it to the computer. Then he looked at the new picture. Now the old one again. Now the new one again.
Ned frowned. What the fuck are you doing? You look like you're bobbing for apples.
Come here and check out the Iranian marshes in both photos. Tell me what you see.
Ned walked over and studied them. There's a shadowy strip across the marshes in the new one. Probably the water in the area sank in deeper. Sinkholes or something.
Ernie shook his head. That ain't a natural occurrence, pal. Don't you remember your training? Natural objects are irregular and haphazard. This thing is man-made. It's as straight as a frigging arrow.
You're right! Ned exclaimed. There's some kind of facility a few kilometers away. It looks like a military setup.
Maybe it don't mean shit, Ernie said. But I'm kicking this one upstairs with a note.
That's what they're paying us for, Ned said. I'll fetch you an envelope.
Chapter 10
SHELOR FIELD
SEAL HANGAR
16 APRIL
0200 HOURS
DAVE Leibowitz poured the final five gallons of gas from the jerry can into Vehicle Alpha Two, while Mike Assad sat the Javelin CLU in the back with a couple of loaded launch tubes. They looked up from their tasks, surprised to see Chad Murchison stroll into the large building at that early hour. He was dressed for the field, complete with web gear and a locked-and-loaded HK-416 carbine slung on his right shoulder. His boonie cap was pulled low over his eyes.
Dave put the now-empty fuel container on the floor and began to unscrew the pouring spout in the opening. What the hell are you doing, Chad? Standing watch? I thought the Air Force was in charge of installation security.
Chad shook his head. I was wondering if I could go along for the ride.
Mike chuckled. This ain't a drive in the country. We're going on a recon patrol out in the desert. The Skipper wants to find out how them armored cars snuck up on us from the west the other day. We won't be back till after chow tonight.
I know, Chad said. I'd like to go with you.
Sure, Dave said. You'll have to ride up in the M-Two gunner's spot.
Hey, y'know, that's a good idea, Mike said. Another set of eyes will He stopped speaking as a thought leaped into his mind. Ain't them UN folks pulling out later this morning?
I don't know, Chad said.
Dave eyed him closely. Sure you know. There's an aircraft coming to fly them back to Kabul. We all know about it. Your girl's leaving, ain't she?
I suppose.
Don't you want to say good-bye to her? Mike asked.
Chad's temper snapped. No, goddamn it! I don't want to say good-bye to her. I want to get aboard that fucking DPV and go out into the fucking desert. Is that alright with you two guys?
Sure, Mike said with a frown. Don't snap my head off!
Dave got into the driver's seat. All right. Let's go, guys.
Mike settled in the passenger seat behind the M-60 while Chad pulled himself up into the M-2 gunner's spot, settling down for what was going to be a rough ride. Dave started the engine, calling out, Fasten your seat belts.
What the hell? Mike growled. Do you think the CHP is gonna be out there waiting to pull us over like in California?
Just going by the old idea of safety first, Dave said, putting the vehicle into gear. It eased out of the hangar, then gained speed as it crossed the runway, heading for open country.
.
0700 HOURS
SENIOR Chief Petty Officer Buford Dawkins had turned the enlisted men over to Chief Petty Officer Matt Gunnarson. The idea was for the CPO to take them out to do a morning of firing with the HK-416s at a spot a couple of miles east of the airfield. Lieutenants Brannigan and Cruiser had gone to a meeting called by the Air Force base commander to cover the upcoming comings and goings at Shelor Field.
Dawkins stayed behind by himself in the hangar office to catch up on some of the nagging paperwork that was his responsibility. Most of it was administrative nonsense, such as contrived rosters of who attended mandatory annual classes in sexual harassment, drug abuse, ethnic discrimination, and similar topics. All this was to be sent back to the USS Dan Daly, where a staff of yeomen would dutifully enter the information into personnel files as proof of mandatory indoctrination and guidance. This would eventually be pored over by a bunch of incredibly candy-ass headquarters pukes who considered SEALs and Marines one step above Neanderthals.
Excuse me.
The feminine voice startled the old salt, and he looked up to see a young woman he recognized as Chad Murchison's girlfriend. Good morning, Dawkins said, displaying his version of a pleasant smile.
Could you tell me where Chad Murchison is? Penny asked. I'd like to see him before I leave for Kabul.
I'm afraid Petty Officer Murchison is not available, Dawkins said. He's out on patrol.
I don't understand, Penny said.
Dawkins had been warned by Cruiser to expect the young lady. The senior chief also knew that for some reason of his own, Murchison wanted to avoid her. Dawkins cleared his throat. Ahem. Well, now, uh, miss, you see, we got to run patrols. Yep. Got to run 'em. You bet. Normal part of our operations. Routine. But important. Yeah. Patrols are real important.
But couldn't you have let someone else go in his place? Penny asked. I'm leaving the UN when we get to Kabul. I'm going home to Boston.
Have a nice trip.
I probably won't see him again for a long time, Penny said. At least, not until he returns to California. She reached up and wiped at a tear running down her cheek.
Well, yeah, I guess you won't, huh? A crying woman was something Dawkins could not deal with.
Now she began sobbing louder. It was... real mean to...make him go...on a patrol...when you knew ...I was leaving...Afghanistan.
Yeah.
Why did...you send him...out there? Penny asked, sitting down in the chair across from the chief.
I didn't, Dawkins said. Now he seemed to be stuck with a weeping woman who planned on staying awhile.
She pulled a tissue out of her pocket and dabbed at her eyes. I was real mean to Chad a long time ago. I threw him over for another guy. Sometimes, I think he's still upset about that.
He'll get over it sooner or later, Dawkins growled.
Oh, that's all water under the bridge, Penny said. I broke up with Cliff, then got back with Chad. It was here in Afghanistan.
The senior chief made a mental note to get hold of Murchison the instant he was back from the patrol and chew his ass bloody for causing this girl to come looking for him. Dawkins considered her presence an extreme annoyance. And, as everyone should know, it's not nice to annoy a senior chief petty officer. He opined to himself that the girl was plainly untutored in certain social graces.
Penny's sobbing became more subdued, and she sighed loudly, saying, I just want Chad to get out of this awful Navy.
Look, young lady, I'm really busy right now, Dawkins said.
Don't let me bother you, Penny said. Go right on and work.
At that exact moment, Jim Cruiser stepped into the office. The instant he spotted Penny, he whipped around and tried to retreat, but she jumped from her chair and went after him.
.
