To be honest, I'm not sure how much has been changed here. It looks as though Kinch will tell Hogan eventually, but I still can't get over the doctor's behaviour. Kinch is in the active stage of TB by the sounds of it, which means he's contagious. From what little I've read about the transmission of TB, the infectious dose is very low - the inhalation of just a single bacterium can cause a new infection and a single sneeze can release up to 40 droplets, each of which may transmit the disease. Even if the Doctor's tests haven't been confirmed yet, just the fact that she suspects TB should mean her first responsibilty is isolating Kinch until he's past the infectious stage.

Also, the infection rate for prolonged contact is nearly one in four, meaning one of the guys may already be infected, so testing is the next step. I know she's in a rough spot since the Germans don't know she's there, but as soon as she leaves Hogan's quarters her first duty should be to consult with Hogan and get things moving. Hogan could tell Wilson the diagnosis and have him go to Klink with what he 'suspects'. Klink should know too, because there's the possibility that eventually the illness could spread to the guards.

Not to mention, doctor/patient confidentiality aside, this is a possible medical emergency and she shouldn't be leaving it to a patient to describe. Hogan is going to have questions and she would be the technical expert, not Kinch.

Sorry if this seems like I'm really coming down on you. The chapter is beautifully written, it's simply the doctor's behaviour I'm questionning. If Hogan sees her before he sees Kinch, what is she going to do? Will she lie? Stall him by saying her tests aren't confirmed yet? I can't help it, it just strikes me as being very irresponsible, especially considering the poor and overcrowded living conditions the men are in.

That doctor may have just blown her Hippocratic oath... Don't think the fellas are right for keeping this secret and putting everyone else at risk.
Since I can't give them a good talking to I guess I'll just have to wait for the next chapter!

Poor Kinch! But he and Newkirk can't be serious. Keep this from Hogan and the others. It can't happen. Hogan always know when his men are keeping something from him. And now Carter knows? I'm guessing it's only a matter of time. And while I can understand why Kinch is doing it, I can't understand the doctor going along with it. TB was highly contagious back then. What about the Colonel and the others? I agree with the previous reviewer who asked shouldn't they be tested? The whole camp could be wiped out! How would Kinch and Newkirk feel if Hogan and the men caught it because of their veil of secrecy? I can't believe the doctor is going along with this.

Couldn´t agree with you more, Simone. I, too, wish to see it have at least a happy ending, with Kinch surviving! It´s too good a story to not want to read it again because of Kinch´s dying...

This is a sad but very touching story. I have to agree with Kinch that it's odd that in the end he would be trusting Newkirk alone. Though, Carter knows now. I wonder how this is going to work out. At least Newkirk is dedicated into keeping Kinch's secret. Hope this story gets happier, but it;s very well written. Can't wait till the next chapter.

Poignant, sad, hopeful... everything at once.

Poor Carter. Poor... well, everyone. I´m not sure I agree with Kinch and Newkirk in their decision to keep this from the others, but at least there is hope. Both from the doctor, and now from Carter.

What is Cat´s Cradle?

This is wonderfully well written. You've beautifully pulled off a scene where a man learns he has a potentially deadly illness, which is an incredibly hard thing for any writer - amateur or professional - to do.

The only thing I have a little bit of trouble with is Kinch hiding his illness. I understand his reasons (you did his characterization perfectly), and I kind of understand Newkirk's for going along with him (though personally I never saw any indication on the show that the others felt the need to coddle Carter and Lebeau), but I am puzzled by the doctor agreeing to it.

From what I understand, TB is contagious - that was the whole point of keeping victims in special sanatoriums. So wouldn't the rest of the prisoners need to be tested for their own safety? And shouldn't Kinch be isolated? Even if no one is infected yet, as long as they keep nursing him the guys run the risk of not only catching it themselves, but of spreading it to the entire camp. Kinch and Newkirk have been hit hard by the news, but the doctor should at least be considering the possible dangers of their actions.

As long as he survives!

TB is what I was suspecting, except that it doesn't strike and knock someone flat and simply kill them...a person can have TB for years and years before they die. If it DOES happen to be TB, then the entire camp is in big trouble--especially the men of barracks 2--because it is highly contaigous!

Wow. You're chapters just continue to get more interesting and more dramatic. But in a good sense. I especially like how you've got Kinch and LeBeau so close to one another. It's a pairing rarely seen. And what LeBeau said to Colonel Hogan was sad and true.
I'm sure whatever ending you had was great, and whatever ending you've chosen is just as great or better. You're a good storyteller and I'm really looking forward to what happens next.

What angst! Kinch is getting worse by the moment and when the doctor reached for a vial marked 'tuberculin' tells me Kinch may have tb. I also suspect by the doctor's words at the end that Hogan will have to make the choice no commander should have to make: Kinch or the operation. We now know Kinch's decision. Not only will Hogan never accept Kinch's decision, but I suspect Hogan may be shattered by the doctor's news as will the others.I also suspect by the author's closing remarks at the end that Kinch may die. I hope I'm wrong but I will wait impatiently for the next update.

Quite good, but please hurry up! What happens to kinch?

I really love the insights in both Schultz´s and Carter´s minds. Schultz wanting to be part of their close-knit group; yes, I can easily imagine that. (You had a few very nice descriptions there btw!) And Carter, poor boy... Nice thought that the others need him to be young and naive - even though it doesn´t really match with his part in the operation.

I had a little trouble following the flashback story about Carter and Hogan. But perhaps I´m just a little too tired...

I'm enjoying this story very much.

Quick note, though: it's a bit overwhelming to keep seeing Kinch referred to as "the black man" or "the black Sergeant". We know he's black. We don't keep referring to Hogan as "The white Colonel." Not to mention the fact that in those days he would be called colored, but even that would be being way overused here.

I like Schultz's idea to stay with Kinch, and how he would love to be part of that closeness Hogan has with his men. This is being well played. Please, continue!

Ch 1-4 A well written, smooth flowing story that puts a bit of background to the series. And, in some rather unpleasant ways, it is also quite true to the times in which it is set.

I've got a guess as to where the author is going with Kinch's illness. But it's her story. So sufice it to say that, while there are different levels of bad, the coughing up of blood is never a good sign.

I'm not surprised at the reactions of the German doctors. The blatant racism described here wasn't a creation of the Nazi regime. It was, and would remain, enshrined in law in parts of the United States for another twenty odd years. And, while less open, it remained in practice for some time after that. But it would only have been a complication. For leaving all else aside, as a low ranking POW, keeping Kinch alive wouldn't have been a very high priority for his captors to begin with. Especially when weighed against limited resources and the need to care for their own troops.

There are many aspects of the story I find interesting and plausible. Far too many to mention here. But, I am looking forward to updates and reading more of this excellent work.