Soft Touch

CHAPTER 1

AWARENESS THE FIRST STEP BACK

I am? Yes, I must be. As I think I am, therefore I know I am.

But was I before? What is this before? I do not understand a before as I only know that I am in this now. I know it's important that I am in the now even when I question this Before. I know I am and I must have existed for a long now as I am here and I have been here in this now. Is this before as important as the now?

I know the now is where I am and where I exist. Could this before place exist where all the nows once existed and have been replaced by a progression of nows. Or does this long line of nows reach back into a before now place? I do not know. I cannot remember. My before place is this huge nothingness. I must try to remember what I was before I became only who I am now.

What is happening? Something is wrong. There is something different. My I am is not pleased with what has just become my I am now. My, before I am now had been good. But this I am now is not good.

But how do I know what is good? I just know and that is all that matters right now. What is happening? What are you trying to do with who I am now? No I don't like this. Take it away and leave me alone.

That is strange. I believe he was trying to respond. Doctor Price stated as he clicked off his penlight before putting it back into his shirt pocket. The pupils of his eyes started to contract to the light then they dilated and now they will not respond to the light at all. It is almost as if the light being shinned into his eyes was causing him pain and he simply turned his eyes off.

What was that? How did you get in here with me and make that noise? A noise I am did not make. Can I am make such noises?

This is very strange, very strange indeed. The Doctor commented as he was shaking his head. Maybe we will know more in the next 24 hours. Hopefully by then he will be conscious. The Doctor paused before he ordered. Nurse. Increase his morphine drip 10 ccs per hour.

What was that? It hurt me. Should I be afraid? Afraid? That is a strange word. Where did that come from? I should know that word, but I cannot remember where it came from or why it made me feel very uneasy."

Feel? I do not know how to ‘feel,’ do I? Those noises in my now are gone. They were not part of what I am are they? No. I am is not the same as these other noises. I am is only one and I have not made any noises, have I? My I am is separate from these other noises. I must be, but I do not know why. The pleasant before" is now back and so are other noises. Some are high and others are low just to let me know that I am not alone.

I am is feeling restricted. There is a band holding me down and I cannot move. But could I move in the "before? There are other noises. I tell myself that I should know what they are but I cannot remember. What is a noise? I must know because I used that word as if I knew what it means. Do I have a noise? There were some confusing noises in the back ground. Yet there are a number of equally spaced noises that are all mixed up together. Yet I can sometimes separate them and hear those which provide a steady and measured rhythm while other noises are making different sounds like an echo or a counter rhythm to the others.

I did not notice them before. I feel my I am now has a sound myself which must be coming from within me. It is a steady Ba-rump-a bump, Ba-rump-a bump. I am sure I have heard this before. But it could have been faster when I heard it before. There I go again thinking about that before idea. The noises are moving away or they are becoming smaller and smaller. My I am is losing the feeling that I am" now.

Has there been any progress? The night shift doctor asked the night nurse as he was making his rounds.

It is difficult to say Doctor. He seemed to be coming around just before 0200 Hours. Then he tried to move and he thrashed around against the restraining straps holding him down. He must have tired himself out as he slipped back into a drug induced sleep at 0315 Hours. The Nurse reported.

The Doctor continued to checked the charts on this patient, Major Michael Patrick O’Neil. He made a quick check of all the dials and monitors which continued to producing the small beeps of reassurance that confirmed both the patient and the machines were working as expected. The doctor did not make any other comments before he left the night nurse with her patient.

The pleasant time was back, as I became aware that I am again. A pulsing noise was also back even stronger then Before making me feel less pleased with the pleasant time as it disturbed the otherwise welcomed knowledge that I am was now again.

Fear was back and the sense of uncontrollable spinning and falling had taken over my now even if the I am was close enough to hear the noises again. The loss of the noise made me aware of yet another unknown I had assumed. I thought I could tell when I was not alone by the noise as the noise was just beyond the edge of where I know I am. Then I felt the noise start to go away and I could not make it stay as the pleasant time was also going away and then I was no more.

How is the Major doing, Nurse Clamens? The doctor asked while checking the charts and reports from the last 24 hours.

