Chapter 51
Colonel Potter entered his office. He was about to call for Radar when the boy entered the office carrying his clipboard in hand. "I got ICOR on the horn for you, sir." he informed.
The Colonel smiled, "Good! Did you find anything out on that helicopter and the crew?"
"No one that I spoke to knows anything about it." he replied. He fidgeted slightly, "That chopper looks real slick and is kind of neat though. I've never seen a chopper like that."
"Neither have I, son." he agreed.
Radar blushed, "The one Lieutenant…she's real pretty and seems real nice."
"Which one is that, son?" he asked.
"Lieutenant Beckett." he mentioned. "I wonder if she is related the Beckett's down the road from my folks' farm."
"Beckett is a common name, Radar." he told him.
He agreed, "Yes sir. Kind of silly to wonder that I guess."
"Not at all." Sherman disagreed. "I'm wondering if that Captain is related to Major Hawke. And that Colonel? He seems very familiar. That's not a face you forget."
Radar agreed, "He looks a lot like Major Santini. Majors Santini and Hawke don't usually fly out this way but once in a while we get them. Hawkeye just stitched Major Santini's arm up last week." he recalled.
The Colonel recalled, "The Majors like to drop by here once in a while for a visit."
"Major Hawke likes to visit Major Houlihann." Radar noted.
"Where are our guest now?" Sherman asked.
"Major Houlihann is settling in the two lieutenants into the nurses tent. I am putting the Colonel in the VIP tent and Captain Hawke in with the doctors. I figure the Colonel would like his own tent." he told him as Radar assumed Dom was in charge of the chopper and crew.
Sherman agreed, "The Colonel would like his own tent. Keep me posted on any news you hear. I figure that chopper is top secret. The crew would top secret too, son."
"Yes sir." he replied.
Meanwhile
Caitlin and Sam were led into the nurses' tent and each assigned a cot to sleep on. Sam looked about and figured she would not get the privacy she needed to do her work in the crowded tent. She soured in expression.
A heavy set nurse of Hawaiian decent noted the expression. Nurse Kelleye assured, "You lieutenants are welcome to stay here with us. Lot less messy than the doctor's tent."
Caitlin assured her, "This will be fine. Thank you for letting us stay here."
Nurse Kelleye asked, "Just where did that chopper come from?"
Caitlin replied, "That's classified."
Sam motioned, "How am I going to get any work done in here?"
Caitlin assured, "Just do the best you can, Sam." She then wrapped and arm around Sam for she understood the scientist felt just awful about the botched test flight.
"Thanks, Cait." she gave a heavy sigh.
Nurse Kelleye asked, "So…what do you two do in that chopper? Do you fly it?"
Caitlin replied, "I'm the co-pilot and Sam is an engineer."
The nurse perked up, "You are a co-pilot flying a top secret helicopter. Wow, they don't let women do that kind of thing."
She soured and remarked, "Well…women come a long way."
A rap came at the door of the tent. Nurse Kelleye then opened the door to Corporal Maxwell Klinger who was still wearing the yellow dress. The nurse asked, "What is it, Klinger?"
He stepped inside and looked upon the two new women in the camp and smiled, "I just want to see how our guest are doing." He then looked to Sam and Caitlin, "I'm Corporal Max Klinger. Just let me know if there is anything I can get ya." He then paused and asked, "Can I see inside that helicopter you came in?"
Sam barked, "No!" She looked to Caitlin as the Corporal was certainly out of uniform.
Caitlin looked back at Sam and mentioned, "He would fit right in your time, Sam."
She shook her head, "No he wouldn't."
She cocked an eyebrow, "How so?" she asked amused.
"He didn't shave his legs and look how hairy those arms are." she pointed out.
Nurse Kelleye told the pair, "Klinger is just trying for a section eight."
Klinger asked, "Do you think if I shaved my legs then I might get that section eight?"
Caitlin looked to Sam rather amused.
Sam shrugged, "I don't know but you would be way prettier."
Klinger stood pondering the suggestion.
Behind Klinger came the ear shattering voice of Major Houlihann. "Klinger!" she huffed. She marched up to the corporal, "Just what do you think you are doing?"
"I'm just making sure our guest are settled, Major." he explained.
She gave a look of displeasure, "I don't think the lieutenants need anything from a man wearing a dress, Klinger."
Sam spoke up, "Actually! I do need something."
Klinger grinned, "What is it, Lieutenant?"
"Quiet." she replied.
He stood confused, "You just said you needed something. Then you tell me to be quiet."
She nodded, "That's it."
