~ Finding Your Heart ~
by planetsolin
Disclaimers: see part one.
CHAPTER THREE
Vivian Bryce sat very still as Admiral Robert Paulsen reviewed what he knew. After General Bernard had left the previous afternoon they had quietly contemplated the situation before her husband Vance had put a call in to a friend, a man who was a close adviser to the President.
As they had suspected, Eden had been the commander of the jet that had crashed. She had been on a bombing mission ordered by the Pentagon when the aircraft had been shot down. There was no other information but they knew from experience that certain details would be left out for purposes of national security. They could not even be assured whether the crew were dead or alive.
Vivian stood up and walked to the window and stared out at the gray sky. It was a dismal day and it had been raining for the last twenty four hours. It reminded her of the day so many years ago when they had learned that their son had been shot down over North Vietnam. They had never learned of his fate and she wondered now if it would be the same for their only grandchild.
"The military is doing everything possible to recover the crew," the Admiral tried to sound hopeful. He knew of their earlier sacrifice and he hated to think that they would be put through the situation once again. "There is a Special Operations Team on the ground in the area with instructions to retrieve the crew if possible."
Vivian unconsciously winced at the words. To everyone else the pilots were just faceless military personal but to her they were real, and one of them was the tall, awkward, shy girl who had come to live with them when she was orphaned at seven years of age.
"I'm sorry Vance, Vivian," the Admiral said into the uncomfortable silence. There were no right words for a situation like this. No words could change the situation. He glanced around the elegant sitting room and noticed the collection of photographs of a beautiful young woman in various sorts of attire.
"I hoped never to go through this again," Vivian finally broke her self imposed silence. "The weeks and months of waiting, followed by the years of uncertainty."
The distinguished gray haired woman turned and looked directly at the Admiral, unable to meet her husband's gaze, afraid that she might lose what visage of control that she was still able to cling to.
For the first time she regretted the petty indifference's she had with her grandchild.
"There hasn't been one day since Huntington went missing that I still don't think that he might be alive some place, somewhere out there in a jungle prison, a slave to some men who do not care that the war has long been over, and that one day he will walk in here and this will all seem like a dream.
"There is a grave with his name on the marker but the coffin under the ground is empty. All that was left to say he ever existed was Eden. To lose her in the same way I lost him would be too much to bear."
The men said nothing. There were no words that could ease the pain in the woman's voice. Vance knew his wife's composure was merely a fragile mask which could slip at any given moment. Vivian was a strong woman but she was not infallible. She hid her frailties behind the reserved facade she wore.
He knew of the barriers that existed between the two strong willed and stubborn women. Neither had been able to understand the other, and the dissension between them had been heightened by Eden's determination to follow in her fathers footsteps. For his wife's sake he hoped this incident would not end as tragically as the last one but he had his doubts.
Throughout his career he had been privy to secrets that even now were still classified. Even though this situation touched him personally, he knew that to the governments of both nations, the pilots were merely pawns. Briefly he wished that he had taken more time to get to know the girl who had carried the family name so proudly.
________________________________
Eden didn't immediately understand what was happening but she sensed that something was wrong. She was lifted off the cot and deposited on the floor. She did not know how many others were in the room with her because their voices were mixed and indistinguishable.
There seemed to be a boyish conspirator sound to their giddy laughter. There was no gentleness as the wire around her feet was loosened. There was no doubt to their objective when their hands roughly tore the remnants of her flight suit away from her body.
"Help me," she pleaded in her head.
"Be strong," the voice came out of her stupor filling her with love. "You can survive this. You are greater then them. You will survive."
"I want to die," she complained to the faceless voice inside her head.
"No," the voice came back. "You cannot die. The hardest part is over. Be strong, survive, follow your heart, your dreams are within your reach."
Suddenly a fight broke out as two of the sentries objected to what their comrades had decided to do. They thought of their own mother's and sisters. They remembered what the doctor had said and they feared their leader more then they feared death. The argument raged as Eden braced herself for the humiliation she knew would eventually come.
__________________________________________
Halley had been watching the guards closely, seeing something fugitive in their movements. She felt a measure of panic when they disappeared all together into the small structure. It was still awhile until dawn but the feeling in her gut told her to go now. With a silent hand signal the team quickly moved out aware of what their individual duties were.
The small blond Marine took the lead, bringing three members of her team with her as the other two circled around from the other side of the building. The air was eerily quiet. From beneath the lone window they could hear the heated discussion that was taking place inside. She knew in an instant what they were debating and was relieved for as long as they were fighting amongst themselves no harm would come to the pilot.
Lady Fortune was with them that night as quickly as it started the argument ended with two of the sentries storming out of the command post. To emotional to concentrate on anything other then the scene they had just gone through, they were taken completely by surprise. Corporal's Benning and Garrett, moved swiftly, jumping out of the shadows and onto the backs of the soldiers, plunging their knives into the unfortunate sentries at the same time.
The bodies were quickly dragged out of the open before the two Marines took up defensive positions around the perimeter of the building. Corporal Manning led the charge to the front door, slamming into the portal, smashing it inward. Sgt. Becker and Halley darted through the opening, catching the two remaining soldiers with their pants down around their ankles.
"Bastards," Sgt. Becker growled as he lunged at the guard who was standing with his back to the door, struggling to pull up his pants. With one swift thrust he plunged his knife into the hapless soldier.
Meanwhile Halley was across the room pouncing on the man who had just climbed on top of their comrade. In one motion she swung her gun over her shoulder and grabbed the man with her hands, lifting him off the pilot and tossing him across the room with a strength she didn't know she possessed. 'The soldier slammed into the stone wall and crumpled to the floor.
Without a word Halley was on the man, her knife pressed into his throat as she ground her knee into his naked crotch. She could see the fear in his dark eyes, but she didn't care, he had violated a fellow serviceman and she was going to make him pay. She was immune to the whimpers that gurgled out his mouth.
She gave him a feral grin, replacing the knife tip with her hand which squeezed his windpipe tightly so that the man had to gasp for air. She lowered the knife to his male appendage and the smile on her face grew.
"Real men don't do shit like this, to bad I haven't the time to teach how to treat a lady," she hissed quietly before passing the knife through his skin, severely his penis with one quick and precise stroke. Dark eyes went round and filled with pain. Then showing no mercy she brought the bloody knife up and drew a deep line across his neck. Blood squirted everywhere but Halley was immune to the gore. She had seen too much in her young life to be affected by this.
