Chapter 9: Home At Last
They traveled all night with out running into any problems from patrols or checkpoints. Hogan was reclining back in the seat with his hat over his eyes trying to rest. His head and side were a dull ache now. The aspirin seemed to be helping. A few days in bed will help more. Especially if I am being waited on hand and foot by a beautiful nurse. A smile appeared on his face as the image played itself in his mind.
A bump in the road brought Hogan back to reality as the pain in his ribs became sharp again. His mind started to think about all that had transpired that day. He stopped when he came to the beer garden and heard that Hochstetter had captured Papa Bear. With out moving he asked, "MacGyver, why did you tell Hochstetter that you were Papa Bear?"
Mac gave a faint smile. "I didn't figure there would be any way out of the situation. Well at least not alive. I thought that if I was going to die there, the lest I could do was try to take some of the heat off of you."
"You are lucky he didn't start torturing you right there and then. Why didn't he?"
"I just simply gave him answers he wanted to hear. I told him that I left enough evidence to make him suspect you but not to convict you. That way while he was busy focusing on you I could move around freely. I told him that is why things would still happen when you and he were in the same room."
Hogan tilted his hat back and sat up with a groan. "That is a pretty good story. I almost believe it." Hogan looked at the window and saw a glow on the horizon. A city was on fire from one of the bombing raids that happened earlier that night. He let out a sigh as he remembered some of the bombing raids he was on. His memories stopped when he remembered the last one he was on that cost him the lives of some of his crew and landed him at Stalag 13.
He started thinking about all that happened again so he wouldn't have to think about that horrible day. He found himself thinking how close he came to loosing the operation and his men. It was almost like reliving the day he was shot down all over again. "Thanks for stopping me back there. A few weeks ago, I went through a question session with Hochstetter." Towards the end, I didn't think that I would be able to hold out much longer. "I wanted to do to Hochstetter everything that he had done to me."
Hogan looked at his hands and saw them trembling as he remembered the fears and hatred he had felt. He feared the pain Hochstetter would inflict upon him or possibly his men. The hatred was for all the unspeakable acts he committed and everything he stood for.
Hogan crossed his arms hiding his hands. Even though it was dark, he didn't want to take the chance of anyone seeing. "You are right MacGyver; vengeance is not a good motive. You know, for being so young, you have a lot of wisdom in this matter."
"You are not the only person who has an arch nemesis that someone wants vengeance on. I have had good friends that paid the price of vengeance and I saw it destroy them and hurt those around them. Hochstetter might be the scum of the earth, but that is no reason to let him drag you down. You have taken allot from him and it takes a better man to not let that hatred destroy them. You and your men are doing a great job. I stand in awe of you at all you put up with to stay here and continue the fight. If you had killed Hochstetter back there in cold blood, I think that eventually your conscious would bother you to the point where you would not be able to successfully continue the fight."
He knows me like we have known each other all our lives. "You know MacGyver, I really could use a man like you on the team. I like the way you can think fast on your feet. I know Carter would love to have some one else that is as knowledgeable in chemistry as he is."
Mac laughed, "Sorry Colonel, I don't think I could volunteer to stay in a POW camp where the Nazi's can come and torture me whenever they get the urge. Besides, I have a four week vacation to start."
Hogan smiled at the thought of the conversation he had with Kinch. Then his thoughts shifted. A vacation does sound nice. Na, after all of this I would probably get board. "It does make it hard sometime. The only reason why I agree to stay is because some part of me believes that by me being here and running this operation, I am making a difference in helping the Allies win the war sooner."
"I sure do admire you for it. I hope for your sake the war is over soon. I would have cut out by now. I have this thing about pain. I don't like it."
Hogan repositioned himself with a groan. "To tell you the truth, me neither."
HH HH HH
The car pulled into the abandoned barn. The men that had come with Mac were waiting for them. Hogan and his men changed back into their regular uniforms. Mac held up a pair of handcuffs "Ready Colonel?" Reluctantly, Hogan and his men turned around and put their hands behind their back.
After they were handcuffed, Mac started laughing. "You know Colonel, there is something I have to tell you."
"What?"
Mac smiled evilly. "These are our real uniforms. You and your men are under arrest."
Hogan was stunned. He didn't want his men taken so he charged at Mac knocking him to the ground. There was gunfire. Hogan turned his head and saw his men lying on the ground dead.
"NO!" He woke up screaming. After the sudden pounding in his head and the sharp pain in his side subsided, he looked around and realized they were still in the car.
"You okay gov'nor?" Newkirk asked concerned.
After taking a few quick breaths and realizing it was just a dream, he nodded. "Just a bad dream."
"We will be in Hammelburg in about five minutes Colonel." LeBeau stated.
Hogan faced Mac. Was it just a bad dream or my gut trying to tell me something? If he was really working for the Gestapo, he would not have brought us all the way back here to arrest us. Would he? It could explain why Hochstetter never tortured him for the information and why he stopped me from killing him.
The car pulled into the abandoned barn around three that morning. The underground members that helped Mac before were waiting for them. Hogan and his men changed back into their regular uniforms while Mac changed Carter's dressing and helped him back into his uniform.
When Mac was finished with Carter and the men were done changing, he held up a pair of handcuffs. "Ready Colonel?"
The memories of his dream came to his mind. "Let me see your gun first." Mac shrugged and handed it to him. Hogan examined it. Good, it's still unloaded. "I want the rest of your men to unload their weapons also."
The underground members unloaded their weapons. "You mind telling me what this is all about." Mac asked.
Hogan slowly shook his head. "Not really." and handed Mac the gun back.
"Ready?" Mac asked wanting to get this over with.
