Chapter 20

Wednesday 12 December

Present — Ben — WRAMC

The doctor comes in before the surgery, looks at me and says, "Where's your fiancée?"

I fake a smile and answer, "Her mother was wounded at Ramstein so she's left to be with her."

He gets a very concerned look on his face and says, "Damn! You two have certainly been through too much together. Do you have any idea what happened to her mother?"

I reply, "I don't have any details, just that it's serious."

The doctor replies as he starts an injection into my IV, "I've kept you from watching the Ramstein coverage because I didn't want you to have another seizure. But I'm going to tell you it's all over except the clean up. They were able to save the hospital building and kill all the terrorists."

I can tell he isn't telling me everything so I comment, "You're hiding something from me."

He answers, "Yeah, I didn't want to tell you, and I'm still not sure I should. But you're a Marine and you should know. General Donaldson was seriously wounded when he jumped on a grenade to save his men."

My mouth falls open because I can't believe it! Glen's finally became a Marine again. My eyes tear up as I order the doctor, "With what you told me, I can't go through with the surgery right now. I need to fly to Ramstein to be with my fiancée."

He smiles at me and says, "Sorry but in about five minutes you're going to be asleep."

I feel the anesthesia kicking in and I ask, "At least let me make a phone call."

The doctor hands me the phone and I make a call.

Present — Liz — Ramstein Air Field Germany

My mobile phone rings again, damn it's getting annoying. The Whitehouse has been bugging the hell out me and I'm not going to answer it. I look at the display and it's a different number so I tentatively answer the call, "Liz Morgan speaking."

My heart goes pitter-patter when I hear a very sleepy sounding Ben, "Liz, thank God you answered! I just heard about Glen and I want to be with Jens, but they are taking me in for surgery and they won't let me leave."

Mira looks at me and smiles, how does she know when Ben calls? Then I realize he said he is going in for surgery. I answer, "Ben, Jens is almost here now. What the hell is this about you going in for surgery?"

He replies, sounding even sleepier, "Yes Liz, I didn't tell Jens because she needs to be with Evelyn ... oh and now Glen. I'm sorry but they've given me drugs and I'm almost asleep. Please, please take care of her and don't let her know about me."

I am upset because he is being such a Marine and needs someone to be with him. I say, "Ben, she is going to be so pissed off about this when she finds out. Even more pissed off than I am right now."

He barely gets the next bit out, "Sorry Liz, tell Jens I love her - oh and you too."

The phone goes dead and I stomp my foot on the ground. Mira looks at me and says, "Ms. Morgan, why are you so upset?"

I yell, "Shit! Ben's going in for surgery and no one is there for him. The damn bastard didn't tell Jens and sent her here to be with her parents."

Mira smiles at me and says, "Ms. Morgan would you expect anything else from him? He is showing both you and Ms. Donaldson his love for each of you."

I look at her and demand, "What sort of bullshit are you talking about!"

She smiles and explains, "He did not tell Ms. Donaldson because he loves her and does not want her to worry. He did tell you because he loves you and knows you will be able to handle it."

I can't believe what she says so I ask, "Mira what's this bullshit about Ben loving me?"

Mira giggles and says, "Ms. Morgan, I cannot believe you never noticed how he treats you."

I reply, "That's just because I'm their good friend."

Mira giggles and replies, "And denial is just a river in Egypt."

I look at Mira and wonder when she started learning sayings like that one. Then I wonder if she could really be right, could Ben love me too and if he does what does that mean? It's all so confusing. But Jens plane comes to a stop which also puts a stop to my thinking.

Present — Jens — Ramstein Air Field Germany

I'm waiting for plane to stop and the door to open so I can get right to the hospital. This flight has been hell! I couldn't sleep and couldn't eat. Shit! I couldn't do anything but worry. The worst thing was I couldn't get any information on the flight.

Matt says, "Jens, I know you want to get to the hospital as soon as possible, but you need to let me to go first so I can be sure you're safe."

I start to bitch at him but then I realize he's right and just doing his job. I answer, "Okay Matt, just don't make me wait any longer than necessary."

The plane stops, the door opens and Matt checks the area. He motions to me and says, "Stay behind me on the stairs."