She dropped her hand and stepped away allowing the man to slide all the way to the ground. He was not dead. Death would come slowly and painfully and for that she was grateful. She briefly glanced at the Sgt., but the expression on his face was impassive and she knew that she would receive no condemnation from him. He had seen worse in the course of his duties. Finally she turned her attention to the pilot lying unconscious on the ground floor. It suddenly registered in her brain that she had come to rescue the very woman she had been seeing in her dreams.
Halley had long ago learned to keep her emotions in check; aware that to give into ones feelings gave the opposition the advantage and broke one's concentration. She knew that she couldn't afford to feel so she pushed down all the emotions wanting to get out and focused on the task at hand.
"It's the cavalry Commander, you are safe now," she said in a quiet comforting voice as she knelt next to the prone figure. She hurriedly gathered up the clothes and started dressing the officer with Sgt. Becker's help as Corp. Manning stood guard at the door. "It's time to go home Ma'am."
There was something about the soft voice that drew Eden from her subconscious shelter and she stared blindly up at the blond vision in her sight. There was grease paint mixed with blood on the familiar face but there was gentleness in the worried green eyes that were staring at her with concern.
"Home," she whispered through her dry throat.
"Yes ma'am," Halley nodded trying not to let her emotions break the mask on her face. She had only the most basic medical training but one glance at the tall flier and she knew that the woman was critically injured. She grabbed her water canteen from her belt and held it out to the flier who consumed its warm contents eagerly.
"Cowboy," Eden said still thinking of her colleague when she was finished quenching her thirst. "We can't go without Cowboy."
"Where is he?" the young Marine wanted to know ready to dispatch her colleagues to rescue the other flier.
"I don't know where they put his body."
The blond woman she glanced up at Sgt. Becker who wordlessly shook his head. She knew in an instant of silent communication that they hadn't the time to search for the other pilot's body. Halley turned her attention back to the flier, diverting the injured woman's attention.
"Can you walk?"
"I don't know," Eden sighed, feeling more fatigued then she had ever been before. Her whole body screamed for her to lay back down and rest but instinctively she knew that time was of the essence.
Valiantly she struggled to her feet, leaning heavily on the strength of the smaller marine who helped her stand. Her legs shook unsteadily and her head whirled, making her stomach sick and queasy. For a minute she thought she was going to throw up but she managed to control her muscles enough not to embarrass herself.
"Are you okay?" Halley asked genuinely concerned, seeing the pale and stricken look that flashed over the taller woman's face.
"Dizzy," the dark haired woman admitted with reluctance, hating the fact that she had to rely on someone else for assistance. Normally, she was the one giving support.
"Just lean on me I got you," the blonde marine encouraged as she hooked one of the flier's arms around her neck while placing her arm around her waist. She glanced up at Sgt. Becker who took up the exact same position on the other side of the woman. Between the two of them they would be able to move more quickly. "Let's move out."
Corp. Manning nodded before leading this small procession out the compound. They scrambled as quickly as they could out of the area, limping along the side of the building back towards the outskirts of town.
Their rescue was not without mishap as just as they were in the middle of the clearing between the compound and the low ridge where they had been hiding, a man stepped out of a house, probably with the intention of enjoying his first smoke of the day. He spotted the strange group and immediately raised the alarm. His shouts echoed loudly in the still night and rousted others to what was happening. In a matter of seconds there was more shouting and commotion.
Instinct kicked in as Sgt. Becker switched positions with Corp Manning, before taking the other two Marines and dropping into a defensive perimeter to protect their retreat. The silent night suddenly erupted as shots were fired.
"Help them," she instructed the other Marine who instantly obeyed her command. She bent and tossed the flier over her shoulder before continuing to trot up into the mountain darkness. She had every confidence that her team would cover her back and protect their retreat.
Eden felt the urge to protest but her body was to fatigued to do anything but allow her saviour to hoist her over her shoulder. It was almost a relief not to be on her feet any more and she slipped once more into the unconscious world as the pain from her injury penetrated all other thoughts.
Halley focused solely on the task of getting them to the designated shelter point. She picked her way over the uneven terrain moving as agile as a mountain goat. The pilot was an added weight but she was used to carrying heavy packs and surprisingly the pilot was lighter then she assumed. She prodded steadily on, hearing the distance burp of gunfire behind her. As in every instant when they engaged the enemy she cast a prayer to the heavens to keep the members of her Ops team safe from harm.
The gunfire ceased as abruptly as it had begun and she knew that the team had withdrawn. As was their procedure they would head in the opposite direction for several kilometres to give her a better chance of escape. The team would then double back and rejoin her as soon as it was safe.
The sun had just risen and was beginning its slow ascent into the clear sky overhead by the time Halley finally found their hidden shelter. She had almost missed it but had recognized the familiar signage of rocks that they had used to mark the cave entrance.
She gently lay her charge down on the uneven ground checking to see if the pilot was still alive. The flier's breath was shallow and uneven but Halley was relieved. She lay down flat on her belly and crawling under the lip into the large cavern beyond, dragging the unconscious pilot along with her.
Inside waited their packs and the rest of the equipment they had left behind.
She rummaged through her gear, searching in the darkness for the familiar feel of what she was searching. Within minutes she had found and cracked the glow stick, illuminating the chilly cavern. Hastily she stacked the packs across the entrance to prevent any of the light from shining outward. Only then did she turn her attention back to the pilot.
Halley realized there wasn't much she could do. Her medical training was the most basic and their supplies were limited but that did not stop her from doing what she could. She pealed back the filthy smelling t-shirt, almost gagging at the odor of decaying and rotting flesh. Carefully, she picked away the bandages that had been placed over the long wound, noticing the fresh blood and puss from the infection that had taken hold.
Methodically the small Sgt. gathered what medical supplies she could find, sterilizing her knife with a cigarette lighter before lancing the sutured wound, cutting into the red flesh and wincing at the smell as the yellow greenish puss poured out from within. She dabbed away at the skin, gently pouring antiseptic over the injury before using the bandages from the medic kit to redress the wounds once again.
