Chapter 46---Newkirk's Plan

Hogan, with Wilson's help and escorted by one of the guards, returned to the barracks. His men were still seated at the table when he entered. He let a lopsided grin appear.

"How did it go, Colonel?" asked LeBeau with a grin of his own.

"It was beautiful," Hogan replied. He glanced at the guard and Wilson. "Thanks Joe and Corporal Fleisher."

"You are welcome, Colonel Hogan," the Corporal replied with a smile. "I hope you feel better."

"I'm sure I will. Especially with old eagle eye here," Hogan replied eyeing Wilson who smirked.

Fleisher looked at the medic. "Sergeant Wilson, if you are finished here, I will escort you back to the infirmary."

"Thanks," Wilson replied. "Colonel, take it easy. Don't make me have to give you a sedative."

"Threats, always threats," Hogan joked.

As Wilson and the Corporal started to leave, Fleisher glanced back at the Colonel. "Colonel Hogan, I will inform Colonel Klink I escorted you back to the barracks. That way he won't have to check on you."

"I appreciate it, Corporal. Thank you." Hogan gave a fake yawn. "I think I'm gonna turn in. I'm beat. I suggest we all turn in. Goodnight, Joe, Corporal."

"Goodnight, Colonel."

"Gute Nacht, Colonel Hogan." (1)

Wilson and the Corporal exited the barracks. One of the men turned off the lights. The minute the barracks were dark, Hogan went and got a glass of water and after taking two aspirin, emptied the glass knowing his side was going to be throbbing a lot tonight. Then, with Kinch, Carter, and LeBeau behind him, Hogan led the way to the double bunk in the corner and slapped the hidden mechanism.

"Gov'nor, are you sure I can't come along and watch your back?" Newkirk asked quietly from his upper bunk.

As the lower bunk rose, Hogan looked over his shoulder. "I'm positive, Newkirk. Not until your hand is out of its cast. Sorry."

Newkirk sighed wearily as he lay back down on his back staring at the ceiling. He heard Hogan and the others climb down the ladder, then heard the lower bunk drop over the opening. A moment later, Newkirk threw back the covers and slowly climbed down from the bunk. He hurriedly took off his nightgown to reveal a Luftwaffe guard's uniform complete with boots. He looked at his watch and figured in another three minutes they would be gone as it was going on ten-twenty and the meeting was for eleven. It would take about ten or fifteen minutes for them to get to the location where the meet would take place. He figured if he headed straight for the mine, he should be there about the same time or just before the others.

Corporal Paul Saunders, one of the other prisoners, checked the sniper rifle, found it loaded, and handed it to Newkirk who slung it over his shoulder. He then put the helmet on his head, and approaching the double bunk, slapped the hidden mechanism and waited. Newkirk glanced back at the other prisoners. There were wishes of 'good luck' from some and the 'thumbs up' sign from others. Newkirk smiled back and gave them all a 'thumbs up' sign. He then climbed down the ladder and disappeared below.

Stepping off the bottom rung of the ladder, Newkirk listened carefully, noticing how eerily quiet it was in the tunnel. He was positive nobody was below, but he kept alert anyway. And it was a good thing he did because he found Olsen sitting at the radio. Olsen seemed surprised to see the Englander.

"I thought the Colonel said you couldn't go on the mission?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

"I've always watched the Gov'nor's back and a broken hand ain't gonna stop me, mate."

"Be careful, then," Olsen replied with a smile. "We don't want to lose anybody or see anybody get hurt."

"Only one person's gonna get hurt and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy," Newkirk replied as he continued on his way to the ladder leading to the emergency tunnel. Reaching it, he carefully climbed up the ladder, raised the lid of the tree stump and peeked out; making sure he didn't see anybody. Seeing the coast was clear, Newkirk threw back the lid and climbed out, closing the lid behind him. He quickly ducked behind the tree stump as the searchlight from the guard tower scanned the area. When it had passed, the Englander got to his feet and hurried in the direction of the mine.

Newkirk kept to the dense trees and bushes just in case he ran across a real German patrol or worse, the Colonel. Fortunately, he didn't see anybody. The Englander moved steadily and quickly. After about fifteen minutes he paused and knelt down behind some bushes. Checking his watch, Newkirk noticed it was three minutes after eleven. By now, the Colonel and the others would be at the meeting place with Skyhawk. He shifted his position until he had a clear view of the mouth of the mine. He let out a deep breath.

Suddenly Newkirk froze as he felt a gun pressed against his head and heard the weapon being cocked.

Hogan, LeBeau and Carter looked around, waiting. Hogan was glad they had left the Stalag 13 truck hidden near the mine in the bushes. Checking his watch, Hogan noticed it was going on five minutes after eleven. The bombs were set to explode in twenty-five minutes. Where was Skyhawk and what could be keeping him? Hogan nervously looked around.

"Looking for something, Colonel Hogan?" a voice asked.

The three men turned and noticed a man wearing a cap and an SS uniform bearing the insignia of a Major, and holding a luger pointed at Hogan's head. It was the first time Carter and LeBeau had seen the man known to them only as Skyhawk.

"I've been waiting for you," Jaeger announced. "Put up your hands, Colonel, bitte." Hogan complied. Jaeger patted the American down and located the pistol Hogan had tucked into his waistband behind his back. He removed it and smiled knowingly. "Tsk, tsk, Colonel. That's not a very nice thing to do, bringing a weapon."

"Force of habit, I guess," Hogan replied innocently.

"Are these all your men?" Jaeger asked, studying LeBeau and Carter.

