Voice of Freedom

by H. L. Wegley

  The song came, haunting and beautiful. So out of place in a potential battlefield. The singer’s intent was obvious, but which one of the women would take such a huge risk? KC?

  Hearing the song, sung with that voice, stirred feelings in Steve that had been blunted by seven years of Hannan’s anti-American rhetoric and actions. Steve loved America, but he hated what had been done to it. And he was more than ready to have it out right here with a company of Rangers if they would not honor their creed.

  A small white flag rose from the cave opening. An attempt to surrender. Would the Ranger commander honor it?

  Another small flag flew beside the white one, the Stars and Stripes.

  The voice grew in volume and confidence. It sounded vaguely familiar.

  A woman’s head emerged from the cave, a head adorned with waves of light brown hair, waving in the gentle breeze.

  Steve drew a sharp breath and nearly choked. Julia.

  Two hundred guns rattled as the troops aimed them at her.

  “Hold your fire, men. It’s a white flag.”

  Who had given that command? Steve couldn’t tell. Still unnoticed, he moved closer.

  The men nearest Steve talked softly among themselves.

  “And this is who Hannan wants us to kill?”

  “She’s hardly more than a girl.”

  “How can I shoot someone who looks like her, singing that song, carrying a white flag?”

  “And an American flag.”

  “But she’s got two M4s in her hands.”

  “Only to hold the flags, idiot.”

  This woman, who risked her life hoping that love of America still resided in the hearts of some of its military, was beyond courageous. Steve would be proud to call her his girl, but Julia had made it clear there were barriers between them that could never be broken down.

  Regardless, he had to do something. Julia was nearly to the end of a song that only had one verse—only one that he could remember. Then what?

  He needed to get the Ranger commander’s attention. What were Daggett’s last words before Steve bailed out? Rangers lead the way. It was part of the creed written by Command Sergeant Major Neal R. Gentry of the First Ranger Battalion, a creed Steve had memorized seven years ago, along with the Code of the United States Fighting Force.

  Maybe Julia’s singing had set the stage for something incredible. If not … how many of those 200 bullets would he feel as they ripped through his body?

  He shot a short prayer into another realm, wondering if God would think he was crazy. Steve pushed his gun high above his head, holding it with both hands, and advanced toward the circle of men fifty yards ahead.

  He took a deep breath and belted out the words like a battlefield commander. “Sergeant Steve Bancroft, US Ranger, reporting for duty!”

  The rustling of boots and metal sounded through the pines as 200 guns pointed his way.

  He drew another deep breath and projected his voice. “I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense. I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.”

  “He’s wearing a uniform … sorta.” A soldier’s voice.

  “Captain?” Another voice. “Do we fire?”

  The commander didn’t reply. That was as much disconcerting as comforting.

  Steve pushed the thoughts of flying bullets aside, and switched from the Code of Conduct to the Rangers’ Creed.

  “Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of the Rangers.”

  “Hold your fire!” A voice of authority echoed through the forest.

  Steve noted the man who had given the command and walked toward him.

  The men nearest Steve parted and let him pass.

  “Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite Soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than any other Soldier.

  “Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one-hundred-percent and then some.

  “Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained Soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.

  “Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country …”

  They hadn’t shot him, yet. Now to make his point. “Rangers, you are about to embarrass your country if you go through with this attack.”

  “Steve.” Julia’s voice, but it seemed muted now that she had left the mouth of the cave.

  Before he could react, Julia ran toward him, still holding her M4-borne flags, which were no longer pointed at the sky.

  “Ma’am, watch where you’re pointing those guns.” The commander’s voice.

  She stopped and handed the guns to a Ranger, who seemed anxious to relieve her of the weapons.

  Steve held his gun by the butt and the barrel and slowly lowered it to the ground, leaving it there.

  When he raised up, Julia, with tear streaked cheeks, ran into his arms. “You came. I should have known you would …” Her voice faded, drowned by sobs.

  Who should he speak to first? The man with the power of life or death over Julia and him? He met the gaze of the Ranger commander. “One moment, captain, then we need to talk, sir.” Steve focused on Julia.

  With a circle of 400 eyes on them, Julia clung to him, blubbering between her sobs. “I’m sorry, Steve. So sorry … I lied. I’ve never done anything so awful … but you still came back.”

  “It’s okay, Julia.”

  “No it’s not. Not what I did to you. I was a fool. Then I killed two men.” She wiped her cheeks. “Just blew them away.” She flung a hand away from her body, nearly whacking Steve’s nose with her Velcro cast.

  What must she be feeling after betraying her convictions? “I’m sorry, Julia.”

  “But I’m glad.”

  “I thought you were sorry.”

  “Steve, I understand now. I really do.”

  She was sorry. She was glad. She killed two men. She understood. That was good, because Steve sure didn’t.

  “Your minute’s up … sergeant, is it?” The commander stood a few steps from them. “Hard to tell with your uniform mostly missing.”

  “You saved me, Steve.” Julia spoke softly, but the intensity in her eyes drove the point home.