We start down the stairs, get about halfway down and Matt yells, "RPG! Run like hell!"

We take off like our asses are on fire, hit the bottom of the stairs as the RPG slams into the plane and it erupts throwing us both through the air.

Present — Mira — Ramstein Air Field Germany

We are watching Matt and Ms. Donaldson come down the stairs. I see the RPG as soon as it is launched, throw Ms. Morgan to the ground and jump on top of her. She yells, "What the fuck is going on?"

The RGP hits the wing tank on the plane and it explodes in a huge fireball. We are lucky because the flames pass over us and we do not even get singed.

Ms. Morgan is struggling and I command, "You are to stay on the ground and not move."

I roll off her, jump up, grab my M4 and survey the area. Ms. Donaldson and her body guard are a short distance away and seem to be extremely shaken, but not badly hurt. Looking back from the direction of the RPG I see a large group of men and vehicles headed this way. I run to the Humvee, pull out my PSG1, and determine they are terrorists attacking the airport. I yell to Ms. Morgan, "Go help Ms. Donaldson and Matt into the Humvee. There is a very large group of terrorists headed this way."

I lay the PSG1 across the hood of the Humvee, calm myself, take a few breaths, slow my heart rate and start firing. At this range the PSG1 will not stop their vehicles, but it sure stops them. I take out the drivers of the vehicles to slow them up and yell, "We need to leave soon."

Ms. Morgan yells, "We're ready let's go!"

I yell at Matt, "Are you able to help?"

He yells back, "You bet your ass I can. Those fuckers have me pissed off."

I order, "Matt, pop the roof hatch. There is a fifty in the back, Set it up with AP rounds and let me know when you are done."

I keep taking out terrorists, but they have figured where we are and are headed this way. Finally Matt fires a burst from the fifty and says, "Let's roll."

I jump into the back of the Humvee and open the window. I notice much of the air field is burning and some of the terrorists are attempting to catch some planes trying to escape while others are heading towards us.

I yell, "Ms. Morgan, take off but not so fast you lose the terrorists chasing us. I want them to follow us so we can take them out."

Ms. Morgan takes off and I feel someone come crawling up beside me, it's Ms. Donaldson and she asks, "You got another fricken rifle I can use?"

I reply, "In that case over there."

Present — Jens — Ramstein Air Field Germany

I'm mad as hell, these fucking bastards have attacked the air field now and they're keeping me from getting to Mom. Mira points where the extra rifle is stored. I start pulling it out while she and Matt are giving them hell! I look at the rifle and see it's another PSG1 just like Mira's. I grab a bunch of mags, slide up beside her and we're both blasting the hell out of the bastards.

Mira says, "You shoot well."

I take out another terrorist and reply, "Better than you do."

She doesn't reply right away but yells up front, "Ms. Morgan, we might be the only ones standing between the terrorists and the total destruction of the air field. This Humvee is armored so we should be safe, just keep driving in circles and we will continue to draw the terrorist's fire. If you see any RPGs launched get us out of here."

Mira looks at me and grins, "I think you would like to challenge me to a shooting contest."

I shoot another terrorist and say, "Sounds like a plan to me. Are we betting anything?"

Mira shoots another terrorist and says, "My sister and I usually bet pedicures."

I am pretty sure I can whip her butt so I say, "How about a pedicure and a manicure?"

She says, "It is a bet."

My mouth drops open because I have unleashed a fucking shooting machine. Mira is aiming and firing as fast as she can, making sure to take out the targets I'm aiming at before I get the shot off. She must be shooting two terrorists to each one that I kill.

Her plan works great because we have the terrorists pissed off. They are chasing us and leaving the air field and remaining aircraft alone.

Mira yells, "Ms. Morgan, take the Humvee down towards the end of this runway."

The Humvee straightens up and we book it down the runway. Liz yells, "We're running out of runway soon, what should I do?"

Mira replies, "You can stop, it's all over."

Liz stops the Humvee right as two jets streak past us and blow the hell out of the remaining terrorists.

It was then I notice the tactical radio in Mira's ear, I say, "You knew the jets were coming."