He had a bad might sir, the Navy Nurse responded. I almost thought he would wake up around 0200 hours, but then he slid back into a frightful tossing and turning for nearly an hour or so before he laid quietly. He has been that way now since 0315-hours. The Nurse responded.

CHAPTER 2

IN THE WASHINGTON D. C. AREA

How is O'Neil doing? The Director asked as he pointed to a soft leather chair in front of his heavy dark wooden desk.

He is hanging in there, Sir. The Doctor is saying with all things considered, he is doing fine. Colonel Rodmann responded as he took the chair offered to him.

Is this the same O'Neil that shot that Russian advisor in Vietnam back in 71? The Director asked.

Yes sir. He made that shot over 14 hundred yards. The Colonel commented.

Oh yes, I remember reading that report. That was one hell of a shot. The Director commented.

Yes Sir. O'Neil’s one of the best we have ever had, The Colonel continued on this line of the conversation.

Has there been any improvement on his lady friend? The Director paused after his question.

No Sir, as you know we have one of the world's best Psychiatrist’s trying to help her, but even that has not turn out so far. They thought they had lucked out during their first week of treatment but that break through was short lived as she slipped back into a coma. But that early success may have established they were indeed on the right track. She is still in that private mental hospital in Pontiac Michigan where she has been there for several years now. Prior to our help, it had been a hopeless case. Colonel Rodmann reluctantly stated.

That really is too bad. O’Neil really fell for that one. We almost lost him over that lady and that would have been a great loss to us all. The Director commented.

"Yes Sir. I am glad we talked O’Neil into staying the Army, as we both know there might not have been any other way to get that Drug Lord if we had not talked him into it. Now that O’Neil successfully made the hit on General Bongu and he also took out the bastard Chou, I feel really feel sorry for him. It appears his phenomenal survival skills were not enough this time and his luck just ran out on him.

"I do not think those Drug Dealers were very happy about what O’Neil did. They first tried to ambush him in the streets of Siagon when he was heading for the airport. They rammed his sedan into the side of a building and where filling it full of bullet holes when O’Neil ran into a blind alley.

There was quite a gun battle as O’Neil only had his 45 Automatic and eight rounds of ammunition. He killed seven out of the eight bastards in that alley and the one that lived did not live very long. Unfortunately, O’Neil was apparently hit by a ricochet on the top of his fore head. That shot put him down and knocked him out cold. If there were any other men in that ambush party, they could not finish O’Neil off before the Vietnamese Military Police arrived.

O’Neil was taken to the MAC-V hospital in Siagon and then he was Medevacked to the Naval Hospital ship, Good Hope where he had been for two weeks." Colonel Rodmann reported.

Yes. The Director said nodding his head in agreement to what he had heard from Colonel Rodman. "I also see where they tried to get him at the MAC-V Hospital and several suicide bombers blew themselves up along with a Hospital Wing where they thought O’Neil was at. The suicide bombers also blew up the Prison Hospital section where the wounded gunman from the street ambush was being held and treated. They got the gunman and then they tried to get O'Neil when he was on the Hospital ship.

That Navy Nurse Clemens was really on the ball. She called out the Marines and had those two locked up in the Brig before they could do anything. I understand those two men turn out to be Army Deserters who have a long history of dealing in the Black Market." The Director stated and paused before he continued.

All this makes me very nervous. What I want to know is just how they knew it was O’Neil and where to find him? I would hate to think we have a security leak like that. As far as I know, no one even knew that O’Neil was even in Southeast Asia yet.

That is true Sir, the Colonel paused, We thought we had things air tight, the Colonel paused before he said. It looks like we need to take a good hard look at just who knew and why that information was not kept Top Secret.

You are right. Let me know what you find out. the Director said looking down at a sheet of paper he had been holding.

Yes Sir, right away Sir. Colonel Rodmann took his cue and left the room as quietly as if he had never been there.

