Between Iraq and a Hard Place

A James Everhard Adventure

By Wayne Wallace

 

Scene 1: Rick’s Café American’ 4:30 on a Thursday Afternoon.

            Tom Manners, Rig Greerson, Chief of Detectives (retired) Bill Chaple and James Everhard were loudly, and laughingly sharing stories of their alleged sexual conquests around the world, and a quart of old, single malt, scotch with their good friend and host Rick at his famous Café American when the messenger came in the door.  “Urgent communiqué for a Mister Rig Greerson,” the uniformed courier announced.  Rig Greerson motioned to the courier.  “That would be me, son.” said the billionaire oilman.  The courier approached him and handed him a large manila envelope that had been sealed with an old fashioned wax seal.  As Rig Greerson began opening the envelope, James Everhard, briefly thought about how out of place this entire scene seemed in this age of cell phones and other means of “instant communication”,  but he waived off this thought as just another of the billionaire’s strange way of doing everyday things.  “Privilege of the rich,” thought Everhard ”  Greerson stuffed a Ben Franklin into the waiting courier’s hand.  “Thank you sir,” the young man said happily as he turned on his heel and left as quickly as he had come.  “Crap on a Ritz Cracker!” the oil tycoon bellowed around his Havana cigar.  “Those freaking Rag heads have done it again!” His gathered friends marveled at the shade of crimson Greer’s face turned as he read the parchment document and bellowed an array of obscenities.  Those God forsaken sons of flea infested camels!  Those dung pile digesting, illegitimate bastard sons of syphilitic sailors, Those ….,” As much as his friends marveled at hearing his phenomenal vocabulary of extremely degrading terms, they felt that they had to calm their friend down for actual fear that the 60ish oilman might actually stroke out on them.  “Settle down old man,” Everhard said to him, taking his arm and helping him back to his seat at the bar.  “Those mangy, mother-humping maggots have blown up another group of my wells in Iraq!  Just after we got them pumping again!  “Calm down, calm down now Rig,” Tom Manners was telling his friend.  “Can’t the Gal Damned US Fricking Army protect my interests over there!!??”  “I’m not sure that’s their mission over there Rig,” Bill Chaple quipped around his own stogie, “I think it has something to do with Democracy in Iraq,” Chaple added somewhat sarcastically.  “Bull Testicles!”  Greerson shot out, “Just wait until I get my hands on that idiot Chaney!  This crap is not supposed to happen to MY wells!”  With this outburst, Rig Greerson wadded up the envelope, drained his glass of scotch and stomped right out the front door and into the stretch limo that stood at the curb.  The limo sped away.

            The friends stared at each other after he left.  “What the hell was all that about?” Rick asked his patrons.  Just then Everhard’s cell phone chimed, and he answered it, listened intently for a few moments and then said, “Okay Rig, we’ll be right there,”

 

Scene 2

            “Everhard, I’ll pay you 3 million cash to take over security on my Iraqi oil fields.” Rig Greerson was yelling into his cell phone from his limo,” Just set it up, get it running and make it good! It shouldn’t take you but a few months.  Buy whatever supplies you need, hire whomever you like.  You have an unlimited budget, just fix the fricking problem.  I have a cargo plane leaving for Baghdad at 6 PM.  Grab that ex-cop partner of yours and get over to my office right away, Ok?”  “Alright Rig, we’ll be right there,” Everhard answered.

            Everhard grabbed Chief of Detectives (retired) Bill Chaple by the sleeve and said, “Cummon Bill, we’re taking a little vacation in the desert.”  Chaple looked at his drinking partners and quipped, “Something tells me he doesn’t mean Palm Springs!”  The two adventurers hurried out of the bar.

            Twenty minutes later Chaple and Everhard were at the headquarters of Greerson Oil, a 40 story glass and steel monument to the power of black gold.  Sitting in plush wine colored leather chairs, Everhard and Chaple listened while Greerson summarized his security problems in Iraq.  “Everything was going along pretty well until I let some high level nit-wits talk me into letting this United Arab Emirates outfit handle my oil well security in Iraq.  Since then, my wells and the worker’s complex have been bombed twice.  Six of my employees have died!”  Greerson said, as he puffed on his Havana cigar, “Dammit, Everhard, I trust you.  Go in there, kick all those fricking Arabs the hell out, hire good people, arm the compound, and make it secure!”  My employees in Baghdad are expecting you and will get whatever you feel you need in the way of supplies, armaments, whatever!  I’m losing a million a day, while those wells are down!”\

            Everhard and Chaple shook hands with the tycoon and went to pack their bags.  “Meet you at the airport at 5 James?” Chaple asked.  “Yeah, that will be fine.  I have to pay a visit to my therapist before I leave the country” James told him.  Chaple smiled because he knew that James’ therapist was none other than Dr. Molly Waska, the beautiful Psychiatrist Everhard had been seeing very regularly for the past few months.

 

Scene 3

            Everhard pulled into the VA Hospital parking garage, parked his red Viper and headed for the elevator.  He was making a call on his cell phone as he went. “Bud? Hey my friend, I need your services for a couple of months.  Big bucks, lots of danger, foreign travel and intrigue.  Sound interesting?  Pack your bags for a month, anything you need beyond that we’ll purchase.  Meet me and Chaple at the airport at 5:30.  And, by the way, we’re going to Iraq.”  After a short pause for Bud Magnum’s reply, Everhard said, “Thanks Bud, I knew I could count on you.”  Everhard snapped the cell phone shut and pushed the button in the elevator for Molly’s office.

            Molly’s office was empty, all of her morning patients had been seen and Molly was in her office doing paperwork.  Everhard entered her private office, came up behind her and kissed her softly on the neck.  “Oh James, you devil,” the beautiful psychiatrist purred, ” You know I have an hours paperwork left here.  You always come in and start my motor when I’m busy, mmmmmmmm.”  Molly turned around and kissed James passionately.  They had been lovers for about six months.  Molly had helped James kick a prescription pain killer habit he had acquired after having been shot in the back last year.  Somewhere, during the process, the professional relationship had become personal.

