Chapter 10
My unit was sitting on the flight line within two hours of the briefing breaking up. Something happened during that briefing that none of those there were willing to tell me so I knew Adam would be leading Alpha company and I had a very bad feeling about it.
“Sir ten minutes to jump site,” the crew chief said.
“Any word on enemy placements?” I asked.
“No sir everything is still showing a go,” he replied.
“Has there been any word from the company we're jumping in to assist?” I asked.
“No sir, command has been trying to let them know help is on the way, but so far they haven't heard anything back for an acknowledgement,” he answered.
“The name of the commander of this company?” I asked.
“Colonel Graham sir. If they can receive they should know that when you get there you will be taking over command,” he said.
“Thank you Airman,” I said.
Not much time and again my men would be risking their lives to protect a company that ended up where they shouldn't have been. How many times would we be able to do this? I had the best men who knew I would do everything I could to insure their safety to make it back in one piece.
The thoughts of the spell came just as they always had without any thought on my part, but this time with a decided twist. Unlike all the times before this time I didn't seem able to voice the words aloud. I said them in my mind, but from outward appearance anyone would have thought I had done nothing more than close my eyes for a moment.
“Sir they said we're here,” Mac said.
“No more supplies than we can carry Mac. There isn't anyone down there to save. This whole mission is a wash, but we still need to go, I'd like to see if we can get the bodies home at least,” I said not feeling sure about anything.
“Sir?” Mac asked.
“There are about a dozen dead Americans down there. The rest of the company have been taken prisoner. Colonel Graham surrendered this morning. We're to late,” I said feeling like I was in a fog.
“To late sir? Are you sure sir?” he asked again.
The cargo doors opened and the aircraft crew started getting the cargo ready to go. Everything seemed off, something not quite right. Someone down there was trying to turn my senses of the situation to mush.
“Mac make sure the crew know the cargo doesn't go until after we do. I need to talk to the pilot,” I said.
“Captain I want you to check your headings again, this time without the computers. I think you'll find yourself off course just a little, but enough that my men and I could be dropping right into the middle of a hornets nest down there, I said.”
When I returned to the back to prepare for the jump I felt the course correction and the problems of all our men being dead or captured vanished. I couldn't explain what was wrong, but I had never questioned my instincts before and something this time was off. Had Mac picked up on my uncertainty and thus questioned what I said? “I doubted even Mac knew the answer.
We got the nod from the crew chief and I watched as we came up on our drop zone. Mac as usual called out the orders for everyone to get ready awaiting my signal. The crew chief signaled we were over the zone and I delayed to the count of ten and gave the order.
“Sargent when you come back over for the supply drop count to ten after you're over the zone before making the drop. For some reason it seems everything is off about a ten count,” I said.
He nodded he understood and I joined my men.
The rendezvous was set up before I was on the ground and when I dropped almost into the location the men all gave me a dirty look. By the time I was on the ground and had my chute off Curtis had base command on the radio.
“Sam what happened? I expected to hear from you twenty minutes ago,” Jason said.
“I would have been glad to have called twenty minutes ago, but for some reason the pilot got lost using instruments to locate where we were supposed to drop in. I just now got on the ground and we're waiting for them to come around and drop our supplies,” I said.
“Have you had any contact with our men?” he asked.
“Someone is just now getting here to check us out, I was thinking of having a couple of my guys give them a warm howdy,” I said.
Mac chuckled and motioned a couple of the guys to make our guests welcome, if they survived the coronary they'd give them first.
“Colonel tell me about this Colonel Graham, am I going to run into the same problems I did with General Long?” I asked.
“I think I can answer that Captain,” someone said from the brush to my left.
“If you'll excuse me Colonel I have Colonel Graham right here, I'll get back after I've had a chance to assess the situation,” I said.
I looked at Mac and started laughing.
“Colonel you gave us quite a start. I'm Captain Waters White Rose recon commander,” I said.
“Captain we were starting to give up on getting out of here,” Colonel Graham said.
