever it takes to kill Hitler. They know your mom is with him and they said to help end the war that sacrifices have to be made. That also means us. Chances are when I go over there to kill him, I wont make it out alive either."
"Now wait a minute Colonel, who said it 'as to be you. Send one of us." Newkirk said.
"Can't we get Maria out of there before we attack?" Carter asked.
"Colonel this is my mom's life we are talking about, we have to warn her or something. Maybe there is another way."
Hogan held up his hands and everyone quieted. "That place is guarded like Fort Knox. It is going to be difficult enough to assassinate him. I don't see how we can get her out or warn her." Hogan hung his head. It felt as if all his energies have been drained. "As for me going over there, I am the CO here and I will not put any of your lives at risk for a suicide mission." The men started to argue again. "THAT'S ENOUGH! No more discussion about it. You are to keep the operation going as long as possible. That's an order!"
Misty sat down and started crying. Watching her cry broke his heart. He cared for Maria deeply and didn't want to risk her life. "I will recon first to see what I am up against. If there is any possible way to get her out safely I will do it. I know you and your mom don't have a good understanding about following orders…"
"She understands following orders just fine. How do you…. Wait, she didn't tell you did she?"
"Tell me what?"
"I better not say. There must be a reason why she didn't tell you."
"I wish the both of you would stop being so mysterious." Hogan faced Misty with his arms crossed waiting for an answer.
"Colonel Hogan, mom has taught me to fallow orders. And right now I am following hers and not saying anything."
For a moment Hogan forgot that he was arguing with Misty and thought it was Maria. Those two are too much alike.
Klink was sitting in his office listening in. "Poor Misty. Finding her mom only to loose here again." His heart sank as the realization of the bigger picture and what Hogan was explaining to Misty came into focus. "Yes Colonel, sacrifices have to be made for the greater good." Klink got up, took hisLugar out of his desk drawerand walked toward his quarters.
He was stopped by one of Hitler's guards. "I am here to get a few personal items before I retire for the evening." The guard let him pass. As Klink turned the corner in the living room, he saw Hogan coming out of the floor. Hogan drew his pistol and pointed it at the Klink. "Put that away Colonel."
"Can't do that Kommandant. I have a job to do."
"I know, but there are other ways to do it without risking everyone's life."
Hogan stood puzzled. "If this is some trick…"
"If we keep talking, we are both going to be shot. Trust me."
"Why should I?"
"I haven't turned you in for sneaking into my quarters through a tunnel have I? I have a plan that will relieve you of the responsibility and minimize the risk to loss of life."
"I don't have time to play games Klink. Out of my way."
Klink took a step closer to Hogan "If you persist, I will be forced to turn you and your men in. Now please go back to your barrack. Please."
Hogan noticed the gun inKlink's handjust stared at himas if seeing him for the first time. "Why do you want to kill him? Isn't he your beloved Führer?"
"Not everyone in Germany supports him. I too see the big picture of the opportunity that lies here." They froze as they heard a noise coming from the bedroom. "Get out now before you are caught."
Hogan left not fully trusting Klink. "Colonel what are you doing here?" Hitler said not liking the idea of being woken up
A guard came rushing into the room also. Realizing he has lost his oppurnity, he quickly put the gun in his pocket. "I came to get a few personal items before I turn in. Sorry to wake you. I will be on my way."
"I do not want to see you in here again with out my permission!"
"Yes sir, good night sir. Heil Hitler."
"Heil and good night!"
When Hogan got back to the communication room, he was bombarded with a bunch of questions. "Hold it. Something is up. Klink caught me coming out of the tunnel and didn't act surprised. Neither did he turn me in. He said something about him handling it."
"You can't be serous about trusting him?" LeBeau stated
"This is some sort of trick," Newkirk added
"Its no trick. You can trust him." Misty said quietly. Everyone stopped and stared at her.
"What do you know about grown up things? You are just a child." Newkirk added
"I am not a child I am seventeen! Colonel Hogan remember that night at the barn when you and mom saved me?" Hogan nodded. "I was just about to run in the woods when I heard the shooting stop. I turned around and saw that Nazi guy pointing a gun at mom. I was going to run back to see if I could help, but was stopped. Klink was there that night also. He dragged me away from there to keep both of us from being captured or killed."
"Are you sure it was Klink." Kinch asked
Misty nodded her head. "Mom told me to keep quiet about it, but I think it is something you should know."
"Why would she tell you to keep quiet?" asked Hogan.
"I better not say any more I have already said too much."
Hogan just glared at her "I am waiting for answers."
"Then you are going to be waiting a long time."
"Colonel you know how important it is to keep secrets. Can't you just leave it at that." Carter stated.
