SHOT TO HELL

Chapter 1

It was mid October but the weather had held since September. The mild conditions had been a bonus to men who seemed to spend a lot of their time outside or holed up in tumbled down buildings. Their last mission had been physically draining so after catching up on their sleep they had decided that tonight they would relax down at The Doves, without the guards of course.

The look on Garrison's face when he had appeared on the terrace above the steps where they were lounging, planning their evening, told them the bad news.

"I want to see you all in my office, now." He held the door expectantly.

As they trudged up the steps and in the door Goniff spoke as he passed their leader, "Guess our time off's shot to 'ell."

Garrison, who had just returned from London, went over with the men, what little details of their mission that he had been given. Their contact would have the rest. They had returned from their last one only three days ago and Garrison felt they should be rested but Casino disagreed. They glared at each other but eventually Casino dropped his eyes. Garrison ordered them to get their gear and be out front in fifteen minutes.

They piled into the truck to go to the airport but part way there it stalled. They waited for a few minutes as the driver tried to restart the vehicle with no success. Chief hoped out and went around to the front. He lifted the hood to check after telling the driver to hold off for a minutes. He began checking a few things that might be causing the problem. A few minutes later he told the driver to try it. Again there was nothing. When Chief asked for tools, he was handed a box. He returned to the engine compartment again and after a moment began to hit something with the head of a large wrench. The driver jumped down and ran around to the front.

With side arm drawn and aimed he yelled. "What do you think you're doing destroying government property. Get down from there."

Chief stopped himself in time. He had been tempted to throw the wrench at the driver. Instead he put it down and jumped backwards from the bumper he had been standing on. With a look of hatred on his face he raised his hands out to the sides and stepped back.

At the sound of the driver yelling Garrison had gotten out of the passenger side of the cab where he had been riding. He approached as Chief landed on the pavement. "What's going on here?"

"Your convict was trying to destroy the engine. That's government property." His gun was trained on Chief who stood with hands still half raised at his sides.

Garrison looked at his man expecting an answer but Chief just stood staring with hatred at the guard. He looked over to the guard and said "It's all right put it away."

"But he's…."

"I said put it away," he repeated a little more forcefully. "Get in the truck." When the driver hesitated he added, "Now." The man saluted and complied. Garrison turned back to his team member. "Can you fix it?"

"No. The word was said quietly but was filled with anger. "Tell Big Mouth to do it himself." With that Chief walked around to the back of the truck and climbed in. The others who had gotten out when the shouting had started followed him.

"What was all that about?" asked Goniff once they were settled. All he got was silence. Chief sat with one foot up on the bench in front of him, staring at the canvas cover across from him. They could all feel the anger radiating off their team mate.

Garrison motioned for the driver to try the starter but with no luck. He sorted out his options. Should he talk to Chief again? The man was understandably angry. He could radio for another truck but when he checked his watch he saw there was not a lot of time until they were to take off. The plane would wait; they were the only passengers but they were on a tight schedule.

Making what he hoped was the right decision Garrison walked around to the back, moved the flap aside and asked Chief to get down. He was greeted by silence and a total lack of movement by anyone. When he again called his name, there was a moment of silence before Chief rose with out looking at him, climbed down and stood with his back to his leader.

"Chief, we're on a tight schedule. We have to be at the airport in twenty minutes. I can radio for another truck but that might take too long." Then he threw in what he hoped was the clincher. "Other wise we'll have to walk the last couple of miles. Can you fix it?"

After a long moment of silence he spoke with out turning. His anger still evident. "On one condition." Chief turned and glared at Garrison. A feral glint appearing in his eyes. "I get a shot at Big Mouth."

"You know I can't do that." he answered calmly, even though he knew the man had asked for it. It would also make Chief feel better but the English Private was under his command and thus under his protection. Stalemate again. He could try ordering Chief to fix it but he knew he might as well order the rain to stop.

"Warden?" Actor lifted the flap and climbed down to face Garrison. "What is the delay?"

Chief saw his chance. He silently slipped up to the drivers door. "You better watch your ass. Next time you might not have the man behind you." He stepped towards the engine compartment and listened as an evil smile appeared on his normally stoic face. He waited as the driver got out of the truck and came up behind him.

"Are you threatening me, you good for nothing.."

"No," he interrupted as he turned. His right fist exploded in the man's face. "I just do it." His victim fell backwards onto the road as Chief walked up to the bumper and climbed up. He picked up the wrench and tightened the bolt, then returned the tool to its place in the box. From the corner of his eye he saw the driver get up as the Lt. approached. Chief jumped down and hitting the driver with his shoulder and elbow for good measure as he pushed past him, climbed into the driver's seat. After a cough the engine fired and Chief returned to the back after giving his victim an evil grin.

Garrison and the driver climbed into the cab and they drove off to the airfield.

Fortunately the pilot was just heading for the plane when they arrived.

"Let's go," was all he had time to say as he and the others disembarked. They all raced for the plane.