Going to War

by burmafrd

AR, very AU. No Aliens. CC. Mostly Liz/Max. All hail Jason Katims for creating it; but he also messed it up as well. This is just for Fun. This is still our Liz, just different going in a different way. No Roswell.

4. Chapter 4

Max was waiting for her back at her barracks and proceeded to kiss her senseless while her roomies cheered. Liz slowly let go and then blushed rosily. She smiled at him.

"I do not want to wear this thing any longer. I will change back to normal and then let's hit the party."

The party finally ended at 0600 and everyone staggered back to their rooms. Liz was slightly gassed as was everyone else. So they all staggered to their rooms and passed out. Sometime in the afternoon every aspirin available was consumed and people slowly dragged themselves out to groan and recover.

Liz got something to eat then went back to the barracks and took a long shower. Then headed back to her room. The Crew was all laying down as well. They just lay there and finally they all drifted off. She woke up at 0500 the next morning and listened; the wind was still whistling which meant no flight ops. She went back to sleep before waking up for good at 0700.

Saturday was a miserable day as Friday had been and outside of eating everyone stayed in their barracks. That gave Liz and the others time to talk.

Jesse started it off; she talked about her home in Illinois not far from Chicago. And how she was looking to get out and get into commercial aviation. Ellen talked about growing up in Seattle, and how she was also looking at aviation as a career after the military. Vicki was thinking of going to college when she got out; she was happy to get out of Detroit and did not want to go back. When they asked Liz for her plans, she smiled.

"Stay in as long as they let me fly; then go into some kind of flying job afterwards. Not sure where I want to go for that; probably out west somewhere; but NOT Wyoming. I liked Colorado and the mountains; so probably somewhere around there if possible."

Ellen looked thoughtful. "Liz, not to remind you of what you don't like, but here is the deal. You can just about write your own ticket in the US Army. You are probably going to end up as one of the most decorated Officers to come out of this war. You will be able to stay in as long as you want. Now as regards flying you will make Captain next year without a doubt and get a company. In another year Major and get a battalion or at least be an XO. They will push you to take college courses and the like; because you look great and as that press conference showed you can do them as well as you fly. You will make Lt Colonel at least and probably full Bird. And that is if you do nothing more spectacular from now on. Which judging from your past will not happen. That is what I see. Do any of you disagree?"

They all shook their heads. Liz stared at her blankly.

"Wow."

The Brigade Commander was talking to his PR officer.

"The PR weanies in DC loved her. Universally."

"She did a whole lot better than I thought she would. She is a natural; they do not scare her."

"Considering her career, that is not a surprise. She has a real future if she wants it."

"Frankly sir, it's up to the Army to make sure she wants to stay in. We need more like her and never have enough."

"That is a fact."

"Sir you wanted to see me?"

"I want you to talk to some people. I want to know what Elizabeth Parker would need to do to make it as a career in the US Army. I know moving beyond Major is tough for any officer without a degree. Frankly She shows that is moronic. This idea that people MUST have a degree to get anywhere high up on the ladder is truly stupid. She damn well ought to make full colonel at least before she retires. She is just coming up on 25 and will be a captain early next year before she is 26. With her record and accomplishments and smarts and poise, there is no excuse for pushing her out just because she did not waste four years somewhere."

They were flying again by Sunday as the storm blew out and cleared out the weather; it was clear and very nice.

Over the next week there was not much going on; the Taliban seemed to have gone into hiding for a while and very little action was seen.

"Sir I have that report you asked for about what Lt Parker should do."

"Well?"

"The military personnel men I spoke to were embarrassed; they admitted as long as they were not named that she would almost certainly be stopped at Major. The Degree part is so ingrained that nothing she could do would get her past Major if she does not take off several years and get a degree. Promotion boards would not pass her; the regulations have procedures for exceptions but they are ignored. She would not be the first case of someone with extraordinary ability thrown out for not being able to show a diploma."

The congressman slowly nodded; his face carefully blank. His aide knew that he put on that face when he was VERY angry.

"I want those examples in detail. Then the new secretary of Defense and I will be having a talk."

Liz stretched and headed for the shower. For some reason she felt especially good that morning. She did not know why. They were due for another escort mission that day; the Brits had gotten their Apache's operational again so the load had lightened on 1st Battalion. So they were holding steady at no more than one mission a day. In the month since the award ceremony things had gone pretty well. One of the Blackhawks from 6 Battalion had been shot down; but no one was killed. One was seriously wounded but would recover. It was now the middle of May and it was getting hot. They were almost at the half way of their 15 month deployment; if there were no holdups they would be back in the US by March of 2009. Scooter had just gotten his promotion and was now Captain. Griffith would soon get his oak leafs and step up to take the Battalion XO position. He would try to stay in the cockpit but that was a losing battle against the job and paperwork. Winston had told Liz she would be taking over 1st Platoon while he took over 2nd Platoon and the company. He told her that he figured she would get her railroad tracks before they left Afghanistan. Liz liked that in one stance because promotion was always nice; but on the other hand it took her one step closer to not flying all the time.

Then she thought of Max and a goofy smile came over her face as she padded back to her room. Jesse looked up as she came into the room and laughed.

"Liz has Max face."

The others laughed and Liz blushed.

Liz had quietly admitted that she had fallen hard for Max. And he seemed to feel the same way. He was looking to make sure that he was done in Afghanistan the same time she was. He made it plain that he would be going back to the US and looking for a job around Ft Campbell. Liz smiled again when she thought of the quiet but firm way he had made that clear; and how he had kissed her after it. She had written a letter to Isabelle.

Isabelle read the letter to the others. When she was done they all were quiet for a while. Maria finally stirred.

"At last Liz is living."

Isabelle nodded. "I told my parents that Max is looking at coming back to the US once and for all and that it's because of Liz. They have wanted him to settle down for so long."

The lull in combat did not last all that long. Starting in June the Taliban began to push and cause trouble. They had been quietly building up strength in other parts of the country and the coalition began to realize that. It had been decided to bring in more US troops and air power. More Special Operations forces as well. More search and destroy missions began to happen.

The Apache's began to start seeing multiple missions a day again after a few months lapse. Which put more of a strain on Pilots, copilots, the choppers and the ground crews. The only good news was that they were all experienced so that made a difference.

Liz really did not like the summers here. VERY hot and dusty and dry and generally miserable. They got some swamp coolers for the hangers; when it was really dry they did help. The only problem was they also introduced humidity to the aircraft. But overall most agreed it was worth it. When it got over 110 degrees inside the hangers, the coolers would get it down to 85 in the bubbles, which made it bearable.

Spec Ops started a campaign in an area about half an hours flight from Bagram and they began to need a lot of backup from the Apache's. The Taliban had started trying to use civilians as human shields; and that made things a lot harder. It began to reach a point where the Apache's had to use the 30MM more and more as it was the only weapon precise enough to take out the Taliban without killing the civilians they were hiding behind. Problem with that is that to be sure the Apache's had to get closer. Rules were to stay at no lower than 500 feet; and usually at least 7-800 so that RPG's would not have the range to hit them. That was the only weapon that really was a threat to an apache. The Blackhawks were of course much more vulnerable and the Taliban began to try and take them down instead of the much tougher and more dangerous Apache's.

Liz of course did not know of a private meeting with the new SECDEF that the Congressman had arranged.

He had given the SECDEF the report that had made him so very angry.

The SECDEF quickly read it and sighed.

"This is not exactly a surprise."

"Each of those officers chased out by this stupidity is worth 100 of those ticket punchers out of any college."

"I will not argue, Congressman. But that is the system."

"Then change it. I do not see where it generates better officers than the old system did. On the surface they might look more polished; but underneath where it counts they are mostly empty suits. This system has been built to prevent any mavericks, any real gifted different types from ever getting anywhere. Cookie cutter sounds nice and neat but this current generation of Generals and Admirals come from that system and frankly mr Secretary they do not look like much and have not impressed anyone. And the more junior generals are even worse. I would say maybe one out of ten show real ability. The rest of them are nothing special at all. This country deserves better; the soldiers and sailors and airmen and Marines deserve better."

"What would you have me do?"

"Well here is what I propose."

General Davison was going to retire soon; he had been passed over for his third star and was getting out. Or he was.

'The Secretary of Defense proposed and congress has approved, a new type of promotion board. It will go over those rejected for promotions and see if there are those that have ability that the system refuses to reward. This will be at the Lt Colonel level and above. Its recommendations will go straight to the Secretary of Defense, bypassing all services. These officers will most likely be mavericks or those that have not played the political game that is required so much to get promoted in the modern military. It has been remarked many times over the last decade or so that a soldier like Patton, a sailor like Bill Halsey or Hyman Rickover, a Marine Like Chesty Puller, a pilot like Billy Mitchell would never reach high rank in the modern military. This new promotion board would try and see to it that those exceptions are not lost. And also would try and force the rest of the military establishment to recognize the need for the occasional maverick and trouble maker'

General William Davison, current commander of the 101st Airborne; had been due to retire after getting passed over. But the new promotion board; called by some the maverick board, recommended his promotion and it was approved by the President and Congress. It will remain to be seen if this starts to change the status quo.

It was now July and the summer was at its peak. Temperatures were regularly over 110 degrees. Liz and the others were very grateful that the barracks had A/C. But that also meant that operations on the ground required more water and supplies; thus resupply flights to the FOB's increased. The Taliban was trying to make life as difficult as possible at the FOBs; while the alliance was trying to search out and destroy the Taliban strongholds. It was a back and forth struggle.

It was usual procedure to have one platoon cover a resupply flight. 4 Apaches escorting 4 Chinooks. This day it was 1st platoon and 4 Chinooks from 7th Battalion bringing in a weeks supply for the FOB. 2 Apache's on either side as they came in. Since they landed in the middle of the FOB, it was not necessary for the Apache's to come in close for cover. They would stay at about 1000 feet keeping an eye on things. The biggest threat would be an infiltrating Taliban suicide fighter, hiding with an RPG to fire at one of the Helicopters as it landed.

Liz and Jake were on one side with Ed and Ken on the other. Things looked calm until the Chinooks were just about to land. Right then 4 figures appeared and had RPGs. But they were spotted as soon as they moved and were targeted by the 30MM from each of the Apache's. Only one got off a shot before being shredded and he missed, luckily.

"Let's get down to Angels 5 people; that is probably all there is but let's make sure."

But nothing more happened. Some troopers from the FOB went over to see if they could salvage any of the RPG's but that was it. In half an hour the Chinooks were unloaded and taking off. The flight back was uneventful. Liz had not done anything but fly; Ted had fired the 30MM. Procedures had been set up for who shot at what between the aircraft; which was good. If there had been any hesitation one or more of the Taliban suicide squad would have been able to fire accurately at the Chinooks.

Liz was very surprised when the Brigade Commander had her talk to some of the women of the brigade who were currently enlisted but wanted to become pilots. The Battalion commander reminded her that that was the route she had taken.

"OK. You are here because you have an interest in becoming a pilot. To start with, is that a chopper pilot or fixed wing or you do not care just be a pilot. Raise your hands for Chopper only. Now Fixed wing only. Now either. OK. To start with you also need to consider if you want to do 20 years. If that is the case I have advice for you: DO NOT BECOME AN OFFICER."

Liz rather enjoyed the looks that got.

"Surprised you? Well that is a realization that I only came to in the last year. If I had to do it over again I would have gone to WOCS instead of OCS. Once you are an officer you are at the mercy of the education prejudice. Which means whether you want to or not; you have to go to college. Studying subjects that have very little if anything to do with being an officer. If you do not you will be gone at the level of Major. No Higher. And that means at 12-15 years you are out. No Pension. Now if you become WO's, you can get in your 20 and better yet you can stay doing what you want to do most. I would love it if I could spend my next 13 years in the military flying Apache's, or flying in general. BUT I will not. I am probably going to get my Captain's Bars in the next few months; then I have about 3 years before I can probably become a Major. Another three years and unless I am in college going for a decree I will be out. No matter what I have accomplished in the Military. So there I will be, 31, former Major with a fair amount of experience having to do something else. The best I could do as regards flying is stay with the National Guard. But I will need a job outside that. Lots of crap to deal with. So that is why I am telling you all that no matter what you want, if you want to do 20 active do not become an officer unless you want to go to college. If you do then no problem. But the pressure will stay on even if you get your degree; then they will expect you to get a masters in SOMETHING. DOES NOT MATTER WHAT IT IS. Now for me I will probably in the end break down and do the dance they want me to do despite having no wish at all to go to college; despite the FACT that it will have little if any bearing on what I do in the military. I could get a degree in Art History and then a Master there and they would be happy because I punched the ticket that they demand be punched. So think about it, Ladies. Think and plan."

The Major from her barracks had sat in quietly; later on she was talking to the brigade commander and told her what Liz had said.

He sighed. "Not like she was not being brutally honest with them."

The Major was quiet. "My major is in Literary History."

He looked at her. "oh."

