Chapter 13

 THIRTEEN

“Move and I blow your fucking head off” the pilot growled.

Trigger put his hands up and took a step back, the pilot flipped up his helmets visor. Trigger could see the anger that burned in the man’s sunken eyes. His face was gaunt, the once ever-present arrogant smile had turned into a bitter scowl. Trigger knew this man, even if he was a husk of his former self.

“Hey Knocker,” Trigger slowly said “Hows it hanging?”

“Fuck you!” Knocker hissed, the M9 shaking but still trained at Trigger’s forehead.

“Uhh, Trigger. Care to explain why this guy wants you dead?” Count asked

“Well-“ Trigger began “Shut. The Fuck. Up.” Knocker interrupted. Watching the scene unfold, Trigger could see personnel running to see what the commotion was about, within seconds a small crowd of Fort Grays, and LRSSG Pilots form up.

Trigger could see a slight grin form on Knockers face, it was not a friendly grin.  “This man here, is a traitor!” he began.

Triggers heart skipped a beat at the accusation. What the hell? Trigger thought.

“I don’t know what he told you all, but he is a murderer plain and simple. Clearly, he must have escaped. Let me guess you picked him up with some sob story, right?” Knocker continued to the crowd

“Trigger, any idea what the fuck he’s talking about?” Huxian hissed.

“I don’t really know at this point, but I have a theory” Trigger said truthfully.

“I said shut the fuck up!” Knocker bellowed.

Trigger gave an annoyed sigh and clapped his hands. “Ok, I think I see what happened here, Knocker, Im going to tell you one time to put that piece away before I shove it up your ass” Trigger started. The fact his hostage was now flatly ignoring the threats stunned Knocker for a moment. “Like hell you are!” Knocker spat

Trigger could hear a clatter of boots running towards them, Security Forces, finally. Trigger thoughts.

Knocker, smiled. “Oh good, Security Forces, I am ordering you to talk this man into custody!” he barked.

He was however greeted with the Security Forces detachment raising their rifles and taking aim. The lead Airmen held up his palm “Captain, I am going to need you to put that gun now and step away with your hands up!” the Sergeant ordered.

Trigger watched as a wave of emotions passed over Knockers face, before settling on anger. “What the fuck for!?” He demanded

“I’d do what the nice man with the M16 says Knocker” Trigger quipped,

“Fuck you Traitor, I’m taking your ass into custody even if I have to fight my way out of here!” Knocker retorted.

“And go where?” Skald interrogated

“back to that prison where they dumped his ass!” Knocker said defiantly.

Knocker looked around frantically, Trigger could see the uncomfortable looks on all the Fort Gray’s pilots faces as they watched the scene before them.

“Come on!-“ he started, voice slightly wavering  “-They’re Traitors, we need to deal with this!”

Trigger studied them. Save for Knocker, most of them were only first or second lieutenants.

“They’re all pretty young. Nuggets?” Trigger asked calmly. Knocker turned his attention back to Trigger.

“Yeah, and that’s your fault!” He spat

Trigger laughed “Your kidding, right? How’s that my fault?”

Before Knocker could respond, the dull roar of diesel engines filled the air, within a second multiple Security Force airmen had piled out of Humvees and were now taking aim at Knocker. There was a brief squelch as a voice came over the microphone.

“Captain, This is Major Santos of the Osean Air Defense Force, per orders of Base Commander Byrns, You are to lower you weapon and come with us at once for debrief. This is your only warning!” Santos barked.

Knocker’s face fell from anger to despair, Trigger could see the handgun shaking now.

“I’d do what the scary lady says Knocker. You cant hope to fight them all” Trigger said pragmatically.

Knocker took a second and lowered the handgun.

“This isn’t over” he hissed, before reholstering the weapon in his survival vest and surrendering to Major Santos.

Trigger breathed a sigh of relief when he watched the convoy pull away moments later.

“What the hell was all that?” Count demanded.

“I think what we witnessed is a classic case of ‘misreading the situation’” Trigger replied.

“What do you mean?” Count asked

“Remember when I got to the Penal unit?” Trigger started, Count nodded “Right, they blamed you for Harling right?”

Trigger nodded solemnly, even though he was later absolved of any wrongdoing and reinstated into the air force, He still felt responsible for that day.

“Yeah, Knocker was the flight lead on the mission. One of the many officers who testified against me at the court martial.” Trigger explained.

