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 31

The door opened and Hogan was led into the room. He stopped short, as he looked up and saw the observation seats filled with German officers. "If I'd known you were going to surrender, I'd have worn my uniform," Hogan wisecracked, in an attempt to conceal his dread.

General Kaltenbrunner answered back from the gallery, "That's okay, Colonel Hogan, that uniform will soon be obsolete, but don't worry, we'll supply you with another."

The General's reply brought smiles and nods from the other German officers. The soft murmuring persisted, as the General looked around the gallery and nodded at his fellow officers.

Knefler looked at the American standing in front of him surprised at his audacity. You continue to astonish me, Colonel. I'm beginning to have my doubts that we will succeed, and if we don't, I will have to carry out the Fuhrer's orders. You will be shot as a spy, and my career will take a sudden plunge. Both actions I wish to avoid.

Hogan continued to look at the Gallery. His gaze fell on Colonel Klink and Burkhalter sitting higher in the stadium style seating. So, Kommandant, you and Burkhalter have come for the show too. Hogan wasn't thrilled at being on display but somehow knowing that Klink was in the audience, made it worse It was just one more insult added to an unbearable situation. He had spent the last year and a half, concealing his discomfort at being a prisoner and not allowing Klink to think he was controlling him except when it suited his purpose. And now to be so subjugated was disquieting to say the least. Burkhalter made eye contact with Hogan and smiled nodding in a way meant to convey his superiority and put Hogan in his place. Well, Burkhalter remind me to thank-you later for your part in turning me over to these mad men. I'm sure you and Klink have been taking your bows for not allowing me to escape during this last year and a half of captivity.

Knefler stepped around his prisoner and observed him. You're studying each face. No doubt you're trying to attach names to them. I would like to personally study you further. My degree and expertise in psychology tells me you would be quite a case study. But right now, we need to fulfill the needs of the Fatherland.

This is a teaching theatre Hogan thought, stunned as memories started flooding back into his mind. He had been here before. This is where the images of the hands, the needles and the items being attached to his body had occurred. At first he felt panicked, and then a certain amount of relief that he had regained the time he lost over a year ago.

"Follow me, Colonel," Knefler ordered.

Hogan brought his gaze back down from the gallery and observed the doctors and orderlies in front of him, his legs wouldn't move. His mind was busy assimilating the information that was pouring in. Got to tap into that past experience. How did I cope last time? How did I keep them out? I only have snapshot memories of my time in here. I was…drugged before I ever got this far. They have a different approach this time.

"Help him over to the seat," Knefler, commanded the guards, upon seeing the recognition registering on his prisoner's face. Hogan was suddenly aware of the cuffs being removed and of being forced into a chair, but not a chair, it was cold, hard and maneuverable.

"Umph," Hogan gritted his teeth and arched his spine as the pain shot through him from his injured back.

"Just give me a minute Colonel and I'll give you some relief," Becker heckled.

"Take your time!" Hogan shot back, in a strained voice.

Knefler quickly turned his back on the verbal exchange to hide his mirth. You'll not get the last word with him, Becker. He thought.

A strap extending from under each arm was brought up over his shoulders as his throbbing back was forced against the metal. Both arms were secured to metal armrests and two straps were firmly fastened over his legs one just above the knees and another below the knees. Another strap was secured around his waist. Hogan looked from one orderly to the other as he felt less and less freedom of movement.

No, not again!... Hogan closed his eyes and took in a breath, It's okay. I've done this before. I have a pretty good idea what's going to happen. Calm down. Think. Stay focused He looked up into the Gallery again trying to identify the "Brass". Lots of Generals. They must be expecting a show. His attention was brought back down to his level, when he again felt a hand stop to briefly rest on his forehead.

"Colonel Hogan,…" it was Doctor Dering. "…these are for your fever. They will help get rid of that headache you probably have too." Hogan allowed the pills to be dropped in his mouth and drank the water held for him by Dering.

So you're on our side. Sure fooled me at Stalag 13. The cool water felt good going down his throat. He hadn't stopped to realize how warm he felt. Hogan nodded his thanks. I hope you've some magic in those pills, Dering.

Klink was intently watching the preparations, and the American officer in front of him. Hogan looks pale… He has every right to.

"Well, Klink," Burkhalter began, "it looks like you're going to have one less prisoner to guard." one way or the other.

"Yes! What a glorious achievement for the Fatherland." Klink pretended to be pleased. "So am I to understand that it is when Colonel Hogan is coming out of the anesthetic that his resistance to answering questions will be lowered?"

"Yes Klink. That is when he will not be able to reason why he shouldn't answer questions. He will divulge information because the brain will simply recall the information and repeat it. At least, I'm told that is how it worked on the Alpha subject they used this technique on last month," Burkhalter shared.

