Chapter 22

Wednesday 14 December

Present — Ben — WRAMC

Hell Yes! I can feel Jens has been hurt! I start thrashing around on the bed and yell, "Jens is hurt I need to get to her!"

Frankie freaks out and starts pressing the hell out of the nurse call button as she says to me, "Ben, calm down. You're going to hurt yourself."

Somehow I rip my good arm out of the restraints and start trying to release my other arm. Frankie starts crying and Jim runs into the room from the hallway and yells, "What the fuck is going on?"

I yell back, "Jens is hurt and I need to get to her!"

Jim emphatically states, "Like hell you are!", and jumps towards my loose arm. I see what he's trying to do and palm him as hard as I can in the forehead. His head sounds like me slapping and watermelon and he falls to the floor.

Frankie cries, "Ben stop it you're hurting yourself."

I almost get my other arm loose when the doctor runs into the room. He takes one look at me, sticks his head back out in the hallway and yells, "Get your asses in here right now!"

I watch as the doctor and two Marines come into my room. The doctor orders, "SM. Blaine, stand down!"

I argue with him, "Jens, my fiancée, has been hurt and I need to get to her." And I keep working on the restraint.

The doctor looks at the Marines and gives the order, "Do whatever it takes to restrain him and keep him in bed. Just be careful of his right arm."

I threaten, "I'll kick all your asses if you get any closer."

The Marines aren't concerned with my threat and jump right on top of me. I yell, "You sons of bitches get off me!" We continue to fight but I don't notice until it is too late: The doctor is injecting something in my IV. I feel the drug start to affect me and I say to the doctor, "This isn't over. When I come out of this I'm going to kick your ass."

I watch his face slowly slip out of focus and it changes to the evil face of my father as he says, "I've got you now!"

Present — Liz — Ramstein Air Field Germany

I hear Jens yell as she falls to the floor. I know she's hurt and try to head over to her, but Mira is lying on top of me and holding me down. Somehow she works her pistol out of her holster and she fires so fast I think it's a machine gun.

After what seems like an eternity Mira stops firing and says, "Ms. Morgan, you will stay here on the floor and do not move."

I complain, "But Jens has been hurt."

I can tell I argued too much, Mira starts massaging my vagus nerve, and I feel my heart rate slow as I slowly slip off to sleep.

Present — Matt — Ramstein Air Field Germany

Son of a bitch! Jens has been hit. I want to run beside her, but my Marine training kicks in first and I help Mira send the bastards that shot her to hell. Banzai is going to fucking kill me if I've let anything happen to her. I know he sent me instead of Jim because he trusts me more than Jim and now I feel like I've let him down.

I get up to go by Jens but Mira orders, "Matt, stand guard and make sure this does not happen again." I jack a new mag in my M4, stand up, go over and make sure the bastards are dead.

When I get close to them, others are hiding out in the hallway and start to fire. I yell, "Mira, this isn't over yet," and slip behind the door and return fire. Quick as a flash Mira is up beside me with another M4 and we start firing down the hallway.

Mira gives our next moves. "Matt, we need to work our way down the hallway and remove this rubbish. Please cover me and I will move first. Then you will follow." I lay down covering fire as she slips out into the hallway and presses herself into a doorway.

I do a tactical reload and wait for her signal. Mira nods, slips her rifle around the corner and starts firing. I head into the hallway but Mira's doing such a good job there isn't even any return fire. I move up into the doorway opposite her, press myself up against the wall and then I start firing and Mira moves further down the hallway. We continue to leapfrog like this for the length of the whole hallway.

Finally Mira yells, "Matt, the terrorists have left. We need to go back and see how Ms. Donaldson is. I will check on her and you will stand watch by the door to the hallway."

We carefully move back towards the room with Jens and Liz. We get about halfway and we hear a scream.

Present — Mira — Ramstein Air Field Germany

I hear Ms. Morgan scream and curse myself for leaving her and Ms. Donaldson unprotected and unconscious. I run back into the room and see two terrorists: One has Ms. Morgan by the throat and the other is messing with Ms. Donaldson. Two quick shots later and they are dead.

