A Tale of Two Carters Chapter 20, a hogan's heroes fanfic

I want to thank everyone for all the reviews! And I hope everyone enjoys my (very long chapter) ending! :D

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The next 24 hours seemed to drag on for everyone in Stalag Luft 13. To the prisoners in the cooler, they felt as if they were going to die from overcrowding and cabin fever. To the guards, they were tired of searching for the prisoners. To the prisoners outside the wire, they were tired of waiting for their turn, to the German officers, Burkhalter, Hochstetter, and Bähr who were tired of dealing with this mess. To Hogan as he was impatient and wanted to get this situation over with. To Carter who was waiting nervously in an abandoned house. To Klink, who had just had a non-stop trip from Poland. There was no one within a 5 kilometre radius who was happy with the situation at the moment.

As Klink stepped out of the motorcar, he was bombarded by Hochstetter, Burkhalter, and Bähr trying to get him to do each of their bidding. Klink felt overwhelmed having not slept in quiet literally one week. He felt that all he wanted to do was have his hot drink and sleep for a month. But sleep would have to wait as Burkhalter filled him in on the situation. Klink couldn't help but smile and tower over the man who had taken over his job.

"Der Dienst…ein bisschen zu schwer, Oberstleutnant Rudolf Bähr? (The job…. A little too difficult?)" Klink smirked as the man fumed.

„Nee Kling- (No Ring-)" Bähr started to say as Burkhalter lead the group towards Klink's office.

"Klink!" Klink stomped his foot interrupting.

"Genug! (Enough!)" Burkhalter yelled, causing the men to stop mid argument. Opening the door, the quartet entered, and Klink sat behind his desk feeling satisfied with himself.

"Klink, Sie sind nochmal Kommandant des Lagers. (Klink, you are once again Kommandant of this camp.)" Burkhalter turned from facing Klink to facing Bähr. "Bähr, Sie fahren Morgen ab. (Bähr, you are leaving tomorrow.)"

"Morgen? Aver Herr General- (Tomorrow? But General-)" Bähr started to protest. Klink laughed. "Hol d'e Muhl, Oberst Link. (Oh shut-up, Colonel Dubious)"

"Klink! Kliiink!" Klink stood up and faced the man.

"Halt die Klappe, ihr beide! (Shut-up, both of you!)" Burkhalter shouted above the two men. He could feel his headache, that was this camp, worsening. "Bähr, weggetreten! Hohl Ihren Sohn ab, and treffen Sie mir in fünf Minuten. Ich rede mit euch. Bähr, dismissed! Grab your son, and meet me in five minutes. I want to speak with both of you.)"

„Jawohl, Herr General." Bähr glared at Klink as he exited. Burkhalter turned to Klink, who was sitting down.

"Klink. Sie sind nochmal Kommandant. Aber. Aaaaber. Sie müssen alle die Männer finden, Carter auch. Nur bis dann, sind Sie Kommandant... danach... (You are once again Kommandant. But. Buuut. You need to find all the men, Carter included. Only until then, will you be Kommandant... afterwards...)"

"Das kommt in die Tüte! Isch finde die Männer! Keine Sorge, Herr General! (That will happen! I will find the men! No worries, General!)"

"Gut Klink. Obwohl... ob Sie nich' Carter finden… (Good, Klink. Although... if you do not find Carter…)"

„Keine Sorge, Herr General! Isch finde ihn! (No worries, General! I will find him!)" Klink smiled happily as he saluted Burkhalter several times, who looked unconvinced. Shaking his head as he returned the salute, he exited to talk to the two Bährs, leaving Klink alone in his office. The first order of business is to talk Hogan into telling me where the prisoners are, maybe I can bargain with him by letting the prisoners in the cooler out…. Klink pondered.

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Newkirk exited the cooler followed shortly be the 300 men also crammed in there with him. Stretching as far as he could go, Newkirk paused off to the side as he watched the horde of men pass him, easily picking up LeBeau as he was nearly trampled over.

"'Ey, Louis! Wait up."

"What is it, Newkirk?" LeBeau turned annoyed towards Newkirk.

"What? Do I need a reason to talk with me little mate? I just wanted to see what barracks ya were 'eading towards. Since I was on me way to see the Colonel."

"I was heading back towards the one I was reassigned to, since all my things are there. But, oui, we should see le Colonel." LeBeau fell into stride with Newkirk, before pealing off and heading towards his old Barrack.

