Christmas Past
Part 5
The next morning, the fire team regrouped with the Iraqi soldiers, still trying to locate the elusive bomber. They went from house to house and continued to question civilians.
At nightfall, back on the base, gunshots were heard causing chaos on the base.
Scream: Cease Fire, Cease Fire. Goddamn it. What the hell is going on? Who's shooting?
Tariq: I don't know, sergeant. Someone started running.
Angel: Someone said they saw someone running.
Footsteps approaching Scream cause him to raise his gun and through his NVGs he sees that it's the lieutenant.
Lt. Hunter: Whoa. They're not running now cause they got away already.
Scream: Did you start the shooting, sir?
Lt. Hunter: Yeah, I did. Cause I saw someone run.
Scream: Did you hit them?
Lt. Hunter: No, I didn't.
Scream (under his breath)Thank god.
Lt. Hunter: What was that, sergeant?
Scream: There's our men on watch, sir.
Lt. Hunter: I know that.
Scream: Then don't go shooting at shadows when there's our men out there on watch. You want to kill one of your own guys?
Lt. Hunter: How fucking dare you.
Scream: SOUND OFF, GODDAMN IT! DEATH STREET, FIRST!
The following day, the search continued. While in position, staking out a suspicious area in the middle of a town, not far from the base, Scream spies a young boy running across the open area. He was obviously trying to get away from the soldiers. The team give chase and as one of the Iraqis take aim, Scream orders him to drop his gun and not to shoot. Another Iraqi soldier caught up with the boy and tackled him. The boy tried to convince them that he had no idea about the bomber. Scream ordered him flex-tied and taken to the lieutenant.
Lt. Hunter grilled him and with the help of one of the Iraqi soldiers, they found out where he lived. They took him home and searched the house. After coming up empty, they left disappointed, but Bashir, one of the Iraqi soldiers noticed on the table that there was a jar of Nutella. Later, he lets the fire-team that growing up in London, he's eaten it, it's very expensive swiss chocolate special and he's never seen it in Iraq before. The homeowners could either buy it or add on another room. They are probably hiding someone there. The team agrees to notify Scream.
They quietly leave the base and head for the house. Scream orders his team to group up and Tariq notices that the building looks bigger on the outside than it did when they were inside.
Scream: Tariq, thinks there may be an extra room, behind the wall or something like with Anne Frank.
Smoke: Anne Frank?
Scream: Like a little crawl space a person can live in. What do you think, Bashir?
Bashir: It's the biggest house in the village. If I were a well financed bomber, this is the one I'd take and the kid we caught lived here.
Scream: When I say hit it, Smoke, I want you to kick the front door in. Make it loud.
Smoke: Roger that, sarge.
Scream: Take up your positions again, but quietly. We want to take them by surprise…
Just then Lt. Hunter runs up behind them.
Lt. Hunter: DAMN IT, SERGEANT! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS! I TOLD YOU I WANTED TO BE PART OF ANY BREAKTHROUGH!
Out of the shadows, comes an insurgent throwing a grenade. The team ducks for cover.
Scream: Tariq, Bashir, you okay? Go after him. Smoke, you bust in there anyway. Dim, you and Angel go with him. Round everyone up inside, flex-tied and on the floor.
Lt. Hunter and Scream take off after Tariq and Bashir. Lt. Hunter bends down into position and aims his gun at their own men. Scream seeing where the gun is aimed, runs by and knocks the lieutenant down on his face.
Scream: Sorry, sir.
The two Iraqi soldiers fire and the bomber goes down. Lt. Hunter catches up with the team.
Scream: GODDAMN IT, BASHIR, YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB. YOU TOO, TARIQ. YOU'RE A CREDIT TO THE GODDAMN ARMY!
Lt. Hunter: What the hell was that, sergeant?
Scream (sarcastically)CONGRATULATIONS, LT. THIS WILL LOOK VERY GOOD ON YOUR RECORD, SIR!
As the team returns to base, all are exhausted and make their ways to their tents. Scream takes off his helmet, his mic and then he unlaces his boots, when a private enters his quarters.