I run over, help Ms. Morgan stand up and say, "Ms. Morgan, I am sorry I wasn't here to keep you safe."

She slaps the hell out of me and yells at me, "Mira, you ever pull that nerve shit on me again I'll order Ira to kick your butt. Now let's go over and check on Jens."

I stand there stunned as Ms. Morgan heads over to Ms. Donaldson. Matt comes running in and heads over to both of them. Ms. Morgan orders, "Mira, get your ass over here and help me look at Jens' arm, something isn't right with it."

I run over beside them and I can see right away what is wrong.

Present — Jens — Ramstein Air Field Germany

Shit! Shit and triple Shit! I'm waking up, my left arm doesn't feel right and it hurts like hell. I remember now - I was shot, fell to the floor, felt excruciating pain and then everything went black. Liz, Matt and Mira are all here beside me. I notice a dead terrorist on the floor beside me and I ask, "What the fuck is he doing here?"

Liz says, "You passed out and he was messing with you. Mira ran into the room and shot him."

I notice my body armor has been half removed and my slinky black suit is unzipped all the way and realize what he was going to do. I'm thankful as hell Mira was here. I start to say something but Liz says, "Jens, are you okay?"

I answer, "My left arm hurts like hell and doesn't move right."

Mira directs, "Matt, please stand guard and make sure we are not surprised. I will look at Ms. Donaldson's arm." Matt looks at me and says, "Sorry Jens, I hope you're not hurt too bad." Then he heads off towards the door.

Mira squats down beside me and starts checking my arm, she says, "Ms. Donaldson, you are very lucky." She touches my body armor, I look down and see what she is pointing to - it's a fricken bullet! Mira continues, "The body armor stopped the bullet, but it looks like you dislocated your shoulder when you fell to the floor."

She raises my arm just a little and it hurts like hell. I snap, "Son of a bitch that hurts. If you do that again, I'm going to kick your butt."

Mira smiles at me and says, "Sorry Ms. Donaldson, but we need to relocate your shoulder and it is going to hurt very much. Ms. Morgan, please give me your backpack."

Liz hands Mira her backpack, Mira pulls out four pills, some water and says, "Ms. Donaldson, you need to take these pills."

I glare at her and say, "I'm not taking any fricken pills if they are going to keep me from getting to Daddy and Mom."

Mira answers, "They are muscle relaxants and medium strength pain pills. It will help when I need to relocate your shoulder and they should not interfere with us continuing our mission. But you fighting with me over the taking the pills is delaying our mission, so take the pills."

I don't like being bossed around, but she's right. So I take the pills and say, "Let's get this over with."

Mira smiles and replies, "We will give the pills another thirty minutes to work and then I will relocate your shoulder. Until then just try to relax."

They help move me over against the wall, I lean up against it and just start relaxing when Matt starts firing and yells, "Looks like we've got company!"

Present — Samantha — Hospital — Ramstein AFB Germany

Frank takes off to find his children and I am getting ready to leave and find Evelyn Donaldson when I notice Bernie following me from the triage area and I look towards him. He has the camera rolling, so I walk over and pick up the microphone.

"Greetings America and the rest of the world, this is Samantha Stevens back reporting for the Truth Network. Yes, after a harrowing run, we are back once again inside the safety of the hospital." (Yes I know I am lying my ass off, but I need to keep the terrorists in the dark).

"It will still be a very long time before General Donaldson can be moved into the hospital." (Yes an even bigger lie). "Until then the Marines are aggressively defending his position. Please give me a minute to turn on my tactical radio to see if I can figure out what the terrorists are doing."

I flip on the radio and get nothing this time but white noise. I double-check the frequency and everything looks right. "Well, it looks like for some reason my radio isn't working so I can't give you any updates on the terrorists right now." We are here because General Donaldson has requested we check on the safety of his wife Evelyn. Even though he has just had major surgery, his thoughts are still with his wife of many years. This just shows you the excellent character of one of the heroes of Ramstein."

