Author's Note: I don't own Hogan's Heroes. This is a fictional story any resemblance to persons living or dead is coincidental.
Newkirk crept along the edge of the clearing. He found a sturdy oak tree, with a good vantage point of the front of the house and the spot were LeBeau waited for Jocelyn. Newkirk looked into the front windows and saw Lutzen standing next to Hochstetter. They were engaged in some sort of an argument. Putting his arm up and bracing it against the tree, he aimed carefully. One shot… he thought, one shot and Lutzen would pay for what he had done. Not just to him, but to Carter and who knew how many others.
Newkirk swallowed and was surprised to find that his hand was shaking, slightly.
What's wrong with me. He closed his eyes and willed himself to steady. When he opened his eyes, he aimed at the back of Lutzen's head. He started to gently squeeze the trigger, when someone stepped into his line of fire.
Klink! You fool...get outta the way. He removed his finger from the trigger and almost sighed in frustration. Then Newkirk spotted Hogan, who had started to speak. Hochstetter looked unhappy and he leaned into Hogan. Newkirk was a little surprised when his commanding officer took a half step backward.
Newkirk watched for a moment until he saw the Stalag Thirteen guards come in and snap a salute to Klink. He wondered what they were going to do, but then he realized that Jocelyn was alone in the kitchen. Well, Schultz was in there, but he was practically a part of the team. He aimed at the window on the left side of the door, well away from anyone and fired three shots in quick succession.
Everyone inside the house dropped to the floor. He fired two more shots into the other window. He saw Schultz appear in the doorway. He fired again, causing Schultz to duck for cover.
A truck pulled into view and Newkirk growled in frustration. He fired another shot then removed the empty magazine. He had just placed his extra magazine into the grip of his pistol, when the German, who had been driving the truck, returned fire. Two Gestapo soldiers went through the door into the kitchen, Newkirk muttered under his breath. He hated when the krauts refused to cooperate with the plan.
Newkirk figured that the two Gestapo men would try to flank him. I sure 'ope you got the girl, Louis. He thought, shooting at the Stalag guard and then abandoning the tree. He heard the shots from the guard's rifle, but luckily for him, the guard was a terrible shot.
Newkirk was relieved that the guard did not appear to be following him. After several minutes, he slowed to a brisk walk and began directing himself towards the stalag. He'd thought he was home-free, until he picked up the sound of movement in the brush behind him. He changed direction and picked up the pace. The last thing he wanted was to lead whoever it was back to the stalag.
I'll just 'ave ta take the long way 'ome. He thought, as he pressed on farther out of his way, trying to shake his pursuer.
1************************1
Hogan shuddered at Hochstetter's statement. He knew there were only two possibilities as to who the gunman was. Pushing those thoughts out of his mind, he sat up and looked around. "Is anyone hurt?" he asked, softly. He got complaints from Lutzen, who had been unceremoniously thrown to the floor when the shooting started and Klink began to whine about this whole situation being Carter's fault.
Schultz hobbled over and assisted the two Stalag Thirteen guards in lighting the lamps.
The door opened and the third guard stepped into the house. Saluting, he reported that the truck was in front of the house. Hochstetter stepped over beside him and asked, "The shooter… did you get the shooter?"
The guard shrugged, "I don't know, Major. Your men followed him into the woods."
Hochstetter glared at him, "Did you at least wound him?!"
The guard looked down in embarrassment, "Well...uh, no… I don't think so."
Klink cleared his throat carefully, "Umm...shouldn't we, perhaps, set about taking the prisoners to receive their treatment?" he took a couple of steps back when Hochstetter's glare was directed at him, "It was just a suggestion."
Hogan rolled his eyes at Klink's lack of back bone, but he, unlike Klink, knew that manipulating Hochstetter was a delicate process. You didn't tell Hochstetter what to do; you let him believe he is out maneuvering you. Hogan moved over to Wilburt, "Aww, he'll be alright." he cupped the young German's chin.
The boy, who had vomited again during the shooting, looked terrible. His pupils were unevenly dilated and he was looking around in confusion. Hochstetter stepped over to Hogan and started to yell at him, when he also noticed the pitiful shape the young man was in. "Klink!" Hochstetter barked, irritably, "Get this man to a hospital. Schnell."
