The T.V. show Hogan's Heroes belongs to Bing Crosby Productions.

No ownership of the Hogan's Heroes characters is implied or inferred, and no infringement is intended.

Weaving a Web to Freedom, Undoing the Past

By Marty Miller

Background information, for this story, is from the HH Episode "The Meister Spy"

Chapter 30

It was early morning roll call at Stalag 13 and the men were in formation. Captain Cuyler had just arrived at Barrack Two and called for Schultz's report, when an explosion rocked the morning sky. A glow could be seen emanating over the tree line, as all eyes turned to look.

Cheers began to echo through the lines of men as they stood outside their respective barracks.

"Silence," the Captain demanded. "The next man to holler will find himself in the cooler." Cuyler continued with his rounds and the men of Barrack Two broke rank.

"Hey Mike, what do you think that was?" Hanson asked.

"Dunno, but I hope it was something major," Mike winked at the younger man. "Let's go inside and get some coffee, Joey. My feet are getting cold. We'll do our imagining inside, out of this blasted wind."

Joey Hanson had attached himself to Mike's side almost since the first day he arrived and Colonel Hogan introduced him to the red haired Scot. Mike took the kid under his wing and treated him like a kid brother.

"Has Baker heard anything from the underground?" Morgan asked. Chris Morgan was sitting on his top bunk in the corner of the room closest to Colonel Hogan's door. He had pulled his blanket up over his shoulders trying to keep the wind that was whistling through the barrack wall off of his back.

"Baker hadn't heard anything before he had to get back to his barrack for formation. They have until midnight tonight to make it back. Don't start packing yet!" Mike joked.

Hogan looked at the food in front of him. It looked inviting but every time he tried to swallow a mouthful it would stick in his throat. He knew that he needed to eat something, but he had no appetite. I wish I knew if the fellas made it out of here last night. Hogan quickly looked up, as Emma came back into the room. She looked from the bed to the chair where Hogan sat, at the table, pushing his food around on his plate with his fork. On seeing Emma enter, he laid the fork down and pushed the plate away.

"Nurse…Emma do you know, did my men make it out of here?" Hogan quietly asked.

"Yes, Colonel, and Herr Strasser will be leaving soon for his trip to Berlin. Anna was let go this morning for talking back to Doctor Dering."

"Who was let go?" Hogan questioned, looking at Emma.

"The girl who gave you the film last night." Hogan's gaze drifted away. "Do you remember what happened last night?" Emma asked

Hogan jerked his eyes back in Emma's direction, "I remember! I just didn't know her by that name."

"Calm down, Colonel; I ask because the drugs they've given you can affect your memory, make you feel relaxed, take away your fears, and change your perceptions. Now listen to me you don't have a lot of time. I don't know what they are going to do to you…"

"Oh that's just great!" Hogan's frustration slipped out. His anxiety caused him to stand and begin his customary pacing. His men called it his "thinking mode".

"Shh, listen to me!" Emma's voice was strong and stern.

Turning abruptly to face the nurse, Hogan drew in a breath and calmed himself. "I'm listening, go ahead."

"Doctor Dering is working with us. He has made or will make some slight changes in dosage or concentration of the drugs you will be given. Don't get me wrong, you will still feel the effects and respond as they expect…to a degree at least. We hope that the changes will be enough to allow you to stay in control. We wish you didn't have to go through this, Colonel, but I'm afraid the only way out of it…is through it."

Hogan turned his head and ran his fingers through his black hair, then he hung his head down, let out a sigh and looking back at Emma said, "Okay, when do we get this show on the road?"

Emma looked at her watch and said, "You have four hours."

Hogan, out of habit, looked at his bare wrist where his watch usually rested. That and his belt had been taken from him at Stalag 13 when this whole charade began. I'm surprised they didn't take my shoe laces! Hogan remembered, acerbically.

Emma turned around suddenly as the door behind her swung open and in walked Knefler and Dr. Becker.

"Get us a glass of water, nurse. Colonel Hogan, it's time for your next round of pills."

"Thanks, I think I'll pass this time. That last batch left a lot to be desired." But I know what you can do with them!

