This is the Second installment of my Combat Mission Shorts Series...I do not own Hanley, Saunders, Caje, Kirby, Brockmeyer, McCall and Capt. Jampel...No copyright is intended and though I am borrowing the characters from the Combat! T.V. Series the story line is one of my own...no money is being made...Feedback is welcome but not necessary...Hope you enjoy!

Chapter One

Capt. Williams had been helping out Charlie Company while their regular Doctor was recovering from a bout of pneumonia. He had been making final notes on a patient's record when he heard a disturbance outside the Medical tent, several voices raised in warning and as he stepped outside he heard a deep voice raised in anger, his eyes widened at what he saw.

The soldier was at least 6 '4' and broad shouldered the helmet covering his head indicated an officer, he was carrying another soldier in his arms and the look he was giving the guards was enough to make them all nervous. Body tense the officer took a few more steps closer to the tent but at his movement four rifles were aimed at his chest. An intimidating sight to most but this officer didn't seem to care about the possible danger, his deep voice reverberating through the air as he spoke.

"I'm Lt. Hanley, 2nd Platoon, King Company, this man is Sgt. Saunders also from 2nd Platoon...he needs medical attention now…so either shoot me or get the Hell out of my way!"

Dr. Williams, told the men to lower their weapons and let the man through, after a moment of hesitation, the soldiers obeyed.

With a final glare, Lt. Hanley carried Saunders inside moving quickly to an exam table...gently laying the unconscious man down.

The Doctor moved to the injured man's side doing a quick visual examination. What happened?

"He was hit in the leg and grazed on the temple." Hanley informed the Doctor. "The bullet is still in his leg."

How long ago? Dr. Williams asked as he examined the leg wound, peeling back the bandage already applied noted it was bleeding sluggishly…grabbing a towel from a side table he pressed down and after a few minutes replaced the bandage, then repeated the process with the head wound.

"Maybe two or three hours, my men and I were on a mission when we ran into a German patrol and ended up in a fire fight the Sergeant was injured…didn't have a Medic so we radioed Captain Jampel and he told us this was the closest facility so I brought Saunders in."

"This will have to do until I can remove the bullet." Dr. Williams said. How long has he been unconscious?

"Fifteen minutes or so." Hanley answered. "He passed out a half mile back."

Glancing up at the Lieutenant he could see the man was a little pale...Are you injured Lt?

"Bullet grazed my arm but other than that I'm fine." Can you take care of the Sergeant? "I have to go back out…"

"Back out…you aren't going anywhere until I take care of that arm." Looking closely at the Lieutenant he could see fresh blood on his sleeve.

"Doctor…"

At this point a Corpsman and a Nurse stepped into the tent.

"Nurse Brady I need you to start prepping the Sergeant here for surgery, Sgt. Matthews help her, while I take care of the Lieutenants arm." Quickly they moved to follow his orders.

"Now Lt. Hanley remove your jacket and sit down." Pointing to a stool a few feet from where Saunders lay.

With reluctance Hanley sat, when the doctor got a look at the wound he caught the LT's eyes.

Graze? The Captain asked, raising an eyebrow at the LT…from what he could see a small caliber bullet had torn a four-inch furrow across the front of Hanley's left arm, a couple of inches above his bicep…about an inch deep.

Stubbornly Hanley lifted his head and held the Captains gaze. "Yes Sir."

"I'm going to have to stitch it up." Do you want anything for the pain?

"No Sir." Hanley sat stiffly, jaw tight as the Doctor cleaned the wound then applied the stitches.

It only took a few minutes for Dr. Williams to take care of the LT and by the time a bandage was in place the Nurse and Corpsmen had Saunders prepped and on his way to the Surgery unit. Williams examined the LT's face noted the paleness and light shadowing under his eyes {He should rest before heading back out but I doubt he will}

"LT...I'm going to give you extra bandages and some antiseptic...change the dressing on your arm every two to four hours and check back with me when you return." The Doctor continued as he adjusted the sling on Hanley's arm, "I would suggest that you try not to use it." Fastening the satchel he handed it to Hanley. "I could order you to stay put Lieutenant."

Hanley caught the Officers eyes and held his gaze. "You could Sir."

"But it wouldn't do any good would it?" Dr. Williams said with a frown.

"Probably not Sir...I'll be back to check on Sgt. Saunders when I bring the rest of the men in." Getting to his feet Hanley stood at attention, "Permission to leave Sir."

"Permission granted." As the LT turned and walked out, the Doctor moved quickly to the surgery unit to take care of Sgt. Saunders.

Hanley located the Company Commander to request a few men to accompany him back and some extra ammo, after explaining to Capt. Parker what had occurred the LT wait for an answer.

I'm sorry Hanley but half my men are out on patrols and if the Germans come this way we'll need every one still on site for defense." Captain Parker explained.

"What about extra ammo, Sir? Hanley asked tiredly.

The Captain signed a requisition form and passed it to the Lieutenant. "Take this to the Weapons Officer, tell him what you need." Looking Hanley in the eye, "Don't worry about Sgt. Saunders, Dr. Williams will take good care of him."

With a nod the Lieutenant turned to leave but before he was out the door the Captain spoke.

"Lieutenant, keep your head down out there I would hate to have to explain to the Sergeant that you didn't make it back."

Pausing for a moment, Hanley thought of the rest of his men still out there waiting for him to return, straightening his shoulders, turned to glance at the Captain. "I hope we all make it back in one piece but if we aren't here before Saunders wakes up, will you give him a message for me?"

Captain Parker examined the LT's face…he had known Hanley for two years, had even taken over for him as 2nd Platoon leader a few times when the LT had been injured or on one of his classified assignments.

He admired the man and respected the Officer, the stories he had heard about Hanley, Saunders and the rest of King Company were sometimes hard to believe but after working alongside them he had realized how true the stories were. They were a close knit group, all of the men exceptional on their own but as a Company they could do some amazing things. Like now for instance, Hanley looked like he could drop from fatigue, covered in dirt, sweat and blood, injured himself but still intent on completing his mission…nodding his head Parker hoped the men were still there when Hanley made it back.

What message would you like me to give him? Capt. Parker asked.

"Tell him that we will be back...that I expect him to be following Doctors orders and it's his turn to buy the drinks." With a last glance at the Captain, Hanley stepped outside and made his way to the armory. After gathering the extra supplies into a duffle bag he removed the sling from his arm and stuffed it in his coat pocket…then hooking the duffel over his right shoulder took off at a jog in the direction he had left his men.