Chapter 24

Erika entered the hospital and showed the guard her papers. There were guards inside all the entrances and exits. Since Allied prisoners were treated here there was a good deal of security. Although getting in was not as difficult as getting out. She watched as those who were leaving the hospital were being frisked and having to empty any bags they were carrying.

Nurse Eberly, the nurse that hired Erika, had assigned her to the 4th floor. Erika observed that there had been two rooms prepared and left vacant, as if waiting for someone. If these rooms are for whom I think, I am right where I need to be. Erika's duties thus far had been simple enough. Make beds, take temperatures, assist patients with their meals, deliver clean towels and any other miscellaneous job that needed done.

"Anna, come assist me with the medicine cart," Nurse Eberly ordered. "Each of these paper cups has a room number written on it and contains the patient's medicine. Push the cart behind me and hand me the numbered cup corresponding with the patient's room when I hold out my hand. Do not ask any questions or hesitate in passing the cup. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Nurse Eberly," Erika answered. As they passed the two vacant rooms, Erika asked, "Are these rooms soon to be occupied? I did not leave any towels there today, because no one mentioned we would soon have patients in them."

Nurse Eberly, stopped her determined march down the hall and turned to Erika with a smile, "Anna, please call me Emma, Nurse Eberly is too formal. And the answer to that is yes. We will have an American POW and one of our fine military officers in those rooms tomorrow morning. They will be under guard, but you do not need to be afraid of them."

What luck Erika thought.

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On the evening of the fifth day Kinch, Carter, LeBeau and Newkirk met in the tunnel with Lars and a man Lars brought with him, Kyle, who was sent to fill them in on their assignment.

"Your Colonel is alive," was Kyle's opening statement.

"Well, he had bloody well better be!" Newkirk gave Kyle a menacing look.

Kyle glared back, "Strasser did not decide until tonight whether the Ameri…" Kyle stopped himself and rephrased his sentence, "…Colonel Hogan would live or die."

"Why you…" Newkirk reached out to grab the agent when Kinch stepped in front of him and grabbed his shoulders stopping his advance.

"Not now Newkirk," He said and then reached out to his side to grab LeBeau, who was quickly spitting out French insults and closing in on Kyle. Carter, too, was protesting but at least was not bearing down on the man.

Kyle looked the men over and continued, "Major Strasser has decided to go ahead with the mission and that requires Colonel Hogan to go to Hohemark for the testing. They will both be moved to the hospital early tomorrow morning. They'll have two days of pre-meds to begin a kind of euphoria to relax them and lower their resistance. Those are the two days we have to accomplish our mission," Kyle was explaining. "Once the documents are at the hospital, we will acquire the information concerning the studies of the drugs they have tested, their concentrations, combinations, interactions, length of use, and the effects they had on the test subjects they were given to."

"I thought England had its own study concerning mind control," Carter puzzled.

"Let's just say the Nazis have not put the value on human life that we have and it would take us years to get where they are now," Kyle said as a matter of fact.

"How do you propose to explain our being gone? We can't just disappear, somebody will miss us," LeBeau reminded him.

"Your Kommandant will be leaving in the morning to join the officers gathering at Hohemark, and he will be replaced by one of our operatives. You men will escape tomorrow, after noon role call. Our man will keep the search local until your return the following night when you will be recaptured and returned here to Stalag 13."

"So are we going to draw thirty days in the cooler out of this?" Carter asked.

Louis started muttering at Carter, and Newkirk hit Andrew's shoulder with the back of his hand.

"Andrew, the cooler is the least of our worries, we 'ave to get back alive first, Mate."

Kyle persisted with his instructions, "Colonel Hogan will have what you need to pick up and bring back for the courier to take to England. We will leave it to you on how to get to him. But you will need to make contact tomorrow night after 10pm and before midnight."

"What is it we're looking for?" Kinch asked.

