Chapter 21
We arrived at the front gate and I stopped at the office since I didn't have a sticker on my car.
“Captain Waters, I'm afraid we don't show you having authority to enter,” the MP behind the counter said.
“Really I don't have authority to enter this base? I'm curious isn't this base a training base for special forces? I have an idea Sargent why don't you get your commanding officer out here,” I said my temper rising.
I walked to the door and signaled Mac to join me inside.
“Captain Waters, do you have a problem with our orders?” the Colonel who tried pawning off an A-10 on me said,
“Should I Colonel? Personally I couldn't care less about getting on this base, but as I understand it, there are several Generals gathered here all of whom seem to want to talk to me. Now personally I think they can all go to hell after what they did to me the last time I was on this base. Colonel, if you don't want to let me on base I request you call the base commander and let him know it's you keeping me from meeting with all his distinguished guests,” I said.
“Go fuck yourself Captain. We aren't here for your pleasure,” the Colonel said.
“I see so you won't let me enter the base, even though I have orders to do so. Now you won't even check with your commanding officer to let him know your ego is so delicate it goes against your desire to allow a mere Captain who is trying to follow the orders they were given. Thank you Colonel, I'm glad to know just where I stand on this issue. With your permission sir I will return to my car and let you pass word to all those Generals that when they are ready to see me they will need to come to my parents home since I cannot enter the base they have requested me to meet them on,” I said.
I didn't wait for a reply just turned and marched out to my car sliding behind the wheel and pulling the door closed.
“You're really leaving aren't you?” Mac asked.
“Here? Yes, absolutely! I know when I'm not wanted,” I said.
Mac closed his door and I started the car and pulled it into reverse backing out of the parking space I was in.
“Mac what do you think the chances are of us making it to the headquarters building before they can stop us?” I asked.
“You can't be serious, sir,” Mac looked at me.
“I think we can make it there and inside the building before they figure out just how stupid that Colonel really is in giving orders to keep me off this base,” I said.
“Sir why not let me go in and get a pass to get us on base?” Mac asked.
“Did you forget Mac, they saw you walk out with me and get in my car,” I said.
I pulled the car into drive and pushed the gas pedal to the floor rounding the corner with the back end of the car sliding to keep the car from rolling. I eased off the gas and the car straightened out and we were on base headed for the headquarters building. As soon as the car straightened out I put the gas pedal back on the floor and started the tires squealing all over again.
“Sam you have got to be the craziest son-of-a-bitch I know. Do you have any idea how much trouble we could get in for this?” Mac asked.
I pulled up in front of the headquarters building and onto the lawn throwing the car in park, turning it off and opening the door in one move.
“Mac if you don't mind I want you to lock your door when you get out,” I said.
I hit the lock on my door and pushed it closed turning to go in the building. Mac caught up with me as I took the last step to the door and reached around me pulling the door open for me.
“Excuse me Sargent, can you tell me what room the inquest is in?” I asked.
“The conference room at the end of the hall sir. Sir, you know you can't park your car on the lawn like that,” the Sargent said as I walked down the hall.
“Sargent since I'm already late and probably have every MP on base after me, I think parking my car on the lawn is likely to be the least of my problems,” I said just before reaching the door to the conference room.
I checked my uniform and knocked on the door opening it as I did so.
“Captain Waters it is so nice of you to join us.” I had no idea who the General was who had spoken, only that he was a Lieutenant General in the Air Force.
“I apologize for being late sir I got held up at the front gate. It seems Colonel Martinez had given his men orders that they were not to allow me on base under any circumstances,” I said.
“I hope you can verify your charge Captain.” This time it was General Talbot who spoke.
“Sir if you'll allow Sargent Denvers to enter he can verify what I had to do in order to be here,” I said.
Someone opened the door and Mac stood just on the other side with at least a dozen MP's ready to come through the door.
“Sargent Denvers if you would come forward please. Colonel Martinez since I see you are there as well if you would please step inside and close the door I think there may be some questions for you to answer,” General Randolph said.
Mac stepped up beside me while Colonel Martinez stood just inside the closed door.
“Sargent, Captain Waters said you can verify that for some reason unknown to either him or yourself you were restricted from entering the base, is that correct?” the Lieutenant General asked.
