Chapter 8: Decisions

By now the sun had set and the only light was coming from the headlights of Hochstetter's car. Everyone held their breath while waiting for Hogan to make his move. No one would blame him if he went ahead and gave Hochstetter what he deserved; especially after all he has done to him. Slowly Hogan lowered the gun and everyone released the breath they were holding. Mac grabbed Hochstetter, walked him over to his car and forced him to kneel in front of it.

"What are you going to do with me? Run me over?" Hochstetter asked.

Mac rolled his eyes. "I am going to bandage your wound to keep it from getting infected."

"If you ask me, that creep isn't worth it. An infection would do 'im right." Newkirk commented from Carter's side.

Now that things had calm down between Hogan and Hochstetter, his adrenalin levels started to drop, his body begged him for rest. The pain started to grow again. His side felt like burning pokers were jabbing him; his head felt like there was a marching band stomping around in it.I still can't rest. I have to check on someone. It took a moment for Hogan to regain control of the pain, but he made his way to check on Carter. Carefully he knelt down beside him and put his hand on his shoulder. "You okay son?"

Carter smiled at his CO's concern for him. "Yes Sir. MacGyver said the bullet went straight through. I'll be okay. Thanks." Carter couldn't help but notice that hogan was holding his arm close to his side. He is favoring his side heavily. Don't say anything or draw attention to it Andrew. You know that the Colonel doesn't like anyone to worry about him. But someone needs too. He spends so much time worrying about others, that he doesn't have time for himself.

After Mac was finished with Hochstetter, Hogan started to give orders. "Everyone get in the car. You are going drive." Pointing at the guard that was with Hochstetter. He was now awake and sitting up holding the back of his head. Hogan walked up to Hochstetter and put the barrel of the gun in his side. "Major you are going to help us get to the sub." Hogan got even closer. "MacGyver saved your life once. If you make one wrong move, I will kill you and no one will stop me."

A chill went through his men. Never had they seen such hatred in Hogan's eyes. Everyone, including Mac knew that he would do whatever it took for them to either get back to Stalag 13 or England safely, including cold blooded murder.

When Hochstetter was in the car, Mac checked the trunk for a first aid kit. Thank you Lord. Please let there be some aspirin in here. Mac opened the box and found some. He got the bottle out and handed it to Hogan.

Hogan shook his head but then regretted it. "No thanks, I have to stay alert."

"Its only aspirin. Like I said I read the files and know better than to give you anything stronger."

Hogan took the aspirin thankfullyand then climbed in the back seat of the car with Hochstetter and Mac. The guard climbed into the driver seat with Newkirk and Carter.

"Gov'nor, do you think the sub will still be there about time we get there?" Newkirk asked.

Hogan looked at his watch. "If we can make it there in an hour and a half. Drive fast."

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They drove for about an hour before they ran into the first checkpoint. Hogan pressed the barrel of the gun into Hochstetter's side to make sure he understood how things were to go.

"Gutten abend herren. Papers bitte." The guard asked. Everyone got their papers out and handed them to the guard. "And the nature of this travel?"

Since Hochstetter was the highest rank there, it was up to him to answer. He glanced at Hogan briefly. It was a good thing for everyone there that Hochstetter valued his life. "We received word that there is some underground activity in the area."

The guard looked at the cut and bruises on Hogan's face and saw the blood on Carters uniform. "Did you run into some problems already?" Motioning to the wounds.

"The truck that was caring these men had an accident." Hochstetter answered

After a moment of examining the papers, the guard handed them back. "You may pass. Good luck catching those underground members."

"Thank you. We will do our best."

After they got clear of the checkpoint, Hogan carefully turned to Hochstetter "Good job Major. You just might live to see the end of the war yet."

"Colonel, why don't you try and get some rest. I will keep an eye on our friend here." Mac said as he pulled the empty gun out of his holster and laid it on his lap.

Hogan gave a brief smile and thought a momentthen holsteredhis gun. "Major, just remember what I said about giving us any problems." Hochstetter just growled at him. Hogan smiled and closed his eyes.

Itseemed like he had just drifted off to sleep when Newkirk woke him. "We will be there in a few minutes Sir."

Hogan tried to stretch his sore muscles, but there was too much pain and he gave up and took outhis gun again. They made it the rendezvous point just as Sarah was getting into the boat to go to the sub.

LeBeau heard a car pull up and saw the Nazi fags. "Get her out of here!" He yelled as he aimed his gun.

When the guard saw the gun, he slammed on the brakes. "Relax LeBeau, it is just us." Hogan said as he stepped out of the car with Hochstetter.

LeBeau holstered his gun. "Why is that filthy boche here?"

"Louis my friend, we are finally gettin' 'im away from us. We are sendin' 'im to London." Newkirk got the guard out of the car and started to walk him toward the boat.

Hogan led Hochstetter to the boat. "I am going with them to the sub to make sure they don't try anything. I'll be back."

Sarah noticed Hogan's injuries and that he was trying to act like they were not hurting him and decided to take the initiative "Colonel, I appreciate the effort, but I can take care of them from here. Now that he has no power, I can manage."

Hogan could see what she was really trying to do. It wasn't like his injuries were a secret. "I have no doubt that you can handle yourself, but I would feel better. Please humor an old fly boy and let me escort you to the sub. After all, it isn't every day I get to go on a boat ride in the moonlight with a beautiful young lady."

Hochstetter rolled his eyes. Oh please I think I am going to be sick.

"How can a girl say no to that." Hogan pushed Hochstetter and the guard in the boat then he gently got in and they sailed toward the sub.

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Kinch paced in the barrack. How does Colonel Hogan do it? All this waiting and wondering is driving me mad.

"Kinch if you don't change your rout, you are going to wear a hole straight down to the tunnels." Olsen commented.

"Huh? What?" Kinch said as he was pulled out of his thoughts.

"You have been pacing in the same spot all day. Why don't you do something different and give the floor a break." Hopper answered

"Yea, they will be just fine. You don't think they can really stop him do ya?" Johnson added.

"I just have a bad feeling about this. I don't like not being able to help." Kinch said as he went to the stove to pour himself a cup of coffee

Kinch jumped when he heard the bunk open "Kinch you are needed on the radio." Baker yelled.

Kinch dropped his cup and went down in the tunnel and to the radio as fast as he could. Nervously he put the headphones on. "This bear den. Go ahead."

"This is Papa Bear. Sent main hunter and aid to the island with package. Will return back to bear den tomorrow some time. Have clothes waiting at drop off. Papa Bear out."

"Thank you Lord for watching over them." Kinch said as he let out his breath. He turned around and saw a small group of men staring at him. He smiled "They're fine and will be back tomorrow. I am going to go out tonight and get things ready for their return.

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Newkirk sat in the car with the others and looked at his watch for what seemed like the hundredth time. "They 'ave been gone for over twenty minutes. You don't suppose somethin' 'appened?"

"You don't suppose that Colonel Hogan decided to just go on back with them do ya?" Carter asked worried.

"Leave and let you guys have all the fun." Came Hogan's voice as he walked up to the car. Hogan was having more of a difficult time hiding his pain. Carefully, he got into the car and leaned back in the seat. "LeBeau back to camp."