"We do not need you anymore as a part of our bloody operation. Violent prisoners, we can do without ol' chap. We were bloody having fun, Andrew, and you ruined it.."
"Take a joke, you crybaby. No more of my food for you, sergeant. Same goes for Schultz if he dares give you anything."
Andrew Carter was filled with bitter anger and genuine hurt, offended at those statement Peter and Louis had made to him. He was Sioux, and a Technical Sergeant, he never exactly gets any respect due to his naive nature. He had punched both of his "friends", Cpl. Peter Newkirk and Cpl. Louis LeBeau. They were making fun of him being Sioux. This led to multiple prisoners having to break up the fight. Technically speaking, he should be a Lieutenant, but some stupid higher-up demoted him before he went back to Germany. Honestly, he was beginning to dislike how they sent him back. With Vladimir Minsk around, things might have been better. But ever since Minsk was transferred, well..that's another story.
When he exited his main quarters, Hogan was not particularly happy. He sided with Newkirk and LeBeau, and strongly condemned Carter for his actions. Carter knew the right thing to do was to respond. He told the Senior Prisoner of War officer how sick he was of being pushed around. He was a technical sergeant and had enough of the jokes. Hogan, not having it with Andrew Carter, declared that Carter would no longer have anything to do with their operation, and told him not to go down in the tunnel to try and help, or else he would face the consequences, and also a demotion to Private. Carter unleashed a barrage of expletives towards all of them, stating they were ungrateful to him for all he had done to help them.
So Carter, knowing what to do, decided to sneak out. He waited a couple of hours. By then, Everyone was sleeping, so he figured this was now or never. He had to talk to Wilhelm Klink, Kommandant of Stalag 13, to formally request a move to another barracks. This is only the first part of the step of his plan though. He quietly made his way over to Schultz, who was guarding the barracks. Schultz heard the movement, wondering what it was for a second, and then would move to react. No prisoners were supposed to be out of the barracks at this time of night. Not even Technical Sergeant Andrew Carter, who obviously was a prisoner.
"Halt-" Schultz said, turning around, as Carter motioned for him to whisper. "Who goes…there? Carter? Why are you out of the barracks?" The heavy sergeant questioned. Carter motioned for him and Schultz to move away from the barracks so that he could whisper into Schultz' ears. He did not want Hogan or the others to know what he was about to do. They would find out, of course, but he wanted to make sure the next steps of his plans go accordingly.
"Is the Kommandant awake, Sergeant Hans Schultz?" Carter, Hogan, and the others almost never addressed him by his rank and full name. Schultz, looking at how broken Carter seemed, and how serious he was, knew that something was off. Something terrible. Terrible enough for a prisoner that wanted to contact the Kommandant.
"Yes." Schultz answered, concerned. "Why? You want to see him?"Carter nodded quickly. The two slowly moved towards the Kommandant's quarters. Once there, they made their way up the steps. Schultz then opened the door as Carter followed. Fräulein Hilda had gone home for the night. Klink was up late. A lot of paperwork, plus stress and Burkhalter's failed attempts at getting Klink to marry his sister, was really taking a toll on him. Furthermore, he will apply for another furlough, to the same ski lodge.
He will make sure to praise Burkhalter though just in case in an attempt to win his respect, if Burkhalter happens to be there again, of course. Burkhalter had to ruin that furlough, and he of course did not like having to pack and go back to Stalag 13 so early.
Everyone else back in Barracks 2 are asleep, including Colonel Hogan. This was good for Carter, because had Hogan caught him trying to sneak out, it would be a further demotion for sure, and plus Hogan would have had Carter transferred, so that they could have him taken to England and probably imprisoned for insubordination while facing a court martial. Carter knew though everything was over if he ended up dishonorably discharged. If he was seen with a weapon on him after that, he'd be arrested for illegally possessing a firearm or rifle, and probably spend a lot of the remainder of his years behind bars, his life ruined because of Hogan.
Schultz knocked on the door to Klink's office. "Come in!" Schultz entered with a serious and poignant face. "Herr Kommandant, there is a prisoner who has to see you. It is urgent." Unknowingly, Schultz had put his hand over the hidden mic in the picture of Adolf Hitler, but regardless the coffee pot was not connected at the moment for anyone to listen in.
""Send him in, Schultz." The Kommandant replied. Klink was shocked. Carter looked..broken..broken more than anyone he had seen before..arguably, he hasn't see anyone look this sad since the Great War. Carter was demoralized, even more so than any others there at the camp. Carter had his hand on the hidden mic after Schultz took his hand off the picture. "Carter..my god..you look..terrible..what the hell happened to you? You look so..broken..and...demoralized. I haven't seen..someone this bad
"Sir, I'd like to request a move to another barracks. I know I shouldn't have come at this time of night, but I had to do it in secrecy. I can't take it anymore with those people in Barracks 2. I know this might warrant the cooler, but to make them understand I don't want them making fun of me with my Sioux ancestry,I punched Newkirk and LeBeau. Hogan condemned not them, but me, and threatened to demote me to Private, which once the war ends, I could see myself in further trouble with the Army. I plead my case, and ask to be placed in another barracks.