            “Baby,” James uttered, between wet and passionate kisses, “I have a job.  I have to go abroad for a month or two.”  “Oh, no James, I’ve just gotten used to having your head on my pillow.  I can’t just give that up.  You’re like a narcotic”. She murmured against his chest.  “When are you leaving?  Where are you going?  When will you be back?”  James answered, “In about two hours.  Iraq.  And, I’ll come back as soon as possible.”  James spent the next few minutes countering all of Molly’s concerns about Iraq being a war torn hell hole, and how careful he must be, and she wanted him back in one piece, when both of them suddenly realized that they only had a short time left together and moved to the over stuffed couch across the room.   They made sweet, passionate love on the couch.  As the lovers were dressing, some 45 minutes later, Molly asked, “is there a way for you to call me?”  “Of course Baby, I’ll have a satellite phone, set up and Rig Greerson’s paying the long distance bills.  I’ll call you every day.” James assured her.  They kissed a long, goodbye kiss and James left the office.

 

Scene 4

            As Everhard was driving to the airport, his cell phone rang. When he answered Bud Magnum was on the line.  “James, Bud here.  Listen, I’ve rounded up my old crew, six good men that I worked with in Africa, all tough, good with weapons, and available. Shall I have them meet us at the airport?”  Everhard answered immediately, “Absolutely Bud.  I was hoping we could reach a few of your old crew but I never thought you could do it on such short notice.  Tell them all they’ve got a job!”  “I always know exactly where to reach this bunch, one phone call did it,” Magnum answered.  “I’ll be there shortly, I’ve gotta tell Donna goodbye,” Magnum said.  “Give her a kiss for me too,” Everhard quipped as he disconnected the cell phone.

          Everhard parked his Viper in long term parking and carried his bags toward the terminal.  At the curb, chief of Detectives (retired) Bill Chaple met him.  “Our boy Greerson has some heavyweight connections James.,” Chaple told Everhard.  “We just go straight out to the tarmac and board a C-141 Starlifter.  No security check or anything.  It’s already loaded with enough armaments to start a medium sized war!”  “Well.” Said Everhard, “Rig can get things done when he wants to.  He can cut right through all the red tape.”  Chaple led Everhard down a stairway and right out onto the airport tarmac.  There, readying for takeoff stood a C-141 Starlifter, cargo plane with the Greerson Oil Logo boldly painted on the side.

          Once onboard, Everhard met the crew, a pilot, co-pilot and crew chief.  He also met Bud Magnum’s six mercenaries.  Everyone was onboard and ready to fly except Bud Magnum…

 

Scene 5

            The pilot fired up the huge jet and began warming up the engines.  While waiting for the “running a little late” Bud Magnum, Everhard and Chaple began inventorying the cargo.  Four, quad fifty caliber machine guns, rigged for 360 degree swivel mounting.  One hundred new M-16 rifles, a dozen M-60 machine guns, thirty gross of various types of hand grenades.  Thirty gross Claymore mines.  A very sophisticated looking, computer driven, perimeter surveillance system, boxes of body armor and helmets, a large crate of C4 explosive and crates and crates of ammunition.  “Hope we don’t crash,” Everhard shouted over the engines whine, ”there’s so much armament onboard, we wouldn’t even leave a greasy spot!”  Chaple frowned, not seeing any humor in his partner’s statement.  Suddenly, the six mercenaries began cheering.  Everhard and Chaple looked out a window in the fuselage and saw Bud Magnum roaring up to the plane on a custom Harley Chopper.  A stunning woman was riding behind him.  Bud dismounted the chopper, tossed his backpack to his buddies aboard the big jet, and then turned his attention back to the beautiful woman on the bike.  She was dressed in black riding leathers, chaps and a vest, and sported a black helmet.  The leather vest revealed a generous cleavage.  When the beautiful lady removed her helmet, long blonde hair cascaded down onto her shoulders.  Everhard could see that it was Donna Vadelle.  Bud gave her a long, passionate kiss and then jumped up into the aircraft.  Donna yelled up at Everhard and Chaple, “bring him back in one piece you guys.  And stay safe!”  Then she started the big bike and rode off.  All the passengers welcomed Magnum with handshakes and back pats.  “Sorry I’m late boss, but Donna’s a hard woman to leave in the bedroom,” Magnum said.”  “I know Bud, I know.” Everhard answered.  Everyone took a seat and buckled in.  The crew chief signaled the pilot and then shut the large side bay door.  The large jet began to taxi out to the runway.

 

Scene 6

            The big jet’s landing gear wheels barked as they touched down at Baghdad’s International airport.  Five minutes later, the big jet’s tail section door was raised and ground crewmen began unloading equipment.  Everhard, Chaple, Magnum and their crew disembarked and blinked in the glare of the noontime sun of Baghdad, Iraq.  A humvee pulled up and a man dressed in desert camouflaged fatigues hopped out and came to greet the men.  “Hello gentlemen, I’m Ron Snider.  I’m Greerson Oil’s onsight manager of facilities here.”  The men shook hands.  “I need to brief you on the current situation.  If you will come with me,” Ron Snider said.  “My men will take your crew to their temporary quarters here at the airfield and let them settle in while I brief you.”  Chaple shot a quizzical look at Everhard.  Everhard answered his query with a non-verbal head nod that said, “Not now, we’ll wait and hear what this guy has to say.”  The two partners had gotten very good at nonverbal communication over the past few years.   The men boarded the Humvee, which headed for the offices of Greerson Oil on the outskirts of Baghdad.

            “Ron, we’d like to get to the well sight complex as soon as possible.” Everhard told the man.  “That’s a bit of a problem right now Mr. Everhard,” the sight manager said, “You see, the well sight is being held by Iraqui rebels.” “Not a problem,” Bud Magnum stated flatly, “we’ll just take the damn place back!”  “They are very well entrenched there.  Our Marine Corps advisor wants to negotiate with them.” Snider said.  “Hey Boss, Let’s scope it out, form an invasion plan,” Magnum said.  Everhard nodded approval.  “Alright, but It’s your funerals.  The company cannot take any respon….” Everhard cut off the sight manager in mid sentence and said, “It’s why we’re here.  It’s what Rig’s paying us for. Now, if you’ll just provide us with vehicles and a couple of drivers, we’ll be about our business.”  Thirty minutes later, Everhrd’s entire crew was mobilized, heavily armed and well equipped for battle as they headed for the well sight complex.