CHAPTER 3

SIAGON, SOUTH VIETNAM THREE WEEKS EARLIER

The private dining room in the back of the GO-GO Club was filled with smoke as four men sat around the table. Their heads bowed as the man in the shadows beyond the spill of light from the shaded overhead lamp, spoke in somber tones of deep respect. He spoke in his native tongue with a Northern accent. "Gentleman, we have all suffered the loss of our great leader and friend along with our able leader, Mr. Chou.

Mr Chou’s family and friends are in deep mourning due to this dastardly attack by the American hit man we all know as Soft Touch. This is the same man who was responsible for shooting the Russian advisor, Colonel Jargar Bouchifvic in 1971.

We have located Soft Touch in the American Embassy under the name of Major Michael Patrick O’Neil, which we have confirmed this is his real name. This O’Neil is also responsible for numerous deaths in our organization, the People’s Army and the Army of North Vietnam. When he was the Commander of the Special Operations Unit of American snipers, he had a price on his head of $75,000 American Dollars. We had thought that a reward of such magnitude would have been more than enough to have someone kill him. Apparently, the Americans had even faked his death so we would stop looking for him when he was about to go home.

We have been told he will be leaving tomorrow evening on a special flight to Japan. Sergeant Thomas Atkins, who is a longtime friend of his has been scheduled to drive him to the airport. However, this sergeant will come down with a very serious stomach problem. One of our Black Market American deserter's will take his place. He will insure O’Neil is brought to our ambush killing zone, where eight of my best men will send O’Neil to hell.

A man in the uniform of the South Vietnamese Army with the rank of a two-star General leaned forward into the light as he spoke. "Very good my friend Toa, you have been worthy of our confidence and trust. I too have longed to send this young man to rest with his ancestors ever since he threatened my Aide, Major Sim. Actually, the threat he made was to shoot down my helicopter when made its approach to land on the roof of Grand Hotel. Which as you know is the Headquarters building of the First Field Force in Na Trang.

O’Neil is such a typical American wise ass that has been a thorn in my side and our business for too long. The nerve of him to suggest that I was bringing in bags full of drugs every Monday morning was beyond my level of tolerance, but there was little I could do, as that bastard would have most likely shot me and my helicopter down to prove his point."

Your Excellency, we all thought your boldness was too great a risk for yourself and our business responded a man who remained beyond the light casted by the lamp’s shade.

We all take risks and this was no risk at all until that wise ass Captain decided he did not like our drugs being sold on the beach across the street from the Headquarters First Field Force and he wanted to take matters in his own hands. If I remember correctly Ha Ting my friend, it was you who suggested you could have O’Neil removed so there would be no further worry. The General sat back outside the circle of light. And as I recall five of your best men did not see the sunrise the day after you sought to have O’Neil eliminated. Five good men died in that ambush outside the night club, with 45 caliber bullets in their bodies and Captain O’Neil the Headquarters Company Commander of First Field Force, simply blew them all away like so many grains of rice off the table.

Yes Excellency, I was wrong, as it would appear we all have under estimated his skill and natural cunning Ha Ting replied in his own defense. But this O’Neil has returned and now we will have our revenge within the next 24 hours. We will celebrate his passing with a special dinner at my uncle’s place, the one who is still the Chief of Police in Na Trang.

Gentlemen, please we can all breathe easier after tomorrow. Toa stated to end the discussion.

You are right Toa this is a good plan. The man who remained in the dark stated and all heads nodded. Shall we adjourn until then?"

When no one said anything further as each member got up and moved through to the back door of the GO-GO Club where dark cars took them away in the night.

Toa was now alone in his office and a scantily clad female came in after knocking. She chattered in a high voice Hi Mr. Toa, you needy you tonic how?

CHAPTER 4

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE TRAP

Phone call for you, Sir. A Staff Sergeant said after poking his head into the room.

Thanks, Major O’Neil responded without much thought.

Major? The voice on the other end asked.

Yes, this is Major O’Neil, What’s up Sergeant?

I am not doing so good Major, I’m calling from the MAC-V hospital. I got into some bad grub or something. But I hadn’t eaten anything all day except for a dozen cups of coffee. It does not make any sense, if you know what I mean.

Well, I understand, replied O’Neil. We’ll just catch up with each other when you get back state side.