Doctor Dering took a seat on Hogan's left, unbuttoned the Colonel's shirt and pulled it open. Hogan momentarily closed his eyes. Here we go. He opened them again when he felt his sleeve being rolled up by Doctor Becker, and then the orderly fastening the restraint to keep his arm in an extended position. A second orderly rolled an IV stand equipped with an IV bottle and tubing next to Hogan's "chair". Becker slid his 'mayo stand' next to the Colonel's right arm. Working off of it, he wrapped a tourniquet around Hogan's upper arm, and cleaned an area of the arm with alcohol. Becker selected an IV needle and began to palpate Hogan's arm in search of a vein. The doctor quickly found what he was looking for, lay the needle on top of the selected target and slid it through the skin. Hogan watched these preparations with dread; he didn't know exactly what was going to happen, but he knew he wasn't going to like it.

The doctor smiled as blood began dripping out the end of the needle, indicating that he had 'hit' his mark.

"You still have good veins, Colonel Hogan," Becker commented.

Hogan let his head fall back against the head support, his memories of the past merging into the present. Now I remember. You were with me during my last visit to this room…also before we came here…for some sort of 'endurance' test.

Becker quickly released the tourniquet, attached the end of the IV tubing to the needle, flushed the blood still in the cannula of the needle, back into the vein it had escaped from and then secured the needle and tubing in place with surgical tape.

Doctor Dering moved in and placed his stethoscope on Hogan's chest and listened intently. The cold stethoscope attracted Hogan's gaze. Dering looked up and nodded his approval to Becker. At that sign the Major picked up a syringe and began injecting it into the IV line that was feeding fluid into the Hogan's arm.

"No," Hogan whispered, before he could stop himself. He looked from the doctors, to the officers sitting above him. What are you watching me for? What is about to happen?What was it Strasser told me? Ahh, yes, find a place of solace inside my self…that place would be…home… family…duty.

Hogan began to feel lightheaded, as if he was in a dream seeing what was happeining but not really a part of it. Doctor Becker cautiously pressed the plunger on the syringe allowing the medicine to take over slowly.

A warm rush flowed through the Colonel's body as the drug made its way into his system. He could feel himself begin to relax.

When Doctor Becker had finished his injection he picked up a black inhalation mask hooked to a tubing leading to a large black canister, and brought it toward Hogan's face. The Colonel turned his head. The view of the men in the Gallery began to blur. Please stop, he begged silently, and then his determination kicked in. Stay in control…fight it…don't cooperate…

Receiving a nod from the doctor, the guard behind Hogan grabbed his head and held it stationary for the mask to be placed over his mouth and nose. Hogan attempted to shake himself free.

What…don't breathe… can't move…

The officers in the room watched intently for the reactions of the American Colonel to the gas he was being forced to inhale. At first the American struggled against the mask being held to his face, but as his natural reflexes kicked in causing him to inhale, he began to struggle less.

Hogan involuntarily gasped taking in a breath. Almost immediately his ears began to ring and the voices and noises in the room became indistinct. He took another involuntary breath and his vision began to fade. Hogan's fists opened and he grabbed at the metal arm rest, finally his arms stopped pulling against the restraints. His eyes started to close and he fought to keep them open, until it was plain he was no longer seeing, but staring blankly. He began to breathe more rhythmically and his eyelids at last closed.

Hogan entered a twilight world, of disassociated thoughts and voices.

"Rob, tell your father…"

"He's breathing in the anesthetic now," Becker announced.

"A man's only as good as his word, Rob; remember that, son…"

"Heart rate is 120 Doctor Becker," Dering reported.

…I'm a Bomber pilot...I have to go…

"You're going off to war, son…your world will never be the same."

I know, Dad, I know…Where are my men…Can't let go… stay focused…Hogan, Robert…Colonel…U.S. Army… Air… Corp…serial num…

Reality drifted away, until there were no 'voices', no thoughts, but only black nothingness. His breathing leveled becoming deeper and regular.

"Heart rate one hundred," Dering continued.

"Colonel…Colonel Hogan." The Major opened Hogan's eyelids and shone a light across his eyes. "He's 'under' the anesthetic. Becker placed a strap behind the Colonel's head and fastened it to the mask, holding the black mask in place over Hogan's mouth and nose. We'll keep the mask on for a little while longer. I want to make sure he's 'deep' before he starts the journey back to consciousness." The doctor added the time of 'induction' to the record and then, using a manual crank, slightly reclined the sleeping Colonel.

Doctor Dering continued to listen to Hogan's heart; the rhythm had slowed, but it was still a strong loud beat. He moved his stethoscope and listened to his lungs for sounds of crackling, indicating fluid build up. They remained clear. He nodded at the Major, signifying everything was ok.

