Viper Team Seven (The Viper Team Seven Series Book 1)

by Lewis, Rykar

  “Believe me, I know. When I first got my CIA badge I thought I was so neat. When I was first shot at, I realized I may be neat but I could also be killed very easily.”

  “I guess that the uniform and badge are just extra incentives,” Parks concluded. “Even ten years into my career, I still am proud to wear this uniform. Retired Marines say that’s the way it’ll always be, and I believe them. There’s a certain measure of pride that the Marine Corps puts into a person, and I can’t explain how.”

  “Uh, turn off here,” Solomon advised quietly.

  Parks turned sharply. “Thanks, I almost missed it I was talking so much.”

  Parks looked ahead and he could see the barracks, which was where he had been told to meet. It was filled with uniformed Marines. Some with M14s, some with musical instruments, and some with swords, like him.

  “All right then, here’s the end of the line,” Parks told Solomon as he found a parking place. “Let’s go face the music.”

  * * *

  “Sir, what are you doing here?”

  Parks spun around and faced First Sergeant Bingham. “What are you doing here?” he countered. “I thought you were still at Lejeune.”

  Parks was inside of the Marine Barracks and as ordered he was seeking the first sergeant who was supposed to give him final instructions. But Parks had no idea that it was going to be Bingham.

  “I was transferred, sir,” Bingham explained. “I’ve got a two-year assignment to 8th and I.”

  “How interesting. I’ve been here a few times lately doing drills, but I never saw you,” Parks admitted. “How is everything?”

  “Not too bad, sir. How’re things going with you?”

  “Fine. Everything’s fine,” Parks informed him.

  Parks and Bingham talked for a few minutes and then Parks decided he’d better depart. The first sergeant told him where to go and after saying goodbye, Parks headed out of the barracks and to the parade field.

  Just outside of the large parade field, Parks spied the Commandant and went up to greet him. “Sir, good to see you again,” Parks told the Commandant after a brisk salute.

  “Same here, Keith,” the general stated as he pulled off his glove and shook Parks’ hand. “Those golden oak leaves are quite an accomplishment. You’re gaining on me, Major.”

  “I don’t know about that, sir.”

  “Anyway Keith, I probably won’t see you until after the ceremony. I’ll be stuck sitting with the First Family for the whole ordeal. I’ll try and get a word in when we head to my house though.”

  “Yes sir, that’ll be fine, sir,” Parks agreed as he looked over at the parade field.

  Just then, the four-star Chief of Naval Operations sauntered up with his four-star assistant admiral tagging at his heels. Parks saluted and almost fell over backwards when he saw the amount of fat on the Chief of Naval Operations.

  “Take it easy boy,” the round admiral drawled. “You can’t impress me with all that saluting stuff. I’ve been saluted by the top brass in the Navy and Marines for years; I don’t get excited when a major does it. Hey listen, I need to talk to the Commandant so scram.”

  Without a word, Parks spun around and went to the truck to see Solomon.

  “You might want to get a seat in the bleachers while there are good ones still available,” Parks declared as he opened his truck and grabbed the gifts. “Things are liable to fill up here real soon.”

  “Yup, I will KP,” Solomon promised as he brushed off his red sweater that was over his white shirt and blue tie. “Are you pretty nervous?”

  Due to the numerous rehearsals during the past weeks, Parks knew exactly what to do, but that didn’t make him any less nervous. “Don’t ask Solomon,” he answered as he locked the truck’s doors and handed his friend the keys. “Just pretend like you don’t know I’m nervous and maybe you won’t even notice that I am.”

  * * *

  “Ladies and gentlemen please take your seats,” the narrator’s voice boomed over the loud speakers. “The ceremony is about to begin.”

  Moments later, the Adjutant’s Call was played and the adjutant walked out onto the green field. “Forward, march!” he shouted. And the parade began. The Ceremonial Marchers, Silent Drill Platoon, the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and Parks as the commander of troops, marched out into the center of the field and stood at attention. Parks’ position was yet another one of the Commandant’s surprises.