Sorry Sir, the Sergeant paused. It does not make any sense. If you were going ‘in’ and I were supporting your mission, then maybe it would be something to consider. But you are done and you are going out. There is no reason to believe they got to me, if you know what I mean.

Yea, if the situation were not over I would almost agree with you. There was a long pause as O’Neil’s mind whirled but refused to stop on the single point he was feeling. He had a gut feeling something was not right, yet it did not seem all that important but it could be.

Hay, don’t worry about it. You know how things are, the mission is not over until you are safely back home. And for me I’ll be on edge until I am back in Virginia. O’Neil told him. And one more thing you better make my place your second stop when you are back in the States. O’Neil added and tried to laugh but something in the back of his mind took the edge off his otherwise up and feeling good attitude.

You got it Major and you better have a bottle with the seal still unbroken when I get there. I ant settlen for some of that old rot gut whiskey you might pass off on your other friends.

Take care of yourself Sergeant. I’ll have at least two real store bought bottles with the seals still intact when you get there. O’Neil told him.

You take care too, Sir. And their connection died.

Major O’Neil went back over his After-Action Report one more time. He would send it out Priority Top Secret before he left Siagon. As he re-read it, his mind fell back over the situation that started over six weeks earlier, back at Fort Lee Virginia at the 20th NORAD Region Headquarters in a big blockhouse on the northeast corner of the Fort.

It had been a typical Wednesday morning and O’Neil was thinking of taking in a round of golf, since his General had felt that O’Neil needed to improve his game as part of his Public Relations duties. O’Neil enjoyed playing the game of golf that he had never taken seriously. He could play in the 80’s without any effort and if he got lucky and didn’t put himself into trouble on the course he might make it into the mid to high seventies.

His mind seemed to be floating with no special place to land. When the intercom broke into his thoughts, Captain O’Neil, Sir. There is a Colonel Rodmann here to see you. His plump but very efficient secretary announced.

Colonel Rodmann? Oh yea, send him in," O’Neil responded with a hesitation in his voice.

O’Neil was just getting up from his desk when the barrel-chested, six- foot mass of talent and misdirection opened the door and blocked the light from coming through. Colonel Rodmann moved into the office very softly like a breath of air as the door closed and he presented his hand across O’Neil’s desk.

Nice office Major, the Colonel Rodmann’s emotionless face seemed to have said without his lips moving.

Major? I didn’t even make the promotion list in the Secondary zone. O’Neil smiled as he responded to what he perceived was a cruel joke.

You’re looking at the wrong list O’Neil, Rodmann responded as he withdrew his hand and produced a copy of orders promoting Regular Army Captain Michael Patrick O’Neil to the Regular Army Major.

Ooookaay, O’Neil let his mouth draw out his word as it reflected his thoughts and added the more questions in his mind as he re-read the order that surely looked official. What do you want now, Rodmann? his response showed he quickly under stood the old saying ‘Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.’

Now Major, why would you think I want something, just because I stop in to see one of the finest young officers in the Army, after not even trying to reach you for almost two years. The Colonel replied somewhat defensively.

Like I just said, Sir, what the hell do you want now? I have really developed a personal aversion to any contact, smell or even the sight of bamboo. Even wall paper with bamboo gives me a Major case of the hives. Smiling at his choice of words for the occasion and then he continued. The least exposure to bamboo has been known to creates a hostile attitude toward anyone I think might be responsible for placing me in such an environment again. O’Neil, was shaking his head ‘no’ all the while.

Did I say anything about going back into the jungle and doing a little nip and tuck to the enemy’s command structure? Colonel Rodmann asked.

The last ‘nip and tuck’ you put me in was far more exciting than I care to remember. I like this Staff work and I can control all the excitement I want between two crisp white sheets. O’Neil responded quickly as his temperature started to rise.

Speaking of that, is there any improvement in your lady friend, what’s her name, Jane? The Colonel asked.

You probably know more about her condition than I do as I usually can only get back to Michigan once a month if I am lucky. Captain O’Neil stated.

I will admit you’re right on that score, and I am sorry there does not seem to be much improvement. But there is always a chance isn’t there? The colonel stated.

