A/N Didn't think I needed another OC, but I was wrong. I'm again using my OC Doctor Michael Prust, a member of the underground and a friend of Hogan's.
Chapter 3
The ride to the hospital in Hammelburg was thankfully uneventful especially for the parties in the back of the truck. Hogan was still unconscious with Wilson and Newkirk close by. Corporal Karl Langenscheidt sat nearby watching the Colonel lying on the makeshift stretcher, the front of his shirt a bloody mess with the pressure bandage applied to his chest, blood already spotting the bandage.
Langenscheidt liked the American Colonel very much. He was always so polite and helpful, and had helped the Corporal several times with problems. In fact, the Corporal was aware of some of Colonel Hogan's 'monkey business' and chose to turn a blind eye on it. If by doing that one little thing allowed Hogan to continue with his 'monkey business' and would bring about an early end to the war, then Langenscheidt would consider it his small contribution to Colonel Hogan's operation.
Also, there was Sergeant Hans Schultz. The Corporal was very fond of the rotund Sergeant-of-the-Guard. Schultz was a gentle man for someone of his size of about 300 pounds. In fact, Langenscheidt was extremely glad Schultz became a guard at a POW camp, because with his gentle nature he would never survive being in a combat unit. He suspected Schultz knew a bit more about Hogan's 'monkey business' than he did, but he also knew the Sergeant ignored them as well because Schultz had no more love for Hitler and how he was destroying their beloved Germany than he did. And he knew how fond the Sergeant was of the Colonel and his small group, but especially Colonel Hogan. In fact, Schultz had related to him several times that he knew the American had kept him from being sent to the Russian front and he was grateful.
And now Langenscheidt was deeply concerned about Schultz and what would happen to him as a result of Colonel Hogan's shooting even though it was an accident. He knew the Sergeant felt terrible about injuring Hogan, and would spend the rest of the war trying to make it up to the American if he somehow survived. But what if Hogan should die? What then? Would Schultz ever recover? Somehow Langenscheidt doubted the rotund Sergeant would ever forgive himself if Hogan died. He recalled seeing the Sergeant sadly trudging across the compound in the direction of the guards' barracks and after learning what had happened, figured Schultz had been confined to his quarters for now. He was afraid of what would happen to his friend once General Burkhalter became involved. Langenscheidt began to feel something about this entire incident didn't feel right. Something about it bothered him although right now his thoughts were centered around the American officer. He would discuss his feelings with Kinch and the others later.
The truck pulled to a stop outside the hospital. Wilson and Langenscheidt climbed down from the truck. With Wilson carrying his medical bag stood aside as Langenscheidt handed his rifle to Sergeant Heidleman and gently slid the makeshift stretcher towards him. The driver, Corporal Reinhold assisted easing the stretcher the rest of the way out of the back of the truck allowing Newkirk to jump down. The Corporal handed his end of the stretcher to the Englander. Entering the hospital, they carried the stretcher and Wilson and Newkirk immediately spied Doctor Michael Prust hurrying towards them. They stopped and allowed the doctor to take a look at the blood staining the pressure bandage.
Prust looked at Wilson and shook his hand. "I am Dr. Prust. Your Colonel Klink telephoned and alerted us that Colonel Hogan was being brought in. What happened to this man if I may ask?"
"He took a bullet in the chest and was bleeding quite heavily," Wilson explained. By applying pressure we were able to stem the flow of blood somewhat, but he's still bleeding. He's been in and out of consciousness, and his breathing has become shallow. I managed a brief exam and noticed the bullet seems to be in the area of the heart." He sighed tiredly. "We tried as hard as possible to keep him still. I feel he's going to require immediate surgery."
Prust looked around and spotted a nurse rolling a gurney in their direction. Newkirk recognized her as a member of the underground with the Code Name Emerald because of her brilliant green eyes. "Nurse, we must get this man to x-ray right away."
With the gurney positioned right beside the makeshift stretcher, the men laid it on top of the gurney. Then, with an equal amount of care, the board was slowly slid out from under the Colonel who moaned with the sudden movement.
"Get him to x-ray immediately," he ordered the nurse. "I'll be right there."