She looks at me and then yells, "RUN! We need to get out of this Humvee."

I'm not sure what's going on, but my guess is when Mira says run, you run like hell. We're all booking it away from the Humvee when the jets come back for a second pass and blow our Humvee to hell.

I hear Mira yell, "Hit the ground. The jets are coming back." We all fall to the ground.

She yells to Matt, "Get over here and kneel."

He kneels and she repositions him, then she lays the barrel of her rifle on his shoulder and orders, "When I tell you don't move, don't even breathe."

I watch her totally amazed, she can't be thinking of taking out the jets with a PSG1. She says, "Don't move." I look up in the sky and see the jets approaching, I hear the gun bark once and then again and see smoke start coming out of both jets. They veer away and leave the area.

I walk over to her and say, "That was incredible! I've never seen shooting like that. How did you know you could take out the jets?"

She looks at me and says, "I didn't. I have never done that before. However, we still have some terrorists on foot coming after us."

I turn and see some of them running toward us - Mira is already firing at them. I drop down, help her and ask, "Do we have anymore ammo?"

Mira yells, "Do not tell me you left all your ammo in the Humvee."

All of a sudden I feel like a real newb. I grabbed the rifle but no extra ammo. I reply, "At least I brought the rifle."

She slides me another mag and says, "I only have four magazines left so do not miss any shots. And that is my sister's rifle, you are very lucky to be using it. She loves it so do not lose it or damage it or she will be very upset."

After watching Mira I'm sure I don't want either of them upset at me. From the way she shoots and moves I know they are much more than NSC agents, they are probably NSC assassins. I drop down beside Mira and start helping dispose of the last terrorists.

Present — Liz — Ramstein Air Field Germany

I'm watching Mira and Jens take out the last of the fucking terrorists. My phone begins to ring, I look at the number and it says Ira, so I answer it.

"Ms. Morgan, is everyone okay?"

I answer, "We're all a little shaken but we're fine."

Ira answers, "That is good I was very worried about all of you since the terrorists have began a new attack on the whole base."

I ask, "Ira, are you telling me the fucking terrorists aren't just attacking the air field?"

She answers, "Yes Ms. Morgan, the 'fucking terrorists' as you call them appear to have used the hospital siege as a means to sneak more men on the airbase and have been attacking everywhere. You need to try to get back here as soon as possible."

I say, "Well Ira that might be a problem because the stupid Air Force blew up our Humvee."

There is a short pause and she says, "Ms. Morgan, may I please talk to Mira."

I yell to Mira, "Ira's on the phone and wants to talk with you."

Mira looks at Jens and says, "Do you think you can finish off the rest of the terrorists?"

I know Jens and wait for her to go ballistic about that comment, but Jens just says, "I will finish them off."

Mira jumps up leaving her rifle in position, runs over and takes the phone. They begin talking in their own language. I watch Matt move to take Mira's place at the rifle, she stops talking on the phone and tells Matt, "Do not touch my rifle or I will have to hurt you." Then she continues.

He turns pale, moves back away from the rifle and comes over by me. I ask him, "Is everything okay?"

Matt replies, "Not really. We're in deep shit."

I ask, "What do you mean."

He says, "Liz look out across the base at all the smoke, it reminds me of Iraq or Afghanistan. I would say the whole base is under attack."

I tell him, "That's what Ira told me on the phone."

Mira comes over and says, "Yes you are right. The whole base is under serious attack."

Jens comes up and says, "Fuck! What about Daddy and Mom?"

Mira answers, "Ms. Donaldson, they are in the safest area because General Donaldson called in many Marines before he was wounded."

I tried to shake my head, but it was too late. Mira told Jens about Glen. Jens looks at me and says, "Liz, what the hell is she talking about."

A couple rounds cracked over our heads, Mira throws me to the ground, jumps on top of me again and orders, "Everyone hit the ground."

I look into Mira's eyes and joke, "Mira, if you keep jumping on top of me, we're going to have to get married."

She smiles and says, "Sorry Ms. Morgan but you are not my type." Then she rolls over to her PSG1 and starts returning fire.

My phone rings, I look and it's the network. I answer the phone and Darrel asks, "Liz, are all of you okay?"