Yes, that is true there is always a chance, O’Neil’s mind jump back to the first time he met Jayne Nelson, the widow he had met while commanding Charley Battery an Air Defense Missile Unit in Union Lake, Michigan in the late 1960’s.

O’Neil like any single, healthy male, was taking advantage of the large number of females who lived in the lake area of Pontiac Michigan, especially during the summer months. C Battery was a Nike Hercules Missile site, which was part of the Detroit/Pittsburgh Air Defense system and represented the last line of Air Defense against the anticipated Russian Bear bombers. C Battery was in the middle of play land some 60 miles west of Suffrage Air Force Base, it’s closest supply point and command center.

A many summer nights, women of all ages would stop at the security gate and ask if there were any lonely soldiers who needed some special comforting. Although the summer was the season of the greatest activities, the rest of the year was not too bad either. Some of the men at Charlie Battery thought the area was an absolute paradise where women grew on trees, had lots of money to spend and hot cars to drive.

O’Neil, to understand and protect the men at C Battery had indulged in personally reconnaissance of the local customs and he found the hunting areas most convenient, if not over populated. Captain O’Neil viewed the potential damage to Troop moral as almost non-existent. The only real problem that might come up, would be if one of the men had been sipping honey from several of the local flowers and he got caught between two of the more of the more possessive flora. When that happened, he would beat a hasty retreat behind the security fences of the Missile base.

O’Neil was over to one of his flower’s place and Gloria had suggested they head over to Silvan Lake for a swim at one of her friend’s. It was a ‘why not’ situation and a short drive.

Gloria’s friend was outside by the lake when Gloria’s fire red Mustang pulled into a crowded drive. There were people and kids running all over the place from the front lawn to the small sand beach in the back yard. Gloria made introductions but their names and people blurred into a maze of smiling faces and screams of concerned mothers for the imagined danger or trouble their youngsters might be into. The red hair, on a five-foot two-inch frame with all the bumps and curves in all the right places caught and held my attention. As we walked forward the red head turned as Gloria called out Jayne's name.

My face flushed and my heart leaped into my throat and my stomach did a double backed flip. I was the deer caught it the head lights as this angel face with the deepest green eyes I have ever seen looked straight into my heart and captured it without fight.

I didn’t know how long I must have stood there with my mouth open, but no one else seemed to have noticed except perhaps Jayne, who gave me an approving smile, with a bright twinkle in those deep pools of Irish green. Fortunately, there were enough distractions, interruptions and slashing throughout the group accompanied by high decibel screeching well passed the range of normal human hearing.

It was after all a birthday party for Roger, Jayne's seven-year old son, who must have been the most popular kid in his school. The only thing the party lacked was a pony or a clown. I had just thought to myself when I was told the clown had just left.

Cookies & ice cream was everywhere and the noise level was briefly interrupted between mouthfuls. Even with all this whirlwind of noise and activity I could not take my eyes off this woman called Jayne. Gloria and I sat across from Jayne at the grownups table where several other women without children had gathered. The conversation remand light and pleasant that helped to distract them from seeing my fascination with Jayne.

Sometime later after the kids and their parents had departed, Roger was sitting at his mother’s feet, holding a spear gun he had begged and pleaded for, but had serious doubts of ever getting. Roger’s Grandfather lived in Florida and he had taken his grandson snorkeling and spear fishing. Since then getting spear gun had been on Roger’s mind all the time.

Mom how do you cock this thing? Roger asked trying to maneuver the flexible rubber tubes that launched the spear.

Maybe you should read the instructions before you try to load it. Jayne had said in a motherly way of guidance. Then she looked at me as if she were asking me to help her son.

I could hardly refuse. I would have done anything at that moment to please her or even to know that she knew I was there and she had me under her spell.

Here let me help you. Let’s see what the manual says. O’Neil said picking up the instruction book as Roger picked up his spear gun and followed him to where the porch light would allow them to read the manual.

Within a short time, after confirming Roger knew all the safety procedures to handling such a weapon, it was loaded and fired into a 2 by 6 plank set against the tree. The plank was easily pierced as if it were made of tissue paper. The spear not only went through the plank but buried itself four inches into the tree. That was the end of one spear as it would take an ax to dig it out and what would surely damage the tree if it did not kill it.