 

Scene 7

            When last we checked with our heroes, they were waiting at the airport aboard a cargo jet loaded to the gills with weapons and ordinance, warmed up and ready to fly to Iraq. But, who were our heroes waiting for?  None other than Bud Magnum, international soldier of fortune and legendary mercenary, who would lead his group of mercenaries into whatever trouble awaited them in  Iraq..  Just when the plane began to taxi away, A black and chrome Harley chopper roared onto the tarmac with the aforementioned Mr. Magnum and his main squeeze, the beautiful and incredibly sexy Ms. Donna Vadelle aboard.  Magnum deeply kissed her goodbye and jumped into the cargo bay door of the airplane.  The voluptuous Ms. Vadelle, wearing motorcycle leathers (and absolutely nothing else) waved goodbye and sternly warned Everhard and Chaple that “they had better bring him back alive!” or they  would have to deal with her.  With that, the gorgeous blonde tore away on the big Harley.  Our two heroes knew the threat was real.

            After the team landed in Baghdad, the local rep for Greerson Oil told them that a group of Iraqi insurgents had occupied the Greerson oil field compound and were so well armed and entrenched that the local marine commander was advising negotiation as his preferred course of action.  Everhard’s  team decided to take the Compound back,  thus sending a clear message to both the Iraqi insurgents and the Marine commander.  “Negotiation??!! Why those pussies!”, Magnum had said.

            We rejoin our team in the late afternoon as they crouch on a hill, high above the Greerson compound, sizing up the enemy’s strength and efficiency.

            “I can scale that south wall and place a couple of infrared fused claymores facing both barracks doors, and some C4 on the building.  That will take care of the troops in there. I see 6 armed sentries that our snipers can take out, and a few guys in the dining hall that we can pick off at will.  Piece of cake.” Said Bud Magnum.  “I’ll go with you Bud and help you carry the ordinance and cover you while you set the charges.” Everhard told him..”  As soon as it got dark, Everhard looked at Magnum and said,   “Let’s go,” and the two men picked up the equipment and edged over the top of the hill.  Chaple and the rest of the men took their starlight scope equipped M-16s and covered the two, just incase all hell broke loose before they were able to get the charges set..  Magnum and Everhard low crawled through the sand towards the south wall of the compound.

            At the south wall, Everhard watched Magnum toss a light rope with a nylon grappling hook over the wall.  It took three tosses, but at last the hook caught on something solid and with the speed and agility of a cat, Magnum was up the wall.  He carefully negotiated the razor wire at the top of the wall and was down on the ground, on the other side of the wall In a matter of seconds.  Next Everhard, scaled the wall using the rope and threw a cowhide blanket over the razor wire.  His assent had not been as quick or as athletic as had Magnum’s but “still not bad for a man approaching senior citizen status,” Everhard thought to himself. 

            Once atop the wall, Everhard lay across the leather blanket and drew a silenced Beretta from his shoulder holster.  From this vantage point he could watch Magnum’s back as he went about his deadly duties.

            Bud Magnum silently sprinted the fifty or so yards from the wall to the barracks and crouched in the shadows against the barracks.  Inside, he could hear men laughing and talking in Arabic.  He cautiously peeked into the barracks window and saw ten or twelve men crowded around a bunk, watching four others play some sort of card game.  Three other soldiers were sleeping in their bunks. The reek of Iraqi tobacco made Magnum wrinkle his nose as he began silently setting the infrared fused Claymore mines.  He put two of the deadly mines at each end of the barracks facing the doors.  He made sure that there was a clear line of sight from the Claymores to the hilltop where his team waited so that the mines could be detonated by laser light remote control.  Next, the legendary mercenary wired more remote fuses to a roll of plastique explosive which Magnum attached to the eve of the building.  When all of the ordinance had been set.  Magnum turned to go back the place where he had come over the wall when he heard footsteps coming his way.  Magnum looked and saw the darkest, shadowy area in his line of sight and hurried into it.  He pulled out his razor sharp survival knife and waited for the approaching person to come into view.

 

Scene 8

            (Last time):    When the ordinance had all been set.  Magnum turned to go back to the place where he had come over the wall.  Suddenly he heard footsteps coming his way.  Magnum looked and saw the darkest, shadowy area in his line of sight and hurried into it.  He pulled out his razor sharp survival knife and waited for the approaching person to come into view. 

            Magnum’s wait was very brief.  An Iraqi sentry was walking unhurriedly towards his position on the sidewalk.  “Had he heard me?  Can he see me?”  Magnun silently asked himself a dozen questions while the sentry walked towards him.  Magnum got on his haunches and was prepared to spring on the sentry’s back and silently slit his throat as he came closer, a maneuver he had successfully accomplished at least one hundred times during his long and legendary career.  “Just three more steps,” Magnum thought as he watched the sentry get so close that Magnum could smell the reek of the Iraqi cigarette that hung from the soldier’s lip.  “One more step,” Magnum thought, his hamstring muscles taught and ready.  Suddenly Magnum heard a faint pop.  The approaching Iraqi sentry stumbled and then fell towards Magnum’s position.  Magnum jumped and caught the sentry, simultaneously sliding the deadly Marine Kabar knife between the soldier’s ribs and into his heart...  Magnum silently lay the sentry down and pulled the body into the shadows.  Apparently, the man had been dead when Magnum stabbed him; a neat bullet hole was oozing blood in the back of the man’s head.  “Good work Everhard,” Magnum said to himself.  Then he watched and waited silently to be sure that no one else had heard the “pop.”  The men in the barracks were still laughing and shouting happily, seemingly unaware that anything unusual had taken place.  Magnum swiftly and silently made for the wall.