“Colonel if you wouldn't mind. When we dropped in to save General Longs companies he had been wounded and out of commission. When I tried to take command as the ranking officer many of General Long's men went behind my back and General Long himself countered many of the orders I gave making it difficult until we were able to medivac him and the rest of the wounded out. No disrespect to you sir, but to make this as easy as possible if you don't mind I would like to assume command at least until we meet up with the two companies we have coming in. we have about fifty clicks to go before we will meet up with them and if I have to check with you every time I give an order we'll never make it,” I said.
“Captain we do have a radio and can receive. So we have been monitoring the situation. The last I heard you were on leave, so you were the last person we expected, but I assure you there isn't a man here who won't follow your orders without question. We all know the job you did getting General Long's men out, and I wouldn't begin to question your tactics. If any of my men give you a bad time, I will see to it when we get back they'll wish they hadn't, that goes for me as well. Captain, you have command,” Colonel Graham said.
It took my men twenty minutes to get a command post set up with radio communications and map table so I could see just what we had. Colonel Graham announced to his men that I was taking over command and he expected them to follow my orders to the letter. I asked him to have his command team meet me in my command center so I didn't have to try being everywhere at once.
Mac gathered several of the men from the company and collected the supplies that had been dropped for us while I went over the plan with Colonel Graham. His command team showed up as I was finishing going over the plan and we invited them in so I could go over just what I expected from each of them. I didn't feel the need to go over the entire plan with them since chances were the plan would change as we went.
I had no intention of moving for at least one full day, I wanted to see what they had for security and noticed they cut the guards in half as soon as it started getting dark.
“Colonel can I ask why you're cutting the number of guards?” I asked.
“The enemy has left us alone at night, and we don't have the training to do much more than defend against what they've been throwing at us during the day,” he said.
“I want to double the guard my men are going to be out stirring things up with the enemy so we aren't going to be having peaceful nights much longer. Colonel I want your men ready at all times. When I'm confident they're up to the task ahead we'll be moving out. As I told you we have about fifty clicks we have to make before we get any help, and if the enemy finds out my unit and I are here you can bet things are going to get hotter very soon,” I said.
He gave me a look that told just how afraid he was, and why he was so willing to turn command over to me. In the morning the usual harassment the camp had grown use to never came. I kept the guard doubled from what it had been during the day and doubled it again the second n
ight. I knew the attack was coming, just not when it was coming. Mac and the others assured me the second morning that at least fifty percent of the enemy officers had found this life to be just a bit much for them and moved on to the next life.
“Captain, Colonel Talbot wants to talk to you,” Curtis said.
“Colonel I'm guessing you're calling to ask just what it is I'm doing,” I said.
“The thought had crossed my mind Sam,” he said.
“Sir are Adam and Chris on the move yet?” I asked.
“They are. So what are you doing?” he asked.
“Getting ready to disappear sir. My men have assured me at least fifty percent of the enemy officers that have us pinned down are now dead so I figure they know I'm in command here now, and things won't be easy any longer. In the two days I've been here the enemy has held off attacking since they knew supplies had been dropped in. If I have started pulling the enemy toward me that will give Adam and Chris a free ride in and by the time they reach the rendezvous point I should have my camp set up to squeeze the enemy into something similar to what happened last time,” I said.
“I suppose you'll be maintaining radio silence once you break camp and disappear, though I can't for the life of me imagine how you plan on making two hundred men disappear,” he said.
“Try to follow us if you can Colonel. This will be our last communication until we have our camp setup at the rendezvous,” I said.
“Understood, Sam just be careful there are an awful lot of people counting on you,” he said.
“Will it be enough to give me my own command, sir?” I asked.
He never responded, which in itself was a response. I still wouldn't get my own command other than my little recon team.
“Mac I want all our little presents set before you and the guys go hunting tonight, and I need you all back here by o-three hundred, if you aren't you'll be playing catch-up,” I said.
“Yes sir I'll be sure to let the others know. Sir, have you told Colonel Graham yet?” Mac asked.
