A Fallen Hero

by Sharon Kimbra Walsh

  Joe watched as, for about ten minutes, the navy man carefully made a shallow trench then stopped. Straightening up, he turned to Joe.

  “Okay, we have a pressure plate. The plan is to get the Talon out with an explosive package. We’ll plant one here and one as close to the secondary device in the ditch as we can get it. I want all your teams back in the MRAP, gun hatch sealed.”

  Nodding, Joe followed the Chief Petty Officer back to the JERRV, waited until the navy man boarded his vehicle then went on back to the MRAP, climbing back in.

  “Everyone back onboard and seal the gun hatches. Any sign of the intruders?”

  Receiving various responses from each vehicle that there had been no further sightings of any hostiles, the security teams climbed back aboard and settled down for the long wait.

  Climbing inside herself, Katie wished she could visit Joe and snatch a brief moment alone with him, but this was most definitely not the time or the place. He needed to focus on the incident. It was frustrating to have her time curtailed so severely where he was concerned. What was happening at this time was the sort of adrenaline-fueled situation that made her want to be close to him.

  “Louis, Dana. Keep your eyes out for those two intruders. If you see anything at all, sing out,” she heard Joe’s voice continue and felt the nervous butterflies in her stomach become even more agitated.

  Inside the JERRV, the atmosphere was relaxed, belying the intensity and thoroughness of the EOD Team’s preparation of two explosive packages consisting of four blocks of C4, each package having a trailing detonating wire inserted. Already lifted out of the back of the JERRV, one of the small Talon robots had maneuvered around to the passenger side of the vehicle and the first explosive package gingerly laid across the extended arm, the detonating cord held by the gripper. A standard Talon robot consisted of a removable, double-jointed, sixty-four-inch arm and gripper mounted on two miniature versions of a tank track. It was controlled through a two-way fiber optic link from an attaché-sized operator control unit from inside the JERRV.

  The little robot trundled off to lay the first of the charges next to the primary IED. Once it had delicately placed the explosives, it came back by remote control, trailing the detonating cord, which Chief Petty Officer Bond took from the gripper. The second charge was then taken to the ditch and laid as close to the second suspected IED as was possible.

  Once the Talon had returned safely to the JERRV, the Chief Petty Officer again retrieved the end of the second detonation cord and attached both to the remote control detonation mechanism. Once he was satisfied that the cords were securely in place, he placed a single finger on the detonator switch and said quickly over an open radio, “Fire in the hole. Fire in the hole. Fire in the hole.”

  From the MRAP cab, Joe had a bird’s eye view of the detonation. He heard the double explosion as if it was just outside the vehicle and knew, by the double thud, that there had indeed been two IEDs. He was awed that two such relatively small charges combined with the hidden IEDs could cause the miniature mushroom cloud. He flinched reflexively as the ground trembled beneath the heavy vehicle, then he heard debris rain down on the roof, the pattering of sand and soil, the heavier impact from stones and the distinct crash of larger rocks. It went on for some time and Joe exclaimed, “Fuck me!”

  He watched through his binoculars, peering through a mist of dust and dirt, at the debris raining down over ground zero and the convoy then picked up the radio handset as it crackled with an incoming transmission.

  “Mama Bear to Eagle One. Over”.

  “Yeah, Mama Bear. Very impressive.”

  “Two for the price of one, Eagle One. We have some spare time. Fancy some company for the rest of your trip? Could be that you might need us again, sometime soon.”

  “That’s mighty nice of you, Mama Bear. You’d be very welcome.”

  “No problem. Out.”

  Joe watched the Talon robot again trundle off to confirm that final detonation of both IEDs had taken place even though the resultant explosion could not dispute this and the EOD gave final confirmation that the route was clear for the time being.

  The convoy, Joe and the rest of its occupants, feeling relieved that the operation was over, moved off.

  * * * *

  The convoy had to halt three more times for the Navy EOD Team to clear IEDs from the route and for clearance investigations by the Talon.