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Hogan entered the common just in time to see a group of men enter. The men immediately noticed the look of confusion and surprise on their CO's face, since they had all been previously assigned another barracks. Corporal David Martin was the first to address his commander.

"Colonel, sorry to surprise you like this, Sir." Martin felt awkward since he normally didn't communicate with Hogan, as he was simply a digger, and felt he didn't deserve any real recognition.

"Oh!" Hogan was brought out of his trance by Martin. "I see everyone has been released from the cooler."

"Yes, Sir. Klink finally released us."

"Good." Hogan nodded. "I just spoke with him not 10 minutes ago, I'm glad to see he followed through on his promise." Hogan watched as the men settled down into different bunks. "Um, forgive me the way this will sound… but what are all of you doing in here?"

"Oh! Of course! You were gone, Colonel. Kommandant Bähr separated us by Nationality and rank."

"Oh!" Hogan was surprised. Since this was as close to a true POW camp as the moon was to being a planet. "Well…. Since Klink is back…. Everyone should be able to return to his normal barracks."

"Must we Colonel? I must say that your Barrack is much nicer than mine." Another Corporal, spoke up.

"Same here Colonel." A third made his voice known.

"I'm sorry fellas, but you know the rules. Only those on the main team get to bunk here, or people we are suspicious of."

"Right Colonel."

"Okay, Sir." The two men muttered respectively. Hogan watched as the rest of them awkwardly started to repack their things. He started to pour himself a cup of hot water, as Newkirk entered the room from the outside.

"Colonel! Long time no see." Newkirk grinned wide, as he stepped into the room, before glancing over at the man currently laying on his bottom bunk. "'Ey mate. That's me bunk."

"Sorry Newkirk, you were housed with the other Limies." The man sat up shrugging.

"Alright! That's enough!" Hogan slammed his drink down on the stove. "I am putting an end to this before it goes any further. I don't care what rank or nationality anyone is from! Everyone back to your regular bunk! And that's an order!" Hogan rubbed his temples. A moment later everyman aside from Newkirk and Hogan scurried across the room and outside. "This war is going to kill me one day. And not because of a bullet…" Hogan muttered sipping his hot water again.

"It's alright, Colonel. One day you'll get to write your memories and it'll all be worth it." Newkirk layed down on his bottom bunk. Hogan snickered.

"Who would want to read The Tales of Robert Hogan?"

"I dunno. I'm sure somebody would." Newkirk leaned back, rummaging through the footlocker for his cards for a moment till he realized they were with the other British in Barrack 21.

"Newkirk….I'm actually glad you're here." Hogan turned towards Newkirk and sat down on the bench across from him. Newkirk stopped rummaging, and sat up on the bed. "According to Carter…. You spoke German to some Germans the other night."

"That's right, guv. We were in a tight spot, and I spun some tales. Nothin' to it."

"That's not what I mean." Hogan felt awkward bring up the subject. "I mean. You spoke German. To Germans." He paused a moment, hoping the underling meaning would reach Newkirk. Newkirk nodded awkwardly as the meaning of what his CO was trying to say reached him.

"'At's right. I did."

"How did they treat you? Did you run into any difficulties doing that…." Hogan tried not to look Newkirk directly in the face, as he was sure the two of them were blushing from awkward moment.

"Um…" Newkirk coughed a little to break the tension as he looked away. "Yes, well. They treated me like scum, but 'at's what Jerry does. 'E's round the bend. But I must say, guv. It felt good to spin those tales. To fool 'im and turn 'im 'round so much 'at 'e would 'ave believed the sky were yellow if I told 'im." Newkirk was starting to sweat as he was very self conscious. Hogan nodded.

"But they didn't threaten you in anyway?"

"No guv. Just 'arassed." Newkirk desperately wanted to end the conversation and get outside to some air. Hogan looked to his right starring at the leg of a random bunk, considering what Newkirk was saying, before turning back and facing him. Hogan started could feel his palms sweat, and he nervously rubbed them over it each other.

"Well Newkirk. I owe you an apology then. I thought I was protecting you by keeping you from going outside the wire, and being more involved. But this incident has set me straight. From this moment on, I grant you full rights to go outside the wire like myself and Olsen. But. If things get dangerous, we may need to change that. Until then, consider it your right to fight their crazed ideas of purity by speaking German with a stutter all you want." Hogan smiled. Newkirk half returned it. He wasn't quite sure what to make of the situation. Since he got exactly what he wanted, the ability to go on missions outside the wire, but at the same time, he was quite embarrassed to have his Commander talk about his stutter as such.

