The Chameleon Soldier: NOW AS AN ALIEN BLUE HE CANNOT DIE. (14 page)

The general replied, “I don’t think the men we’d choose would betray us.”

“Your key words there are ‘I don’t think’. Do you want to risk your career on it, general?” asked Congressman Bernard.

There was dead silence as the three military men pondered the congressman’s warning.

“I may have an answer to our problem,” offered Kip.

The four men looked at him.

“You do?” asked Admiral Hildegard.

“Yes. I believe I have the perfect man for your mission.”

General Mittlebonn asked, “Who?”

“A retired soldier I’ve known for many years. He wants to get back into action.”

“Retired? How old is he?” asked the admiral.

“He’s old as far as experience goes, but not yet thirty,” said Kip, with a smile.

“What are his qualifications?” asked General Dugan.

“He’s served in two wars. He specializes in recon, disguises, covert operations, and is skilled in all weapons. He speaks several languages. He is the most loyal American I’ve ever known. He should have received all of the military’s top medals for what he’s done for this country, but he’s a quiet man who doesn’t want honors or recognition. I would trust him with my life. I’d trust him with my mother’s life,” Kip told them proudly.

The admiral beamed. “My God, I’d like to meet a man like that!”

Congressman Bernard grinned. “Kip, you’ve got to be kidding us. There’s no man around who fits that description.”

“Believe me, Thomas, he is real,” said Kip.

“How do you know him?” asked Mittlebonn.

“Remember, before I was a congressman I was a captain in the 1st Cavalry. I met this man right after the war.”

Dugan was skeptical. “If he’s a seasoned war hero, as you say, why haven’t we heard of him?”

Kip thought for a few moments. He knew he couldn’t tell them the real story about Killian. He formulated a story.

“You won’t find a record of my friend. His family’s from out west, and they have a history of fighting in the Civil War and the Indian Wars. He was born in Indian Territory, so he doesn’t have a birth certificate. When he was young he learned to ride and fight, and became a civilian scout for the cavalry. He is a master of disguise. He could be here at the ranch, and you’d never see him. He has spent time in foreign countries, and been a sort of mercenary for the United States. He has always worked in covert operations, and under an assumed name. He prefers to be anonymous. I have seen him in action, and I’m awed by his abilities.” Kip chuckled. “This is kind of ironic, but I offered his services to Director Spencer, and he turned me down.”

“So he’s part Indian?” asked Mittlebonn.

“You could say that, General.”

“Why’d Director Spencer turn him down?” asked Dugan.

“He wouldn’t go for the anonymous part. Said he was hands on, and wanted to know his operatives,” replied Kip.

“Yes, Spencer’s a control freak. He runs a tight, in-house agency,” said Mittlebonn.

“Let’s meet your man. We’d like to talk to him,” said the admiral.

“No, that won’t happen. As I said, he wants to keep his identity unknown. He only wants to work through me. That’s the reason Spencer turned him down.”

“How could that work, if he’s working in the field for us?” asked General Dugan.

Kip thought about it for a moment. “Maybe, if we do put something together, I could arrange for one of you to be involved with him.”

“Why would he want to take on an assignment like this? It could be quite dangerous,” Admiral Hildegard pointed out.

“Because he is a real American, and it will appeal to him, especially if it helps the United States.”

“It’s hard to believe you know someone like him, someone we’ve never heard of.” said Mittlebonn.

“I know, general, but he has always avoided attention.”

Mittlebonn shook his head. “You’re asking us to put our careers, and our future in the hands of a man we don’t know, and most likely will never meet?”

“Yes, that’s true,” Kip replied. “However, he is the answer to your problem. I swear to God he’ll get the information you want, General.”

There was another brief silence.

“If we go along with Kip’s idea, does anyone know how we could incorporate this man into the field, and be unnoticed as one of our men?” asked the admiral.

