The Hidden Rose

by Jayne Amanda Maynes

  Chapter 26

  My leave seemed to drag by with little, or nothing to do. My morning runs seemed the only time I could think about what the future might hold for me.

  The weird dreams still seemed to consume my nights. Dreams of a man I didn't remember ever meeting, but knew from mission reports of his Rose company. As before the dreams never seemed to fade. Dreams of him as my husband. Dreams of two beautiful little girls that called me mom.

  How I wished my dreams were true that I had such a man for my husband, and two such beautiful children for my own, but reality was, I wasn't a woman and chances of me ever having children call me mom were so slim it wasn't worth thinking about.

  My first day back at work everything seemed to go wrong. It seemed all the trainees had heard why I was transferred, and thought I had lost my nerve. Mac was no longer there to tell anyone the real reason, and my memories of what happened were questionable at best. The trainees had heard the stories of what my unit had accomplished, but the fact that I had suffered physical collapse after the last two mission tainted everything.

  I had several trainees go to the commander asking to be removed from my class since they thought for sure I had lost everything.

  “Captain I guess you know why I asked you to come by?” General Wentworth asked.

  “I'm guessing it has something to do with several of the trainees I had to deal with today, sir.” I said.

  “I want to know what you think would be the best course of action here Captain. The stories of your time here are still flying around, as are the stories of your White Rose reconnaissance team and it's accomplishments,” General Wentworth said.

  “Let me guess sir, the students that came to you think the only reason I'm here is because I've lost my nerve?” I asked.

  “Something like that, yes,” he said.

  “Do you believe I've lost my nerve, sir?” I asked.

  “You wouldn't be here if I believed that Sam. You're here because you've indicated that as soon as you can you're separating from the service, and because of your blackouts at the end of your last two missions. I have no doubt that had those blackouts not occurred even with how short your tenure is you would still be on the front lines,” he said.

  “Sir, I...” I started to say.

  “I told everyone of those students that if they ever hope to be the best they will stop complaining and learn from the best. Sam, you are the best. No other officer in the history of this military has ever had your accomplishments. That you don't have the Congressional Medal of Honor is in my opinion an oversight on the part of all those involved in awarding such a medal,” he said.

  “It might have something to do with how many of them I've offended sir,” I said.

  “It might at that. You've never been one to hold your tongue when you believe someone is wrong. In my book that's another reason you're the best,” he said.

  “Is there anything else, sir?” I asked.

  “These men are not your men, Sam. You're their instructor not their commander. You're there to try teaching them what you know, and they're there to try learning what you teach. In your classroom you are in command and no rank is higher than yours,” he said.

  “So you want me to treat them as I did the companies my unit rescued, sir?” I asked.

  “In your classroom Captain, you are god, these men cannot graduate this training without your class, and no one else I have here is qualified to teach it,” he said.

  “I understand sir. Sir, with your permission I would like to move my class out of the classroom and into the outdoors where I can teach more comfortably. The subjects you've given me to teach can't be taught from a text book, they can only be taught through exercises that require the subjects applications,” I said.

  “Whatever you feel is appropriate Captain. The men taking these classes are the same men who will be doing what you've already done,” he said.

  The following day as the men showed up for class I sat in my chair and said nothing waiting for them to take their seats and prepare to learn what I was there to teach. The time stretched on with a few men talking in groups while everyone else sat at their desks reading the book they had been told was required for my class.

  “Lieutenant Strong, would you mind terribly delivering this message to General Wentworth for me? And please Lieutenant take your friends you've been chatting with since you've arrived in my class with you,” I said.

  “You know Captain nothing you do will matter,” he said.

  “I'm sure in your case that might be true Lieutenant, but can you say that for your friends there. There is only so much your father can do to protect you when he is under investigation for his tactics having caused the need for my last mission, tactics that nearly got every front line base under his command over run while he sat back in his office with a plane ready to take him out of there should that happen. Now Lieutenant if you want to continue questioning me, and thinking you're better than me. I'm willing to let you try proving yourself. You and your friends there against a team of equal size. You can even choose who is in that team, what you can't choose is who is commanding that team,” I said.

  “You're serious? I can choose anyone on this base to make up a team of equal size?” he asked.

  “As long as they wear a uniform,” I said.

  “So they don't even have to be training for special forces?” he asked.

  “If you choose people outside this class to make up the unit it will be your responsibility to gain permission from their commanding officers. In six weeks from the time the members you've chosen report to me we will have a little war game you and your friends against me and the people you choose for my unit. Lieutenant there is one other condition. During that six weeks ever class you and your friends miss training will be required to be made up, if you hope to become special forces. If you lose that little war game, none of you will ever become special forces. However, if you win, I have six months and I'll be able to resign my commission and exit the military. You win and I will tender my resignation, at the earliest possible time,” I said.

  “I supposed you still want me to deliver your message for you?” he asked.

  “Of course Lieutenant, and I still want you to take your friends with you,” I said.

  As soon as Lieutenant Strong and his friends left I told everyone left in the room to leave their books and join me on the parade grounds. If they wanted to read about what I was supposed to teach them they could do so in whatever free time they had, but for my class there would be no books to guide them since tactics taught in books could be studied by their enemy making those tactic worthless.

  “Sir, if we aren't going to be using the books how will we know what to expect? Aren't the books just to give a general idea of tactics?” a Lieutenant asked.

  “Would anyone here care to try to answer that question?” I asked.

  “If you were to understand that what the books teach is only an outline, then yes they would be helpful, but I can assure you in the field it is easier to just follow the tactics you've learned from the books then it is to try something new. You want to be able to go into any situation and come out on top forget the books and learn to think for yourself. Learn to know your capabilities and the capabilities of those you work with. Study the information available before going into a situation and once there trust those with you to keep you informed of what is really happening around you. Your tactics need to remain flexible unpredictable,” Mac said coming in the room.

  “Thank you Sargent Denvers. I have something coming up I could use your help with, if you're available,” I said.

  I turned again to the class that remained and introduced Mac.

  “Everyone this is Sargent Mac Denvers my second in command of White Rose reconnaissance team. For those of you wondering if I intended to lead the team that our illustrious Lieutenant Strong is going to put together, the answer is no, not if Sargent Denvers is going to be here and available. I have no doubt Lieutenant
Strong believes he understands my tactics, and believes he will be able to pull together a team that is no where near capable of beating him and his friends. I am equally certain he is not in the least familiar with the tactics of Sargent Denvers, or any other member of White Rose reconnaissance, since every story I've ever heard talks only about me by name,” I said.

  “Every story I've ever heard Captain, says you and your men. It never gives a rank to anyone but you.” A Major I didn't know said.

  “Thank you Major. All of you for the record, you are here to learn what you can from me. In this class I am the ranking officer so please don't feel offended if in this class I don't show your rank proper respect, outside of the class I will show proper respect. Also, if any of the men from White Rose reconnaissance happen by in this class they also will out rank you, and for the record I was the only officer in White Rose reconnaissance,” I said.

  “Captain how will we know who these men are, if you don't mind me asking?” The same Major I didn't know.

  “I don't mind you asking at all Major. Anyone who served in my White Rose unit will be wearing a patch like the one Sargent Denvers and I are both wearing. Regardless of what other unit any of these men have ever been attached to they will show the White Rose on their uniform. That White Rose in my class gives them rank above anyone other than myself,” I said.

  “I was wondering what that patch was?” the same Major asked.

  “Major do I know you?” I asked.

  “I don't believe so Captain. Until I read the files on what you've accomplished I was sitting behind a desk all the time. I chose to give special forces a try based on what I've read about your White Rose reconnaissance unit and Major Jacobs Rose company. I felt honored to qualify for this training, and then to find out you would be teaching here... Captain I'm not sure how to express the excitement I felt,” he said.

  “So you knew all my men were enlisted?” I asked.

  “Yes Captain, I knew, but as I said earlier none of the stories I've heard gave the rank of anyone other than yourself. Even in the reports other than your own personal reports everything was attributed to you with a minor assist from your men,” he said.

  “I was fortunate in the men I had Major. Everyone of my men were the best in their field, without them The White Rose couldn't have accomplished anywhere near what we did,” I said.

  On the parade ground I had the men line up making sure they understood that in my class no one held a rank higher than anyone else, with the exception of me and my White Rose team members, and we weren't students we were the teachers.

