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World War II

By: erxticwhxre



My husband and I had always had a wonderful sex life. We would go all night until our bodies would fall victim to the waves of climactic pressure. There was one night, however, I remember more than the others. He thinks I was too drunk to remember anything, but I remember everything...

We had stumbled into the house, laughing, walking into walls. It was a typical night of taking shots of vodka, debating about politics, and taking more shots. We finished off a 1.5 liter bottle of vodka that night.

He walked me to my side of the bed and I lifted my arms up so he could remove my shirt and my bra. My pants came down with ease and I never wear underwear. He laid me down in bed and got in on his side. He had intentions of falling fast asleep. I had other intentions.

He laid his hand on my upper thigh, right where the crease of my stomach meets the fold of my leg. I lay there, back facing him, with thoughts of his thickness thrusting into my inner folds. I grabbed his hand and interlocked our fingers, then moved his hand up to my right breast. He tried to move it away but I quickly stopped him and placed his hand back on my breast. With my fingers still locked in his, I forced his hand to squeeze and massage my breast. I loved feeling his hands on my body.

"We need to go to bed, baby," he whispered in my ear.

All I could do was let out a slight moan as his hand grabbed tighter and shook my head "no".

I rolled over onto my back and his mouth quickly found my nipple with all disregard to the statement he had just made. His tongue swirled against my hardened bud and his teeth grazed the tip and then his whole mouth covered my nipple and he sucked. My hands found way to the top of his head and I grabbed the back of it, then I forced his face further down onto my breast. My pleasure was heightened as he began to suck harder, faster. My moans became more sudden, louder, as his lips defeated my nipple.

His right hand made way down my stomach to the top of my mound. He used his pointer finger and rubbed in slow, gentle circles around my clit. My body started shaking, my eyes rolled back and I found way to my first orgasm of many that night.

He then slid his hand down and his pointer and middle finger found way into my soaking wet abyss. He moaned against my nipple and began thrusting his fingers into me. I found myself thrusting up to meet his rhythm, my moans increasing, my pleasure increasing. I loved feeling his fingers inside of me. I told him to push deeper and he would. I told him to go faster and he did. My body was shivering at the feeling of his fingers being inside of me. 

"Cum for me, baby. Cum all over my hand."

That's all he had to say. My back arched and a scream belted through my throat. I could feel my toes aching from curling up from the pleasure. I was in climactic heaven.

He slowly removed his fingers then slid on top of me. I bit my lip and looked into his chocolate eyes. My mind was already in a haze from the vodka and the first two orgasms. All I could tell him to do was fuck me.

His throbbing tool slid inside me. A small shrill of pleasure rumbled out of my throat. He began thrusting into me, sliding his thickness as deep as it could go. I dug my nails into his back and begged for more. My legs wrapped around his waist tightly as I could feel the third orgasm coming on. He felt so good.

Then it happened.

Just as I was climaxing, his tool slid out and accidentally peeked its way into my ass. This was a forbidden area to us. I squealed, then a moan shook through me as he removed it.

"I'm so sorry!"

I bit my lower lip and moaned again. "It's okay. I want you to fuck me in my ass."

I looked at his face, his eyes widened by my statement. "Are you sure?" he asked.

I nodded.

He advised me to roll over, and I did with no reluctance. He slid his tool back into my pussy and got it well lubricated, and then fireworks went off in my head. Sirens and whistles blew loudly and confetti floated through my mind. His rock hard tool was now deep into my needy ass. His hands found my hips and I begin thrusting back, grinding my ass against him with every move. He reached up further and grabbed my breasts as they bounced to our rhythm. I could feel my body shaking violently, gloriously to this new found pleasure. Our bodies made way to the top of the bed where I found my head banging against the wall. I screamed in pleasure as I came again. He slid out and then replaced his tool into my now gushing pussy, then his fingers replaced the hole in which his tool just left. Was I dreaming?

I came hard against his tool, my body convulsing. 

He slid out of me and his other fingers now found way into my pussy, all while he still had one in my ass. He finger fucked my ass and pussy so hard, so fast. I couldn't contain myself. I begged him to go harder, begged him to smack my ass, begged him for more. He obliged.

As I came again, I knew it was my turn to take care of him. I rolled over and told him to lay down. My hand found its way down to his throbbing, rock hard tool and I wrapped my tiny hand around him. My pasty white hand stroked up and down his milk chocolate tool. I licked my lips then dove in.

My tongue found the tip of his tool and it wriggled around the head for a moment. His moans were a good sign. I then slid my tongue down the length of him and it raced around his balls once before sliding back up to the head. His hand grabbed the back of my head and pulled on my hair. I took the length of him into my mouth and tightened my grip; my mouth slid up and down his shaft as I sucked on his velvety smooth tool. I swirled my tongue against him as I sucked. His hand was now pushing my head up and down, fast when he wanted, slow when he wanted. I was his slut. I took his entire 7 inches down into my throat, gagging a bit then swallowing him whole. His legs started to shake. He was ready to cum and I was ready to take it.

His moans became louder, his grip on my hair tighter, then I felt the warm stream of cum shoot into my mouth. I quickly sucked the cum up, milked him dry, and then swallowed the salty sweet nectar that my love had just given me. I felt his tool beginning to back down and I gave it one last suck before releasing my grip. I laid my head down on his thigh and rubbed on him for a few more minutes with the tips of my fingers before I found the strength to move back up to the fold of his arms, give him a deep kiss, and fall right to sleep.

He claims it was World War II of Fucking that night. I played innocent, acting as though I fell victim to the alcohol. He still smiles about that night when we mention it, and even though I still play innocent to this day, a smile still lingers and a yearning still burns on the inside.

World War II Bk. 01



Chapter 1: Off to War 

I can't remember the last time I heard the rain falling this hard. The cold wind dancing through the window, slowly brushing up against me as I laid on my bed looking up at the wooden ceiling. Every now and then the wind would bring along a drop of rain making it land on my leg. I watched it tentatively as it ran down leaving its legacy behind. 

I pushed my body up now sitting; I turned my head to look out the window to see the grey pale sky. I always wondered why I liked the sky most when it became concealed with clouds. I could always look up and let my mind run wild, exploring every possible question yet never really finding the answers to any of them, I never minded. Life is always filled with unanswered questions. My attention was drawn to the noise outside my bedroom. 

I could hear my parents talking in the other room about me not going, about how it was suicide to go out there with a plane and defend what has given them life. War is something no one really likes to talk about yet it happens in everyday life, whether it's internally or externally, God knows most of my battles take place internally. Life has always been a bit difficult for me in that aspect, ever since I was a child I knew I was different though I'd never let anyone see it. I spent most of my teenage years trying to be like everyone else, I had my own group of friends and a passion for adventure. 

My father walked into the room with his hands behind his back and nodded only once. My father was a quiet man who valued the name he carried and hoped his child would carry those same values. "You're an Arcklow," he would say whenever I was about to compete in tournament as if the name itself was a source of invisibility. I kept my eyes fixed on him as he left the room to attend to my mother who I could hear sobbing from the kitchen. Without wasting another minute I picked up my green bag threw it over my shoulder and walked out of my room ready to embark on the journey ahead. It was time for John Arcklow to be his own man. 

I looked at my parents and saw my mother's eye bloodshot red, I walked over to her kissed her forehead and whispered "I'll be home soon", I turned to my father and gave him a strong hug, I felt him pull me even closer as if he was telling me not to go. Once I walked over to the brown wooden door I nodded my head at them and walked into the rain shutting the door behind me wondering if that was going to be the last time I ever saw them. 

I felt the rain bouncing around me as if it were building a protective aura to shield me from the world around me; I almost smiled at the thought of it. The path to the train station was muddy; I could smell the carbon from the train and see the black smoke puffing into the air from a block away. I looked around and saw the same houses I would walk by my whole life only this time they looked different, they looked empty. Alone. The war had really impacted England; many people said it wasn't very safe to live in the country while this crazy madness was going on. I wanted to tell myself this was the reason why I was going to fight but even I didn't buy into that. 

Before I knew it I arrived at the train station only to see a group of officers and a few soldiers getting on the train. I walked over to the nearest one; he was in a cadet uniform, most likely volunteering trying to feel like he was part of the war. Once I was face to face with him I noticed he was no older than 16, he was carrying a wooden clipboard with a sheet on it and looked right at me. 

"Name?" 

"Jack Arcklow," I replied. 

"Arcklow welcome aboard soldier," 

I can safely say that was the only communication I had for the rest of the night. I boarded the train and made my way towards the end of it. I looked around to see a few soldiers here and there but mostly everyone was quiet and scattered. Keeping my eyes forward I manage to find a spot far enough from everyone. I placed my bag overhead, sat down, took one deep breath and closed my eyes. 

The sound of thunder caused me to wake up with fear and uncertainty. I had almost forgotten where I was but the sound of the tracks soon made me realize it, I was on a train, headed towards London. I looked down at my uniform and almost felt like a stranger in it, a pilot and soldier of England fighting against the Germans. 

The engine slowly came to a halt; I looked out the window and managed to see a group of Officers outside the train waiting to greet the soldiers who were being dropped off. I really wasn't looking forward to meeting any one of them, let alone shake their hand. 

As soon as I got off the train an Officer who looked like he had been punched in the face 20 times greeted me. 

"Welcome soldier, I'm commander Rhodes, I'll be in charge of your squad for the next week. If you have any questions please come see me." 

"Yes, Sir." I responded with no real emotion or effort to engage in a conversation. Before I was able to make a run for the car an Officer tapped me on the shoulder. 

"Soldier is this yours?" 

I turned to see a soldier in an Officer uniform and a Royal Distinguished medal pinned on his chest. I looked right at his face and was immediately drawn to his green eyes and froze. 

"Soldier is this yours?" 

Somehow I couldn't put the words coming out of his mouth together until I looked down and saw my bag with my tag attached to it. 

"Yes Sir," 

"I thought so, all the other soldiers had their bag and you were the only one without one, seems like you were in a hurry to get out of here," 

"Actually Sir I was I had a rough day and I have no mind to meet and greet." 

"That's perfectly understandable but listen soldier don't call me Sir, call me Grayson, Grayson Kent." 

"Yes, Sir I mean Grayson Sir." 

I felt like an idiot right now all I wanted to do was to get the hell in the car and ignore everyone else like I have for the last day. Something about this Officer seemed to have me babbling like an idiot, he was the very thing I'm was trying to run from. 

"Thank you Grayson." 

I took my bag from his hand and walked away quickly before he could get another word in. What the hell is going on with me the only reason why I chose to join the air force was to prove to myself that I am a man regardless of what I craved or whom I wanted to be with. I was born a man and the air force was going to teach me what that meant. It was that simple it was something I had to do whether my heart was in it or not, it was the right thing to do and no one was going to get in my way. 

The car we drove in seemed to be one of the newer versions Ford seemed to construct. It fit 5 people and the seats themselves were leather. I ran to catch the window seat of the car that way I had a chance to gaze out and create some random fantasy within my head. 

London had changed dramatically since the last time I was here. Back in November of last year I came to attend a flight academy session in order to learn the basics as well as to fight and handle a gun just in case the situation called for it. It was now January and most of the buildings have been bombed to the ground. Every street we drove through had reminded us of how bad this war has gotten. We kept driving until we pulled up in front of a theater. 

