Page 42 - Archangel

little leg, too. And Father Patrick Barry is coming through in spades,
he is. He e-mailed and already has numerous potential families from
his immigration network to give the lad a home, in Ireland, Canada,
or the U.S.”
Gasping in pain from the wound, Skye expelled, “Anything he
needs, anything!”
“Granted, MacIain,” Collins responded, with both captains finally
admitted into the center clinic. “Layla’s son will be raised in love, by
adoptive parents or within my own house as my own blood if God wills.”
Satisfied, the captain relaxed back into the wheelchair. The re-invigorated
Collins instructed Sergeant Ngetti, “Fluids, IV anitbiotics, and knock them
both out for at least six hours, as they are wounded: Ndara in the head,
Skye along his side. I’ll take the first clinic shift for observation.”
The 6’4” Ngetti informed Collins, “Respectfully, Doctor, no you won’t.
You have a head wound, stitches, and are dehydrated. As a Special Forces
medic, I imagine I’ve treated more bullet wounds than you have. You can
fire me tomorrow, but right now you’re heading to bed.”
“As I said,” Sean smiled tiredly in acquiescence with the wise counsel
of the giant nurse who could bench press the slight Northern Irishman
for amusement.
Six hours later, Ngetti jostled Dr. Collins and announced, “Ndara awoke
first.” Shaking off the morning fatigue and pulling up a stool, Sean quickly
examined the Kenyan captain, who whispered, “I’m so sorry we failed, Dr.
Collins. There was nothing we could do. She was tortured, murdered and
hung on the beach well before we approached. We’re lucky to be alive.”
Nonverbal communications passed between Kenyatta and Ngetti. The
captain smirked and added, “By the way, your mad hatter Highlander?
Pretty damn good shooting for an ‘aid worker.’ MacIain believes Layla was
betrayed by Hutu informers posing as refugees in our own Bukavu camp.
Just like Keesie.” His eyes cold black with passion, he seethed, “I believe he
is right.”
After reflection, Collins then admitted that the last Operations Moses
land-based escape route to the north had also been compromised and
all 17 souls in the last party lost. Stating the obvious for all concerned,
Collins confirmed, “We’re running out of time, mates, and the increasing
number of rescues blown means each effort going forward approaches a
suicide mission. Keesie and Layla told us this day might come if the world
refused to confront the evil and greed driving genocide in African’s Great
Lakes region.”

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