"Thanks guv." Newkirk managed to say. "I'm uh, gonna go get me cards from the other barrack."

"Alright Newkirk." Hogan nodded.

"Right…" Newkirk half muttered as he crossed the room, and step welcomingly into the mild afternoon air, just in time to watch another lorry entered with more prisoners. Ol' Schultz 'as been busy. Newkirk grinned.

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Carter felt déjà vu bouncing in the back of the LKW, this is what? My eighth trip in one of these in three weeks? Four weeks? How long has it been since I was shot down? Carter couldn't remember. The last month of his life was a blur. The last week? Two weeks? Especially. He shook his head as he once again watched the scenery pass by. Slowly the view outside the lorry slowed as the approached the gates to the camp, and Carter found himself once again, jumping out shackled and being lead up to the Kommandant's office.

Carter was pushed and lead much as he was the first day, and soon found that, just like that first day, Colonel Robert Hogan was quickly by his side.

"Colonel Hogan, what are you doing here?" Colonel Klink asked as Schultz, Mann, Carter, and Hogan all entered his office.

"Making sure that this poor man's rights are respected, Colonel! I know how tough you can be." Hogan stood directly next to Carter's right side. Burkhalter, who was seated next to Klink's desk openly chuckled. Klink immediately became infuriated.

"Colonel Hogan I appreciate your concern, but I assure you that when I will interrogate this man I will abide by the rules of the Geneva Convention. Now out Hogan."

"I request to be present."

"Denied Hogan." Klink crossed his arms.

"Granted Hogan." Burkhalter puffed carefree on his cigar.

"Granted Hogan." Klink quickly replied, uncrossing his arms.

"Thank you Kommandant." Hogan sat down on the chair that was off to the side of the desk. Carter glanced around for a second one, but found none, so he remained standing.

"Klink, holen Sie den Major Hochstetter ab. Er will hier sein. (Klink, go get Major Hochstetter. He will want to be here.)"

„Auf jeden Fall, Herr General! (Of course, General!)" Klink picked up the phone, and relayed the message to his secretary. As Klink placed the phone back down, everyman became immediately quiet, lost in his own thoughts. Several minutes passed, as they listened to the tick-tock of the clock hanging on the wall, before the sound of heavy bootsteps raced up the front steps and slammed into the office.

"DU! (YOU!)" Hochstetter pointed at Carter. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?"

"Me?" Carter was genuinely frightened. "I've been here."

"No. I don't mean for the last 10 minutes. I mean WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN! FOR THE LAST WEEK?"

"Oh! Several places."

"BAH!" Hochstetter finished storming into the room, slamming the door behind him. "Lassen Sie mir ihn zurück nach Dortmund bringen, und-. (Let me take him back to Dortmund, and-)" Hochstetter faced Klink. Klink licked his lips nervously.

"Nein." Burkhalter continued to puff on his cigar.

"Nein, Herr General? Nein? Aber er ist- (No, General? No? But he is-)"

"Er ist, Major, ein Gefangener. Ein Gefangener der Luftwaffe. Ist das klar? (He is, Major, a prisoner. A prisoner of the Luftwaffe. Ist hat understood?)"

„Klar, Herr General. (Understood, General.)" Hochstetter spat.

"Schön. (Good.)" Burkhalter starred down Hochstetter. "Now Carter. The Major here would like to know just how you escaped him. If you would be so kind." Burkhalter played carelessly with the cigar, as Hochstetter faced Carter face to face, and Hogan held his breath.

"Um, well Sir. I uh, stole the keys of a guard?"

"LIAR!" Hochstetter yelled, as he turned to Burkhalter. "ER LÜGT! (HE'S LYING!)"

"Und wieso, Hochstetter? (And how is that, Hochstetter?)" Burkhalter was tired of this game.

"Isch weiiiißt nisch', aber er lügt... (I don't knoooow, but he is lying…)" Hochstetter again faced Carter just centimetres away from his nose as Burkhalter rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Sergeant Carter. How did you steal the keys?"

"I uh, reached through the bars and um, grabbed them off the belt when they shoved me in there."

"There, satisfied Major?" Hogan stood up.

"No, Hogan, because he is lying."

"And why would he do that?" Hogan took a step closer to Carter, as if consciously protecting him from the major.

"I don't know. But he isn't the only one hiding something here, Colonel Hogan."

