LessonsApplied
Hellbeganpromptlyateleventhatmorning,thoughColonelZachariashadnowayofknowingthetime.Thetropicalsunseemedalwaystobeoverhead,beatingmercilesslydown.Eveninhiswindowlesscelltherewasnoescapingit,anymorethanhecouldescapetheinsectsthatseemedtothriveontheheat.Hewonderedhowanythingcouldthrivehere,buteverythingthatdidseemedtobesomethingthathurtoroffendedhim,andthatwasasconciseadefinitionofhellasanythinghe‘dlearnedinthetemplesofhisyouth.Zachariashadbeentrainedforpossiblecapture.He‘dbeenthroughthesurvival,evasion,resistance,andescapecourse,calledSERESchool.Itwassomethingyouhadtodoifyouflewairplanesforaliving,anditwaspurposefullythemosthatedthinginthemilitarybecauseitdidthingstootherwisepamperedAirForceandNavyofficersthatMarinedrillinstructorswouldhavequailedat-thingswhichwere,inanyothercontext,deedsworthyofageneralcourt-martialfollowedbyalengthytermatLeavenworthorPortsmouth.TheexperienceforZacharias,asformostothers,hadbeenonehewouldneverwillinglyrepeat.Buthiscurrentsituationwasnotofhisownvolitioneither,wasit?AndhewasrepeatingSERESchool.
He‘dconsideredcaptureinadistantsortofway.Itwasn‘tthesortofthingyoucouldreallyignoreonceyou‘dheardtheawful,despairingelectronicraxiaoshuoshu.org/wwoftheemergencyradios,andseenthe‘chutes,andtriedtoorganizeaRESCAP,hopingtheJollyGreenGianthelicoptercouldswoopinfromitsbaseinLaosormaybeaNavy‘BigMutha‘-asthesquidscalledtherescuebirds-wouldraceinfromthesea.Zachariashadseenthatwork,butmoreoftenhe‘dseenitfail.He‘dheardthepanickedandtragicallyunmanlycriesofairmenabouttobecaptured:‘Getmeoutofhere,‘onemajorhadscreamedbeforeanothervoicehadcomeontheradio,speakingspitefulwordsnoneofthemcouldunderstand,butwhichtheyhadunderstoodevenso,withbitternessandkillingrage.TheJollycrewsandtheirNavycounterpartsdidtheirbest,andthoughZachariaswasaMormonandhadnevertouchedalcoholinhislife,hehadboughtthosechoppercrewsenoughdrinkstolaylowasquadofMarines,ingratitudeandaweattheirbravery,forthatwashowyonexpressedyouradmirationwithinthecommunityofwarriors.
Butlikeeveryothermemberofthatcommunity,he‘dneverreallythoughtcapturewouldhappentohim.Death,thatwasthechanceandthelikelihoodhe‘dthoughtabout.ZachariashadbeenKingWeasel.He‘dhelpedinventthatbranchofhisprofession.Withhisintellectandsuperbflyingskillshe‘dcreatedthedoctrineandvalidateditintheair.He‘ddrivenhisF-105intothemostconcentratedantiairnetworkanyonehadyetbuilt,actuallyseekingoutthemostdangerousweaponsforhisspecialattention,andusinghistrainingandintelligencetoduelwiththem,matchingtacticfortactic,skillforskill,teasingthem,defyingthem,baitingtheminwhathadbecomethemostexhilaratingcontestanymanhadeverexperienced,achessgameplayedinthreedimensionsoverandunderMach-1,withhimdrivinghistwo-seaterThudandwiththemmanningRussian-builtradarsandmissilelaunchers.Likemongooseandcobra,theirswasaveryprivatevendettaplayedforkeepseveryday,andinhisprideandhisskill,he‘dthoughthewouldwin,or,atworst,meethisendintheformofayellow-blackcloudthatwouldmarkaproperairman‘sdeath:immediate,dramatic,andethereal.
He‘dneverthoughthimselfaparticularlybraveman.Hehadhisfaith.Werehetomeetdeathintheair,thenhecouldlookforwardtostaringGodintheface,standingwithhumilityathislowlystationandprideatthelifеhehadlived,forRobinZachariaswasarighteousman,hardlyeverstrayingfromthepathofvirtue.Hewasagoodfriendtohiscomrades,aconscientiousleadermindfulofhismen‘sneeds;anuprightfamilymanwithstrong,bright,proudchildren;mostofall,hewasanElderinhischurchwhotithedhisAirForcesalary,ashisstationintheChurchofJesusChristofLatter-DaySaintsrequired.Forallofthosereasonshehadneverfeareddeath.Whatlaybeyondthegravewassomethingwhoserealityheviewedwithconfidence.Itwaslifethatwasuncertain,andhiscurrentlifewasthemostuncertainofall,andfaithevenasstrongashishadlimitsimposedbythebodywhichcontainedit.Thatwasafactheeitherdidnotfullyunderstandorsomehowdidnotbelieve.Hisfaith,theColoneltoldhimself,shouldbeenoughtosustainhimthroughanything.Was.Shouldbe.Was,he‘dlearnedasachildfromhisteachers.ButthoselessonshadbeentaughtincomfortableclassroomsinsightoftheWasatchMountains,byteachersincleanwhiteshirtsandties,holdingtheirlessonbooks,speakingwithconfidenceimpartedbythehistoryoftheirchurchanditsmembers.m.XiaoShuo530.Com
It‘sdifferenthere.Zachariasheardthelittlevoicethatsaidso,tryingtoignoreit,tryinghisbestnottobelieveit,forbelievingitwasacontradictionwithhisfaith,andthatcontradictionwasthesinglethinghismindcouldnotallow.JosephSmithhaddiedforhisfaith,murderedinIllinois.Othershaddonethesame.ThehistoryofJudaismandChristianitywasrepletewiththenamesofmartyrs-heroestoRobinZacharias,becausethatwasthewordusedbyhisprofessionalcommunity-whohadsustainedtortureatRomanorotherhandsandhaddiedwithGod‘snameontheirlips.