“You let me worry about Colonel Graham and his men, I need you doing your job the same as the last mission,” I said.
“Yes sir,” he replied.
I called Colonel Graham and his command team together and let them know we would be moving out at first light. We wouldn't be taking any tents with us, in fact we wouldn't be taking anymore than each man could carry on a forced march. We had seventy-five clicks to go and I wanted them thinking it was merely fifty. They had no idea where the rendezvous was and I wanted to keep it that way until whoever it was that betrayed this company came forward. I knew there was a traitor and I had a very good idea who it was, but as yet I still didn't have proof.
“Colonel if you'll wait a minute,” I said.
He looked back as the rest of his officers filed out of the tent.
“The plan you just laid out isn't what we're doing, is it?” he asked.
“Let's go for a walk shall we,” I said.
He gave me a look that said he understood. We walked out to the outermost guard posts and I looked over at him.
“You know he sold you out don't you?” I asked.
“I'm going to guess who you're talking about, and I believe you're right, but I don't think it was me they wanted,” he said.
“No sir, it isn't you they want. Sir, I told them sunrise because I know he'll try to somehow get word out to the enemy. I have no intention of being here when the sun comes up and my men have orders to keep an eye out for him. Curtis my radio man is the best there is and said the only thing wrong with your radio is someone cut the transmit wire. He also said it looks to have been spliced a few times as well, and he found it on the enemies frequency a couple times since we got here,” I said.
“I take it he fixed it so it won't transmit even by reconnecting the wires that were cut?” he asked.
“Like I said he is the best. He'll have your radio working again when we get our base camp set up at the rendezvous,” I said.
“So what time are we leaving then?” he asked,
“When I give the order. You might want to turn in before long, once we start moving we'll be moving fast, and there won't be time for a nap until we make camp for the night,” I said.
Colonel Graham headed back into camp turning in at his tent. Curtis had disabled their radio completely leaving our radio the only one in the camp and the security code on our radio was one only three people knew. To try using the radio without the code would connect to our HQ only and heaven help anyone foolish enough to try using the wrong code or not identifying themselves. Each radio had a beacon built in that could be tracked from anywhere on the planet.
“Do you need some help Lieutenant?” Curtis asked.
“I can't seem to get anything on the radio tonight.” the Lieutenant said.
“Lieutenant there isn't going to be much on the radio we are at radio silence until the Captain gives the order. I disabled your company radio, so it won't even receive for now. When the Captain gives the order I'll have it up and working in a jiff,” Curtis said.
“How are we supposed to know what the enemy is doing then?” the Lieutenant asked.
“Lieutenant you really need to let the Captain worry about that. He knows what he's doing. This ain't his first rodeo,” Curtis responded.
I smiled at the way Curtis handled the situation, and walked in as the Lieutenant was leaving.
“Sir why can't we at least listen to the radio?” the Lieutenant asked me.
“You can Lieutenant, but I doubt you'll hear much since I had your companies radio disabled with Colonel Graham's knowledge and consent. Least you forget Lieutenant until my company commander meets up with us I'm in command here,” I said.
“Yes sir, I understand sir,” he said.
I had just taken away the safe option for him to let the enemy know what he was sure was the plan. As far as he knew Colonel Graham had retired and he was sure I would be retiring before long. My men had been the wild card he wasn't sure of since he never had any idea just what they did, every time he had seen any of them they appeared to be relaxing. He headed for his tent and I had no doubt he was going to try making believe he was retiring, only to find the short range radio he had there had been discovered and disabled. I wasn't about to let him have an easy way of informing the enemy about what our plans were even if what he thought they were was wrong.
As soon as he was out of earshot of Curtis and our radio I had Curtis make the transmission the Lieutenant intended to make only I wanted the enemy thinking they had more time than even what the Lieutenant thought they would have.
I saw Mac tailing someone headed into the forest and knew without doubt who it was and what he was doing. If we were lucky our message would call all the enemy scouts back to their camp and it would be nothing for Mac and Evan to insure the Lieutenant never made contact before we left.
