ANA Reborn by Carl Facciponte - HTML preview
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Chapter 21
“ elcome to the base, General Coopers,” said W Commander William Bodyk with a crisp salute. Lance stepped from the Jeep sent to pick him up from the Kandahar airport. He returned the salute smartly. “It’s a pleasure to have you visit our base, sir,” the Commander continued.
“It’s a pleasure to be here,” replied Lance.
“I’ve been behind a desk far too long, and I prefer encouraging our courageous troops with a personal visit. I wish more high-ranking officers would do the same. Too many times, our troops in difficult zones feel as if the brass has forgotten them. That is just not so. I hope to change their perceptions.”
“Excellent, General. My men will bring your bags to your quarters, and we can schedule a time to talk after you’ve rested from that long flight from the states. And who are these two young sergeants traveling with you? I wasn’t aware they 177
would be coming, but everyone is more than welcome.”
“They are Sergeants Rhett and Ana West.
They are a husband and wife Special Forces team I take on overseas tours. I would like them bunked in a private room near mine with secure computer
and
satellite
communication
capabilities.”
The Commander wrinkled his brow slightly as he quickly thought through through the request.
“Lieutenant,” he said to one of the welcoming officers, “please see that we quarter our married guests in room 1B, next to General Coopers.”
“Yes, sir,” said the Lieutenant, “I’ll get right on it.” He turned to face the rest of the welcoming committee. “You four privates, grab their bags and carry them to 1A and 1B.”
They unloaded the bags from the Jeep and carried them to the appropriate quarters with no hesitation.
“Thank you, commander,” said Lance. “A bit of a rest would go very well after that trip. I would like to set up a time to talk later this afternoon. Eighteen hundred works for me if you can fit it into your schedule.” Lance smiled. “And 178
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if it’s not asking too much, could you have Sergeant Thornton meet me at sixteen hundred?
Thanks.”
Lance motioned Ana and Rhett to follow him to their assigned rooms without waiting for a response.
As they walked to their rooms, Rhett wi-fi’d Ana. That’s the first time Lance referred to us as soldiers and not AIs. That felt a little strange to me.
And to me too, Rhett. It might just be because we are in a war zone, and he’s quiet about what we are.
Let’s keep our eyes on him.
…
At precisely four o’clock, Ralph walked into the compound meeting room.
“Please have a seat, Sargent,” Lance said as he gestured to one of the empty seats at the other end of the table. Ralph glanced over to Ana and Rhett and sat down.
Lance was quiet for a moment, then interlaced his fingers in front of him. “So, you’ve found some fairly widespread corruption throughout the ranks, including higher-ranking officers. Very good. As you know, I’m here to investigate the 179
situation myself. It might not be safe for you to be a whistleblower in this relatively lawless country.
Understand?”
Ralph put his closed hand to his mouth and coughed. “Yes, I do, Sir. And thank you for your consideration.”
“It’s no problem, son. I have to look after my troops. Now, tell me all you know.”
“Yes, Sir. I will, but if I may ask, what are Ana and Rhett doing here with you?”
“This is hostile territory, Ralph. Now, how good a prize do you think an American General would make to the enemy? But instead of a platoon at my side for protection, I brought these two. The Major General wants a written report on how our investment did under operating conditions.” Lance opened his hands in a friendly gesture. “So, what are the details of what you found?”
For the next hour and a half, Ralph explained the flow of drug money through the military ranks.
“Ralph, you’ve done an outstanding job with this. If I get any traction with the higher-ups back 180
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home, I will need specific information. Introduce me to some of the high-ranking drug lords in the area. You and I can set up a sting operation, Sergeant First Class Thornton.”
Ralph bolted upright in his chair. “Pardon me, Sir. What did you just say?”
Lance smiled as warmly as he could. “If we do this, you will skip the current six-year wait and become a Sargent First Class. How does that sound?”
“I’m all-in, Sir. Just let me know what you need.”
Leaning forward, Lance said, “I thought you might see it my way. Smart boy.”
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