  I looked around the base the day before after talking with the commander and being told that I wasn't getting out of teaching simply on the word of a few crybaby students that thought I lost my nerve. There was a wooded area not far from the runway that I felt would make a perfect setting for teaching these men to think on their feet and how to survive when it looked like surviving was going to be the least of their worries. Since it was across the base from the parade ground and I felt like a run I asked those in the class if they felt up to going for a short jog. Mac chuckled knowing my idea of a short jog was ten miles in combat boots with full gear.

  “Begging your pardon sir, but are you talking a short jog like the ones we did when we were here for training?” Mac asked.

  “Mac that was a leisurely stroll to this jog,” I said.

  He nodded that I had just confirmed his suspicions.

  “Sir with all respect some of these boys may not be up to such a short jog,” Mac said.

  “Sargent do you think they might be up to it if they had bullets flying over their heads?” I asked.

  “It might give them a little more incentive sir,” Mac said.

  “Excuse me Captain, but your Sargent seems to think your idea of a short jog isn't what most would consider a short jog. Since I've seen your mission reports I believe I might be more inclined to believe your Sargent about what constitutes a short jog,” the Major again.

  “Major every morning I run at least ten miles, and since returning home I've been doing it without the added weight of a pack, so I feel I'm getting a little soft. When Sargent Denvers and I were here for our training we were required to run everywhere we went. The first couple weeks it was pure hell since neither of us were use to running, but it was nothing compared to the running we did once we were stationed on the front lines,” I said.

  “Captain you do realize all you're supposed to be teaching us are battle tactics,” the Major said.

  “Major, battle tactics are dependent on the people you have under your command. If you have men who are out of breath trying to cross the street you need a completely different tactic than with men who can run all day long with a full pack and disappear becoming one with their surroundings. Since you are here to be special forces that means you need to be men that can run all day long with a full pack, and if need be disappear into your surrounds. This little jog shouldn't take longer than fifteen minutes and I don't see anyone carrying full field gear, so it's a little jog by my book,” I said.

  I turned to the rest of the class and noticed ever officer in the class wasn't looking any to happy about having to run let alone having to run for about fifteen minutes.

  “Gentlemen I will take it easy on you today, and we'll see if we can make our little run inside an hour. For any of you who might get separated we are going to the wooded area on the west side of the base. Anyone arriving there via anything but their own feet will be failed from this class and possibly dropped from this training. If it takes you longer than the hour I'm giving don't worry as long as you make it within two hours I won't score it against you. From now on I will expect you all to meet here and if you want to pass my class you will be running to where I will be teaching the class on the other side of base. Within one month anyone not able to make the run within an hour will be failed from the class. I'm hoping that by the time you are done with my class you will be ready to face what few can, that when you are done here you will be able to disappear into your surroundings,” I said.

  Mac called them all to attention and started them on their way. I ran ahead to mark the trail into where we would be holding the class, marking it so Mac wouldn't have any trouble finding it and anyone unable to keep up would be searching in vain for the trail.

  Twenty minutes after I got there I had everything setup and was waiting for my class to arrive. Ten minutes after that they finally started coming in most of them asking just what kind of trail it was I marked out for them.

  “Mac can you make sure the stragglers find their way here?” I asked.

  “I'm glad so many of you were able to make it here already, shall we get started?” I asked.

  They all looked at me like I had lost my mind. If I told them I had been waiting for them for almost a half hour I knew they would all call me a liar.

  These men where supposed to be the best of the best and if this little run was to much for them I didn't hold out much hope for the future of the special forces.

  “Captain, can I ask how long you've been here waiting for us?” a Captain asked.

  “Long enough to have everything set up and take a break waiting for you. You heard what Sargent Denvers said before the jog started. Every time we had to go in on a rescue once we had everything ready to start moving, my men and I covered twice the ground anyone in those companies did, because we were watching the flanks and pulling up the rear to insure the enemy didn't catch us by surprise. There were many times I would go out on point to make sure everything was as the reports I would receive said. Never did any of my men think I couldn't keep up or even set a pace they would find difficult to match, and many was the time we ended up going for three or four days without sleep just to make sure those under our care would survive to make it home,” I said.

  “You do know that some of these guys think you cheated and rode most of the way here in a car,” the Major said.

  “You do realize I don't really care what
they think. If they want to find out they will need to do a lot better than they did this time,” I said.

  Mac came in with the last three of my students.

  “Now that we're all here you'll see some maps on the table inside the command tent. I realize that under most circumstances this would be an officer only deal, but for you officers, I think you'll find that by sharing this information with your senior NCO's it will make commanding a field unit much easier. For our purposes here we are going to include everyone. There are notebook size copies of the maps and enough intelligence reports everyone should get one. By the end of the week I want each of you to have ready a strategical plan that will accomplish the objective while killing the least number of people. I'm sure the Major here can tell you that whenever White Rose entered the field we faced extraordinary forces and came away with minimal causalities on our side and a relatively small number of causalities against the enemy. The main object is to take the least number of lives possible without ending up getting yourselves killed or taken prisoner,” I said.

  They all started reaching in to get a copy of the map and the intelligence reports.

  “So you all know this is a real situation faced by real troops during a real war. Because there are some in this class that have had access to the mission reports that White Rose was involved in I want to let you know the chances of us using missions White Rose was involved in will be minimal. The information in these packets is the information that was available at the start of the mission. So your plan of attack is simply a plan to get you started, each week as you turn in your tactical plans you'll receive the intelligence reports that will help you strengthen parts of you initial plan or scrap that plan entirely for something else. Remember the object of this assignment is to kill no more people than necessary to accomplish the objective,” I said.

  When they all had a copy of of the map and intelligence reports they started trying to find somewhere to work on the problems I had given them.

  “You might want to put those away for now they are for you to work on in your time away from the work we'll be doing in this class. For now I'm going to let Mac take over to go over the necessity of being able to disappear, to both read and mark trails for your teammates. We'll be going over the signs to look for so you are never caught off guard by your enemy. How to hide your tracks so those you don't want following won't be able to follow,” I said.

  “We've already taken those courses Captain,” a Sargent said.

  “Really? I find that incredible since I don't think any of you could have found your way here had Sargent Denvers not been there to show you the way. On top of that I don't know how many of you are aware of three of the men who have been watching you since you arrived,” I said.

  “Captain there isn't anyone watching us, all that's here are those taking the class and you and Sargent Denvers,” a Lieutenant said.

  “Would you be willing to stake your life on that Lieutenant?” I asked.

  “Yes sir, I'm sure if there were anyone else here someone here would have spotted them by now,” he said.

  I gave a signal that I had given so many times in the field and three crossbow bolts hit the tree just above the Lieutenants head.

  “As I said Lieutenant are you sure? Sure enough to bet your life on it?” I asked.

  “No sir, not anymore,” he said.

  I gave the signal and all three of my men came out where my students could see them easily.

  “Lieutenant until I got here to set this all up I had no idea these men were in town.” I signaled again and all three came into the class area setting their crossbows over their shoulders in the fashion they had grown accustomed to while in the field. Gentlemen why don't you introduce yourselves giving what your specialty is as well as your name and how long you served with me in White Rose,” I said.

  Mac started making sure he let them all know that his specialty was making sure everyone else did their jobs so I was free to give orders without worrying they might not be carried out. He was followed by Eddie our mechanical wizard. If there was a vehicle he knew how it worked, and how to make it run, even if it seemed impossible. Mark was next and he was our sharp shooter. He liked to brag about once having shot an enemy General through the head at over seven hundred yards. Curtis was the last of my men there.

  “I'm Sargent Curtis Collins, my specialty is communications, I'm also third in the chain of command for White Rose,” he said.

  “Excuse me, but I notice you're all carrying crossbows, is there a reason for that?” The Captain from earlier asked.

  Since Curtis was still standing there I let him field the question.

  “Imagine being a couple miles behind enemy lines, surrounded by thousands of enemy troops. If you try taking them in hand to hand chances are it's going to end up making a lot of noise. The last thing you want is to risk the enemy being able to pin point your location, or the location of your buddies. Our crossbows allow us to take out enemy scouts with very little noise,” he said.

  “Captain I thought you said you didn't kill unless you had to?” the Major asked.

  “That's right Major, we didn't kill unless it would save more lives than we would take. We are very limited on how much ammo we can carry and our firearms make enough noise to alert anyone within a couple miles of our location. The only time we would kill enemy scouts is if it were the only way to skirt them, or keep them from giving away our location to their main forces,” I said.

