CHAPTER 11

 

LUBRETTE HAD been to Quang Ngai several times. It was normally a quiet place. The villagers spent most of the time growing rice and tending their livestock. If the VC were hiding there, there wasn't anything the people could do to stop them. The Viet Cong were notorious for their brutality.

Pointing to the map on the board, she quickly outlined the topography of the area, making sure the unit commanders knew the areas most likely to be booby-trapped and the ones they could pass through with little resistance. Pointing to the rice fields, she explained they would be the easiest spot to begin the assault.

Taking over the meeting, Major Stanley asked if there were any questions.

"Good," he said when no one said anything. "Now, I want you to go in there fast and hard. Make sure the men take out any VC. Don't chase them into the jungles, don't leave any hootch unchecked... and be careful. These guys are good. They are experts at booby-traps. Finally, I don't want any civilians harmed if possible. We are here to fight the Cong, not the villagers."

"Look Major, the men can't be expected to mollycoddle villagers now."

"I didn't say mollycoddle, Sergeant. I said our targets are the VC. Are you having a problem understanding the difference?"

"No sir."

"Good. Now, move out."

Lubrette knew about warfare. She had fought in so many battles, she understood and recognized the telltale signs of men on the verge of losing control. C Company was almost there.

"I hope your NCOs keep a strong grip on your men, Gary," she said after everyone had left. "One mistake and this could get ugly."

"They're good men, Lubrette. Trust me on this."

Lubrette did trust him, but she knew he had put too much trust in his soldiers. Once this was over with, hopefully they would be reassigned and fresh troops brought in.

*  *  *

With orders to move in rapidly and secure the area as quickly as possible, C Company arrived at the outskirts of the village around 0730. Offloading, they spread out and headed for the village. Everyone was pumped for the fight, hoping to kill as many VC as possible. Several days before, several of their men had been killed in an ambush and the soldiers were looking for revenge. Given the right incentive, they intended on getting it.

*  *  *

"Out! Out! Out!" Major Stanley yelled, signaling for the soldiers to leave the helicopter after he and Lubrette had jumped from the platform. Spreading out, everyone crouched down and waited until all of the men were on the ground. Raising his arm, he waved them forward. Minutes later, an elderly man came running toward them, his arms waving in the air. Before the major could send someone to see what was up, a shot was fired and the villager fell.

"Who the hell fired that shot?" he yelled angrily.

No one answered. Shaking his head, he looked at Lubrette, wanting to reassure her it had been an accident. Deep down he knew better and felt uncomfortable, hoping it wasn't a sign of things to come.

*  *  *

Lubrette wasn't surprised when things started to go horribly wrong. She had sensed the deep-seated anger in several of the men. It was like a virus and almost no one was immune. The raid on the village was a failure. The VC had received word of the coming attack and had disappeared into the jungles, leaving only the villagers and some booby-traps behind to greet the Americans.

Killing the old man was the first step down a short path to devastation. Several minutes later, other villagers who had run out to see what was happening were slaughtered. Terrified, the rest hid in their huts. Frustrated the soldiers began firing rounds into the huts, killing anything and everything they saw. Men, women, children, it didn't make any difference.

"I don't know what to do," Gary said, turning to Lubrette for guidance.

"There's nothing to do," she replied. "They're beyond listening to you. These aren't men anymore. They're animals."

"They're soldiers," he cried. "They're trained to obey."

"They were never soldiers. These men are brutes. It was only a matter of time before they reverted to their true nature. I'm surprised you didn't see it."

"No!" Gary said, refusing to believe it. "No!"

Running toward a small group who had pushed a woman down on the ground, he grabbed one by the shoulder and pulled him away.

"Stop it! You have your orders," he yelled, stepping between the woman and the soldiers.

"Get out of the way, Major," one of them growled.

"No. This stops now."

Pushing past him, the soldier began removing his utility belt. Gary lunged at him and pulled him backward. Without thinking, the soldier pulled his knife and stabbed the major in the stomach. Stunned, Gary looked down at the knife and then back at the man. Clutching his stomach, he fell to his knees and tumbled onto his side. Seconds later, a shot rang out and the killer collapsed next to him.

Turning to see who had shot their companion, the remainder of the men saw Lubrette standing several meters away holding her rifle. Before they could react, she opened fire and killed them all. Afterward, she motioned for the villager to run away and then knelt next to Gary.

"I... thought they... were... sol... diers," he gasped. "We... were sup... posed to be... better... better."

Holding his head on her lap, Lubrette looked at the carnage around them. Shaking her head, she wanted to tell him he was a fool but realized it would serve no purpose. He already knew that.

"War brings out the worst in us," she said softly, stroking his hair.

The sound of a helicopter caught her attention. Turning in the direction, she noticed one of the pilots had positioned the vehicle between some villagers and the soldiers. The crewmen had their guns pointed at the Americans, threatening to shoot if any more civilians were attacked.

Holding Gary up so he could see, she pointed to the helicopter.

"Look. There are your soldiers, Gary."

It was the last thing Gary saw before he died. Lowering him to the ground, Lubrette stood and disappeared into the jungles. For the first time in her many lives, she walked away from a fight.

The soldiers never knew what happened to Lubrette Sabnock. The men involved in the incident were afraid if word got out about the incident they would be court-martialed. It was in their best interest not to mention the female scout and so no record of her participation was ever entered into the records. Once they returned to base, a few tried to find her, hoping to make sure she didn't open her mouth. After several months and no success, they assumed she had either been killed or captured by the VC.

Gary Stanley's body was returned to the states to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full honors. His parents were informed that he had been killed in action and presented several medals honoring his sacrifice. No one noticed the tall, redheaded woman standing several feet away from the friends and family until after the services were over. When she turned to leave, Gary's mother walked over, curious about the stranger.

"Excuse me," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Did you know my son?"

The woman stopped and turned.

"Yes. He was a good man and a good soldier; someone to be proud of."

Mrs. Stanley gave a weak smile.

"I know. Gary always had a sense of duty. He hated this war but... well, you know how it is. We raised him to be proud of his country. I just wish we knew how he was killed. No one will talk about it."

"He died saving a villager. He believed it was his job to protect the innocent."

Tears streamed down his mother's cheeks. Taking the stranger's hand, she clasped it tightly.

"Thank you," she whispered. "I'm sorry. I didn't get your name."

"Lubrette Sabnock."

Had Mrs. Stanley looked behind her, she would have seen several soldiers stiffen when they heard the name. Fearfully, they glanced at the woman with the angry eyes. As if an illusion, those who had participated in the slaughter saw the color change from an angry green to a raging dark brown. Some imagined they saw flames burning brightly within the darkened pupils and swallowed nervously. Dropping their gazes, they suddenly had a feeling they had looked into the fires of hell. When they glanced up again, Lubrette smiled and walked away knowing they had.

Saira shook her head and moved on. She never understood humanity's need for war. For all the pain and suffering, it rarely solved anything. Traveling backward in time, she stopped to observe another of Sabnock's lives.