June 28th, 1778 Monmouth, New Jersey
"Awww man. Why does it have to be so hot? And at this early in the morning?"
"SHUT UP MAXWELL!" Wufei yelled, the heat obviously frustrating him as well, though he would never admit it. "One more complaint and I will have you court marshaled!"
Meanwhile at the front of the Gundams' column, Heero and Trowa conversed about the forthcoming engagement.
"So Clinton is the new commander?(1) You know what his nickname is back in England don't you?" Trowa asked.
"The shy bitch."(2) Heero said in monotone.
Trowa laughed out loud, a rarity. "Yeah, that's the one." He continued to laugh.
"To be honest though, I'm more worried about Clinton than Howe."
Trowa stopped laughing. "What do you mean?"
"Think about it. Clinton was the one who devised that flanking attack on us on Long Island two years ago. I think if Clinton was commanding that day instead of Howe, we would have been done for."
"Because Howe stopped the attack…and Clinton probably would not have."
"Exactly. Clinton has the killer instinct that I don't think Howe has. He was also the one who outflanked us at Brandywine too."
"You're right. We better be on our guard."
The Continental Army was currently pursuing the British army, which had left Philadelphia and was on its way back to New York to defend against any possible French naval attack. Washington led the army from Valley Forge to attack. The battle would be an important one, and everyone in the Continental Army knew it. It would be the first test of the new and improved; Von Steuben-trained troops.
Wufei rode up to the two officers. "Everyone's ready for a fight."
Quatre rode up. "Me and the Maganacs are ready to go."
Heero nodded. "All we need to do now is catch up with the redcoats and receive our orders."
General Charles Lee, who Washington had placed in command of the pursuing force rode up to Heero and Trowa. "I've issued orders to General Wayne to make contact with the British. I want you all to stay put for now, I'll need a lightning force in reserve."
Lee rode off, as did Quatre, who went to rejoin his men. Neither Heero or Trowa were confident in Lee, he had shown hesitation in the days leading up to this encounter and they were not sure that his heart wanted an engagement. Several minutes later, they could hear the crackling of gunfire and see the bluish smoke of combat rising in the distance.
Wufei growled. "Why are we sitting here idly?! We could have rode up behind Wayne's brigade and picked off British officers at the very least!"
Heero continued to watch the battle from his telescopic sight. The pace was beginning to pick up.
"Shit." Heero muttered.
"What's going on?" Wufei asked.
"The British are being reinforced."
"Wayne's in trouble." Trowa muttered while looking into his own sight. "A lot of British troops are approaching."
"And now they're bringing in horse troops." Heero stated as he saw a troop of horsemen approach General Wayne's troops. "Everyone get ready!" Heero stated somewhat presciently, as he knew they were about to be sent into action. "Wufei, you stay with me. Trowa, you go to the rear and coordinate with Quatre."
Trowa said nothing and spurred Heavyarms toward the rear and the adjacent Maganac Corps.
As if on cue, General Lee rode up to Heero.
"Major, I want you and Captain Winner to get over there and stop those advancing redcoats, especially the horsemen. They are threatening our right flank. You'll be going in with Lafayette's infantry."
Heero was already ready for the order and complied immediately. The Dragoons thundered ahead of the infantry toward battle.
"All right Quatre." Trowa said. "While we do our thing, you know what to do."
"Right!" He nodded and broke off.
Heero raised his Buster Rifle and fired a shot. The shot knocked his target off its horse. The panicked animal disrupted the rest of its squad's maneuvering. The rest of the dragoons followed suit, each picking their targets and firing.
Duo dismounted Deathscythe and aimed at an officer who was trying to restore order. A flash later, he was fallen.
As the Gundams peppered the British with accurate fire, causing confusion among their ranks, Quatre and his Maganac Corps waited for the right moment.
"Master Quatre."
"Wait a little bit longer Rashid."
Trowa dismounted Heavyarms and fired his second Kentucky Rifle. The shot hit his target through the hip, causing him to tumble from the horse.
Wufei fired a pistol shot at a cavalryman charging at him. He then turned and spent his second pistol in a similar fashion.