"So follow me as I travel through the halls to accomplish the General's request." I start walking down the hallway and Bernie follows with the camera,

Present — Sgt. Anderson - 1^st Battalion 9^th Marines — The Walking Dead - Alpha Company, Zulu Squad - Hospital — Ramstein AFB Germany

Normally Recons are known for being sneaky-assed sons of bitches. Even Murphy, the fuck-up, could still sneak into Mother Superior's shower in a monastery, steal a kiss and be gone before she even knew what happened. This however is not one of those times. I know our best hope - our only hope - is to catch the bastards napping and get some men through the door. The squad hits the door and we all scream out the immortal words of the Marine Raiders, "GUNG HO!"

All the screaming works and we surprise the terrorist bastards. Four of the squad make it through the doorway before a shot is even fired. And the good Lord is smiling on us today because there are vehicles for our men to hide behind. I pull up and stop the rest of the squad. The firing starts, finally giving us eyes on our targets. We poke around the door and lay down fierce covering fire while the outside four move into position.

They are finally in position to cover us and I give them hand signals to tell them to get ready. I know my men are ready but I dread the letters I will have to write home later for my men that won't make it today. I say the often remembered words of Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daly, knowing it will fire my men up. "Come on you sons of bitches! Do you want to live forever?"

The outside four take up the cover fire and we swarm out of the door like blood crazed devil dogs breaking through the gates of hell. We unleash a shitstorm of fire on the bastards as we run for cover. Murphy is beside me and takes a hit. I grab him by his vest and drag him behind a car.

He looks in my eyes and says, "Sorry Sarge, I tried my best."

I smile and say, "Murphy, I'm as proud of you today as I have ever been. You're going to be fine."

He smiles, blood trickles out of his mouth and he says, "Sarge, we both know this is it for me. At least I'll get to die in combat." I watch as he struggles to get up, I help him. He smiles at me, hands me a letter and says, "Sarge, make sure my mom gets this." Then before I can stop him the damn fool takes off and charges the fucking terrorists. He surprises them again and is tearing the hell out of them.

The rest of the squad watches his death charge and we do our best to cover him. He makes it to the edge of the parking lot before he collapses behind a car. We're giving the bastards hell and doing a great job and then we hear a lovely sound. The cavalry has finally arrived.

Present — CW4 Sam Smith — Ramstein Hospital Germany

Tower calls me and says it's imperative for us to first clear out the area behind the hospital as an evacuation route. On the way I notice what looks to be the C&C¹ truck of the terrorists. I order, "Jones that looks like the terrorist's C&C truck. Take it out but don't waste any weapons."

¹Command and Communications.

He answers, "Shit, we've already flown over a million targets. Finally I get to destroy something!"

One hydra missile later the C&C truck is a smoking mess.

I call the tower, "This is foxtrot reporting. We are almost at the designated target and are requesting another two gunships. There are more targets here than we have weapons."

The tower responds, "Sorry foxtrot, we have our hands full here. You two will have to make do with what you have, God speed and good shooting."

I call Jones and my wing. "Well guys looks like we are the only ones coming to this party. Jones, you've always told me how fucking good you are, now let's see how you can rock and roll."

We come in fast and low right over the front of the hospital, pop up and see a squad of Marines giving the terrorists a hell of a fight. Jones and my wing let go with a fusillade of fire and in minutes the fucking terrorists and most of the area behind the hospital is smoking ruins.

"God damn Jones! That was fine shooting!"

He replies, "I told you! I am the fucking ayatollah of rock a rolla! Sam, you think these Marines can clean up while we go and find some more targets?"

I watch and the Marines are kicking ass and taking names. I reply, "Yeah they aren't having any problems. Now, let's go see if we can find you anything else to destroy." I noticed when we came in a large group of the fuckers attacking the Marines at the front of the hospital and figure they could use some help. We flip around and head back towards the front of the hospital.

Jones and my wingman open up a can of whoop ass on the bastards, in minutes the battle is all but done. Jones asks, "Hey Sam. How about if we head back towards the airfield? There were a bunch of targets there."

We still have lots of fuel and some weapons. It sounds good to me so we head back towards the airfield.

Present — Liz — Ramstein Air Field Germany

I recognize by the sound of the battle that Mira and Matt have their hands full. Jens also notices, pulls her pistol and says, "I can tell those two need help."