"Heart rate is 80, Doctor Becker." Okay, Colonel, we're almost there. Fight! Doctor Dering encouraged mutely.

Becker checked the IV site, to confirm that it was still patent after his patient's brief struggle and then decreased the drip rate.

Klink watched attentively. Seeing this man struggle and then fall unconscious was disturbing. It was as if he were dead, to see him lay so still. The Kommandant watched for the rise and fall of Hogan's chest, to assure himself that Hogan was, in fact, alive. I'm sorry Colonel Hogan. We were not always like this…and some of us still aren't.

The room became unnervingly quiet; quiet as a tomb waiting for the death of one man and the birth of another.

Whoosh, Crack!

The wood splintered and fell apart. Kinch swiped his forehead with the arm of his shirt and paused to look at his watch. Fourteen thirty. According to the information we got from the underground, the Colonel should have begun his ordeal a half hour ago.

"What time is it, mon ami?" LeBeau asked, quietly.

"Two-thirty, Louis…two-thirty," Kinch answered, his voice trailing off.

Carter looked over his shoulder toward the front gate. "I keep hoping he'll come through that front gate and say they decided not to do it." The young Sergeant looked back toward his friends and quickly diverted his eyes to hide his fear.

Newkirk paused from stacking the wood and, realizing what his friends were talking about, decided to change the mood. "You mean we've only been doing this for an hour? Bloody marvelous! Here, let me swing that ax for awhile, Kinch."

Newkirk reached for the ax placing his hand over Kinch's in the process. "The gov'nor will be all right" he whispered as he removed the ax from Kinch's choked grip. Or I'll wring their bloody necks!

The guards moved in and shoved them apart. "Get back to work, schnell," they demanded.

The men silently moved apart and resumed their punishment.

Whoosh, Crack!

What seemed like an hour to Klink was actually fifteen minutes. The doctor finally removed the mask from Hogan's face. In a few minutes, the POW's head moved slightly, and his eyes could be seen moving under his closed eyelids. It was now that Knefler began.

"Robert, open your eyes," the German encouraged.

The Colonel attempted to do so, but they again closed. The Oberst flicked on a small flashlight and spoke once more.

"Robert, open your eyes and look at the light."

Hogan did as he was told. bright…what?

"Rob, do you hear me?"

"Yes," Hogan whispered, barely audible. I hear…

The German officers in the room held their breaths, waiting, and watching. The American Colonel was looking through half opened eyes at the shining light. Dering continued to take and write down vital signs.

"You're okay, it's safe," Knefler assured.

There was a pause and then, "…safe…" The Colonel repeated. …voices…

"Yes, it's safe, we're back in England. Tell me about Major Strasser," Knefler continued.

"Strasser is…" German?...Allied?...information…

Hogan moved his head back and forth and frowned. He wanted to answer but he was meeting some resistance, from somewhere in the back of his mind. Lives at stake…be careful… He fought to clear his mind, to remember something…anything. answer the question

"Camp, he came to camp," Hogan volunteered. "…had information …" Hogan continued to meet resistance from within someone warning me…Strasser…? He felt he shouldn't answer, but he did, "about Allied Offensive… intercept…I need answers…" Hogan was still fighting some unknown resistance that didn't want him to talk. From the shadows a memory surfaced, They can't get in unless you let them in. Fight

Hogan's brow furrowed, he tried to take his eyes off of the light. Remember…yes…there's a plan…follow the plan…sick…head hurts…answer the question…no…follow the plan. Beads of perspiration broke out on his forehead as he worked to gain control of his thoughts. Emma?...

Knefler watched as perspiration trickled from the prisoner's forehead down across his temple. You're fighting hard, Colonel. It could be a short-lived victory for you. The Fuhrer wants results …or blood.

Another voice entered his thoughts "Stubborn"…" The face in his mind said. Wilson" The thought faded and was replaced by another voice.

"Robert, are you ready to go home?" Knefler asked.

Home! "…yes…" …family…

"You can't go home until you tell us about Major Strasser. We need that information to keep your men safe."

...Kinch?...help...me "…men safe… Kinch?" Hogan asked. From a corner of his mind the familiar voice of his second in command questioned, What's the plan, Colonel?

Knefler's eyebrows arched. He thinks he's talking to one of his men.

Knefler followed that path, "Yes, Colonel, it's Kinch. Tell me about Major Strasser, sir."

… plan?...think…always stay with the plan. He heard himself say, you men know what to do. And suddenly so did he, as his mind grabbed at the tail end of that memory. dutydon't talk…Hogan's mind quickly started grabbing the random thoughts and began piecing them together. The plan…to discredit Strasser…worked... Strasser's on his way to Berlin…he must have confessed…has to be a reason. Support him!