"Damn it, Major!" Wufei shouted as he began to reload one of his pistols. Where is Quatre? He needs to come now!"
Heero said nothing and reloaded his second pistol.
"They're all reloading. All right Maganacs! Now!"
Quatre spurned Sandrock forward, followed by the rest of the Maganacs desperately trying to catch up to their leader.
Heero caught a charge of horses out of the corner of his eye.
"Wufei."
Wufei looked in the direction Heero looked at and saw the Maganacs quickly advancing.
"Men, fall back a little, hurry!" Heero ordered.
The Gundams spurred their horses to retreat a little to let the Maganacs do their work as a heavy cavalry unit.
"Fall back and reload men." Trowa ordered calmly. "Now Quatre, show us how you can fight…" He mumbled to himself.
"Charge Maganacs!" Quatre shouted as he drew out his saber.
As the British cavalry attempted to chase the Gundams, they saw the Maganacs thundering toward them on their right. The shock in their eyes turned to desperation in an instant, as Quatre's cavalry slammed into them.
Quatre swung and slashed and hacked, fighting with a ferocity that was such out of character for him that even his own men showed their shock. But the battle continued, and blood was spilled.
Heero took off his hat to wipe the sweat off his forehead. "Are the men reloaded and ready for another charge?"
"Yes sir." Wufei said as he rode up.
"Charge men! Pistol charge, now!"
Heero spurred Zero forward, with the men rushing after him. Heero pulled out a pistol and fired, the ball penetrated his target center-mass. He pulled out his second, but a sudden jerk by Zero caused him to miss his man. Wufei promptly saved him from having some body part hacked off by his intended target's saber by shooting him himself.
"You have to stop being so reckless sir." Wufei said with a sarcastic smirk.
Heero merely smirked back before they were occupied again.
Duo hated close quarter fighting. He liked to fight from afar and not be seen. That was his style, this was not. His mouth opened with a nervous pant as he had just missed having his ear sliced off. Duo was a good marksman, but not a very good swordfighter, and this was all the proof he needed. Suddenly, his man went down due to a gunshot wound. Trowa was by his side the next second, holding up one of his four pistols.
"Watch yourself, Maxwell."
"I just…hate this type of fight sir! When do we get to shoot our rifles again?"
Trowa laughed at his nervousness. "You'll be fine."
Heero met up with Quatre as the British 16th Light Dragoons were now in full retreat.
"You fought well."
Quatre smiled and nodded his gratitude at the compliment. He opened his mouth to reply, but his voice was quickly cut off by the sound of drums and bugles. Their heads turned towards the marching mass of red with a cloud of dust in its wake. Heero peered through his telescopic sight, Quatre soon followed.
"Damn, there must be fourteen battalions approaching us." Heero stated.
"There's no way we can take them, we have to order a retreat." Quatre suggested.
Cannon thundered into the infantry. Limbs and other body parts began to litter the field. Heero retook control of his command and ordered Wufei to signal a retreat, Quatre did the same with Rashid. The two units of cavalry quickly ran into General Lee, who ordered them to find shelter.
General George Washington was beyond surprised at the seemingly hordes of retreating troops he was encountering. What the hell was going on?! The last correspondence he had with General Lee stated that everything was 'well enough.' But he was not happy with that response, and from the looks of things, for just reasons. Then he saw a person he knew he could trust.
"Major Yuy, what is going on here?! Why are you retreating?!"
"General Lee's orders, sir."
The Generals blue eyes suddenly became lit with a rage that Heero had never seen before. Heero himself was frightened for a second.
"Come with me." Washington ordered as he spurred his horse onward.
"I guess we'll serve as the general's bodyguard for a little bit." Trowa remarked with an enthusiastic grin.
Several minutes later, Washington found Lee leading a retreating column.
"General, what is the meaning of this?!"
"We couldn't hold out…we were being enveloped. If we hadn't retreated we'd have been done for!"
"Well I've been hearing that you were sitting idly by and not giving any orders to counter the British!"
