The Final Hour (Chapter 1)

It was the end of October in Memphis; his favorite season had arrived once again, the year was 2012, just a few months before the end of the Mayan calendar. Everyone was pre¬paring for the worst, the big doomsday. Superstitious as most gamblers were, he anticipated the distinct probability that chaos would envelope the world just like after 9/11 out of the self-evident prophecy and human fear. He had already lost everything in life worth caring for, but he would claim today as his victory. He would own his destiny and the illusion of control over his life finally. No one could take this from him. He was the master of this game and had written all the rules.

The day’s heat radiated from the train tracks as the cool breeze blew across his face and through his long hair. The sweet smell of the turning autumn leaves and wild honeybee hives from the river islands mixed with the spice of the downtown barbeque joints. The aroma was heavenly. It took him back decades. The moon was nearly full and the stars sparkled like diamonds. Julian stood there on the edge of the railroad trestle, looking down past the tips of his spit shined boots. It was over a hundred feet down to the torrent muddy waters of the Mississippi River, but in his mind, he could almost reach out and touch it. His mind muddled with cheap bourbon, his perception minced beyond any reality, following his cleaver but calculated game of chemical roulette, he was ready. He waded through the racing thoughts and emotions as the culmination of his obsession neared. He reached into the inside pocket of his leather duster and pulled out a small bottle. He took a draw then another, finishing off the gut wrenching whiskey, shaking his head with a loud rebel yell; he threw the bottle out across the river counting the seconds until he finally saw a small splash. As the time for his excellent fireworks show neared, he knew it was time to get things moving. With only one shot to execute his plan, he narrowed his focus. Hanging below him on a taut hemp rope was his recipe for disaster. He had a plan to cash out with a first class bang. Lost in thought what seemed like ten thousand sleepless nights? He had no concept of time since she left him. That genetically perfect creature, she was the woman of his dreams and everything in between. Julian’s only thought was to take them all out in style, rather than the humiliation of watching her with another man. He was not about to waste this lifetime opportunity on a run of the mill murder-suicide. He wanted to make a statement, expressing his lustful artistic side that reeked of genius. As a soldier, he had killed hundreds with his deadly and diabolical knowledge of explosives. Killing was easy, but living with it was not. In his deranged mind, he designed not just the death of two targets and another hundred collateral casualties, along with his own end, but rather a masterpiece of mayhem, notoriously sexy.


Within the Light of the City (Chapter 39)

The glowing moonlight somewhat obscured by the smoke billowing from the battle below, gave rise to the city skyline in the distance. Captain Rose came over the horn, “James we have a report of a mine field about two clicks ahead. The Cav. has security posted. Move forward with one squad for backup and deploy MICLIC.” “Roger Sir, moving forward to deploy.” Within five minutes, they approached the minefield. James shouted down to the squad, “we are easing up on this baby. There may be few strays outside the markers.” They eased up to within 50 feet of the minefield markers. “Close hatches, and prepare to fire mine clearing device. James cued the radio, clear the area, “FIRE IN THE HOLE”. A moment later the rockets fired on the line charges and they propelled across the minefield, detonating in three sharp bangs then several secondary explosions. James gave the order, “Sappers dismount and probe the path with bayonets. Set up flags for a thirty feet wide path.” Several squads moved slowly across the minefield. A Sergeant ran back to the vehicle. “James, we have a couple of live tank mines exposed.” James instructed, “take satchel charges from the demo box and blow them in place. Do not try to diffuse them. Expect anti-tampering devices always.” Charges were placed on each mine with a two-minute time fuse. James withdrew a bull horn and shouted, “Clear the area, we have “FIRE IN THE HOLE”. Everyone scurried back to their vehicles for cover. The mines detonated from the kicker charges with loud thunder that shook the ground. Their ears were ringing from the blast. James cued the mike, “We have a lane clear and marked.” The Captain came back, “Fall into the formation and let the Cav. advance.” They followed orders as the Calvary rolled towards Kuwait City. As the convoy hit the outskirts of the city of Al Magwa the light was growing dim. Tracer rounds streamed threw the air and AAA burst over the city from the north side. They rushed towards the city streets encountering some small arms fire and an occasional RPG. The Cavalry quickly neutralized all opposing ground forces and set up a perimeter. “ We have orders to hold this ground and wait for the Marines to move through the city to our positions. Find some stone walls and bomb craters for cover from RPGs and 20mm fire. Deploy ground fighting positions from your cover.” The Captain instructed. James directed his squad to a cover position in the back yard of a beautiful home that was surrounded by thick stone walls. The wall was just high enough for the Bradley’s guns to fire over. "Dismount and secure the position. Check out the inside of that house also." Jules commanded. PFC Rogers came back to the vehicle and called Jules down from his command seat. " Corporal, the position is secure but I found something unusual in the basement. You better take a look." Jules climbed out of the vehicle, "take the command seat while I check this out Tut." Jules followed Rogers down in the basement of the house. "Over here Corporal, a hidden door. You can see the dirty footprints coming from that location. Do you think we better check it out?" "Sure, let's get some flashlights and a couple of side arms.