Kline shook his head again. “I assume, with the Colonel’s reputation, he was brought in to get them under control.”
“That’s a negative,” Elizabeth answered.
“I see,” Kline said.
“General Kline, I wouldn’t concern yourself with it. Delta are professionals, and they won’t get their panties in a wad, especially under Colonel Reynolds’ command. He’s not here to hold them back, he’s here to encourage them.”
“They’re wild!” Kline exclaimed.
“Good,” Elizabeth replied. “Exactly what we need. That means they’re hungry for combat.”
Kline nodded his head, thinking. There wasn’t much he could do at the moment. Their paperwork was in order, their classification much higher than he could dream of. Something serious was going on, and Kline hoped for answers.
Finally, Kline asked, “You’ve made it clear they’re no longer my problem, which is good, but I’d like to ask one question. Why was Commander McClain pulled? He was invaluable, as were his men. Whether I agree with Delta or not, they were important here.”
“The disdain in your voice hints you’d rather not have them here,” Elizabeth said.
She is smart, Kline thought. Damn smart. He spoke, saying, “I’m not a fan, no. But McClain kept order, something needed on a military base. As a civilian, I doubt you’d understand. I’m just curious as to why they were removed. Twenty-five who’d been here for awhile now. They knew the region, knew the people, and as you said earlier, they had a high success rate.”
“Did you not sign off on their dismissal?” she asked, tilting her head.
“I did, but it wasn’t directly my orders.”
“Why not protest it?” she asked. “If they were so valuable, why not express your concerns of losing such good men? Surely they would have listened,” Elizabeth said.
“Because their ways are bad for morale. That’s why. I run a tight ship, a base in the middle of hell. Literally, Khost is Hell! Have you read the news lately? Four bombings in the past week, one at the embassy. We receive fire multiple times a day. Everyone else on base, they see their lax ways. It’s not good. Shit, I can’t tell you how many times Delta caused us problems here, success rate or not.”
“Commander McClain and his men were needed elsewhere,” Elizabeth answered, ignoring his excuses. “That’s all you need to know. Commander McClain and his men will continue their operations in another region. It’s not of your concern, and it’s none of mine really. My current team is of my concern, though. Now, we’ll take over and do our thing and you can go back to your . . . paperwork,” Elizabeth said.
Kline could tell she was mocking him, but remained silent, for there was nothing he could do. Not until he found out exactly who she was, and who she answered to. Until then, he’d keep quiet, but he swore to himself there’d be hell to pay. The moment she left his office, he’d assuredly be on the phone with his superiors. They’d fix this, of that he was certain. But for now, he’d play along.
He kept calm, though flustered, and said, “Hey, no sweat off my balls. Thought the last bunch was wild, but this group is even crazier. Have fun with them. At least Commander McClain had the last batch under control. They listened to him.”
“Perhaps they were too close,” Reynolds suggested.
Kline let out a deep breath. He was overworked, had slept little, and this pair was something else. He wondered what the Marine was getting at, but kept silent on the matter. Kline took a moment, deciding on another tactic. He motioned, relaxing his body, pointing to two chairs. “Perhaps we should start over. Please, sit. Make yourselves comfortable. Perhaps a drink? A soda? Something stronger?”
The pair declined the invitation to a beverage, and remained standing.
“Okay, then,” Kline said. He decided it best to remain behind his desk, on his feet and uncomfortable.
A silence filled the air. The moment the room went quiet, both strangers across the desk simply stared at Kline, making him uncomfortable.
Had they asked a question he had missed?
A certain tingling sensation crawled up his spine, a certain feeling of . . . of fear.
Perhaps it was the woman’s authority.
Perhaps it was the Marine’s natural ability to intimidate. Either way, Kline felt helpless.
