• Title: Planning Ahead
• Challenge Response: Challenge 17 -  Professional Development
• Archive: Anywhere
• Author: ServeToResist
• Description:Krycek takes a class to improve his chances of survival.
• Word Count: Under 500 Words

"Hey, who is that kid?"

Sid followed his Josh's gaze.  He'd noticed the indicated newcomer when he came in, dressed as he was in blue jeans, a t-shirt, and a leather jacket.  Now that he had a better look at him, the kid looked about 17, ten year younger than anyone else in the squad.  "I've never seen him before."

Sargeant Robertson came into the classroom and announced that the instructor had been delayed, and class would be held at 2:00.  Left to their own devices, the class scattered.  At lunch, Sid spotted the kid in the mess hall, and sat next to him, "Never seen you around before.  What's your name?"

"Jebediah O'Malley.  Yours?"

"Sid Bryna.  You from West Point?"

The kid politely put down his burger and shook his head, "Not since I graduated a couple years ago."

"Really?  How old are you?"

"Just turned 18.  A lot of people think I'm younger, though.  I'm guessing that's what you're getting at."

"You definitely look younger.  Why haven't I seen you around?"

"I'm just in for this one class.  I heard that you Navy Seals have some of the best field medic training around, so I requested permission to sit in on a session."

"You're not Navy, then?"

"Nope."

"What branch are you with?"

Jebediah munched a fry absentmindedly, "Currently, I'm with the NSA."

Sid waited.  Usually the word currently meant that the person had aspirations that would affect their current situation, but Jebediah didn't expound on that point.  "You're young for NSA."

"So I keep hearing.  I was recruited from West Point, so I guess I was old enough for the recruiter."

Sid ate a bite of his meatloaf, taking the time to think that over, "You probably can't talk about what you got recruited for."

"Munitions.  Speaking of which, I was hoping to get in some practice at the firing range before class starts - could you point me in the right direction?"

Sid glanced at Jebediah's plate, which was somehow empty.  He rattled off the directions, and Jebediah left.

Dr. Pliesko arrived promptly at 2:00, and the class started.  Everyone was too busy taking notes to pay any attention to the outsider in their midst.

The class proceeded normally for most of the afternoon.  Jebediah was the first to brave a question, "Everything you've talked about presumes the availability some sort of first aid kit and tools.  What if you're in a situation where you're forced to improvise?"

Dr. Pliesko focused on his youngest student, "What's your name?"

"O'Malley, sir."

"Well, Mr. O'Malley, you bring up a good point.  Sometimes you don't have the ideal materials.  The important thing is to keep it clean.  Clean cloth, clean knives, clean thread.  Disinfectant is good, but you have to remember, anything on your materials can get into the bloodstream."

"So how do you clean your materials?"

"If you don't have a first aid kit, you'll probably not have access to iodine.  Heat is your best bet in the field.  Either boiling water, or heat by fire.  If by fire, you have to wipe it down - soot can do a lot of damage."

"How do you sterilize thread?"

"Iodine, or boiling water.  A strong, unsweetened alcohol will do in a pinch."

Jebediah nodded, "What about needles?  What if you have to perform stitching, and don't have access to a hospital for follow-up treatment, for whatever reason?"

"Sewing needles will suffice, as long as they're clean.  You have to remember that if the injury requires stitches, it will require cleaning, and an antibiotic ointment is a good idea.  If the injury is deep enough, a course of antibiotics may also be wise, but if a hospital is not available, you may have to do without."

Jebediah took more notes, "Without antibiotic ointments, what else could you use?"

"I don't believe there are any good alternatives."

Jebediah shook his head disapprovingly, and scribbled more notes, "Thank you, please continue."

The young man's tone seemed dismissive, and Dr. Pliesk hesitated uncomfortably before proceeding, "Um, yes, where were we?  Oh, when to call in the experts. You cannot possibly treat any injuries to internal organs."

"How do you know if internal organs have been injured?"

"You've gotta visually inspect the wound."

"What about gunshots?"

Sid glanced over at Jebediah, wondering what kind of work he did for the NSA.

When class was over, Jebediah drove off the base. He stopped by the side of the road, and pulled the ID from his wallet. He shook his head, "I make a terrible Jebediah."

He tucked his fake ID into the door lining, and replaced it with his own ID.  He rolled his eyes at the terrible picture - what good was it to work for a shadow government if you couldn't get the DMV to retake any pictures?  At least they'd spelled his name right - Alexander Krycek, 22 years of age.

As he pulled back onto the road, his mind was already reviewing the route to the Lincoln tunnel and on into Manhattan on the I-495.  He had a dinner date he did not want to be late for.

Step 1. Serve
Step 2. Resist from Within