Rather than leaving the pilot naked, Halley stripped out of her own olive green t-shirt and carefully slipped it on the tall woman. It was several sizes to small but it covered the woman's breasts and stomach. She then wrapped the tall woman in the thin aluminum sleep sheets they always carried with them as protection from the evening chill.
There was one more thing to do before the small Marine could relax. With the small communicator in hand, she slipped back out of the cave, climbing to a position where any transmission would not be impeded. She found a seat on a flat rock and then carefully tapped out a message, aiming it in the direction of the sky where a passing satellite would transfer the message to its destination. Only once that was done did she crawl back into the cave. Gathering her gun and resting it across her lap, she leaned back against the wall, closing her eyes and giving into the fatigue that washed over her like a second skin.
________________________________
Commander Hawkwin and Major Jamieson stood out on the deck of the bridge, silently puffing on cigarettes. Before them the activity on-board the Carrier went on as usual, oblivious to the life and death struggle encompassing some of their comrades. Planes were lifted onto the flat top, set and then launched in an unending ritual.
Of course, few of them knew what was happening, the Commander mused to himself. The more observant would have realized that a Phantom Jet as well as a group of marines had left the ship and had not yet returned. But most went about their routine oblivious to anything but their immediate job.
It had been more then twelve hours since they had last heard from the Special Operations team of Marines that had been dispatched to retrieve the downed American pilots. Twelve grueling hours of silence, where, they had allowed the worst of their fears to create imaginary scenarios in their heads.
He watched as a jet was lined up in the launch shoot. Every day he sent dozens of pilots off on defensive missions, and though it was their duty and their jobs, he still felt a paternal instinct for each and every flier under his command.
He allowed his thoughts to drift once more to the object of their present concern. Lt. Commander Eden Bryce was not much older then his own daughters and as such he often thought of her in a paternalistic way. But he knew she was a grown woman, capable of handling situations under enormous amounts of stress. She was competent, resourceful and creative, and he knew if anyone would be able to survive and get away from the enemy it would be her.
He glanced briefly at his somber companion. He could see the same tattletale lines of worry on the man's face and knew instinctively that Jamieson was as worried about the men under his own command as he was about his pilots. In that they shared a common ground.
He thought briefly of the Special Operations Team in country. Jamieson had displayed an unfailing confidence in the woman who was in charge of the operation. His words and strength of conviction had been in the tone of his voice and the Commander had been reassured. It appeared that the Sgt. in charge of the Ops team was just as efficient as Commander Bryce but entirely more ruthless. With that combination they could only be confident that everyone would make it back all right.
It was at that moment that a young Ensign stepped out onto the bridge deck. Both men turned in unison with expectant looks on their faces. The Ensign thought that it was an entirely good thing that he had positive news to report.
"We just received a transmission."
___________________________
Eden opened her eyes slowly, aware of the pounding in her head and the fire that seemed to be burning her skin along the side of her body. She blinked her eyes rapidly staring into the darkness as the cobwebs over her brain slowly cleared. There was an eerie silence and an unusual chill in the air. Her body shivered uncontrollably and she couldn't be certain whether it was from the cold or the fever that was raging through her slender frame.
"Hello," an all to cheerful voice echoed in the space around her and she slowly turned her head as a darkly painted face with sparkling green eyes suddenly appeared in her line of vision.
Halley crawled across the dirt floor and settled next to the tall woman. She had managed only a few hours sleep, her concern over the situation and her operations team intruding on any sort of rest she was trying to gain. She produced a water canteen and held it out to the flier lifting the dark head and bringing the bottle to her cracked lips.
"Thank you," Eden managed to croak, reveling in the wetness as it washed down her dry throat. She closed her eyes.
"How are you feeling?" the Marine Sgt. asked gently reaching over and placing her palm on the other woman's forehead. There were beads of sweat and the pale skin was hot to the touch.
"Terrible," the flier admitted with a thick voice, as glazed blue eyes fluttered open again. "Where am I?"
"In a cave about twenty kicks north of your target," Halley said knowing that it would be useless to attempt any clearer explanation. She wasn't entirely certain that the pilot was completely clear on the situation.
Eden closed her eyes again as she savoured the information. She tried to piece together the events that had led her to this moment but there were only bits and pieces, imagines of planes and fire. She shivered and instinctively the woman next to her tucked the edges of the sheet more tightly around her.
"Cowboy," she spoke again, her eyes opening and searching for the strangers face. She saw a brief look of sadness before a mask fell over the woman's expressive eyes.
"If you are talking about your co-pilot, we couldn't find him," the Sgt. was genuinely regretful. She could not tell this woman that there hadn't been time for anything but her rescue. "Do you know where they were holding him?"
"No," the pilot shook her head, stray strands of long dark hair fluttering onto her cheek. Absently Halley combed the errant strands away from the battered face. "He died."
For a moment there was complete silence. The young veteran Marine could hear the sadness in the flier's voice. No one in the service ever wanted to leave a fellow comrade behind but in some cases it was necessary. If the co-pilot had still been alive she would have attempted to find him, but she would not risk her team for a dead body.
For the last hour she had been fretting over the fate of her own operations team. She knew they were competent soldiers and able to take care of themselves, but she still worried, uncertain about the outcome of the brief engagement that had taken place in the village while she had scrambled to safety. She hoped that they had made it out safely and were now making their way to link up with her.
"Where are you from?" Halley asked deciding to divert the other woman's attention.
"Washington," came the quiet reply.
"How long you been in the Navy?"
"One mission to long," came the sarcastic response and Halley had to chuckle at the dry humour. But it was a serious joke. So often she had heard others say that it was time to get out of the military before they accepted one too many missions. She wondered if she would have the good sense to get out before anything happened to her or if she would be one of those who took one too many missions.
"What time is it?"
"It's probably about four in the afternoon," the blonde woman replied. "It will be getting dark soon."
"So what's the plan Sgt.?" Eden managed to murmur.
"Ahh you remember me," Halley said before she could help herself.
"You're a hard lady to forget," the pilot was honest.
"You should tell that to some of my ex-lovers," the Marine snorted causing the other woman to laugh which in turn caused a spasm of coughing that racked the long slender body. Halley gripped the woman's shaking shoulders. "Note to self that not to make my captive laugh."
"Am I your captive now?" Eden asked, trying to concentrate on anything other then the pain that was burning up her body.
