C9

　　CHAPTER9

　　Labor

　　Itwasalmostgrimtowatch,Sandythought.Thestrangethingwasthathewasbeingagoodpatient.Hedidn‘twhine.Hedidn‘tbitch.Hedidjustwhattheytoldhimtodo.Therewasastreakofthesadistinallphysicaltherapists.Therehadtobe,sincethejobmeantpushingpeoplealittlefurtherthantheywantedtogo-justasanathleticcoachwoulddo-andtheultimateaimwastohelp,afterall.Evenso,agoodtherapisthadtopushthepatient,encouragetheweak,andbrowbeatthestrong;tocajoleandtoshame,allinthenameofhealth;thatmeanttakingsatisfactionfromtheexertionandpainofothers,andO‘Toolecouldnothavedonethat.ButKelly,shesaw,wouldhavenoneofit.Hedidwhatwasexpected,andwhenthetherapistaskedformore,morewasdelivered,andon,andon,untilthetherapistwaspushedbeyondthepointofprideintheresultofhiseffortsandbegantoworry.

　　‘Youcaneaseoffnow,‘headvised.

　　‘Why?‘Kellyaskedsomewhatbreathlessly.‘Yourheartrateisone-ninety-five.‘Andhadbeenthereforfiveminutes.

　　‘What‘stherecord?‘

　　‘Zero,‘thetherapistrepliedwithoutasmile.Thatearnedhimalaugh,andalook,andKellyslowedhispaceonthestationarybike,easinghimselfdownoveraperiodoftwominutestoareluctantstop.

　　‘I‘vecometotakehimback,‘OTooleannounced.

　　‘Good,dothatbeforehebreakssomething.‘

　　Kellygotoffandtoweledhisface,gladtoseethatshehadn‘tbroughtawheelchairorsomethingsimilarlyinsulting.‘TowhatdoIowethishonor,ma‘am?‘

　　‘I‘msupposedtokeepaneyeonyou,‘Sandyreplied.‘Tryingtoshowushowtoughyouare?‘

　　Kellyhadbeenatouchlighthearted,butturnedserious.‘MrsO‘Toole,I‘msupposedtogetmymindoffmytroubles,right?Exercisedoesthatforme.Ican‘trunwithonearmtiedup,Ican‘tdopush-ups,andIcan‘tliftweights.Icanrideabike.Okay?‘

　　‘Youhavemethere.Okay.‘Shepointedtothedoor.Outinthebustlinganonymityofthecorridor,shesaid,‘I‘mverysorryaboutyourfriend.‘

　　‘Thankyou,ma‘am.‘Heturnedhishead,slightlydizzyfromtheexertion,astheywalkedalonginthecrowd.‘Wehaveritualsinuniform.Thebugle,theflag,theguyswithrifles.Itworksfairlywellforthemen.Ithelpsyoutobelievethatitallmeantsomething.Itstillhurts,butit‘saformalwaytosaygoodbye.Welearnedtodealwithit.Butwhathappenedtoyouisdifferent,andwhatjusthappenedtomeisdifferent.Sowhatdidyoudo?Getmoreinvolvedinwork?‘

　　‘Ifinishedmymasters.I‘manurse-practitioner.Iteach.Iworryaboutpatients.‘Andthatwasherwholelifenow.

　　‘Well,youdon‘thavetoworryaboutme,okay?Iknowmylimits.‘

　　‘Wherearethelimits?‘

　　‘Alongwayoff,‘Kellysaidwiththebeginningsofasmilethathequicklyextinguished.‘HowamIdoing?‘

　　‘Verywell.‘

　　Ithadn‘tgoneallthatsmoothly,andbothknewit.DonaldMaddenhadflowntoBaltimoretoclaimthebodyofhisdaughterfromthecoroner‘soffice,leavinghiswifehome,nevermeetingwithanyonedespitepleasfromSarahRosen.Hewasn‘tinterestedintalkingtoafornicator,themanhadsaidoverthephone,aremarkthatSandyknewaboutbutwhichneithermedichadpassedon.Thesurgeonhadfilledherinonthebackgroundofthegirl,anditwasmerelyafinalsadchaptertoabriefandsadlife,somethingthepatientdidn‘tneedtoknow.Kellyhadaskedaboutfuneralarrangements,andbothhadtoldhimthathewouldbeunabletoleavethehospitalinanycase.Kellyhadacceptedthatinsilence,surprisingthenurse.

　　Hisleftshoulderwasstillimmobilized,andtherehadtobepain,thenurseknew.Sheandotherscouldseetheoccasionalwince,especiallyclosetothetimeforanewpainmedication,butKellywasn‘tthetypetocomplain.Evennow,stillbreathinghardfromamurderousthirtyminutesonthebike,hewasmakingquiteapointofwalkingasrapidlyashecould,coolinghimselfdownlikeatrainedathlete.

　　‘Whythebigshow?‘sheasked.

　　‘Idon‘tknow.Doestherehavetobeareasonforeverything?It‘sthewayIam,Sandy.‘

　　‘Well,yourlegsarelongerthanmine.Slowdown,okay?‘

　　‘Sure.‘Kellyeasedoffhispaceastheyreachedtheelevator.‘Howmanygirlsarethere-likePamImean?‘

　　‘Toomany.‘Shedidn‘tknowthenumbers.Therewereenoughthattheywerenoticedasaclassofpatient,enoughthatyouknewtheywerethere.

　　‘Whohelpsthem?‘

　　Thenursepushedtheelevatorbutton.‘Nobody.They‘restartingupprogramsfordealingwiththedrughabits,buttherealproblems,theabusivebackgroundsandwhatcomesfromit-there‘sanewtermnow,&"behavioraldisorder.&"Ifyou‘reathief,thereareprograms.Ifyouabusekids,there‘saprogram,butgirlslikethatareoutcasts.Nobodydoesmuchofanything.Theonlypeoplewhodealwiththatarechurchgroups.Ifsomebodysaiditwasadisease,maybepeoplewouldpayattention.‘

　　‘Isitadisease?‘

　　‘John,I‘mnotadoctor,justanurse-practitioner,andit‘soutsidemyfieldanyway.Idopost-opcareforsurgicalpatients.Okay,wetalkoverlunch,andIknowalittle.It‘ssurprisinghowmanyofthemshowupdead.Drugoverdoses,accidentalordeliberate,whocansay?Ortheymeetthewrongpersonortheirpimpgetsalittletoorough,andtheyshowuphere,andtheirunderlyingmedicalproblemsdon‘thelpverymuch,andalotofthemjustdon‘tmakeit.Hepatitisfrombadneedles,pneumonia,addthattoamajorinjuryandit‘sadeadlycombination.Butisanybodygoingtodoanythingaboutit?‘O‘Toolelookeddownastheelevatorarrived.‘Youngpeoplearen‘tsupposedtodiethatway.‘

　　‘Yeah.‘Kellygesturedforhertogetintheelevatorfirst.