“So how does that equate to him wanting to lobotomize you?” Huxian piped up

“I’m guessing he never got the memo on my reinstatement in the Military. Not exactly front-page news when everyone already hates your guts” Trigger continued.

Trigger shook his head and kicked a tire of one of the F-16 Vipers. “I really don’t know what happened to him after that.” He said quietly.

As he made his way back to the office, Santos pulled up next to him in a golf cart. “Hop on” She ordered.

Trigger obliged and sat in the faded leather seat.

“You wanna tell me what the hell just happened Major?” She started.

“Can’t say for certain, except I was expecting someone else.” Trigger said

“Well Colonel is giving your buddy a debrief, I am going to need you to fill out some paperwork so everything on our end is squared away.”

“Oh joy, how much?” Trigger asked

“Probably enough that your going to wish he had just shot your ass” Santos said slyly.

“You really are scary” Trigger muttered under his breath.
***
“So you cant tell me why he wants you dead?” Santos said incredulously, refilling her coffee cup.

“Not one bit. Hell, last I saw him he was a Major, So clearly something happened that he blamed me for.” Trigger explained.

“Now, I know I recognized you from the reports, you were pinned in the Harling incident right?” Santos asked,

“Yeah, I was found guilty, but the court overturned it.” Trigger said, not following Santos’ line of questioning.

“You think maybe he might still blame you? I mean last this guy probably thought about you, you were being hauled off to god-knows-where prison. Then here you are, not only at his new base, but also a higher rank then him. Maybe that has something to do about it?” Santos theorized.

Trigger thought for a moment. “Maybe? But I would have thought he could have seen something about me being innocent”

“Well the only reason I know, is because Byrns told me, Less I think the same thing and shoot your ass. Its still mostly classified. Your trial was a public shit show, but everything you did after? Not so much. Hell, the Penal unit didn’t make public attention until they rebelled and turned their guns on us.” Santos explained.

Trigger chuckled halfheartedly at that. “Wonder what Senator got the shit for that”

“Who knows, but that’s just the way it goes. Probably seemed like a good idea at the time” Santos said, sipping her coffee.

“Funny how that always works” Trigger observed.

“Well im sure the Colonel will want to talk to you now that I am done with you” Santos explained, noting to the reams of paperwork Trigger had just finished accounting for.

“Wonder if it’s a handshake or a kick in the ass” Trigger muttered.

“Who knows. Colonel seems to have taken a shine to you so, maybe you’ll luck out. Besides your out of here Monday, right?” Santos asked.

“Yeah, I am breaking the lease on the apartment tonight and moving into the Officer dorms for the weekend. Wheels up zero-seven-thirty Monday” Trigger explained.

Santos held out her hand, “We didn’t work together long but it was a pleasure Major.” She said, Trigger shook her hand “Likewise. Make sure the pilots don’t get into too much trouble” he said jokingly. “It’s the damn Wizzo’s I have to worry about” Santos shot back smiling.

Santos’ phone rang, She picked it up and introduced herself, Trigger started making his way to the door before the Security Forces Commander held out her hand.

Hanging up she jotted a note down and handed it to Trigger. He tried to read in vain what was scrawled across the piece of paper

Curtis- Byrns en-route to your office, looked pissed.

Trigger whispered a thank you and bolted out the door towards the operations hangar.

Minutes later, he arrived at his office door, fumbling with his keys, he could hear distinctive clacks of dress shoes making their way towards him.

Byrns walked up to him and motioned for Trigger to open the door. Holding the door open for the senior officer, Trigger closed the door behind him.

Byrns took a second to compose himself.

“Trigger, do you know who I just got off the phone with?” He demanded.

Trigger felt a pit in his stomach. “No sir; can’t say that I do”.

“Its bad enough I have someone trying to kill my director of flight ops, but I just got off the phone with General Shepard and you have just been taken off flight detail with the LRSSG and reassigned”

Trigger stood stunned. “What do you mean?” He asked.

“One of the Generals people is coming on the next flight in to explain the details but. For some asinine reason, your now attached as an Osean Air Defense Force advisor to the Erusean Government!” Byrns ranted.

“What?” Trigger stammered “Exactly!” Byrns exclaimed.

“So, where am I going then?” Trigger asked confused.

“Your staying in Selatapura for the time being since the Princess is here, I don’t know who you will be reporting to, or even if I can keep you flying occasionally. We have to wait until Wednesday. That’s assuming that Captain Whats-His-Face doesn’t shoot you in the meantime” Byrns explained.

