Forged in Honor (1995) (48 page)

"And you don't care if the information comes out?"

"Hawk, I've got a mission straight from the director. He said to support you any way I can. I know the State Department and special-interest group assholes are pushing for us to recognize Swei's government. You and I know that's bullshit."

Josh leaned back and tilted his head to the side. "All right, I'll bite. Let me hear this idea of yours."

McCoy looked up at the ceiling fan and began to speak.

"What would happen if ..."

Josh listened without so much as blinking-after McCoy's first sentence, he saw the idea had possibilities. McCoy finished by saying, "It's only an idea, but I could get you all the documentation and equipment you'd need to do it."

"Wait a minute. That's it?" Josh said incredulously.

"You've told me how to get in and what to do once I get there, but you haven't told me how to get out."

McCoy lowered his eyes. "That's the part I haven't quite figured out yet."

Josh rolled his eyes. "Great. When you do, let me know, will ya? In the meantime I'll talk to Stephen and see what he thinks. I like it except for that last part."

McCoy got up and slapped Josh's back. "Sleep on it. Tomorrow the three of us can discuss it during the trip to the camp. Good night. Oh, just one more thing-tomorrow, it's your idea, so you bring it up. I'm just in a support role, remember?"

.

5 July, Thailand Border.

Josh awoke to find his head resting on Stephen's shoulder.

Stephen smiled and said, "You've been out for over two hours. I think we're almost there."

Josh looked out the muddy windows of the Jeep Cherokee and saw they were approaching a village nestled in a valley.

No other vehicles were in sight, and it seemed to Josh that while he was asleep they had entered a time warp. Dark brown people were riding horses and mules toward the village. Each of them was carrying some kind of rifle.

The Jeep rolled slowly into town, and Josh's time-warp theory seemed like the best possible explanation. The street looked like something out of an old western. Horses and mules were tied to hitching posts in front of elevated plank walks and dilapidated storefronts with overhangs. Signs in Thai and English hung from the overhangs: HARDWARE, GUNS, MAMIE'S SALOON, HOTEL, and SADDLES

AND TACK. The wooden sally ports were filled with people, young and old, all moving with a purpose. Some were in uniform, others in camouflage. Several young men and women were wearing T-shirts that read Rangoon University.

When the Jeep stopped, McCoy got out and let in the oppressive heat, plus the sound of music, laughter, an occasional scream, and distant gunshots. Josh stepped out of the vehicle and did a double take as three small reddish elephants plodded down the road, all carrying crates marked M-72 Antitank Rocket on their backs.

A burly Shan colonel approached with an old Horseman whom Stephen and Joshua recognized immediately. The Shan colonel began to speak, but the Horseman stepped forward and clamped his hands on both Joshua's and Stephen's shoulders. "Greetings and blessings, Saos. The gods have blessed us to have you return to our campfire."

Stephen's eyes misted. "Greetings and blessings, Horseman Lante. It has been many monsoons."

Joshua too was moved by the sight of the old soldier.

Lante had aged and looked almost like their old Teacher. His moustache was snow-white and swept back like their old mentor's.

Joshua slapped his hand on the Horseman's shoulder. "To gaze upon you lifts my heart. I have thought of you often."

The colonel stepped forward to take control. He stiffly bowed his head to Stephen and Joshua, but his expression turned colder as he faced McCoy. "You must leave. We want no dealing with you."

McCoy nodded with a sigh of resignation and stuck his hand out toward Stephen. "Good luck. I'll be waiting for your radio message." He winked at Josh as he got back behind the wheel. "See you around."

The colonel turned and again bowed toward Joshua. "I am Colonel Banta, operations officer for the Chindit's army.

Would you both please follow me."

Stephen bristled at the colonel's obvious attempt to ignore him. "I see you haven't changed, Banta. You still know nothing of manners."

Banta's face screwed up in a menacing scowl, but he did not give voice to his feelings. "Come, your son is waiting at the headquarters."

