John O'Brien - Return

“Oh sure, he salutes him and calls him sir,” I hear Bannerman mumble under his breath behind me as he salutes as well.

“Good morning, Captain Walker,” Wilson says returning my salute. “Major. At ease, gentlemen.” I see a little hesitation by Colonel Wilson wondering why I was there in front rather than Major Bannerman. Okay, I didn’t think this all of the way through perhaps .

I relax and turn toward Lynn, giving her a nod once I catch her eye. Seeing her standing in front of the formation, as the soldiers stand at attention in formation according to their teams, I realize just how much she has her shit together and how much I truly need her in so many ways. That aspect of professionalism just comes so naturally to her that it just happens. If it were left to me, it would look like a bunch of one-legged emus in a wind storm. Lynn calls the formation to parade rest as I direct my attention back at Colonel Wilson, noticing that Red Team is still holding its cover positions.

“Glad to see you back, Captain,” Wilson says extending his hand. “I see your mission was a success. At least I am assuming these are the troops you were sent to get.”

“Yes, sir. More successful than I anticipated,” I say shaking his hand. He then shakes Major Bannerman’s hand.

“Your troops Major?” Wilson asks with a sidelong glance at me.

Oh boy, this should be interesting , I think. “Sir, if we can have a word in private?” I ask.

“I asked the Major a question, Captain. Please let him answer,” Wilson says holding a hand up to forestall me.

“Yes, they were, sir,” Bannerman answers.

“They were Major? Something doesn’t seem quite right here. If I didn’t know better, I would say Captain Walker here is in charge.”

“He is, sir,” Bannerman responds.

Colonel Wilson tilts his head, looks at me, and says, “Now, Captain, you can have that word.”

Before heading off with Wilson, I ask Bannerman to have Lynn release the troops. Standing in formation is not a pleasant thing let alone for extended periods of time. I remember the one formation I had to stand in for an afternoon. I thought I was going to pass out. It took days for me to get any feeling back. People just are not meant to stand straight up for that long.

Colonel Wilson and I step a few paces away. I look back toward the aircraft. It’s another of those scenes that imprints on the mind. The large olive drab HC-130 squats on the ramp in the rays of the morning sun. Behind it, the formation of troops are lined up neatly on the ramp, Nic and Michelle stand next to the ground unit and stare in our direction, and Red Team is squatting in their positions at the front and rear. The old Chinese curse comes to mind — may you live in interesting times. I guess we have been mightily cursed as these are interesting times indeed , I think as I turn to face Wilson.

“Troops! At ease!” I hear Lynn bark. I chuckle softly. She has no intention of releasing the troops but at least she is letting them relax some. She really has my back and I wonder who is really in charge.

“Sir, you mentioned General Collins left yesterday,” I say opening the conversation.

“That’s right, Captain. The General found an old time pilot but hadn’t flown in years. He didn’t figure you’d make it back. With our low supplies, he thought he needed to take the risk to get into contact with the mainland and find supplies. He loaded up what was left of the base personnel and took off yesterday. I was left here with a skeleton crew until they get back and we lost containment. I think my staying here was punishment for letting you go without letting him know.”

“So how many are left here, sir?”

“We’ll talk about that later, Captain. Would you mind telling me how and why you are in charge of an Army unit?”

“Well, sir, I’m the best qualified,” I answer.

“What exactly does that mean?” He asks.

“I wasn’t absolutely truthful with you on my previous visit, sir. I was involved with special operations for quite a few years.”

“I’m aware that you are in special operations, Captain. Your patch says it loud and clear.”

“No, sir, not just flying. I was involved with the actual ground teams.”

“I see. Go on.”

I give him a brief synopsis of my experience from the flying to the control of Special Forces ground teams including the areas in which I was involved. “And here’s the part you aren’t going to like, sir.”

“I figured there was one of those parts coming, Captain.”

“In the sake of being honest, I have to tell you that your verb tense was incorrect.”

“Explain.”

The sun rising in the sky increasing the temperature isn’t the only reason I am suddenly a touch warmer. “Well, sir, when you said that you aware that I am in special operations. That verb tense was incorrect. I was in special operations.”

I see the gist of what I am saying glue together in his mind. His lips thin and color rises in his cheeks. Again, not due to the increasing air temperature. In a low voice, he says, “Are you telling me, Captain, that you are NOT currently an Air Force officer? That you are not even in the military?”

“Yes, sir.”

A moment passes as the steam gathers before it has to blow somewhere. “GOD DAMMIT, CAPTAIN! I stuck my neck out for you and you’re now telling me all you said was a lie!” I see Robert take a step in our direction but hold my hand out stopping him. I also notice Sergeant Watkins head toward us before being stopped by Colonel Wilson’s.

“I am sorry, sir, but with regards to the mission, yes.” I go on to explain the actual happenings and events of the past few days to include the conversation and vote that led to my leading our motley crew. I finish up with where we stand now.

Several additional moments pass as he digests this multitude of information. “Tell me you were at least an officer. Tell me you weren’t lying about that as well.”

“I was an officer, sir. And my background is the truth as well.”

“Did you find her at least?” Wilson asks

“I did, sir. She is the Sergeant in charge of the formation,” I say nodding in Lynn’s direction.

“And the others?” He asks nodding at the formation of soldiers.

“They came attached to her. She asked if she could keep them.” Wilson’s lips ease a bit as he tries not to smile but then fails miserably.

“I don’t see that I have much of a choice really. What’s your plan then, um, Captain?”

“Well, sir, if I could borrow some more gas, we plan to head to Brunswick Naval Air Station for more fuel. It’s then off to the CDC to see if we can find some information on these night runners. We figure if there is any info on what we’re dealing with, it’s there. After that, it’s back to McChord to build a safe place in that area.”

“Night runners huh?”

“Yes, sir. Had to call them something.”

“I’m still not terribly pleased about being misled like that, Captain.”

“I understand Colonel. You should come with us. Join our merry band of travelers.”

“I can’t, um, you know, I can’t call you Captain. What’s your first name?” Wilson asks.

“Jack, sir.”

“The name’s Frank,” he said sticking out his hand for a second time. “You must care for her a lot. That took some balls doing what you did.”

“I do indeed, sir, Frank. Care for her that is. Not sure about how big they are,” I say with a smile.

“Anyway Jack, I have my orders and can’t leave. General Collins will be back tomorrow.”

“Sir, what if he doesn’t come back? You’ll be stuck here. You should really come with us.”

“What do you mean ‘if he doesn’t come back’? He’s only making a quick trip for supplies and to make contact with someone on the mainland.”