"I am sure she did not know that but her point remains valid. I will probably get promoted to Lt Colonel and if I get my masters there I probably have a good shot at full bird. Mainly because I have that degree. I have nowhere near the record Lt Parker has and will not get near it either. Yet she will hit the ceiling at Major. And I will not."

"So if you were being brutally honest you would have said the same thing."

"Yes sir. But I would not have been that honest with them because I would have worried about it getting out and being used against me later on."

The Brigade commander thought about that for a while then requested Lt Parker see him.

Liz sat before him, willing to bet it was about what she had said at that meeting.

He looked at the young woman in front of him; very composed, yet so young.

"Your statements to those young women; they were not exactly complimentary to the US Army."

"Was not meant to be sir. I was told to advise them. I gave them the most valid advice I had. If you do not want that sir then do not send me again. My message will not change. Can you honestly disagree with what I said?"

"No, I cannot. It is not something I think about; many of us do not think about it. It is just the way the system is." He sighed.

"Well, not to change the subject but your promotion to Captain will be through in the next month. Major Winston will be going to 1st Battalion XO, and Captain Griffith will take over as 1st Company CO. You will take over as commander of 1st Platoon. Which I am sure is no surprise to you."

"No sir."

Liz went back to the barracks thinking about things. Her promotion to Captain was nice, but in the grand scheme of things just meant she was closer to having to decide whether to bow down to the system or not. There were no subjects in college that she really wanted to study. She had thought about it; but the interest was just not there. She felt that unless she really was interested it was a waste of time and she really hated wasting time. Especially four years of it.

The next week was the busiest yet for the Apache drivers. For 6 straight days they did two missions a day. The Taliban was more and more trying to go after the supply and personnel choppers – as they did most of the work.

On the fourth day, the first mission in the morning the 101st Aviation brigade had their first KIA. Liz was guiltily lucky that it was B Company that was escorting a strike mission and they were the ones that lost a Blackhawk to a 12.7MM MG in a hidden position that fired right into the cockpit as it landed; it rolled over and burned. The Pilot was killed and the copilot badly burned. The four passengers were injured but not badly. The Apache's hosed the entire area and the backup Blackhawk pulled the injured out. They were unable to get the pilot out of the Hawk and in a very tough decision the Mission commander ordered the burning Blackhawk destroyed with multiple Hellfire hits. They would not try and recover the body due to where the target was. And they wanted to make sure that the Taliban was unable to get any trophies.

Liz and the rest of the Brigade were very depressed that night. She and A company had had what were comparatively easy milk runs that day; had not had to fire much at all. They quietly sat around that night. Liz was with the Crew; the WO officer killed had been in the 5th Battalion. Liz knew him; but had not known him well.

After a while Liz called Max and he came over and got her and they walked around; it was hot but by 2100 it was not too bad. And they talked.

"I feel guilty because I am glad I was not on that mission."

Max hugged her. "That is just being human, Liz. Nothing to be ashamed of."

Liz found that being with Max just seemed so right. They fit.

The Brigade had little chance to mourn their loss as missions kept up for three more days before weather was bad enough –windy enough- to ground them. They all needed the rest by then.

But the next day the winds died down and they were out again. Command had put into motion a sustained campaign of going after the Taliban wherever they were; deeper and deeper into their controlled or semi controlled areas.

Company A had gotten the reputation of never having lost anyone while they were the escort. Liz and the others fought very hard to keep that up. Her Promotion had officially come through and Liz was now a Captain. And 1st Platoon commander. Which was unusual as most platoons had a Lt as commander and some even had a WO. Blackhawks tended to have more officers then the other lighter helicopters. She was also company XO now and that meant more paperwork. With the multiple missions per day and now more paperwork it was all Liz could do to keep up. Being very organized helped but it was still a more than full load.

The end of August found the first hints of cooler weather which they all welcomed; but it was also when both command and the Taliban stepped up efforts to do in the other. They still had 6 months left on this tour; which seemed forever.

More and more they were doing pre-dawn raids; without any air strikes first. Trying to swoop in and catch the Taliban by surprise. The alliance had the advantage there since there were lots of places that could be attacked and none of them knew when the Birds of Prey would come calling.

The Special Forces commander looked over the mission plan.

"This could be a fairly hot one. If one of the top dogs is there, they will have a fair number of bodyguards. Might even have some serious firepower for them. Beyond the RPGs or 12.7's. Might have one of those 23MM there."

"Possibly sir. He is the third in command overall and no doubt the area commander."

"Well guys the good news is that this is the only mission for today. The bad news is that it could be a hairy one. Command thinks that the Taliban area commander is at this site; and he is third in command of the entire Taliban. So getting him would be a real fist in the nose of the Taliban. But that also means that he is probably going to have some fairly serious protection. As is the pattern anymore, the Taliban are making sure that there are plenty of civilians around. Many not by choice. They are going to villages and taking the entire village hostage then moving them to where their operations are. Hoping that we will kill a bunch of them while they hide behind them; making us look like the bad guys in the international press. So here is how we are going to skin this cat:

Company A will be the close escort; the whole company down on the deck. Company B will be the high escort and reserve. The Hawks will come in with the Apache's right beside them; move in as fast as possible and hit them hard. Rules of engagement are as follows; 30MM only unless you site a bunker or dug in position that the 30 cannot get to. Then it is Hellfire. You are not to use your 2.75's; which is pretty much standard anymore but I got the Battalion commander to buy off with not even bringing them and having two external fuel tanks instead. So we will have more time. It's going to take about 60 minutes to get there; it's very close to the Pakistan border. Which is another reason for no 2.75's; one could go wild and go across the border and cause all sorts of hurt feelings over there. Furthermore we are going low this time; 300 feet. And maybe lower depending on the situation. So you will have to keep a special eye out for RPGs. Spec Ops are taking 8 Hawks in; they are going to flood that village. 4 hawks will be in reserve. Get ready people."

Liz did her preflight check; it was routine and she had never found a problem but that was something you never skimped on. It takes about half an hour if you do it right and Liz always did. Ted was right beside her; 4 eyes looking beats two anytime. Liz reflected that she put in her latest Eval of Ted that he was fully qualified and ready to move up to Pilot. He would probably step in if they lost anyone. She checked the auxiliary fuel tanks as the last think on her check list. It was procedure that you took off on internal and then switched to external afterwards, but Liz chose to take off on External. She liked to save the internal fuel to the last. In some ground trials she had found that just before the auxiliary fuel tank was dry you would have a fluctuation in fuel pressure; and so she made it a point to take every gallon out she could. It was a little more risky but she felt that extra time could be vital; after all it had already happened once to her. That would give her maybe twenty or more gallons out of each tank more than most pilots took. That meant from both tanks a total of an extra twenty minutes flight time. You never knew how much you would need. The mission profile showed that you had to figure at least 70 minutes(counting safety margin) there and back; and at least 1 hour at the site. Even the Blackhawks would have an auxiliary tank this time. They used more fuel due to the high altitude anyway. And any full power moves sucked it right down.

They took off at 0500, pitch dark. They were due to hit the site at 0600, just before dawn. One good thing about where the target was that since it was up a little bit they could fly low and come up; which would mask their sound some. Anything to keep the enemy from finding out that they were about to be visited as long as possible.

"Target in 5 mikes."

"10-4"

Everyone tightened up; Liz was happy to see the fuel fluctuation just at that minute; she could switch over to the other tank now. That unbalanced the apache but not enough to really matter. This meant that she could use up the other auxiliary and over one third of her internal and still make it back to the base. They moved in; it was just starting to get light enough to see. Perfect timing.

1st Platoon was out to the right; Liz in lead; 2nd platoon was to the left, Scooter in lead. Spread out and watching as the hawks bored in. Then they were down and the Spec ops were pouring out and heading into the village. She could see the first Taliban coming out of houses and shooting and getting taken out by the ground pounders. So far so good- total surprise. They hovered right at 300 feet, watching everything for anything. The minutes went by and the Spec Ops got further into the village. Company B then moved over the village at 1000 feet and watched for anyone trying to run or have a vehicle. Not likely there but you never knew. Most likely possibility was someone with a horse trying to get away. The Blackhawks had taken off and were hovering at 1500; waiting to be called for extraction. There were over 80 Spec Ops going into that village; quite a force. They almost certainly outnumbered anyone there.

Inside the village they were indeed getting it done. But it was not as fast as hoped. Clearly these were some of the best fighters the Taliban had left; they used cover well and kept up a high rate of fire. But 40MM HE usually got the job done. House by house the Spec Ops troopers gradually decimated the insurgents. So far only a few civilians had been encountered and as far as they could tell they hadn't shot any.

Unknown to the Spec Ops commander a small group had been in a underground hole; like a large spider hole. 8 Taliban were waiting until the Helicopters came back. There were a group of spec ops holding the landing site but they could not see what could not be seen.

The Taliban commander realized that he would not escape and decided to try and take some of the infidels with him. With explosive charges strapped to them he and his remaining body guards charged. The remainder of his men firing all their weapons as cover.

This sort of tactic was not new; and the Spec Ops ground commander had been expecting it. But being ready for it did not always mean that you could beat it. This time they did not have the needed extra luck.

All four were able to detonate; two did not do anything but shred themselves and some of the remaining fighters. But two of them got close enough and a building collapsed from the blast; and several Spec Ops soldiers were hit.

Everyone could see the explosions. So they waited.

"Eagle Assault; need dustoff for WIA."

"10-4"

2 blackhawks came in; Company A came even lower. Almost by instinct.

Several soldiers were being carried by others; there looked to be 6 wounded. They were quickly loaded in one of the Blackhawks and it took off; headed for base. The other went with it as escort.

Meanwhile soldiers were desperately digging in the collapsed house; three were trapped in the rubble.

"Bearcats spread out- eyes open- check area"

Just in case someone else was looking to join in the fight Company B was going to make sure they found them firsts.

Minutes went by.

Finally they got the trapped men out; luckily not badly injured.

"Spectre Lead- reaching Bingo Status. Will RTB. You have status."

"10-4 Bearcat Lead"

Liz checked her fuel status; Bearcat had been using more fuel moving around; they could stay for another 20 minutes.

"Doberman, get down on the deck. They should be pulling out soon."

"10-4 Scooter."

Liz lead her four Apache's down to 100 feet; minimum distance before they kicked up too much dust to see.

"Eagle Assault- full dustoff."

The remaining 6 Blackhawks headed down. Liz called in.

"OK people, look sharp."

The Spec ops started pouring out of the village. Heading towards the Blackhawks that were landing.

It was then that the hidden Taliban came out of their holes and started firing at the Blackhawks. They thankfully did not have anything other than their AK 47's but at close range they could do damage.

The Spec Ops reacted immediately and quickly cut them down but not before two blackhawks started to smoke.

"Eagle Assault; what is your status this is Spectre Lead."

"Spectre lead two hawks down."

Liz groaned. There was no way they could get all the spec ops out on 4 choppers. She was rather guiltily glad that none of her roomies were down there. She checked her fuel status. Then called her wingmen for fuel status. She had the most left; she had 35 minutes before going back. The others had 20.

Scooter was furiously thinking. They had about a dozen spec ops left that could not be taken by the Blackhawks. It would take at least an hour to get any from Bagram. Unless there was someone in the air they were screwed. He made the call to base.

"Spectre Lead to Control- we need extra transport ASAP."

"10-4 Spectre will advise."

Liz thought hard. If she landed and stayed at idle, she could stay for an hour before she had to leave.

The remaining Spec Ops deployed around the landing site; the Blackhawks were all gone except for the two smoking. Their crews had gone with the rest. Liz had no doubt that each of the Blackhawks leaving was over loaded. The good thing was that they had used up more than half their fuel so they were that much lighter.

"Spectre Lead we have a big boy 50 minutes out."

A chinook was coming but it would be 50 minutes.

"Scooter, this is Doberman. If I land and stay at idle I can be here that long."

Scooter thought hard. Was it better to leave Liz here or take off; maybe any local Taliban would figure it was all over. But leaving the Spec Ops there with no cover went against the grain. Liz had things figured; he had no doubt she could stay that long.

"OK Doberman go down now and then we will leave."

"10-4."

Liz carefully and economically as possible let down at the site.

The Spec ops soldiers stared as the Apache sat down and went to idle. The leader came up to Liz's apache. She opened the hatch.

"Guys want some company?"

"Never sad to see a pretty face." He gave her the OK sign and moved back and she closed the hatch. And they waited. Ted sighed.

"Liz, sometimes I wish you were not so good at milking the juice."

"Just one of my many talents."

Liz had hoped that there might be some Air Force strike planes nearby but there was nothing available either. So they waited.

The Spec Ops guys waited; glad to have the company but very alert to the fact that they were really hanging out there.

"Doberman, this is Eagle Lift. You guys need a ride?"

Liz grinned in relief. "Some green beanies have their thumbs out."

"I guess we can lower our standards just this once. 5 Mikes."

"10-4." She added power and the Apache went into the air. She hovered at 300 feet, she scanned to the right and Ted to the left."

