“Hold on, man. I got you. We got you. Help is coming.” Doc assured his friend.
Watching Doc and Leisl work, Angie came to and her training took over. She helped get Eastwood onto a nearby buck board for quick transport.
Doc pulled his two-way off his belt and hailed Outlaw. “Six, come in, Six. Over.”
A voice answered. “Six here. Doc, is that you? What’s your location?”
“With Eastwood. We’ve got a 9-1-1 here. Half the hospital has been razed and we need medical evac ASAP. What’s the situation out there?”
“Air strike called in from Ahmad al-Jaber Airbase. They’ll be here in T-minus four minutes. Take cover where you are. I repeat, take cover where you are. We got this. Over.”
“Doc out,” he said, putting the radio back on his belt. He looked at Angie. “We need blankets and that mattress,” he said, pointing at Eastwood’s hospital bed now laying on its side in the only corner left in the room. “We’ve got to pull him into the hall and against the wall. Come on.”
Leisl helped Jason pull the buck board into the hall. Eastwood screamed in pain once and then bit his tongue, gritting his teeth. Angie grabbed the mattress and some blankets and followed. In the hall, Eastwood was pushed against the wall. Leisl stayed at his head, Angie at his legs, and Doc covered them all with the mattress before grabbing the blankets to throw over the top. He saved one for himself, dropping to the ground and stretching his body out along the outside of his teammate’s. There, he covered himself curling up tight to Eastwood’s side. He reached his arms around Leisl’s waist. Together, they formed a shield around the injured man.
“Cover your ears and hold on tight!”
Those were Doc’s last words before a deafening airstrike rained down on the camp.
For Leisl, it seemed to go on forever. In reality, it lasted no more than fifteen minutes. In that short time, missiles from the F16 Fighting Falcons took out the small army of terrorists that arrived in the trucks and one successfully put an end to the insurgents outside of camp firing the rocket launchers.
Outside, stragglers were taken down by Outlaw and his team, the Black Site Alpha interrogators, and the base camp soldiers.
The silence that descended after the last shots were fired was eerie, unsettling.
“Everyone okay?” Doc asked, his hands feeling Leisl’s back and then checking Eastwood.
“Stop copping a feel, you fucker,” said Harry, his voice weak.
“We need to get him help,” Angie said, sitting up and peeking out from under the mattress.
A door swung wide at the end of the hall and Major Ross, followed by two more surgeons and a team of medics, came rushing in.
“Everyone okay? I need a damage report, stat!”
Angie got up followed by Doc and then Leisl.
“The south wing of the hospital is gone, Major,” said Angie. “The three patients there…dead.”
Major Ross cursed. “And Sergeant Tyler?” he asked, squatting down to check the pulse of the man on the floor.
“Critical. Left leg amputation. We’ve tied it off but he needs immediate care,” Leisl added.
Doc looked around. “He needs to be stabilized.”
“Agreed, medic,” said Major Ross. He glanced at the group behind him. “Get him up and into the surgical bay. IV, blood bag, and morphine pump.” He looked at Angie. “It’s still there?” he asked.
“I believe so,” she said, looking down the long hall.
“Then let’s move. We won’t be able to do much but we can prepare him for evacuation.” Major Ross addressed the camp medic to his right. “Call it in. Tell them we have one for them.”
Doc blinked at the Major’s strange words, but shrugged it off. He helped the team lift Eastwood and carry him down the hall to surgery.
“There’s more injured out there. We’re bringing them in,” said the Major.
Leisl turned to Major Ross. “I’ll get scrubbed in,” she said, and then turned to leave. She paused, wavering. The ringing in her ear rose in volume and as she raised her hand to cover it, began to shake before collapsing to the floor. She heard the Major yell, “Medic!” And then the world went black.
Chapter 12
Bits and pieces of images filtered in and out of Leisl’s memory. She vaguely remembered the sound of chopper blades, of someone telling her to relax, she’d be okay. Then there were lights, the bright fluorescent lights of a long hallway that smelled of antiseptic and alcohol. She was heavily sedated and came to when a nurse arrived, gently shaking her shoulder.
“Sergeant Craig, we need to get you out of these clothes. Here, sit up,” she said.
