Solemn Duty (1997)

by Leonard B Scott

  Request you take up heading zero six zero and begin attack approach immediately. We have you on our screens and will vector you to target area Target area is fourteen miles from your location and is ridge top, I say again ridge top. Please inform when ready to proceed, over."

  "Delta Six, this is Flock Lead. I am banking now and taking up heading zero six zero. My flock is following. I am on course now. I am proceeding toward target, over."

  "Roger, Lead. We will vector you, but right now you're looking good on our screens. My air controller will now take over for me."

  Walker nodded to the Air Force controller seated in front of the monitor, who immediately switched to the command frequency and spoke into the mike. "Command, this is Delta Six.

  Make the call to Tanner, now. Flock inbound, over."

  In the airborne C. P., O'Malley acknowledged the general and began pressing the cell phone keys.

  Kenny Chun and Kaing had both moved past Eli and Robert and were standing beside Devoe and his two bodyguards. Eli turned slightly. Just three paces to his right rear a Cambodian was holding a shotgun on him. He was about to look for the other Cambodian but his cell phone beeped.

  Anderson's eyes darted to him. Eli lifted the phone, turned, and saw the other shotgun-carrying Cambodian directly behind Robert with his weapon pointed at the colonel's back.

  Taking a breath, Eli answered. "Agent Tanner."

  He listened for only five seconds and lowered the phone to his side as he took a step back and nodded to Jean Paul. "Mr.

  Devoe, the ladies are safe. Thank you." Eli screamed at himself: Focus, focus, be ready, be ready!

  Jean Paul allowed himself a smile. "You may leave now, Agent Tanner, your duty is ov-"

  Jean Paul heard a high-pitched scream like nothing he'd heard before, and suddenly the ground shook and his ears seemed to explode in pain.

  Eli was in motion the instant he heard the jet's approach, but still wasn't prepared for the violent ear-shattering cracking sound as the jet fighter streaked overhead just above the treetops. He winced in pain but was already on the crouching Cambodian, who, like all the others, had instinctively ducked down.

  Grabbing the barrel, Eli jerked the weapon free from the stunned man, who still had his eyes closed in pain. He butt stroked the man across the face just as another jet swooshed over just above the treetops at over five hundred miles per hour.

  Again the ground rumbled and the shattering, cracking sound reverberated in his head as Eli swung around, pointed the barrel at the crouching man behind Anderson, and fired. Half the man's head disappeared. Screaming to alleviate his pain, Eli jacked in another round, leveled the barrel at his next target and fired. He took another step as he pumped and fired, working right to left on the targets as yet another jet screamed over.

  Having seen two of his men propelled backward by the shotgun blasts, Hu Nim grabbed Devoe's arm and pulled him back. He fired his pistol as fast as he could pull the trigger.

  Eli was spun around by the impact of a bullet that passed through his left bleep. He screamed as another jet streaked over, and spun back facing Kenny, who was running toward him with his pistol raised. Eli fired, and Kenny's eyes bulged and his big hat flew off as he doubled over in midair and was flung back four feet. Unable to lift his left arm, Eli dropped the shotgun and scooped up Kenny's dropped pistol, spun and fired at the man who was already firing his Mac 10 submachine gun at Anderson, who was trying to roll away from the small eruptions kicking up around him. Eli's bullet tore through the man's stomach, but the man kept his finger on the trigger as he staggered back. Eli charged forward, firing with each step, and finally the small Cambodian fell to the ground in a bloody heap.

  Unable to hear, Eli felt the heat as the ground shook beneath his feet as yet another F-15 streaked over, causing another blizzard of falling leaves to swirl as if caught in a hurricane. He dropped to his knee, glanced over his shoulder and saw that Anderson had been stitched across the legs. The colonel's mouth was open but Eli couldn't hear what he was saying or yelling. He knew the look, however. It was fear. Eli threw himself forward and rolled just as bullets tore at the ground where he'd been. He came up in a shooter's crouch and saw Devoe and another man firing their pistols. He returned their fire and both men ducked behind the crest of the ridge. Something struck the back of Eli's foot and he glanced down. Another Sig Sauer was laying by his heel. He looked over his shoulder and saw Anderson lower his arm and fall back to the ground as if unconscious.