Buttheydidn‘tsufferaslongasyou,thevoicepointedout.Afewhours.Thebriefhellishminutesburningatthestake,adayortwo,perhaps,nailedtothecross.Thatwasonething;youcouldseetheendofit,andifyouknewwhatlaybeyondtheend,thenyoucouldconcentrateonthat.Buttoseebeyondtheend,youhadtoknowwheretheendwas.
RobinZachariaswasalone.Therewereothershere.He‘dcaughtglimpses,buttherewasnocommunication.He‘dtriedthetapcode,butnooneeveranswered.Wherevertheywere,theyweretoodistant,orthebuilding‘sarrangementsdidn‘tallowit,orperhapshishearingwasoff.Hecouldnotsharethoughtswithanyone,andevenprayershadlimitstoamindasintelligentashis.Hewasafraidtoprayfordeliverance-athoughthewasunableeventoadmit,foritwouldbeaninternaladmissionthathisfaithhadsomehowbeenshaken,andthatwassomethinghecouldnotallow,butpartofhimknewthatinnotprayingfordeliverance,hewasadmittingsomethingbyomission;thatifheprayed,andafteratimedeliverancedidn‘tcome,thenhisfaithmightstarttodie,andwiththathissoul.ForRobinZacharias,thatwashowdespairbegan,notwithathought,butwiththeunwillingnesstoentreathisGodforsomethingthatmightnotcome.
Hecouldn‘tknowtherest.Hisdietarydeprivation,theisolationsoespeciallypainfultoamanofhisintelligence,andthegnawingfearofpain,forevenfaithcouldnottakepainaway,andallmenknowfearofthat.Likecarryingaheavyload,howeverstrongamanmightbe,hisstrengthwasfiniteandgravitywasnot.Strengthofbodywaseasilyunderstood,butintheprideandrighteousnessthatcamefromhisfaith,hehadfailedtoconsiderthatthephysicalacteduponthepsychological,justassurelyasgravitybutfarmoreinsidiously.Heinterpretedthecrushingmentalfatigueasaweaknessassignabletosomethingnotsupposedtobreak,andhefaultedhimselffornothingmorethanbeinghuman.ConsultationwithanotherElderwouldhaverightedeverything,butthatwasn‘tpossible,andindenyinghimselftheescapehatchofmerelyadmittinghishumanfrailty,Zachariasforcedhimselffurtherandfurtherintoatrapofhisowncreation,aidedandabettedbypeoplewhowantedtodestroyhim,bodyandsoul.
Itwasthenthatthingsbecameworse.Thedoortohiscellopened.TwoVietnamesewearingkhakiuniformslookedathimasthoughhewereastainontheairoftheircountry.Zachariasknewwhattheywereherefor.Hetriedtomeetthemwithcourage.Theytookhim,onemanoneacharm,andathirdfollowingbehindwitharifle,toalargerroom-butevenbeforehepassedthroughthedoorway,themuzzleoftheriflestabbedhardintohisback,rightatthespotthatstillhurt,fullyninemonthsafterhispainfulejection,andhegaspedinpain.TheVietnamesedidn‘tevenshowpleasureathisdiscomfort.Theydidn‘taskquestions.Therewasn‘tevenaplantotheirabusethathecouldrecognize,justthephysicalattacksoffivemenoperatingallatonce,andZachariasknewthatresistancewasdeath,andwhilehewishedforhiscaptivitytoend,toseekdeathinthatwaymightactuallybesuicide,andhecouldn‘tdothat.