"These are milder than the last two doses, they won't make you sleep."

"I still pass," Hogan reaffirmed as he called on every bit of self control he could muster to keep his sarcasm in check.

"I believe we have had a similar conversation once before," Becker stated, as he stared down his patient. "And the conditions are still the same. We can do this the easy way or the hard way but in the end these pills will end up in your stomach with or without your cooperation."

The Colonel was just about to let loose a temper-initiated, sarcastic answer, when Emma came back with the water and added, "Believe me, Colonel Hogan, you would rather do this on your own."

Hogan looked at her hard. Reading her meaning he thrust out his chin and through clenched teeth said, "Give them to me!" Hogan threw the pills into his mouth and again looked at Emma who handed him the glass of water.

I hope you know what I'm doing, Emma. I'm trusting that you do!

"Boy, did you see that!" Carter was practically jumping up and down. "I told you she'd go up like that. Yes, sir, now that's the way to blow up a small arms factory."

They had set the timers to allow them to get back to the vicinity of Stalag 13 before the explosions. They didn't want to get captured by the wrong soldiers.

"You directed us well, Andrew." Kinch gave Carter a pat on the back. "Now let's go get captured."

"You know it would be a shame to go back so soon. I mean we told 'em we'd be back by midnight. We're almost sixteen hours early. Couldn't we maybe go by the Hausserhoff and meet some little frauleins," Newkirk suggested.

LeBeau rubbed his hands together in anticipation, "Oui, Kinch, just one hour."

"How far do you think you're going to get dressed like that?" Kinch pointed at their uniforms. "Come on, you can ask the Colonel for an LOA when he gets back." If he gets back…and if he's still the Colonel. If not, well, we won't have to worry about an LOA. In fact we won't have to worry about anything any more, except whether we want a blindfold and a last cigarette.

Major Hochstetter had finished making the arrangements to transport Strasser to Berlin and went back to get his prisoner.

"Take his restraints off and get him up out of that bed," Hochstetter ordered.

The guards unfastened the restraints and Strasser was soon standing facing Hochstetter.

"Hold your arms out in front of you, Major." Hochstetter fastened the cuffs down tight against Strasser's skin. There is nothing worse than a traitor." Hochstetter hissed and then back handed the Major. "If I had my way, we would shoot you now." Hochstetter looked at the guards and ordered, "Take him out to the truck."

"Hey, Joey called out. "It looks like Schultz is bringing in Kinch, Carter, Newkirk and LeBeau."

McLaughlin hurried over to the window, to check it out. "All right! And it's only 1300 hours" Mike exclaimed. "That's four wandering minstrels that have made it back."

Wilson had been keeping an eye on the gate waiting for the return of the four escaped POW's and was walking over to the truck, as the guys were removed from the back.

"Any injuries?" he asked, as he looked the men over.

"No," Kinch assured. "We're all fine. At least for now," he added as Captain Cuyler exited the Kommandant's office and stormed up to them.

"Well, gentlemen, I hope you enjoyed your taste of freedom. Since you seem to have time to sit around and plan escapes, I take it you don't have enough to keep you busy. Sergeant Schultz, assign a detail to these men I want all of the wood that was brought in split and stacked in the lean too shelter. I want that shelter filled before they are allowed to go to the barrack and I don't care if it takes them all night. Do you understand Sergeant?" Sorry, fellas, but we must keep up appearances.

"Jawohl, Herr Captain. All right, you heard the acting Kommandant. Move out mach schnell."

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me, Schultzie. We've been up all night!" Newkirk complained.

"My heart bleeds for you. I was up all night too, looking for you. Now move, the Kommandant is being good to you. He could have locked you in the cooler or had you shot." Schultz's lack of sleep and missed breakfast had made him less than understanding.

"Boy, and I thought you were our friend!" Carter complained.

"No more apple strudel for you," LeBeau promised.

"You don't mean that, LeBeau, I'm just doing my duty! Tell him, Kinch, I have to follow orders," Schultz whined.

"Sorry, Schultz, you're on your own unless you can get us out of this," Kinch answered.