Wow, did you see that Mom? Roger jumped with glee. I did not realize that Jayne was standing behind us with her drink in her delicate hand.

I’m impressed. Can you show me how it works? She asked with a level of enthusiasm which expressed her encouragement to her son and her appreciation for my help. Roger was a fast learner and he correctly explained each function of the spear gun, how to load and fire it and where all the safeties were.

He was so proud of himself but at 7 years old he had difficulty stretching the rubber bands to lock them in place. Roger told his mother how I showed him how he could do it. He held the spear gun between his legs and using his feet to hold the spear gun on the ground he pulled up just one of the rubber bands with his hands to slip it on the trigger anchor. Roger repeated the process until he had both rubber bands in place.

As Roger demonstrated his skills, I found Jayne’s hand on my arm, and its warmth had gotten under my skin as if I had just been plugged into a radiator, which was capable of infusing heat throughout my body. Her smile was devastating and I found myself not breathing, as if I held my breath this dream would not end. I found my hand placed over Jayne's’ as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Her green eyes sparkled and captivated me to the point I reached out and pinched myself.

What did you do that for did a mosquito bite you? Jayne asked.

No, I had to pinch myself to make sure I was really touching the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life. I answered.

Oh, she said, then looked away, but I could see the blush come over her face.

I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to embarrass you, I just could not help myself. I, ah, oh shit, I made a mess of this already, I said somewhat clumsily.

She turned her head to look at me. You never know, you may not have, she simply stated and walked with me arm in arm into the house where several of the women were gathered in the family room. Gloria was talking with several other women, but she stopped talking when we walked in the family room.

Gloria where did you find such a talented man? He just taught Roger how to shoot his spear gun. Jayne told her. I realized when Jayne said this she had defused a possible awkward moment without the need to explain why she was with me. Jayne excused herself and quickly came back with a chilled pitcher of Margaritas and several tall salted edge glasses already filled.

Hay gang, I hope you’re still in the mood to help me finish this. she stated as she placed the drinks on the coffee table which had become the proverbial bar for the gathering.

Jayne reached over to push a button somewhere near the large soft chair, to change the type of music, and lower sound to create a very mellow mood. The conversation was loose and free, as the other guests wanted to know who I was and so forth. I tried to make it brief but also informative remembering the Army’s image among the masses in ‘hinter lands’ was not all that welcomed as the News of Vietnam was already touching too many families in less than a positive way.

I was not the only one who was forth coming with information, as Jayne let me know that her husband had died on the Vietnam DMZ with the Marine Division during Tet of ’68. I remembered that was a bad time for all the United States Forces in South Vietnam. I did not know what else to say other than to tell Jayne I was sorry for her loss. When Jayne thanked me, I had the felling she wanted to limit those thoughts of her husband’s death to some other time. At times, I felt that Jayne was speaking directly to me and letting me know who she was and perhaps showing me that there was a mutual interest.

The subjects became lighter and we got into talking about each other’s birthdays and star signs. Jayne’s sign was Capricorn and mine was Cancer. Gloria was a Libra. Cancers and Libras were not supposed to get along but Capricorn and Cancer were nicely matched as opposites ends on the Astrological charts.

Gloria never noticed that Jayne and I were monopolizing the conversation and the direction of the topics. Suddenly I thought I had gone too far with a probe, which revealed her son Roger was adopted after three years of marriage and no children. Her comment that it wasn’t for the lack of trying, was not as funny as she wanted it to be.

Gloria and I left after helping to finish off the last of the margaritas and when it was getting a little rough in the telling of sexual jokes. Jayne seemed to blush and not laugh as much as the others, but you could see she was almost forcing herself to remain in the group and remain unnoticed for her lesser participation.

Three days later, I found myself driving down her street and turning into her driveway. I was still in uniform but I had taken off my uniform jacket. Rather than attempt to go to the front door, I walked around to the back of the house to find Jayne and her son playing some card game. The game was poker and they were playing with real money.