"Yes, of course." Klink snapped a salute and went about giving orders to the three Stalag guards. Schultz and the first guard helped Wilburt to his feet and guided him out to the truck. The other two guards went into the kitchen and picked up Carter and placed him in the truck.
Schultz came back in and reported that the truck was ready to leave. Klink nodded and started to leave when he paused at the door. Eying Hogan and Lutzen, Klink ordered Schultz to stay and assist the major.
Hochstetter started to object, but in a completely surprising move, Klink beat him to the punch. He explained that Hochstetter was down two men and he had three prisoners. Then when Hochstetter still looked dubious, Klink added that Hogan was still technically in Luftwaffe custody and needed Luftwaffe personal to escort him. Hochstetter through up his hands and shouted, "Fine, I will take Sergeant Schultz...just go!"
Klink saluted and left.
Hochstetter glared at his retreating form, muttering under his breath about the 'bumbling idiot'. Hogan looked at the three remaining Gestapo guards. They were very serious and rather imposing. Lutzen apparently didn't agree, because he stepped forward and ordered them to unchain him. They remained silent and unmoving. Hochstetter smirked, "They don't work for you, Herr General." he smoothed out his mustache, "As a matter of fact, two of them were close to the man you murdered."
Lutzen whirled and started to yell, "He was an underground agent. A traitor to the Fatherland." his eyes were sincere, even if he was ranting. General Lutzen truly believed the sergeant was a spy. "As a matter of fact that girl would not have been in Gestapo custody, if it weren't for the S.S. removing her from Hammelburg...besides we learned the location of the film she stole. My men were sent to retrieve it from Dusseldorf."
Hochstetter motioned to one of his men, "Go get the girl from the kitchen." the soldier did as he was told. Hochstetter continued, "Lutzen, you are insane. Sergeant Weis, the man you killed, was as loyal as anyone of us. Probably even more loyal than I am." Hochstetter's eyes filled with, what Hogan could possibly describe as anguish.
Hogan was puzzled. Who was that sergeant to Hochstetter? He didn't have any time to ponder this further, for the S.S. soldier had returned and announced that the girl was nowhere to be found. Hochstetter stormed into the kitchen, as Hogan breathed a soft sigh of relief.
"You know where she is?" Lutzen asked, his eyes burning with contempt. "You are a part of the unit."
Hogan grinned, leaning in ever so slightly, he whispered, "Prove it."
Lutzen started to reply, but was prevented from saying anything when the S.S. soldiers nudged both of them forward into the kitchen. Hochstetter was on the phone barking orders to a Lieutenant Friedmann.
"Yes, get over here right now." he listened for a moment then said, "They are not important, place them in a cell. Comb the entire forest surrounding the farmhouse and the Stalag. When you find her bring her straight to me at the Stalag." he paused a moment, "Friedmann, I want that girl found." he hung up, with a humph of displeasure.
1****************************1
LeBeau would urge Jocelyn forward at one moment, only to pull her back and shush her the next moment. He could tell she was tired and losing her patience. "Wait here, ma cheri." he smiled, reassuringly. They hadn't made very good time, it had taken them almost twenty minutes to get back to the stalag. He surveyed the area around the tunnel entrance. When he didn't see anything, he motioned her forward.
"Where are we?" she asked, softly. Instead of answering her question, he pulled the hatch up and grinned at her widened eyes. He gestured for her to climb down. She shook her head and pulled back. LeBeau started to argue, but he didn't have a chance. The search light was working it's way around, so he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the shrubs.
"What is wrong?" he asked, after the light passed by. She didn't answer for several moments, in spite of LeBeau's prodding her to answer.
Jocelyn turned away, but whispered, "Please, Louis...don't make me go underground."
LeBeau looked at her, she was frightened… ashamed… embarrassed.
He sighed, racking his brain to come up with a way to avoid taking her into the tunnel. After a moment, he took her hand and lead her over to a small thicket behind them. He told her to climb into the trees and crouch down. After she complied, he arranged the greenery around her, effectively hiding her from view. He crouched down and whispered, "Stay here and don't make a sound. I'll be back in a few moments."