Just as the Chinook set down Liz saw movement to her side. Several fighters had AK-47's.

"Targets RIGHT using the 30!"

Liz hosed them just as another showed up with a RPG and he got shredded as well.

"Doberman Eagle Lift airborne!"

Liz waited an extra minute- then told TED.

"Hellfires on the blackhawks Ted."

"10-4"

He used two on each one and they blew up spectacularly.

Liz then headed out. She checked the gauges. It would be close but she doubted as close as last time. She stayed in position just behind the Big Chinook.

She made it in with just about 10 minutes fuel left.

The rest of the Company waited tensely until Liz had landed then greeted her.

"Late again Parker. Do you have an excuse slip from your parents?"

"I am not late- you left early!"

The pilot of the Chinook was at the debrief.

"That RPG was aimed right at the cockpit when Doberman toasted him."

He looked at Liz. "We had counting spec ops 30 people on board." He rose and shook her hand. "You need a favor, Cap, anytime anywhere name it."

"Watch out I might call that marker in!"

The Crew was waiting for her in the Barracks.

Jesse was the first to hug her. "You did not know but I was flying for Jones. I was on the first Chopper that got hosed."

Liz gasped then slumped. "One of the reasons I kept my cool was I thought none of you guys's birds had been hit."

The Spec Ops ground commander finished his report.

"Bottom line was sir we were dead lucky. No one dead and no one critically wounded. If Parker had not stayed behind it would have been really bad."

Special Operations Commander Afghanistan nodded.

"We are adding up a big tab there. This is the second time she has put herself on the line and covered us."

"Sir it's time we showed our appreciation."

"yes it is."

"I think a commendation is due for this last mission for Captain Parker."

"Yes sir. Another Air Medal?"

"Start the paperwork."

Two days later another assault on a suspected stronghold; but this one was not as big.

"OK Company A will be escorting a strike by Spec Ops on another base and 6th Battalion will have 4 Hawks. This is a small one in comparison but farther= we will be 90 minutes flying to target."

This mission was to have problems due to the last one; the wounded from that mission were spread over separate teams and that meant some mixing and matching were needed for the team hitting this target. That was bad because they had not worked together; and they had one total newby. That can cause problems and this time it did.

Liz was a little worried; this mission had been textbook. Not one single problem. Nothing at all. Absolutely on time getting there; and it looked like there was very little resistance.

The newby had been told to stay with his sergeant; and he had. Until he noticed something in one room of a house they were clearing. His sergeant was talking on the radio to the commander and did not notice him going into the room. He left the building and headed towards the dustoff point. He looked back quickly but did not realize the trooper right behind him was not the newby.

Inside the room the newby saw something about a wall that did not look right and he kicked at it; and a man with a knife came at him. He swung and hit him upside the head but he slipped on some cloth on the floor and hit his head as he fell. Stunned. Both of them lay there; one fully unconscious and one almost there.

They headed back to the base; the Sergeant looked around and realized the newby was not with him. He checked again and then called to the other chopper. They were more than halfway to base; and the backup choppers had moved ahead and were even close to base. It became clear they had left a man behind.

Liz was leading her platoon; flying economic as usual; the rest of the company had started to do that more following her example. She was 30 minutes out when the word came.

"Spectre Lead, we left one behind."

Scooter groaned. "EVERYONE report fuel status."

As usual Liz had the most; but she would not make it back to the base if she went.

"Scooter I can get there if he is around; but I cannot make it back. Can they bring some out and I get there?"

Some quick talking found that they could get it done. They could get B company, who had been back at base, to come out to cover.

The Newby finally got out of the house, a little dazed but alert enough to manage to dodge the few people still around. He got past the edge of the village and keeping cover as much as possible headed towards base. His small radio only had a 5 mile range.

Liz had headed back and flew as cheap as possible; Ted grumbling about this getting real old.

"Ted, tune your com band to the hand held frequency. I hope he is transmitting."

"Yeah. Not like we can go down and go house to house."

Back at Bagram a scramble was going on. In record time a fuel bladder was filled and loaded on a Blackhawk with a hand pump. B company was scrambling a platoon. Spec Ops command was already warming up his tonsils to chew out whoever had messed up by not counting noses going out.

Liz took a deep breath; she prayed he was alive and able to communicate.

The Newby had managed to get away from the village; he was going down a mountain path that gave him cover; it did not appear to be used much. He knew they would come back for him but he needed to be free for that to do him any good. He kept plugging along. His head was killing him but he did not dare take anything for it.

With only about 50 minutes left of fuel Liz was getting near the site.

"Ted try his frequency."

"Doberman to lost pup. Do you read?"

Newby had stopped to rest; then he heard it.

"Doberman to lost pup. Do you read."

He fumbled then looked around and spoke as soft as he could.

"Lost pup to Doberman. NW of target."

Liz smiled. "Can you hear us?"

He listened; he could.

"10-4 about 185 degrees from my location."

Liz looked at the map then at the ground. Not a great area to land but she would get close.

Newby looked and saw what looked like a fairly flat spot.

"Doberman, am throwing smoke."

Ted was looking hard. "There. Lost pup I see red smoke."

"I am right there – flat spot next to it."

"2 mikes."

Liz set it down; it seemed solid and level enough. She immediately opened the hatch and saw the figure stumbling toward the chopper.

Newby was just able to get to the chopper and the hatch opened and a VERY small figure got out.

"Get in, grab this handle, get up, come on."

Liz almost had to load him like a sack of potatoes; the blood on his head indicated head injury and the way he was barely moving was not good. She got him into the seat and climbed in.

"GO ted!"

He took off before she got the hatch secured. She was sitting on his la. She managed to turn and start checking him out, it was not easy. Between the two of them it was a tight fit.

Ted was looking at the gauges; 40 minutes left give or take. They would at best make it half way.

"Doberman to control. Have him. Has head injury; barely conscious. 40 minutes Bingo."

"Control to Doberman; relief in route."

"Doberman this is Phoenix Flight. We have juice and gourd cracker. What is your position?"

"Coordinates as follows…40 minutes Bingo."

Ellen was in the cockpit of the lead Hawk; Vicki was in the rear. She quickly looked at the map; figuring the most economical speed of the Apache which Liz had told her some time ago.

"Doberman we will go to coordinates- you should make that."

Liz did some figuring.

"10-4 Phoenix."

"Ted keep it at 115. Heading 145. Keep us at this altitude and start dropping 5 mikes out. We should make it."

Newby was almost unconscious and Liz kept trying to keep him awake.

30 minutes later Ted sighted the 2 Blackhawks landing; then the B company Apache's which quickly took station.

"Doberman, this is Bearcat Lead. Nothing in sight and we will be waiting."

"10-4 Bearcat Lead."

Ted brought it down smoothly; the fuel warning buzzer in his ear. He got it as close as he could to the Blackhawk who already had the fuel hose out. He got close enough for the fuel hose to reach. He sat it down and opened his hatch pointing at the auxiliary tank; the Tech nodded and pulled off the cap and put the nozzle in and signaled to the Blackhawk to the figure in the hatch who began to crank the pump. He waited until he saw the fuel pressure drop and switched from internal main to Right auxiliary 1. The engines kept going so he felt a great feeling of relief go through him.

Meanwhile Liz had gotten her hatch open as the medics got to them; She quickly hopped out and they started to manhandle the trooper out of the cockpit. One of the medics pulled her aside.

"How bad?"

"He was not fully conscious for the last 15 minutes- it was all I could do to keep him that way. He was stumbling when he got to the chopper."

She then stepped back and went to the other side where they were pumping fuel into the auxiliary tank. She headed to the Blackhawk with the fuel and went to the cockpit. Ellen gave her the high sign. She watched for a minute as the tech was working the hand pump; he was relieved and another ground away. Liz added up the numbers. That pump maxed out at around 10 gallons a minute. She needed 45 minutes to get in with a decent safety margin. She went up to the tech that was resting.

"100 gallons" she shouted into his ear. He nodded. She went back- they had gotten the newby to the Blackhawk and were strapping him down. She waved to Vicki in the cockpit and headed back to her bird.

Liz got back into the cockpit and closed the hatch.

"They will put in 100 gallons."

"That should be plenty."

Finally the tech pulled out the nozzle and put on the cap and waved to the Cockpit and Ted waved back.

"Ted, take us home."

"Right Liz."

Liz was at dinner that night when Griffith came by the table she was sharing with the Crew.

"He is going to be allright. Bad concussion but that is all."

The Special Operations Commander, Afghanistan, looked at his XO.

"This is getting ridiculous. Why don't we just sign over the keys to the building to her?"

His XO grinned. "The debt is getting pretty massive sir."

"Are we ready?"

"Yes sir. Weather thinks it will be too windy to fly tomorrow and probably the next day. Good time for a party."

Meanwhile Newby had woken up in the hospital and was getting lots of grief from the others.

"You mean to tell me you sat there with the cutest pilot around on your lap and you don't remember anything? That is pretty sad man."

Not long after Liz came by.

Newby was still a little woozy.

"Wow. They got cute doctors here."

His other visitors busted a gut laughing.

The Team Captain took the opportunity.

"Captain Parker, it seems stupid to keep thanking you for pulling our grits out of the fire, so we would like to thank you properly. Forecast says that it will be unflyable tomorrow and probably the next day. So could you come by the compound tonight at 1900?"

"I will check with my CO and I will bring my boyfriend just in case some of you snake eaters get fresh?"

"Would we do that?"

Sounds of a raspberry being blown.

Liz and Max arrived at the Spec Ops compound and were greeted by the Captain. He took them into one of the larger buildings; it was dark and then the lights came on.

Across the middle of the room:

"Thanks from Special Operations Command"

And the banner had over a hundred signatures on it.

The night got fairly rowdy but Liz could not remember the last time she had laughed as much.

Someone had done a drawing that was actually very well done.

It showed about 40 Special Ops soldiers being carried by very tiny person; they were all piled up. Under it was the caption:

"White Woman's Burden"

Liz met every trooper that that had been involved in the three operations that she had had such a special part in. Finally towards the end while a good number of the troopers were fully gassed, the door opened and the General Commanding Special Operations in Afghanistan came in. The room quieted a little then a lot when he held up his hand.

"This will only take a minute then you can all go back to getting drunk." That got a very good cheer.

He walked up to where Liz and Max were sitting and Liz got up. Suddenly she noticed it was fully quiet.

"Captain Parker. This is a tradition that goes back to the Founding of Special Forces. Whenever someone not in puts himself or herself way out there and really makes a difference, we do this."

He then pulled out a brand new Green Beret and placed it on Liz's head. And the troopers raised the roof.

As September turned into October the pace of missions began to finally wind down. The weather worse and both sides tended to stay in more. Liz looked at the calendar and realized that they had only 5 months of missions to go before they began to pack up and go home. Liz sighed. It was still a long ways off. She was tired a lot anymore. So was everyone else. It had been grueling over the last 4 months.

Max looked over the paper work; he was going to give the company 90 days' notice that he was leaving. He planned to be out officially on 1 March, 2009. Liz would be leaving country right about then. Working the contacts he had made over the last few years he had found a job with another contractor that serviced the Larger fixed wing aircraft at Campbell. It was not that great of a job but it allowed him to work on Campbell. So he could be with Liz full time. He had been talking to a friend of his and a certain package was on its way. He intended giving Liz a real great Christmas gift. He no longer had any doubts at all.

There had been a ceremony held two weeks after the party.

Ted Dugan had been stunned to get an Air Medal. Liz had pushed for that. Then Liz was really stunned when she was awarded the Legion of Merit for continued above and beyond duty actions supporting the Army Special Forces.

The Congressman looked at his aide. "As I recall, the Legion of Merit also has promotion value as well?"

"Yes sir."

October left and November came and it began to get cold. The good news was that combat also began to really cool off. Multi mission days were virtually gone; and days began to string together that they had no missions at all. Which was really nice; they began to reach the point where they could do other things then just sleep every chance they got.

But just as it seemed things were getting quiet for the winter, the Taliban decided to try and get some strikes in. Well aware of the media's seeming ability to forget past crimes for some if the proper situations are generated, they worked to try and make it appear as if they were misunderstood. They began to spend money and buy necessities for villagers that had been impoverished by the war. Carefully cultivating notoriously liberal European media types that had despised the US for many years, they began to try and show that much of their reputation was due to the US and its puppets. Now anyone with any intelligence would look at the past record of the Taliban; and even the immediate one, and laugh at the thought that anyone would buy it. But some did.

The PR Officer shook his head. "Sir, Washington should ignore them."

The Brigade Commander nodded. "They should and normally they would. But remember we have a new administration coming in. And as usual some are already trying to curry favor. It's clear that the incoming administration will be trying to cultivate the more liberal Europeans. And that is how you get this."

