Chapter 12
“Major, would you mind telling me just what the hell went on out there?” Jason demanded.
“General we were in the middle of a battle and didn't have time for small talk. When you called to speak with Captain Waters we were on the verge of being over run,” Chris said.
“I see, so you consider my trying to assess what I can do to help small talk?” Jason asked.
“No sir, not at all. But Captain Waters was in no condition to be in command when you called. I had assumed command and as the officer in command made decisions I felt would protect those under me including Captain Waters who hadn't had much if any sleep in several days,” Chris tried to explain.
“General if I might...” I started.
“We'll get to you in a minute Captain,” Jason cut me off.
“But sir. Not to undermine Major Jacobs, he had assumed command of the mission, since I was no longer capable as he said due to fatigue. I wasn't asleep when your call came in sir, and did tell my communication Sargent to ignore any radio transmissions that didn't start off by offering us air support. Sir you never said you would insure air support only that you would do your best to get us some. That was when I ordered the radio communication terminated. If we couldn't count on support I saw no reason to keep anyone here apprised of our situation, since all it would have accomplished would have been to take one more man we needed away from fighting to answer what at the time seemed like foolish questions. Before you jump on Major Jacobs or anyone else sir I accept responsibility even though I was no longer in command,” I said.
“So you're saying you superseded your authority Captain? Is that what I'm to understand? That you and your men can't be trusted to follow military protocol? That the chain of command means nothing to you and those twelve men under you?” Jason demanded.
“I accept full responsibility for what happened sir. My men do what I ask because they trust me, maybe if you trusted me a little more I wouldn't have just twelve men under my command, but a full company so I wouldn't get so worn down from lack of sleep I can no longer function,” I said.
“You're lucky I'm not busting you back to Lieutenant, Captain. If it hadn't been that you and Major Jacobs somehow managed to get six divisions of enemy special forces troops to withdraw rather then obliterate three companies of our special forces troops and a company of Marines...” Jason started.
“If we hadn't succeeded sir we would all be dead and nothing you could do to us would make a bit of difference to us,” I stated getting tired of his demand for protocol that doesn't always make sense.
“Everyone except Captain Waters and Major Jacobs are dismissed. I still want to talk with both of you,” Jason said.
He waited while everyone else left the room.
“Alright, one of you tell me just what the hell happened, and this time I want the truth,” Jason said.
Chris and I looked at each other and started laughing. Jason was angry that he had been cut out of the loop unless he was going to confirm the help we requested and he didn't like it in the least.
“You both know I can't bust you for what you did, it doesn't matter how much I want to, you have someone refusing me the satisfaction, because you brought everyone back and had minimal casualties and wounded. What I really want to know is why The White Rose didn't come forward and deal with the situation,” he said.
“You would have to ask your White Rose that question sir,” I said.
“I thought I was Sam,” he said.
“If your White Rose is the same White Rose Mac told me about sir, they are a fictional character from children's stories, no more real than the magic mentioned in those same stories. Sir aren't we a little old to be believing in children's bed time stories?” I asked.
He gave me a look of total disbelief, as though he had believed I was this White Rose he and others seemed to believe in. I looked at Chris and saw the same look of disbelief in his expression and wanted to scream. They both should have known I didn't believe in magic anymore than I believed in a god, but they both seemed totally shocked by my words.
“Do you really believe that Captain?” he asked.
“So we're not talking off the record any longer General? I wonder what your superiors would think if they found out you believe in super heroes like this White Rose of yours,” I said.
I had him and he knew it. He seemed to have hoped I would admit to being something I didn't believe in, and now he knew I didn't believe and wasn't threatened by anything he could do. He had given me the one piece of leverage I would need to stay out of trouble from being busted back to Lieutenant by him. Chris didn't say anything, I knew hoping to talk to me in private.
“Captain nothing more of this will be mentioned and you're lucky things worked out, or you would be facing a court-martial for your actions this time. You are restricted to base until a new commander is assigned to Alpha company, at which time your White Rose recon unit will be broken up and reassigned to other companies,” he said.
“Sir with all respect my men only followed my orders. Breaking up my recon unit I don't believe is in the best interest of anyone, and only serves to hurt both me and those men. Sir, you haven't got another unit able to do what we can and you know it,” I protested.
