Return to Honor by Doug Beason Read Free Book Online Page A

Weston to lead the way. When they reached the mock-up Weston nodded toward the exit hatch. The hatch was tightly closed, simulating the craft in flight. Weston said to Krandel, “The men are strapped in the TAV in harnesses, not unlike what they would use in a C-17 if they were parachuting in from drop planes. The difference is that the TAVs can swoop into the staging area and land before the bad guys know what’s going on.”
    Krandel grunted. “What do you mean, swoop in?”
    “Well, sir,”—the “sir” from Weston sounded forced; Krandel pretended not to notice—“the TAV is coming from a semi-ballistic orbit, so it slows from about Mach 25 to its landing speed of 130 knots. As the TAV rolls to a stop, the men disembark while the craft is still moving. That way, the men are spread along the target area in whatever pattern we want them. The main reason for using the TAV is for fast response, and I guarantee that my marines will come through on that for you.”
    Krandel walked around the mock-up and peered into the darkened body. It took a few moments for his eyes to adjust from the glaring sun. Twenty-four marines, twelve to a side, were strapped in the red webbing attached to the sides of the TAV. They remained motionless, staring straight ahead. Krandel pulled his head out and said, “Well, let’s see them do it.”
    “Yes, sir.” Balcalski leaned inside the craft. “All right, Morales, take the men through the paces.”
    Morales bawled at the men, “Prepare for landing.” In one motion the marines grabbed the siding, bracing themselves for the landing.
    In the background a diesel engine coughed once, then caught as the moving slidewalk started rumbling in front of the hatch. After a few moments, allowing for the slidewalk to get up to speed, Morales shouted above the din of the machinery, “Prepare to disembark: Stand in the door!”
    The men unfastened their strappings as Krandel and Weston moved around to the side of the TAV mock-up. As the slidewalk raced past the opening, Morales stood in the hatch. The corporal grabbed the sides of the opening and crouched.
    Balcalski put his mouth to Krandel’s ear. “The slidewalk is moving at fifteen miles per hour in front of the opening. When the men jump, they hit the mat and roll. It’s the closest thing to having a moving TAV that we can get. This way the men can train for any exit speed by rolling to the ground and getting in their positions.”
    Balcalski was interrupted by Morales’ yell. “Exit, Smilers!”
    Morales leapt out, hit the slidewalk, and rolled to the ground in a modified parachute-landing fall.
    One after another the marines exited, all hitting the slidewalk and rolling away, until the last man successfully left the craft. Balcalski allowed himself a hidden smile and said, “Finished, sir.” He glanced to his stopwatch. “Fifty-six seconds—slightly under two seconds per man.”
    Krandel raised his brows. “Impressive.”
    Weston nodded. “Good work, Sergeant. But work on it. I want them all out in forty seconds. Every second saved will mean that much more time to accomplish the mission.”
    “Aye, aye, sir.” He turned to Krandel. “Anything else, Colonel?”
    “No, thank you, Gunny. Carry on.”
    Balcalski saluted, then spun and left to join the men. Krandel turned back for the jeep.
    Krandel spoke half to himself. “Your men looked impressive, Harv.”
    “Thanks. Alpha squad is the best I’ve got. Bravo and Charlie will probably be out here all tomorrow afternoon until they get it right.”
    “Do you go through the mock-up with them?”
    “I go with Delta squad; they’ve usually got the fourth TAV. We’re coming out tomorrow morning, if you’d like to watch.”
    “I think I might do that. What would I need to do if I wanted to join you on the mock-up?”
    “Join us?” Weston stopped. He looked surprised.
    “Sure, why not? The battalion CO should be qualified in TAV landings if he’s going to lead his men,