The building itself was beautiful, the lights lit up the whole front and the sign on top read the name of some movie along with price of the show. I imagine seeing people getting all dressed up on a Friday night and walking towards the theater to kill some time and find entertainment of some sort. What a night that must have been. 

Chapter 2: Captain 

I stepped out of the car and felt a group of soldiers dash pass me running through the doors. I walked up to the glass door of the theater and pushed inward, I stood there in utter suspense and had no words. This place was amazing. The walls were dark red and on each one contained a small British flag draped along to remind us of what we were fighting for. Right in the middle of the room were two staircases that curved, one to the left and one to the right and in the middle of them was a crystal chandelier, which elegantly hanged from the ceiling. It felt as if I were in the King's palace. I looked around and saw all the soldiers gathered up in the lobby and noticed Commander Rhodes starting to walk up the stairs, once he reached the top he stood on a small podium and looked right at us. 

"Attention young air soldiers. Welcome to your station, I trust that each of you have attended the flight training back in November and had time to say your goodbyes but I remind you that it is now January 1945 and I wish to end the war this year and with all your help I'm sure we will. Now I am your Commander, the highest authority in this station. If any of you have any questions please don't be afford to ask your commanding officers or me. Now I want to divide each one of you with your Officer but before I do I want to introduce you to a hero which I know all of you have heard of, straight from Germany where he just took down an entire flight of Nazi air crafts unharmed I want you to welcome Captain Grayson Kent." 

Grayson, Grayson, Grayson why did that name sound so familiar? I suddenly felt a cold knot in my stomach and realized who it was. I drew my eyes towards him as he walked up the stairs to meet with Commander Rhodes. 

"Thank you Commander." 

"No! Thank you for being here with us. Now listen up all of you, since Captain Grayson is taking a small break from fighting those bastards he has decided to stay here and take the role of an Officer and watch over you for the rest of the week before you're made graduates and shipped off to make your country proud and finally end this war." 

All I heard next was a loud screaming roar from the audience as they drew praise towards the Commander and the Captain. After that the Commander began to call the name of each Officer followed by the names of the soldiers he was to watch over. Finally it was Captain Grayson's turn to announce his squad. The Captain began to read his list each name felt like a bomb on my chest, I attentively heard each name and almost wanted him to call mine but soon snapped into reality and almost prayed he didn't. 

"...Jay, Evans, and Arcklow." 

Crap he called my name! I began to panic a bit and looked up to see the Captain who was now smiling and writing something down followed by him dropping the paper on the Commander's hand as he walked away. He just had to say my name didn't he? Don't stress about it Jack come on this guy probably has a wife and children by the look on his face, there is no way in hell he would ever be single or even into you, and why do I care I want nothing to do with him, he's my officer for the week that's all, nothing more nothing less. 

After all the soldiers were placed with their officer it was time to rally up and get some sleep. I walked into the room I was assigned and noticed I wasn't sharing it with the Captain; it would be a dam fucken coincidence if we were. My roommate's name was Alex Petrol he was average size, very skinny and looked like he would be no trouble. I walked up to the empty bed on the right side of the room and placed my bag right on top of it, I immediately opened it up and took out my toothbrush and walked over to the bathroom. Once I got there I brushed my teeth and splash some water on my face. I looked up at the mirror in front of the sink and noticed small little scratches on it, each scratch seemed like it was riding along with the reflection it emulated. I looked at my face and noticed my grey eyes, they seemed like pools of coldness, as if time had stopped when I looked into them, forever trapped. My face was stern and I had a small little scratch on my chin from shaving the night before. I remembered my home instantly but I had shaken it off right away reminding myself how it was one of the reasons why I am here to shaped my future and forget my past. I heard the door open and held my breath thinking it might be the Captain but it was only another soldier. I felt paranoid with no explanation whatsoever. I picked up my brush and walked back into my room to sink into the only sanctuary I had, sleep. 

The bell rang at 6 am sharp which signaled us to get up and get ready for today. I got dressed quickly and found my way down to the lobby. I began to admire the movie posters, each one seemed to have the same message, a strong brave hero and a beautiful defenseless woman cringed to his arms, how I hated it was this way. I fixed my eyes on a specific one, right in front of me stood an image of a beautiful woman dressed in what I could decipher to be very expensive clothing. Her arm rested on her face with a tear running down it and in the far back a sailor stood with such a sad expression on his cold face. 

"That one right there is a classic." 

My body jumped into a frozen shock as I heard the soft voice from behind me. I turned around to see Captain Grayson in his uniform looking right at the poster as if it were a candy shop. 

"Movies are my passion aside from this, they offer a way to escape from reality even if its just a second, kind of like a book but only most of the imagination part is done for you," he laughed a bit at that last part. 

"Bag boy right?" 

"Excuse me Sir?" I replied. 

"Your bag boy from yesterday right and for the last time don't call me that," he smiled. 

"I'm sorry Captain Grayson." 

"Grayson." 

"Right Grayson sorry," 

"You apologize too much you know that?" 

"I know, sorry." 

He looked at me with a puzzled expression and then busted out into laughter. 

"So Arcklow have you seen it before?" 

"Seen what?" 

"That movie behind you of course." 

"Oh, no I really didn't watch movies growing up and sorry but how did you know my last name?" 

"Your tag was on the bag remember plus you're in my squad it's my job to know your name." 

"Oh right, have you learned all the names of the other men already!" 

"No just yours," he said with a smile on his face still looking at the poster. 

"Captain Grayson my boy." 

"Commander Rhodes good to see you." 

The Commander appeared from right behind us looking right at Captain Grayson not really even admiring my presence. 

"Same my boy, I need to see you in my office to talk about the dance coming up, its in a few days and I need the contact info of every officer in the air force." 

"Yes, Sir I'm right behind you," he replied as he nodded his head with courtesy. 

Captain Grayson turned to smile at me and walked away following the footsteps of the Commander. What the hell did he mean by just my name? Stop it Jack, stop over thinking these things, it's this type of thinking that will get you killed focus on the plan, fight your desires and instincts and focus on your duty. 

Chapter 3: I Read Nazi 

I really did not get to see too much of the Captain right after our morning conversation, if you can even call it a conversation. I was a bit relieved that I haven't seen him yet I wanted to catch a quick glimpse of him, just a quick look. My focus was broken when a group of guys asked me what a word meant, I took the paper from their hand and read the following, "Axis 234 meet and follow the next set of directions some of the few radios on site are broken, find one and call 324-43." I looked up to see the other guys looking right at me as if I were nuts. 

"You read Nazi?" 

"Nazi? What are you talking about?" I replied with a bit of precaution. 

I looked down at the paper once more and realized it was written in German, the language always seemed to intrigue me, and the fact that I knew something no one else did back in my hometown made me feel powerful like I knew a secret no one else knew about. 

"I learned how to read German when I was a little kid, all I did was pick up a book and the rest came naturally." I replied quickly and quietly. 

"Well, then Arcklow looks like you are going to be the only one who gives out the instructions since you are the only one who can read them." The soldier looked right at me and nodded his head as if I was in charge but I felt that sense of distrust at the same time like if I were a German spy infiltrating the British force. I felt a smile land on my face for a split second but then I realized how this might not be such a good thought. 

"Arcklow can you come here for a second my boy," screamed the Commander. 

"Yes Commander Rhodes." 

"I was going over your file and it says here you broke the record for quickest flight time as well as the bombing accuracy. How on earth did you go around not saying something like that! I'm sure the Captain would love to hear about this since he might recruit a few soldiers to join his PT-5 air squad and with this there is no way he would say no!" 

I could see him focused on my filing looking at it with such amusement. To only think he saw me this morning and gave me no attention. Suddenly I've become a prize for him to stare at. 

"Sir no disrespect but I rather have no special treatments. I'm here as a regular soldier and wish to continue my service as one. I understand that the PT squad is an honorable position but I don't think I'm right for this." 

"Well, then I'm sorry to hear that but think it over I'm sure you'll realize how big of a mistake you're making, now go back out there and finish the rest of the day's training." 

I walked back to my group and continued to complete drills as well as flight mechanic exams and a few translation exercises to improve on my German. By the end of the day I was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to climbed into bed to get some rest. 

I had not seen Captain Grayson since the morning and began to get a bit worried. Wait worried? Worried at what? I bet he's off with some pretty little thing riding the night. By the way why the hell should I care I don't even know him! 

I walked up the stairs and placed my hand on the wood. It felt nice knowing things felt quite the same for once, wood was still wood and stairs were still stairs. The halls looked beautiful and I never paid to much attention to them until now, after all this was a movie theater. I placed my hand on the wall and felt the warmth to it, smooth and warm just like touching a warm piece of bread out of an oven. I made my way to be room and noticed my roommate was asleep already so I quietly laid on my bed and looked straight up at the ceiling. Somehow it drove me into the clouds and had me dreaming about being a small child back home extending out my arms and pretending I was a plane, no fear or problems to concentrate on, just me and my imagination. 

The next morning we all gathered in the lobby to see the Commander standing up high looking down at us with his usual facial expression. 

"Listen up soldiers Captain Grayson had to leave us on a short trip he was called back to a base not too far from here and is scheduled to come back tomorrow so have most of your officers meaning that you all have the day off to explore the town, go out, have fun, meet a nice young lady and fall in love, I really don't care just make sure to not get into any trouble and be back here and report by 11 pm now go" 

I quickly felt conversations breaking out and heard plans of a few "whore houses" around town and how they should get it in quickly. I felt the need to join in and experience this right of passage but it was just not my day. With most of the soldiers running out the door I thought about walking around town at least to get a feel of where I was stationed. I never got to go out during my stay here in November. 

I placed my hat on in an attempt to feel a sense of pride and walked out the glass doors. The weather in London was very cold, the air here seemed to give me chills unlike the one back home, this air was different; it wasn't my air. I saw a couple of guys trying to talk to a few girls outside a burger shop, what I loved about situations like these were how the guys would act. Usually what a situation like this looked like involved the guys flexing while the young ladies would bat their eyes at them and smile giving a few chuckles here and there yet somehow they both know how the night was going to end. I laughed to myself just a little and walked into the burger shop. I noticed everyone in the place look at me with some sort of fear yet security. I walked over to a table near the window and ordered a coffee. This uniform seemed to attract a lot of eyes as well as power. When I tried to pull my wallet out the waitress said someone had paid for it already, I looked over to see an older man along with his wife and they both gave me a small smile and waved at me like I had done something heroic for them. I raised my coffee mug and gave them a small smile out of my appreciation and took a large gulp from the cup. 




World War II Bk. 01



That couple seemed to have something that I wanted, each other. Something about seeing older couples together make me believe in a reason to live and fight for. It must be nice having someone who you can depend on no matter what, someone who will stick by you through thick and thin regardless of the situation. Life has shown me no mercy whatsoever, who I am and what I want seem to be fighting each other every time I place the two thoughts within my head. I had always tried to run from the truth. God it feels like I was born into the wrong time period. I felt a tear fall from my face and run down my check. Here it comes again, the sad reality of my life, how I feel different from the rest of the world. Whenever I look at a face I never feel emotions towards the ones I'm told to love, only emptiness. It's the one I'm forbidden to love that I feel some sort of home with. Before I felt another tear fall I snapped back into reality and looked around, no one was looking towards me thankfully. I looked down at my watch and noticed a total of two hours have gone by. Was I really here for two hours! Great! 