Private: Captain Baron wants to see you, sergeant.
Scream ties his laces again and marches over to the Captain's tent.
Scream: You wanted to speak with me, sir.
Captain Baron: Enter. I just spoke with Lt. Hunter. He says you interfered with his apprehending of the bomber. Is that true, sergeant?
Scream: No, sir. I prevented him from killing our own men and letting the bomber get away.
Captain Baron: Did he? The bomber, get away?
Scream: No, but not because of the lieutenant. That was the fast work of my men. Sir, If I may…
Captain Baron: Go on.
Scream: Someone needs to have a talk with the lieutenant. His cowboy ways are going to get someone killed. He's out of control, sir. A loose cannon. That's all I'm saying.
Captain Baron: Thank you, sergeant, for the word of advise. One other thing, sergeant…you haven't been taking any of your R&R. I know how you are around the holidays, so if you want to get away from here for awhile, I can arrange it. You've certainly earned it. Word from HQ is that the firing has ceased in this sector as of now, well at least it should within the next few days. You've got at least two weeks worth of furlough coming to you. Should I sign your paperwork?
Scream: No, thank you sir. If it's all the same, I'd rather stay here with my team.
Captain: You don't want to go back to states and visit your family?
Scream: No, sir. I'm fine here.
Captain: It's your decision. If you change your mind, let me know.
Scream: Yes, sir. I doubt I will.
Captain: You're dismissed.
The next night, the fire-team are chasing several insurgents across a field. Lt. Hunter fires at the enemy.
Lt. Hunter: Like shooting fish in a barrel.
Tariq: I thought you didn't want us firing yet, sergeant.
Scream: I don't.
Lt. Hunter: Run, rabbit, run. Keep up with them…both teams.
An insurgent falls down in front of the team.
Scream: Smoke, Angel, get this loser into flex ties.
Lt. Hunter fires another shot and an insurgent goes down.
Lt. Hunter (to himself)Good work. Let's go, let's go. Stay with them. I'll come back later and cut a keepsake off that mook later.
Scream: Lt., you have a hot mic.
Lt. Hunter: So what.
Scream: I don't like the look of this.
Lt. Hunter: What's wrong with the look of this?
Scream: It's too goddamn easy, sir.
Lt. Hunter: You rather it be hard.
Scream: I'd rather I knew where these 2 were taking us.
Lt. Hunter: They are running for their lives.
Scream: They are running us towards something and I can feel it.
Lt. Hunter: You can feel it? What the hell does that mean?
The last of the insurgents running from the team drops down and from behind mounds of dirt, pop under a new slew of insurgents. They were run into an ambush.
Scream: HIT THE DECK!
Two more of Lt. Hunter's men go down, but all of Scream's men are okay. The lieutenant sprains his shoulder.
Lt. Hunter: I'm hurt.
Scream: Let's figure a way to flank these son of bitches. Lt. you want us to go on ahead of you?
Lt. Hunter: I think I sprained my shoulder.
Scream: He thinks he sprained his shoulder.
Dim: You think about euthanasia?
Scream: I thought about mercy killing.
Dim: Euthanasia is mercy killing.
Scream: DIM, YOU GODDAMN CORRECT ME ONE MORE TIME, I'LL EUTHANIZE YOU!
As dawn approaches, an angry Scream is with Captain Baron in his tent.
Scream: I'm requesting that Lt. Underpants be reassigned. He's lost the confidence of the men. He's no longer able to lead.
Captain: Lt. Underpants?
Scream (rolling his eyes) I mean Lt. Hunter, sir.
Puzzled, the captain inquires about the lieutenant's nickname and how it came about. Scream explained the rumor was because of his Red Calvin Kleins that he has shipped from back home.
Against his own thoughts, Captain Baron tells Scream that he can't just reassign a lieutenant in the U.S Army simply because one of his squad leaders has a problem with him.
Scream: With all due respect, why not? He's dangerous in the field.
