Mykal's Return to Towbar's World

by Dave Hazel

  There were plenty of hoots and calls of agreement.

  Mykal gave a puzzled look. Major Innes ran to the stage and handed Mykal two different cloth patches. For some people in the military these patches were great collector items. The main patch, ‘Towbar One’ was to be attached to the uniform over the name tag above the right shirt pocket. Over the left pocket would be an emblem to signify what organization or branch of service each member came from. On the right arm near the shoulder was placed the flag of the individual’s home country.

  “Mykal, hold on to this one,” Innes spoke into his ear. “This is not the patch selected. There are only four of these patches made. This rejected patch will be worth some money for collectors.”

  “Thanks,” Mykal said, studying the circular cloth icon. It was a flat green patch to match the camouflage uniform. Woven into the fabric was an M-16 crossed into an X shape with a battle axe in front of a very large sword representing Towbar’s massive sword. The sword stood straight up and down in the center behind the crossed M-16 and battle axe. Along the upper portion of the circle was embossed TOWBAR ONE. Along the lower circle in smaller embossed print read OPERATTION TOWBAR’S SWORD: 1983.

  “This is the one we’re using,” Innes explained and pointed to the second cloth patch. “It’s a little different in that there are two M-16s leaning against the massive sword in the middle. From your previous descriptions there is a blue glow around the sword. The rejected patch does not have the blue glow around the sword,” Innes said and paused to press the ear piece closer to his ear. “Also, Mister Graves, I have just been notified that our transportation has arrived.”

  “Thanks Sir. Call me Myk. I like this,” Mykal nodded while he looked at the patch all the soldiers had been given for their uniforms. The approved patch was green but had a black border around the entire circle shape with TOWBAR ONE along the top and OPERATION TOWBAR’S SWORD: 1983 along the bottom sewn in white. Mykal’s uniform shirt had his name only. He had taken his rank and Air Force tag off.

  “We have four BDU blouses with appropriate patches attached stowed with your gear Myk,” Innes said as if in response to his expression.

  “Great. Thanks again Sir.” Mykal smiled nervously as Chick calmed the crowd. “Well, if transportation arrived, let’s get this show on the road.”

  “I need to stress this point men,” Chick said just as he silenced the men. “We are from varying walks in this world, as evident by the different uniforms we are all wearing. But,” he nearly shouted to drive home his point. “We are all Towbar One,” he paused to allow the roar of nearly four thousand voices including visitors. “We are being forged into a brotherhood no other will understand. Be there for each other and be proud of the history we are making today men. I’m honored to be part of such wonderful volunteers. We’ll accomplish much. Agreed?” He held his hand to his ear.

  The auditorium exploded with a roar of hoots and hollers. Yells of excited militaristic joy echoed through the assembly. The years of combined military experience were staggering. They were anxious to do what they do best.

  “Mykal and Towbar, would you like to address the men?” Chick asked while covering the microphone.

  “I would like to express my deepest sincere thanks and sincere appreciation,” Towbar said. He had to bend over to reach the microphone. He stepped back for Mykal to address the gathering.

  “I’m not going to take any of your time,” Mykal spoke. “You have all been briefed of what to expect and what you could face. So are there any last questions you may have for us?”

  “I have one question Sir,” a young Marine private yelled.

  “Go ahead.”

  “How do we address you and Towbar, Sir?”

  “Call me Myk or Mykal and call the giant Towbar,” Mykal replied and was surprised at the laughter and the calls he received. “Let’s get this show on the road,” he yelled into the microphone causing the roar to grow louder than when President Edmonds spoke to them via satellite teleconferencing earlier. Mykal watched many give last hugs and kisses to family members and though he wished Pam and the boys were here, he was glad he decided to have her stay home so she wouldn’t have to deal with the traffic afterward.

  3.

  The process of getting on the right bus so each person would have the right weapons and equipment went smoothly and quickly. All roads and possible entry points along the convoy route had been blocked by National Guardsmen and local law enforcement. Helicopters flew overhead to watch for any potential breach during the convoy travel. Busses were packed beyond what were normally permitted. Trucks carrying supplies and personnel were packed just as tight. Flatbed trucks carrying tied down helicopters were in the middle of the convoy.