  “Captain can you tell us why you broke a major rule of engagement by targeting high ranking officers?” the Major asked.

  “I didn't make that rule and it happens to be a rule I disagree with. The first order of getting out of a situation where you are grossly out numbered is to create as much confusion in the enemy as possible. The best way of creating confusion is to cut off the head. Take out the order givers and the lower echelons crumble into chaos,” I said.

  “So you're saying that by targeting the higher ranking officers you created chaos in the enemy ranks making it possible to slip through their lines undetected?” he asked.

  “Something like that, yes,” I said.

  “Can you tell us about the last two mission White Rose was involved in before you were transferred here?” he asked.

  “Major I know you have read the reports on those missions, so you know there are things about those missions that are still classified. Since I woke up three days after the missions were completed you should also know that in my report I have no memory of the actual events of any engagement beyond bringing Eagle company straight through the middle of the enemy forces that had been gathered to prevent just that,” I said.

  “You don't find it even the least bit strange that you were somehow able to take an entire company straight through the middle of an enemy force that consisted of at least six battalions of ground troops along with heavy artillery that had been dug in for a couple days?” he asked.

  “Why are you really here Major? It isn't to learn what I can teach, your questions told me that before we even reached this area of training. You knew my men were here, I didn't until I got here to set up, and even then I didn't say anything to them. Tell me Major why are you here?” I asked.

  “They said you'd be a tough one to get answers from,” he said.

  “I've answer all the questions you've been asking. My answers are in my file,” I said.

  “Captain I think perhaps it would be better if we carried this conversation on somewhere more private. There is no need to drag this out into the spotlight,” he said.

  “I have nothing to hide Major. If you want to accuse me of something, then please do so right here, right now. If you think I'm lying about what I know of my last two missions say so. But before you do know that I am not a liar and you have four of my men that were all involved in both those mission standing right here. The last mission I had gone to my quarters to lay down and woke three days later. What happened that day is anyones guess as far as I know. I've heard
the stories, and I find it very difficult to believe what those stories tell. I do not believe in god, or magic, and listening to those stories the only possible explanation is one or the other,” I said.

  “So you're an atheist?” he asked.

  “Yes Major, I am an atheist. Unless someone can prove their god is real with irrefutable proof, I do not and will not believe there is some mystical being that is all knowing and all powerful. As for magic there is no such thing the physical laws of nature restrict the very notion of magic,” I said.

  “Have you ever toyed with the idea of what life might be like if you had been born female rather than male?” he asked.

  “Are you accusing me of being a crossdresser? If so I hope you have proof, or are willing to withdraw any such accusation,” I said.

  “Are you willing to submit to a psychological evaluation?” he asked.

  “Why? Do you think I've been pushed beyond the limits of what is psychologically balanced. Major every mission I went on required life and death decisions on my part. My men trusted me with their lives. It seems the only people who didn't were those who held a higher rank than I did. Thus, the reason I demanded command of every situation where I was expected to protect the lives of the men those in command before I arrived placed in danger. If it meant telling a General to shut the fuck up, then yes, I guess I might be mentally unbalanced, I cared for those mens lives. I cared if those men were able to make it back home to their families. You want me to undergo a psychological evaluation fine set it up, but I will not answer anymore of your questions and I will ask you to leave here now,” I said.

  “If you could have one of your men show me how to get out,” he said.

  “My men are busy doing their jobs, find your own way out,” I said.

  “I could bring you up on charges for this Captain,” he said.

  “Go for it Major, you wouldn't be the first to do so,” I said.

  “You really are a prick, aren't you?” he asked.

  “If you really think you can come into my world and try destroying my military record and get my help to do so, if that is your definition of being a real prick, then yes, I am a real prick,” I said.

  “Captain I don't think you understand the reason I'm here. I don't want to destroy your career, I want to understand it. I want to know why you have so many who hate you so much, but if they were ever in a life or death situation would want you and your men before anyone else. I want to know why you've been denied promotion every time you've been put up for promotion,” he said.

  “Curtis see Major Jackson here makes it to the edge of the woods and then you can help these men learn what they'll need if they ever find themselves in a situation like the ones we found ourselves on more than one occasion,” I said.

  I didn't need the problems this was going to create and I intended to have words with my commanding officer that he would allow the AG to place someone in my class who was so obviously not cut out for special forces.

  To take my mind off the possibilities of what might happen I started studying the map I had for the men going through the class to study. Why the tactics that were deployed on this particular mission where used I still couldn't figure out. It was well known at the time the enemy knew standard tactics yet those in charge still insisted in using those tactics. How many men died that day all because someone was to set in their ways to try coming up with tactics that were aimed at sparing lives rather then throwing lives away.

  “Captain?” The only Captain other than myself said.

  A few simple modifications and the battle could have been won with less than half the number of men killed.

  “Captain, are you okay?” the Captain asked.

  I looked up and realized it was time to let everyone return to their rooms, as it was it would be getting dark before we got back to the parade grounds.

  “Captain Cartwright, have Sargent Denvers get everyone started back to the parade grounds. I didn't mean to keep everyone here this late,” I said.

  “Yes Captain,” Captain Cartwright said.

  As soon as we all got back I headed for the base office to talk to General Wentworth about the little incident that had taken place.

  “Is the old man in?” I asked.

  “He's just getting ready to go, Captain can't this wait until tomorrow?” the receptionist asked.

  “Come in Sam, I think I know what this is all about and I can understand your being upset. Major Jackson came to see me once he figured out how to get here, it seems one of your men lead him on a merry chase getting out of wherever it is you've decided to hold your classes,” General Wentworth said.

  “Sir if Major Jackson needed one of my men to lead him out he deserved to be lead on a merry chase. I can only imagine how well he would fair on the front lines trying to figure out where he's going while the enemy is shooting at him,” I said.

  “The charges he's bringing against you are serious Sam. He could destroy your military record, and everything you've worked so hard to accomplish could be lost,” General Wentworth said.

  “You didn't have a choice about him being put in my class, did you, sir?” I asked.

  “I had orders not to tell you the AG was investigating you. I hoped that calling in as many of your White Rose as possible they would be able to shield you from the worst of the fall out. Sam I don't have any idea what they're even looking for other than someone to hang,” he said.

  “Major Jackson told me what he's looking for sir. He said he was here to find out why someone with a success record like mine, who had been put up for promotion as many times as I have, had been rejected every time. How it is that I've managed to create so many enemies in the higher ranks, yet without exception had those same officers say if they were in a situation needing the kind of help my White Rose was so good at providing, they would want my White Rose unit to be the first called on to help them,” I said.

  “That does sound like a contradiction Sam,” General Wentworth said.

  “Tell me sir. If you were trapped behind enemy lines who would you want coming to rescue you?” I asked.

  “Your White Rose I hope would be the first called, Major Jacobs Rose company would be second. Sam both you and Major Jacobs seem to have trouble with authority, that's why both of you have been stuck in your current pay grades for so long,” he said.

  “Begging your pardon sir, but I have no problem with authority, my problem comes with the abuse of authority,” I said.

  “As you see it, Sam. As you see it,” he said.

  “No sir not as I see it. Every time my unit had to go rescue people it was because the commander of those companies or battalions refused to listen to the intelligence they received, and insisted on following text book solutions to problems the text books couldn't possibly begin to cover. On more than one occasion I had those same commanders counter my orders that would have gotten everyone out without escalating the situation. My only objective sir, was to get those men, I hadn't placed in harms way, out of the situation their commanders had put them in. That sir is an abuse of authority,” I said.

  “And each time you did escalate the situations Sam, putting those men in more danger than they had been in before you got there,” General Wentworth said.

  “No sir, I did not. While to the casual observer it may have seemed the situation became more grave, that casual observer didn't have the on ground intelligence I had. They didn't fully comprehend the situation I took my men into. While it may have appeared the situation became more dangerous the situation in fact became more controlled. Had things not happened as they had the chances of men getting killed would have been ten times and in some cases one hundred times greater,” I said.

  “Not according to your own reports Captain,” Major Jackson said.

