Harruck’s company suffered seven dead and fourteen injured. We killed about eight or nine around the base, with more dead in the mountains, but the Taliban recovered those bodies before we could confirm the kills.
Harruck’s snipers were confident that at least four more had been taken down. The fires had been put out, and Harruck already had crews cleaning up the mess by the time he returned from town and nearly broke down the door of our billet. “Let’s go,” he snapped.
The rest of my team made faces as I followed him out and across the base, feeling like a cherry about to be trounced on by his CO, yet also resenting how upset Harruck had become. He had to take his anger out on someone, I guess. I acknowledged that he was the CO there, and though I didn’t answer exclusively to him, I should respect his authority despite my far greater experience. I could easily get Keating to override him, but once I did that, our friendship would be over.
He collapsed into his chair. I took the one in front of his dusty desk. You could still smell the ash and cinders from the mess hall wafting in through the open window, and a small fan pivoting to and fro on the desk didn’t help. I stared at the fan a moment, then took a deep breath and closed my eyes. “So, okay, buddy, let’s have it.”
When I opened my eyes, he was pouring me a drink, then one for himself.
I took the shot, downed it quickly. He did the same, swore, then said, “I need a miracle.”
“I thought we were going to fight.”
He shrugged. “I know where you’re coming from. But I need to be honest with you — it looks like removing Zahed from power could do more harm than good.”
“Simon, unless you can get my orders revised, I’m here to do one thing.”
“You haven’t met the district governor here, have you?”
I shook my head. “Just read about him in the briefing. He’s another model citizen.”
“Well, yeah, if you recall, the guy’s name is Naimut Gul. He came in here last year and promised these people the world, told them the Afghan government would help. He didn’t do anything except take their money. He’s like a Mafia kingpin, and his word means nothing. When the people think of the government, they see him. He’s in bed with some of the warlords up north, and it’s pretty damned clear he’s on the payroll for opium production.”
I snorted. “And he’s the guy we’re trying to support. He’s the
Harruck cursed through a sigh. “Look, Zahed’s a ruthless killer. His men are Huns. But the canals that are here, the bazaar? He financed all of that, had his people build it all. The Taliban brought in the natural gas tanks and have been talking about getting power lines hooked up.”
“And Kundi, our big landowner, supports all of this,” I said.
“Here’s the thing. And I’ve been thinking about this all day. If you take out Zahed too early — before I can get something going here — then they’ll still hate us and align us with the government.”
“They’ve already done that.”
“Not all of them. If we can build them their school, their police station, and dig them a new well — and we deliver on those promises — then the timing will be perfect to remove Zahed and maybe even bring in a new governor. I’ve heard talk of that, too. Start off with a clean slate.”
I sat back and tried to consider everything without getting a migraine. “You want me to believe it’s all that simple.”
“I’ve got nothing else, Scott. I can’t walk out of here as a failure.”
“The legacy, huh?”
“This entire company is depending on me to help them complete the mission. We’re not even close yet.”
“What if your mission is bullshit?”
“It’s not.”
“My people seem to think that if we take out the Taliban leadership, we’ll be in a better position to help these civilians — not that I agree with that, either. I mean look… how are you supposed to build a school with no assets and constant attacks from them?”
Harruck lowered his voice. “Maybe we can work with them.”
I started laughing. “Last night I untied a girl from a pool table, and you’re telling me you want to work with these people?”
“Money talks.”
“Simon, if you go there, then you’re no better than them. I’m telling you.”
“My back’s against the wall.”
A knock came at the door, and the company’s executive officer, Martin Shoregan, peeked inside. He was a lean black man and highly articulate, clearly being groomed to lead a company of his own. “Sir, sorry to interrupt. Dr. Anderson is here from the ARO.”
Harruck bolted out of his chair. “Are you kidding me?”
“Do you want me to—”
“Send her right in!” he cried.
I glanced up at him. “Do you want me—”
“No, please stay.”
The door opened, and in stepped a woman in a greenstriped high-bodice dress with a swirling skirt and wide shawl draped over her head. Blond hair spilled out from the front of the shawl, and she grinned easily at us as I rose to meet her.
“Captain Harruck?” she asked, looking at me.
I shook my head.
“I’m Captain Simon Harruck.” He proffered his hand. “And this is a friend.”
She shook hands with Harruck, then smiled at me. “Well, hello, friend. I guess if I get your name, then you’ll have to kill me?”
I shrugged. “Call me Scott. Where are you from? Australia?”
“Sydney. Very good. You?”
“I’m not here.”
She liked that. “Right…”
Harruck told her to take my seat, and I didn’t mind. She was easy on the eyes.
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries, and I learned that they’d spoken on the phone for many months. She said she was finally able to gather the resources and that the Afghanistan Relief Organization (ARO) — along with more than a dozen other relief groups — was ready to work with Army engineers on the construction of the school, police station, and solar-powered well. All of the agreements had been struck with the district governor and other elders, and they should be able to break ground within a week. Funding was finally in place.
“This is the news I’ve been waiting to hear for eight months now,” said Harruck, his voice cracking. He glanced over at me and nodded.
I didn’t hide my skepticism. “Dr. Anderson, I assume the
“That’s right. My brother’s the medical doctor in our family. My degree is in agricultural economics and rural sociology. Call me Cassie.”
“Well, Cassie, you’re a smart woman, and you understand the political situation here.”
“I’ve been working in this country for three years now. So, yes, I’m keenly aware of what’s happening. The ARO has made significant strides despite all the corruption.”
“I understand, but you don’t see this as a terrific waste of resources?”
“Excuse me?”
“We’re going to provide all these services for the local community, but when we leave, the Taliban will move back in and destroy them, or exploit them, or hold them ransom. We should neutralize the enemy first, build a militia, then provide these people with an infrastructure only after they can protect themselves.”
She looked at Harruck. “Your friend’s a bit of a cynic.”
“His mission has become slightly different than mine, but I think we can all work together to make this happen.”
I raised my voice, if only a little. “Simon, do you think by helping these people you’ll really build their trust? We’ll always be foreigners.”
“I need to try. At least for the children.”