"But sir, I…"
"But nothing. Now listen up you dumb son of a bitch! I am going to take command since my trust in you was obviously misplaced! Get out of here!"
Lee looked shocked before he skulked off.
"Major Yuy, on me. Quickly!" He ordered as he spurred his horse onward.
"Dragoons!" Heero signaled to follow.
"I can't believe that General Washington swore." Quatre said.
"Me neither, but I kind of like it." Trowa laughed. "He's got a fire in him now!"
They caught up with the retreating American troops.
"Sir, the British are going to catch up with us!" One of the officers said.
Washington drew his saber. "Get behind the bushes!" He shouted and rode expertly through the mass of humanity. "Behind the bushes! Hurry! Now! Set a defense!" He looked at Heero. "That means you too kid! Get in there!"
Heero was stunned at his commander's determination, but quickly regained his senses. "Dragoons! Behind the bushes now!" He shouted as Washington galloped off.
The Gundam Dragoons hurried behind the infantry in the bushes and dismounted from their horses, taking firing positions. Quatre re-formed the Maganacs at the back in case the British penetrated any part of the firing line.
"Everyone is loaded and ready to go sir." Wufei whispered into Heero's ear from their concealed position.
"Have you instructed Duo to specifically go after officers?"
"It's been nearly three years, he knows the routine."
"Hn. Trowa's got the other wing in order."
The same bugles and drums that they heard earlier began to ring through the air along with the steady beat of marching feet. Soon, the mass of red could be seen, once again approaching the Americans.
"Here come those battalions…" Wufei trailed.
"We should be able to get a couple of volleys in before they come into normal musket range."
Once the British had reached around 300 yards from their position, Heero gave the order to fire. The Gundams rapidly poured out their rounds and pricked the British line, causing visible shock among the British ranks.
"Keep hitting them! Don't stop!" Wufei shouted.
The other American units posted there were visibly grateful that the long arm of the Gundams was with them in this defense.
Heero was the first to finish the reloading process and fired his Buster Rifle with two quick shots one after the other. They were both hits.
Meanwhile, Duo down the line marked his man and fired. The target was a British officer behind the line that fell from his horse.
The well-trained British regulars continued their steady march despite the losses.
"Man, they just keep coming." Trowa said with grit and even admiration.
"It doesn't matter. We'll make this hedge a Thermopylae if we have to!" Duo declared enthusiastically, receiving cheers from everyone who heard, Gundams or not.
The British stopped and prepared to fire a musket volley. The American infantry fired their own. The mass of red presented arms, and then a cloud of flashes and blue smoke erupted. A few screams were heard from the American line, but the hedge provided good cover.
"Prepare to return volley!" One of the infantry officers yelled.
"Gundams! Keep firing!" Heero ordered.
The Americans fired their own volley in retaliation, watching some of the mass of red fall. The British again presented arms and fired into the American line.
Duo shot one of the lieutenants organizing the British line for a third volley. This caused many of the redcoats to be jumpy at the accurate fire coming from the hedge. The other officers and sergeants were not deterred. They mustered for a third volley and fired it. The British officers then began to raise their swords and marshaled their units closer to the hedge.
"They must have finally figured out that they won't get much done at that range with us in this hedge." Wufei said to Heero.
"They'll probably march to within fifty yards. Get ready for some close-in fire."
"Washington, you better move it fast." Trowa muttered to himself on the other end of the line, referring to the general bringing up the rest of the army.
The Gundams continuously peppered the British with fire while the Continental infantry fired another volley into them, with many more going down as a result of the closer range.
"Present!" The voices of the British officers were clearly heard now.
"Brace for impact!" Trowa shouted.
The British line opened up, the crackling of muskets sounded much louder and the flashing of fire was much more luminous. The impact of lead balls onto human flesh could be heard throughout the line.
The man beside Trowa was hit in the chest, the blood poured out like a river. Fortunately, his pain was brief. But his attention was quickly taken away by the order of the British officers.
"Fixed bayonets!"
"All right…here we go…" Trowa muttered.
Duo gulped as he made ready to fire his last round of ammunition before the British would get there.
The Americans fired one last volley and fixed their own bayonets.
