Sorry for the delay. Life's been hectic!

As always, thank you to Marilyn Penner, my wonderful beta-reader!

Chapter Twenty

Hogan ushered Kurt into his quarters with a sweeping gesture. "Sit right down."

Kurt shot him a strange look, but ambled into the room and then turned to face him. Hogan prodded him backwards into a chair. Kurt sat with a startled "oomph" and stared up at him.

"What are you . . .?"

"Now then," Hogan began, picking up a clipboard that Kinch had left on his desk. He rubbed his chin, frowned down at the clipboard (which happened to have nothing on it). "It says here that you're having trouble sleeping"

Kurt frowned. "What . . ."

"And what's this?" Hogan stabbed his index finger down on the clipboard. "You've lost almost 10 pounds. Well, that's not good. Not good at all." He tossed the clipboard back onto the desk, picked up a pencil and advanced upon Kurt, leveling the tip of the pencil at the doctor's mouth. "Open up."

Kurt shoved back against the chair so hard it rocked backward. "Do not come any closer! Who knows where that's been!"

Hogan stopped, pencil poised just inches from Kurt's tightly closed lips. "Hmm. Uncooperative, aren't you? I've heard that doctors make the worst patients. Guess this confirms it."

"Umphbmmppphumm!" Kurt forced from between clenched lips, eyes locked upon the pencil, hands stretched out before him, ready to fend off more attempts.

Hogan flipped the pencil over his shoulder, where it hit the wall and rolled across the floor. He backed away and Kurt slowly lowered his hands. They flew back up again when Hogan grabbed a chocolate bar from his desk and threw it at him. Kurt clumsily caught it two-handed against his chest.

"Reflexes aren't bad." Hogan settled his hip on the edge of the desk, crossed his arms while Kurt fumbled with the candy bar. "But the hand-eye coordination isn't the best." He shook his head. "Better let someone handle your surgeries for awhile."

"You took me by surprise!" Kurt snapped, glancing around for somewhere to lay the candy. Giving up, he tossed it back at Hogan, who plucked it out of the air one-handed, then tossed it on the desk without looking.

"Herr Doktor Metzger. It has come to our attention that you are neglecting your health. This is causing us great concern. Great concern, indeed. Certain people very close to you have tried without success to ascertain why this may be, and failing in that, have called upon reinforcements." Hogan stood, glared down into wide blue eyes. "So," Hogan said crisply. "You will explain yourself." He leaned down, eyebrows waggling, and in a low voice, said, "Ve haf vays uf making you talk."

Kurt spluttered, then laughed outright.

A faintly maniacal smile spread across Hogan's face. "There is no one to hear your pitiful cries, no one to save you. Talk!" he snapped, thrusting an index finger toward the ceiling. Kurt's laughter faded and he wiped at his tearing eyes.

"Ah, well, then. I suppose there is no recourse but to give in to your diabolical methods." He looked up, utterly serious now. "My health is fine, Robert, though I admit there is a problem, one you can not help me solve."

"How about you let me decide that?" Hogan threw back at him, just as seriously.

Kurt shook his head. "I was under the impression that time is of the essence. Once your mission is over, I promise we will talk my problem out."

It wasn't the answer Hogan had hoped for, but Kurt was right. Time was short and they had a mission to finish.

"Good enough. For now."

"And," Kurt growled, getting to his feet and moving to stand directly before Hogan. "We will discuss how my cousin and friend came to join your merry band of saboteurs."

"Deal." Hogan did a quick mental run-through of his list of mission details. "When are you due back at the hospital?"

"Twenty-one hundred tomorrow evening," came Kurt's crisp reply. Hogan chuckled.

"You're even starting to think like a military man."

Kurt's features twisted in a sour expression. "Hospitals use the twenty-four hour clock, also, Robert. You are in need of my help, yes?"

"Since you came, which, by the way, took longer than I expected," Hogan replied, playfully needling his friend. The pay-off was a roll of Kurt's eyes. "You can lend your medical expertise to O'Malley on behalf of three people we intend to rescue."

Hogan briefly explained the mission, sending Kurt hurrying into the tunnels to join up with Benjamin O'Malley. Between the two of them, they would be prepared for whatever medical situation arose. Hogan followed Kurt into the tunnels at a slightly slower pace, hoping they would have little use for either man's skills.

HH HH HH HH HH HH HH HH HH HH

"This red wire goes here. It's got to be connected first."

Carter leaned over his dummy bomb and skillfully twitched a black wire into position. "Once the black wire is connected, the bomb is armed. Be sure that this wire doesn't touch the other at any time." He looked up, eyes somber beneath the bill of his cap. "Because if it does . . . well . . . it's been nice knowing you. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Klaus and Hermann nodded, neither man displaying the faintest sign of levity. Satisfied that they were taking his instructions seriously, Carter looked down at the device again, giving it an affectionate smile. "This bomb is fairly simple and takes only a few seconds to arm. The really neat thing about it is that even though it's small, it packs a mean wallop, let me tell you."