"Well when you find that out, let me know will you?" Hogan prayed his sarcasm would cover up the nervousness and fright he felt from the Major.

"There major. You have your answer. Now I suggest you leave, as this is Luftwaffe business." Klink spoke in English hoping to emphasise his authority and expertise as he stood up; and hoping that Hochstetter wouldn't challenge him, as he was summing all the courage he had to put on the front.

"Sie hab'm Klink schon gehört, Hochstetter, raus! (You heard Klink, Hochstetter, out!)" Burkhalter smiled mischiefly. If there was one pleasure he had in life, it was seeing others scramble before him.

"Her-"

"Raus Hochstetter! (Out Hochstetter!)"

"Zu Befehl, Herr Gen-er-al! (As you wish, Herr Gen-er-al!)" Hochstetter spit as he slammed the door behind him. Klink toppled into this chair, as Burkhalter smiled.

"Now, Carter. How did you end up here?"

"Well General, I was on my way to Switzerland-" Carter went through the whole cover story, that Hogan had provided him. Klink and Burkhalter continued to question him, yet at everyturn, Carter was able to provide a consistent answer, until both men were satisfied.

"Tja, schon gut. (Well…whatever.)" Burkhalter yawned.

"Sehr gut, Herr General! (Very good, General!) Carter, I am assigning you 90 days in the cooler-"

"What?" Hogan stood up again in shock. "But Kommandant-!"

"Hogan! I must keep discipline here. Ninety days it is. Now you are dismissed. Schuuuuultz!" Klink yelled. Hogan watched as Carter was dragged to the cooler. Chewing on his lower lip for a moment, he exited and headed for his room. He needed to listen on the conversation between Burkhalter and Klink to find out if Klink would stay before trying to reduce Carter's sentence.

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As Hogan crossed the compound, a weary, and foul smelling Schultz fell into stride with him.

"Colonel Hogan….Colonel Hogan!"

"Schultz! Nice to see you again. You look tired."

"Oh I am. But I have found all your men. Every last one. Even that new one. Um… what's his name. That boy…"

"Carter?"

"Oh yes. Him. A very nice boy." Schultz tried to keep up with Hogan as Hogan continued to take large steps. Mid step Hogan stopped and turned towards the guard.

"Schultz. You don't happen to know what's going to happen to you, do you? Are you going to stay here? Are they going to transfer you?"

"I don't know Colonel Hogan…they haven't told me yet."

"Well…when they do…" Hogan grabbed a chocolate bar from his bomber jacket and dropped it into Schultz's breadbag. "Lemme know, will you?"

"Sure thing, Colonel Hogan."

"Good Schultz." Hogan half squeezed half patted Schultz's left arm welcoming him back. "If you drop by later, I'm sure LeBeau will cook something for you."

"I'm glad to be back."

"We are glad you're back too." Hogan started to take another step, but stopped as Schultz opened his mouth.

"When the war is over, you should come visit me in München."

"I…. I would love to Schultz." Hogan turned to him, surprised and taken aback for a moment at both of their honousty, momentarily forgetting about listening in on the conversation between Klink and Burkhalter.

"It does not look like much at the moment. But after the war, you should come visit. It is a very pretty city."

"That… that would be great, Georgi. I would love to. What did you do before the war anyways?" Hogan had visions of Schultz being a toymaker, it somehow seemed to fit him.

"I was the owner of a company called Schatullenkrönung (1). It was a very famous and very prestigious company for Women's Undergarments." Schultz stood up proud. Hogan blinked several times to clear his brain.

"Oh, um, oh, uh, al…alright, Schultzi. Good... good to know."

„But the Government took it over, and now they make men's undergarments for the Russian Front. But after the war. I'll take care of your wife's clothes when you become married."

"Errr… um…th...thanks, Schultz…."

"You should get married, Colonel Hogan. Settle down with a pretty Fräulein. Bachelorhood is not good for a man."

"I, uh, I… gotta…. go…" Hogan turned and hurried into the barracks, hoping he hadn't just missed the entire conversation between Burkhalter and Klink, and not wanting to dwell on the memories of the girl who had lit up his world with her light before it had burnt out.

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Hogan entered the barrack, bearly glancing around to see that half of his regular barracksmates were back in their normal bunks, before dashing for the coffeepot. Throwing on the switch he was able to catch the last part of the conversation between Burkhalter and Klink before leaping up and down for joy like a child. The men in the common room, curious as to what was going on with the CO, quickly piled into this room, to listen to the rest of the conversation.