　　‘You‘rethepatient,‘sheobjected.

　　‘You‘rethelady,‘heinsisted.‘Sorry,it‘sthewayIwasraised.‘

　　Whoisthisguy?Sandyaskedherself.Shewasmanagingthecareofmorethanonepatient,ofcourse,buttheprofessorhadorderedher-well,notexactly,shetoldherself,buta‘suggestion‘fromDrRosencarriedalotofweight,especiallysinceshehadgreatrespectforhimasafriendandcounselor-tokeepaspecialeyeonhim.Itwasn‘tmatchmaking,asshe‘dinitiallysuspected.Hewasstilltoohurt-andsowasshe,thoughshewouldnotadmitit.Suchastrangeman.SolikeTiminmanyways,butmuchmoreguarded.Astrangemixtureofthegentleandtherough.Shehadn‘tforgottenwhatshehadseenthepreviousweek,butitwasgonenow,andneverahintofithadreturned.Hetreatedherwithrespectandgoodhumor,neveroncecommentingonherfigure,asmanypatientsdid(andtowhichshepretendedtoobject).Hewassounluckyandyetsopurposeful.Hisfuriouseffortinrehab.Hisoutwardtoughness.Howtoreconcilethatwithhisincongruousgoodmanners?

　　‘WhenwillIgetout?‘Kellyaskedinavoicethatwaslightbutnotlightenough.

　　‘Anotherweek,‘O‘Toolereplied,leadinghimofftheelevator.‘Tomorrowweunwrapyourarm.‘

　　‘Really?Samdidn‘ttellme.ThenIcanstartusingthearmagain?‘

　　‘It‘sgoingtohurtwhenyoudo,‘thenursewarned.

　　‘Hell,Sandy,ithurtsalready,‘Kellygrinned.‘Imightaswellgetsomeuseoutofthepain.‘

　　‘Laydown,‘thenurseordered.Beforehecouldobject,shehadathermometerinhismouthandwastakinghispulse.Thenshecheckedhisbloodpressure.Thenumberssheputonthechartwere98.4,64,and105/60.Thelasttwowereespeciallysurprising,shethought.Whateverelseshemightsayaboutthepatient,hewasrapidlygettinghimselfbackintoshape.Shewonderedwhattheurgencywas.

　　Onemoreweek,Kellythoughtaftersheleft.Gottogetthisdamnedarmworking.

　　‘Sowhathaveyoufoundoutforus?‘Maxwellasked.

　　‘Goodnewsandbadnews,‘Greerreplied.‘Thegoodnewsisthattheoppositionhasverylittleinthewayofregulargroundforceswithinresponsedistanceoftheobjective.WehaveID‘sthreebattalions.Twoaretrainingtogosouth.OnejustreturnedfromEyeCorps.It‘sprettybeat-up,intheprocessofreconstituting.TheusualTOandE.Notmuchinthewayofheavyweapons.Whatmechanizedformationstheyhavearewellawayfromhere.‘

　　‘Andthebadnews?‘AdmiralPodulskiasked.

　　‘DoIhavetotellyou?Enoughtriple-Aalongthecoasttoturntheskyblack.SA-2batterieshere,here,andprobablyhere,too.It‘sdangerousthereforfast-movers,Cas.Forhelicopters?Oneortworescuebirds,sure,it‘sdoable,butalargeliftwillberealdicey.WewentalloverthiswhenwescopedourKINGPIN,remember?‘

　　‘It‘sonlythirtymilesfromthebeach.‘

　　‘Fifteenortwentyminutesinahelo,flyinginastraightline,whichtheywillnotbeabletodo,Cas.Iwentoverthethreatmapsmyself.ThebestrouteIcanidentify-it‘syourarea,Cas,butIdoknowalittle,okay?-istwenty-fiveminutes,andIwouldn‘twanttoflyitindaylight.‘

　　‘Wecanuse-52stoblastacorridorthrough,‘Podulskisuggested.He‘dneverbeenthemostsubtlemanintheworld.

　　‘Ithoughtyouwantedtokeepthissmall,‘Greerobserved.‘Look,therealbadnewsisthatthereisn‘tmuchenthusiasmforthiskindofmissionanywhere.KINGPINfailed-‘

　　‘Thatwasn‘tourfault!‘Podulskiobjected.

　　‘Iknowthat,Cas,‘Greersaidpatiently.Podulskihadalwaysbeenapassionateadvocate.

　　‘Itoughttobedoable,‘Casgrowled.

　　Allthreemenhoveredoverthereconnaisancephotos.Itwasagoodcollection,twofromsatellites,twofromSR-71Blackbirds,andthreeveryrecentlow-obliquesfromBuffaloHunterdrones.Thecampwastwohundredmetressquare,anexactsquareinfact,undoubtedlyfittingexactlythediagraminsomeEastBlocmanualforbuildingsecurefacilities.Eachcornerhadaguardtower,eachofwhichwasexactlytenmetersinheight.EachtowerhadatinrooftokeeptherainofftheNVA-standard-issueRPDlightmachinegun,anobsoleteRussiandesign.Insidethewirewerethreelargebuildingsandtwosmallones.Insideoneofthelargebuildingswere,theybelieved,twentyAmericanofficers,alllieutenant-colonel/commanderrankorhigher,forthiswasaspecialcamp.