Klink had thought of Hogan as a troublemaker. But he didn't think he could go this far. For an enemy. This was shameful of him. Klink pondered what to do for the next several moments; Should he give Newkirk and LeBeau the cooler? Not for violence, but for their mockery of Carter? Should he do a prisoners' exchange through the Red Cross and give Carter his freedom?
Klink sighed. "Request granted, Carter. In the morning, I'll have you moved to another barracks. I hereby pardon you for any Cooler-inducing actions. You don't warrant it. They should learn from this." He saluted the technical sergeant. "Dismissed". Carter then thanked him and quietly left the barracks along with Schultz. The first step of his plan had succeeded. Now to plan for step two. He made his way back into Barracks 2 and slipped into his bed, going to sleep. Carter's Revolution had begun. Klink thought to himself. What had Hogan done to warrant this visit? He would certainly chastise him at roll call.
Carter knew that Kinchloe did not hate him, and understood what he was going through, but Carter knew the others no longer wanted him as a part of their operation. Carter wasn't gonna stand by this. He still wanted in. But this time, he would have different help. Enough of Hogan bossing him around. Carter was going to do something that would warrant a court martial in the Army, if not for the war; Insubordination. As Carter slipped into bed, he could see a figure looking over at him. These were not the prisoners, not Gestapo, not even Colonel Hogan. But someone else.
"You are destined for greatness, Andrew Carter."
Carter wondered what that meant. He looked back at where the figure stood, but he was gone. With that, Carter went to sleep. He woke up in the morning, as did the others. Some of his former colleagues were about to go downstairs into the tunnel when Schultz came into the barracks. "Everybody, out, out, out for roll call! Raus! Mach schnell! "Schnell, Schnell, Schnell, Schnell!" All of the prisoners in the barracks groaned but they knew roll calls were normal. Except for Carter, though. He had everything packed since he woke up a few hours prior. He grabbed the suitcase, as he exited the barracks along with everyone else.
"Why do you have the suitcase, Carter?" Kinch asked. Carter then leaned over and whispered to the staff sergeant. "I got Klink to agree to move me to another barracks, so that I won't have to deal with Newkirk and LeBeau again, nor Hogan. Keep this a secret, please." Carter stated, as he got into his spot for roll call. He was certainly glad to be moving, anyways. He wouldn't be complaining if it wasn't for everyone making fun of him being a Native American.
Schultz would proceed with the roll call, as had been for the past roll calls that had been conducted in the same manner, not counting the ones that involved barracks inspections. After finishing, he gleefully told the Kommandant. "Herr Kommandant, all prisoners present and accounted for!"
"Prisoners! Today, one of you is being moved to another barracks. Because some of you cannot respect their ancestry. While Carter told me Schultz did so too, Schultz will not be punished as Carter said that he was just joking with his yell, and Carter, while not showing it, was amused with that. Colonel Hogan, you should be ashamed of yourself. This also goes for you too, Corporal Newkirk and LeBeau. You three are all lucky you're not getting the Cooler. Schultz, take Carter to Barracks 4. Prisoners, you are dismissed!" Klink stated, before heading back to his office.
Carter followed, just after Schultz replied "Jawohl" to Klink's command. With his suitcase in hand, Carter turned and saluted Colonel Robert Hogan, earning his ire over last night's incident. With that, Carter followed Schultz to Barracks 4. Carter was relieved to be out of that Barracks. "Good luck, Carter. You'll need it." Kinchloe saluted Carter as he left. Everyone looked over at Kinchloe, who then explained, "I had to. I actually respect him. You guys messed up big time by doing that to him. And the threat to demote him to Private? Completely wrong, Hogan. I'm sorry, but it's the truth. Look, dealing with Marya and Crittendon is worse, isn't it, Hogan?" Hogan gave up and responded. "I guess. I lost my temper, okay? But that doesn't change anything now. Carter is out of our operations."
"You saluted him, Kinch? He lost his temper and punched me and Newkirk." LeBeau said to Kinch nodded as he headed back inside with LeBeau, Newkirk, and Hogan. "You guys treated him poorly. He is Sioux because that's what he is, and you guys are in the wrong for what you did to him." Newkirk and LeBeau gave him dirty looks and then they sat down at the table. Hogan sighed to himself as he went into his office. Why did Carter do this? He wondered. Why did Carter not take a joke? Meanwhile, with Carter, he was now settled down in the new barracks. Barracks 4. As Schultz had just left, Carter began planning the second part of his plan, looking at one of the barracks' bunk beds.