I got up from my seat and left a tip and walked back to the station. When I pushed open the front door I noticed silence, no one was home yet. What was I going to do for the rest of the day? I turned my head to my left and noticed the movie poster Captain Grayson was talking about; I guess I'll take a chance on it. I walked to the hallway located on the left and walked by the red line and crouched to get under it. I went through a door and up a couple of stairs, after I got to what I though was the projection room I found the stack of movie films and began to search for the one marked for me. After what I felt to be 45 minutes of individually sorting through the films I placed the movie role and hit the switch, which projected the movie on the big screen located in the room right under me. I ran downstairs and went through the door and found my seat in the lower section of the theater. I watched the movie and began to really love it. It was about a woman who fell in love with a sailor but had trouble being together due to class. I was stuck into the movie the whole time until I felt someone right behind me, which immediately sent, shivers down my spine. 

"Told you it was a classic," 

I turned around slowly to see Captain Grayson looking right into the screen emulating the lines to it as the characters said it. He jumped over the seat next to me and landed right on it. He turned to look at me with a big goofy smile waiting for me to say something. Naturally I did. 

"Commander told us you were scheduled to be back tomorrow Sir." 

"Okay Arcklow for the last time Grayson, say it with me G-r-a-y-s-o-n!" 

I was almost shocked by his response and gave a laugh instead. 

"Sorry! Grayson!" 

"So how are you liking the movie?" 

"Its good!" 

"See I told you this movie is a classic, so what's your first name Arcklow?" 

"Jack." 

"Jack Arcklow then, nice to put a first name, you went from bag boy to Arcklow to Jack." 

"So Grayson what are you doing back here?" 

"Well, I went over signed some papers and the rest of the Officers went to go visit their girl, I decided to get back over here and relax." 

"So...you don't have a girl?" 

"Yes, I do, in fact she's coming to the ball. She's great!" 

"Oh..." 

"What about you Jack? A guy like you would have a couple right?" 

"... No." 

"Oh well don't get too down I'm sure there's someone out there begging for a guy like you!" 

Well, there you have it Jack just like any other guy maybe now you can finally get these stupid thought of our head and quite putting yourself through this. 

"So Jack why don't you tell me a bit more about yourself you seem a bit interesting I'd like to get to know a guy with a mystery to him." 

Mystery? Guy? What the hell is going on here push and pull? What do I do now? 

"Well, there's nothing much to me actually I'm just plain and simple." 

"Really? Well, I was reading the case report and I heard you can speak German?" 

"Yeah when I was growing up I felt it was a superpower to understand something no one else could." 

Where the hell did that come from, I have never said that to anyone before. I looked over at him to see him smiling as if he knew what I was talking about. 

"ich verstehe." he smiled. 

"Wait you speak German too?" 

"Ja." he smiled 

"So let me get this straight. You're some bionic fighter pilot who can speak German?" 

"I also speak French" he replied with a smile. 

I felt my face going red and could not hide the smile I was carrying. Was there something this man could not do? 

"Listen Jack if you're not busy later would you like to go take a tour around town?" 

"Tonight?" 

"Sure why not after all I don't think the Commander would get angry if he knew you were with me the whole time." 

"Sure," I smiled. 

What the hell just happened? Why did I agree to go out on a date with him? What it even a date? No! Don't get tangled in a fantasy with another straight guy all it ends up doing to me is causing me pain, I have to hide my emotions this time. 

I looked into his eyes and saw him give me a big smile. He got up and bide be farewell until later tonight and walked out of the theater room. The movie was still playing and by the time I fixed my eyes on it I could see the guy kissing the girl. From the background I heard the Captain scream, "I LOVE THIS PART!". I busted out into laughter right after he said that and thought about how adorable he sounded. 

Chapter 4: A Nightingale Sang 

Can you remember the last time you were happy, like actually really happy yet scared at the same time? Well, I have that feeling right now. I paced myself walked back and forward in my room trying to form some sort of thought in my head, nothing. I had no idea what I agreed to with the Captain, was it a casual guys night out or something more? Oh crap this was driving me insane! 

I put on my pants, grabbed the only dressing shirt I owned, and went to fix my hair. I looked straight into the mirror and for the first time in my life saw a stranger in the reflection I approved of. My grey eyes always felt cold whenever I looked into them but today I felt them actually smile back at me as if approving of the action I was going to commit. I looked around for a second and looked at a wooden box sticking out of my bag. The wooden box called to me as I walked towards it slowly. Carefully I let the box open to see a golden pocket watch laying on it as if it were resting blissfully in a sanctuary. I lifted it out of its box, it was amazing, beautiful, and handed down to me by my father a couple of years ago when I revealed to him my plans to make our country proud. I can think of it as being one of those days where who I was in my eyes no longer mattered, only how the world saw me. It was that moment that made me believe that I had to work at being happy and being given that happiness by society not by the individual. 

"That's beautiful," a voice behind me whispered. 

I felt no urge to turn back to see who it was but I instantly knew, temptation walks close to where your road is supposed to head hoping to change your course. I gave in it. 

"Captain." 

"Soldier." 

"It was my fathers," 

"I thought so, seems like both our fathers have the same type of style," he said this while reaching into his pocket holding out his own treasure, of course his was shinier and bigger, great. 

I continued looking at the watch until I realized him looking straight at me, I felt confused at the time yet said nothing about it, and it felt natural. 

"Shall we go explore the town maybe even get something to drink?" said the Captain while still looking right at my face. 

"Sure." 

"All right then follow me and don't look back," he smiled. 

What was this guy's problem? I felt so drawn to him and at times I felt it right back. However I soon would remember that I would remember he had a girlfriend. I followed him around town and had random conversations with him. Everything coming out of my mouth were thoughts I felt, no one would ever want to understand or even care to hear but when I turned to look at him all I saw was a smile and the words, "Me too!" I talked to him about everything, childhood experiences, my family, and thoughts about the world and how it seems so big and amazing, like it had no end or beginning. All he would do is smile and listen. At a point he talked about his family and thoughts but never went too much in detail as I have been going though all night. He would just share a thought then ask me what my thoughts on it were, it almost felt like I was being interviewed or something. 

What I managed to gather about the Captain was that he had an older brother and younger sister. He was born into a very wealthy family but joined the air force as a way to build his own reputation. He loved to fly and travel. Everything about him really made me feel close to him. Like I've been looking for him my whole life. 

We walked up to a building and heard a woman singing a song, the song in particular was one of my favorites, and I began to sing the song at a low sound. 

"I may be right, I may be wrong. But I'm perfectly willing to swear that when you turned and smiled at me, a nightingale sang in Berkeley Square." 

I turned to see the Captain smiling at me waiting to hear the rest of the song but I felt stupid and just looked away and found a focus point right in front of me. 

"You know this song?" he asked. 

"Yes, it's actually one of my favorite songs." I whispered. 

"I think I actually like it better when you sing it." 

"Really?" 

"Yes I had no idea you had a voice in you soldier," he smiled 

Soldier, that's what I was, just a soldier, nothing more nothing less. 

"Well, how about we go in here and get some drinks?" 

"Sure Captain!" 

We walked into the bar, which looked like a part of the Royal House. Inside there were a few couples dancing and some enjoying their beverage. This place looked like it was created for a royal family, how was I going to pay for a drink in here! He walked up to the bar and ordered two glasses of Scotch and we both sat at the bar looking at the band play. The rest of the night we really had no conversation between us, he would only look at me a couple of times and throw a smile and nod his head. At a point he ordered a few glasses of wine for a couple of young ladies at the table, he felt that since they were looking at us all night it was the least he would do. 

"So Jack I'm curious to know more about you." 

"Well, Captain ask me anything you want!" 

"Why did you join the air force and please don't say it was for your country?" 

"Uh to be completely honest with you, I joined because I'm looking for something I just don't know what it is yet. I joined because I thought maybe I would find my purpose you know, finally be able to discover what I want." 

"Makes sense. So you're looking for a purpose to live for right?" 

"Or someone one to live for..." 

"Ah more like looking for someone to fall in love with right?" 

I began to get a little red. He was able to get me to say things I was afraid to whisper to myself sometimes. I felt comfortable with the Captain, I felt safe with him. 

"So Captain why did you join?" 

"To serve my country.," he said with a smile 

"Okay what's the real reason." I teased 

"Well in a sense like I said before I joined to make a name out for myself. Growing up in my family people just hand things off to you. I don't want to feel entitled to anything I want to earn it. Plus I wanted to make my father proud of me." 

"I see, so it's your father right?" 

"I really don't know, I was never my father's pride and joy, that title went to my older brother John. He died as soon as the war started. With that my father was crushed and it seemed like the world was expecting me to avenge him and when I joined, well that's when my father gave me this." 

He reached into his pocket and pulled out his big gold pocket watch I saw earlier. He opened it up and looked at it for a while. Just like that I saw something in the Captain, he was weak and vulnerable for a minute, like any word would crush him right now. I placed my hand over his and gave him a nod. I wanted him to know that I was here for him, and honestly I was. 

"Well, enough of my sob story, lets get some drinks right!" 

"Sure Captain!" 

"So now answer me this really! Are you really single? I mean look at you!" 

"Yeah I am Captain." 

"Why? I bet you could get any girl you wanted in this place. I mean really! You're smart from what I can tell, strong, and have an amazing personality." 

"Thank you," I blushed. 

"Is it that you're scared?" 

"No not at all I just haven't found anyone who has caught my eye yet." 

"I think maybe you have but won't do anything about it because you're scared." 

"What?" 

He gave me a smile that seemed to just scare me a bit. Did he know! I needed to play it just right or everything I worked so hard for will just come falling down. I looked over at him and tried to look as calm as possible and just drew a complete blank at him. 

"Don't worry, I'm still scared sometimes, you know to ask a girl for a dance. I don't want to get rejected or anything like that." 

"Right, I get what you mean Captain." 

Before we could get in another word the drinks came. I only had one glass to drink he had five. The Captain looked as drunk as a patient waiting to get his leg cut off. I attempted to talk to him some more but his responses were either cold or sexual I could not tell which it was. I wanted to bash his head with the glass but just got up and walked away. I exit the bar without the Captain but felt he was right behind me trying to catch up. 

"Hey Jack wait, wait up I think I'm dizzy." 

"Captain you drank five glasses of scotch how could you not be dizzy," 

"Oh well look I think it went great in there don't you! Now look take me home because I have no idea where the station is," he laughed, although this laugh was not the same ones from before. 

I got hold of the Captain and walked him over to the base; luckily we were the only ones there. I guess everyone else is still out past curfew. The Captain was sound asleep but was able to walk somehow. How I hated him right now. He managed to turn a beautiful evening into an emotional carousal. I walked up the stairs and went into my room; I placed him on my bed and removed his boots. He was out cold, I covered him up with a blanket and looked right at his face, he was beautiful. His white face was perfect and his lips were rosy red and wet. Even after him getting drunk and leaving me to watch him intoxicate himself without even bother to acknowledge me I felt that I really didn't hate him at all. Captain Grayson lived up to his name as being a manly brave soldier who would risk anything for his title as well as his country. He only belonged to his country and the woman he was with. He was not mine to have, not even mine to wish about, I was a soldier and had a duty. By now I could not control myself and fell to my knees and began to forgive and forget, let out all those feeling I had for him. Let out anything that made you wonder what if. After today I had to promise myself not to keep falling for the impossible. 

