This is a little something that came to mind, I call it a "Combat Mission Short", it's something new I wanted to try so feedback would be appreciated. The story line belongs to me but I am borrowing the characters of Lt. Hanley, Sgt. Saunders and various other members of King Company from the TV series "Combat!"…No Copyright is intended and no money is being made from this writing. Hope you enjoy!

CHAPTER 1

Kirby sat beside Saunders cot in Medical trying to figure out a way to tell him that Hanley and Brockmeyer were still missing. He, Caje and McCall had brought the Sergeant in five days ago after he had been wounded while on a mission to flush out a group of German soldiers at an old abandoned school. A squad of men from King company led by Lt. Hanley and a squad from Love Company led by Lt. Harper were given orders to clear the school out so that Battalion could set up an OC at that location.

Saunders: "Alright men fall in."

As he wait for the men to gather around Saunders made a mental list of who would go on the mission to check out the school. The assignment would only require twelve men counting himself and the LT as they would be meeting up with a squad from Love Company. Once he had the men's attention Saunders gave a brief explanation of what they were going to be doing.

"The Captain received information that the German's have taken over an abandoned school house to the north of us about sixteen miles." Saunders began. "We're going to check it out, the Lieutenant need's ten men to go on this little outing, so when I call your name step forward." Brockmeyer, Caje, Kirby, Little John, Nelson, McCall, Baker, Philips, Carson and Michaels, pack enough ammo and provisions for three days and meet me in front of Lt. Hanley's tent in thirty, the rest of you men fall out."

As Saunders made his way to Hanley's temporary office the LT stepped outside.

Are the men about ready Saunders?

"Yes Sir, they're getting extra supplies and should be here in fifteen minutes."

"The Captain thinks the Intel is wrong concerning how many Germans are at the school but Battalion doesn't agree so we have to stay sharp out there. For all we know they could have a whole platoon of soldiers waiting for us."

Can't the Captain get permission to send more men with us?

"He tried Saunders," Hanley said a note of frustration in his voice. "The best he could do was get a squad from Love Company…Battalion won't budge, they insist the Intel is good."

Looking the LT in the eye Saunders asked…What do you say?

"I say we should have more men, but orders are orders and unless the Intel changes the high ups aren't going to change their minds."

Fifteen minutes later the squad had formed up, after Saunders called the group to attention the LT gave the order to move out.

Caje was on night watch, positioned behind a tree several yards from the entrance of 2nd Platoons camp when he heard movement in the grass several feet from where he was hiding. Catching sight of two figures, one tall supporting a shorter figure, they were moving slowly as they made their way in Caje's direction.

Caje: (speaking quietly but clearly, weapon raised) "Stop right there, identify yourself…at first there was no response ." "Identify yourself…"Caje called again.

Hanley glanced over at his companion. "We made it back Private"…at those words Brockmeyer closed his eyes, felt his knees start to buckle then nothing. Hanley caught the man before he could hit the ground picked him up and continued toward the camp carrying the now unconscious man in his arms. When he heard Caje's accented voice he spoke.

"Caje…it's Hanley, I have Brockmeyer with me, he's injured…"

Caje reacted instantly when he heard the LT's voice but still cautious he spoke again. "Take a few steps closer, Sir."

As Hanley moved into the moonlight Caje could see it was indeed the LT…turning to his right, he called out. "Rollins, take my position." Caje moved toward the LT. "Sir, I can get a stretcher...

"Medical isn't that far…I can hold him til we get there."

"Alright Sir, we'll take it slow if you need to stop let me know."

Nodding Hanley took a breath and the two men moved toward camp. As Caje walked beside Hanley he kept thinking {They made it back…they made it back}

It had been five days since Caje, Kirby and McCall had brought a wounded Saunders back on Hanley's orders. The LT and Brockmeyer had stayed behind to watch the back trail, McCall and Kirby carried Saunders on a litter while Caje scouted ahead keeping an eye out for Germans. Took them a day to get back to King company, Saunders was taken immediately to surgery to remove two bullets, he made it through the operation but for the past 4 days a fever had kept him company.

How's Saunders, Caje?

"He made it through surgery, he's had a fever but Rollins told me it broke a short time ago so he should be alright…Kirby has been sitting with him…Serge woke up several times during the past few days asking about you and Brockmeyer, Kirby wasn't sure what to tell him…we weren't sure you two were coming back and Kirby didn't want to be the one to tell Saunders."

"We had a little more trouble than anticipated." (He adjusted Brockmeyer, cradling the unconscious man closer to his chest) Glancing down at the man in his arms he sighed. "I'm sorry he got shot but I'm sure glad he was with me." Seeing the curious look on the Cajun's face he said. "I'll explain later once we get Brockmeyer taken care of."

Caje quickly placed a hand under the LT's elbow when the man stumbled but the LT maintained his hold on the injured man. Now that there was more light, he could see that Hanley was pale, blood was trickling from a small cut over his left eye. Are you alright Lt?

"I'm a little worse for wear but I'll be alright once I get Brockmeyer tended too and can look in on Saunders." Is Captain Jampel on site?

"Yes Sir, I'll take you to him once we finish up at Medical." "Kirby will be glad to see you, he's had his hands full trying to keep the Serge down." "When you two hadn't made it back Sgt. Saunders was trying to dress and head out to find you, Doc stopped him, figures he wasn't thinking straight because of the fever, threatened to tie Serge down if he didn't stay put."

Hanley smiled at the imagery.

At that moment Brockmeyer let out a low groan, looking down Hanley could see the man was still unconscious just restless. "Easy Soldier, it's alright, you'll be alright." Hanley adjusted the man's weight in his arms and continued toward the Med. Tent.