            Everhard was watching as the sentry approach Magnum’s position; he steadied the small pistol and took careful aim at the back of the bare headed sentry.  The resulting “pop” from the berretta sounded to Everhard like an artillery attack in the still quiet night air, as he nervously watched the soldiers in the barracks and the other sentries.  “No one heard a thing!” Everhard whispered hoarsely to himself.  “Shoulda worn your helmet troop.”  Everhard said to himself thinking about the sentry he had just killed.  Then like a silent streak, Magnum was up and over the wall next to him and onto the ground below Everhard.  Everhard climbed down the rope and joined the Mercenary...  “Jesus, you’re fast,” Everhard told him.  “Saw no need in hanging around.  Now let’s get out of here.” Magnum answered.  The men silently returned to their waiting team members.  Once back in position above the Greerson Complex, Magnum made hand gestures to the rest of his men, who immediately took positions with their sniper rifles.  “Ready?” Magnum asked Everhard and Chaple.  “Ready,” Everhard answered and picked up an M-16.  Magnum signaled his men who immediately fired one shot each that was so perfectly timed that it sounded almost as if it were just one shot.  Chaple watched in astonishment as all five of the remaining sentries fell to the ground from perfectly placed “head shots”.  “Where the hell did he get these fricken guys?!” Chief Chaple (retired) whistled.  The shot(s), this time, were heard by the other soldiers, who hurriedly grabbed their AK-47s and helmets and ran for the barracks doors.  Magnum merely pointed a pistol looking gadget at the complex and triggered the remotely fused Claymores...  There were two thunderous explosions at either door of the barracks, which brought most of the Iraqis down.  Then Magnum triggered the Plastique explosive which erupted and brought the roof down on the barracks.  The night sky was now a brilliant red as the former barracks burned.  “We’d better go put all that out before the compound goes up like a Roman candle.”  Magnum told his men, and with that he and his men stormed the complex to make sure all the enemy soldiers were dead and that the fire was out before it could spread to anything highly volatile.  Everhard and Chaple followed behind the extraordinary force.  “You know Jim, I think we got the right guys for this assignment.” Chaple said.  Everhard just smiled, his expression brightly lit by the burning building.

 

Scene 9

            (Last Time) In the 30 days since Everhard’s Security Force recaptured the Greerson Oil Complex almost effortlessly, in less than 30 minutes, they became the most talked about unit in Iraq.  They were feared by Iraqi Insurgents and highly respected by most Allied Forces.  It seems that the Complex which they had easily recaptured had been taken by and had been defended by Saddam’s former Republican Guard, the most elite opposition fighting force in Iraq.

            Everhard made several changes in the security operation.  First, the perimeter was moved out from the inner walls, 50 yards, 360 degrees around.  Since the single largest threat came from suicide bombers, absolutely no civilian vehicles or foot traffic was allowed within 50 yards of the complex walls for any reason..  Greerson trucks were thoroughly checked by explosive sniffing dogs before they were allowed entry.  Large signs printed in Arabic and English posted all around the facility warned that any unauthorized vehicles and consequently their occupants would be torn to smithereens by one of the many quad-fifty caliber machine guns mounted above the perimeter.  The sign further warned that ammunition used at this facility was routinely soaked in pig’s blood for the convenience of our Moslem visitors who had a wish to visit Hell.  A delegation of Moslem Clerics voiced their disapproval at this sacrilege and asked the local  Marine Corps Commandant to convey this message of outrage to Everhard and his troops.  The Commandant, who was considered a “wimp” by the Security Force was not allowed entry into the compound to deliver this or any other protest message.  He and his entourage were sent packing by the mercenary guards, to the great embarrassment of the Marine Corps General.

            Rig Greerson himself, the CEO and Chairman of Greerson Oil visited the complex to see the fine job that Everhard, Chaple and Magnum and their men had done securing the operation and getting it back up and running.  “I knew our military had taken too soft a stand in this country Everhard.” Greerson said, “Your boys have exerted the proper pressure here.  It’s exactly what was needed.  You boys have earned a sizeable bonus!” The multibillionaire handed each of the three men a check for $1 million dollars. and another million for Magnum’s men to split .Then Greerson shook the three men’s hands, accepted their

 sincere thanks and headed back to the airport in his armored Limo.

            “Holy Shit Everhard, what are we gonna do with all this green here in this hell hole?” Magnum exclaimed.  “Don’t know about you and Chaple,” Everhard said, “But I’m sending a plane for my favorite Doctor, I miss her a lot..”   “Great idea Everhard, Donna needs a vacation!”  With that thought in mind, the three adventurers headed into the air conditioned office to make a few phone calls.

 

Scene 10

            (Last time)  Rig Greerson himself, the CEO and Chairman of Greerson Oil visited the complex to see the fine job that Everhard, Chaple and Magnum and their men had done securing the operation and getting it back up and running.  “I knew our military had taken too soft a stand in this country Everhard.” Greerson said, “Your boys have exerted the proper pressure here.  It’s exactly what was needed.  You boys have earned a sizeable bonus!” The multibillionaire handed each of the three men a check for $1 million dollars. and another million for Magnum’s men to split .Then Greerson shook the three men’s hands, accepted their sincere thanks and headed back to the airport in his armored Limo.

            Everhard’s first thought after receiving the unexpected bonus was to send a plane for a certain Doctor friend of his and have her here for a week or weekend or whatever her schedule would allow.  Chief of Detectives (retired) Chaple’s thoughts were running in a similar direction, concerning a beautiful twin, Sharon Romberg.  Magnum was dreaming of having his best gal, the blonde bombshell, Donna Vadelle hop off a C-141 into his arms, if only for a week or weekend.  The three went back to the security office to make arrangements.

            In the office, the mail had arrived, Everhard found a letter hand addressed to him in a lovely script that he recognized as none other than that of Molly Waska M.D.  Chaple smiled as he watched his old friend open the letter from his current love.  Magnum had gone to make distribution of the bonus to his mercenaries.  Everhard read the letter:

 

My Dearest James,

            You have no idea how much I have missed you these past few weeks since you left for Iraq.  But your absence has made me take a long look at my life, my priorities and how I have been neglecting my practice.  James I love making love with you, you make me feel like a young, attractive woman again and its magic for me, but James I am so vulnerable to addictions as a recovering addict, I must call a stop to us.  You can make me a sex addict James, it’s not your fault, you have had hundreds of women, it’s like walking or talking to you, perfectly natural.  But not for me James.  I have only slept with one other man before you.  Please don’t hate me, I am just afraid that I am becoming addicted to what you do for me when we make love.  I cannot risk that James.  Be careful there in Iraq.  I’d like to see you when you return, but as your Physician, not your lover.

 

Sincerely,

Molly Waska M.D.

 

            Everhard put the letter down on the desk and stared out the window at nothing in particular.  “How’s the beautiful Doctor Jim?”  Chaple asked.  “She wrote me a Dear James letter Bill.  A fricking Dear James letter, Damn!”  Everhard angrily wadded up the letter and flung it at the waste basket, missing by a couple of feet. Chaple knew from experience that this was not the time to try and console his partner, so he just turned on his heel and went to his quarters.  Later, Chaple was explaining the situation to Bud Magnum.  “Well, I’m sorry about his love life, but I’m getting Donna over here right away!” Magnum stated in no uncertain terms.  “I understand that and I still intend to get Sharon Romberg on a Greerson Jet headed here as well if she’ll come.” Chaple said.  “I might be making a mistake, but I’m going to try a little surprise for Mr. James Everhard.”  Chaple told Magnum as he picked up the satellite telephone.