"THIS" was a directive to take some of the liberal European media into the villages of Afghanistan and question them about who were the real bad guys. Which meant that the Afghan military and security forces would be responsible, by the request of the media themselves. They wanted no US or British involvement. Frankly the Aviation Brigade Commander would be happy to oblige. But a further directive was that the Aviation Brigade would be available in support. The Message clearly was that they needed to be nearby to help. The Commander wondered why they thought they would need help? The Taliban would be putting on a show and they certainly would be on their best behavior.

"So there it is. The crazy far left wacko journalists will be going to several known Taliban villages to interview the people. The Afghans will be responsible for their security. NONE of the coalition are supposed to be there; no NATO involvement at all. BUT we are expected to be Nearby to help if needed; naturally unseen otherwise. It's a goat rope people. If you needed to be told."

It was tentatively scheduled for the first week in January, just under two months off.

"Well maybe this whole thing will fall apart in a huge mess of hypocrisy."

Was Jesse's rather blunt summation.

Meanwhile Max had been making preparations. He had enlisted the Crew and Ted and even her Company CO. All to maneuver Liz to where he wanted her at the right moment.

So on Dec 24, 2008, Liz was expecting to see Max for Christmas Eve. And then on Christmas Day. She was not expecting to be called to operations at 1800, especially as the weather was not good at all. She went into the office and found the lights on but no one there. Wondering what was going on she ran into Ted.

"It's a standard Cluster, Liz. You need to see Grunt in the hanger."

He then quickly moved off leaving Liz even more in the Dark. She left ops and grabbed a ride over to the hanger. She did not wonder why someone just happened by. The lights were on and she headed over to where her Apache was. Inside the bubble she saw that the Co Pilot Hatch was open. So she went around to the entranceway and headed to the front of the bird. She saw someone sitting in the copilot seat and figured it was grunt.

"What is going on…" when she realized it was not Grunt. It was Max. Who then reached over and picked her right up and sat down with her on his lap and proceeded to kiss the daylights out of her. When she recovered she managed to say "Max what is.." and he kissed her again. Then he took her face in both hands and said.

"Liz Parker I love you."

Liz glowed. "I love you Max Evans."

"Good. Then will you wear this?"

And produced a gorgeous diamond engagement ring. Liz gasped as he placed it on her finger.

"Will you marry me Liz?"

No one outside of that cockpit would have otherwise heard her soft "Oh, Yes."

That was the best Christmas Liz had ever had.

Two weeks later despite everyone's hopes, the Press Junket to the two villages was begun.

4 Blackhawks from 6 Battalion and Liz's platoon were going to trade off with an equal group composed of the other platoon of A company and 4 more Blackhawks from 6 Battalion. They had established a fueling point about 30 miles from the two villages, watched over by Special Ops. They started out at 0900 and would stay on duty until the Press left.

Liz was not happy with the situation; they would be running the helicopters all day. Continually refueling them. But theirs was not to reason why.

Meanwhile in the First Village the situation was tense because the Afghan security forces were from a different tribe than the village was and they had been enemies off and on over the years. The Press was not happy as instead of smiling faces they got sullen looks. The Taliban reps were assured of safe conduct by the Afghan Government but they acted very jumpy and very unfriendly. So after only an hour they headed to the next village, driving down the road.

Liz had switched off with 2nd Platoon and were getting refueled for the first time when they heard that the Press had already moved to the second village. Hopeful looks came as they started to maybe think that this would not be an all day event.

The Second village was an hour away by road; but there was a small landslide that took time to clear by hand. It took three hours and it was 1400 when they got to village number two. Once again the Press was not happy; and being a typically spoiled media mess proceeded to proclaim to one and all that this whole trip was a joke. Which of course just about everyone on both sides had known all the time. However the village people did not appreciate it. The Taliban had brought only a few people in; they had been smart enough to make sure that it would not look like they had no one but fighters there. So the villagers began to berate the Press as typical foreigners too dumb to get out of the sun on a summer day. The Taliban reps began to realize that this was turning into a PR fiasco for them.

Aliya was far too typical – her parents had been killed in fighting a year ago. Most of her relatives were dead; all of her close ones anyway. She was only 9 years old and thin. She was staying with an elderly aunt who was dying. She did not know where she was going to go next. She was very quiet but very sweet; so she poked her head out when the strangers came by. Now one thing all mediots know is that a young girl just about always makes the best photo op. So in no time at all they were all taking their pictures with her. Even the dumb ones noticed that none of the villagers seemed happy about it. One of them asked an interpreter and was told she was not from this village and barely a member of this tribe. Realizing this was making things worse the Taliban rep had the girl removed; his final stupid mistake. Even the dumb media figured out this was not good for the little girl and wanted to know what was going to happen to her. The Taliban rep told them it was none of their business and the press junket was over. That went over real well naturally. The Afghan Security people then told the media it was time to go. They grumbled but left, clearly not happy but none of them seemed to really care about the girl.

However there were some there who were worried; the interpreters. They had a very bad feeling what was going to happen to her. One of them quietly went to the communications vehicle and called the Coalition rep.

Aliya had been dragged to the far end of the village and locked in a shed. One of the interpreters had carefully followed and noted where.

Liz was just refueled and ready to get into the air again; it was almost 5 and only half an hour or so of light was left. Then they got the word about the little girl. The question was what could they do. Liz had a very bad feeling. She went over to where the lead Blackhawk was sitting and talked to the pilot, who was with some of the Special Ops people.

"Wanna go visit that village?" The pilot grinned and nodded. Several of the Special Ops climbed into the ship. Liz went to her bird and started it up. She told Ted

"We are going to that village and get that little girl."

"I heard that."

Everyone had left the village; the interpreters had no choice. But by chance the road leaving was up hill and about half a mile up the road was a place where one could observe the village. The interpreters stopped and got out binoculars. One of the camera crews noticed and stopped as well. They asked what was going on and were told about the little girl. It was still light; so they got their cameras with the zoom lens and set it up. And started filming.

Halfway to the village the Blackhawk called Liz. They had an engine warning light and rising temps so they would have to go back.

Liz chewed her lip but decided to carry on. All the other Birds were returning to base.

"Doberman to Whistle, take the others back. We will hang for a while."

"10-4"

Liz then tried to contact the interpreters and were able to get them.

"This is Spectre lead what is the situation?"

Just as Liz got to within 5 miles the interpreters saw the Taliban rep head to that she and pull the little girl out and hit her, knocking her down on the ground. The Film crew cursed but kept filming.

"Hurry! They are hitting the little girl!"

Liz growled deep in her throat, sounding amazingly like her call sign. Ted felt the hair on the back of his neck go up.

The Taliban rep then kicked the girl and pulled out a pistol and fired one shot at her and hit her; the camera clearly saw that.

Liz was now within half a mile and everyone heard the sound of the Apache. Liz had her gunsight focused where the interpreters had told her it was happening. She saw the flash and gritted her teeth. Rage as she had never felt before coursed through her veins; she was no longer Liz Parker; she was now both Nemesis and Artemis. She put the cross hairs on that piece of shit and fired one round.

The interpreters were crying as the little girl was shot and then the Taliban rep seemed to explode into pieces. The others were knocked down. Then they got up and ran.

There was just enough room. Liz put the Apache down right in the middle of the road; she had her hatch open and was out like a shot and got to the little girl. She had been hit in the stomach and was badly bleeding. Liz picked her up and ran to her chopper.

Those on the hill were entranced as the Deadly Apache landed; and a small figure got out and ran to the little girl; picked her up and carried her and put her in; climbed in and the ship took off.

"Ted she is bleeding badly. Redline her."

"Gotcha Liz."

Liz held the little girl and kept pressure on the wound and prayed.

Aliya had been cold; now it was noisy and it seemed warmer, she felt someone holding her and pressed her face into the warm person that she could feel.

An Apache can do about 180 mph full out; Ted got her to 185.

Liz made the call. "Doberman to Control; I need clearance to Medcenter; I have a badly wounded little girl about 8 years old."

"Control to Doberman, you are cleared; med team waiting."

Liz had never prayed harder in her life. The 20 minutes it took to get there seemed forever. Ted brought her in at a swoop and dropped her right outside the doors where a crew and gurney came right out ignoring the rotor blast. Liz got out as she handed the girl and told Ted to take her in.

Meanwhile the camera crew had called for a flight out so that they could get the film to the network. Ellen had not yet landed on another late afternoon op and volunteered to go and found a place not far away from them; Bearcats provided cover; they lifted off just as dusk fell.

Liz sat there in the waiting room right outside the emergency room where they were working on the little girl. An interpreter was beside her from the hospital trying to get information. Liz knew little; she had gradually picked up a smattering of the language (she was to find that she knew more than she realized) but she could not tell him much. About an hour later more people showed up escorted by Spec Ops. The officer she knew pretty well came up to her.

"Captain Parker, this is the interpreter that called you."

Liz stood up and shook his hand.

"Please, how is she?"

"I do not know she has been in there for an hour."

The film was going up the ladder already but the camera crew had gotten to the hospital and came in the door. They saw Liz talking to the interpreter; she had blood on the front of her uniform so they knew who she was – and they remembered that the pilot of that Apache had been very small. So they put two and two together and started to film her. Just then the doors to the emergency room opened and a doctor in scrubs came out. Liz went right to him.

"How is she?"

"It was close but she will live."

Liz closed her eyes and bowed her head then opened them and looked at the doctor.

"Thank you so much." He noticed the blood.

"Is that from the little girl?"

"Yes."

"She lost a lot but you keeping pressure on it probably made the difference. She should be waking up in a few hours."

"I am Captain Parker of Company A of the 1st Battalion 101st aviation. Please contact me when she starts to wake up, no matter when. I want to be there for her."

"I will do that Captain."

She turned to the interpreter who was smiling.

"You did a wonderful thing."

"I only called you. You are the one that saved her life and punished that animal that shot her."

Liz blushed. "Thank you. Now I have to go back to operations and start filling out paperwork."

She nodded to the Spec Ops guys who formed a ring around her and escorted her out of the building, giving her a ride to Ops.

Once arriving in the office Griffith was waiting for her.

"We are going to the Generals office right now. This is going to be big."

"Big?"

"Liz, they caught it all on film. That POS hitting the girl, then kicking her, then shooting her, then you blowing him away, landing your Apache right in the middle of town, taking that girl and sweeping her away. This is going to be HUMONGOUS."

"oh."

The General was on the phone with DC.

"No Sir I have not yet seen the film. It should be hitting the network in the next hour or so. I agree; the Taliban just crapped on itself in front of the whole world. We need to play this to the limit. Captain Parker will be here shortly and I can get it all. Yes sir I will let you know as soon as I know."

He looked at his XO. "We have to handle this just right. No embellishment; just let that film speak for itself. Parker is very good at speaking to people; I think we need to let her just be herself."

"CENTCOM will be waiting?"

"The President is waiting; CENTCOM is just the messenger boy."

Not long after Liz came in the door. Both officers were shocked at the amount of blood on the front of her uniform.

"Captain, that is all that Little Girls?"

"Yes sir."

"And she will make it?"

"That is what the doctor said about 15 minutes ago."

"Good. Now tell me everything."

An hour later Liz headed back to the barracks – the General had told her to NOT have that uniform cleaned. They might need it to make a point. She managed to get into the Room where the Crew was waiting; as was Max.

Max grabbed her and laid a huge one on her that she returned with interest. They all exclaimed at the blood. She then quickly changed after the girls shooed Max out and the Major dragged him down the hall and told him to come back the next morning.

Liz took a quick shower and changed to a fresh uniform.

The Crew wanted details.

"Guys, you know what happened."

There was a shout from outside the door.

"Liz, it's going to come on CNN in moment!"

Liz managed to get her pants and shirt on and was barefoot when they gathered in the main room to watch.

"I want to warn our viewers that what you are about to see is unedited and live from Afghanistan. This footage was taken just hours ago. An example of the brutality of the Taliban towards women; and in this case a young 8 year old girl. Once again we warn you this will be graphic.

In a rare moment of insight, the late night anchor let the film speak for itself in all its awful clarity.

Millions saw the bearded, robed figure grab the little girl and strike her, knocking her down. He then kicked her. Shouting things at her while she cowered. Then he pulled out a pistol, shouting more at her. Then he pointed at her and fired. You could actually see the impact of the bullet on the small body. A second later as he appeared to be ready to fire again his body exploded. The pictured jerked as the camera showed in the still fairly bright sky an Apache swoop down and land; a small figure get out and grab the little girl and put her in, then close the hatch and the Helicopter took off and headed off very fast.

We have not yet confirmed the identity of the Pilot, but there is only one female pilot flying apache's in Afghanistan. That would be Captain Elizabeth Parker of Company A, 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation brigade. And while the camera was not close enough for positive Identification, it seems a safe bet that that small figure was indeed the rather petite Captain Parker. Small in size perhaps; but huge in heart."

Liz blinked. It was so bizarre seeing yourself that way. Suddenly she was aware of silence. She looked away from the TV and saw everyone in the building standing at attention and saluting her. Slowly she returned the salute. And then one by one they came up and hugged her and shook her hand. It was a silent and very moving experience for Liz Parker.

