Koli Point

An "easy" mission leads to Kyle's death and very nearly some of the other boys as well.

File created: 2010-03-07 02:16

Jungle

The Grid-----> > > > > THE GREATEST GENERATION < < <


Coordinates : 0 5

This is a true tropical jungle. Life is all about you - vines coiling around hardy trees, snakes slither through the thick undergrowth, birds of paradise chatter from the branches up on high. But in truth this is no paradise. Dim even during the day due to the thick growth, seemingly wet and stiflingly humid all the time, disease ridden mosquitoes swarm to suck the blood of human intruders to this very foreign land.

It is currently dawn.

The Lieutenant has gathered the men to give his briefing. After a brief respite in Aola guarding the Seabees during their construction of the reserve airfield, the marines are being sent back into action again. Intel has pinpointed a force of Japanese holed up in a place called Koli Point, between here and Henderson. The Army and Marines are undertaking a joint operation to encircle the Japanese army (which already has its back against the ocean) and hammer them. Fischer's squad is being assigned to sweep an area along the east side of Gavaga Creek, a shallow stream that the Japanese have holed up beyond.

Fischer is gathered and keeps his BAR over his back. He grunts softly as he listens, dark blue eyes moving over the paper. Got cha… "Got itsir." Nod.

Colt nods as he listens and forms up on Fish. The Fish will lead us.

Kyle Is daydreaming. What he hears sounds easy, desperate men, who've been shelled and surrounded. He checks that Ben's there, you always want Ben ot be there if there's an easy mission about. We know the Lt.

Yeah. Right. Kappedal's already got that 'wry face' of his on, that shows just how easy he thinks this'll be. He's stocked.

Fischer considers his options, and offers, "We'll go south one to get into some cover I think. Then we can check east and south from there."

The Lieutenant gives his usual gruff wish of 'good luck' and then moves off, leaving the boys to be whisked away via patrol boat to a spot on Koli Point.

Kyle nods along. "Right Corp." He goes back to his daydreaming now. His eyepatch has come off, but the actualy eye doesn't look terribly good, still he can see out of it.

Kappedal starts along after the bunch, heading south and east into the dawn.

«Game» Kappedal changes his style to Stealth!

Fischer nods then and starts southwards. He is a patient, thoughtful leader and makes sure not to lose a one of the helmets bobbing along. "Heads down, eyes open. Here we go."

Colt creeps along

Kyle follows, still not entirely there.

Fischer does not like the idea of stomping through a creek and it shows. He shakes his shoulders briefly to fend off mosquitoes. But it is in vain. He squints eastwards before trundling along. He stops, counts heads and moves once more. It's almost like a caterpillar shuffling along.

Kappedal picks his way through the jungle at the back of the line, salty sweat occasionally getting through his dark brows and stinging his eyes.

«Ground Combat» Fischer moves East <E>.

Colt slides through the growth, moving quietly.

«Ground Combat» Kyle moves East <E>.

«Ground Combat» Kappedal moves East <E>.

«Ground Combat» Colt moves East <E>.

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Ground Combat» Logdummy moves East <E>.

Gavaga Creek

The Grid-----> > > > > THE GREATEST GENERATION < < <


Coordinates : 1 4

A shallow creek winds through this part of the jungle, rocky and just knee deep in places. The shores are tangled with vegetation, giving way to deeper foilage beyond.

It is currently dawn.

Sub-Rooms :

===============================< In Your Location >===========================

Allied (#1751) Logdummy I.

Allied (#1696) Colt I. Garand

Allied (#1689) Kappedal I. M1911A1

Allied (#1713) Kyle I. Garand

Allied (#13997) Fischer I. BAR M1918A2

Room Modifiers :

Elevation : 1 Cover : 100%

Stealth : 100% Inf.Move : 100%

West <W> East <E>

South <S> North <N>

«Ground Combat» You cannot +peek until the Armageddon Clock has ticked 20 times.

«Ground Combat» You cannot +peek until the Armageddon Clock has ticked 16 times.

«Ground Combat» You are now peeking into Jungle.

Masaru sees someone and shoots, pointing a warning to his comrades.

Kyle gets to the bank of the river and sighs, he should have read the map. No matter he crawls after Fish and hopes he tied his puttees on properly. Then plunges into the water, hmm not too deep, muddy. Shooting, he kneels down in the mud.

Fischer hisses as bullets fly. "Duck!" He grunts instinctively. "To the east," He motions.

Fischer blinks, he turns his head, "And one south too. Watch it. Heads down."

Kappedal mutters under his breath and sinks to a knee, squinting into the rising sunlight.

«Ground Combat» Masaru fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Colt but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Ground Combat» Fischer fires his BAR M1918A2 at Hiroshi but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Automatic Rifles from Gavaga Creek (1 4)!

«Game» Kappedal assists Fischer!

«Ground Combat» Fischer fires his BAR M1918A2 at Hiroshi but misses!

Colt ducks, "shit."

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Automatic Rifles from Gavaga Creek (1 4)!

Fischer grunts, "I'll take care of the one south. Watch the east. Eyes open. THey like to flank."

«Ground Combat» Kyle fires his Garand at Masaru but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Gavaga Creek (1 4)!

Kyle gets on his knee and plinks a shot off. Then finds a log to hide behind.

«Ground Combat» Colt fires his Garand at Shinobu but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Gavaga Creek (1 4)!

«Ground Combat» Masaru fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Colt but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Ground Combat» Akira fires his Arisaka Type 99 at Fischer but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Game» Kyle changes his style to TakeCover!

