Quick note for those following – yes, there is a time jump here. I plan to go back and cover the missing period, but that zone goes further away from the base story here than I care for, so I'll be starting a new storyline to cover that portion of the team's origin.

Part XII

Stirring a few spices into a pot of soup, LeBeau reflected back. In another week, he would reach the end of his first year at Stalag 13. How very transformed everything had become in that year.

Looking over to the table where Newkirk and Kinchloe were playing cards while nearby Colonel Hogan was chatting with Banks, LeBeau definitely viewed all of the changes had been for the better. Newkirk was still skinny, but not skin and bones thin the way he had been before. Their 'conduit' had been up and running for awhile now. In fact, they were waiting for the newest man that had joined the operation to return with some escapees that they were going to help get back to London.

There was a noise from the bunk over the entrance as it smoothly slid upward and the new man, Carter, popped his head up into sight. LeBeau barely refrained from laughing as the move made him think of a marmot sticking its head out from its burrow.

"I'm back, Colonel Hogan. We've got five altogether. Hey, Newkirk – three of them are RAF. They talk kind of funny though. I can't really understand what they're saying much."

Newkirk smirked at that as he shuffled the deck of cards.

"As opposed t' me what speaks th' King's English, Andrew?"

"Well, yeah!"

Laughing at that along with the others, Newkirk laid his cards down and got up. Carter looked puzzled about what everyone else was laughing at.

"I'll go check on th' new blokes, Colonel. Be back in a jif, Kinch."

"I'll keep the cards warm, Pete."

Carter disappeared back down and Newkirk followed. The bunk was left up, though Banks positioned himself by the control so it could be shut quickly in case a guard started in. Then there was an odd noise that made Banks lean over and look down.

Banks' puzzled look drew Hogan's attention, but what got him moving was Carter's sudden yell from downstairs. Within seconds, Hogan, Kinch and LeBeau were headed down. The scene they came in on was rather chaotic. Newkirk was in the process of starting to pick himself back up from the ground while Carter and one of the escapees were holding back another of the escapees, while two others were holding back the last man.

Hogan went straight over to where the two men were being restrained while LeBeau and Kinch moved to help Newkirk to his feet. There was some blood coming from the Englishman's mouth and he didn't look like he was quite sure what had just happened. That struck Hogan as odd. Newkirk could generally account for himself pretty well in a fight.

"What the hell is going on, Carter?"

"Heck if I know, sir. I mean, I got back down here and Newkirk followed. He was just starting to talk to Mitchell here and this guy attacked Newkirk without so much as a word or any warning at all. Heck, Newkirk wasn't even looking his direction. Mitchell here and I pulled him off Newkirk and then that guy over there jumped on Newkirk as well before the other two could get hold of him."

Coldly furious, Hogan narrowed his eyes. All the men still had blacking on their faces from where they'd been outside evading detection. Still there was something familiar? About two seconds later, it all clicked into place.

"Fetherston. And I'd lay odds that other man's Gisbourne. Great - they had to route these two through us. I see time away hasn't improved your disposition any, Group Captain."

"I see he's thoroughly played you for a fool, Hogan."

Not even having heard the men's names before, Carter was totally lost.

"You know these guys, Colonel?"

"Yeah – like bad pennies, they've shown up again."

"What do you want us to do, mon Colonel? They cannot be trusted."

"Kinch, contact London. Let them know we have a situation here with two prisoners in addition to the three escapees."

"Colonel 'ogan? Might I 'ave a word with you, sir?"

Looking back over to Newkirk, Hogan couldn't get a read on the expression on his man's face. Kinch and LeBeau's expressions were easy enough to fathom – they wanted to feed Fetherston to the guard dogs. Or maybe not. LeBeau was fond of the dogs, after all and wouldn't want them to get sick.

"Keep a close eye on that pair. Come on, Newkirk."

Moving with the corporal to where they could speak privately, Hogan waited for Newkirk to take the lead in speaking. He didn't have to wait long.

"Guv'nor, ain't any use in tryin' t' bring charges on 'em two. Fetherston's ruddy peerage an' Gisbourne's gentry. That may not mean a thing in th' States, but it still means a good bit back 'ome. Their family connections an' money will get them off with likely not so much as a slap on th' wrists. Worse, if we try, they might decide t' make trouble for us. An' if they let slip t' th' wrong blokes, we could all be shot."

"That's not right. What happened to all men being created equal?"

Newkirk just shrugged.

"I'm afraid that's only on yer side o' th' pond, Guv. Where I come from, ain't no-one created equal – not even 'em what's from th' same families. There's a good bit o' difference 'tween bein' th' King's first or th' King's second born."

Reaching up to gingerly touch his split lip, Newkirk sighed.

