by Mel Odom
44
Downtown Sanliurfa
Sanliurfa Province, Turkey
Local Time 1931 Hours
Goose came awake feeling someone staring at him. He blinked against the thick darkness. For a moment, with the drugs coursing through his system, he was lost and thought he was in the field somewhere. He wasn’t sure if it was the Middle East or Africa or even one of the wilderness jaunts he’d been on in Eastern Europe.
Then he felt the bed beneath him and remembered he was in the medical facility in Sanliurfa. That realization wasn’t any more restful. For all he knew, one of the CIA’s assassins lurked in the room.
Out of years of habit, he reached for a weapon, but one wasn’t close to hand.
“At ease, First Sergeant,” Remington spoke out of the darkness.
“Yes, sir.” Goose started to get up but his leg remained in traction.
“I can’t get up, sir.”
“I knew that. You ready for the light?”
Goose squinted against the coming brightness. “Yes, sir.”
Remington turned the light on. The illumination stabbed into Goose’s eyes. Thankfully the dimmer muted the full strength, but the sudden brightness still gave him an instant headache.
“How are things out there, sir?”
Remington approached the bed. Despite the fatigue that clung to him, he appeared unstoppable. “We’ve held the enemy in abeyance. They’re still there, but we’ve convinced them that taking this city isn’t going to be as easy as they’d first thought.”
“That’s good, sir.”
“It’s good, but it’s not enough. The Syrians are still convinced they can get the job done.” Remington took in a breath and let it out. “Even with the UN reinforcements, our situation hasn’t improved enough to promise that we can hold the line here.”
“At least we’re not being run out of town on a rail in full rout, sir.”
A tight, humorless smile curved Remington’s lips. “That’s true. But I don’t like looking for how things could be worse. I want to concentrate on making them better.”
“Yes, sir.”
Remington studied Goose for a moment. “Your friend Icarus managed to disappear again.”
Goose heard and felt the bald accusation in Remington’s words. “That man’s not my friend, sir.”
“Yet the two of you seem to end up spending an inordinate amount of time together,” Remington countered.
“Not through any effort on my part, sir.”
Slowly Remington nodded. “I’d like to believe that.”
“It’s the truth, sir.” Goose had a feeling that whatever was going to happen with Icarus, the mysterious agent had disappeared from his life for good. He was in God’s hands now.
“Moving on,” Remington said. “You’ve noticed that we have reinforcements.”
“Couldn’t help but notice that on the way in, sir.”
“The secretarygeneral of the United Nations routed them to us.”
“Carpathia did that, sir?”
“Yes.” Remington studied Goose’s face. “Do you have a problem with that, First Sergeant?”
“No, sir.”
“That’s good, because without those men we wouldn’t have been here waiting when you finished your little trek through hostile territory.”
“Roger that, sir.”
“There’s been an interesting twist to come out of their arrival.”
Goose waited.
“SecretaryGeneral Carpathia wants to reorganize the world’s military forces. In light of everything that’s gone on, the secretarygeneral recognizes the need to combine those armies into one unit. Put all our toys in one box. With everything facing the world today, the confusion and chaos, I think it would be a good idea.”
Maybe under other circumstances, Goose would have thought so too. Instead, as he thought about the situation, Icarus’s warnings about Carpathia kept coming to mind.
“Even more interesting, Carpathia offered me a new position: he wants to make me a full colonel.”
“You’re thinking of leaving the army?” Goose was so surprised he forgot to address Remington as sir. He hastily amended that.
“I don’t think of it as leaving the army. I took this position to serve my country. At the moment, I believe the best way to serve my country is by joining Carpathia’s efforts. The man has done a lot of good in the world in just a short time. He’s made a believer out of me.”
At those words, a chill ghosted through Goose, leaving him unsettled. “I guess congratulations are in order, sir,” Goose said.
“Thanks.” Remington paused. “But something else brought me here. In this new position, I’m going to need good people. Men I can count on. You and I haven’t been totally in sync for a while, but I think that’s because of the situation, not because of any fundamental differences. We still soldier the same.”
Goose chose not to say anything, thinking that was the wisest course.
“I’d like you to think about coming along with me,” Remington said.
“Thank you, sir, but I don’t see how I can do something like that. In case you hadn’t heard, my knee—”
“Is totally blown,” Remington interrupted. “I talked to the doctor. The plain fact of the matter is, if you stay with the army, Goose, your career is over.”
The words hit Goose like physical blows. It was one thing to deal with the facts by himself in the quiet of the room. But it was another for Remington to give voice to them.
“Yes, sir. I know that’s what the doc says, but that’s not necessarily—”
“Sergeant, unless you can pull a miracle out of your butt, that’s how it’s going to be.”
Goose struggled to find his voice. “Yes, sir.”
“I’ve got you scheduled to depart on the first medevac we can put together. I don’t know when that’s going to be. We’re still in the planning stages.”
Goose accepted that without comment, but everything in him wanted to fight, to resist.
“That’s how the army wants to do it,” Remington said. “But I’ve got something else I can offer. In my new capacity as colonel.”