Akira sees them as well. He gets to firing.

«Game» Fischer changes his style to Banzai!

«Ground Combat» Fischer fires his BAR M1918A2 at Hiroshi but misses!

«Game» Kappedal assists Fischer!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Automatic Rifles from Gavaga Creek (1 4)!

«Ground Combat» Fischer reloads his BAR M1918A2!

«Ground Combat» Kyle fires his Garand at Masaru but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Gavaga Creek (1 4)!

«Ground Combat» Hiroshi fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Kyle and hits!

Kyle suffers 2 wound damage to his right leg.

«Ground Combat» Shinobu fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Kyle but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (1 3)!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (1 3)!

«Ground Combat» Colt fires his Garand at Shinobu but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Gavaga Creek (1 4)!

«Ground Combat» Masaru fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Colt but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Ground Combat» Akira fires his Arisaka Type 99 at Fischer but misses!

Fischer choses for now, to pick them off. Fish squints. "We're in the open. Can we get closer to them? We're in the river - go - east, I'll loop around south."

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

Kappedal slithers back from the BAR as Kyle gets hit, head down as he picks his way over to the man and bleeding leg.

Kyle gets into a position with decent cover, considering they're in a river bed. Then gets shot. He grits his teath. "Don't think I'll be retreating today, Corp." He offers. He waits for Ben to come, before going anywhere. It'll probably be good to get out of the mucky water, time to lurch forward.

«Ground Combat» Shinobu fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Kyle and hits!

Kyle suffers 6 wound damage to his left arm.

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (1 3)!

Fischer hefts his BAR and starts moving south. "Wave if you catch trouble, just get into the trees. Go east towards them." He notes. "It's not retreating, it's not getting shot like a turkey." He notes.

«Game» Fischer assists Kyle!

«Ground Combat» Colt fires his Garand at Shinobu but misses!

Kappedal bahs as he gets sprayed with more of Kyle's blood just as he ties off the leg. "Let me get your arm."

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Gavaga Creek (1 4)!

Kyle is having trouble not getting shot like a turkey, time to rest and let Ben help, before going up east again, this is a slow assault.

«Ground Combat» Akira fires his Arisaka Type 99 at Fischer but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

Fischer sighs, as Kyle is shot. "Colt, move over there. Get into the trees. We're sitting targets out here. Ben will bandage kyle just - get behind something."

«Ground Combat» Hiroshi fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Kyle but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (1 3)!

«Ground Combat» Masaru fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Colt and hits!

Colt suffers 6 wound damage to his right chest.

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Ground Combat» Colt has been mortally wounded!

«Medic Code» Fischer attempts to stabilise Colt and succeeds! Colt is gonna make it!

«Game» Colt unwields his Garand!

Colt nods, "alright, I'll-" Ziiip! THUD

Kyle looks back at Colt, pushes Ben towards him and see's Fish deal with it, time to lurch!

«Ground Combat» Kyle moves East <E>.

«Ground Combat» You notice Kyle arrive at Jungle.

Kappedal gets Kyle's arm and has just turned to grab for more bandages for Colt, who's got a hole in his chest. "Fischer, just go!"

"Shit!" Fish hisses. He counts. "I'll go east too. Let's go. We'll deal with the south ones later."

«Ground Combat» Akira fires his Arisaka Type 99 at Fischer but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Ground Combat» Hiroshi fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Fischer and hits!

Fischer suffers 6 wound damage to his right arm.

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (1 3)!

Kyle is in the trees, time to distract some fire, the field bandages are bit dodgy but he can bayonet stab one handed, right?

«Ground Combat» Kyle moves to engage Masaru in close quarters combat, and succeeds!

Fischer snarls softly as he's pinged. "I think - I think - God, there's at least four, should we retreat?" He asks quietly.

«Ground Combat» Kyle attacks Masaru in melee combat with his Garand but Masaru blocks it!

«Ground Combat» Masaru attacks Kyle in melee combat with his Arisaka Type 38 but misses!

Kappedal mutters. "Bit late now. He's already got one on him. Come on."

«Ground Combat» Fischer moves East <E>.

«Ground Combat» You notice Fischer arrive at Jungle.

«Ground Combat» Kappedal moves East <E>.

«Ground Combat» You notice Kappedal arrive at Jungle.

«Ground Combat» Akira fires his Arisaka Type 99 at Fischer and hits!

Fischer suffers 5 wound damage to his left arm.

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Ground Combat» Kyle attacks Masaru in melee combat with his Garand but misses!

«Ground Combat» Fischer fires his BAR M1918A2 at Akira but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Automatic Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

Akira is crouched in the jungle growth. Shooting things.

Masaru rises up to meet the marine that's coming for him.

«Ground Combat» Fischer fires his BAR M1918A2 at Akira but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Automatic Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Ground Combat» Masaru attacks Kyle in melee combat with his Arisaka Type 38 but misses!

«Game» Kappedal assists Fischer!

Fischer motions, "After these two - get Colt and get the hell home."

«Ground Combat» Fischer fires his BAR M1918A2 at Akira but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Automatic Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Ground Combat» Akira reloads his Arisaka Type 99!

Kyle groans as he swings and Fish takes a bullet. "If he dies, I am not going near Anna." He mutters. He nods to the command and stabs. Easy mission pff.

«Ground Combat» Kyle attacks Masaru in melee combat with his Garand but Masaru blocks it!

«Game» Kappedal assists Fischer!