“Sir Captain Waters does not have a sticker on the bumper of his car and so pulled into the security office parking on arrival at the base and attempted to get a temporary permit until such time as he would be able to get a permanent permit. We arrived at the security office a full hour before we were to report here for this inquest, since this building is only five minutes from the front gate at the posted base speed limit that should have been ample time to gain a temporary permit and be here on time for this meeting. After twenty minutes of waiting for Captain Waters to return with the permit, he instead signaled me to come in as it seemed a permit wasn't going to be issued. I entered the office in time to hear Colonel Martinez tell Captain Waters that he had ordered all his personnel not to issue a permit to Captain Waters under any circumstance,” Mac said.
“Captain Waters then asked if he could use the phone to call the base commander in an attempt to gain access, at which he was threatened with arrest if he did not leave at once. Captain Waters then proceeded to exit the security office and get in his car. We are able to be here only because Captain Waters would rather follow the orders of the Generals in this room than the orders of a Colonel that seems to have a personal vendetta against him that he was not willing to make known to me,” Mac finished.
“Thank you Sargent Denvers, will you please wait outside, and if those MP's are still out there, or have attempted to move Captain Waters car you have permission to handle the situation in whatever manner you deem necessary,” General Talbot said, and got a nod from the other Generals in the room.
I handed Mac the keys to my car and hoped he understood it was so he could move it to a proper parking place.
“Colonel Martinez, rather than trying to hide back there by the door would you please step forward, it is painfully clear that Captain Waters could have and should have been to this inquest on time had it not been for you ignoring orders that had been given that he was to be escorted here if necessary,” General Randolph said. “Do you have anything to say for yourself Colonel?”
Colonel Martinez stood there saying nothing, staring straight ahead at proper attention.
“Colonel Martinez, we are hereby relieving you of your command pending a formal inquest into this matter. If you have a problem with Captain Waters, or anyone else on this base I suggest you deal with your problem by means of proper channels. Trying to restrict Captain Waters from entering this base in all likely hood will cost you more than you hoped to gain had you succeeded. You are dismissed Colonel, but do be advise that you not leave the base, or you will be arrested,” General Randolph said.
He snapped off a salute that would have made anyone proud and did an about face marching to the door where he was escorted ou
t into the outer offices.
I stood there at my best attempt of attention waiting for whatever was coming next. I knew I was in some kind of trouble, but how much and for what I had no idea.
“Captain Waters, you may stand at ease if you wish. Could you tell us what happened over the last month?” the Lieutenant General asked.
The last month. I had enough trouble remembering yesterday most of the time lately and they wanted me to recount the last month.
“Sir, I really wish I knew, but there are some big holes I have no memory of at all,” I said.
“Just what you remember Captain,” the General said.
“Yes sir. General Strong, asked for our opinion on a mission he had coming up. After hearing what he thought were viable options we were allowed to add any input we thought would give a better chance for a successful mission. General Talbot asked me along because he valued my tactics in the missions my unit were assigned. I explained to General Strong what I thought were the flaws in his plan and also laid out a plan I felt would offer a greater chance of success. When I finished General Strong laid the success or failure of the mission on me yet refused any part of my plan saying he thought his plan was better regardless that his plan would have cost more lives and possible failure,” I started.
“I'm not saying my plan was flawless sir, only that my plan risked fewer lives with a greater chance of success. I returned to base out of frustration and started working with the classes I had been asked to teach. Using the mission General Strong had in mind for a Marine company. Normally I wouldn't have used a mission that as yet had not been completed, but something about this mission bothered me, and I hoped perhaps fresh eyes could see what I was missing,” I continued.
“Two of those attending the classes spotted something that changed the whole dynamics of the mission. If General Strong continued with his plan all the front line bases would have been over run. These two officers had spotted what had been bothering me about every map of the area over the last six months. They saw what appeared to be airstrips spread in such a way the enemy would have easy access to our bases before we had much of any warning.”
“General Strong was concerned about a communication center the enemy was setting up, but like me and everyone else who had looked at those maps, missed the airstrips entirely,” I said.
“I'm well aware of that Captain, having been briefed on the entire ordeal. I was hoping perhaps you could shed some light on what happened the day the enemy withdrew their forces from the area,” the General said.
“Yes sir. Sir, that is were everything starts getting fuzzy and the holes in my memory happen. There are several days around then that I don't remember anything.
I asked Captain Larson and Lieutenant Smith to work on coming up with some kind of plan they thought could work using all the intelligence we now had. I had a headache and needed to get some rest since I was still recovering from something that had put me in bed for several days, and I felt if I could just get a little rest... Sir the next thing I remember was waking up and the battle was over, the enemy had retreated and everyone was telling me I had been in bed for the last four days,” I said.
