by Dave Hazel
“So we know he has been working on the green fog for the purpose of transporting armies to strategic locations,” Mykal continued. “Then when the time is right, certain countries will fall into his hands. Towbar’s land is the target in sight right now. From the buildup of forces until this point the purpose is to take the Pass at all cost so Towbar’s land will fall.
“If Zizmon-Tarl has perfected the use of the green fog, which me and Towbar already know how to do,” Mykal said and smiled at how odd that sounded. “Then I believe he would bring more forces from the other side of the world. Like I said, at four different times I felt the green fog was in use, but far away. He may be bringing in more sophisticated forces that don’t have the superstitious beliefs the Sosos have. They may also be less brutish and more capable than the Sosos. We’ll have to wait and see, but they don’t have the weapons we have.”
“Myk,” Captain Taylor raised his hand to interrupt. “If the evil Zizmon-Tarl has perfected the use of transportation with the green fog, what is to stop him from transporting forces directly to King Loankore’s palace?”
Major Innes picked up on Captain Taylor’s thinking and took the concern further. “Or for that matter, what is to prevent him from inserting an entire army of evil doers into the Pass behind us? That would divide our forces, though we would still have the benefit of the Pass walls to keep us from being completely surrounded,” he said and tapped his fingertips together while thinking through some scenarios that would complicate their advantage in the ground position.
“Wow! That’s a great question,” Mykal said and looked shocked though he tried to hide the sudden surprise. He stroked his mustache and quickly tried to think of an answer. He had never given that any thought.
“I may have an answer,” Towbar said. Everyone stopped and turned to eagerly listen to the giant. “I am of the opinion that Zizmon-Tarl would not be able to do as you have suggested. Zizmon-Tarl, or anyone, using the green fog would have to have a location in his mind to know where to place them. He would have to have been at that location or if he used a surrogate, they would have to have been in that location. I am confident he does not know how to use Mind Talk. Mind Talk was created by my close friend Nidious. Nidious has shared that magic with only one other person, besides myself, and that person died when I was a child. Mind Talk enabled me to communicate with Mykal while the people of the Lost Patrol were trapped by the Goblins under the mountain. Through Mind Talk, Mykal made it possible for me to see the room they were trapped in, thus I was enabled to send the green fog to that room despite the fact I had never been there before. Mind Talk must be accepted by the person being communicated to,” he added and looked directly at Mykal. “I say this so that all here will know, Zizmon-Tarl can not force his thoughts upon someone and gain access to a location in that manner. This however, is my opinion,” Towbar admitted.
“What about the incident that took place in Washington DC? How did Zizmon-Tarl make that happen?” Captain Landis asked.
“We don’t know for sure he made that happen,” Mykal answered quickly. “And I personally don’t think he made that happen. I honestly think it was random just like our first time here. From what Nidious told me, since I stuck my hand into the green fog on my initial trip here, there is like a living organism under my skin and so the green fog is drawn to that organism. Most of Towbar’s body has that in him as well because he carried me into the green fog when we came back home, and that was his initial trip into the green fog so Towbar has the same organism inside him too. Anyways, it was random, and we were in DC that night. If we would have been in Minot, or Florida, or Canada, or Las Vegas or anywhere, I believe it would have appeared where we were. During our first visit here, there were a couple of times the green fog appeared randomly nearby where I was. My hand just reacted on its own out of the blue so to speak. We never understood why until I spoke to Nidious. It appeared randomly near where my hand was.”
“But it is possible, Mister Tarl may be able to send the armies behind us,” Green Beret Lieutenant Johnson said sharply in a snarky tone. “Towbar said it was just his opinion that he didn’t think Mister Tarl could send the fog where he hasn’t been.”
“From everything I understand,” Mykal spoke calmly despite Johnson’s annoying attitude. “I don’t think he can do that, or he would have already done it.”