"Until I get you back on the Carrier you are under my command Commander," the Sgt. said frankly.
"Good," Eden sighed as her eyes closed again. "Thank you."
"What are you thanking me for?" Halley wanted to know.
"For rescuing me in time," the pilot said and the words cut to the core of the veteran soldier. They had always been warned that there was a chance of being raped and she had come to accept that the possibly yet that did not make her immune to the humiliation and violence that went along with the action.
"Well, you know after we get out of here you can take me out for dinner and we will call it even," the blonde woman tried to be glib.
"It's a deal Sergeant," Eden said a small smile cracking her dry lips.
"I am gonna hold you to it Commander," Halley said with a corresponding smile.
"You won't have to," the pilot said before another cough racked her body. "I'm so cold."
As if to emphasis her words, a huge shudder raced through her body. Halley was sympathetic, knowing that it wasn't only the chill in the air that was making the other woman shiver. She wished she had more blankets but without that she only had her own body warmth.
She laid her ever present automatic rifle down on the ground and then stretched out next to the tall woman. As gently as she could, she gathered the shaking woman into her arms and held her tightly against her body, hoping to spread some of her own body heat. There was a heartfelt sigh as she buried her face into the softness of the loose dark hair. She closed her eyes, hoping for a few more moments of peace before it was time to move again.
"I'm dying," Eden said, resigning herself to the truth.
"No, there is so much more for you to do," the faceless voice answered. "Can't you feel it, it is within your reach, you're life is just beginning."
"But I am so tired."
"Do not give into your human frailties," came the answer. "You are stronger than this. You don't have to do it alone any more. Fulfill your dreams, follow your heart."
Day turned to night and as the hours ticked by Halley become more anxious for her fellow Marines. She glanced at the sleeping pilot before slipping out of the cave and scanning the darkness. There was no sign of them and she was beginning to worry. She reverently hoped that no one had been hurt.
She sighed and retreated back into the cave, peering through the dim light from the glow stick she lit. Even in the shadows she could see the perspiration beaded on the woman head and the wetness of her hair as it clung to her naked skin. It had been almost twelve hours since she had changed the woman's bandages.
Delicately she pulled away the soiled wraps revealing a red and smelly infection. As carefully as she could she repeated her earlier treatment, lancing the wound to release the puss and infection that had gathered, draining the cut before pouring more antiseptic over it and repacking the wound. The stench was almost unbearable and she wished that Corp. Garrett was there. He was the medically trained member of their team.
"You're worried about them aren't you?" Eden said breaking the silence and startling the other woman. Green and blue eyes met in the dim light.
"Sorry I didn't mean to wake you," the Sgt apologized chiding herself for not being more careful.
"No," the pilot shook her head. "It was the pain that woke me."
"Sorry I don't have any more medicine to give you," Halley said and they lapsed once more into silence.
"You are worried about them." Eden repeated, only this time it was a statement rather than a question.
"They are my family," the blonde Marine admitted more then she had to anyone else. "They are the most important people in my life."
"I felt that way about my RIO," the flier confessed in a quiet voice. "It didn't matter who was sitting in the pit, my first concern was always their safety. I don't know how I am going to face his wife and family."
"It wasn't your fault," Halley said thinking about the differences in both their situations. "You were only following your orders."
"Aren't you?"
"To a certain extent," the small woman was reluctant to admit the truth. "Unfortunately there is a greater chance for things to change when you are on the ground. One moment you can be following orders and the next you are doing things you never imagined."
"Do you regret it?" came the soft question.
"There is always something that everyone regrets in their lives," Halley confessed softly focusing her attention for a minute on what she was doing. "What about you? Do you have any regrets?"
"Yes," Eden confessed and said nothing more leaving the Marine veteran to wonder about what regrets this beautiful woman could have. But there was no time to ask for the pilot had once again slipped unconscious. She had just finished dressing the injury when she heard a familiar whistle.
Halley was instantly on her feet, pulling the packs away from the entrance. She stepped back and watched as four dusty and ragged Marines crawled into the cave and collapsed exhausted on the ground. She was never so happy to see anyone as she was at that moment. She buried her emotion and looked at the weary faces.
"About time you got here," she said causally.
"Ran into a spot of trouble," Sgt. Becker replied with a grin. "It will be awhile before the locals forget that we were in town."
"I don't think I want to know what you did," Halley snorted and looked at the quartet. "Is everyone okay?"
"A few scratches and bruises but otherwise nothing that a few hours sleep won't cure," the man answered for them all.
"Well you will have plenty of time for that," their leader said making her decision. It was dangerous to remain in the area but it would be equally dangerous to attempt an escape in their condition. A day or two of rest would refresh them all. She told them as much.
"Hoped you would say that," Becker smiled and lifted an arm in which he carried a small sack. "It ain't much but it will help keep the hunger pains away."
"Remind me to put you in for a commendation," Halley said accepting the much appreciated offering.
"Just get us home Sgt., that's all I ask," the man sighed before allowing his head to drop to the ground. The love that Halley felt for her squad at that moment was incomparable to anything else in her life. These were men that would be forever in her prayers. "Garrett, before you sack out, could I get you to check out our maiden here."
"Sure thing, Sgt." the soldier said pushing down his weariness to crawl across the cave floor to a position next to the pilot. With Halley hovering over his shoulder the Marine gently removed the cloth that had been used as a bandage. He shook his head at what she had used to dress the wound.
"It was all I could find to use," she defended herself.
"Good thing I always carry cotton padding with me," the man smirked before focusing his attention once more on the injury. He had been trained in first aid and as a field medic besides his regular Marine duties. "What did you do?"
Halley explained how she had treated the wound until their arrival and then stood back worrying that she had done something wrong that would hamper the pilot's recovery.
"Seems to me you did everything you could," the Corporal announced much to his Sgt's relief. He reached into one of his breast pockets and withdrew a small vial which he promptly injected into the woman's uninjured shoulder. He flashed the anxious blond woman a smile. "I always carry a couple extra shots of morphine for emergencies."
Halley knew that was against the regulations and she didn't want to know how the Marine had been able to secure the extra drugs, but she didn't care. She was only grateful for his foresight. She patted him on the shoulder to show her appreciation.
"She'll sleep for a long time now," he assured the Sgt.