"Jawohl, doctor," she replied as she began moving the gurney down the hall. As Prust turned to leave, he noticed Newkirk, Wilson and the guards starting to follow him, and held up a hand stopping them.
"I'm afraid you must wait here. Once I have the x-rays and complete my examination, I will inform you as to what I find." He noticed the distressed expressions on the faces of Newkirk and Wilson and smiled warmly. "Try not to worry. I will do everything I can for him. The waiting area is just around the corner." He then turned and walked away.
Newkirk stuck his hands in his pockets and looked at the medic. "We might as well have a seat, Joe. I got a feeling it's gonna be a long wait." He glanced over his shoulder at the guards. "Why don't we all have a seat and wait for news on the Gov'nor." With the guards following, Newkirk and Wilson walked to the waiting area and had a seat with the guards doing the same. Newkirk, never having been very good at long waits, both needed and wanted a cigarette desperately. But this being a hospital he couldn't. So instead, he removed his cover and began twisting it nervously in his hands. He glanced at Wilson who sat across from him with legs crossed, arms folded, and the back of his head against the wall, eyes closed.
"How can you be so ruddy calm, mate?" He asked the medic who, shifting his head, opened his eyes and looked at Newkirk. "I'm about ready to bloody scream at the top of me lungs and we've only been here about ten minutes."
Wilson smiled grimly. "When you're a medic you learn quickly you have to be patient." He chuckled a bit. "Now you know why I'm always so calm when one of the prisoners is injured or sick. Once you do what you can for a patient, all you can do is wait."
"I suppose," Newkirk said with a sigh. Both men knew they couldn't speak freely with the guards present. "I know this Dr. Prust is the best, and the Gov'nor needs the best right now."(1)
"After how he was able to help Colonel Hogan when he was extremely ill from that experimental drug, I have no doubt in my mind that if anyone can save him, it's Doctor Prust."
"It's not that I disagree with you, Joe. It's just that…." Newkirk hung his head and studied the floor.
Wilson sat up slowly and tilting his head, looked at Newkirk with concern. "It's just what, Newkirk?"
The Englander turned towards the medic. His eyes were bright with unshed tears. "It's just that what if the best isn't good enough this time? What happens then, huh?"
Wilson let out a deep breath. Newkirk could see a pain in the medic's eyes similar to his own. "I don't know, Newkirk. I really don't." Sighing, Wilson leaned back in his chair with his head against the wall again.
Newkirk slowly got to his feet and while still under the watchful eyes of the guards, trudged over to the window and stood in front of it looking out at the people scattered below. He couldn't even begin to imagine what life would be like at camp if the Colonel didn't make it. Besides being his commanding officer, Newkirk considered the Colonel a friend. Newkirk allowed a slight grin to appear as he thought about how he had no use for officers, didn't even like them. And then he met Colonel Robert Hogan. And in a short time Hogan had earned not only Newkirk's respect, loyalty and devotion; but his friendship as well. The Englander knew he would follow Hogan into hell even if neither of them came back. No, he just couldn't imagine life without the Colonel. He bowed his head and stuffed his hands in his pockets.
Suddenly Newkirk felt a hand on his shoulder. Raising his head and looking around he spied Corporal Langenscheidt standing behind him with a faint smile. Newkirk blinked a couple of times to keep the tears from falling.
"Colonel Hogan will live," Langenscheidt said softly. "He is a strong man. You will see. He will survive and recover. You must have faith, Corporal Newkirk."
Newkirk turned to face the man that next to Schultz, he liked. "It's hard. The Gov'nor, he lost so much blood. I just don't know if he can make it this time. And to be honest, I don't know what I'll do if he doesn't."
"I believe he will make it. But, should he not, you will continue on for him. And he will continue to live in here and here." Langenscheidt touched Newkirk's head and heart with a finger. "But the Colonel will survive."
"I just can't believe ole Schultzie shot the Gov'nor. Even if it was an accident." Newkirk saw the Corporal stiffen at the mention of Schultz's name. He knew the rotund Sergeant and the Corporal were good friends and that it pained Langenscheidt to know Schultz was in serious trouble over Hogan's shooting. "I'm sorry about Schultzie, Corporal," he said. "And I don't know how I'll feel if the Colonel dies."