“So once again, we’re trusting in someone’s opinion and not facts. If that’s the case, what are we going to do?” Lieutenant Johnson asked and sounded like he was about to stir up the crowd. Johnson seemed to be seething, and it was no secret that he had a personal dislike for Mykal. “It’s clear that we are outnumbered by far. Our supplies won’t last forever. This can’t end well for us.”
Mykal glared at Johnson. In a split second Mykal weighed his thoughts. He knew Johnson was a good soldier and a strong leader, but for some unrevealed reason Johnson had animosity toward Mykal. “I’m going back to the real world to get more weapons and men when I take back the wounded and those we rescued.”
“Why don’t we just take everyone back?” Johnson snapped.
“The Pass will fall into the hands of the Sosos and then Towbar’s people will fall to them,” Mykal answered calmly though his heart was starting to race with anger.
“Not to be insensitive,” Johnson said and turned to Towbar. “But that doesn’t sound like that’s our problem.”
“The hell it isn’t,” Mykal’s anger erupted.
“How is it our problem?” Johnson retorted but was stopped by Chick.
“Enough Lieutenant Johnson,” Chick said with his hand raised.
“The President said it’s our problem,” Mykal said though he adlibbed the intent of the President’s commitment.
“Where is this written? I would like to see the written orders,” Johnson said and burned his focus on Mykal.
“Lieutenant Johnson, I will not repeat myself. The next step will be to have you removed,” Chick said. Both Major Innes and Captain Taylor stepped forward at his words. “Once you are removed you will return to the real world just like the civilians, the non-combatants, the injured and the lame,” he added as if taking a swipe. “Where do you get off questioning orders from on high?”
Mykal wanted to be a smart aleck and point to his pistol and state it was written in the power of his gun, but he knew that wouldn’t go over well. “Believe me our government stands to benefit tremendously by Towbar allowing us to come here and take whatever resources we can get from the land after the war is over,” he said and turned to Towbar. Mykal hoped Towbar would remember his promise of never allowing his government to take over. “You know how politicians are.”
Towbar nodded. “I trust Mykal. My King, King Loankore III trusts Mykal.”
“Mykal, I had been fully briefed prior to coming here,” Major Chick replied. He avoided eye contact after speaking to Mykal. “This is something bigger than all of us gentlemen. It is far more than just about holding the Pass. There are long term implications involved. We’re professionals and we will complete our mission.”
Mykal knew Chick was lying, but he didn’t know why. He looked at Johnson and saw the torment in Johnson’s face. Johnson wanted to argue but had to hold his tongue. “I don’t understand what your problem with me is Lieutenant Johnson, but I would like to correct whatever I may have done wrong,” Mykal offered with his hands held open unsure where the contention started.
“Sir, I would like to be excused,” Johnson said to Chick.
“Go,” Chick said sharply and turned from Johnson as if he had been disgusted by Johnson’s actions. Chick looked like he wanted to tell Johnson to ‘get the hell out of here,’ but he didn’t. “I’m sorry about this, Myk.”
Mykal shrugged as if he didn’t understand.
“Gentlemen, let’s get this discussion back on the proper track,” Major Innes suggested for Chick. “We need to make preparations for night security. We have obviously been lax due to the fact there hasn’t been a seri
ous threat.”
“We’ve always had security in place, but it was low level at best,” Captain Taylor explained. “We must ensure it is increased and everyone will need to be more vigilant. We will need to set land mines and we should set up trip flares to alert us should they try to sneak in at night.”
“Sir,” Mykal interrupted Captain Taylor when he saw a Marine corporal running to their location from the front line. “We have someone coming to bring us information.”
“Sir, permission to speak,” the Marine said when he stopped and snapped to attention. He stared at Major Chick.
“Carry on Corporal, and at ease.”
“Sir, Master Sergeant Raddon told me to bring a message. It looks like the Sosos are setting up camp in the mouth of the Pass. The Master Sergeant doesn’t think another attack will be coming today.”
“Good. That gives us a little time to prepare and make some decisions,” Mykal said and wondered if he should chance going back to the real world. “Major Chick, I would like to speak to you in private. Towbar, could you join us?”