"Now we will see the true measure of Von Steuben's training." Wufei muttered.
The two lines collided. Guns had been turned into spears and it seemed that modern warfare had reverted back to ancient. Phalanx fought phalanx. Combatants were right in each other's faces, looking at fearful eyes and smelling the enemy's blood.
One British soldier attempted to stab his bayonet at Heero, who dodged. The man was not done though, as he almost hit Heero's face with the butt of his musket, which would have meant a bayonet wound in the stomach not a second later. Instead Heero was pulled down to the ground by the arm and Wufei thrust his own bayonet upward into the offender's sternum. He fell to the ground with the blood rushing out of his mouth.
"That's the second time today Major." Wufei said as he helped Heero up. "Honestly, what would your dear Relena say to me if I allowed you to get killed out here?" He asked with a sarcastic grin.
Heero did not want to think about his new love interest, he did not have the time to now. "Get to the horses." Heero ordered calmly. "Get the men on their horses, now."
Wufei nodded and began shouting orders.
Heero sprinted down the line, shooting a redcoat in the back along the way with his pistol and saving the life of a Continental infantryman.
"Trowa!" He shouted once he was sure that he would be heard. When Trowa turned his head toward him, he continued. "Get the men on their horses!"
Trowa nodded to him and began to direct the Gundams to their horses stationed further back.
Heero sprinted onto Zero. He drew his saber. "Quatre! We could use your help about now!"
Quatre nodded and spurred the Maganacs to charge. The Dragoons came charging on their heels. Heero raised his saber and hacked down at his first target, ripping through the hat he wore and smashing through his skull, creating a bloody inferno before he hit the earth. Zero in the meantime, fearful of the bayonets, kicked and bit and thumped his way through the British ranks, trampling all those who stood in his path.
Trowa in the meantime commanding the Gundams' left, rode upon his target with such high velocity that the saber strike to his opponent's neck sliced the head clean off. Duo, riding by his side looked nervous as ever in close quarters, but spurred forward, parrying blows and moving out of danger.
Heero heard the bones of the enemy break beneath Zero's trampling hooves. He hacked and slashed at the redcoats, their blood splashed in his face and mixed with his sweat from the hundred degree heat.
The entire American defense line took notice and cheered him on. Quatre and his Maganacs watched with awe and admiration, and even the British showed respect on their faces.
Then more bugles and drums could be heard in the distance, with a mass of red approaching the battleground.
"Even more of them?! Man, they just don't stop!" Quatre said as he rode up to Heero.
"We have to withdraw." Trowa stated as he rode up in front of Heero. "I think the infantry are also getting the idea." He referred to the fact that the infantry were slowly backing away.
"I have to say, Von Steuben did a hell of a job. We stood up to a full-blown bayonet charge by the redcoats." Wufei stated in a voice that showed his content.
"Get a retreat of the dragoons in order. We'll cover the infantry with rifle fire."
Trowa and Wufei nodded. Wufei rode off immediately while Trowa turned to his friend.
"Heero." Trowa said just before he rode off. "You and Zero looked like Alexander and Bucephalus back there."
Heero just smirked as Trowa went on his way. He began to marshal the men nearby to fall back.
Duo rode away from the clash. He took his Kentucky Rifle and fired it into the head of what looked like a British sergeant.
"Sure beats sword and bayonet fighting!" He said with relief as he wiped even more sweat from his brow. He'd been sweating all day. The sweat from his armpits alone had caused the sides of his uniform to become soaked, and Duo was sure everyone else on the field was feeling the same.
"Let's go, private!" He was snapped out of his thoughts by Trowa riding past him.
"Right!" Duo fumbled out of his mouth as he spurred Deathscythe to a gallop.
Colonel Treize Khushrenada stood at position and watched artillery being rushed in at the direction of his commanding officer, General Nathaniel Greene. They were in a very strong position known as Comb's Hill, with Treize taking command of this place. The field reports dictated that the British were coming, and the American advance units had made an orderly withdrawal.
"Ready for a fight?" Milliardo galloped up to him.
Treize merely nodded his assent. "You know what to do."
