woodburning stove 2 of 3

*      *      *

only two days in he realised his caution regarding the other men was justified sometimes a cool draft bled out of the quiet stove it didnt descend the flue it smelled of charred fat and bonel they were exactly as he thought  Fuckin coboys

just below a ridge he hunted he suddenly pitched himself down into the dirt on his belly as gunfire erupted overhead bullets whistled slammed into the pines sheared limbs plumped and kicked up earth like in a firefight

he knew a thing about firefights
                           Nam
he was wounded in one  

a bullet creased his trap from behind 

pitched forward he rolled then spun twisted on his ass bringing up his 16

a cornfed boy from his squad accidentally shot him 

he nearly shot the sonofabitch in the face

Im sorry mahn the boy whimpered

Sorry dont cut it If I shot you in the face I wouldnt be sorry Id call it self defence call it improving my odds
Never walk behind me again

returning to camp near sunset he bypassed the medic his sergeant ordered him to see and went directly to the commanding officers tent a lieutenant colonel bearing a prominent American business name who polished his knob incountry and intended to return home to pursue the family business and enter politics

the Right needed war heroes

he was livid  armed

he hustled pass the COs guard putting him off holding up a mittful of bloodied Cong handbills growling First order of business Existential risk to camp

entering he strode directly up the COs desk snapping a brisk salute  Sir

he took him by surprise Sir  Essential info  sir  and then let the bloodied slips of paper fall from his hand onto the paperwork spread across his metalframe desk  

then to the officers mad blinking and confusion he turned briefly exposed his wound You see this then turned back to the COs face A gift from our side

the officer perplexed remained seated  then an oblique afterthought he returned his salute

Sir  No  You and I are waay beyond that  sir

Now I know you know you aint getting any closer to the action than tucked away back here from everything and everyone else out in front of you                                                              

But here I am Ill be direct Ill talk to you like a businessman talks without concern for anything except his self-interest profits and an unfettered bottom line
Dregs for catfish 

Im out 

Youre going to transfer me Possibly special forces I have the talent set You know people Confer me a field rank Until I earn that rank every month you get the difference between it and what Im pulling now Guaranteed

Southerner that you are Ill assume youre familiar Tecumseh Sherman General Sherman you might bitch him at home a war criminal

He said war is cruelty
                   The crueler it is the sooner itll be over    

Youll recall my guarantee

If you dont reassign me this will be the only firefight youll ever engage

the lieutenant colonels face twitched solemnly Theres a man posted outside . . . 
. . . I saw him as I entered
Im not blind 
Unfortunately hell be a letter stateside you wont write

he said I see you have two options as he held up two fingers the peace sign Theres no sense flipping a coin
This business couldnt be simpler

You should understand I was raised by deadly serious old men on an Indian reservation  

They prepared me taught me everything I know

The reason Im incountry  beat serving time

In the States I had no leverage
You understand leverage
Right here right now   I hold leverage

Sir  I request you get me out this camp  sir

he stood dispassionately before the lieutenant colonels desk   a .45 in hand                                                                             

recognising he wasnt bluffing the CO swept aside the blooddamp handbills
he proceeded to opened drawers withdraw forms and began to process the orders

when he completed them affixed his stamp made his signature he handed them to him

almost simultaneously they heard overhead a bird approaching

I believe that can be your ride the lieutenant colonel said

Sir  Thank you sir
I believe youll lose those records after Im gone  sir

they had the knack  the greed for business

alone
       he was very good behind enemy lines

*      *      *

1555,  Saturday,  21  5. 16

1051,  Twosday,  24 5. 16