century ago I was twenty five and you were fifty, now I am fifty but you have not aged.”
“I have been fifty for a very long time.”
A thin smile creased the Afghan’s face. “You truly are a Red-Devil and now you will give me an army of my own devils to crush the infidels!” He punched the air with his sword. “Allah Akbar!”
Every other Afghan in the room chanted as one. “Allah Akbar…Allah Akbar…Allah Akbar…Allah Akbar…Allah Akbar…Allah Akbar…Allah Akbar…Allah Akbar!”
Firebase Python, Pasaband District, Ghowr Province, Afghanistan
Rockbridge wearing a surgical mask looked down at Black. Rockbridge was angry. The Russian could have screened Black, but he had left. Vaha had returned without Dratshev stating that the General had the necessary medicine and screening kit with him and would return with the Delta team. A helo had been sent to retrieve the team, it was overdue.
Rockbridge addressed Black. “This is beyond classified soldier. The chamber you found was built by the Soviets to illegally test biological weapons. One of these utilised the Ebola virus. The Doc’s sent your blood off to Leatherneck to be checked by the medical centre there. Until we get your results back you have to be isolated, quarantined. We can’t risk moving you.”
“Ebola, as in African disease? So I’m going to die?”
“If you have been infected then that is a possibility.”
“Thanks for sugar coating it, sir.”
“Look Black, I’ve been informed that the chance of infection is minimal. Styles was the only other member to test positive.”
“Styles made it out?”
“He’s quarantined in the stockade.”
There was a silence as both men considered the situation. The preventative medication administered to Styles by Dratshev seemed to be holding off any noticeable symptoms, but Rockbridge had to get the Russian back and fast. Meanwhile Black wasn’t sure what to think. Would being infected explain his strange, almost out of body experiences at Krasnov’s hut and with the Talibs in the desert?
Rockbridge broke the silence. “Tell me more about your ‘Russian’.”
Black was drowsy and couldn’t summon the energy to tell his CO that Krasnov was actually Ukrainian. Every word seemed to be an effort and his vision was blurred. “He claimed he was a Red Army deserter who stayed behind.”
“Since the 80’s?” Rockbridge thought aloud.
“He said that he rescued me from the Taliban in the cave.”
“Was he going to hand you over to the Taliban for a reward?”
“I don’t think so...I have no idea why he took me.” Black screwed his eyes up and tried to sit.
“Black, stay on your back – that’s an order.”
“Sir…” The sound of a helo arriving cut him off. Its engine note was strained.
Coming in faster than usual the helo kicked up a huge dust cloud as it landed. The rotors continued to spin as Rockbridge saw Miller, followed by Flagon and Eaton leap out and run towards their basha, head’s down covering their faces. Through the swirling dust cloud, that seemed to block out the last rays of the late afternoon sun, Dratshev appeared. In double time he headed for Rockbridge who noticed the Russian’s face seemed reddened, almost sunburnt.
Dratshev stepped into the safety of the medical centre. “Major.”
“General.” As Rockbridge spoke the Russian’s face seemed to become less ruddy. “We have one more man for you to test. Our missing Delta operative has returned.”
A narrow smile appeared on Dratshev’s face. “That is excellent news, Major. How did he get here?”
“He walked.”
Dratshev could not hide his surprise. Perhaps the soldier had not been sired? But it made no difference; the man would be taken care of. All of the ISAF personnel would be taken care of. “Let us not waste any more precious time.”
Gonzalez stood as Flagon entered the tent. “You took your sweet time…” The words fell from his mouth as a tranquiliser dart hit
“I have been fifty for a very long time.”
A thin smile creased the Afghan’s face. “You truly are a Red-Devil and now you will give me an army of my own devils to crush the infidels!” He punched the air with his sword. “Allah Akbar!”
Every other Afghan in the room chanted as one. “Allah Akbar…Allah Akbar…Allah Akbar…Allah Akbar…Allah Akbar…Allah Akbar…Allah Akbar…Allah Akbar!”
Firebase Python, Pasaband District, Ghowr Province, Afghanistan
Rockbridge wearing a surgical mask looked down at Black. Rockbridge was angry. The Russian could have screened Black, but he had left. Vaha had returned without Dratshev stating that the General had the necessary medicine and screening kit with him and would return with the Delta team. A helo had been sent to retrieve the team, it was overdue.
Rockbridge addressed Black. “This is beyond classified soldier. The chamber you found was built by the Soviets to illegally test biological weapons. One of these utilised the Ebola virus. The Doc’s sent your blood off to Leatherneck to be checked by the medical centre there. Until we get your results back you have to be isolated, quarantined. We can’t risk moving you.”
“Ebola, as in African disease? So I’m going to die?”
“If you have been infected then that is a possibility.”
“Thanks for sugar coating it, sir.”
“Look Black, I’ve been informed that the chance of infection is minimal. Styles was the only other member to test positive.”
“Styles made it out?”
“He’s quarantined in the stockade.”
There was a silence as both men considered the situation. The preventative medication administered to Styles by Dratshev seemed to be holding off any noticeable symptoms, but Rockbridge had to get the Russian back and fast. Meanwhile Black wasn’t sure what to think. Would being infected explain his strange, almost out of body experiences at Krasnov’s hut and with the Talibs in the desert?
Rockbridge broke the silence. “Tell me more about your ‘Russian’.”
Black was drowsy and couldn’t summon the energy to tell his CO that Krasnov was actually Ukrainian. Every word seemed to be an effort and his vision was blurred. “He claimed he was a Red Army deserter who stayed behind.”
“Since the 80’s?” Rockbridge thought aloud.
“He said that he rescued me from the Taliban in the cave.”
“Was he going to hand you over to the Taliban for a reward?”
“I don’t think so...I have no idea why he took me.” Black screwed his eyes up and tried to sit.
“Black, stay on your back – that’s an order.”
“Sir…” The sound of a helo arriving cut him off. Its engine note was strained.
Coming in faster than usual the helo kicked up a huge dust cloud as it landed. The rotors continued to spin as Rockbridge saw Miller, followed by Flagon and Eaton leap out and run towards their basha, head’s down covering their faces. Through the swirling dust cloud, that seemed to block out the last rays of the late afternoon sun, Dratshev appeared. In double time he headed for Rockbridge who noticed the Russian’s face seemed reddened, almost sunburnt.
Dratshev stepped into the safety of the medical centre. “Major.”
“General.” As Rockbridge spoke the Russian’s face seemed to become less ruddy. “We have one more man for you to test. Our missing Delta operative has returned.”
A narrow smile appeared on Dratshev’s face. “That is excellent news, Major. How did he get here?”
“He walked.”
Dratshev could not hide his surprise. Perhaps the soldier had not been sired? But it made no difference; the man would be taken care of. All of the ISAF personnel would be taken care of. “Let us not waste any more precious time.”
Gonzalez stood as Flagon entered the tent. “You took your sweet time…” The words fell from his mouth as a tranquiliser dart hit
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