I reply, "We're shaken up some but we are all fine. Why do you ask?"

He answers, "You sure have a knack for being in the right place at the right time. I think we are witnessing the start of World War Three."

I say, "Yes Darrel, I know about Ramstein being attacked."

He interrupts, "Liz, you don't understand. It's not just Ramstein, the terrorists are attacking all of Germany."

I pause for a moment to absorb what he just said, "Darrel you're shitting me!"

He answers, "Like hell I am! There are battles all over Germany right now. And others are even starting in France."

I ask, "Is the President sending help?"

He said, "NATO is fully mobilized, but because of budget cuts and lack of interest, they are getting their asses kicked. The terrorists are blowing the hell out of everything with car bombs and suicide bombers. Besides the President has problems of his own. After your news report on Ramstein there have been massive protests in the US. It looks like he's going to declare martial law."

I order, "Darrel hire as many news crews as you need to cover the situations. Make sure you alert the station security and issue them the rifles in the basement safe. Keep broadcasting as much as you can, but if things get too hot get the hell out of there."

He answers, "Liz, I've already taken care of all this. And I'm making sure all the backup generators are fully functional and have brought in extra fuel. We have laid in food and water enough for everyone for two weeks."

I have one last question, "Is Walter Reed safe?"

He chuckles, "Yes Liz, it's safe. Jon is there covering Ben's surgery and said to tell you Ben's doing fine and his surgery was okay."

I relax and begin to think about all I have just discovered. The terrorists must have been planning this for years, slowly moving men, guns and explosives into position while liberal immigration policies gave them the opportunity. We could be right in the middle of the start of WWIII.

My thoughts are interrupted because Mira yells, "You may all get up now."

Jens gets up and goes over and gets in Mira's face, "What the fuck did you mean about Daddy getting wounded."

My mouth drops open as Mira backhands Jens knocking her to the ground and yells, "Ex-Sergeant Donaldson, when I give you a position to defend you will never leave it again, unless I countermand my order. Your emotional negligence almost cost us."

I wait for the fireworks, but there aren't any. Jens gets up, goes over and says, "Mira you are right and I will never do that again. Will you please tell me about Daddy?"

Mira looks around, motions me over and says, "I will in a minute. I think Ms. Morgan has some more information for us."

Present — Mira — Ramstein Air Field Germany

I can tell more is going on than just the attack on Ramstein Air Force Base, because I heard Ms. Morgan's side of the phone conversation with the network. I fear the worst has happened because the NSC has been worried about this for years.

I say, "Ms. Morgan, will you please give us any new information you just received."

She says, "I just got off the phone with Darrel. He says all of Germany is under attack and it is even starting in France. He called it the start of World War Three. NATO is fully mobilized but they are already taking a beating. In America everyone is upset at the President about Ramstein and there are riots. The President will probably put the country under martial law."

I looked at the three of them and determine if we were going to survive this I will have to lead. I say, "Because of the situation I am taking charge of this group. Do I have any complaints?" I look right at Ms. Donaldson as I say it. No one complains.

I walk over and I hug Ms. Donaldson, it surprises her but she doesn't pull back. I say, "Ms. Donaldson, what I need to tell you will be very hard for you to hear. But if we are to live and get to your parents you will have to be very strong. There are times to cry and times to fight but this is a time to fight. While you were flying here, you father became one of the heroes of Ramstein. He was instrumental in saving the hospital and many patients and staff. He was wounded when he fell on a grenade to save his men. When we left he was still in surgery."

I hug her once more, step back and look at her. She has a fire in her eyes as she says, "Those fucking terrorist bastards! I'm going to kill every one of them."

I get in front of her and say, "If you do not control your emotions you will do something stupid and endanger all of us. Can you control your emotions?"

She looks at me and at first I think it there is going to be a big fight. Then Ms. Morgan comes over, hugs Jens and whispers something into her ear and then steps back. Ms. Donaldson looks at the ground and says, "I will control my emotions, but I want to get to my parents."

I look at her and reply, "And I want to get to my sister. If we all work together we have a very good chance of accomplishing this."

