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

"What ceremony?"
    "The Aviation Battalion is awarding several pilots Distinguished Flying Crosses. I thought you were ..."
    Wayland suddenly reached over and snatched up his phone. "Get me Rite up here, now!" He slammed down the receiver and looked back at Ellis.
    "How'd you hear about this?"
    "Sir, the Aviation commander and I are classmates and had dinner last night. I thought you knew about the ceremony or I wouldn't have ..."
    Wayland raised his hand, interrupting the G-2. "It's a good thing you did mention it. At least I have one staff officer who understands the power of the press. Thank you and keep up the good woric."
    Ellis came to attention, then briskly strode to the door. He'd pulled it off perfectly. He felt like skipping, but kept his measured gait until passing through the aide's office to the hallway.
    The portly G-l personnel officer ran up the stairs and called out to him. "What's the general want? Do you know?"
    Ellis fought to keep a straight face. "Not really, I just mentioned to him the awards ceremony this evening and. . ."
    "Jesus! What ceremony?"
    Ellis calmly restated what was said and grinned as the colonel bolted into a nearby office. Ellis chuckled as he strolled down the hallway.
    Colonel Rite quickly picked up a telephone and called downstairs to his public affairs officer.
    "What's this about an awards ceremony at the Aviation Battalion?"
    "Yes, sir, they're awarding two DFCs."
    "Was the general invited?"
    "Yes, sir, but I checked his calendar and he has a meeting with the Fourth Division commander for dinner so . . ."
    "Shit! You should have told me! My god, the press is going to be there! He'd cancel the Fourth's general to. . . shit, never mind, just get in my office, now!"
    Rite slammed down the receiver and hurried to the general's office.
    The aide looked up from his desk. "He's waiting on you, sir."
    Rite opened the door and cringed as the general looked up from his desk. "Goddamn it, Charles! How come I wasn't. . ."
    Rite walked out of the general's office five minutes later, red- faced. Goddamn that Ellis. He did this to me, that smart-ass son of a bitch. He came into my office and as much as ordered me to fill the Rangers with experienced men. And now this. This! I'll get you, Ellis. I '11 get you and that prima donna Ranger outfit you think so much of.
    Southern Liberation Military Headquarters
    Private Nguyen Tran Nuu forgot his weariness and hunger as he stood just inside the entrance of the command tunnel. He and Colonel Sy had completed their long march to headquarters and were waiting for one of the general's staff officers to clear them for entry.
    Nuu could not believe the size of the tunnel. Unlike those he had seen before, the corridor was large enough to accommodate three men walking shoulder to shoulder, and electric lights were strung along the six-foot-high earth ceiling for as far as he could see.
    Colonel Sy noticed the private's eyes widening. "This is your new home. I think you will like your position in the Security Battalion. I will talk to the commander and see if you can be assigned a new RPG-7 to take the place of the RPG-2 you left behind."
    Nuu lowered his head. "Thank you, comrade Colonel, but I should return to my platoon. They need me."
    Colonel Sy put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "That is impossible, my friend. You now know the location of our headquarters. The tunnel is a secret and no one is allowed into the valley without permission. Very few even know of its existence. For the sake of security, you must now become one of the Guard Battalion that secures the complex. But it is a great honor to serve here. Your family will be very proud."
    Nuu recalled who had halted them a kilometer from the entrance and searched their packs. He and the colonel had been escorted down a trail that passed through four heavily fortified checkpoints. The soldiers all wore clean uniforms of the same style and color, and even wore their red collar rank insignias. Their