"Pleased to meet you Major," Colonel Burns said while shaking Tony Nelson's hand, "I'm familiar with your work. I was getting to know Major Healey here. Always nice to see another dogface," he added, smiling at Roger Healey.

For some reason Tony didn't think the old Army term 'dogface' didn't apply to the new Colonel. The term 'ferret face' popped in his brain and didn't know why. He immediately regretted the insulting thought. The Colonel seemed like a competent officer, and he had served his country in some very difficult situations.

General Peterson spoke, "Major Healey, I would like you to show Colonel Burns around the installation. Make sure he's suited up on the flight line at 1400. Major Nelson, I want you to take the Colonel up in a trainer for a familiarization flight."

"Yes sir," both majors replied.

Roger went about showing Colonel Burns around, while Tony went to his office to get some paperwork done before his afternoon flight. Tony gave an old friend of his in personnel a call.

Personnel officer Captain Kathleen Cook was surprised by Major Nelson's call. She had her eye on him, and flirted, but he seemed to show no interest.

"Hey Captain Cook, discover any new islands," Nelson joked with the officer who shared the name of the explorer.

"Whatever you wish, Lord Nelson," Cook replied without missing a beat. Two can play the name game.

Tony laughed, "Kathy, could you get me a copy of Colonel Burn's military bio?"

Cook wasn't too surprised. It's not unusual for officers to check up on new commanders. At least Nelson was only asking for the official biography, which is public record. She's had people ask for whole files, which of course are confidential.

"Depends, you free for lunch?" Kathy Cook asked Nelson with a playful tone.

Tony replied, "I have a flight at 1400, but if you meet me at the O-Club at 1200 with a copy of the bio, I'll buy you lunch.

"Deal," agreed Cook.

While Tony was making his lunch plans, the two Army officers Burns and Healey engaged in small talk.

"So, you and Major Nelson are buddies?" Asked Burns.

Roger was caught a little off guard by the question, but it seemed innocent enough. He replied, "Yeah, Tony and I actually went to West Point together. He chose to take a commission in the Air Force, while I stayed Army. Tony was the one who encouraged me to go into the space program. Thanks to him, I am accepted here… even though I am one of the few Army officers here."

Burns nodded, "Most officers detached to NASA are either Air Force or Naval Aviators. A lot of West Point grads in the Air Force, but that will change now that they have their own academy. I thought of going into the Army Air Corps, but the recruiter told me the service really needed doctors. World War II was over by the time I finished Medical School, so I decided to try a civilian dermatology practice."

Healey interjected, "But you did answer your country's call in Korea, sir. I understand you were a combat surgeon. If I may ask, how did you make the transition to psychiatry?"

Burns answered, "After my tour was over, I did some temporary duty at Walter Reed's Psychiatric Unit. Upon seeing what war did to the men's psyche, I found my new calling. It's great you have a good friend in the service. We have a tough job, and its better with a friend. I remember laughing at the carnage in Korea with my good buddies Hawkeye, Trapper, BJ, Spearchucker, and Duke. We lived in a tent called 'the Swamp' and brewed our own hooch in a still."

Healey laughed, "It sounds like you made the best of your situation."

While Colonel Burns was giving Roger Healey his version of what happened in Korea, Major Tony Nelson and Captain Kathleen Cook were having lunch at the base officer's club. The O-Club was a quiet alternative to the officer's mess, where the two could talk without being overheard.

"What'll it be, hon?" The waitress asked Tony, who was studying the menu.

"Hey, Paula, I'll have the yaaaaahhhh!" Tony exclaimed when he saw Paula the usual waitress had been replaced by a jealous Jeannie.

"Is everything OK, Major?" Kathy asked smirking.

"Oh, its just a cramp from training. I'll be fine, if you can excuse me for a moment," Tony Nelson replied while fake limping to the Men's room.

Tony looked around to make sure he was alone. "Jeannie," he barked.

Jeannie popped in the restroom, "Who is she," she asked venomously.

"She is the base personnel officer, and I'm getting some information on Dr. Bellows replacement. If you don't trust me, fine stick around, just be invisible. Remember though, it's because of you Dr. Bellows is gone." Nelson regretted saying that as soon as it came out of his mouth. It was very harsh.

"Very will, Master, I will be in my bottle," Jeannie replied, obviously hurt.

Tony pleaded, "Jeannie, wait…" but she was already gone. Tony knew that his unthinking remark would cost him big.

The "real" Paula came and took Tony and Kathy's order. Cathy had a chicken dish and iced tea. Tony had a Ruben sandwich and a cola. Both had to return to work, and Tony had to fly. Alcohol was strictly off the menu.

Cook gave Tony the biography, and a little additional info not in the official publicity sheet. Nelson already knew a lot of the facts on Burns, but some of them were surprises. There were time gaps not explained. Burns got a Bachelors degree in 1938 and his MD in 1946. There was no explanation of why it took 8 years to get the medical degree instead of the usual four. The one thing that would explain it, military service, should definitely be mentioned here, but isn't. Going off the records, it would appear that it took him four extra years to get the MD. Burns completed a generalist internship in 1948, and thanks to the help of his in-laws set up a successful dermatology practice. Burns was drafted a Major in 1950 because of his wife's political connections. He didn't volunteer for the Army as he had eluded to. He served as a surgeon for the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. Burns left Korea in 1951 for reasons not explained in his personnel file, but his tour was not finished. His wife was no longer listed as a dependent after 1952, most likely because of a divorce. He made Lieutenant Colonel in 1954 after completing his psychiatry residency. He made full Colonel in 1963 after serving with an advisory group in Vietnam. For the past five years he has been moving around a lot, jumping from command to command, not staying in one place for more than a matter of months. His last command was back in Vietnam, another MASH unit, but for only six months. Colonel Frank Marion Burns was not who he appeared to be.

"This is great Kathy, thanks," Tony said, while mentally preparing for his flight. He was also thinking about how he was going to apologize to Jeannie.