Itdidn‘tmatter.Inabriefspanofsecondshisabilitytodoanythingatallwastakenaway,andhemerelycollapsedontheroughconcretefloor,feelingtheblowsandkicksandpainadduplikenumbersonaledgersheet,hismusclesparalyzedbyagony,unabletomoveanyofhislimbsmorethananinchortwo,wishingitwouldstop,knowingthatitneverwould.Aboveitallheheardthecacklingoftheirvoicesnow,likejackals,devilstormentinghimbecausehewasoneoftherighteousandthey‘dgottentheirhandsonhimanyway,anditwenton,andon,andon-
Ascreamingvoiceblasteditswaypasthiscatatonia.Onemoredesultoryhalf-strengthkickconnectedwithhischest,andthenhesawtheirbootsdrawback.Hisperipheralvisionsawtheirfacescringe,alllookingtowardthedooratthesourceofthenoise.Afinalbellowandtheyhastilymadetheirwayout.Thevoicechanged.Itwasawhitevoice?Howdidheknowthat?Stronghandsliftedhim,sittinghimupagainstthewall,andthefacecameintoview.ItwasGrishanov.
‘MyGod,‘theRussiansaid,hispalecheeksglowingredwithanger.HeturnedandscreamedsomethingelseinoddlyaccentedVietnamese.Instantlyacanteenappeared,andhepouredthecontentsovertheAmerican‘sface.ThenhescreamedsomethingelseandZachariasheardthedoorclose.
‘Drink,Robin,drinkthis.‘HeheldasmallmetalflasktotheAmerican‘slips,liftingit.
Zachariastookaswallowsoquicklythattheliquidwasinhisstomachbeforehenotedtheacidictasteofvodka.Shocked,heliftedhishandandtriedtopushitaway.
‘Ican‘t,‘theAmericangasped,‘can‘tdrink,can‘t‘
‘Robin,itismedicine.Thisisnotentertainment.Yourreligionhasnoruleagainstthis.Please,myfriend,youneedthis.It‘sthebestIcandoforyou,‘Grishanovaddedinavoicethatshudderedwithfrustration.‘Youmust,Robin.‘
Maybeitismedicine,Zachariasthought.Somemedicinesusedanalcoholbaseasapreservative,andtheChurchpermittedthat,didn‘tit?Hecouldn‘tremember,andinnotknowinghetookanotherswallow.Nordidheknowthatastheadrenalinethatthebeatinghadfloodedintohissystemdissipated,thenaturalrelaxationofhisbodywouldonlybeaccentuatedbythedrink.
‘Nottoomuch,Robin.‘Grishanovremovedtheflask,thenstartedtendingtohisinjuries,straighteningouthislegs,usingmoistenedclothtocleanuptheman‘sface.
‘Savages!‘theRussiansnarled.‘Bloodystinkingsavages.I‘llthrottleMajorVinhforthis,breakhisskinnylittlemonkeyneck.‘TheRussiancolonelsatdownonthefloornexttohisAmericancolleagueandspokefromtheheart.‘Robin,weareenemies,butwearemenalso,andevenwarhasrules.Youserveyourcountry.Iservemine.Thesethesepeopledonotunderstandthatwithouthonorthereisnotrueservice,onlybarbarism.‘Hehelduptheflaskagain.‘Here.Icannotgetanythingelseforthepain.I‘msorry,myfriend,butIcan‘t.‘.
AndZachariastookanotherswallow,stillnumb,stilldisoriented,andevenmoreconfusedthanever.
‘Goodman,‘Grishanovsaid.‘Ihaveneversaidthis,butyouareacourageousman,myfriend,toresisttheselittleanimalsasyouhave.‘
‘Haveto,‘Zachariasgasped.
‘Ofcourseyoudo,‘Grishanovsaid,wipingtheman‘sfacecleanastenderlyashemighthavedonewithoneofhischildren.‘Iwould,too.‘Hepaused.‘God,tobeflyingagain!‘
‘Yeah.Colonel,Iwish-‘
‘CallmeKolya,‘Grishanovgestured.‘You‘veknownmelongenough.‘
‘Kolya?‘
‘MyChristiannameisNikolay.Kolyais-nickname,yousay?‘
Zachariaslethisheadbackagainstthewall,closinghiseyesandrememberingthesensationsofflight.‘Yes,Kolya,Iwouldliketobeflyingagain.‘
‘Nottoodifferent,Iimagine,‘Kolyasaid,sittingbesidetheman,wrappingabrotherlyarmaroundhisbruisedandachingshoulders,knowingitwasthefirstgestureofhumanwarmththemanhadexperiencedinalmostayear.‘MyfavoriteistheMiG-17.Obsoletenow,but,God,whatajoytofly.Justfingertipsonthestick,andyou-youjustthinkit,justwishitinyourmind,andtheaircraftdoeswhatyouwant.‘
‘The-86waslikethat,‘Zachariasreplied.&"They‘reallgone,too.‘
TheRussianchuckled,‘Likeyourfirstlove,yes?Thefirstgirlyousawasachild,theonewhofirstmadeyouthinkasamanthinks,yes?Butthefirstairplane,thatisbetterforonelikeus.Notsowarmasawomanis,butmuchlessconfusingtohandle.‘Robintriedtolaugh,butchoked.Grishanovofferedhimanotherswallow.‘Easy,myfriend.Tellme,whatisyourfavorite?‘
TheAmericanshrugged,feelingthewarmglowinhisbelly.‘I‘veflownnearlyeverything.ImissedtheF-94andthe-89,too.FromwhatIhear,Ididn‘tmissmuchthere.The-104wasfun,likeasportscar,butnotmuchlegs.No,the-86Hisprobablymyfavorite,justforhandling.‘
‘AndtheThud?‘Grishanovasked,usingthenicknamefortheF-105Thunderchief.