  In that moment, Steve read the point, not only in her eyes, but also from her mind. Somehow, her thought came as clearly as thoughts used to come from Steph. Maybe, somehow, it had. Regardless, it brought redemption for Steve Bancroft. Not the eternal kind, but the kind that would end his guilt on this side of eternity.

  It’s what Julia wanted for him. It’s what Steph would want for him, too.

  The crushing weight of Steve’s guilt floated away like a downy feather in the gentle breeze that ruffled Julia’s hair. Her words, and the strength of her will had removed the weight, completely.

  “Your time is up, soldier.” The commander’s voice rose in pitch and volume.

  Steve pulled his arms from Julia and popped a salute. “Sergeant Bancroft, Weapons Sergeant, 75th Ranger Regiment.” He decided to go no further in defining his detachment since he didn’t know Captain Craig’s official status after he’d joined the resistance.

  The commander
returned his salute. “Captain Scott, 75th Ranger Regiment 2nd Battalion. And like you said, we need to talk.”

  Julia planted her hip against Steve’s, hooked an arm around his waist, and squeezed with surprising strength.

  What does a guy say when a girl holds him like she never wants to let go? After the long-odds gamble Steve had just won. Maybe luck was on his side. He was free from his past failure, free to pursue—he looked down at Julia’s face. Why not gamble again? He draped an arm over her shoulders. “And this is Julia Weiss, sir … my fiancé.”

  Julia’s head snapped up.

  He looked down, fearing he would see fire in her eyes, but saw only the warm, gentle look he’d seen in those dark brown eyes on that fateful day more than six weeks ago.

  She leaned against him, letting his strength support her.

  Captain Scott looked at Julia, studying her face for a moment. “Fiancé? Sergeant, that sure doesn’t need any explaining, but why you’re out here in a ragged Ranger’s uniform with a group of terrorists that we came to eliminate—that’s going to take some serious explaining.”

  “Captain Scott,” Julia straightened, stood on her own, and brushed a stray wisp of hair from her eyes. “There’s something you need to know before we go any further.”

  Scott’s hand went to his hip. “Then let’s hear it, Ms. Weiss.”

  Julia blew out a breath, then looked up a Scott’s face. “President Hannan is dead.”

  Chapter 43

  Was Captain Scott about to shoot her? Arrest her? His hands repeatedly adjusted their grip on his gun. He stared through Julia as if she wasn’t there.

  Had the news about Hannan’s death disturbed him, or did he not believe her?

  After a few seconds, Scott hung his rifle over his shoulder. His blank stare turned to a frown and his gaze bored into her. “How would a young woman, hiding in a cave in the middle of nowhere, know that?”

  This wasn’t playing out as Julia had hoped. Steve was oblivious to events in the cave, so he couldn’t help her. She sought words to convince Scott to believe her message. “One of the men in the cave just talked to the president. Hannan was in the DUCC under the West Wing. We heard the shot through the phone. Then a Ranger, Captain Craig, told us Hannan was shot and killed.”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back up and let’s take this one step at a time, and you’d better not be lying to me, Ms. Weiss. Now … where’s this man who was talking to the president when he was allegedly shot? I need to talk with him.”

  “Uh … I shot that man. He’s dead, too.”

  Scott swore a mild expletive, but it looked like there were a lot more words Scott wanted to unload on her. “What kind of bull are you trying to feed me, Weiss? I’ve never heard such a cockamamie story as—”

  “It gets worse.” Julia cringed, squinting her eyes as she looked up at Scott.

  Steve nudged Julia. “Did Craig shoot Hannan?”

  “Sergeant Bancroft, I suggest you let me ask the questions. You, soldier, are not out of the woods yet.” Scott’s hands went to his hips. “So, who did shoot Hannan, if in fact he was shot?”

  “Secretary of State Eli Vance shot him.” Julia watched Scott’s eyes. Did he believe her?

  “That old geezer? Those two were as thick as thieves, which they both probably were. But you know what I think? I think you all need to be locked up in the loony bin.” Scott shook his head. “Or maybe I should be locked up for listening to you.”

  Julia jumped at the sound of two hundred rifles being raised into firing position. She followed their aim to the cave.

  “Hold your fire, men.” Scott barked the command, then studied the figure emerging from the cave.

  Brock came out slowly, hands raised high. One of those hands held Deke’s phone. “Captain Scott, we’ve been listening from the cave. If you know how to work this thing, there’s someone on the other end who can verify Hannan’s status.”

  Scott gave Brock the halt signal. “You can stop right there, mister. That looks like a military sat phone, but how do I know you aren’t planning to blow me up with it? Let’s back up … who are you?”

  Brock stretched up to his full six-foot-five and stared into Scott’s eyes. “Captain, I’m Brock Daniels.”

  Scott spit out a stronger expletive and his hands went back to his hips. “You’re the dude who started all this.”

  “Sir, I’d rather think of myself as one who helped finish it. Hannan started it.”