 

Scene 11

            For the past two days everyone had known to steer clear of James Everhard.  He was in a surley mood and absolutely no fun to be around.  He went about his daily duties of running the security operation at the Greerson Oil Complex without any of the horseplay and banter that usually took place whenever JE was involved in anything.  Finally, his old friend and partner Chief of Detectives (Retired) Bill Chaple cornered him in his office and said,” Jim, I know this thing about the Doctor is eating on you.  I understand, but you can’t go on like this.  Hell, everyone is afraid to talk to you.  You’re going to have to get over it!”  Everhard remained mum as he pretended to read a report.  “Sharon Romberg and Donna Vadelle are arriving today on the supply plane and I think you should come to the airport to greet them.  We are going to fly to Crete for the weekend and spend some time on the Mediterranean. Will you come with us?” Chaple asked.  Everhard looked up at his old friend smiled and said,  “Thanks partner but I wouldn’t be much fun tagging along, I’m sure neither you or Bud would be willing to share, would you?  “Hey, you’ve never had any trouble picking up on women anywhere in the world.  I’m sure there’s an island girl who’s fancy you could tickle.” Chaple said.  “No, you guys go ahead and have fun this weekend, but I will go to the airport to help you greet the lovely ladies”. Everhard told him.  “Good, lets go, the plane arrives in an hour.” Chaple said.  The two men got up to leave.  Outside, Magnum was waiting in a Humvee to take them to the airport.

            Later, at Baghdad International Airport, the three men watched the giant Greerson Oil C-141 Jet come to a stop on the tarmac.  They strode towards the big cargo door on the side of the aircraft as it whined and began to open.  When the doors came fully open Sharon Romberg, dressed in an Air Force flight suit and Donna Vadelle dressed in white hot pants and a red halter top were plainly visible.  Chaple helped Sharon down the steps from the cargo bay and walked her towards the Ops-office.  Donna Vadelle, on the other hand , jumped from the plane into Bud Magnum’s waiting arms and smothered him with deep, wet kisses.  Everhard waved a greeting to both women and watched the happy couples go inside.  “Hiya world traveler. It’s been a long time.”  A voice from inside the transport plane said, and Everhard looked up into the face of none other than Karen Romberg.  “What the hell?” a totally surprised James Everhard stammered.  “I couldn’t let my baby sister go flying around the world by herself, now could I?” The older twin asked.  “How much older are you, 5 minutes?” Everhard chuckled.  James helped Karen down the steps and then just stared at the beautiful woman for a moment.  “Why on earth did you come to this Hellhole?” Everhard asked.  “Why, to see you James.  You know, for such a sexy man you sure ask silly questions.” Karen laughed.  Karen took the initiative, stood on her tip toes, and kissed Everhard.  Everhard returned the kiss and a warm embrace.

 

Scene 12

            The three couples piled into the Greerson Oil Humvee.  Once inside, Everhard, always security conscious, insisted on the girls wearing flack jackets and helmets.  They protested a little, claiming that helmets would muss their hair and that the flack jackets hid their figures but Everhard would not hear any complaints.  The Romberg twins slipped on their desert beige colored flack jackets and helmets, while Donna Vadelle noticed that her jacket was red.  “What’s the red jacket about Everhard?” Donna inquired.  Everhard just grinned and said, “tradition, sweetheart,” and plopped a standard steel pot onto her head.

            As Magnum maneuvered the Humvee through the streets of Baghdad, Karen Romberg noted verbally, “It’s so much worse here than we see on television.  All the bombed out buildings, the torn up and twisted cars.  The sewage that is running in the streets.  How can these people stand the carnage and filth?”  “War is Hell.” Magnum replied from the driver’s seat, “Most of these people are just trying to survive from day to day.  Some of them are just trying to number our days.  It’s why we have to be careful.”  “Have we really made anything better for them?” Sharon Romberg asked.  “Yes, I think so”. Chapel replied, “ The insurgents keep attacking the amenities and the necessities like the electrical systems and the sewer and water, to break the people’s spirits and to convince them that things were better under Saddam.  However, their government has had its first Democratic elections and is slowly getting back on its feet.  Most of the citizens appreciate what America has done here.  You won’t see that on television though.”  Traffic ground to a halt as a stalled car somewhere ahead had the road blocked.  Everhard, Chaple and Magnum locked and loaded their weapons and motioned for the girls to get down on the floor of the vehicle.  “Can’t be too careful when something like this happens,” Everhard said.  Suddenly, automatic gunfire erupted and a cascade of bullets crashed into the side of their heavily armored Humvee.  “Ambush!” Magnum yelled as he accelerated the big vehicle over the curb and steered it down the sidewalk around stalled traffic.  Three insurgents on foot ran after the Humvee firing their AK-47s.  Bullets clanged off the Humvee’s armored plates.  Chaple raised up enough to level the sawed off Mossberg out the back window at the insurgents, now right behind them.  KABOOM, the shotgun roared and the top half of one of the insurgents was reduced to shards of bloody meat and gore. The lower half of the body continued running for a few steps before it realized that it was dead, and collapsed onto the street.  Everhard fired his M-16 on full automatic and emptied a clip of twenty rounds into the other two.  During this melee, Magnum’s driving never slowed down as he veered around cars, jumped curbs and successfully got them out of the trouble area.  “Damn Magnum, those NASCAR guys have absolutely nothing on you!  Thanks for getting us the hell out of there!” Everhard yelled over the racing engine.  “Thanks to you guys for sending those guys to Moslem hell!”  Magnum replied, never letting up on the accelerator until they had entered the gates of the Greerson Complex.  Only after the vehicle entered the safety of the complex and came to a complete stop, did the three lovely women, now a little disheveled looking, rise from the floor of the Humvee.  “Shit!” Donna Vadelle said, “what a fricking welcome!  I think I peeded my pants!”  The Romberg twins embraced each other, truly glad to be alive.  “Welcome to Iraq ladies” Everhard laughed, “Not actually one of the world’s top ten pleasure spots, but we’ll do our best to entertain you during your stay.”

