Chapter 30

Flashback – Jack – Undisclosed base

We'd just finished a great (for us) meeting with the base Rear Admiral where the Major had his ass majorly chewed. We walked outside, I looked at the Major and questioned, "So I heard something about Russia?"

He looked at me and I wondered if I fucked up when he said, "Yeah I hear Siberia is lovely this time of the year."

I was sure Banzai was crazy because he began to laugh. The Major glared at him and ordered, "Sgt. Blaine what's so damn funny about Siberia."

He smiled and replied, "Well Sir unless you've greatly changed the mission you had planned the Spetsnaz aren't in Siberia so I know Jack and I won't be going there."

That really got the Major fired up...

Flashback – Major M – Undisclosed base

I stopped, turned to Sgt. Blaine and demanded, "Just how in the hell do you know what my mission plan is for you and Sgt. Reynolds in Russia."

He gave me that irritating smile of his and answered, "Because Mira told me all about it when we were at the spy school."

I was shocked! Someone had leaked the information and I had a good idea that someone was the L.Cpl. in the infirmary. I needed to go have a serious talk with him because he was going to be reassigned to a place worse than Siberia.

I looked at the two Sgts. and threatened, "This isn't over by a long shot. Sgt. Reynolds you and Sgt. Blaine arrange transportation for the four of us to get back to Washington DC."

Sgt. Reynolds questioned, "Sir, don't you mean five?"

I stated, "No the L.Cpl. isn't coming back with us."

I turned and left to go 'interrogate' the L.Cpl...

Flashback – Ben – Undisclosed base

I looked at Jack, he slapped me on the back and said, "Damn that was well played in the Rear Admirals office. And then you handed the Major his ass again out here."

I had other concerns and voiced them, "Jack what's going on with the L.Cpl. and why isn't he going back to DC?"

Jack said, "I sure as hell don't know, but that's the Major's problem not ours. Now let's go see if we can get off this rock because I can't wait to get to Russia. By the way just what is our mission?"

I laughed, "Jack I don't know. I just took a wild assed guess it had something to do with the Spetsnaz because it was the only thing that made sense. Why else would you send a sniper and spotter to Russia unless it was to spy on the competition?"

He smiled at me and I knew exactly what he was thinking...

Flashback – Jack – Undisclosed base

Damn did I ever teach Banzai right - I was damn proud of him because he was totally right. Why else send a sniper and spotter to Russia.

I stated, "Well I hope we can find a plane that's leaving this rock soon. I can't wait to change out of these piece of shit Iraqi uniforms because everybody's giving us the stink eye."

Banzai teased, "Well that might be because you stink. And we could always get you a cute little sailor outfit."

I gave him a dirty look, "Hell no! Those transfer papers are as close to becoming a sailor as I ever want to get."

Banzai decided, "Jack you find us a plane while I go do something else."

It was my turn to tease, "Okay but don't get lost. The Major will be pissed if we have to come looking for you."

He bitched, "Jack, you know I never get lost." Then he took off.

I headed to the airfield to find us a ride back to DC and debated about giving Anna a quick call to see if she was busy.

Flashback – Jack – Undisclosed base – a few hours later

Dammit! I'd done everything I could, tried every damn trick in the book but it still didn't work. Let me explain: The Rear Admiral's private jet was headed back for some upgrades, but I couldn't get us on it. Instead we were flying on a C-fucking-130. I hoped like hell the Major hadn't heard about the Rear Admiral's jet or he was going to lay into me.

To top it all off, Banzai was MIA since he took off and wasn't back yet. Oh shit! Here was the Major and his trained bulldog (the other Sgt.).

Flashback – Major M – Undisclosed base

I walked toward Sgt. Reynolds and immediately I could tell he was trying to hide something. I remarked to my Sgt., "This should be interesting."

I reached Sgt. Reynolds and questioned, "Are we ready to go?"

He waffled slightly, "Yes Sir! I have transportation for us."

I grinned, "I hope it's the Rear Admiral's jet."

He stated, "Sir I tried my best but..."

I interrupted, "Sgt. Reynolds, there had better not be any buts. Now why couldn't we hitch a ride on the Rear Admiral's jet?"

He looked past me and I wondered who was coming up behind me. I turned to see it was Sgt. Blaine. He had changed out of his Iraqi uniform, had on BDU's and was accompanied by a female Navy Cdr. We snapped to attention and saluted. She questioned, "Sgt. Blaine, are these the other Marines that want to fly on my plane."

He replied, "Yes Sir they are."

She returned the salute and said, "As you were, you're welcome to fly on my plane to the mainland however you need to know Sgt. Blaine will be on the flight deck with me. Do you have any issues with this?"

I questioned, "Sir! I didn't know he was flight qualified?"

She grinned at him and said, "Oh he's qualified all right." And I understood what she really meant. She continued, "Well come on boys, let's not keep me waiting."

She turned and slinked toward the Rear Admiral's jet with us right behind her. Sgt. Blaine dropped back by Sgt. Reynolds and they began to whisper...

Flashback – Ben – Undisclosed base

I dropped back by Jack and he angrily whispered, "Thanks a hell of a lot."

I questioned, "What the hell has your panties in a bunch?"

He stated, "You know how much I hate this damn uniform, plus the Major was giving me hell about not being on the Rear Admiral's jet. It would have been nice if you had told me about this."