Chapter 5
I had the witnesses if I wanted to bring Captain Franks up on charges, but what was the point? All I cared at the moment was that he not try causing any problems. I had no doubt he would file changes against me saying that I was nothing but a butcher and possibly a danger to everyone since I could kill without thought. If only he knew just how hard it was for me to kill those men simply because they were doing a job they likely hadn't wanted in the first place.
Religion had killed more people throughout history than anything else. Even politics didn't come close to killing as many people as religion had. The mixing of religion and politics created the war machines throughout history. The bible of Captain Franks was replete with mass murder on a grand scale, yet he still didn't see the connection between his religion and war, he still saw what I was doing as murder not survival.
We reached the point we were supposed to rendezvous with Alpha company and they weren't there. There hadn't been many patrols we had come across in getting this far and that they weren't there didn't make sense.
“Mac I want this camp tight with guards posted every one hundred yards I want a thousand yard perimeter nothing in nothing out without challenge being made,” I ordered.
I looked over at Curtis as if to ask if there was anything on the radio that could explain why Alpha company wasn't here, all I got back was a shrug.
“Curtis get Colonel Talbot on the radio and if they try telling us he's in a conference again tell them I'll conference them straight into hell in two days if I don't get some answers. I'm sure Colonel Talbot knows damn well I could do it too,” I said.
Fifteen minutes later Colonel Talbot was on the radio asking where we were.
“Sir we're where we're supposed to meet up with Alpha company and get some real help getting these men home. The problem is Alpha company isn't here and my men haven't slept in days and we can't continue on this way much longer,” I said.
“Sam the reports from General Long are rather damning, and it's taking all I can do to get them to see reason. I might not be able to protect you from this,” Jason said.
“Sir, if Alpha company doesn't get here soon you might not need to protect me,” I said.
“What's that supposed to mean?” he asked.
“It means sir that my men are worn out and the enemy patrols are starting to get heavier. Sir, if I have to start using firearms we're going to be overrun and then it would take at least a battalion to get us out of here. So unless you have a full battalion that can get here in one day, I might not be here to face General Long's charges,” I said.
“Give me a couple hours to get some answers Sam, Major Jackson should be there by now. The last time he reported in he said he was waiting for you to get there,” Jason said.
“Sir, hang on one of my men just came in, let me find out what he has maybe it was me who missed the rendezvous,” I said.
“Sir, I found Alpha company they're three clicks to the east, and headed this way. Talking to Major Jackson he couldn't understand why you would have asked them to meet us where they were, but were determined to wait for us anyway,” Jeff one of my men said.
“How long before they get here Jeff?” I asked.
“They should have most of the company here in the next ten minutes sir. Sir, Major Jackson said he wanted to talk to you as soon as possible when he gets here. Something about some General that's talking bad about you,” Jeff said.
“I'm sure he just wants to know how I plan on getting out of the trouble General Long is trying to cause me. Of course all he'd have to do is talk to the men here and he would have his answer to that don't you think. See to it they have an easy time finding us and make sure the cook does something extra special for them for showing up finally. Maybe something like they did the night before we left that trap they called a camp,” I said.
“Yes sir. Right away sir,” he said.
“Good news Colonel it seems Major Jackson somehow got the wrong coordinates for the rendezvous point, and missed it by about five clicks. He and his men should be here anytime. I'm having the cooks fix up something extra special for them to celebrate their arrival,” I told Colonel Talbot.
Twenty minutes after Jeff brought the news of where Alpha company was Major Jackson was in my command tent and we were talking about what the next move should be.
“Major unless we want to be harassed all the way back to base I suggest we make a stand here. We have your full company and most of two companies of regulars, plus my twelve men. Even if they throw a battalion at us from this location we should be able to repel them and make them think twice about trying us again giving us a free walk home,” I said.
“You've had some time to think about this haven't you Captain? I heard you're one hell of a strategist, so how about showing me on the map what you have in mind,” Major Jackson said.
