He tried to put into words what he inherently knew.“When we look at a big picture objective, the concept can be overwhelming.Here are bad actors, and we need to apply force in a certain way.But there’s a lot of players and a lot of moving parts—air, land, sea, ops.”He took a sip of coffee to give himself a moment to mentally assemble his conclusion.“In the end, when it all works together according to plan, we have a successful mission.But it didn’t happen by accident.There was always a plan.”
She pursed her lips.“Are you reckoning my life to a combat mission?”
He gave a slow smile.“I wouldn’t go that far.But I believe God has a plan.Sometimes the setup for that plan happens back here.”He held his hands apart and waved his left hand up and down.“But we can see where it mattered here.”He lifted his right hand up and down, then picked up his coffee.“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked back and said, ‘Ahh, that makes sense now.’”
She took a bite of her sandwich and chewed slowly, clearly considering his words.Finally, she swallowed and met his eyes again.“In that case, I look forward to the day I can say, ‘Ahh.Now I get it.’”
He chuckled.“Trust the plan, Olive.”
“What about you?”she challenged.“Why Green Beret?”
He sat back.“Army brat.Third-generation Special Forces.I don’t think I had much choice in the matter.Grew up everywhere.My dad retired in South Dakota, which is where my mom was originally from.Ever been?”
“South Dakota?Never.”
“He has this place on the prairie that sits dead center between Mount Rushmore and Laura Ingles Wilder’s home.More than a hundred miles from either.Midland.Literally in the middle of nowhere.”
She balled up a napkin and set the last bite of her sandwich aside.“So, you went Special Forces to fulfill expectations?Or do you actually enjoy it?”
Hard question.Could anyone enjoy what he did?“Not either exactly.”He chewed slowly, mulling a reply that didn’t sound dismissive.“I mean, dad’s proud of me, sure, but that isn’t why I did it.My childhood just made me aware that this career was an option as my future career.But if I had never joined, I wouldn’t have beenpersona non grata.As for the work itself…”
He took time to carefully think through his next words before speaking.“I’m good at it.I think God designed me for it.But enjoy?There are aspects I enjoy—my team, strategy, and hitting the bullseye from 2,400 meters.I like those things.And, as much as it sucks sometimes, I enjoy the training.I kind of embrace the suck.”
He paused for a few breaths, considering his words yet again.“But the real-world application?I think I’d be worried about myself if I said I ‘enjoyed’ that.It’s a terrible duty, but a very necessary duty.”He paused again.“I enjoy living in a free country, and I know what keeps it that way.Non sibi sed patriaeand all that.”
“I get that.Not for self, but for country.”She studied him, her eyes holding his for a long beat, then nodded.“I appreciate the honesty.”
“Olive, I’ll always be honest,” he said, washing the remainder of his sandwich down with the last of his coffee.“I have no reason to lie to anybody,”
Once more, Olive toasted him with her cup.“I’ll keep that in mind before I ask something risky.”
Beijing, China
Liang Wei stood in the busy tea shop and closed his eyes, relishing the sound of Mandarin Chinese filling the air from a dozen different conversations and the rich, earthy aroma of oolong steeped in hot clay pots that enveloped him.
His last assignment in the Dominican Republic required him to master Spanish.Before that, he operated a covert organization in Miami, Florida, where he had to play a simpering fool while also learning to speak French and English.
He could not wait for his time in the west to end.He just wanted a nice, local assignment to complete his last five years of service to the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of State Security, or MSS.
He took the paper cup of tea from the attendant with a bow and carried it outside.The cool November breeze felt refreshing in comparison to the humid air of the Dominican Republic.He all but closed his eyes and breathed it in, instead choosing to casually take a deep breath.He would be alone soon.
He spied his contact on a bench by an old war statue.He casually walked over and sat next to him.
“You’ve done well.”
Liang nodded.He knew he’d done well.“And?”
His contact remained silent.Liang watched a flock of pigeons descend on the statue and wondered at the freedom of a bird, but the hard life of scraping for every bite.
Finally, the contact said, “We are sending you to Haiti.”
Liang threw his head back and laughed.“Haiti?Are you mocking me?”The question was met with stony silence.Finally, Liang asked, “Why?”
“It’s a short assignment.We are providing weapons for rebels in exchange for unfettered access.”
With a gasp, Liang clarified.“Unfettered?”
He nodded.“That’s the deal.”He lit a cigarette, and the wind blew the smoke away.“Your French is impeccable.Your English is good.Your Spanish is passable.Go make the deal.Give them what they want.Make nice.Let him think we’re on his side.Then you can have a team of twenty trained men to set it up.”