"You don't need to know that right now. If you're caught we will make no rescue attempt. Your capture will give credence to Strasser's story and you will all be shot. Strasser will no doubt be exonerated and his use as a double agent secured. Colonel Hogan's charge of espionage will be upheld and he will either become a member of the Nazi Party or also be shot. Any questions?" Kyle sat back and waited for the protests and the indecision that would normally follow the "your on your own and don't expect any help if you're caught" statement when presented.

"We'll need to know a few things if you expect us to get in touch with Colonel Hogan. Like the layout of the hospital, where they are keeping him, location of guards, if there is any outdoor lighting and the terrain around the hospital for starters," Kinch stated.

Kyle's eyes widened slightly when he heard Kinch's questions. One man speaks for all? This is a cohesive group. They don't seem surprised by, or at least they're willing to accept, the terms of this assignment. Maybe the rumors we've heard of their exploits aren't rumors at all. "I've got that information right here." Kyle took a diagram of the hospital out of his coat, and opened it on the radio table saying, "Gather around."

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The night before Klink's departure to Hohemark, a staff car arrived, carrying Klink's temporary replacement.

"Kommandant Klink, I am Captain Cuyler, I have been sent to relieve you while you are away at Hohemark."

Klink looked the younger officer over. "Uh huh, and what experience have you had Captain?" The Kommandant stood and walked around the desk to look the junior officer over.

"It has been my assignment for the last year to be a temporary replacement, whenever one is needed. I began by following and observing and gradually moved into assignments of one or two day duration and am now being placed wherever I am needed for as long as I am needed. Of course I am not as experienced as you, Kommandant, your no escape record is well known," Cuyler praised.

This last statement caused Klink to straighten and strut back to his desk. "Well Captain, you will do. Sergeant Schultz will explain the routine and show you around. I will be leaving with General Burkhalter in an hour. Although, I do not know when I will be returning, I don't anticipate being gone for more than four days. You may use my living quarters. Do you have anything you wish to ask me?" Klink asked.

"Nein, Herr Oberst."

Klink eyed the younger man, "Captain, I expect to find all of my prisoners here, where I left them, on my return," Klink warned.

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant!" You don't care where they go in between your departure and your return, do you? Cuyler smiled

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Early the next morning, Major Hochstetter entered Hogan's cell.

"I want him here…" Hochstetter pointed at the ground in front of him, "…on his knees." The Gestapo Major ordered.

Hogan was resting, unaware of Hochstetter's presence, until he was pulled off the bunk and pushed to his knees on the floor of his cell.

"Ugh!" Hogan groaned. Unable to stay up on his knees, he sank back, sitting on his legs, with his arms wrapped around him trying to support all the aching he was experiencing. He was gradually losing awareness of who was standing in front of him, and retreated deeper into his mind, trying to comfort himself. He listened to the air being drawn into his lungs and concentrated on the slow rise and fall of his chest, thinking of …nothing. He had to separate from his reality, allow no more stimuli to assault his already overloaded mind and body. He had to…maintain his sanity.

"They are taking you from me today Colonel Hogan. I hope the time we had together will be as memorable to you as I know it will be to me," the Gestapo Major crowed.

Hogan did not appear to be hearing Hochstetter. He starred at the floor with his arms still wrapped around himself. Hochstetter stepped forward and crouched down in front of his captive. He reached over and raised Hogan's face toward his own. The Colonel's eyes were unseeing. Hochstetter passed his hand in front of his prisoner's face. There was no reaction.

. It appears you have about reached your limit Hogan. If I had one more day… Hochstetter dreamed as he released the Colonel's face. Hogan's gaze again drifted down to the floor in front of him.

"I may not have won Colonel Hogan, but neither have you," he finally growled.

Looking up at the guard, who was holding the prisoners restraints Hochstetter ordered, "Get him ready to travel!"

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The truck carrying Colonel Hogan pulled up to the back entrance of the hospital followed by the staff car carrying Knefler, Strasser and Schaffer. Physically, Hogan was able to get a little rest after Strasser injected him with the morphine and before they came to put the shackles on him to load him into the truck.

