Chapter 2:

(Present day - Stalag 13)

Hogan felt a smile come to his face as he imagined Klink as a little boy. The memory was not only somewhat amusing, but it was a sweet father-son moment, too. Something he had missed out on a lot when he was little. His father had been a strict and abusive man and had always been traveling across the United States for military business, so he and his younger brother had spent a lot of their childhood with just their mother, while General George E. Hogan was stationed at other army bases or deployed to foreign countries to complete projects and attend meetings. Coming up with a time he had a sweet father-son moment with his dad was as rare as seeing a solar eclipse.

"So your father seemed to let you off the hook, but what happened with you two and your mother?" Hogan asked curiously.

"What do you think happened?" Klink deadpanned. "Two little boys went to bed that night without any dinner." He shook his head. "I never went behind Mama's back again. Sometimes it was her that scared me more than Papa."

"Oh, you know how mothers are; they're just always trying to make sure their babies are alright. I know when I flew to Washington DC to meet with President Roosevelt she called me as soon as my flight landed to make sure I was alright. Then she called me again when I got to the White House to make sure I made it safely to my meeting."

"I remember meeting Kaiser Wilhelm like it was yesterday," Klink said, mesmerized. "It was the greatest honor of my life to meet that man. He was just as poised and sophisticated as I imagined him to be."

Hogan looked at him surprised. "I didn't know you got to meet the Kaiser. I thought it was just Old Scatterbrains in Berlin you met in person," he prodded.

Klink momentarily snapped out of his memory and gave the American a warning glare. "Watch how you speak about our Fuhrer," he growled, pointing an accusing finger at him. The glare soon faded, and he was quickly taken back to that special night. "No, this wasn't like meeting him. The Fuhrer I only shook his hand at a rally and said 'hello' to him; Kaiser Wilhelm I actually got to have a decent conversation with. Papa had been invited for a military reunion with his division in Berlin, and he took me along since I was so eager to see what Berlin looked like. That night at the celebration, though, I met one of my greatest heroes of all times."

(Berlin, Germany - July 1906)

General Klink walked into a grand hotel ballroom, his 12-year-old son close in accompaniment. While the retired general was not surprised at the sight, young Wilhelm felt his jaw drop from its hinges and practically fell to the ground at all the extravagance. Several flags, the German Empire one in the center, stood in a straight line on each side of the room, a large stage with a podium displayed at the very back of the ballroom. A large crystal chandelier hung from the center of the ceiling, giving the massive room an even more elegant and exquisite feel to it. Generals, colonels, captains, and commanders; just about every officer of both the army and navy congregated in several parts of the ballroom discussing and laughing about a variety of topics. Every officer was dressed in their best service uniforms, their decorations and ribbons shining proudly and in perfect position. What completed the moment was a live orchestra on the far left of the stage playing 'Heil Dir Im Siegerkranz' in D major.

"Wow," Wilhelm gasped, his mind not able to comprehend such a fantastic scene. "This is more extravagant than all of the stories you've told me about these gatherings, Papa."

"Ah, my boy, it grows on you after so many years in the service. To me it's just another military party with cocky officers trying to make themselves appear better than the rest. Merely a competition to see who can get the most recognition is all," General Klink answered, walking with his son further into the room.

Wilhelm looked down at his suit and frowned. He was completely bland compared to some of the officers he saw wandering around the room. He looked up at his father with displeasure. "Papa, do I look alright to you? All these officers look so polished and decorative compared to me," he said, feeling a large wave of insecurity suddenly hovering over him.

"Wilhelm, you're still just a child," General Klink answered. "None of these men will give any attention to what you're wearing. In fact, none of them will probably even pay any attention to you unless it's one of my comrades from my old division."

"But where is your division anyways, Papa?" Wilhelm questioned curiously.

"That's exactly what I would like to know."

As the retired general scanned for his friends and comrades from the service, an army sergeant working as a messenger made his way towards the two Klinks and immediately saluted General Klink, who returned the gesture with one hand, while his other held Wilhelm's.

"Admiral Jachmann of the Imperial Navy wishes to speak with you, Herr General," the sergeant reported, standing as straight as his back could possibly allow him to.

"Jawohl, Sergeant. Tell the Admiral I will be there shortly. Danke, Herr Feldwebel," General Klink said, with a nod.

Another exchange of salutes was given, then the sergeant walked away, leaving the two Klinks again to themselves. General Klink looked down at Wilhelm and pointed to the refreshment table. "Go stand over there at the refreshments, and don't talk to any strangers. I will come to get you once I'm finished talking to the Admiral," he ordered.

Wilhelm nodded without question and did as told, stopping at the long table covered with a white tablecloth and enough drinks to serve the entire German army. He searched for a glass of water as the band began to play the Imperial Navy march, being extremely cautious of not running into any officer walking nearby. He was about halfway down the table, when he accidentally bumped into a tall man, who he only matched halfway in height.

"Oh, forgive me, Sir. I was just…" Wilhelm immediately noticed the navy blue uniform that was covered with decorations, medals, and cords and looked up to find a man with graying black hair, a bushy mustache, and light blue eyes staring down at him. He felt his heart stop when he instantaneously recognized who was standing before him. He would be a fool not to know who the man was. A man he thought he would never have enough honor and prestige to come across in person. It was no other than his country's superior leader: Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Young Wilhelm tried with all his might to get something to come out of his mouth, but all that emerged were the beginnings of words and incomprehensible sounds. He finally fell to his knees in shock and gave the man a full on bow, his arms stretched out as far as he could get them to.

