Blind Eyes, Black Hearts - A GWOT Story (On Hold)

Chapter 6, Part 1 - Jalalabad Airbase

So Rick and Pamela had a conversation the next morning, involving the details on Delta Company, nicked by others as ‘Task Force Dagger.’

Rick explained that Task Force Dagger, or easily called ‘Dagger’ in radio sequences, was pretty much the standard Rifle Company; having 3 ‘Rifle’ Platoons and 1 ‘Weapons and Support’ Platoon with a single ‘marauding’ Recon Team led by a chosen non-commissioned officer (NCO) that usually sticks with the captain at all times. Dagger is led by Captain James Killbride, the tall West Point graduate who looked like reaching the rank of general one day.

His Executive Officer is First Lieutenant Narendraputra, usually called ‘NP’ by the men. He’s the most POG-ly person of the group, as he operates computers and is usually the person who stands in radio when Captain Killbride was too ‘busy’ (or lazy, he likes to play football with his recon team and officers, instead of manning the ‘unmanly position of the radioman’ despite conceding that communication is crucial). He could be described as a good-moraled man with thick glasses and a jutting jaw, and is also of West Indian origin, so his skin is a bit more olive than most. His darker complexion makes the locals like him, due to their similarities. Narendraputra is one of two Muslims that exist in TF Dagger.

The senior NCO, Company First Sergeant John Hansbruck, was the father-figure of the company. 43 years old this year, he is the oldest serviceman in the company, and many soldiers, even officers, like to ask him for advice. 1SG Hansbruck and CPT Killbride are the best of friends and co-workers; Killbride was the strategic and tactical expert, while Hansbruck was the man that made everything like an easy task to the men, who could relate to the men.

Then Rick explained the good-looking Second Lieutenant Goodwin.

“Then there’s Pretty Alex, First Platoon’s Leader. I can’t describe a lot about him to you. It isn’t that I don’t know him, I’m damn close to him, it’s just… I can’t describe him to you other than a few words. He’s got the looks, and he’s got the brains and the brawns. You’ll like him.”

Pam Simpson wrote in her little notebook, where she kept all the names of the people Rick told her about. Rick could see the names, all correctly written: Killbride, CO, Captain. USMA; Narendraputra, XO, 1LT. Rick did not know where NP got his degree, but he knew he was an OCS Graduate.

Then there was Hansbruck, Company First Sergeant.

Goodwin, Dagger One Actual. UCLA.

Since every other crucial member of the company before him had been asked, Rick expected that it was his turn to be asked. The big-hazel eyed lieutenant asked. “And what about you, Lieutenant Salvade?” She had an intelligent and complex air about her, and this, somehow attracted Rick.

“Please, it’s Rick.” Rick said.

“Okay, then, Rick. So what about you?”

“I’m…” He looked down at the spicy wings that were on his plate. It reminded him of the blood, the shrapnel, the gore – Paul Cortez - “Can I take a different meal first, please?”

Pam nodded to Rick’s request, and Rick took his plate and carried it off to the serving corporal. He asked to trade his wings for some soup. The man poured chicken soup onto a plastic bowl and gave it to Rick. “Here, sir. I understand.”

Rick walked back to Pam, who was busy on her notes. She, as regulations commanded, had put her hair into a neat ponytail that would fit into a helmet or a beret. Rick wondered how her hair would look like if she unbraided it and let it spread. God. He sat down in front of Pam Simpson, his previous seat, and put his soup on the flat white table.