I look her in the eyes and reply, "Jens, you're in no shape to fight right now. You stay here and cover our backs and I will go and help."

She answers, "Liz, I can still fight." She starts to move, grimaces and then says, "Well, perhaps you're right. I think I will stay here and cover your backs."

I say, "I'm not leaving this room. I'm just going to wait at the doorway. You call if you need anything."

She says, "Liz you're a great friend, you take care of yourself and don't get hurt."

I grab my rifle and head towards the hallway door, as I pass the outside door, it swings open. Son of a bitch! It's three more terrorists! I duck, roll and come up firing. I nail two of them and realize the last one has his rifle pointing right at my head. I wait for the bullet and death to come when I hear Jens's pistol fire off to my right. The terrorist's head explodes and he falls backwards to the ground.

I turn, Jens smiles at me and says, "It's amazing what forty-five caliber golden sabers do to a head!" She giggles and continues, "Mess with the best, die like the rest."

She starts trying to get up, so I head over to her and say, "Jens, you need to stay here and rest."

Present — Mira — Ramstein Air Field Germany

I am very concerned because I hear three shots from behind us: Two are from a rifle and one from a pistol. I comment to Matt, "Something is going on with Ms. Morgan and Ms. Donaldson. Can you hold this position while I go and check on them?"

He fires several more shots and replies, "Mira, I'm in deep shit already with Ben because Jens is hurt. If anything serious happens to her he's going to fucking kill me. You go make sure they're okay and I'll keep these SOBs busy."

I answer, "Matt, I owe you for this." And wonder as I head back to Ms. Morgan what it would feel like if Matt trained me. Would I like it or would it be just like the others?

I'm almost to the doorway when I see Ms. Morgan peek around the door. I yell, "Ms. Morgan, it is Mira do not shoot me." I run past Ms. Morgan, into the room and see three dead terrorists. I go over in front of Ms. Morgan, kneel and say, "I have let you down and I am ready for my punishment."

Present — Jens — Ramstein Air Field Germany

I can't believe what I'm seeing and I wonder if it's for real or the drugs Mira gave me. Mira kneels in front of Liz and asks to be punished for failing her. What the hell sort of mistake did Mira make, and what sort of strange fricken relationship do those two have.

I watch and I'm sure my mouth drops open because Liz reacts totally different from the hard and tough Liz I've come to know. She gently brings Mira to her feet and hugs her like a sister - well that's not quite right - it's bit more than just a sisterly hug. I'm startled because I feel a twinge of jealousy! It must be from the drugs.

They are quietly talking to each other but I can't hear them. However I do hear the outside door open again and I start firing as soon as I see the first terrorist come through the doorway.

Out of the corner of my eye I see Mira throw Liz to the ground and cover her with her body. With the same movement she brings her rifle up and starts firing through the doorway.

Mira yells, "Cover me! I need to reload."

The slide of my pistol locks back because the mag is empty, I yell, "Son-of-a-bitch, I'm out!" One terrorist walks through the doorway and turns towards me so I throw the empty pistol at him. I watch. It seems like it's in slow motion as the pistol twirls through the air, it nails him right in the middle of his forehead and he slowly crumples to the floor. As he falls I see a flash from his AK. The pain medicine must be working really well, because I don't feel any pain. All I feel is pressure as the bullet rips into me. Then I hear a buzzing sound like a million angry hornets. It finally stops and everything is deathly still. I look down at the blood flowing out of me and giggle, "Ben digs chicks with..."

Present — Liz — Ramstein Air Field Germany

Dammit! Mira throws me to the ground again and is on top of me firing her rifle. I swear she spends more time on top of me than most men do.

Then all hell breaks loose, Mira needs to reload and tells Jens to cover her, Jens' pistol runs out but the terrorists are still coming through the door. I fight trying to get out from under Mira when the sound of gunfire becomes deafening, bullets are flying through the door like a swarm of angry hornets, it becomes quiet and then ... there are no more terrorists.

I look into Mira's eyes and ask, "What the hell just happened?"

She smiles and replies, "Ms. Morgan that was a minigun. I think help is finally here."