"Tatsächlisch, Herr General? (Really, General?)"

"Bitte Klink…. Fragen Sie mir nicht wieder….Ansonst ändere ich meine Meinung. (Please Klink...don't ask me again, otherwise I'll change my mind.)"

„Isch sag' gar nischts, Herr General! Danke Herr General- (I won't say anything, General! Thank you General!)"

„Klink. Halt die Klappe. (Klink. Shut-up.)" Burkhalter could be heard standing up. "Ich fahre morgen ab. Bis dann, stören Sie mich nich'. (I'm leaving tomorrow. Until then, don't disturb me.)"

„Selbstverständlisch, Herr General! (Understandable, General!)" Klink could also be heard standing up. "Aber General Burkhalter. Was ist mit dem Schultz? (But General. What is going to happen with Schultz?)" Burkhalter sighed before answering.

"Leider….bleibt er. (Unfortunately… he stays.)" Burkhalter shook his head as he muttered to himself. "Ich versteh' es nicht. Aber mit ihm...mit Ihnen... verstehe es nich'... (I don't understand it. But with him… with you… I don't understand it…)" There was a shuffle and the sound of a door closing, as Hogan unplugged the coffee pot. A moment of silent passed between the men crammed in Hogan's room, before the loudest cheer that could be hear a kilometre away erupted amongst them.

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The news quickly passed that the operation was back in business. However for a few members of Stalag Luft 13, with the tension and stress of pending doom gone, they were nervous as to the coming days and decision of Colonel Robert Hogan.

Hogan sat at his desk, thinking of just how and what he should do with those responsible for the mess of the past two weeks. Dealing out punishment was not a favourite duty of his, and one that he was not particularly good at, since he tended to forgive and forget. Shifting in his chair, he decided he better get it over with.

Hogan walked over to the cooler, starting with Carter will be the easiest, since in a way, he was an innocent in all of this. As Hogan entered, the warm spring afternoon turned immediately chilly inside the cold, dark, damp, building.

"Carter?" Hogan's voice echoed as the guard escorted him down the hall.

"Colonel? That you?" Carter's voice echoed back.

"Yes Carter." Hogan walked up to the door of the cell. The guard nodded and took a few steps back, giving some privacy, but still close to ensure that there was no assistance in escaping going on. "I wanted to let you know, that I spoke with Klink, and I have reduced your ninety day sentence to seven."

"Seven! Um thank you, Sir. But Seven? You couldn't talk him out of it? Not that I don't appreciate it, boy. I mean Sir."

"Well…Carter…that's the thing. I could have. But I wanted to give you some time to think by yourself before you were overwhelmed by the ongoings in the camp. This week will give you time in peace to think about what exactly you want from this war, and what role you wish to play in it. It will also serve as punishment for attempting to escape under my nose. This is not something I tolerate. However, as you were new, I am being very lenient. You did not break any of my rules on purpose, as the other men did, thus the seven days instead of the full ninety that Klink assigned." Hogan spoke softly, so the guard would not hear. Carter nodded as he listened.

"Thank you, Sir."

"But the next time you break them, as you will have full knowledge of them, I will not be as understanding." Hogan's tone became stern. "But for now I am giving you only seven days, and I want you to seriously think about what we talked about during that time. I still think you will make an excellent member, but that comes with sacrifice, and if you are willing to make it, at the end of these seven days, we will talk again." Hogan nodded at Carter and the guard let him outside, were he crossed the compound this time in search of Sergeants Sewell Binnie and Tom Rose.

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Hogan found the two friends hanging out in the Rec Hall playing darts. Upon seeing Hogan, the two men straightened up and all blood drained of their faces.

"SIR!" The two men dropped the darts on the floor in surprise as they saluted. Hogan returned the gesture and indicated that he wanted them to followed.

"If you two will follow me to my office."

"YES SIR!" The responded in unison, following Hogan to his office. Once seated on his lower bunk, Hogan stood in front of them, like a school teacher giving a lecture to a set of misbehaving pupils.

"Alright…" Hogan sighed. "I've thought it over." He paused a moment, not to cause discomfort in his subordinates but because he didn't want to punish his men. "And while both of you, especially you Sergeant Binnie, had the best interests of the operation at heart, both of you did infact break security. And security is the only thing keeping us from living and certain death. We have rules for a reason! Both of you know that! Now I am not saying that what you did was irresponsible, since it is obvious that you saved the lives of Olsen and the others. But, for heaven's sake, you could have gotten the lot of us here killed! What if Carter had indeed been a spy! Been working for that crazed Hochstetter guy?"