  “All please rise for the President of the United States, and remain standing for the National Anthem,” the narrator said.

  “Pre-sent arms!” Parks ordered, exuberantly enunciating each syllable.

  Everyone in the bleachers rose to their feet and the Marines on the field saluted in honor of the President, as Hail to the Chief began playing. President Winnfield, the First Family, and the Commandant came out of the Commandant’s House and took up their position in the reviewing officer’s stand. The song ended and Parks yelled, “Or-der arms!” The Marines resumed their position of attention.

  “Please remain standing for the marching in of the Colors and the National Anthem,” the narrator asked.

  The Color Guard took the front and center position and Parks once again shouted, “Pre-sent arms!” The Marines saluted and the National Anthem began playing.

  After the rendition finished, the narrator spoke again. “Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated.” The guests took their seats and the Marines again stood at attention. “Thank you all for coming and welcome to 8th and I, the oldest active post in the United States Marine Corps. We’re here to celebrate the fifty-fifth birthday of our Commander-in-Chief, and right now, the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps is going to play a few of the President’s favorite numbers.”

  Parks gave another order to his troops. “Pa-rade rest!”

  The field now belonged to the band and the Drum Major began leading the musicians in the classic patriotic song, The Stars and Stripes Forever. Next in the repertoire was the Military Service Song Medley, beginning with The Army Goes Rolling Along, then Anchors Aweigh, Air Force Anthem, Semper Paratus, and the best for last, The Marines’ Hymn. After the medley, the musicians were led in the lively tunes of Semper Fidelis, National Emblem, William Tell’s Overture, and finally Happy Birthday with the Marine Corps flare.

  The band marched back to its position and the field grew quiet. Then a drum roll struck up and the narrator spoke into his microphone. “And now, for the world-famous Marine Corps Mascot, the legendary Sergeant Chesty Puller XV!”

  From the barracks, the bulldog Chesty XV came out onto the parade field, walking at the heels of his Marine handler. Chesty was as sharply dressed as his handler. His uniform was fitted perfectly, his rows of medals were polished and jingled as he marched down the field, and as always, he was panting.

  The guests in the bleachers roared with applause, and several of the people squealed with delight over the world-famous Chesty. The handler led the sergeant to the side of the Marines, ordered him to sit down, and the Marine Mascot obeyed instantly.

  The guests quieted and the narrator announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, may I draw your attention to the United States Marines’ Silent Drill Platoon!”

  The bleachers erupted in applause once more as “The Marching Twenty-Four” took the center position and began their unique drill of rifle spins and flips, the model of Marine precision. Parks was still standing at parade rest so he couldn’t watch but he could pick up bits and pieces of the show every now and then. What he saw impressed him as much as it had the first time he could remember seeing the Silent Drill Platoon when he was six or seven years old.

  Several minutes later, the platoon ended their famous drill and the guests, fascinated and impressed, roared their approval.

  The platoon marched back to their position on the field and the crowd fell silent. The narrator took advantage of the silence and announced, “At this time, each service will present the President a memento.” Parks called the Marines to attention.
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  The First Family descended from the reviewing officer’s stand to the parade field and Parks once again shouted, “Pre-sent arms!” The Marines saluted their Commander-in-Chief and then returned to attention at Parks’ command.

  “The first gift,” the narrator began, “will be given to the President from the U.S. Army.”

  The four-star Army Chief of Staff strutted onto the field toting some kind of box and smiling like he was the star of the ceremony. He reached the First Family and halted. Parks saw the general hand the President the box and say something that couldn’t be made out. Then the President opened the box and pulled out two items.

  “The U.S. Army has given the President a World War I bayonet and ‘doughboy’ helmet,” the narrator explained.

  That’s nothing, Parks thought. That’s cool, but nothing compared to what the Marines have in store.