Robincoughedbriefly.‘YoutakethewholestateofUtahtoturnonein,darnedifitisn‘tfastonthedeck,though.I‘vehadoneahundredtwentyknotsovertheredline.‘
‘Notreallyafighter,theysay.Reallyabombtruck.‘GrishanovhadassiduouslystudiedAmericanpilot‘sslang.
‘That‘sallright.Itwillgetyououtoftroubleinahurry.Yousuredon‘twanttodogfightinone.Thefirstpassbetterbeagoodone.‘
‘Butforbombing-onepilottoanother,yourbombdeliveryinthiswretchedplaceisexcellent.‘
‘Wetry,Kolya,wesurelydotry,‘Zachariassaid,hisvoiceslurred.ItamazedtheRussianthattheliquorhadworkedsoquickly.Themanhadneverhadadrinkinhislifeuntiltwentyminutesearlier.Howremarkablethatamanwouldchoosetolivewithoutdrink.
‘Andthewayyoufighttherocketemplacements.Youknow,I‘vewatchedthat.Weareenemies,Robin,‘Kolyasaidagain.‘Butwearealsopilots.ThecourageandskillIhavewatchedhere,theyarelikenothingIhaveeverseen.Youmustbeaprofessionalgamblerathome,yes?‘
‘Gamble?‘Robinshookhishead.‘No,Ican‘tdothat.‘
‘ButwhatyoudidinyourThud‘
‘Notgambling.Calculatedrisk.Youplan,youknowwhatyoucando,andyousticktothat,getafeelforwhattheotherguyisthinking.‘
Grishanovmadeamentalnotetorefillhisflaskforthenextoneonhisschedule.Ithadtakenafewmonths,buthe‘dfinallyfoundsomethingthatworked.Apitythattheselittlebrownsavagesdidn‘thavethewittounderstandthatinhurtingamanyoumostoftenmadehiscouragegrow.Foralltheirarrogance,whichwasconsiderable,theysawtheworldthroughalensthatwasasdiminutiveastheirstatureandasnarrowastheirculture.Theyseemedunabletolearnlessons.Grishanovsoughtoutsuchlessons.Strangestofall,thisonehadbeensomethinglearnedfromafascistofficerintheLuftwaffe.ApityalsothattheVietnameseallowedonlyhimandnootherstoperformthesespecialinterrogations.He‘dsoonwritetoMoscowaboutthat.Withtheproperkindofpressure,theycouldmakerealuseofthiscamp.Howincongruouslycleverofthesavagestoestablishthiscamp,andhowdisappointinglyconsistentthatthey‘dfailedtoseeitspossibilities.Howdistastefulthathehadtoliveinthishot,humid,insect-riddencountry,surroundedbyarrogantlittlepeoplewitharrogantlittlemindsandtheviciousdispositionsofserpents.Buttheinformationheneededwashere.Asodiousashiscurrentworkwas,he‘ddiscoveredaphraseforitinacontemporaryAmericannovelofthetypehereadtopolishuphisalreadyimpressivelanguageskills.AveryAmericanturnofphrase,too.Whathewasdoingwas‘justbusiness.‘Thatwasawayoflookingattheworldhereadilyunderstood.AshamethattheAmericannexttohimprobablywouldnot,Kolyathought,listeningtoeverywordofhisramblingexplanationofthelifeofaWeaselpilot.
Thefaceinthemirrorwasbecomingforeign,andthatwasgood.Itwasstrangehowpowerfulhabitswere.He‘dalreadytilledthesinkwithhotwaterandhadhishandslatheredbeforehisintellectkickedinandremindedhimthathewasn‘tsupposedtowashorshave.Kellydidbrushhisteeth.Hecouldn‘tstandthefeeloffilmthere,andforthatpartofthedisguisehehadhisbottleofwine.Whatfoulstuffthatwas,Kellythought.Sweetandheavy,strangelycolored.Kellywasnotawineconnoisseur,buthedidknowthatadecenttablewinewasn‘tsupposedtobethecolorofurine.Hehadtoleavethebathroom.Hecouldn‘tstandtolookinthemirrorforlong.
Hefortifiedhimselfwithagoodmeal,fillingupwithblandfoodsthatwouldenergizehisbodywithoutmakinghisstomachrumble.Thencametheexercises.Hisground-floorunitallowedhimtoruninplacewithoutthefearofdisturbinganeighbor.Itwasn‘tthesameasrealrunning,butitwouldsuffice.Thencamethepushups.Atlonglasthisleftshoulderwasfullyrecovered,andtheachesinhismuscleswereperfectlybilateral.Finallycamethehand-to-handexercises,whichhepracticedforgeneralquicknessinadditiontotheobviousutilitarianapplications.