  Lima squad eventually arrived at the FOB at 2000 hours, just as it was getting dark. The EOD Team had left, ordered to another incident, but had volunteered to roam ahead to check the remaining route and clear whatever IEDs or explosives they found. Once the EOD had left the convoy, the security teams had again dismounted, so by the time Katie could see the walls of the FOB, she was exhausted.

  Forward Operating Base Nowazad nestled against a backdrop of tall, rugged mountains, their peaks like the pointed, serrated edge of a knife, outlined by the setting sun in a blaze of red and gold. The cream color of the FOB’s Hesco walls stood out incongruously—limned with bright orange from the sun’s rays—on the flat, dun-colored landscape. A gentle wind had risen and the temperature had lessened considerably.

  The convoy approached the huge double steel gates, which Katie guessed were about three-meters in height. All four walls were comprised of square blocks of Hesco, stacked to the same height as the gates, each wall about one hundred-meters in length with four guard towers at each corner, shrouded in green camouflage netting.

  As they drew closer, the gates opened outward, and two Afghanistan National Army soldiers appeared, taking up positions either side of the open gates and keeping their eyes on the surrounding landscape.

  Feeling relieved, Katie walked the last few meters to safety, the teams stepping aside to allow the two MRAPs and the truck to drive inside before following them in. The sound of the gates closing behind her at that moment was the best sound she had ever heard.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The two MRAPs and the LMTV parked—one behind the other—along the wall with the gates set into it, and the remainder of Lima squad dismounted.

  Katie noted the accommodation tents, a covered area that looked like a makeshift kitchen and mess area and finally settled on what looked to be the medical tent. When she saw it, her heart sank.

  It was long and low, set on a raised wooden platform covered in khaki-green, anti-slip tiles. Some enterprising person had drawn a white cross on the dingy canvas and beneath it the words, medical center.

  At least someone has a sense of humor, Katie thought wryly.

  She turned to look back at the gates and saw black writing scrawled on the steel—welcome to Hell—which did nothing to raise her spirits. There was a soldier, in Afghan uniform, in each tower and this brought home to her that they were in a desolate region where insurgents were at their most prolific. The thought shoved a shiver down her spine. Her new home was a place where lack of concentration and complacency could get you killed.

  Around her, the squad was unloading their personal equipment, piling it on the ground. They then started on the truck. Katie retrieved her own equipment and made her way slowly toward the medical tent that was to be her home for an indefinite period of time.

  Stepping up onto the raised platform, she walked wearily to the entrance and, lifting aside the canvas flap, pushed her way through the mosquito netting. She found herself in a long tent, which stretched off to her right.

  Katie dropped her packs on the floor and gazed around her. To her left were shelves crammed with medical supplies, to her right six low beds with blankets stacked on top of each. Directly in front of her was a small entrance to another tent, which she suspected was her sleeping accommodation. Apart from the shelves and the beds, the only other furniture was a rickety metal table and an equally battered filing cabinet, a chemlamp and fan placed strategically on each one.

  Sighing, Katie walked toward the smaller tent. Lifting aside a second curtain of mosquito netting, she found a camp bed,
more shelves and a small bedside locker with a second chemlamp situated on it. Another even smaller tent led off from the one she stood in and, poking her head through the closed tent flap, she saw with relief that it was a chemical toilet with tent shower.

  At least I won’t have to shower with the men.

  She turned to go back into the main tent itself to collect her packs to begin unpacking and jumped when Joe entered. A smile crossed her face when she saw him.

  He came toward her, grinning, and he looked tired.

  “Hey, how are you?”

  He stopped immediately in front of her but didn’t take her in his arms as she wanted him to.

  “Tired,” Katie replied. “That was some journey.”

  “Yeah,” Joe answered. “Listen, some of the guys are unloading your medical supplies from the truck and will bring them in here. Once everything has been unloaded someone’s going to cook up some chow, so come out and get something to eat. You’ll need it. Not sure if it’s going to be edible though.”

