"ROLL CALL, EVERYBODY RAUS!"

"Oh sod off Shultzie, some of us need our beauty sleep y'know?"

"Well maybe if you weren't up to any monkey business last night, then you'd have the energy to get up. Now raus!"

Routine was a wonderful thing at Stalag 13. The banter between them and Schultz always served to lighten up any mood, no matter how bad it was. Needless to say though, the mood in Barracks 2 wasn't completely bad, but there was a bit of tension.

Based on what Corporal Polanski was able to decipher from the tunnel under the Recreation Hall, things didn't seem all to good regarding the opinions the new Polish residents had on the camp's older residents, especially a certain Senior POW officer. Normally that would've been bad. However, given what Polanski had also heard come from the voice that appeared to be Wiśniewski, the man himself didn't hold the same opinion and had a slightly more open mind.

That was both good, and bad. If what was told by London were to be true, they could possibly either be usurped in terms of the hold they held on the camp, or they'd gain valuable members to help them in the fight. It could honestly just become a hit or miss, an extra headache or a very large gift basket. And an extra headache was something that Hogan did not want at all.

Zipping up his bomber jacket and bracing himself for the cold weather, Hogan and the men of Barracks 2 stepped out into the cold winter morning, ready to face their beloved Kommandant with their usual stride. Just as they had begun forming up in their usual fashion, the sounds of marching boots began to fill the air, their precise footsteps growing ever so louder as it came closer and closer.

Virtually all the men in the camp (including the guards) turned and watched with mixed feelings as their new Polish guests came marching in perfect formation, planting themselves right in front of a very nervous looking Corporal Langenscheidt.

Hogan could've sworn he saw a smirk on Wiśniewski's face when Klink finally came out from his nest.

HH

Somewhere else within the area, a man who's size could rival that of Santa Claus (though not his "jolliness") sat in his office, watching the amusing scene unfold right before him. If there was anything that could bring endless amusement (while also not bringing in the usual threat), the short figure of Major Hochstetter contemplating and ranting was a sight to behold, and Burkhalter made sure that he made his amusement known, further ticking off the Gestapo Major.

When the Major had called him last night regarding new prisoner's that the ever wonderful Klink had received, he had been intrigued, though not towards the point of his current amusement. It was only when Hochstetter came to visit him (uninvited of course) did he become fully amused, especially when the short Major tossed the file of the Polish Major in charge of the prisoners onto Burkhalter's desk.

Then... that was where the true amusement began.

As Hochstetter ranted about how stupid the Kommandant of Stalag 8 could've been so stupid, sending the most troublesome prisoners to Stalag 13, where Klink of all persons was in "command" (if such an insinuation was to be believed). Of course, Hochstetter never did actually mention Klink, but rather who he saw as "the most dangerous man in all of Germany", the ever wonderful Colonel Hogan.

Yes... this is where Burkhalter's amusement came. Completely disregarding Klink, Hochstetter went on one of his signature rants on Hogan and his possible scheming and sabotage and what having those troublesome Poles could do. By the time Hochstetter was done with it, his face had turned as red as a ripe Tomato, and Burkhalter was already pouring himself a second glass of Brandy.

It was a truly nice moment for once... no Klink anywhere to spoil the fun, no opposing Generals or Field Marshals to make any fuss. Just him, enjoying the show that Hochstetter put up for him. It was a shame Hogan wasn't there to spice it up, but then again, wherever Hochstetter came into play, Hogan was always going to be around, willingly or unwillingly.

So when Burkhalter allowed Hochstetter to proceed with whatever theories he had regarding Hogan and putting Stalag 13 under observation, Burkhalter signed it with a muted cheer only fit for their current Christmas season. He even made note to tag along to "supervise". It had been a while since he had observed Hogan's antics anyways... and with this new Polish troublemaker there, something was bound to happen.

HH

"That was quite the display they put up right there." Kinch said, shutting the door to the barracks.

"Boy you should've seen Langenscheidt's face. You could see his sweat freeze before it passed his forehead!" Carter exclaimed.

"Carter, we all saw Langenscheidt, and as much as I pity the corporal, that's not where we should've been paying attention." Hogan stated.

"What do you mean by that Colonel?"

"Wiśniewski was trying to show something. He kept his men in line but scared the heck out of the Krauts while doing so. And you know how much Klink likes to think of us as cowed prisoners. Right?"

"Right."

"So, he's already made his point with Klink, so where is he going to turn towards next?"

"..."

"Us." LeBeau finally said.

"So, he's marking himself as the alpha dog... a challenger."

"Yep."

"So then what are we going to-"

knock knock knock

All eyes within Barracks Two turned towards the door as soon as the knocking had finished. No one dared to make a move, but inevitably someone had to do so...

Slowly, Carter crept towards the door, his hand softly gripping the handle, opening it in a slow manner as if he was afraid someone on the other end was armed and ready to press down on a trigger. But as he caught a glimpse of who was out there, Hogan saw Carter's eyes calm, but his body tensed up slightly.

"Uh... Colonel, we have a few visitors."

And as soon as Carter opened the door fully, the full form of Wiśniewski and two of his officers came marching in, and with them, a tiny problem seemed to grow... and it was not by a slight bit.

HH

"Sergeant Schultz! Sergeant!"

"Srnnnnnnnnnnnnnnk"

"Sergeant, wake up!"

"Srnnnnnnnnnnnnnnk"

"Verdammt Langensheidt, it is no use! He is already in a deep sleep!"

"Quiet Werner, I have just the thing! Sergeant Schultz, I overheard Corporal LeBeau say that he made extra strudel last night and it is still warm..."

And just like that, the sleeping figure of Sergeant Hans Schultz rose up high and mighty... his face plastered with a big wide grin... and his body ready to move at a moments notice, only for reality to kick right back in as soon as he saw the faces of Corporal Langenscheidt and Private Mullendorf.

"Karl... there is no strudel... Ja?"

"J-Jawohl... He'rr Sergeant."

"Well, why did you wake me up then!" He said realizing that he had been duped.

"He'rr Sergeant, the Polish Major and two of his officers just walked into Barracks Two." Langenscheidt said, his voice full of worry.

"Karl, you worry to much. I am sure that Colonel Hogan will have everything under control and there will be no trouble between them."

And just one cue, Schultz's eyes locked on the front gate, the black figure of the car of a certain Major coming into form, followed by that of a certain General's vehicle.

"Karl..."

"Ja?"

"Forget everything that I just said."