(Stalag 13 . Barracks 1. May, 1942).
Colonel Hogan got up with a massive pain in his head. He said, "I've been here so long. I'm starting to hear dogs talk. "He looked down at Angel. He asked her, "Your dog. Can he. . Talk?" He thought he had been hallucinating, but he had to make sure.
She replied, "Yes." She had an adorable smile. One that, if Hogan didn't know any better, he would do whatever she wanted.
Hogan asked , "Why didn't you mention this before?" It would have been nice to know, that a talking dog, was running around camp.
Angel replied, "You never asked." She motioned him closer. He knelt down, and she whispered, "Between you and me, Colonel.. He's not as interesting as he thinks he is." She walked away, over to her bunk mate.
Hogan looked to the dog. He asked, cautiously, "Can you. .. Talk?" He needed to be sure. Make sure he hadn't taken TOO MUCH of Klink's schnapps.
The dog replied, "Yes sir. What made you think I couldn't?" He'd been tired of being treated like any other dog. Because. .. He was NOT any other dog.
Hogan said, "How come YOU never said anything? !"
The dog replied, "Between you and me, Colonel. I'm still getting over the whole, 'Prisoner of war ' thing. "
Hogan decided, "Reason enough." He asked the young Lieutenant Colonel, "So.. How'd you get the. ." He gestured to the wings on her back.
She said, "Some German scientists. Didn't like the outcome of the First World War. So, they experimented on children, from enemy countries." She looked down, "According to the brave American soldiers, who liberated us.. We're the only survivors. "
Hogan said, "I'm sorry ."
Max replied, "It's alright Colonel." She looked around, "Our superiors told us to get in contact with you. They didn't say what for, though ."
Hogan smiled, "Well. . . Let's get to Barracks 2. Everything will be explained there . " He lead them to his own barracks, where he showed them the false bunk. It rolled up, to reveal the tunnel entrance.
The dog, who'd slept on the way to the barracks, was put onto the floor.
Hogan asked, his signature sarcasm smile on his face, "Want to come see, our happy little escape route? " He knew he had them reeled in.
Max and the Flock were standing still. Communicating telepathically, through Angel. They had their respective doubts. But, they knew it was part of something. Something big. They followed Hogan, down the ladder. The other prisoners they'd met, were already there.
Hogan said, "This is what we do, here in Stalag 13. We help other people, get out of Germany. We give them, civilians clothes, military uniforms, fake ID papers. We get them on a rowboat. Rowboat gets them to a submarine. Sub gets them to London. "
Max asked, in awe of everything there, "Don't the guards, suspect anything?" She didn't know much about the Germans. But she knew they were somewhat skeptical. To see something like this, in their own camp?
Hogan said, "No. The only one who might, is Schultz, because he's our Barracks guard. Schultz sees anything, reports it, they don't like what he reports..." He made a gesture with his hand, "Schultz gets a one way vacation, to the Russian Front. "
The Flock looked at everything. A printing press. Machine shop. A fully functional radio. A whole network of tunnels. They were amazed.
Newkirk asked, "So.. How about it? You want to join in? "
Max asked, "Give us ten minutes. Think it over."
Hogan said, "I understand. "
They discussed (telepathically, of course. )
They agreed.
Newkirk asked, "So. . How long are you six, stationed here , with us?"
Max replied, "Orders from Eisenhower. . " She pulled out a paper, from her coat pocket. She said, "Until either Hitler dies. Or Germany surrenders. Whichever comes first. "
Kinch commented, "You'll be here a while."
They celebrated. . Until it went quiet.
Carter said "I just realized. ." He looked around, "Where's your dog? "
Everyone looked around . They went up the ladder. . They found the dog. . Walking straight into the Kommandant's office.
Max said, frustrated, "Crap. He's going to get into trouble.