Even though he tried, Goose couldn’t speak.
“You’re a soldier, Goose,” Remington declared. “That’s all you’re ever going to be.”
“That’s all I ever wanted to be, sir.”
“I know. That’s why you passed on Officer Candidates School.
But I can use soldiers in this new army. Maybe you’ll never be fieldready again, but you’ve got a lot of knowledge locked away in that thick skull of yours. A lot of spit and polish. I need that. If you want, I can offer you a position with me. As my aide. Once you get back on your feet.”
“That’s considerate of you, sir.”
Remington frowned. “It’s not just considerate, Sergeant. It’s downright generous.”
“Yes, sir. I’m still just a little fogged from the pain meds. Thank you, sir.”
“When you get out of that bed, report to me, and we’ll get squared away on the paperwork.”
“Yes, sir.” Goose answered automatically, but he knew he wanted time to think about the offer. Everything was coming down on him too fast.
“I also heard that Megan and some of the civvies from Fort Benning are going to be joining us here,” Remington said.
“Yes, sir. She said that was in the works.”
“I convinced SecretaryGeneral Carpathia to assist in making that happen.”
Goose couldn’t believe it. “But, sir, those are civilians. This is a war zone.”
“We also need support staff, Sergeant, as I’m sure you’re well aware.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I was just thinking that it would be a pity if you shipped out from here on a medical discharge at the same time Megan arrived.”
That thought filled Goose with a deep, visceral fear. “I wouldn’t want to do that, sir.” Megan’s not experienced enough to handle something like this. And w
e’re barely holding our own here. In the end, Goose knew he didn’t have a choice.
Remington knew it too. He nodded. “When you’re able, come by my office. Let’s make that paperwork official.”
“Yes, sir.”
“As you were, First Sergeant.”
“Yes, sir.” Goose saluted from the bed. Silently he watched
Remington leave the room. Then he tried to relax and let the meds claim him again. His mind whirled, trying to figure out what he was supposed to do.
Local Time 0441 Hours
Goose swayed awkwardly on the crutches as he stood in front of the hospital. He hadn’t been able to sleep. The meds were no longer having an effect, and he felt restless for no reason that he could name.
He just knew he couldn’t stay in the hospital any longer. So he’d hobbled from his room and out of the hospital without the duty nurse catching him.
Now that he was out, he didn’t know where to go.
The throbbing pain in his knee increased, and he wondered if he could make it back to his room without falling on his face. Needing help to get back to his bed would be embarrassing.
The early morning light was just beginning to lift the shadows night had draped over the beleaguered city. Several of the sandbags stacked against the building to reinforce the walls had been blown open by explosions. Deep craters scarred the street. Hummers and other military vehicles whizzed past, resupplying men and ammo.
Watching them, Goose felt guilty and useless. Lord, he thought, I never thought I’d finish my career up like this. I signed on to be a soldier, to be a man who made changes in the world.
As he thought that, he wondered if that very desire had been the thing keeping him from having a closer relationship with God.
He’d never considered that before. But he remembered the talks with Bill Townsend when they’d discussed church and faith. Bill had been a consummate soldier, but that wasn’t all he’d wanted to be, wasn’t all he’d worked at. There wasn’t a day that went by that Bill hadn’t ministered to someone, even if it was for five minutes over a cup of coffee at a diner. He’d carried his message to every country they’d ever served in together.
Goose had listened to it all, but he’d never really taken it in. Bill had seemed able to serve God and the military at the same time. But Goose knew that he’d given God short shrift over the years.
Was his commitment to the army the reason he was still here in this world when Chris was in the next? Thoughts of his son nearly overwhelmed him.
Is my boy alone, God? Is he scared? Please, I don’t care what You do to me, but please take care of that boy.
Goose’s eyes burned with unshed tears. When Megan had started talking so hopefully about what was taking place and that they would soon be reunited with Chris, Goose had felt angry toward her. That surprised him. In all the years he’d been married to her, he seldom felt that way.
Somehow, though, for the first time in their marriage, Goose knew Megan had moved on without him. He resented her for that. And he resented the fact that she could so quickly adjust to Chris being gone.
Even more, he resented the fact that she would soon be in Sanliurfa while he was going to be shipped out.
You’re being unfair, Goose told himself. But he couldn’t help it. The feelings were strong within him.
He kept thinking about the offer Remington had made to bring him along into the new army Nicolae Carpathia was putting together. Even with his physical disability, Remington would keep him close to hand. He could be there with Megan.
Except it would—to Goose’s way of thinking, at least—compromise the oath and promise he’d made to his country and to the Rangers. Stepping away from that wasn’t as easy for him as it had obviously been for Remington.
Goose checked himself, wondering if he was being unfair to the captain. He’d known the man a long time. Down deep inside, Goose refused to believe that Remington was anything less than a good man. The captain was just confused these days. With everything that had gone on, that was understandable.
And if that one-world army was coming, as Remington seemed to believe so fervently and the news channels were only now starting to talk up, then Goose was going to end up among their ranks anyway. Wasn’t he?
