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.""Don't get too comfortable doing that," Pickering said."We may call on youagain.""General," McCoy said."I promised Colonel Stecker and Pick that I would seeStecker while I was here.""My plane leaves Pearl Harbor at eight in the morning," Pickering said."I'dlike to have you around until it leaves.Then you can go to the NavalHospital.Be prepared for it; he's really in bad shape.""Thank you, Sir.""I sent a message to Colonel Rickabee, primarily to warn him that Banningwill need a shave and a haircut and a decent uniform when he arrives.before he goes to see Frank Knox.But I also asked him to call Ernie Sage andtell her you're here, and on your way to the States."Colonel F.L.Rickabee, a career Marine intelligence officer, was Pickering'sdeputy at the Office of Management Analysis in Washington.Ernestine "Ernie"Sage was McCoy's girlfriend, the daughter of the college roommate ofPickering's wife."Thank you, Sir," McCoy said."Tell me, McCoy," Pickering asked."What do you think of George Hart? How ishe under pressure?"McCoy laughed."He was the maddest one sonofabitch I ever saw in my life on the beach atBuka," McCoy said."First, the rubber boat got turned over and he had a hellof a hard time getting ashore.And then I told him he was going to have towait there-alone, overnight at least-while the native radio operator and Iwent looking for Howard and Koffler.""But he did what he was expected to?"Page 79ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html"Oh, yes, Sir.He's a good Marine, General.""I thought he might turn out to be," Pickering said.[SEVEN]Marine BarracksU.S.Naval StationPearl Harbor, T.H.1715 Hours 15 October 1942Sergeant George F.Hart, USMCR, and Corporal Robert F.Easter-brook, USMCR,came out of the basement of Headquarters Company unshaved, unwashed, andwearing the utilities they had put on at Guadalcanal.Each was carrying alarge, stuffed-full seabag."What now, Sergeant?" Sergeant Hart asked the freshly shaved, freshly bathed,and impeccably shined and uniformed staff sergeant who was their escort sincethe plane from Espiritu Santo landed."I was told to get you issued a clothing issue," the staff sergeant replied."I done that.You been issued.I guess you wait to see what happens next."At that moment, a corporal, who was just as impeccably turned out as thestaff sergeant, pushed open the door and marched down the highly polishedlinoleum toward them."I'm looking for a Sergeant Hart and a Corporal Eastersomething," heannounced."You found them," the staff sergeant announced."Ain't you the Colonel'sdriver?""Yeah.You want to come with me, you two?""Where are we going?" Sergeant Hart asked.The corporal ignored the question, but did hold the door open for them asthey staggered through it under the weight of their seabags.CorporalEasterbrook was carrying additionally a Thompson.45 ACP caliber submachinegun, an Eyemo 16mm motion picture camera, and a Leica 35mm still camera, plusa canvas musette bag.Parked at the curb was a glistening 1941 Plymouth sedan, painted Marinegreen-including its chromium-plated bumpers, grille, and other shiny parts.The corporal opened the trunk and the seabags were dropped inside."You taking the Thompson with you?" the corporal asked."Yes, I am," Easterbrook replied."You're not supposed to take weapons off the base," the corporal said."But IPage 80ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlguess this is different."" 'Off the base'?" Sergeant Hart asked."Where are we going?"The corporal did not reply until they were in the car.Once they were inside,he consulted a clipboard that was attached to the dashboard."Some place in the hills," he said."Muku Muku.They gave me a map.""What the hell is Muku Muku?" Sergeant Hart asked."Beats the shit out of me, Sergeant.It's where I was told to take you.""There it is," the corporal said."There's a sign."Sergeant Hart looked where he pointed.A bronze sign reading "Muku Muku" wasset into one of the brick pillars supporting a steel gate.The corporal drove the Plymouth five or six hundred yards down a narrowmacadam road lined with exotic vegetation.The road suddenly widened andbecame a paved area in front of a large, sprawling house.That's a mansion, Sergeant George Hart thought,not a house.Must bePickering's.There's no other logical explanation."What the hell is this?" Easterbrook asked."It must be our transient barracks," Hart replied.Fleming Pickering opened the passenger door and put out his hand."Welcome home, George," he said."Thank you, Sir," Hart said."I didn't expect to see you here, General.""I didn't expect to be here," Pickering replied."Get yourself cleaned up,have a drink, and I'll explain it all to you." He leaned over the front seatand offered his hand to Easterbrook."I'm General Pickering," he said."You're Easterbrook, right?""Yes, Sir.""Those pictures you took, and the motion picture film you shot, were justwhat I needed.Come on in the house, and I'll try to show you my gratitude."When Fleming Pickering knocked on the door, Sergeant Hart and CorporalEasterbrook were sitting in a large room furnished with two double beds.Theywere showered and shaved and wearing new skivvies.A moment later Pickeringwalked in, a freshly pressed uniform over his arm."This is Easterbrook's," he said, handing it to him."Yours will be along inminute, George.""Yes, Sir.""You don't have a drink?" Pickering said."I thought the refrigerator wouldneed restocking by now."Page 81ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlHe slid open a closet door.Behind it was a small refrigerator, full of beerand soft drinks."And there's whiskey in that cabinet," he said, pointing."If you'd rather.""I'll have a beer, please, Sir," Hart said, and walked to him.Pickering opened a beer, then walked to Easterbrook and handed it to him."Son, why don't you put on a shirt and trousers, that's all you'll need, andthen go down and sit with McCoy on the patio.I need a word with SergeantHart.""Yes, Sir," Easterbrook replied, and hastily put on a khaki shirt and pants.Pickering made himself a drink of scotch, and waited until Easterbrook wasgone before he spoke."You were just paid a pretty good compliment, George," Pickering said."McCoysaid of you, quote, 'He's a good Marine, General.' ""I'm flattered," Hart said."If only half the things they say about him aretrue, he's a hell of a Marine.""I'm on my way to Australia, George.Tomorrow morning.In a day or two,they'll find you a seat on a plane to the States.Show your orders in SanFrancisco and tell them to route you via St.Louis on your way to Washington.Take a week to see your folks, and then go to Washington.Then pack your bagsagain.I don't think I'll be coming back there any time soon-that may change,of course-but I'd like to have you with me in Australia.""Aye, aye, Sir," Hart said, and then: "May I ask a question, Sir?""Certainly.""Wouldn't it make more sense if I went to Australia from here?""It would, but I didn't want to ask you to do that.I mean, after a man getstossed out of a rubber boat.""McCoy told you about that?"".in the surf off an enemy-held island, he's entitled to a leave [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]