Milliardo nodded and rode off to his command on the regiment's right wing.
Later, the familiar bugles and drums could be heard and the mass of red could be seen in the distance with clouds of dust in its wake. No sooner were they spotted than the artillery above Greene's men began to fire. It was easy to see the carnage the solid shot wreaked on the British ranks even from where they were standing.
Milliardo waited perched atop Tallgeese as the redcoats approached to within 600 yards. 500 yards. 400 yards. The moment seemed to take forever, even though their ranks suffered heavily as a result of the artillery fire.
Finally, the British got within firing distance.
"Fire!" Treize shouted at his men.
The American line opened up on the British. Redcoats fell, and to their commanding officer's great credit, realized the impossibility of the situation that they were in. They quickly returned a volley, felling some Americans, and withdrew.
"Bunch of fools." One of Treize's lieutenants said to him.
"Be careful, it's not over yet."
Soon enough, the redcoats were back, this time with cannon. The cannon shot at each other, thunder meeting thunder. A long artillery duel began, with neither side seeming to have any other move up their sleeve.
Finally, Treize heard Milliardo's voice on his side. "We've got movement."
Treize followed his friend's eyes to their left. The British sent horses and infantry against the left of the Continental line, with cannon still fighting cannon. The infantry slugged it out with cavalry trying to get in on the flanks and any openings that presented themselves. Slowly, the British were approaching a small stream that divided them from Washington.
"We'll fall back to Greene's position with the main division; make sure to get the artillery out."
Milliardo nodded and rode off, preparing to brave cannon fire.
Heero and Trowa looked on from their position as the British came across the stream, what they met was not what they had expected.
It was a fortified position with ten guns. The Gundams did not even need to lift their rifles, as the artillery bombarded them long before they would get within range. It only took a few shots for the British to withdraw.
"They'll be back with their guns." Trowa said.
"Hn."
In a mirror of the previous action, the British were. They positioned their own guns and fired upon the American guns.
"Ahhh, I think I'll just kick back and watch a nice artillery duel." Duo said as he lay on the ground to rest.
"Maxwell…" Wufei seethed at his annoying actions.
Heero merely smirked at the two as he washed Zero's blood-stained coat with some water.
"Relax." Trowa had to shout over the thundering of nearby cannon. "The much-needed rest is not unwelcome." Trowa sat down and began to eat some of his day's ration.
Quatre stood with his hand on Sandrock's head, giving the horse several pats every so often. He watched the artillery fire at one another intensely. A bright flash behind him was met by a still very luminous flash on the other side. The impact of the solid shot cannon upon the earth could be heard for miles across the field.
"Master Quatre." Rashid said, hoping Quatre had heard him.
"What is it Rashid?" He had to shout the last word over the thunder of a cannon going off.
"I just came back to report that the men and horses are so exhausted that they will need more rest."
"Yeah, even for us the heat is overwhelming. But it looks like this artillery duel could go on for quite some time, so just try not to exert yourself so much. I have a feeling we'll be back in it before the fighting ends."
"Understood." He had to yell over yet another cannon shooting.
The solid shot continued to scream through the air. It had been going on for hours. Treize watched the duel continue in a loud, unnerving stalemate. He had rejoined Greene and was preparing for the next move. The men were ready to fight once more. Milliardo galloped up to him.
"We've got movement. Those troops march under Cornwallis'(3) colors."
Treize took a look through his scope. "Indeed they are. So as the artillery duel rages, Cornwallis is attempting to strike us on our flank. Clever. Go back to the left wing. Prepare the defense, and make sure that the center is strong."
Milliardo nodded and galloped across the regimental line.
"When the British get in range, pick them to pieces." Greene ordered to Treize as he galloped on throughout his division.
The omnipresent bugles and drums could once again be heard as Cornwallis' division marched forward to engage Greene's. The steady marching continued as the two sides made ready to war with one another.
"I think the British have too much valor."
"What do you mean, Colonel?" One of Treize's staff officers asked.
"They're marching into a death trap. Watch and you'll see." Treize pulled out his saber. "Make ready!"