Even trying to think it through logically didn’t help. Goose knew it still felt wrong. He just didn’t know why.
Icarus’s stories about Carpathia kept cycling through Goose’s head.
A tank passed by on the street. The vibrations of its passage were almost enough to make Goose fall off the crutches. He repositioned himself and leaned against the sandbags.
So where are you going to go, Sergeant? Goose asked himself. Just what exactly is it you’re doing out here?
A jeep passed him, then braked to a halt and reversed to pull up in front of him. Danielle Vinchenzo sat behind the steering wheel. Her cameraman sat in the passenger seat.
45
Downtown Sanliurfa
Sanliurfa Province, Turkey
Local Time 0453 Hours
Danielle looked at Goose. “Aren’t you supposed to be in bed?”
“Got tired of lying around,” Goose replied. “Thought I’d get a breath of fresh air.”
Concern tightened the lines of her face. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and Goose would have bet his last dollar she hadn’t slept all night. “You look like you’re ready to fall over,” she said.
“Ma’am,” Goose said with a smile, “I’d say that’s a case of the pot calling the kettle black.”
Danielle grinned in return. “I guess neither one of us was meant for the life of a spectator, First Sergeant.”
“No, ma’am.”
“Want to go anywhere?”
Goose thought about it. “I don’t know. I just knew I couldn’t stay laid up in that bed anymore.”
“Gary and I were heading out to breakfast. If we can find a place. If I eat another MRE, I’m going to barf.”
Goose grinned. “Yes, ma’am. But like my first sergeant told me back in the day, if you find yourself turning your nose up at an MRE, you just ain’t gone hungry long enough.”
Danielle laughed. “I think it’s more likely an acquired taste. But the offer stands. If you stand out here much longer, one of those nurses is going to find you.”
“Yes, ma’am. You’re probably right about that.”
“Then get in.”
“You don’t mind?”
“First Sergeant, I insist.”
“Yes, ma’am.” As Goose hobbled over, the cameraman abandoned the passenger seat and sat on the rear deck. With difficulty and considerable pain, Goose managed to lever his bad leg into the jeep. A fine sheen of perspiration covered him by the time he was in.
“Are you sure you’re up to this?” Danielle asked.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“These streets aren’t smooth anymore.”
“No, ma’am. I can see that. It’ll be all right. But thank you for asking.”
Danielle put the jeep in gear and pulled out onto the street behind a convoy of United Nations vehicles. “I suppose you’re aware of what Carpathia is doing with the military?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’ve heard that Captain Remington is accepting a position with them.”
“You’d have to talk to the captain about that, ma’am.”
“I don’t think I’m one of the captain’s favorite people these days. Not only that, but I’ve heard a lot of Rangers aren’t happy about it either. Several of them plan to stay with the army.”
Goose didn’t say anything. He’d heard the same thing, and it weighed on his mind.
“Many of those Rangers,” Danielle added, “are the same men who were following Corporal Baker’s church. Before he was murdered.”
That statement gave Goose unpleasant thoughts about Alexander Cody. “Have you done any more follow-up on Cody?”
“Enough to get myself in trouble with the network.”
“They tel
l you to stay away from him?”
“Not in so many words.”
“It appears to me, ma’am, that you’re working for the man you’re wanting to declare as an enemy.”
Danielle smiled. “For the moment, yes. But Nicolae Carpathia, and especially OneWorld NewsNet, can’t control me.”
Seeing the fiery independence in the woman, Goose nodded. “I reckon not, ma’am.”
“I’m going to stay until they force me out. And I’m going to use my position to ferret out everything I can.”
“Given what you’ve found, ma’am, that might not be the smartest thing you could do.”
“You’re out here wandering around on crutches when you can’t even stand up, First Sergeant. I don’t think I’d be talking about smart things to do.”
“No, ma’am. I suppose not.”
“What about you, Goose?” she asked.
“Ma’am?”
“Are you going to join Carpathia’s army?”
Goose chose his words carefully. “The docs tell me I’ll be doing good to walk again after this. I get back stateside, I’ll talk to a few specialists. But I don’t think their diagnosis is gonna be much different. Me and this knee, we been through a lot. Got a lot of miles on us. A lot of pain.” But Goose couldn’t stop thinking about Megan and how she was coming to Sanliurfa.
“And if your knee wasn’t hurt?”
“I try not to deal in guesswork like that, ma’am. I’m a U.S. Army Ranger. I was trained to deal in realistic situations.”
“I think we left behind the kind of realistic situations you were trained for weeks ago,” Danielle said.
“Maybe so, ma’am.” Goose shifted and tried in vain to find a comfortable position. Even if he managed that, the bumpy street guaranteed a lot of pain. Some of his discomfort must have shown on his face.
“Sorry,” Danielle said. “If I go much slower, the engine stalls out.”
“I’ll be okay, ma’am.” Goose stared at the blocks lined with bombed-out and wrecked shops. Only a few days ago, many of them had still been open.