Chapter 2

Hanley glanced over at Kovac, something was bothering the Private if the body language and frown marring his features were any indication. "How many miles have we traveled?

Checking the odometer before replying, Kovac told him they had covered close to twenty miles, Hanley looked at his watch calculating that they would be at their first destination in less than thirty minutes which would put the time at just before 0900.

"When we reach C Company go ahead and refuel, see if their mechanic can give the jeep a quick check, we have a lot of ground to cover in a short amount of time and do not need to worry about the vehicle breaking down, we'll refill our canteens and see if Capt. Richards can spare a few gallons of water to take with us." Hanley instructed.

"Yes Sir." Kovac glanced over at the LT, catching the man massaging his temple. Are you alright Sir?

"Yeah, just a little reminder of my last assignment." Hanley said with a tired smile, wincing when bruised skin came in contact with hard vinyl as he shifted in his seat trying to find a comfort zone.

"How far is Mike Company from where we're headed, Sir?" Kovac asked.

"According to the map, Mike is 50 miles E of Charlie Company and King Company is 60 miles NE of Mike." Hanley answered, "If we don't run into any trouble we should be with King by noon."

"Sir, are you expecting trouble?" Kovac asked. Casting a quick look at the LT before focusing back on the road ahead.

Hanley took a moment to review the information Capt. Jampel had provided, Battalion had taken aerial photos showing heavy equipment being transported by the Germans, coordinates indicated they were heading toward the town of Leaide where the Germans had set up a Command Center, it was centrally located between Allied and German territory. If the Allied group could take the town it could prevent access to vital areas of German strongholds thus cutting off access to supply trucks, heavy armored tanks and prevent any resupply of fresh troops to the German Army in that area. The Germans would be on alert for any enemy troops moving toward the town and would try to take them out, even two men passing in a jeep would be open to attack.

"I think the route from M Company to K Company will be patrolled by the Germans." Glancing at the PVT. "We'll have to move quickly through that area, if we're lucky the Germans won't pass through until after we've made it to camp."

Arriving at Charlie Company, Kovac dropped Lt. Hanley off at the Command Center and made his way to the Motor Pool, looking around for the Mechanic-in-Charge was surprised to find a man from Love Company.

"Kevin…What are you doing here? Kovac asked as he shook hands with the Private.

"Lt. Jackson sent me here to help out Charlie until their mechanic is back on his feet." Pvt. Daniels replied with a grin. "What about you?

"I've been assigned to be Lt. Hanley's driver for the day." Kovac informed his friend.

Frowning Daniels stared at the other man. "Lt. Hanley…from King Company?"

Kovac had told Daniels what had happened after receiving word about his ex-wife, only because they had been friends for years. Looking at Steve now, Daniels could see the guilt was eating at him and having to spend the day as the LT's driver…well, if it had been up to him he would have made Kovac come clean with the Lieutenant a year ago. His friend had been taking too many risks the past nine months trying to prove he was better than the man he had been during his last few days under Lt. Hanley's command.

Are you going to tell him? He asked quietly.

Removing his helmet Kovac ran a hand through his hair in frustration, "I want to Kevin, I just don't know how…you know…I still have nightmares."

"Then it's time you let it go, don't you think." Daniels began, "Appears to me that you've been given an opportunity to fess up…from what I've heard about Lt. Hanley he's a fair man, you need to tell him."

"I know…I know." Kovac said replacing his helmet, "Right now I need you to go over the jeep we have some miles to cover in a short amount of time and the Lieutenant wants to make sure it's in good working condition."

"No problem, you going to refuel as well? Daniels asked as he began checking out the vehicle.

"Yes, after you give her a clean bill of health." Kovac answered with a grin.

For the next thirty minutes the two men worked in tandem, inspecting tire's, belts, tapping fluids, checking plugs, wires and lights. After filling up the gas tank, Kovac took the driver's seat.

"You should be good to go, everything checks out." Daniels said as he wiped his hands with a towel.

"Thanks Kevin." Kovac said as he grasped his friend's hand.

"Welcome, I'll be back with L Company in about a week." Daniels informed him. "I'll treat you to a meal in the mess."

"Look forward to it." Kovac said with a grin as he started the jeep and went to pick up the LT.

Meeting LT. Hanley at the water barrels next to the Mess Tent, he helped load two five gallon containers of water into the back of the jeep securing them to the floor boards.

"Everything check out on the Jeep." Hanley asked as he settled into the passenger seat

"Yes, Sir…we're fueled up and ready to go." Kovac took his place behind the wheel, hit the switch to start the jeep then glanced over at Lt. Hanley. "Are you ready, Sir?"

"Yes, let's head out."

Kovac spent the first fifteen miles of the drive to M Company trying to come up with an opening to tell the LT what he had done. Taking his eyes off the road for a second, he glanced at the LT who was scanning the area, eyes alert, posture a little stiff, though the hand holding onto his carbine looked relaxed. Focusing back on the road he took a deep breath. "Sir, I need to tell you something."