  Katie nodded, staring at him, her eyes devouring his face. They both jumped as voices approached the tent.

  “I’m sorry. I have to go,” Joe announced. “Everything will grind to a halt if I’m not out there to kick some butt. I’ll try to see you later. Love you, honey. You take care.”

  “Love you too,” Katie whispered and watched him turn then leave.

  * * * *

  Twenty-four hours later, Katie was finishing the last of the cleaning of the medical tent and was pleased with the results. Getting rid of a covering of fine dust from all the equipment and bed linen on the camp beds had been the hardest task. Making everything hygienically clean for use was almost an obsession with her. Now she straightened and put her hands in the small of her back, then rested one hand on her stomach.

  “Sorry, baby,” she murmured.

  She looked around her, again satisfied with what she saw then glanced at her watch. It was 2000 hours and she wondered where Joe was. She hadn’t seen any sign of him since their brief meeting after they had arrived and she missed him, even though he had important things to do such as organizing the FOB.

  Sighing, she reached for a water bottle standing on the metal table and took a mouthful. She needed a shower and could kill for a cup of coffee.

  She heard a rustling sound behind her and turned to see Dan standing at the tent entrance watching her. There was a serious look on his face and he only gave her a small smile when he saw that she had noticed him.

  “Dan,” Katie greeted. “What’s the problem?”

  Hesitating slightly, Dan came toward her. When he was close to her, he replied, “I need to talk to you.”

  Katie frowned. “Okay,” she said, “Are you ill? Do you need medical treatment?”

  Dan shook his head and glanced almost nervously around him. “No, nothing like that.”

  Katie waited patiently, a vague idea surfacing that she knew why he was here and it made her feel both sad and uneasy at the same time.

  Dan coughed. “I have to get this off my chest, Katie,” he began. “I’ve fallen in love with you. I tried not to, so help me. I kept telling myself that it wouldn’t do any good. Rules and all that—no dating other members of the squad etcetera—but I was kidding myself. You really are the most beautiful woman I have ever met.”

  For a moment, Katie stared at him in silence, stunned at his admission. His dark eyes were watching her intently, a hopeful look in them. He shifted from one foot to another waiting for her response.

  “Oh, Dan,” she answered at last. “I really wish you hadn’t said that.”

  Her voice was gentle, knowing that she was going have to hurt the young corporal.

  “I’m very flattered, and thank you for…loving me but I don’t…have that kind of feeling for you.”

  She winced inwardly at the hurt expression that crossed his face at her rejection.

  “I wish you didn’t love me,” she continued sadly. “I really appreciate your friendship but… I love someone else and have for a long time.”

  Dan looked down at his boots. “I see,” he said, his voice husky with emotion. “Is he out here?”

  Katie nodded hesitantly. “Yes,” she answered carefully, “but I can’t say anything more. You know the rules.”

  There was a small silence. “Well, he’s a lucky guy,” Dan stated and straightened. “I had to tell you, Katie. On the off chance…”

  Katie nodded. “I’m so sorry, Dan. You are a lovely man. Any woman would be so fortunate to have you.”

  Outside the medical tent, Joe stood stock-still. He had heard every word of the conversation. He knew the saying that eavesdroppers never heard anything good and to hear another man declaring love for his wife was not.

  Detecting a small silence within the tent and deciding now was the time to interrupt whatever was going on, he coughed and pulled aside the netting.

  Katie jumped almost guiltily and felt a sinking feeling when Joe entered. Although his eyes had darkened in color and there was no sign of his usual easy grin, he did not look angry.

  Dan almost jumped backward away from her.

  “I’ll be going then,” he announced.

  “Feeling ill, Reed?” Joe asked and Katie detected the slight tinge of annoyance in his voice.

  “No, Staff Sergeant,” Dan answered quickly. “I’m on my way.”

  With this last remark, the marine turned and hurriedly left the tent.

