Part 7 (1/2)
With notable exceptions, of course.
The Rebels were perfectly free to express their sentiments; live as they chose to live; be whatever they chose to be in the civilian aspect of their lives; defend life and property without fear of unjust penalty ...
The sounds of plane engines cut into his thoughts....
Free summed it up and closed the subject.
Ben stood up and stretched just as the planes lined up in the sky for a landing. The pilots would refuel plane and body, take a p.i.s.s break, check engines and tires, then Ben and his people would climb on board.
”Platoon leaders!” Ben shouted. ”Start forming up your sections. Secure gear.”
Dr. Lamar Chase climbed out of a Jeep and walked up to Ben. ”Don't break your d.a.m.ned legs in this insanity,” the doctor said sourly. As was his manner of showing affection toward Ben.
”I'll do my best. Give us a full two days to get set up, and then try to contact the Russian by radio. Make your medical peace with the man ... if possible.”
”All right. I just heard about that woman ...
Rani? I'm sorry, Ben.”
Ben nodded. ”I intend to finish it this time, Lamar. If at all possible, I intend to settle the matter. Then we'll get cracking on the outpost idea.”
”It's a good idea, Ben. If you can get the Russian and Sam Hartline off our backs, we can try to bring some semblance of order back to this land.
Productivity will naturally follow that.”
”You've got to include G.o.d in there somewhere, Lamar,” Ben said softly.
”The first two will come about a lot easier than the latter, Ben,” he was reminded.
”Don't you start on me, you old goat.”
Lamar grunted his reply. Just before he turned to walk back to his Jeep, he said, ”Take care, General. G.o.d be with you all.” Even though,he thought, keeping it silent and to himself, many of the men and women with you think G.o.d is already here.
The Rebels were almost staggering under the weight of their loads. Ben knew they were going in too-heavy-loaded. But a lot of paratroopers had done so before.
He wondered, watching his people being boosted up into the planes: For how many would this be the last jump?
He shook that away and motioned the lead pilot over to him. ”Give her all she's got,” he ordered the woman. ”I want to be over the DZ just before dusk. Then you people get back here, get a good night's sleep, and start ferrying in supplies to us first thing in the morning.”
The woman opened a map and pointed to pre-marked locations.
”That's it. Thank you, Jean.”
”Yes, sir, General.”
He looked at Sylvia. The woman was almost buried under the load of equipment carried. ”You ready to go head hunting, Lieutenant?”
She nodded, her eyes large under the protective plastic headgear. Once on the ground, that would be discarded and a black beret would take its place.
”Let's do it.”
The cold winds howled through the open doors of the planes. Conversation was very nearly impossible. Some of the sticks of jumpers would be going out the side, others would jump from the rear. All would be on static line.
And Ben would be the first one out of the lead plane.
Using a headset, Ben stayed in constant communication with the pilot. ”Anyone heard anything from the others?” he asked.
”General McGowen and his people are on the ground and moving,” she radioed back. ”Just got that word.”
Ike had made it.
”Colonel Gray's people are down and all right,”
she continued.
Dan and his Scouts were okay.
”First Battalion is in position along the border. The Scouts and the woods-children were off-loaded.
It all went without a hitch.”
”Very good. How much further to the DZ?”
”Forty minutes, sir.”
”Advise us five minutes before jump off.”
”Yes, sir.”
Ben looked up at the jumpmaster, James Riverson. The huge ex-truckdriver from the boot-heel of Missouri was yet another who had been with him since the outset. Ben held up four fingers and then made a circle of thumb and forefinger.
Riverson nodded.
The minutes ticked by. Those who wait for combat can attest to how tricky time can be. It can seemingly drag or speed up.
The sun was dipping dramatically toward the western horizon.
Ben's headset cracked. ”Five minutes,sir.”
”Stand ”em up and hook 'em up!” Ben shouted to James.
The red light came on.
”Check equipment!” James shouted.
Equipment was checked.
”Stand in the door!” James said to Ben.
The webbing was lowered; the door yawned into empty s.p.a.ce.