Chapter 9: Liberation
"Now that we have the celebration out of our system, we need to get down to business. Now that we are back into the war, I want every man who is capable, ready to fight. We don't know who might show up or what kind of opposition we might get. I am going to have training stations set up. We need to work on staying in shape and hand-to-hand combat. Sergeant Kinchloe you will be in charge of setting up an exercise regiment. Maria you are going to be in charge of hand-to-hand combat." All the men started to grumble. "Need I remind you that you are still soldiers and there is still a war going on? I didn't here a response?"
"Yes sir." They all replied.
"I can't believe that he has a woman teaching hand-to-hand. What does a woman know about hand-to-hand?" Private Parker commented.
"Would you like to find out?" Maria asked as she came up behind Parker.
"I didn't mean anything by it ma'am." Parker apologized
"That's okay, but you just volunteered to help me demonstrate. See you in class."
Private Stanton laughed at Parker "Teach you to open your mouth."
"Oh shut up!"
Eventually the former prisoners got into the training exercises that Hogan had set up. The men were especially interested in trying to fight Maria. Just about every man volunteered to be her partner for the demonstration. Not one man though could beat her in sparing. As time went on, sounds from the battle could be heard. The end was drawing near. As the battle sounds got closer the German prisoners got more nervous. They were not sure how they would be treated when the Allies reached Stalag 13.
BOOOOOM! There was a large explosion coming from the town of Hammelberg. "Oh no! I am going to see if I can try and prevent them from doing much damage." Hogan exclaimed
"Be careful dear." Maria watched him go. Lord keep him safe, she prayed silently.
A few hours later, Maria was pacing at the front gate. Hogan still hadn't made it back yet.
"He will be fine." Klink said as he walked up to her.
"Why isn't he back yet? I think you better get anything you want to hang ontoin thetunnels" Klink left to do as suggested. About a half hour later, they heard a thunderous roar. Around the bend came an Allied tank! "Open the gates!" Maria ordered.
There were all sorts of military cars and tanks coming down the road. Hogan was riding in the front car with Colonel Huckaba. "Am I glad to see you guys."
"Well, well. Will you lookie here fellas. It's a woman!" Corporal Styles commented
"A woman that is very unavailable." Maria stated heading off any more advances.
"What are all of these Krauts doing running around? They should be locked up." Huckaba asked.
"Sir they are locked inside a POW camp." Hogan responded
"I think we ought to line them all up and shoot them for what they have done to our men." Styles stated as he pointed his rifle at Klink and pretended to shoot."
"Colonel Hogan I want all German prisoners locked up immediately, and I want that Kraut in the cooler." Huckaba ordered.
"But sir…" Hogan started
"Do you have a problem following orders?"
"No sir. Colonel Klink please tell your men that they are confined to barracks until further notice. Then, I am afraid that I will have to escort you to the cooler."
"I understand Colonel."
"Has spending four years in a POW camp made you soft Hogan? If you saw what was left of some of the other POW camps that we saw and all the bodies that were burned beyond belief, you would be the first one ready to shoot that stinking Kraut."
"I already explained to you that Colonel Klink as well as the guards have always treated us humanly and abided by the Geneva Convention."
"They have you brain washed. Now get to it."
Reluctantly Hogan saluted and did as ordered. Maria just stared not believing what she had just witnessed. While Hogan was doing as ordered, Huckaba and his men raided Klink's quarters. "Put that back. That isn't yours!" Misty yelled trying to keep them from taking Klink's stuff.
"Aint we a spunky little filly." Styles commented as we walked up to Misty. Just as Maria was approaching the steps, Styles came flying through the window past her. Alarmed of what's going on in there, Maria rushes in.
When she walked in there was Misty fighting off a private. "What is going on here?"
"He is trying to take our stuff. We were here first and took everything as ours." Misty answered.
Smart girl. "And your excuse Private?" Before the private could answer, Styles rushed back in. Maria stuck out her foot and tripped him sending him sliding across the floor.