  Joe stood and stared at Katie. “So?” he queried and waited for her response.

  “So?” Katie responded in kind. She suspected that Joe had heard the conversation between herself and Dan and wondered what he was thinking.

  “So, you have an admirer,” Joe stated, his tone neutral.

  Katie shrugged. “If you heard the whole conversation, Joe—which I suspect you did—then you would know I don’t reciprocate his feelings. I had to let him down gently. He deserved that much.”

  She set her water bottle down on the table and walked slowly toward him.

  “I happen to love—adore, actually—a big, tough, jealous marine Staff Sergeant.”

  Joe folded his arms, watching her.

  “Jealous? Me? Nope.”

  Reaching him, Katie stopped about six inches away.

  “Jealous? You? Yes,” she teased, a small smile on her face.

  “Never been jealous in my life.”

  Joe tried again to dismiss Katie’s light-hearted accusation then grinned at last. “Okay. I lie. I’d never been jealous until I met you.”

  Katie moved close to him, her gaze holding his. Still not touching him, she said softly, “There’s no need for you to be jealous.”

  “I know,” Joe replied. “Still, not every guy wants another man being in love with his wife.”

  “No, I suppose not,” Katie replied. “Did you want something, Staff Sergeant?”

  Joe unfolded his arms. “Yeah,” he answered, “you,” and he reached for her and pulled her into his arms. “I want you.”

  Katie moved her hips against his. “I want you too,” she whispered then, taking his face between the palms of her hands, she stood slightly on tiptoe and gently kissed his mouth.

  Pulling away she said, “I’ve missed you, Joe. I hate this situation.”

  She put her arms about him and pulled him closer, feeling his grip tighten around her waist and the hardness of his arousal against her.

  He nuzzled the top of her head. “I’ve missed you too.”

  Resting her face against his shoulder Katie murmured, her voice muffled against his T-shirt, “Can you stay for a bit?”

  Joe sighed. “I’m sorry, honey. I can’t. I wish I could. I have a radio call with my squad leader.”

  Katie felt herself wilt against him.

  “That’s okay,” she responded in a small voice. “Maybe later?” She raised her face and managed a smile.

  Joe lowered his head and kissed her hungrily and at length, pulling her in even tighter against his
body.

  Katie moaned softly as his tongue touched her own and she reached up a hand behind his head to pull it toward her so that his mouth crushed against hers.

  Eventually, he pulled away, his breathing sounding harsh and irregular and she put her head on his shoulder again, trying to stop the trembling of her body.

  “Joe,” she murmured.

  “I have to go,” Joe announced and lifted her chin so that she was gazing directly at him. “You and the baby will be okay?”

  Katie nodded, not trusting herself to speak, then finally managed, “Be careful.”

  “I will,” Joe said, “You look after yourself. One more thing. There’s an ANA medic here. A Corporal Afzaal Bakht. He’s going to be giving you a hand. He seems a good enough guy.”

  “All right.” Katie replied, “I’ll watch out for him.”

  Joe stepped back, lifted a hand and touched her face. “I love you.”

  “I love you too,” Katie whispered and again, watched him turn then leave the tent.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  It was midnight as Joe walked tiredly into the medical center tent, slowly removing his helmet and body armor. He stopped just inside the entrance and glanced about him, eyes searching the far corners of the long, shadowed tent to see if there was anybody else present.

  A chemlamp burned on the rickety metal table—barely illuminating its surroundings—dim white rays throwing a pool of light onto the green, slip-resistant rubberized floor. A fan whirred almost silently from its perch on top of the dilapidated metal cabinet, its blades barely stirring the hot air.

  The six camp beds—neatly made—stood ready for casualties. Equipment gleamed—for now—free of dust and sand and Joe was impressed at the way Katie had cleaned, tidied and reorganized supplies so that they were readily available. The examination table had a layer of pristine white paper along its length, a medical rucksack laying open beneath it, its contents ready for use and easily accessible in case of emergency.