Captain: You may not like him, but you'll have to put up with him. (pause) For what it's worth, I don't like him either.
Scream: Thank you, sir.
Out of curiosity, the captain asks Scream what they call him.
Scream: I believe they call you "The Duke", sir.
Captain: The Duke, why?
Scream: Cause your name is Baron. I think they thought you deserved a grander title.
Captain: A duke is better than a baron, then?
Scream: As far as I know, yes sir.
Captain: You're dismissed.
Two days later, a civilian convoy is sent out down the most dangerous stretch of road. The fire-team is sent along to protect it. In the road, stands a small boy waving his arms. The lieutenant tells Doublewide to run him over because the Iraqis use children to stall convoys. She refuses so he shoots him. Moments later, a sharp whistle is heard in the air.
Scream: INCOMING!
A RPG is fired at one of the civilian trucks. The team is told by the lieutenant to pull over. Scream, knowing that they are about to get ambushed again, reluctantly tells Doublewide to pull over and for everyone to get out of the van. Barely cleared from the van and another RPG comes in contact with it and blows it sky high.
The lieutenant gathers up the men and tells them to prepare for a fight. They have to get the panel truck back. Scream can hear several of the civilian drivers, taking their last breath through his radio. The lieutenant also hears it but doesn't care. He's too occupied with getting back the panel truck. The team heads down the road, with their guns drawn. Seeing no activity, they head for the panel truck.
Angel: We passed up a lot of injured civilian drivers back there. Hope there's a good reason for that, don't you sarge?
Scream: YOU'RE GODDAMN RIGHT, I DO!
The lieutenant opens the panel truck and reveals money, $340 million dinars. Scream, along with his team, become very infuriated.
Scream: The money truck.
Lt. Hunter: Comes in every week. Ever hear of the bottom line.
Dim freaks out and starts yelling at the lieutenant that it wasn't worth him giving up four of his own men and the civilian drivers to protect the money. Not liking the soldiers attitude, the lieutenant orders Scream to arrest him. Scream refuses and just then another RPG hit's the panel truck. The soldiers recover but find themselves in middle of another fire fight. When it's over, they look at the money on the ground, then stand up from their positions. Scream, is the only one on the road standing behind the lieutenant when the others join him. They look on the ground and see a body.
Smoke: It's Lt. Underpants. He was shot in the back.
Back at the base, the captain has Scream and his team lined up telling them that there will be an investigation into the lieutenant's death but they will probably find that no one is at fault. The captain stands up and walks up in front of Scream.
Captain: It was friendly fire. He died because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and not because you didn't like him, right.
Scream nods.
Scream: Yes, sir.
Captain: And we deeply regret his passing.
Scream hesitates but eventually nods in agreement. The captain dismisses them.
The team gather outside and start a campfire. They sit around it drinking beer that somehow Smoke manage to get hold of. Each team member denies having shot the lieutenant, with the exception of Scream. However, Dim has his doubts whether he shot him or not, Scream quickly changes the subject.
Dim: I don't think I shot him, but those last few minutes…
Scream: Tell it to your shrink.
The team looks at Scream.
Scream: I mean, goddamn it, tell it to your shrink in a couple of years.
Scream puts his empty beer bottle down and stands up from his seat.
Scream: It's the lucky ones that live to feel guilty. Goodnight.
He walks off as Dim starts to say a prayer for his team.
Thanksgiving morning, as the other soldiers are getting prepared for their first real dinner since coming to that shithole, Scream remained alone in his tent.
Dim and Tariq entered the mess tent and joined the rest of Rawhide 1.
Angel: Any luck with Scream?
Dim: Just when I thought I had him figured out, he pulls this shit again.
Mrs. B: I really thought once he told us about being an orphan, that he would loosen up and feel more comfortable around us. Guess not.
Doublewide: Something else is going on there. Think if we ask, he'll tell us?
Smoke: Shit no. He didn't want tell us what he did. We ain't getting nothing more out of him.
Tariq: Still worth a try. We'll take him a plate later. Maybe he'll be in a more talkative mood.