"Andrew knows his business. Gets rather enthusiastic about it sometimes." Newkirk stood well out of the way, cleaning his fingernails with his lockpick. Until such time as Hogan decreed otherwise, he, Benson or Parker would remain with Klaus and Hermann at all times.

Carter grasped the bomb with both hands and gently turned it so that Klaus and Hermann had a good view of its timer. "The timer is simple, too. Just set the hands and then push this button, here. Once that's done, it's armed and your job is done."

"And it's time to run like bloody hell," Newkirk muttered, flicking a speck of dirt from beneath his thumbnail.

"Each bomb has to be set exactly right for this to work." Carter reached into his jacket and pulled out Klaus' sketch of the bunker's layout. He spread it upon the table next to the bomb and smoothed out the wrinkles. Numerous scarlet X's lay scattered over the paper, pinpointing strategic locations. He brought the two largest marks to their attention .

"The bombs for the supports in the storage room are the highest priority. We've got to bring that ceiling down and seal that room tight. None of that gas can be allowed to seep out."

Newkirk put away the lock pick and approached the table. "Tons of dirt and rock will come down around their ears. A mole won't be able to get into that bunker once we're done with it."

Carter pursed his lips, shook his head. "Positioning bombs is as much a science as making them, Newkirk. We take out the bunker's main supports and the whole place should collapse like a house of cards. But if we miss placing even one of the bombs correctly, or miss on the timing, or the detonation sequence gets interrupted part of the support structure might survive."

"Who in their right mind would try and get back into that death trap?" Newkirk huffed.

"Sorry we're late, Professor," Hogan said, walking into the room. Kurt, O'Malley, Kinch and LeBeau came in behind him and spread out around the table. Smiles passed between Kurt, Klaus and Hermann, then they looked toward the table, attentive once more. Hogan glanced from the map to Carter.

"What did we miss?"

Newkirk gestured toward the table. "Misses are just what Andrew was talking about. He's been going on about how we've got to be spot on with each bomb's placement and timing. Otherwise, the Jerries might get back in and salvage something."

"He's right." Hogan looked from man to man. "Not a single page of those formulas, not a single vial of those chemicals, not one of those canisters can make it through this blast." With an intensity rarely heard in his voice, he added, "And not one of the scientists can be allowed to leave."

Carter bowed his head, one hand restlessly playing with a corner of the map. Understanding the reason for his sadness, Hogan reached over and squeezed his shoulder. The loss of life, whether enemy or ally, always weighed heavily upon Carter's mind.

LeBeau moved closer to the table and Klaus obligingly shifted over, giving him room. The Frenchman bent his head over the map. "It's bigger than I expected."

"Fortunately, it is a single level, straightforward system of corridors." Klaus pointed to the right-angle turns and straight passages. "Unlike the elaborate system here."

"Bosche have no imagination," LeBeau huffed in derision.

Kurt edged into the group for a closer look at the map. "How will you get the bombs inside the bunker?"

Hogan reached under the table and pulled out a black leather satchel with a buckled shoulder strap and tie-down flap. "In these." He put the strap over his head and let the satchel come to rest at his hip, flap outward. "Right through the front door."

"Won't that be rather obvious?" Kurt asked, giving the satchel a dubious look.

Hogan shrugged. "Everyone except Kinch and Klaus will be in Gestapo uniform. Once you've seen one squad of Hochstetter's goons, you've seen them all."

"Vogt and Rueben would take exception if they heard you," Klaus chuckled. "But I see your point. If we act as if we belong, then everyone will believe we do."

Kurt sighed. "Bold as usual, Colonel."

"Be our epitaph someday," Newkirk muttered under his breath. "Such a bold and brave bunch they were."

Kinch leaned behind Carter and slapped Newkirk across the shoulder with the back of his hand. "Keep the pessimism to yourself."

Klaus gave the map another cursory glance, then looked up at Hogan. "What about the guards stationed at each lab? How do you propose we get past them?"

"Newkirk will forge orders in Hochstetter's name. Extra security, etc., etc. Anybody questions you, give them the orders. They should work. It's risky leaving the guards on station while we're inside setting the bombs, but it's even riskier if someone notices everyone missing from their posts."

Newkirk's eyes rolled. "More risk. Lovely."

Kinch cleared his throat, eyes narrowing upon Newkirk. The Englishman got the message and fell silent once more.

"Why not replace each of the guards?" Kurt asked.

Klaus shook his head. "The more who go in, the more who must get out."

"Exactly," Hogan agreed.

Hermann glanced between them and frowned. "And if we encounter a situation with the guards that the orders do not cover?"

"Then find a quiet way to take them out." Hogan paused. "The guard at the main lab is the exception. We don't know how many scientists might be inside with the prisoners. We'll have our hands full in there as it is, without having to worry about a guard busting in on us. We also don't want to waste time on the way out explaining why we're removing Arkel's pets." Hogan shrugged. "It's easier to remove the guard before we enter the lab and have LeBeau take his place."