"But Colonel! He found the tunnel on his own-" Sparky started to say, but was interrupted by Hogan.

"I know that, Sparky. And I will take care of that. But you showed him the entire operation, and you," Hogan turned to Rose, "took him outside the wire."

"I'm sorry, Colonel." Rose hung his head and whispered. "I only wanted to save the lives of the guys outside." Hogan closed his eyes for a moment hating himself for being so harsh, but he was in command, and this was part of the job.

"I know you are both sorry. And I've taken into consideration the fact that you did both save the lives of the men outside by using a resource at your disposal. However, in doing so, you broke our number one rule: Do NOT show our operation to ANYONE who was not PERSONALLY cleared by me."

"Yes, Sir."

"Now. Sergeant Sewell Binnie." Sparky stood up. "In regards to your actions taken eleven days ago, I am sentencing you to nightly radio duty for one month. You are also banned from the Rec Hall during this time and will be on KP duty during its duration. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Good. Sergeant Tom, Rose."

"Yes, Sir!" Rose stood up.

"You are also banned from the Rec Hall for one month, during which time you will be on KP duty as well, and on nightly digging duty for its duration. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Good. You are both dismissed." Hogan watched them go, feeling incredibly guilty for punishing the very men who saved the lives of the other men under his command. However, he knew if he didn't, chaos would occur since they did infact break the most sacred security rule, by showing an unsecure person their operation. Hogan stood up and closed his door. He wanted to be alone.

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The next week crawled by as things ever so slowly returned to normal. They still had not heard from London, and Hogan was getting worried, but in the meantime, their contact in Berlin had given them a job, which Newkirk was anxious to try out with Hogan's blessing. It was a small job, delivering a piece of information, but Newkirk returned grinning from ear to ear.

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At the end of the week, Hogan waited as Carter entered the warm spring air and once again tasted freedom. Ushering him into his office, he was curious as to Carter's decision.

"I still want to Colonel. I thought it over. And I want to be a part."

"You know what this entails then. You will be shot at, possibly killed, and or possibly tortured. You will be forced to lie, steal, cheat, and even kill if necessary."

"Yes Sir. But if it means helping those like Jake, I want to. I want to end this war as quickly as possible." Carter paused a moment. "I… I heard some kids playing when I was hiding on my way here. And I listened as well as I could, for I was in a cellar. And they were kicking around a motor shell. A motor shell! It was just shell casing of course, but what kind of childhood is that? I want to end this war, and give those kids a real childhood. Please Sir. Let me help." Carter's eyes were full of sincerity. Hogan slowly nodded in sad belief at the story.

"Alright Carter. This week will be a test run. And if all goes well, in two weeks we will swear you in."

"Thank you Colonel." Carter stood up off Hogan's bed. "Sir. What happened to Jake?"

"He left with Newkirk two days ago, he is on his way to London at the moment."

"Oh, alright. I was hoping to say goodbye to him."

"Oh… I'm sorry, Carter. We had to go that night, since Hochstetter left, and we weren't sure if he was coming back. It seems Burkhalter practically threw him out of camp!" Hogan grinned, Carter smiled.

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Carter walked out into the common room, feeling for the very first time that he was apart of something bigger than himself, and that he belonged here with the rest of the men, as he approached the bunk he shared with Newkirk, he was confused to see Newkirk lying on the bottom bunk.

"Hey Newkirk."

"'Ey mate. I see ya're outta the cooler."

"I am. Um… I uh, thought the bottom bunk was mine?"

"What? No, the top is yours. The bottom is me bunk."

"Oh… okay." Carter shrugged and felt nervous as he climbed up.

"What's wrong mate?" Newkirk asked standing up and turning towards Carter as he took the first step in climbing up onto the top bunk.

"Oh nothing… it's just well… I feel nervous being up there. And well, I kinda liked being on the bottom bunk, you know, in case of …." Carter leaned in close, "nightmares."

"I understand, Andrew. That's why I like me bottom bunk. We'll work somethin' out. Even if we 'ave to switch bunks 'alf the time." Newkirk grinned. Carter nodded, as he took a second step, and hesitated.

"Newkirk?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you mind if I keep the bottom bunk… least till my leg and arm heals?"