"Good," she motioned him over to where his comrades were stretched out sound asleep. "Now get some rest, I'll keep watch."
The man nodded and wordless crawled back to an empty space where he promptly fell asleep leaving his commander to watch over them. Halley looked over the motley group of individuals, feeling her confidence return. She was more determined to make it out of there then ever before.
"You are going to make it out Commander," she said to the sleeping pilot a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "And if I have anything to say about it, we will be doing more then just eating dinner."
____________________________
Annie woke to find herself alone in bed. She glanced at the alarm clock and saw that it was well after midnight. With a sigh she climbed out of bed, pausing to don her housecoat before making her way down the stairs to the main floor. At the bottom of the steps she stopped aware of the glow that was illuminating the living room.
She stepped into the room and switched on a lamp before sitting down on the sofa beside her husband. As she suspected the television was turned to CNN. She recognized the same broadcast as one she had seen earlier in the day.
"It won't do anyone any good if you make yourself ill," she said quietly. "There is nothing you can do."
"I know," John confessed in a heavy voice. He felt helpless and he hated that feeling.
"We don't even know that she is involved," the woman reminded.
"Then why hasn't she called," the man wanted to know. In the past Halley always notified them when she was in an area of conflict.
"Perhaps she hasn't been allowed to John," Annie tried to think of some explanation that would satisfy her husband and ease his concern. "You know yourself that the military cuts off all communication in times of conflict."
"Yes," the man conceded, but was still not comforted. He knew his daughter better then that. He knew that Halley would know he was worried and she would have found some way to let them know that she was safe and out of danger. He let out a long sigh as the program was interrupted by commercials.
"I never wanted any of my children to go through the same kind of horror I faced in Vietnam," the man said. "I didn't even mind that I didn't have a son. All I could think of was that I never had to worry about sending my boy off to war. God, how was I to know that things would change so much and that my eldest daughter would make the Marines her career. I keep wondering what I did wrong?"
"We didn't do anything wrong," Annie reassured her husband, as she reached for his hand and held it between her own. "You did everything right. Halley was always in awe of you. She worshipped the ground you walked on. She always wanted to be the son you never had. She wanted to make you proud."
"She didn't have to go to war to do that," the man protested as tears gathered in his eyes. "She didn't have anything to prove. I would be proud of her whatever she did."
"I know dear," his wife sighed. "But you know as well as I do that we could tell them that but the children will never believe it until they realize it themselves."
John knew that the woman was right, but it still didn't absolve him from feeling like he had failed somehow. He had done everything in his power to provide for his family and keep them safe. He had tried to teach his children about the value of life. He had thought he had succeeded but there remained a doubt.
"Come on John, let's go to bed," Annie said drawing her husband off the couch as she stood up. She used the remote control to turn off the television before leading her husband back to bed.
________________________________
Vivian was unable to sleep. She had left her husband in bed hours earlier unable to find the peace that seemed to come so easily to him. Unlike her, he felt no guilt towards the way they had raised their grand-daughter.
She paced around the sitting room unable to find solace in her mind, her thoughts on the many memories she had of the girl that had come so unexpectedly into their lives. With a sigh, she rubbed her tired face with her hands, her grey eyes catching sight of the photographs on the mantle. She reached out and picked the first one up. It was old and the picture was beginning to fade. It was a picture of their only child on the day he had graduated from Annapolis. They had been so proud and so certain that he would do the family name justice.
The next photograph was taken many years later but looked almost identical to the first one with the exception of the hair. While her son had always worn a brush cut, his daughter had let her dark hair grow long and it was in sharp contrast to the stark whiteness of her Naval uniform.
Vivian remembered that day almost as clearly as she remembered the first graduation they had attended at Annapolis. Only this time it had not been the same happy occasion. They had agreed with Eden's decision to pursue a career in the Armed Forces and it had been a source of contention from the moment the girl had announced her intentions. The day of her graduation should have been a glorious occasion yet in their stubbornness they had not allowed themselves to feel the pride they should have felt. Instead they had made the girl feel like they were enemies.
The older woman sighed again and put the photograph back down on the mantle. She had so many dreams for her only grandchild. Eden was supposed to have the kind of life their son never got to live and somewhere along the way they had stopped seeing her as the young woman she really was. As much as she was like her father, Eden was also very different. She was stronger, more capable then her father had ever been and instead of feeding those strengths they had tried to belittle them. It wasn't any wonder that their relationship was civil at best.
They had never really understood the grief the little girl had suffered with the loss of her father and then the sudden death of her mother in a short nine month period. They had been to wrapped up in their own grieving to consider how the child had been affected; to selfish to administer to her needs.
She slumped into the nearest arm chair and stared out the windows at the darkness beyond praying that she was given one more chance to correct the wrong they had done to the girl. She wanted to make amends, to show the child her true feelings, to give Eden the love that she had missed by the loss of both her parents.
______________________________________________
Halley would have liked to let the team sleep but she knew that they could not wait out the enemy. They were presently safe but they were low on supplies, and the ailing pilot wasn't getting better. All morning she listened to the sound of helicopters scouring the area.
"There's a few things we need to do," she said after she was certain that the other Marines were awake, glancing briefly at the unconscious pilot. "As much as I would like to settle here for awhile it's imperative that we move out, I'm not sure how long we will be able to keep the pilot alive."
Halley paused aware that their actions would mean nothing if they weren't able to return the flier back alive. She glanced at the tired and drawn faces of her comrades and knew that they were thinking the same thing.
"We need food and water, and something with which we can fashion a stretcher," she outlined what was needed. "I want to move out at the first sign of darkness. I figure we have to travel at least fifteen klicks before we get to an area close enough for an extraction."
She had sat most of the morning working on the various calculations. She could not expect the rescue team to come any more then twenty klicks inland, and even then it would be a risk for the slow moving rescue choppers. She had no intention of putting any more lives at risk.
"I'll take Garrett and try to find what we need," Horst Becker volunteered glancing at the man who nodded in agreement.
"Thanks," Halley was appreciative of their initiative. She glanced at the other two Marines. "I need you to go ahead and mark a path for us. I want you to find us the shortest and easiest route out of here."
Corporal's Benning and Manning nodded. This was a familiar duty for them and they accepted their role in this escape without complaint. They had the most dangerous duty yet they would be able to move swiftly and without the encumbrance of their injured party.