Major Houlihann informed, "The lieutenant is asking you to be quiet, Klinger. I'm sure the crew of that highly classified and very unusual looking chopper has work to do."
Sam agreed, "I need to make calculations. Lots of math."
Margret smiled, "See…math calculations." She looked to Klinger, "Now don't bother them, Corporal."
Klinger insisted, "If you need anything just ask." He then addressed the head nurse, "Major." He gave a salute and left the tent.
Caitlin asked, "Bucking for a section eight, huh?"
Major Houlihann explained, "Forgive the intrusion. Klinger is a pain in the rear." She then coyly asked, "Can I ask a question about that chopper?"
Sam shook her head, "No! It's classified." She attempted to negate any questions by simply refusing to answer.
Margaret explained, "It's just none of us have ever seen anything like it before."
"It's a new design." Caitlin excused. "We're testing it."
"I understand it's classified." the Major replied. "If you need anything, let me know." she gave a nod and then existed the tent after getting no more information on the unusual chopper. She figured she would go see her friends in the mess tent to see if anyone else had gathered information on the strange visitors.
Nurse Kelleye asked, "You two lieutenants hungry? The mess tent will be open for dinner soon."
Sam and Caitlin traded glances and nodded in agreement. Caitlin stated, "We're famished."
She then mentioned, "It's not the greatest food but better than rations." She led them out the door of the tent to get something to eat.
Meanwhile
Stringfellow Hawke was most surprised when the company clerk informed him that he would be staying in the doctor's tent and not in the VIP tent with Dom. He tried to talk some sense into the clerk but Dom relished in having the VIP tent all to himself and told String that he could go stay with the other officers. Dom failed to give warning that the tent was dubbed the "swamp" for a reason.
He walked into the tent and stood in disbelief at the mess that surrounded him. The only clean area was in one corner where Major Winchester's bunk sat empty. Laying down on another bunk was a man with thinning light brown hair and a mustache. He wore green pants and a pink undershirt.
BJ Hunnicutt heard they had visitors and a new experimental chopper had come in for an emergency landing but didn't pay much attention for he was rather tired after his shift. The doctor opened one eye and looked at the man standing just inside the door. He motioned, "Take that cot." He pointed behind him to the spare.
"Thanks," String gave a nod and came to the cot. He had no gear to stow for everything was locked up in the chopper. He unrolled the mattress and asked, "Where do I find bedding?"
"Supply tent." BJ then sat up and rubbed his eyes. "You that pilot who made an emergency landing here?"
"I am." String replied. "Captain Hawke."
He offered a hand, "BJ Hunnicutt."
String shook his hand and was pleasant, "Nice to meet you."
Hawkeye Pierce then walked into the tent next. He couldn't wait to tell BJ what he saw and found the pilot was now in his tent. "Beege…" he paused upon seeing String.
BJ looked at his friend, "What is it, Hawkeye?"
Hawkeye asked String, "They put you in the swamp? I thought Potter gave you and the Colonel the VIP tent."
"Apparently…Colonel…Santini thought it would be better if I stayed here." he miffed. He knew Dom had sent him into the messy tent to tease him.
Hawkeye added, "Hey Beege, wait until you see this colonel. He's the spitting image of Dom Santini but older. Looks just like him. I swear!"
BJ asked, "Dom! The chopper pilot? Our Dom?"
String blinked and asked, "Our Dom?"
"He's the ugly ladies' man." BJ explained. "Has girls in both 8023rd and the 4077th."
Hawkeye added, "Dom make my ugly mug look good." He pointed to his large nose.
"We don't know how he does it. Always getting the girls to fall for him like that." BJ confessed.
String sat on the bed and requested, "Tell me more about your friend, Dom."
Meanwhile
Colonel Potter walked over to the VIP tent to gather his guest for dinner. He rapped on the door.
Dom soon came to the door. He had been relaxing on the bed and even took a small nap. His eyes landed on the camp commander, "Colonel Potter!" he grinned.
"I've come to gather you for dinner, Colonel." Potter explained.
Dom was fully enjoying his life as a Colonel with all the perks. "Be right there." He informed. He quickly went to the mirror and brushed his hair. He then returned to the door and stepped outside. "Let's eat." he cheered.
Sherman began to walk with him to the mess tent. He tried to draw some information out of the man. "I have to ask. Do you have a son in the service?"
"No," he shook his head. "Why do you ask?"
"There is a pilot who comes here once in a while with wounded. He's the spitting of you, Colonel. His last name is Santini but he about thirty years younger." Sherman explained.
"I come from a big family." he excused.