«Ground Combat» Fischer reloads his BAR M1918A2!

Akira has to pause in his shooting spree to reload. Curse undeveloped Japanese technology.

«Game» Kappedal assists Fischer!

«Ground Combat» Fischer fires his BAR M1918A2 at Akira but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Automatic Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Ground Combat» Masaru attacks Kyle in melee combat with his Arisaka Type 38 but misses!

«Ground Combat» Kyle attacks Masaru in melee combat with his Garand but misses!

Somehow, Fish is coming to dread the word easy from Lt. Black as he turns on Akira once more.

«Ground Combat» Fischer fires his BAR M1918A2 at Akira but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Automatic Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Game» Kappedal assists Fischer!

«Ground Combat» Akira fires his Arisaka Type 99 at Fischer and hits!

Fischer suffers 2 wound damage to his left arm.

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Ground Combat» Fischer deploys his BAR M1918A2!

Masaru thinks that Lt Black can't help it if the marines happen to accidentally wander into the one spot where the Japanese could get the marines in a crossfire in the open creek :(

«Ground Combat» Masaru attacks Kyle in melee combat with his Arisaka Type 38 and hits! Kyle suffers 6 wound damage to his right chest.

«Ground Combat» Fischer fires his BAR M1918A2 at Akira but misses!

Akira continues his close-up shooting match with Fischer. Not the quickest way to deal with the American, perhaps, but he doesn't want to get too close to that big BAR.

«Ground Combat» Kyle has been taken out!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Automatic Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Ground Combat» Fischer reloads his BAR M1918A2!

«Ground Combat» Akira fires his Arisaka Type 99 at Fischer but misses!

Kyle just keep's stabbing, the bandages have come his arm as he tries his best to keep dodging in and out of… well that was a rubbish plan, a bayonet to the chest area, hard to recover from, like a bayonet to the eye.

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

Kappedal stares as Kyle goes down, without so much as time to try and help him. /Shit/.

Fischer watches in horror as Kyle gets shanked. "To hell with this!" Fish hefts his BAR. "I'll get Colt, let's get the hell out of here."

«Game» Kappedal assists Fischer!

Masaru stabs poor Kyle square in the chest, and then moves on to the next target.

«Ground Combat» Masaru moves to engage Fischer in close quarters combat, but fails.

Kappedal scrambles to help Fischer undeploy the BAR.

Fischer looks to Kappedal, "Danke. Get out of here. This is no good."

«Ground Combat» Fischer undeploys his BAR M1918A2!

«Game» Kappedal assists Fischer!

«Ground Combat» Akira fires his Arisaka Type 99 at Fischer but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

Kyle guirgles a bit, he's probably dead for real this time. He gurgles quietly to himself, doing his best to make the landscape more red.

Kappedal abandons one of the straps. "Hurry up. I don't think they've spotted me."

«Game» Kappedal assists Fischer!

Fischer grunts and takes the gun. "I'm fine, get Kyle. I'll get Colt." Fish bolts.

«Ground Combat» Fischer moves West <W>.

«Ground Combat» You notice Fischer arrive at Gavaga Creek.

Akira looks around wildly, squinting. Where did the American go?

«Ground Combat» Shinobu fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Colt but misses!

Kappedal ducks down and moves through the underbrush as quickly as he can while keeping his head down. Kyle's body, which he tries to drag along with back westward.

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (1 3)!

Masaru charges Fish with his bayonet but stumbles and the big American gets away. He raises his rifle to shoot instead.

Fischer blinks, seeing the firing still going on at Colt. "You bastards- yellow bastards," He curses violently and moves to scoop up Colt.

«Ground Combat» Masaru reloads his Arisaka Type 38!

«Game» Fischer assists Colt!

Masaru pulls the trigger and CLICK. Out of bullets. Drat. He hurriedly reloads.

«Ground Combat» Kappedal moves West <W>.

«Ground Combat» You notice Kappedal arrive at Gavaga Creek.

«Ground Combat» Akira fires his Arisaka Type 99 at Fischer but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Ground Combat» Colt moves North <N>.

«Ground Combat» Hiroshi fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Fischer but misses!

Kappedal grumbles, "I'm right here."

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (1 3)!

«Ground Combat» Shinobu fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Fischer but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (1 3)!

Kappedal has Kyle, you see. Grunt, heave.

«Ground Combat» Masaru fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Fischer and hits!

Fischer suffers 7 wound damage to his left leg.

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Ground Combat» Akira fires his Arisaka Type 99 at Fischer but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

Fischer growls low in his throat as his leg is hit easily. "Keep. Going." He grits his teeth. Gotta get home. Gotta get back. GOtta. "Danke again… just please keep running."

«Ground Combat» Hiroshi fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Fischer and hits!

Fischer suffers 3 wound damage to his left chest.

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (1 3)!

«Ground Combat» Akira reloads his Arisaka Type 99!

«Ground Combat» Kappedal fires his M1911A1 at Akira but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Pistols from Gavaga Creek (1 4)!

Akira is out of ammo. Perhaps mercifully. But he reloads, dutiful soldier of the Empire.

Akira sees a medic! Jackpot.

Fischer huffs, "Don't worry about - that one. Just - go-" It'll get worse for the both of - he blinks at Ben. Just keep crawling, just keep crawling.

Kappedal draws his pistol and fires. Almost straight into the air, drawing some attention to himself.

Masaru peers at the strange American shooting into the air.

«Ground Combat» Masaru fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Kappedal and hits!

Kappedal suffers 4 wound damage to his right chest.