“Yeah, about that.” Trigger started.

“He tried to explain himself, but only came off as a rambling kook. I have him confined to quarters for the time being” Byrns explained

“Oh, so I’m off the hook?” Trigger asked “Not by a mile Major” Byrns replied “First you’re going to explain what the hell that all about this morning was”

Trigger sighed. “Well sir, you may want to take a seat.”

***
Trigger finished telling of his time at Fort Grays and the Penal unit, he noted that Byrns didn’t even react when Trigger explained what happened to President Harling, just sat and nodded along with the story.

“Any questions Colonel?” Trigger concluded

“Well it certainly explains a lot.” Byrns sighed. “For the time being, unless its something ops related, you two are to avoid each other. That’s an order. For his temper tantrum this morning he’s restricted from the Squadron Rooms outside of his regular duties.” Byrns explained.

“So, you’re putting a Fifteen-year captain in time out?” Trigger asked, raising an eyebrow. “Well its that or he actually shoots your insufferable ass. What do you want?” Byrns joked, leaving the room.

“Guess that means I get to keep my apartment then.” Trigger said.

Trigger pulled out his phone and quickly dialed Cossette. Hearing the line pickup, “Hey, it’s me. Do you have any plans for tonight?”

***
The restaurant was in downtown Selatapura, along the main waterway leading to the financial district. Trigger could see from their table dozens of luxury sailboats making their way out to the harbor, using the natural land breeze to fill their sails. Cossette listened intently as Trigger finished his story of the day’s events. “I guess that means we will be working closer together now” he concluded excitedly. He noticed Cossette did not share his enthusiasm, and instead was avoiding eye contact with him. “is there something wrong?” he asked concerned.

“its my fault” She whispered.

“What is?”

“Its my fault they pulled you out of the cockpit!” she repeated loudly. The outburst made some of the patrons turn their attention to the young couple, but to the outside observer, Cossette was just an attractive, well dressed young blond and Trigger was a guy in an I’ll fitting polo shirt and khakis. Cossette lowered her voice “I’m sorry Trigger. A few days ago, your Ambassador offered to have a Military attaché assigned to me. After you said you were leaving, I got scared about losing you, so I requested that you specifically be that officer.” Cossette explained.

Trigger sat for a moment. “I see” he said slowly. A few thoughts went through his mind, but he settled on one. “I wish you had told me before hand, so it wasn’t so much of a shock.” he admitted. “But I can’t say I’m upset at all. Besides it’s not like a permanent grounding. Just for the time being. Odds are after the squadron gets back to Usea I will be reassigned back to them to finish my commitment” he reassured her.

Cossette wiped a tear from her eye. “So, you’re not angry at all?” she asked

“Are you kidding? I’m getting paid to see my girlfriend, whose way out of my league I should add, every day. As my job! Damn I just keep hitting it out of the park with my career assignments!” Trigger said jokingly. His side comments making Cossette laugh.

Trigger leaned back in his chair “Yep, I’m going to be briefed this Wednesday, and should be reporting to your staff on Friday. Byrns even said I might get some Viper time too just to keep my currency while we’re in town. And the Osean Squadron up in Farbanti is another Eagle squadron so I should be back in the F-15 before too long as well.” He explained.

“So, what became of that pilot who had you at gunpoint?” Cossette asked.

“Don’t really know, I was ordered to keep my distance, same as him. So, I don’t know what made him have that outburst exactly” Trigger admitted.

“Strange. When you knew him was, he like that?” Cossette asked. “Not really? Arrogant maybe; but find me a fighter guy who isn’t in some way.” Trigger replied.

The two finished their meal in silence. “Can I ask when we’re going to Farbanti?” Trigger inquired.

“I don’t know exactly. Colonel Andres has been very skittish as of late regarding the idea. I think he doesn’t want a flare up to occur” Cossette explained.

“well at least give me enough time to break the contract properly on the Apartment” Trigger jokingly demanded. Cossette glared at him unimpressed. “Whatever, I helped pay for that too” “It was only the down payment, and I paid you back!” Trigger retorted, wrapping his arm around Cossette’s shoulder as they made their way to the exit. Reaching the street Infront of the restaurant, Trigger felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He pulled it out and recognized the number as the base command post.