Oh boy, someone else with money to lose. Roger spouted off as he raked in the last game pot.

Jayne turned and her smile was a killer, melting any plans I might have had for being any place else. Well, hi stranger I am glad you found your way back. She said getting up and I was lost in the deep green of her eyes as I think I heard her ask if I wanted a beer.

She was gone and she came back within what seemed just like a long pause in the conversation. Her hair combed and a hint of lipstick expertly applied to her already red lips. The beer was a Busch and it was ice cold, cold enough to have your fingers stick to the metal can and that’s cold in anyone’s book.

Roger continued his winning streak and I questioned his ability to read the back of the cards when he beat me with 4 fours over my full house of aces and queens. I felt so much a part of this family and I felt that this is where I should belong. The closeness of Jayne and Roger was a human magnet that slowly pulled you into a protective circle of warmth and goodness. There was no question that I was to stay for dinner she had it all prepared and I felt like a king. The evening progressed and Roger drifted off to his room and went to bed.

Jayne tucked him in and when she returned, she was wearing a very light weight jumpsuit which had the front zipper only two thirds of the way up, showing her charms that I already knew were there. She came close and the fresh perfume of Tea Roses which pulled me to my feet and into her arms. It was the most natural thing in the world. We sat down on the couch at first, but ended up on the floor, breathing hard and losing control of anything anyone might have considered appropriate behavior after just having met only a few days ago.

The first touch, her skin was so soft that I felt afraid to hold her but her well-toned muscles let me know she was not fluff at all, but just the right amount of firmness in all the right places. Oh Mike, she said breathing heavily We either need to stand up or go into my bedroom.

I carried my dream angle towards her bedroom not knowing which way I should turn and Jayne was giggling at my efforts to find the object of my search. She deliberately distracted me by sucked on my ear and wiggled herself tightly against my chest. By some hidden radar, I tumbled into Jane’s life and it was very good.

Touching her over charged body and letting my hands roam at will could not help but bring our kisses hotter and more desperate and demanding. I had become super charged and fully aroused beyond my wildest imagination. Jayne who started out slowly went roaring past my level of excitement, demanding even more and we both flew higher than anyone thought possible.

Thinking back now O’Neil felt his heart tug as if someone had sunk a Longshoreman’s hook into it and was about to heave it into hell. It wasn’t easy to pull back from the thought of Jayne but that was his problem and he knew he needed to be cautious when dealing with the ‘good’ Colonel Rodmann.

You still haven’t told me what you want. I mean the promotion must be an indication of greater responsibility or perhaps some small favor at several hundred yards by ‘Soft Touch. O’Neil remarked, using his combat code name.

Well, I like to come clean with all my operators. The Colonel started to say but was cut off O’Neil.

‘No bull shit Rodmann, it was bad enough you coming in here bearing gifts and all but one thing I have learned being around you, is when you start saying you’re ‘Being honest with me’ I head for the bunkers." O’Neil said and paused as he looked in Rodmann's eyes. The Colonel did not have the steel not to blink when O’Neil went eye ball to eye ball with him.

If I also remember correctly, I promised to kill you the next time one of your little white lies slipped out of that fucking mouth of yours. O’Neil said and paused a moment before he added the word, Sir.

Major, that’s no way to talk to a superior officer. If you can’t say ‘motherfucking,’ you will never get my attention. The Colonel grinned and sat down in the chair beside Major O’Neil’s desk.

CHAPTER 5

A COSTLY PROMOTION

The discussion did not go well for the good Colonel Rodmann, as O’Neil was not interested in reaching out and touching someone at a thousand yards plus, especially in the unstable environment of South Vietnam.

Just hear me out, the Colonel said. "The President is pulling out troops, the South Vietnamese Government was strutting like peacocks and the countryside was being taken over by the NVA Regulars from the North. The Vietcong exists in name only but even worse was all the drugs that were pouring into the bodies of the United States soldiers in Vietnam.

99. 8% pure Heroin was being sold so cheaply that the troops were dipping the end of a lit cigarette into the drugs and smoking it. A twenty-dollar lot of heroin was being peddled on the street of South Vietnam for