The various officers down the line shouted the order and the men turned their muskets in the direction of the approaching enemy.
"Fire!"
Treize's regiment opened up in conjunction with Greene's entire divisional line. The British stood there and took the punch as stalwartly and stubbornly as they were so famous for doing. But then Greene showed his trump card.
Cornwallis' regiment was startled as cannon bore down on them and fired. The solid shot wreaked terrible havoc and tore through their flanks. One ball ripped through the sides of four redcoats. Even more went down from Greene's second musket volley. Those men foolish enough to try and actually break through were quickly mowed down by the Continentals who were now trained in use of the bayonet, something that surprised the British.
Cornwallis gave up and withdrew, thus silencing the British artillery firing upon the American guns.
"Well, looks like the artillery duel is over." Trowa stated.
"Sounds like it too!" Quatre said with a smile, causing the men to laugh.
"Aww man, and here I thought we'd finally get some rest in this heat."
"It's been hours Maxwell!" Wufei shouted, clearly eager to get back into the fight.
"Well mister nasty, we don't go anywhere unless General Washington says so. So for now we're gonna just stay right here!"
"Major Yuy!" A rider galloped up.
"Just my rotten luck." Duo muttered to himself while Wufei tried his best to contain his laughter.
"What is it sir?" Heero asked.
"Cornwallis' attack on Greene's line has collapsed. I want you and Captain Winner to accompany the battalions I am sending to attack the retreating Royal Highlanders. Skirmish with them."
"Yes sir."
"Hurry. I've already sent the infantry out."
Heero saluted. Washington returned the salute and rode off. "Men, get on your horses! Now!"
Wufei snickered to Duo as he climbed atop Altron and moved to join Heero at the front.
The infantry that gave chase to the highlanders cheered as they saw the Gundam Dragoons pass them. Heero removed his tricorn hat and held it up in the air as a salute to them.
"Wow, you really have become something of a legend." Trowa said as they continued to rush forward.
Heero said nothing and continued to lead the charge forward, until their targets, the kilt-wearing Scots came into view.
"Dismount!" Heero shouted.
The Gundams very quickly and effectively dismounted from their horses and formed into a firing line. Then they opened up on the highlanders to devastating effect. The officers desperately tried to turn their men around in order to face this new attack from the rear, but by the time they did so the infantry had caught up.
The two battalions that Washington had sent along with the Gundams formed a firing line and shot a volley into the enemy, then began a bayonet charge. The action surprised Heero, who was preparing for a series of volleys.
"Fire a second volley and then charge! Quickly!" He ordered.
The Gundams fired, mounted upon their horses and began to charge, pulling their pistols out first. Quatre and the Maganac corps were already ahead of them. What the Americans hadn't counted on was their enemy firing a return volley. Smoke filled the air, but Heero's attention soon diverted to the man on his right.
"Argh!" Wufei shouted moments after the volley, placing a hand on his hip and nearly losing control of Altron.
Heero, who was on his left, looked over and saw that the horse's saddle and part of its coat were now beginning to be stained with blood.
"You're hit. Get out of here."
"It isn't serious." Wufei gritted.
"You can't fight." He stated as the Maganacs and Gundams began to engage the highlanders. "You'll only disrupt the unit's cohesion if you can't ride properly. Get to the rear and get that wound looked at."
Wufei continued to grit.
"Maxwell!" Heero called for the nearby private.
As soon as it was safe, Duo turned his back on the fray and rode up to his commander.
"What is it sir?"
"Take First Sergeant Chang to the rear and into a medical tent, he's been shot."
Duo, all too glad to get out of the close quarter battle, especially in this heat, was happy to comply. Once they were out of the range of battle, Heero spurred Zero into the fray. The first man he encountered attempted to jab at Zero with his bayonet, but Heero blocked the attack with his saber, brought out his pistol, and shot the offender through the neck.
In the face of the combined infantry and cavalry attack, the Royal Highlanders quickly buckled and fled for their lives, some even abandoning their arms. Those men that still had rounds left in their guns fired upon their retreating backs.
