A knock at Colonel Hessler's makeshift door pulled him away from a log entry and indicated the arrival of his expected guest.

From an area enclosed by curtains of whatever material could be found, the sleepy voice of Mrs. Hessler called out.

"Who is it, dear?"

Hessler called to the waiting soldier "Only a minute!" He looked over at her, pen still on paper. "Fifth company commander. Are you decent?"

The young Mrs. Hessler emerged, dressed in an ill-fitting uniform. She was lovely, the very paragon of poise and elegance, in every way the opposite of both the circumstances and the very masculine uniform she wore. Still, the uniform was of that marvelous material that was cool when hot and warm when chilly: she preferred nothing else.

"As much as I can be in this." She gave a twirl. "How do I look?"

"Gorgeous as always, which believe it or not is a negative quality at the moment. Bad for discipline. "

She rolled her eyes. "Joachim, why must you always be the stoic pragmatist? Shall I go rub my face in the dirt?"

For the first time in what felt like years, he smiled. With a twinkle in his eye, he rejoinded, "Could you?"

She sighed overly dramaticly, "I expect you and the Captain shall be speaking for some time. I shall go visit Mrs Blakeney, see how she is doing." As she exited, Joachim called out.

"Enter."

" You wanted to see me, sir?" Captain Jager opened the door and leaned his almost shaven head in. The heat was oppressive and the Colonel had no intention of holding it against anyone to shorten their regulation haircuts. 

"Yes, come in. Have a seat."

In many ways, Hessler saw himself in the young officer. He could find no one better to entrust with the responsibility of caring for the soldiers.

"Captain,I want you to be aware, that I have no intention of taking fifth company from you. Consider me the military governor of this Island. The responsibility of leading, training, and organizing the soldiers is still yours. I will continue to give instructions, but I will do so only through you. You are their direct superior, not me. Am I understood?"

"Yes sir." 

"Good. I want 1st platoon to devote its efforts to constructing a water distillation apparatus. This is easily done.

Second platoon ought to be engaged in the procurement and cooking of whatever wildlife and fauna can be found. Select the hardiest men whenever new things must be tried.

Third platoon is on watch. Have them entrench.

Fourth platoon is to head east-northeast and check the other crash for survivors. 

Understood?"

"Yes sir."

"Perfect. Dismissed."