 

Scene 13

            The three visiting ladies were shown to visitor’s quarters where they were able to clean up and relax after their very long flight and the unusual welcome that they had experienced upon their arrival.  The three girls were drying and styling their hair and chatting in their quarters.  “I’m not sure that James was glad to see me.”  Karen Romberg told the other two girls.  “You’re not. Why?” answered her sister.  “Well,  the last time we were together, he seemed a lot more, I don’t know, eager to be alone with me, you know?” Karen said.  “Trust me Karen; James is plenty glad to see you. He’s been a little bust you know and he was just a little caught off guard.  He likes to be in control, to know exactly what’s happening.  I know him very well”, Donna Vadelle grinned a somewhat wicked smile, and then added, Bud and Chaple sprung this on him as a surprise, he had no clue you would be on that plane.  It seems that the Lady Doctor that he had been seeing just dumped him.”  “What??”  The twins exclaimed in harmony.  “That’s right,” Donna continued, “She sent him a Dear John letter just last week.  Believe it or not, that big, beautiful man is pretty sensitive.  Bud told me that he thought James was devastated by it.”   “I can’t believe that any girl, once she became serious with James Everhard, would ever let him go!” Karen said.  Donna looked at her and said, “I’m told that she had her reasons Karen”, Donna then added, laying her hand on the twin’s shoulder.  “It’s up to you now to make him forget all about that lady Doctor back in the states.” Karen pondered that for a moment and then said, “I plan to Donna, I plan to.”

            In the Command Quarters, Everhard, Chaple and Magnum were reviewing the recent ambush and making general conversation over cold Coronas.  “Do you think they were particularly targeting us, or was it just a random hit?”  Chaple asked.  “Well, they knew the Humvee was a Greerson one, not U.S. Military,” Magnum said, “I think they were, however a bit surprised at just how well armored it was.  Only about half of the government’s Vee’s are even armored at all, and none to the extent that ours are. Chaple nodded and said, “Ole Rig Greerson knows how to equip his forces.  He could teach Dubbya a thing or two about that.  Hey, maybe he’ll run for office in 08”, Chaple added, grinning around his cigar.    “Naah, Rig would never stand for a demotion like that!  Everhard said, but seriously now, if the insurgent’s intent was to attack us in particular, they’ll be back with a vengeance.  I don’t like that with the girls currently in the compound.  Everhard told them grimly.  “You guys get them on a chopper tonight and fly to Crete.  I’ll stay here, just incase our friends return.  If all goes well,” Everhard told them, “I’ll join you in a week.”  “Jim, I know one 4 foot 10 inch package of dynamite that won’t like that at all,” Chaple said.  “She’ll just have to understand Bill; it’s just too dangerous here.  And you know that one of us has to be here.”  They knew he was right and they knew not to argue it further with Everhard.  :”Bill, you go fill them in, get them ready, and line up a chopper.  I want Magnum to help me check the perimeter defense and talk to our guys.  Now get after it!” Everhard ordered.

            At 9:00 PM, Everhard watched as the chopper with Chaple, Magnum, and the three girls aboard lifted off from the rooftop pad and banked off to the west, towards the Mediterranean.  What Everhard did not see however, was Karen Romberg hop off the chopper just before it became airborne and  duck into the  evening shadows.

 

Scene 14

            Last time:  At 9:00 PM, Everhard watched as the chopper with Chaple, Magnum, and the three girls aboard lifted off from the rooftop pad and banked off to the west, towards the Mediterranean.  What Everhard did not see however, was Karen Romberg hop off the chopper just before it became airborne and duck into the evening shadows.

            Karen sneaked through the shadows to Everhard’s quarters.  She quietly opened the door, but found the quarters empty.  Karen decided that James must be at the command office and would be back eventually.  She decided to plan a very pleasant surprise for him.  She quickly removed her clothes and slid, totally naked, into James’ neatly made bunk.  She’d wait there for him.  Everhard could never be too upset with her when he found her naked in his bed waiting for him.

            Meanwhile, in the chopper headed for Crete, Magnum and Chaple laughed and joked with Donna Vadelle and Sharon Romberg over their in helmet communications system. “Do you think Everhard will be angry with Karen for jumping ship and staying at the complex?” Donna asked the others.  “Probably, for a while,” mused Chaple, “But he’s never too punitive when he thinks with that other head.” added Magnum.  All four laughed.  “I hope she gets him thinking with that other head right away,” added Sharon Romberg.  They all agreed that this was probably the best strategy for Karen to employ.  Then the chopper banked and began to approach the Greek Island.  It was beautiful, even at night, a twinkling jewel, set in the dark Caribbean.

            When Everhard was satisfied with the electronic surveillance reception and with the alert attitude among the men on duty tonight, he told the shift leader, he was heading to his quarters, “Page me if there are any problems.” Everhard said.  The lead man nodded, and Everhard headed to his quarters for the night.  Everhard was aware that night attacks were not really the style of the Insurgents here in Iraq.  They usually employed Car bombs and suicide attacks because the Iraqi Insurgents were rarely a match for the American soldiers and Marines here in one on one combat.  The most effective of their tactics involved tricking some fanatical Moslem into becoming a “martyr” with his thoughts leaning towards an inexhaustible supply of virgins at his disposal in heaven, into blowing himself up to get to their target.  Even though we have lost thousands of troops here in Iraq, by far the largest number of casualties have been innocent civilians, because of the Insurgent’s terrorist tactics.  Everhard decided that if he were to get any sleep tonight he had to drop this line of thought.  As he walked to his quarters, he began to think about the beautiful, Karen Romberg.  In just a few days, they would be together.  He opened the door to his quarters.

 

Scene 15

            On the Psych Ward of the Veteran’s Hospital, Dr. Molly Waska finished her rounds and was making some notes in patient’s charts at the nurse’s station.  “Hiya Doc, How’s everything going?”  Toni Beltzly asked Dr. Waska, “Have you heard from James?”  Molly Waska looked up at her old friend and began to cry.  “Molly, Molly, what’s the matter?” fearing the worst, Toni jumped from her chair and embraced the Psychiatrist.  “Oh no, he isn’t dead is he?!” she asked beginning to cry herself.  “No, Toni, he’s alright physically,” The Doctor said.  Some foolish woman just crushed his heart, that’s all,” Molly said in a flood of tears.  The two women moved to the relative privacy of Molly Waska’s office to finish their conversation.  Once there, Molly told her old friend Toni everything that had happened and all about the “Dear James letter.”  “I was so stupid!” Molly said, “to run from him.  It was my senseless fear of a sex addiction Toni.  And I’m the damned Psychiatrist!  Physician heal thyself,” Molly uttered.  Toni listened, soaking it all in, she seemed to be forming a plan.  I think I’ll call his cell phone right now and beg him to forgive me, Molly said, still crying.  “No wait!”  Toni said, “I have a better idea!”