I wanted to try getting some sleep, but knew it was pointless so cut into the forest and across the path I knew would be patrolled by the enemy. It was believed to be the only way out of the camp Colonel Graham made before he ended up pinned down to get me and my men out there. The enemy knew it would be the White Rose who would get the call, after all I was the only one they thought capable of such a thing.
It was time for the White Rose to show a fraction of her power. I felt the magic calling and gave into it's call. It didn't matter if anyone witnessed the magic since anyone not sworn to the White Rose wouldn't survive what was about to happen, and anyone sworn to the White Rose wouldn't remember any more than I would.
“Let the forces of nature and blood combine, let earth be shared in life. Mark those who come this night to prey, nature consume. This night blind those unworthy, who seek the Rose, be blinded in sleep. On the morrow the presents they find will discourage, and fear shall rule their hearts,” I said.
“Ma'am, I was wondering when you'd do something like that,” Mac said.
“Mac, if you weren't sworn to the White Rose
you'd be dead right now,” I said.
“I know I felt the magic, it was like I could see its shadow and taste the blood in it. I've never known a witch to use the magic of the vampire before, and if all witches can the tables have definitely turned in the witches favor,” he said.
“The only witches who will ever be able to use the magic of the vampires are sworn to me, and being sworn to me means protecting all sworn to the White Rose. You have nothing to fear from a witch Mac,” I said.
“The Lieutenant's dead Sam. He met up with a scouting party of the enemy and gave them the details of the plans he thought we had,” Mac said finally.
“I want you to head back to camp and tell Colonel Graham it's time to move. The camp is no longer safe and anyone not ready to go in one hour will be left behind,” I said.
“He won't like that,” he said.
“I didn't ask if he would like it Mac,” I said.
When I walked into camp everyone was busy making ready to go. The noise level was a steady buzz and the only light was that of the normal night camp at this time of night.
“Colonel, Lieutenant Bradley is dead. He was caught in the act of giving our plans to the enemy and the only way of keeping them from getting them back to their command was to kill them. I'm afraid Bradley was killed as well,” I said.
“I understand, I'm sorry ma'am but do I know you?” he asked.
“I am she who was called of old. I am she who the stories talk of. I am the culmination of magic, both blood and element. I am the White Rose, I am the White Lotus. In me the prophecy is fulfilled,” I said.
“I won't remember this in the morning will I?” he asked.
“Andrew until the Rose is again hidden away from the world I will be with you. The time for me to stay in the open is not yet come, but on the day I will not be hidden away again you will remember it was me who came to you this night,” I said.
“So the White Rose isn't just a myth after all. My allegiance is to the White Rose even though I have no magic of my own,” he said.
“Everyone has magic Andrew. Your magic is a very special magic few can know or understand,” I said.
I didn't worry about my things since I wouldn't need any of them until we reached our rendezvous point. Each man I met wore the symbol of the White Rose and would wear it as long as I was Samantha. I did the magic to hide everyone and told my men to stay with Colonel Graham until we reached the rendezvous. I knew there was little limit to what I could do, but I wanted the enemy to think we had just vanished. I knew they would attempt to over run the camp once the sun came up, but try as they might the obstacles were something they wouldn't be ready for. I felt the presence of witches and vampires among the enemy and knew they would be baffled at their lack of ability to discern what was going on.
The closer to the camp they would get the weaker their magic would become and if they didn't turn away their magic would be gone completely on entering the camp. The vampires would again become mortal and the witches would never again feel the elemental magic of their birth. I placed signals in the magic that would warn them of what would happen if they didn't back away. How many would lose who they were simply because they wouldn't believe in the stories of old?
Less than an hour after having given the order the camp was on the march.
“Can you believe they want us to march in this jungle at this time of night?” one of the Marines said to one of his buddies.
“Sargent if I were you I'd pay attention to where I'm going and stop worrying about what time it is,” I said.