  Julia had been studying Captain Scott closely since his off-the-cuff remark about Hannan and Eli Vance both being thieves. Maybe they had an ally in Scott. If not, as he said, they weren’t out of the woods yet.

  Scott’s long arm stretched out as he pointed to the phone in Brock’s hand. “Prove to me that the phone is safe and I might make that call you mentioned.”

  Brock grinned. “Sir, I could rub my cheek against yours while you make the call, so whatever happens to you happens to me”

  “You try that with me, soldier, and you won’t like what happens.” The captain paused, looking at Brock as if sizing him up. “A blogger. Daniels, you look more like a professional athlete.”

  “Had a contract offer from Kansas City, but I turned it down.”

  “We’re getting way off track here.” Scott pointed at the cave. “How many people are still in there?”

  “Captain…” One of the Rangers stood on a small boulder that gave the man a better view of the mouth of the cave. “There’s a woman coming out, unarmed.”

  Since Brock was out here standing beside her and Steve, it had to be KC.

  A flash of red hair showed between two rocks at the mouth of the cave.

  “Don’t shoot captain, it’s my wife. She’s harmless.”

  “Hold your fire, men.”

  As KC’s body rose from the hole in the ground, muted whistles sounded from around the circle of soldiers. The breeze ruffled her long, curly red hair and the late afternoon sun set it on fire. Though she was smudged with dust from the floor of the cave, KC had the look and bearing of a Celtic princess. And she had caught everyone’s eye.

  “KC Banning?” Scott flung his hands into the air. Public enemies number one and two. No wonder Hannan called me, personally, before we left JBLM.”

  “Not Banning anymore,” Brock said. “KC Daniels.”

  “Lucky man, Daniels.”

  Brock’s eyes returned to their usual intense look. “Only if we survive this.”

  “It would reduce the danger considerably if this area were secure. How many people are there left in the cave?”

  Julia cleared her throat. “Just Jeff and Allie Jacobs.”

  Scott gave Julia a serious frown. “What about the man you shot? Was he alone?”

  “No. But I thought you meant how many live people there were left.”

  “Ms. Weiss, suppose you tell me how many dead people there are in the cave.”

  “Just two Rangers, Deke and Johnson.”

  “And I suppose you—”

  “Yes, Captain Scott, I shot them because they had made some really bad plans for KC. Do you want me to spell it out?”

  “Were the two Rangers working alone?” His questioning frown said Scott didn’t know anything about Deke’s mission and didn’t like only holding a few pieces of the puzzle.

  “Deke was the commander of a Ranger detachment sent by Hannan to eliminate us with thermal bears.”

  Scott’s face reddened and his eyes bored into Julia. “What in blazes are thermal bears? The opposite of a polar bear?”

  “Sir …” Steve said. “It’s a euphemism. They shot thermobaric warheads at us.”

  “And you survived?”

  Heat rose on Julia’s neck as Captain Scott questioned everything they had done. Was it really so unbelievable? She had never fought battles before, but Julia had been there, seen it all, and it seemed reasonable enough to her. “Captain Scott, we not only survived, but we killed ten of Deke’s Rangers, some with their own thermal bears, and Ste
ve shot down a Stealth Hawk with another—”

  Scott cut her off. “With another thermal bear. Mercy, woman! It’s a good thing we didn’t attack you with our thermal bears, you’d have killed the whole company.”

  For the first time since she had come out of the cave, Scott smiled at Julia.

  And for the first time since she’d come out of the cave, Julia relaxed. The adrenaline rush ended, the tension drained away, and she nearly collapsed against Steve. She looked up into his warm brown eyes. “It’s over. It’s really over, isn’t it?”

  He nodded. “But you and I still have some things to discuss.”

  “You mean like that lame marriage proposal of yours.” She gave Steve her coy smile.

  “There’s something else, too.” Brock had been listening to them but now turned his attention to Captain Scott. “We had a Sayeret Matkal warrior with us. He—”

  “You had the Israeli Special Forces on your side? It never ends with you people.”

  “Just Benjamin,” Julia said. “On loan to us. He disappeared before Deke arrived and we don’t know what happened to him.”

  Brock turned toward the mouth of the cave. “Jeff, Allie, it’s okay. Come out with your hands up.”

  “Good thinking, Brock.” Steve said. “I’d feel a lot better if they were all out of there before Scott’s men start securing the cave.”

  “And I’d feel a lot better if it felt like I was in command, here.” Scott took the phone from Brock. “As soon as your other two friends come out, I’ll make that call.”

  Jeff and Allie emerged from behind rocks near the cave opening, side-by-side, hands held high.

  More low whistling and murmuring came from the men.

  KC moved alongside the two and walked toward the captain.

  Scott watched KC and Allie walking toward them for a few seconds then shook his head. “You men sure know how to pick’em,” he muttered, then raised his voice. “Roberts, take your detachment and secure the cave.”

  Twelve men scurried toward the cave.

  Captain Scott called out to his men. “Watch out for a missing Sayeret Matkal warrior who probably thinks you are the enemy.”