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But you're a girl - chapter eleven P.O.W
Frank had always been one to enjoy his own company and now he felt like he was driving himself crazy. Bright beams of winter sunshine pierced the gloomy darkness of the holding cell where Major Burns had been kept for the last 48 hours. Up above him where the richly decorated offices of the Advocate General that made a stark contrast to Frank's current situation.
'This is a fine and dandy situation to be in' Frank thought out loud as he watched a drop of water run down the opposite wall. 'You wouldn't think they would treat an American like this'.
The main problem Frank had to deal with during his isolation was boredom; the guards had stopped his mail and withheld his visitors. He was now considered a full prisoner of war. He couldn't bear the thought that his wife or anybody back home might find out about his current situation.
'I'd like to see the face on Pearce and that Hallwell when they find out that I was only following procedure' Frank cackled to himself.
The disturbing thing about Frank was that he had developed an unnerving tendency to talk to himself. The days seemed to mould into nights easily and often without recognition. The sound of a key in the lock of his cell roused him from his thoughts and caused him to look for the source of the disturbance. One of the guards from the offices above stepped into the cell; he held a pair of handcuffs, which he began to fasten to the Major's wrists.
'The judge has arrived for your hearing' the guard grunted as he pushed Frank through the now open cell door.
Harsh, clinical lighting strips lit the corridor the guard marched along; the cream walls only increased the glare from the overhead rectangles. Major Burns was led up several flights of roughly carpeted stairs and pushed through a green door at the summit.
'You are to wait here' the guard announced as he slammed and locked the solid door.
Christmas surveyed the reflection that stared back at her from out of the full-length mirror.
'Well' Chrissie mumbled to herself 'as always this is as good it is going to get' as she adjusted the collar of her dress uniform shirt.
Chrissie put a hand to her hair and patted the bun that was securely fastened to the back of her head, the plain yet elegant clip that had once belonged to her mother was nuzzled atop her captured length of chestnut hair.
She had been dreading this day ever since Major Burns had been taken away by armed MP's three days ago. She could still remember the look on his face as he was driven away and what he had shouted as the jeep had sped through the dust 'You just wait Hallwell, you'll see that the law is on my side'.
Chrissie took a deep breath in as she turned from the mirror and noticed a figure standing in her doorway; it was Hawkeye. Like Chrissie, Hawk was wearing his complete dress uniform; he did look smart Chrissie thought to herself as she smiled at her visitor.
'Ready' Hawk asked as she walked to her cot and picked up her uniform overcoat.
'As I'll ever be' Chrissie replied stopping in front of Hawk.
Hawkeye looked serious, more so then he normally would but the mischievous look that played in and around his eyes remained.
'You Ok?' he asked, lightly brushing her cheek with the back of his hand.
Chrissie swallowed down the nausea she could feel raising in her chest and nodded slowly. Suddenly she felt as if the day was going to become a downward spiral of interrogation.
'I'm going to be there with you, behind you all the way' Hawkeye whispered as he drew her closer into a tight embrace, she could still smell his shaving cream.
Chrissie smiled, thanking Hawkeye under her breath. Hawkeye pressed his lips lightly against hers but a jeep's horn sounding through the crisp morning air shattered the moment.
'Radar' Hawkeye muttered as he pushed open the door and allowed Chrissie to exit before he followed her to the awaiting olive-drab jeep.
The lack of wind lent the compound an almost serene notion but sharp gusts would occasionally rush through the camp, chilling all those it caught in its path. Chrissie pulled her overcoat tightly around her to protect herself from the bracing wind.
'Come on Trap, put that nurse down and get in' Hawkeye hollered as Trapper appeared from the Swamp straitening his uniform and adjusting his hat.
'I was just finishing off what I started' Trap grinned as he climbed into the jeep next to Hawk 'my mother always used to say that I should finish a job properly'.
The jeeps engine groaned into life as Radar negotiated the vehicle through the servicemen out of the compound. Not much was said during the thirty- four mile trip down to Seoul. Hawk held Chrissie's hand as the jeep jumped and shuddered along the crater-strewn roads of South Korea. He did not realise it until they had reached HQ.