  “Major Chick, can I ask you a dumb question?” Mykal asked while watching men rush to assigned vehicles.

  “Mykal, understand, the only dumb question is the question that is not asked for fear of being perceived as dumb,” Chick said in a friendly manner and winked while placing his hand on Mykal’s shoulder.

  “Noted,” Mykal laughed. “Why the different calls being yelled out? I heard Ooh-rah and Hooah. What’s the difference?”

  “Great question. As a Marine, I have to tell you we do it right, Ooh-rah!” He barked loudly showing his pride. “It’s supposed to sound like a klaxon. Now the Army, them dogs, and I say that as a true term of endearment, but they shout Hooah, which is H.U.A. and that stands for Heard, Understood and Acknowledged. They really mean basically the same thing.”

  “Thanks. Well I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Mykal, come here,” Jill called him before he and Towbar boarded the bus designated to be his transportation. “I have a special vehicle for you.”

  “Alright, let me grab our stuff,” Mykal said. He and Towbar raced onto the bus he had been directed to. He grabbed his M-16 rifle, web belt with ammo pouches and a small travel bag that contained the holster with his .357 magnum. He requested extra ammo for the weapon and was never questioned why. The handgun had saved his live several times. He couldn’t go without it. He also brought along his ice pick like dagger. Towbar retrieved his sword. There was also a large A-bag provided by the military that had Mykal’s uniforms, extra combat boots and other essential equipment one would need for being gone for an extended period of time. Towbar’s sword and other items had been stowed on the bus also.

  “I want you to ride in that vehicle,” Jill pointed to a black van. The windows were tinted so he couldn’t see the driver. “I want the two of you to race to the front of the convoy. Your driver is Mister Dosch.”

  “Roy Jr.? Great,” Mykal said as he and Towbar rushed to the black vehicle. He didn’t get to meet with him for a few weeks and was glad Roy Jr. decided to travel back to Towbar’s world.

  Jill rushed to the vehicle with them. “You gave me your word,” Jill said and grabbed the door handle before Mykal could open it. “You can’t go back on your word.”

  “No, I promise I’ll do my best,” Mykal said and referred to the almost impossible mission. “I wanna get completed as soon as possible.” Mykal gasped with surprised disbelief when Jill opened the van door to see Boris alive and well in the back of the van. The shock brought a tear of joy to his eyes. Boris didn’t die in a suicidal explosion. “What the hell?”

  “Hey buddy,” Boris chuckled and lifted his hand to show he was in handcuffs.

  Mykal knew what Jill was talking about. Boris could never be allowed to return. He would have to stay in Towbar’s world for the rest of his life. “Not a problem,” he said happily. “But how? What the hell? He’s dead. They found parts of his body.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Jill said and placed handcuff keys in Mykal’s hand. “We’ll talk when you get back,” he emphasized the word ‘you’. “These don’t come off until you’re there. This must never be made known. This will never be made known,” he said in a way that assured Mykal he would do whatever is necessary to keep the President and his administration from b
eing embarrassed.

  “You don’t have to worry about it. Jill, thank you. You made my day. I already planned to give more than 110%.”

  “Captain Roberts is going along with you,” Jill said as William came into view.

  “Why? What about Boris?”

  “William’s fine. He knows what’s going on and will not say anything,” Jill smirked. “He’s a good guy. Since I did this,” he nodded to Boris, “you need to get me that package.”

  “I will. Once again, you made my day, but why does William need to go along?” Mykal asked and more than ever he wondered about Captain William Roberts’s true identity and purpose.

  “He wanted to go along,” Jill said with a shrug but was unconvincing. “He is under Third Battalion and counted among the civilians and non-combatants. He was to go along from the beginning.”

  “There’s five million other people who wanted to go along,” Mykal argued. He suddenly remembered that William had a private meeting with the President for a special assignment. Suddenly a distrusting uncertainty filled Mykal. Was William a plant to keep an eye on him?

