The Desert Search Raid

By: AliasCWN

Chapter 2

"Is this our last stop for the day?"

Troy glanced over at his driver as they both reached for shovels. "Getting tired?"

"Maybe a little," the blond answered.

"Go stand watch, it's Tully's turn to dig anyway."

Hitch bit down on his gum and shook his head. "I can do it Sarge."

"I know you can, but you dug at the last stop, it's Tully's turn."

"What about you and Doc, you've dug every time."

The sergeant smiled. "This is Moffitt's area of expertise, and to be honest, I think he's enjoying this. As for me, I'm kind of curious to see what we find next." The sergeant laughed self-consciously. "Don't tell Moffitt, but I'm kind of enjoying this too." Troy smiled at Hitch's look of surprise. "What? Can't a guy try something new? Go stand watch Hitch, we got this."

"Okay Sarge, if you're sure."

"I'm sure."

The blond traded his shovel for a rifle and headed for high ground without a backward glance.

"So, which is it?" Moffitt asked as he walked up behind Troy. "Have you been faking it this entire time, or are you going soft?" The British sergeant didn't wait for a response from Troy. He took his shovel and began to count off paces across the desert floor while consulting his map.

"Did I miss something Sarge?"

Troy laughed as Moffitt walked away. "Nothing Tully, just a private joke."

"Here Troy," Moffitt called, "this is where we need to dig."

Troy and Tully joined the sergeant with their shovels in hand. Moffitt pointed to several places in the sand where he wanted the newest holes. "All of this digging doesn't bother you, does it Tully?"

"Nope," Tully pulled his matchstick from his mouth and tossed it aside. "Should it?" He popped a new matchstick between his lips as he looked up at Troy.

"It's hot work," Troy answered with a little shrug.

"Heck Sarge, just breathing is hot work out here during the day. And at night it's all cold work. What else is new?"

"Yeah, but physical exercise just seems harder than breathing."

Tully frowned and shook his head. "Yeah, I guess. But you know how much Doc talks about this kind of stuff. He's told me a lot about the digs he went on with his father. I'm kind of hoping we find something."

Troy shook his head. "I don't want you to be disappointed."

"I won't be," the Kentuckian answered. "I hope we find something, but I don't really expect to. If we do, that's a bonus." Tully flashed the sergeant a cocky grin.

"Okay then," Troy returned the grin, "let's dig."

They dug another series of holes around where Moffitt had indicated. Like almost all of the previous holes, they yielded nothing. Every so often the two sergeants would pause and put their heads together and go over the map again. After each time, they would move to another spot and start digging again.

"Tully."

"Yeah Sarge?"

"Start a fire and heat our supper. We'll have to double the guards tonight so we're all going to turn in early."

"You think we're still being watched?"

"I'm sure of it," Troy answered. "Make sure everything we aren't using stays packed; we may have to leave in a hurry."

"You got it Sarge."

"We should dig a bit longer," Moffitt suggested.

"We will," Troy answered. "But I do want to double the guard tonight."

"Maybe we should move on before we set up camp," Tully suggested. "If we wait until it's almost dark, maybe we could shake them."

"No," Troy answered. "We'll make camp here. Whoever is watching is going to want to check these holes. I don't want them doing that until at least tomorrow. We'll stay here and pull out in the morning."

"They may try to sneak in after dark," Moffitt warned. "Even a guard may not deter them."

"That's why I'm doubling the guard."

"They may try an all-out attack to find out what we found."

Troy smiled. "Let them try. We didn't find anything. Keeping them away until tomorrow will make our job easier. We'll stay the night."

The British sergeant nodded and glanced at his map again. "I think we should dig over by those rocks next. We may even find something interesting. If I was going to bury something, those rocks would make good markers to find it again. The rocks could have protected anything that was buried there."

"Ever the optimist," Troy grinned. "You wouldn't by any chance be treasure hunting on Army time, would you?"

"Could be, old man," the Brit answered with a cocky grin. "This war did take me away from my one true passion. And one never knows where one might find treasure, especially in the desert."

Troy grinned at Moffitt's stuffy, exaggerated accent. "But one might give someone else ideas," he added in the same tone with his version of the accent.

"What do you mean?" Moffitt asked.

"Tully says you told him so much about the digs you went on with your dad that he's hoping we find something on this one."

Moffitt laughed. "He's a quick study for someone with no experience in archelogy. I hope he gets his wish."

"How much experience does it take to dig holes in the sand?"

Moffitt's eyebrows rose in mock indignation. "I'll have you know that there is much more to archeology than merely digging holes."

"Oh, I know," Troy laughed, "you have to find something too."

Moffitt huffed at the other sergeant's mockery.