  The crowd clapped dutifully and the President shook hands with the general.

  “And now, the U.S. Navy will present the President their service’s gift,” the narrator stated.

  Parks saw the overweight four-star Navy admiral waddle past him, and Parks secretly hoped the admiral would trip and fall on his face. The man needed a humbling experience. He was far too prideful and, quite frankly, too chunky to be a good leader and example.

  The admiral stopped in front of the First Family and shoved a pre-wrapped box at President Winnfield, who received the box and opened it.

  “The President has received a World War II battleship bell from the U.S. Navy,” the narrator said.

  More applause was heard and the admiral shook the President’s hand before he turned and left the field.

  “Next, the U.S. Air Force will present the President with their gift.”

  The four-star Air Force general approached the President and gave him a rather large gift bag. President Winnfield reached into the bag and pulled an object out.

  “The U.S. Air Force has given the President an F-16 model,” the narrator explained.

  The President and general shook hands and more sparse clapping was heard.

  A Marine gunnery sergeant marched onto the field carrying the President’s gifts. He walked up to Parks and handed him the presents, did an about-face, and left the parade field.

  Drum roll was played and with extra vigor the narrator said, “And finally, the United States Marine Corps will present the President with their gift.”

  Parks took a step toward the First Family. In the background he could hear Solomon cheering loudly for him and he had to suppress a smile. Strangely now he was not nervous but excited that the Marines would end the presentations with the best gift. He had worked hard to get just the right gifts and he was positive that the President would love them.

  Parks reached the President and halted. He looked right into President Winnfield’s eyes and said, “Happy birthday, Mr. President sir, on behalf of the United States Marine Corps, sir. May the Lord bless you in this year of life, sir, and in the years to come.” Parks handed the President the small gift bag and watched in anticipation.

  President Winnfield peeled back the papers and reached inside. He drew his hand back out, carrying the M&M dispenser. Parks stood still and waited.

  “The United States Marine Corps has presented the President of the United States an M&M machine,” the narrator announced.

  The President smiled and asked Parks, “How’d you know?”

  “I didn’t sir,” Parks replied. “But that isn’t all, sir.” Parks gave the President the long case and waited for the reaction that he knew would be coming.

  Slowly the President unlatched the latches and opened the case. When he saw what was inside he almost fell backwards with excitement. His mouth opened to speak but he didn’t have words to say.

  “And a Marine Corps traditional M1 Garand!” the narrator finished exuberantly.

  The bleachers roared their applause like never before and the band started playing The Marines’ Hymn.

  “I...man...oh this is so impressive...thank you, Major,” the President managed to say. “Thank you so much.”

  Parks smothered a smile of approval and simply responded, “Thank you sir. Happy birthday, Mr. President sir.”

  With that he spun an about-face and started marching back to his position. Then and only then did his mind register the beautiful lady that had been standing at the President’s right side. She was absolutely beautiful. She stood about 5’9”, with jet-black hair nearly mid-back length, and wonderful powder-blue eyes. She was dressed in a magnificent dark-blue gown. He also remembered that she had smiled at him, which made her even more beautiful than he could fathom. Why hadn’t he smiled back? He knew he had been too nervous to pay attention but now he wished he had.

  Parks yanked himself back into the present. He had a job to do and he couldn’t daydream while doing it. He stopped in front of his men, then faced the First Family – and refused to make eye contact with the beautiful lady – drew his sword and yelled, “Pre-sent arms!” Every Marine saluted the First Family as they were led back up to the reviewing officer’s stand.

  Parks then shouted, “Or-der arms!” Next he did an about-face to his men and ordered, “Pass and review!”

  All of the Marines knew what that meant. They lined up in perfect parade form and waited for the command to “forward march” and exit the parade field.

  Parks was in the front of the column, standing at attention, when he shouted, “Forward march!”