  “Were you there Major? Could you sitting behind your desk in that cozy padded chair and take twelve men into a situation you knew could get you killed? Could you give men you knew and loved as family orders that could get
them killed? My men follow my orders because they knew if it were possible I would do what I was asking of them myself. Can your clerk say that about your orders, Major. You want to come in here and judge me, by all means go for it, but remember if a time ever comes where your best hope of survival is dependent on someone willing to give those kind of orders and make those kind of decisions, The White Rose will no longer be there to help because of people like you who think you can sit on the sidelines and determine better what is taking place, than those of us in the trenches,” I said.

  I didn't give a shit any longer. I wasn't about to stand there and let this armchair quarterback try telling me I didn't know my job. I turned to leave and reached for the door to hear my commander tell Major Jackson to return to his seat or leave his office.

  “Major I will take a thousand Captain Waters before I would take one of you. Captain Waters has proven himself multiple times on the field of battle, fighting not only an enemy you can't begin to understand but even those he was there to save. I don't believe you have any idea what it's like to be called on to do something few others can do, and then because the brass sitting in their nice safe offices refuse to give you the authority to do the very job they're asking you to do. In a combat situation such as those Captain Waters has faced without the power that had been granted giving him command of not only his own men, but the men he was there to help, things could have been much worse. The commanders of those companies and battalions were told that Captain Waters would have their full cooperation, and be assuming command, so he could do a job they hadn't been able to manage. You want to bring Captain Waters up on charges you better be sure you have valid reason for doing so. I know of three battalions of men who if you do will be fighting for Captain Waters with everything at their disposal, even refusing orders if necessary. Although I can't imagine either General Talbot, General Long, or myself ever giving orders to our men to do something that might strengthen your case against Captain Waters,” General Wentworth said.

  “General you do realize that you could be brought up on charges of treason for what you just said?” Major Jackson said.

  “Try it Major. The White Rose has earn the loyalty of those who support her. You won't find a single person on this base other than perhaps Lieutenant Strong willing to help you in your witch hunt,” General Wentworth said.

  “Her, General? Would you care to elaborate on that,” Major Jackson said.

  “Sure. White Rose reconnaissance unit is female in nature. She does everything in her power to protect those she has been given to protect just as a mother does her child. Since Captain Waters created the White Rose he is of course like a mother leading his men in love and respect. If Captain Waters doesn't seem to be showing someone the proper respect, there is a damn good reason for that lack of proper respect.”

  “So you're telling me that Captain Waters is really a woman?” the Major asked.

  “I have no intention to get undressed just to prove my sex if that's what you're hoping for Major, and if you think you can give me an order to do so I think you have missed the whole point of what General Wentworth just said,” I said.

  “I didn't miss anything Captain. It isn't me you have to satisfy anyway, I'm not the one who said you were a woman disguised as a man so you could fight on the front lines,” the Major said.

  “I see so someone has accused me of either being a woman, or on occasion dressing and acting as a woman. I do have the right to face my accuser. Also, if I'm not mistaken Major, there is this little thing in the justice system, even the military justice system, called innocent until proven guilty. I can assure you if the AG wants to bring this out in the public I am more than willing to let the whole world know who and what I am, but I doubt sir that the world is ready to face the full wrath of The White Rose. I have no problem what-so-ever in taking my place on my throne,” I said.

  “What did you say Captain?” Major Jackson asked.

  “My love it is time. The world will not allow what it cannot understand to stay hidden any longer,” I said reaching out my arms as though pleading.

  “General I think Captain Waters needs help,” Major Jackson said.

  “Sam what are you doing?” General Wentworth asked.

  “I've been accused of being someone from children's stories, I just thought maybe if I acted like this someone from children's stories we could lay this whole thing to rest. If you aren't familiar with the children's stories perhaps you should look into it and see if perhaps you can find someone willing to share them with you. The bottom line is The White Rose is a fictional character from children's stories that is hidden even from herself until such a time as her true love, a vampire bites her to save her life. All witches to this point who have ever been bitten by a vampire have lost the use of their elemental magic in favor of their new blood magic. The White Rose however doesn't lose her elemental magic, instead she takes on the blood magic of the vampires mixing it with her elemental magic and becomes the queen of the magical realm,” I said.

  “That is total nonsense,” Major Jackson said.

  “Like I said it's a children's story, yet is it any sillier than what you've accused me of. Yes I chose the name of my reconnaissance unit from the stories of The White Rose, because in many ways my men and I fit those stories. We've done what others said couldn't be done,” I said.

  “So this whole mythos of your reconnaissance unit is based on a children's story?” Major Jackson asked.

  “You could safely say that,” I said.

  “Captain will you please take a seat now?” General Wentworth asked.

  I walked back over to the desk and took the available seat.

  General Wentworth knew I wasn't happy about having to try explain myself, or my actions to someone who had no clue what it was like in the trenches. It was hard enough trying to explain to someone who did know what the heat of battle was like and this Major had no concept of what battle was like.

  The meeting continued for another hour with basically nothing being accomplished in regard to this Major from the AG's office. In the end the best we could offer him for how to discover what he wanted to know was for him to go to my old duty assignment and talk to the men there who knew me. If possible go out on a mission with one of the companies, in that way he might gain an understanding of just what it was I did for almost three years.

  After the Major left General Wentworth asked me to wait unless I had something pressing I needed to take care of.

  “You do realize I had no choice in this.” he asked.

  “General after hearing what you told him I have no doubt you really meant what you said. I could see you know the stories I was referring to about The White Rose, as well,” I said.

  “You had never heard them until just before you formed your reconnaissance unit, had you?” he asked.

  “No sir, I hadn't. Sargent Denvers told them to me. When General Talbot told me to choose the men I wanted for a special unit, that was when I knew the only name for my unit would be The White Rose. It just felt right,” I said.

  “Like your Sargent Denvers I grew up with the stories of The White Rose,” he said.

  “Sir you know I didn't ask to be transferred here. You know the only reason I was transferred was because of those last two missions,” I said.

  “Sam there is no logical explanation for what happened, and the risks involved in what you were doing there are just to great to take a chance,” he said.

  “I understand that sir. Sir I'm willing to stay long enough to get the men in my class through their training, but I think it would be better if I moved back into civilian life as soon after that as possible. I would be willing to come in from time to time if you need me, but only as a civilian contractor,” I said.

  “I was hoping maybe you'd be willing to retain your commission and just go inactive reserve,” he said.

  “The problem there is that I could be called back to active duty at the governments discretion. As a civilian contractor
the choice would be mine. I know they won't give me Major clusters, and I just can't see myself remaining a Captain for enough more years to collect retirement,” I said.

  “I understand. I wish I could say they'll get over their bullheadedness enough to see just how much they need you and give you that promotion you've earned a thousand times over,” he said.

  He just wanted to talk and I needed to listen. This man had been through the fights to gain his rank and knew the struggles I was having. He knew the stories that had named my reconnaissance unit, and was sure he knew who I was. Occasionally he would ask a question just to make sure I was still there and paying attention.

  “Sam I know there isn't anything I can say to change your mind about staying. Each of the men you had to help with your class are here because like you they're short and have shown no interest in reenlisting as long as you aren't willing to commit,” he said.

  “I'll never be allowed on the front lines again, those blackouts insured that, and teaching others isn't really something that's easy for me. Sir I need the bullets flying over my head, the challenge of knowing what to do when others haven't a clue. I need what White Rose gave me, and even if they were to give me a promotion I couldn't stay as long as I can't be part of the action,” I said.

  “You're addicted to the adrenaline that comes with making life and death decisions, to the chase, I guess is the best way of saying it,” he said.

  “You had a field command once sir, don't you ever miss it?” I asked.

  “At first I did, at first when they took my field command away from me I felt the lose of the action. I guess in a way I was lucky though when I lost my field command we were in a time of peace. I'm sure it's harder for you since there are still so many of your friends still over there fighting,” he said.

  I yawned and needed to stretch.

  “I'm sure you have other things to tend to Sam. I just want you to give serious thought to what I said about going inactive reserve rather than full separation,” he said.

  The weeks passed slowly and the times for each of my men to either reenlist or get out came, each of them asking what I planned when the time came. I gave each of them the same response, that they needed to decide what they were going to do by what they felt was right for them.

  “Sir, I just wanted to say if you ever need me,” Curtis said.

  “Curtis, I really hope the time never comes when I'll ever need you in the way I did. I hope you'll stay in touch, but I don't want you calling me every other day. Find yourself a woman who'll keep you in line, have a couple kids. I want an invitation to your wedding when you find that special girl,” I said.