　　ItwastheBuffaloHunterphotosthathadfirstcometoGreer‘sattention.Onewasgoodenoughtohaveidentifiedaface,ColonelRobinZacharias,USAF.HisF-I05GWildWeaselhadbeenshotdowneightmonthsearlier;heandhisweapons-systemsoperatorhadbeenreportedkilledbytheNorthVietnamese.Evenapictureofhisbodyhadbeenpublished.Thiscamp,whosecodename,SENDERGREEN,wasknowntofewerthanfiftymenandwomen,wasseparatefromthebetter-knownHanoiHilton,whichhadbeenvisitedbyAmericancitizensandwhere,sincethespectacularbutunsuccessfulOperationKINGPINraidonthecampatSongTay,nearlyallAmericanPOWshadbeenconcentrated.Outoftheway,locatedinthemostunlikelyofplaces,notacknowledgedinanyway,SENDERGREENwasominous.Howeverthewarwouldturnout,Americawantedherpilotsback.Herewasaplacewhoseveryexistencesuggestedthatsomewouldneverbereturned.Astatisticalstudyoflosseshadshownanominousirregularity:flightofficersofrelativelyhighrankwerereportedkilledatahigherratethanthoseoflowerrank.Itwasknownthattheenemyhadgoodintelligencesources,manyofthemwithintheAmerican‘peace‘movement,thattheyhaddossiersonseniorAmericanofficers,whotheywere,whattheyknew,whatotherjobstheyhadheld.Itwaspossiblethatthoseofficerswerebeingheldinaspecialplace,thattheirknowledgewasbeingusedbyNorthVietnamasabargainingchipfordealingwiththeirRussiansponsors.Theprisoners‘knowledgeinareasofspecialstrategicinterestwasbeingtraded-maybe-forcontinuingsupportfromasponsornationthatwaslosinginterestinthislengthywar,withthenewatmosphereofdetente.Somanygamesweregoingon.

　　‘Gutsy,‘Maxwellbreathed.Thethreeblowupsshowedtheman‘sface,eachonestaringstraightatthecamera.Thelastofthethreecaughtoneofhisguardsintheactofswingingariflebuttintohisback.Thefacewasclear.ItwasZacharias.

　　‘ThisguyisRussian,‘CasimirPodulskisaid,tappingthedronephotos.Theuniformwasunmistakable.

　　TheyknewwhatCaswasthinking.ThesonofPoland‘sone-timeambassadortoWashington,byheredityacountandscionofafamilythathadoncefoughtatthesideofKingJohnSobieski,hisfamilyhadbeenextinguishedononesideofthedemarcationlinebytheNazisalongwiththerestofthePolishnobilityandontheotherbytheRussiansinKatynForest,wheretwobrothershadbeenmurderedafterfightingabriefandfutiletwo-frontwar.In1941,thedayaftergraduatingPrincetonUniversity,PodulskihadjoinedtheUSNavyasanaviator,adoptinganewcountryandanewprofession,bothofwhichhehadservedwithprideandskill.Andrage.Thatwasnowallthemoreintensebecausesoonhewouldbeforcedtoretire.Greercouldseethereason.Hissurprisinglydelicatehandsweregnarledwitharthritis.Tryashemighttoconcealit,hisnextphysicalwoulddown-checkhimforgood,andCaswouldfaceretirementwithmemoriesofadeadsonandawifeonantidepressantmedications,afteracareerhewouldprobablydeemafailuredespitehismedalsandpersonalflag.

　　‘We‘vegottofindaway,‘Podulskisaid.‘Ifwedon‘t,we‘llneverseethesemenagain.Youknowwhomightbethere,Dutch?PeteFrancis,HankOsborne.‘

　　‘PeteworkedformewhenIhadEnterprise,‘Maxwellacknowledged.BothmenlookedatGreer.

　　‘Iconcurinthenatureofthecamp.Ihadmydoubts.Zacharias,Francis,andOsborneareallnamesthey‘dbeinterestedin.‘TheAirForceofficerhadspentatouratOmaha,partofthejoint-targetingstaffthatselectedthedestinationsforstrategicweapons,andhisknowledgeofAmerica‘smostsecretwarplanswasencyclopedic.Thetwonavalofficershadsimilarlyimportantinformation,andwhileeachmightbebrave,anddedicated,andobstinatelydeterminedtodeny,conceal,anddisguise,theyweremerelymen,andmenhadlimits;andtheenemyhadtime.‘Look,ifyouwant,Icantrytoselltheideatosomepeople,butI‘mnotveryhopeful.‘

　　‘Ifwedon‘t,we‘rebreakingfaithwithourpeople!‘Podulskislammedhisfistonthedesk.ButCashadanagenda,too.Discoveryofthiscamp,rescueofitsprisoners,wouldmakeitexplicitlyclearthatNorthVietnamhadpubliclylied.ThatmightpoisonthepeacetalksenoughtoforceNixontoadoptyetanotheroptionalplanbeingdrawnupbyalargerPentagonworkinggroup:theinvasionoftheNorth.ItwouldbethatmostAmericanofmilitaryoperations,acombined-armsassault,withoutprecedentforitsdaring,scope,andpotentialdangers:anairbornedropdirectlyintoHanoi,adivisionofmarineshittingthebeachesonbothsidesofHaiphong,air-mobileassaultsinthemiddle,supportedbyeverythingAmericacouldbringtobearinone,massive,crushing,attempttobreaktheNorthbycaptureofitspoliticalleadership.Thatplan,whosecovernamechangedonamonthlybasis-currentlyitwasCERTAINCORNET-wastheHolyGrailofvengeanceforalltheprofessionalswhohadforsixyearswatchedtheircountryblunderaboutinindecisionandtheprofligatewasteofAmerica‘schildren.

　　‘Don‘tyouthinkIknowthat?OsborneworkedformeatSuitland.Iwentwiththechaplainwhenhedeliveredthefuckingtelegram,okay?I‘monyourside,remember?‘

　　UnlikeCasandDutch,GreerknewthatCERTAINCORNETwouldneverbemorethanastaffstudy.Itjustcouldn‘thappen,notwithoutbriefingCongress,andCongresshadtoomanyleaksApossibilityin1966or‘67,maybeevenaslateas1968,suchanoperationwasunthinkablenow.ButSENDERGREENwasstillthere,andthismissionwaspossible,just.

　　‘Cooldown,Cas,‘Maxwellsuggested.

　　‘Yes,sir.‘

　　Greershiftedhisgazetothereliefmap.‘Youknow,youairedaleskindoflimityourthinking.‘

　　‘Whatdoyoumean?‘Maxwellasked.