"What? What's wrong with your leg an' arm?"

"Well I injured my leg two weeks ago. Three weeks ago? Two and a half? Oh I dunno. I injured it. I was running you see, you know from the germans and well, I took a turn down-"

"I get it. Sure, if ya need it. Why don't ya 'ave Wilson look at it, if it's botherin' ya?"

"Oh I don't wanna bother him. It's not that bad."

"Well if it's not bad enough for 'im, then get up on the top bunk." Newkirk grinned with a smile that would make an older brother proud. Carter made a face and climbed up onto the top bunk without complaint.

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The next morning, Carter woke up to the sound of Kinch running at full speed past him. Opening his eyes, he turned his head just in time to see him burst into Hogan's office. Sitting up Carter pulled on his boots from the floor, as they were in reach of the bottom bunk.

"Was 'at, Kinch?" Newkirk mumbled from the top bunk.

"Yeah, I'm gonna go see what's goin on."

"I wouldn't if I were ya. Wait for the Colonel to come to us. How was me bunk by the way. Cosy?"

"Yeah it was. Thanks Newkirk." Carter snickered. A moment passed before Hogan and Kinch both emerged from his office.

"Good news Everyone!" Hogan held up the telegram. "According to Kinch here, Sparky received a message not 10 minutes ago from London. We are officially back in business! And in wasting no time, we have a mission tonight to intercept a truck of Döner meat heading for the Russian Front. My plan is to blow it up on the bridge on the Weihertorstraße on the Fränkischen Saale. Olsen, Newkirk, and myself will go." Hogan announced. Carter tried to hide his disappointment. "Carter?" Carter looked up at Hogan as he said his name. "This will be a good one for you to start out on. Are you interested? We will need explosives by tomorrow night. Give me a list of what you will need, and I will have the underground gather the supplies." Carter nodded eagerly.

"Thank you Colonel!"

"But I want Wilson to check out your arm and leg first, make sure you're medically up to it."

"Yes, Colonel..." Carter slumped, placing his chin in his hand.

-HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH-

"Are you ready Carter?" Hogan asked looking at his newest recruit.

"Oh yes Colonel Hogan! Boy, yes I am." Carter could bearly contain his excitement. It had been one week since his first assignment, and he had been looking forward to this night since then.

"Alright then raise your right hand, and repeat after me." Hogan began. "I, Andrew Jonathan Carter, Sergeant of the United States Army Air Force."

"I, Andrew Jonathan Carter, Sergeant of the United States Army Air Force."

"Do solemnly swear,..."

"that I will assist escaping prisoners,..."

"co-operate with all friendly forces,..."

"and use every means to harass and injure the enemy."

"and use every means to harass and injure the enemy. (2) " Carter smiled as he finished the oath. Hogan nodded, before starting the second half of the initiation process.

"Repeat after me-"

"After me-"

"No, no Carter. I'm starting the second oath you have to take." Hogan tried hard not to chuckle.

"Oh Sorry Colonel." Carter turned a deep shade of red, as he heard the numerous men down in the tunnel quietly chuckle.

"Okay, once again, Carter." Hogan began again, "I, Andrew Jonathan Carter, Sergeant of the United States Army Air Force, Do solemnly swear,…"

"I, Andrew Jonathan Carter, Sergeant of the United States Army Air Force, Do solemnly swear,…"

"to never, under any circumstances break security,…"

"to never, under…wait. Colonel?" Carter hesitantly stopped.

"Yes Carter?"

"Should I really swear to that? I mean, Sparky and Rose broke security and-"

"Carter. They did. But you need to swear to abide by it all the same. As I NEVER want it broken. Is that understood?"

"Even if it costs someone their life, Sir?" Carter felt very uneasy. Hogan waited a beat before answering.

"Even if it costs someone their life. Hopefully that will never happen. But if someone is sacrificed to save the rest by not breaking it, and by not betraying his comrades by breaking security, then yes." Hogan stated it in a even tone, not wanting to mix emotions with what he was saying, or think about the words. Carter nodded.

"Okay. To never, under any circumstances break security,…"

"to follow orders regardless of personal feeling,…"

"to take a life only when necessary,…"

"to, if needed, sacrifice the few to save the many,…"

"to never harm the innocent,…."

"and to never escape."

"and to never escape." Carter finished unsure as to how he felt finishing to oath. Hogan smiled and started up again.