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

«Ground Combat» Akira fires his Arisaka Type 99 at Kappedal but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (2 4)!

Fischer winces, "Ben! Go just go!" He is moving along too.

Akira concentrates his fire on Kappedal. Priority target, that Red Cross.

Kappedal jams the pistol away and starts trying to help Fisch out of here. Naturally rewarded for this is a shot to the chest that hurts, but hey. It wasn't Fischer. "Come /on/."

Fischer grunts and will wave Ben away. "Almost there. Save your own hide."

«Ground Combat» Hiroshi fires his Arisaka Type 38 at Kappedal but misses!

«Ground Combat» You hear the sound of Rifles from Jungle (1 3)!

«Ground Combat» Kappedal moves North <N>.

«Ground Combat» Fischer moves North <N>.

Akira lines up a shot…only to have his targets disappear. Alas.

«Game» Koli is no longer a war zone!

Gavaga Creek

The Grid-----> > > > > THE GREATEST GENERATION < < <


Coordinates : 1 5

A shallow creek winds through this part of the jungle, rocky and just knee deep in places. The shores are tangled with vegetation, giving way to deeper foilage beyond.

It is currently dawn.

Sub-Rooms :

Contents

Logdummy

Fischer

Kappedal

Colt

West <W> East <E>

South <S>

Logdummy arrives from the South.

Fischer is somehow half-crawling with a scooped up Colt. He's not sure what force of determination keeps pushing him on, but there it is.

Kappedal is shaking like a leaf in a tornado as he tries to help Fischer along northward. His shirt's covered in his own blood for a change, which he barely notices - though he will soon, tough to breathe as it's getting.

"Here," Fish turns, to wrap a little gauze around Kappedal. Stylish corset for Ben. It's crude, Fish picked up a book while injured probably.

The patrol boat is still waiting for them on the beach, at least, and can zip them back to Henderson when they arrive.

"Thanks." Kappedal coughs, spitting a little bit of blood onto th dirt by his boot. "Come on, the boat's not far. Let's get out of here before Anna kills me for what you look like."

Fish manages to wrap poor Ben up, a little, as a sort of thanks. He has to concentrate on moving though. His limbs are aching and breathing feels a bit raggedy. Yick. Fish is in bad shape.

Fish adds quietly, "Not your fault. I appreciate it." Crawlin' like a season of Lost over here.

When the ghastly wounded boys come in sight of the patrol boat, the boat crew hurries out to help them back in. That's going to be a bloody deck.

And poor Kyle's body…

Alas, poor Kyle. Fish looks less than happy. He's pale(r) and just - in bad shape. Either way, he'll flop onto the boat when his turn comes.

Airstrip

The Grid-----> > > > > THE GREATEST GENERATION < < <


Coordinates : 6 12

The airstrip itself is an artificial creation - hacked out of the encroaching undergrowth by the efforts of Japanese engineers at first using nothing but strong arms and sharp tools. Later on in the campaign SeaBees using heavy machinery manage to make the place a little flatter and a little more civilised.

A few ramshackle buildings have been erected around the airstrip. Among them was a storage building that now serves as the aid station. The structure consists of metal sheeting attached halfhazardly to a wooden frame. The roof is covered with palm branches, and there are large "windows" on either side to allow a cross-breeze. Cots line the walls, with a small surgical suite curtained off in the rear.

It's a sorry looking mess that comes back to the Aid Station. The body of a poor fellow once known as Kyle, a filleted Fish, Colt looking like he got a few new holes and even poor Ben didn't escape injury. There's pain in Fish's expression long as he's awake and it's not just the physical sort either. Another little chunk of his soul nibbled away…

Fredricks is finishing the prep of the station, time to get to work!

Annabelle gasps as the stretchers come towards the station, hand covering her mouth. "God in Heaven," she breathes, seeing the state of everyone. A particularly stricken look greets the bloody Fish, but really she's aghast at everyone. "What happened?"

Kappedal brought that injury on himself, granted. But it was worth it; he'd rather see Anna's face with Fish injured than with Fish dead. Right arm pressed up against the soaked field bandage that Fischer maaged to get on him, he crawls down from the truck once they've got Kyle's body out.

Fredricks calls from inside, "Give me a Triage report, who'se first?"

And Fish notices. "I … owe … you one," He manages to Ben. He's dense, but not /totally/ dense. Perhaps he'll have to dictate a letter later. For now, he's just in and out of things. "Bullets," He remarks to Anna. He's torn between an honest response and dealing with it. "… just a bad patrol. Too many at once, I think I lead them the wrong way."

Annabelle clutches Fish's hand tightly, glancing over to Ben with a grateful look. Then her expression clouds when she realizes that he, too, is wounded. "God," she breathes again. "Let's get you lads in and sorted. You'll be all right. Is that… O'Brien?" she asks softly, seeing the fellow left outside. To Fredricks she calls, "That fellow seems worst off." That would be Colt, whose name she unfortunately doesn't know.

"Fish," Kappedal grunts at Fredricks as he gets inside, plunking down heavily on a cot. "Colt's not as bad. Kyle's dead." He pulls his helmet off and slouches against the wall to wait his turn. "~Don't worry about it~" he tells Fish under his breath, in German.

"Yes," Fish replies softly to Anna. "We couldn't leave his body to those bastards," He shakes his head. "Deserves… to at least go home."It's the least they can do right? He swallows and nods. He smiles meekly at Ben. ~I'll figure out someway to pay you back, one way or another.~ He mumbles softly back. He takes a deep breath. He's grateful and a swirl of various post battle emotions, all clouded by the fugue of blood loss. While the fugue isn't as bad as a certain family of engineers', he still looks a bit dazed.