Leisl opened her eyes and focused. The woman was of medium height with gray hair and a kind smile. She had a hospital gown in her hands that she placed across the lower end of the bed over Leisl’s legs.
“Where am I? What happened?”
The woman smiled. “You’re at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany. You’ve just arrived, and the doctor needs to examine you, order tests, but we have to get you out of your uniform and into this gown. Here, dear. Let me help you,” she said, going to work helping Leisl remove her fatigues. She moved carefully around the IV in Leisl’s arm, using scissors to cut the sleeve so as not to displace the needle.
“Germany? How long have I been out? Where’s Jason?” she asked, groggy.
“I don’t know who that is, dear. You were brought in by the medical evac team. I didn’t see anyone else with you. As for how long? I couldn’t say. About four and a half to five hours, I think.” The nurse tugged Leisl’s pants down and removed her boots, socks, and underthings. The gown went on next and the nurse tucked her back into the bed.
“But what happened?”
“You collapsed, had a seizure. Your chart says you’ve been diagnosed with a Shwannoma, signed by a Major Ross?” she asked.
Leisl nodded. “Yes, he’s my superior, the doctor I work under.”
“I see. Well, I know he’s on the phone with Doctor Bannerman right now getting your history. A few tests have already been ordered. You’re due downstairs for an MRI. And I’m Betty, by the way. I’ll be taking care of you until eleven and then Grace will be your night nurse.”
Leisl took a moment to take in everything Betty told her. She’d had a seizure. That wasn’t good. Not at all. And she’d been evac’d out to Germany for care. Alone. She didn’t know why she was surprised by that fact, but somehow, she was. Over the past few days, a seed of hope had been planted within her by a charming, brown-eyed, dimpled man. He’d told her he cared, and she’d believed him. Foolishly, it seems. But what had she expected after all? He was a soldier, Special Ops at that, just passing through doing his job. She was a brief distraction, a broken distraction so why would he put himself out any more than that?
Fear snaked its way through her, a fear she hadn’t experienced in a long, long time. A brain tumor was attacking her from within and she didn’t know how to fight that. Worse, there was no one there to hold her hand, no one around who loved her. She didn’t even have Pooch, and now, he was all alone too. She couldn’t be there to make sure he ate, got water, received love. It was too much. Tears welled in her eyes and slid down her cheeks.
“There, there, dear. Are you in pain?” Betty patted her shoulder.
Leisl shook her head. “No. I’m okay,” she sniffed, holding it in as best she could.
Betty eyed her with concern. “Okay. I’ll let radiology know you’re ready. Someone will be here shortly to take you down, and then the doctor will talk with you after.” She pushed a bedside table near. “I’d offer you water, but the doctor is keeping you NPO until after testing, just in case he needs to schedule surgery. If your mouth gets dry, hit the call bell and I’ll bring you some ice chips.”
Surgery. The word sank in like a brick hitting the pavement and smashing into a thousand pieces. Leisl nodded absently, and then rolled over onto her side as Betty left the room. The tears she tried to hold back burst
their dam. Sobs racked her as she gripped the blanket.
“So now what?” Doc asked. Outlaw paced the length of the room. The team had accompanied Lt. McCall and Chief Perrillo to Black Site Alpha, an unlisted base camp just inside the Afghan border. It was here, built into the side of the base of a mountain range that high-value prisoners were detained for interrogation. It was the Middle Eastern equivalent of Guantanamo, at least for the time being.
“Now we decide if saving this girl’s life is worth the risk.” McCall sat on a chair, leaning back on the legs.
“You’re a cold bastard,” said Doc.
“I’m a realist, Doc,” he said.
The two men glared at each other.
“Enough!” Outlaw stopped pacing and faced them. “Ms. Ali may be of Syrian decent but she’s a resident of the UAE. Rescuing a daughter of the Emirates gives us leverage in dealing with the monarchy. The protocol handed down by the State Department is clear on this. We maintain our ties with allies at all costs by due diligence, good deed, and if necessary, getting one up on them. Rescuing Fatima Ali puts the U.S. in the good graces of Sheikh Khalifa. I’ve spoken with General Davidson and he’s discussed the issue with the Secretary of State in coordination with the Pentagon. They want her found and brought home. It’s up to us to make that happen. Problem is, we’re down a man,” he eyed Doc, “possibly two.”
