Combat! Mission Short: The Beginning
Written By
Wondering Amber
Welcome to another episode of my Combat! Mission Short Series brought to you by request. As always I do not own the characters, I merely take them out for a stroll once in a while…I make no monies from this story and no copyright is intended. Sgt. Saunders and Lt. Hanley star in tonight's episode. I tried to kill two requests with one story and I hope it fits the bill, thanks for the ideas…You two know who you are...Also, for the reader that requested Hanley's POV for the episode "Survival" I'm working on it…Now, Let's Start the Show!
Hanley lay on a bed in King Company's Medical Unit sleeping, long dark lashes almost blending with the dark circles under the closed eyes, bruising on his cheek and chin were evidence of being in a physical altercation at some point in the past few days, there were a few shallow cuts on his forehead and a dark bruise covered his right temple. A bandage covered a knife wound high on his right shoulder and a cold compress had been placed on his left side to ease the swelling of bruised ribs a sheen of perspiration covered his features due to the low grade fever caused by an infection in the knife wound. There were bruises covering his torso, back and a few darker ones could be seen in various locations on his legs and calves.
Dr. Porter adjusted the IV drips to allow more fluids and antibiotics to flow through the sleeping man's bloodstream before taking a seat on a stool beside the patient. He replaced the bandage on the shoulder wound and applied a light coating of medicated salve to the cuts on the man's face. Removing his gloves, the Doctor tossed them in the waste can a few feet from where he sat then placed a palm on Lt. Hanley's forehead to check for fever. Settling back on the stool Dr. Porter started making notes in the Lieutenants chart.
Hearing footsteps approaching the Doctor glanced up from his writing to see Sgt. Saunders making his way toward the bed. The Sergeant had been a frequent visitor during the past five days keeping vigil by the Lieutenants side between sentry duties.
"Evening Sergeant." Dr. Porter said as he continued to make notes in the chart.
How is he Doc? Saunders asked as he stood at the foot of Hanley's bed…scanning the sleeping man's features as the Doctor finished updating the LT's record. "He looks better…doesn't seem as restless." He commented quietly.
Closing the chart, Dr. Porter stood up moving to stand beside the Sergeant. "His fever's down…we managed to get the infection under control which is allowing him to get more restful sleep."
Saunders glanced over at the Doc. Has he woke up at all? It's been five days, Sir.
"No he hasn't…we've tried to wake him but so far we haven't had any luck." Dr. Porter frowned as he stared at his patient. "I know you can't tell me about the mission but did LT. Hanley say anything about what happened to him after he was found?"
"We didn't find him…he found us." Saunders stated. "My squad got separated from the rest of the Platoon during an attack by a group of German soldiers…it took a while to clear them out and after…we tried to contact the LT…no response…we made our way to the rendezvous point and wait for the rest of the men to arrive. After a head count we had five unaccounted for the LT and Private Jennings were among the five, so I sent a few patrols out. The bodies of three of the missing soldiers were found a few miles from our location but there wasn't any sign of Lt. Hanley or Jennings."
"How long was it before he found you?" Dr. Porter asked.
Saunders focused on the LT before answering. "I hadn't seen him or the Private since before noon, that would put them missing for about eight hours…it was just past eight when he stumbled in…alone…his uniform was ripped and bloody, he could barely stand." Saunders paused a moment. "He walks up to me…"
"Saunders…I had to leave Jennings fifteen yards back, behind those trees (pointing to the left on his back trail) he's unconscious…I couldn't carry him any further…
Saunders pressed both palms against Hanley's chest to help steady him when the man swayed…catching sight of Caje and Brockmeyer he told them to go bring Jennings in. Quickly the two men head in the direction the LT had given and within minutes were back, Brockmeyer had Jennings up in a fireman's carry while Caje watched the back trail. As soon as the men settled Jennings on a blanket the LT caught Saunders eyes.
"You have command Sergeant…I'm beat."
Saunders caught the LT as he passed out.
What did you do then?
"Fixed him up a place to sleep, made him as comfortable as we could…cleaned and bandaged the knife wound then took turns watching over him." Saunders replied frowning. "Jennings had been hit hard in the back of the head and I assigned one of my men to keep watch over him with instructions to try and wake him every fifteen to twenty minutes." Saunders rubbed at his chin. "The PVT finally came too but couldn't remember anything during the time he and Lt. Hanley had been gone." Glancing at the Doc. "How is Jennings?
Dr. Porter looked over at the only other bed currently occupied. "He'll be out of commission for a while…he's lucky…that blow to the head could have killed him."
"I don't understand Doc…Jennings has woken up several times…why hasn't the LT? Saunders asked looking from Jennings to Hanley.
"Sergeant." Capt. Porter began, "Pvt. Jennings sustained a severe concussion but other than a few scratches he's otherwise unhurt…your LT on the other hand, his body has taken a little more punishment and needs time to recover." Saunders didn't look reassured so he tried to place the man's attention elsewhere. "When Hanley woke the next morning how was he?
"A little groggy…he was hurting but I didn't want to give him any morphine because his pupils were a little uneven and when I asked a few basic questions his response time was slow." Saunders glanced toward Jennings before continuing. "We made a litter for Jennings…he was having trouble staying conscious, every time he tried to sit up he'd get sick or pass out…figured it'd just be easier on him if he stayed down."
Nodding Dr. Porter agreed. "It was the right thing to do in his case."
"We tried to get Lt. Hanley to stay down but he wasn't as cooperative." Saunders said with a frown.