Fredricks looks to Ben, then Fish and nods, "Alright, Anna, get your husband ready for this." He starts prepping himself for the filleting.

"Aye," Anna replies softly to Fredricks. She brushes a hand across Fish's forehead, a brief comforting gesture before she starts preparing him for surgery. It's a grim task, her face growing paler as she cuts away bits of cloth to reveal the wounds. So much blood. "Good on you lads to bring him home." Her hands tremble slightly but she does the work dutifully. "And I'm sure it wasn't your fault, luv. Those Nip bastards never fight fair." A curious glance at the exchange between them in German.

Kappedal is usually one his feet trying to help no matter how bad his injuries are, but this time he's quiet and letting the others handle it. His eyes tear away from Fischer and watch Kyle's body as it's brought in and laid out.

Fish is a red mess. He's still here enough though, to see Kyle. There's a flash of pain and guilt. Just the other day, he talked to Kyle… such a good kid. He'd chat with Ella. Fish grits his teeth a little at the memories, trying to shoo them off, a little tinge with each one. "Dammit," He blinks quickly. It just wasn't fair, was it? Never was. He takes a deep breath and smiles to Anna. "Yeah… I know." He's looking tired though. Fish kind of needs blood.

Fredricks hooks up the Fishblood IV<tm> ready to go. He moves over, "alright, let's go." Ben saved him, and now, it's Fredricks turn.

Kyle's head falls to one side. He looks out on the room through a blind eye under a scabby eyelid, only half attached to his face. The corpse remains still, being a corpse.

"It'll be all right, luv," Anna promises, dipping her head to give him a quick kiss on the cheek before he's whisked off to Fredricks' domain. She murmurs a quiet ~I love you~ in his ear and then leaves him to the good doctor. Probably best she doesn't watch the filleting, much as she wants to stay and hover. Besides, there's still poor Ben to look after. Someone else has Colt. She comes over to where he's sitting, still unsettled but putting on a brave face. "Let's have a look." Eyeing him with concern, she asks, ~Can I do anything?~

Daw. Fish smiles. "Thank you," He murmurs. ~Love you too~ He manages quietly. Then it's time to get refueled with Fishblood IV<tm> and get his filleting finished. He takes a deep breath. "Well, I guess I was overdue. I kind of missed you." He's being a bit of a wiseacre there. But he goes quiet now, to rest.

Fredricks takes Fish off, to the land of drugs and nightnight while he works.

Kappedal is still watching Kyle. Sort of. His eyes are turned that way, though he's kind of staring into space. As Anna comes over, he blinks slowly and looks up. "~Um~…" He licks his chapped lips, tasting mud. "~Some water, Anna? Please?~"

Annabelle nods quietly to Ben. "Sure, aye." She returns quickly with a tin cup of water, and also a couple wet towels so he can get cleaned up a bit. "I want to thank you. For saving him." She swallows hard a bit, knowing that it could just as easily be Fish as well lying next to Kyle. And seeing Fish's gratitude toward Ben, she knows who she owes. "Let me get this clenaed up a bit." She'll start to get his wound ready for the doctor as well, if he'll let her.

Fish is off in dreamland, being filleted, reset, adjusted, blowtorched and repainted. Be good as new soon.

Fredricks comes back, letting Fish be put back into his customary bowl in the station. He then moves to get ready to work on someone else. "Okay, Fish will be okay."

Kappedal shrugs at the thanks. Ew, thanks. "Is he o-…?" Fredricks answers that question before he even finishes it, and he seems to relax just a little. "That's good." He sits up a little bit, moving his arm so Anna can get at the field dressing on his chest.

Annabelle chews her lip a bit at Kappedal's reaction. She tends to the wound as best she can, then breathes a sigh of relief when Fredricks comes back over. "Thank God." Since Ben doesn't want any thanks, He can have them all. "Ben'll need some stitches. I'll go… see to O'Brien." She figures Fish would want that, much as she'd like to go over and just hover and fret.

Kerplunk! Tranquilized Fish settles into his bowl. He's dozing. It'll be a bit but - Fish'll glue back together. He's bound to wake up soon though.

Fredricks nods to Anna, moving to Ben, "I'll take care of this. Shouldn't be too long." He then starts in.

Annabelle takes up the grim task of cleaning up poor Kyle's body. First thing she does is check his dogtags to see whether she should call the Padre. Either way, she'll say a quiet prayer over him before she starts her work. She cleans his body with care, as she would a patient. When the cleaning is finished, and Kyle covered by a blanket, she says to anyone nearby. "I'm going to go get a clean uniform for him." No, she's not. She's going to go fall apart quietly for a little while. She'll be back.

Well, she'll ALSO get a clean uniform for him.

Fish is dozin'.

Fredricks stitches up Bens hole. The one that wasn't there before. He then dresses the wound and puts Ben to bed. Nighty.

Kyle will need the Padre, at least he's not too messy.

Annabelle returns eventually. She does indeed have a bundle of uniform clothes folded under her arm (more than one, from the size of it). And puffy eyes that betray the fact that her trip to the quartermaster involved a quiet detour to that place where nurses go to cry after their brand new husband's been riddled with bullets. Again. She goes to check on Fish first, figuring that Kyle can wait.

