FOURTEEN
To avoid detection by German ground and air radars, Guterman’s helicopter pilots flew the ships “nap of the earth,” following the contours of the ground and rising above treetop level only to avoid power lines and other obstructions. Between the pilots’ low-level tight turns and the disorienting effect of his night-vision goggles, Stern, although nervous about what he would find when they arrived, felt some relief when the kaserne came into view. With memories of the Germans’ observation point near the front gate still in his mind, he directed the troopships in a wide detour to come at the kaserne from the south, or back. There, screened by a low ridgeline from both the base and the town of Baumflecken, the main body hovered while the scout helicopters went forward.
The minutes crawled as Stern waited for the reports.
“We are burning up fuel at a very rapid rate, Herr Colonel,” said his German pilot. “We need to either go in or set down soon.”
“Better to waste fuel than lives, Captain. We’ll wait on the recon.” But the wait was growing maddening for him, too. He was reaching for the radio to prod the scouts when the report came.
“Six, this is Ironhorse Six. Spot report. Over.”
Just in time, Lieutenant McKay. I knew I brought you out of your track and on this mission for a reason.
“This is Six. Go.”
“This is Ironhorse. Enemy activity vicinity grid 744562, that little rise in the field outside the front gate. Appears to be their headquarters element, no more than a dozen individuals visible. Major firefight going on vicinity the 1-89th barracks area. I count six heavy weapons engaging one building. Scattered return fire is coming out of that building against the heavy weapons. No other activity on the kaseme that I can see. Over.”
That machine-gun fire has to be the Germans, reasoned Stern; we didn’t leave any machine guns behind. So Saunders decided to stand and fight. I really didn’t think he had it in him, but then I never really thought I’d be doing any of this.
He made up his mind quickly.
“Three, this is Six. Send one platoon in to grab their headquarters— that’ll cut off the head. The gunships will neutralize the heavy weapons and cover the rest of the element going into the primary LZ inside the barracks area. Disseminate the orders. We go in five minutes.”
“This is Three,” came Larry Wu’s voice over the radio. “Got it. Wilco.”
Having walked every inch of the ground in the depot, met with her soldiers, and visited her wounded, Maggie sat in the Kriegspiel command post and stared at the computer screen.
The laptop beeped, startling her. Maggie swiveled and typed into the computer.
“Hey, Major Cooper, this thing isn’t working.”
He slid in behind the keyboard. “No sweat, the protocol parameters just need to be reset. Here, let me.” His fingers flew over the keys until the screen cleared. Then a message appeared.
“Arrived home safely,” Cooper read aloud. “The place is a real mess, from the uninvited guests, but most are gone. The rest have been confined to the spare bedroom. Homecoming party actually quite tame. Sad to report that Aunt and Uncle Saunders deceased, along with seven of nine Mikes. Also one female member of the family, a close friend of R. Lawson. Seven other members of the family injured, none seriously. All junior members okay. Twelve in traveling party also involved in minor accidents upon attending homecoming party. I will stay here and make guests and family comfortable. Six will take escort and return to your location, wishes to speak with individual above. ETA three hours. Will write more with details later.” Cooper turned to Maggie. “It’s signed ‘Larry.’”
Maggie snorted. “Captain Wu may be a fine operations officer, but he’s just plain lousy with codes.”
“From what I gather, the counterassault went well. Although it sounds like the kaseme is pretty well shot up, we came away with only a dozen lightly wounded. Evidently there were only six dependents hurt, and one dead. It looks like Colonel Stern will need a new sergeant major, though. Wu says Sergeant Major Saunders and his wife were killed, along with most of the MPs.”
“What about this guy Lawson? Was that his girlfriend that was killed?”
“Evidently.”
“You going to tell him?”
“No, not me. I’m a staff officer. That job comes with the commander’s hat, and evidently Colonel Stern’s coming back to tell him personally.”
They were waiting for Stern when his helicopter sat down. During the short trip to the office, Stern told them about the air assault into Baumflecken and the death of Lawson’s girlfriend.
“That’s going to go down real rough, isn’t it, Sir? His girlfriend a spy, responsible for the death of eight soldiers and a civilian? Do you think he had any idea?”
“No, not Lawson.”
“Whew.” Cooper shook his head. “I don’t envy you. What are you going to tell him?”
Alex Stern massaged his chin thoughtfully. He stared at the wall, then at his notes, then at the blank computer screen.
“I don’t know, Major. I have to think this one through.” Alex stared out into the night. “Maybe as much of the truth as I think I could bear if it was me.”
It was just after 3:00 a.m. when Winchell shook Roosevelt Lawson awake and told him that the brigade commander wanted to see him. Lawson dressed quickly and headed toward the brigade CP, conscious of the stubble on his face. The guards halted him a few meters from the entrance to the building, but once Lawson gave the correct password they motioned him through the door.
Inside, Lawson saw Colonel Stern waiting for him, along with a female major. Once Lawson saw her name tape, he recognized her as the depot commander, remembering her name from the sign near the front gate. As he approached he reviewed his platoon’s actions since they’d stormed into the depot. Other than crushing the gates, he couldn’t come up with any damage they’d caused. I wonder, Lawson thought as he crossed the room, what we’ve screwed up bad enough for two commanders to haul me in here in the middle of the night.
“Sir, Sfc. Roosevelt Lawson reports as ordered.”
Alexander Stern returned the big man’s salute. “Please sit down, Sergeant.”
When colonels invite, thought Lawson, you accept. He sat.
“Sergeant Lawson, in just a few minutes the SI will release the information we have concerning the status of the dependents back at Baumflecken. I know everyone was worried when we heard the Germans planned to take them hostage. I can tell you that the counterstrike was very successful, and that the kaseme and all in it are now secure.”
Stern coughed.
“There were, however, some casualties. Though we didn’t lose any soldiers out of the counterattack force, the Germans did inflict heavy losses on the MP squad that stayed behind. Twelve women were injured and Sergeant Major Saunders and his wife were killed.”
“This is about Liza, isn’t it, Sir?”
“Yes.” He was trying to be businesslike, to be professional. “I take it you two were close?”
“She’s just my life, that’s all. I care about her very much. Is she hurt? How badly?”
Stern could see Lawson’s mind working behind his eyes. He lowered his voice and tried to be strong for him.
“There was one other civilian casualty.” Stern paused. “I’m sorry, Sergeant Lawson. I’m very, very sorry.”
They watched the air go out of him. Lawson’s head fell to his chest. He tried to hold himself together.