salute [james conrad] 1

Chapter 19

Charlotte wipes the sweat off her forehead as she leans down to fill up her bottle of water.

"Their flare was only two klicks north" James says, looking around the jungle.

"They should be here soon" He finishes as Charlotte stands up besides him, and looks around.

"Unless they were eaten by something thatt's bigger than us" She hears Mason says behind her.

Charlotte turns around, eyeing her for a moment, frowing.

But then she turns around, watching as from the deep jungle, a half a dozen soldiers emerge.

She sighs in releif, and pulls the gun to her back, smiling softly.

She watches as Silvko runs towards the soldiers, hugging them happily.

Then she sees Randa, shaking hands with Brooks.

Then she turns back to look at Packard who is walking towards both of them.

Packard shakes hands with James, and then moves on to shake hands with Charlotte.

"What's your count?" James asks, looking around.

Packard shrugs.

"What you see is what you got" He says simply.

Charlotte nods, her attention turning back at Packard.

"Yeah, we lost one too" She says.

Besides her, Hank steps up, wiping his hands on his shirt.

"Good to see you fellas!" he exclaims, looking at Packard.

Packard frowns, looking at Hank in confusion.

"Who the hell is this?" He questions.

"We picked up a hitchhiker" James says, looking at Hank and then back at Packard.

Charlotte nods, and she puts up her hand, patting Hank's back a few times, telling him to step forward.

"Lieutentn Hank Marlow of the 45th pursuit Squadron of the 15th" He begins, looking at the other soldiers.

Pakcards eyebrows rise, and he tilts his head slightly.

"You've been here since World War II?" He questions.

Hank nods.

"Yes sir. I miss the parade?" He asks jokingly as he smiles around.

Packard nods, smiling.

"I'll be damned"

Then he stands straight, and puts up his right hand in a salute, Hank doing the same.

"Snap to, Lieutenant" he says.

James smiles, his hands on his hips as he looks at Hank.

"We're gonna get him home, sir" He says, his comment directed at Packard.

Charlotte nods, stepping forward.

"If we follow this river, we'll make it to the boat, and we'll make it to the north shore in time" Chalrotte says, pointing to thte small river besides them.

Packard looks at his hands, contemplating.

"Sounds good, but we're not leaving here yet" He says.

Charlotte frowns, as does James.

"Still got a man out there, Wilson" He begins, as he looks at her, and begins walking slowly.