Now, shackled hand and foot, he was literally dragged in through the back door of the hospital and was trying very hard to stay conscious. The morphine had worn off and he found the added weight of the heavy restraints a burden on muscles already strained and aching. Hogan was busy trying to comprehend what was happening to him. There were segments of time that were missing. He remembered striking Schaffer, but his next memory was Strasser telling him to remember…something.

…smells like… a hospital! Hogan's subconscious had locked the memory of that smell away, until now, when it accosted his senses once again. Why?... Not … compassion. The smell of the hospital brought back memories of his last visit. Hogan thought back to the mental pictures that had revealed themselves to him while on his way to Gestapo Headquarters. Whatever was happening to him in those memories was not dictated by concern for his well being. Who is Strasser…what is he up to?...something about…brainwashed… Can't think straight. Did I say anything at Gestapo headquarters…Can't remember…lost track of my days… Hogan's strength was ebbing and he drifted into a pain-induced sleep.

Major Becker met the group of officers and screwed up his face at the sight of the unkempt prisoner. "He will have to be cleaned up before we go any further. This is a hospital after all." Dr. Becker stepped to the receiving desk, picked up the phone and made a call.

Becker turned back around to the group and looked the prisoner up and down. He looks like he has been worked over pretty well. He's physically exhausted. What is his mental state? The doctor opened the prisoners eyes it was hard to judge the level of his awareness in the dim light of the receiving dock, though it appeared his pupils were equal in size. He ran his hands through Hogan's hair feeling for contusions or swelling. He doesn't appear to have any head injuries to interfere with our tests.

Hogan came to, as the doctor was looking him over. The Colonel didn't like this man and not just from their interaction at Stalag 13, but there was something else he hadn't been able to bring into focus yet. He pulled his face away from the scrutinizing look of the doctor. Stay awake, he told himself.

Becker looked around at the officers standing mutely close by, "Are there any injuries that I need to know about?" he asked.

"We've stayed away from breaking any bones. He does have some lacerations on his back from a flogging at the hands of Major Hochstetter that Corporal Schaffer has kept clean and treated with sulfa." Knefler informed Becker.

The Doctor walked around behind Hogan and reached for the blood stained shirt. Hogan did not want the Nazi doctor to touch him, but a barely audible "No", was all the protest he could offer as the guards kept their firm hold on him.

"It's too dark in here," Becker mumbled. He looked at the guards and said, "Turn his back around to the light."

Hogan stiffened and offered some resistance, but it was hardly noticeable.

Becker again reached to raise the Colonel's shirt and examine his back. Hogan closed his eyes, clenched his jaw and endured the pain from the doctor's exam.

Becker after probing the wounds, nodded and said, "A few spots of infection starting, but nothing we can't wash out and treat."

The elevator connecting the dock with the hospital opened and two hospital orderlies stepped off. Becker motioned the men over. "This patient needs cleaned up. Bathe him and get him some clean hospital attire. Then take him to the fourth floor exam room. I'll meet you there."

Hogan mumbled, "You can't experiment on POW's…against… Geneva Convention."

Knefler, who had turned to listen to his prisoner, turned back to Becker and said, "Our guards will have to accompany him, Doctor. There may have been a breach in our security." Knefler glanced at Strasser. "If so we don't know to what lengths the Underground would go to stop our testing."

Becker looked at Hogan again and then back to Knefler and nodded. "Very well, send your guards along. I'll order some medication for him." Becker looked at the orderlies and instructed, "Allow the medicine 20 minutes to be absorbed into his system before you begin to bathe him. He'll sleep and make your job easier."

Hogan didn't like what he was hearing; he focused his strength, looked at Knefler and in a weakened voice warned, "I will have criminal charges filed against you after the war. I promise."

After his statement Hogan briefly closed his eyes and grimaced. Even that small effort made his abdominal muscles throb. He opened his eyes again and looked at Strasser, which was observed by Knefler. Looking for some answers from your comrade, Colonel?