"So do I." he agreed. "Quiet the ladies' man." He mentioned. "The Major is a good poker player too. He hangs out with another Major…John Hawke. Smart men." he told him.
"Yeah," Dom's mind recalled his days with his best friend flying in and out of the MASH units.
Sherman was silent for a moment. Then he mentioned, "That's quite a chopper you and your crew flew in on today."
Dom agreed, "She certainly is, Colonel."
"Mind if I take a look?" he requested.
"I think you should run that by String." he suggested.
"String?" he asked.
"Captain Hawke." Dom clarified. "He helped designed her."
"I see." Sherman nodded finding he got a little more information. They soon entered the mess tent.
The familiar smell of army food filled Dom's nose. It wasn't the mouth watering but would do after a long day and an empty stomach. He soon gathered a coffee and a metal tray and made his way through the line. His eyes settled on the cook.
Dom grinned as he forgot his cover, "Igor!"
Igor looked up and blinked at the man, "Dom?" He grew pale, "Did my food do that to you?" For the cook the man had to be the friendly pilot but he looked so much older.
Dom grinned and laughed, "Nah…not your cooking." He motioned, "Just plop some of that slop on here." He pointed towards the tray.
Sherman stood a bit beside himself as the Colonel who looked like a much older version of a friendly pilot seemed to know the cook's nickname. The pair continued through the line and made their way to the table.
At the table sat Father Francis John Patrick Mulcahy. He glanced up as Colonel Potter escorted Dom to the table to eat. The Father had a bible in his hand and was clutching the cross. He knew something was not right as the chopper was far too advanced and the old man looked like his close friend.
"Mind if we sit with you, Padre?" Sherman asked.
"Please do." he motioned. He looked intently at Dom. "I've been meaning to ask, Colonel. Are you any relation to a pilot who is a friend of mine, Dominic Santini?"
"I look like him?" he asked knowingly.
The Father replied, "You do, but older. What amazes me is how much like Dom you are. You walk like him, has his mannerism and you sound just like him."
Dom gave a shrug, "Maybe I am him." He found keeping a cover was much harder than he assumed and now began to understand why it was so difficult for his great niece to blend into 1984.
"Lord have mercy." the Father stated as be knew deep down inside the man sitting before him was indeed his friend but much older.
Sherman stated, "The Colonel has a large family, Padre. Could just be a relative."
Mulcahy looked directly at Dom who grinned back at him. He looked at Sherman and asked, "Relative? Sir, there is a very futuristic looking helicopter sitting just outside camp and sitting across from me is an equally futuristic version of a man who comes to me for prayers."
Dom assured, "It's okay, Francis."
"How?" he gasped as he figured that somehow his friend Dom had come to see him from some other time.
Sherman cocked an eyebrow and looked to Dom, "How do you know the father's first name, Colonel?"
Dom whispered, "I'll tell you two a secret. It's me! Dom." He asserted, "It's really me. We need your help, Colonel. We need to stay low and blend in until we can figure out a way to get back home."
Father Mulcahy gasped, "It really is you, Dominic."
Dom reached under his shirt and removed the chain and cross. He handed it to the Father, "You gave me this when I thought I was going to lose it. You helped me through that mental breakdown, Father. Remember!"
The father took the cross that recognized as his own. "I gave this to you six months ago."
"I've worn it ever since." he assured. He requested, "I need your help again, Father. This time, we just need a safe place to stay until we can get back home."
Sherman looked to the Father a bit bewildered. He cocked his head and asked, "Just where is home, Colonel?"
"More like when…" he replied.
The Father asked, "How did you get here, Dominic?"
"We flew. It was a test flight. Just we kind of went through…time…" he confessed.
The Father asked, "Was this some kind of government experiment?"
He winced, "No! Private endeavor."
"What?" Sherman sat bewildered.
The Father stated, "God has sent Dominic Santini to us from a future time. This man is Dominic Santini. The pilot who brings wounded to the 4077th and the 8063rd. And he needs our help, Colonel." the Father figured.
"Father…this sounds insane." Colonel Potter warned him.
Dom admitted, "It kind of is." He told the Father, "There is a young version of me flying wounded in and out of camps. If he comes here, make sure he doesn't see me."
The Father asked, "Would that be bad?"
He replied, "I'll probably tell him a bunch of stuff that I shouldn't. It's better if we don't meet. Rest of my crew is safe. They are either little kids or don't exist yet. Just a young version of me who is flying around out there."
The Father assured, "I will pray you and your crew get back home, Dominic."
"Thank you, Father." he stated grateful.