Düsseldorf, Germany
November 1944
Day 7

Hans and Josef were dropped off on a dirt road about three miles outside of Düsseldorf. The underground could not bring them any closer than that. They were given last minute instructions and wishes of good luck before the underground men drove away. To look like they had jumped from the truck, the two boys smeared dirt over their HJ uniforms and Josef went so far as to drag a rock across his shin, creating a convincing scrape. As prepared as they were ever going to be, the two boys began to walk the darkened road, the shining moon above them providing the only light.

It wasn't long before a Gestapo patrol spotted them, a mile outside of Düsseldorf. The boys were promptly picked up and brought to Gestapo Headquarters, arriving the same time the group from Stalag 13 was leaving. Hogan had to stop himself from doing a double take, as the two boys were led down the hall past him. What had happened? he wondered. He saw their HJ uniforms were soiled so he figured they must have jumped from the truck. Fritz had said the HJ kids gave him pause, but Miller was sure all of them would go. Damn! This is what I was hoping to avoid!

Now these two kids were in Gestapo custody. They were HJ therefore, Hogan concluded, they would tell everything they could, being good little Hitler Youth brats that they were. They'll ruin everything!

He wondered where they were picked up. Probably the same road used to get Miller out. Meaning the Gestapo would be on that in no time, they'd find him and the rest of the band and Fritz and the underground and....

"Damn," Hogan said softly as he and his men exited Gestapo Headquarters. At Schultz's command they climbed into the back of the camp truck and settled in for the ride back to Stalag 13.

"Colonel?" Carter whispered. "Weren't those two kids in the band?"

"Yeah...and I have a bad feeling they might betray everything."

Soligen, Germany

Wilhelmina had prepared a grand dinner of pork chops, steamed carrots, cole slaw and dinner rolls. She ushered everyone into the large dining room and with help from Fritz and Emery, served her guests. The meal was enjoyed immensely by all, and everyone had seconds of something. The atmosphere was homey with the fire going in the fireplace and the placement of candles on the table. There was the continued feeling of safety and security. Major Miller looked around the table occasionally, as the kids chatted amongst themselves, seeing they were at ease.

"Wilhelmina," Fritz said, when everyone had finished their second helpings. "You really didn't have to go to all this trouble. Simple rations would have done fine."

"Nonsense! You have a long journey ahead of you tomorrow and you must eat well so that you have strength. Besides, all of these boys look like they could use a good home cooked meal. And him," she pointed to Miller, "looks like he hasn't eaten in weeks. Don't the Americans feed their soldiers?"

Miller looked up when Wilhelmina pointed to him. Fritz chuckled and looked at Miller. "She wants to know if your American army feeds you."

"Yes, but not like this," Miller replied with a smile.

Wilhelmina laughed. "Oh it has been long time, since I have so many good looking men at my table. And all hungry too." She stood up and started to collect the dishes. A couple of the kids and Miller himself stood up to help.

"Nein, nein," Wilhelmina said. She smiled at the boys and Miller. "You are guests," she told them. "However, these two..." she looked at Fritz and Emery, "are more than capable of helping. Come..."

Fritz and Emery smirked at one another and stood up to assist Wilhelmina with the dishes.

Ahren looked at Miller. "Herr Miller? What will happen to us once we get to England?"

Miller paused. He wasn't a hundred percent sure. "I believe you'll be considered refugees and they'll try to match you with families in England, or the United States."

"Families?"

Miller nodded and looked at Ahren. The young German boy nodded and his gaze drifted away from Miller. A family... The thought scared him and gave him hope at the same time. He wondered what the family would be like, where they lived, who they were Suddenly the fifteen year old had a sense of a future. There was uncertainty, which was natural and had always been, but the uncertainty now was more in wondering where he would be and who he would become, instead of wondering if he would live or die.

With the dinner dishes cleared away, Wilhelmina served an apple tart for dessert. After that, she invited the boys and Miller to adjourn to the living room where they could sit and relax for a bit. Miller stood back near the entryway as the boys settled into the room surrounded by bookshelves with several books. He lit a cigarette and watched the kids, some checking out the book titles, others sitting and quietly talking amongst themselves, while a couple of the boys checked out the phonograph player in the corner, pouring over the cylinders and 78's that were stacked near it.

Miller stepped into the room and looked down at a small table near the window. On it were several photographs of young men, dressed in German army uniforms, looking proud and brave. He noticed Wilhelmina in a few of them.