　　Greerpointedtoaredlinethatranfromacoastaltownneatlytothecamp‘smaingate.Ontheoverheadphotositlookedlikeagoodroad,black-topped,andall.‘Thereactionforcesarehere,here,andhere.Theroad‘shere,followstherivermostofthewayup.Thereareflakbatteriesallovertheplace,theroadsupportsthem,but,youknow,triple-Aisn‘tdangeroustotherightsortofequipment.‘

　　‘That‘saninvasion,‘Podulskiobserved.

　　‘Andsendingintwocompaniesofair-mobiletroopsisn‘t?‘

　　‘I‘vealwayssaidyouweresmart,James,‘Maxwellsaid.‘Youknow,thisisrightwheremysonwasshotdown.ThatSEALwentinandrecoveredhimrightabouthere,‘theAdmiralsaid,tappingthemap.

　　‘Somebodywhoknowstheareafromgroundlevel?‘Greerasked.‘That‘shelp.Whereishe?‘

　　‘Hi,Sarah.‘Kellywavedhertothechair.Shelookedolder,hethought.

　　‘Thisismythirdtime,John.Youwereasleeptheothertwo.‘

　　‘I‘vebeendoingalotofthat.It‘sokay,‘heassuredher.‘Sam‘sinhereacoupletimesaday.‘Hewasalreadyuncomfortable.Thehardestpartwasfacingfriends,Kellytoldhimself.

　　‘Well,we‘vebeenbusyinthelab.‘Sarahspokerapidly.‘John,IneededtotellyouhowsorryIamthatIaskedyoutocomeintotown.Icouldhavesentyousomewhereelse.Shedidn‘tneedtoseeMadge.There‘saguyIknowinAnnapolis,perfectlygoodpractitioner‘Hervoicestumbledon

　　Somuchguilt,Kellythought.‘Noneofthiswasyourfault,Sarah,‘hesaidwhenshestoppedtalking.‘YouwereagoodfriendtoPam.Ifhermomhadbeenlikeyou,maybe-‘

　　Itwasalmostasthoughshehadn‘theardhim.‘Ishouldhavegivenyoualaterdate.Ifthetiminghadbeenalittledifferent-‘

　　Shewasrightonthatpart,Kellythought.Thevariables.Whatif?Whatifhe‘dselectedadifferentblocktobeparkedon?WhatifBillyhadneverspottedhim?WhatifIhadn‘tmovedatallandletthebastardjustgoonhisway?Adifferentday,adifferentweek?Whatifalotofthings.Thepasthappenedbecauseahundredlittlerandomthingshadtofallexactlyintoplaceinexactlytherightway,inexactlythepropersequence,andwhileitwaseasytoacceptthegoodresults,onecouldonlyrageatthebadones.Whatifhe‘dtakenadifferentroutefromthefoodwarehouse?Whatifhe‘dnotspottedPamatthesideoftheroadandneverpickedherup?Whatifhe‘dneverspottedthepills?Whatifhehadn‘tcared,orwhatifhe‘dbeensooutragedthathehadabandonedher?Wouldshebealivenow?Ifherfatherhadbeenalittlemoreunderstanding,andshe‘dneverrunaway,theywouldneverhavemet.Wasthatgoodorbad?

　　Andifallthatweretrue,thenwhatdidmatter?Waseverythingarandomaccident?Theproblemwasthatyoucouldn‘ttell.MaybeifhewereGodlookingdownoneverythingfromabove,maybethenitwouldfitsomepattern,butfromtheinsideitmerelywas,Kellythought,andyoudidthebestyoucould,andtriedtolearnfromyourmistakesforwhenthenextrandomeventhappenedtoyou.Butdidthatmakesense?Hell,didanythingreallymakesense?ThatwasfartoocomplexaquestionforaformerNavychieflyinginahospitalbed.

　　‘Sarah,noneofthisisyourfault.Youhelpedherinthebestwayyoucould.Howcouldyouchangethat?‘

　　‘Damnit,Kelly,wehadhersaved!‘

　　‘Iknow.AndIbroughtherhere,andIgotcareless,notyou.Sarah,everyonetellsmeit‘snotmyfault,andthenyoucomeinhereandtellmeit‘syours.‘Thegrimacewasalmostasmile.‘Thiscanbeveryconfusing,exceptforonething.‘

　　‘Itwasn‘tanaccident,wasit?‘Sarahnoted.

　　‘No,itwasn‘t.‘

　　‘Thereheis,‘Orezasaidquietly;keepinghisbinocularsonthedistantspeck.‘Justlikeyousaid.‘

　　‘Cometopapa,‘thepolicemanbreathedinthedarkness.

　　Itwasjustahappycoincidence,theofficertoldhimself.ThepeopleinquestionownedacornfarminDorchesterCounty,butbetweenthecorn-rowsweremarijuanaplants.Simple,asthesayingwent,buteffective.Withafarmcamebarnsandoutbuildings,andprivacy.Beingcleverpeople,theydidn‘twanttodrivetheirproductacrosstheBayBridgeintheirpickuptruck,wherethesummertrafficwasunpredictablyinterrupted,andbesides,asharp-eyedtolltakerhadhelpedtheStatePolicemakeabustonlyamonthbefore.Theywerecarefulenoughtobecomeapotentialthreattohisfriend.Thathadtobestopped.

　　Sotheyusedaboat.Thisheaven-sentcoincidencegavetheCoastGuardthechancetoparticipateinabustandthustoraisehisstatureintheireyes.Itcouldn‘thurt,afterhe‘dusedthemasthestalkinghorsetohelpgetAngeloVoranokilled,LieutenantCharonthought,smilinginthewheelhouse.

　　‘Take‘emnow?‘Orezaasked.

　　‘Yes.Thepeoplethey‘redeliveringtoareunderourcontrol.Don‘ttellanybodythat,‘headded.‘Wedon‘twanttocompromisethem.‘

　　‘Yougotit.‘Thequartermasteradvancedhisthrottlesandturnedthewheeltostarboard.‘Let‘swakeup,people,‘hetoldhiscrew.