  “I remember the first time I saw you, sir. I couldn't believe they were going to assign me to a unit that had a kid still wet behind the ears as a commander. I know I gave you hell those first few weeks, but I hope I made up for being such a pain back then. Of all the different commanders I've had you're the only one I ever really respected,” Curtis said.

  “We both had a rough time at first Curtis. I never would have made you next in command after Mac if I hadn't seen your worth. I don't have any regrets about having chosen any of you that became The White Rose with me,” I said.

  I knew Mac's date was close to my own and wondered what he had decided. Would he stay with me until the end, or would he be leaving as soon as his time was up? Would they let him stay once his time was up. Unlike most of the others Mac had enough time in to retire, I wasn't sure about Curtis, I had heard both ways, but Mac was my closest friend and the only one of my men that knew about my secret I didn't dare share with anyone, my secret that I would deny with my last breath if anyone thought of accusing me of it.

  Mac was the only one of my men that knew about Samantha, and he knew only because it slipped out one time since being stationed back here at home.

  As the training class I had was nearing its end I tried to imagine no longer dealing with troop movements and what kind of armaments the enemy might have available. I thought of the war games I had put in Mac's hands and giggled at how inept Lieutenant Strong had proven to be. I had given him ever possible advantage.

  In the six weeks I had given Mac to get the girls ready he had done exactly that. Not one of those women had ever fired a weapon, yet in six weeks three of them were shooting expert with any weapon you put in their hands. The rest of them shot above average and seemed to enjoy shooting on the range.

  General Wentworth seemed to think the idea was silly, but made sure it was known all the way to DC. It seemed there was brass coming out of the woodwork the last week leading up to the war games, and I heard there were bets ranging from the women wouldn't stand a chance in hell, to the Lieutenant and his friends were going to rue the day they ever thought they could attempt to match wits with anyone from my White Rose.

  “Captain I understand you're responsible of this little show we're going to be witnessing,” some General asked.

  “General I had a discipline problem with a junior officer that seemed to think I lost my nerve. He's been given every advantage. I've taken no part in any of the preparations leading up to the games having turned over the training to Sargent Denvers. Sargent Denvers has told me he feels his unit is ready, though if he were to take them into an actual combat situation he would hope to have several more weeks to work with them first,” I said.

  “What about this Lieutenant Strong, what do you figure his chances of success are?” the General asked.

  “If he can manage a plan of attack, or a defense that can give him a definite strategical advantage in the first few hours I'll give him a fifty-fifty chance of wining these games. The longer the games go without him gaining an advantage the less his chances of having a victory. Anything less than victory on his part and he loses any chance of becoming special forces qualified, so if becoming special forces is important to him he'll come up with a plan that will give him a decided advantage,” I said.

  “Is Sargent Denvers going to be involved in these games, Captain?” he asked.

  “No sir, his involvement was in getting these women ready for the games. What happens from here out is a junior officer who somehow qualified for special forces training going up against a team of women, the Lieutenant picked out, who are not allowed to participate in combat because women just can't handle the stress of combat, or so say the experts,” I said.

  “Have you watched the preparations for either team?” he asked.

  “Why would I? Lieutenant Strong made his opinions of me and my abilities known the day this all started. That he thinks I've lost my nerve doesn't bother me all that much, but that he believes I over stepped my authority as a commanding officer, and put peoples lives in greater danger so I could gain glory is utter nonsense. I really don't care if he loses these games, in fact I really hope he does lose them to protect the men coming here from his ego. As for the other team Sargent Denvers and I haven't talked strategy, other than he has kept me up to date on the advances the team has made in coming together as a cohesive unit with each member watching out for their teammates,” I said.

  “Captain if you were to place a bet on the outcome of these games who would you take?” a Sargent asked.

  “I don't gamble Sargent. I can't say which team is better trained since I have stayed out of the whole affair. I do know Sargent Denvers said the team he has been working with are eager to prove themselves, and I'm sure Lieutenant Strong feels the same. Lieutenant Strong and his men have more to lose than do the members of the other team, since everyone on Lieutenant Strong's team stands to lose any chance of becoming special forces qualified. The members of the womens team even should they win will still not be allowed to participate in combat situations, and win or lose will return to the duties they had before this started,” I said.

  The games started and the women took a defensive posture from the start. I wanted to watch, but had so many other things I still needed to attend to. Getting the men in my class ready to face the test that would make, or bre
ak them from being special forces qualified.

  How many of them could come up with something so incredibly original that wouldn't put the men under them at greater risk than could be helped and offer a prayer of success? Was I giving them everything I could to help them keep from getting killed?

  I headed back to my office and started going over the maps of the games. Each team had been required to file an initial battle plan, but once the games started those plans could and should change as they encountered their opponent. I laid out the starting positions of each team and using what I knew of their opening strategy what I was sure would occur. Lieutenant Strong in his initial plan showed pure aggression, something I felt was a mistake for any commander. He seemed over confident that he and his men would be able to just march into the womens headquarters and capture their flag. The women on the other hand in their initial plan moved to a strictly defensive position that would allow them to repel an attack of force, while at the same time eliminate at least half the forces coming against them.

  If the women followed through once they repelled Lieutenant Strong's initial attack the games would be over in a matter of hours. I had no doubt the women were going to win, not because they were better fighters but because they saw themselves as weaker physically and thus used their brains to attack and counter attack. They would follow the same tactics I had perfected in the battlefield, tactics that would give them a decided advantage over Lieutenant Strong and his friends.

  “I thought I might find you here?” Mac said.

  “Mac if these women can make a good showing it just might open the doors to them being allowed in combat situations,” I said.

  “They didn't make a good showing Sam,” Mac said.

  “The games are over already?” I asked.

  “General Strong is taking his son back to Washington when he leaves, the rest of the men he had are being transferred to other bases as far from the fighting as possible as long as it gets them away from each other,” Mac said.

  “I don't think I understand Mac. You said the women didn't make a good showing,” I said.

  “Lieutenant Strong committed everything to his initial strike. When he hit the defensive wall the women had erected the battle was history. None of his men walked away from the trap they set themselves up for,” he said.

  “He didn't hold anything back in case his initial strike failed? Mac even the worst of the commanders we've come across weren't that foolish,” I said.

  “Sam how many times did you make it look like that was what you did?” he asked.

  “Mac, you know better,” I said.

  “You're right I do know you've never committed everything to a single strike, but that doesn't change how it appeared,” he said.

  “I take it daddy wasn't very happy about the fool his son looked?” I asked.

  “Not really no. Sam I was wondering if you'd be willing to reconsider the ban on a couple of those men from special forces,” he asked.

  “I take it they remind you of us back in our early days of training,” I said.

  “More me than you. Sam if it hadn't been for you I would have washed out of special forces. I had an ego that was bigger than I knew how to manage. You showed me I wasn't to big to get my ass kicked,” he said.

  “You were rather obnoxious at first. I don't know what I'd do without you now though,” I said.

  The men Mac said he hoped I would change my mind about had military records identical to his when we first met. They showed signs of making great soldiers if they got associated with the right people, however if they insisted on falling in with people like Lieutenant Strong they'd never make it in the military.

  “I'll talk to General Wentworth about them. Mac I can't make any promises,” I said.

  I did talk to General Wentworth about the men Mac had been interested in and while the others that had fallen in with Lieutenant Strong were shipped out they had been given another week to show whether or not they wanted to make more out of themselves than they had ever dreamed possible.

  “Captain we were told the only reason we're still here is you asked we be given another chance. Why us sir?” one of them asked.

  “It wasn't my idea Sargent, you have Sargent Denvers to thank for this chance. He's the one who made the request, and gave me reason to think you just might be more than you've shown yourselves to be thus far,” I said.

  “But it was you who talked to the General about giving us another chance,” the other one said.

  “Yes it was me that talked to the General about you having another chance. First thing I want to know is why it is you lost to a group of women who had no combat training and only six weeks to learn to work together in a combat situation,” I said.

  “Sir they had an unfair advantage,” the first one said.

