Field Commission 23

Parvana and I are ushered into the office of a Ra general, "pardon my humble quarters, but this is a field office, please have a seat."
We do, folding chairs.
"I understand Americans like gourmet coffee, prepared some vanilla hazelnut."
"Yes please." We pour, add cream and sugar.
"Lt, you strike me as a no-nonsense person, so to the point. You should understand the IRA's position. We have never been anti-American, in fact are solidly pro-American. Almost everyone in our Army has relatives Stateside. This quarrel exists between Britain and Ireland, with absolutely no hard feelings towards the US."
He pauses, as if expecting an answer, so, "sir, you don't have to convince me of that, I've seen adequate evidence during my short time here."
Friendly smile, "good, now this is how far out on a limb we went to save American lives. At noon yesterday, we gave Brit HQ our attack schedule, told them to evac the American units before it started. Took them about an hour to do so, but somehow they forgot the Black Watch. My guess, confusion over the name, as the Brits have a Black Watch too."
I groan inwardly at the sheer irony.
"I called off the attack on the submarine, as our info indicated it was largely Americans aboard. For the record now Lt, just how far out on a limb did I go? Who is aboard the sub?"
"Sir, Royal Navy crew, the number of which I would not know; two Royal Marines who used the rubber raft; three Brit stragglers; 42 members of the Black Watch."
He whistles softly, "so what casualties did you take?"
"Two dead sir, when a field kitchen blew, two missing."
"You mean two missing in addition to you?"
"No sir, we are the two missing."
"I congratulate you on very capable leadership. Nobody in this war did that well, not by a long shot."
"Thank you sir."
He chuckles, "when all is said and done, Ireland and America will get on just fine. Yes there are two dead, but you people have much more losses than that on vehicle training. As well, America gets to pin medals on some heroes."
"Sir, didn't you say everyone was evacuated?"
"Twice now, you've done enough to rate a Silver Star. First, those planes, work of art. Second, that daring escape, got your unit out almost intact under impossible conditions. And now, you'll earn it a third time."
"What did you have in mind sir?"
Leans back in his chair, huge grin, "you are about to make a daring escape, the two of you walking for two days."
"We are?"
"We'll take you down to Crossmaglen, give you a couple days to rest in a bed and breakfast. Make the time come out right, would have taken two days to walk."
"In these uniforms sir?"
"You stole two full length coats. When the time is right, one of our men will take you safely through the minefields into Eire. Now, what money do you have to purchase bus tickets in Eire and ferry fare?"
Parvana and I dig it out.
"Those Brit pounds, keep em, use em when you get back. Don't spend them in Eire or on the ferry or it'll get you surly service. The US $ and euros, you can spend freely. We'll give you some more so you don't run out."
"Thank you sir."
"When you return home, we don't ask you to speak well of the IRA. That could be difficult in a number of situations. But much as possible we wish you to carry the message that Ireland and American are friends, and have been so for many years. Nothing at all has changed in that regard."
"Historical evidence bears that out well sir."
"Now, to show you how important Americans are to the IRA, you don't just ride in some crummy old jeep. No, you fly, in my personal helicopter."
Parvana and I stare at each other. Unreal!
We're given ladies' full length overcoats. Dressed as civvies, we accompany the General to the chopper.
We have not been aloft five minutes when it happens. From nowhere, behind a cloud, emerges a Royal Air Force fighter plane. The Banshee wail is loud as a stream of time scatter devices homes in on the chopper motor.
As for the ride, passing through the tunnels of time, that I won't tell you. Straight out of Dante. I aim to keep this story suitable for children, so that is definitely a no-no.
And after all, how many people can say they took a General with them on an excursion to hell?