  “Mykal, he’s a good guy,” Jill said and smiled. Jill’s smile slowly came across as sinister.

  Mykal wanted to protest and explain that he felt like he was set up from the beginning, but set up for what? He wasn’t sure. He had a nagging feeling that something wasn’t right. But Mykal could set all that aside since Boris was alive and well, and allowed to return to Towbar’s world with him. Jill enabled Mykal to keep his promise to his troubled friend.

  “Remember, these don’t come off until you’re there,” Jill repeated as he shook the handcuff keys in Mykal’s hand. “I have provided weapons of his choosing, a new identity which he has all the identification to verify, but he doesn’t get those until you’re there. Go on, the convoy is moving. Good luck. I gave you this.” Jill nodded to Boris. “Be sure to bring back my package,” he repeated.

  “Thanks Jill.” Mykal felt extremely grateful but didn’t like his gut feeling when he looked at William. “Is he here to keep an eye on me?”

  “Could be,” Jill said, trying to joke. “Or it could be he’s just one of the lucky few. Don’t worry about it. Do your job.”

  “Hey Mykal,” William greeted him with a wink as he climbed into the van behind Towbar. “Or should I say Mister Graves?”

  Jill pulled Mykal away from the vehicle so the others couldn’t hear. “Myk, I am going to tell you this because I like you. This mission must be successful. Too many resources have been supplied. I want you to be aware that there are some individuals who are going to watch your every move. Don’t try to skip out on the real objective of your mission. You will never know who they are. I say this because I honestly don’t want to see anything bad happen to you. This isn’t a threat. If I intended it as a threat I would never have told you anything about it.”

  “I’m glad you told me that, because now I know where I stand,” Mykal said with great disappointment. “I will get your box and then I want you friggin people to leave me the hell alone,” he snarled and turned to get inside the vehicle.

  “Don’t take it like that Myk. You have to understand the importance of this mission,” Jill said but the door shut.

  “Hey Mykal, how are you doing?” William asked as if he didn’t hear their conversation.

  “What is troubling you my friend?” Towbar asked when Mykal got into the van. Mykal didn’t reply.

  4.

  The convoy traveled down Highway 83. Many fans and curious followed as close as the National Guard, State Troopers, Air Force Security Police and U.S. Marshals would allow. Through the radio Mykal relayed to all teams that after they stop for Towbar to conjure the green fog they should shed all the remaining cold weather gear such as the parkas, winter field coats, heavy gloves and the like because where they were going the weather would be different and there would be no need to carry around all the extra weight. Most had left the cold weather gear on Minot Air Force Base prior to going to the Minot Municipal Auditorium.

  Mykal had Roy Jr. slow the vehicle after they turned on to highway 23 to travel west. Mykal believed the best place for Towbar to conjure the green fog would be where he initially encountered it in June. In preparation Mykal ensured State Troopers and U.S. Marshals traveled at least ten miles west on Highway 23 to block any traffic that could come from that direction so as not to drive in the green fog accidentally. When the convoy pulled to a stop Mykal gave clear instructions to travel slowly but to enter quickly. It wasn’t clear how long the green fog would remain and Mykal wanted to ensure every member of Towbar One crossed the green portal into Towbar’s world.

  Towbar stood in the middle of highway 23, his bare chest exposed to the cold after shedding his heavy winter coat. Everyone watched as the giant stood with his arms stretched skyward as if praying. Mykal knew he was using magic powder and chanting words that Nidious shared with him. Mykal sat on edge as if Towbar had just moments to defuse a bomb.

  So many thoughts raced through Mykal’s mind should Towbar be unsuccessful. Mykal couldn’t sit still. The anxiety got the best of him. The pressure of those who demanded success, and the eyes of the world, all the tax payer money poured into this rescue attempt lay at the feet of Towbar who never attempted this act of magic. Mykal thought if he knew how to pray he would ask God to help, but not being a religious man he wasn’t sure if God would listen to him. He wished Ski ‘the Jesus Freak’ of the old Crew was here. ‘He would know how to pray about this,’ Mykal believed Towbar could make this work and he hoped even harder that Nidious gave the giant the right instructions. Mykal feared for his safety if Towbar couldn’t make the green fog appear. Jill made it clear that a failed mission was not acceptable, so not even getting started would be worse.