They went back to their room and Liz sat on her bunk. The others sat down and were very quiet. Finally Jesse looked at her.

"Liz, if you have not figured it out by now, your life is about to change again. This will go all over the world. In a weeks time there might not be more than 10% of the population of the world who will either not have seen it; or not have heard about it. You are going to be as famous as or more famous than any pop star or movie star. From this point on that will be how people remember Elizabeth Parker. Till the day you die and they will show this again. Liz, you are immortal."

Liz stared at her; her face slowly whitening. "Oh. My. God."

The General turned away from the TV screen and looked at the gathered officers.

"I cannot imagine any scene needing fewer words to describe."

No one said a word.

The Command phone buzzed and he picked it up. He straightened up. "Yes Mr. President I have seen it. I guess everyone who is up has seen it. Sir I can have her on the phone in half an hour. Oh. Of Course. I will see to it. Yes sir she is a fine officer; I can truthfully say I have none better. Yes sir. Goodnight sir."

He set the phone down and looked at his officers. "He wants her to get a good nights sleep. Will have her call him tomorrow morning our time."

Nancy Parker slowly picked up the phone. "Yes?"

"Nancy its Ted. You need to turn on CNN as soon as you can. Liz just did something big again. Only this time its HUGE."

Three seniors at the University of Georgia were watching TV. Just like many others around the world. They looked at each other and found for once they had nothing to say.

A couple of commentators on Fox News:

"It is remarkable how that young woman has managed to do so many extraordinary things in such a short time."

"It's been an argument historians have had for a long time. Do great times make great people or do great people make great times. With Elizabeth Parker, I tend to lean to the latter."

A congressman had been awakened and had turned on his tv. He sat there and felt for one of the few times in his life, awed.

Front page news. Total network coverage. It was everywhere.

In Bagram Airbase in a barracks a young woman slept. Her door was guarded by her friends; the barracks itself had a guard of Special Forces. Had anyone tried to force admittance their wrath would have been terrible.

In a hanger a ground crew was carefully cleaning the cockpit of an AH-64D Apache Attack Helicopter. They were also quietly wiping down the entire aircraft. Helped by twenty others.

A civilian contractor sat watching TV, thinking about that young woman sleeping not too far from him.

In Columbus Ohio a middle aged woman was held by her somewhat older male friend; who had quietly asked her to marry him just a few weeks ago; they sat and watched the news. She marveled at the young woman she had bourn and brought up.

All around the world, millions of people were talking to each other about what they had seen. There are common concepts of what heroes are; firemen running into flaming buildings and bringing people out; brave souls confronting tyrants with nothing but their bodies and their words. But very few argued with the idea that that young woman who had both saved that little girl and executed that foul man who had shot her was a hero too.

And all over the world young women saw what that young woman had done and asked themselves: if she did that, what can I do?

Liz woke up and stretched; then looked at the clock and opened her eyes wide in shock. She looked frantically around her room and spied Ellen sitting on her bunk reading a book.

"Ellen! Why did you let me sleep! I am late for formation!"

"No you are not. You are excused from duty. And since I won the short straw contest so am I. One of us will stay with you. Orders from the Commanding General."

Liz stared. With her mouth wide open.

"Catching flies?"

Her mouth closed with an audible click.

"Heroes rate some special treatment and you are a hero. Get used to it."

Liz nodded and then got up and got dressed. She looked at Ellen. "So if you are my keeper where is my next performance?"

Ellen grinned evilly. "Interesting that you used that word…"

Liz went to the mess hall with Ellen to eat; she grabbed something and headed to a far corner.

"I hope people stop staring."

"Get used to it. Remember what I said last night?"

"I am so screwed."

Suddenly Liz looked at Ellen. "The Girl?"

"She has not yet waked up; I checked. She was pretty malnourished. The Doctor was a little worried but thinks she will be fine."

She looked up as several Spec Ops troopers came up to her.

"Captain, we are your detail for the time being."

"Detail?"

"Commanding General's orders. You will have a detail until further notice. We were guarding the barracks last night."

Dumbly Liz nodded. She quickly finished her meal and looked at them and Ellen. "First things first. Hospital."

Feeling a little ridiculous being surrounded she went outside to find a Hummer with a guard on it that gave her a rigid salute that she returned. Another Hummer pulled up and the Troopers got into it to follow them to the Hospital. There she went right in and spoke to the nurse up front.

"I need to see that little girl. Now."

The Nurse looked at the grim troopers behind her and nodded. She directed them to ICU where she still was.

Liz got to the front station and asked if she could see her. At that moment the Doctor arrived and took her with them; telling her escort to wait. The little girl was hooked up to all sorts of machines but the heart monitor showed a steady beat. Liz moved closer. She was so young and helpless. She could see a big bruise on the side of her face. She gently stoked the other side and the little girl moved slightly, murmuring. Liz remembered some of the language she knew and softly cooed gentle words to the young girl. Liz looked for a chair and pulled it up and sat there stroking her cheek. Then she reached for a small hand and clasped it. She was surprised when the pressure was returned. She looked up at the doctor.

"She squeezed my hand."

He quickly began to check her vitals. As hee pulled up an eyelid, the eye blinked. She was awake. Liz got up and placed her hand on her cheek and crooned soft words to her.

Aliya was tired but she felt nicely warm. She blinked at the lights then felt a soft hand on her face. She turned and looked at a young woman who was smiling softly at her; calling her nice things. She remembered this woman; she thought she did. She seemed very nice. She murmured her name when the nice lady asked her.

"Aliya."

Liz stayed a few minutes then the girl went back to sleep. Liz slowly stood up, looking at the girl. Then she looked at the doctor. "Please let me know when she is awake for a longer time." Then Liz took her captains bars off and put the studs back in and placed them on the table next to the bed. "Let her know I will be back. Those are for her to KNOW I will be back."

She went to the front desk and let them know the number she could be reached and then they all trooped out.

She stopped by operations and was told by the Battalion Commander that she was off of flight status for the time being. She scowled at him but he waved his hand.

"This came from WAY up the ladder."

Liz then headed for the HQ building as that was supposedly where she might find some answers. She stopped by her barracks to get a spare set of bars.

In HQ she was taken to a conference room where she was pleased to see that interpreter. She quickly went to talk to him.

"Her name is Aliya. That is all I could get."

He nodded. "I was able to get a little of her story. She was living with an old aunt that died yesterday. I have a feeling that the Taliban killed her too; but she was sick and old so she might have died naturally. More than likely she is an orphan now."

"What will happen to her?"

"It is not good. But considering all that has happened a place for her can be found."

Liz frowned. "There WILL be a place found for her."

She began to think hard on this. Then the general came into the room and they all stood.

He had them all sit down and then looked at Liz.

"Captain, you are off of flight status by order of the President."

Liz's eyes got huge. "The PRESIDENT?"

"Yes. Personally gave me that order last night. That will be an interesting notation in your service record. Very few have the note 'VOP' verbal order Presidential. His reasoning is sound. You have dealt the single greatest blow to the Taliban since October of 2011. Now really it was self-inflicted by that idiot but since you killed him they will want your head on a pike badly. The fact that you are a young woman just makes them that much more rabid. Your combat tour is over."

Liz sat back in shock. "This means my combat career is over period, doesn't it?"

He took a deep breath. "In Afghanistan for certain. In all likelihood it is probably over."

For a long moment Liz just sat there. Then she looked at the general. "With all due respect, sir, then I guess my resignation from the US Army will be on your desk by tomorrow."

The room was totally silent. He looked at her carefully.

"Captain, do not make any hasty decisions."

"Sir, what is the point of my staying in?"

"You could become an instructor. Your record easily qualifies you for that. You could stay at Rucker for several years being one."

"Sir. I am not saying I might have not gone that route some day. But choosing that route and having it forced on me is a whole different story. I will not become a PR mannequin."

He blinked at that. "Well, you will have to make your case with the President. And there will be a new one in less than two weeks. I would suggest you wait and see. You have evaluated your copilot as being qualified for Pilot so he can take your place and there are available copilots. So your unit will not be shorthanded. I would remind you that this is the slow time for combat anyway."

"Very well I will wait and talk to THIS president and the next."

The entire room marveled at her. She was only a captain but she dominated that room.

"Well then I guess it's time I made that call."

His aide spoke into the phone and waited for a minute then handed it to the general.

"Mr President, I think you need to talk to Captain Parker immediately. Since I informed her of you revoking her flight status she has offered her resignation from the US Army. And sir she is very serious about it."

He listened and nodded. He then gestured to her and she walked around the table to take the phone, knees slightly shaking.

"Mr President this is Captain Parker. Thank you sir. I could not have lived with myself if I had done anything different sir. She will be ok; I spoke to her this morning. Her name is Aliya and it seems she is now an orphan as her last relative died last night. Yes sir I think it is very suspicious. Sir I am very serious. I will not be used for PR. If I cannot fly then I see no reason to remain in the service. I understand the concerns and reasons sir but when do we allow our enemies to dictate how we will fight them? Yes sir. Thank you sir. Well my copilot is fully qualified to pilot and I have notated that in my evaluation. Sir you were a pilot so you know the road. We have technically 2 more months of our tour but realistically we will have only about 4 weeks of combat left; our replacements have just arrived and it will take them that long to reach flight status. Yes sir. Very well sir. Thank you and goodbye Mr President. I will give the General the phone sir."

She handed it back to the general and resumed her seat. She looked around and blinked at the looks she was getting.

"What?"

The Brigade Commander shook his head.

"Captain you just argued with a major general and then with the President of the United States whom you just told off. I think we all knew you had serious cojones but this is ridiculous. I am beginning to think your call sign of Doberman is grossly inadequate."

The General hung up the phone and looked at her bemused.

"The President has acceded to your – I guess one could call it demand- and your flight status is returned. But I am told that it is strongly recommended that you do not fly combat for the rest of your tour. If your Copilot is qualified it's time to find out."

Liz considered that. "He does deserve his chance."

"Well now that that is settled, it is time to consider how to handle the increasing hordes of Media that is descending on us. Captain Parker, you do realize you will have to face them sooner or later?"

"Yes sir. I would rather see combat."

"Well that is understandable."

The President sat back, bemused. With all the problems with the bank and the economy suddenly the wars had just taken front stage again. Well one war anyway. He marveled at that young woman he had just talked to. Sighing, he realized one huge negative about leaving office; he would no longer be Commander in Chief of those such as her.

The meeting became about the press conference. The Taliban, beginning to realize just how serious this mess for it was, had reacted as usual; claiming it was all made up. Which for them was even dumber than normal. The PR officer was in constant contact with the Pentagon as they tried to figure out the best way to play the whole situation.

An urgent meeting of the Presidents top NS advisors and team was quickly called; the conclusion was to let the film speak for itself; say as little as possible. The Secretary of State felt that they did need to keep up the pressure; to not let anyone divert the attention from that brutal atrocity. The President then looked at her.

"Talking to Captain Parker, she said that the girls only remaining relative died suddenly last night. I think we can all figure out what happened there; but now from what we know and is probably correct, she is an orphan. We need to be very sure she is protected and taken care of."

SECSTATE pondered that. "Mr President, the brutal facts are that she will NOT be safe in Afghanistan. The Taliban and its sympathizers, and our enemies, will target her. At the same time if we take her out of there, that embarrasses the Afghan government which is bad."

SECDEF mused. "We could take her to Germany and say she requires better care. From there we could arrange something."

SECSTATE shook her head. "That would only last a little while; just delaying things. This little girl will be famous. We cannot hide her."

It was finally agreed that for the time being to keep her there; and to try and figure something out later to protect her.

Liz was slowly realizing that what Jesse had said was true; her life would be different from now on. Or at least the foreseeable future.

The nine hour time differential between Bagram and DC made things more difficult as far as trying to determine when to schedule the press conference. It was only three hours for most of Europe. Finally it was decided to go with 2PM EST which was 8PM for most of Europe and 11PM at Bagram.

The Commanding General would chair it; he would give a statement then show the film again then take a few questions then Liz would be on.

Liz was in BDU's this time which made her feel better. She was still very nervous. But she remembered visiting Aliya at the hospital.

Aliya had woken up early that afternoon, feeling much better. She was still on pain medication but not as groggy. The nurse who was sitting beside her bed had a good command of Afghan and was able to talk to her. She had given Aliya the Captain Bars and Liz's message to her. Aliya fingered the shiny thing and thought about that young woman. She was very nice.

Liz had been alerted and had gone right over; her detail still around. She walked into the room where Aliya was and saw that she was awake, if looking a little out of it due to the pain meds. She took the nurses place, who moved towards the door until Liz stopped her.

"Is there an interpreter handy?"

"I will get one quickly."

Liz took the girls hand and with her other hand stroked her cheek. She looked much better even if the bruise on her face did not. She was very thin and clearly needed building up. She had a strong but pretty face and beautiful blue eyes. Liz dredged up the Afghan she knew and quietly told her that she would be ok.

