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 33

Four hours later Hogan woke up. Wilson was sitting in a nearby chair reading and keeping an eye on the Colonel.

"Feeling better, sir? Wilson asked getting up to look him over.

"Mmm." Hogan looked around apprehensively, trying to decide where he was. Wilson?…Oh… okay…I remember.

"I'd like to have a look at the wound on your back now, Colonel. Do you think you can sit up long enough for that?"

"No," Hogan said, feeling the muscles in his throat wanting to spasm again.

"No?" Wilson asked. Looking hard at the Colonel, he reached for a basin, having seen that look before; he knew exactly what was coming. He reached the Colonel in time for Hogan to grab the basin and bury his face in it.

"Roger that, Night Owl. The keeper will deliver. Papa Bear over and out."

Kinch turned and looked at their guest. "You're set for tonight, sir."

The Major nodded. "I'd like to speak with Colonel Hogan before I go, but it doesn't sound like he's going to be in any shape to come to me. Can you arrange for me to go top side?"

"It can be arranged, but I'll have to pass it by the Colonel first, Major."

"Of course, well, you know where to find me."

"Yes, sir," Kinch answered.

Three hours and another nap later, Hogan awoke to the familiar voice of Kommandant Klink calling for "Reepoort". It must be evening roll call. Eighteen hundred hours.

The sun was setting. The sky had an orange glow to it. The sounds from the compound were comforting. Funny, I never thought I'd think of roll call as comforting. It's strange how your perceptions can change. That statement sounds familiar; where'd I hear that?

"Back with us, Colonel?" Wilson smiled, and then, looking more serious, "Do you need the basin again?"

"Thanks, I think I'm okay for now." Hogan decided. He began struggling to sit up. Wilson walked over and lent a hand just as the four men closest to Colonel Hogan walked in.

"Just popped in to see how you're doing, gov′nor," Newkirk announced.

"I'm feeling better, come on in."

"We just finished evening roll call, Colonel," Kinch announced.

Wilson handed Hogan a glass of water, looking him in the eyes as he did so. The Colonel taking it, took a small 'token' drink, and set it down on the floor next to the bed.

"I heard ole' Blood and Guts' a little earlier. How's it been around here while I was away?" Hogan asked.

"We've been keeping busy, sir. McLaughlin kept things together while we were gone from camp." Kinch cleared his throat. "Um, and the Nazis were getting ready to reopen the small arms factory in a building north of Hammelburg."

Hogan had been rubbing his right temple, but stopped when he heard this news. "Were getting ready? It sounds like there's more to the story." Hogan was interrupted by Wilson, who had picked up the abandoned glass of water from where the Colonel had parked it on the floor, and was now shoving it in his patient's face.

"Yes, sir. The underground had been watching and keeping track of their progress and knew they were ready for production and would be starting today or tomorrow. We decided to take it out before there were a lot of innocent people inside," Kinch explained.

"That sounds like a wise choice," Hogan praised. "Any problems?" He asked, and then took a long drink of water, before raising the half filled glass in a "see, I'm drinking" pose for Wilson's benefit.

"None. Carter laid out the pattern and we placed the charges with timers and were back on this side of Hammelburg before it blew," Newkirk added.

"Boy I wish you could have been here... sir. It lit up the sky."

"Colonel, Major Strasser is here. Kyle brought him in late last night and the Underground wants to take him tonight,"

Hogan's smile changed to a question. "Strasser?" Hogan asked.

"I thought he was on his way to Berlin. How'd he escape? When did he escape?" Hogan asked.

"How he escaped was with the help of the Underground, and Kyle," Louis said.

Hogan thought for a minute, "Who's Kyle? Should I know him?" Hogan was afraid he had some "missing" time again.

"I don't think so Colonel," Kinch answered. "He was Strasser's 'outside' man. He relayed information to us about the mission and what we were to do."

Just then the door opened and Kommandant Klink walked in. Hogan's men stood and grouped together off to one side, giving Klink room to approach.

"You should be resting, Colonel Hogan," Klink observed. "So you can resume your duties as senior POW officer." These men have no idea what you've been through.

"Yes, sir, did you drop by to tell me that or did you have something else on your mind?" Hogan questioned.

"As a matter of fact, I stopped to give you some information. Major Strasser seems to have escaped." Klink watched to see if Hogan was surprised by that information.

"Really, when did that happen?" Hogan asked.

"It happened during the first day of your testing. Major Hochstetter was over powered by the Underground, tied up and left in the back of the truck used to transport Major Strasser."

Klink looked at Hogan questioningly, "I know it is impossible that you had anything to do with this, but still I suspect you knew about it."

"Kommandant, I only know what you tell me." Hogan was starting to feel that "green" glow coming back to him. Wilson and his blasted water.

"Um hmm. I will be keeping my eyes on you Colonel Hogan, try anything and I will have you locked in the cooler until this war is over. Good night, Colonel." Klink spun around and marched out the door.

