Free 1915 Fokker Scourge (British Ace Book 2) by Griff Hosker Page B

Harsker, I did warn you, now you will have your court martial!”

Chapter 6
    To say I was stunned would be an understatement.  I had just saved a brother officer’s life and I was now under arrest. I now understood why he had brought armed soldiers and Sergeant Shield; his pet guard dog and spy. They had surrounded me in an instant.  Gordy and Ted began to protest.
    “Sir, you cannot be serious!”
    “Consider your position before you say another word, gentlemen. I will happily put you both in the same cell as the prisoner.”
    I almost laughed as the cell would be a tent. “Leave it lads , let the little man have his moment of pleasure.”
    The watching gunners and airmen began smiling as the major went bright red with rage.  He spluttered, “You are making it worse for yourself! You, you, ex-sergeant!”
    At that many of those watching did laugh including two of my erstwhile guards. I found I was enjoying this.  “How am I making it worse?  Will you arrest me twice and court martial me twice?” I turned to the airmen guarding me, “Well then boys, let’s get on with it!”
    “I give the orders!”
    “Well give them then, I have had a hard day.” I smiled, “I take it I will not need to write a report tonight?”
    “Take him away!” His voice was so high that only dogs heard part of it.
    One of the airmen said, “Er where to sir?”
    “His tent , you imbecile!”
    That made it even more laughable.  When I reached my tent I said, “Thank you for the escort boys. I feel much safer with you to protect me.”
    “The prisoner will refrain from speaking with his guards, sir!”
    “Really, Sergeant Shield and in which part of King’s Regulations is that sentence to be found?”
    His silence was eloquent.  I had been taught well by my mentor in the cavalry, Sergeant Armstrong.  The guard dog did not know the regulations; he just cherry picked them. I took off my flying gear and lay back on my cot.  What a day! I could not have expected it would end this way but I knew that I would not change one of my actions.  In a way it was a relief.  The major had constantly threatened me with a court martial.  I was just pleased that it was for something worthwhile.  I hoped that Lieutenant Holt would recover.  In all the commotion I had not had time to ask after him.
    I heard the guards talking outside until Sergeant Shield roared, “You are on duty.  If you speak again you will be on a fizzer!”
    There was silence as, I assumed, he walked away. I heard one of the guards say quietly, “Pompous prick!”
    Then there was silence.  I knew that the rest of the officers would be in the mess.  I closed my eyes and enjoyed the peace.  I must have fallen asleep for the next thing I knew Captain Marshall and Gordy were standing over me.  It was dark and they had a lamp and a tray of food.
    Gordy laughed, “How you can sleep at a time like this is beyond me. Here we brought you some food and the Captain here will take you through the procedure of the court martial.” He suddenly became serious. “It looks bad, Bill.”
    I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and took the tray. I looked up at the captain. “Well go on, sir, while the condemned man eats a hearty meal.”
    I could see that the cooks had gone out of their way to make the meal as hearty and appetising as they could. I doubted that Sergeant Shield and the major would approve.
    The Captain sat on my camp stool while Gordy sat on the bed. “Let’s get the charges out of the way.  Firstly that you wilfully disobeyed orders,  by leaving your allotted patrol, secondly that you wilfully disobeyed orders by flying over the enemy lines and engaging German aeroplanes which were not attacking you and thirdly,” he sighed, “that you went to the aid of Lieutenant Holt landing your aeroplane behind enemy lines and jeopardising yourself, your gunner and your aeroplane.”
    I continued to chew . Gordy said, “Well? Aren’t you going to say