Forged in Honor (1995) (50 page)

The old man laughed and raised the boy's chin. "Good for him! Now go march with a formation of recruits and learn some discipline. There will be time for the night hens when you are older."

Xu Kang motioned to a chair beside him as Jacob ran down the porch steps. "Sit, Horseman. I hear my grandson took you on a tour of our host village. What did you think of it?"

Josh sat down and shrugged his shoulders. "It's interesting.

I saw everything from raw opium to Coors beer, plus every type of rifle and pistol ever made. Why do the Thais let this place exist?"

Kang swept his hand toward the camp gate. "This is noman's-land. It is where the traffickers, gunrunners, black marketeers, and political refugees come. The Thai border patrols leave this place alone, for it provides valuable information.

Spies are everywhere, but I have known these people for years, so I know who the spies are."

Josh changed the subject. "Jacob's really something. I had fun with him today."

Kang leaned back with a nod. "He reminds me of you and Stephen when you were young. You two boys stole my heart then-now Jacob has stolen it again." The warlord turned and looked back at Jacob, who was marching at the end of a file. "I regret none of it and apologize to no man. I have lived life to the fullest and now gaze upon my grandson while his father takes my place as Sawbaw. I would change nothing, Joshua. The simple dream of an old man has come true. Is it possible for you to understand this?"

Josh patted the old man's back. "I understand, but I am very concerned about Stephen's leading the assault."

Kang shook his head and gazed into the distance. "He will not lead-I will. The gods have willed it. It is for me to enter the cave to face the cobras. I have seen the vision many times and must follow the gods' wisdom."

"Xu Kang, with all respect to the gods, you must let younger warriors lead. Your people need you."

"Ahh, spoken like an American. You worry about this old man and about our people. Joshua, every man has such a cave within him ... but few face the darkness and enter. It is my kan. You, my son, understand kan . . . it has brought you home. I have to lead as you had to return ... the gods ... the gods have willed it."

Josh nodded in silent understanding, got up, and walked inside the hut. He lay down on his reed mat and closed his eyes to take a nap before the all-important meeting. He understood kan all too well.

Josh sat at the back of the crowded room. Four oil lamps hanging from sayo-wood beams cast a yellow-orange glow over the faces of the men and women who sat at the table.

Sawbaw Xu Kang was notably absent from the group, making Stephen the oldest person at the table. To Stephen's right was Colonel Banta, who was completing a situation update by telling of Swei's planned news conference.

Josh scanned the young leaders' intense faces. They were students, businessmen, peasants, soldiers, and even a monk.

They represented different races, sexes, beliefs, and religions, but they all had two obvious things in common-they considered themselves Burmese and they all desperately wanted change.

Josh shifted in his chair to watch Stephen and felt a chill.

He had removed the bandage from his face to reveal an ugly, purplish-red gash across his cheek, and his burning eyes were locked in a distant, foreboding stare.

The colonel concluded his situation update, and every pair of eyes in the room looked at Stephen. He stood and smiled his father's confident smile as he looked into the expectant faces. "In seven days it will be over. We have one chance and it depends on perfect timing. The colonel has just told us General Swei will give a news conference in the Defense Ministry compound in seven days. During the conference, we will strike. We will begin the operation by . .."

The evening grew longer but no one in the room moved; they all were held spellbound as Stephen spoke of his plan.

Josh felt his heart pounding and the blood racing through his veins. Stephen Kang had become a true Sawbaw. He was giving his people hope.

Sitting below a window outside the cabin, Xu Kang leaned against the old sayo logs and listened to his son. A single tear trickled down the old man's face and dropped soundlessly into the dust.

.

12 July.

The early-morning mist was rising from the damp earth as Jacob stood in front of his father. "Will I see you soon, Papa?"

Stephen reached down and picked the boy up. "Yes, in just a week we will be together, and I'll never have to leave you again." He gave his son a hug and set him down.

"Promise?" Jacob asked, searching his father's eyes.

Stephen smiled. "I promise. One week, son. Remember to take good care of Kaska-you are now her protector."

Jacob nodded and walked over to his grandfather, who kneeled down and hugged him. "No tears, little Sawbaw.

Soon we will ride through the green mountain valleys and hunt the gyi and wild boar. What glorious days we will have, telling our hunting stories by the crackling fire."

Stephen found himself smiling as he watched his father lead Jacob to the Jeep. Josh walked up beside Stephen and offered his hand. "I'll see you in five days as per the plan.

Until then, brother."

Stephen grabbed Josh's hand and pulled him close to his chest. "Take care of yourself, brother, and take care of Jacob for me. Promise me."

Josh patted Stephen's back and tried to step away, but Stephen held him in a viselike grip. "Promise me, Joshua you must promise me."

"I promise you, brother."

Stephen released him and nodded. "Five days."

"Five days," Josh said with finality, then turned and walked toward the Jeep.

Xu Kang buckled Jacob's and Kaska's seat belts and turned to Josh. "I will see you soon, so there will be no farewells between us. We will have such stories to tell at the campfires, eh?"

Josh forced a smile and clapped his hand on the old man's right shoulder. "You bring the zu, Chindit, and we will lie until the morning frogs croak."

The old man laughed and rolled back his shoulders. "The gods be with you!"

Xu Kang walked back to where Stephen stood watching the vehicle disappear down the rutted road. "Too many times I did what you are doing now-wishing things were different and that you had spent more time with your son."

Stephen reached out and clapped his father's right shoulder. "In five days it will be over. We will finish it together as father and son. The gods have willed it."

Kang's eyes teared. "Together it is, my son."