"Colonel I hate to bring this up, but Major Strasser would like to talk to you before we take him out tonight. I told him I'd have to get your okay." Kinch hesitated, noting Hogan's green pallor. "Never mind, Colonel, I shouldn't have mentioned it. You need to rest."

"I couldn't agree more. You can all talk some more tomorrow…" Wilson was quickly cut off.

"Kinch, bring Strasser up, the bald eagle won't be back tonight. I'll meet with him up here. Wilson, set up some privacy screens at the back of the room." Hogan was back in his element, giving orders and in control…and praying he could keep this charade up until he was done with Strasser.

A short time later, Kinch returned with Strasser in tow. Hogan had moved to the back of the room and he and his men were sitting concealed by the screens Wilson had strategically placed to block the view from the front of the infirmary.

"You've got quite an operation here, Colonel Hogan. I can see why London wasn't too keen on giving you up," Strasser admitted.

"Yeah, Emma told me about your orders. How close did I come?" Hogan asked.

"Close, Colonel. The deciding factor was the right hook you delivered to Scharff. I figured anybody who had been through what you had and then struck back knowing they would get even more abuse had a lot of determination and wasn't easily deterred. I'm glad you didn't let me down, for both our sakes."

I'm glad they freed me long enough to pull that off. "What will you do, now that your cover has been blown?" Hogan asked.

"I'll move into the planning arena and leave the field work to the younger men. Having my cover blown will allow me to do that," Strasser admitted.

"I hope it works out for you, Major. Had I known, I wouldn't have made the Nazis suspicious of your loyalty." Hogan was sure of that.

"You kept me thinking, it was one challenge after another. I admit I was a little worried when I found myself locked up at Gestapo headquarters." Strasser could see that Hogan was tiring. "Colonel, did you have any idea what the Nazis were up to? I mean did you have any memory of your previous go round with them?"

"I wish I could say I remembered, or even that I remembered part of it. I couldn't even remember being treated for the wounds I received when my plane was hit," Hogan confessed.

"That's not surprising, Colonel" Wilson added. "You were most likely in shock from loss of blood."

Strasser shook his head and looked at Hogan approvingly. "What you have done with no training is remarkable Colonel Hogan. You have a very disciplined mind. Men train for years to learn those techniques."

Hogan smiled, "Yeah, it's amazing what fighting for your life, every waking moment, can teach you…in a hurry."

"London would do well to bring you back for their own studies," Strasser remarked.

Hogan leaned back in his chair, distancing himself from that statement. "Watch it, Major, I could have you shot for threatening a superior officer," Hogan joked. "Don't even say that jokingly when you get back. Some airhead may take you seriously."

Some "airhead" has," he thought. …me. If your contributions to the war effort from here weren't so important, and the great Papa Bear, London's ace in the hole, I would pursue your transfer. "Seriously Colonel, if you decide or must move out of here, we'll have a spot for you in the 'Program'."

Hogan laughed and shook his head. "Thanks, Strasser, with friends like you I don't need enemies."

"I'll keep in touch. We'll talk again after the war, Colonel." Strasser smiled. Maybe I can change your mind by then…or your orders.

"It's time to head out, Major," Kinch interrupted. "Newkirk will go out with you, and connect you with the Underground contact. The Underground will take care of getting you out of Germany. Remember, they are putting their lives on the line for us, do what they tell you. No questions asked."

"Don't worry, I all ready owe them too much, to risk their lives further." Strasser offered the Colonel his hand before he stood to leave. "Colonel Hogan, it's been a pleasure…" Strasser paused, "…um, an experience," he corrected, "working with you and your men. Gentlemen," he said offering his hand to each man in turn, "good luck, and keep up the good work." Strasser turned and looked at Newkirk. "I'm ready, Corporal."

"Follow me, Major, we'll have you on your way back in no time." Newkirk started for the tunnel still talking. "Major, when you get back to London would you go by the, Wild Boar Pub, and…"

Everyone turned in early. It had been a long time since anyone had truly had a good night's rest. But now with everyone safely back in camp, the exhaustion, both mental and physical, took its toll. Even the camp Kommandant had called it an early evening.

Early the next morning, before the camp had begun to stir for morning roll call, there was a small battle brewing inside the infirmary.

"Quit moving away from me!" Wilson demanded of his patient, who was sitting on the side of his bed, with Wilson on the opposite side trying to treat his back.

"Well stop doing that!" Hogan ordered.

"Colonel, I can't work if you don't sit still." Wilson struggled a few more minutes with Hogan pulling away every time he tried to clean the wounds on his back.

"...okay, that's it!" Wilson looked up and scanned the room for his assistant. "Jeff, come and help me get Colonel Hogan over to the exam table."

"No, I'm not …" Hogan began.

"Quiet!" Wilson was determined to get this done and he and Jeff guided Hogan to their destination. "Now get on the table and lay down on your stomach."

Hogan stood beside the exam table looking at Wilson.

Wilson stared back and then said, "Jeff, help me get the Colonel…"

"NEVER MIND, I'm doing it!" Hogan huffed.