Chapter 5: I Can't 

I woke up the next morning on my bed with a cover over me. What happened, how on earth did I end up here? Was last night a dream? I turned to see my roommate out like a light and looked around. I picked myself off of the bed and walked straight into the shower. I let the hot water run through my body trying to let it heal the wounds from last night. I heard the rest of the guys walking in and talking about last night. 

"Hey I saw Johnny Boy leaving with that pretty blonde last night! Did you end up making a home run?" 

"Ha yes I did boys and in fact I asked her to come to the dance, apparently the Commander has been pressured to ship us off in two days since they need more men up in the air." 

The commander has to push us into the war in two days? I really did not know how to react to this. In a way it all sank in and became real, the war is coming into my life. I have to fight to stay alive out there and say goodbye to life as I know it. I took a quick shower and fled to my room. I couldn't remember the last time I felt like this, I felt alone. I don't know where I even stand with the Captain. Last night he invited me in, I saw what was really inside him and I felt at home here, and something I've never felt before. I just can't let him go. No matter how mad I was at him. His heart however belongs to someone lucky girl. 

I slowly walked out of my room and made my way down the hall not really paying attention to where I was going. I just kept walking down the hallway and down a flight of stairs. Before I knew it was standing right in front of the Commanders door knocking slowly. 

"Come in! Jack Arcklow my boy how can I help you today? Wait don't tell me! You thought it over didn't you! Are you ready to accept that proposal I offered to you a couple days ago?" 

"Well, Sir I did think it over but I'm afraid I have to say no to that but actually I came to talk to you about something else." 

"What is it, I hope everything is ok?" 

"No Sir it is but I was wondering if I could switch Captains." 

"What? Why?" 

"Well, Captain Grayson has done an amazing job but I feel like I would best learn a thing or two from another Captain Sir." 

"Mmm well frankly this is a bit strange to me, Captain Grayson is the best I have I don't think you'll learn anything from anyone else son but if that is what you want then I'll switch you over to my squad. Maybe I could learn a few things from you right!" 

"Thank you Sir! Excuse me Sir." 

I walked out of the office almost kicking myself! Where the hell did that come from! I let my brain do all the taking instead of my heart and I guess it paid off this time, I hope that is. 

The Commander made us gather in the lobby like usual and broke us up into our groups. I saw Captain Grayson at the top of the staircase walking down towards me with a smile on his face. As soon as he reached me he began to give orders to our squad. I nearly walked away and headed to my new squad. 

"Solider! Where are you headed?" 

Did he just call me Solider! Not Arcklow or Jack? Just Solider, great, another reminder of what I really was to him. Before I could say a word I heard the Commander chime in, responding for me. 

"Sorry Captain Grayson but Arcklow has asked to join my squad. I hope that's ok with you?" 

I turned to see Captain Grayson look at me with big sad puppy eyes that made me want to run up to him and apologize as well as plant a big hug on him but instead he replied with a cold sad tone. 

"No Commander Rhodes, I'm sure he'll be happier learning from you." 

"Excellent! Shall we begin Arcklow?" 

I looked at Captain Grayson one last time before I turned to join my new squad. I did not know what emotion to pull out so instead I just grew angry. I looked into his eyes and walked away from him. 

The rest of the day went off quite normal, like any other day. I again was the only one in the group who knew how to fluently read German and gave out instructions. It seemed to amuse the Commander quite a bit. By the end of the day I was extremely tired. I walked up the stairs and planted myself straight on the bed and fell asleep. 

Chapter 6: The Big Dance 

Tonight's the night of the dance! I was in no mood to dress up and have a bunch of women show their loyalty to the country by giving us pleasure for the night just to get shipped off and kill other men. I kept thinking about how and what I was going to do, most of all I kept thinking about Captain Grayson. 




World War II Bk. 01



I got out of the shower and spent the rest of the day writing to my parents and working on more flight codes as well as learn some air maneuvers. The Commander called it time and sent us to our rooms to get ready for the big night. I opened up my closet and saw the uniforms designed to wear for a special occasion, which I guess was tonight. This uniform felt smoother and once I placed it on I felt like a true man. I walked up to the mirror and noticed my eyes were back to grey, dead and dull. I have never looked the way I did today; I felt pride in wearing the uniform for the first time letting it define me, as it should have always. 

By the time I was finished I heard the music start and everyone was already here, the young girls standing around with a smile on their face and a giggle like always. I walked down the stairs and saw a group of the soldiers dancing with these young ladies. I searched the place completely trying to find the Captain but he was nowhere to be seen. I picked up a glass of Irish whiskey off a tray and took a big gulp. Finally I fixed my eyes on what seemed to be the Captain and a beautiful young lady wrapped around his shoulder. He was talking to the Commander and his wife while having his prize around his arm. I finished the rest of my drink and noticed his eyes fixed with mine for a second. I looked at him for a second longer and walked away with another drink in my hand. I sat down at a table furthest from the crowd where no one could care to look and drank my glass little by little. 

"Is this seat taken?" 

It was him. I looked up and shook my head and finished my second drink. 

"Whiskey?" he asked. 

"Yea it seems to relax me." 

"Well, you should have told me that last night, I ordered whiskey instead remember." 

I didn't bother to look up at him and kept my eyes in the cup hoping he would just leave me. Tomorrow was the last day I would ever see him. 

"Anyway Jack I want to apologize for last night I had too much and ended up in your bed with you on the floor right next to it, as a Captain I should know better." 

"Don't worry about it Sir." 

"Here you go again with the Sir, what happened to Captain?" he laughed 

"Sir I believe your young lady is waiting for you over there by the dance floor." 

I felt him look at me for a couple of seconds and saw him stand up without saying another word and walking back to where he was. Never in my life have I felt like this. I lifted my head to see him back with his girl saying a few words followed by her laughing, he looked back at me with these really big eyes but I got up and looked for another drink. I walked through the movie halls, which were now transformed to hold a marvelous ball. In fact this place no longer looked like a theater, it was beautiful in here, I had no time to look around when I was coming down the stairs but now as I looked around I couldn't help but be blown away. I took another glass and walked into a living room type center and sat down. I looked and saw the Captain walking towards me and took a seat right next to me. 

"So the Commander sends you off tomorrow to face your final test and off you go into the war, the dam bloody war. Listen Jack I know that the uniform and the glory makes it seem like it's worth it and how your country thinks it's an honor but in reality it's just a death sentence. However once you go into something like that it's the small things you're thankful for. When and if you come back you realize just how special people become to you and just their presence makes you feel valued and cared for. Did you know I never told anyone that I loved them?" 

"Why don't you do it right now, go find that beautiful person who makes you value life. Who makes it worth living for, she's in the next room, go right now and kiss her" I replied back. 

I saw the Captain thinking about each word I said carefully and just sat there, before I could say anything else I saw him stand up and walk away. I finished my fourth glass and just wanted to go to bed. I stood up and dropped my pocket watch doing it, great. I bent down to grab it. I wanted to just fade away. I walked up the stairs and made my way to the roof of the theater. 

Once I got to the roof I looked up at the night sky, it was beautiful. I sat down on a bench and closed my eyes. I could hear the music perfectly from up here and suddenly I felt a little better. Suddenly I heard the door to the roof open and knew the Captain followed me up here. 

"Where you able say what you need too?" I asked. 

"Yes, and no, I said farewell to the one I was told to love but haven't said I love you to the one I want to love." He replied. 

I was trying to put together what he said but he interrupted my train of thought. He walked over to where I was sitting and pulled me off my seat. 

"I love you." He whispered. 

I looked right at him with a puzzled look trying to realize what he just said. He leaned in closer and closed the gap between our lips. I felt amazing, his lips were soft and I felt paralyzed from that kiss, never in my life have I ever felt like this before. He pulled away with his eyes closed and a big smile on his face. He looked amazing; my heart was melting right in front of him. 

"I love you too Sir," I replied. 

He responded by giving me another small kiss. I smiled back at him and could not believe what was happening. Right then and there a "Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" began to play, he looked right at me and pulled my hand. He led me into an open space and began to dance slowly with his hand on mine. I turned to see Grayson. He looked into my eyes with a smile. He whispered, "Please sing that part you sang to me yesterday." 

END OF BOOK ONE



World War III



"We need some help here, Jack---a strike package and an extraction team---now!"

"The fast movers are eight minutes out---the helos almost thirty, Hal, ah, Mr. President"

"They'll be dead or worse in five. We're going in; we're switching to Tac two."

"Mr. President..."

The four star combatant commander knew that protest was futile. He'd known the POTUS since their first war together. He remembered fondly his first meeting with the then brand new lieutenant. He'd known then that he was different...special. He'd had no idea how special.

How had Hal Franks become President of the United States and leader of the free world? Reluctantly, for sure, even more so than a Gerry Ford or even a George Herbert Walker Bush who never really seemed to want to be President. With less than eighteen months remaining in the former president's second term, his vice president had had a massive heart attack and could no longer carry out his duties.

In a polarized and contentious environment the former POTUS had nominated a man who was a surprise all---Hal Franks. A decorated war hero, award winning writer, philanthropist, highly educated genius and billionaire many times over...with a diverse privately held business empire that scanned the globe. Hal didn't simply throw money at a problem, he jumped in head first. Curing pandemic diseases, perfecting new non-fossil fuel energy sources or attacking poverty and disadvantage with revolutionary techniques, Hal Franks rolled up his sleeves, gathered the resources and did what needed to be done.

The contentious opposition party had failed miserably in their attempt to thwart his confirmation. He ate their collective lunches in the confirmation hearings and they didn't even know it. He parried their relentless attacks with a delightfully wry wit, a gentle smile and a command of the issues that was unparalleled. 

Even the opposition senators' strongest and typically most radical supporters didn't have the heart for the battle. Hal Franks was also a true humanitarian who had done more to advance the causes of minorities and women over his life time than possibly any person alive. Since both NOW and the NAACP had made Hal Franks there, 'man-of-the-year' on countless occasions, it would have been glaring hypocrisy to deny him their support.

America loved him before the hearings; afterwards, they adored him. When he raised his hand to be sworn in as Vice President of the United States he had an unprecedented 92% approval rating. Most assumed that the reluctant new VP lacked the stomach for politics and would not run for President in an election campaign that had already begun. He hadn't planned on it but the country just wasn't willing to let him get away.

Here was a man with nothing to prove and no one to whom he owed favors. He was on a first name basis with more world leaders than the last five presidents combined. He spoke a number of languages fluently---no one was exactly sure how many. As a private citizen he had been called upon by prior presidents of both parties to help deal with a number of potential crises around the world. He had always delivered, often with a result that the cynical press had already declared impossible. He was disarmingly candid and even playful with the press who thoroughly enjoyed his oft unannounced forays into the White House Press Room. He simply didn't have the ability to spin rhetoric in speeches; he simply looked the electorate in the eye and told them the truth---and told them what he was going to do next.