“So you remember nothing of the battle itself?” the General asked.
“No sir, nothing,” I said.
“Continue Captain,” the General said.
“I spent the rest of the week recovering relying on my men to teach the classes since it was all I was able to do just to make if from my quarters to the chow hall and back,” I said.
“Excuse me Captain you were in your quarters, not the hospital?” General Randolph asked.
“Yes sir. The doctors felt it would be better for everyone if I stayed in my quarters, something about the last time they tried making me stay in the hospital. Sir, I have never done well when dealing with doctors and anytime I have been told I needed to be in the hospital things happened that shouldn't happen. I don't know how to explain it sir, other than it is safer for everyone if I am not put in a situation of being told I have to stay in a hospital. The thought of staying in them terrifies me to the point I loose control,” I said.
“General if I might,” Jason stepped in. “The last time Captain Waters was confined to the hospital an entire wing of the hospital was destroyed. Luckily no one was hurt, and the doctors talked to Captain Waters and myself and after getting the men under Captain Waters commitment to keep him off his feet until the doctors said it was okay for him to get around we all agreed that it would be better that Captain Waters stay in his quarters.”
“So you're saying Captain Waters destroyed an entire wing of your base hospital, Jason?” the Lieutenant General asked.
“No George that's not what I'm saying at all. I'm saying an entire wing of the hospital was destroyed, and yes Captain Waters did do quite a bit of damage, but he didn't do anywhere near all of the damage. The bulk of the damage was done trying to find Captain Waters,” Jason said.
“I see, so where was Captain Waters?” the General asked.
“He was in his quarters, Captain Waters is the only officer I have ever seen that could escape any and all attempts to restrain him. None of his men dared challenge him even as a whole,” Jason said.
“Yet you felt it safe to entrust him to get the rest he needed to heal in his quarters, with men you say wouldn't dare challenge him, as the only ones over seeing he stayed in bed?” the General asked.
“Sir, if I might, just as the men under me wouldn't dare challenge me, nor would I dare challenge them. You've seen how big Sargent Denvers is. I dare say he easily makes two of me, both in size and strength. While he wouldn't challenge me if he needed to he could use his size and strength to force me to do pretty much anything he wished,” I said.
“His size could be used against him, Captain,” General Wentworth said.
“Yes sir it could, but unlike many who are as big as he is, he has the speed and agility to make using his size against him more difficult than you might imagine. The single reason my men wouldn't dare challenge me is that together we have gone into situations that put us at risk few can begin to comprehend, and they all know I will do everything humanly possible to insure they make it back home. It is mutual respect that keeps us from challenging each other. Respect that has been earned multiple times in life threatening situations,” I said.
“Let me see if I understand this Captain. You are trying to tell us you hate hospitals enough that you will do anything to avoid them, and if you find yourself in one will do anything possible to get out,” General Wentworth said.
“Yes sir. Sir, when I woke in Bethesda I did so with a doctor leaning over me. The surroundings told me it was a hospital, thus my natural aversion took over and all I cared about was getting out. To the best of my knowledge no one was hurt in my escape, and had the doctor not told me he would keep me sedated and in restraints if he had to things likely wouldn't have gotten to the point they did,” I said.
“So can you explain your actions just before your collapse that landed you in the hospital?” the Lieutenant General asked.
“Sir I was still recovering from physical and mental exhaustion. I wasn't thinking clearly, and the only thing that mattered to me was getting some much needed sleep. I had just spent twenty hours on a cargo plane that would get me home where I could get the rest I needed. Two hours before we landed I received word I was to report to Andrews before I started the leave that would allow me to rest. There was supposed to be an F-104 waiting for me, yet when we landed I was told by Colonel Martinez that the only aircraft available was an A-10. As General Talbot can vouch the only way I would refuse the chance to pilot is if I knew I was not up to the task and that is not often. I had however asked not to have part in the operation of the cargo plane that brought me home, but still did not get much if any rest during the flight, then had to fly a single seat aircraft to Washington without at least a nights sleep in a bed that wasn't being bounced around,” I started.
“I apologize sir, but ra
nk loses all meaning to me when I am that tired, or trying to save lives. I'm sure General Long can tell you first hand just how little rank means to me in a combat situation, as can ever company commander under General Talbot's command,” I said.
“A survival instinct Captain?” General Wentworth asked.