Ms. Donaldson looks at Ms. Morgan and asks, "Liz, do you have a reporter covering Daddy?"

I say, "Ms. Donaldson, that is a great idea. We need to gear up and then move to a safer area. Then Ms. Morgan can call Samantha and we can find out General Donaldson's condition."

I assume command and order, "We are low on ammo. We have no explosive ordinance, food or water. Matt, give Ms. Morgan your weapon. She and Ms. Donaldson will stand watch while we see if we can recover anything from the Humvee."

Present — Jens — Ramstein Air Field Germany

Not running right out to go to Daddy and Mom is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I was going to kick the shit out of Mira for stopping me, but Liz told me there was no way in hell I could have beaten her. I'm used to being the alpha female and this is going to take a bit of getting used to. But she sure as hell knows what she's doing.

I see some more terrorists headed our way and I yell, "Tangos approaching, permission to fire?"

Mira sticks her head out of the wrecked Humvee and says, "We are at war, consider any terrorists as targets. Just make sure you don't miss."

I think, don't miss my ass! Someday I'm going to make you kiss my ass right after I kick your ass. I get in prone position, use the mildots on the scope to range them and start taking them out. Things have been so hectic I haven't had the time to really appreciate this rifle, and this is one very fine rifle. I like it being semi-auto as I can fire much faster. I finish with the fucking terrorists and stand up as Mira and Matt come over with a crapload of gear.

Mira throws a bag to Liz and a bag to me and says, "Get changed." I watch as she starts stripping off her cool looking camo skirt and top, Liz does the same. Matt blushes a little and turns away, then I see what looks to be body armor underneath both their outfits.

I open the bag she threw me and I have the same looking armor. I drop my clothes and start changing. I have never seen body armor like this, I try it on and it fits pretty well. I ask Liz, "This is pretty nice body armor, but is it any good?"

Liz grins and says, "It's the best and will even stop some armor piercing rounds if you're far enough away. Mira got this for us."

Matt looks over and says, "Hey why am I stuck with this old junky armor."

I yell at him, "Hey pervert! What are you looking at! I'm going to tell Molly if you don't stop trying to sneak a peek at us." He blushes and turns away.

Liz grins at me and then whistles, "Will you look at those legs on Matt. I think we need to get him a whole Truth Network uniform including the skirt."

Mira laughs and says, "I will wax his legs for him so he will look pretty."

Matt is putting on his pants, gets his feet all tangled up, falls over and complains, "No way in hell am I wearing a skirt and I don't want that fucking witch close to me with any of that God damn wax shit! I've heard about how painful it is."

Liz corrects him, "Matt she's not a witch she's an Angel."

The minute she says it I finally realize who Mira and Ira are. I've heard rumors throughout the Middle East about the Angels of Death and all the terrorists they've killed. Shit! Shit! Triple Shit! I'm glad I didn't try to take her, because if the rumors are even half true, I'd have my ass kicked so hard I couldn't sit down for weeks.

I move over close to Liz and whisper, "Liz, do you know who these two body guards of yours are?"

She smiles and says, "Yeah, I've heard the rumors too and figured it out. And let me tell you they are both better than the rumors."

I have to ask, "Are you worried they might try to kill you?"

She laughs, walks over and hugs Mira and says, "Jens and Matt, I'd like you to meet Mira one of my sisters."

Matt says, "Liz, I thought you were an only child."

Mira replies, "We are sisters by choice, not by birth so that makes us even more special."

We're done changing and have on very cool and slinky looking black outfits with great tactical pads. Well other than Matt, he still has the same boring black BDUs.

Mira orders Matt to stand watch and then starts distributing gear and I'm amazed at what they are able to recover from what looks to be a total wreck. They have one more functional M4, but the optical sight is blown all to hell. I watch as Mira takes out some tools, pulls the sight off and then she asks Liz, "Ms. Morgan can you use open sights?"

Liz answers, "I'm good out to about two hundred yards." Mira hands her the M4, gives her five mags and says, "Please use single shot as much as possible." She sets a pack at Liz's feet and says you have one bottle of water and three MREs plus all the medical gear. I am sorry to make you carry a pack my sister, but if I carry much more it will make me too slow."