He had served his country for all of his adult life; he came to the conclusion as he contemplated becoming a candidate for president that his country wanted---needed---at least four more years of service from him. He accepted his party's nomination; his acceptance speech left the country and much of the world in awe. Here was an almost apolitical and caring leader who, 'didn't need the job' but was quite obviously the only man for the job in troubled times.

The former president had slipped out of the limelight to allow his new VP to become the face of government, desperately praying that this special man would, as he had always done, rise to the occasion out of a sense of duty and service and run. Hal traveled extensively in the first year; every place he visited---every leader with whom he met—was touched by his grace. At the end of that first year he would have been elected president of the world if there had been such an office. Even the partisan rancor in his own country cooled dramatically.

The other party chose their ticket; it was a dreadful one. Americans have been loath to put someone in the White House who they just can't find a way to like. The junior senator from one of the nation's most populous states often came across as shrill and mean spirited. She made factual errors---even lied---in campaign speeches. She never could shake her radical roots nor appeal to the voters as someone who could be trusted as a Commander in Chief. 

Her running mate, a bright, well educated and articulate African American Senator who had once been viewed as a shooting star of the party did not hold up well under the rigors of a national campaign. While he had seemed glib and erudite in his often prepared addresses or in news conferences in which friendly questions had been planted, he fell apart like a cheap suit under serious scrutiny. Hal Frank's choice for Vice President hadn't helped his situation.

Hal chose Nancy Davis as his running mate, a forty eight year old former Marine Officer with an astounding resume. Incredibly bright and well educated, she had succeeded at everything she had ever done. She had made a brief foray into politics serving a term in the House of Representatives, then being appointed to fill out the remaining term of a deceased senator and subsequently winning election by a land slide. She could have stayed there for life, if she had chosen. 

Instead she went to the private sector and turned around not one but two struggling airlines in less than four years. She then went on to fix one of the nation's most important but beleaguered charities. She was appointed and virtually unanimously confirmed to a federal judgeship in the former president's second term---after successfully resurrecting the Federal Emergency Management Agency in less than eighteen months. 

She had been the first female Marine fighter jock, shooting down five enemy aircraft over three US interventions in the Middle East to become the country's first---and only--- woman ace. She stood barely shy of six feet in her bare feet, had a smile that could melt stone, possessed an astounding understanding of the issues and never seemed to need notes or a teleprompter. She was also unquestionable the most beautiful woman who had ever graced the national political stage. She bantered with the press, destroyed her opponent in the debate without ever losing her smile and in short order became America's new sweetheart, albeit one damned tough, smart and accomplished sweetheart.

She was a widow with two grown children. Hal Franks was a widower with two grown children; he was two years her senior. Both spouses had succumbed to cancer during the previous decade. Hal and Nancy became America's first couple even though there was nothing to suggest that there was anything remotely inappropriate between them. Many in the country wished there was, that somehow they could become the nation's first family in reality. They were obviously very good friends with a huge amount of respect and genuine affection for each other. They were both known to be of such unblemished character that even the cynical press and the grumblers on the far extremes of the political spectrum weren't willing to create a scandal where they knew in their hearts there just wasn't one.

The election was virtually over after the debates. The other presidential candidate just couldn't decide who she wanted to be and was someone different in each of the three debates. Without notes and handlers, her abysmal understanding of the modern world was exposed for all to see. She went from shrill and mean spirited in the first debate—her true colors---to sweet and demure with her notorious fake, plastic smile in the second debate, to a complete meltdown in the third debate that raised questions about her mental health. In the end, she couldn't even carry her adopted home state. Hal Franks and Nancy Davis won fifty states and a popular vote margin so massive it couldn't be questioned. Their party picked up enough seats to make the specter of future filibusters all but impossible.

In the weeks between the astounding landslide and the inaugural, Hal Franks disappeared from sight. Rumor started that he was sick; the nation became very concerned. The markets got jittery. A week later, the soon to be former POTUS announced, on very short notice, an address to the nation. It was the highest rated presidential address in history.

His words were very brief. He quickly deferred to a massive flat screen TV; the networks and cable outlets were already tied into the satellite feed. There was Hal Franks. To his left was the diminutive leader of one of the world last rogue nations---a nation that the US was still technically at war with after over half a century. The other seats on the dais were occupied by key leaders from other Asian nations, some friends and allies, several less so. In short order, Hal Franks introduced each of the participants---greeting them and introducing them flawlessly in their native languages as well as in English. It was a startlingly warm and friendly gathering.

The war that had never ended was now over. The rogue nation would no longer be so; at that very moment their borders to the South were being opened to allow free passage in both directions. All the nations in attendance had agreed to a mutual protection treaty---had literally become allies. Asia, to include the two most populous nations in the world, would become non-nuclear. All would unite in the on going battle against terrorism. 

The television talking heads---and probably most private citizens---were speechless, almost in disbelief. One of the most obnoxious ones, a man noted for berating and rudely cutting off his guests started his usual babble.

"What does this mean? What did we have to give up? Is this just politics as usual?"

One of his guests for the evening gave him the answer that everyone in the world soon came to understand was reality.

"Shut up you blithering idiot! It means that the potential for World War III---a nuclear war---has just been taken off the table. It means that somehow, by the grace of God, our next President---Hal Franks---has just saved the world as we know it---again."

The new President took the oath of office a few weeks later and quickly filled his cabinet with a culturally diverse group of undisputed caliber. When he announced plans to reduce the size of the Federal Government by 10% a year though retirement, normal attrition and financial incentives, the expected objections of union leaders were drowned out by the cheers from everyone else.

Hal Franks 'ruled' the Congress with an iron hand and openly, but always good naturedly chided them when they bloviated or became partisan. He worked with both parties to get needed legislation enacted into law. He shamed them out of much of their hog trough, pork barrel nature and the people ate it up---even if it meant they wouldn't get that new bridge that they all knew they didn't really need.

He challenged the media openly to hire people who new something and had done something other than be hacks. On one occasion during one of his unscheduled visits to the White House daily briefing, a reporter asked him pointedly why he no longer called on the representative of one of the largest news outlets.

Looking directly at the offending reporter and addressing him by name the President cleared up the issue quickly.

"John, I've been listening to you ask uninformed and idiotic 'gotcha' questions for years---since long before I became President. You just don't know much---about anything---and your shallow self serving questions clearly demonstrate that fact. You're a good looking guy, and you seem like a pleasant fellow but as I made clear to you and your boss I will never entertain a question from you---nor will my press aide---even if hell freezes over. If you in the press want to seriously be viewed as the fourth branch of the government then grow up, get some smarts and act responsibly. You have an obligation to the citizens of this fantastic nation to inform and educate and many—most---of you aren't living up to your end of the bargain."

John was gone from the White House press corps the following day along with several of his comrades. Media outlets who were purely partisan and negative lost their following and their money. Some changed; some failed.

President Hal Franks did many things very differently than his predecessors. The White House staff shrunk measurably. The press corps was kicked next door to provide office space for the Vice President who became a true partner in governing, not simply a ceremonial ribbon cutter as had always been tradition.

Hal Franks brought his own people in to provide his close in security, all of whom were former Secret Service, military or FBI. He temporarily moth balled the 747 that was viewed as Air Force One in favor of an aircraft of his own radical design. The grumblers grumbled about him flying in a private aircraft. He had ended up leasing the craft to the Air Force for a dollar a year. Some pundit complained that there should have been a bidding process to allow minority vendors an opportunity to compete. 

He had also activated several reserve Air Force pilots to fly the plane. He charged the Air Force another dollar a year for a maintenance contract and then a third dollar for all fuel. The grumbling partisans looked like the mean spirited fools they often were and the country opening booed their antics. Always beholding to political polls, the opposition leaders soon abandoned their efforts to 'get' Hal Franks as their own popularity ratings fell into the low double digits. 

The Secret Service director grumbled on about the POTUS usurping his authority to any reporter or partisan member of Congress who would listen. When a known radical with a plastic but lethal blade eluded Secret Service screening and got to the front row of a line of people wishing to shake his hand and attempted to assassinate Hal, the American people were furious. The fact that the president himself actually disarmed his attacker only added to the legend who was Hal Franks. The country quickly had a new Secret Service director and the elite agency received a thorough house cleaning. Cleaning out do nothing, incompetent bureaucrats was a passion of Hal's. 

Entire agencies that were unable to justify their existence began to wither on the vine. The vast public welfare system known as the Federal Government became lean and mean. Billions of dollars were saved. Market analysts and foreign lenders applauded. The third year budget was not only a balanced one but provided a surplus. Taxes were cut and the economy boomed. More and more government workers looked to better opportunities in the private sector. Fewer new workers wanted to work for the government. Private accounts for government pensioners, to include Social Security recipients, became law and became extremely popular.

Hal appointed a tough old cop and former prosecutor to the Attorney General's spot and directed him to go after the cheaters and thieves within government at every level with a vengeance. The people were tired of being fleeced; state and local prosecutors soon filed suit and the corruption declined dramatically. The government, possibly for the first time ever, began to work for the people---and the people loved it.

Hal Frank's special air plane resembled the old NASA lifting body and was in essence completely curvilinear. It was reputed to be very stealthy and very fast. It was in fact both---and far faster than most people could even imagine. Easily the size of a 747 it was in fact hyper-sonic and capable of flying at extreme high altitude on the very edge of space. Utilizing vectored thrust, it was also able to land and take off vertically. 

It's use in combat---for Hal had actually built a dozen of the special planes---came to light when a militant Chinese general unhappy with the new world order stole the launch codes for China's few remaining nuclear tipped weapons---those that had not yet been dismantled---and mobilized an Army, Navy and Air Force of his followers in a bold and deadly plan to reclaim Taiwan, destroy Japan and dominate the Korean peninsula. It occurred early in Hal's second term as President. The other party had put up token resistance, another awful pair of candidates and got hammered even worse than they had four years earlier.

As the news unfolded, the doom sayers in the media egged on by the disloyal opposition attempted to portray the impending conflict and possible conflagration as Hal's fault. They painted an apocalyptic picture of hundred of thousands of dead American soldiers, devastation to the world economy and the complete failure of the President's Asia policy.

Some even predicted that America would lose with dire consequences. In any event, they predicted, it would be a true world war which would last for years or even decades. Some even claimed that the Chinese president was in on the plan and had lied to Hal and could not be trusted. In the first seventy-two hours of the conflict there was a virtual news blackout, further fueling dire speculation by the idiot talking heads and wacko editorialists. There were reports of nuclear detonations. On the night of the third day Hal Franks called for time for an address to the nation. The markets had been jittery but the declines had been almost minuscule.

As the American people waited to hear from their leader they knew they'd get the truth, good or bad. The spirit of optimism in the nation was almost surreal and only increased the consternation of the press and pundits. The POTUS spoke briefly---under five minutes---and took no questions.

"It's over. We're done. Our mission was a success. All remaining Chinese nuclear devices have been destroyed, many utilizing our airborne missile defense system which worked flawlessly. Those still in their silos which had nor yet been dismantled under the previous treaty were destroyed in place. Sadly it was also necessary to destroy most of China's modern Navy---at least in the Sea of Japan. One of their own nuclear devices, an air launched cruise missile bound for the South Korean Capital, veered off course before we could get a lock and destroy it, killing hundreds of thousands of Chinese military forces assembled for the invasion of Taiwan. From trajectory analysis and information received from the Chinese leadership, three missiles were intended for the West Coast of the US. Other targets included the Japanese mainland."