"Keep your hand up Carter, you got one more to go. I, Andrew Jonathan Carter, Sergeant of the United States Army Air Force,…."

"I, Andrew Jonathan Carter, Sergeant of the United States Army Air Force,…"

"do accept all responsibilities that my position as a member of the Papa Bear Operation brings,…"

"be that saving a life, or taking a life, or order the sacrifice of lives, including that of my friends, and my own,…"

"be that saving a life, or taking a life, order the sacrifice of lives, including that of my friends, and my own,…" Carter gulped, hoping his voice would hold out through the rest of the oath.

"I accept and understand that I may be killed, or tortured,…"

"I accept and understand that I may be killed, or tortured,…" Carter felt like he was suffocating, as the words he was swearing to began to sink in.

"I accept and understand that what decisions and actions I take effect not only myself, but my comrades, and the Allied war effort,…"

"I swear and understand that if taken captive I will try and escape, and will not betray the operation, that it is better to die than to betray,…"

"I swear and understand that if taken captive I will try and escape, and will not betray the operation, that it is better to die than to betray,…" Carter's voice slightly shook.

"I, Andrew Jonathan Carter, Sergeant of the United States Army Air Force, do solemnly swear that I will do my best,…"

"to rid Germany and Europe,…"

"of this nazi pest."

"of this nazi pest." Carter finished, grinning at the last part of the oath. Hogan smiled, as he turned to the men who had crowed down in the tunnel for the ceremony.

"I present to you, our newest member, Sergeant Andrew Jonathan Carter! To whom I expect you all to respect as he is in charge of explosions, so we want to keep him happy, boys!" Hogan yelled so those in the back could hear. A large cheer went up, that echoed through the maze of tunnel. Carter was slapped on the back, and handshakes were given. Carter turned as someone was tapping him on his shoulder and as he did, Newkirk, Kinch, Olsen, LeBeau, and the whole mess of Barrack Two dumped a large barrel of shell casings on him.

"Now you're officially one of us, mon Ami." LeBeau handed Carter a piece of the cake he had made.

"Thanks. But what's with the shell casings?"

"Well, when you get your wings, they dump you in water right? (3) " Kinch grinned.

"Well yeah."

"Since you are now a member of the Papa Bear Underground Organisation, we figured Shell Casings would be a nice touch." Olsen clasped him on the back. "You ready for what the war has in store for you?"

"Maybe? I guess I won't know till it happens, boy. But I sure hope it involves things blowing up!" Carter proceeded to add sound effects to his sentence.

"I think ya bonkers, but ya'll do alright." Newkirk flicked a shell of Carter's shoulder. "By the way, the bottom bunk is mine tonight."

"Sure thing Newkirk." Carter felt overwhelmed as everyone kept talking to him at once. Hogan walked over quietly and tapped on Carter's shoulder that he should follow him.

"One last thing Carter. I need you to fill out this paper work. Kinch here can help you." Carter looked over his shoulder as Kinch appeared, much to Carter's startlement, out of nowhere.

"Uh, sure. What all am I filling out?"

"Next of kin in case you're killed, agreeing to the rules of security, psychological questionnaire, basic information, like your birthday, so we can use that in the future as a cover. Those sort of things." Kinch sat down next to Carter at the small table. Which was a true feat, since the tunnel was crowded beyond capacity. Carter started filling out the forms, when music started from somewhere. He closed his eyes for a moment, hoping to remember this for the rest of his life. Which better be a long time. I wonder what the war does have in store for me. I'm sure it's full of adventure. But whatever it is, I'm ready for it head on. After tonight's party, bad luck charm or not, 'I'm going to do my best, to ride Germany and Europe of this nazi pest'. Carter opened his eyes. But first paperwork. Then tomorrow, boom, poof, bang! Carter imagined all the sounds of all the bridges and lorries he was going to get to explode during his duration as a member of the Papa Bear Underground Organisation at Stalag Luft 13.

-HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH- -HH- -EKvH-

(1) Schultz being a toymaker (of the company Schatzi, I believe?) is something that is new to me, but I have seen it a lot in Fanfiction. As far as I know, he is the owner of Schatullenkrönung, but once again, maybe this is a EkvH thing?

(2) This Quote: "You'll assist escaping prisoners, cooperate with all friendly forces, and use every means to harass and injure the enemy." Comes from Season 3 Episode 27: "Shanghai-Lilly" or "The Collector General" Special thanks to Crystal Rose of Pollux for helping me with this.

(3) This is true.