As I laid out my idea I could see him making mental notes about the pluses and minuses of my plan. A few times he stopped me and made suggestions of how we might improve things since he knew his men and I didn't. After going over the plan a couple more times incorporating the changes he had we were both agreed that making a stand here and now was a better idea than trying to make a run for home and being harassed and maybe even over run.
Captain Franks came in as we sat back drinking a glass of wine and Major Jackson wanting to know if I had really told a General to shut the fuck up.
“Major I wish to lodge a complaint against Captain Waters,” Captain Franks said.
“Captain if you're serious I will of course hear your complaint, but I can promise you that from the men here I've talked to it likely won't go far, since I need Captain Waters help with the men here in getting everyone back home. It seems Captain that almost every man here has lost faith in you while gaining faith in Captain Waters ability to get them back home. I can't help but wonder under the circumstances if maybe your complaint might not be personal and something that should be handled when we get back to base,” Major Jackson said.
“So you won't relieve Captain Waters of command?” Captain Franks asked.
“I took command the second I walked into this camp Captain. Captain Waters understands that I'm now in command and has promised me he would do everything he could to help make the transition as smooth as possible, I'm hoping you'll do the same, but regardless you'll either follow orders, or I will place you under arrest and turn you over to the MPs when we get back to base,” Major Jackson said.
“You don't understand Major, Captain Waters ordered the killing of innocent men simply because of the uniform they wore,” Captain Franks complained.
“That would be the enemy patrols I told you about sir,” I said almost laughing.
Captain Franks started turning the most glorious shade of red I had ever seen. Even mom had never turned as red when anger ate at her. Military protocol went straight out the window as he realized his complaint was falling on deaf ears at least until the crisis was past and we were again safely back at base. He didn't salute the Major or even wait to be dismissed, instead turning and almost running out of the command tent.
“I think that went over well,” Major Jackson said as soon as the tent flap again settled in place. “Captain I've heard many things about you and how you do things, I hope when this is over and you get back from leave we'll have more time to get acquainted without some emergency interrupting and causing us to have to rely on the instincts the military was so eager to hone, so human life seems to at times to have little value.”
“Major I've heard many things about you as well, I know once I've joined your command I'll have a great opportunity to learn from one of the best so some of the mistakes I've made here won't be repeated,” I said.
“The White Rose made mistakes? Heaven forbid. I heard coming in here that you did everything perfectly as though by magic,” he said.
“Sir why did you refer to me as the White Rose?” I asked.
“Every time I turned coming in this camp so
meone was talking about the White Rose, I knew that was what you named your recon unit and assumed they were talking about you, is all. Captain you seem awfully touchy about being called the White Rose and if so why in gods name did you name your recon unit White Rose?” he asked me.
“Sir I have dreams and in those dreams I am the White Rose and command millions of fairy creatures, every time I hear someone refer to me as the White Rose it brings those dreams back fresh in my mind,” I said.
“I have a story I want to tell you Sam, something that might explain something. This is a story I've heard since I was just a child sucking on my mommas tit. I don't think anyone believes the story to be true after all it does deal with magical creatures and everyone knows there is no such thing as magic,” he said.
“Let me guess it's about a person who is stronger in magic then even the strongest witch known and they are bitten by a vampire, which usually means they stop being a witch, but in this case the witch becomes even more powerful and becomes a vampire as well as a witch. Is that about the gist of the story?” I asked.
“That does pretty much sum it up. I would add though that she is one of the last to recognize herself for who she is,” he said.
Again I felt a flare of fear that my secret had been discovered. How many knew this story and did believe? How many thought I was the White Rose from this story?
“You don't really believe that do you Major? I mean it is just a children's bed time story isn't it?” I asked.
“Of course it's a children's bed time story, Captain. Besides, you aren't a woman, so how could you possibly be the White Rose from the story?” he asked.
The enemy didn't move in the remainder of that day, nor did they make their move the following day, giving us more time to set up our defenses. The radio came to life the third day after we joined forces with Major Jackson. Command wanted to know why we hadn't moved yet, and then said if all the information coming from the fly overs was correct we had three battalions of enemy forces baring down on us and the only thing they could do was drop supplies to help us get through the flood of men they were throwing our way.
