Excerpt

Major Ball is standing tough between the American Flag and the First Cav colors. Hill and Washington enter and salute him. Major Ball returns their salutes and says, "Be at ease, men."

Hill and Washington stand at ease. Major Ball turns his attention to Washington, emphasizing his name when he says, "Staff Sergeant Washington."

Washington tightens up. "Yes, sir."

"Sergeant, it says here in your 201 file that you once served as a chef for JFK himself."

Washington proudly replies, "That's correct, sir. He was a great man, and it was an honor to prepare fine meals for him."

Major Ball drops Washington's file on his desk and leans closer to Washington's face. "Now ain't that just like the army, givin' niggras a chance to serve in the White House? Actually cookin' for the President himself? Sergeant Washington, do you know how lucky you are?

Washington is getting a sense of where Major Ball is coming from and he doesn't like it. "I think I'm beginning to find out, sir."

Major Ball turns his to Hill, who is drenched in sweat. "Mr. Hill, you graduated at the top of your class in flight school. You must be a smart boy. Mr. Hill, can you tell me why you are here in Vietnam?"

Hill thinks about it and repeats what he has been told, and what he also believes. "I'm here to assist the people of South Vietnam in their fight for freedom and democracy, sir."

Major Ball stands erect, to his full diminutive height, and clasps his hands behind his back. "Now, I know they told you in flight school that you were coming over here to fly helicopters, didn't they, Mr. Hill?"

Hill is baffled by the question. "Well, yes sir. I'm a helicopter pilot."

"Flyboys are useless to me, Mr. Hill. I need warriors who will hunt down and kill the enemy. In order for us to win this war we need a kill-loss ratio of eighteen to one."

Hill is taken aback. "Did you say a kill-loss of eighteen to one, sir?"

"You heard me right. The success of our effort in this arena depends on young warriors like yourself. Don't be afraid to lay down your life, Mr. Hill. Many of my pilots have before you arrived."

Hill and Washington sneak glances at each other as Major Ball begins to mentally drift. Ball walks in a circle around Hill and Washington as he rants. "Do you men know why I hate communists?"

Hill and Washington answer him in unison. "No sir."

Major Ball suddenly turns fierce. "Communists are atheistic butchers who have no respect for human life whatsoever, that's why."

He picks up a Bible from his desk. "They don't read the Good Book. They don't even believe in God, Jesus, or the Holy Ghost. Just imagine a world run by these heathen monsters. They would make Nazis look like choir boys."

Washington and Hill can't believe what they are hearing.

Washington gets down to the nitty gritty. "So ... what's your point, sir?"

Major Ball gently sets the Bible back down on his desk and keeps his hand on it. "In the Good Book, it says the righteous shall take up the sword and slay all that don't believe."

Hill squints as he looks at Major Ball. "I don't remember reading that, sir."

"It doesn't matter if you read it, I'm saying it. Men, this is a battle of good against evil and we must prevail at all costs. If you die, you will be dying for God and country. And take my word for it, men, God IS an American. Do you men understand what I'm saying?"

Washington isn't buying any of it. "I don't know about killing anybody, sir. I'm just a chef in this man's army."

Major Ball loses his temper and lashes out. "You are a combat soldier, Sergeant! You men are both combat soldiers in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. Is that clear?"

Washington is buying even less of his rant now. "Clear as mud, sir," Washington defiantly responds.

Hill feels pressured to say something. "They never said anything about a holy war in flight school, sir."

Major Ball is in no mood to argue the subject. He waves his hand for them to leave his presence. "You men are dismissed."

Hill and Washington do an about face and walk smartly out of the command bunker, eyes wide with wonder.

When he is outside the TOC, and into the burning heat, Washington lets go a big sigh of relief. "Mr. Hill, did you hear what I just heard?"

Hill nods in the affirmative. "Roger. Sounds like Major Ball is ready for the rubber room."

Washington shudders when he thinks about Major Ball. "Man, you ain't lyin'. He's a cuckoo nester for sure."

They continue walking through the company area, lugging their gear and sweating. They have arrived in hell.