　　Theforty-one-boatsquattedatthestemwiththeincreasedpower.Therumbleofthedieselswasintoxicatingtotheboat‘scommander.Thesmallsteelwheelvibratedinhishandsashesteadieduponhisnewcourse.Thefunnypartwasthatitwouldcomeasasurprisetothem.AlthoughtheCoastGuardwastheprincipallaw-enforcementagencyonthewater,theirmainactivityhadalwaysbeensearchandrescue,andthewordhadn‘tquitegottenoutyet.Which,Orezatoldhimself,wasjusttoogoddamnedbad.He‘dfoundafewcoastguardsmensmokingpotinthepastcoupleofyears,andhiswrathwassomethingstilltalkedaboutbythosewho‘dseenit.

　　Thetargetwaseasilyseennow,athirty-footBay-builtfishingboatofthesortthatdottedtheChesapeake,probablywithanoldChevyengine,andthatmeantshecouldn‘tpossiblyoutrunhiscutter.Itwasaperfectlygoodthingtohaveagooddisguise,Orezathoughtwithasmile,butnotsoclevertobetyourlifeandyourfreedomononecard,howevergooditmightbe.

　　‘Justleteverythinglooknormal,‘thepolicemansaidquietly.

　　‘Lookaround,sir,‘thequartermasterreplied.Theboatcrewwasalertbutnotobviouslyso,andtheirweaponswereholstered.Theboat‘scoursewasalmostadirectonetowardtheirThomasPointstation,andiftheotherboateventooknoteofthem-andnobodywaslookingaftatthemoment-theycouldeasilyassumethattheforty-one-footerwasjustheadingbacktothebarn.Fivehundredyardsnow.Orezajammedthethrottlestothestopstogettheextraknotortwoofovertakespeed.

　　‘There‘sMrEnglish,‘anothercrewmansaid.Theotherforty-one-boatfromThomasPointwasonareciprocalcourse,outboundfromthestation,holdingsteadyinastraightline,roughlytowardsthelighthousethatthestationalsosupported.

　　‘Notrealsmart,arethey?‘Orezaasked.

　　‘Well,iftheyweresmart,whybreakthelaw?‘

　　‘Rogerthat,sir.‘Threehundredyardsnow,andaheadturnedafttoseethegleamingwhiteshapeofthesmallcutter.Threepeopleaboardthetargetcraft,andtheonewhohadlookedatthemleanedforwardtosaysomethingtotheguyatthewheel.Itwasalmostcomicaltowatch.Orezacouldimagineeverywordtheyweresaying.There‘saCoastGuardboatbackthere.Sojustplayitcool,maybethey‘rejustchangingthedutyboatorsomething,seetheonethereUh-oh,Idon‘tlikethisJustbecool,damnit!Ireallydon‘tlikethis.Settledown,theirlightsaren‘tonandtheirstationisrightdownthere,forChrist‘ssake.

　　Justabouttime,Orezasmiledtohimself,justabouttimefor:oh,shit!

　　Hegrinnedwhenithappened.Theguyatthewheelturned,andhismouthopenedandshut,havingsaidjustthat.Oneoftheyoungercrewmenreadtheman‘slipsandlaughed.

　　‘Ithinktheyjustfigureditout,skipper.‘

　　‘Hitthelights!‘thequartermasterordered,andthecoplightsatopthewheelhousestartedblinking,somewhattoOreza‘sdispleasure.

　　‘Ayeaye!‘

　　TheBayboatturnedrapidlysouth,buttheoutboundcutterturnedtocoverthemaneuver,anditwasinstantlyclearthatneithercouldoutrunthetwin-screwforty-one-boats.

　　‘Shouldhaveusedthemoneytobuysomethingsportier,boys,‘Orezasaidtohimself,knowingthatcriminalslearnedfromtheirmistakes,too,andbuyingsomethingtooutrunaforty-one-footpatrolboatwasnotexactlyataxingproblem.Thisonewaseasy.Chasinganotherlittlesailboatwouldbeeasy,ifthisdamnedfoolofacopwouldletthemdoitright,buttheeasyoneswouldn‘tlastforever.

　　TheBayboatcutpower,trappedbetweentwocutters.WarrantOfficerEnglishkeptstationafewhundredyardsoutwhileOrezadroveinclose.

　　‘Howdy,‘thequartermastersaidoverhisloud-hailer.‘ThisistheUSCoastGuard,andweareexercisingourrighttoboardandconductasafetyinspection.Let‘severybodystaywherewecanseeyou,please.‘

　　Itwasremarkablylikewatchingpeoplewho‘djustlostapro-footballgame.Theyknewtheycouldn‘tchangeanythingnomatterwhattheydid.Theyknewthatresistancewasfutile,andsotheyjuststoodthereindejectionandacceptanceoftheirfate.Orezawonderedhowlongthatwouldlast.Howlongbeforesomebodywouldbedumbenoughtofightitout?

　　Twoofhissailorsjumpedaboard,coveredbytwomoreontheforty-one‘sfantail.MrEnglishbroughthisboatincloser.Agoodboat-handler,Orezasaw,likeawarrantwassupposedtobe,andhehadhispeopleouttooffercover,too,justincasethebadguysgotacrazyidea.Whilethethreemenstoodinplainview,mostlylookingdownatthedeckandhopingthatitmightreallybeasafetyinspection,Oreza‘stwomenwentintotheforwardcabin.Bothcameoutinlessthanaminute.Onetippedthebillofhiscap,signalingall-clear,thenpattedhisbelly.Yes,thereweredrugsaboard.Fivepats-alotofdrugsaboard.

　　‘Wehaveabust,sir,‘Orezaobservedcalmly.

　　LieutenantMarkCharonoftheNarcoticsDivision,BaltimoreCityPoliceDepartment,leanedagainstthedoorframe-hatch,whateverthesesailorscalledthething-andsmiled.Hewasdressedincasualclothes,andmighthaveeasilybeenmistakenforacoastiewiththerequiredorangelifejacket.

　　‘Youhandleit,then.Howdoesitgointhebooks?‘

　　‘Routinesafetyinspection,and,golly,theyhaddrugsaboard,‘Orezasaidinmocksurprise.