Aliya looked at the young woman; she was very nice. She even knew a little of her language; Aliya only knew a few words on English. She managed to tell her that she wanted to know the young woman's name.

"Elizabeth." "Liz."

Aliya tried them out; the first was too hard but she did pretty well on the second. "Liz." The young woman smiled brightly.

Then the interpreter came in; Liz was happy to see that she was a local woman. She then told her that she wanted to know if Aliya had any family. The interpreter talked to her for a moment and then looked at Liz. "None other than that aunt; she does not know she is dead."

Liz took a deep breath. "Tell her. And tell her she will be taken care of; I promise that."

Aliya closed her eyes for a moment when told of Her Aunt's death. They had not been close but she had been family. Now no more family. She opened them and looked at the young woman who held her hand; and was stroking her cheek. She had promised to take care of her. Maybe she would. She felt sleep coming.

Liz could see she was tiring. "Tell her to sleep; I will be back."

Liz waited until she was asleep before leaving. She went back to the Barracks; she had about an hour to go before the press conference. Instead of thinking about that she thought about Aliya. An idea was coming to her. She called Max.

Max sat there thinking after Liz hung up. Wow.

The General began the press conference.

"Good afternoon. Yesterday there was an example of why the Taliban and all those that believe as they do cannot be considered a civilized people. In the Village of Pashir, in this province, the Taliban, in a village of their own, showed what they truly are. This is not an isolated example; there are hundreds that have been documented over the years. This one was caught on film. The girl, whose name is Aliya, had lost her parents last year in the fighting. She was staying with her last relative, an older Aunt that reportedly died last night. I will say no more as you have seen the film; but here it is again. But first this film clip of a few hours earlier when she was shown with members of the press Junket that went to that village. Then the other film clip will follow."

It was shown. Even those that had seen it before were enraged. Then felt uplifted at what happened next. The General let the clips finish.

"She is now recovering at the hospital here on base. Her doctor has indicated she should recover fully. He will be available for questions. Now for questions."

"General, you called the Taliban uncivilized. IS that not intolerant of another culture?"

"No culture that enslaves young women and girls and treats them as property deserves tolerance."

"General, what will happen to the young girl?"

"That is not a subject that will be discussed at this time. She will be in that hospital recovering for many weeks."

"General, it seems that Captain Parker gets involved in more than her share of extraordinary situations."

"Extraordinary people tend to do that."

He then held up his hand. "Now Captain Parker will answer some questions."

Liz took a deep breath and came out and marched towards the Podium that the General had left. The flashes from cameras was almost blinding. All present were once again stunned at how physically small she was. Liz stood for a moment calmly (at least outwardly). She stood with her arms behind her back looking out over them. She then looked at one reporter and nodded. All present were very impressed by her almost regal bearing.

"Captain Parker. Why were you already moving towards the Village before told about the little girl?"

Interesting; that is someone who has done some digging.

"We were on alert just as a contingency force. We were informed that the little girl had been seized and roughly taken away and locked in a shed. I was on the ground at the refueling point about 30 miles away. I was well aware of the past record of the Taliban as regards women and young girls. She had been shown having pictures taken with Westerners. That usually ends very badly for that girl or woman. I talked to some Special Forces personnel who were at the point. I asked them to come with me; we were going to take that little girl away from that village. They agreed. Unfortunately on the way the helicopter developed engine trouble and had to turn back. I decided to press on; my copilot agreed. I reached the village just as that young girl was being beaten and kicked. Then shot. I then took action."

It seemed like everyone was holding their breath after that quiet statement. She nodded to another reporter who had stood up.

"Captain Parker, you took this action on your own without discussion with any higher authority?"

"I did. And I would do it again."

She nodded to another.

"Captain Parker, were you not worried about causing an incident by going to that village in force?"

"That little girl was more important than what anyone else would say or do later."

The reporters all looked at each other. Her calm quiet dignity was very intimidating. She nodded at another.

"Captain Parker, were you not worried about your career?"

"One has to be able to live with oneself first."

"Do you think your career will suffer?"

"I was grounded by order of the President. He was concerned that I would become a target. I then offered my resignation from the US Army."

That caused a stir. She nodded to another.

"Why would you resign?"

"If I cannot fly I do not wish to remain in the military. Combat is part of that duty. If in the future I took a ground position that is one thing; or assigned to one under normal conditions that would be another. But this would be to put me in a position that not due to ability or any other reason, just basically for appearances, that I could not continence. IF an officer truly disagrees with policy or decisions, then the only honorable course of action for that officer is to resign. The President then reconsidered. At this moment I am back on flight duty status."

The PR officer then moved forward at a nudge from the General.

"That concludes this press briefing." Liz wasted no time and left the podium and was out of the room quickly. She went right into a restroom and stood at the sink, shaking quietly. She ran cold water and rubbed some on her face. Taking deep breaths.

After a minute or two she left the room. Outside her detail was waiting as was the PR officer. He looked at her and shook his head.

"You really do do what you think is right and damn the consequences?"

Liz looked at him. "Yes."

He sighed. "Well that will certainly stir things up even more. You do know that you basically admitted to bullying the President of the United States, your Commander in Chief?"

She cocked her head. "So?"

"Are you really that willing to throw everything away? Resign like that?"

"Yes. If that is what you believe, then you have no choice."

She looked at her detail. Then at the PR Officer. "How long are they stuck babysitting me?"

"Until further notice."

Liz sighed. "Very well. Come on guys, I am heading back to the hospital to talk with Aliya."

Aliya was awake and more alert, Liz saw. There were also a large amount of flowers present. That was surprising; they were not exactly easy to come by at this time of year. The Nurse who was sitting with her smiled at Liz's expression.

"They started coming in right after you left. More coming all the time. We started putting them in other rooms to cheer people up."

Liz nodded and smiled at Aliya. She smiled back shyly. Liz asked the nurse to see if the interpreter was free. Liz sat down and reached for Aliya's hand. After a couple of minutes the interpreter came in. Liz looked at her.

"Please ask her if she knows of any family?"

Liz did not need to understand to realize Aliya had none. Her idea was becoming more to the point. Liz then asked her to talk about where she had come from and her life before.

It was not a very nice story. Her life had been hard even before her parents, poor herders, had been killed. It had even gotten tougher in the year since. After a while longer Liz got up and told her that she would be back. She searched out the doctor and asked him how long Aliya would be in the hospital; he said at the minimum another week and probably two.

Liz got back to the barracks and signed on her email; she had a lot of messages. Mostly from her mother and her friends. One from Sergeant Axton. It was short.

"Well done." She smiled at that.

Then she emailed the personal email of the Congressman with an important question. After giving quick responses to the other emails she signed off. Then she called Max. Asked him to come over. She was waiting at the door and pulled him over to the side of the room. Luckily there was no one around at the moment.

"What do you think?"

"Are you sure of this?"

"Yes."

"Well I would like to meet this girl."

"Let's go."

Meanwhile the war continued, though the Taliban was for the moment keeping a very low profile.

As regards Liz's press conference, that indeed stirred things up. She was cheered even more by the great majority for deciding to take action on her own. Women's groups, sensing opportunity, were extravagantly lauding her. And others for her standing up and demanding to return to duty. The incoming president was asked and was very careful to say that she was clearly an outstanding officer and that the Military needed more like her; and that indeed what more needed to be said about the Taliban?

The Congressman noted the email and opened and read it; with his eyes widening all through it. He sat for a moment then began to find out what he needed to know.

Liz smiled at her Detail; she told Max she was stuck with them for the time being and they had better things to do then babysit her. The Detail head shook his head.

"Actually Captain, we had to draw since so many volunteered."

Aliya looked with interest as the nice woman, Liz, came in with a somewhat older man. She saw the way Liz held his hand and the way he looked at Liz and nodded much too wisely for someone of her years. She liked him; he had a kind smile.

Max fell under the spell of Aliya right away. He knew more Afghan than Liz did and they were able to talk some.

The Congressman looked at his aide.

So there are really not many problems on THIS side of the fence?"

"No Sir."

"The other side?"

"Will have to feel them out. But if the president were to make a formal request then I think there would be no problem."

He thought for a minute. "Please contact the SECSTATE and let her know I would like to talk to her."

SECSTATE put the phone down. In one respect a big surprise; but in another it should come as no surprise at all. She figured the president needed to know about this right away. Especially if they wanted this done before he left office.

Liz had left Max talking to Aliya and went back to the Operations building. She still had a lot of paperwork to take care of. There she found that Ted had gotten a copilot and they had gone out on his first mission. She was glad he was getting a chance. But she felt a little lost; she realized that more than likely she would be flying no more missions.

Ted got back just before dark and was enthused; he had not had to fire anything but was juiced. She congratulated him then went looking for Scooter.

"So Scooter do you think you will need me?"

He looked up at her and shook his head.

"Realistically probably not with as quiet as things are right now. NOW if we have a big mission – I might. Leadership in 1st Platoon is not strong right now."

Liz nodded. "If you need me I am there."

He stopped her before she left.

"Liz, you stood real tall. And you really took a stand at that Press conference. I think a whole lot of people would have liked to have stones like you got."

Liz blushed and then left.

The President looked at the SECSTATE. He had asked her to come right over after her phone call. They had talked some more.

"Can we get this done before I leave office?"

"If you act right away sir."

Liz checked her email and saw that she had a reply from the Congressman.

"Working on it. Looks hopeful."

Liz smiled.

The General put down the phone. He sat there and blinked then called in the PR Officer and his XO. When they came in he had them close the door.

"Well I just got off the phone. Something else has been added to this circus."

The next morning they got a quick alert that the Spec Ops wanted to do a mission that might net several higher Taliban officials; apparently a meeting had been called to discuss their current PR nightmare. Worldwide the condemnations were pouring in. They had not had all that much support anyway; mainly consisting of those countries that hated the US. Now even those were starting to back off.

The Battalion commander came into the office of the A company commander accompanied by B and C commanders.

"We got a hot one. The Taliban is calling a hasty meeting. We need to crash that party. Its near Kondoz. We are looking at having a fuel point set up. This is right in the Taliban's back yard and unfortunately no one else is in a position to hit fast. An Air strike is out since they are having this meeting right next to a big school. We have to get our people in with a vertical assault. There is an abandoned soviet airstrip here; we can get C130's in with fuel tonight; and have our choppers go there and refuel then hit it at first light."

Scooter looked at Liz and nodded and she smiled. She went and found Ted.

"Looks like I get one more mission. It's a biggie."

The rest of the day was a scramble to get everything ready for this kind of a mission. They would leave after dark so no one would see what direction they would be going. IT would take them a full hour to get to the airstrip. There they would refuel and try and get some rest; they would take off one hour before dawn.

The entire battalion was going; this was not only a raid it was a show of force. Right in the Taliban's back yard. The 5th Battalion would send 16 Black Hawks; 8 for the mission and 8 as backup. A company would be the close support; B company top cover; with C Company in reserve. The Air Force would be deploying a AWACS and the mission commander would be in that. They would have strike fighters flying high cover. It was emphasized to identify them clearly, but any Taliban forces were to be hit.

Liz managed one more visit with Aliya and all but ordered Max to watch over her. He realized it was a big mission and understood her unspoken message. If the worst happened he would take care of her no matter what. She quickly wrote a letter and left it with Max just in case.

They left at 2000 and headed south until well away from the air base then headed north. They would be cruising at 120 Knots, and it would take them about 90 minutes to get to the air strip.

The operation to take the airstrip went easily; as satellite recon had shown, there was no one there. It had been cleared out several years ago just in case. A Special Forces team parachuted in to make sure there were no mines or anything on the airstrip. They confirmed it was clear and usable and the first C130 landed at 2100. The Choppers got there just a little after 2130. Everyone refueled and sacked out as best they could inside the C130's. Liz and the Crew, the only women on the mission, grabbed a corner and managed to get about 4 hours sleep. Which was better than nothing.

Meanwhile Predators had tracked at least one Taliban leader to the building that they were going to hit.

Everyone was in their choppers and going at 0500. Dawn was 0610 and they were going to hit right then.

A Company was right with the initial attack force; 8 Blackhawks packed with Special Ops. They were flying at about 3000 feet at near top speed. IT had been decided to fly with just on auxiliary fuel tank; the distance from the airstrip to target was only about 50 miles but they wanted a little extra just in case. This also allowed them to go at max speed in and out.

The Predator was on station at 50,000 feet; unseen and unheard. It was lasing the building; the Lead Apache's would home in on that laser strike and guide the Blackhawks in. Both Scooter and Liz would be following the laser.

Liz picked up the laser and called in.

"Doberman to Scooter; I have the beam."

"Scooter to Doberman; my system is out- lead them in."

Liz took a deep breath and concentrated on her instruments that showed where the beam was hitting. She slowed down as per procedure and the Blackhawks closed in tighter to her; she would lead them right to the building. She was still going over 80 knots.

In the lead Chopper Ellen was fixated on Liz's apache. She was maybe 100 feet away.

