What War Will Do To You

Ch. 4

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Hawkeye and Trapper glanced at each other quickly, then headed towards post op. Klinger following close behind.

As the three entered they saw two MP's posted at Radars bedside and the ever loveable Frank Burns at the helm.

"Get ready for the stockade Corporal!" Frank hollered at the young boy. "And..."

"Can it Frank!" Trapper interjected. "Take it easy on the kid will ya?"

"I most certainly will not! He's a murderer, not to mention a disgrace to this outfit and the war!" He finished by nodding his head.

During this exchange Hawkeye had taken a seat next to Radar. "Hi Radar."

"Hello sir" He said almost shaking.

Hawkeye gave a reassuring hand. "Listen, don't pay any attention to him."

"So do what you do all the time Radar." Trapper added.

Frank opened his mouth in reply but Hawkeye stopped him. "Frank why don't you do us all a favor and go take a walk in the mine field?!"

Disgusted, Frank stormed into the office.

"Now Radar, you know what this is all about?" Hawkeye asked.

Radar nodded his head up and down. "Yes sir, shooting that Korean patient."

"Thats right Radar, and you my friend are lucky to be alive."

'I'd rather be dead.' Radar thought. "I'd hardly call it lucky sir. I killed somebody." He said innocently but not regretful. "But I'm not sorry I killed the Korean sir, not sorry at all."

Hawkeye looked up at Trapper. 'This isnt the Radar we all knew and loved' Hawkeye thought as he looked back down at Radar. "Uh Radar, you didnt just kill the Korean, you shot someone else, don't you remember?"

Radar searched his mind. "No sir, just the Korean....right?...I mean there were two of them."

Hawkeye shook his head. "Kid, you–you shot ..." Hawkeye stood up and paced over to his friend. "Trap you tell him."

"No way buddy, you started it, you gotta finish it."

Hawkeye paced back over.

"Shot who sir?" Radar asked anxious.

"Radar–you shot Father Mulcahy...he died shortly after." He hung his head low for a moment then looked up to see the Corporals reaction, of which there was none.

"No I didn't sirs"

"Yes you did Radar, we were there, we saw it...." Trapper added wiping a hand over his face.

Radar shook his head side to side. "I'd like to be alone now sirs, if you don't mind."

Hawkeye nodded and stood up. He saw the anger in the boys face and left with saying nothing. Trapper and him retreated to the office, to find Frank and Margaret conversing.

"He must be court marshaled Major! If we let him go before you know it, Corporals will be killing machines!"

"Get off it Frank!" Trapper said walking in.

"Oh sure, give him sympathy, all because precious Henry was killed. It happened, get over it!"

Trapper took a step toward Frank but Hawkeye stepped in. "We loved Henry, Frank."

Frank was tougnue tied, expecting an insult, he had no reply.

"Relax everyone, we're all officers here!" Major Houlihan interjected. "This situation must be delt with in a military manner, without which there will be anarchy."

"I'm all for anarchy." Trapper replied raising his hand.

"Look Majors, Radar doesn't believe he killed the Father, he's all mixed up, and if you don't back off Frank, I'm gonna mix up your face!"

"Captain!" Margaret hollered.

"Let's go Hawk." Trapper grabbed his friends arm and the two walked to the SWAMP.

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"You know Trap, in some sick, moronic and twisted way, I agree with Major Houlihan."

Trapper did a double take. "What is it with you? One minute you're defending the kid, another you're volunteering for the firing line...which let me remind you, just might be what this kid will get for killing an officer, not to mention a POW. We can't let him fry Hawk."

Hawkeye nodded. "You're right of course, but this is so heavy, I mean two murders, can even us think of a scam to get the kid out of it?"

Trapper scratched his head and snapped his fingers. "Insanity."

"Yeah, and get him sent to a nut house? Come on Trap, think!"

In the back of Hawkeyes mind, he wished he had thousands of minds helping them.

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What could Trapper and Hawkeye do to help Radar? Should they do anything? Or let Justice be served? Or will they rescue him and let life go on as normal? Can life go on as normal?

Ah yes, I can just see the ideas now. Please review with your thoughts and suggestions. They mean a lot. Take care - TLH ‡