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Then Valentine grabbed a spare satchel of signals gear, made sure one of the brigade's few headsets and a flare pistol rested in the holster within, and left.
* * * *
The visit to the hospital was brief. It was the only tent the brigade had set up, mostly because of the big red cross on it. The only other casualty was what was left of a soldier who had a shell go off practically under him. The Moondaggers were dropping most of their shells on the bridge, either trying to keep the rest of the brigade from getting across or in the hopes of a lucky series of shots downing it for good.
Colonel Bloom seemed likely to live, at least long enough for the damage sustained by her pancreas to kill her. She sat up in bed, giving orders.
After hearing the medical report, he sent a messenger for Gamecock.
"Valentine, thank God you're here," she said, pushing away a nurse. "Silence those mortars, fix the bridge, and get the brigade across. These cutters want to sedate me and open me up.
Don't let them stick anything in me until the brigade's safe."
"I think you should do what the doctors ask. I'll take care of the brigade. We'll wriggle out of this fix. The Moondaggers seem to be trying again."
"Yes, I heard the Wolfs report. Right before the world flipped over on me."
"Sorry about that, sir."
She looked like she was trying to smile. "Couldn't be helped. Don't worry about me. Go do your duty."
"If you'll let them get that shrapnel out."
She nodded. Then she opened one eye. "Oh, Valentine?"
"Yes, Colonel?"
"Get a hit."
He smiled. The old Bloom was back. "Their infield's in. I think I can poke one through."
Valentine found the doctor he'd first talked to.
"Have you ever tried transfusions from a Bear?" Valentine asked.
"I've read about some amazing results. But I believe it must be done quickly, while there's still living tissue and nerve impulses."
Gamecock arrived, breathless from a run across the bridge. His Bears were sheltering on the opposite side.
"What's Bloom's blood type?" Valentine said.
"O positive, suh," the doctor said. "Fairly common."
"Gamecock, get your Bears' blood type,"
"I've kept up with the research too, Major," Gamecock said. "You might say I have needle-in experience. I spent a week at Hope of the Free hospital, passing blood to critical cases. They bled me white and kept trying to refill my veins with orange drink."
"I need an-no, make it two-two Bears with either O positive or O negative blood. Right away. Doctor, give Colonel Bloom a transfusion as soon as one can be arranged. Then a second in twelve hours. Is that clear?"
"If the Bears are willing, I am. I've heard stories about injecting one and getting your jaw rewired in return. I want willing and, more important, calm subjects."
"I'll watch over them myself, suh," Gamecock said.
"I'm going to need you for a few hours, Lieutenant," Valentine said. "We're going after those mortars."
"Did you take a look at that bluff, sir? It's a steep one. I'd hate to waste Bears taking it."
"The Moondaggers will have to prove they know how to hold off a Bear assault. I still think they don't know what to do about someone who fights back."