Everyone looked at Carter. They could not believe he would go against the Colonel like that.
"Do you have a problem with the way I run things Sergeant? It is my job to know about everything that affects this job."
Carter started to back up. He didn't want his comment to go this way. "Sorry Colonel I was just making a suggestion. I didn't mean anything by it."
"Bickering amongst ourselves is not solving the problem." Kinch interjected
Hogan gets in Misty's face "I will trust what you say, but if anything happens to this operation or any of my men, and you could have avoided it by telling us everything. Then it will be on your head. Nothing more we can do tonight. Lets get some shuteye.
The next morning, roll call was conducted inside and barricades were placed on the doors and shutters to the barracks. "Hey Colonel, cars coming into the compound. From the looks of it they are big shots." Newkirk stated as he looked through a slit in the shutters.
Hogan took his place and observed since it was too risky to use the periscope. "Looks like they are all going into Klink's quarters. Now I wish we would have bugged them."
KLINK'S QUARTERS
Hitler forced Maria to the wall pressed his body against hers as he motioned for a guard to hand him a pair of handcuffs. "This is for your own safety my dear. I don't want you to do and do anything stupid during the meeting." He proceeded to cuff her hands behind her, then went into the living room to greet the guests.
Goring, Himmler, Goebbles and many of the other top brasses! I wish I had one of Carters bombs. I also wish I know what the boys had planed. Maria thought as everyone took their seat. Hitler made her stand beside him. It's a good thing that Hitler believes that I don't understand German. Or is he letting me listen in because he is going to kill me before he leaves?
They talked for hours on battle strategies and how to cut the budget. "I recommend that we eliminate the swine we babysit in these camps. They waste valuable resources that are better needed for our troops." One man suggested.
Maria's eyes went wide. "We can burn them to save bullets." Another suggested.
"I see. Sounds like a plan. We will transfer the guards to active duty posts where they can do some good."
"No! You cant do that!" All eyes were on Maria. "If you start killing the prisoners, what is to keep the Allies from killing German prisoners?
"They should not have been captured in the first place."
"I don't know what you said but I take it you disagree with me." Maria got on her knees to beg, "Please don't do this. The prisoners have agreed to sit out the rest of the war. They are no threat to you. Kommandant Klink has thoroughly cowed these prisoners; they wouldn't try to do anything against you. You are too powerful. Besides wouldn't they make good labor for when you win the war? I wish there was something I could do to change your mind."
Hitler smiled evilly at her and took his hand and ran it down the side of her cheek, to her neck and then chest. "Maybe there is something you can do. But how convincing can you be?"
Maria's heart stopped. No, this can't be happening. Tears came to her eyes. No. "If I agree, will you spare the prisoners?"
"Depends on how well you do at convincing me."
"I wish we all spoke the same language, but I will take that as a yes." Maria hung her head and closed her eyes as tears ran down her face and nodded.
Klink's mouth dropped open as he listened outside to the conversation. I can't believe she is going to do that. Especially with all she had been through.
After the meeting and all the guests left, "Now my dear it is time to see how convincing you can be."
BARRACK TWO
That night, "I am tired of waiting to see what Klink has up his sleeve, I am going over there." Hogan said to Kinch. Before he could respond, Hogan was down the tunnel.
Hogan took a couple of deep breaths before entering the living room. All was quiet. With the stealth of a cat, he made his way to the bedroom. Quietly he upholstered his Walther P38. Slowly he opened the door. He stopped in shock at what he saw. From the moon shinning in through the window, he could see Maria lying on top of Hitler. The sheet was pulled down enough for Hogan to see that Maria wasn't wearing a shirt. Hogan was so shocked and hurt that he couldn't do it. He turned and went back to the barrack.
Kinch could tell be the expression on Hogan's face, that now was the time to leave him alone. Hogan went to his room and shut the door.
"'Ay mate, what happened?" Newkirk inquired of Kinch.
"I don't know, but I wouldn't ask him about it."
Hitler left before roll call the next morning. The roll call resumed outside as normal. "About time." Commented LeBeau. "I was starting to get Closter phobic.
"Report" Kink said in an unusual manner.
"All present except for…"
"Thank you Shultz. Dismiss the prisoners." Klink went to his quarters. He walked down the hall to his room and knocked on the door. All he could hear on the other side was crying. He opened the door and saw Maria sitting in the corner on the floor crying. "I will get Misty"
"No please don't."
Klink hung his head in sorrow at the sacrifice she made for all the Allied prisoners. "Take as long as you need. I will leave you alone now."
A few hours later, Maria walked across the compound to barrack two. When she walked in the door, Hogan just glared at her. Maria started to go into her room. "I guess I was right when I called you a Nazi whore." Everyone stood in shock as they watched.