"They both attacked me."
"Let me inform you gentleman of something. Female personnel are strictly hands off."
"Who's order?" Huckaba inquired walking into the quarters.
Maria turned around and saw Huckaba standing in the doorway. Oh great! If I say Klink, that is not going to matter. Hogan won't work either since Huckaba outranks him, but it is better than saying Klink. "Colonel Hogan Sir."
"Well since I out rank him, I am getting rid of that rule." Huckaba made a pass at Maria and she threw him out the window. Misty did the same to the private as he went after her. Both of them threw out Styles. Maria and Misty went outside and was going to continue the fight. They stood back to back as the men gathered around them. Kinch, Newkirk, LeBeau and Carter tried to stop them but they were greatly out numbered and Huckaba ordered them to stand down. Ten men had circled around the two women.
Hogan came out of the cooler and noticed the crowed. He ran over to see what was going on. He pushed his way to the front. "Huckaba what is going on here?"
"We are going to teach these insubordinate women a lesson and show them where their place is." Huckaba answered
"Good luck. You're going to need it." Hogan answered. He stood there and crossed his arms as Maria smiled at him.
"Sir, they are out numbered. Aren't you going to stop this?" Carter asked
"No for two reasons. One I am not the highest-ranking person here and Huckaba would just order me to stay out of it. Second, I am looking forward to watching them kick their butt."
Huckaba motioned for his men to attack. Maria and Misty put a serious hurt on them. One by one the men fell to the side. Eventually Huckaba was the last one standing. He pulled out his side arm and pointed it at Maria. Hogan ran up to Huckaba and knocked the gun out of his had. "A fight is one thing, but I will not tolerate cheating! Face it Colonel you lost."
"I want these people locked up in the cooler! I will see you two ladies later." A couple of Huckaba's men came forward with their rifles and walked Hogan, Maria and Misty to the cooler.
Maria turned over her shoulder and said, "Looking forward to it."
"They cant do that!" LeBeau stated.
"Since he is the highest ranking officer, he can do what ever he wants" Kinch answered.
"But they were just defending themselves." Carter stated.
"Unfortunately it doesn't matter."
"Was est los?" Klink asked shocked when he saw them being led to the cooler at gunpoint.
"He did like the hands off policy and we told him what we thought about his policy." Maria answered.
"Sorry I am not much help Kommandant." Hogan apologized.
"Its okay Colonel. He just doesn't understand how things were run here. He only sees what those who are loyal or too scared of Hitler did."
Huckaba walked into the cooler. "You ladies comfy? "
"Yea. I have spent so much time in here it feels like home." Maria answered sarcastically.
"How about you Kraut. How does it feel to be locked up in your own cooler?"
"Hogan I am sorry for ignoring your complaints about the cooler. It will take some getting use to."
"If I had my way I would shoot all of you. But I have orders to bring you in alive to stand trial. It seems that all the other kommandants have vanished. Glad you didn't do the same."
"Now for that promise ladies."
"Keep your filthy hands off of them!" Hogan yelled as he ran to the bars.
"Why do they belong to you?"
"In a way yes."
"This ought to make it interesting. Enjoy the show Hogan."
"Bring it on Huckaba!" Maria said as she looked Huckaba in the eyes and readied to defend them.
Just as Huckaba started to enter Maria and Misty's cell, a large commotion was heard outside. "Don't go any where, I will return." Outside by the front gate was Hogan's men arguing with Huckaba's men.
"I have had enough of him. I am going to end this reign of terror now." Maria took out a hairpin and unlocked the door. "I will have you out of here in a moment."
"Where are you going and what are you going to do?" Hogan asked
"I am going to chop this nozzle down a notch. Someone needs to put him in his place, and I am the only one here that can do that."
"What do you have in mind?"
