The Chameleon Soldier: NOW AS AN ALIEN BLUE HE CANNOT DIE. Read Online Free PDF

way to Fort Custer, he decided to change his last name. Too many men in the cavalry had heard of Master Sergeant Killian Muldoon. He decided to do honor to his mother by using her maiden name.
    It was late in the afternoon, when he rode through the front gate of Fort Custer. As he entered, he noticed a commotion in the center of the parade grounds. Soldiers were struggling with what appeared to be a few old, very drunk Indians. A number of soldiers and civilians were laughing as they watched the soldiers struggle to put the unruly Indians into an outdoor barbed wire fence stockade. Killian dismounted and asked a cavalry sergeant what it was all about.
    “We have a liquor problem around here. White settlements nearby have a few unprincipled men who traffic liquor to the Crows. There’s nothing that tends to degrade, demoralize, and stir up an Indian as much as the use of intoxicating drink. The old Crow Indians are affected the worse. They’re drunk when they enter the fort and raise a ruckus. It’s almost a daily occurrence,” chuckled the grinning sergeant.
    Killian nods. “Sergeant, I’m here to enlist in Company M. Can you direct me where to sign up?”
    “Sure. We can use young, strong-looking men like you.” He pointed the way. “Go into that building over there. The duty officer will get you signed up.”
    “Thanks, Sergeant.”
    Killian tied his horse by the fort entrance, walked over, and entered the building to enlist in Company M, of the 1st Cavalry. He told them his name was Killian Danaher and he was twenty-eight years old. Along with three other young recruits, he was sent over to the infirmary, for a physical. Upon entering the small eight-bed infirmary, each man was told to take off their shirt and sit on one of the beds. Killian removed his shirt and sat on the fourth bed. A doctor, in his mid-fifties, came over, and one by one he examined the men. When he came to Killian he hesitated for a moment.
    “Trooper, what’s your name?”
    Killian stared at the doctor. He was trying to remember if he had seen the man before. “Killian Danaher, sir,” he answered.
    The doctor studied Killian’s face and proceeded with the examination.
    He stepped back and looked at the four men. “You all seem to be in good shape. Put your shirts on and relax.”
    The doctor crossed the room, and spoke in a low tone to the young medical officer, who had been assisting him. The officer left the infirmary. The doctor went over to a cabinet and removed two bottles. He counted out eight pills and handed two pills to each to the four men. “There’s water on the table next to you. Take the pills as they’re good for your health,” he explained.
    The four men did as they were told.
    The infirmary door opened and the young medical officer entered, followed by a burly sergeant, a powerfully built private, and Major Hiram Liddle.
    The doctor tapped the other three cavalry recruits on the shoulder. “You may leave.”
    He looked at Killian. “Trooper Danaher, please remain.”
    As the three young recruits walked out of the infirmary, Major Liddle stepped over to Killian, who was sitting on the bed. He intensely stared into his face. Killian gave no indication that he recognized his old enemy.
    “My God, Dr. Mead,” he hissed. “It’s him.
    “How can that be Major? Killian Muldoon is our age.”
    “But still, doctor, it’s him. I’ve never forgotten that face or those steely blue eyes.”
    “It’s impossible, but I do agree with you Major.”
    The two men talked as if Killian was a statue, like he wasn’t even there.
    The major took a step closer to Killian. “It is you, isn’t it, Sergeant Muldoon?” It was as much a statement as a question.
    “My name is Killian Danaher, sir. I don’t know what you two officers are talking about.”
    The major stared hard at him.
    “Do you know a Sergeant Muldoon? Maybe your father?” asked Dr. Mead.
    “No, sir, I don’t,” Killian answered.
    The major broke in.