"We on the other hand used no nuclear devices of any type. We did, however, find it necessary to eliminate most of their anti-aircraft capability and all of their modern air force. Since the attempted attacks on Korea, Japan and Taiwan never got off the ground, there were no civilian casualties in those countries. The efforts of our allies were critical in the success of this operation and all have suffered military losses. As laid out in the treaty, all signatory parties responded to the attempted invasion of one of their allies---Taiwan---vigorously and in a coordinated manner. "

"China's President will be here in the White House tomorrow. I consider him to be my friend. It is my personal belief that he was not part of this action but was unable to stop it. It was in fact critical to the success of our endeavor that the Chinese leadership provided valuable intelligence and worked with and not against us over the last three days---and before."




World War III



"He will be here accompanied by other key Chinese leaders to sign his nation's unconditional surrender, the key terms of which include internationally inspected total disarmament of China. China will also immediately vacate disputed areas---to include Tibet and Hong Kong. We currently control all Chinese air space and with help from China's neighbors—and our armed forces---have totally blockaded the Chinese mainland. American military aircraft are currently visible from the ground in the capital city of Beijing and are fully prepared to retaliate with everything at our disposal if there is even a hint of hostile intent."

Hal paused, uncharacteristically and took a sip of water. "I regret to inform the American people that almost 100 brave American fighting men and women made the ultimate sacrifice in this encounter. The losses include air crews, special forces and Navy ship borne personnel. God bless these brave souls, God bless their families and loved ones." Hal's countenance grew grimmer, almost menacing as he continued.

"God help any man or any nation who doubts for a second this great country's resolve and ability to stand by our friends and allies. It should serve as a simple lesson to all and is perfectly embodied in the old Marine Corps adage: 'We're your best friend or your worst enemy. You decide.' Good night and God Bless the United States of America."

The speech ended and those watching it, regardless of which channel they were watching, were again presented with the typical panel of talking heads. On Fox News, Mort started to make one of his normally inane comments. Brit cut him off.

"Mort! Shut up. We need to take a break now, not only to digest what we've just heard but to allow one of the most stunning speeches every given by a president to sink in."

In the hours and days that followed there were many questions at every level. The disloyal opposition grumblers slinked back into their holes. The President and the Secretary of Defense made it very clear: no, we're not going to release any tactical and few strategic details of this military operation. The tools and techniques used represented the most heavily guarded secrets of the country's military capability. Some in Congress wanted an investigation which would certainly result in the leaking of critical military strategies and technologies. That call died quickly. Faced with overwhelming polls indicating that the American people did not want their precious national security secrets splashed all over the media, the press lost interest in the story.

A few details, more rumor than detail in actuality, did slip out. There were reports of highly classified special aircraft, airborne battleships, which had been the deciding factor in the quick defeat of the Chinese forces. The favorite X plane name, "Aurora" was bandied around. Such stories were dismissed by the more rational as science fiction. The SECDEF scoffed and assured the press that the US military certainly didn't own such planes.

Those special planes were very much scientific fact. The military didn't own them; they rented them from the company that Hal Franks had founded---for a dollar a year each. There were twelve of them, almost identical in appearance to the new presidential plane plus four other smaller aircraft, roughly 737 sized that had originally been prototypes. They were hybrid fuel aircraft which could operate on normal jet fuel but also had the capacity to manufacture and utilize pure Hydrogen. Several were in the process of being converted to a pure fusion technology. 

They were the stealthiest planes every built, included an active armor capability which was essentially an early stage shield. They were armed to the teeth, not only with conventional weapons systems but with pulse energy weapons of unbelievable power and accuracy. Those that had been converted to fusion power could not only fly to the edge of space but beyond. By the time the need for their services again arose, all had been converted to the newer fuel source and engine design. One fact never leaked out; it was known only by a handful of military leaders. Hal Franks had personally led the battle from the air over hostile territory.

The last vestiges of the islamo-fascist cults had been driven from the rest of the world into sub Sahara Africa. Unfortunately it was there that they joined forces with a patron, a megalomaniac Marxist strongman who had for several year been building his military forces while stealing the new found economic fruits of his neighbors. He now had nukes---twelve of them it was thought. He also had an EMP weapon that could render modern electronics useless. He had an army of nearly a million tribal fanatics. He had chemical and biological weapons. He was now blackmailing his richer neighbors and the world.

Hal Franks had called the world to battle; the greatest coalition in history representing virtually every nation in the world---including North Korea and China---stood at his side. All knew that the US would bear the brunt of the military burden; they always did. As was expected, the press and pundits predicted a blood bath and the ensuing quagmire in Africa.

Hal Franks knew that was a possible outcome; he also knew that if the daring plan which he and a tiny handful of military leaders had created worked, the war would be over in a matter of weeks---and the nuclear threat would cease to exist by morning.

Ground forces were arrayed along the rogue nation's borders awaiting the results of this night's missions which, if successful, would be followed by a blistering air and artillery assault. Hal knew in his heart that the enemy below consisted of fanatics who would die rather than give up. Other world leaders understood the reality, though none would speak of it. Defeating this enemy would not suffice; they would have to be annihilated---killed.

The sixteen special aircraft of Hal's design were thought to be immune to Electro Magnetic Pulse as were a small handful of the most advanced US aircraft. Everyone else had to be kept far enough away to provide safety until the EMP was disabled, destroyed or detonated.

The plan was actually simple. Highly trained Special Forces teams had been covertly inserted at the locations of the enemy's nuclear missiles. Similar teams would sever fiber optic communications networks which would hopefully deny the enemy a clear picture of what was happening. If they failed in their attempt to disarm the missiles, Hal's special air armada would take out the weapons from the air. The latter method was not the preferred one; once the fireworks began, the rogue nation's leader would certainly unleash the EMP weapon and his chem-bio on his neighbors, potentially killing millions. The coalition did not have a fix on the location of the EMP weapon. The plan was to entice him to expose or even use it prematurely since the conventional air war could not begin until that threat was removed.

All of the Special Ops teams had miraculously accomplished their assignments and encountered minimal resistance. Most had either been extracted or were exfiltrating to other locations to provide battlefield intel or to be extracted. 

The twenty man team on the ground below Hal Frank had succeeded but enroute to their extraction point had been ambushed and were now surrounded by a crack enemy battalion of at least 600 fighters. Hal was irritated that intelligence had missed them but evidently they had been extremely well camouflaged. All communication to and from the capital was now cut off completely so it was thought that the rogue nation's leader did not yet know the full extent of the coalition's success. 

This enemy battalion had to be eliminated quickly; more important those twenty men on the ground, many already wounded and one critically so needed to be extracted---now. All of the other special aircraft were committed to other potential targets to include chemical and biological weapons and airfield and rocket or artillery positions and could not be spared. Only one such aircraft lacked an assigned target grid and at that moment, the President of the United States was sitting in its command seat.

"Bob!" Hal Franks said to the man in the other seat as he initiated a rapid decent from over 70,000 feet. "Take weapons, I have the aircraft."

Bob knew better than to argue, plus he knew that the right man was at the controls and that his own personal expertise was in deploying the devastating array of weapons systems at his finger tips...after all, he had essential designed them. He had already alerted the crew, which included medical personnel, to strap in for a rough ride.

"Vanguard 26 this is Eagle six---talk to me!"

"We're in deep shit. One critical, numerous additional WIA but still effective. These fuckers are all over us." Came the radio reply from the young officer on the ground. Hal had previously checked the roster of the men on the ground and was pretty sure he was speaking to a young Marine Captain named Josh.

Hal checked his rate of decent, knowing full well from the building G forces that it was very high—higher than any normal aircraft could have survived. His quick mind did the necessary calculations. Bob had already read his mind.

"Ordinance on target in three---I say again three---minutes."

"Josh?"

"Roger?"

Three minutes---less than three minutes. Are you reasonably dug in?"

"Roger that."

I'll give you a heads up at twenty seconds; it's going to be danger close—damned close. Head down, eyes closed and ears covered. We've got a lock on your twenty transponders---don't move. Are you good to go?"

"Wilco." Came the one word reply from the young Marine on the ground.

"I'm launching." Bob said, indicating that he had released the first salvo of high speed air to ground missiles that could accelerate toward a ground target far quicker than the large aircraft could. They were still too high for the absurdly accurate pulse weapon to be used.

"Twenty seconds Josh...ten...five...duck!"

The conventional missile warheads exploded in a series of perfectly concentric circles around the ground team's position as indicated on the IR display in the cockpit. Hal prayed that they had been close enough but not too close.

"Talk to me Josh!"

"A little shrapnel over our heads but were still here. The artillery had stopped but we've still got bad guys within ten to twenty yards. That was a hell of a show!"

"Standby." Hal said turning to Bob.

"I can take out those guys with the pulse systems---safely---at 20,000, maybe another minute. They're too damned close for anything else"

"Josh, we can take out your bad guys very precisely in another fifty seconds. How's your critical? Are you near him?"

"Not good sir; he's right next to me...my senior NCO...I don't think he's going to make it."

"If he's conscious, put him on! What's his name?"

"Joe Wilson, Gunny Joe Wilson."

A rasping, cracking voice, obviously near death came on the radio, still a proud Marine even as death appeared inevitable.

"Wilson." Was all Hal heard; it was barely above a whisper.

"Gunny, this is Hal Franks. I'm a minute away from hauling your skinny ass out of there and taking you home. We have doctors---a damned OR--- on board. Do not fucking die on me---that's an order! Damn it son, stay with me! Are you good to go Marine?"

"I'm damned sure working on it sir...Semper Fi!" Came the reply in a far more robust tone than before.

"Ooh rah! Get their heads down gunny...your going to fucking love this light show.!"

Almost simultaneously Bob engaged the remaining enemy forces with a weapon accurate enough to slice bread, even from altitude. It was a silent weapon that left little more than a pile of crematory ashes where a human form had once stood. Within seconds it was all but over. Josh came back on the radio as Bob announced that another of the special aircraft had diverted to provide cover for the extraction as required---leaving a critical target exposed which had Hal very concerned. The second aircraft was quickly engaging and destroying enemy locations along the anticipated extraction route with deadly precision.

"We are no longer in enemy contact...shit! I watched a guy 20 feet away from me just incinerate...nothing left...just ashes...I could feel the heat!"

Hal made a quick circle over the location at low altitude in hopes of attracting any enemy fire that might have survived; there was none.

"Josh! Fifty meters to your North. My instruments say it's pretty flat---do you see it the same way?"

"Roger that."

"Okay Josh, I'll be on the ground right about there in twenty seconds; I'll turn my tail to you and take you on board through the rear ramp. Get your wounded loaded and get ready to move."

The craft landed and quickly dropped the cargo ramp. The crew chief and his people took charge, quickly performing triage and getting the men strapped in for the rough flight they knew would follow. The critically wounded Gunny was immediately moved to the fully equipped Operating Room on board. The man who attended him was not just any doctor; he was one of the top cardiologists in the world and a member of the US Senate. Other medical personnel attended to the other wounds, none of which were life or limb threatening.

As Hal tightened his harness and prepared for the rapid accent, a voice crackled in his head set.

"Hal, this is Tom. I need five minutes here to get this guy stabilized, clamp some major bleeders and give him a decent chance."

