With Honor in Hand

29 August 1999; 0800 hrs: Paris France “So J, I hope this is important? We’re supposed to be on our off cycle, remember?” Mac complains. “I know, Mac. I apologize for the inconvenience, but I got a call from a potential client who has a very lucrative job for us. It is, by far, the most delicate job we have ever gotten a contract for. I need my best men for this one, so I called in you and the Killer,” J explains as he points to Killer. “Humph…” shrugs Mac. “What is it we have to do now?” “I’m glad you asked. As I stated earlier, this job is as delicate as they come. Here, take a second to read this.” J tosses a manila envelope across his desk. Mac leans over and picks it up from off of the reflective, mahogany desk. He carefully breaks the wax seal and smoothly removes the documents. While skimming through the pages, Mac’s face contorts and transforms as his eyes move quickly over the words. Suddenly, he throws the papers back onto J’s desk. “Hell no!” Mac barks. “There’s no way we’re doing this job! I mean, GOD, don’t we have any sense of morality left?” Mac’s words stammer together. He does not understand why Black Jack would even think about taking a job like this. Amos leans forward and retrieves the manila envelope from off of J’s desk. As J and Mac continue their argument, Amos quickly, yet studiously, thumbs through the contents of the envelope. Amos finishes reading the documents, then carefully places them back onto J’s desk. He then calmly leaves J’s office and heads for the bathroom. “Listen, Mac. I know how you are feeling. You and Killer are both US citizens. You’re feelings are understandable, but do not think of the Cadets as noncombatants. Their entire purpose is to lead soldiers into combat. Think of this as only a job, and you’ll be fine.” J desperately tries to explain to Mac. “I don’t know, J. This doesn’t sit right with me.” “How about this then? Take the documents with you. You and Killer do a little research. Come back one week from today and talk with me about it. All right? Do not lose any sleep over this.” “Yeah, whatever. We’ll figure something out. We always do,” Mac solemnly responds. Mac heads for the door when J suddenly says, “Oh, I almost forgot. There’s five million US dollars in it for each of you.” Mac abruptly stops in his tracks and quickly spins around. “Five mil?” “Yep,” J replies. “Hmmm…I’m going to have to take that into consideration,” Mac comments as he departs the room. As Mac leaves J’s office, he spots Killer trotting down the hallway towards him. Amos sees Mac, as well, and raises his right hand in the air. “Where’d you run off to brother?” Mac asks. “I needed to step out for a while and splash some water on my face,” Amos answers with a slight chill in his voice. “You read that piece of shit, didn’t you?” “Sure did. Made me sick to my stomach.” “Yeah. Me too.” “Did I miss anything while I was out?” Mac walks away from Killer, over to a plate glass window, and looks down onto the street. “What do you do this for, bro?” “What do you mean?” Killer asks. “You have a beautiful wife and three great kids. Why don’t you go straight?” “I don’t know. I love what we do. I don’t know how I could go straight, after all of this time. Plus, if I were to tell Sharon what we really do, she would take it pretty hard. She thinks I’m at another sales convention right now.” Amos sighs and says, “I am getting tired of all of the lying.” Mac fans the manila envelope in the air. “This job brings in five mil a piece. When we’re done, I think you should get out.” “Yeah, maybe you’re right.” “Come on. Let’s go handle this one. I’ll talk to J later,” Mac solemnly states as he walks back over to Killer. “All right then, but I really need to go home for a while: get my head straight and all.” “That’s cool, bro. I understand,” Mac replies. “When do you think you’ll be back?” “September seventh.” “Well, I guess we better get you back to the airport and get you a flight back home.” Mac hails down a cab. After a brief moment, a white Peugot pulls over to the curb. The two friends climb in and head for the airport with a million thoughts racing through their heads. One of family and loved ones, the other, a feeling of loss, as though his soul is fading away. Back in the Black Jack headquarters building, J is running the recent events through his head. ‘Drasneb said that he wanted my best! Well, Damn it! He is definitely going to get that in Mac and the Killer. I just did not think that they loved their country enough to care about killing some punk kids in a military school.’ While J contemplates his decision, his telephone rings. J picks up the receiver and says, “Hello?” “Yes, J. It is good to hear your voice.” the voice on the other end states. “COL Drasneb. I did not expect you to call so promptly.” “Well, I did not want to waste any time. I have this thing about sticking with my timetables. So, being that this is a business call, and not social, allow me to skip the pleasantries and get right to the point. Have you assigned me my two men yet?” “Yes, I have.” “Good. See to it that they arrive in Belgrade on September fourteenth. That is all for now. I will be in touch.” COL Drasneb hangs up on his end. “That arrogant son of a bitch!” J angrily mumbles under his breath. I cannot believe I allowed myself to do business with him. Oh well. We are getting paid handsomely for the job.”