Fredricks has dropped off in a chair, head resting on one hand, eyes closed, asleep, looking like he just got out of surgery.

Fish stirs. He's twitching a little in his sleep. What could he be dreaming of? He finally begins to open his eyes, shaking off the morphine haze. It's a slow, agonizing process though. Fish doesn't do much fast in the morning. "…" Blink.

Annabelle casts a glance to Fredricks as she passes by, but doesn't disturb him. Doc deserves his rest! She watches Fish for a moment, rather pathetic if anyone saw her in that moment - concern, fear, love and relief all mixed together on her face. When he stirs, she sets her bundle down next to the cot and takes a seat there, reaching for his hand. "It's all right, luv. You're just waking up from surgery."

Fredricks remains sleeping for the moment. Dreaming of running through fields, or Myrna Loy, one or the other.

Fish takes a deep breath. Woo. He tries to st— yikes. His eyes cross. But he sees Anna and slowly smiles. His eyes brighten a little. He winces on stretching but seems to be trying to push himself upright. His hand is taken for a moment and he gently curls his fingers around hers. "That or I got hit by an ice cream truck," He grins at her. "I'm sorry I worried you, love."

At last we learn Fredricks' secret obsession! "Take it easy, luv. Nips did a number on you this time." A weak smile at his sense of humour being intact. "I almost wish it'd been an ice cream truck." She will help him sit up if he seems bound to do so, and sits there with one arm behind him and the other holding his hand. "I'm just glad you're going to be all right." Unlike poor Kyle. Her brow creases at that thought. "Can I get you anything? You're not in too much pain?"

Fredricks sleeps on, enjoying the sleep. Oooh, Myrna…

Oh my! Fish grunts, "I can tell. Sore…" He smiles weakly. He nods at that. "Thank you," He is bound to sit up. Fish likes to be sitting when he talks. He smiles at her. "I'm glad- so glad to see you," He admits. "For awhile, I was afraid," Fish admits. He takes a deep breath. "No, not now. I'll be fine. Morphine puts me to sleep and you're here," Smile. "Did… Ben and the others- they're alright?"

Perhaps Anna should draw the curtain around Fredricks? She'll help Fish sit up then, and continue to perch on the very edge of his cot, doing the half-hug thing. "I'm glad as well. And so very grateful." She lets out a quiet sigh. Must not think about how close it must have been, if Fish is admitting to being afraid. "It'll be all right now, sure. Ben's fine, aye, and Colt will be as well." She finally learned his name. "I sent for the Padre for O'Brien," she adds softly.

Fredricks is too asleep at the moment to care much. He's enjoying the nap, though it's hard to tell, because he's.. asleep.

Fish smiles at her. He doesn't comment further on how close it was. He closes his eyes at the news of Kyle. His eyes are watering. "God, I had hoped it wasn't true," He admits. "We'd been talking. He was so-" Poor Fish. He cared about Kyle. He takes a deep breath. "He was talking to me. But I guess it can't be helped," He admits. "And I'm glad as many of us made it back as we did," Nod. Fish takes a deep breath and looks to her. "I also - you're alright?"

"I'm so sorry, luv. I know he was your mate." Anna barely knew him, though. Just enough to know his last name. Perhaps she could sense his quiet disapproval. "He's in a better place now, at least." It's the only comfort she can offer. "And aye, I'm glad everyone else is all right." Especially Fish. She gives Fish a gentle squeeze. "Do you want to talk about it at all?" There's a brief shift of her jaw when he asks if she's all right. How to answer? "I'll be all right." Right now she's still clearly unsettled.

Go ahead and talk Fredricks is asleep.

Fish nods, slowly. He takes a deep breath. "Yeah. He'll get to go home to his family. We didn't leave him," He closes his eyes. He smiles at her. "Me too. And I can if you like. If not, I'll let it be," He shrugs. "I mostly … wanted to take down a letter, to recommend Ben for a medal. He saved us," Fish remarks quietly. He smiles weakly again and starts to lift a hand to set a hand on her shoulder. But - alas, he can't quite. Not so soon after surgery. It pains Fish to be so helpless.

"Sure you never leave a lad behind," Anna says quietly, knowing the marine motto. "And his family's grateful for that." She offers him a weak smile. "If it makes you feel better to talk about it, then that'll make me feel better as well. But you needn't on my account." Anna really doesn't need any more details to fret over, but she does want to help Fish however she can. She sees his attempted gesture and squeezes his other hand. "It's all right, luv. I know." The mention of a medal for Ben gets a curious and surprised look. "Honestly? A medal? Right, I'll go get something to write on then." She makes sure Fish is sitting up stable, and then goes to fetch her battered notebook and a pen.

Fredricks snorts, and gets more comfortable. ZZzzzz

He wouldn't. Fish nods at that motto. He tilts his head at her. "Well. It wasn't much beyond the usual 'Japanese have an ugly habit of ambushing you', and I've learned never to believe it when an officer says things are easy," He winks slyly. His fingers curl just a second around hers. "I am glad. You're so understanding," He murmurs. "We got caught in some crossfire was all. Ugly business," His eyes glisten at that. "And yes. Ben shot his pistol, drawing fire to save us. No one had noticed him before… I think I would have been a goner, we had to run out of covver." And surely Anna knows what happens when one is in the open.