"Roger that Tom; we'll hold. Let me know when you're comfortable."

Hal alerted the cover aircraft that they would hold on the ground to stabilize the critically wounded Marine. Enemy jet fighters were inbound and less than seven minutes out. Hal unstrapped and left the command seat to walk back to the main compartment. There was a mixture of surprise and awe as the young military men recognized him. He took less than three minutes to check on as many as he could, finally getting to Josh, the young Marine Captain.

"Nicely done Captain, damned fine job! Semper Fi!"

"Ooh Rah, Mr. President." The young officer exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear as he thought about what had happened. A lot of people have assumed the title of Commander in Chief, he mused, this guy is the only one in history that's ever deserved it---earned it. 

"I need to get back to work, son. It's time to get the hell out of here." And with that Hal quickly returned to the flight deck.

Tom had always been punctual. "Hal, he's going to make it. Let's get out of here!"

"We're going to have to engage these fighters Hal---and there's a bunch of them. Let's get this show on the road." Came the call from the cover aircraft commander.

"We're coming out right now Paul."

The large aircraft lifted off the ground, hovered very briefly and then accelerated as no conventional aircraft could have done. They were soon passing Mach two in a vertical climb desperately seeking the safe environs at an altitude that normal planes---and most missiles--- could not attain. Unfortunately they were putting out a lot of heat and a sonic signature and were far from stealthy.

"Splash four!" Paul shouted over the radio. "Four more to go. You're still thirty seconds from being out of their missile range. Shit! They salvoed everything they had at you. At least three of them are a clear threat! The rest of the bogies are down but you've got missiles inbound!"

"Talk to me Bob."

Bob responded, obviously engrossed in taking out the remaining threats. "Got one, Hal...there goes another. Climb this fucking beast, damn it! I can't get a lock on the last one---it's very different than the others. All the others are well out of range with pending motor burn out."

Hal could not see the inbound missile below and behind him but he saw it on his threat screen. He punched off canisters of chaff and IR decoys. The throttles were locked tightly in the full power position. The missile was moving slightly faster than the airplane. It would only be a matter of time. There wasn't time to level out and try to outrun it straight and level. He'd chosen the altitude option as a means of escape and was now having second thoughts. Then, miraculously, the missile ran out of gas and veered slowly away from its target.

"That was too damned close. I didn't think there was anything out there that could come close to taking us out. We need to find out what the hell that thing was when this is all over." Hal remarked.

"Roger that, Hal." Bob responded.

Leveling out back at 70,000 feet the two pilots turned to each other and spoke almost at the same instant. "Where are we going to take 'em?"

Bob spoke first. "Let's ask Tom what that kid needs. We've got a hospital ship off the coast but we'd never fit. We could hover and use the winch but the heat from a long hover with this beast would probably damage the ship. We've got a fully equipped and staffed permanent US Army hospital about 1,000 miles north---which isn't that far considering are typical hyper-sonic cruise. Anything closer than that---two hundred miles west---will be more oriented toward immediate and short term trauma care." The doctor soon joined them in the three way communications.

"Guys, this kid has some potential spinal cord damage; with quick surgery, treatment and rehabilitation he'll walk again. We've got all of his leakers plugged but he also has tendon and ligament damage which isn't going to improve without reconstructive surgery. He needs to go to a real hospital. I vote for north; Hal, I know it's going to take you a bit out of the loop for an hour or so but it's the best thing for my patient."

"North it is Tom." Hal replied, already in a turn to the North and preparing to accelerate once they were on course. Soon they were rocketing toward the designated hospital location at a hair under Mach 5. Including slowing down, descending and landing, they would be on the ground in less than thirty minutes. He quickly called the combatant commander to bring him up to date and to get an update on the war. Currently things had gotten very quiet on that front. 

Until the EMP device showed itself or an attempt was made to launch chemical and biological weapons, the coalition was assessing their position and preparing for the next phase of the battle. Hal would be in radio contact but away from the battle zone for at least an hour. He had good people under him and hoped that a request to release allied nuclear weapons would not come while he was away---or ever for that matter. Turning the aircraft controls over to Bob, Hal walked back to check on their patient.

The young gunny was awake. Hal took his hand. "You're a damned fine Marine son and you know how to follow orders. You've got a tough road ahead of you---but you're going to make it and you're going to be back marching on a parade deck and humping the dunes at Pendleton before you know it."

The young NCO smiled and then drifted off to sleep to allow his body to begin the repair process. Hal took a few more minutes to check on the rest of the passengers and then returned to his seat. Bob was in a somewhat heated radio exchange with some idiot night duty officer at the Army hospital now less than fifteen minutes away.

"I'm not getting anywhere with this moron, Hal, you want to give it your best shot?" Bob said with disgust dripping from his words.

"This is a secure net---to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?" There was a short pause.

"This is Major Johnson, the Assistant Administrative Director, who's this?" The man responded with more than a bit of hubris.

"Well, Major, I'm betting that somewhere nearby you can see a row of pictures of the people in your chain of command. I'm the guy on the far, far right---your military right! My name's Hal, Hal Franks, maybe you've heard of me. Now let me tell you what is about to happen. In a little over ten minutes this aircraft---Air Force One for all practical purposes---is going to be on short final to your landing zone. If there is anything in my way on that landing zone I will incinerate it. I will then land with one critically injured Marine and a bunch of other real American fighting men who are pretty banged up. You do not have much time to get an OR prepped and get your top people scrubbed out to take care of this boy. Failure to do so is not an option for you. Is there any part of this directive from your Commander-in-Chief that you don't understand?"




World War III



Whether he recognized Hal's voice or responded to his tone, the officer at the hospital answered appropriately. "Consider it done, Mr. President."

"Thank you Major. Get cracking! Have you assistant standby to transcribe the medical conditions of our patients from our doctor. Out."

Bob laughed. "So that's why you make the big bucks!" The two old friends chuckled together.

Fortunately the landing zone was large and clear of vehicles or other aircraft when they arrived. Hal went back to shake each man's hand as they exited, exchanged salutes without conversation with the hospital commander standing at rigid attention nearby and returned to the flight deck as Bob prepared for takeoff. Soon they were rocketing back to the battle zone. 

The combatant commander had decided to up the ante and start taking out the known chemical and biological locations utilizing not only Hal's dollar a year leased planes but other Air Force assets that were relatively shielded against EMP. Hundreds of unmanned drones were in the air in an attempt to convince the enemy that the air armada was over his territory. There were literally hundred of allied aircraft staged on carriers and on land in friendly countries ready to go in and destroy the land forces as soon as it was safe.

The coalition knew enough about the EMP weapon to know that it had a brief charging phase of perhaps five minutes during which it would be detectable and might possibly be able to be destroyed.

Hal and his four star in charge discussed their options. In spite of the awesome power of the special aircraft, if the enemy decided to launch all of their chem-bio in a single hail Mary, it would be virtually impossible to catch them all without help due to the sheer numbers. They got a break; the weapon charging cycle was detected and the location verified. A quick decision had to be made. Hal spoke first.

"If we destroy it he'll know immediately. If he believes all is lost he's likely to order a total salvo of his remaining dirty weapons...millions could die in the surrounding countries. My folks are all EMP shielded; get your bombers well clear just in case they're not as well shielded. We'll go high---damned high---just in case this baby is more powerful than we think it is. I vote for letting him detonate and then launching everything we have immediately after---what do you think?"

"I've been leaning that way, Hal. Let's go with our gut."

As Hal ordered his fleet to climb to the edge of space, the clock ticked down. The Air Force turned and hit their after burners to put the maximum distance between them and the pulse.

It was the largest Electro Magnetic Pulse ever recorded and was measured at every point on the globe, reeking havoc with electronic devices for hundreds of miles. All coalition military electronics were shut down a minute prior to the anticipated detonation in an attempt to mitigate the damage. Within a matter of minutes it appeared that while there had been minor damage to some equipment, none of it would preclude continuing the operations.

Hal gave the order. "Let's rock and roll, General."

Hal's fleet of aircraft descended quickly and began engaging known chemical or biological sites as well as identified anti-aircraft missile batteries. The B2s, B3s and Joint Strike fighters turned back toward there predetermined targets while a fleet of US Air Force F22s and F24s took to the sky to provide combat air patrols against enemy fighters. The largest air armada every assembled took to the air from every compass point. 

The enemy had amassed the largest, most well equipped and most sophisticated military force in history---thanks in no small measure to European and Asian nations who sold the evil dictator their top of the line equipment. That was damned well going to change when this was over, Hal thought to himself.

There were losses, as was expected but thankfully they were far fewer than even the best estimates. The dictator had made the mistake of challenging the entire world and virtually the entire world had united to deny him his prize. By the end of the first day the coalition had established absolute air supremacy.

It was time to regroup, refuel and rearm and proceed to the next phase---softening up the land forces in preparation for the ultimate invasion. Hal had landed at his combatant commander's forward command center and was being briefed on the situation. He was reading over the casualty lists, pleased that it was shorter than he had expected, saddened that even one person had died. The chemical, biological and nuclear threat had been eliminated but there was still a modern million man army to be dealt with. This was not a time for a policy of containment; the enemy needed to be engaged and destroyed---annihilated. The country needed to be turned back over to a legitimate civilian authority. The last vestiges of Al Quaida and its brethren had to be erased from the face of the earth.

The Western press had little real idea of what was occurring but to most it became clear that the nuclear, chemical and biological threat had been removed. Some on the anti-war left were already condemning Hal Franks and the imperialist United States and urging a 'dialogue' which would end hostilities along with a policy of, 'containment'. A small group was standing arm in arm in front of the White House singing, "All we are saying, is give peace a chance". There was even a, 'no blood for oil' crowd---in spite of the fact that the country in question had no oil reserves. Then, of course there were the, 'land war in Africa quagmire' pundits on many cable outlets. 

One cable military expert, who also reviewed wine when there wasn't a war to talk about, issued dire predictions of the hundreds of thousand of allied deaths which would certainly occur if the coalition attempted to invade the fortified stronghold. His prognostications on the war effort were, as usual wrong...every bit as wrong as most of his wine reviews generally were. Why do they bring back the same pundits who are never right? How do these guys keep their jobs? Hal mused.

The softening up operation, primarily from the air but assisted by artillery from the borders, was set in motion. It was far more akin to the first Gulf War, Desert Storm, than the Iraqi Freedom campaign which followed a decade later. Command and control assets were taking out across the country. 

The enemy was arranged into five armies, a pentagon, well dug in and prepared to defend the border to the death. For seven days---day and night---allied forces hammered the enemy in an attempt to decimate his forces before the land invasion stepped off. At the end of the week, the air assault ceased as the coalition leaders met to examine the results and plan the next phase. "The coalition is, bogged down" the shrill US media declared.

The next part of the plan was brilliantly conceived and if properly executed would trap the enemy forces like rats in a bucket. As the assembled leaders looked at the real time imagery, it became clear that the enemy leader was doing exactly what the coalition had hoped. He was moving his reserves away from the center of the country toward the borders in order to strengthen his forces in preparation for the land invasion. The middle of the country---the capital city---was now lightly defended. Unbeknownst to the enemy leader it was also now infested with thousands of friendly special ops led insurgents ready to secure key strategic locations as soon as they received the signal. 