"Where is the Chindit?" Joshua asked, falling in behind the colonel as they began to walk up the street.

"He is attending to several DDSI spies who were captured in the village last night. He will be back within the hour,"

Banta said, keeping a steady pace.

"Xu Kang is feeling better, then?" Josh asked.

Banta spun around to regard Josh with narrowed eyes.

"How did you know the Sawbaw has been sick?"

Horseman Lante growled, "You are speaking to a Horseman. Speak with respect or I will give you a lesson in manners."

Banta sighed and nodded. "You are right, Horseman Lante.

I apologize to you, Sao Hawkins, and to you, Stephen. I have not slept in three days. We have so little time and so much to accomplish. Please forgive my bad manners." Banta regarded Joshua. "You asked about the Chindit. I speak true when I say he is not well. He needs rest. He left our doctor's care this afternoon to deal with the spies who were trying to discover our plans. The Sawbaw wanted to question them before they were hung and didn't want Jacob or the students to see the questioning. The ants will make them talk."

Both Josh and Stephen shuddered. They knew the prisoners would be buried in ant dens up to their necks.

Banta stepped off again. "Come, we have much to discuss."

Josh and Stephen followed the colonel up an alley that ended at a huge stockade. They walked alongside the six-inch-thick bamboo wall until they came to a barbed-wire and wood gate.

Once they were inside, Josh's head spun as he tried to take it all in. The camp looked like a Southeast Asian version of Fort Apache, with the fence and guard towers made of yellow bamboo. Thatch-roofed huts and tents were laid out in regimental rows, and men and women marching in small formations kicked up clouds of red dust.

Banta pointed at a formation of small Karin tribesmen armed with antique rifles and swords. "Our army grows every day. All the minorities have joined us, as have many Burmans. The pye dogs will soon be with their ancestors."

He continued walking up a gravel path under a large camouflage net toward a large sayo-wood cabin with an extended porch.

Stephen stopped suddenly when he saw an old woman wearing a blue turban sitting on the porch with a small boy.

Kaska saw Stephen and her eyes began to tear. Standing up, she bent over Jacob and pointed at his father. The small boy's eyes followed her extended finger and his face lit up.

"Papa!" he yelled as he broke into a run. "Papa, you've come back!"

Stephen wiped his own watering eyes and ran to meet his son with open arms. He hugged the boy to his chest.

Josh continued up the steps and hugged the old woman.

He said in Shan, "You're as beautiful as ever, housemother."

Her wrinkled face turned a shade darker and she slapped at his shoulder. "You lie, White Sao, but it is music to this ancient one. I missed gazing on you. Many monsoons have passed since you visited the house of Kang." Her eyes saddened. "My second daughter is with her ancestors. The pye dogs came."

Josh provided the customary reply. "She lived well. The gods are pleased with her presence."

"Ayee, they are very pleased."

Stephen came up the steps holding Jacob's hand. He faced the old woman and reached out to pat her right shoulder.

"Greetings and blessings, second mother. I have missed your wisdom."

Kaska bowed her head. "Greetings and blessings, Sao. The gods are kind to return you safely. I ... I tried, Sao. I fought the pye dogs but they took my second daughter. The gods are very pleased with her presence."

Stephen forced a smile. "Yes, very pleased." He squatted down to be level with his son and motioned toward Josh.

"This ugly, long-nosed American is your uncle Joshua."

Jacob stepped forward and extended his hand, Western style. "I've read all your letters, Uncle."

Josh ignored his hand and shocked the round-faced boy by picking him up. "You can't be Jacob! The pictures I received were of a little ant. You are nearly big enough to be a Horseman. Who are you really?"

"Jacob! I am Jacob Kang, son of Sao Kang! You are supposed to shake hands," the boy exclaimed, confused by the strange greeting and the silly question.

Stephen shook his head with a smile. "Jacob, your uncle is to be excused, for he is crazy. He has no manners and is joking with you."

Josh laughed and hugged the boy to his chest. "Yes, I taught your father how to joke and I'll teach you, too."