Even though Hogan knew or at least prayed it was just for show, he still didn't like putting them on. Reluctantly he and his men turned around and put their hands behind their backs. Mac and the men gently put the handcuffs on. Mac noticed how badly scarred Hogan's wrist were. Yep Hogan, I admire you for your ability to stick it out no matter what.
Hogan and his men were loaded into the back of the truck the men had waiting for them.
Hogan breathed a sigh of relief. It was just a bad dream Thanks Lord.
HH HH HH
When the truck stopped inside the gates of Stalag 13, the tower lights shown on them as two of the fake guards jumped out the back and got their guns ready for the prisoners to get out.
Klink had been awaken by a phone call from the guard shack announcing their arrival. He ran out to greet them while trying to get his uniform on. Their back? I didn't expect them back so soon. Klink walked up to Mac. "Captain, good to see you again. Is everything all right? I didn't expect you back so soon."
"There was an unfortunate turn of events. The underground was able to free White Fox before she had the opportunity to identify them. Since we have no hard evidence to hold them, I am ordered to return them to you."
Klink looked at the cut and bruises on Hogan's face and noticed that Carter was favoring his side and Newkirk walked with a slight limp and had a few bruises. "Captain, if I may ask, why are they…they…"
"They made an escape attempt." Mac cut him off.
And you didn't shoot them. I'm surprised. "Hogan, how dare you try to escape? What were you thinking?" Klink shook his fist in Hogan's face.
Hogan looked at the ground sheepishly. "Well Colonel, we knew that we would never be able to escape from here. Your security is too tight. We figured that we would stand a better chance escaping while we were on they road. I guess it wasn't such a good idea either."
"Hogan, you ought to know better. Thirty days in the cooler for you and your men."
"Kommandant, don't you think that being drug out, handcuffed, and beaten isn't punishment enough?" Hogan gave his best hurt and pleading look.
Klink glanced at Mac. "You need to learn that no matter whose custody you are in, you do not try to escape. Captain, you may remove the handcuffs. Shultz, escort them to the cooler."
After Mac had un-cuffed Hogan, he turned to face him. While rubbing his wrists he said, "Captain, I hope I never see you again." Hogan gave a wink.
Mac smiled. "Who knows Colonel, I might drop in again some time to make sure you are being have. Good day Colonel." Mac turned to Klink and saluted "Heil Hitler!"
Mac and the fake guards left and Hogan and his men followed Shultz to the cooler. At least after the long night, we can finally get some rest.
HH HH HH
It seemed like Hogan no sooner drifted off to sleep when Shultz woke him up. "Kommandant Klink would like to see you in his office."
Hogan tried to stretch his sore muscles, but gave up on it and followed him to the Kommandantur. "You wanted to see me Sir?"
"Have a seat Hogan." Klink noticed how stiffly Hogan moved and how long it took him to sit. "You know, for a Colonel you are not very bright. No wonder your side is loosing the war. Don't you realize that Hochstetter is looking for any evidence to prove that you are this Papa Bear? You trying to escape on the way there only confirm his suspicion."
"I know it would, that is why we waited until we were on our way back before we tried to escape."
"Hogan this was a close one. I know we are enemies, but I respect you. Please, the next time Hochstetter is here, don't do anything to provoke him."
Hogan gave a slight smile at the thought of not having to deal with that maniac any more. "Kommandant, I promise that the next time Hochstetter comes to camp, I will not say or do anything to provoke him."
"I couldn't say anything in front of the Gestapo, but due to the circumstance, as long as everyone be haves, I will suspend the sentence. The first sign of any monkey business and it is back into the cooler for thirty days. Understood?"
"Yes Sir. Thank you Kommandant. Sir if you don't mind. I would like to have Sergeant Wilson check out Carter's wound."
"Is it that bad?"
"Lets just say I want to keep it from getting worse."
Klink thought a moment. "All right. If there is any medical supplies he needs just let Shultz know."
Hogan gave his normal salute "Thanks again Kommandant." And started to leave.
"Oh and Hogan." Klink stopped him as he reached for the handle.
Hogan paused and slowly turned to face Klink. "Have Sergeant Wilson take a look at Newkirk's leg and the cut on your head and your side. Before it gets worse and that's an order."
Hogan was too tired and sore to argue. "Yes Sir."
HH HH HH
Later that day, Baker came up from the tunnels and found Hogan sitting on his bunk drinking a cup of coffee "Sir, London is on the radio for you."
Hogan slowly got up and set the cup on the table in his room and followed Baker to the tunnel entrance "I hope its not another mission. We have to get ready for the big game tomorrow. We are playing barrack 9."
"The bad thing is our best players are out with injuries." Olsen said motioning to Hogan who was favoring his side subconsciously.
"I guess that means that the rest of you lot will 'ave to play 'arder." Newkirk added from the table in the common room.
Hogan made his way down to the radio room and put on the headphones "This is Papa Bear, go ahead Goldilocks."
"Want to thank you for a job well done. We are going to send White Fox to spy school so she can be of a bigger help to the French Resistance. Major Hochstetter and the guard will be sent to a special camp, where it will be their turn to be questioned."
Hogan had a smile at the thought of Hochstetter getting his just reward. "I am sure you will take good care of them."
"Don't worry, we will. In lieu of things, we are going to give you some time off. You have more than earned it. Sorry we can't do more for you."
"The rest is thanks enough. Papa Bear over and out."
As Hogan sat there pondering Hochstetter's questioning session, his smile faded. Part of him wanted to be the one there questioning him. The other part kept thinking about what Mac had said about revenge. At what cost Rob? Would risking the operation, friends, lives, sanity or even my very soul be worth the cost of revenge? No, vengeance has too high of a price and I am not going to pay it.