He‘dlefthisapartmentindaylightthedaybefore,takingtheriskofbeingseeninhisdisreputablestateinordertovisitaGoodwillstore,wherehe‘dfoundabushjackettogooverhisotherclothing.Itwassooversizeandthreadbarethattheyhadn‘tchargedforit.Kellyhadcometorealizethatdisguisinghissizeandphysicalconditioningwasdifficult,butthatloose,shabbyclothingdidthetrick.He‘dalsotakentheopportunitytocomparehimselftotheotherpatronsofthestore.Oninspectionhisdisguiseseemedtobeeffectiveenough.Thoughnottheworstexampleofastreetperson,hecertainlyfitintothelowerhalf,andtheclerkwho‘dhandedoverthebushjacketforfreehadprobablydonesoasmuchtogethimoutofthebuildingastoexpresscompassionforhisstateinlife.Andwasn‘tthatanimprovement?WhatwouldhehavegiveninVietnamtohavebeenabletopasshimselfoffasjustanothervillager,andthuswaitedforthebadguystocomein?
He‘dspentthepreviousnightcontinuinghisreconnaissance.Noonehadgivenhimasmuchasasecondlookashe‘dmovedalongthestreets,justonemoredirty,smellydrunk,notevenworthmugging,whichhadendedhisconcernsaboutbeingspottedforwhathereallywas.He‘dspentanotherfivehoursinhisperch,watchingthestreetsfromthesecond-storybaywindowsofthevacanthouse.Policepatrolshadturnedouttoberoutine,andthebusnoisesfarmoreregularthanhe‘dinitiallyappreciated.
Finishedwithhisexercises,hedisassembledhispistolandcleanedit,thoughithadn‘tbeenusedsincehisreturnflightfromNewOrleans.Thesamewasdonewiththesuppressor.Hereassembledboth,checkingthematch-upoftheparts.He‘dmadeonesmallchange.Nowtherewasathinwhitepaintedlinedownthetopofthesilencerthatservedasanight-sight.Notgoodenoughfordistanceshooting,buthewasn‘tplanninganyofthat.Finishedwiththepistol,heloadedaroundintothechamberanddroppedthehammercarefullybeforeslappingtheclipintothebottomofthehandgrip.He‘dalsoacquiredaKa-BarMarinecombatknifeinasurplusstore,andwhilehe‘dwatchedthestreetsthenightbefore,he‘dworkedtheseven-inchBowie-typebladeacrossawhetstone.Therewassomethingthatmenfearedaboutaknifeevenmorethanabullet.Thatwasfoolishbutuseful.Thepistolandknifewentintohiswaistbandsidebysideinthesmallofhisback,wellhiddenbytheloosebulkofthedarkshirtandbushjacket.Inoneofthejacketpocketswentawhiskeyflaskfilledwithtapwater.FourSnickerswentontheotherside.Aroundhiswaistwasalengthofeight-gaugeelectricalwire.InhispantspocketwasapailofPlaytexrubberglovers.Thesewereyellow,notagoodcolorforinvisibility,buthe‘dbeenunabletofindanythingelse.Theydidcoverhishandswithoutgivingawaymuchinfeelanddexterity,andhedecidedtotakethemalong.Healreadyhadapairofcottonworkglovesinthecarthatheworewhendriving.Afterbuyingthecarhe‘dcleaneditinsideandout,wipingeveryglass,metal,andplasticsurface,hopingthathe‘dremovedeverytraceoffingerprints.Kellyblessedeverypoliceshowandmoviehe‘devenseen,andprayedthathewasbeingparanoidenoughabouthiseverytactic.
Whatelse?heaskedhimself.Hewasn‘tcarryinganyID.HehadafewdollarsincashinawalletalsoobtainedatGoodwill.Kellyhadthoughtaboutcarryingmore,buttherewasnopointinit.Water.Food.Weapons.Rope-wire.He‘dleavehisbinocularshometonight.Theirutilitywasn‘tworththebulk.Maybehe‘dgetasetofcompactones-makeanote.Hewasready.KellyswitchedontheTVandwatchedthenewstogetaweatherforecast-cloudy,chanceofshowers,lowaroundseventy-five.Hemadeanddranktwocupsofinstantcoffeeforthecaffeine,waitingfornighttofall,whichitpresentlydid.
Leavingtheapartmentcomplexwas,oddlyenough,oneofthemostdifficultpartsoftheexercise.Kellylookedoutthewindows,hisinteriorlightsalreadyoff,makingsurethattherewasn‘tanyoneoutthere,beforeventuringouthimself.Outthedoorofthebuildinghestoppedagain,lookingandlisteningbeforehewalkeddirectlytotheVolkswagen,whichheunlockedandentered.Atonceheputontheworkgloves,andonlyafterthatdidheclosethecar‘sdoorandstarttheengine.TwominutesafterthathepassedtheplacewhereheparkedtheScout,wonderinghowlonelythecarwasnow.Kellyhadselectedasingleradiostation,playingcontemporarymusic,softrockandfolk,justtohavethecompanyoffamiliarnoiseashedrovesouthintothecity.