The judge advocates office was located along several labyrinthine passages, each more complex then the last. As the group were starting to get the impression that the passage they were walking down led to the centre of the earth, their path suddenly opened up to reveal a large hall set out in accordance to the Geneva conventions guideline for courtrooms.
'Wow' Trapper mumbled under his breath as they all took in the enormity of where they would be interrogated for the next few hours.
A corpsman showed then to their seats at the side of the courtroom, opposite them stood the judge's bench and the defendant's dock. Chrissie didn't want to be here, she would rather be at an aid station or fighting the North Koreans with a butter knife; anywhere else but here.
'All rise for the right honourable Colonel Justice Law' the court Lieutenant announced as the assembled party from the 4077th rose to their feet.
A distinguished Colonel had taken his seat as Judge Advocate, his brown and khaki uniform was neatly pressed while the medals on his chest jingled with military importance.
'Please be seated' the judge indicated to the members of the 4077th 'bring in the accused'
A set of heavy wooden doors opened to their right and through the empty space several armed MP's escorted Major Burns into the courtroom.
'I call this court to order' Colonel Law announced 'Would you please close the doors' he asked to a courtroom usher.
The large doors that segregated the proceedings in the courtroom from the rest of the world were slammed shut as the trial of Major Burns on three counts of cruelty of a fellow officer began.
Several hours passed before any movement from the room was made or a sound was heard. The shuffling of feet along a corridor broke the silence as the doors were pushed open to reveal a very weary set of surgeons and nurses. As Chrissie had taken the position of the defendant, she had been cross examined by lawyers, MP's and the judge himself; she was now feeling emotionally drained.
'Well my girl' Hawk boomed impersonating his father 'you were excellent'.
'Thank you' Chrissie mumbled in reply
'He's right Hallwell, you were very professional in there' Henry chimed 'It looked like you've had some political training in the past'
Chrissie sighed and smiled to herself 'my father always told me that the most important thing is to remain democratic'. She hadn't realised it but at that moment she had just become her fathers daughter.
'I used to be an appointed medical examiner at the Old Bailey back in London' Chrissie reported as they stepped out into the warm sunshine of the courtyard.
Hawk laughed as he put his arm around hers shoulders 'Didn't I say my girl was terrific!'
'RAD...' Henry started but he was cut off.
'Yes Sir?' came the reply from behind the CO 'the jeep is being brought round now'
As their transport rumbled around the corner, an MP came running from the main building. He came skidding to a holt in front of the assembled party.
'Begging your pardon Sir' the MP announced as he addressed Henry 'but Colonel Justice Law requests that Captain Hallwell remains behind for further questioning before the verdict is passed'.
'Lieutenant' Chrissie started 'why is my presence and detainment required?'
'The Colonel has further questions to ask' the MP replied sternly 'I'm sorry Ma'am, I know as much as you do'
Chrissie turned back to Henry with a determined look 'I'm sure its just procedure, I have no option but to stay'
'I'm going to stay too' piped up Hawkeye 'you're going to need someone here with you' he mumbled turning to Chrissie.
She shook her head 'you have to go back, for the sake of the wounded'.
'She's right Pearce' Henry announced as he placed his hand on Hawkeye's shoulder 'I can't account for two absent surgeons let alone three'
Hawkeye gave Henry a knowing empty smile as he put his arms around Chrissie's shoulders.
'I'll be waiting for you to come back' Hawk whispered into Chrissie's ear.
'I know' Chrissie replied.
They broke apart from one another as Radar puller Chrissie's bag from the jeep and placing it on the ground by her side. Hawkeye never once took his eyes from the figure of Captain Hallwell until she was a blip in the distance.
The speeding jeep soon disappeared from Chrissie's sight as she kissed her fingers and waved the kiss towards the disappearing jeep. The MP soon roused her from her pre-occupation.
'This way Ma'am' the MP gestured as he picked up Chrissie's bag and directed her back inside the large khaki building.
