Operation Jericho by Jonathan Ball

Author:Jonathan Ball [Jonathan Ball]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing
Published: 2017-11-05T16:00:00+00:00

RAGE

Special Agent McKenzee swiped his arm hard against the front flap of a large canvas tent set in the center of Army Post 43. A dank must, the smell that only old and worn military equipment could make, filled McKenzee’s nostrils. Rows of cots lined each side of wobbling, drab green walls. Wind kicked at the bottom of the tent and allowed a slight but piercing breeze to enter the large space. Packs and personal belongings were neatly staged, but small bits of trash and letters were scattering about in the winter draft. The tent was well kept by most standards but showed the signs of an Army post not common to those held by Marines.

All the gear was new and seemed unused. Sleeping bags remained on top of cots rather than being rolled and stowed. Vacant boots were set at the foot of each cot with the laces loose. Only two cots stood apart from the others, distinguishable by being occupied and kept in better order.

Iman and Hasim, true to the core of their Marine ethos, had their boots placed beneath their racks. The toes were turned to the underside, left side dominant, with the laces pulled tight and tucked neatly into the tops of the leather. McKenzee smiled at the sleeping Marines. I’m surprised they aren’t sleeping at the position of attention. McKenzee’s lighthearted thoughts fled the tent in a sudden chill. He realized that waking the men, considering their current state of rest and their prior engagements with the enemy, might be like poking a stick at a sleeping lion. The beast might simply stir to roll over if he was well fed and too tired to fight, or he might pounce to life and cut the man’s throat.

McKenzee cleared his throat loudly from across the tent, well outside of arm’s reach. Neither of the beasts stirred. They were resting, truly resting, for the first time in what seemed like a decade. The agent held no doubt that they were dreaming of time away. He shuddered at the nightmares they must have faced every time they closed their eyes. His skin crawled at what they must have seen. His heart ached for the things they had to endure just to get back home. Then he pondered in sorrow the idea that “home” was a war.

“Rise and shine, gentlemen,” McKenzee said in a waking tone. Both Marines sat up scared. The unfamiliar environment put them on edge, and they were ready to fight. McKenzee was thankful that they were not armed and he had the foresight to stay out of reach.

Iman saw Hasim. Hasim saw Iman. They were instantly comforted in the fact that they were still alive, but each man took a moment longer in registering the relative safety of the tent. Finally, they looked to McKenzee and realized safety was assured. Neither of them was doomed to live out the twisted dreams of the enemy. They were away from Jericho and among friends. However, McKenzee’s presence only meant that relative safety was set to end sooner than later.

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