by Saxon Andrew
Cynthia concentrating on a quiz said, “None; I have a boyfriend.”
Emily moved her gaze way from the passing students and said, “Oh you do?”
Cynthia heard her tone and looked up. “Yes, I do.”
“Got a picture?” Cynthia knew that if she showed Emily her picture of AG, she would be in it in her normal appearance. “Well, do you?”
Cynthia took a deep breath and said, “Emily, can I trust you with something very important?”
Emily sat back in her chair and said, “Now you’re worrying me.”
“Do you have a roommate?”
“Uhhh…not right now but the list begging to join me is too long to really get through it before I graduate.”
“In other words, you don’t.”
“That’s what I said.”
“Would you like to move in with me?”
“Well heck yeah; but why all the drama?”
“You know that when the second quarter starts we will be assigned roommates. I want mine to be someone I trust.”
“Well, you know you can trust me. You’ve been the only real friend I’ve found here.”
“Do you promise to keep a secret if I share it with you?”
“As long as you’re not going to break a law, sure.”
Cynthia opened her purse and took out a picture and handed it to Emily. “That’s my boyfriend.”
“Wow, he’s a looker. Who’s that with him?”
Cynthia watched her face closely and said, “That is me.”
Emily’s mouth fell open. She looked at the picture and then at Cynthia. Cynthia took off the huge black rimmed glasses and looked at her. “Oh my God! What are you doing?”
Cynthia put her glasses back on and looked over at the serving line in the cafeteria. “There’s Tara Grey. Watch what happens.”
Emily watched as four fraternity boys ran up to carry her tray. Cynthia said, “Five of the frats are vying to get her to declare herself as their freshman sweetheart.”
Emily looked back at Cynthia and said, “The girl in this photo is a lot prettier than Tara.”
“And is totally in love with a man off fighting in Vietnam. Dressing this way saves a lot of feelings.”
Emily said, “A new roommate would know what you’re doing. They would see you when you changed clothes or went to bed.” Cynthia nodded. Emily looked down and said, “I’d give anything to be as pretty as you.”
“It’s not all it’s cracked up to be, Em. Tara is in my history class and if she doesn’t start devoting time to study, she won’t be anybody’s sweetheart here for very long.”
“The Sorority will tutor her when things get really tough; but you’re right, her play time is limited.” Emily looked at Cynthia and said, “I’ll move my things in this weekend.”
“I’ll notify the Dorm Monitor of the change. I really appreciate it, Em.”
“Not to worry. We’ll march our way through Harvard and no one will notice.”
“You may not believe it, but that would be a blessing.”
Chapter Ten
The flight to Vietnam took five days. Frank didn’t tell AG that there would be a three day layover in Hawaii. He and Charlie were put up in a hotel and they spent two days lying on the beach. AG looked out at the waves breaking and smiled. Hawaii was just as beautiful as he had heard. Charlie sat next to him talking away. Finally, AG said, “Did your uncle tell you what he made me promise?”
Charlie stopped in mid-sentence and said, “He did.”
“And?”
“I think it was unfair to put that pressure on you.”
AG turned his chair and stared at Charlie, “The only way I’m going to make that happen is for you to agree to several things up front. If you don’t, I’m probably going to fail in my promise.”
Charlie said, “What things?”
“First, you have got to learn to shut up and observe what’s happening around you.” Charlie started to protest but AG continued, “You are thinking about what you’re saying when you’re talking and not paying attention to what’s around you.”
Charlie thought a moment and said, “Go on.”
AG smiled, “Good, that’s a start. You use a hundred words to say three. If it doesn’t need to be said, don’t say it.” Charlie nodded but AG could tell he was starting to get angry. “Next, you will train with me every day on skills that you’ll need to survive.”
“Every day?”
“Yes, every day. Some days that training will happen after a long tiring day of patrol or kitchen detail. However, there will be no avoiding our training time. You must participate in the training without me having to remind you.”
“What else?”
“You will not allow yourself to complain about that training but will do all in your power to embrace it and look forward to it.”
“What are you trying to do?”
“I’m going to make you a warrior, Charlie. You are going to become a very dangerous man and you are going to learn to use your talents wisely.”
Charlie stared at AG and AG continued, “Wisdom comes from learning; not educating everyone else about what you know. You do that by watching and paying attention.”
“Uncle Frank says you are the best soldier he has ever seen.”
“It kinda makes you want to know how I do it, doesn’t it?”
Charlie started to speak but nodded instead.
AG smiled, “You learn quickly.”
Charlie turned back to watching the waves roll in and thought about what AG said. Charlie looked to his left and saw a young woman sun bathing. She looked at him and smiled. AG said, “She’s interested in you, Charlie. You’ve been talking so much you didn’t see her trying to get your attention.” Charlie turned and looked at him with a furrowed brow. “She was twenty yards further up the beach but moved closer to see if you would notice her. Why don’t you go and offer to get her a drink from the bar?”
Charlie looked at AG and said, “I’m already seeing benefits from your advice.”
“You need to determine all you can about her before you tell her anything about you.”
