Free the Last Run (1987) by Leonard B Scott Page A

seigeant in hospital whites grinned when he noticed the lanky buck sergeant wearing camouflage fatigues and black beret.
    "You're just the man I've been looking for," said the ward master as if he was eyeing a new slave. "You're not leaving until tomorrow, so today you're mine. You'll be in charge of getting this ward, and the next one over, cleaned up. You'll have nine men. All are able to walk or push a broom. You'll find mops and brooms at the end of the hall."
    Wade glared at the staff sergeant with disgust. "And what will you be doing?"
    The ward master smiled smugly as he stood up from his chair. "I'm going to a USO show at the air base-you just gave me the ticket." His smile dissolved into a serious frown. "Don't make any trouble, Sarge, or you'll be doing this for a week. I can have you scheduled for a reexamination based on my observations. That should take at least another day or two, and I can keep doing it until I'm tired of you. Now, you just do the job and you'll be gone tomorrow."
    Matt had seen his type before. They were in control of their litde world and could deal misery and woe to their captives. The bastard held all the aces. Matt made a mental note to one day make a special trip back and finish the conversation. He held back his anger and resigned himself to be cool. "Where's the detail?"
    The ward master smirked as he walked for the door. "Next door. And Sarge, make these floors shine."
    Nha Trang Corps Headquarters
    Colonel Ellis stood to the side of General Wayland's desk, pointing to a wall map. "We have confirmed that the Thirty-third and Forty-second NVA regiments are assembling in this mountainous area here. Reports indicate the Thirty-ninth regiment will link up in the next three weeks to form the Second Division."
    The gray-haired Corps commander seemed preoccupied and merely glanced at the map. "Colonel, you're wasting my time. You know my orders are pacification. That area you so casually pointed to is over one hundred square kilometers. It would take three divisions to find them. And if we did find them, Washington would never accept our casualities."
    Colonel Ellis pressed. "We don't need three divisions, General. The Rangers will find them for us, like they found the base camps in Cambodia. The Rangers can pinpoint their main base, and we can send in a B-52 strike to destroy it."
    The general's eyes told Ellis he was interested, but not convinced. Now for the icing, thought the colonel.
    "Sir, Region Headquarters is aware of this buildup, as is the South Vietnamese government. I think you'll agree they will look very favorably upon this Corps should we reduce this potential threat . . . especially since recent reports indicate that the commander of all Communist forces in South Vietnam, General Binh Ty Due, is co-located with the Second Division."
    Wayland leaned forward in his chair and studied the map more closely.
    "When would the Rangers go in?"
    "Four weeks, sir. We would want the NVA with their base camp fully operational and feeling relatively safe. Plus, we need to bring the Rangers up to full strength. We haven't been taking very good care of them recently."
    The general leaned back in his chair, thinking aloud. "You know, we haven't had any positive press since the Cambodia invasion. An operation like this ..." His eyes locked on the G-2. "I approve the plan. You brief me in one week on the details and prepare a briefing for Region Headquarters."
    "Yes, sir," Ellis said with satisfaction. He decided to try one more hand. "General, I've already informed Colonel Rite to begin filling the Rangers back up to strength, and I'm moving the Rangers to An Khe where they can begin a rebuilding program. I hope you approve?"
    "Yes, of course. Do whatever is necessary."
    "Thank you, sir. . . . Oh, I'm sorry, sir, but when you mentioned 'press' I was reminded-I wasn't sure if you knew the Associated Press would be at the awards ceremony this evening?"
    The general's eyes lifted immediately.