  “Come on Towbar,” Mykal whispered desperately. “You can do it. I know you can.”

  “You really wanna go back, don’t ya?” Roy Jr. asked from behind the wheel.

  “You don’t know the half of it,” Mykal sighed and never took his eyes from the giant. “Hey, pull off to the side, cuz when the fog appears I want everyone else to go through before us,” he said as he stepped out of the vehicle. He looked back to see the convoy of vehicles was as far as he could see. He was amazed at all the people who followed them and lined the roads and stood amid the snow on the hills to watch as if this was the Thanksgiving Day parade.

  One of the local news crews got past security established by the National Guard. The news woman and cameraman rushed to Mykal. “Mister Graves one question please. After you leave us will there be any means of communication?” She asked before getting his approval.

  Instead of inquiring how they made their way past the security perimeter he responded to her question. “No, not at all,” he said rubbing his hands together. “Once we leave that’s it until we come back.”

  “Do you think the weather will be a factor?” She asked and almost poked him in the face with her microphone.

  He chuckled at her quietly mouthed “Sorry.” Standing before the camera the skinny little blonde wore a slinky dress that forced her to shiver uncontrollably. “Well thankfully the weather isn’t a normal frigid day. The people at home won’t see it by the way you’re shaking,” he laughed. Mykal felt more nervous than cold. “You guys are gonna have to leave,” Mykal said when he saw Towbar reach into the leather bag a second time. The leather bag contained magic powder that Nidious gave Mykal months ago.

  “What is taking place at this time?” She asked and pointed the cameraman toward Towbar. She clearly ignored Mykal’s request. “He looks like he will freeze to death.”

  “I’m not really—oh you have to leave now!” He raised his voice and nearly shouted with joy, fear, worry and relief all rolled into one when his right hand turned green and trembled violently. Mykal saw the green fog and it seemed enormous. “He did it!” Mykal yelled and held his hand up to verify the green flesh. He saw the camera focus on his hand. “Get outta here,” he barked a
nd turned to the convoy as a flood of different emotions hit him. “Okay now. Go, go, go, go,” he called out and waved his arm wildly to get them in.

  As each vehicle passed by him he saw some nervous unsure expressions despite many men waving and giving him thumbs up. He wanted to laugh. He understood that uncertainty and fear, but now he was the old professional veteran. “It’ll be alright,” he encouraged them as they drove past. They couldn’t hear him but he continued to shout encouraging words while the vehicles drove by.

  Towbar put his coat on and made his way back to Mykal’s position. The act seemed to drain Towbar physically. The giant appeared to be weak and shaken.

  “Come on Towbar,” Roy Jr. yelled and held the side door open for him. William helped wave Towbar in.

  Mykal watched and he got the impression most people held on tightly as if they were flying in an airplane for the first time. “You’ll get dizzy but it’ll be alright. Slow down,” he yelled and pumped his hands downward as the flatbed trucks with the helicopters and as the fuel trucks approached him. He didn’t want these vehicles to tip over. The tractor-trailer truck containing a Minuteman III missile, turned over on its side back in June. That truck probably turned over because of the odd shape and size combined with the faster speeds that first convoy traveled.

  “Mykal, this will be on all the news stations tonight,” the female reporter announced. “It will be broadcast all over the world. Is there anything you would like to say before you depart?” She asked and motioned the cameraman to zoom on his face.

  He wanted to be angry since she disregarded his request to depart, but his mood changed when he realized this woman gave him a great opportunity. Sadness pricked his heart. “To my darling wife Pam and to my two little boys, I love you guys and miss you already. We’ll try to be back before Christmas. To the rest of the world, keep praying for all of us. We’ll do our best to make you proud, and bring back all the missing people,” he said and backed away to move to the van. “I love you Pam,” he whispered and blew her a kiss.