  “There is no such thing as an unfair advantage Sargent. If you mean they had the chance to learn from one of the best, your right they did. Sargent Denvers is one of the best, but all he could do is share his knowledge with them they had to be willing to take the knowledge he shared and learn to apply it. Lieutenant Strong could have asked for the same advantage he chose not to. I have four of my men here helping teach men who have nothing more than a spark of potential at being the best learn to become more then they ever dreamed possible. Lieutenant Strong thought he and the men with him were already the best. That's why you failed. You were over confident and let yourselves be controlled by your egos rather than learning to control your egos and become aware that even in the best of conditions there is always a chance of losing,” I said.

  “But you've never lost, sir,” the second one said.

  “The Captain has never lost because he knows that the possibility is always there to lose. In the field we all knew what being captured alive would mean, so we were all in agreement that none of us would be taken alive. When your only options become life or death you do everything you can to stay alive, you change the rules if necessary,” Mac said.

  “I was wondering how long you were going to stand there letting these men ask their questions before saying something, Mac,” I said.

  “Sir, Sargent Denvers just arrived,” one of the men said.

  “Sargent Denvers has been stand right were he is since shortly after you came in here to talk to me,” I said.

  Even Mac gave me a look of unbelief that I had been aware of him standing there the whole time.

  “Mac you would think by now you would know you can't hide from me so easily,” I said.

  “It just catches me by surprise to find out just how poorly I've hidden myself that you're able to know right were I am like that,” he said.

  Both of the men looked at Mac as thought his comment made no sense. Neither of them had heard, or seen him until he spoke and even then weren't sure just where in the room he was if he was even in the room.

  Whatever it was Mac had done to make himself invisible to these men obviously didn't work with me since from the time we first met he had never been able to hide from me, and every time I had proven it he seemed frustrated like I never should have been able to follow his movements the way I could.

  They all left my office and I heard one of the men ask Mac how it was I had been able to see him so easily since he had been using his magic to hide and did so well enough he hadn't known Mac was there until he spoke. After all they were both vampires and no mortal should be able to see through even the weakest of the vampire magic.

  “Sargent it you're going to talk about mythical creatures as though you know all about them perhaps you could do so elsewhere. If you want to believe yourself to be a mythical being perhaps giving you a second chance wasn't such a good idea after all. Sargent Denvers is very good at what he does and every company commander wished they could have had him after they saw the two of us together, one commander got the chance to have Mac's expertise available to him, but was never quite able to gain Mac's full trust. I'm sure Sargent Denvers could tell that story better than I can,” I said.r />
  “Sir, vam...” the junior Sargent started.

  “Sargent you have things to do, I suggest you get to them,” Mac said.

  “Yes Sargent right away,” the younger man said.

  “I hope you aren't encouraging him by telling him those stories about your White Rose,” I said.

  “No sir, he already knows them as well as I do,” Mac said.

  “Who is he Mac? I don't want the answer you gave me last time. This time I want the truth,” I said.

  “They're my sisters kids. Sam they have the potential of being as good as me, maybe even better,” Mac said.

  “There is a big difference between having the potential and having the desire Mac. Everyone has the potential to be the best at something, while they do have the potential to be as good as you at what you've done, I don't think they have the desire. I'll be keeping an eye on them,” I said.

  “I've always been your favorite haven't I?” Mac asked.

  “Mac you know more about me than anyone should ever know about another. You should know I don't have favorites” I said.

  “I can think of one favorite you have,” he said.

  “I want those two men worked until they drop and then worked some more. If they have time to come asking me question like they just did, they aren't working hard enough,” I said.

  “Yes sir, I'll see to it they don't have time to bother you again,” he said.

  I kept an eye on Mac's nephews and noticed little things that differentiated their interests from those of Mac. Mac was in his element receiving and giving orders, making sure each man was doing the task he was better qualified for than anyone else in the unit. His nephews on the other hand were more like Curtis, able to see things in ways only someone who knew language better than most could. They would make great communications NCO's if they could learn to not talk quite so much.

  “Captain you asked to see me?” one of my students asked.

  “Captain have you found your communications person yet?” I asked.

  “I have a couple men that would be a good choice, but I haven't made a decision yet,” he said.

  “I'm assigning Sargent Abbott to your unit Captain. I think you'll find he'll make a great radioman if you can get him to shut up long enough to hear what's coming across the radio,” I said.

  “Captain with all respect, Sargent Abbott is two months behind everyone else in the unit,” he said.

  Watching your unit Captain I think Sargent Abbott is about two weeks ahead of some of your men. Test time is three weeks away. You'll be able to pick a unit that consists of up to thirteen men, to take that test. You would, I think do better on that test if you're willing to let one of those men be Sargent Abbott,” I said,

  “Is that an order Captain?” he asked.

  “How often have you seen me actually give an order? Captain, if it were an order I wouldn't allow you to choose your unit, but instead do what was done to me and just assign you every member of your team,” I said.

  I finally looked over at the man I was talking to.

  “You're the only person that...” he started.

  “I didn't have any say in who was on my team when I graduated my training,” I said.

  “Captain I think I'd rather the men I graduate with, or fail with, be assigned rather than risking someone and not graduating because I'm not good enough,” he said.

  “So you don't think you're good enough to pass? Believe me Captain the test to qualify here is easy compared to commanding a front line unit. Here the men under you aren't likely to die, out there if you make a mistake they just might,” I said.

  “Anyone you choose will have other opportunities to test out, just as will you, if you fail. I'm giving you a chance to chose those you think will give you the best chance of passing, those you'll be best able to work with,” I said.

  “Sir with all respect I...” he started.

  “Very well Captain you'll have three weeks to be ready. Here's the list of men you'll be testing with,” I said handing him a lift of names.

  When this test was over I was done. I had no doubt they would call me in from time to time, even offer me the promotion they denied me if I'd be willing to come back. I had already told them I would be willing to come in from time to time, to assist with training if they ever found they needed something I had already proven myself capable of and they didn't have anyone else.

  The weeks ticked by so slowly I wondered if they were ever going to end.

  “Sam we need you to handle this test. As soon as it's over I understand if you clear everything out of your office,” General Wentworth said.

  “You want me to work the test units against the men I trained? General just how fair would that be? I taught those men so I have a very good idea what they can do, but I doubt any of them have a clue what I can do,” I said.

  “Do you remember how we first met Sam? The chair I was sitting in that day is the one I want you sitting in for this test. It was your instructors that you were up against in your final test and you beat them,” he said.

  “I beat them because I knew how to think like them. I had men that thought just like them and so was able to over come the obstacles they put in the way. These men haven't got that going against me and you know that,” I said.

  “So you didn't teach them everything?” he asked.

  “I taught them everything I could, but you can't teach instinct. These men have great instinct, but they're predictable, I'm not,” I said.

  “I still want you giving the test,” he said.

  “Yes sir. Sir if I'm giving the test I will use only text book maneuvers against these men. I promise to throw in a little something extra every once in a while to keep them on their toes, but I won't make them try pitting their skills against mine. I have actual combat experience they don't,” I said.

  “I want you to test their skills Sam. You'll have every piece of brass in Washington going over this test, so just don't make it a gimme,” he said.

  I laid out the course and the time table for each leg of the test. These men needed to be able to move quickly, but I wanted to insure I gave them enough time for a few problems I thought I might throw in the mix on them.

  “Captain are your men ready?” I asked.

  “Awaiting orders sir,” he said.

  I went over the test course making sure he understood what his options were and what was considered out of bounds.

  “Captain as you complete each objective you will be given your next objective. These men are all counting on you to get them through this. There is one wrinkle you're facing no one could have prepared you for. I've been ordered to give this test. You'll be pitting your skills against mine. Remember what I taught you about always expecting the unexpected and you should do fine. You haven't filed a battle plan on this and until this test is over you won't file any paperwork,” I said.

  “Sir this isn't a fair test of my abilities if I have to go against the only person who beat this test,” he said.

  “You can lodge a complaint when the test is over Captain. You have your orders and I have mine. I let you know it was going to be me you're facing, so you'd know if you succeed, you are one of the best. Your flight leaves in one hour,” I said.

  I started setting up the test as soon as they were on the plane headed for their starting point.

  They had one week to complete the test, or fail and continue their training under a new instructor, I wanted to believe what I taught them would help them be among the best, but not everyone learned the way I did. The exercises I had given them were going to be the most help, and every member of that team were the best from the class. They had all shown they had what it would take to make it among the companies I had worked with.

  I knew both Chris and Chuck would want a couple of these men, and there weren't any better companies than those two.

