Wishing you a very merry Christmas

Chapter 14th

Moving quickly to the location of the five bodies with only one life sign at this point in time. Kowalski and Patterson hated this heat and humidity even though they had experience from over the years on board the Seaview.

Looking back at Colonel Reeves as he waving slightly with his right leg. He stopped for a moment to catch his breath and wipe his brow from the sweat. He was trained for this type of mission. However with his wound it was only slowing him down slightly. Even though they will be reaching the coordinates soon.

Captain Lee Crane coming around slightly found him unable to move trying to crawl with his right leg and his shoulder bleeding. His hands was covered in blood as he tried to move across the hardened hot ground only to pass out again for a few moments.

When he woke again the pain was just awful for him as he laid on his back looking up into the sun feeling the heat and the humidity. Turning slightly he was able to see the bodies looking like the marines having been taken out by the sniper.

He tried calling out to anyone that can hear him. He cried out with no one to hear him... He passed out again...

Moments later climbing down the hill...Kowalski and the rescue team found the bodies and including a very injured Captain Lee Crane. Colonel James Reeves making it down the hill with holding onto the branches in the way was able to make it and with running into the Chinese sniper with his special scope rifle next to his dead body.

Reeves turned him over for any I.D. on the body only to find nothing at all. Meanwhile Patterson and Kowalski begin the medical part with the Captain placing pressure bandages on both of the gun shots to his shoulder and right leg. He wasn't coming around with his forehead on fire with a possible fever or infection.

Since both crew members were trained. They asked Hanson to contact the Seaview in order to speak with Doctor Jamieson on further treatment. This was going to take a few moments for Doctor Jamieson to come to the radio shack to talk with Kowakski.

Admiral Nelson in his cabin informed that Captain Lee Crane was found and was in bad shape. He came directly to the Control Room.

"Listen Kowalski please explain the condition Captain Crane is in now?" He replied over the intercom...

"His forehead is burning up as if he has a fever or some type of possible infection. Do you want us to check further his body for another bullet wound that we can't see?" Kowalski said to the Doc.

"Yes Ski. Check every part of his body. Over and out." Doc replied with Nelson listening to the conversation with concern in his tone of voice.

They found a large gash on his other leg having fallen down the hill from the sniper. There was a splinter embedded and they needed to have it removed once they get the captain carried up the hill until they reach the flyer.

"Yeah Doc! He has a large gash splinter embedded in his other leg to have no blood lost at the member. I doubt dare try to remove it causing all types of issues with the Captain's vitals. What is it you want us to do Doc? Over and out." He replied over the radio in his hand.

"Do you have any antibiotics in the medical bag of yours Kowalski?" Doc said with Nelson breathing down his neck.

"Yeah we have it Doc. You want us to inject the Captain into his good arm?" Kowalski choked on the words coming out of his mouth.

"Yes, please let me know when it's done along with giving me his vitals with blood pressure and heart rate. Over and out." He spoke with Nelson for a brief moment. This is not good at all Admiral Nelson. Removing that splinter is going to be tricky when we get him back to the Seaview." Doc said to his friend.

"Meaning you can do more damage than good?" Nelson added with his comment.

"Correct." Moments later Kowalski came back with telling him the shots had been given and with the Captain still out cold. "Kowalski make sure to wrapped the wounds carefully once you're able to get the captain back to the flyer and I will have sickbay ready. By the way how is Colonel Reeves holding out?"

"Not well Doc. He's having a hard time now with his breathing as if his leg is causing a great deal of pain." He announced over the radio.

"The damn fool! Make sure all of you take quicker brakes with the heat and humidity. I don't need the rest of you passing out and unable to fly back to the Seaview. Over and out." He was done talking with needing to get back to the sickbay to have Doctor Sterling ready as with the rest of the operating team.

Putting together a makeshift stretcher with everyone to help with dragging it up the hill accept for Reeves to be point guard to be watching for anyone around.

Taking 30 minutes to reach the top of the hill in order to not hurt the captain further. Kowalski ordered everyone to take a breather before moving towards the flyer another 15 minutes. Crane vitals were dropping slightly, along with Reeves having further issues with his breathing. Kowalski handed Reeves a mask in order to breath better and helping.

Finally reaching the flyer with getting the captain inside and strapping him in with the speed of the flyer taking off.

Reeves sat next to him with the marines sitting in the back on the floor holding on. Ron Hanson turning on the communications device contacted the Seaview letting them know they will be taking off with Captain Lee Crane abroad and in bad shape.

Doctor Jamieson and Sterling were told the news and waiting. Admiral Nelson and the corpsmen will be moving Crane to sickbay once they arrive on board.

Meanwhile Nelson was waiting inside the aft missile room for where the flyer will be coming into the hatchway in a few moments. Commander Rosemarie Crane had shown up after finishing her shift for today. She didn't come for Crane but rather for Colonel Reeves.