Only Fools Rush In [to be edited]

Choosing Sides

That evening, while Brennan and the sergeant discussed issues and concerns in their fireteams, Sergeant Quill tossed his canteen at Brennan’s feet and rolled the wad of gum between his cheeks. Brennan looked up, his finger still on the map, and nodded his head with a respectful, “Sir.”

“Corporal Brennan, we are thankful for your safety, and it’s a miracle you’ve returned. However, we have concern about the death of Sergeant Monaghan.”

“Sir, he was shot multiple times in the chest, abdomen, and head, sir. The body is MIA.” Brennan squinted in confusion. He wasn’t sure why his friend was brought up after extent talk of him earlier that day, and he was sure no one assumed that he had a cunning hand in it.

“Corporal, one of your privates, Private Wallace, overheard some of the tension between you and Sergeant Monaghan the night before his death. What was it about?” The soldier’s taught, yet large frame, bent over, and his dark face shadowed Brennan’s. He was half Mexican and half Caucasian, making him a controversial subject for a while until he rescued a specialist and staff sergeant.

Brennan folded his hands over his bent knees and cleared his throat. “Sir, he had been drinking.”

“Why didn’t you report it?”

“The situation called for me to look after my men. His drinking had been a problem before and I had thought he had given it up completely. But, sir, if you think that if reporting him would’ve prevented his death; I assure you that he was on his way to being bagged. He suffered from depression and nightmares, sir, the drinking was his way of forgetting it all.”

The large, dark skinned man knelt down onto one knee and draped his arm on the propped knee. “Corporal, I am not accusing you of his death. I was just wondering if you were aware that he was planning on murdering you.”

“What?” Brennan let out a laugh of disbelief and rocked backwards. Smoothing the back of his head, he looked over at Sergeant Chevoski and then their superior.  “I knew Monaghan had issues, but he never had murder in his heart. And I don’t know why it’s a concern now that he’s dead.”

“It’s a concern, Corporal, because you were the closest person he knew. I’m just asking if you’d be all right to tell his parents.”

“That’s not protocol--,” Brennan excused before being interrupted with a gruff bark.

“I don’t care, boy, the family needs to hear it from someone like you. If you’re wondering why I’m asking you is because you knew him better and have a way with words—I can tell. I don’t want his parents to know about his death threats towards you, is that clear?”

“Sir, yes, sir.” Brennan stood up and gave him a proper salute. Before they parted, Brennan, believing that he had the sergeant wholly on his side, he asked confidently, “Sir. About the girl, what are we going to do?”

“Corporal, she’s your responsibility. But you either leave her with no memory of what happened, or take her with us. However, she’ll be treated on the lowest priorities. Weigh the cost, and let me know by morning.”

“Sir, yes, sir.” Brennan rubbed his hands thoughtfully on his pants before adding sensitively, “And sir, about Monaghan. I know he was wrong, but he was good man.”

The sergeant remained silent and left Brennan to continue his formation. Sergeant Chevoski clapped Brennan on the back. “Don’t worry, GI, keep yourself focused. We’re huddling here tonight, so get some shut eye before your shift. Dismissed.”

“Yes, sir.” Brennan delivered his expected salute and made off to his area of the campsite. It was a small perimeter; large enough to hold a squad together, which were eleven men and Tien. His fellow soldiers sat in their bed of leaves, munching on food that did not need the making of a fire. Seeing Private First Class Nelson and Wallace sitting a yard from Tien, he headed their way. At the sight his approach, the two PFCs stood up.