  Eli rose up again, firing his entire magazine, then dropped down, picked up the pistol, jacked a round into the chamber, and broke into a run toward a nearby tree. Just as he'd thought they would, both men rose to fire again. Not seeing their target, they stepped forward. Eli stepped away from the tree, aimed and squeezed the trigger. The man beside Devoe jerked, staggered back, and fell to his knees. Eli moved the barrel to aim at Devoe, but Devoe fell to the ground and crawled back out of sight. Eli walked forward, leveled his pistol at the kneeling man, and fired. The bullet blew through the man's head and exited taking a portion of his skull. Devoe suddenly rose up covered in the man's blood and brain tissue and fired.

  Eli jerked from the bullet's impact but remained on his feet and continued walking forward, pulling the trigger. "Die, die, die, die!" he screamed.

  Jean Paul was thrown back against a tree trunk by the first bullet's blow to his chest and jerked spasmodically with each additional strike. He began sliding down the trunk, but his shirt collar caught on a knot.

  Eli staggered forward, and the empty pistol dropped from his hand. Barely able to stand, he looked into Jean Paul's eyes.

  "You-You bastard, die."

  Jean Paul's eyes lingered on Eli for a moment before shifting to Anderson's still body. Blood dribbled from his mouth as he spoke in a wheezing whisper. "It is over." He tried to lift his trembling hand to his blood-soaked shirt, but too weak, his hand fell back to his side.

  Eli blinked to keep the blood running down his forehead out of his eyes. With a shaking hand he reached out, lifted the dying man's gold chain and placed the ivory Buddha between Devoe's trembling lips. His knees weakening, Eli sank to his knees and fell forward into a golden pool of light. Incredibly tired, he couldn't keep his eyes open any longer. The pain suddenly subsided as he sank further down into the cold darkness.

  In the airborne command post O'Malley sat with his eyes closed, listening to the strike leader's heavy breathing as he ran from the helicopter with his detachment. "We're seventy five . . . meters clear of bird and . . . running toward ridge .. .

  We . . . we . . . are . . . receiving no fire. . . . We're entering tree line . . . going up ridge . . . still no incoming fire. . . We're almost . . . on top. . . . Jesus H. Christ . . . all targets are down .

  I say again, all down . . . We're looking for ... I see one friendly down here. Need medic ASAP . . . We're looking for other one . . . Found him . . . He's down too . . . everybody down .. . need medic . . . I say again need medic, all targets and friendlies are down."

  FBI Headquarters The helicopter settled onto the roof pad and the chopper's door slid back. Ashley jumped down and ran straight to the steps leading to the doorway. Four minutes later she pushed open the operations conference room door and saw everyone in the room sitting, staring at a large black speaker on a table beside a huge television screen filled with a computerized map display. She turned, saw a friendly face, and strode to Ramona, who like the others was staring at the speaker. Suddenly, a voice came over the speaker.

  "Delta Six, this is the strike leader. Medics are working on friendlies at this time. Preliminary report is as follows. Colonel Anderson received multiple gunshot wounds to lower legs but is stable. Agent Tanner received gunshot wound to left arm and forehead. Head wound is not serious, I say again not serious, it appears bullet grazed him. He is unconscious at this time but he is stable. Report on terrorists is as follows: five dead, two wounded. Both wounded are stable. Be advised an eighth terrorist was
spotted by scout bird and neutralized on adjoining ridge to our west. Terrorist is confirmed KIA. Strike force casualties are one twisted ankle. We are moving wounded to birds now, over."