Liz now had visual on the building and she could see the school right across the street. Thankfully this early there would be no kids there. Liz slowed and stopped 50 feet above the building and right at its edge and the Choppers hovered and the Spec Ops rappelled out and down to the top of the building. So far she could see no resistance.

She moved up to 100 feet and began to circle the building; the other ships of her platoon right with her. A ring of death circling the building.

Down below the people had been awoken by the noise; most cowered and hid. Some did not.

Ken sighted the first resistance. "Hostiles at front- firing."

He hosed several AK-47 armed people who had started shooting. They were swept away.

Liz kept circling and watching; she saw a truck speeding down a street towards them. She put her sight on it and told the others.

"Vehicle. Pulling out; Whistler maintain pattern."

She saw it was a pickup and it had a 12.7MM MG in the back and she did not hesitate. 5 30MM rds blew it up. Now more calls were coming from the other three about resistance but so far nothing serious.

"Scooter to Doberman; more vehicles coming towards you- we will take care of them." He moved off.

"10-4"

Inside the building the Special ops had already penetrated the 2 story building that sprawled over half a block to the ground floor. They had eliminated more than 20 without taking any hits.

The Blackhawks had moved up to 1000 feet waiting for dustoff.

The Taliban leader tried to escape the building and Liz saw him. She took him and his bodyguards out with half a dozen 30MM shots.

The Spec Ops commander had found some files and paperwork and they grabbed them for the intelligence weenies to look at. Then he gave the order.

"Dustoff!"

Liz heard that and ordered the rest of the platoon to look for possible resistance as the Blackhawks began to come down.

The only thing Liz worried about was someone on a roof top with an RPG.

"Doberman to everyone- eyeball rooftops looking for RPG's"

Then leading the way she began to buzz the neighboring rooftops at only 50 feet or so; the blast alone would knock anyone down.

Liz heard a couple of pings and realized someone was tossing what was likely 7.62 at her. She looked around but it was Ted that found him. And took care of him with 1 30MM rd.

"Night Night."

Then she got the welcome word.

"Eagle Lift to Spectres; we are gone."

Scooter wasted no time. "Spectre Lead to everyone- Time to BUG OUT!"

No one hung around. The Blackhawks were clear and moving fast; the Apache's were right behind them.

Liz began to relax as they hit 3000. Nothing but a major AA weapon could reach them at that height. Not likely to find anything like that away from the City.

It was actually an anticlimax after that; there were no problems getting to the air strip; everyone refueled and then by 1000 they were heading home. They landed at around 1130.

Meanwhile the President had made a call to the President of Afghanistan. He promised to call back quickly with a reply.

The SECSTATE was going over things while Legal was making sure every T was crossed and every i was dotted. The Congressman was called.

Liz finished the mission debrief at 1300. It went faster than she had expected. She looked at Scooter as they headed towards their offices.

"Well for what was probably my last combat mission it went pretty well."

He nodded. "Will not know for a while if ever just what we got out of this one but we certainly let them know we can go anywhere we want to get them."

Liz spent an hour doing paperwork then called Max. He was very glad to hear from her; and told her that he absolutely agreed with her plan. She went to meet him and get something to eat; ration bars were all she had had since early the day before and she wanted real food. She good-naturedly went along with her detail; they told her that they would probably be pulled in the next day or so; she was very happy to hear that.

After eating they went back to the Hospital to see Aliya. They spent about an hour with her then Max went back to work and Liz headed to the barracks to take a long hot shower and change. The Crew was waiting for her. They relaxed for a while then Liz decided to tell them her plan.

They sat there dumbfounded. Then one by one they hugged her and showed their complete support. Liz then decided to check her email; and was glad to see another one from the Congressman.

"Looks good. Should happen soon."

The General was talking on the phone. "Yes sir. No problem sir. I guess we just need the details. The Mission went very well; we got at least one high level Taliban and also picked up some Intel. No casualties at all. No damage. About as perfect as an operation can go."

Intelligence in the pentagon was going over the predator feed from the mission. They had identified the Taliban Leader killed. Their number two overall. One of the officers was able to get the SN off of the Apache that had iced him and looked at the others.

"Well, who else was going to get him?"

SECDEF the next morning was briefed by the CENTCOM commander.

"And finally sir I guess we really do not have to tell you which Apache Driver iced the head honcho."

He looked at the CENTCOM commander and smiled. "IT was only logical."

Liz got a call to head to HQ first thing the next morning. She hoped she knew the reason why.

The General was waiting for her in his office. She took the seat offered and waited.

"Captain you are sure of this?"

"Absolutely."

"Very well. The President has made the request and it has been approved. You just need to start on the paperwork. You do realize that it will be quite a bit?"

"Yes sir."

He handed her a thick folder. "Get started on it. Have you told her yet?"

"Not yet, sir. I was NOT going to get her hopes up yet."

"Good decision."

Liz walked out of the building and got into the Hummer with her detail following. She made a decision and as they parked at the Hospital she turned to her driver.

"I am going to adopt Aliya. It's been approved and I just have to fill out tons of paperwork."

The driver blinked then smiled widely. "Congratulations, Captain. And DAMN WELL DONE!"

Liz headed into the hospital and asked to see Aliya's doctor; she was told he would be by her room in a little bit. She went into the room and found Aliya awake and with a book. She saw that it was a book of Afghan/English translation. She knew that her parents had been teaching Aliya to read, and this was a good sign. She clearly wanted to talk. She smiled at Liz and started to put down the book- Liz motioned her that she wanted the book and the girl gave it to her. Liz began to leaf through it; she had some post –its and used them to mark the word and pages.

Aliya watched with interest. Liz was trying to tell her something.

Finally done Liz handed her the book, showing the order she wanted Aliya to read. Aliya began to work it out as Liz waited with baited breath.

Aliya's eyes widened; then she went over it again. The same answer. She looked at Liz with huge eyes. Liz smiled widely and took her hand and nodded yes. Aliya's eyes filled with tears and she began to cry; Liz got onto the bed and held the little girl as she cried. The Doctor came in and saw this and waited; he noticed the book on the side and picked it up. He read the areas designated and was amazed; then asked himself why he should be?

Aliya began to calm down. Liz still stroking her hair and crooning to her as she held her. Aliya finally sat back; she looked tired and Liz stood up as the doctor checked her and told Aliya to get some sleep. He followed Liz out the door and took her to his office where he closed the door.

"Congratulations Captain Parker. I should not have been surprised. I will need to fill out some paperwork too, I wager."

Liz nodded and took out the file. She pulled a sheaf of papers and handed them to him. "I have been told it will take a lot of paperwork."

"I am sure it will; I will get right on it."

Liz headed back to the barracks; her detail were smiling like loons and she told them to keep it under their green beanies and they grinned and agreed.

Back at the barracks she started on the many forms. Luckily the Crew was out so she had peace and quiet; the Barracks was all but deserted.

One thing CENTCOM had been wrestling with was whether or not to recommend Parker for another medal for her rescue of the little girl. It was an unauthorized mission so some felt it was better to just let it go. Others felt they would be considered cheap if nothing was done. It was kicked back and forth and CENTCOM decided that if a recommendation for one came up it would approve of it but otherwise they would do nothing.

Some in the media and elsewhere thought she should get one. It was pointed out that she had done it without orders so it could not be said to be part of her duty. On one talk show the host decided to really get it out there:

"Should Captain Elizabeth Parker be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor?"

He pointed that it was clearly above and beyond duty; that no one would have known if she had not decided to do anything. She had made the decision on her own; she had risked her life, clearly. She had killed the enemy and rescued a little girl. All that technically fulfilled the official requirements for the MOH. Needless to say it got a lot of attention. But most military background people felt that was going too far.

This began to percolate; and the women's groups heard about it and demanded that if she was not given that, some other high award should be given. The Presidential Medal of Freedom began to get some attention.

Unaware of this brewing situation, Liz worked at the paperwork. She had gotten in touch with the American Embassy in Kabul, and they had made recommendations as to what to do on some of it. They then told her that a Person would be coming to Bagram to help her with it. That had come about through a call from the SECSTATE to the Ambassador. He called in his aide.

"Captain Parker is going to adopt that little girl she saved. Send someone to Bagram that can help her with the paperwork."

It was now a week past the incident and it was finally going to the back pages mostly. Though the comments about the Taliban were still, worldwide, very hot.

In his last meeting with the incoming President, he decided that this situation needed to be touched on.

"Captain Parker is in the process of adopting that little girl."

The Incoming POTUS blinked.

"Incredible."

"Not when you look at her record. One other thing that you might have heard about; there is a fair amount of pressure coming from Women's groups that she should be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I would imagine that could very well gain momentum. I would not be adverse at all from doing it; though some of my advisors think that is going too far. You look at who has been awarded it; and frankly you can argue either way."

"Are you?"

"I am torn. I have had only brief conversations with her; but I think she would think it too much. She already has a very impressive number of decorations. Yet to not recognize her action seems wrong. It was done without orders strictly on her own authority."

The Incoming POTUS thought about it. "Would you be willing to leave that up to me?"

"I would. All things considered too many might read something political into anything I do in my last week in office. She deserves better. And there is no reason not to wait until she returns to the US in March."

"I will consider if fully."

Meanwhile the outgoing SECSTATE was talking to the incoming SECSTATE designate.

"That pretty much covers what is going on right now. That last incident has REALLY helped us in Afghanistan. If there is anyone better cast for the classic villain roll, it's hard to beat the Taliban."

"It is almost as if they work at it."

"I find it hard to imagine they could do any worse if they were. OH. By the way; Captain Parker is adopting that little girl. The paperwork is in process and the President of Afghanistan has already signed off on it."

"Really? That is remarkable."

"The more I learn about that young woman, the more I think that she may be one of the most extraordinary young people of this current age. A finer young woman I find hard to imagine."

Liz finally got the paperwork done; the doctor got his part done. Now she just had to deliver it to the embassy. Her Detail had finally been dismissed but the Driver had made it plain that he would deliver it to the embassy in Kabul when the time came. So she gave him a buzz and he picked it up.

There had been few missions in the last week; the weather was unusually bad and most days flight operations were not possible.

Liz had been working in her spare time, which she did have more of, on learning Afghan. Aliya was working on learning English; and doing better at reading and writing.

Where Aliya would stay after she got out of the hospital and before she left with Liz to the US, had been something Liz had worried a little about. Vicki squashed that as soon as she heard Liz wonder.

"We put a cot in here. We got room. This way she will be around your friends and you as much as possible. She needs to learn how to live in a modern facility."

Liz had emailed her mother and Maria, Tess and Isabelle about what she was doing. She told them to not tell anyone else about it.

Her mother had been gobsmacked at first; then scolded herself for that. If one knew Liz this was to be expected.

Maria had read it first and squealed; attracting the attention of the others; they had just gotten back to Georgia for their final semester.

"Liz is adopting Aliya!"

They had already started planning weddings; all four of them would be getting married in June. So now they had a designated flower girl.

It had been decided that since the incoming Aviation Brigade would be operational on the 7 of February, that the last mission of the 101st Aviation Brigade would come on the 6th. Several supply missions were scheduled; so far no combat missions were in the works. They would spend the next three weeks packing up and getting their birds ready to be shipped. They were due to leave Afghanistan on 10 March, 2009.

Aliya had been released by the hospital on 18 January, 11 days after admittance. She was still a little weak, and the stitches needed to come out. So she was carefully brought in a ambulance and Max carried her into the building and to Liz's room and installed on a very nice little bed that someone had scrounged; not a cot. Liz and the others fussed with her for the rest of the day, since it was a no fly day.

Aliya was bug eyed much of the first day; this was such a totally different lifestyle. Indoor plumbing; neither hot nor cold. Soft bed and peace and quiet at night. Plenty of different new things to do during the day.

The next day Liz carefully took her around to the Operations building and her office; and then to the hanger to show her Liz's Apache; though now Ted used it. Aliya had been very much the VIP everywhere she went. Liz worked to make sure it was not too much for her. When Aliya had been shown the Apache she had been very quiet. Grunt was right there; and showed her everything about it; even if she did not understand all of it. She touched the side and looked into the front cockpit; she was much too short to see the rear one. She looked at Liz.

"Eagle."

Liz nodded.

Liz then took her that evening to the mess hall; she was still on a somewhat restricted diet. Liz and the others had helped her to understand forks and spoons. Liz got a small table in the corner; Aliya still attracted a lot of attention which clearly intimidated her; but she seemed to be adapting ok. They ate and Liz took her back to the barracks for an afternoon nap.

AS Aliya got stronger, Liz took her out more. Liz had to still do lots of paperwork and was working on the deployment back to the states. The good thing about this time of year was that with the relatively quiet nature of the war, they had time to get things done. But there was a lot of work to be done. A full inventory had to be conducted; so that the incoming brigade would know what they had. What could not be accounted for had to be reported. And since Liz was a captain and not currently flying she ended up doing most of those. Very time consuming but not hard.

