This recycled plot has a man way past his prime who has the rank to order young soldiers into battle when they had no business being there. The soldiers know what is going on but don't feel they have any power. This man is a decades long friend of Potter and while the old guy knows he has to do something about it. He starts off defensively but soon comes to his senses, though he is inflicting pain. In another plot, the classical music Charles plays is driving B.J. crazy. He is stuck in the Swamp with a sore foot and can't escape the works of Mahler. Some interesting things develop along the way, with Margaret a part of it. B.J., who often comes off as a master manipulator, sets things up to his advantage, but makes a bit of a mistake.