"Sergeant Schultz," Cuyler called out, "a word with you please."

Cuyler turned and headed into the office with Sergeant Schultz in tow. Once inside the Captain directed Schultz into Klink's office. "Sergeant we need to discuss what just happened. I don't need to have an attempted escape by the prisoners on my record and neither do you as Sergeant of the guards. Since no harm was done and they are being punished, let's keep this little occurrence between us. Do you agree?"

"Jawohl, Herr Captain." Schultz was glad to not have to deal with the chastisement Kommandant Klink would surely dish out, should he learn what happened.

Kyle lay waiting along the road with several members of the Underground, as a solitary figure, further down the road, stepped out from around the bend and held his rifle up as a signal the truck was approaching. The truck rounded the bend, a shot rang out, and the front left tire exploded with a bang, causing the truck to veer off the road. The guards in the back of the truck jumped out to come face to face with twenty heavily armed men. Seeing that they were out numbered they threw their rifles down and raised their hands.

Kyle escorted the driver to the back of the truck and asked for the keys to the handcuffs.

"Nein, we do not have them. Major Hochstetter kept them," one of the guards answered.

Kyle turned at a signal from their lookout and ordered the two guards to wave the approaching staff car down and to stay standing at the back of the truck.

"Don't try anything," he warned. "Or you'll end up with a 20 gun salute and a six foot deep hole to call home."

The staff car came to a stop and Major Hochstetter got out, while glancing into the back of the truck at his still confined prisoner. Assuming that the truck was having mechanical problems he approached.

"Was ist los?" he asked.

Before he could expect an answer he was surrounded by the Underground and relieved of the Lugar that was resting in the holster at his side.

"The keys to the handcuffs please, Major," Kyle held out his hand.

Hochstetter made no move to comply.

"I won't give then to you, this man is a traitor," Hochstetter roared.

Kyle nodded to the man behind the Major, who brought a rifle butt down against the German's head, effectively knocking him out. Kyle searched Hochstetter's pockets and after finding the key ordered, "Tie them up and put them in the back of the truck."

Strasser, who had been quietly watching his rescue from the wooden bench he was secured to, smiled at Kyle as he approached him to unlock his handcuffs,

"Good to see you again, Kyle. Did you get the package?"

"It's on its way. Let's get moving before we have any more surprises," Kyle suggested.

"Right, just one more quick question." Strasser lowered his voice to prevent Hochstetter and the guards from hearing him. "That quote you passed on to me by 'Aristotle' could have only been told to you by one person. Is she out of Germany?" Strasser was searching his rescuer's face for the answer that he wanted.

"Fraulein Wesson has decided to stay, Herr Strasser. She said there is still much she can do here. She feels she can talk her way out of being suspected as an accomplice to you and she asked me to give you this." Kyle handed Strasser a small folded piece of paper, which he took and slipped into his pocket. He would read it later…in private.

Strasser looked at Hochstetter, who had regained consciousness and was now standing in the truck cuffed and gagged, about to be secured to the seat Hans had just vacated. Suddenly Hans sent the back of his hand flying across Hochstetter's face.

"Touché," Strasser said with a smile. "I'd take you 'out' right now, Major, but it is feared that Berlin would retaliate against Stalag 13's prisoners. But I do wish I had time to give you a return demonstration of the torture techniques you taught me during Colonel Hogan's visits with you. Maybe next time."

Strasser jumped off the back of the truck, and he and Kyle climbed into the staff car, Hochstetter conveniently provided them, and disappeared.

Hogan was standing looking out the window of his room. He was alone and deep in thought. I can't seem to make sense out of those flashbacks. I know they fill me with dread, but what exactly was happening? And Strasser is an agent for Britain? Had I known, I wouldn't have implicated myself in espionage, to make the Germans think I was trying to protect his cover of being a 'German agent' for Britain, and he could have continued being a British agent pretending to be a German agent. Sometimes the webs I weave are too complicated even for me!

Hogan turned around as he heard his door open. He held his breath anticipating that they had come for him. Relief immediately spread over him as he saw it was Emma…alone.