Ted was getting in a fair amount of flying in; and Liz had talked to Scooter about that.

"Is he finally officially a pilot?"

"Yes he is."

"Good. What is the pilot situation going to be like when we get back to Campbell?"

"We will be losing about one third for various reasons. Seems like it will be about average. You will be getting the Company; I will be taking over B company."

Liz nodded. More paperwork. Then she had a thought.

"Will any officers be transferring in or do you know? Because right now we really are short."

"The other two companies have more officers; so we will transfer in one for A company so that the other platoon will have an officer."

Liz sighed; she had gotten so comfortable with everyone in A Company that the thought of newbies did not thrill her. Scooter figured out what she was thinking about.

"Before our next deployment you will have plenty of time to learn the quirks of everyone. And most of our new pilots will be copilots upgrading inside the Battalion."

"Next deployment. That will probably be Iraq, right?"

"Fairly certain. Not etched in stone yet; that will not happen for a few more months. But that is what the schedule shows. Though if they keep to the commitment as regards combat troops out of Iraq by end of 2011 we might be the last. And it could very well be cut short."

"One can hope."

Liz did not want to think about another deployment but had to be realistic.

That evening they spent some time with Max. Aliya understood that Liz would be marrying Max when they got to the US. He also made it a point to make sure she understood that he would be adopting her as well. They would be a family.

Max had decided to talk to Liz about things coming up.

"Liz, I know you want children. The question is when."

Liz nodded. She had been thinking about that.

"I think I will wait until after my next deployment; that will give us a couple of years to get used to each other and for Aliya to get used to us. I will only be 28 so that is not a problem. And you are not that old."

He grinned at her. "I will prove that during our honeymoon."

They had decided to get married soon after they returned to the US. She would have 30 days of leave and his job did not start until May. Plenty of time to get married and settle in; Aliya would stay with Nancy during their honeymoon.

The girls at Georgia were disappointed that Liz could not wait until they all could get married in June but understood. Meanwhile the Crew were deep into marriage arrangements; they had lived long enough in Campbell to know everyone that they would need for a nice marriage. Liz was looking at getting Married one week after getting back in country. She had already quietly notified her Company and Battalion commanders. She had also recruited someone to walk her down the aisle.

One day Liz had found Ted by himself in the hanger and had cornered him. He saw a determined Liz heading his way and started looking for emergency exits but was stopped by Liz.

"Ted. Will you walk me down the aisle when I marry Max?"

His jaw had dropped and then he had grinned like a maniac.

"Of course, Liz."

The Crew had come up with endless pictures of wedding gowns; but Liz had been very picky. Aliya had been also recruited. In the end a simple off the shoulder gown had been what she had decided on. Luckily there was one in stock in the nearby town and Vicki had threatened the shop owner with horrible consequences if it was not there when they arrived.

Feb 1 was a very important day. The Spec Ops guys had made a run to Kabul and had brought back a package from the Embassy. Liz had opened it in her room and had smiled. She then pulled Aliya to her and showed her a US Passport with her picture in it. Aliya was now a naturalized US citizen and Liz was officially her parent. The Citizenship had been what the Congressman called his Wedding Present.

Aliya had touched the very important looking papers and then had looked up at Liz.

"You my mother?"

Liz had nodded and hugged her and cried.

Liz was waiting at the flight line when A company arrived on the afternoon of the 6th of February, completing their last mission in Afghanistan. She hugged Ted and then that night they had a real party.

From that point on things got frantic as last minute problems and glitches, as they always did, hampered the smooth deployment.

It had been decided that Max would leave with Aliya the day before the flight taking the last of the Brigade back to Campbell took off. They would be going by commercial air; though leaving from Bagram.

The next 4 weeks either flew or dragged depending on your point of view.

On the 20th the Special Forces threw a party for the Brigade and it was a total blowout. Liz was a little tearful when saying goodbye to the many good friends she had made in Special Operations. And they made it a point to let her know that they considered her a special friend. And one of them. Aliya was also made very welcome.

Finally Liz stood there waving goodbye as the plane carrying Max and Aliya left on 9 March 2009. She went back to the temporary quarters they were all staying in and tried to get some sleep.

Nancy Parker eagerly waited for the plane carrying her daughter landed at Campbell Army Airfield. Her and many other relatives were impatiently waiting as their loved ones arrived from Afghanistan. As to be expected, Liz was on the last plane. She looked to her right at Max Evans, her daughters fiancé. He had a strong arm around her daughters adopted child, Aliya Parker. Aliya was a treasure and such a sweet child.

Finally the plane landed and to cheers the soldiers slowly walked down the stairs to stand in formation one more time. She and Max and Aliya cheered as they spotted that small figure coming down the stairs.

Liz was as happy as she had ever been, going down the stairs. As one of the more senior officers, she would line up with the others in front of the formation.

Nancy was so proud as she saw her daughter line up with the officers; and it never ceased to make her smile how little Liz was.

The Brigade Commander marched up with the Unit Flag and called the Brigade to attention.

"101st Aviation Brigade. DISMISSED!"

Pandemonium as families reunited. Max, holding Aliya and Ed making sure he had a firm grip on Nancy, made their way and found Liz who hugged her mother first, then Aliya, then got kissed senseless by Max.

Liz had leaned on a couple of people and had managed to get Married Quarters assigned to her even though she was not technically married. She had a hunch that the Special Ops boys had made a call or two; they had a very nice house. They had purchased a lot of furniture online while still in Afghanistan and had had it delivered in the last week. It was a nice 3 bedroom house that looked very good and was reasonably new.

Liz led Aliya through the house and showed her where her room was. Being told and seeing it are two different things. Aliya had huge eyes at the size of the home she would be living in.

Ed and Nancy were in a motel in town with Max. Until she was married he was not supposed to be staying there and they had decided to stick with propriety. Besides a little time alone with Aliya was a good idea anyway. Liz had sold her little car before leaving for Afghanistan, but Max had gotten an SUV that had stayed with a friend at Campbell so they had transportation. They would get a small car just for Liz. Nancy and Max had made sure that the house already had all it needed as regards sheets and pillows and towels and basic kitchen utensils and a complete set of china and plates and such. They all pitched in to unpack and place what was needed. Then went into town and ate at a restaurant. Jet Lag began to catch up with Liz and the others left her and Aliya at the quarters. Aliya was very certain that Liz needed to sleep and Liz was very touched by her concern. By 2000 Liz was dead to the world.

At 0600 Liz slowly woke up. She felt loads better. She had drank a lot of water all during the flight and it seemed to have allowed her Jet Lag to go away quickly. She got up and took a shower then went looking for Aliya. She found her sitting in the kitchen watching TV on the small set her mom had gotten. Liz kissed her then fixed a quick breakfast. Max and the others would not be in until 10 so they spent a few hours just talking; their joint efforts of Liz learning Afghan and Aliya learning English had resulted them meeting somewhat in the middle in a mish mash that sounded weird but worked for them. They would be hitting the Mall with her mother while Max would be starting to look for a car for Liz and other male things with Ed.

That day Liz and Nancy introduced Aliya to that particular set of rituals known as shopping at the mall. Aliya was very wide eyed at the incredible selection of things. Liz and Nancy made sure that she had an entire wardrobe; and that Liz get some new clothes as well. And then of course there were shoes. Liz had decided that Aliya would start school in the fall. She would spend the next 6 months getting her ready. Basic English and reading and writing would be the primary courses Liz intended Aliya to have; but she also needed to start to learn how to interact with other American pre-teens. Liz hoped it would not get too hard for her. One of the things that had had to be decided was Aliya's birthday, since she was not totally sure of the date. She was 9 years old sometime in January, so Liz had just decided that 18 January was it and that was her birthday. Liz was looking at her starting 4th grade in September.

They had a very enjoyable day and then Max called at 2 to say they thought they had a car possibility so they headed to where Ed and Max had found a small used car lot that had a good Toyota Tercell that was only 4 years old. Liz looked it over and got it. They left that lot with the car. Max and Ed had also got a home entertainment center and big screen TV and some other toys included 3 desktop computers and a laptop for Liz. Aliya would begin to learn how to use one. That evening Nancy cooked a big dinner and christened the oven in Liz's quarters by baking a pie; which was widely appreciated by all. The next day Liz met up with her wedding party; they would be married on that Saturday. The Crew was introduced to Nancy and Ed; and Ted as well. Friday Maria and Tess and Isabelle came in and they had a massive slumber party. They got in early and did not stop talking until midnight. The girls were gooey over Aliya. Diane and Phillip had gotten in that day as well and Max's good friend from his Marine days arrived and they were all ready to go.

Ted checked his uniform; he was in Class A's as was a number of the Aviation Brigade. The Post Chapel was where the wedding would be held. In the vestry he waited for Liz to show up.

Liz had been very happy that the Crew and her old friends had gotten along so well. She had been a little worried.

Nancy looked at her daughter through her tears. She had wanted and dreaded this day to happen.

"Honey you look so beautiful."

"Mom don't make me cry or I will look like a raccoon."

Finally she stepped into the vestry. Ted's jaw dropped.

"You look absolutely gorgeous Liz."

Then the wedding march sounded and he held out his arm.

"Showtime!"

The Chapel was almost packed as many of the Aviation brigade had stayed for the wedding. Maria was Liz's maid of honor and Aliya was the flower child. And very quickly it was done. The Chapel had a hall next to it for the reception and fun was had by all. Vicki caught the bouquet. Max and Liz caught a flight out that evening to Hawaii for the week long honeymoon. Aliya would go with Nancy and Ted to Columbus for the week.

Liz Parker Evans woke up with a strong arm around her – and then she remembered and blushed. A chuckle came from behind her.

"My blushing bride."

Liz now had no regrets about marrying as a virgin. ABSOLUTELY NONE.

Sun sand and lots of time in bed was how Liz would remember her honeymoon.

They settled down in the home and got used to living with each other. Most of the rest of the brigade was on leave as was Liz, technically. But Liz being Liz a full weak before her leave ran out she just had to get back to doing things. Max would be home for another month before his job started so he could stay with Aliya. When they were both working Aliya would stay at the base childcare facility which was built with all children from 1-17 in mind. And Aliya would also have the chance to start getting used to being with other kids her age.

Liz walked into the Brigade Commanders office and found that he had gotten in the previous day. New transfers were around but most of the Afghan returnees were still gone. So she got roped into getting things going as she was the ranking 1st Battalion officer present. Their aircraft had gotten in and were being unwrapped and unpacked subject to a full refurbishment.

Liz found herself happy to be busy and got right down to it. She greeted the new pilots and copilots and ground crew. And they started to get things ready for the Brigade to being operating.

Max spent time working with Aliya on her reading and writing and basic mathematic skills. She was a very bright girl; she just had never been taught much.

The third day back Liz got a call from Brigade to come to HQ. She wondered what was up.

The commander greeted her and took her into the office and closed the door.

"Liz on the 20th of May you will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom."

Liz closed her eyes then opened them.

"I had hoped they would leave me alone."

He shrugged. "PR move of course. From what I was told the pressure from the women's groups never let up. You know in some respects they have a point. The Taliban will never really recover from that incident; and all the others that have been mentioned lately. So if you are looking at it from an impact point of view, it is warranted."

"Bullshit. They had the film. The Taliban was going down."

"True. But the contrast between what they did and what you did just made it more obvious the differences. Anyway, don't fight it. It is what it is."

Liz got home and both Aliya and Max right away noticed she was not happy.

She kissed Max then hugged Aliya and told them what was going to happen. Max looked at her.

"Those that matter will understand. The rest do not matter."

A week later it was released to the media and Liz hid out as much as she could. Working to get the Company up and running took a lot of time anyway as she was officially now its commander. Griffith was now Battalion commander and Winston was probably going to move up to XO. She had A company; and a LT Sam Rivers came in from C Company. He seemed all right and took over 2nd Platoon. She got Ted as her wingman and Ken as well. Sid Wilson, a copilot in B Company became the final member of 1st platoon.

The amount of paperwork that being company commander earned her was sad. She was just happy she kept Grunt as her crew chief and the same bird she trusted so well. They were flying by the middle of April.

One quiet day Liz brought Aliya to the flight line. Grunt fixed her up with a flight suit and Liz took her up in the Apache. That was really not allowed but Liz wanted her daughter to understand what she did and this was the best way. Afterwards Aliya was very quiet but let Liz know she had figured it out.

Liz checked her Dress Blue uniform; all brand new to the latest army regs. Taking a deep breath she moved to the designated seat at the table in the White House grand dining hall. Max was on her right and Aliya on her left. Aliya looked very sweet and Max in his tuxedo looked good enough to eat. On the other side was a very proud Nancy Parker in a brand new dress.

Liz was very grateful that only pictures were taken; no questions asked.

After it was over Aliya fingered the medal dangling from Liz's neck. She looked up at her mother.

"Pretty."

As Elizabeth Parker Evans, Captain, United States Army, realized, she had a very good life.

Max was so very proud