I watch because I know Liz will say something but as she opens her mouth, Mira gives her a look and Liz says, "Thank you my sister."

Present — Liz — Ramstein Air Field Germany

I am going to give Mira hell for giving me the light pack until I see the look on her face and right away know better. The look is a mixture of concern and don't fuck with me. So I gladly take the pack since now is not the time to be the squeaky wheel. I'm just praying Jens holds together and doesn't become a squeaky wheel.

Mira pulls out four mags for the PSG1, hands them to Jens and says, "We each have four magazines plus what is left in our rifles. How many do you have left?"

I watch as Jens get's embarrassed, looks down at the ground and says, "Sorry Mira, I lost count."

Mira says, "That is okay, you have had many shocks to your system and it is understandable. Please count the rounds left after I give you your pack." Then she sets a pack at Jens feet and says, "Here is your pack, it has one bottle of water, three MREs. The rest is filled with hand grenades. You might wish to put some on your tactical vest. Now please make sure it is not too heavy for you."

Jens picks up the pack and says, "I have a couple questions." I shudder and worry that Jens is going to cause problems.

Mira answers, "Okay what are they."

Jens says, "First, isn't the hospital relatively close and if it is, why are we bringing food and water?"

Mira replies, "Yes it is close, but we also don't know how long it will take for us to reach the hospital and if we cannot reach it at all we might have to go somewhere else. The food and water are here and it would be a mistake to leave them. That is a good question, what is your second question?"

Jens says, "This isn't very heavy, can I take something else?"

Mira replies, "No that is all I have for your pack."

I am impressed with how nicely Mira handles Jens and how Jens responds to it. I watch as Jens takes the mag out of her rifle and counts the rounds left.

Mira calls Matt over, throws him a pack and says, "Okay, we are moving out and we will work our way over to the hospital area. I will take the point, Ms. Morgan you will be second, Ms. Donaldson you will be third and Matt will be last." Then she gives us our hand signals and adds, "Ms. Donaldson, once we reach the buildings over there and secure safe cover we will call Samantha to find out about General Donaldson."

Present — Samantha - Hospital — Ramstein AFB Germany

"Greetings, this is Samantha Stevens reporting for the Truth Network from the vigil for General Donaldson and the newly raging war in Germany. While the General struggles for his life, Germany struggles against the terrorists to keep its way of life. We just received word from the doctors, the General is out of surgery and is resting in the make shift recovery room.

Because the General has been in surgery, we have been unable to fall back to the hospital like all the others in the medical triage area. So the Marines have been ferociously defending this position, rightly deserving the name of Devil-Dogs. We just need to hold out long enough for it to be safe for the General to be moved, then we will move back to the hospital with the others."

Bernie motions for me to stop the broadcast and pick up my phone. "Sorry viewers, I have been informed I have a very urgent phone call I need to take, please excuse me for a moment."

I step away from the camera and answer my phone, "This is Samantha?"

I hear, "Samantha, this is Jennifer Donaldson. How are Daddy and Mom doing?"

I answer, "Ms. Donaldson, we just received word your father came through the surgery fine and is in the recovery area. We are waiting for him to become stable so we can retreat back into the hospital with everyone else. Your mother is already in the hospital."

She asks me, "Are there many terrorists around the hospital."

I think for a moment and then ask her, "Are you trying to get to the hospital?"

She replies, "Yes! We are by the air field and are working our way there now."

I tell her, "Yes there are many terrorists here but the Marines are keeping them away from us."

Then I ask her, "Ms. Donaldson, do you have any news on your fiancés surgery." The phone goes dead and I wonder what happened.

Present — Jens — Ramstein AFB Germany

I drop the phone and fall to the ground. Liz catches me on the way down and says, "Jens, what's wrong?"

I look at Liz and say, "Liz, Samantha asked me how Ben's surgery went. I hadn't paid attention until she said that, but now I can sense Ben's pain. Do you know anything about this?"

Liz holds me close and answers, "Jens, I found out about it right before you landed. I meant to tell you but I haven't had the time."

I start crying and yell, "God I need to be there for Ben! But I need to be here for Daddy and Mom."