the Last Run (1987) (23 page)

Forty yards behind the barracks, an ear-shattering explosion finally shook him into reality. He flung himself to the floor as dirt and gravel debris pelted the tin roof like a metal hailstorm. Dust, knocked free from the ceiling and walls, filled the barracks with a choking cloud. He coughed and gasped and tried to dig himself direcdy into the cement floor. The thunderous second explosion seemed farther away but the plywood walls and tin roof creaked and moaned in agony.

Private First Class Woody Stecker knew he was hit. He lay stunned beside a metal conex container, feeling his blood run down his face and back. He didn't know where he was hit or how bad but by the blood loss he figured he wouldn't ever see the sun again. His body was covered by a light coating of dirt and he felt strangely peaceful. He couldn't hear anything but a loud ringing and wondered if his eardrums were punctured. It didn't matter- he was dying anyway. He shut his eyes and thought about what he'd done wrong to get himself killed this way. He'd jumped up, hearing the warning yell, and had run out the back door. The steel conex looked like a good place to hide but he couldn't dig his way under the damn thing. The round had hit only twenty yards away while he was digging. It had tossed him up, then slammed him down. Now he couldn't feel a thing but sticky fluid running down the back of his head. Shit, he thought, it's blood. Not only that, but my legs don't work, my arms won't move, and God, I must look horrible. They'll probably puke when they find me. Funniest damn thing, though, I'm dying and suddenly all I want is some French fries or chicken fried steak or fried okra or. . .

Childs stood on the road looking down the hill toward the camp. The first two mortar rounds had made impact in crunching blasts of white, orange light just behind the Third and Second Platoon's barracks. Childs had heard the warning yell from Gino and had run out his hootch door, counting seconds to himself. He'd gotten to nineteen when the shells hit. The second volley would tell him if his Rangers were in trouble. The unseen gunners could adjust the range slighdy and wreak havoc and destruction upon the camp. An explosion to his far right caused him to relax. TTiey weren't adjusting on the camp. The round had hit in the open field between the Ranger camp and the Red Cross compound. It was random shooting, intended for harassment more than anything else. A second explosion followed close behind the first, almost in the identical spot. TWo guns, thought Childs. They'd probably fire one more volley and hightail-it out.

Major Shane ran from the bunker to check the camp, but noticed Childs and slowed to a walk. He stopped beside the sergeant and looked at the distant guard towers. They were bathed in dull yellow light from flares popping high overhead. TWo more explosions erupted close to the Red Cross compound. The tower machine guns ratded and their red tracers streaked into the blackness.

Childs motioned toward the distant machine guns. "Those idiots on the perimeter are wastin' good ammo. The way they're shooting, they must think two dink divisions are attackin'. Them dinks skated after lobbing those last rounds. They'll be halfway to North Vietnam in an hour. Them little bastards are smart. They know to drop only two or three volleys. Scrambled choppers would spot their signature."

Shane smiled for a second, thankful to have the old veteran, then became serious. "Jerry, what were you doing standing out here, like that? Hell, you didn't know where that second volley was going to land."

Childs shrugged his shoulders. "It ain't my time yet." Childs began walking down the hill so as not to have to discuss the matter any further. He didn't know how to explain it any better, but somehow he honesdy knew he was in no danger. The sergeant took several steps and spoke over his shoulder. "Tell you one thing, though. The dinks did us a favor."

"How's that?" asked Shane.

Childs snickered as he continued walking. "They reminded our shitbirds we still got us a war goin' on."

A flashlight shone direcdy into Woody Stecker's face and blinded him. "Damn, man, you hurt? You're a fucking mess."

The redhead heard nothing, but he was happy someone had finally found him. At least he would die knowing they'd found his body.

Childs walked up beside Rose, who was holding the flashlight. "Is he hurt?"

Rose bent over the soldier and shook his head. "Naw, he's just stunned. But the mess sergeant sure gonna be pissed. Shrapnel tore through the conex and ripped open his big cans of cooking oil. It's all over the dude."