“I’ve been thinking about it since Kip described his qualifications,” said General Dugan. “There’s SERE, a new training school. It stands for survival, evasion, resistance and escape. As General Mittlebonn here knows, it was established by the Air Force for their pilots at the end of the Korean War. It has now been extended to the Army, and is being taught to the soldiers. It’s a program, which provides training in evading capture, and teaches survival skills to military personnel, Department of Defense civilians and private military contractors. There are special non-appropriated funds for private citizens, like contractors, and indirect Army civilian personnel. Men can also be trained to be instructors, to provide in-field training to the military units or civilian personnel.”

“Sounds like darn good training,” observed Congressman Bernard.

“It is. I’ve attended some of their classes,” Mittlebonn told them. “The training focuses on survival and evasion. And in addition, they teach skills like woodcraft and wilderness survival in all types of climates. The course includes emergency first aid, land navigation, camouflage techniques, communication protocols, and how to make improvised tools for survival.

Kip nodded. “I think it would be a perfect fit for him.”

“From what you’ve told us, Kip,” General Dugan went on, “it appears he already has most of the qualifications. If he’ll do it, there’s a school at Camp Mackall, in North Carolina; it has a regular three-week course or a five-week course to qualify as an instructor. If he took the five-week course, after he finished, I could set him up as an Army civilian specialist. He’d be part of my civilian training team, and wear the SERE patch and instructor’s ribbon. He would be qualified to train other military personnel or civilians. No one would question him, and he’d have free rein wherever he went.”

“I believe he’d like to do it, and I think it’s a great cover for him,” said Kip.

The others nodded their approval.

Congressman Bernard leaned forward. “I have questions. If it’s non-funded, and he’ll not actually be in the military, how do we pay him and cover his expenses? How do we fund this program? Has anyone given thought to the expense of checking on the CIA?”

“For a while now, we’ve been contemplating some type of action,” Admiral Hildegard answered. “About two weeks ago, I discussed the possibility of funding an investigation of this nature with one of America’s wealthiest men, who shares our interest. He’s a democrat from one of America’s more prestigious families. He and his family made their fortune from European wine imports, real estate and other ventures. He has a disdain for the policies of our present republican president, and a solid dislike for the CIA and their methods.”

Kip and Congressman Bernard exchanged a smile, as they knew exactly who the admiral was talking about, the outspoken Whelan Dunne.

“If it’s who I’m thinking it is, he’d be a pretty good source of funding, admiral,” Congressman Bernard conceded.

“Yes, Whelan Dunne is,” agreed the admiral, beaming.

“Kip, will your man work with me, and go to the SERE school?” asked General Dugan.

“I have told him about our meeting. He’s interested in getting back into military action. I’ll talk to him about this new development. I have a strong feeling he will be quite interested, sir.”

“This meeting has taken an unexpected turn, but sounds very promising,” said Admiral Hildegard. “How about a show of hands on whether we give this proposal a go or not?”

The five men looked at one another, and all raised their right hand.

“Excellent,” said the admiral, “then we’ll proceed. Kip, if your man is in, then I suggest you set up a meeting with General Dugan. Is that alright with you, David?”

General Dugan nodded. “That would be perfect. I look forward to meeting him, and setting everything in motion.”

“Gentlemen, it looks as if we’re finally taking the first step to finding out what the hell the CIA is up to,” said General Mittlebonn with an air of satisfaction.

Kip grinned. “Okay, now that we’ve agreed, how about we go for a relaxing swim, and enjoy some of Zack’s liquor? He’s told me his staff is preparing a special dinner for you tonight; featuring the biggest T-bone steaks you’ll ever set your teeth into.”

The four men applauded.

Late that afternoon, a long table was set up alongside the pool. Zack, Kip and the other four men enjoyed themselves drinking and engaging in casual conversation. Two of Zack’s trainers were busy grilling thick T-bone steaks. One of them was the muscular, red-haired Killian.