“I believe so sir. When my men and I were called on to defuse a situation it was understood I would be in command regardless of the rank of anyone else involved. My men followed my orders without question, because they knew they would survive doing so. My White Rose unit gained a reputation of being able to overcome almost any odds to successfully complete our missions,” I said.
“You're the White Rose reconnaissance team leader, Captain?” the Lieutenant General asked.
“Yes sir. I was asked to put together a reconnaissance unit that would be able to handle situations that demanded gorilla tactics that even the special forces companies couldn't manage,” I said.
“Is it true that whenever you took your unit into the field the enemy would concentrate greater efforts to come after you then any other special forces unit?” the General asked.
“I don't know sir. I do know we were called into situations where we had companies trapped behind enemy lines, and the only way to get to them was to airdrop in. I know that according to the aerial photos we had available showing the positions of our troops and the enemy troops there were fewer enemy troops then we would face when we started moving our troops back to where they would be safely on our side of the war,” I said.
“And you don't see this as the enemy seeing you as the largest threat to them?” the General asked.
“Sir, I never thought about it. I did a job few others could. I had men under me I knew I could trust. When we entered those situations we had a plan that was complicated at best and would likely need to be able to be altered on the move. I knew, and my men knew we were capable of doing the job we were asked. What the enemy thought never entered into the equation,” I said.
“I see, thank you Captain. General Talbot, would you care to give us your observation on the matter?” the General asked.
“Every time I sent Captain Waters and his team out I did so knowing it might well be the last time I would ever see them. It is the same for ever company and reconnaissance team under my command. I noticed Captain Waters was drawing heaver enemy resistance, and did start following his missions with greater interest, learning that the enemy was playing with almost every Army and Marine company that ventured behind the lines, in hopes of drawing out Captain Waters and his White Rose. It seemed they dared us to send in Captain Waters, and every time we did the enemy would end up with more troops and equipment than we knew they had in the area. They acted like Captain Waters was the measure of how they fought. As though if they could kill or capture Captain Waters, and his White Rose, the war would be theirs. They threw everything they had at Captain Waters and somehow Captain Waters was always able to stay one step ahead of them,” Jason said.
“Tell us about the mission where you traded places with the former commander of Eagle company,” General Randolph asked.
“Sir, Major Chestnut, and I traded commands because he didn't believe I would be able to command Eagle company under ideal conditions, let alone in a life and death situation. I wasn't worried about my men getting into a situation they wouldn't be able to get out of unless Major Chestnut was a total incompetent, which he proved to be,” I said.
“I suspected he would go out of his way to insure his officers and higher ranking NCO's would do their best to insure I would have many problems with gaining the respect and honor due a commanding officer, and was again proven correct,” I continued.
“The test period was to be six months and was agreed to by General Talbot and the other company commanders on the base. I later found out everyone on base had tried getting a pool together about whether or not I would need to go in after my own men due to Major Chestnut's incompetence. It was agreed that Major Chestnut would go in the field first they were to go in spend one week and return. Somehow word leaked out to the enemy that White Rose was in the field and Major Chestnut and my men were trapped behind enemy lines and the only reason they hadn't been swarmed was, it was obvious to the enemy I was not the one giving orders. Everything they attempted in trying to get back to base was text book and that told the enemy I was not there or was unable to give orders,” I said.
“When we got word they were trapped it fell to me to take a company that had for six months fought my every attempt to bring them together into a tighter better organized team who would be able to go behind enemy lines and make it home safe again. I was given ten hours to plan and have Eagle company ready to go. As part of the plan I contacted my communication specialist with a code we knew the enemy had cracked letting them know, indeed I was not in the field, but would be within the next two days. Arrangements were made to have Major Jacobs with his Rose company enter the field approximately twelve hours after me along with Colonel Wright's Charlie company. Major Jacobs was to take his Rose company and Charlie company to a predetermined rendezvous just inside enemy territory and I would bring Eagle company and White Rose reconnaissance team straight through the middle acting as a hammer to Major Jacobs anvil,” I went on.
“The plan was mine and approved by Major Jacobs and General Talbot. I knew the enemy would be watching for me and Eagle company to enter the field, but since we hadn't given an actual time or location where, the enemy had to spread themselves thin hoping to locate us before we were able to rendezvous with my men from White Rose. Since I had been working with Eagle company I had discovered a few of the officers and NCO's were willing to trust me and those are the officers and NCO's I was willing to share parts of the plan with in hopes if the others had no idea what was going on they wouldn't be able to sabotage the operation and get the rest of us either captured or killed,” I continued.