“Excuse me ma'am? I don't recall seeing a woman out here. Who are you?” he asked.
“Follow the White Rose and you'll make it home to your family Sargent. Complain and chances are you'll meet the same fate as Lieutenant Bradley, I'm sure by now everyone knows what happened to him,” I said.
“Yes ma'am I heard what happened. It don't seem right he seemed like a good egg,” he said.
A long march that I could make shorter. I knew the spell. All I had to do was think the words of the weave and we would be anywhere I wanted. Anywhere with just a thought. What would these men learn if I did though? Would they learn that life was worth fighting for? No these men needed the struggle that was coming with the march. They needed to learn to rely on each other. They needed to learn to believe in themselves.
I tied off the spell hiding us from even air surveillance and moved off a fair distance from the rest of the camp.
“I was wondering if you weren't the one Captain,” Mac said.
“Mac if you have something to say spit it out,” I said.
“Can I ask how long we'll be invisible to everyone?” he asked.
“Mac please if you want to talk in riddles go bother someone else, I'm having enough trouble just trying to figure out how we're going to stay ahead of the enemy for the next few days,” I said.
“I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean to talk in riddles,” he said.
“How long before we get to our first break stop. If my calculations are right we should be close,” I said.
“Sir if you feel we should stop the planned stop is just five minutes ahead,” he said.
“Mac somethings wrong isn't it? You didn't expect to see me it shows in your posture,” I said.
“Sir I wouldn't begin to question you, I hope you know that, but... no sir I didn't expect to see you until we reached the rendezvous, even then I didn't expect to see you until Major Jacobs and Colonel Jackson joined us,” he said.
“Who were you expecting then Mac?” I asked.
“Sir... since we left the camp, you've been the real you,” he said.
“I'm always the real me Mac,” I said.
“Yes sir, but I mean the real, real you sir, The White Rose you, sir,” he said.
“Mac the White Rose is the name of our unit and the stories of this mythical White Rose I've been hearing tales about are just that mythical, I don't believe in magic and you more than anyone should know that,” I said.
What was going on Mac knew I didn't believe in magic or fairytales. Had I pushed my men to hard this time out. I didn't understand, this mission seemed so much easier since I had the cooperation of Colonel Graham. If it wasn't stress... what if it was me not the men. I hadn't had time to get reacquainted with the men since I got back off the leave I had been ordered to take.
“Mac I need to get some sleep. Keep things here going I'm going to take Curtis with me and go ahead. We'll see you at the second stop and then maybe the world will make sense again,” I said.
“Sir with all respect how about if Curtis takes over here and I come with you. No disrespect to Curtis, but I would feel better making sure nothing got near you than hoping Curtis was up to the task,” he said.
“Suit yourself Mac. Just let Colonel Graham know that I'm going on ahead, then let Curtis know he's ether to join me or take over here. I don't want these men stopping for more than an hour until we reach where we planned to make camp for the night,” I said.
I knew if I pushed I could have these men all at the rendezvous by noon tomorrow, but pushing that hard they wouldn't be worth much if we had to defend ourselves before they had a chance to rest.
“Excuse me Sargent...” Colonel Graham said.
“Sir, I was just looking for you. Captain Waters wanted me to let you know he's going ahead and will see everyone when they get to the second rest stop. Sir, Sargent Collins will be in charge of our men and knows the route and where the rest stops are,” Mac said.
“Thank you Sargent. I just have one question if you don't mind,” Colonel Graham said.
“Ask away Colonel, if I can I'd be happy to answer your question,” Mac said.
“Who is Captain Waters? If he is who I think he is...” the Colonel started to say.
“Sir Captain Waters is the best at what he does. He really cares for those he is in charge of,” Mac said.
“That didn't really answer my question Sargent,” Colonel Graham said.
&nbs
p; “I understand that sir, but if you're hoping I'll say he's the White Rose, that I can't do sir, according to legend the White Rose is a woman not a man and Captain Waters is a man,” Mac said.
I was close enough to hear the exchange and paled at the thought someone might think I was some fictional character from stories I had never even heard.