Smiling, Colonel Banta stepped forward. "Come, Saos. I will show you to your quarters."

Josh put Jacob down and the boy again stuck out his hand.

"I have practiced like Grandfather taught me for your arrival."

Josh stood erect, looked the boy in the eyes, and shook his hand. "Greetings and blessings, little Sao."

"Wall-come to 'ere, is a pla plasure to you meet,"

Jacob said in halting English.

"The honor is mine," Josh replied in English as he formally bowed his head.

Beaming, Jacob kept pumping Josh's hand and switched back to Shan. "You understood me! My English was good, yes?"

"It was super."

"Supa?" Jacob repeated, releasing his grip and looking confused.

"It means 'very good,' " Josh explained in Shan.

Kaska intervened. "Come, third son. Horseman Lante and I need assistance in brewing tea for the Chindit and your father."

Jacob ran over to take Horseman Lante's hand but gave Josh a wink. "Supa!"

Stephen put his arm over Josh's shoulder as they followed the colonel. "If you corrupt my son, I'll bury you in ants."

Josh feigned a frown and began to bob his head. "Yes, Sawbaw. Anything else, Sawbaw?"

Stephen grinned and squeezed Josh tighter. "It is like the old days to see you joke and laugh. Jacob did not hear much laughter in Rangoon."

"Maybe we can change that," Josh said soberly.

Stephen looked his brother in the eyes. "Yes, maybe we can."

Banta led them into a large rattan-walled but directly behind the headquarters. "The Chindit wishes you both to stay with him."

Stephen stiffened. "No, not here. A tent is fine. Have one of the servants move my son's things as well."

The colonel said angrily, "Your father wants you to-"

"He can go to a tent."

The three men turned to face the tall, silver-haired man who stood in the but entrance. Xu Kang said, "Colonel, go tell the leaders it's almost time for our planning session. We will meet tomorrow night in the headquarters at seven."

Banta dipped his chin to his commander, gave Stephen one last warning glare, and strode out the door.

The old man smiled at Josh. "By the gods, I knew you would come!" He opened his arms and pulled Josh to his breast. "Greetings and blessings, old friend. Thank you for bringing me my son."

Josh could barely fake a smile to cover his shock. Xu Kang was only a shadow of the man he had been years before. His powerful body seemed to have shriveled and his face now had a pasty gray pallor. "Greetings and blessings, Sawbaw. I'm honored to be with you again."

The old man's faded smile dissolved as he faced his son.

"I see nothing has changed between us, but at least you have come. We need you."

Stephen bowed his head. "Go back to bed, Father. You don't look well. I will talk to your colonel and see what I can do to help." Lifting his chin, Stephen marched out of the hut, staring straight ahead.

Kang looked at Josh, trying to conceal his broken heart.

"Is his face wound painful?"

Josh saw that Xu Kang could barely stand, so he took his arm and steered him to his bed. He helped the old man down and took a seat beside him. "His face will heal, as will his heart from the loss of Mya. His presence here tells you he loves you."

Kang lay back on the reed mat and closed his tearing eyes.

"He came only because of Jacob. It was an old man's foolish dream to believe that the passing of so many monsoons would teach him forgiveness. I'm weary, Joshua, but there is much to do."

"Sleep, Chindit. Stephen and I are here to help you, so sleep and regain your strength."

Kang's eyes fluttered open and he smiled faintly. "I knew you would come-I knew the gods would call you home."

Josh patted the old man's shoulder. "They've been calling me for a long, long time."

Colonel Banta showed Stephen around the camp and afterward led him into the headquarters. "... and as you saw there are Chin, Kachin, Meo, and Burmese workers. We have countless students, some doctors, and even monks. They have all come here and to other camps to get away from Swei and General Tan, who now runs the DDSI."

Banta sat down behind his desk and told Stephen, "Those you saw here and in the village are just the latest flood who have left our country. We send them back to join our silent army in Rangoon with orders to wait."