Partofhimwassurprisedathowtenseitwas,drivingin.Assoonashegottherehesettleddown,butthedrivein,liketheinsertionflightonaHuey,wasthetimeinwhichyoucontemplatedtheunknown,andhehadtotellhimselftobecool,tokeephisfaceinanimpassivemienwhilehishandssweatedalittleinsidethegloves.Hecarefullyobeyedeverytrafficlaw,observedalllights,andignoredthecarsthatspedpasthim.Amazing,hethought,howlongtwentyminutescouldseem.Thistimeheusedaslightlydifferentinsertionroute.He‘dscoutedtheparkingplacethenightbefore,twoblocksfromtheobjective-inhismind,thecurrenttacticalenvironmenttranslatedoneblocktoakilometerintherealjungle,acomplementaritythatmadehimsmiletohimself,briefly,ashepulledhiscarinbehindsomeone‘sblack1957Chevy.Asbefore,heleftthecarquickly,duckingintoanalleyforthecoverofdarknessandtheassumptionofhisphysicaldisguise.Insideoftwentyyardshewasjustonemoreshamblingdrunk.
‘Hey,dude!‘ayoungvoicecalled.Therewerethreeofthem,mid-to-lateteens,sittingonafenceanddrinkingbeer.Kellyedgedtotheothersideofthealleytomaximizehisdistance,butthatwasn‘ttobe.Oneofthemhoppeddownoffthefenceandcametowardshim.
‘Whatchalookin‘for,bum?‘theboyinquiredwithalltheunfeelingarroganceofayoungtough.‘Jesus,yousuredostink,man!Dintyourmamateachyatowash?‘
Kellydidn‘teventurnashecringedandkeptmoving.Thiswasn‘tpartoftheplan.Headdown,turnedslightlyawayfromtheladwhowalkedalongsidehim,keepingpaceinawaycalculatedtotormenttheoldbum,whoswitchedhiswinebottletohisotherhand.
‘Ineedsadrink,man,‘theyouthsaid,reachingforthebottle.
Kellydidn‘tsurrenderit,becauseastreetwinodidn‘tdothat.Theyoungstertrippedhim,shovinghimagainstthefencetohisleft,butitendedthere.Hewalkedbacktohisfriend,laughing,asthebumroseandcontinuedonhisway
‘Anddon‘yacomebackneither,man!‘Kellyheardashegottotheendoftheblock.Hehadnoplanstodoso.Hepassedtwomoresuchknotsofyoungpeopleinthenexttenminutes,neitherofwhichdeemedhimworthyofanyactionbeyondlaughter.Thebackdoorofhisperchwasstillajar,andtonight,thankfully,theratsweren‘tpresent.Kellypausedinside,listening,and,hearingnothing,hestooderect,allowinghimselftorelax.
‘SnaketoChicago,‘hewhisperedtohimself,rememberinghisoldcallsigns.‘Insertionsuccessful.Attheobservationpoint.‘Kellywentupthesamericketystairsforthethirdandlasttime,findinghisaccustomedplaceinthesoutheastcorner,satdown,andlookedout.
ArchieandJugheadwerealsointheiraccustomedplace,ablockaway,hesawatonce,talkingtoamotorist.Itwasten-twelveatnight.Kellyallowedhimselfasipofwaterandacandybarasheleanedback,watchingthemforanychangesintheirusualpatternofactivity,buttherewasnonehecouldseeinhalfanhourofobservation.BigBobwasinhisplace,too,aswashislieutenant,whomKellynowcalledLittleBob.CharlieBrownwasalsoinbusinesstonight,aswasDagwood,theformerstillworkingaloneandthelatterstillteamedupwithalieutenantKellyhadnotbotheredtoname.ButtheWizardwasn‘tvisibletonight.Itturnedoutthathearrivedlate,justaftereleven,alongwithhisassociate,whoseassignednamewasToto,forhetendedtoscurryaroundlikealittledogthatbelongedinthebasketonthebackoftheWickedWitch‘sbicycle.‘Andyourlittledog,too‘Kellywhisperedtohimselfinamusement.
Asexpected,Sundaynightwasslowerthanthetwoprecedingnights,butArchandJugseemedbusierthantheothers.Perhapsitwasbecausetheyhadaslightlymoreupscaleclientbase.Thoughallservedbothlocalandoutsidecustomers,ArchandJugseemedmoreoftentodrawthelargercarswhosecleanlinessandpolishmadeKellythinktheydidn‘tbelonginthispartoftown.Thatmighthavebeenanunwarrantedassumption,butitwasnotimportanttothemission.Thereallyimportantthingwassomethinghehadscopedoutthepreviousnightonhiswalkintotheareaandconfirmedtonightaswell.Nowitwasjustamatterofwaiting.
