Finally he said, “I need some time to processall of this. Give me the night to think on things and we’ll discussthis more in the morning. You can bunk down in the sparebedroom.”
He saw me settled into the guest room, thenleft me to my own devices. It took me forever to get to sleep.
***
The next morning I woke up to find that Mattwas already gone. I took a shower and ate some leftover pizza forbreakfast. It was about all that I could do until I heard from myfriend. Shortly after noon, I heard a truck approaching the house.Sneaking a peek out the window, I saw a familiar olive greenmilitary truck in the driveway behind Matt’s jeep.
He opened his garage door, but parked off tothe side. Jumping out, he helped guide the truck back up againstthe opening. Curious, I went through the side door into the garageand saw a half squad of troops unloading supplies onto the garagefloor.
“All personnel and equipment ready and atyour disposal, sir,” the staff sergeant shouted, snapping toattention.
“At ease,” Matt replied. “Stay with theordinance, we’ll return shortly with instructions.” He guided meback inside the house.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“I thought long into the night about what youtold me, and came to a decision. I would trust you with my life, soI completely believe that you have uncovered a significant threat.As such, I have decided to give you as much support as I can,without going through channels. By my thinking, you Rangers followa close enough code to real soldiers like us Green Berets that Iwill trust you with operational command.”
I flipped him a quick finger at his dig atthe rangers.
“There’s no way that I can get leave on shortnotice to join you, but I can arrange for the loan of up to twosquads of troops who are personally loyal to me. You’ll have bothsignificant talent, as well as significant firepower.”
Stunned at the scope of what he was layingout before me, I could only nod for him to continue.
“Before we continue, I must ask you one lasttime if this is some kind of stupid joke. If you lead me on by mydick past this point for no good reason, I’ll execute youmyself.”
Nodding for him to continue I said, “This isno joke, but I’m not sure if this much force will be needed.”
“Better to have backup that you don’t needrather than need it and not have it,” he admonished. “Now, ifyou’re ready to continue, let’s figure out what the hell we can doabout this situation.”
“I must say that I’m surprised at all of thesupport you’re offering to me without any evidence,” Iadmitted.
“You’ve seen enough combat to not be easilyspooked. I’ve seen enough that I’ve learned to trust the gutfeelings of seasoned soldiers. Making my decision wasn’t easy, butnow that I’ve made it, you can count on my full support.”
The people that I selected for this missionare both loyal and honorable. Any information that you told me, youcan trust to them as well. I suggest that we sit down with thesoldiers here and you brief them as you did with me last night.Each is a specialist in his own right, and will add to our littlewar council.”
Words cannot describe the pride that I feltsurging through me at his words. “This is why I became asoldier,” I thought. “Very well,” I said with resolve. “Pleasegather the men and give them a preliminary briefing. I need a fewminutes alone.”
I made my way to my bedroom and closed thedoor behind me. Spying some candles on the end table, I lit one andturned off the room light. I gathered the rest together andarranged them in the middle of a clear space on the floor. I satdown cross legged and slowly lit them, slowing my breathing as muchas I could. Once I had relaxed sufficiently, I quietly began tospeak.
Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger,fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will alwaysendeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps ofmy Ranger Regiment.
Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is amore elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle byland, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my countryexpects me to move further, faster, and fight harder than any othersoldier.
Never shall I fail my comrades. I willalways keep myself mentally alert, physically strong, and morallystraight and I will shoulder more than my share of the taskwhatever it may be, one hundred percent and then some.
Gallantly will I show the world that I am aspecially selected and well trained soldier. My courtesy tosuperior officers, neatness of dress, and care of equipment shallset the example for others to follow.
Energetically will I meet the enemies of mycountry. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am bettertrained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Rangerword. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands ofthe enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass mycountry.
Readily will I display the intestinalfortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and completethe mission, though I be the lone survivor.
Comforted by my reaffirmation of the RangersCreed, I rose and tried to decide if I should slaughter my wife ormy friends first.
Chapter 15
Mark: The Morning After
I awoke slowly, so as to not disturb thepercussion band marching around inside my skull. Crawling out ofbed, I made my way to the shower where I stood soaking until I feltpartially human again. I didn’t feel like shaving, so I just put onsome sweats. I was amazed that the clock said it was almost noon. Ihaven’t overslept so much since my college days.
Leaving the bedroom, I heard voices comingfrom the kitchen so I made my way there. I wanted about a gallon ofhot strong coffee. Conversation stopped as I rounded the corner andthey all turned to look at