"How's Wufei?" Trowa asked as he brought Heavyarms to a halt beside Heero.
"He was shot in the hip. Not a serious wound, but I couldn't have him here if he couldn't ride."
Quatre rode up to the two. "That's the last of them."
Heero nodded. "Good work Quatre. You performed well all day long."
Quatre let the happiness of Heero's compliment show.
Wufei gritted his teeth as Duo put him in a prone position in the medical tent behind the Continental lines. The guns in the distance were beginning to fizzle and Wufei was angry at being stuck wondering what was happening. Duo left the tent, leaving Wufei free to look at the other wounded.
With some of them, the word wounded was an understatement. Some of these men had had limbs blown off by the British cannon, or hacked off by a sword with the blood still spurting. One man had been shot in the leg so badly that the bone splinters were coming out the other end. He would definitely be one of the infamous amputees, an operation which most men feared even above death.
Wufei realized that compared to those guys, he had it good.
The surgeon entered the tent.
"Sergeant Chang. I am Doctor Sam Po." The muffled voice got his attention. "Your comrade tells me you were shot in your hip."
"On a charge against the Royal Highlanders." He answered in monotone.
"I see. Well, it's an honor to work on one of the Gundam Dragoons. You guys don't come around here often." He said in his own flavor of humor. "Please let me examine the wound."
Wufei grunted as he removed his pants down his leg to allow for better access.
He noticed something very peculiar about this doctor. The face seemed overtly feminine, as did the figure that the uniform could hide, but not from an observed eye such as his. Wufei brushed off the thought as simply a stretch of the imagination. It was odd, yes, but nothing to call him out on.
"Good, the bleeding seems to have lightened up. Can you move the leg, sergeant?"
Wufei, surprised at Doctor Po's quite soft and delicate hands, complied. It was painful, but he moved his leg up and down, and then, under the doctor's orders, side to side.
"Good. The bullet seems to not have hit a major joint. You'll be ok. I'll go get the bullet out of there and patch you up."
"Get the bullet?" Wufei asked hesitantly as the doctor brought out some sort of tool.
"I haven't had a case like you all day. Don't worry, I clean my tools well.(4) Now, this is gonna hurt some, but you're a lucky one. Remember that."
Wufei gritted his teeth as Doctor Po began the procedure.
"Major Yuy!" General Washington rode toward him at the head of his company. "Well done! Talk of your gallantry has been reaching across the field all day!"
"Thank you sir."
"You and your officers will dine with me in honor this evening!"
"Thank you sir." He said again. "Really, I'm more concerned with Clinton."
"Get some rest Major, I'll deal with him. You've done more than enough today."
"The entire army fought well sir." He said as if to denigrate his own importance.
"Yes they did, but your valor was the singular greatest piece I've heard today. Get your company in order and allow them their time to rest."
"Sir."
Washington saluted and rode off.
"I'm gonna check on Wufei. You and Quatre go back to the camp." He said to Trowa, who nodded and carried out the task.
"This is it, sergeant. Grit your teeth and take it one last time."
A few seconds later, Doctor Po had finished moving the necessary tissue and pulled the bullet out of Wufei's hip.
"There's the little bastard." Wufei said in humor and relief as he looked upon the .75 caliber musket ball that the British used.
"Now I just need to patch you up and you'll be on your way."
Wufei breathed a deep breath of anticipation that he'd be out of there soon. Doctor Po soon returned with the gauze and began to tape him up. It was then, when he was not bellowed over with pain, that he took a good look upon this doctor's face and noticed no facial hair. No growth of facial hair. No single stubble. Either this person shaved to the incredible extreme, or his earlier random thoughts were actually right.
"You're a woman…" He blurted out.
Doctor Po froze; the hands that were working on Wufei stopped in their tracks.
"Well, I guess I'm right." Wufei said as he referenced 'her' reaction.
"Please, don't tell. I just wanted to help… A woman isn't supposed to be a doctor. But to hell if I was gonna sit at home while my liberty is at stake too!"
"How did you get this medical knowledge?" Wufei asked, legitimately surprised.