The three of them walked off to be separated from the others. “A couple of things,” Mykal started when he was sure no one could hear them. “First of all, they’re gonna strike hard tomorrow if they don’t strike tonight, so we have to be prepared for that. I was thinking about leaving to take the injured back and to see what I can do to get re-enforcements and more ammo and weapons. Towbar, have you decided whether or not to take the Elves up on their offer?”
“I am not sure my friend. I have not had the opportunity to bring my request to the King. Obviously it would benefit both groups tremendously. I do not have the authority to make that decision on my own. I am torn.”
“Do you really think you’ll need the Elvin people here?” Chick asked.
“My concern,” Mykal answered before Towbar answered. “Is I’m not sure how long it’s gonna take to get our resources back here. I’m confident we’ll get what we want, but it’s not like they’re sitting around waiting for my return to get them. It may be days or weeks to--”
“No, no Myk.” Chick stopped him and smiled. “All branches of the military are trained and they are always subject to an alert, as you know when you were in the Security Police field.”
“Yes, that’s right,” Mykal said and snapped his finger as if a light bulb had been turned on. “I don’t know why I forgot.”
“You’ve allowed that civilian way of thinking to corrupt your mind already,” Chick joked. “The powers that be can have a formidable force put together in twenty-four to forty-eight hours. If you have a contact that you’re working with, connected to the White House, that shouldn’t be a problem. I will give you some private numbers of people to call as soon as you go back and that should speed up the process.”
“Sir, I haven’t really gone into detail about my mission here, but why are you so committed to defeating the Sosos? Like Johnson said earlier, this isn’t our problem, or so that’s what everyone thinks.”
“I’m not going to bullshit you Myk. Two reasons. One, I’m a committed Marine and if the President said they want this foe defeated for the reasons you declared earlier, then I’m committed to my mission one hundred and ten percent. The second reason is the more truthful reason. When you went back to the real world, Towbar made me an offer. If I stick it out and we defeat or hold off the Sosos I will be allowed to take wealth from the mountains. I met King Krago of the mountains, the Dwarven king,” he paused.
“I’m doing this for myself,” he continued after Mykal took in his confession. “I have no aspirations to be a politician when my military career is over, as most officers do. Things have happened in my career that will prevent me from being promoted to General. After this assignment and special duty of Operation: Towbar’s Sword, for my part as commander of Towbar One, I was guaranteed to put on Lieutenant Colonel. It will be a battle for me to ever make Colonel.” Chick snickered and shook his head. “Yes, I made some foolish choices when I was younger. Nuff said, but not making General will hinder my political career if that was what I desired. To be honest, even if I was to ever make General, I wouldn’t be able to stomach the bile that is Washington and all the poison that is in that hell hole.
“I have an opportunity to be rewarded for doing my job,” Chick continued with his friendly smile. “So I’m going to take advantage of it. I have a family and I want what’s best for them. I hope my honesty doesn’t make you view me differently Myk, but King Krago relayed to me that he has blessed you with tremendous wealth in the same fashion. As selfish as this is going to sound, I’m just looking for a payoff, because I’ll never get the payoff going the military career route. I’ve given the Corps more than half of my life. I’ve given total devotion, commitment and loyalty to the Corps, and I will continue to do so because I truly love the Marine Corps. But when it’s over and when my time is done, the Corps will slap me on the back and say ‘have a nice life’.”
“I don’t have a problem with that,” Mykal said and was stunned by all Chick said. “But this has to stay between us.”
“This is not my first time around the block Myk. This is between just the three of us,” Chick said and nodded.
“Good, cuz I don’t want everyone and their brother trying to get rich off this. And just to set the record straight,” Mykal said and turned to Towbar. “I’m not doing this for the money. I’m doing this for my friend Towbar. I owe him my life, and if I can make a score out of this and provide for my family at the same time I’m going to do just that.”