“What?” Doc, who’d been leaning against the wall, stood up straight, confusion reflected in his eyes.
Outlaw blew out a breath. “You’re a mess, Doc. Ever since they flew your girlfriend out, you’re not all there. I can see it and we can’t afford half-assed right now. Major Ross told me she has no one. Is that true?”
Doc huffed. “Yeah, it’s true. No parents. No family, she said. And she’s not my girlfriend”
“We’ve heard that before,” said Hollywood. Ghost nodded.
Skyscraper rolled his eyes. “She’s got you, Doc, wrapped around her finger already. Damn, that shit’s as clear as day. It’s not like we haven’t seen it happen before back when Outlaw got struck in the ass by Cupid’s arrow. But Emma’s one of us now. Guess that makes us your girl’s family now too. Do we get to know her name at least?”
Outlaw smirked, looking at Doc. “Well?”
Doc shifted from one foot to the other. “It’s Leisl. Leisl Craig.”
“Leisl,” said Skyscraper, considering. “Leisl Craig Gordon. Sounds like some white Scottish shit to me. I like it. She a redhead?”
Doc cocked his head. “She is as a matter of fact. Green eyes, too. Kind of quiet. Smart. Tough as nails even though she’s a tiny thing. Did I tell you she took out one of those ISIS pricks with her handgun? Fucking excellent shot. No hesitation. Had my back like a champ,” he said, pride glowing in his eyes.
Hollywood elbowed Ghost who bit his lip to keep from laughing. Skyscraper shook his head. “Yep, Doc’s caught. It’s all over now. Women across the globe gonna shed tears with you off the market. S’okay, though. I can take up the slack.”
McCall and Perrillo laughed. “You fuckers are crazy,” said Jersey.
McCall sat forward. “So what, are you asking for our help, Captain?” he addressed Outlaw.
Nate cut to the chase. “Yes. You fellas want to get out of this shithole cave for a bit and go to another shithole with us to rescue a girl?”
Perrillo looked at his Lieutenant and shrugged. “I’m good if you are, Badger.”
Shane McCall looked around the room at the Green Berets, then pointedly at Doc. “What about him?”
Outlaw looked at Doc. “You have a choice. No pressure. Stay and come on this mission or go to Ramstein and be with Leisl. No judgement. But you have to decide now. You have to be all-in one way or the other because once we head out, who knows how long before we get back? Could be months.”
Doc nodded, his mind racing. In his twelve years serving, he hadn’t missed one single mission. Never even considered it. But now, one quiet, tough redhead had him rethinking his priorities. Even as he considered his options, he knew she was there, all alone, and it killed him inside.”
“You can check on Eastwood for us all if you go to Germany,” Ghost said.
The guys all nodded. “Yeah,” said Hollywood. “Someone’s got to be there for Harry. Shit, he lost his leg, man. Bad enough when he almost lost his nut sac, but damn, he was bouncing back from that. Now…” he paused, looking down, “now he’s done. There’s no coming back from this. Just like my brother all over again. Goddammit.”
Ghost patted Hollywood’s shoulder. “He needs to know we’re still family no matter what, that we’re thinking about him. If you go to Germany, you can tell him that. Be our team’s ambassador so to speak.”
“You had to put it that way, didn’t you?” said Doc. He wiped a hand over his eyes. “Shit. Yeah, okay. I’ll go to Ramstein, but you,” he pointed to McCall and Perrillo, “you two fuckers better damn well have all of their backs. No going rogue or half-cocked doing what you want to do. This group is tight, and we all work together as one. There’s no hot-doggin’ here. You fuck up, anything happens to any one of them, you’ll deal with me.”
McCall stood, extending a hand, respect in his All-American blue eyes. “You have my word.”
Perrillo got up, putting out his hand as well. “Mine too. Go take care of your girl and your teammate. We got this.”
Doc sighed, looking at Outlaw. “So, when do I leave?”
Nate gripped Doc’s shoulder. “I already called the evac chopper in. Should be here within the hour.”
“You sonofabitch. Don’t go thinking this means you know me,” he said, a catch in his voice.