Charlie smirked and said, “Keeping my mouth shut won’t be easy.”
“It will if you really want to learn about her. Give it a go.”
Charlie got up and walked over. AG saw him say something to her and she nodded, got up, and went with him to the bar. Two hours later, AG saw them walking back. She was holding Charlie’s hand.
• • •
Danang Air Base looked like controlled mayhem. AG looked out the window of the C-124 and saw a long line of aircraft waiting their turn to land. The line disappeared in the distance and the numbers on the ground were staggering. Helicopter gunships looked like a swarm of dragonflies taking off and landing without an end in sight. The cargo Sergeant said, “More than ten thousand landings will take place today.”
AG shook his head and said, “This is amazing.”
“That it is; that it is.”
The C-124 landed and AG and Charlie along with ten other soldiers stepped off the plane. The Sergeant said, “Head for the green building directly ahead of you. You’ll be told where to go there.”
AG said, “Thank you, Sergeant.”
As the group walked away, Corporal Stevens said, “What are you staring at, Sarge?”
“You see the one with the duffle bag across his back?”
“Yes.”
“That is one very dangerous individual. I’ve seen so many come here and that one is different.” The Sergeant turned and said, “Let’s get this baby unloaded and get out of here.”
• • •
The twelve new arrivals went to the green building and saw a staff sergeant issuing instructions as the new recruits arrived. AG and Charlie waited their turn and gave their names. “Ok, report to that chopper over there.”
AG said, “I was told to report to Sergeant Major Omaha upon arrival.”
The staff sergeant jerked his head up and loo
ked at AG, “You were?”
“Yes Sir. Private Weston and I were directed to report directly to him and we were told he was expecting us.”
The sergeant stared at them with narrowed eyes and then turned and yelled, “Corporal Sato, take these two to Omaha.”
A jeep drove up and slid to a stop. The Asian corporal said, “Get in, hold on, and shut up!” AG got in the front seat and Charlie jumped in the back. Sato took off, nearly hitting a line of eight soldiers and made a turn that had Charlie convinced that he was going to roll the jeep. What the ride with Sato lacked in distance was more than made up for with gut wrenching excitement. He slid the jeep to a stop and yelled, “Two for Omaha.”
The MP waited as AG and Charlie pulled their gear out, as Sato disappeared around the end of a building. Charlie looked at AG and shook his head. “Follow me, gentlemen.” They followed the MP through the building, passing through several rooms with maps and communication systems. As they approached a door they heard a loud voice, “I don’t give a rat’s ass about your wasted ammunition. Keep it up and you’ll be back to throwing rocks.”
The MP stepped in with the two in tow and the huge man yelled, “What do you want!!!”
“Sir, these two say they were ordered to report to you.”
“What barn brained idiot told you to report to me?”
AG and Charlie came to attention and AG said, “Sir, Sergeant Frank Weber, Sir.”
Omaha looked at the MP and said, “Get out of here!” The MP left quickly and Omaha said, “At ease. You must be the nephew and superman he was sending here.”
Charlie said, “He is my uncle, Sir.”
Omaha looked at AG and said, “I’ve heard some tales about you.” Omaha paused but AG remained silent. “Weber was my DI when I joined this man’s Army and I’ll honor his request. I wouldn’t be here in this heaven on earth place but for him.” AG and Charlie couldn’t tell if the Sergeant was telling the truth or being sarcastic. “I’m assigning both of you to Captain Green’s company. He’s currently at firebase Gibraltar and I’ll get you there momentarily.” He reached over and picked up a large box, “Weber said to make sure you get this, Gardner. I took the liberty of opening it; nothing comes through my shop without me examining it. Exactly what are those?”
“Sir, they are my combat knives.”
Omaha stared at him and said, “Those are not regulation Army issue.”
“No Sir, they are not.”
“I’m not supposed to allow non-regulation weapons to leave here.” AG remained silent. Omaha picked up one of the knives out of the box and said, “Private, just how does this thing work?”
“May I demonstrate, Sir?”
“By all means and hurry it up.”
AG picked up the vest and strapped it around his chest. There were six knife handles protruding out of scabbards; three on the right side of his chest and three on the left. AG moved to the center of the room and looked at the two opposite ends of the room and saw support beams running to the ceiling. “Sergeant, there are eight beams on each end of the room. The first one to the north on each end will be number one. The last one will be number eight. Pick a number.”
Omaha watched AG standing in the middle of the room and saw he was relaxed and staring at him and not the row of beams. What was going on here? He thought about it and said, “Five.” The word wasn’t out of his mouth before he heard a sound of metal hitting wood. He looked at the beams on each end of the room and there was a knife protruding from each of them. Even Charlie was speechless. Omaha walked over and drew a chalk circle on every beam about head high. “Let’s do this again.” The MP stuck his head in and Omaha yelled, “Get out!!”
He closed the door quickly. AG retrieved the knives and stood in the middle of the circle. “Call out two numbers this time, Sergeant.”