“You need not explain to me my friend,” Towbar said with a rare smile as he placed his large hand on Mykal’s shoulder. “I know your heart. You are my brother.”
“I’m glad we see eye to eye on this Myk,” Chick said with a nod and a wink.
“I appreciate that. Now, back to the discussion of the Elves,” Mykal turned to Towbar. “If you wanna bring them here, I’d suggest you go to them right away while I go back to my world. I don’t know what kind of delays I’m gonna run into. As far as the Elves are concerned it’s either going to be yes or no. Starling, Leeno and Blair all seem sure that their people would gladly move here cuz they’re prisoners in their own land.”
“The issue is my King.”
“Towbar, I’d never tell you what to do, but your country and the people of this land are on the line. I don’t think you have a choice. What good would it do if you guys fall to the Sosos? What would your King do then? I’d say get the help of the Elves and if King Loankore doesn’t approve…,” he paused. “Then take him out and you become King. I know, I know, I know,” Mykal threw up his hand. “You don’t want that. But I know you care for your people and you want what’s best for them. What’ll happen after we’re long gone? I don’t think we’ll be able to wipe out the Sosos completely, but you’d have a permanent ally here with the Elves. And the Dwarves too of course.”
“Those are the thoughts I have been thinking,” Towbar replied and looked off into the distance and seemed to be consumed by his mental boxing. “I do not want to usurp King Loankore’s authority and there is not the luxury of time to petition the King on this very pressing matter.
“Is Doninka still here?” Mykal asked. “She would know how the King’s heart would be on such matters. Wouldn’t she?”
“I sent her back to Beramus,” Towbar answered without looking back at him.
“I’m not a leader of a country and I don’t know how one thinks,” Mykal admitted. “But, if I was in your place I would make the decision. And who knows, maybe Starling, Leeno and Blair are wrong. Maybe the Elves would never move out here. Maybe they would come here just to stop the flood of evil that is ready to sweep away your land. I don’t know. And if they should decide to come and stay, the three Elves keep saying they are primarily a people of the forest, so it’s not like they’re gonna come here and try to take over your capital, Beramus.”
“I’m an outsider Towbar,” Chick said. “But if I can be of any assis
tance let me know.”
“Thank you. Both of you. I will think it through the night and I will decide in the morning what to do. Once again, I thank you for your advice.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR 12/30/1983
1. Friday, December 30th 1983
0556 hours, Camp behind the Pit, In the Pass
“Hey Mykal, wake up,” a voice said while gently shaking his arm. “Come on, you said you wanted up when the sun started to--”
“No, nooooo,” Mykal yelled as he bolted upright in a terror. He breathed heavily and looked around his tent to get his bearings. His eyes were wide open and his fists were clenched tight before him like he was ready to punch.
“Are you okay Sir?” The Marine asked.
“Yeah, whew. Yeah. I had a bad dream,” he admitted and relaxed. “It seemed so friggin real.”
“You’re okay though? I gotta get back,” the Marine said and didn’t seem surprised that Mykal would have a nightmare.
“Yeah, thanks,” he replied but the Marine left the tent opening in a flash. “Oh damn, that scared the hell outta me,” he said aloud and sighed deeply looking upward to stretch his neck. His heart still pounded.
He dwelt on the nightmare and sadness filled his mind. He pictured William in his dream standing over Boris and he watched him shoot his friend in the back. After William killed Boris he turned to Mykal who stood in a tub of glue like substance. When he turned to run he realized he was like a fly stuck on a sticky fly strip. He couldn’t move and was trapped. William dropped his rifle and approached him with a long gleaming dagger in his hand. Dozens of Goblins surrounded him to support William.
William moved closer carving the air with the dagger, showing his intent to torture him. The Goblins cheered him on and seemed to laugh at Mykal’s futile attempts to get free. Mykal felt helpless to defend against the tormenting attack that he knew would come.
William pushed his face close to Mykal’s. “I’m going to kill you with a cold methodicalness,” William whispered with a hiss that was more frightening than the threat of the shiny steel.