Read Return of the Phoenix - 01 for Free Online Page B

just six weeks.”
    Cap handed the men their orders and wished them well. Both men walked out of their CO’s office confused. Their orders had no destination on them. Just the flight and tail number of the plane they were supposed to board the next morning.
    “Something isn’t right here, Dave. I got this eerie feeling,” TD said as they headed to pack their gear.
    “Well, the Air Force hasn’t screwed us yet, have they, pal?” Marshal always had a way of at least trying to find a silver lining. “Whatever they have in store for us, I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.”
     

 
    3
     
     
     
    Gus Tracy took one look at the orders he had been handed and stated simply, “You’re shitting me, right?”
    “Sorry, Tracy. These came in for you just an hour ago. Hot off the printer,” the young specialist said. “No idea what your final destination might be, but these are the weirdest orders I’ve ever seen issued.”
    Gus looked it over again. Surely there was a typo somewhere. In his ten years in the Army, he’d never received transfer orders that didn’t have a destination, a command name and at least an offer for using some annual leave in getting there. “Where’s Colonel Baird?” Gus asked.
    “He’s in the procurement office. He should be back shortly, though.”
    Gus looked at the departure time again. He had less than twelve hours to pack everything he could and be ready to leave. Sighing to himself, he turned to the specialist assigned to the Colonel’s office. “Is he aware of this?”
    “To my knowledge, yes.  He was confused as hell when he left here. Told me to contact you and make you aware of it as soon as possible.” The specialist turned and retrieved Gus’ se rvice record. “I went ahead and brought everything up to date for you. Your medical and dental records are on their way over here now. Should be here within the hour.”
    Gus took his service jacket and tucked it under his arm. “This sucks balls, ya know.”
    “I know, Tracy. I’m really sorry. I wish I had answers for you.”
    “Fuck. Less than twelve hours to pack up everything and make ready. That’s bullshit. It took me two months to un pack all my crap.” Gus looked at the orders one more time. Nothing had changed, but he hoped there was some small piece of information he had missed. “Fine. Tell the old man I’m getting my shit together. If he needs me, I’ll be in my barracks.”
    Gus Tracy, Army Airborne, Green Beret and all around nice guy, once the terror of Baghdad, now being treated like a mus hroom; kept in the dark and fed bullshit when all he really wanted was a few fucking answers.
    Gus took no care while shoving things in his duffel bag. He paused only briefly to admire the SFG pin on his uniform. “Say goodbye to the Fifth, Gus. I guess they don’t need you an ymore.” He muttered to himself. The Fifth being the Fifth Special Forces Group, the only real home Gus had known in his twelve year stint in the Army. A career military man, Gus Tracy had been under a lot of commands, been to many foreign places, met strange and exciting new people and killed them. Yet he never questioned the Army. He never questioned those in authority over him. To him, these men were like gods. They had gone through the ranks, earned the same rights and respect that he had, yet they had the ability to not only serve, but to lead as well. The Army had always taken care of Sergeant First Class Tracy and he wasn’t about to question them now.
    Although Tracy’s mind was turning about on where he might be headed, he diligently packed up all of his belongings. Much to his surprise, nearly all of it fit in the single duffel. What little that didn’t, he soon realized he could easily toss out and replace when he got to his new command. Coming from nothing, Gus never was one for acquiring personal things that didn’t pe rtain directly to his job. The closest thing to a personal belonging that he owned was his father’s straight