Chapter 2---Meeting With the Enemy

Hogan, having changed from his uniform into black pants and turtleneck in his quarters, stared at his reflection in his mirror as he busily smeared grease on his face to camouflage himself. Once finished, he exited his quarters carrying his pistol which he tucked into the back of his waistband.

His men trailed behind him as he walked to the double bunk and slapped the hidden mechanism. As the lower bunk rose, he turned and faced his men. He saw the looks of deep concern on their faces. Hogan knew his men never liked it when he went out alone without someone watching his back.

"Look, I shouldn't be gone long. And I don't want anybody getting any bright ideas about following me. Is that clear?"

There was a collective response of 'yes sir' from the men. Hogan stepped over the lower bedframe and onto the ladder. As he started his descent, he paused when Carter called out.

"What is it, Carter?" Hogan asked a bit impatiently.

"Colonel, what if Klink or Schultz comes looking for you before you get back?" Carter asked. "What do you want us to tell 'em?"

A lopsided grin appeared on the Colonel's face. "Tell 'em I had a hot date and not to wait up for me." He disappeared down the ladder. Newkirk slapped the hidden mechanism and they all watched the ladder rise and the bunk drop. He then exchanged looks with the others and knew they were all thinking the same thing he was. Nobody would turn in for the night until the Colonel was safely back in camp.

Hogan exited the tree stump outside of camp. As the searchlight from the guardtower neared, he ducked behind the stump, waiting for the searchlight to pass by. Once it had passed, his pistol now in his hand, Hogan quickly sprinted from his hiding place and disappeared into the dense brush. He stayed in the brush as he continued on to the meeting place just outside of Hammelburg. Suddenly, something made him stop and kneel down. His eyes scanned the area around him.

Even though he saw nothing, something was beginning to trouble him. The hairs at the base of his neck bristled as his gut started telling him something wasn't right about tonight, although he didn't know what. He checked his watch. It was a little after eleven p.m. Hogan figured he should arrive at the scheduled meeting place no later than eleven forty-five. He found himself suddenly wishing he had taken Newkirk up on his offer to let one or two of his team accompany him. But as he was alone, Hogan proceeded with extra caution.

Kinch poured himself a second cup of coffee and sat down at the table while Newkirk and Carter played gin rummy, and LeBeau watched. After about five minutes, Newkirk threw his cards on the table unable to concentrate. Carter did the same.

"Something wrong?" asked LeBeau, already knowing the answer.

Newkirk looked at him as he rubbed the back of his neck. "You know what the bloody hell's wrong same as the rest of us."

"I know," LeBeau replied grimly. "I was just hoping to hear you say something different." The three men looked at Kinch who was staring into his coffee cup. "What are you thinking, mon ami?" he asked.

"Only that I wish the Colonel had let one of us go with him to this meeting tonight. I know the Colonel has met with Skyhawk before. But I can't shake the feeling that something's gonna go wrong tonight."

Arriving at the bombed out ballbearing plant, Hogan stayed in the brush to keep out of sight. Where he was he could see anybody who came into view without being seen. He checked his watch again. It was eleven-fifty and there still was no sign of Skyhawk. Hogan figured he would wait as long as he could before returning to camp. He suddenly looked around when he heard the snapping of a twig behind him. He tightened the grip on his pistol as his eyes scanned the area behind him. He saw nobody.

Suddenly he heard a noise in front of him causing him to spin around on his heels. Again he saw nothing or anybody. Was somebody playing games? Hogan wasn't sure, but his gut kept telling him someone or something was out there. Checking his watch for the third time he noticed it was twelve-fifteen. He decided he'd have to risk trying to make contact with Skyhawk. Reaching in his back pocket, he removed a small flashlight and flashed the greeting. He received no response. He flashed the greeting a second time and again received no response.

By now Hogan was beginning to get nervous as the feeling something was not right became much stronger. He figured he would wait fifteen more minutes and then return to camp. He looked around again in all directions and again saw nothing or nobody, but yet felt someone or something was watching him.

He nearly jumped out of his skin when the sound of a snapping twig very close behind him was heard. He spun around expecting to see someone behind him when the butt end of a pistol made contact with his jaw knocking him to the ground flat on his back.

Dazed from the blow, Hogan shook his head trying to clear the cobwebs. Rubbing his jaw he looked up to see who had struck him and was stunned to see Luftwaffe General Wolfgang Metzger(2) standing over him with his pistol aimed at Hogan's head.

"We meet again, Hogan," Metzger snarled. "I hope you didn't think I forgot about you?"

Hogan started to get to his knees but stopped when he heard the cocking of Metzger's weapon. He looked up at the general.

"I suggest you toss your weapon away, Colonel, or I will be forced to shoot you before we have a chance to talk. Now get rid of your weapon and stand up."

Hogan tossed his pistol into the brush and slowly staggered to his feet. He rubbed his jaw, hoping it wasn't broken. Pulling his hand away, he noticed a blood smear on his fingers.

"I didn't expect to see you again, general," Hogan said. "It's obvious you know I've left camp. So what now? Do you shoot me right here? Turn me over to the Gestapo? What?"

Metzger smiled that arrogant smile that Hogan hated. It was the smile he noticed the general got when he knew he had the upper hand at the moment. "You have me all wrong, Colonel Hogan. You and I are going to have a talk. Or rather I am going to talk and you are going to listen. And when I'm finished talking, you are going to do exactly what I tell you to do. Do you understand?"

"Oh I understand, all right," Hogan replied. "And what if I refuse to do what you tell me to do?"

"Then Colonel, you will have a decision to make."

Hogan raised an eyebrow. "Decision?"

"Yes. You see, should you refuse to do what I tell you to do, you will have to choose between being turned over to the Gestapo and shot as a saboteur, or being hung as a traitor by London."

(2) There was never a first name for General Metzger mentioned in the original episode, so I gave him the first name of Wolfgang.