  I headed for the first objective and studied the maps on the way trying to figure just what the team might do I saw where leaving
a hole in the defenses at one point would be confusing and pulled the guards back to open that spot creating what would appear to be an obvious weak spot and setting a trap for them to walk into. By setting this trap I created a weak spot else where, but it wasn't much of a weak spot and would be very easy to over look.

  For this part there would be no contact other than reporting on a special radio frequency, that only the training center would be monitoring. The objective was obtain the next objective. A file that contained maps and intelligence reports. To complete this leg they had to get in obtain the objective and get back out.

  I set the file on the desk and smiled thinking of a way to make the task just a little harder. I had the maps and intelligence reports for a mission I had very similar to this and set that file next to the other. Three years ago a young Lieutenant had taken this test and done the only thing no one though was possible. Would this Captain be as reckless as that Lieutenant had been? I wanted to find out. I picked up the file that restricted the route I had taken making it possible for me to beat what had been believed to be an unwinnable test. If this Captain followed the same route I had taken I was more likely to get in trouble than he would be when he filed his report and showed the route wasn't restricted in the file he received.

  I tucked the file I was supposed to have left in my case and headed for the final destination to wait and see what this Captain was willing to risk accomplishing what everyone knew was impossible.

  I started going over what I might do once this was over, whether this group of trainees passed or failed wouldn't change that I would no longer be in the Air Force. Any classes I taught after this would be specialty classes for missions that I was best suited for, but would never be called on to do. I had never had a job outside of the military other than a paper route that I did on Sunday mornings. I hadn't even worked at one of the fast food chains that seemed to be known for giving a kid a start in work experience. To this point my whole life had consisted of school and military.

  “Sir we just got a report that they have achieved the first objective,” a Sargent in operations said.

  “Thank you Sargent. Do we have any idea where they are right now?” I asked.

  “I don't know sir. I was just told to inform you that they should be on their way, and get whatever orders you might have,” he said.

  “My orders haven't changed Sargent. I want things just as I laid them out. If they manage to come through that spot I intentionally made look weak and are successful I'll see to it personally that everyone assigned there ends up on the front lines,” I said.

  “Yes sir, sir, Lieutenant Nash said there is another weak spot they could possibly get through. He said he has the men to strengthen it if you want,” he said.

  “Tell Lieutenant Nash there are to be no changes to the plan. These men are not the enemy and if they can spot that weakness and find a way of exploiting it that's what this objective is all about. When I know they've arrived and had a chance to study our defenses, then and only then will I consider any changes, is that clear enough Sargent?” I asked.

  “Yes sir, I'll let Lieutenant Nash know right away sir,” he said.

  Lieutenant Nash was a good man, but liked the book just a little to much for my tastes. He would make a fine officer, but I didn't think he would ever be able to handle actual combat. He was good at seeing what most would miss when looking at troop formations in aerial photos, but his instincts in the field were horrid. One day someone might come along that would be able to combine his abilities in the situation room with facing the actual situation, but as long as he wasn't able to do in reality what seemed so easy for him using maps and charts and toy soldiers, in my book he would never qualify special forces.

  “Sir they lost them,” Lieutenant Nash said.

  “What do you mean they lost them Lieutenant?” I asked.

  “Sir it is like they just disappeared. None of our tracking equipment can find them sir,” he said.

  I looked at the map and smiled. So he did have the insanity necessary to take a risk deemed dangerous and reckless at best.

  “Bring the base to full alert, I don't want a gnat getting on this base without my permission. Lieutenant until I say otherwise I want to continue the guards as they are currently. If my calculations are correct we have one and a half days before they'll be here,” I said.

  “Yes sir. Sir that doesn't seem like enough time for them to cover the distance from their last known position, even if they followed the same route you took,” Lieutenant Nash said.

  “I trained these men Lieutenant, I probably know their capabilities even better than they do. I want the base on alert, but otherwise nothing changes until I give the word,” I said.

  I looked through the newspaper and came across an ad for a local company that was looking for someone able to think on their feet. And marked it determined I was going to give them a call and see just what it was they needed. The drawback was they were looking for someone with a college education and unless you counted OCS and special forces training I didn't have a college education.

  The following day Lieutenant Nash was waiting for me when I arrived in my office.

  “Sir there is still no word of where they are. We've even been flying over the route you took and still no sign of them,” he said.

  “Lieutenant, we still have at least a half day before they can make it this far. See if you can get Mac Denvers and Curtis Collins on the phone for me. They should be able to give me some answers your technology can't. I believe Curtis is now living somewhere in the northwest, and Mac should be in the Boston area,” I said.

  I called the phone number listed in the ad for the job I had seen the previous day.

  “I'm calling in regard to the add you had in the paper about someone able to think on their feet under pressure,” I said when they answered the phone.

  “Sir that is an old add, I believe the position has already been filled,” the person on the other end said.

  “I understand, I probably wouldn't have qualified anyway,” I said.

  “Why do you say that sir?” they asked.

  “The add says you wanted someone with a college education, unless you would count my OCS training, and special forces training, the best I have is a high school diploma,” I said.

  “You mean military training?” they asked.

  “Yes ma'am. OCS stands for officer candidate school, and I am a special forces officer,” I said.

  “Could I get your name sir. I know the owner is always looking to help our military veterans,” they said.

  “Currently my name is Captain Samuel Waters, but in the next couple days it will become just Samuel Waters,” I said.

  “Captain Waters can you hold for a moment,” they said placing me on hold.

  She didn't give me a chance to say yes or no the line just started playing elevator music. I was sure Lieutenant Nash was going to come in at any moment and tell me he had either Mac or Curtis on the phone for me.

  “Captain Waters?” the voice on the phone said.

  This wasn't the woman who had so unceremoniously placed me on hold.

  “Yes sir, this is Captain Waters,” I said.

  “You wouldn't happen to be the same Captain Waters that was in the news not long ago?” they asked.

  “My old unit and I have been in the news from what I understand sir, but I really have no idea if I am the person you mean since I don't watch TV and haven't listened to enough private sector radio in the last three years to amount to anything,” I said.

  “Your unit was called White Rose?” they asked.

  “Yes sir, that was the name of my reconnaissance unit,” I said.

  “Captain Waters I would be very interested in talking to you some time. We do have several positions open that might be of interest to you. Could I ask when would be a good time for us to meet and discuss the possibilities of you maybe coming to work here?” he asked.

  “Sir, I still have a week left with the Air
Force, could we make that meeting sometime in say three weeks?” I asked.

  “Three weeks would be fine Captain Waters. How would nine o'clock three weeks from today be?” he asked.

  “That would be fine sir, I look forward to meeting you then,” I said.

  Lieutenant Nash came in as I was confirming the meeting to discuss my future.

  “Sir I was able to get both of them with one phone call. They're on line three.”

  “Thank you Lieutenant, please keep me apprised of any changes in locating Captain Sellers and his men,” I said.

  I picked up the phone and heard Mac telling Curtis that as long as he was going to try hording the phone he was free to find someone else to pester.

  “You love it Mac, or you wouldn't have invited Curtis out to spend some time fishing with you,” I said.

  “Sam I was wondering just how long after I left you'd be able to manage before calling,” he said.

  “This is business Mac. I need your help because you were there and I need Curtis' help because I don't know anyone that knows more about radios,” I said.

  I laid out the situation and the change I made letting Mac know I had given Captain Sellers the exact same file we had been given for out final test.

  “Mac is there any way he could have fallen off the grid without taking the same route we did,” I asked.

  “Not unless he can manage to block the grid somehow. Sam that route was restricted for a reason, what would have possessed you to allow someone to have access to it for this test?” he asked.

  “Curtis is what Mac suggested possible with a field radio? Could it be modified to block the grid surveillance systems?” I asked.

  “I imagine I could do it, but it would leave holes in the system. Sam trying to block that surveillance gear so you're hidden isn't as easy as it might sound,” Curtis said.

  “But it is possible?” I asked.

  “Possible, yes. Practical, no. Unless they took the route you took during your test. Sam, even you weren't foolish enough to have tried blocking out the surveillance equipment. If they went that way and are blocking out surveillance equipment they could be in big time trouble,” Curtis said.

  “Mac who do we have in this area that could make a run through there and not raise suspicion if that's what they've done?” I asked.

  “How long before they should show back up where blocking the surveillance would create these holes Curtis is talking about?” he asked.