“This is Trigger” He answered

“Major, this is Senior Airmen Thompson with the command post. We just had a Lieutenant Ving at the Selatapura Police Department call, apparently one of the pilots was picked up for public intoxication and they need an officer to pick him up.” The voice on the other line reported.

Trigger gave an annoyed sigh “Fine, who is it and where.”

“Unfortunately, they didn’t provide a name, just that his ID said he was one of ours and he identified himself as a pilot here. They’re at the main detention center in the city” The Airman explained.

“Fine, send a small Security Forces element to meet me there. I’ll be down in twenty.” Trigger ordered, before hanging up.

“What was that?” Cossette asked.

“Apparently one of my wonderful pilots just got arrested. I get to go bail their ass out tonight before they start a diplomatic incident.” Trigger said annoyed.

“Right, you don’t want them taking your favorite past time away?” Cossette interjected.

“Eh, my diplomatic incidents are fun and entertaining. Theirs are just sad and generally involve people making an ass out of themselves.” Trigger said.

***
Having had escorted Cossette back to her apartment. Trigger walked into the Police station. He got in the line behind a small number of other Selatapurans to the main desk. After a few minute wait Trigger arrived to see a bored looking Selatapuran Police Sergeant behind the desk.

“De quoi avez-vous besoin?” The Sergeant asked in a bored monotone.

“What?” Trigger replied, He recognized the question was in Erusean but still couldn’t speak the language.

“Putain de touriste,” The Sergeant muttered “What do you need?” she repeated annoyed in a heavy accent.

“Ah, I’m a Major with the Osean Air Base, I was told you picked up on of our pilots today?” Trigger explained, passing over his ID card.

The Sergeant nodded and quickly typed into her computer terminal.

“It will be one moment Major” She said, pointing at the waiting room.

Trigger stood in the lobby for a moment, the door opened, and a voice called “Major if you will come with me”, Trigger looked up from a magazine to see an overweight police officer, in an ill-fitting uniform waiting for him impatiently.

Trigger rushed up and walked through the door. “I am Lieutenant Ving” The man said, offering Trigger a limp handshake. “Sorry for any trouble my man caused you. Can you tell me what he did?” Trigger asked, walking behind the stout Ving, struggling to not run the man over with his lackadaisical pace.

“Public intoxication and being a Public nuisance. My officers picked him up a few hours ago. He was babbling about being a pilot or some shit. Just get him out of here, please” Ving pleaded.

“Im Sorry about that. Can I talk to him before the Military Police arrive?” Trigger asked.

“Where do you think we were going? Just do whatever, I don’t care. Im not paid enough for this shit” Ving said apathetically as he opened a door to an interview room.

“Aren’t you just a shining example…” Trigger muttered.

Walking into the room he could see it lacked many features, Aside from three folding chairs, a plain plastic card table and a pitcher of water and plastic cups.

“Take a seat” Ving motioned, before closing the door and disappearing. Trigger heard a buzz and a door on the opposite side of the room open.

The man the officers brought in was in filthy clothes. Trigger couldn’t tell what the stains on his pants were but judging from the smell, he guessed it was the vomit from the man’s dinner. After recoiling from the smell, he took another look at him and shook his head disappointed. The police officers forced the man into a folding chair across from Trigger. One police officer exited the room while the other took a post on the far wall of the room.

“Really Knocker?” Trigger asked rhetorically.

“Fuck you” Knocker slurred.

Trigger sighed and poured the pitcher of water into two of the plastic cups. He slid one to Knocker.

“Come on, Drink” Trigger offered. Knocker glared at him as he took the cup and gulped the liquid down.

“Want some more?” Trigger asked. “Go fuck yourself” Knocker spat to Trigger’s dismay. “Its supposed to be your ass in here, not me” Knocker continued.

Trigger studied Knocker for a moment. Knocker continued to glare at him. “Byrns explained you’re some kinda war hero now? Is that the lie you told him?” Knocker interrogated “I bet they ate that shit up when your traitorous ass washed up” he taunted.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Trigger asked incredulously

“Oh yeah, I was following what became of your ass. I knew about the penal unit before most people did.” Knocker explained. “And?” Trigger inquired. “And I’m betting you’re the one who started that rebellion! Let me guess, when all that started, you just turned tail and ran. I bet you came up with some sob story to the first Osean unit you found. It’s just like you to do that” Knocker spat.

