After lunch on the next day, Sgt. Jake Collins assembled the fourth squad behind the hooch. The area doubled as a meeting place and a hangout during downtime. It consisted of makeshift chairs in a circle and what resembled a picnic table.
Sgt. Collins asked Mike for a report on how the newest member fared after running him through the obstacle course, which incorporated a shooting range.
“Well, Sarge,” Mike said. “He shoots as good ….”
“You should’ve looked on my record. I have a Marksman rating.” Carl interrupted.
“How was his time?” Sgt. Collins said, ignoring their newest member.
“He didn’t choke when I threw a couple of surprises at him. He came close to beating the course record.”
“Good. Make sure he is all geared up for our next mission.”
Mike and Jack nodded.
“Why didn’t you ever look at my record from State side?” Carl asked, feeling like they discounted everything he had done before arriving in Vietnam.
“You may be older than the other squad members, but you haven’t been in a firefight where bullets are flying all around you. We still don’t know if you’re going to run or stick with us in a fight.”
Sgt. Collins took his Zippo and relit his cigar. After taking a drag and blowing it out. This was Collins’ way of changing the subject. Mike and Jack knew not to speak during this time.
“We got orders to take some supplies to An Hoa. Once there, we’re to take possession of three orphans. On the way back, we’re to drop them off at the orphanage in Moi An. By the way, the Captain will be going with us.”
“Why is that?” Jack asked.
“The Captain told me he’s been spending too much time behind the desk. It also has something to do with giving his personal word that we would make our deliveries on time.”
“Does that mean we won’t have to do any hiking?” Jack asked.
“That’s right.”
“My feet still hurt from our last hike.”
Ignoring Jack’s comment, Collins continued. “I’ll be driving a deuce and a half. You two will be in the back with the supplies. On the way back, you are to make sure the kids are safe. Carl, you’ll ride up front with me. It will give me some time to get to know you.”
“Will we be getting our usual cut?” Mike asked.
“Except for Carl, this is his orientation run.”
“What cut?” Carl asked.
“Let’s see how you do tomorrow. Then we’ll discuss things in more detail when we get back,” Sgt. Collins ran his left forefinger and thumb across his lips before putting his cigar back in his mouth.
***
The Capt. Phillips with his driver followed in a jeep behind the M35 Duce carrying 4th Squad. In the back rode Jack and Mike with supplies slated for delivery at the garrison in An Hoa. Carl sat up front with Sgt. Collins.
The convoy barely exited the west gate before Sgt. Collins began educating Carl. “I know you completed your Advanced Infantry training with high marks. I want you to know that around here we do a few things a little different.”
“Like what?”
“How much do you remember from your training?”
“They threw a lot at us. I’m able to remember most of it.”
“I want to make you aware that we report directly to Capt. Phillips.”
“I thought every squad had a lieutenant in the chain of command?”
“Our squad is different. Capt. Phillips likes us to get our orders directly from him. That way there is no confusion as to what he wants.”
Carl nodded and filed that information in the back of his brain. “What else do I need to know?”
“Have you put a round in the chamber of both your rifle and sidearm?”
“No, sir.”
“Put a round in each right now.”
“But doesn’t that increase the risk of one of them going off and shooting you by mistake?”
“If you shoot me by mistake. I’ll kill you. Just keep the safety on and pointed away from me.”
Carl didn’t know how to take this threat. In all his training, Carl never had his life threatened like Sgt. Collins just did.
“Those seconds of putting a round in the chamber during an ambush could mean the difference of saving your life or your death.”
Carl immediately loaded a round in the chamber of both his sidearm and rifle. He double-checked the safety.
A little further down the road, Sgt. Collins asked, “So you are from California?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What part?”
“The Santa Maria.”
“I thought you told Jack that you were from a place called Tulare.”
“I was born in Tulare County. I kicked around for a time when I signed my enlistment papers in Santa Maria. Why do you ask?”
“We depend upon each other to stay alive. It helps to know as much as possible about each other. That knowledge helps your teammates know how you will react in a life or death situation.”
“Oh,” Carl remained quiet. He feared being found out about his deception.
During the rest of the trip, Sgt. Collins switched from sharing something about himself to asking Carl personal questions. The more Sgt. Collins asked the more Carl got nervous.
The road followed the path along the river for most of the way, before going over a mountain to An Hoa. Once in An Hoa, they dropped off the supplies. They had to wait over an hour before the children arrived. During that time, Sgt. Collins took Capt. Phillips aside. Carl could see Sgt. Collins and Capt. Phillips talking.
While in the hospital, Carl learned to read lips. It helped in knowing what the staff were saying about him. He was able to make out Sgt. Collins telling Capt. Phillips, “Something is not right about Daniels.”
“What do you mean?” Phillips’ face changed to being worried.
“When I asked him about himself, he changed the details in ways that made me think he was making some of it up.”
“Do you think he could be someone sent to investigate our little operation?”
“If he’s not, he sure acts like someone who has a lot to hide.”
“When we get back, I’ll do some in-depth checking on him and take action if needed.”