Childs bent over the redhead. "What the hell you doin' out here? The bunker is beside the barracks, dummy. You was lucky this time. The shrapnel missed your head by only a foot."

Stecker looked up at Childs as if he was speaking Chinese.

Rose shook his head. "I don't think he can hear ya, Sarge."

Childs stood up and put his hands on his hips. "Get the dumb shit to the medics and have 'em check him out. . . . Then get him cleaned up. Christ, he smells like an oily sardine."

Chapter 10

Nha Trang

Matt Wade rolled over and immediately opened his eyes. There was someone in bed with him. The lights were out, and he remembered he hadn't turned them off.

He thought at first it was just his imagination, but as he came fully awake, he definitely felt an arm over his waist and a warm body next to him. It had to be a prostitute sent up by the captain, but the light fragrance she wore was certainly not Vietnamese. Wade turned his head slowly to get a look at her when the girl snuggled closer and giggled.

Wade hopped up immediately and pounced on her. "You crazy lady! What the hell you doin' here?"

Virginia fought his grip, laughing and kicking her feet. She freed her hands. "Click! I got you."

Wade got up and turned on the light. "Damn you, Ginny, you scared the hell out of me."

She was wearing a camouflage jumpsuit and jungle boots like his. She raised up to her elbows. "I see you still sleep in your clothes. Your language hasn't improved any either. You miss me?"

Wade looked at his watch; it was a quarter to twelve. "It's midnight, for God's sake! What are you doing here?"

"Answer my question and I'll answerers."

Wade sighed. "Yeah, I missed ya . . . kinda."

Virginia smiled. "Same here. That's why I came. I can't let my hero get a medal without my being there, can I?"

"Yeah, but you put me in for the medal. That was a dumb thing to do."

She snapped tartly, "It was not. You deserved it."

Wade smiled when he saw the anger in her eyes. "Alright, Ginny, thank you. How'd ya get in here, anyway?"

Virginia's eyes narrowed. He looked into them. She shook her head and got up.

"You know, I've done nothing but think about you. When I came up and saw your door open, I almost cried from happiness. You were lying here so peaceful I... I, Matt, tell me you really missed me, too."

Wade put his arms over her small shoulders.

"I missed you a lot, Ginny. I didn't think I'd ever see you again. I'm glad you came."

Virginia stared at him for a moment, then hugged him tightly. "God, you feel good. I think I became addicted to sleeping with you in die jungle."

Wade returned her hug, wanting desperately to kiss her, but not sure whether he should. She pushed away from him and walked toward the door. Wade sighed inwardly with relief. "I'll see you in the morning for breakfast and ..."

She reached the door, but turned off the light instead. "No you won't. You're going to hold me all night like before. I need you to hold me, Matt."

"Ginny, I. . . "

The sound of her jumpsuit being unzipped sent chills up his back. "Are you sure, Ginny? I can't promise you ..."

'Yes I'm sure... but how the hell do I get out of these boots?''

Wade laughed and reached out in the darkness. "Come here."

13 September

At 1000 hours, the Corps adjutant came to attention. "Attention to orders. By direction of the Secretary of the Army, Sergeant Matthew R. Wade, 427-48-5001, is hereby awarded the Soldier's Medal for . . . "

Virginia stood smiling among a group of officers and photographers assembled on the lawn adjacent to the headquarters. General Wayland stood in front of the bereted sergeant who, except for a sparkle in his eyes as he looked at Ginny, showed no emotion.

"... displayed exceptional courage and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. Signed, John B. Minzer, Secretary of the Army."

Wayland stepped forward, pinned the medal on Wade's shirt- pocket flap, and shook hands. "Congratulations, Sergeant. You can be very proud of this. Now smile and face the cameras for the people back home."

Wade forced a smile. He could hardly wait for the ceremony to end. It was taking so long, and he hardly had any time left with Ginny as it was.

