Knights In Shining Armor

Lance approached the entrance to the CP and dreaded going in. He couldn’t remember disliking anyone else in his entire life as much as he disliked Captain Barklin. He was angry at himself for feeling that way towards someone he had just met, but he couldn’t help himself. Actually, he thought, apologetically, it was more than a dislike. It was an abhorrence, hatred. But he now felt the effects of the cold and hail storm, and walked in if only to escape the elements outdoors.

The captain was lying on the bunk that belonged to the medic, Carlos Santiago, but Carlos; his brother, Ramon; Sgt. Zangara; and Rusty were not there. Lance was sure that they all vamoosed and used some lame excuses, despite the weather, to escape Barklin’s presence. If it weren’t for the fact that Lance wanted to monitor the movements of Sgt. Buckstrom’s patrol first hand, he too would skedaddle and return to his own CP.

Lance stared at the dozing captain and felt the urge to strangle him as he lay there mumbling in his sleep and snoring, intermittently, and he immediately apologized aloud to God for the thought. On hearing Lance’s voice, the captain awoke.

"Is the 1^st Squad ready to go out, Lieutenant?"

"Yes Sir, the men, although unhappy about it, follow orders like the good soldiers they are."

"Is that some kind of sarcastic remark, Lieutenant?"

"Take it anyway you want, Captain. And since no one else is here except you and me, you’re going to listen to something I have to say to you. You, Sir, are without a doubt a stubborn ass." No longer could Lance hold it in. He would let it all hang out, here and now.

"That’s insubordination, lack of respect for a ranking officer, and behavior unbecoming an officer in the United States Army, Lieutenant King. I’ll be filing charges against you in the morning."

"You used the right word, ‘ranking’, because I’ve never met anyone more rank than you. Go ahead. It’s your word against mine. And I’m not finished with my tongue lashing yet."