"You will have to wait dear." Maria and Misty went down the trapdoor into the tunnel below
Maria got out her uniform and put it on. Se tried radioing General Hamman and let him know what was going on, but he was out. She left a message with his secretary informing her of what she was intending to do. Maria turned to Misty and said, "Stay out of sight. If things go sour, get Robert and Klink down here."
FRONT GATE
"Do you chaps 'ave any idea 'ow long it's been since we 'ave been able to just go to a pub and 'ave a drink without guards and such?" Newkirk asked a corporal that was stationed at the front gate.
"Yea buddy let us go. We'll bring you back something." Carter stated
"I have my orders. No one is to leave camp with out permission from Colonel Huckaba."
"Is there a problem here gentleman?" Huckaba asked the group of men
Oui you, LeBeau thought, "These men were wanting to go to town for a drink Sir." A private answered.
"Oh were you now. You know you have to be getting in shape to attack the Krauts. Drinking only slows you down. Now be good little soldiers and get back to training NOW!" Huckaba ordered.
Maria stepped out of barracks two and everyone stared at her as she walked across camp to where Huckaba was. "I want a word with you Huckaba" Maria ordered.
"How did you….Well lookie here. Littler girl is playing soldier. How sweet." Huckaba laughed as he turned around.
"This is not playing." Maria handed him her orders. "As being the highest ranking officer here, I am relieving you of your command."
"No your not! No one relieves me of my command, especially some woman!"
Maria walked up to him and stood toe to toe. "If you want to call General Hamman at British Intelligence, be my guest. I have put up with you and your men's disregard for following rules long enough. It will no longer be tolerated. Sergeant Kinchloe, release Colonels' Hogan and Klink. Corporal LeBeau release the Germans from their barracks. Corporal Newkirk, relieve Colonel Huckaba of his side arm."
"All ready done ma'am" Newkirk held up a pistol. The rest of the men left to do as ordered.
Kinch ran into the cooler and unlocked the cells, "You won't believe what is going on out there. You better hurry before you miss a great show." Kinch said. All of the men rushed out to see. They were just in time to watch Huckaba get a good dose of payback.
"I think punishment for your actions will start with you dropping and give me fifty!" Maria ordered.
"You have lost your mind. I ain't giving you anything."
"Perhaps you have been in combat for so long you have forgotten how to do them. Let me help you remember." Maria stepped to Huckaba's side, tripped him and pushed him face down. She then grabbed him by the belt and lifted him up a little bit and lowered him. " I don't here you counting. If your knees touch the ground before you get to fifty you will be starting over again." Maria raised and lowered him again. "I can do this all day. If you don't start counting out loud, you will be doing them the rest of you life. I know, you need a partner to help you. Styles down and give me fifty also."
"But…but…"
"The only but I want from you is to see yours going up and down as you are doing your pushups." Hogan was getting a kick out of watching Maria make Huckaba and Styles pay. Finally they got done doing their pushups. Huckaba leaned against the guard shack to get his breath. "Maybe you will learn to not judge people by the outside and learn to start giving people respect."
Maria turned to walk toward Hogan and Klink when Huckaba bend down like he was trying to catch his breath better. Huckaba was actually bending down to take his knife out of his boot. In one swift movement he threw it at Maria. She turned in time to catch it and threw it back. It stuck in the guard shack just barely nicking his ear. "Next time I will get more than your ear." Everyone stood in shock. They have never seen anyone with such fast reflexes. "Sergeant please escort these men to the cooler, then join me in my office. Colonel's, Carter, Newkirk and LeBeau, would you please join me also?"
"Yes Ma'am" they answered in unison and saluted.
When they got into the office they all started to congratulate Maria except Klink. "That was good thinking Maria. You played the part of an officer well. I especially like the part of you being from British Intelligence." Newkirk commented.
"Yea had me fooled" Carter added
"Oui, moi ausi." LeBeau chimed in.