Dim: Doubt it. He doesn't like anyone asking about his personal life. Guess he don't trust us enough to open up about whatever is going on with him.
Doublewide: He's got to eat. I don't know anyone who don't like Thanksgiving. He's like this now, what's going to happen at Christmas?
Tariq: I'm sure we'll find out.
Meanwhile, Scream sits in his tent. His eyes fixed on the canvas over his head. His mind wandering back several years.
"Scream is dressed in scrubs, positioned by a bedside. In the bed, is Lindsay. Her face red and covered in sweat, her voice ear-piercing screams.
Scream: Come on, Linds…one more push, we'll almost there.
Lindsay: We? Seems to me, I'm doing all the work. Then again, pal, you did your part alr…..OUCH, OH GOD…
Doctor: Deep breaths, Lindsay. Not too much more. I can see the head. I'm just easing the shoulders out. (pause) Alright, this is it. I need one giant push from you and we're just about there.
Scream: Push, one more time. Do it…
Scream is interrupted by cries of a newborn. The newest addition to the Silas family.
Doctor: Congratulations, it's a boy.
Scream's face was one of joy, while Lindsay's was less enthusiastic. Scream stared at his new son, while he was being cleaned off by the nurses. When the nurses had him wrapped up in the blanket, they brought the baby over to his parents. They handed him to Lindsay, but she quickly turned away from it, so Scream reached out for him. Holding his third child in his arms, he couldn't resist smiling and laughing down at the newborn. Then he looked over at his wife and a look of complete fear entered his eyes."
Scream shook off the memory and left the tent. He went over to the exercise room and being how it was Thanksgiving, he had the place to himself. He immediately stripped off his shirt, adjusted the weights properly on the bar then laid down on the bench. He started pumping, trying desperately to concentrate on his reps and not the memories that haunted his waking hours just as much as they did his sleeping hours.
As dark set in, the team, with plate in hand, headed to the sergeant's tent only to find it empty. Realizing, he had to come back sooner or later, they left the plate on the table next to his cot and went back to their own tents.
Scream, worn out from pumping iron for last few hours, headed back to his quarters. His scarred but muscular body, sweaty and very shiny glowed in the moonlight. He threw his shirt over his shoulder and wiped his damp face with a towel. When he entered his tent, he couldn't help but notice the ready-made plate for him. He shook his head at it, picked it up and carried it out to the back of his tent. He was searching around, when he heard a scrapping noise. He paused momentarily, wondering if he should get his gun, when out of the darkness came a small puppy. Scream let out a little laugh, then knelt down.
Scream (scratching the puppy's ears)What are you doing out here, fella? That's a good way of getting yourself shot. You must be hungry. Got just what you need here.
Scream put his dinner plate on the ground and let the dog chow down.
Scream: You probably have more to be thankful for than I do, so this is rightfully yours. Enjoy.
Then Scream retreated to his tent for another not so peaceful night.
Two weeks later and the temporary cease fire is still on. Scream enters Captain Baron's tent.
Scream: Do you have a moment, sir?
Captain: Sure, enter.
Scream: Does the captain know how much longer the cease fire will remain in effect?
Captain: No idea. I'm calling HQ later today and with any luck, they will tell me that we won't see any real action until the new year.
The captain turns and faces his desk. He returns with something in his mouth.
Captain: Sorry sergeant, candy. My wife usually sends me some when I'm away for Christmas.
The captain stretches out his arm, offering the jar over to the sergeant.
Scream: No thank you, sir. Haven't had a cavity yet, don't want to start now. About the cease fire.
Captain: Yes, uh…did you want to arrange for your R&R now, sergeant?
Scream: That's exactly what I want to talk to you about.
Scream and Captain have a long chat when the captain asks one of privates to send in the rest of the Rawhide 1 squad.
The other team members line up on either side of Scream.
Captain: At ease. First off, anyone want some candy. Homemade butterscotch, my wife's.
He holds out the candy jar and the team helps themselves to some.