Outlaw chuckled. “No one knows you better than we do, you dimpled bastard. It was a group decision. Blame them,” he said, looking around the room.
Hollywood looked at the ceiling. Ghost whistled a tune. Skyscraper grinned.
“You fuckers are playing Cupid…again.” Doc shook his head.
McCall and Perrillo exchanged a look. Shane grumbled to Jersey, “We may have made a mistake, man.”
Outlaw smirked. “Welcome to the group, boys. Let’s get to work. Ghost, get the maps and let’s find the best route into Damascus.”
Chapter 13
Doctor Bannerman pulled up a stool to the bedside. He adjusted his dark-rimmed glasses and offered Leisl a kindly smile. “I know this is difficult, so let’s just cut to it. Your MRI results show the tumor sitting on your vestibular nerve. That’s why you’re experiencing the ringing in your ear, the balance issues, and shaking hands. Major Ross has been quite helpful in filling me in, said you’ve been an outstanding nurse and surgical assistant. That’s high praise from a combat surgeon, so I know you will fully understand when I tell you that we need to get you into surgery right away. The seizure you experienced is only the first of many to come if we don’t get that tumor out of you ASAP. Truth is, the next one could kill you, and that’s before we even know whether or not it’s malignant. Those results will only be discovered when we get it out and send it off to pathology.”
Leisl closed her eyes. The idea that they needed to cut open her head was too much. She’d thought maybe radiation treatment and chemo which was bad enough but having someone drill through her skull was a nightmare she never thought she’d have to face.
“What if you can’t get it out?”
The doctor looked down at the chart containing her MRI results. “If that were the case, you’d need to go through targeted radiation treatment, but I can tell you this isn’t the case with your Shwannoma. In fact, you’re fortunate it’s sitting where it is because we can get to it. However, I won’t lie and say there are no risks. Outside of the usual risk factors for anyone undergoing anesthesia, there’s every possibility the hearing in your left ear can be permanently damaged.”
“And if it’s malignant?” she asked.
“That possibility moves up to probability. You know how harmful radiation can be. It not only destroys bad cells but good ones too.
That part is still unavoidable until we come up with better treatment options.”
She mulled over his words, nodding. She didn’t feel prepared for this fight and she didn’t like that. This one hit out of the blue unlike most of the predictable pitfalls in her life. But she’d handled bad situations before, situations not in her control. The death of her dad. Her mother’s overdose. Foster care and state care. Rape. She’d survived them all. The list was long but for once, she felt unsure, wondered if maybe there was a limit on second chances.
“When?” she asked.
Doctor Bannerman glanced at the clock on the stark-white wall. “As soon as I can schedule it. We’ll have to bring in the on-call team.”
She looked at the man. He was graying at the temples and going bald on top. His blue eyes crinkled in the corners, a sign that he smiled a lot throughout his life. That was a good sign. A sign of a man with a good heart. “Will you be performing the surgery?”
“Yes. This is my specialty. Major Ross contacted me personally to make sure I took your case, as a matter of fact. Apparently, he’d been making arrangements to get you into Walter Reed Hospital, an excellent choice, but then your camp was attacked and you had that seizure. Guess that makes me the B-team, but rest assured, you’ll be getting the best possible care.”
This made her feel better knowing that Major Ross was still looking out for her, that someone cared. “Okay.”
“Anyone you need us to contact?” he asked.
She turned away. “No. There’s no one.”
Doctor Bannerman paused, then nodded, rising off the stool. “I’ll get it set up and send in the nurse to let you know when your surgery is scheduled.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
“You’re welcome,” he said. “Just try to relax until then. Get some rest.” He left her there, staring at the white walls.
Leisl pulled the sheet up to her chin. Reaching up, she touched the hair over her left ear. Soon, that side of her head would be shaved down to the skin and a hole would be drilled into her skull. If she survived surgery, there would be a massive scar there which her hair might never quite cover. And if she required radiation treatment then she could go deaf on that side as well as have radiational burns on her scalp, in which case, her hair might not grow back at all in spots. These were just the aesthetic side-effects. The emotional scars would run deeper. She would always know she’d gone through this alone. That no man in his right mind would want someone so damaged on the outside, let alone how broken she felt inside.
Loving Leisl (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Green Beret Book 2) Page 8