But you're a girl - chapter eleven P.O.W
Frank had always been one to enjoy his own company and now he felt like he was driving himself crazy. Bright beams of winter sunshine pierced the gloomy darkness of the holding cell where Major Burns had been kept for the last 48 hours. Up above him where the richly decorated offices of the Advocate General that made a stark contrast to Frank's current situation.
'This is a fine and dandy situation to be in' Frank thought out loud as he watched a drop of water run down the opposite wall. 'You wouldn't think they would treat an American like this'.
The main problem Frank had to deal with during his isolation was boredom; the guards had stopped his mail and withheld his visitors. He was now considered a full prisoner of war. He couldn't bear the thought that his wife or anybody back home might find out about his current situation.
'I'd like to see the face on Pearce and that Hallwell when they find out that I was only following procedure' Frank cackled to himself.
The disturbing thing about Frank was that he had developed an unnerving tendency to talk to himself. The days seemed to mould into nights easily and often without recognition. The sound of a key in the lock of his cell roused him from his thoughts and caused him to look for the source of the disturbance. One of the guards from the offices above stepped into the cell; he held a pair of handcuffs, which he began to fasten to the Major's wrists.
'The judge has arrived for your hearing' the guard grunted as he pushed Frank through the now open cell door.
Harsh, clinical lighting strips lit the corridor the guard marched along; the cream walls only increased the glare from the overhead rectangles. Major Burns was led up several flights of roughly carpeted stairs and pushed through a green door at the summit.
'You are to wait here' the guard announced as he slammed and locked the solid door.
Christmas surveyed the reflection that stared back at her from out of the full-length mirror.
'Well' Chrissie mumbled to herself 'as always this is as good it is going to get' as she adjusted the collar of her dress uniform shirt.
Chrissie put a hand to her hair and patted the bun that was securely fastened to the back of her head, the plain yet elegant clip that had once belonged to her mother was nuzzled atop her captured length of chestnut hair.
She had been dreading this day ever since Major Burns had been taken away by armed MP's three days ago. She could still remember the look on his face as he was driven away and what he had shouted as the jeep had sped through the dust 'You just wait Hallwell, you'll see that the law is on my side'.
Chrissie took a deep breath in as she turned from the mirror and noticed a figure standing in her doorway; it was Hawkeye. Like Chrissie, Hawk was wearing his complete dress uniform; he did look smart Chrissie thought to herself as she smiled at her visitor.
'Ready' Hawk asked as she walked to her cot and picked up her uniform overcoat.
'As I'll ever be' Chrissie replied stopping in front of Hawk.
Hawkeye looked serious, more so then he normally would but the mischievous look that played in and around his eyes remained.
'You Ok?' he asked, lightly brushing her cheek with the back of his hand.
Chrissie swallowed down the nausea she could feel raising in her chest and nodded slowly. Suddenly she felt as if the day was going to become a downward spiral of interrogation.
'I'm going to be there with you, behind you all the way' Hawkeye whispered as he drew her closer into a tight embrace, she could still smell his shaving cream.
Chrissie smiled, thanking Hawkeye under her breath. Hawkeye pressed his lips lightly against hers but a jeep's horn sounding through the crisp morning air shattered the moment.
'Radar' Hawkeye muttered as he pushed open the door and allowed Chrissie to exit before he followed her to the awaiting olive-drab jeep.
The lack of wind lent the compound an almost serene notion but sharp gusts would occasionally rush through the camp, chilling all those it caught in its path. Chrissie pulled her overcoat tightly around her to protect herself from the bracing wind.
'Come on Trap, put that nurse down and get in' Hawkeye hollered as Trapper appeared from the Swamp straitening his uniform and adjusting his hat.
'I was just finishing off what I started' Trap grinned as he climbed into the jeep next to Hawk 'my mother always used to say that I should finish a job properly'.
The jeeps engine groaned into life as Radar negotiated the vehicle through the servicemen out of the compound. Not much was said during the thirty- four mile trip down to Seoul. Hawk held Chrissie's hand as the jeep jumped and shuddered along the crater-strewn roads of South Korea. He did not realise it until they had reached HQ.
