Chapter 12--Casualties of War

Everybody froze where they stood at the sudden turn of events, especially Hogan. He realized he was in an impossible situation. If he did as Frolichman ordered, the Major would know that these people were not who they claimed to be, and all of them would be in trouble, unless he already suspected. And if he defied the Major, he would have to live with the guilt of knowing he was partly responsible for the death of an innocent person.

Hogan licked his dry lips. He looked at Frolichman, a smirk on his face which belied his true feelings. "Do what you want. You will anyway."

The Major stared at Hogan. "Colonel, you have one minute to come to me or I will kill him!" Frolichman cocked his gun.

Hogan didn't move. "Go to hell!" he said. A silent understanding passed between the guard and Hogan. This was war. And both men were soldiers. And as soldiers, both Hogan and the guard knew there came a time when sacrifices had to be made.

Frolichman's anger rose. In the beginning he had suspected that these men were either Hogan's men coming to rescue him or members of the underground. But now he wasn't so sure. Would the Colonel allow him to kill one of his own men in defiance?

Frolichman didn't believe that to be the case. But killing a member of the Gestapo didn't figure in his plans. But he wasn't about to go quietly. Slowly, he manuevered his way, still holding onto the guard, towards the cell door. he made certain to keep the guard in front of him as a shield. He yelled for the guard outside to open the cell door.

Hearing the sound of the cell door opening, Frolichman smirked again. He pointed his weapon at Hogan while standing in front of the open cell door. "You will not leave here alive, Colonel," he said. His finger tightened on the trigger.

Hogan took a deep breath and waited for either the agony or death he knew would be forthcoming. He closed his eyes. The others were unable to get a clear shot, not wanting to hit the guard. Also, there was still Heinman to be watched despite him being handcuffed.

Two gunshots were fired almost simultaneously.

Everyone looked at Hogan, believing he had been shot. To everyone's surprise, Hogan shook his head indicating he had not been hit. Then, they turned their attention to Frolichman who released his hold on the guard as his pistol slipped from his fingers before he fell forward onto the floor. Everyone stared. Doctor Erlichman stood in the doorway holding a luger in his right hand. The doctor lowered his weapon and let it slip to the floor. Carter's eyes turned to his commanding officer and let out a deep breath. It was then that he saw something he didn't expect to see.

"Look!" He found himself pointing.

The others all turned to see where Carter was pointing. There, on the floor, lay the crumpled body of Captain Heinman, blood dripping from the bullet wound to his temple. Apparently Frolichman's shot at Hogan had gone wild when he was hit by the doctor's shot, and struck Heinman in his head, killing him instantly.

Morrison knelt down and pressed his fingers against Heinman's neck. Looking up, he shook his head. Then, he looked at the Major's body on the floor. "Is Frolichman dead, doctor?" he asked slowly.

Erlichman knelt down beside the body of Major Frolichman. Pressing his fingers against his throat, Erlichman found no pulse. He nodded.

"He is dead," he said, his voice emotionless. His head hanging. Suddenly, the doctor felt a hand on his shoulder. Glancing up, he found himself looking into the understanding eyes of Morrison.

"Because of you, doctor, Colonel Hogan is alive and so are these others. Frolichman was a monster and you stopped him. You should be proud."

"But I am not, Major. But don't get me wrong. I am glad Colonel Hogan is alive and safe. But I am a doctor. I am suppose to save lives, not take them."

"But Doctor Erlichman, you did save a life," explained Carter. "You saved Colonel Hogan's."

Both Morrison and Erlichman looked up at Carter. There seemed to be a bit of understanding in the doctor's eyes as he comtemplated what Carter had said. A faint smile formed on his lips. "Perhaps you are right, young man," he added. As the doctor got to his feet, Morrison fished through Frolichman's pockets until he found the keys to the handcuffs. Then, he went to Hogan and removed the cuffs. Hogan rubbed his sore wrists. He took a step forward when he felt his knees began to shake and his legs become unsteady. He staggered. Carter and Lancelot rushed to his side.

"Are you all right, Colonel?" asked Carter, concerned.

Managing a weak smile, Hogan rubbed his forehead. "I think for the last few days I've been running solely on adrenaline," he said. "I think I'd better sit down for a minute." With Lancelot's help, Hogan walked unsteadily to the bunk and sat down. Doctor Erlichman approached the Colonel. Hogan looked up at him with sympathy in his eyes. "Thank you, doctor. I know what you did could not have been easy for you."

Erlichman smiled. "Thank you, Colonel. But tell me, how are you feeling?"

Hogan ran a hand over his dark hair. "I've had better days. I'm just very tired." Letting out a deep breath, Hogan looked at the others. "But we have to get outta here." He slowly got to his feet. Carter approached his commanding officer. "You can lean on me, Colonel, if you're having a problem walking."

Hogan looked at the young sergeant fondly. He smiled. "Thank you, Carter. But how would it look for a Gestapo general to be helping a prisoner walk? If I need help I'll lean on one of the guards."

"Don't worry, Colonel Hogan," said Lancelot. "We will get you back to Stalag 13."

Hogan shook his head.He touched his lip. "I take it you're with the underground?"

"Yes. I am Lancelot. Sorry about hitting you."

"Forget it."

Morrison gripped Hogan's shoulder. "You'll be there soon. Newkirk and LeBeau are in a truck parked outside. Once you're in it, they'll take you to a safe-house where you'll pick up Sergeant Kinchloe before heading back to Stalag 13."

Hogan shook Morrison's hand. "Thanks, Morrison. It got a bit hairy at the end, but you have my thanks."

Morrison smiled. "I'm just glad you're still with us, my friend. Things wouldn't be the same without you." He glanced at the two bodies. "All of you better get going. I'll take care of this. Good luck."

The guards, Carter and Lancelot started to leave the prison cell with Hogan walking between two of the guards.