Annabelle listens quietly and intently as he relates his tale. "Sure nothing 'round here is ever easy," she remarks wryly, squeezing his hand back. The talk of crossfire causes a flicker of alarm, though she tries to hide it. And in the open? Anna's no tactician, but she's been around soldiers enough to know how bad that all is. Swallowing hard, she doesn't say anything right away. Finally she manages. "Is that how he got shot, then," she concludes softly. Closing her eyes briefly, she says aloud, though it's as much a reminder to herself, "Sure the Good Lord was watching after you lads today." Though poor Kyle.

Fredricks is still asleep and seems to be at relative peace at the moment.

Fish nods slowly at that. He takes a deep breath. "Yes. He would have been unscathed had he not chosen to. I just feel- maybe he deserves /something/ for it and his hard work you know?" He looks to Annabelle. "I'm not being sentimental am I?" He seems concerned about being frivolous. He does catch her concern and murmurs, "It was just - bad luck is all. Nothing more. I know better now, I know the area better too. Got a feel for the cover," He offers. "But all that aside, I am thankful for what we have." There's still sadness mingling in Fish's voice. He adored kyle. Deep breath. "Thank you Anna. For taking care of me."

"'Tisn't sentimental. It sounds very brave, what he did." Anna doesn't say that Ben easily could've been killed had that bullet gone a few inches the other way, figuring that Fish doesn't need reminded of that. She nods when he talks about their luck. "Wasn't your fault, luv. Nobody could know what the area was like." A slight headshake when he thanks her. "You take care of me all the same. 'Tis what it means to be married, aye?" She manages a little smile at that reminder, and cups his cheek with a hand. "I'm thankful as well. I wish I could say something to take away that hurt, but I know there's nothing. I'd give you a big old hug now, save I'm afraid of hurting you." Mummified Fish.

Fredricks stills, then jerks suddenly, sitting upright, looking around. whatthe?

Even Fish could figure that out though. He closes his eyes then opens them. "That is I think," He leans his haed into her hand. "I know. I understand. And yeah- that's probably for the best. Perhaps in a day or two," He offers. No hugs for now! "I just suspect that perhaps I could have done something. But perhaps not," It's a dilemma. He struggles with it. Perhaps soon it will pass. For now, he's foggy. He'll lean a little towards her, then chuckle softly. "I'm sorry. I guess I am just reeling. It'll just be a bit and I'll be good as new," He promises. Even Fish's soul is worn by the horrors of war. "And write that letter, so Ben- can get a medal for this."

Hugs may be out, but Anna leans in anyway to give him a light kiss, aid station propriety be damned. See - Fredricks woke up just for the juicy part. Such that it is. "You're entitled to reel a bit, luv. I know that you did everything you could for your lads. This war's a bloody awful business, but don't take it on yourself." She lets the hand linger on his cheek for another moment before dropping it to pick up her pen. "I'll write it, aye." A glance to the sudden movement as Fredricks stirs so abruptly. "You all right, Doctor?" she asks in concern.

Fredricks rubs his face, and looks to Anna and Fish, and swallows, nodding, rising to his feet, one knee popping.

Fish smiles and returns the little kiss too. He nods. Awww. "I appreciate it. I'll be right as rain soon, promise," He takes a deep breath. He hates to worry her so, but even Fish can't pull his soul back this fast. His eyes are still bleary much as he tries. "Thank you." At least some good- some recognition can come of this. He takes a deep breath. "Hey Doc," Then his eyebrows furrow. "You alright? That sounds kind of rough." Blink. "I'm sorry. I'm a bit mopey."

"I know you will," Anna says kindly. She understands. "And some good did come out of it - you lads made it back." More or less in one piece. She watches Fredricks for a moment to see the answer to Fish's question, then she starts writing the letter. Anna the secretary.

Fredricks winces and nods, flexing one leg, "I'm fine fine.." He clears his throat. Apparently that sleep was kind of intense or just screwed him up. He moves to Fish to look him over. "Welcome back. you'll be fine."

Fish smiles and nods. "It's true…" He did only lose one. A damn sight better than many squads. But still. It weighs on him. He takes a deep breath. Calm Fish. "But, it was glorious to see your face again. I'd nearly passed out on the way home." He was likely afraid he'd never see her again. "If you're sure," Fish eyes Doc dubiously. Fish is one to talk! He smiles feebly. "Well. I guess I can start when we're ready."

Annabelle is sitting next to Fish's cot, the poor fellow rather heavily bandaged. Fredricks is standing nearby, and Anna looks to him. "Always rough waking up out of a sound sleep." Mrs. Insomnia would know all too well. Her lips purse to Fish. "I'm rather glad you didn't. It'd like to have stopped my heart completely." Seeing a bloody Fish was bad enough. Bloody + Unconscious? That's too awful to contemplate. She offers him a weak smile. "Go on whenever you're ready." She's got a notebook open on her lap and pen in hand.

Fredricks finishes checking on the Fishblood IV<tm> and seems satisfied with the progress. "Trust me." He tells Fish, then smiles to Anna. "No kidding."

Ella steps, or rather, hobbles into the aid station and towards the doctor, her face drawn out and she is obviously tired, but that won't stop her from doing her work, "what can I help with."

Fish seems a bit glum. "Well, it's morphine sleep," Fish grins. He winks. "I know." Deep breath. Poor Anna. He'll nod and start explaining the details of Kappedal's valor. How Ben was unscathed and unnoticed, until he shot his pistol to keep the others safe. He even helped carry the wounded and dead back. Ben had saved them countless times, from total squad loss. He nods. "Do you think all that sounds good?" He offers. He smiles as Fredricks checks him. "Thank you Doc."

