The Sleeping Beauty Raid-Chapter 10
King Company and the Rat Patrol were met at headquarters by the officers who had sent them on the mission. Saunders had wanted to stop at the aid station and drop of their wounded but their escort had insisted that they go straight to headquarters.
"Sirs." Lt. Hanley jumped from the truck as soon as it rolled to a stop. "We have wounded. We'd like to get them to a doctor as soon as possible."
"We're aware of that Lieutenant but the completion of this mission is of the utmost importance. Once that is done your men are free to go to the aid station."
"What about our prisoners? We have five wounded Germans and one of ours who tried to commit murder."
"What's that about Lieutenant?"
"We rescued him from the Germans and we had to take him along because we couldn't spare anyone to take him back. He tried to suffocate one of the prisoners and one of Sargent Troys' men."
The officers exchanged startled looks.
"We'll have the MPs take them off your hands. All of them." They called for some MPs and the prisoners were taken away.
"Sargent Troy, were you successful?"
Troy nodded. "Yes Sir. We got it all."
Hitchcock was moved to the tailgate where Troy proceeded to cut the cast off his arm. He pulled the two pieces apart and began to dig open the hidden pockets. First he pulled out the small gold cross that glittered with precious gems. He handed it to the nearest officer. "Our part for the underground." Then he pulled out the small camera and handed that to them. "The battle plans and maps. I believe you will find it all there. To the best of our knowledge, the Germans don't suspect a thing."
The officers were smiling with pleasure.
"Very good sargent. I expect a full written report on my desk within the hour."
"Yes Sir." Troy didn't look happy about the time constraint.
"Dismissed Sargent. You may take your men to see a doctor now."
"Yes Sir."
"Lt. Hanley, we would like you to give us a briefing on the mission right now. Your men may go."
"Yes Sir." Gil dismissed his men who stayed with the truck and rode to the aid station with Hitchcock and Moffitt. When Gil finished his briefing and was dismissed he headed straight there himself. He met Troy on the way. "Finished with your report already?"
"Figured I may as well get it done. Hitch is in surgery. He had internal bleeding. I figure I'd get this done and be back before he wakes up." Troy paused as if unsure of himself. "Lieutenant, I'd like to thank you. You and your men have gone way above and beyond to be of help. I appreciate your concern for my men."
"Glad to help Sargent. I think first squad has sort of adopted you and your men."
Troy nodded and continued on his way. Gil watched him disappear before he headed for the aid station again.
Saunders and Troy were standing outside of the aid station the next afternoon when first squad arrived. Saunders eyed them with amusement. "Just what are you guys up to?"'
"We come to check on Moffitt and Hitchcock." Littlejohn explained. "We wanted to know how they're doing?"
"They're going to be fine." Troy told them with a smile. "Hitch woke up a little bit ago. Moffitt woke up this morning."
The men shuffle their feet self-consciously as they nodded at the news.
"Why don't you go on in and see them? Tully is with them now. He could probably use a break." Troy suggested.
Littlejohn smiled happily. He nodded to the others. "Let's give Tully a break. I bet he's tired of sitting in there all the time."
"I wouldn't doubt it a bit." Saunders agreed. "You guys would be doing him a favor."
Billy led the way, followed by the others. Saunders and Troy smiled at their backs. They each smoked a cigarette before going back inside. The entire squad was standing around the two beds laughing at something.
"Well all I know is that every time we see you, you're sleeping." Kirby was saying to Hitchcock.
"But we brought beer." Hitchcock protested.
"Tell you what," Saunders said as he and Troy walked up to them, "the next time the beer is on us."