"So that was your plan. Good job." Hogan shook his head in amazement. Maria just hung her head I know technically I am not a General in this time, but I am in mine. It wasn't like I was completely lying to them the entire time. Now I have to lie to them to match the story I gave Hamman. "Maria are you okay. You ought to be happy. What's wrong?"
"Is this your secret? The reason why you said what you did." Klink asked in shock
Maria just nodded her head. "Gentlemen, please have a seat." Maria waited until everyone was seated and for Kinch to walk in. "Here Robert read this." Maria handed the letter from Hamman. His mouth dropped and looked at here is disbelief.
"What does it say Colonel" Asked Kinch
"It is from General Hamman at British Intelligence. It is verifying that she is a general and that she is here on an assignment." Everyone mimicked Hogan's reaction. "How and why did you keep that a secret from us?"
"I didn't want to lie to you. I couldn't tell you the truth because I was here on an undercover assignment. I was suppose to get a job as Klink's secretary, that is until I got caught. Because I was familiar with Germany and could speak the language fluently like a native, they decided to use me. BI received information that someone here was selling military information to the Nazi's for special privileges. I can't tell you who it is or much information about my assignment. They had to make sure that if I uncovered anything, that I could take control. The only way to do that is to be the highest-ranking officer here. They knew that Robert would follow any orders that were given him. Besides, can you imagine what the Nazi's would do when they found out they had a female general in custody?" Maria walked around the desk and stood in front of Hogan. "Robert, can you please forgive me. I know this is something I should have told you sooner, but I couldn't. I am going to be in enough trouble as it is now."
"Why's that?" Carter asked.
"I had orders to remain undercover unless I had the okay from Hamman."
"It is one thing to disobey orders from me, but…"
"I know. I couldn't take the nozzle any more."
Misty walked in threw the door "Mom General Hamman is on the radio for you."
"I'll be back later." Maria left.
"I can't believe all this time she was a general." Newkirk commented
"I can't believe I had a crush on an officer." Carter commented. Everyone looked at him like he just grew a third eye. "What? What was wrong with that?"
"You knew the gov'nor and 'er were an item, why did you do that?" Newkirk asked as if he couldn't believe it.
"Now Newkirk go easy on him. She could have chosen anyone she wanted. There was nothing wrong with that." Hogan defended.
"Thank you Colonel."
Maria walked back in a half hour later looking tired. "How did it go?" Hogan asked.
"Not bad. He said for me to continue to run things until the war is over, which won't be much longer. Then he said he is going to court-martial me when I get back to London."
"Don't worry, you wont be alone. London has told me the same thing."
"If you're both going to be court-martialed, who is going to raise Robert?" Klink asked
"Klink did some research on Maria's pregnancy and found out who Robert's father is.."
"Blimey it is you!" Newkirk exclaimed. Kinch smacked him on the back of the head.
"They were doing genetic experimentation. They have always figured that I would make a great Nazi soldier, but they could never brain wash me. So they figured they would start out with a child. And since weare so much a like, well you can figure out the rest."
"What do we do now?" Inquired LeBeau
"We run a POW camp."
Later, Maria was sitting in the living room listening to some music and sowing a new lining into Hogan's bomber jacket. "Hay mom what ya doing? Hay I recognize that stuff. How did you get it here in this time?" Misty asked
"Since I invented the bullet proof material, I can duplicate it. I have been working on it ever since I got here. I wish there was an easer way to make it. This takes along time. I figured Robert needs it the worst."
"Hello ladies. How are my two favorite women doing?" Hogan asked walking in through the front door.
"Fine dad." Misty giggled. Never thought I would be calling Colonel Hogan dad. Wish I could tell my friends back home about this.
"What are you doing Sweetie?"
"I saw a tear in the lining of your jacket and decided to fix it."
Hogan examined his jacket "Looks like you replace the entire thing."
"I like to be through."
"Why does it look like it has metallic threads in it?"
"I used a special material. It will protect you better."
Hogan shrugged his shoulders and kissed Maria on the cheek "Thanks dear".