  “If they're able to move at the same speed we did, I would say at least three hours,” I said.

  “Sam can I make a suggestion. If they took that route I would set up monitoring equipment that would look for any radio disruption along the entire front of where they would have to emerge. If you have the equipment properly set it should pick them up at least an hour before they exit that canyon,” Curtis suggested.

  “Thanks how long would it take you to get here to do that for me?” I asked.

  “You're out of your mind Sam. We're clear across the country from you,” Mac said.

  “That's not the answer I was looking for Mac,” I said.

  “Can you give us at least an hour?” Mac asked.

  “I'll give you thirty minutes,” I said.

  “You do know the saying the difficult we can have for you in ten minutes, the impossible will take a little longer. We'll be there as quick as we can Sam,” Mac said.

  I knew they were in town since I heard Kelli in the back ground talking to her mother.

  “How long will it take you to find them Curtis?” I asked when they arrived.

  “If they followed your route probably not until they emerge from the canyon,” he said.

  “Do the best you can,” I said.

  I took Mac by the arm and walked with him into my office.

  “Do you want to tell me why you were visiting with my sister?” I asked.

  “Not really,” he said.

  “Fair enough, it obviously isn't any of my business. Mac was I reckless?” I asked.

  “That depends on who you ask. Sam going into the messes we went into I wouldn't have wanted anyone else commanding,” he said.

  “You're as reckless as I am though,” I said.

  “Probably, but we got the job done,” he said.

  “So why don't they care that I'm resigning?” I asked.

  “Because you care to much. You took every mission personally, like you had to prove something even you didn't understand,” he said.

  “You really believe that?” I asked.

  Curtis came in.

  “Sam I've got them. How the hell they got where they are is beyond me,” he said.

  “So they are safe?” I asked.

  “They're safe alright, I take it you don't want me to tell you were they are?” he asked.

  “All I want you to tell me is, could these communications people here find them?” I asked.

  “Sure if they knew what you can do with a field radio and a few microwave towers. If you're asking me if they will find them, I doubt it. Remember I taught this communications tech his business,” Curtis said.

  “So they've been hiding in plan sight the whole time?” I asked.

  “Yes, at least that would be my guess. These boys here are looking for jammed signals. There are no jammed signals, so they're lost,” Curtis said.

  “So you're telling me they have either cut the power of their radio or increased it somehow?” I asked.

  “No they didn't do either. They did modify the radio and if they did it the way I showed them you could zero in on the radio and still not know it's the one you're looking for,” Curtis said.

  “But you would know?” I asked.

  “Yea, I'd know, which is why I know it's them. Sam we pulled this trick several times in real combat. How many times did we call into momma hen and have them not know it was us?” he asked.

  “You finally gave them a code phrase so they knew it was us, if I'm not mistaken, something about the hidden rose or something. Well gentlemen if you'll give me a minute I need to give a few orders, then we can sit here and while away the hours, talking about nothing,” I said.

  I went and talked to Lieutenant Nash letting him know the weak spot he had seen in the defense was intentional, but I wanted to move it around so it was never in the same place longer than an hour.

  “I don't understand sir. Are you telling me the enemy will always leave a soft spot like that?” he asked.

  “Not always but quite often. The difference is I'm leaving this one to see if these men can see it. They may see it just fine and figure it to be a trap like the one on the front gate. Since this is to see if they are worthy of being special forces they may just see about finding a way past the more well guarded defenses,” I said.

  “If you weren't aware of what is going on from this side what would you do sir?” Lieutenant Nash asked.

  “That's a simple one Lieutenant. The Captain would find a way through away from any possible trap, or he might go right into the trap to turn it on itself. A lot depends on who set the trap,” Mac said.

  “Mac I can't believe you'd so freely give away my secrets like that,” I said.

  I felt it before anyone moved. That cold feeling of everything falling apart depending on which side you're on. This time it wasn't my plan that was falling apart, but the plan of someone I had been pulling for over the last few days.

  “Lieutenant have them brought to the situation room for debriefing as soon as they're brought in,” I said.

  “Sir?” Lieutenant Nash asked.

  “Are you sure Sam?” Mac asked.

  “Have you ever known me to be wrong about something like this Mac? I wish I were wrong this time, but either they failed or my premonitions are way out of whack,” I said.

  “I'd say your premonitions are out of whack sir,” the Captain said.

  “I'm glad to hear that Captain. If you'll have your men gather in the situation room I'll join you shortly,” I said.

 
“Sir can I ask how we did?” the Captain asked.

  “You can ask Captain, but if you don't yet know there is no point in me telling you until you are all gathered in the situation room so we can go over the test results together,” I said.

  I turned back to Lieutenant Nash and told him to give the order the base was to return to normal status immediately.

  “Mac do you think you and Curtis could find General Wentworth and let him know the test is over, and if he wishes to be there for the debriefing he better hurry.” I said.

  I walked back to my office and started going through the file of restrictions in regard to this test. Only one restriction had been violated and I was the one who had violated it. I had given a file that was used as a teaching example in place of the actual test file. The only real difference in the two files was in the one I left a canyon that was open had been restricted in the actual test file.

  There was a White Rose patch laying on my desk and I sat there staring at it wondering if I really dared give it to the man who had beaten me.

  “Did he really earn that patch Sam?” Curtis asked.

  “I let him win didn't I?” I said.

  “You could have beat him at any time. You gave him opportunity after opportunity to win on his own, but in the end you let him win simply because you could,” Curtis said.

  Another patch sat next to the White Rose patch. An eagle diving in for the kill. A strong symbol one worthy of few men, but one many men could wear proudly, whereas the White Rose would only ever belong to one person and those she chose to share it with.

  “I guess it's time to let the White Rose rest for a while. Would you care to join us in the debriefing Curtis?” I asked.

  I picked up the patches other than the White Rose along with the stack of files I had and headed for the door.

  “I take it there'll never be another White Rose team?” Curtis asked.

  “Who else could have done what we did Curtis? You're right I didn't put everything I had into stopping him, but I didn't have my men helping me from the start did I?” I asked.

  “You had our help teaching them sir,” he said.

  “In the field would you have withheld the location from me if I didn't ask for it Curtis? I think we all wanted him to succeed with this test, but we didn't do what we could to make him and his men prove themselves. That one thing is what makes them unworthy of wearing the White Rose. That one thing is what keeps them from proving whether or not they are the best. The saddest part is they won't get a chance to find out if they could have beaten the White Rose, though I have no doubt they'll be among the best there is,” I said.

  “We could always call everyone back together and have a war game to find out,” Curtis said.

  I headed for the situation room with Curtis by my side and stopped short of opening the door. Something wasn't right. All my men knew I was done as soon as this test was over, and as each of them had reached the end of their enlistment we had celebrated the fact they had made it through hell and lived to see a better day. I was the last one left and this was my last day. Mac and Curtis were here and while I had felt all my men were family there was no doubt these two men were the closest to me.

  Why were they here though? I had no doubt they knew as soon as this test was over I would no longer be active duty, but I had been lead to believe they would be across the country and possibly even where trying to contact them would be impossible for a few days.

  “Sam, please,” Curtis said.

  “What's going on Curtis? Why don't you want me going in there?” I asked.

  “It's not that I don't want you going in there sir. It's just I'd rather you not go in there just yet, that you'd give General Wentworth a little more time to get here before starting the debriefing,” he said.

  “If the rest of our men are in there to give me a farewell party...” I started as a tear started rolling down my cheek.

  I felt the tear hit my cheek and knew exactly what was on the other side of the door, or at least I had a very good idea of what was there.

  “Curtis when you have everything ready I'll be in my office,” I said.

  I handed him the stack of files and unit patches and headed back to my office. Another tear landed on my cheek followed quickly by another.

  How many of our men were here? How long had they been planing this and how had they managed to keep it secret from me. This had to be the reason Mac had gone to Boston rather than setting up house here. I knew he loved the scenery and most of the people, even Kathy, though I doubted they would ever trust each other fully.

  I sat back at my desk and stared at the one unit patch no one would ever wear that I hadn't hand selected, The White Rose. My first mission after qualifying special forces started rolling through my mind. The smells the sounds it was all there. I had been the youngest second in the battalion, and few commanders wanted anything to do with me because of my age. That I had accomplished what no one else had didn't matter, I was to young and green to accept the kind of responsibility a second in command had.