"Doing what?" Klink asked, as he came in the door.

Oh, swell this is not the position I want the Kommandant to see me in. Hogan thought, and buried his face on his arm to compose his thoughts. "Being bossed around," came the muffled reply.

"If you'd do what I say, everything would be fine," Wilson admonished.

"If you'd stop…"

Klink put a stop to the confrontation, "I didn't come to referee your fights, Colonel Hogan." Klink stepped closer to Wilson and, scowling, watched him work.

"What did you come for, Kommandant? You stopped by last night and now again this morning. I'd hate to think I'm keeping you from your work."

Well, his mouth is working well. He must be feeling better. "There are going to be some important dignitaries stopping by in a few days and I want to make sure you keep your men in line." Klink stepped closer to the head of the bed, waiting for Hogan's response.

"More students stopping by to learn how to run a prison camp from the Master, Kommandant?" Hogan questioned, his interest peaked.

Klink's chest puffed out two inches. "Colonel Hogan, who is coming is none of your business. I just want your word that you and your men will stay in line and not cause any problems. Do I have it?"

"All right, you have my word; we won't do anything out of the ordinary."

"Somehow your declaration doesn't leave me filled with confidence, but I'll accept it. There will be repercussions if you deviate from your word, Colonel. Do I make myself clear?" Klink waited for an answer.

"I think I've just been threatened," Hogan said.

"I'm waiting for an answer," Klink reminded.

"All right, yes, you've made yourself clear. Anything else I can do for you, Kommandant?"

"Yes, you can follow your Medic's orders…without questions." The door to the infirmary opened and four smiling POWs entered.

"Sorry we didn't know you were here, Kommandant," Kinch apologized.

"That is all right, I was just leaving. Your Colonel wants to talk to you. I'll check on you later, Colonel." Klink headed for the door and made a hasty exit.

Kinch, Newkirk, LeBeau and Carter looked at Hogan's back. LeBeau's face was growing red as the realization of what he was seeing registered in his mind. "Colonel! Who did this to you?"

"Never mind, Louis, it's over," Hogan said, putting a stop to any questions.

Wilson finished and began putting the dressing on as Jeff took the basin of water away and began cleaning up the old dressing.

"What did the Kommandant want, Colonel? Carter asked.

Wilson finished his work and Hogan rolled up on his side and sat up. Wilson held the Colonel's shirt for him to slip on. "It seems we're going to have some visitors that the Kommandant wants to impress and he wanted my word that we wouldn't mess this up for him."

Wilson was approached by Jeff and the two stood quietly talking as Hogan addressed his men.

"Um, Colonel," Wilson interrupted. "Who applied your dressing?"

"I wish I knew. I was unaware when my dressing was applied. I can't even tell you how many times it was changed, if it was changed. They knocked me out when I first got there and then the last two days I was heavily medicated. Sometimes I didn't even know who I was, let alone who was around me."

"There is something here I think you should see." Wilson walked around and handed the Colonel an envelope.

"What's this?" Hogan took it and looked at Wilson.

"Jeff found this in the dressing I removed from your back. I'm afraid that is all the information I can give you, Colonel."

Hogan opened the envelope and took out two folded pieces of paper. He unfolded the top one and read. Then looking up he asked, "Newkirk did you have something you wanted to tell me?" Hogan handed the paper to the Corporal, who took it and after looking at it, blushed.

"What?" Carter asked.

"You're kidding!" Newkirk exclaimed.

"Let me see," LeBeau asked.

"Blimey!" Newkirk shouted out. It was the confession the Nazis got from him. "Well you see Colonel, I had no choice. It was either sign or 'blow' the whole plan." Newkirk explained.

"We'll talk about this later… in private," the Colonel promised.

Hogan looked down at the second paper and opened it. There was a four-inch strip of film folded in it. He began to read the letter out loud.

"I thought you'd like to have this back before it landed in the wrong hands. It might be tough to explain. Good job, gentlemen. I'm afraid I have another little task for you. There will be a dignitary arriving at Stalag 13 in a couple of days. He will have three aides with him. One of them will be your contact. Give him the film contained in this letter. Until we meet again." And it's signed, 'Nimrod'."

"NIMROD!" LeBeau, Newkirk, Carter, and Kinch all exclaimed.

A hush fell on the room. And then, "Who's Nimrod?" Wilson asked.

(But that's another story!)

The End!

I want to thank, Linda Groundwater, not only for her encouragement, but also for her critiquing of my chapters as well as her help with correcting punctuation. I especially liked the information she shared with me on real papa bears in the wild, that I passed on to my readers in Chapter 25. Thanks again, Linda. You're an angel.

(The punctuation errors in this acknowledgement are all mine. It just didn't seem appropriate to ask Linda to proof read her own thank you letter.)

Also, my thanks to the readers, now and in the future, who have shared or will share their reviews with me.

"Hogan's Heroes" continues to flourish, thanks to all of you!

Marty B.

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