 

Scene 16

            After several hours of sun, sand and salt water from the pristine beach on the blue Mediterranean, Magnum and Donna Vadelle decided to head to their room.  They were craving a little privacy that, for the moment, was not available on the beach.  They waved goodbye to Chaple and Sharon Romberg who were sharing tall, strong, tropical drinks, garnished with wedges of fruit and took off in a dead run towards the hotel.  In the elevator, they kissed passionately and Bud had removed Donna’s bright red bikini top even before they had reached their floor.  The door finally opened on their floor and the amorous couple hurried to their room.  They passed a somewhat astonished gentleman from Spain who said to them; “Usted tiene un gran juego de la señora de pechos.”  The couple just smiled at him, not having a clue what he had said, hurriedly unlocked their room, and quickly disappeared inside. “I need a shower,” Donna told Magnum, “all this salt and sand has worked its way into some sensitive places.” Donna started the shower, pulled off the bright red bikini bottom and slid under the warm, cascading water.  Seconds later, a naked and obviously aroused Bud Magnum joined Ms. Vadelle in the sudsy, warm shower.  At the elevator, the Spanish gentleman, waiting for his car, said,” ¡Condene a americanos locos sexuales, ellos tienen el sexo con la frecuencia de conejos!

            Back at the beach, Sharon Romberg and Chief of Detectives (retired) Chaple looked dreamily into each others eyes and without a word, picked up their towels and also headed towards the luxurious hotel.  When the couple reached the Hotel lobby they stopped and embraced and engaged in a most passionate kiss.  At that very moment, the Spanish gentleman, who had observed Bud and Donna inside came down the hotel steps.  He stared at the amorous couple,  and said in amazement, “¡Madre Santa de Dios! ¡El hotel debe haber puesto un afrodisíaco en el vino!”

 

Scene 17

            Last time:  Karen sneaked through the shadows to Everhard’s quarters.  She quietly opened the door, but found the quarters empty.  Karen decided that James must be at the command office and would be back eventually.  She decided to plan a very pleasant surprise for him.  She quickly removed her clothes and slid, totally naked, into James’ neatly made bunk.  She’d wait there for him.  Everhard could never be too upset with her when he found her naked in his bed waiting for him.

            Everhard pushed the door to his quarters open and started to turn on the light when he noticed that someone or something was under the covers of his bunk.  Ever security conscious, Everhard retrieved his Beretta from his shoulder holster and crept towards the bunk.  At the foot of his bunk he jerked the blanket off the bed and shoved the Beretta into the figure under the covers.  Karen Romberg who had fallen fast asleep while waiting for Everhard, screamed at the intrusion.  The Beretta was precariously pointing at Ms. Romberg’s left nipple.  Karen, now somewhat composed, said flatly ,”You gonna shoot that thing off or what?” Everhard exhaled, obviously relieved and holstered the pistol.  “What the hell are you doing here?”  Everhard asked the stark naked woman.  “Well James, I’m naked, in your bed, you get the first two guesses.”  Karen retorted sarcastically.  Everhard stared down at the beautiful twin and for the first time tonight realized that she was, in fact, naked and ravishingly beautiful.  He took her in his arms and kissed her.  “Whatever the explanation,” Everhard said against her neck, “I’m very glad you’re here.” And began undressing.

            Half a world away, Dr. Molly Waska boarded a C-141 Supply jet at Tinker AFB.  After her things had been hoisted aboard the aircraft, she gave the Loadmaster a “thumbs up” and strapped herself into the plane’s jump seat.  “Baghdad, 14 hours ” The crew chief said to their single, on-board passenger.  Molly smiled and relaxed into her seat.

 

Scene 18

            After an all night lovemaking session that completely exhausted both Karen Romberg and James Everhard, the amorous couple fell soundly asleep in each other’s arms.  At about 3 PM, some 14 hours after first hitting the sack, Everhard’s cell phone chimed.  Everhard, awoke immediately and answered; “Everhard here.”  He listened intently to his lead man on the other end and then said, “I’ll be right there.”  Karen dreamily awoke, smiled and said, “where are you off to ?  I had big plans for our day!”  “It’s our supply plane.  They unloaded it onto a couple of Greerson trucks and the trucks were hijacked on their way here.” Everhard replied.  “But James, isn’t that a rather regular occurrence? Karen asked.  “Yes, unfortunately it happens a lot, but this one’s different,” James said and seemed very grave.  “There was one manifested passenger that was also taken; Dr. Molly Waska.”

 

Scene 19

            Last Time:  After an all night lovemaking session that completely exhausted both Karen Romberg and James Everhard, the amorous couple fell soundly asleep in each other’s arms.  At about 3PM, some 14 hours after first hitting the sack, Everhard’s cell hone chimed.  Everhard awoke immediately and answered, “Everhard”   He listened intently to his lead man on the other end of the call and then said, “I’ll be right there!”  Karen dreamily awoke and found Everhard dressing hurriedly.  She smiled, stretched and said, “God, James you really know how to wear a girl out!”  When she noticed the urgency on his face, she asked, “What’s happened James?” He answered, “It’s the supply plane Karen.  They unloaded it onto a couple of Greerson trucks and the trucks.were hijacked on their way here”.  Karen looked puzzled and added, “But James, I thought that happened quite often.”  Unfortunately, It does.,” Everhard told her, “but this one’s different.  There was one manifested passenger that was also taken, Dr. Molly Waska!”

            Everhard dialed Chaple’s number into his cell phone.  “Chaple,” was the almost instantaneous response.  “Where are you Bill?” Everhard asked.  “Onboard the chopper, on our way back from Crete Jim.  Why?  What’s happened?”  Chief of Detectives (retired) Bill Chaple asked.  Everhard quickly briefed Chaple and told him, “We’ll fuel up the chopper when you get here and use it to get to our objective Bill”. “Okay, Jim, we’re about ten minutes out now.”