LeBeau didn't wait for her to answer, he went right back to the tunnel entrance.
After the light passed, he darted forward and hastily descended into the tunnel. Looking around, he saw that the tunnel was empty. They must still be in the cooler. He assumed and made his way through the tunnels, turning this way and that until he reached the trapdoor for the cooler cell. Climbing the ladder, he knocked softly on the door. He heard someone walk across the floor and lift the trap door.
Olsen helped LeBeau up into the cooler. He looked behind the little Frenchman expecting Newkirk to be behind him. When he saw the tunnel was empty, he turned back to LeBeau, "Where's Peter?"
LeBeau shook his head, "No time for that now. Where's the key?" Olsen supplied it and LeBeau opened their cell door. In less than a minute, LeBeau had Kinch out of his cell, "I need you to set up fight over on the north side of the camp."
Olsen gaped at him, "Louis, are you crazy? We can't do that."
Kinch sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, "What for and for how long?"
"I need to get Jocelyn into camp." LeBeau answered, simply.
Olsen through up his hands, "Just take her into the tunnel, for crying out loud."
"She won't go and I won't force her." LeBeau said, firmly. He was trying to keep his temper in check, "If you start the fight, I can get her in under the fence and over to the medical barrack. Wilson will look after her and the colonel can decide what's next when he gets back."
Kinch listened then nodded, "All right, LeBeau." he glanced at his watch, "Your fight will start at fifteen minutes from… now."
Both men went in the cell and down the tunnel's ladder. Olsen shook his head, as he sat on the bunk. This whole thing just keeps getting better and better. He thought, more than a little bitterly.
1**************************1
Lutzen kept glaring at him the entire way to the Stalag. Hogan felt a little disconcerted by his never-ending scorn and he made an increased effort not to let it show. Now, they were pulling through the gates of the stalag. All Hogan had to do was keep up Lutzen's appearance of insanity and they were set. That is if Newkirk, LeBeau, and the girl made it safely to the tunnel.
They climbed down from the truck and immediately noticed the chaotic scene going on at the north side of the camp. Hogan was surprised to see his men involved in a scuffle with the prison guards and even some of Hochstetter's men. Burkhalter was standing on the porch of the kommandantuer, shouting to everyone that if they didn't stop this instant he would order the machine-gunners to let loose.
Schultz hobbled forward toward the scuffle and began to holler for order. Hochstetter pulled Lutzen over to the kommandantuer. Burkhalter waved him on into the building. Hogan entered the melee and pulled his men away from the Germans and ordered them to stop. Within a few moments Hogan and Schultz had managed to bring them to complete order.
Burkhalter stomped over, he was furious. Hogan shifted his stance and backed up as the general approached. He looked as intimidated as he could and hoped his men followed his lead.
"My apologies, General Burkhalter. The men were just a little skittish."
Burkhalter glared, "I should have let the sentries handle them." he turned his angry gaze to the guilty men, "If anything like this happens again, I will let them. Understood?"
The men nodded and Burkhalter ordered them back to their quarters and informed the guards that all prisoners were confined to barracks until further notice. Hogan shot the guilty parties a look that said the Nazis would be the least of their worries when he got done with them.
Burkhalter noticed this and chuckled, "You don't like it when the mice play while you are away?"
Hogan grinned, innocently, "I'm not the cat, sir, Kommandant Klink is."
Burkhalter's look turned sour at the mention of the man in charge of the camp. "Schultz," he said turning to the guard, "You will bring all of the prisoners in the cooler up to be questioned."
Schultz saluted and said, with over-emphasized respect, "Jawohl, Herr General!" he shot Hogan a brief look and turned to hobble over to the cooler.
"Let's go, Colonel." Burkhalter pointed to the kommandantuer, "The major and I have quite a mess to straighten out."
Hogan stiffened his back and squared his shoulders, before following Burkhalter across the yard and into the office.
P.S. I won't be posting for a little while. We're taking my brother back to college, so the house will be hectic for a least a week. I will try to get another chapter up by the end of the first week of September. In the mean time, I hope you enjoyed this little offering and will wait patiently for me ;)
Review or PM if you have any suggestions or constructive criticism. Sending lots of love until we meet again.