"I thought you were my escort," he confided.

"I know you did. I saw the relief on your face when you recognized me. But it will only be a few minutes before they do come. I'm to get your vital signs before they get here and have them already charted. Come sit down."

Hogan carefully sat in the wooden chair trying to prepare himself for what lay ahead.

Emma took out her thermometer shook it down and instructed, "Open your mouth, let me slip this under your tongue and then keep quiet, while I talk."

"Just lie to them, t…" that is as far as Hogan got when Emma took the opportunity to slip the thermometer in his open mouth. She slipped two fingers under his chin and raised it to close his mouth. "Hush!"

"In case you haven't noticed, the pills Becker gave you had no effect." Hogan began to mumble an answer.

"Sssh," Emma reminded. "This will give you an edge, you won't be going into this quite as confused. Doctor Dering is responsible for the substitution," she added while placing the blood pressure cuff on his arm. "Doctor Dering and I have not had the opportunity to talk today. He has been busy. There are a lot of German Generals here getting a tour of the hospital and an explanation of the proceedings they are about to witness." She sat quietly for a minute while she got a reading on the sphygmomanometer and then charted his blood pressure.

Hogan sat without moving, digesting what Emma had told him. The pounding in his head was picking up momentum.

Emma took the thermometer out of Hogan's mouth and looked at the results. She frowned slightly and put her hand on his forehead. "Do you feel all right? You have a slight fever."

Hogan pulled back and looked at her incredulously, "No, I don't feel all right! I'm thinking about jumping out that window, except I'm not sure that the fall would kill me!"

Emma sat up straighter and looked into Hogan's eyes, trying to determine how serious he was.

Hogan turned his head and waved her off. "Don't worry, I'm not serious. I'm just angry. But please, don't ask me how I feel. All right?"

Emma hesitated a moment and then slowly continued, "As I was saying, I haven't been able to talk to Doctor Dering. So I don't know what if anything else he can do to give you an advantage during this test. But I do know, whether you pass or fail the first part of the test, you will be taken into part two immediately, and they have allowed two days for part two."

"Two days? I had no idea we were talking days. Are you sure? To resist for several hours maybe, but two days?" Hogan was stunned.

"Concentrate, Colonel, there is a lot at stake here. If you give out the wrong information, your men and the whole underground operation will end abruptly."

Hogan stood, looked at Emma and irritably responded, "Twist the knife a little harder, why don't you. Believe me I know what is at stake here. I helped build this organization. I'm on a first name basis with most of these people." Hogan began his pacing again.

You would not have made it this far if Major Strasser hadn't thought you could pull this off. His orders were to eliminate you."

"Well, there's a sobering piece of information. Do you know any other interesting tidbits?" he asked as he again sat down in the chair.

Just then the door opened and Emma grabbed Hogan's wrist to take his pulse. Becker, Knefler and three guards entered the room. The doctor picked up the chart and looked at the information. He too walked over and laid his hand on Hogan's forehead, at which time Hogan immediately pushed his hand away. Knefler watched and then looked at Becker waiting for an explanation.

"Just a slight fever, most likely related to his back and rib injuries, we'll keep an eye on it. We can go, Colonel Knefler."

Becker stepped out of the way and Knefler took over. Knefler looked at the guards and ordered, "Get the restraints on him."

The guards got him on his feet pulled his arms behind him and applied the cuffs. Hogan was aware of the pounding in his head coinciding with the pounding in his chest.

"Is this really necessary? Where do you think I'm going to run with three guards pointing their guns at me?" Hogan asked.

"After last night's events, we can't take any chances," Knefler said.

"What happened last night?" I bet I can tell you more than you can tell me…I hope you lost some sleep over it.

Knefler smirked at Hogan's frustration. "It's time to go get the answers to your questions, Colonel Hogan. If you're lucky, we will remove your doubts from your mind for good and leave you with nothing but answers."

"You have a peculiar idea of luck, Knefler. I'm willing to just forget those answers," Hogan remarked, while struggling to find a comfortable position in the handcuffs. Before you try to make me forget the questions!