“By the time Major Jacobs was to enter the field I was well behind enemy lines and only a short distance from where my men were pinned down. I felt certain I had someone in Eagle company who was colluding with the enemy and selling out Eagle company and me in hopes of being able to make themselves or Major Chestnut look good, but they hadn't counted on me and my habit of not following the book when it comes to battle tactics,” I said.
“I'm not sure I follow Captain. Are you telling us that the tactics used in that engagement weren't from the book?” the Lieutenant General asked.
“Sir does the book tell how to win a battle when even your own men are fighting against you? We made camp and I set the guards, slipping out of camp and making my way to were my men were camped. I knew my men would see me when I entered their camp and found them all ready to go with the exception of Major Chestnut. While the men broke camp I urged Major Chestnut to make ready because with or without him I was taking my men out,” I said.
“My men and I reached the camp I set for Eagle company entering unchallenged. And I seriously started wondering if meeting up with Major Jacobs was going to be a good idea after all. From the communications I received they were at the scheduled rendezvous and had in the neighborhood of six battalions of enemy troops poised to strike at any time. I guessed the enemy had given up trying to locate me and found Rose company and Charlie company acceptable alternatives,” I continued.
“Major Chestnut started trying to give orders even after having been told that any time I went in on a rescue I took command of the situation regardless of whether there was someone that out ranked me. That rule was one that was agreed on since if I relinquished command to someone of higher rank than I was chances were we wouldn't be any good to them and would likely need rescuing ourselves,” I said.
“After the second attempt Major Chestnut tried at assuming command I told him he was more than welcome to take any of his officers and NCO's that wanted to go with him and head back for base, if he chose to stay however he would abide my orders and refrain from any further attempts at assuming command. I put it up
to all the members of Eagle company of escorting Major Chestnut back to base following his orders, or following my orders and trying to make a difference in the war,” I went on.
“Three men from Eagle company said they would be willing to head back to base with Major Chestnut rather than follow my orders since I still refused to share what the plan was. I gave the order to move out and set the course for the rendezvous with Major Jacobs. I took the best men from Eagle company and had them work with my men at scouting the route to our rendezvous in hopes that working with the best they themselves would strive to become better as well. We didn't encounter any enemy until we got within striking distance and I called a halt so we could be well rested when we struck. At this point I could no longer keep the plan hidden and as I laid it out for the general ranks of Eagle company noticed fear creep into their eyes,” I said.
“Major Chestnut again tried to challenge me telling the men my plan would do nothing but get everyone killed. He offered to lead any that were willing back the way we had come and try skirting around the flanks of the enemy to get back to base. This time not a single man stood with him and he looked at me and over the men there and knew none of these men would ever again want to follow him. They all knew I was leading them into the pits of hell, but they now all knew my reputation and were ready to see if I was really as good as everyone seemed to think. After everyone was well rested I gave the order and we hit the middle of the enemy line in a file eight wide. It seemed so strange watching the enemy line buckle the way it did, just like a piece of metal being hit with a hammer against an anvil. As we moved through the enemy lines it seemed they had no idea what was happening their comrades were dying and they never saw how only that if they didn't move out of the way they too would die. We reached the rendezvous point and joined up with Rose and Charlie companies where I surrendered command to Major Jacobs. Major Chestnut attempted to lodge a complaint against me with Major Jacobs and got told either he could help by directing his company in holding the middle of the enemy lines or he could be escorted back to base as a prisoner to stand trial for dereliction of duty,” I said.
“I remember nothing of the battle that ensued beyond that point, my next memory is waking up in my quarters, according to everyone I talked to, three days later,” I said.
“So whatever this condition you have that put you in bed for extended periods twice in the last six months seems to affect your memory of major evens near the end of a mission?” The Lieutenant General asked.
“Sir I have no memory of the last two battles I was involved in. all I know is the battles ended with no lose of life on our side and light casualties on the side of the enemy,” I said.
“Thank you Captain, I believe it's safe to say you may start your leave now and in thirty days we will expect you to report to your new duty station ready to go to work,” the General said,
I saluted and did an about face marching to the door and as soon as I was out and the door closed I was finally able to breath again. Mac was sitting on a bench in the outer office and seemed to know any problems the last month had brought were now over and nothing more would be said.
“Sir?” Mac asked,
“I need to find an apartment or something Mac. I know I won't be going back to the front, at least not as anything but an advisor. My days of making the enemy look foolish are over,” I said.
The Hidden Rose Page 69
