The Promotion
Chapter 1
Nobody talked as the chopper touched ground at the small camp. Murdock did not even give his usual landing announcement complete with weather forecast and his trademark 'I hope you had a pleasant flight with Air Murdock'. They had been deep in enemy territory for the past three days and were all exhausted, sweaty and dirty. Very slowly they started to get out of the chopper.
"Okay guys, gather our gear and unload this bird while Murdock does his after flight…well, whatever Murdock does" Hannibal said.
Before he could go on Face threw in, "patting the bird on the shoulder and giving her a goodnight kiss."
"That too, but I was talking about the instrument check and all the getting it ready for the next flight thing. Anyway, as I said, you unload and I'll head over to the headquarters for a debriefing. Hope it will be short." With that Hannibal slowly trudged away.
Face sat at the door of the Cargo Bay with his head in his hands, "I'm so tired. I'm going to sleep for a week straight."
"Move it man. We're all tired. Get outta my way."
Face and BA got back inside to gather their gear, various weapons and left over ammo and handed it to Ray who was dumping it outside the chopper. When they finished Ray was first to grab his share and trudge away towards their assigned tent. As BA and Face were packing things on themselves Hannibal came back.
"That sure was a fast one", Face said.
"Gave him the coordinates where they can find the village. He didn't want details and I didn't wanna give them. The rest will be in the report."
"They won't send a troop out there anyway. We should have buried them."
"Face, we couldn't have done it between the four of us, we discussed that already." Intel had been terrible as per usual. Instead of finding the enemy ammo depot they were supposed to blow up they found a village that had been slaughtered and burned. Face had wanted to bury the bodies knowing full well that the army would never send a troop that far out to do the grim task but they could not risk staying around for long or even going into the village, not knowing how far the VC had retreated from the place or if they were just waiting for them. Instead they had radioed for Murdock to meet them at the prearranged LZ and gotten out of there to meet him.
"Colonel Smith, I have news for you." A young corporal who was in charge of the camp's radio room came hurrying their way. "Two days ago this came in for you." He handed Hannibal a paper.
Hannibal's mood brightened as he read, "Guys this is good news for a change. You two are both getting promoted. Fifteen days from today at Nah Trang."
BA forgot all about his tiredness. "A promotion, great. I have to inform my mama. She will be so proud. Sergant First Class, that makes me the highest rank in our entire family. She will throw a big party for all my uncles and aunties and cousins, all those that are in the states right now…."
Murdock came around the chopper at this moment, "Hey big guy what's up, you are bouncing with energy. What did you take?"
Hannibal repeated the good news for Murdock, "BA and Face are both getting promoted."
"That's great. Congrats."
BA picked up the rest of his share and walked away rumbling on about what he had to do and whom to inform. Face, who had been quietly packing and sorting the things he had to carry was now also ready to go.
"I'll head for the shower. Should anyone need me I'm at my bunk and don't intent to leave it in the next 48 hours." He slowly trudged away from the chopper.
"What was that? A kid at Christmas and the Grinch? BA over reacted while Face did not react at all."
"Ah Murdock come on, you were there for BA's last promotion. You know how he gets. I have seen the last two. He is always like that."
"Yeah, but the last announcement came just after a weak of R and R. I mean, he was so tired moments ago and now look at him. Even I'm too tired to be insane and I only had to wait by the chopper and not hike round through enemy territory for days."
Hannibal chuckled at that, "Don't tell BA you are too tired to be insane. He may make sure you never get a good night's rest again."
Murdock ignored him and went on," And what was that about Face? You would think with all his talks about high society and the scams to be somebody higher up the ranks he would be the one who is thrilled with the news and immediately start planning away. He did not react at all."
"Don't worry Murdock. It's all the exhaustion. I don't think the news has made it's way from his ears to his brain yet. Once he is rested you will wish he would shut up for a minute. That is when he is not off scamming something or other for the big occasion."
"Not much change then. He always has a running commentary or is off scamming something."
"True, but usually the topic changes from time to time. Come on Murdock, let's follow them and get some rest while we can."