I hear Jens giggle, "Ben digs chicks with..." and the sentence stops. I yell, "Hey Jens! Are you okay." There isn't a reply.

"Mira, get the fuck off me. Something's happened to Jens."

Present — Sgt. Anderson - 1^st Battalion 9^th Marines — The Walking Dead - Alpha Company, Zulu Squad - Hospital — Ramstein AFB Germany

God dammit! The Old Man, General Donaldson really came through for us. When all this bullshit is over I'm buying him and the crew of those two super cobra gunships a round of drinks. We were kicking butts and taking names, but it was going to cost me too many men. Shit as it is I have two letters to write home but it could have been much worse.

Then the gunships come in and rip the fucking terrorists a new asshole and just leave a few stragglers for us to clean up. I send one of my men back to the hospital to start the evacuation and I smile as the first people exit the hospital. Then I almost laugh because the evacuees look as confused as hell. First we get them into the hospital and then we're taking them back out of the hospital. I instruct my men to move them as far away as possible from the hospital. When I head back towards the hospital, I see a familiar person heading out. I need to have a talk with him.

Present — Cpl. Cohen — Hospital — Ramstein AFB Germany

After the Recon Marines fly out of the hospital, I go to find my two children. The children the (Angels of Death) gave me to take care of. I find them in a room and the nurse is taking excellent care of them, they are both still unconscious.

I roll up to the nurse and say, "These are my children and I need to take them out of the hospital."

She gives me a dirty look and caustically replies, "Like hell you are. They need to stay here where they will get proper medical care until we find their real parents."

I feel my blood boil, I smile at her and then I launch my wheelchair into her - knocking her fat ass to the floor. I fly out of my chair, land on top of her, put my hand over her mouth and hiss into her ear, "Listen bitch! I saw what the terrorists left of my children's real parents and it wasn't a pretty sight. Until their relatives, if they have any relatives are found I am going to be taking care of them. I'm going to tell you something that I shouldn't, and so help me God if you breathe one word of this to anyone I will shoot you like the bitch you are. Nod your head if you understand."

She nods affirmative and I continue, "The fucking terrorists have a big fucking bomb in the basement of this hospital and are just waiting for the General to come in here so they can detonate it. We need to evacuate this hospital before that happens and I'm taking my children now. Do you understand?"

She nods again, I let go of her mouth and pull myself back up into my wheelchair. She looks at me and asks, "You aren't lying to me about the new danger are you?"

I answer, "With God as my witness, I told you the truth. Now will you help me move my children to safety?"

She bites her lip and says, "I should really tell everyone about this."

I pull my pistol out, point it at her and say, "If you do it will cause mass chaos and a riot. Besides, I will kill you like I said I would. I have no more taste for blood today so please just help me move my children and then you are free to do whatever you want to do."

She looks at me and looks at the pistol and then at my children and says, "I believe you and I will help you. But when these children are safe, I'm coming back to tell everyone."

She moves my little girl on the same gurney as my boy and we roll towards the back door I saw the Marines breech a few minutes ago.

We round a corner and I almost bump into Samantha pushing a gurney with the General's wife on it. She smiles and says, "Fancy meeting you here - I guess great minds think alike. Who's your friend that's helping you?"

The nurse huffs and says, "I'm not his friend, I'm his captive. He is stealing these children and is making me help him."

Samantha stops, gets in the nurses face and says, "If we didn't need your fat ass to help push this gurney, I'd personally kick it so hard you'd be shitting out your nose. Just so you know, this wonderful man who you insulted is none other than Frank the Tank and is probably responsible for saving your life earlier today. So shut the fuck up and push that gurney."

The nurse goes to sass her and Samantha backhands her across the face and says, "Tell me, which part of shut the fuck up do you not understand!"

The nurse starts crying, Samantha takes one look at her and says, "Sorry Frank, but she's useless. Let's see if we can put both your children onto Evelyn's gurney and I can push it."

I look at Samantha and answer, "I told her about the basement to get her to help me and if we don't bring her with us she's going to tell everyone."

I can see the fire in Samantha's eyes and figure she's going to take her out. Then a Marine comes up and says, "I hate to tell you this, but we need to have you all exit the hospital in an orderly fashion through the back door."