Kline had met many Marines in his day, he knew their type. There was indeed a rivalry between the two branches, though he’d yet to have any real problems with them. The two groups tended to steer clear of one another, and the Marines posted on Kline’s base did an exceptional job. Kline had nothing against Marines. He also had great respect for Colonel Reynolds and the man’s accomplishments.
But looking into Reynolds’ eyes right now brought about a certain fear in Kline. He couldn’t place it, didn’t know why, but he remained silent, unsure as if to speak or not.
Finally, Colonel Reynolds broke the silence by saying, “General Kline, I wasn’t brought here to take your job if that’s what you’re wondering. You’ve done a fine job here. I’m a Marine, you’re Army. I don’t want to run the show, neither does Elizabeth.”
“Understood,” Kline said, nodding. The Marine had guessed right, perhaps Kline was worried Reynolds might replace him.
“You have a low casualty rate, high success against the Taliban. Better than most of the forward operating bases in Afghanistan. I commend you for that. Not quite as good as my boys, but I’m impressed nonetheless,” Reynolds added, a hint of a smile upon his face.
Kline wasn’t sure if that was a compliment or an insult. “You’re welcome to anything you need in the Spec Ops area. Like I said, lots of space there. It’s all yours.”
“And we appreciate that,” Reynolds said.
“I can only assume why you’re here?”
“Oh?” Elizabeth questioned, tilting her head. “Which is?”
“The missing Delta team,” Kline responded.
“Well, officially that’s classified, but you’re quite astute,” Elizabeth returned.
Kline knew that was an insult.
He added, “It’s been three weeks and still no word. I’m not sure exactly what your Mission Directive says, and frankly it’s not my business. This whole incident has been a headache. Now, I’m Army, and we have a motto. We leave no man behind. I’ll have you know, I supported Commander McClain’s calls to go out and search for his men. I have over two hundred Rangers at my disposal, air support, the works. Now, if you need anything—”
“That won’t be necessary,” Elizabeth interrupted. “My team will be enough.”
Kline glared at her, his mind whirling as he attempted to figure this woman out. Elizabeth was bold, intelligent, maybe even too smart for her own good. Kline thought it strange that they’d send a woman into a combat zone. Sure, this was a protected base, but this region was one not to be trifled with. They were under attack quite often, and it wasn’t safe.
Even this Marine, a full blown Colonel, a famous one at that; Kline was surprised Reynolds wasn’t safe and secure and far from the hell that was Khost. Kline supposed it wasn’t his business. None of it was. The affairs of his superiors never were. He’d simply play good host, and perhaps this would all go away soon.
“All right, well if there’s anything else you need, feel free to ask. I don’t know what’s going on, and quite frankly, don’t care. I will remind you, this is Khost, and it’s violent here. I lost my entire Special Forces team, then gained six new Operators. They’ve hardly said a word to me, hardly acknowledged my command. Hell, they even showed up on a civilian Lear Jet of all things, a very expensive one. Sunglasses, unshaven . . . some with long hair even. So, they’re in your hands now, and I’m happy to release them to you.”
“That’s Delta,” Elizabeth said, an ever so slight grin crossing her face.
“I know, I know . . . they’re the best. They have relaxed grooming standards so they fit in. So they look like the locals, I guess. Lucky they don’t get shot by my Rangers, I’ll say,
but again, matters not. I’ve offered my services, a good portion of my base—anything else I might provide?” Kline asked. A politician would have been proud of his fake smile.
“Sure,” Elizabeth answered.
“And that is?”
“Where’s your Spec Ops area?”
“Western side of the base.”
“Okay. I noticed there are two adjacent hangers. They look relatively empty,” Elizabeth said.
“Well, for the moment, yes.”
“Good. We’ll need those. And we’ll need to double the range time for my team,” she demanded. “I’ll also be pulling two of your UAV drones for surveillance.”
“Two?” Kline asked, astonished. “Look, I’d need clearance for something like that.”
“Two,” she repeated. “And I’m your clearance. I’ll also need a temporary fence installed around the area. Chain-link will do. I’ll give you until tomorrow morning. We’ll need a detachment of guards to walk the perimeter.”