"My real name is Sally Po. My husband was one of the finer physicians in Pennsylvania, than he had to be an idiot and die in that foolish attack on Canada three years ago. He wanted his glory, what he got was death at Quebec. He taught me the trade of the physician so, I thought I could put it to use. Please don't tell." She pleaded again.
"I won't. Don't worry. That would hurt us more than help after what you did today."
"Thank you. I appreciate it."
It was at that point that Heero emerged in the tent.
"Well, we're just about finished here, Sergeant." Sally said, acting like a male again upon Heero's entrance. "He'll be fine, Major. Just give him his rest for a little while."
"Roger that, doc." He said as he helped Wufei to his feet.
Wufei took one last look at 'Sally' before he exited the medical tent.
"Looks like you lucked out."
"Yeah…tell me what happened."
July 4th, 1778, Philadelphia
Heero's reward for his gallantry was a week furlough from the army. He spent it in the most logical place possible. Philadelphia. Currently, on this second anniversary of independence, he sat in a living room.
"So your legend grew even further at Monmouth. Heero, I really hope you weren't too reckless."
"I only did what was necessary Relena."
"Still, don't fault me for being worried! Now I know what Lucrezia feels like…" She mumbled the last bit to herself.
"Relana. Do you think I'd be reckless with my own life in battle?" He asked in an all too sarcastic matter as he got up to enfold her.
"Yes." She answered without hesitation.
Heero chuckled and tucked her head under his chin. She sighed.
"So, did General Washington really call General Lee a son of a-
Heero silenced her with a light kiss. "As sure as I'm standing here."
She laughed. He quickly kissed her again, this time deeper than before.
"Come on, let's go for that horse ride now."
"Oh! Ok!" She said enthusiastically.
Heero walked hand-in-hand with Relena to the nearest stable. He mounted atop Zero and helped Relena up behind him. Heero spurred Zero through the city and out to the surrounding countryside. Relena was clearly enjoying herself.
"It's been so long since I experienced the freedom of movement on horseback instead of the confinement of a carriage!" She shouted with laughter.
Heero spurred Zero to zig-zag, causing a noticeable adrenaline rush in Relena.
"You're scaring me!"
"Precisely my plan." He glanced at her with a wicked grin.
"I'd smack you if I could!"
"Well you can't so just enjoy the ride."
A few minutes later, the two were interrupted by a lone rider. Heero expertly halted Zero.
"Relena, the last time I saw you you said were going for a ride!"
"James…what, what are you doing up here?"
Heero was alarmed by Relena's increase in heart beat. She also seemed to snuggle up against him more.
"I had some business to attend to. I didn't know you were a fan of the city of Philadelphia." He said with a grin as almost to advertise that he was lying.
"Who are you?" Heero stated in a guarded tone.
"Oh. Forgive me for not introducing myself." He said with an acidic, almost hostile tone. "I am James Greer, a neighbor of Relena's down in Virginia."
"Major Heero Yuy."
"THE Major Yuy? Your fame has spread throughout all of this land. I have heard of your exploits at the recent engagement at Monmouth." He said in a voice as if to brush off Heero's exploits on the battlefield. "Please, allow me to shake your hand." He said as he extended his own.
Heero slowly took James' hand in his own in a tense moment. Emerald green eyes twinkling with mirth crashed into Prussian blue narrowed in suspicion. And then, just as quickly as the moment came, it passed.
"Well, I must be on my way. Good luck on the next campaign, Major." He said in an insincere tone. "I hope I'll see you soon, Relena." He then spurred his horse into a gallop toward the city.
Heero watched him go in bewilderment while Relena watched him go in relief.
1. Clinton took Howe's place over the winter of 1777-78.
2. Referring to his social ineptness.
3. A British general under Howe and Clinton and later commander in the southern theater.
4. Many more men died from infection because of unsanitary medical conditions than in battle. However, the competent physicians knew to keep conditions sanitary.
A/N: Monmouth was the last major battle fought in the northern theater. The tale is now going to take a much more personal turn.
P.S.: Please review! This battle was the hardest for me to re-construct and I'd greatly appreciate the feedback.