Ministry of Defense, Rangoon Prime Minister Ren Swei stood in front of his office closet mirror as the tailor marked the cuff of his suit trousers. Swei looked at the reflection of his information minister, who stood behind him. "I've read the speech. I made only a few changes. However, I am not comfortable with the questioning period at the end of the conference. Cancel it."

The thin, bespectacled minister's shoulders sagged as he raised his hands in prayer fashion. "It is impossible, Prime Minister. The press releases and invitations have been out for weeks. It is expected in a democratic-"

"The prime minister said cancel it!" General Tan snapped from his seat near the door.

Swei raised his hand. "Wait, let him speak. Please, U Dau, tell me what is expected."

The little man nervously removed his glasses. "It would be expected of a leader who proposes a democratic government to answer questions from the press. It shows you have nothing to hide and are willing to communicate with the world.

I will ensure that the press asks only questions you are prepared to answer and that no more than five questions are asked."

The tailor began pinning up the jacket material, and Swei straightened his back as he looked at himself in the mirror.

"Yes, I agree. It will be a first in our country. Add that to the next press release."

Tan eyed the little minister with contempt. "How can you be so sure you can, control the questions?"

"I will have a drawing, and those reporters who win will be given a list of questions the prime minister deems suitable.

It is done all the time. They will understand."

"I don't like it," Tan said, shaking his head. "There will be television crews there."

Swei smiled. "I like it. I'll be seen as a struggling leader trying to save his country. I can always just say that I'm new to this but I am trying hard to become worthy of the position.

Yes, I like it. Approved. Now, what is the latest count?"

The information minister put his glasses back on and took a small notepad from his pocket. "Fifty-two people representing twenty-one countries. The BBC will be filming for a documentary, and you already know about CNN and the Japanese television crews. Germany will also send a crew, as will Thailand."

The tailor nodded and Swei stepped down from the small stool. "I want nothing but the best for them when they arrive.

Ensure the hotel staff knows to cater to all their needs and requests. That is all, U Dau. I will make out a list of questions for you this evening and send them over. Thank you."

Swei took off the suit jacket and handed it to the tailor.

"Two black and one gray, as we discussed. Please leave us now." He waited until the tailor had shut the door before asking Tan, "Have the wage increases given us the needed rally supporters?"

"Beyond our dreams," Tan replied with a smile. "The government workers and even the students will be marching with banners to show their support. The army units we planned to bring in wearing civilian clothes are no longer necessary.

Money talks. The people are ecstatic with the increases in pay; already the economy is beginning to rebound. The markets are flourishing. When you announce tomorrow that you will free all political prisoners on the nineteenth, any remaining opposition will vanish."

Swei nodded, then walked to his desk and looked out the window. "We have done it, my friend. Our dream is a reality.

Nothing can stop us now."

Bangkok, Thailand McCoy stopped once outside the chief of station's house and poked Josh in the chest. "If that old Shan woman spits betel juice in his house, the chief and his wife will kill you."

Josh shrugged. "Kaska carries a cup around with her. Relax, they'll love her."

McCoy's glare softened. "The missus liked Jacob well enough. Maybe she'll give the old woman a break. Come on, I've got to get you to the safe house and get you briefed.

Your performance begins in five days-that's not much time to learn the lingo and memorize the names of the movers and shakers who will be there."

Josh turned and waved to Jacob, who stood by the window. "I really like that kid, Buck."

McCoy opened the back door of the sedan. "You'll see him again when the op is over. We've got work to do now."

Chapter 26.

18 July, Mingaladon Airport, Rangoon.

Josh stepped down from the Myanmar Airways Fokker F-28 onto the steaming pavement and followed the other twelve passengers toward the small terminal. His clothes were already soaked with sweat when he entered the stifling and crowded baggage area. After picking up his two large bags, he walked to the Customs gate, where he showed his U. S. passport, visa, and credentials. The Customs officer smiled when he saw the press identification. "Happy you here, Mis-tar Ness. Good things come now with new prime minister. Welcome."

Josh nodded with a fake smile and took back his documents. Then he picked up his bags and strode toward the exit to find a cab. He had almost reached the door when d petite, attractive Burmese woman dressed in a traditional longyi approached him and bowed her head. "Mis-ta Nessa, yes?"

"Ness. Who are you?" Josh asked suspiciously.

"Sorry, Mis-ta Ness," the woman said with a happy smile.

"I work at Ministry of Information and have come to escort you to hotel. All press receive very best treatment while in our Country. Please, I take your bags?"

Feeling relieved, Josh returned her smile. "No, I can carry 'em. Just lead the way, and thanks for the lift."

The woman opened the glass doors for him and pointed to a Toyota van parked at the curb.

As soon as Josh sat down in the backseat with the pretty escort, the driver peeled away from the curb. The woman's smile was replaced by a somber, all-business look. "Colonel Banta want you to know all is ready. Last of the men infiltrate into city last night."

"You--you're with us?" Josh stammered.

"Many are with movement. Please listen, there is much more I must tell you. There will be a drawing this night, and ..."

Josh walked into the Strand Hotel lobby and felt instantly at home. The British, pre--World War II relic was one of the oldest hotels in the city and had been his and Jill's home for weeks when he was assigned to Burma in '81. Nothing had changed. The antique ceiling fans still squeaked, and the late nineteenth-century furniture in the lobby was in the same position. He scanned the people in the lobby before approaching the check-in desk. He noted two Burmese men who looked out of place among the small groups of chatting Western reporters. He knew the two men had to be DDSI keeping an eye on the guests. Putting on a weary smile, Josh approached the desk and spoke to the young man behind the counter.