“I haven't got another recon unit that would so blithely ignore orders either Captain. When I can't trust a unit to follow the chain of command it becomes a unit I can't trust. If you're lucky maybe you'll understand why I'm doing this. You're dismissed Captain,” he said.
I saluted and did an about face walking at attention out of the conference room. He thought he knew who I was, but he would never come right out and say it, unless I declared myself to be who I was. The thing was I didn't believe in magic, and even though I had shown myself as The White Rose, I had no memory of having done so, and there was no physical proof to convince me otherwise.
“Sam? I take it things didn't go well in the debriefing,” Adam said.
“That son-of-a-bitch is disbanding my recon unit and assigning the men to other companies. It's like he hasn't got a clue what we've done. Adam he seems to think I'm some magical myth. I thought he knew I didn't believe in magic anymore than I believe in a god,” I said.
“Sam you're still young, hell you aren't even twenty-one yet and have already accomplished more than he has, and he's... well I have no idea how old he is. Don't give up okay,” Adam said trying to give me a little encouragement.
“What are you going to do now?” I asked.
“I turned in my resignation when we got back. My wife and I have a little place out in the middle of nowhere, maybe I'll settle there and try raising a family. I know this war is something I didn't bargain for, and going home is something I'm really looking forward to,” he said.
“I hope you end up with ten kids Adam. I know you'll make a great father,” I said.
“As good as your father Sam?” he asked.
My father a man who feared the woman he had married and was willing to do whatever she said.
“Better Adam, much better,” I said.
“I hope you're right. I think raising kids would be easier than dealing with a company of special forces troops who all think they have a better way,” he said.
“I never said my way was better than yours,” I said.
“In your case Sam, your way was always better, I wish I had listened better when you said something,” he said.
“Adam I never wanted anything but the best for you, and I still feel that way. I'm just glad you have the chance to return home in mostly one piece,” I said wanting to give him a hug and knowing I couldn't.
I headed for my room and sat at the desk I had, waiting. What I was waiting for I didn't have a clue, but I didn't know what else to do. I wasn't allowed to leave the base. Like there was anywhere in this country I wanted to go anyway. I had been to the town that wasn't far away and saw what all the men from the base did and none of it held any interest for me.
I w
asn't looking for sex it just didn't seem important, besides there was only one person I wanted and I knew that wasn't possible for multiple reasons. Drinking made no sense because it dulled the senses and left you feeling worse than you did when you started. All the books available were in a language I knew, but had topics that justified the religious beliefs of the majority of the local people. I already knew all I wanted to know about religion.
“Captain, mind if I come in?” Mac asked.
“Please do,” I said.
“I take it the debriefing didn't go well,” he said.
“You could say that Mac. General Talbot is going to break up our unit. Mac I get the feeling he thinks I'm supposed to be this White Rose from the stories you told me,” I said.
“Maybe if I talk to him sir,” Mac offered.
“Mac I can't tell you what to do, you're one of the few I never could just order to do something,” I said.
“You didn't have to order sir, none of the men in your unit needed orders, there isn't anything we wouldn't do for you,” he said.
“Mac you'll let everyone know it would displease me if they don't follow the orders of their commanding officer, whoever that might be, for me won't you?” I asked.
“You look like you want to go get drunk. You sound like it too,” he said.
“You know I don't drink, besides I'm restricted to base,” I said.
“That doesn't make any sense sir,” he said.
“You're wrong Mac, it makes perfect sense. I'm sure Curtis could tell you why,” I said.
“So they aren't going to give you Alpha company?” he asked.
“No from what General Talbot said, he would have busted me back to Lieutenant, if he had his way,” I said.
Mac did everything he could to cheer me up, but all I wanted to do was cry. I wanted to cry because I loved the men in my command and the chances of working with any of them again looked to be gone.
Chris never stopped by to see me and I didn't know when I would see him again, and that made things even worse. Alpha company got a new commander that wasn't willing to listen to anything anyone had to say no matter how much sense it might make. The first mission out he got half the company killed and whenever I tried to make a suggestion he did the exact opposite as though to try proving me wrong. When he was wounded in the second mission, I took command and had the Lieutenant try undermining me to the point the company was almost torn in half. When we got back to base I filled a report against the Lieutenant and was told in no uncertain terms the next time I tried countering my commanding officers orders I would stand trial for treason.
I knew General Talbot was still upset with me, but to make that kind of threat went beyond reason so I tried going over his head asking for a transfer anywhere as long as it meant I was out from under General Talbot.