Maria spun around and punched Hogan, knocking him to the floor. Her eyes flashed red with anger at the comment."You son of a diseased camel. How dare you say that about me? For your information… Colonel, you don't own me! I can't believe you said that! You have no right judging me, especially when you don't know all the facts!" Maria yelled releasing the anger she was harboring.
"I know what I saw." Hogan yelled back. All the men in the barracks stepped away from the two. No one was brave enough to try and stop the fight. Hogan and Maria were toe-to-toe arguing.
Misty tried to help defend Maria, but Newkirk put his hand on her shoulder stopping her "Let them work out their own problems luv. It is safer that way."
"Look you self righteous nozzle. Don't go judging me. How many times have you slept with someone for information or to get something to go your way?"
"That was different."
"No its not. You want to know why I slept with that vile disgusting creature? It sure wasn't because I wanted to. It was to save your sorry butt. He was going to have all POW's killed just to save money and have more soldiers for fighting. It wasn't going to be done quickly by a firing squad either."
"How." Hogan questioned.
"He said he would have all prisoners burned alive. He said he would do this unless I could convinced him other wise."
The conversation was interrupted by Kinch running up from the tunnel "Colonel, there was an assassination attempt on Hitler after he left here. Unfortunately it failed. He did sustain some injuries though."
"Thanks Kinch." Hogan turned around to continue the discussion with Maria, but she had disappeared into her room.
Klink walked into the barracks with Shultz. "Do you mind keeping it down. I can you yelling clear across camp."
"Sorry Kommandant we were just working out some issues." Hogan said still angry.
"She was telling you the truth Colonel." Klink said calm yet sternly. He was also angered by Hogan's reaction.
"How do you know what was said?"
"I told you I could hear you across camp. Besides, I was listening at the door when Hitler and Maria had that talk. Is she doing ok?" No response. "Let me know if there is any thing she needs." Klink left without another word. Best let them work things out for themselves.
Hogan started to feel guilty for what he had said. It wasn't like him to jump to conclusions without knowing all the facts. He went and knocked on her door.
"Maria may I come in and talk with you please? Hogan asked much calmer.
"Come."
Hogan walked in and shut the door. When he looked at Maria and could tell that she had been crying. It must have been hard for her to go through with that. "I don't know why I reacted the way I did. That was a big sacrifice you made. Thank you. I can only imagine how horrible it must have been for you." Hogan walks up to the bed and looks Maria in the eye. "Can you please forgive me?"
"Yes I forgive you. I just want to be alone right now"
"Of course my dear." Maria looked at him, "Um sorry I didn't mean to say that. What I meant to say is…"
"Colonel lets put the cards on the table. I know we have feelings for each other. We can see though how these feelings can get in the way of doing our jobs. The guys told me how angry you got over Hochstetter's visit when I was unconscious. Would you have really risked your life and the operation to go after him?"
"I was so full of rage when he attacked you right here in the barracks and I wasn't here to protect you. The more I thought about what he did the more enraged I became. The next thing I knew, I was standing on the outskirts of town. The long walk helped me see the bigger picture. Did I think I could march in, shoot Hochstetter and just come back to camp. As much as I wanted to make him pay, I couldn't risk everything to collect.
Outside of the door to Maria's room, the men were listening in. "I knew she would be able to get the answer out of 'im." Newkirk whispered
"Keep it down I am trying to hear." LeBeau commented.
"Sorry" Carter said
"Why are you sorry? You didn't say anything." Newkirk asked. Carter's only response was a shrug.
"Colonel, that is another example of why we cant give into our feelings. As hard as it is going to be, we must keep denying them.You shouldn't show any more favoritism towards me than you would anyone else.I understand the jeopardy my life was in when I was with Hitler. You should have done your job and killed him. I would have done it myself if I could have. I never could find the opportunity though. If I have to give up my life to end the war sooner and save thousands of lives, I would do it with out any hesitation."
"If the situation was reversed, could you have gone through with it?
"Colonel, if I caught you in bed with Hitler, I think there would be more things to worry about." Maria and Hogan gave a little laugh
"You know what I mean."
"I know that if you had to sacrifice your life to save thousands, you would do it in a heartbeat. I would do what I have to for the greater good."
"Your right. I should have put my feelings aside and killed him. Because I couldn't go through with it, this war might last a whole lot longer."
"Maybe not as long as you think."
"How do you know?"
"I heard during the meeting that the Germans are starting to run low on fuel for their tanks and such. It is just a matter of the Allies being able to hold out until then. When all of this is over, maybe we can see if things will workout for us."