The following morning, after a late breakfast, the four men left. Kip and Killian went out to the stable, where Kip saddled Blaze and Killian readied another horse. While out riding, Kip told Killian about the meeting and what they had discussed. After hearing Kip’s proposal Killian stopped his horse and dismounted.

He stretched and looked up at Kip. “It sounds good. It kind of covers all the bases we’ve talked about. In a way, I’m getting back into the military, but still somewhat concealing my identity.”

“That part’s true, Killian. But you do realize how dangerous this undercover operation could be? The CIA is well organized. They would react quickly, and in deadly fashion, if they learned of someone informing on their illicit covert and clandestine operations.”

“I’m aware of the danger and I’ll be out on my own. However, I’m looking forward to it. I really want to do this, Kip. Will you set it up?”

“I can call General Dugan in the morning.”

“Fine, do it.” He started to get back on his horse. “When you introduce me to the general, call me Killian Muldoon.”

“Why don’t you want to use your real name?”

“Muldoon will give me more of a background, and creditability as a soldier. You can tell the general my great-great grandfather was a sergeant decorated in the Civil War. I’m sure he’ll find the name in the army records.”

Kip smiled. “Makes sense to me, Killian Muldoon.”

Killian mounted his horse and they rode back to the ranch.

W
helan Dunne was
born in the county of Laois, in the midlands of Ireland. His parents, Donald and Margaret Dunne, along with Donald’s younger brother Danny, decided to leave Ireland, and cross the ocean to America in 1895. At the time, things were bad in Ireland, and there was a belief great opportunities lay in the land across the Atlantic Ocean.

Donald Dunne was a big-boned Irishman with a crop of bushy, dark brown hair. He stood six-feet two-inches, and weighed a strong two hundred and twenty-five pounds. His younger brother Danny fell far short of those marks. Danny was five-foot nine with black, curly hair, and tipped the scales, soaking wet, at one hundred and fifty pounds. He had a wiry build and a nature to match.

Little Whelan Dunne took after his dad. At six years old he was tall for his age and solidly built. His mother Margaret was a beauty. She was of medium height with shiny light red hair, skin the color of cream, and saucer-shaped violet blue eyes. She was quite a religious woman, and many wondered what she saw in Donald Dunne as he and his family was a hard-drinking, fun-loving, rather wild, bunch.

On the boat to America, Donald made the acquaintance of an energetic Italian by the name of Sal Macaluso. Sal told Donald about his friends and family who had gone to America a few years earlier. They had brought healthy grapevines roots with them, and upon arrival in New York they were told about good land in Northern California. They had continued their journey, settling in California where they planted their grapevines. Throughout the trip Sal boasted about how his family members now had a fine vineyard, and was making lots of money.

After the Macaluso and Dunne families had gotten off the boat, and gone through the Ellis Island immigration station they didn’t stay in New York City. As soon as possible, they were on a train to Chicago, after which they boarded the Atchison, Tapeka and Santé Fe railroad train to California. It was a long and costly trip, and it exhausted most of Donald’s money. When they arrived at Sal’s family vineyard, things were not as wonderful as Sal had pictured. The vineyard was small and barely producing enough wine for the few families in the area. However, the Dunnes and Macalusos were ambitious and determined. They cleared new land, and planted more grapevines. In a few years, they were producing a large quantity of fine wine.

In time, Donald and Danny started a merchandising, distribution and shipping company, and left the tending of the vineyards, the fermentation, and bottling of the wine to Sal and his family. At first, they shipped wine throughout California and the western territory. But, within five years they were shipping their wines as far as New York. The two families were becoming wealthy. The Italians jokingly referred to Whelan’s father as the “Don of Wine.”

By the time Whelan was sixteen he knew all aspects of the wine business. He often took trips back east with his father and his uncle Danny. On one trip to New York they took him to a large warehouse. It was there he learned how they were now involved in importing wines from France, Italy and Spain. The warehouse was the main redistribution center for the various wines being brought in. The Dunnes now had big-time connections in Europe, and more recently, Canada.