  His sword whipped up to his shoulder and he stepped forward with his left foot. The Marine Drum and Bugle Corps began playing March, Semper Fidelis as the parade column marched forward to leave the field.

  When Parks reached the reviewing officer’s stand he ordered, “Eyes right!” The Marines turned their heads in the First Family’s direction as they passed. Parks again refused to look at the President’s daughter but he could almost feel her smile at him as he marched past her.

  After the parade column passed the President, Parks ordered, “Ready, front!” The column made a box around the parade field and came down the side opposite the President so they could exit.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, that will conclude our ceremony,” Parks heard the narrator say. “Thank you for attending the President of the United States’ fifty-fifth birthday party.”

  48

  Monday, April 14th – 1800 hours

  Marine Barracks, 8th and I

  Parks hesitantly stepped into the Commandant’s residence and looked around. The after-ceremony party was being held there and dozens of people were already gathered inside and on the porch. Refreshments were lined up on a long table and Parks was cringing at the thought of what germs could be on them.

  “Hey Keith, come over here.”

  Parks searched for the voice’s owner and found it belonged to the Commandant. Quickly he walked over to him and stood at attention.

  “I was wondering, are you ready to cut the cake?” the general asked.

  “Yes sir,” Parks said.

  “Good then let’s get at it. The First Family’s ready and waiting.”

  Parks swallowed hard and followed the Commandant. The general led him into a large room and both men stopped adjacent to the First Family. Parks stood at attention again and waited for the cake.

  Attention was called and all eyes focused on the Commandant. From the kitchen doors, four Marines emerged, pushing and pulling a cake large enough for the entire Marine Corps. The Marine Drum and Bugle Corps played Happy Birthday as the cake was brought to the President and his family.

  Parks knew what to do. He drew his sword and handed it to the Commandant, who took it and cut a large piece of cake. Plates and forks were brought up and the general served the President the cake. Then he cut two more, plated them, and handed them to Parks. Parks whipped an about-face and gave one piece to the First Lady and then turned to the First Daughter and gave her the other.

  “Thank you,” she acknowledged sweetly.

  Parks didn�
�t know what to say so he just replied, “Yes ma’am,” and turned back to the cake.

  “Here you go,” the Commandant declared as he returned Parks’ sword. “That’ll be all Major.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Parks walked over to the kitchen with the intention of cleaning his sword as the rest of the cake was wheeled away and served to the other guests.

  Where’s Solomon, he wondered. Oh well, if there’s cake, he’ll show up.

  Parks finished cleaning his sword and slipped out to the lawn to try and find some space. It was crowded in the house and he needed to get some fresh air.

  “KP, why are you hiding?”

  Parks knew it was Solomon. “I haven’t been hiding,” he answered. “I’ve been busy cutting cake for the First Family. What, did you miss it?” Parks faced Solomon who was eating a huge piece of the cake. “Obviously not.”

  Solomon waved his fork. “No I didn’t miss it, but what are you doing out here? This cake is delicious, you’ve gotta try some man.” Solomon took another mouthful.

  “I’m not a real big fan–”

  “Of parties,” Solomon finished. “I know, but I’m not talking about a party, I’m talking about cake. Now get in there before it’s all gone.”

  Parks shook his head. “That’s not my place, Solomon. Inside is for the Joint Chiefs and other top brass. I don’t mind that because I’d rather be out here. And uh, I’m sure the cake tastes good but I’ll have to pass on it.”

  “Okay whatever. I’m going in though. See you later.”

  Parks stroked his sword handle and then walked over to Norse and his wife. Before he could get to them the Commandant stuck his head out the door and vigorously motioned for Parks to come inside. So he did.

  “Keith, I want you to meet the First Family,” the general stated as he led Parks into an even larger room. “The President told me to introduce you.”

  Parks nodded. “Yes sir.”

  The Commandant led him to the First Family and made the introductions. “Mrs. First Lady, this is Major Keith Parks. Major, this is Mary Winnfield.”