Author: Sam

Story: I Spy With My Little G.I.: 5 of 17

Series: The War Within

Feedback: Yes, please? Especially constructive. samwise_baggins@yahoo.co.uk

Webpage: http://www.geocities.com/samwise_baggins/index.html

Radar Walter O’Reilly, company clerk, eased open the sealed envelope addressed to Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake. He had all sorts of tricks for getting into mail, though usually he didn’t bother resealing the missives, after all he needed some way to stay a step ahead of the Colonel… Henry Blake needed all the help he could get.

When the young Corporal slipped the crisp, folded sheet of paper from the envelope he could feel its importance. It was going to be a request of major significance… something that could change the tide of the war. Radar could tell all of that without even having unfolded the note; it was one of the reasons he was called Radar. Just as he could hear helicopters before anyone else, predict what Henry or some of the others wanted before they asked, and tell who was calling on the phone before it even rang, Radar could sense how a letter would flow before reading it.

Upon reading the letter, however, a sense of anti-climax engulfed the young man. A request for First Aid training, how could that be earth shattering? It didn’t make sense to the Corporal… why’d he have such a strong feeling about this letter if it was nothing more than a medical training request?

He shook his head and got up to prepare the paperwork Henry would need. After all, the man would certainly approve of such a thing. It would give the doctors something to do in their time off, aside from drinking, gambling, and chasing nurses. Sounded like the type of thing Majors Burns and Houlihan would certainly back up, and therefore would pressure the Base Commander into. With a shrug, Radar determined that maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if the Doctors had something interesting to do when they weren’t working.

After getting the request form and other documents in order, and completely filled out except Colonel Blake’s signature, the Corporal moved towards his Commanding Officer’s inner sanctum. He knocked, hearing Henry call out something unintelligible. He was writing letters for himself, rather than dictating them to Radar, so had to concentrate harder than normal. Radar walked into the room and presented the letter.

“Sir, there’s a letter for you.”

Henry looked up and smiled, eyes lighting up. “I didn’t know it was time for mail call.” He took the letter and eagerly went to open it, thinking he’d gotten a letter from home. When he noticed it was already opened, Henry looked exasperated and glanced up at Radar. “It’s open.”

“Yes, Sir, sometimes they get that way when someone opens the envelope.” Leaving the statement at that, Radar didn’t move from his position next to Henry Blake’s desk. He also made no further admissions of guilt, letting the man figure things out if he could, which normally didn’t happen.

True to form, Colonel Blake merely said “Oh,” and went on to pull out the letter and read it. He frowned and puzzled over the contents for some minutes. Finally, Henry looked up at Radar and opened his mouth to question him.

Radar beat him to the punch, though Henry continued talking as if Radar hadn’t said a word. “I’ve gone over the duty schedules, and as long as there are no major groups of casualties, the training should work out, Sir.” Oddly enough, as often happened with Radar, Henry had been asking “Radar, go over the duty schedules, and as long as there are no major groups of casualties, the training should work out.”

The Colonel frowned and growled out, “Will you stop doing that?”

“Sorry, Sir.” Radar offered the clipboard of paperwork.

“And what is this, Radar?” Henry looked a bit put out.

Radar glanced over the clipboard as if he’d not been the one to hand it over a second ago. “It’s the papers you’re about to request, Sir.”

Henry looked blank, shrugged, and started signing without reading through them. “Oh, and Radar, get me the forms for this Training to sign.”

A short pause as Radar looked at Henry in fond exasperation, then “Yes, Sir. You’re signing them, Sir.”

“Oh.” Henry glanced over the papers. “Good work, Corporal.” He finished the last signature and handed the clipboard back. “And…”

Again Radar and Henry spoke simultaneously, “I’ll make sure you aren’t disturbed as you write your letters, Sir.”

“Make sure I’m not disturbed as I write my letters, Radar.”

The younger man spoke a few words beyond Henry’s finish, however. “Unless it’s a matter of great importance.” He blinked behind his glasses at Henry’s inscrutable look.