Captain: The reason I called you here is I believe we are going to have a calm holiday season ahead of us. I'll know for sure later today. Anyway, most of the soldiers on the base will be using their leave to go back home. Unfortunately, none of you qualify just yet for leave, so I've decided to have a small Christmas party here on the base for you.
Dim: That's very nice of you, Captain, but unnecessary…
Captain: Let me rephrase that. We are inviting the local orphanage here for the party and you WILL make it nice for them. Am I right?
Rawhide 1: Yes, sir.
Captain: Also, anyone who wants to maybe contribute to the food buffet is welcome to use the mess kitchen, you can go into town for supplies and the email lines will be open extra long for your convenience. Any questions?
The captain pops another butterscotch candy in his mouth while he awaits an answer.
Rawhide 1: No sir, and thank you.
Captain: Dismis…
Before the captain can finish, he goes speechless. He grabs at his throat and starts coughing.
Angel: Sergeant, what the hell?
Scream: GODDAMN IT! HE'S CHOKING ON THE CANDY!
Scream runs behind his friend and mentor and grabs him around the chest. Applying the Heimlich Maneuver on him, he tries to force the candy out.
Scream: GODDAMN IT, THIS AIN'T WORKING! DOUBLEWIDE, GO GET MY ICOM OFF MY COT!
Doublewide takes off out of the tent. Scream continues to pull on the captain's chest, periodically smacking his back. After five minutes, the candy is finally dislodged, but the captain has lost consciousness. Scream lays him on the ground and checks his breathing. As he opens the captain's mouth, blood starts pouring out. Scream leans down to the captain's mouth.
Smoke: Shit, what the fuck…man?
Scream: The candy was hard enough and caught in his throat too long that it probably ruptured a blood vessel. His throat is filled with blood. He can't breathe. I'm going to have to trache him. Tariq, go get me a first aid kit.
Tariq leaves and bumps into Doublewide coming in. She hands the ICOM to Scream.
Scream: Dim, take this. Call for a medevac. We got to get him to the hospital.
Scream pulls out his pen knife as Tariq returns with the first aid kit.
Scream: I'm going to need a tube of some sorts.
Smoke: Like a straw. I've got one here.
Scream: Too much blood. It's won't hold up. A pen. Look for one.
The unoccupied members of the team go on a hunt.
Mrs. B: GOT ONE, ON THE CAPTAIN'S DESK.
Scream: Good. Someone empty out the contents and cut off the end. Then soak it some water to sterilize it the best you can.
Mrs. B goes to work on the pen while Scream gets the captain in position.
Doublewide: You know what you're doing, sergeant?
Scream: Hope so. If any of you have a better idea, let's hear it.
The team looks at each other and shake their heads.
Smoke: Go for it, man.
Scream makes a small incision in the captain's throat. He feels a small hole and some tissue around it. Cutting the tissue is difficult but he manages, just as Mrs. B prepares the pen. He takes it from her but notices it's not entirely clean. There's still ink in the cylinder.
Scream: Smoke, take that straw, cut it to fit inside the pen shaft.
Smoke slices down the straw and slides it in. He hands it to Scream. Scream inserts it into the captain's throat.
Scream: Tariq, quick get me some gauze and pack it around the wound. Slow down the bleeding. Now, if I'm not mistaken the tissue should start to form around the tube and he should start…
The captain takes his first deep breath after almost eight minutes without air. He continues to take steady breaths. The team smiles at Scream and pat him on the back.
Angel: Nice going, sergeant. How did you learn how to do that?
Scream: Use to watch a lot of ER on the base tv. I just hope we were in time and he didn't go to long without oxygen.
Three minutes go by and the medevac arrives on scene. The medics check out the still unconscious captain and access his condition. Amazed at the tracheotomy performed on him, they praise Scream before carrying the captain into the medevac unit. Scream goes to the base hospital with him. The rest of the team takes their own deep breaths and slowly return to their tents, silently praying that they were able, for the first time since arriving in Iraq, to save a life instead of taking one.
To be continued. Please read and review.