Carter shifted, cleared his throat. "We've got a problem, sir."

"What's that?"

"The ventilation shafts." Carter nodded to Klaus. "Arkel said there were six, but Klaus only saw two of them."

LeBeau frowned. "Why is that a problem?"

Carter let out a quiet sigh. "I'd sleep a lot better if we bombed the shafts, too. From the top would be best."

"Pardon me," Newkirk interrupted, waving his hand. "But isn't that a bit of overkill?"

Hermann caught Newkirk's eye and quietly recited, "'Andrew knows his business.'" Newkirk sent a sheepish grin Carter's way and said no more.

Hogan nodded, as if to himself. "Well, Carter, we want you to get your sleep. The shafts get bombed, too."

Puzzlement flashed over Klaus' face. "How can we? We do not know their locations."

Hogan grinned at him. "We don't. But we have friends who probably do." He turned to Kinch. "Her men scouted out the bunker, so they should know exactly where to find the ventilation outlets. They can take care of them. Let her know our plans and ask her to have six of her men meet us at the coordinates we discussed."

Kinch nodded. "Yes, sir."

Hermann's head took on a slight tilt as he studied Klaus. He found his friend's response to the mention of the mysterious 'her' most interesting. As did Newkirk and Kurt.

Hogan turned to Carter. "You have six more bombs?"

Carter sent a quick look in Klaus and Hermann's direction. "I'd have to glom the ones from the tunnels."

Klaus' head turned in Hogan's direction, mock sorrow filling his voice. "Alas, what great and marvelous deeds they might have accomplished if only . .."

"Give it a rest Camille," Hogan growled, returning his attention to Carter. "Do it." Receiving a nod of acknowledgement, he glanced around at the assembled group. "Remember: Anything less than complete destruction of the bunker and gas is failure."

"We will not fail," LeBeau stated, resolute.

"The bombs have to detonate at exactly the same time," Carter reminded them.

A grin tugged at Kinch's lips. "Don't worry, Carter." He tapped the face of his wristwatch. "We'll synchronize our watches."

Hermann quietly cleared his throat. "Neither of us thought to wear one."

Two watches magically appeared in Newkirk's hand. "It just so happens that I have a few extras lying about," he said with a natural cheerfulness. He doled them out to Klaus and Hermann, dropping Hermann's own watch onto his outstretched palm. Hazel eyes gleaming with poorly hidden amusement, Hermann nodded to Newkirk, and received a jaunty wink in return.

Carter took a deep breath, suddenly appearing much older beneath the tunnel's lights. "I'll take the bombs for the stockpile."

Klaus shook his head. "No. I will."

Hogan studied him from across the table. "You're aware that's the farthest point from the exit?"

"I had noticed that, yes," came Klaus' reply.

"Feeling brave, are we?" Newkirk asked.

"'Brave'," Hermann rumbled, glaring at Klaus. "is not the adjective I would choose to describe him at the moment."

"Nor would I," Kurt agreed, making no attempt at hiding his concern.

"We've got to cut it really close," Hogan warned Klaus. "Otherwise, there might be enough time for the bombs to be discovered and disarmed."

"I'm a good runner. Quite fast, actually." He flashed a grin in Kurt's direction. "I even bested Kurt once in a school race."

"Only because I let you!" Kurt tossed back, then flinched, as if letting out a long-held secret. Hermann pursed his lips, amusement sparking again in his eyes.

Klaus gaped at them both, then turned an accusing look upon Kurt. "You let me?"

Kurt tucked his hands behind his back and stared straight ahead, avoiding his cousin's eyes. Klaus shook his head in mock aggravation.

"I am still fast," he repeated, directing the comment at Hogan. He hooked a thumb at Kurt. "Even if I have never beaten Herr Mercury over here."

Hogan held his gaze a moment, then looked back to the map. "Newkirk, you'll take the lab to the east. Hermann, you'll have the one to the west, down this corridor. Kinch, Carter, and I will take the lab holding the prisoners. LeBeau, you'll be with us. Benson and Olsen have the entrance and O'Malley and Kurt will wait here . . . " his finger came to rest on a spot in the woods. " . . . with blankets and whatever else Kurt thinks the prisoners will need."

There were nods around the room.

Hogan folded his arms, nodded to Carter. "Finish your class, Professor."

Carter rubbed his hands together, then placed them reverently atop the device. "You've got to take care of these babies. Treat them right."

Newkirk rolled his eyes, put his back against the wall and started to pull out his cigarettes. Everyone loudly cleared their throats; reminding him that smoking around even dummy bombs was not a good idea. He hurriedly put the cigarettes away, then stuffed his hands deep in his pockets and away from temptation for the rest of the briefing.

To be continued . . .

Not too many chapters to go! ;-)