"Perhaps Colonel, but I'm willing to bet you will have forgotten all about this, and will be rejoicing in our victory." Knefler informed his prisoner.

never forget… Hogan thought.

The guards turned Hogan over to the orderlies and removed the chains, which took some of the strain off of his muscles. However, the relief he felt seemed to have the opposite effect and he slumped as he again lost consciousness. The orderlies each grabbed an arm and placed it over their shoulders to support the weakened prisoner. They entered the elevator; the elevator door closed and Hogan began his ascent into hell.

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Becker looked at Knefler and commented, "His physical condition is sufficiently weakened, but he is still belligerent. If his government knows the strength of this man, his conversion could be quite a victory for the Third Reich. After his examination, I'll have him confined to his room and we'll get him started on the drugs, that I hope will begin to break through his determination."

Becker turned his attention to Hans.

"Major Strasser, we have a room for you also," Becker informed.

"For me?" He looked at Colonel Knefler. "What is this, Herr Oberst? Am I to be imprisoned here while you test the American?"

"As I told you at Stalag 13, I am not convinced of your innocence. I wish to ask you some questions and I need truthful answers. We believe we have a method to obtain them. If you are telling the truth, as you say, you have nothing to fear. You will simply end up well rested. On the other hand, if you have been lying to us, you will be charged with treason and executed." Knefler took out his gun and pointed it at Strasser. "Now, please follow the doctor."

Strasser turned and did as he was ordered. "I assure you Herr Oberst, you will only find that I am loyal to the Fatherland." Of course that doesn't necessarily mean we are fighting for the same cause.

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"Nurse Eberly," Becker called as he walked down the hall writing on a chart. "I want you to draw up this medication and go down to the patient baths on 'Two'. An American officer is there and in need of this injection. There are two guards and two orderlies with him; they will assist you if you have any problems."

"Yes, Herr Doctor," Eberly said, taking the chart.

"Just leave the chart at the nurses station, I will pick it up on my way back through." He said and disappeared down the hall.

Emma looked at the medication order, nodded, and went to draw up the syringe.

Nurse Eberly entered the patient bath area and found Hogan sitting on the edge of a chair, leaning forward, and surrounded by the guards and orderlies. "My, he must be a dangerous man, to have this much attention." Emma commented upon entering the room. "Roll up his sleeve; I have an injection to give per Dr. Becker's order."

Hogan tried to pull his arm away from the orderlies but it was useless in his weakened state. One guard pulled him back in the chair, causing him to stifle an outcry. The guard then put a strangle hold on him from behind, while the orderlies held his arm and rolled up his sleeve.

Emma moved in and crouched down next to Hogan. "Don't worry Colonel," the nurse offered. "It will only sting for a minute."

"What… is it going to do… to me?" Hogan managed to choke out. The effort it took to speak exhausted Hogan and he was having trouble staying focused on his surroundings. He so wanted to close his eyes and sleep, but he was afraid of what they would do to him without his knowing. Not that he could do anything about it.

Eberly talked as she took an alcohol soaked cotton ball and cleaned an area of skin, preparing it for the injection. She could see the apprehension in his eyes and softly explained, "My 'papa' used to be a 'bear' just like you when I had to get his medicine down him."

Did I just hear a message? He was brought back to awareness as he felt the needle prick his arm.

"There now, that wasn't so bad was it?" the nurse asked.

The guard released his hold. "What's going to happen now?" Hogan asked.

"It's all right, Colonel," Emma tried to reassure in a soothing voice, "You're going to feel some relief from your pain and get a little sleep. It will help you get through these next few hours."

"No, I need to stay awake." I can't make a mistake. I need to find some way to talk to Strasser.

"No, you need some rest." Emma answered firmly, but in a way meant to reassure the American. She took Hogan's face in her hands and said, "Trust me, Colonel, this is what you need." You must get some strength back if you hope to survive this. "Now, close your eyes, and let it happen."

Hogan fought it as long as he could but in the end, he slept.

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