            Everhard strapped on his shoulder holster, his ankle holster, grabbed his M-16 and his combat gear, several clips of ammunition, kissed Karen goodbye and was gone in a matter of minutes.

            When the chopper landed on the helipad, Everhard was waiting with a fuel truck  to refuel the chopper.  He also had collected the men’s combat gear and weapons and ammo of choice.  The chopper, itself armed with a fifty caliber machine gun and air to air and air to ground missiles, was on the ground only ten minutes before it was fueled, the girls, who tearfully kissed their men goodbye, were offloaded, before the deadly, three man strike team was again airborne and enroute to their objective.  Everhard piloted the chopper while the other two dressed and checked their weapons.  He headed due west to the Baghdad open air market.

 

Scene 20

            Last Time:  “Where to?”  Magnum, who was flying the chopper asked?  “The public market, Bud, put down just east of the open air market in that bombed out flat area.” Everhard answered.  “Will do,” Magnum said and headed east to the Baghdad public market.

            When the chopper sat down, Everhard and Chaple jumped out and signaled that they would be right back.  Magnum nodded and killed the big turbine engine, he watched as Everhard and Chaple disappeared into the public marketplace.  Moments later, the two adventurers reappeared with two Iraqi men in tow.  The two Iraqi men were infamous black marketers who sold mostly stolen American supplies, at the market.  Everhard and Chaple hustled them aboard the chopper at gunpoint and Everhard signaled for Magnum to take off.  At about 2000 feet altitude, Everhard began questioning the men in broken Arabic.  Magnum grinned, knowing exactly what Everhard was up to, and hovered the helicopter.  “Where is the American female Doctor being held?” Everhard asked in Arabic. Neither man said anything.  Everhard repeated the demand.  One of the men spat back a curse and said something to the affect of, “I wouldn’t tell you stinking Americans anything!”  Everhard grabbed the man, hoisted him powerfully above his head and threw him screaming and flailing his arms out of the open side of the helicopter.  All four men aboard the helicopter watched as the man plummeted, screaming to his death.  Then Everhard grabbed the other Iraqi and hoisted him over his head.  The Iraqi man screamed in English, “I will tell you what you want to know, please don’t kill me!”  Everhard hung the man precariously outside the door for just a moment before bringing him back inside the aircraft.  The man was babbling so fast in English that they had to tell him to slow down.  The shaking man sobbed and told them exactly where to find Dr. Molly Waska, how many guards were watching her and that she had not, as yet, been harmed.  Magnum flew back to the marketplace and hoved about twenty feet above the ground.  Everhard kicked the Iraqi black marketeer out of the chopper.  He landed painfully on his face.  The chooper flew eastward.

 

Scene 21

            Magnum flew the chopper east to a small farming village about 20 minutes away.  They didn’t circle the barn where Dr. Waska was being held. for fear of alerting the guards.  Iraqis were used to American helicopters flying overhead, but one circling directly overhead might just spook the guards.  Magnum found a place to land about a half mile away from the barn.  The three men made a final check of their armaments and hurried back to a field surrounding the barn. Hiding in the tall grass, Everhard, Magnum and Chaple studied the barn.  There were three armed guards standing outside the closed barn door laughing and joking.  Carefully the trio edged closer and closer.  Occasionally, two of the guards would leave the front of the barn and walk around the sides of the old building. checking for intruders.  Everhard and his two friends quickly agreed on a plan.  Magnum low crawled quickly to within 15 feet of the solitary guard left in front of the barn. The guard turned his back, shielding his match from the wind to light a cigarette.  Like a cat, Magnum pounced on him.  He neatly slit the man’s throat with his kabar knife and muffled his screams with his hand.  Then as the two guards approached from either side of the barn, Everhard squeezed off two silenced shots with his beretta. Both men fell, clean headshots had killed them both instantly.  The three men crept to the large door and stopped and listened.  They heard nothing.  Magnum and Everhard slowly pulled the old door open.  Chapel had agreed to cover them from an outside window.   When the door slowly creaked opened, a flood of sunlight entered the dark barn.  The solitary guard inside jumped up and grabbed Molly by her hair.  “Do not move any closer or I will slit this infidel’s throat!”‘  He yelled in heavily accented English.  He held a large, curved semitar, or ceremonial sword to Molly’s throat.  Molly’s mouth had been taped with duct tape and she had been stripped to the waist.  Her face was a mass of bruises and cuts, it was apparent she had been at least beaten and perhaps much worse.  “Drop your weapons or the woman will die!” the Iraqi yelled, “Do it now!”  Everhard and Magnum dropped their weapons.  Outside, Chapel was aiming his trusty Mossburg but was unable to fire, because the Iraqi had his head right next to the Doctor’s and a shot was just too risky.  He waited and watched with his finger on the Mossburg’s trigger.  “You know asshole, if you kill her you will die a second or two later.” Everhard said.  “Ah”, the Iraqi said, “but I will enter the kingdom of heaven where Ala will provide me with virgins and I will become a martyr!”  “No, dip shit, you’ll just be dead.” Magnum replied. Suddenly, Molly jammed her booted foot into her captor’s foot with all of her might.  The man howled in pain and jumped aside, after a second or two he swung the huge sword at Molly’s creamy white neck.  KABOOM, the Mossburg exploded through the barn’s window and the sword, along with the Iraqi’s right arm and shoulder were reduced to tiny pieces.  Chapel had loaded a 12 gage slug into his shotgun and his shot was effective and true.  The Iraqi was knocked back and was screaming in pain.  Everhard and Magnum both dove for their weapons and came up firing.  Seconds later, the Iraqi’s screams ceased.  The men hurried to Molly and untaped her mouth and untied her hands.  Everhard found her tattered blouse and covered her bare breasts with it.  “Oh James,” Molly sighed, “I’m so glad to see you,” and she covered his mouth with hers and embraced him tightly.  “Thank you guys, you saved my life.”

           They helped Molly to the waiting chopper and flew her back to the Greerson compound where the company doctor checked her over and cleaned and dressed her wounds.  There were no serious injuries and she said that she thought the four men were going to take turns raping her but that her rescuers had gotten there just in the nick of time.  Molly then retired to the guest’s quarters where she showered and collapsed into bed and slept for hours.