The judge advocates office was located along several labyrinthine passages, each more complex then the last. As the group were starting to get the impression that the passage they were walking down led to the centre of the earth, their path suddenly opened up to reveal a large hall set out in accordance to the Geneva conventions guideline for courtrooms.
'Wow' Trapper mumbled under his breath as they all took in the enormity of where they would be interrogated for the next few hours.
A corpsman showed then to their seats at the side of the courtroom, opposite them stood the judge's bench and the defendant's dock. Chrissie didn't want to be here, she would rather be at an aid station or fighting the North Koreans with a butter knife; anywhere else but here.
'All rise for the right honourable Colonel Justice Law' the court Lieutenant announced as the assembled party from the 4077th rose to their feet.
A distinguished Colonel had taken his seat as Judge Advocate, his brown and khaki uniform was neatly pressed while the medals on his chest jingled with military importance.
'Please be seated' the judge indicated to the members of the 4077th 'bring in the accused'
A set of heavy wooden doors opened to their right and through the empty space several armed MP's escorted Major Burns into the courtroom.
'I call this court to order' Colonel Law announced 'Would you please close the doors' he asked to a courtroom usher.
The large doors that segregated the proceedings in the courtroom from the rest of the world were slammed shut as the trial of Major Burns on three counts of cruelty of a fellow officer began.
Several hours passed before any movement from the room was made or a sound was heard. The shuffling of feet along a corridor broke the silence as the doors were pushed open to reveal a very weary set of surgeons and nurses. As Chrissie had taken the position of the defendant, she had been cross examined by lawyers, MP's and the judge himself; she was now feeling emotionally drained.
'Well my girl' Hawk boomed impersonating his father 'you were excellent'.
'Thank you' Chrissie mumbled in reply
'He's right Hallwell, you were very professional in there' Henry chimed 'It looked like you've had some political training in the past'
Chrissie sighed and smiled to herself 'my father always told me that the most important thing is to remain democratic'. She hadn't realised it but at that moment she had just become her fathers daughter.
'I used to be an appointed medical examiner at the Old Bailey back in London' Chrissie reported as they stepped out into the warm sunshine of the courtyard.
Hawk laughed as he put his arm around hers shoulders 'Didn't I say my girl was terrific!'
'RAD...' Henry started but he was cut off.
'Yes Sir?' came the reply from behind the CO 'the jeep is being brought round now'
As their transport rumbled around the corner, an MP came running from the main building. He came skidding to a holt in front of the assembled party.
'Begging your pardon Sir' the MP announced as he addressed Henry 'but Colonel Justice Law requests that Captain Hallwell remains behind for further questioning before the verdict is passed'.
'Lieutenant' Chrissie started 'why is my presence and detainment required?'
'The Colonel has further questions to ask' the MP replied sternly 'I'm sorry Ma'am, I know as much as you do'
Chrissie turned back to Henry with a determined look 'I'm sure its just procedure, I have no option but to stay'
'I'm going to stay too' piped up Hawkeye 'you're going to need someone here with you' he mumbled turning to Chrissie.
She shook her head 'you have to go back, for the sake of the wounded'.
'She's right Pearce' Henry announced as he placed his hand on Hawkeye's shoulder 'I can't account for two absent surgeons let alone three'
Hawkeye gave Henry a knowing empty smile as he put his arms around Chrissie's shoulders.
'I'll be waiting for you to come back' Hawk whispered into Chrissie's ear.
'I know' Chrissie replied.
They broke apart from one another as Radar puller Chrissie's bag from the jeep and placing it on the ground by her side. Hawkeye never once took his eyes from the figure of Captain Hallwell until she was a blip in the distance.
The speeding jeep soon disappeared from Chrissie's sight as she kissed her fingers and waved the kiss towards the disappearing jeep. The MP soon roused her from her pre-occupation.
'This way Ma'am' the MP gestured as he picked up Chrissie's bag and directed her back inside the large khaki building.