Kellymadehimselfcomfortable,feelinghisbodyrelaxnowthatallthedecisionshadbeenmade.Hestareddownatthestreet,stillintenselyalert,watching,listening,notingeverythingthatcameandwentastheminutespassed.Attwelve-forty,apoliceradiocartraveledoneofthecrossstreets,doingnothingmorethanshowingtheflag.Itwouldreturnafewminutesaftertwo,probably.Thecitybusesmadetheirwhirringdieselnoises,andKellyrecognizedtheone-ten,withthebrakesthatneededwork.Theirthinscreechmusthaveannoyedeverypersonwhotriedtosleepalongitsroute.Trafficslowedperceptiblyjustaftertwo.Thedealersweresmokingmorenow,talkingmore.BigBobcrossedthestreettosaysomethingtotheWizard,andtheirrelationsseemedcordialenough,whichsurprisedKelly.Hehadn‘tseenthatbefore.Maybethemanjustneededchangeforahundred.Thepolicecruisermadeitsscheduledpass.KellyfinishedhisthirdSnickersbaroftheevening,collectingthewrappers.Hecheckedthearea.He‘dleftnothing.Nosurfacehehadtouchedwaslikelytoretainafingerprint.Therewasjusttoomuchdustandgrit,andhe‘dbeenverycarefulnottotouchawindowpane.
Okay.
Kellymadehiswaydownthestairsandoutthebackdoor.Hecrossedthestreetintothecontinuationofthealleythatparalleledthestreet,stillkeepingtotheshadows,stillmovinginashamblingbutnowexceedinglyquietgait.
Themysteryofthefirstnighthadturnedouttobeaboon.ArchieandJugheadhadvanishedfromhissightinaspanoftwoorthreeseconds.Hehadn‘tlookedawayfromthemanylongerthanthat.Theyhadn‘tdrivenaway,andtheyhadn‘thadtimetowalktotheendoftheblock.Kellyhadfigureditoutthepreviousnight.Theseoverlongblocksofrowhouseshadnotbeenbuiltbyfools.Halfwaydown,manyofthecontinuousblockshadanarchedpassagewaysothatpeoplecouldgettothealleymoreeasily.ItalsomadeafineescaperouteforArchandJug,andwhenconductingbusinesstheyneverstrayedmorethantwentyfeetfromit.Buttheyneverreallyappearedtowatchiteither.
Kellymadesureofthat,leaningagainstanoutbuildingthatmighthavebeenbigenoughtocontainaModel-TFord.Findingapairofbeercans,heconnectedthemwithapieceofstringandsetthemacrossthecementwalkthatledtothepassage,makingsurethatnoonecouldapproachhimfrombehindwithoutmakingnoise.Thenhemovedin,walkingverylightlyonhisfeetandreachingintohiswaistbandforhissilencedpistol.Itwasonlythirty-fivefeettocover,buttunnelstransmittedsoundbetterthantelephones,andKelly‘seyesscannedthesurfaceforanythingonwhichhemighttripormakenoise.Heavoidedsomenewspaperandapatchofbrokenglass,arrivingclosetotheotherendofthepassageway.
Theylookeddifferentclose-up,humanalmost.Archiewasleaningbackagainstthebrownbricksofawall,smokingacigarette.Jugheadwasalsosmoking,sittingonsomeone‘scarfender,lookingdownthestreet,andeverytensecondstheflaringoftheircigarettesattackedanddegradedtheirvision.Kellycouldseethem,buteventenfeetawaytheycouldn‘tseehim.Itdidn‘tgetmuchbetter.
‘Don‘tmove,‘hewhispered,justforArchie.Theman‘sheadturned,moreinannoyancethanalarm,untilhesawthepistolwiththelargecylinderscrewedontotheend.Hiseyesflickeredtohislieutenant,whowasstillfacingthewrongway,hummingsomesongorother,waitingforacustomerwhowouldnevercome.Kellyhandledthenotification.
‘Hey!‘Stillawhisper,butenoughtocarryoverthediminishingstreetsounds.Jugheadturnedandsawthegunaimedathisemployer‘shead.Hefrozewithoutbeingbidden.Archiehadthegunandthemoneyandmostofthedrugs.HealsosawKelly‘shandwavehimin,andnotknowingwhatelsetodo,heapproached.
‘Businessgoodtonight?‘Kellyasked.
‘Fair‘nuf,‘Archierespondedquietly.Whatyouwant?‘
‘Nowwhatdoyousuppose?‘Kellyaskedwithasmile.
‘Youacop?‘Jugheadasked,ratherstupidly,theothertwothought.
‘No,I‘mnotheretoarrestanybody.‘Hemotionedwithhishand.‘Inthetunnel,facedown,quick.‘Kellyletthemgointenfeetorso,justenoughtobelosttooutsideview,notsofarthathedidn‘thavesomeexteriorlighttoseeby.Firsthesearchedthemforweapons.Archiehadarusty.32revolverthatwentintoapocket.Kellynexttooktheelectricalwirefromaroundhiswaistandwrappedittightlyaroundbothsetsofhands.Thenherolledthemover.
‘Youboyshavebeenverycooperative.‘
‘Youbetternevercomebackhere,man,‘Archieinformedhim,hardlyrealizingthathehadn‘tbeenrobbedatall.Jugnoddedandmuttered.Theresponsepuzzledbothofthem.
‘Actually,Ineedyourhelp.‘
‘Whatwith?‘Archieasked.