  Ashley stood frozen in place as the deputy flipped the switch on his console and the static coming from the speaker ceased.

  He stood and faced the director. "Sir, I believe this operation is over. Devoe and his men are no longer a threat."

  Chapter 22.

  Walter Reed U. S. Army Hospital, Washington, D. C.

  With a shopping bag at her feet and a bandage around her forehead, Ashley leaned against the wall of the emergency room's waiting area. Brad Brewer pushed through the crowd of agents and reporters, entered the small room and walked straight up to her with a lopsided smile. "Agent Sutton, I have good news for you-he's fine, can't hear very well, but he was on his feet when I saw him ten minutes ago. I told him the good news about Anderson's condition not being life threatening.

  He asked about you."

  Ashley's jaw muscles rippled. "The bastards held me at a debrief until just an hour ago. I should have been here when he arrived. Can you get me in to see him?'

  Brewer looked around and lowered his voice. "They're moving him up to the fourth floor once they clean him up, Room 410. I came to get you. Nobody's supposed to see him until after his debrief, but I talked to the doc and he said if we made it quick you could see him. Look, I told the doc you two were engaged, so if you see the doc, play the game, will ya?"

  Ashley patted Brewer's shoulder. "Thanks. Let's go."

  Minutes later Brewer opened the door to Room 410 and allowed Ashley to step in first. He was about to follow her, but she turned around and was coming out, saying, "He's not here yet."

  A doctor walked toward them and smiled at Ashley. "Well, he looks pretty good considering what he's been through, doesn't her'

  Ashley canted her head. "He's not here yet, sir."

  The major's face paled. "That's impossible. I just left him ten minutes ago. He said he was going to the bathroom before he put on his gown. The nurse should have wheeled him up by now."

  Brewer shrugged. "I'm sure the nurse is on the way with him," he said to Ashley.

  She dipped her chin. "Please excuse me, gentlemen. I have to find a rest room myself." Bag in hand, she quickly walked down the hallway and went directly to the elevators.

  Three minutes later she stepped out the doors of the hospital onto the lighted sidewalk. As she walked toward the small park across the street, she picked up her pace. He was seated on a bench, looking up at the stars. Seconds later she slowed her steps and forced herself to walk as if on a stroll. When she was within six feet of him, she saw that his left arm was in a sling and his head bandage was just like hers.

  Eli broke his skyward gaze, sensing the presence of another, and lowered his eyes to the approaching woman.

  Without a word, Ashley set the shopping bag on the bench and took out a bottle of Budweiser. She twisted off the cap and handed it to him. Reaching into the bag again, she took out a cassette player, set it down on the other side of him and pushed the Play button. Immediately, Garth Brooks's voice broke the silence with "The Last Dance." She leaned over and spoke into his ear. "Wind-down time, Tanner-you deserve it." She kissed his cheek, and giving him a last look, turned and began walking down the sidewalk. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

  She was ten yards when he barked, "Hey, Sutton, ya wanna share my stars?"

  She stopped and turned around. "I'd love to share your stars, Tanner, but Ramona told me what you saw in your head before the mission-that you were alone."

  Eli took a sip of beer and raised the bottle. "Okay, now I've done what I saw. Come here and join me . . . please. I . . . I was worried about ya . . . real worried."

  Ashley walked back, took a beer from the bag and sat down beside him. "Yeah, well I was worried about you, too, Tanner."

  He leaned back again, looking up at the stars. "Garth can sure sing that song, can't he?"

  She leaned back and rested her head on his shoulder. "He sure can. . . . You feeling all right?"

  "I'm feeling a whole lot better now. Thanks for making it come true. . . . I had to get away for a while. It was the smell, ya know? I'll face it after I drink this beer and share my stars with you."

  "I know, Eli. You don't have to explain to me; I know."

  Closing his eyes, he put his arm around her shoulder and began humming along with Garth.

  Table of Contents

  Start