The photographers had the general pin the medal on two more times before they were finally satisfied. Then the officers came by and shook haiids, but Wade didn't see their faces. Ginny had disappeared, and he was looking for her. When the crowd finally dispersed, leaving him on the platform with only the PAO captain, he located her under a banyan tree, where she was being interviewed by a group of correspondents.

Wade came up behind the group and motioned for her to come to him.

She smiled brighdy and excused herself as she waded through the men to the sergeant.

"Hold it, Sophia, that's perfect-and could you both turn a litde more?" A photographer took several pictures. Wade stood with her for one more picture, then began gently pulling her away.

"Just one more?"

Wade shook his head and kept walking.

She hit him playfully. "I'm working on my career and you want to play Tarzan and Jane."

"Well, Tarzan has gotta catch a chopper. He doesn't have much time."

She put her arms around his waist. "Matt, I've already talked to some people about that, and they can use you here at the headquarters. We'd be able to see each other and ..."

Wade stopped and put his hands on her shoulders. "Ginny, I'm not the paper-shufflin' kind. I could never take a rear area job as long as my guys are in the company. They need me . . . and I need them."

Virginia's eyes narrowed as she backed away from him. "You're caught up in it, aren't you? Do you think you're going to win the war all by yourself? Matt Wade, this war had been going on for years and will keep on going, with or without you. Get out now before it's too late. I... I need you."

Wade kept his distance, and his expression grew stone-hard. 4 'Look, you 're askin' for something I can't give. I'm not a REMF- ass paper-shuffler! And I'm sure as hell not leaving my men. You either accept that or you don't. It's up to you."

Virginia shook with anger. "You hard-headed hick!" But even as she spoke she knew she couldn't change him. She could see that in his cold, determined stare. "At least write to me and call if you ever get some time off. . . won't you?"

Wade's grim expression dissolved, and he came to her and lifted her chin. "You bet. Ginny, I'm gonna miss you. Don't you know that?" Ginny forced a smile through her tears. "You'd better miss me," she said, and then dug into her purse. "Here, I've got something for you so you'll remember me." She pulled out a gold chain and placed the long, thick necklace over his head. "You come back to me, Matt."

Wade lifted the medallion on the chain's end. It was gold and had engraved miniature parachute wings and a Ranger tab. On the back was inscribed:

"CLICK"

Love You

Ginny

.

Wade held her tightly and kissed her.

"Hey, Sarge, we gotta go!" yelled the captain.

Wade sighed and kissed her forehead. "Where're you located, so I can write?"

"Saigon USO Headquarters. They forward my mail to me. Take care, Matt."

The sergeant turned to go and looked over his shoulder. "You too, Ginny."

Virginia watched him with tears running down her cheeks. As he got into the jeep she yelled, "Hey!"

Wade knew before he turned around and quickly raised his hands.

They both said "click" at the same time.

Sergeant Wade arrived back at the Ranger camp to find the company rappeling off the forty-foot tower. Major Shane and First Sergeant Demand, who were observing the training, called him over.

"You a gen-u-ine hero now, Ranger?" asked Demand, grinning.

Wade saluted his major and retorted, "Yep, Top, I'm almost first sergeant material."

Shane shook his hand. "Did everything go alright?"

Wade couldn't help but smile. "Yes sir, even better than I expected. How's the training going?"

"Outstanding. This confidence-building stuff is good for us. Next week we'll be breaking up the men into teams. I thought about breaking up your team to spread out the experience, but I've decided against it. I'm going to be using you on the more difficult missions. You'll get first choice of the students, so start thinking about who you want."

"Thank you, sir, for not breaking us up. We'll do you a good job."

Shane patted the sergeant's back. "I know you will."

Thumper set down his food tray beside Wade and was joined by Rose and Russian. "Well, how was it? The REMFs hassle you?"

"Naw, they were all right. They feed good."