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

tent. He stopped at the entrance, smiled and spoke, with a southern accent, to the soldier on guard.
    “Looks like another big meeting,” said Killian as he nodded toward the tent.
    “Yes Sergeant. Those officers are always planning something,” replied the guard, with a grin.
    Killian nodded and walked away. Once out of the guard’s sight he darted back behind the large tent. He knelt and for close to ten minutes listened to the Confederate officers’ conversation, learning their plans for an upcoming battle. Then he sauntered back out into the open and down toward the river. He avoided the Confederate patrol and made his way to the shoreline. He felt it was safe to swim the short distance back across the river, as there was still good cloud cover. He entered the water and started across. As he swam, his uniform began to change back to one of a Union soldier. When he was about halfway across, the sky dealt him a bad break. The clouds separated and a bright three-quarter moon shone down on the river. He was spotted by the Confederate patrol. Shots were fired. Killian felt two bullets slam into his lower back. He fell forward, went under the water, and blacked out.
    In the slow currant his body drifted down river. After a few seconds his eyes opened. Realizing he was underwater he rose to the surface, and took a couple of deep breaths. He looked back and saw that he had only drifted about fifty yards, and the cloud cover had returned. There wasn’t any more firing. He guessed the Rebs had assumed they’d killed him.
    Killian swam the few yards to the shore and stood up. He reached back and felt the area where he’d been shot. The bullet wounds had already healed. He started walking toward the rendezvous point. His four men were standing by the tree line, waiting for him.
    “Sergeant, what are you doing coming from that way? We just patrolled down there and didn’t see you,” said one of the soldiers.
    “I crossed over here, and then went downstream. I must have crossed in behind you.”
    “You swam across, Sergeant?” asked another soldier.
    “Yes, it’s not very deep, and I had good cloud cover.”
    “We heard shots fired. Were they at you?”
    “Yes, but they didn’t come close. Let’s get back to camp; you can give me your reports on the way.”
    Killian didn’t tell them what he had done or what he had heard.
    When they arrived at the camp he dismissed the others, and headed for the colonel’s headquarter tent. A corporal on guard informed him the colonel was in a meeting with other officers, but Killian insisted it was important he give his report. The corporal went to check if the sergeant could enter. A few moments later, the corporal returned and let Killian into the tent. As he stepped inside, Killian heard the colonel discussing the next day’s plan of action. Most of the officers were in attendance, including the pompous Lieutenant Liddle, who was staring at him.
    “Asshole,” Killian whispered under his breath.
    Colonel Crosset acknowledged the new arrival. “Come on up here, Sergeant. We were just finishing our meeting. We’d like to hear your report.”
    Killian glanced at the other officers and hesitated. “Now, sir?” he asked.
    “Of course now, I don’t think we have any spies in here.” The colonel chuckled, as did the other officers.
    “Colonel, my men reported there isn’t any unusual activity up or down the river.”
    “That’s good news, Sergeant.”
    “But I was able to cross the river and get back behind the Confederate officers tent.”
    There was mumbling among the officers. Lieutenant Liddle rolled his eyes and shook his head in disbelief.
    “You did? How is that possible, Sergeant?” asked the colonel, with surprise.
    “They only had one patrol out. I was lucky and caught them off guard, sir.”
    No one said anything for a moment.
    “Colonel, the Rebs are planning an attack.”
    “What? An attack, when?” asked the astonished colonel.
    “In the morning,