The nurse sasses him and says, "The hell I do, I need to tell everyone about the bomb in the basement."

I watch as Samantha unloads a roundhouse that catches the nurse square on the chin and the nurse crumples to the floor. She shakes her hand and says, "Dammit! I think I broke a nail and a bone."

The Marine says, "Thank you miss for taking care of that for me. I'll take her out of the hospital to a safe place."

I marvel at how gently Samantha places my two children on Evelyn's gurney, she looks over, smiles at me and says, "Lead the way Frank the tank."

We get to the back door and I can see others are already leaving. As we roll outside and I see a Marine walking towards me.

Present — Sgt. Anderson - 1^st Battalion 9^th Marines — The Walking Dead - Alpha Company, Zulu Squad - Hospital — Ramstein AFB Germany

I walk up to Frank the Tank, squat so we're on the same level, look him in the eyes and say, "Cpl. Cohen, my name is Sgt. Anderson and I haven't had a chance to personally thank you for your extreme acts of bravery today."

He looks down and says, "I just did what I needed to do."

I wait until he looks up again and I reply, "Like hell you did! I know a real hero when I see one. Let me shake your hand!"

We shake hands, I reach up and pull my unit patch off my sleeve and hand it to him. He looks at it and I say, "Shit as far as I'm concerned your part of my unit. It'll be an honor to fight beside you any day of the fucking week."

He smiles at me, "You unit is called 'The Walking Dead?'"

I nod my head, and reply, "The first battalion of the ninth Marines, we are The Walking Dead."

He grins and then shocks me when he says, "Sgt. Anderson, I too am The Walking..." then he looks down where his legs used to be and says, "Well at least the rolling dead. Twice death has visited me. Once when the fucking terrorist bomb took my legs and my fiancée and once when I met her in the hallway. I was ready for death both times. Shit I wanted to die because after losing my fiancée I had no reason to live. But then the angel of death gave me my two children and a reason to live."

He continues, "We are brothers and I would be honored to fight with you anytime." Then he turns and looks at the children on the gurney and says, "But I have two lives besides my own to take care of now. I think I have given enough in this fight and it's time for others to take my place."

I don't know what to say so I nod my head and watch as the hero and his entourage roll away.

Present — Samantha — Hospital — Ramstein AFB Germany

Bernie has been shooting video in the hallway of the hospital, documenting how they are already working to clean it up. We wanted to make sure we didn't show any of the evacuation because if the terrorists were watching, then they would detonate the bomb in the basement and destroy the hospital.

After we get Evelyn and Frank's two adopted children safe, I walk over to Frank, sit in his lap, grab him by the back of the neck and give him my absolute best kiss! Several minutes later I let him up for air and I say, "That's my way of saying thanks for everything you've done today. You're one hell of a man and I'll have more for you later!"

I can tell I have his interest when I feel something poking me in the butt, so I wiggle just enough to let him know I feel it, then I stand up and say, "Please take care of Evelyn for me. I need to get back to the hospital. A reporter's job is never done."

Present — Cpl. Cohen — Hospital — Ramstein AFB Germany

To say I am confused is an understatement. First a kick ass Marine comes over, shakes my hand, tells me I am part of his unit, The Walking Dead, and then he calls me a fucking hero! Then Samantha gives me the best lap dance I have ever had and implies she wants to do even more with me. I wasn't sure that I could still function as a man until she did that to me, but I no longer have any doubts.

I'm trying to sort things out in my mind when I hear a big noise from the gurney and I roll over to see what's going on.

Present — Evelyn Donaldson — Hospital — Ramstein AFB Germany

Somehow, even though I'm in a deep dark pit, I can feel my only daughter Jennifer needs me because she's been seriously hurt and might die. There's always been something unusual with the women on my side of the family as we all seem to have a way to connect and sense the feelings of the other women in the family. We've also had the ability to block that from each other. With what I've done to Jennifer throughout the years, I have never and will never let her sense my feelings. The funny thing is Jennifer says she can do this with Ben. This has never happened in our family before and I'm still not sure I really believe her.