Major Jackson was out seeing to some last minute preparations in the defenses so I took the call. At the offer of supplies I asked if there was any chance of dropping in enough ammunition to double what we had along with mortars and claymores, neither of which we had. Colonel Talbot said he would see to it right away and that we could expect them in a few hours.
“Is that the Colonel, Captain?” the Major asked.
“Yes sir, I already asked for some mortars and claymores, he said he'd have them to us in a couple hours,” I said.
I handed the radio over to Major Jackson and started to head out to see if there was anything I could do to help get everything ready.
“Hold on Captain, we need to have some words, just let me finish talking to the Colonel first,” the Major said before I was out the door.
I sat back down and started looking over the plans we had in place and spotted a hole in our defenses. We had counted on maybe a battalion coming at us, but this was three times that and if we didn't fortify our weakest point we wouldn't last long.
I started to wonder about the wisdom of not running for home as fast as we could when Adam said he hoped my magic held this time.
“I'm sorry sir?” I said not sure what he meant.
“Just wishful thinking Captain. I got some of the men from your old company who said the way you always managed to get them home was like magic. A couple of them said you opened a hole in the enemy lines and just marched through like nobodies business,” he said.
“I don't believe in magic Major, and if I did I think this is one time I would wish for a disappearing spell that could hide us from our enemy,” I said.
“That's it Captain. That's the answer to our problem. We don't have a chance if they hit us with three battalions from all sides at once,” he said, leaving me in total confusion.
“And your point is Major?” I asked.
“Do you remember where I was waiting for you? It was defensible, not as defensible as here but not as bad as where these men where before you got there and moved them,” he said.
“I never saw where you were Major so I can only take your word for it,” I said.
“Think about it this way Sam. We have a full company of the best troops in the world at gorilla warfare. Two of the best strategists in the special forces and one and a half companies of regular army. What happens if we let our gorilla fighters fight how they do best rather than trying to repel a force that has them out numbered ten to one?” he asked.
“I don't think I'm following you sir,” I said.
“Every man in our company is as good or better than a hundred regulars, if we let them fight in a manner only they know how. These army dogs have already proven they can shoot it out with the enemy, but that's about all they can do. If we take our gorilla fighters and separate them from the frontal show down and let them cause as much confusion as they can in the enemies ranks...” he started.
“The enemy might just self destruct and finish our job for us. I see where this is going now. Sir, if I didn't know better I'd say you think like me, devious and dangerous,” I said.
“I've studied the tactics you used to get your men out of tough situations,” he said.
The plan was devised and if Colonel Talbot came through with the mortars and claymores the weak spot I saw in the old plans would be sured up and give the regulars a better chance of holding the enemy from getting in while we special forces men did what we did best.
“Lieutenant you want to gather your top NCO's and join us in the war room,” I asked.
“The war room sir?” he asked.
“Command tent Lieutenant, The command tent, also we are expecting an air drop some time in the next couple hours and will need men to gather what is dropped and bring it into camp,” I replied.
“I'll get a detail set for that and meet you in the command tent in twenty minutes sir,” he said.
I went and found my unit and told them to join us in the command tent in twenty minutes, once my men had the message I went looking for the rest of Major Jackson's command team.
“Lieutenant can you get the rest of the command team and meet us in the command tent in fifteen minutes,” I asked.
“Will do Captain. Captain, is it true you'll be joining our company when we get back to base?” he asked.
“I don't know what you're talking about Lieutenant, who said anything about us getting back to base, this might be the last for any of us, we have three battalions of enemy troops moving in our direction according to the fly boys that keep track of enemy movements. Fifteen minutes in the command tent for battle plan briefing, don't be late,” I said.
What the hell was going on? It seemed everyone thought I was magic, or something, and all of Alpha company seemed to think me being assigned to Alpha company was going to make their lives better somehow. So far all I had done for Alpha company was get them into a situation that just might get them all killed.
In the command tent we started the briefing by asking Lieutenant Strong if we could count on his men to fight to the end if need be.