‘Lookingforaguy,nameofBilly,drivesaRoadrunner.‘
‘What?Youdickin‘myass?‘Archieaskedinratheradisgustedvoice.
‘Answerthequestion,please,‘Kellysaidreasonably.
‘Yougetyoufuckin‘assoutahere,‘Archiesuggestedspitefully.
KellyturnedthegunslightlyandfiredtworoundsintoJug‘shead.Thebodyspasmedviolently,andbloodflew,butnotonKellythistime.InsteaditshoweredacrossArchie‘sface,andKellycouldseethepusher‘seyesopenwideinhorrorandsurprise,likelittlelightsinthedarkness.Archiehadnotexpectedthat.Jugheadhadn‘tseemedmuchofaconversationalistanyway,andtheoperation‘sclockwasticking.
‘Isaidplease,didn‘tI?‘
‘SweetJesus,man!‘thevoicerasped,knowingthattomakeanymorenoisewouldbedeath.
‘Billy.RedPlymouthRoadrunner,lovestoshowitoff.He‘sadistributor.Iwanttoknowwherehehangsout,‘Kellysaidquietly.
‘IfItellyouthat-‘
‘Yougetanewsupplier.Me,‘Kellysaid.‘AndifyoutellBillythatI‘mouthere,you‘llgettoseeyourfriendagain,‘headded,gesturingtothebodywhosewarmbulkpressedlimplyagainstArchie‘sside.Hehadtoofferthemanhope,afterall.Maybeevenalittleleft-handedtruth,Kellythought:‘Doyouunderstand?Billyandhisfriendshavebeenscrewingaroundwiththewrongpeople,andit‘smyjobtostraightenthingsout.Sorryaboutyourfriend,butIhadtoshowyouthatI‘mserious,like.‘
Archie‘svoicetriedtocalmitself,butdidn‘tquitemakeit,thoughhereachedforthehopehe‘dbeenoffered.‘Look,man,Ican‘t-‘
‘Icanalwaysasksomebodyelse.‘Kellypausedsignificantly.‘DoyouunderstandwhatIjustsaid?‘
Archiedid,orthoughthedid,andhetalkedfreelyuntilthetimecameforhimtorejoinJughead.
AquicksearchofArchie‘spocketsturnedupanicewadofcashandacollectionofsmalldrugenvelopeswhichalsofoundtheirwayintohisjacketpockets.Kellysteppedcarefullyoverbothbodiesandmadehiswaytothealley,lookingbacktomakesurethathehadn‘tsteppedinanyblood.He‘ddiscardtheshoesinanycase.Kellyuntiedthestringfromthecansandreplacedthemwherehe‘dfoundthem,beforerenewinghisdrunkengait,takingaroundaboutpathbacktohiscar,repeatinghiscarefullyconsideredroutineeverystepoftheway.ThankGod,hethought,drivingnorthagain,he‘dbeabletoshowerandshavetonight.Butwhatthehellwouldhedowiththedrugs?Thatwasaquestionthatfatewouldanswer.
***
Thecarsstartedarrivingjustaftersix,notsoincongruousanhourforactivityonamilitarybase.Fifteenofthem,clunkers,nonelessthanthreeyearsold,andallofthemhadbeentotaledinautoaccidentsandsoldforscrap.Theonlythingunusualaboutthemwasthatthoughtheywerenolongerdrivable,theyalmostlookedasthoughtheywere.TheworkdetailwascomposedofMarines,supervisedbyagunnerysergeantwhohadnoideawhatthiswasallabout.Buthedidn‘thaveto.Thecarswereworkedintoplace,haphazardly,notinneatmilitaryrows,butmorethewayrealpeopleparked.Thejobtookninetyminutes,andtheworkdetailleft.Ateightinthemorninganothersuchdetailarrived,thisonewithmannequins.Theycameinseveralsizes,andtheyweredressedinoldclothes.Thechild-sizeoneswentontheswingsandinthesandbox.Theadultoneswerestoodup,usingthemetalstandsthatcamewiththem.Andthesecondworkpartyleft,toreturntwiceadayfortheindefinitefutureandmovethemannequinsaroundinarandomwayprescribedbyasetofinstructionsthoughtupandwrittendownbysomedamnedfoolofanofficerwhodidn‘thaveanythingbettertodo.
Kelly‘snoteshadcommentedonthefactthatoneofthemostdebilitatingandtime-consumingaspectsofOperationKINGPINhadbeenthedailynecessityofsettingupandstrikingdownthemockupoftheirobjective.Hehadn‘tbeenthefirsttonoteit.IfanySovietreconnaissancesatellitestooknoteofthisplace,theywouldseeanoddcollectionofbuildingsservingnoreadilyidentifiablepurpose.Theywouldalsoseeachild‘splayground,completewithchildren,parents,andparkedcars,allofwhichelementswouldmoveeveryday.Thatbitofinformationwouldcounterthemoreobviousobservation-thatthisrecreationalfacilitywashalfamileoffanypavedroadandinvisibletotherestoftheinstallation.</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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