Frowning, Colonel Blake waved his hand. “That’ll be fine, Radar. Better go file those.” With that, he sat back at his desk to pick up his personal mail once more. Suddenly, he looked up as if just struck by something. “Radar? Who’s Captain Standish?”

“Oh, that’s a doctor friend of the Father’s. He’s from the 0296. I’ll just go file these, Sir.”

Looking back down at his letters, Henry responded, “That’s all right then. As long as the Father is vouching for him.” He bit the tip of his tongue in concentration as he added, “Get right on filing that, Radar.”

“Yes, Sir.” The Corporal nodded and walked out, slipping the signed forms into an outgoing envelope for ICOR to review. He walked right back into the office. “Sir.”

Henry was starting to get exasperated. “What is it, Radar?” He glanced up and saw a youthful looking soldier with cover in one hand and file in the other. Auburn curls, hazel eyes, and a pleasant smile made the Colonel feel almost protective of the lad, a boy who appeared to be as young as Corporal O’Reilly. He suddenly couldn’t recall what he’d been doing before the soldier walked in… couldn’t have been too important.

“Doctor Standish to see you, Sir.”

Colonel Blake nodded, still staring at Emil. “Send him right in, Radar.” He paused a minute and added, “What can I do for you?”

Doctor Standish nodded at Radar with a smile, taking Henry’s odd behavior in stride. “Thank you, Corporal.”

“Oh, you’re welcome, Sir.” Radar smiled back at the man, who was actually a couple inches shorter even than he was, standing perhaps five foot one in all. The clerk stepped back, but didn’t leave, shamelessly listening to the conversation that took place.

Emil turned to Henry and offered a salute, which the Colonel returned, almost dazed. “Captain Standish, Sir. Surgeon assigned to the 0296. I’ve got orders to stay here until my men are shipped out.” He stepped forward briskly and handed over the file. “Also, I sent a request for training for my men. I’d like to discuss the request at a convenient time, Sir.”

Henry blinked, staring down at the petite redhead. “Uh, Radar…”

“You have a few minutes free now, Sir.”

“When do I have a few minutes free?”

They looked at each other and Henry nodded. “All right. Let’s talk about it. Have a seat, Doctor.” He gestured towards a chair and watched the surgeon sink into it. “It’s approved. Now that that’s out of the way…”

Surprised, Emil slowly nodded. “Sir? I’ll be going to ICOR for permission to have M*A*S*H units train frontline soldiers on a rotating basis. Are you sure your staff is prepared to have that kind of extra duty placed on them? After all, the wounded never stop coming and it would be eating considerably into their off time.” His husky voice sounded genuinely concerned.

Radar smiled at the sensible question. It wasn’t often someone outside of a M*A*S*H took into consideration the amount of work the staff did. Hawkeye would like this guy, he was certain.

Henry found himself smiling, definitely liking this Captain. “I’ll have Radar check with the staff and get back to you, Standish.” He’d forgotten all about the signed approval. A sudden thought hit him. “Why do you want the frontline soldiers taught first aid?”

“So they can tend each other right away if able. It might cut back on casualties trickling backwards towards the M*A*S*H units, Colonel. Might I work while here, Sir? I get restless if I sit too long.”

With a nod, Henry approved the surgeon’s latest request.

Emil stood. “I’ll be waiting for your decision on the training, Sir.” He saluted once more and turned, leaving Radar and Blake in the office.

Both looked at each other, then Radar shrugged. “It’s a good idea, Sir. Shall I go ask the officers?”

“Yes.” Colonel Blake pulled his temporarily forgotten letter over. “And during his free time here, have that doctor help out where he can. He looks like the kind that gets restless if he sits too long.”

Radar called out, “Yes, Sir,” in a rather hesitant voice. He left the tent, taking the envelope of already signed training forms with him. Right away he could think of three officers that might approve this prevention training. After he talked to Hawkeye and the others, he’d send the papers on. The young Corporal headed out to find the surgeons and head nurse.