Gordon frowned. "I know, Scott, you're pissed about those insurgents at the pickup zone."

Mitchell shrugged. "I assumed they were on a rat line, holing up in the caves."

"We're still working on that, but you're probably right. We didn't pick them up until you were already at the zone. More air support would've turned it into a fiasco."

"What about the recovery mission? Still on?"

The colonel winced. "It's been delayed until those insurgents are out of there. On top of that, we got another front moving through. Wind speeds are too high. We'll need to wait till that passes--at least eighteen, maybe twenty hours."

"I'd like to be on that team."

"I know you would, but that maniac Wolde in Ethiopia has got his eyes set on Eritrea, and I suspect higher will want you there. I already want you there."

"Guess we're sleeping on the plane--again."

"Captain, we appreciate you helping field-test the new Cross-Com," said Major Grey. "We'll need your evals ASAP, though I hear we're still three to four years out before full implementation."

"That's a shame, because that's a damned fine system and a great piece of equipment."

"Yes, it is--for many reasons. Now, Captain, I do have a question. I was playing back your HUD recordings, and I noticed you corrected the sergeants when they were evacuating agents Vick and Saenz."

"That was our fault," Ramirez blurted out. "The medic was the most seriously wounded. We should have evaced him first."

Grey barely turned toward Ramirez, who was already swallowing and lowering his head. "Sorry, Major. Just thought you should know."

"I already know."

"Uh, to answer your question, Major, yes, I did correct them," said Mitchell.

"Why?"

Mitchell thought a moment. He could answer carefully, or he could get it all off his chest. "Let's back up a moment. I fought to be assigned to this mission. It was no secret that one of my best friends was out there. You knew I'd bring him home, and to be honest, I was going to make sure he got on that chopper--first. He was the most seriously wounded, and I didn't see a problem with that."

"Even though agents Vick and Saenz might have intelligence that is far more helpful than anything Sergeant McDaniel might have gathered? They've been operating along the border for a long time--much longer than your . . . friend."

"That's speculation. Those spooks might have nothing. And even if they have--"

"Once they've been treated, they'll be questioned."

"Yes, but they'll only give you so much. We all salute the same flag, but don't forget their paycheck--and bonuses--come from Langley."

Lieutenant Colonel Gordon sighed in disgust. "Major Grey, to be quite frank, I don't give a rat's ass what order the captain used for his evac plan. In my book, that's trivial. Point is, they all got out. End of story. And to be honest, I would've done the same damned thing."