Disclaimer: I do not own, nor did I create, any of the A-team characters (main or support) nor do I own, nor did I create, any of the episodes. That credit is due to Stephen J. Cannell and his associates. Any familiar catch phrases or settings also belong to the Cannell team.
Col. Roderick Decker and Colonell Morrison belong to Cannell and associates.
Colburn and Morton are mine.
Author's Notes: In Season 2 Episode —- "Water, Water, Everywhere" Hannibal instructs BA to weaponize a decrepit tanker truck. When BA protests Hannibal references their "fight in the barracks at Cam Rahn Bay". This is my speculation about what happened there.
Author's Apology: Sorry for the extended delay in posting this chapter. I had a draft all written and proofread. Then on last re-read made me see that it was rather lackluster. So, I had to start it all over again. Then of course real life gets in the way of creative endeavors. I believe I've crafted a better chapter and I'm now ready to post it.
Summary: Everything gets settled down.
Chaos in Cam Rahn: by LAGC
Chapter 3:The Fallout
Once the battered buddies set off for the infirmary, Hannibal said to BA, "Return the tanker to the motor pool."
BA did this understanding full well that Hannibal wanted him occupied and away whilst the Colonel dealt with Decker's men. BA drove the semi into the repair lot. Any questions that his peers may have had died in their throats after one look at BA's extra deep scowl.
Inevitably one hotshot new Lieutenant approached and questioned,
"Sergeant, who authorized you to drive this vehicle?"
Rolling his eyes and stiffening his spine, BA turned toward the upstart officer. Remembering his promises to stay out of trouble, BA exhibited his best behaviors and respectfully answered, "Colonel John Smith, Sir. Col. Smith required the use of this tanker for a training exercise earlier today."
"Did Col. Smith have the proper authorization to utilize this truck?"
"I didn't ask him, Sir. He wears an oak leaf, thats all the paperwork I ever ask for...Sir." BA replied and valiantly kept his expression neutral.
"Oh very well, Sergeant ...in the future all vehicle movement must go through me. You're dismissed."
BA provided a passable salute and hustled off while the getting was good. Once safely away he snickered and thought, "See, Faceman ain't the only dude who can run a scam."
Meanwhile Face and Murdock had passed their medical examinations with only a few stitches to Murdock's left cheek. To explain their battered states, the silver tongue Lieutenant had spun a mesmerizing tale of a horrific tussle with a riptide while swimming. The medical staff accepted this tale even though they questioned its authenticity. Once released, they beat a hasty retreat to their hut as a nurse waved goodbye with a telltale look in her eyes.
"Hey Faceman, that cute red haired nurse wanted swimming lessons from you."
"Yeah, that would have been ...time well spent. But her next free afternoon isn't until after we ship out." Face wistfully commented.
As the patients were patched up and the truck was nestled back into the motor pool, Hannibal marched to Morton and Colburn's quarters. He immediately squared off with Col. Decker.
"Smith! Since you're brazen enough to come to my hut... care to explain to me why my men are sopping wet and huddled here?" demanded Decker when Hannibal stormed their quarters.
"Decker, I presume." Hannibal replied derisively. "Your men are fortunate to be here and not with the MPs."
"It seems I could say the same about Peck and Murdock." rumbled Decker.
Hannibal thought to himself that of course the creeps had told their commander a story that painted Face and Murdock as the villains.
"The Hell you can! Your two yetis have been harassing my officers and today they jumped my men at the beach. I took appropriate action to end their aggressions." Hannibal explained. A side glance caught Morton and Colburn with the sense to look, if not repentant, at least trapped.
"Harrassing how, why?" inquired Decker with seemingly low interest.
Hannibal plainly explained the entire situation. Decker exhibited very little concern about the callous cruel attitudes of his men nor their disregard for fellow soldiers. Hannibal began to understand why their unit had the low reputation it did.
The commanders engaged in a bit more nose to nose argument and posturing. Eventually, reluctantly, admitting that neither wanted the fight on their teams' records, the colonels agreed to handle the discipline of their own men. Hannibal would have really enjoyed watching those thugs and their leader, get an official reprimand he but understood that would have put his guys in the crosshairs too. Hannibal recognized that this was the best outcome for all.
"Keep your men away from my unit. I would think you can enforce at least that much control." demanded Hannibal as he turned his back and stomped off. Decker, begrudgingly, agreed to order Morton and Colburn to stay away from Peck and Murdock insisting on the same assurances from Hannibal.
Despite Decker's promise, Hannibal kept his team close to their hut for their remaining time at Cam Rahn Base. He ordered them not to go anywhere unless they were all together, figuring that Morton and crew wouldn't dare retaliate if they were moving as a unit.