“Now wait, I can do the fence, though it’s unnecessary, but guards too? Ma’am, I need every available man.”
“Six man teams will do. It’ll ensure any wandering eyes, any curious privates from taking a closer look.”
“Fine,” Kline grumbled.
“And General, one last thing.”
“That is?”
“Make the guards Marines, please,” Elizabeth said with a smile.
34
Kline felt defeated. He lowered his head, baffled. Never once in his long military career had he been treated with such disdain. By a woman, no less.
Finally, Kline looked back up, asking the Marine, “What’s really going on here?”
“Like you said, a team of missing Delta Operatives is a serious matter,” she replied.
“Fair enough, but realize that six men won’t cut it. Not here. You do realize there’s heavy Taliban presence here, right?”
“We do.”
“And yet you don’t want my Rangers to help?”
“No. And if we need backup, I’m sure the Colonel here has a few Force Recon guys available.”
“That’s not fair,” Kline protested. “My Rangers do just fine.”
“Indeed, as will my team.”
“The hangers, the barracks and mess, the offices and the fence are yours. The guards, too. Marines, as you so desire,” Kline said.
“Semper Fi,” Colonel Reynolds said.
“Six guards per shift,” Kline added.
“Wonderful. Looks like we’ve come to an understanding, General,” Elizabeth said.
“I suppose, if you call it that.”
Tilting her head, Elizabeth said, “Thing is, General, you’ve already figured something out. I’m a bitch. That’s okay, you don’t have to say it because I know it. I’m the supreme bitch, actually. But I’m not completely heartless, and I’m here to get a specific job done. I understand you’re short on personnel, short on supplies. I also understand you’ve sent many requests and received little of what you’ve asked for.”
“That’s right. I’ve received shit, actually,” Kline said.
“As a gesture of good will, I’ll take care of that problem for you,” Elizabeth said.
“You will? How? I’ve requested many times, and I’m a three star General.”
“I’ll make a phone call, that’s how. I’ll bring you more Rangers, more equipment, more of whatever you need. Will that help?” she asked.
Kline’s eyes widened in surprise. “Why, yes, it very much would. You see, the Taliban are starting to push harder than normal. We’re stretched thin. We had that recent embassy bombing, a few downed helicopters, and of course the missing Delta guys. Even though it’s not official, the men and women here, they know. When a dozen Delta leave and don’t return, word spreads. I’ll do as you ask if you get me the supplies I need.”
“Great. Give it a week and you’ll have everything you need. Now, since my time important, as I’m sure is yours, let’s finish up here,” Elizabeth stated.
“What else might I help with?”
“The detachment of Delta Operators. They went missing three weeks ago, approximately two hundred miles from the base, correct?”
“Correct.”
“And what of the survivor?” she asked.
“Oh, perhaps you didn’t read the reports. There were no survivors,” Kline responded. “They’re listed as MIA, but in all honesty, we can only assume they’re dead.” The General hung his head.
“What of the survivor?” Elizabeth repeated.
Kline was taken aback, his face flush, a tingling sensation as he heard the words. “I just said—”
“The lone survivor. You’ve failed to mention him.”
“Young lady, I’m afraid you’ve heard wrong,” Kline said. “I can find the file if you like,” he offered.
“You’re lying, General,” Elizabeth said instantly. “One member survived, and he’s currently being held in custody on your base. Sergeant York.”
Kline smiled, he couldn’t help it. “You’re good. Do you play much poker, because you have a good poker-face.”
“I don’t play games. Now, how is York’s condition?”
“Physical or mental?”
“Both.”
“Well, physically he’s . . . okay, I suppose. A few bumps and bruises, but the medics said he’ll be fine.”
“His mental state?” she asked.
“It’s . . . he’s not right in the head,” Kline answered.
“He’s been interrogated many times, correct?”