Omaha could not believe what this private was going to do. He said, “Three Seven.” Once more the sound of metal hitting wood was almost instantaneous with his voice. Omaha looked and saw four knives in the designated beams in the center of the chalk circles. He looked at AG and said, “I guess Frank was right. You can take your knives, private.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“I notice there are two harnesses in there.”
“Yes Sir; one is for Private Weston.” Charlie looked at AG and guessed what his training was going to be.
“Do you think you can teach him to do that?”
“Given time and his willingness, yes Sir.”
Omaha took one of the knives and examined it, “What is this made of?”
“It’s a special alloy that has been folded over to make the blade as sharp as a samurai sword. It’s weighted toward the blade and three metal fletches come out of the handle when it’s thrown to stabilize it in flight.”
“I wondered how it held the path to your target. What about this little switch next to the guard?”
“Sir, tap one of the little black buttons on the blade side of the guard.” Omaha started to press on with his finger and AG said, “Sir, you should not do that with your hand.”
Omaha took a pencil off his desk and taped one of the buttons. The blade immediately fanned out into a seven inch wide arch. It cut the top off the pencil. Omaha looked at AG.
“If you want the knife to expand in your target you pull that switch before you throw it. When it hits the target those buttons will be pushed and the blade will fan out.”
Omaha slowly shook his head, “If you hit someone in the neck it could cut their head off.”
“And in the chest it would demolish their heart.”
Omaha wrote a note and said, “Take this to Sgt. Gentry. He’ll get you to your unit.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
AG and Charlie turned and opened the door and Omaha bellowed, “Get your butt in here. Why are you keeping me waiting?” The MP came in and Charlie and AG could still hear Omaha bellowing as they went to find Sgt. Gentry.
• • •
Omaha got on his radio and sent the message. Captain Green radioed in and Omaha said, “Weber was right. Don’t let anyone take his knives, Sir.”
“Knives?”
“You’ll see. I still have trouble believing it.”
“Thanks, Omaha.”
• • •
Charlie and AG waited on their Huey to arrive and watched the bustle of Danang. The scope and breadth of the numbers of aircraft arriving and departing was amazing. They watched a couple of damaged Intruders come limping in from hits taken by enemy anti-aircraft weapons. The flat terrain surrounded in the distance by mountains and jungle made a strange dichotomy of geography. Summer was starting and the monsoons had ended. Palm trees scattered around the base just didn’t appear to fit with all the weapons of war.
“It looks like they just carved an airbase here.”
AG tilted his head, “They didn’t choose a good location.”
“Why not?”
“You see those mountains off in the distance.”
“Yes.”
“That’s North Vietnam. This base gets frequent rocket attacks at night.”
Charlie looked at the mountains and said, “Then why did we build it here.”
“Ego.”
“I don’t understand.”
“We could not accept the idea that anything or anyone could stand up to the military might we brought in here. We decided that building it here would shorten the flights against enemy strongholds and never considered that it also shortened the distance the enemy would have to travel to launch rockets against the base. This decision is going to cause problems in the long run.”
“AG, how did you throw those knives so…”
“Accurately?”
“Yes, and as fast.”
AG looked at Charlie, “I was born with a gift for things like that. It’s like asking a bird how it flies so high and fast. They just do.”
“You’re thinking that I can do what you do with those knives?”
“No, you can�
��t. But just like a dolphin can outswim any human alive, some swimmers are pretty darn good. I intend to make you pretty darn good if you’re willing to work and put forth your best effort.”
Charlie thought a moment and said, “There’s more than just the knives?”
AG took a deep breath, “That’s why I’m here, Charlie. I don’t fully understand or know what talents I have. However, I’ve learned that by putting myself in highly stressful situations it causes them to manifest themselves. I can’t think of any other situation that is more stressful than war.”
“So you here looking to find dangerous situations?”
AG shrugged, “I guess you could say that but the reality is that I won’t have to go looking; they’ll find me.” AG paused, “By the way, I want you to keep this information to yourself. If it does get out, I’ll become a lightning rod for trouble.”
“I will. I think you let the cat out of the bag with Sgt. Omaha back there.”
“Not really.”
“Why not?”
“He knows that his credibility would be shot if he talked about what he saw. He won’t say anything; his position demands all of his superiors have their utmost confidence in his mental state. Talking about this will make them worry about him. He’s wise enough to know it and won’t discuss what happened with anyone but one of us.”
“Are you certain about that?”
AG smiled, “I saw he was no danger to me. He’ll be quiet.”
Charlie stared at AG and wondered how he could see danger in others. But then a Huey came roaring in and a corporal yelled, “Your taxi’s here. Get on and pay the fare.”
They walked out to the Huey and threw their duffle bags on board and climbed in. One of the door gunners looked at them and said, “Make yourselves comfortable. The Captain will be back as soon as he finishes nature’s call.”
AG and Charlie leaned back against the rear of the compartment and saw that the machine guns in the sides of the Huey looked like they had been recently fired. The gunner saw them and said, “You just never know when Charlie will raise his head and take a shot at ya.” Charlie knew the Vietcong were called Charlie and he decided at that moment to call himself Charles.