Mac joined me and we took off ahead of the main company setting traps for the enemy that we knew our men would see. Curtis knew to make sure the main contingent didn't wander during the rest stops and I knew he and the rest of my men would be diligent in assuring no one wandered when they came across the first of the nasty surprises we left.
“Colonel, sir it might be a good idea if you make sure that your men don't wonder when we stop. Captain Waters and Sargent Denvers are setting up some nasty surprises for anyone coming behind us,” Curtis said.
“Is that a good idea Sargent?” Colonel Graham asked.
“It saves the rest of us some time sir. They're leaving a path wide enough that as long as everyone stays in formation they won't be at risk, but I doubt anyone not familiar with the kinds of traps we set would be able to see them until they've tripped them. The areas agreed on for rest breaks will be wider than the trail so as long as your men will listen to us and not wander beyond where we say there shouldn't be any problems. Sir it's for their own good since if they do wander and set off one of the traps it could alert the enemy to our location,” Curtis said.
“I'm sure Captain Waters knows what he's doing and wouldn't put my men in danger. I'll make sure my men understand, thank you for letting me know. Sargent how much longer until we reach one of those rest breaks?” Colonel Graham asked.
We set the last charge and headed for the next rest area at a dead run. I looked at Mac and smiled when he looked over at me like I was crazy.
“Too fast for you Mac?” I asked.
“No sir but at this pace we'll be waiting at least four hours for everyone to catch up with us,” he said.
“Mac I need some sleep and this is the only way I'm going to get any. I've been having nightmares lately and I don't need those men wondering if maybe I'm losing my touch,” I said.
“You aren't afraid me and the others might think you're losing it sir?” Mac asked.
“Tell me about this White Rose you were talking to Colonel Graham about,” I asked.
“You heard what I was talking to Colonel Graham about?” he asked.
I gave him a dirty look that said the next time he tried avoiding a request I'd make sure he paid for it.
“The story is one I grew up with sir. My mom told it to me I think to scare me into going to bed. I never really believed the stories could be real,” he said.
“So are you going to tell me the story, or not?” I asked.
“I'm not sure I'll get it right, but I can at least give you an idea of what it says, he said.”
“I'm all ears.” I wasn't sure I wanted to hear this story, but I needed to know more than I did.
“From the beginning there have always been those with magic and those without, but one thing always stood out among those with magic. There were two kinds of magic and no one ever had both kinds. First there was blood magic, those with blood magic were considered to be immortal because they had long life cycles, some living hundreds of years. Then there are those with elemental magic, who can control the elements to create illusions, to move by the power of thought alone. But never has any one person ever had both blood magic and elemental magic, not until the time of religion corrupted by the greed of men. In that day one will rise up being born of the elements and washed in blood. To her it will be that she can use both against those who would seek to destroy both blood magic and elemental magic,” he started.
“She will be made of the blood by the man of her heart, a man believed lost in war, but found in life. Unlike those born of the elements before her who have accepted the magic of blood and lost the magic of element she will retain both magics. She will protect those of her heart as none before her weaving spells of both element and blood that none either of blood or of element can see them. The world will hang in the balance if The White Rose does not accept her destiny to bring magic both elemental and blood together, to unite all who have magic to herself,” he continued.
“And you think this story is about me?” I asked.
“Captain I don't know if this story is about you. I do know that it is very old, and some of what it says shows through in you, but you aren't a woman and the story, every version I've heard, says The White Rose is female, so unless you happen to be female I don't see how it can be about you,” he said.
“Now that we have it settled that I'm not female I hope this is the last of it Mac,” I said.
We reached the place of the second rest and I found a nice quiet place I could rest. Mac said he would keep watch and if any danger showed he would be sure to wake me immediately. He hadn't even finished his words and I was gone into a world I didn't wish to share with anyone. A world where the dangers of this war couldn't touch me, a world in which I was the real me, in love with the only man that could begin to understand me, a man I shared all that I am with.