"What's left of them. I told you, one is in the infirmary and the other has a broken hand thanks to your late boss. Can't use them so why even bring them. Besides, I want to get this over with as soon as possible." Hogan checked his watch; it was eight minutes after eleven. "Shall we get going. Loading this stuff is gonna take time, and I don't want to miss roll call. Our Kommandant is so fussy about things like that."

"Fine. Let's go." He motioned for Carter and LeBeau to get in the back of the truck. "Don't think of trying anything," he said. "Your Colonel will be riding in the front with me and I'll have a gun on him the entire time."

"Don't worry," LeBeau sneered. "We will not give you any reason to hurt the Colonel." As he and Carter climbed into the back of the truck, Jaeger motioned with his weapon for Hogan to walk to the front of the truck and ordered him to get behind the wheel while he slid into the passenger seat, keeping his weapon aimed.

"You will drive, Colonel. And I must remind you not to try anything or you won't have to worry about roll call anymore."

"I'm not about to jeopardize my men," Hogan reminded him as he drove away. He knew it would take about fifteen minutes to get to the mine, leaving possibly five minutes, give or take a minute here or there.

"Just where are we going anyway, Colonel?" asked Jaeger.

"To the abandoned mine where Metzger originally hid his collection when he first brought it to Stalag 13. We figured it was the best place to store it."

Newkirk swallowed hard but didn't move. He didn't want to give the hand holding the gun against the back of his head any reason to fire.

"Turn around slowly," a familiar voice ordered.

Newkirk relaxed. "Kinch, it's me, Newkirk," the Englander replied. He slowly turned around and faced his friend.

"Newkirk?" Kinch said, uncocking his gun and lowering it. "What are you doing here? The Colonel said…"

"I know what the Gov'nor said. But I owe Metzger something for breaking me hand. But since I can't pay him back, I'll settle for this bloody bastard Skyhawk instead. Besides, I need to help watch the Colonel's back, and you know how I feel. So don't ask me to return to camp."

Kinch didn't speak for a moment because he knew how he felt having to stay behind on many missions because of his skin color. So it wasn't difficult imagining how Newkirk felt. He checked his watch.

"The Colonel, Skyhawk and the others should be here soon. What's with the rifle?"

"Kinch, old mate, I need you to give me a boost up into this tree. This way I can position meself so I can see inside the mine in case it becomes necessary to take out the bloody bastard. I'd have a vantage point you won't."

"Understood," said Kinch. "Here, let me give you a hand so to speak." It only took a few seconds for Kinch to get Newkirk up the tree where the Englander got in a comfortable position, and had a good view of the mouth of the mine. Removing the rifle from his shoulder, he balanced it on the arm with the broken hand; the finger of his other hand on the trigger. He could do nothing now but wait. But he soon found the wait wasn't a long one.

Newkirk and Kinch saw the truck pulling up to the mine. They both noticed a man dressed in an SS uniform get out from the passenger side with a gun in his hand and walk in front of the truck, and waved his weapon to whoever was behind the wheel. Hogan slowly opened the door and got out, mindful of the weapon still aimed at his head. They both walked around to the back of the truck; watching as Carter and LeBeau jumped out. Hogan nonchalantly checked his watch. It was now eleven-twenty-five. The Colonel knew he'd have to wait until there were at least thirty seconds left before he got Skyhawk inside the mine, and no more than fifteen seconds remaining before he attempted to escape before the bombs rocked the area.

Kinch peered out from his hiding place and watched as Skyhawk kept his weapon trained on the Colonel. Right now Skyhawk was too close to Hogan for Kinch to even try and squeeze off a shot without possibly hitting the Colonel.

Newkirk had the scope on his rifle up and peered through it, making certain Skyhawk was in his crosshairs; he was. But he didn't want to take him out now with the Colonel so close to him. He would wait as long as possible.

Skyhawk looked into the mine and noticed all the boxes and crates. A smile appeared on his face.

"Very well done, Colonel," Skyhawk remarked.

"So glad you're pleased," Hogan replied sarcastically. He noticed LeBeau checking his watch and silently mouthing 'one minute'.

"Look, let's get this over with," Hogan said with fake irritation. "I don't like being out here any longer than I have to. You never know when a Kraut patrol might come along."

"I quite agree," Skyhawk said. "However, before your men begin loading everything onto my truck, I'd like to get a look at one or two of the pieces. I've heard they are quite exquisite. He suddenly grabbed one of Hogan's arms, and held him close in front of him as a shield. "I want you to come with me into the mine and admire them with me as I open one or two of the boxes. Also, this way I will be certain your men won't try anything because I will shoot you if they do. Now move, Colonel." Jabbing the gun hard into Hogan's sore ribs, Skyhawk walked backward keeping Hogan in front of him, forcing him to enter the mine with him.

LeBeau and Carter exchanged panicked expressions. They glanced at the spot where they knew Kinch was hiding knowing he wouldn't fire as long as Skyhawk kept the Colonel in front of him as a shield. Carter glanced at his watch.

"Those bombs are gonna go off in less than a minute," Carter whispered nervously to an anxious LeBeau. "What are we gonna do?"

"I have no idea," the little Frenchman whispered back. "Kinch obviously doesn't have a clear shot or he would have fired already. But we must do something or the Colonel will die with the filthy Bosche Major."

As Hogan entered the mine, he caught a glimpse at his watch. There were only twenty-five seconds before the explosion that would forever unite him and Skyhawk in death.

(1) Gute Nacht means Good Night.