"Not sayin' that I agree with 'ow things are or that I like it, but that's just th' way it is, Colonel. Bloke like me's not gonna change it."

"Still –"

Suddenly Hogan's eyes lit up and a smile formed. Newkirk had not a single clue what sort of idea the Colonel had just come up with, but from that expression, he figured it must be a good one.

"Carter, LeBeau – take our 'guests' to the waiting area. Kinch, get me London. I think it's time to see if they were serious about what they said on that special mission of ours."

Kinch gave Hogan a puzzled look but set about contacting London immediately.

"Goldilocks here. Go ahead, Papa Bear."

"Goldilocks, remember when we found and returned the horn for Little Boy Blue?"

"We do indeed, Papa Bear – that was a first-rate job all around. What of it?"

"We have a situation here with two of our plum puddings disagreeing with one of my cubs - the one that found that horn for you. Was Little Boy Blue serious about wanting to return the favor?"

"He was. Send the details of what you need from us up the line and we'll be back with you within the hour, Papa Bear."

"Roger, Goldilocks. Papa Bear out."

Kinch just raised a brow and crossed his arms as he looked at his smiling Colonel. Hogan didn't make him wait long as he quickly jotted down the details for Kinch to relay to London.

"Get this across to them as fast as you can and let me know the second we get a response."

Taking the note and reading it, Kinch started chuckling as he began to work the telegraph to London. As promised, a reply was back before an hour had passed. Hogan called down Baker to keep an eye on the radio - Kinch was going to want to be present for this. Hogan motioned to Newkirk and the three of them went to join LeBeau and Carter where they were with the five escapees.

From the second they saw the look on Hogan's face, LeBeau knew something was up. Carter didn't quite know the Colonel well enough yet, but by the expectant looks of his teammates he knew things were about to happen. On the flip side, Hogan's broad smile made both Fetherston and Gisbourne uneasy.

"Group Captain Fetherston - Flight Lieutenant Gisbourne? I have the pleasure of informing the two of you that you will be meeting with the Prime Minister himself when you reach London. Oh, and I have a transmission from London for you, Corporal Newkirk. Mind if I read it out loud?"

Not at all sure what the Colonel was doing, Newkirk gave a quck side glance to Kinch who just gave him a faint smile and a nod. That was good enough for Newkirk.

"If you like, Guv'nor. I've no objections."

Fetherston started to say something about insubordination, but a look from Hogan cut him off. Then he began to read, translating the abbreviated speech and substituting the real names for the code names that had been used over the radio. These men had no need to know any of those, after all. Besides, it would be a bit confusing otherwise as the actual message read 'Papa Bear - warm regards and thanks to the lion cub for finding my horn and returning untarnished. Just a token but neither Little Boy Blue or Goldilocks will forget. Little Boy Blue.'

"Colonel Hogan. Please send my warmest regards to Corporal Newkirk as well as my thanks for his part in the recovery of my cousin from behind enemy lines before the Germans could make use of him in their propaganda. While this is but a small token, be assured that neither myself nor your country will forget the sacrifices that you are making. Winston Churchill."

Looking pleased, Newkirk reflected back on that one. It was the first mission that Hogan had had him take the lead on.

"His cousin was a decent bloke. Even offered t' buy us all a few pints when this war is over."

Hogan just laid his hand on Newkirk's shoulder and continued to smile at the two RAF officers who were now looking a trifle green.

"The Prime Minister sent another message as well, but I won't bother you with the details. Let's just say that he was a little put off by the fact that two British officers attacked a hand-picked member of a multi-national team working under the authority of the Allied Command. By the way, that reminds me - you're both under arrest for several military violations including obstructing operations."

Kinch moved to Newkirk's other side. His smile definitely had a malevolent edge to it.

"I heard he might be lenient and just recommend you for relocation for the duration of the war. But I wouldn't worry. I hear the Falkland Islands are lovely this time of year. You'd even be able to go penguin watching."

Hogan nodded agreement.

"That is, unless he changes his mind and goes back to the thought of putting them on trial for attempting to sabotage our operation here. I know that would be a hard call for me to make. Corporal Mitchell? London has instructed me to inform you that as the senior RAF representative that the two prisoners will be under your command until such time as you arrive back in London. You'll be given help keeping them in line while you're in transit."

Hogan turned the group over to the first stage of the Underground the next night, though this was the first time Hogan was sending anyone out in shackles. As he stood and watched them leave, Hogan was flanked by his men - Kinch and Carter to his right, Newkirk and LeBeau to his left.

"Well Newkirk? Feel any better?"

"Got t' admit I got me a case o' th' warm fuzzies, Guv'nor. Guess it all goes t' prove me ol' Grams was right."

"About what, mon ami?"

"Pays t' 'ave friends in 'igh places."