“That’s right. By military, by your own CIA people too.”
“And you’ve attended these?”
“Some, yes. That is, until they took over.”
“Who else?”
“Well, Commander McClain and his men wanted to, but were moved pretty quickly.”
“I’d guess because they’d try to break him out.”
“That crossed our mind, yes. He’s in a secure location, under heavy guard. Is that why they were ordered out? Taken to another base?”
“Partially. Though they’re Delta, I don’t see them doing such a thing, even though they’d want to. It was better to remove them, emotions get in the way.”
“I suppose that was smart,” Kline commented.
“Two PhDs will do that to a woman,” she said smugly. “What of the new team? Do the current six Operators know of the incident, the details?” she asked.
“How could they not? The Unit is a tight group, I’m sure they know. Hell, everyone knows. Everyone’s pissed, too. They want payback. But to answer you directly, they haven’t seen the interrogations. I’ve received no such clearance, and opted not to share even if I had it.”
“Why is that?”
“They wouldn’t like the way your people handled the interrogations is why,” Kline said snidely.
“Was he roughed up?” Colonel Reynolds asked, concern on his face.
“You could say that. But hey, it wasn’t my doing. The guy went berserk, out of control. He’s been restrained ever since. You should see how many men it takes just to transfer him from his room to be interrogated.”
“You mean his cell,” Reynolds said with a glare.
“Call it what you want, it’s for his safety and the safety of this base. Besides, the CIA and Pentagon made that call, not me. He’s comfortable and alive, and I hope he has a speedy recovery,” Kline offered.
Suddenly, Elizabeth stood up straighter, startling Kline.
“General, if you’d humor me a bit longer, the Colonel has a few more questions for you. We’ve read the reports, seen the tapes. What we’re looking for is whatever might not be in those reports. Your opinion, actually.”
“Sure,” Kline said, “though I’m not sure if I have any information that will help. You two seem to know more than I do.”
“Perhaps, but we’d like to hear it in your own words if you don’t mind.”
“Certainly,” Kline agreed.
“Great. Now, I must go. After you debrief the Colonel, please show him the way to the new team. It’s time for him to make introductions.”
“All right, I can do that. Would you care for an escort to your barracks? As I said, they’re quite comfortable.” Kline was eager for this woman to leave his office, his friendliness quite transparent.
“I’ll need my belongings brought to my office. I’m fine by myself. I’ll be heading to the Spec Ops command center to view this last round of tapes once more. I’ll help my team set up, I’ll go through all the files once more,” Elizabeth said.
“I’ll have Corporal Davis escort you.”
“Also, a C130 will be arriving tomorrow morning,” Elizabeth said, ignoring him. “You’ll be notified when it arrives. They’ll receive priority landing clearance, and I’ll need a crew to offload its contents.”
“I thought you said it’d take a week to get my supplies,” Kline commented.
“They’re not for you,” she said.
“Oh, okay . . . well, consider it done,” Kline said, still trying to appease, still trying to get her out of his hair.
“You’ve been most helpful, General. Now, I’ll leave you gentlemen alone. I’ll be speaking with Sergeant York once my team is ready and I’ve watched the tapes.”
She turned to leave.
“Wait, what?” Kline asked, astonished.
Elizabeth turned back, saying, “I’ll be interviewing Sergeant York.”
“For your safety, I wouldn’t suggest doing that,” Kline responded.
“General, I hardly doubt you care much for my safety.”
“Actually, young lady, I do. York is quite violent.”
“I assume you’ll have him secured during the interview process.”
“Of course. Still . . . Sergeant York has undergone some form of psychosis. We think it might be post traumatic stress.”
“I’d imagine so,” Elizabeth said.
“Regardless, he’s fucking crazy, ma’am. He’ll get in your head if you’re not careful. Hell, he’d probably bite your nose off Hannibal Lecter style if you got close enough. Again, I’d reconsider.”
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