"I understand," Langensheidt replied sadly. "I can't believe it either. I just can't help but feel that something is not right about this entire incident. But…" he said letting out a deep breath. "…it won't matter after the Kommandant contacts General Burkhalter and reports the shooting. I'm positive the General will see to it that Schultz is transferred to the Russian front whether Colonel Hogan lives or not."
"I'm sorry," Newkirk replied grimly. "I know he's your friend and all."
Langenscheidt sighed. "I understand, Corporal. You are angry right now for what happened to Colonel Hogan, and I can't blame you. All I ask is that you keep in mind that Schultz did not mean for it to happen."
Just then, Newkirk looked up and saw Prust approaching, looking extremely grim. He left Langenscheidt as Wilson jumped up and both men approached the Doctor.
Prust rubbed his forehead as he looked at both men. He then folded his arms. "Colonel Hogan is being prepped for immediate surgery. According to the x-rays, the bullet is dangerously close to his heart. If anything causes that bullet to shift, it will enter his heart and kill him instantly. As he's still alive, I suspect pressure had been applied almost immediately." He glanced at Wilson who verified the information. "That was very wise even though he still lost a lot of blood. In fact, if it hadn't been for the pressure being applied, he would already have bled to death."
"Are you going to be performing the surgery, Doctor Prust?" asked Wilson.
"I will." He handed Wilson Hogan's dog tags. "I noticed from his tags he has blood type AB positive and we have a good supply on hand. You can all wait here until the surgery's over, but it could be awhile. Now, if you gentlemen excuse me, I must prepare for surgery." He started walking away.
"Doctor?" Newkirk called out. Pausing, Prust turned and looked back.
"Yes, Corporal?"
"You have to save Colonel Hogan, sir. He's awfully important to us. You can't let 'im die."
"I'll do my best for him. I promise," Prust replied in that fatherly voice Newkirk knew so well. "And now I must leave." He turned again and headed down the hall.
Newkirk watched him go before collapsing onto one of the chairs in the waiting area. He clasped his hands together and rested his chin on top, elbows on his knees. Wilson sat down beside him and wrapped an arm around the Englander's shoulders. Newkirk stared straight ahead. "I'm not a praying man, Wilson. Never have been. But I think I about to become one."
Prust was busy scrubbing as he prepared to perform surgery on his dear friend. He swallowed hard as he thought about the seriously wounded man being prepped at this moment.
Oh, Robert, he said to himself, what happened to you, my dear friend? Who did this to you. But you needn't worry. I will not let you die! Not as long as I can do something about it!
Back in the waiting room Sgt. Heidelman looked the two prisoners. "We should get back to camp," he said to the other two guards.
Newkirk and Wilson immediately looked around at the guards. "I am not leavin' 'til I know what happened to Colonel Hogan," Newkirk explained. "Now you can shoot me right here, right now, if you want or arrest me. But I ain't leavin' no matter how long it takes until I know the Gov'nor's condition after surgery."
"Neither am I, Sergeant," Wilson agreed eyeing the man.
Sergeant Heidelman, Corproal Langenscheidt and Corporal Reinhold got together and talked among themselves quietly for a few short minutes. Finally, Heidelman turned towards the two prisoners.
"We will wait with you until there is news, Corporal. Despite what you may think of me and Corporal Reinhold, we both like Colonel Hogan very much. He's always been very friendly and courteous with us, and has listened when we've had problems. He is a fine man. And a very caring man. I wish him no harm. We will wait no matter how long it may take."
Wilson and Newkirk eyed each other for a moment. Newkirk then looked back at Heidelman, surprised. "Won't you chaps get into trouble with the boss?"
"You mean the Kommandant?" asked Reinhold. Newkirk nodded. "Don't worry about him. He will understand. Plus…"
"Plus what?" asked Wilson.
"Plus, the longer it takes us to return to camp, it will delay for possibly a day anyway from him contacting General Burkhalter and having Schultz transferred to the Eastern front. Also, when the Colonel regains consciousness, perhaps he can let them know what really happened."
(1) Doctor Prust was first introduced (by me) in my story What If...? and made a reappearance in my last story Addiction.