　　‘Exactlyright,MrOreza.‘

　　&"Thankyou,sir.‘

　　‘Mypleasure.Captain.‘

　　He‘dalreadyexplainedtheproceduretoOrezaandEnglish.Inordertoprotecthisinformants,creditforthearrestwouldgotothecoasties,whichdidn‘texactlydispleasethequartermasterorthewarrantofficer.Orezawouldgettopaintavictorysymbolonhismast,orwhatevertheycalledthethingtheradarwasattachedto,arepresentationofthefive-leafedmarijuanaplant,andthecrewmenwouldhavesomethingtobragabout.Theymightevenhavetheadventureoftestifyingbeforeafederaldistrictcourt-probablynot,sincethesesmall-timerswouldundoubtedlycoptothesmallestoffensetheirattorneycouldnegotiate.Theywouldgetwordoutthatthepeopletowhomtheyweremakingthedeliveryhadprobablyinformedonthem.Withluckthosepeoplemightevendisappear,andthatwouldreallymakehistaskeasy.Therewouldbeanopeninginthedrugecostructure-anothernewbuzzwordCharonhadpickedupon.Attheveryleast,apotentialrivalinthatecostructurewasnowoutofbusinessforgood.LieutenantCharonwouldgetapatonthebackfromhiscaptain,probablyaflowerythank-youletterfromtheUnitedStatesCoastGuardandtheUSAttorney‘soffice,nottomentioncongratulationsforrunningsuchaquietandeffectiveoperationthathadnotcompromisedhisinformants.Oneofourbestmen,hiscaptainwouldaffirmagain.Howdoyougetinformantslikethat?Cap‘n,youknowhowthatworks,Ihavetoprotectthesepeople.Sure,Mark,Iunderstand.Youjustkeepupthegoodwork.

　　I’lldomybest,sir,Charonthoughttohimself,staringoffatthesettingsun.Hedidn‘tevenwatchthecoastiescuffingthesuspects,readingthemtheirconstitutionalrightsfromtheplastic-coatedcard,smilingastheydidso,sinceforthemthiswasaveryentertaininggame.Butthen,that‘swhatitwasforCharon,too.

　　Wherewerethedamnedhelicopters?Kellyaskedhimself.

　　Everythingaboutthedamnedmissionhadbeenwrongfromthefirstmoment.Pickett,hisusualcompanion,hadcomedownwithviolentdysentery,toobadforhimtogoout,andKellyhadgoneoutalone.Notagoodthing,butthemissionwastooimportant,andtheyhadtocovereverylittlehamletorville.Sohe‘dcomeinalone,very,verycarefullymovingupthestinkingwaterofthis-well,themapcalleditariver,butitwasn‘tquitelargeenoughforKellytothinkofitthatway.

　　And,ofcourse,thisisthevillethey‘dcometo,thefuckers.

　　PLASTICFLOWER,hethought,watchingandlistening.Whothehellcameupwiththatname?

　　PLASTICFLOWERwasthecodenameforanNVApolitical-actionteamorwhatevertheycalledit.Histeamhadseveralothernames,noneofthemcomplimentary.Certainlytheyweren‘ttheprecinctworkershe‘dseenonelectiondayinIndianapolis.Notthesepeople,schooledinHanoionhowtowinheartsandminds.

　　Theville‘sheadman,chief,mayor,whateverthehellhewas,wasjustalittletoocourageoustobecalledanythingbutafool.HewaspayingforthatfoolishnessbeforethedistanteyesofBosun‘sMate1/cJ.T.Kelly,Theteamhadarrivedatoh-one-thirty,andinaveryorderlyandalmostcivilizedway,enteredeverylittlehooch,awakeningthewholepopulationoffarmers,bringingthemintothecommonareatoseethemisguidedhero,andhiswife,andhisthreedaughters,allwaitingforthem,sittinginthedirt,theirarmscruellytiedbehindtheirbacks.TheNVAmajorwholedPLASTICFLOWERinvitedthemalltositinamannerlyvoicethatreachedKelly‘sobservationpoint,lessthantwohundredmetersaway.Thevilleneededalessoninthefoolishnessofresistancetothepeople‘sliberationmovement.Itwasnotthattheywerebadpeople,justmisguided,andhehopedthatthissimplelessonwouldmakecleartothemtheerroroftheirways.

　　Theystartedwiththeman‘swife.Thattooktwentyminutes;

　　Ihavetodosomething!hetoldhimself.

　　There‘selevenofthem,idiot.AndwhiletheMajormightbeasadisticmotherfucker,thetensoldierswithhimhadnotbeenselectedexclusivelyfortheirpoliticalcorrectness.Theywouldbereliable,experienced,anddedicatedsoldiers.Howamancouldbededicatedtosuchthingsasthis,Kellydidn‘thavetheimaginationtounderstand.Thattheywerewasafactthathecouldnotaffordtoignore.

　　Wherewasthefuckingreactionteam?He‘dcalledinfortyminutesearlier,andthesupportbasewasonlytwentyminutesoffbychopper.TheywantedthisMajor.

　　Histeammightalsobeuseful,buttheywantedtheMajoralive.Heknewthelocationofthelocalpoliticalleaders,thosetheMarineshadn‘tsweptupinasuperbraidsixweeksearlier.Thismissionwasprobablyareactiontothat,adeliberateresponsesoclosetotheAmericanbase,tosaythat,no,youhadn‘tgottenusallyet,andyouneverwill.

　　Andtheywereprobablyright,Kellythought,butthatquestionwentfarbeyondthemissionfortonight.

　　Theoldestdaughterwasmaybefifteen.Itwashardtotellwiththesmall,deceptivelydelicateVietnamesewomen.She‘dlastedalloftwenty-fiveminutesandwasnotyetdead.Herscreamscarrieddearlyacrosstheflat,opengroundtoKelly‘swaterypost,andhishandssqueezedtheplasticofhisCAR-15sohardthathadhethoughtornoticed,hemighthaveworriedaboutbreakingsomething.

　　ThetensoldierswiththeMajorweredeployedastheyshouldbe.TwomenwerewiththeMajor,andtheyrotateddutywiththeperimeterguardssothatallofthemcouldpartakeintheevening‘sfestivities.Oneofthemfinishedthegirlwithaknife.Thenextdaughterwasperhapstwelve.