At first, the Kaiser just stood there staring at the young boy in utter shock, then a low chuckle rose from him before it turned into full blown laughter. Wilhelm slowly looked up at his country's leader and stared at him in surprise, wondering what it was he had done that was so funny to the man. He watched as the Kaiser leaned over and helped him back to his feet.

"At ease, mein Junge," he said, as he assisted Wilhelm off the ground. "I may be the German Empire's leader, but I am simply just another person like yourself." (1)

"Your, your, your Imperial Majesty, I...it's an honor to meet you, Sir. I learn about you all the time in school, your Imperial Majesty. I, I, I don't know if I'm worthy of speaking to you, though." Wilhelm stuttered, not able to think straight. Was he actually speaking to Kaiser Wilhelm II? The man he admired and looked up to as much as he did to his father? He was not just speaking to an ordinary adult. The man before him was the spitting image of his Germany. A decorated hero among the German people. Was he acting weird? Was he saying odd things? How did his hair and suit look? His brain was running a thousand miles a minute trying to decipher the Kaiser's mind.

Fortunately, the Kaiser gave him a kind smile and even put a gentle hand on Wilhelm's shoulder, sending a wave of pride and utter shock throughout his entire body. "Nonsense, young uh…"

"Wil, Wil, Wilhelm Klink, your Imperial Majesty."

"Wilhelm. You even share my name, young man. A good sign that great things are to come your way."

Wilhelm could not fight back the wide grin that came to his face, his blue eyes sparkling like stars. "You, you think I'm capable of great things, your Majesty?" He remarked, his spirits rising to unreachable limits.

"Certainly, mein Junge," the Kaiser answered. "I see lots of potential in you. You'll see big cities, important people, large oceans." He paused for a moment as something seemed to spark interest in the man's mind. He turned back to Wilhelm. "Wait a minute, you said your name was Klink. Are you perhaps of any affiliation with General Ludwig Klink?"

"That's my opa," Wilhelm said, with an eager nod. (2)

"Well, well, well," the Kaiser said, his eyes twinkling with amazement. "You do have a bright future ahead of you, then. I am familiar with your grandfather's service record. Very impressive, might I add. Any young boy related to that man is bound to bring great things to our Germany."

"You think so?" Wilhelm asked hopefully.

"I don't make empty promises to my people, young Wilhelm." The Kaiser added a wink at the young Klink for reassurance.

Wilhelm's entire face lit up like sunshine. Kaiser Wilhelm II thought that he could achieve great accomplishments. Him. A 12-year-old boy from Dusseldorf. It was the greatest honor he had ever been given before. This was not just ordinary praise; this was praise from his idol. His hero. A man that he strived to one day be just as great as. He was about to ask him more questions and see what he thought of being Emperor, when he heard his father calling his name.

"Wilhelm!" General Klink called out. "Wilhelm! Wilhel…" The general paused in his tracks as he saw who his son was speaking with and felt his jaw drop for a moment. He snapped it shut and gave the Kaiser the best salute he possibly could, earning one in return.

The Kaiser looked back down at Wilhelm and gently patted his shoulder. "You better get going now, mein Junge. Don't keep your father waiting," he advised the boy.

"Jawohl, your Imperial Majesty," Wilhelm said, giving his country's leader his best salute. He was about to walk away, when he quickly returned with an urgent question. Something he had been hoping to get for quite some time now. "Your Imperial Majesty...would it...can I possibly get your autograph, your Majesty?"

The Kaiser smiled at him. "I see no trouble with that request," he answered. He grabbed a piece of paper and pen from his pocket, scribbled his signature on it, then handed it to Wilhelm, who took it gratefully. "There you are, young Wilhelm. Now go make Germany proud."

Wilhelm nodded eagerly, gave the Kaiser another salute, then hurried back to his father's side. He paused halfway there and looked down at the paper in his hand. A keepsake to remember this great memory for the rest of his life. He hugged it tight to his chest, put it inside one of his pants pockets, then met his father standing with a group of his fellow comrades.

(Present day)

"He gave you his autograph?" Hogan gasped, his jaw hanging slightly ajar.

Klink grinned as he pulled out a wrinkled yellow piece of paper from his pants pocket. He then proceeded to unfold it carefully and looked at it briefly. "I've carried it around with me ever since. This, and a picture of Kalina. I look at them on days I feel discouraged to remind me what I'm fighting for. Who I'm fighting for, should I say."

"I assume you went straight for the goal of being a military officer like your father, then afterwards."

Klink shook his head as he put the Kaiser's autograph back in its rightful spot. "No, I never cared much for fighting. I've always despised violence and warfare. I actually wanted to be a music teacher for little kids when I was a teenager." He clarified.

Hogan felt a smile come to his face. He could clearly see Klink as a music teacher for little kids. He had the gentleness and patience children needed and searched for. Teaching them to play scales on a piano, singing songs with them, introducing them to all the instruments out there from violins to gongs. "You know, I can actually picture you with a group of kindergartners circling around you at your feet. What led you astray from it, if you don't mind me asking."

The kommandant let out a soft sigh, the memory somewhat painful still to him. "Papa did," he answered. "He thought teaching was a job for women, and he wasn't going to have his sons put themselves in a woman's position...He wanted Wolfgang and I to pursue other career fields, and I couldn't argue with him at the time."

(1) mein Junge - My boy

(2) Opa - grandpa