Annabelle records faithfully, just correcting the grammar here and there. "Aye, that sounds grand." She reads it back to him. "That how you like it?" A faint smile greets Ella. "G'Day. You look tired." A squint. Have they met? It's been a whirlwind of a week, so Anna may just have forgotten Ella's name. Or perhaps they've missed each other on opposite shift.

Fredricks looks to Ella and nods, "Check on Private Colt." He points to another cot, but is distracted by the story of valor. "Sounds good to me." He then smiles, "Welcome."

«Game» It is now dusk.

Ella nods and walks towards the man's cot, leaning down a little to check on him, for now falling silent.

Fish smiles. "Thank you, it means a lot. My arms-" Well, Fish got shot up a bit. He looks to Ella, "GOod day," He smiles politely. He seems satisfied with the letter. "Miss Ella," Fish notes. "I will find an envelope and have someone take it to Sarge then. That letter," He murmurs. "For now… I'm happy to see you all. Has Padre been around?"

"No worries, luv. I'll take it over in a bit." Anna gives Fish a quiet smile. "'Tis very thoughtful of you. And sure I'm happy to see you as well. I haven't seen him, no - was looking for him a bit earlier. Sure he'll be by. Be right back." Anna sets her notebook down on the stack of clothes under Fish's cot and steps over to where Ella's checking on Colt. "G'day - Ella is it? Do you need a hand with anything?"

Fredricks smirks, "Haven't seen Padre yet, sorry." He looks to the others, "Seems the boys are stable enough. Just need to heal some now."

Ella hmms absently, nodding to Fish, "good day Corporal.." her gaze falls back down to the man on the cot. Once she's sure that he's stable, she steps away and looks over to Anna, "no, thank you, I'm fine, and yes, it's Ella."

"Grand. Anna Fischer," Anna offers back, quirking a little smile. She still gets a little jolt of happiness at introducing herself that way, as only a newlywed can be. "Don't know that we've been properly introduced. You with the Yank Red Cross, then?"

Ella looks at the hand and then the woman, but eventually takes it, shaking it a little, "yes." her hand is withdrawn, "forgive me, it's been a long few days, a little tired."

Fredricks moves off to check a few charts, interested in the current supply situation. He starts walking back, writing on a clipboard.

Ella nods with the same absent air around her, "well enough, yes, everyone's been friendly so far, though I'm trying not to get..too close to anyone.." her eyes momentarily dip and then lift again./

Annabelle nods, mouth twisting a bit. "Aye, well, 'tis understandable. Can be rough, when the lads get hurt." Her eyes drift over to Fish's cot, an understanding sadness in her eyes. "If you need anything, just let me know aye?"

Ella nods, "yes, of course, thank you." she moves to slip away again, still hobbling a little, favoring her right leg.

Annabelle watches Ella hobble off with a bit of a puzzled expression. The hobbling leg gets a curious look as well, but then Anna's distracted by an orderly asking her something. She'll have to follow up later. She returns to Fish's bedside, observing. "Poor lass. I think she's still settling in. Oh, before I forget - I brought you some fresh clothes. I'll leave them under your cot here. I got some for Ben and O'Brien as well." The quartermaster was raided!

Fredricks looks up from the clipboard he was writing on and smiles. Wifely stuff.

Fish blinks, and listens. He pauses, "Kyle was her friend too." He remarks quietly. He looks to Anna and smiles. "And oh?" He looks to her. "Thank you so much. You are better to me than I deserve," He looks ruefully at himself.

Well, since she had to cut the arms and leg off of Fish's old clothes, they weren't much use any more. Can't have an unclothed Fish running about. At least not in the aid station. Ahem. "Oh, was he? Blast… I don't know… she might not know yet." Anna frets then. Should she tell her? Someone should. She chews her lip, and then looks back at Fish's last comment. "Nonsense. You deserve that and more." A glance to Fredricks, offering a wan smile when she sees his.

Fredricks looks to Fish, and closes his eyes, "Shit. Great, a friend of Kyles." He looks back to where Ella left to and sighs.

Fish's old clothes are indeed, limbless. And naked Fish would be bad for morale for most. He nods slowly and takes a deep breath. "It will filter back one way or another, I think," Fish replies. He shakes his head. A deep breath. "Bah. I will have to treat you," He winces. "Though I think I may nap again and ask for some asprin or something."

Fredricks moves off slightly and looks to the charts, then nods to Anna, clearing her to drug her husband.

Annabelle looks to Fredricks even as he's nodding. She nods back. "Aye, true enough." And while it may be the good, kind thing to go and find Ella and tell her gently, Anna can't bear to face that sort of grief right now. She feels guilty for that, but avoids the job nonetheless. Chewing her lip briefly, she smiles at Fish. "You do nice things often enough, luv. No worries. Here I'll get you some more morphine, and that'll help you sleep." She fetches the drug and returns. "I'll be right here," she promises.

Fish smiles. "Thank you." He looks grateful. He lets it go for now, "We'll see how it goes?" He offers. "I'll wake up to see you soon. I'm sorry." He nods.

Fish smiles. "Thank you." He looks grateful. He lets it go for now, "We'll see how it goes?" He offers. "I'll wake up to see you soon. I'm sorry." He nods. He looks a bit guilty, after where ella left.

"All right," Anna agrees, though she's not quite sure what they're seeing. She administers the morphine and gives him a quick kiss before making sure he's all tucked in. Once he's asleep, she sends the letter off to the sergeant with an orderly and gets poor Kyle his fresh uniform before settling in to keep watch over her husband.

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