　　Kelly‘searsscannedthecloudysky,prayingtohearthedistinctivemutterofaHuey‘stwo-bladedrotor.Therewereothersounds.Therumbleof155sfromthemarinefirebasetotheeast.Somejetsscreamingoverhead.Nonewereloudenoughtomaskthehigh-pitchedscreechofachild,buttherewerestillelevenofthem,andonlyoneofhim,andevenifPicketthadbeenhere,theoddswouldnothavebeenremotelycloseenoughtotryaplay.KellyhadhisCAR-15carbine,athirty-roundmagazinesecurelyfixedinitsplace,anothertaped,inverted,totheendofthatone,andtwomoresimilarsets.Hehadfourfragmentationgrenades,twowillie-petes,andtwosmokes.Hisdeadliestappliancewashisradio,buthe‘dalreadycalledouttwiceandgottenanacknowledgmentbothtimes,alongwithorderstosittight.

　　Easythingtosaybackatthebase,wasn‘tit?

　　Twelveyearsold,maybe.Tooyoungforthis.Therewasnoageforthis,hetoldhimself,buthe‘dneverbeabletochangethingsalone,andtherewasnogoodforanyoneinaddinghisdeathtothoseofthisfamily.

　　Howcouldtheydoit?Weretheynotmen,soldiers,professionalwarriorslikehimself?Couldanythingbesoimportantthattheycouldcastasidetheirhumanity?Whathesawwasimpossible.Itcouldnotbe.Butitwas.Therumblesofthedistantartillerycontinued,droppingplannedfire-missionsonasuspectedsupplyroute.Acontinuousstreamofaircraftoverhead,maybeMarineintrudersdoingaMini-ArcLightstrikeatsomethingorother,probablyemptywoods,becausemostofthosetargetswerejustthat.Nothere,wheretheenemywas,butthatwouldn‘thelpanything,wouldit?Thesevillagershadbettheirlivesandtheirfamiliesonsomethingthatwasn‘tworking,andmaybethatMajorthoughthewasbeingmercifulinjusteliminatingonefamilyinthemostgraphicmethodpossibleinsteadofendingalltheirlivesinamoreefficientway.Besides,deadmentoldnotales,andthiswasatalehewouldwantrepeated.Terrorwassomethingtheycoulduse,andusewell.

　　Timecrepton,slowlyandrapidly,andpresentlythetwelve-year-oldstoppedmakingnoiseandwascastaside.Thethirdandfinaldaughterwaseight,hesawthroughhisbinoculars.Thearroganceofthefuckers,buildingalargefire.Theycouldn‘thaveanyonemissthis,couldthey?

　　Eightyearsold,notevenoldenough,notathroatlargeenoughforaproperscream.Hewatchedthechangingoftheguard.Twomoremenmovedfromtheperimeterintothecenteroftheville.R&Rforthepolitical-actiongroup,whocouldn‘tgotoTaiwanasKellyhad.ThemannearesttoKellyhadn‘thadhischanceyet,probablywouldn‘t.Theheadmandidn‘thaveenoughdaughters,ormaybethisonewasontheMajor‘sshitlist.Whatevertherealreason,hewasn‘tgettingany,anditmusthavefrustratedhim.Thesoldier‘seyeswerelookinginnow,watchinghissquadmatespartakeinsomethingthathewouldmisstonight.Maybenexttimebutatleasthecouldwatchandhedid,Kellysaw,forgettinghisdutyforthefirsttimetonight.

　　Kellywashalfwaytherebeforehismindremarkedonthefact,crawlingasrapidlyashecouldinsilence,helpedbythemoistground.Alowcrawl,hisbodyasflatashecouldmanage,closer,closer,bothdrivenanddrawnbythewhinethatemanatedfromnearthefire.Shouldhavedoneitsooner,Johnnie-boy.

　　Itwasn‘tpossiblethen.

　　Well,fuck,itisn‘tpossiblenow!

　　ItwasthenthatfateintervenedinthesoundofaHuey,probablymorethanone,offtothesoutheast.Kellyhearditfirst,risingcarefullybehindthesoldier,hisknifedrawn.Theystillhadn‘thearditwhenhestruck,drivinghisknifeintothebaseoftheman‘sskull,wherethespinalcordmeetsthebaseofthebrain-themedulla,someonehadtoldhiminalecture.Hetwistedit,almostlikeascrewdriver,hisotherhandacrossthesoldier‘smouth,and,sureenough,itworked.Thebodywentinstantlylimp,andhelowereditgently,notfromanyfeelingsofhumanity,buttolimitnoise.

　　Buttherewasnoise.Thechoppersweretooclosenow.TheMajor‘sheadwentup,turningsoutheast,recognizingthedanger.Heshoutedanorderforhismentoassemble,thenturnedandshotthechildintheheadjustassoonasoneofhisprivatesmovedoffofherandoutoftheway.

　　Itonlytookafewsecondsforthesquadtoassemble.TheMajordidaquickandautomaticheadcount,cominguponeshort,andhelookedinKelly‘sdirection,buthiseyesandhisvisionhadbeenlongsincecompromisedbythefire,andtheonlythinghedidseewassomespectralmovementintheair.

　　‘One,two,three,‘Kellywhisperedtohimselfafterpullingthecotterpinoutofoneofhisfrags.Theboysin3rdSOGcuttheirownfuses.Youneverknewwhatthelittleoldladyinthefactorymightdo.Theirsburnedforexactlyfiveseconds,andon‘three,‘thegrenadelefthishand.Itwasjustmetallicenoughtoglintwiththeorangefirelight.Anearlyperfecttoss,itlandedintheexactcenteroftheringofsoldiers.Kellywasalreadyproneinthedirtwhenitlanded.Heheardtheshoutofalarmthatwasjustasecondtoolatetohelpanyone.

　　Thegrenadekilledorwoundedsevenofthetenmen.Hestoodwithhiscarbineanddroppedthefirstonewiththreeroundstothehead.Hiseyesdidn‘tevenpausetoseetheflyingredcloud,forthiswashisprofession,andnotahobby.TheMajorwasstillalive,lyingonthegroundbuttryingtoaimhispistoluntilhischesttookfivemore.Hisdeathmadethenightasuccess.NowallKellyhadtodowassurvive.Hehadcommittedhimselftoafoolishact,andcautionwashisenemy.