Now assigned to their duties they prepared to move out. They took only the most necessary of there equipment before slipping out into the bright sunshine. The four Marines stealthily moved in opposite directions while the enemy searched for them.
Halley sat back on her heels and whispered a short prayer that the team each succeed in their individual assignments. Their situation wasn't desperate but it wouldn't be long before it was. She glanced at the pilot and noticed that she was stirring.
"Hey, good morning," she said scrambling across the space that separated them until she was beside the prone pilot.
"Morning," Eden murmured instinctively through parched lips. She felt incredibly hot, her body burning up as on fire. For a moment she was confused, not certain where she was, but then it all came back to her and for an instant her bleary blue eyes focused on the woman at her side. "Am I still alive?"
"Yes, ma'am, and I aim to keep you that way," Halley said with a confidence and smile that was meant to reassure the injured woman. She watched as the tall woman closed her eyes and for a moment she thought the pilot had fallen unconscious again.
"Why are you doing this?" Eden asked without opening her eyes, startling her young companion.
"It's my job," the Sgt. replied without thinking. "We have a unwritten rule in the Marines. We don't leave any men behind."
"But trying to save me might end up costing you your life," the pilot persisted. "You should just leave me."
She had been unable to save Jeffrey and now there was a squad of Marines who might also lose their lives because of her. She did not want that responsibility. There was no reason for them to risk their lives to save her. She told the young Marine this.
"I am sure your family wouldn't agree with you," Halley said deeply affected by the woman's words. She was aware that as a Commander it was sometimes necessary to sacrifice oneself to ensure that the rest of the team would survive.
"I have no family other then my grandparents," Eden said regretfully.
"Then we have to get you back for them," the soldier replied.
"No, they will understand," the dark haired woman sighed. "They are diplomats so they know that sometimes sacrifices have to be made.""
"Sorry, I don't buy into that theory and neither can you," Halley replied sternly, wanting this woman to fight for her survival. "We're taking you out, dead or alive, and because I would have a lot of explaining to do otherwise, I would prefer that you were alive."
Eden closed her eyes and tried to swallow but every movement was incredibly painful. She was thirsty and hot, and it felt like her entire body was on fire. She tried to move her limbs but they felt like lead weights attached to her body.
"Don't try to move," the Sgt. cautioned in a gentle voice sensing that the other woman was distressed. "Would you like something to drink?"
The dark haired woman nodded and Halley was immediately beside the woman, gently lifting her head as she placed the canteen against her parched lips. Eden gulped down the lukewarm liquid, rejoicing in the relief that it gave her throat. She lay back and closed her eyes.
"Commander, can you make me a promise?" the low voice suddenly cut through her foggy brain, and cloudy blue eyes opened to see a pair of emerald orbs right in front of her. "Promise me Commander that you won't give up. Tell me that you are strong enough to get through this."
"I can't make any promises."
"Yes, you can," Halley hissed softly. "Promise me that you will make it out of here and I promise you I will do what ever favour you ask."
"Will you run across the top deck naked?" Eden asked and the Marine laughed. It was a soft but pleasant sound.
"I will." Halley said. "Now promise me."
"I promise," the flier finally conceded and closed her eyes, feeling strangely better.
The Sergeant eased back from the injured pilot and rested her back against the stone wall of the cavern. She doubted that the woman would remember this conversation but she knew that when someone like Commander Bryce gave her word, she would die before breaking it.
It was the beginning of dusk when three of the four troopers she sent out returned to the small cavern. Becker had found a stretcher and Halley didn't bother asking where it had come found. They had long ago learned not to ask questions of how they managed to get their requests done.
As soon as the sun slipped behind the horizon they were on the move again. With each of them clutching one end of the stretcher they moved quickly through the darkness, all flipping their night goggles over their eyes to give them better vision. There was no moon which was a blessing and in the not so far distance, jagged lines of lightning streaked across the pitch black sky.
They moved at a swift pace, yet it took them half the night to reach the point where their lead scout was waiting. Without a word, they continued, ignoring the heavy smell of rain. By the time the heavens finally opened up unleashing a torrent of rain, they had traveled a fair distance.
They paused only long enough to wrap another sheet around their patient in an attempt to keep her as warm and dry as possible. Halley covertly checked her map and then her GPS locator, as well as the tiny hand held computer. The country had a formidable coastal defense and she knew that an alert would have gone out.
The rain continued to pour down, making the night even blacker and the ground mucky and slippery, slowing their forward progress. If there was one consolation on this miserable night it was that they were certain that all search patrols had been cancelled. They would have to cross a mountain before they reached the coast line and the climbing would be treacherous in the dark, the ascent make more dangerous by the precious cargo that they carried.
"It's going to be light in an hour Gunny," Becker reminded her when they stopped for a brief rest break, as she took the time to consult the map again. The rain had not let up and the squad was drenched, their boots swishing with each step.
"I know," Halley nodded knowing that she had a decision to make. They had entered from an area north of there current position, where the trek over the coastal mountains was not as steep. There was a choice to be made and she glanced at their patient, her pale face seemingly translucent in the darkness.
The coast and rescue was just on the other side of the mountains. There were two choices. One was to take the safe route, but by her calculations it would take them another full day's hike to reach the easily passable corridor with which they had made their entrance into the country. The second choice was to go forward, straight up and over the mountain, hoping that they would be able to find a route that was passable.
"Doc, how is she doing?" She called to the corporal who also served as a medic.
"Not good Master Sgt.," came the muffled reply. "She's losing more blood, and I can't find where it's coming from."
His words were the catalyst for her decision. She looked ahead of them and the dark looming mass that separated them from the ocean and safety. She glanced at her squad, seeing the weary lines on their faces.
"You have to find us a path up and over the top Ben," she addressed the Corporal who was standing at the head of the stretcher. She glanced up at the sky, still heavy and dark with rain clouds. "Hopefully this weather will continue. As long as it does, they won't be sending out anything but foot patrols, which is something we can deal with if we have to. I want to try and make it over the mountains in the light."
The men all nodded, agreeing with her decision. It had been six days now since any of them had eaten a decent meal or had more then a few hours of sleep. They were all anxious for this mission to end and would give it their all until they were once again back on the Carrier.