"He's a British agent… needs my help… Klink must send… to the cooler… Miller said …Strasser must be transferred…to escape back to England…" Truth…not too much…tired Hogan closed his eyes. He had decided to change his story to match his men's and evidently Strasser's also.

A chill went through Knefler, did he just hear right? Did he just find that crack in Hogan's armor?

"Open your eyes, Colonel Hogan," the German Colonel coaxed. You're not done yet.

Hogan again, with much effort, opened his eyes.

Doctor Dering monitoring Hogan's respirations and pulse, noted the increase in rate, indicating a struggle somewhere within. Keep fighting, Colonel. You've got them right where you want them. Keep your underground information guarded. Don't expose yourself, Papa Bear.

Holding his excitement in check, Knefler continued, "Major Strasser didn't escape, Colonel. He's being held in Germany." Stay with me, Colonel, just a few more answers.

…double agent…"He has to get back...I can help." Hogan answered. …want to sleepnostay in the game…

Good, you're doing well! "How can you help?" Knefler repeated. Just a little more, Colonel Hogan.

"I can help…," Hogan heard himself say. He felt disconnected as if he were an observer rather than a participant in the events going on around him. …the lie is true…joke's on me…careful… don't expose operation.

"How? What will you do?" Tell us, Colonel. Admit to it, for your sake and mine.

"Lie…fake espionage…" That should clear me… of espionage…and support Strasser's confession… Head hurts… Hogan again closed his eyes. …no more…

Colonel Knefler patted Hogan's arm approvingly and looked around at the officers in the room. "Is that enough?" he asked, as he clicked the flashlight off. It wasn't that they needed the information, it was information they had already received from Strasser, it was the fact that they were able to secure it from the prisoner. This was the second successful testing of this procedure on an alpha subject. It looked like they had a truth serum. Now that they knew the formula, they would refine it.

…close…gave them only what I wanted…but they almost succeeded, Hogan thought. The realization of how close he came to forfeiting the lives of his men scared him. …war too long…can't continue… tired... overdose me … die before I make a mistake. The effects of the anesthetic, and the exertion of winning his inward battle, made him unwillingly drift back to sleep.

Knefler smiled. "Well done, Colonel Hogan." he praised, thinking he had obtained information Hogan did not want to give. Turning to General Kaltenbrunner, he confirmed, "You can tell the Fuhrer we "broke" the American." Knefler breathed relief; he knew this achievement would be a big boost to his career, just as failure would have meant his doom.

Doctor Dering was charting and listening to Knefler crow. You idiot! This man has just duped you all. He told you what he wanted you to know and no more. You still have missed learning the biggest secret, the one Berlin is spending so much time and effort on, and that is, who is "Papa Bear". The only question now is will Papa Bear continue to exist after this next step…He will if I can help it. Sorry, Colonel, it's not over yet.

The tension in the room lifted and there was a lot of laughing and slapping of backs. Champagne would again flow among the High Command, thanks to a certain American Colonel's "failure". It was the first time they had gotten any information from this man, other than name rank and serial number. The first step had been accomplished. The second step would now begin; could they take control of his mind?

Klink was mesmerized by the spectacle he had just observed. The man he knew as his senior POW captured his full attention. He felt the pain that he thought would have been Hogan's, if he were rational, as the truth was unwillingly given up.

Are you still there Colonel Hogan? Klink asked himself. Or have we succeeded in obliterating the man whose willfulness we needed, for these experiments? Have we really won, or is it just that you have lost? Or perhaps it is we who have lost; lost our soul as a nation in our eagerness to rule the world. He looked over at Burkhalter, who sat silently nodding and smiling with that self-satisfied grin, Klink had seen many times before.

Doctor Becker looked at the group of jubilant officers and asked, "I assume I can continue with the drug treatment?"

"By all means, doctor, please do." Kaltenbrunner answered. I'm looking forward to having the cocky American under my command and a "willing" spokesman for the Third Reich. Kaltenbrunner had big plans, with Colonel Hogan at the center of them.

The next step would involve wiping out rational thought resulting in delusions and hallucinations, ending in disassociation and the dropping of old beliefs. This would allow the insertion of a new doctrine. One that would set the American Colonel up as an example and pave the way for further brainwashing of Allied soldiers. The possibilities would be endless. The German army could be revitalized by the insertion of, newly programmed, Allied soldiers into the fighting ranks of the German army, which, ironically, would allow the defeat of the Allies, by their own men.

"Get the gurney," the doctor ordered. We'll move him as soon as I administer this next dose." Doctor Becker reached for the IV tubing, picked up the next syringe, and injected the drug into the IV line that connected to the American's vein. The sleeping Colonel slipped deep into a drug-induced delirium.