　　Kellyrantotheright,hiscarbineheldhigh.TherewereatleasttwoNVAmoving,armedandangryandconfusedenoughthattheyweren‘trunningawayastheyshould.Thefirstchopperoverheadwasanillumbird,droppingflaresthatKellycursed,becausethedarknesswashisbestfriendrightnow.HespottedandhoseddownoneoftheNVA,emptyinghismagazineintotherunningfigure.Movingrightstill,heswitchedmagazines,circlingaround,hopingtofindtheotherone,buthiseyeslingeredonthecenteroftheville.Peoplescurryingaround,someofthemprobablyhurtbyhisgrenade,buthecouldn‘tworryhimselfaboutthat.Hiseyesfrozeonthevictims-worse,theystayedtoolongonthefire,andwhenheturnedaway,theshapeofitstayedinhiseyes,alternatingbetweenorangeandblueghostimagesthatwreckedhisnightvision.HecouldheartheroarofaHueyflaredforlandingclosetotheville,andthatwasloudenoughtomaskeventhescreamsofthevillagers.Kellyhidbehindthewallofahooch,eyeslookingoutward,awayfromthefireashetriedtoblinkthemclear.AtleastonemoreunhurtNVAwasmoving,andhewouldn‘tberunningtowardthesoundofthechopper,Kellykeptheadingright,moreslowlynow.Therewasaten-metergapfromthishoochtothenext,likeacorridoroflightintheglowofthefire.Helookedaroundthecornerbeforemakingtherun,thentookofffast,hisheadlowforonce.Hiseyescaughtamovingshadow,andwhenheturnedtolook,hestumbledoversomethingandwentdown.

　　Dustflewuparoundhim,buthecouldn‘tfindthesourceofthenoisequicklyenough.Kellyrolledlefttoavoidtheshots,butthattookhimtowardsthelight.Hehalfstoodandpushedhimselfbackwards,hittingthewallofahooch,eyesscanningfranticallyforthemuzzleflashes.There!HebroughthisCAR-15tobearandfiredjustastwo7.62roundscaughthiminthechest.Theimpactspunhimaround,andtwomorehitsdestroyedthecarbineinhishands.Whennexthelookeduphewasonhisback,anditwasquietinthevillе.Hisfirstattempttomoveachievednothingbutpain.Thenthemuzzleofariflepressedtohischest.

　　‘Overhere.Lieutenant!‘Followedby:‘Medic!‘

　　Theworldmovedastheydraggedhimclosertothefire.Kelly‘sheadhunglimplytotheleft,watchingthesoldierssweepthroughtheville,twoofthemdisarmingandexaminingtheNVA.

　　‘Thisfucker‘salive,‘oneofthemsaid.

　　‘Oh,yeah?‘Theotherwalkedoverfromthebodyoftheeight-year-old,touchedhismuzzletotheNVA‘sforehead,andfiredonce.

　　‘Fuck,Harry!‘

　　‘Knockthatshitoff!‘theLieutenantscreamed.

　　‘Lookatwhattheydone,sir!‘Harryscreamedback,fallingtohiskneestovomit.

　　‘What‘syourproblem?‘themedicalcorpsmanaskedKelly,whowas.quiteunabletoreply.‘Oh,shit,‘heobservedfurther.‘Ell-Tee,thismustbetheguywhocalledin!‘

　　Onemorefaceappeared,probablytheLieutenantcommandingtheBlueTeam,andtheoversizedpatchonhisshoulderwasthatofthe1stCavalryDivision.

　　‘Lieutenant,looksallclear,sweepingtheperimeteragainnow!‘anoldervoicecalled.

　　‘Alldead?‘

　　‘That‘saffirm,sir!‘

　　‘Whothehellareyou?‘theLieutenantsaid,lookingbackdown.‘CrazyfuckingMarines!‘m.XiaoShuo530.Com

　　‘Navy!‘Kellygasped,sprayingalittlebloodonthemedic.

　　‘What?‘NurseO‘Tooleasked.

　　Kelly‘seyesopenedwide.Hisrightarmmovedrapidlyacrosshischestashisheadswiveledtosurveytheroom.SandyO‘Toolewasinthecorner,readingabookunderasinglelight.

　　‘Whatareyoudoinghere?‘

　　‘Listeningtoyournightmare,‘sheanswered.‘Secondtime.Youknow,youreallyoughtto-‘

　　‘Yeah,Iknow.‘</div> 有的人死了，但没有完全死……

　　无尽的昏迷过后，时宇猛地从床上起身。想要看最新章节内容，请下载爱阅小说app，无广告免费阅读最新章节内容。网站已经不更新最新章节内容，已经爱阅小说APP更新最新章节内容。

　　他大口的呼吸起新鲜的空气，胸口一颤一颤。

　　迷茫、不解，各种情绪涌上心头。

　　这是哪？

　　随后，时宇下意识观察四周，然后更茫然了。

　　一个单人宿舍？

　　就算他成功得到救援，现在也应该在病房才对。

　　还有自己的身体……怎么会一点伤也没有。

　　带着疑惑，时宇的视线快速从房间扫过，最终目光停留在了床头的一面镜子上。

　　镜子照出他现在的模样，大约十七八岁的年龄，外貌很帅。

　　可问题是，这不是他！下载爱阅小说app，阅读最新章节内容无广告免费

　　之前的自己，是一位二十多岁气宇不凡的帅气青年，工作有段时间了。

　　而现在，这相貌怎么看都只是高中生的年纪……

　　这个变化，让时宇发愣很久。

　　千万别告诉他，手术很成功……

　　身体、面貌都变了，这根本不是手术不手术的问题了，而是仙术。

　　他竟完全变成了另外一个人！

　　难道……是自己穿越了？

　　除了床头那摆放位置明显风水不好的镜子，时宇还在旁边发现了三本书。

　　时宇拿起一看，书名瞬间让他沉默。

　　《新手饲养员必备育兽手册》

　　《宠兽产后的护理》

　　《异种族兽耳娘评鉴指南》

　　时宇：？？？

　　前两本书的名字还算正常，最后一本你是怎么回事？

　　“咳。”

　　时宇目光一肃，伸出手来，不过很快手臂一僵。

　　就在他想翻开第三本书，看看这究竟是个什么东西时，他的大脑猛地一阵刺痛，大量的记忆如潮水般涌现。

　　冰原市。

　　宠兽饲养基地。

　　实习宠兽饲养员。网站即将关闭，下载爱阅app为您提供大神璇玑的璇玑之心刃·冷血悍将

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