Once the capital was reasonably secure they would be reinforced by regular troops---exiles from their own country who would be airlifted in. Following that a reinforced corps sized element of coalition troops---a hundred thousand strong---would airlift into the capital's three main air facilities in what would be the largest and quickest airlift of manpower in history utilizing military and commercial aircraft from all over the world. The corps would break out a small rear guard and attack each of the five enemy armies from the rear in force---not all at once but in sequence---driving them into the jaws of the million plus coalition troops massed on the borders while air assets secured their flanks. They would attack the weakest armies first, leaving the special guard army---the best trained and most fanatical fighters---until the very last.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we're ready to send the signal. Are there any objections?" Hal spoke; all in attendance agreed. The signal was transmitted.

The formerly exiled covert insurgents came out of hiding and executed their assigned missions. They fought bravely in the battle to reclaim their nation. Many died and many were wounded but in the end, they secured the required targets and were quickly reinforced by many more of their own countrymen and their neighbors who had trained hard for this day. The battle for the capital was fierce, bloody and costly on both sides. Seven days from the transmission of the signal the city was more or less in friendly hands and the air facilities were secure.

Years later many would look back on this war and comment that it had done more to reduce African tribalism than any event in history as the people of the dark continent shook off their traditional ethnic animosities and united to destroy a common evil. The carnage was almost unspeakable. As a continent chose to unite and fight for its freedom collectively for the first time in history, the African forces surged to the front and willingly assumed the most hazardous war burdens.

American fighting men and women died as did forces from almost every country on earth but in the end it was the African peoples who gave the most and gained the most. Thirty days after it had begun, it was over. The Marxist leader, not unlike a certain German dictator bent on world domination, chose to take his own life to avoid capture. 

The entire country was secure and coalition forces were rapidly loading up and leaving to return home. The million man army of the evil dictator no longer existed; the estimated body counts indicated that few---if any---had escaped. The Al Quaida elements had also ceased to exist and, unlike in previous encounters, there was ample proof of their virtual eradication. The American educated former crown prince had taken charge of the government, assembled a parliament, reestablished the constitution and had scheduled elections.

Hal Franks had shuttled back and forth from the war zone to Washington to personally keep the American people informed. It soon became very clear that Hal Franks---their President---had been no arm chair quarterback. The usual suspects reared their ugly heads; the perpetually annoying congressman from Michigan with the squeaky voice called for an investigation...as he always did.

Hal Franks neither wanted nor needed glory. His Secretary of Defense disagreed. As Hal was opening the letter of resignation of his beloved SECDEF, the daily pentagon briefing was just starting on CSPAN3. The cable news outlets quickly broke in to cover the briefing. At least one of the networks continued their regularly scheduled programming of morning soap operas.

The letter was short and to the point. 

"You may not like what I'm going to do at 10:00 AM this morning. If you are pissed, so be it. In that case, please accept my resignation."

The SECDEF and the Chairman of the Joints Chief came to the front of the room accompanied by twenty young soldiers, airman, Marines and Seals to include one very special young gunny still in a wheel chair. He would walk---even run---again, but he had a lot of rehab ahead of him. The SECDEF spoke first.

"I'm going to play a tape of a series of radio transmissions. We've done some filtering so that it is amazing clear and we patched together cockpit voice recording with the radio transmissions. Give a listen. Then these brave folks have a few words for you."

"We need some help here, Jack---a strike package and an extraction team---now!"

"The fast movers are eight minutes out the helos almost thirty, Hal, ah, Mr. President"

"They'll be dead or worse in five. We're going in; we're switching to Tac two."

"Mr. President..."

"Bob! "Take weapons, I have the aircraft."

"Vanguard 26 this is Eagle six---talk to me!"

"We're in deep shit. One critical, numerous additional WIA but still effective. These fuckers are all over us."

"Ordinance on target in three---I say again three minutes."

"Josh?"

"Roger?"

Three minutes---less than three minutes. Are you reasonably dug in?"

"Roger that."

I'll give you a heads up at twenty seconds; it's going to be danger close—damned close. Head down, eyes closed and ears covered. We've got a lock on your twenty transponders---don't move. Are you good to go?"

"Wilco." 

"I'm launching."

"Twenty seconds Josh...ten...five...duck!"

"Talk to me Josh!"

"A little shrapnel over our heads but were still here. The artillery had stopped but we still got bad guys within ten to twenty yards."

"Standby." 

"I can take out those guys with the pulse systems---safely---at 20,000, maybe another minute. They're too damned close for anything else"

"Josh, we can take out your bad guys very precisely in another fifty seconds. How's your critical? Are you near him?"

"Not good sir; he's right next to me...my senior NCO...I don't think he's going to make it."

"If he's conscious, put him on! What's his name?"

"Joe Wilson, Gunny Joe Wilson."

"Wilson." 

"Gunny, this is Hal Franks. I'm a minute away from hauling your skinny ass out of there and taking you home. We have doctors---a damned OR--- on board. Do not fucking die on me---that's an order! Damn it son, stay with me! Are you good to go Marine?"

"I'm damned sure working on it sir...Semper Fi!" 

"Ooh rah! Get their heads down gunny...your going to fucking love this light show.!"

"We are no longer in enemy contact...shit! I watched a guy 20 feet away from me just incinerate...nothing left...just ashes...I could feel the heat!"

"Josh! Fifty meters to your North. My instruments say it's pretty flat---do you see it the same way?"

"Roger that."

"Okay Josh, I'll be on the ground right about there in twenty seconds; I'll turn my tail to you and take you on board through the rear ramp. Get your wounded loaded and get ready to move."

"Hal, this is Tom. I need five minutes here to get this guy stabilized, clamp some major bleeders and give him a decent chance."

"Roger that Tom; we'll hold. Let me know when you're comfortable."

"Hal, he's going to make it. Let's get out of here!"

"We're going to have to engage these fighters Hal---and there's a bunch of them. Let's get this show on the road." 

"We're coming out right now Paul."

"Splash four! Four more to go. You're still thirty seconds from being out of their missile range. Shit! They salvoed everything they had at you. At least three of them are a clear threat! The rest of the bogies are down but you've got missiles inbound!"

"Talk to me Bob."

"Got one, Hal...there goes another. Climb this fucking beast, dammit! I can't get a lock on the last one...it's different...All the others are well out of range with pending motor burn out."

"That was too damned close. I didn't think there was anything out there that could come close to taking us out. We need to find out what the hell that thing was when this is all over." 

"Roger that, Hal." 

"Where are we going to take 'em?"

"Let's ask Tom what that kid needs. We've got a hospital ship off the coast...but we'd never fit We've got a fully equipped and staffed permanent US Army hospital about 1,000 miles North---which isn't that far considering our typical hyper-sonic cruise. Anything closer than that---two hundred miles West---will be more oriented toward immediate and short term trauma care." 

"Guys, this guy has some potential spinal cord damage; with quick surgery and treatment and rehabilitation he'll walk again. We've got all of his leakers plugged but he also has tendon and ligament damage which isn't going to improve without reconstructive surgery. He needs to go to a real hospital. I vote for north; Hal, I know it's going to take you a bit out of the loop for an hour or so but it's the best thing for my patient."

"North it is Tom."

"I'm not getting anywhere with this moron, Hal, you want to give it your best shot?" 

"This is a secure net---to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?" 

"This is Major Johnson, the Assistant Administrative Director, who's this?" 

"Well, Major, I'm betting that somewhere nearby you can see a row of pictures of the people in your chain of command. I'm the guy on the far, far right. My name's Hal, Hal Franks, maybe you've heard of me. Now let me tell you what is about to happen. In a little over ten minutes this aircraft---Air Force One for all practical purposes---is going to be on short final to your landing zone. If there is anything in my way on that landing zone I will incinerate it. I will then land with one critically injured Marine and a bunch of other real American fighting men who are pretty banged up. You do not have much time to get an OR prepped and get your top people scrubbed out to take care of this boy. Failure to do so is not an option for you. Is there any part of this directive from your Commander-in-Chief that you don't understand?"

"Consider it done, Mr. President."

"Thank you Major. Get cracking! Have you assistant standby to transcribe the medical conditions of our patients from our doctor. Out."

"So that's why you make the big bucks!"

As the tape ended---a tape that would be played over and over on the news for days to come---the collective Pentagon Press Corps was speechless.

The SECDEF spoke. "The President at this very moment is certainly not happy with me. I had my resignation in writing handed to him just before we started. He had expressly told me not to share this tape. I chose to disobey that order. You might also note that the doctor on the tape, Tom, is the Senate Majority Leader. The American people have a right to know what kind of leaders they chose to represent them in the last two elections. And now, these brave folks will be glad to answer some questions."

Two of the questions brought the most interesting answers.

"Captain, did you know you were talking to the President?"

"No, not really; I didn't really have time to check my signal operating procedures and cross check his call sign. The voice was very familiar but it wasn't logical. When gunny Wilson handed me back the radio he said, 'the President needs to talk to you' and I thought he was just hallucinating. He kept mumbling something about Hal Franks was coming down to take us all home. I thought he'd lost it until the President walked back from the cockpit and checked on my guys. He got to me and said, 'Nicely done Captain, damned fine job! Semper Fi!' and all I could think to say was, 'ooh rah'. It was the proudest moment of my life, proud to be a Marine, proud to be an American. I'd follow him to hell if he asked me to...and I know he'd bring me home safely...or die trying."

The other significant question was asked of Gunnery Sergeant Joe Wilson. It was a little bit stupid in its phrasing.

Sergeant Wilson, how important was it to you that the President was the one who helped save your life?"

"Well, first sir, the traditional address is gunny or Gunnery Sergeant Wilson." And with that, the young Marine NCO lifted himself to his feet and continued. "And I knew all along who I was frigging talking to---he introduced himself. I take orders pretty seriously...I'm a career Marine. When the Commander in Chief orders me not to die I'll be damned if I'm going to let him down. There are some words that I think about every day---and will every day for the rest of my life. 'I'm a minute away from hauling your skinny ass out of there and taking you home. Are you good to go Marine?'"




World War III



He grew more serious. "Look I'm just one insignificant Marine. I'll walk and run again because one man decided that our lives---the lives of everybody you see here---were important---as important as---even more important than---his own. I guess I knew that he was a pretty good President; I had no idea what kind of man he really was. I'm with the Captain; I'd follow him to hell and back."

As the legend of Hal Franks received one more embellishment the man himself was quietly reading through the daily intelligence briefs. His second term would soon be over. Nancy would almost certainly be elected President and her choice for VP, another Marine who was currently serving as the first African American Governor of his state, would prove a strong and able partner. The country and the world would be in solid hands.

Nancy...he'd loved that woman for many years but had never acted on it. After his wife's death he wasn't ready---nor was she after her husband had died. As his vice president, any sort of relationship between them would have been completely inappropriate. Yet the two had become almost inseparably close over the previous eight years. They'd shared an occasional embrace---even a kiss, but nothing more. In six months he'd be a private citizen again. He sensed that she had strong feelings for him. The press would grumble---the people would love it. Why not? 

The world was at peace...at least for a little while.

Thirty second after Nancy Davis was sworn in as President of the United States, Hal Franks leaned over and whispered in her ear. 

"I love you. I believe you love me. Will you marry me?"

"It took you long enough. Hell yes!"