"Look Moffitt, I know that the knowledge you bring to this team has saved us more times than I care to count. But all I'm asking Tully to do it dig holes. If we find anything, we'll let you figure out what it is."

"I suppose you're right," the Brit grinned with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, "but there is always the chance that we might stumble upon some great scientific discovery while we are digging."

Troy laughed. "Keep digging Doctor."

The two sergeants continued to consult the map and dig more holes until Tully called them for supper. Packing the shovels into the jeeps, they cleaned up and joined the private at the fire.

"Did you find anything Doc?"

"I'm afraid not Tully."

"Just what were you hoping to find?" Troy asked.

The Kentuckian shrugged. "Doc says you never know what you might find out here. Think about it Sarge; hundreds of caravans traveled through here over the years. Some of those guys must have lost something out here. Maybe the sand covered it up and it's still out here."

"You're hoping to find somebody else's trash?"

"Not trash Sarge. It could be anything. Maybe something really unique. Maybe not valuable," Tully added, "just… different."

"You're both bonkers," Troy grinned. "But, for what it's worth, I wish you luck. Just don't let it distract you from the mission. Remember, we're being watched, and I doubt that they are friendly."

The private nodded, "I haven't forgotten Sarge." He patted the rifle lying by his side. "I'll take Hitch his supper and if it's okay with you, I'd like to spend another hour digging. I'll take first watch with Hitch if you want."

"Okay, but no more than an hour. I don't want anyone on watch alone after dark. Moffitt and I will relieve you in about four hours."

Tully grinned and loaded a plate for Hitch. "Thanks, Sarge. Maybe I'll discover some new ruins."

"If you find any ruins, I doubt they'll be new," Troy teased. "Let Hitch know the plan. I'm going to turn in. We are leaving early tomorrow."

Tully alerted Hitch to his presence before he walked up behind him.

"Is Sarge done digging already?" Hitch asked as he accepted the plate.

"Yeah, he's turning in early so he can take over watch in four hours. We're doubling the guards tonight. You and I have first watch. If you don't mind, Sarge said I could dig for another hour."

Hitch nodded and glanced around quickly as he ate.

"Are they still out there?"

"Yeah," Hitch answered. "About half a mile out, just sitting there, watching."

"Any vehicles?"

"Just horses as far as I can tell. I think they sent a rider off a little bit ago."

"I don't have to dig; I can stay here and help keep watch."

"Go ahead," the blond answered. "I'll call you if anything changes."

"Thanks."

"Tully?"

"Do you really want to dig?"

Tully nodded.

"Why?"

The other private grinned. "I'm hoping to find some sort of buried treasure."

"Buried treasure?" Hitch looked shocked. "You're hunting treasure?"

"Not like that," Tully explained. "I just thought I might find something old. Maybe even some buried ruins. Doc says the sands have buried all sorts of things over the centuries. Heck, maybe somebody dropped their watch and I'll find it."

"Yeah," Hitch grunted, "a sand dial."

Tully grinned.

"What if he lost his head, would you want to find that?"

Tully shrugged. "We've all seen dead bodies before."

Hitch looked out over the desert and nodded. "Yeah, we have, but digging up a grave, that just seems wrong somehow. Let the dead rest in peace."

"We've dug a lot of holes and we haven't found any graves yet," Tully reasoned.

"I know you're right," the blond nodded. "Still, I can't wait for this assignment to end."

"If you want, we can talk to Sarge. Maybe he'll let you stay on guard duty and I can dig. I don't mind."

Hitch spun around to face Tully. "You'd do that?"

"We're buddies Hitch. If digging makes you uncomfortable, I'd do that for you. That's what friends do."

"Thanks, Tully, I appreciate that. I'll bring it up to Sarge in the morning. I can dig, I'd just rather not."

Tully nodded. "I'll mention it to Doc too. He can talk it over with Sarge."

"If you're sure."

"I'm sure. I'm going to go dig for a little while longer. I'll be back in a little bit." He took the plate Hitch had emptied and paused to scan the desert. "I think Sarge is right, doubling the guards seems like a good idea."

"So does leaving this place before dark."

"They'd only follow us Hitch."

"Yeah, I guess."

"Double guards, remember?" Tully took the plate back to camp and cleaned it before packing away everything from supper. Taking a shovel, he headed to where they had dug the last holes.

"Would you like some company Tully?"

Tully turned at Moffitt's voice. "I thought you went to bed. Aren't you tired of digging yet Doc?"

"This is an adventure," the Brit replied. "Are you going to deny me the chance to dig for buried treasure?" The sergeant laughed at Tully's expression. "Come on lad, let's dig some holes."