Love and Lies
By: AliasCWN
Chapter 1
Their arms loaded with supplies, Mark Hitchcock and Tully Pettigrew made their final trip from the supply building to their jeeps. Juggling the heavy loads, they walked along the side of the road to avoid running into anyone with their burdens.
"Do you think Sarge would care if we got a beer when we finish here?" Hitchcock asked as they walked.
Tully shrugged, "Can't hurt to ask." After a long dusty patrol, they were restocking the jeeps in preparation for the next trip out. "I could use a cool one myself."
"Sarge and Moffitt are going to see Captain Boggs so we'd better hurry if we want to catch them before they leave." Hitch picked up the pace so that they could get to the jeeps quicker.
Four soldiers stepped out of a side alley as the two privates walked by. One of them bumped Hitchcock's shoulder, making him drop the supplies in his arms.
"Hey!"
The four men stopped and turned around to face the two privates. The leader, a corporal, gave them a cold stare before he turned again and led the way down the street.
"Idiots!" Hitch grumbled as he collected the scattered provisions into a pile. "Darn!" He noticed the box of matchsticks had broken open when someone stepped on it. He looked up at Tully who was glaring at the spilled contents. "At least they didn't spill my gum." He smiled at Tully's scowl. Gathering the loose matchsticks, he hesitated, not sure what to do with them.
"Here." Tully grunted. "Put them in my pocket." Tully turned so Hitch could reach his back pocket.
The blond blew the dust off the matchsticks and dropped the large handful into the pocket, making sure he didn't miss any. "Sorry Tully, I can go back and get you a new box if you want."
"No." Tully shook his head. "We'd miss Sarge, and now I really need that drink."
Hitch stacked the supplies and managed to stand up holding the entire pile. The two privates walked the rest of the way to the jeeps without further incident. Troy and Moffitt were just leaving to see the Captain when they arrived.
"Hey Sarge." Hitch called to get their attention. They waited as the two privates approached. "Is it okay if Tully and I go have a beer before we head for our quarters?"
Troy glanced at Moffitt who shrugged in reply. "Sure, but only one. The Captain may have a new assignment for us soon."
"Got it Sarge, thanks."
Without it being said, it was understood that all the supplies were to be properly stowed before anything else. The sergeants headed for their meeting with the Captain while both privates got to work packing the jeeps.
"Don't make a sound."
Tully and Hitch froze at the order.
"Put your hands up and move around the jeeps. Over here."
They raised their hands and moved around the jeeps to stand between the vehicles and the wall of the motor pool.
The man giving the orders was the same one who had made Hitch drop his supplies. He held a rifle on them while another member of his quartet searched them for weapons. The second man tossed their knives into the back of the nearest jeep and stepped back.
"Tie their hands." The soldier with the rifle commanded. He glanced around to make sure they were alone, glancing nervously around from time to time.
"What's this all about Corporal?" Hitch asked.
"Shut up!" The Corporal snapped. "Pete, help Jimmy tie them up. Hurry up!"
The third man stepped forward with some short pieces of rope and between the two men they soon had both prisoners securely bound.
"What do you want?" Tully asked Pete.
"I said shut up!" The Corporal snarled. "Gag them, we can't have them yelling."
Gags were shoved into their mouths as both privates submitted without argument. They eyed the Corporal warily, trying in vain to place where they might have met him before.
Ignoring he prisoners, the Corporal turned to Pete, "Did Tommy get the truck?" Pete nodded in response, his head swiveling around as he watched for anyone headed their way. "Then signal him to get over here, this place is way too open for my liking. We need some privacy."
Pete stepped around the front of the jeeps and waved to a truck idling nearby. The driver put the truck in gear and revved the engine. He pulled into position in front of the jeeps and stopped. Both prisoners were hustled around the back and pushed bodily into the rear. Two of the soldiers, Pete and Jimmy, climbed into the back with them while the Corporal climbed into the cab with the driver. The driver wasted no time putting the truck in motion and getting clear of the motor pool. There was no outcry as they left the area with the two privates bundled into the rear.