condensed master

Will Bonner
It was like watching a movie, but now there were several crew members
gripping Will's arms and legs, lifting him into the air to carry him back on board to
his bunk. The activity around him was now intense, but Will could feel his body
starting to shake, and no matter how he tried, it seemed impossible to stop. He
was not aware that he was going into shock.
A doctor from shoreside arrived quite soon. He was a small, thin, quietly
spoken man, dressed in a light cotton suit and carrying the usual black bag. The
severe shivering, had by now subsided into a mild tremor. After an examination
and first-aid to the various cuts, it was ascertained that the shotgun pellets were
only just under the surface of the skin, and they could be removed on the spot. His
body was covered in red weals from the baton, gun and army boot, but the skin
under his clothes had not been broken. He was going to have multiple bruises for
some time to come. The cuts on his lip, face and ear had swollen, and looking in
the mirror he resembled a prize-fighter that had taken a heck of a lot of punishment
in the boxing ring! It hurt to laugh or smile as his sense of humour began to return.
“There’s nothing broken,” the doctor concluded, “I’ll need to see you again
in a couple of days. Do you wish to file a formal complaint?” Will hesitated, it had
not entered his mind. After a prolonged pause the doctor continued, “You have
genuine cause, but in any case, I will have to put in my medical report for the
record.”
"No, I don't think I will. I was at fault for disobeying orders in the first place."
"But that didn't warrant the beating you received," the doctor countered, "in
the meantime, should you have any problems, don't hesitate to call me."
Directly after the doctor had gone the second officer appeared, and Will soon
concluded why his step had been so uncertain when they passed on the landing.
The smell of whisky permeated the cabin.
"How are you faring Brenner?"
"I'll survive sir, but I disobeyed orders. What's going to happen to me now?"
"Nothing, unless the American military brings it up and under the
circumstances, I don't think they will. Your escapade has created quite a stir out
in the community, and I think it will result in us being allowed ashore from now on."
"Perhaps threatening them with a loaded revolver might have had something
to do with that!"
The second officer smiled. "Just you take things easy for a day or two, but you
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