When Doc was finished doing what he could for their patient, Halley squatted down over the tall woman. She could see that her lips were blue and that she was shaking, either from the damp cold or a fever.
"I want to die." Eden said bluntly.
"No!" The faceless voice replied. "Everything is now within your grasp. You must hang on. Hold on to your dreams. Find your future."
"I am so tired and it hurts so much." She complained to the voice.
"Today, but tomorrow it will be better. Do not give up now. You are right next to your reward. Follow your dreams. Find your future."
"Commander?" Halley shouted to the flier laying there looking close to death, the sound of her voice muffled by the continuing rain. The Sergeant knew that she had to keep checking on the woman. The last thing she wanted was for the pilot to die when they were so close to rescue.
"Yes?" Eden managed to croak. The rain on her hot face felt good but she was cold and could not stop the shivering that was causing her whole body to shake.
"Hang on commander," the Sergeant continued to encourage. "We are almost there."
Eden could do no more then move her head slightly in acknowledgment. Satisfied, Halley motioned the men forward.
The slope was slippery and the going was slow and more then once a soldier tumbled forward, loosing his footing and almost his grip on the stretcher. It was a tough trip, made only slightly easier by the return of day light. The clouds, low and grey continued to cry and for that they were grateful. It was just past noon when they finally reached the top and were able to see for the first time the dark green ocean beyond.
When they paused again to let Doc check on their patient, Cpl. Benning and Halley scouted forward, picking a path that would take them down to the beach. From a ledge not far from the peak Halley was able to identify several coastal checkpoints. There were several military trucks parked next to what seemed a guard station.
She scanned the terrain and after an hour of scouting realized that the only way onto the beach would be directly past the small military outpost. Together they retreated back up the mountain to where their colleagues were waiting.
"Well, Gunny?" Becker wanted to know what their next move was.
"How is she doing?" Halley called to Doc who only shook her head. She turned her attention back to the man who had sat down on the rock beside her. "This is the only way down and it leads right past the guard post." This was the part of her job that she thrived on. Others chaffed at the need to make decisions. She found it easy. She had been raised with a common sense that made her look at a situation from all sides. She had a sharp mind that allowed her to analyze situations and make decision quickly.
"I would like to wait until nightfall but there is no guarantee that our package will last that long, so once we get in behind the guard post, I am going to call in the rescue chopper. Once it notifies us its in-bound I am going to send you and Doc with the stretcher while the rest of us, distract their attention. Keep them pinned down. If you have to I want you to make that chopper go before we get there. Understand."
Becker did. He had worked alongside the woman long enough to know what she was talking about. What she proposed was dangerous but it was the only option they had at the moment. With that decided they broke up and continued down the mountain towards the ocean, maneuvering themselves so that they were always protected either by the mountain or the vegetation growing on it.
It was late afternoon when they finally reached the small ledge that Halley had spotted earlier. It was here that they had there last break and where she detailed her plans. For the first time in many hours she clicked her mic and tapped out the special code words on the small computer she held. She stared at the small screen and waiting for a response.
"Captain, we have an incoming message." The young Ensign broke into the normal activity of the control room and turned to the Captain who was standing seemingly staring at nothing.
"What is it?" Captain Hardening demanded in his gruff voice.
"Ready for extraction." The Ensign repeated the two words that had come up on his screen.
"Has the transmission been verified?"
"Yes sir," the Ensign needed to say no more before the Captain turned to a nearby Lieutenant. "Let Commander Hawkwin and Major Jamieson know and get that goddamn chopper in the air."
"Yes sir," the Lieutenant said snapping to attention briefly before picking up the phone nearby.
Commander Hawkwin was in his quarters when the message came over the intercom. He was on his feet and running through the narrow corridors towards the bridge deck, almost forgetting to pick up his hat in his hurry. The ship was in alert and by the time he reached the deck Major Jamieson was already there.
"We received word from the Marine squad on the ground," Captain Hardening informed his colleagues. They all had been waiting for this moment, though none of them were certain who would be on the chopper when it finally arrived back at the Carrier. Their eyes all turned at once to watch as the rescue chopper lifted off of the deck and out towards the not to distant coastline. It would be a sixty minute flying time before they reached the contact point.
"Has there been any other word?" Carl wanted to know.
"Sorry, Commander."
Commander Hawkwin dug an unlit cigar out of his pocket and stuffed it in his mouth. The next hour would be one of the hardest of his life and his eyes turned from the sky to the blips of lights on the nearby radar screen.
Halley had a pair of field glasses pressed up against her eyes as she scanned the horizon. Somewhere out there a chopper was barreling towards their position and they had to time their arrival on the beach to the last second in order to protect themselves and the helicopter crew from being exposed to the enemy longer then necessary. They could have waited until darkness but a glance at the withering figure on the stretcher and the soldier knew that they were out of time. It was now or they would have failed in part of their mission. As it was they had to return with only one of the pilots, leaving the other one behind. It would be up to the politicians to get his body back.
"There it is," she announced in a low voice, and it was the signal the men needed to go into action. As the helicopter flew ever closer to the coast, they shimmied down to the beach and into position.
With one eye on the sky and the other on the guard post they waited.
"Go! Go! Go!" She hollered and they all broken from their positions of hiding as the first familiar sounds of the chopper began to reach the shore line.
They rushed forward to the edge of the water, their entire beings exposed to the enemy. Halley spun around to face the guard post and dropped to her knee, raising her weapon in anticipation of the reaction of the enemy. She was joined by Corporal Benning as the others raced to the waters edge.
They did not have to wait long, as the door to the guard post flew open and several guards rushed out of the opening. The sounds of shots being fired echoed through the air, and Halley felt the sting of sand grains and water as bullets smacked into the ground in and around her. In spite of that she held her position, aware that she had to keep the enemy at bay until the chopper was on the ground and her squad was on board. She felt the rush of wind as the helicopter swooped down onto the water. She dared not turn to look, waiting for the signal she knew would come when the others were abroad.
"Ready!" She heard Becker's voice come ringing through the com system and without turning she shouted for her companion to run.
Corporal Benning needed no prodding as he rose to his feet and raced towards the chopper, diving into the carriage and safety. Halley was right after him, but as she stood up, she felt a sharp searing pain before her leg buckled under her.