“Come in Captain,” General Talbot said.
“You wanted to see me sir?” I asked.
“I just received word that you've requested a transfer,” he said.
“Yes sir I have. Either a transfer, or I wish to resign my commission,” I said.
“All because I won't put you in for a promotion,” he said.
“No sir, it has nothing to do with being promoted it has to do with you not trusting me to do the job I've been trained for. It has to do with you having threatened me with treason for saving the lives of the men under my command,” I said.
“Let's cut to the chance Captain, you refuse to acknowledge that someone else might have a better way of doing something and when you don't get your way you have a fit. Captain, you have been acting like a child ever since your recon unit was broken up because you proved yourself unfit for command. So you know Captain, your transfer was denied and your resignation has been refused as well. You are under my command and will follow orders, or I will see you end up doing time in jail,” he said.
“Then I request a forty-five day leave sir. Since I joined this military I have only ever taken thirty days and even that was cut short by a full week. You obviously don't trust me to command, even when the company commander is no longer capable, so my taking some time out of this hell hole shouldn't be much of an inconvenience,” I said.
“You're dismissed Captain and your leave request is denied. Until Alpha company receives a new commander you're restricted to base. Don't push me any more Captain, or I will see you slapped in irons,” he said.
“One day General you'll wish to whatever god you worship that you knew just who you are threatening,” I said unaware of having said anything.
I didn't bother to salute just did an about face and marched out. As soon as I was able I was resigning. If the Air Force no longer wanted what I could do I saw no reason to stay. As far as I knew the mail was unmonitored, and even if it was monitored, it wouldn't be that hard to get someone else to get someone who could do something involved.
Kathy came to mind and I started composing what I would say.
Dear Kathy;
I'm sorry I haven't been in touch more, and I wish circumstances weren't what they are. I need to ask a favor that I hope you can help with.
“What do you need Sam?” I heard Kathy ask.
I could have sworn I heard her voice and looked around.
“Sam just tell me what it is you need. Don't try to understand just think what it is you need,” she said.
“Kathy they're treating me like I screwed up. A mission I was on a couple months ago they wanted someone from children's stories to deal with and seem to think I'm that person. You know as well as I do I don't believe in gods, or magic, or any other superstitious nonsense,” I thought hearing the words in my mind.
“Who is it they think you are Sam?” I heard in Kathy's voice as a response.
“They seem to think I'm someone called The White Rose. Kathy one of the men from my recon unit told me some of the stories he learned as a child about this White Rose and it sounds like a bunch of superstitious nonsense to me, just like superman, and all the other childhood superheroes,” I said figuring if nothing else someone might hear me and I would get out on a psych discharge.
“Sam do you remember what you did when you came home on leave?” I heard her ask.
“Not really, I know I was only home for about three weeks before they called me back, I know I was supposed to have had a month, but I don't remember much more than that. Kathy I was on leave, I'm sure whatever I did just got me as far as possible away from what I've been doing since coming over here,” I said.
“Okay Sam. What is it you need me to do for you?” I heard her ask.
“Can you get in touch with someone in the government and ask them if they can either get my commanding officer to stop his petty bullshit, or let me transfer somewhere else. If that isn't possible I want to resign my commission and just come home,” I said.
“Sam if you can't tell me what's going on, or about what started this, I'm not sure I can do much,” I heard her say.
I thought of the events that lead up to all the trouble and how it wasn't time yet for The White Rose to be known. How I allowed Chris access to my magic through the bite and charged him with doing what needed to be done.
“My god Sam are you kidding about this?” I heard her ask.
“Kidding about what Kathy?” I asked.
“The images you just sent me. I guess I should say the thoughts you just sent me. Sam if it isn't time for The White Rose to show herself nothing in this world will allow her to be known, not even by who she is. If your commanding officer is trying to force her to reveal herself he isn't much of a commanding officer, and knows nothing of the magic she has access to,” I heard her say.
“Are you going to try telling me magic is real?” I asked sure this whole conversation was taking place in my mind.
“I can't tell you what you already know Sam, and even if I did the magic would prevent you from understanding until the time is right. I'll do what I can, but I can't promise anything,” she said in my mind.
Jus
t the though of having a conversation like that with Kathy eased my mind so I was able to rest.
The Hidden Rose Page 39