"You may have cut me out of your operations..but I vow to keep sabotaging, Hogan." He whispered to himself. Carter, having seen the plans for the Hogan's tunnel entrance, began working on one himself..only this would be more sophisticated to open. A few other prisoners were there of course, and they were willing to help him. Andrew Carter vowed to keep sabotaging the war effort..in a tunnel far deeper than Hogan's, once he was able to get it constructed, of course. And with that..with one of his tools, he began prying away at the wood as he began work on the tunnel; The second part of Carter's plan was now formally underway.
Carter then heard a voice. He would look up and turn around while he was proceeding with his work. There the figure was, in full view. This was not a man in World War II. Nor was it a man in World War I. But..long before that. He died just before the outbreak of the Napoleonic Wars. A man who had fought in the American Revolution, a figure still seen in a very negative light due to the actions he had committed, leading to him becoming a traitor in the eyes of the United States of America. That figure, having long been dead, is Benedict Arnold. The Benedict Arnold himself. The very Benedict Arnold who committed Treason against the United States of America. Carter wondered why he was here, and for him of all people?
"Benedict Arnold. Why are you... here? You tried to sabotage the American Revolution and committed Treason against my country! You left George Washington, the first President, very, very bitter towards you. They even destroyed your relatives' graves!" Carter quietly said. He wondered why Arnold even showed up. What could a General from the 18th century help him with? Especially a General who committed Treason?" Then he saw the figure begin to speak.
"Yes, that is what history has labeled me. And yes, I know they are right about me. But I am here to tell you my story, and why I am sympathetic to your situation." Carter motioned for him to go on. "You see, I was once a loyal soldier, fighting for the Continental Army during the American Revolution. But I was constantly overlooked and undervalued by my fellow soldiers, including General Washington himself."
"I know that feeling all too well. Being a Native American, and someone who is... naïve to them apparently, I was never fully accepted by my fellow soldiers due to my personality, my tendency to joke around a lot, and well, so on. I was a Lieutenant when I had escaped the Stalag, but a fellow in London demoted me due to "incompetence."
"It was the same for me. And I let my anger and resentment lead me to make a terrible decision. I attempted to hand over West Point to the British in exchange for a higher rank and more recognition. But many in the British Army of course..and rightfully so, weren't happy with me..defecting. If you're on whichever side you're supposed to stay on that side. You know the story already, Carter, but I see a bit of myself in you. I see your determination and your desire to prove yourself. And I don't want you to make the same mistake I did." Carter asked him what he had meant, and he'd respond to Carter.
"Don't let your anger and resentment consume you, Andrew Carter. Don't let it lead you down a path of betrayal and regret. Instead, use that energy to prove yourself, to show your worth to your fellow soldiers. I may be remembered as a traitor, but I hope you will remember me as someone who tried to make amends and warn others of the consequences of their actions. Good luck, your century's Britain and America is in this together, to bring down these unjust tyrants. Good luck, Sergeant. Here's to you getting your re-promotion.
"I will. Thank you, General."
"Farewell, Carter. I wish you the best of luck. Like I told you before, last night: You are truly destined for greatness."
Carter sits in silence, deep in thought, before resuming his digging with a newfound determination and understanding. He will use his anger and frustration for good, to help his fellow prisoners and prove himself as a valuable member of the Stalag, even if he is not in Hogan's operation. General Arnold's words will not be forgotten, and Carter will remember him as a cautionary tale and a source of inspiration. Carter would put the wood back down, to do more work on the tunnel later. He would etch Arnold's quote on his uniform.
When Carter turned around, Anneliese Klink was there, staring at him, along with Schultz. "Hey Carter, did you really just talk to another person in here? We heard the commotion so me and Schultz decided to see what was happening." Schultz knew what Carter was doing, but he chose to ignore it. Schultz knew by now that Carter wanted his own operation. "Yes, Anneliese. I did. You at least had to have seen a figure standing before me, right?" Anneliese could only nod yes. "I talked to General Benedict Arnold. He says I am destined for greatness. I don't consider him a traitor much anymore. He said I am a bit like him."
"Hmm..very interesting. A traitor of the United States talking to you? Wow." Schultz could only say as he left. "Carter, I wish you luck in your separate operation, am I correct?." Klink's daughter gave Carter a thumbs up after he nodded and then she left. Anneliese knew Hogan had a operation going, but said nothing. And then Carter continued work on his tunnel. Carter wondered to himself; Was he a true Revolutionary of Stalag 13? Or was he now a cold, treasonous traitor of Stalag 13, deliberately disobeying his Colonel, which would warrant a court-martial? Only time would tell.