"Son of a bitch," she swore fiercely, as she struggled back to her feet. She had been hit but she didn't let that stop her retreat, she turned and staggered towards the chopper, the water behind it's rotors spinning up violently into the air.
She was only a few steps from the skid when she felt a blow strike her in the side. It was so powerful that it spun her around and sent her toppling backwards into the water. For a moment she lost all her senses as the shallow water came up over her face. She struggled to sit up gasping at the foul water that intruded on her lungs.
"Hal!" Becker screamed, watching as his commander was hit and plunged under the water. Without thinking he jumped out of the chopper which was now hovering two feet off the ground. He grabbed the Sergeant by the collar and dragged her back towards the chopper, the cover fire from his colleagues heavy. He felt a sharp pain in his shoulder but he ignored that as he lifted the small woman up and tossed her into the chopper, jumping in after her.
Immediately they were up and on their way, the pilot gunned his engines and moving the chopper higher and further out to sea. They could hear the pinging of bullets ricocheting off the haul of the aircraft. Only when that sound finally died away did they expel the breath they were holding.
"Hal!" Doc snapped the small Sergeants face to roust her. He pressed his fingers into the wound in her back and motioned for Benning to put a compression bandage on her bleeding leg. Halley didn't wake, her body no longer resisting the pull of exhaustion.
Commander Hawkwin stepped out on deck and waited amongst the collection of pilots that had gathered to welcome their colleagues back home. The helicopter hovered over the pitching deck for a moment before setting down on its skids. Several medical teams with stretchers rushed to the open doorway of the aircraft and for an instant all activity on the flight deck came to a halt as everyone paused to watch as a brown blanket was gingerly lifted out of the helicopter and placed on a stretcher which was immediately rushed below deck to the ships medical bay.
A smaller blanketed figure was lifted onto the second stretcher and a squad of navy Seal's jumped out of the chopper and followed it towards the hospital. Instinctively Commander Hawkwin guessed that this second figure was that of a Seal member.
Carleton sucked in his breathe. Details were still sketchy and he wouldn't know everything until the soldier in charge of the Navy Seal team made his final report. He made his way down to the ships hospital and waited alongside the Chaplain. It seemed like hours before the doctor finally emerged from the operating theatre.
"She's alive," the physicians said with obvious admiration. "She has lost allot of blood and has some deep lacerations that are infected. I think the only reason she is alive is because of the tremendous shape she is in."
Commander Hawkwin breathed only a little easier. He remembered seeing her on the deck running long after the others had dropped out exhausted. She had spent numerous hours each day in the weight room, training and shaping her body. Many of her colleagues had considered her to be obsessed with fitness. It now appeared that her fanaticism had reaped its own reward.
"How bad is she?" the Commander wanted to know, aware that Major Jamieson had just arrived in the outer room.
"She is in critical shape," the doctor admitted grimly. "The wounds to her face and hands are mostly superficial but the real trauma is to her chest and abdomen. She had a very deep laceration along the right side of her body. I compacted the wounds and have put her on fluids and oxygen in preparation for transfer. I suggest we get her to a hospital on the continent as soon as possible."
"A plane will be readied immediately."
"What about the other soldier brought in?"
The doctor sighed. Just that morning it had been a typical day in the hospital surgery. A few cuts and minor infections, the regular type of medical problems that they saw on board in a regular basis. That had changed dramatically with the arrival of the helicopter. He addressed Major Jamieson this time.
"Master Sgt. Braeden is in extremely critical condition. She has a gunshot wound to her right knee and another gunshot wound to her shoulder. My surgical colleague is in there now seeing exactly how badly she is injured."
"Can we see them?"
"Only for a few minutes, both have been heavily sedated, in preparation for transport."
The two men nodded and then followed the doctor into the small ward room. The ship was not equipped for the type of surgery both women needed. Instead the doctors had patched them up so that it was safe for them to travel. The two women were in beds next to each other with only a plastic curtain separating their individual spaces.
Commander Hawkwin was shocked by the appearance of the woman lying on the bed, her body swathed in surgical gauze with a multitude of tubes hooked into her arms, draining and pumping fluids into her body. There was an oxygen mask over her pale face. He took care to show no emotion even though he was appalled by the scene.
"Commander." The single word came from between cracked lips and blue eyes flickered open.
"Yes," the man waited for her to speak.
"I screwed up sir," the ill woman apologized, the words muffled by the breathing apparatus.
The Commander felt an odd tug at his heart. He had to look away for a moment afraid to reveal the depth of emotion he felt. From the first moment they had met, she had always been a favourite of his.
"I will wait for your report before I decide whether you screwed up," the man retorted gruffly.
He watched as the woman struggled to say something more but the drugs were working their magic and she slowly drifted off to sleep. He stood for a long moment and stared at the once vibrant woman, wondering what would become of her.
In the next cubicle, Major Jamieson was going through a similar situation. Halley had always stood out from the crowd. She was a shining example of the Armed Forces policy to integrate women into all branches of the military. She had been hand picked for an experimental program to place women on the front lines in the infantry and special operations. She had performed beyond their expectations. She had done more then was asked.
"How are the others?" Halley wanted to know, fighting the pain of her wounds and the effects of the medication that she had been given.
"They are fine," Major Jamieson didn't lie. "Sgt. Becker got winged in the shoulder and will be out for a few weeks but the doctors don't expect him to suffer any lasting affects."
"Good," Halley sighed, relieved that her squad mates were okay. "We weren't able to get the other pilot out."
"You did the best you could," the man assured her. "Your actions saved Commander Bryce's life."
Halley closed her eyes. The mission was a success and though they had not managed to find both pilots they were able to bring one out safely. A pair of bleary green eyes popped open and fastened on the man for a long instant.
"How is she?"
Major Jamieson knew to whom she was referring. "She is in critical condition. She has infections in her wounds and will need some reconstruction surgery when she is healthy enough. She is in good hands now. You both are."
Halley nodded and allowed her eyes to drift shut, submitting to the pull of sleep.
Within half an hour the two women were wheeled from the sick bay onto the deck where they were strapped into stretchers fastened to the sides of the turboprop plane that was to fly them to the next friendly base where they would be transferred to a transport plane heading for their final destination.
Continued in part 3
The Athenaeum's Scroll Archive