Trigger laughed humorlessly. “You have no idea how wrong you are”

“Like hell I am. There’s no way in fuck they’d let your ass out of that place!” Knocker spat, standing up in his chair, within a second the police officer had crossed the room and delivered a baton blow to Knocker’s gut, sending him reeling back into the chair. Trigger watched as Knocker sat hunched over in pain, catching his breath.

“We’re you always this much of a dick? Or is this a new thing for you?” Trigger asked unimpressed with Knocker’s outburst.

“Fuck you” Knocker spat through gasps of air.

“What the hell happened to you Knocker? Last I saw you; you were a Major and the tip of the spear. Now look at you.” Trigger asked.

“You happened” Knocker said.

“Enlighten me” Trigger said unempathetically.

“After your fuck up. Command looked at both Clown and me. Decided since we were the ones who was supposed to keep an eye on your ass. We were partially responsible for Harling’s murder as much as you were. I got busted down to Captain, Clown got sent down to Lieutenant. Pretty soon Fort Grays was getting the Purple Heart missions.” Knocker started. ‘Purple Heart’ missions had become an unofficial euphemism amongst the pilots for sorites that would generally end up with pilots receiving purple hearts, often posthumously.

“We lost Boggard pretty quickly after you got sent to Zapland. Faun was next. And well Footpad-“ Knocker started to explain. “What happened to Clown?” Trigger interjected.

Knocker stared at him.

“It was about a month after we got busted down and your court martial. We were called up for Operation Shotgunner. You even hear about that shit show?” Knocker explained.

Trigger was tangentially aware of the mission. It occurred during his time with the Penal Unit. It was being touted as the worst loss for Osea since the last war.

“We were late getting to the AO. Whole flight of Nuggets sent to support what was left of the San Salvacion Air Force, and whatever Osean’s didn’t get their asses blown out of the sky verses Erusean Veterans. Most of those guys we were up against that day had been former Free Erusean’s or had fought in the last war. And they sent us up with a bunch of hatchlings.” Knocker shook his head sadly and sighed.

“We lost the local forces AWACS pretty quickly. IUN left our asses out to dry so someone made the call for retreat. But the Erusean bastards kept on our ass. Finally, Clown had had enough and fell back to hold the line for us. He must have engaged a full squadron just in his Viper alone, no support, no wingmen, just him against the world so we could have a chance to made it out. He should have gotten the Medal of Honor for it, Instead, he got nothing. Just a folded-up flag like the rest of them. Clown died a hero and they collectively forgot about him because of your fuckup. That’s on your head Trigger. All of their deaths, Are on your head!” Knocker spat.

Triggers heart fell through the floor. “I see” he said softly, his eyes falling to the table before him.

“How many of the nuggets on that mission survived?” Trigger asked

The question caught Knocker off guard. “The fuck you mean?”.

Trigger glared at Knocker “How many of those nuggets with you two survived?” he asked again.

Knocker sighed and thought for a moment “We didn’t lose anyone after Clown held them back for us. Eruseans didn’t pursue past the San Salvacion border.”

“So, his sacrifice meant something.” Trigger said.

“That’s not your place to judge!” Knocker shouted “If you hadn’t fucked up. We wouldn’t have been on that mission! He might have still been alive along with all the others!” Knocker shouted, standing back up in his chair, Trigger waived the police officer off before Knocker could receive another blow.

There was a brief rap on the door, before Ving let himself in.

“Major, your men are waiting whenever you’re ready.” Ving said. Trigger nodded. “Well, At least I understand now Knocker. Let’s go” He said, standing up and walking to the door.

Knocker and Trigger stood up. “This isn’t over Trigger.” Knocker growled before being led out to the lobby, Trigger could see around three Security Forces airmen waiting. “Sergeant take this man back to his quarters. He’s under full restrictions until further notice.” Trigger barked as he entered the room.

The ride back to base was silent. Trigger felt almost nauseous at the news of Clown’s death, though he was trying to suppress the urge to vomit to not give Knocker the satisfaction of getting under his skin.

The Sergeant in charge caught Triggers attention halfway to the base.

“Sorry sir, Command Post is asking what you want to do with him since he’s still your airman.” The Sergeant whispered.

Trigger thought for a moment.

“House arrest in the Dorms under guard. I’ll let Byrns decide what to do then” he said flatly.

 

He was tired, the events of the day had drained him mentally and he still had a laundry list of other tasks to handle before the LRSSG departed Seltapura.