Fritz came up to Miller, seeing the Major looking at the photos. "Those are her sons."

"I guessed that," Miller replied. "How many does she have?"

"Six. All of them serving in the Heer."

Miller paused a moment and then looked at Fritz. "How can she help the Underground when her six sons are fighting in the German Army?"

"Because," Wilhelmina spoke as she approached from the doorway, "it will help end the war sooner. And those of my sons who are still alive, can return home."

Miller looked at her with apology. "I didn't mean to sound callous."

"Callous?"

"Insensitive."

Wilhelmina shook her head. "I am not offended. It is an acceptable question. You see Herr Miller, two of my sons have been killed. One is missing. One is still with his unit and the last two....were captured. This may sound odd to you, but I thank God every day that they were captured because I hear from them and I know they are alive and that they are being treated well and when the war is over they will come home. And I also thank God every day that the one who is still with his unit has had the good fortune to remain alive. And I pray to God every day that the one who is missing, will come home alive. That....is how I can help the Underground."

Stalag 13

When everyone returned to Stalag 13, Hogan was immediately summoned to Klink's office. Kinch went ahead and radioed to London.

"Papa Bear calling Mama Bear. Papa Bear calling Mama Bear. Come in Mama Bear."

"This is Mama Bear. Go ahead Papa Bear."

"Bluebird is on his way and he's bringing the flock with him. Repeat, Bluebird is on his way and he's bringing the flock with him. Have Goldilocks waiting on her park bench tomorrow evening if she wants to see the birds..."

"How many in the flock, Papa Bear?"

"Less than ten total, counting Bluebird."

"Acknowledged, Papa Bear. Well done."

"Papa Bear out."

---

"Hogan," Klink said, the agitation clear in his voice, "you promised me that you and your men would behave at the radio station this evening."

"Actually, what I said was that we wouldn't act any worse than we ever have here. And given that, how we acted at the radio station was pretty tame compared to here."

"Hogan!" Klink slapped his hand down on the desk. "You caused the Propaganda Ministry's recording of Major Miller to break, your men managed to spoil every photograph the Ministry photographer attempted to take and then you and your men along with the rest of the band played the most horrific noise I've ever heard!"

"Well, now the record was an accident, the photographs were just bad timing and like I said to Major Hochstetter, Major Miller told us to play awful."

Klink stood up from his desk and paced around it. "It was a disaster," he said, coming to pause in the middle of his office. "And the transmitter....I don't know how that could have caught fire like it did."

"Well, we have a saying back home about some shows being a real barn burner. This is the first time I've ever seen a performance actually burn a barn." Hogan chuckled. "Or in this case a radio station."

"Hogan, it's not funny!" Klink said, turning to face the senior POW officer. "The Propaganda Ministry, the Gestapo, and General Burkhalter are embarrassed and irate by what took place! I have no choice but to punish you and your men for your roles in the events. I am revoking all the special privileges that would have been earned and am revoking all privileges for the five of you for the next 30 days. You and your men will be confined to barracks for that same time and you will come out only for roll call."

"There goes the volleyball tournament." Hogan shook his head. "Newkirk and LeBeau are going to be extremely disappointed, sir."

"Of course. They are being punished. Truthfully, Hogan, you're lucky I'm not throwing the five of you into the cooler for 30 days."

This was true, and Hogan was thankful for that. He looked at Klink, curious. "Why is that?"

Klink walked back to his desk. "Because, during the chaotic moments at the radio station you and your men did not attempt to escape, when you probably could have. For that, I am thankful. Not only because my no escape record remains intact but also..." Klink's voice dropped to somber, "Major Hochstetter's men would have killed all of you." The Kommandant sat down at his desk.

That was true too and Hogan took a deep breath. Thing was, now Hochstetter's men were looking for Major Miller and were planning the same fate. Hogan hid this concern though and smiled at Klink. "Are you saying you would have missed us?"

"Hogan..." Klink leaned forward. "Major Hochstetter is furious by what happened at the radio station. You heard him say that Major Miller will be shot when he's found. Whether he escaped or was taken by other factions as you suggested, they will kill him, regardless." Klink leaned back a little. "I only hope that when you warned him about the danger of what he was doing, that he truly heeded your words."

Hogan glanced at his crush cap that he held in hand, as Major Miller's words came back to him. I don't consider myself much of a soldier...but I am a patriot. There's more at stake here than just my life, Colonel. You understand what I mean?

Never taking his eyes off the cap, Hogan spoke, "I know he did."