“Sir we held our first camp for two weeks until Captain Waters showed up and got our wounded out and moved us where you and your men could help us get back home. If we need to fight we're ready and willing sir,” Lieutenant Strong said.
Each of the NCO's nodded approval of what Lieutenant Strong said.
“Excuse me Lieutenant, I don't think you're fully aware of the situation here. When we met up with Major Jackson and his men we had maybe a half a battalion of enemy troops chasing us. That isn't the case any longer however, the reason we have stayed put for the last few days was to show the enemy that coming up against a company of special forces troops along with one and half companies of regular army wasn't a good idea even with a battalion of men. The problem is we aren't facing the half a battalion any longer. Before we could moun
t any kind of evacuation now they will be here and with a lot more men than anyone could have guessed they'd bring. Word is we are facing three battalions of enemy troops. Two more Companies of special forces troops have been dispatched, but it will take them time to get here, and we need to hold on long enough for them to get here,” I said.
The looks I got at the news that we had three battalions of enemy troops headed our direction told the story. Everyone in the tent knew if we ever hoped to make it out of this alive we were going to need help and fast.
“Gentleman, before we start panicking lets take a look at the advantages we have and hope to have in the next couple hours. Let's think about what we've already accomplished in getting as far as we have. Over the last week you've moved from well behind enemy lines to right on the border of our lines. Getting an air drop will take less time and we are well fortified in a very defensible place. We have one and a half companies of regular army troops who are the best at defending against frontal attacks, along with a full company of gorilla fighters who are second to none at gorilla warfare. Gentlemen we have two of the best military strategists in the history of modern warfare directing this battle in Captain Waters and myself. We have a chance here to do what no one thinks can be done, something Captain Waters earned his Captain bars doing. Anyone who has had any special forces training knows what I'm talking about. To graduate special forces training you have to accomplish the impossible, yet no one has ever done so in quite the fashion the Captain did. So remember gentlemen we do have a chance, because we are the best, and we never give up,” Major Jackson said.
After Major Jackson finished his speech we proceeded to lay out the plan so everyone knew their part in the plan. We let them know what supplies we were hoping for in the air drop that should be happening any time.
As the plan unfolded each man was given a chance to make comments, something that once this meeting was over wouldn't be allowed. We wanted full agreement from everyone in the tent, along with a commitment that the numbers we faced though staggering weren't impossible. If the men felt they were defeated even before the battle began, they would surely be defeated without giving everything they had to give.
“Captain do we really have a chance?” Lieutenant Strong asked.
“Look at it this way Lieutenant. Do we give up without a fight. Captain Franks would give up without a fight, he proved that when he didn't like my orders about killing the enemy scouts to protect the men. I'm alive and as bleak as things look I'm not ready to die, so for me there isn't a choice. If they kill me they won't do so easily and they will pay a heavy price to accomplish my death. I have every intention of surviving this and taking the thirty day leave I was ordered to take when this mission is completed. I have never failed in bringing back every man that has gone out on a mission with me, and I'll be damned if I'll start now,” I said.
He looked at me trying to find anything in my words that might take hope of making it home away from the firm reality it seemed only a day before.
“You know Captain I believe we will make it home. I believe as much as you aren't looking forward to that leave you will have it and maybe even enjoy yourself in spite of it. Thank you Captain I don't think I could have ever felt so confident if I had never met you. Thank you,” he said.
He threw me a salute that showed more pride than anyone I had seen show in this company of regulars since meeting them.
Were we going to win this battle? I no longer had any doubt. The courage the Lieutenant showed now would spread to his men and each of them would finally be everything they could be, because to be less would mean not making it home. I hoped when these men did go home they remembered always what this battle would teach them. No matter what the odds, giving up was the only way to be defeated.
I turned in at my tent and thought of laying down instead sitting in the middle of the floor with my legs crossed and started my meditation, something I seemed to do more often since being stationed with a front line group. I tilted my head back rotating it to work out any tension that might be there and closed my eyes.
The Hidden Rose Page 12