Chapter 28
28
The celebration didn’t start until a couple of hours after we got back to base – and it would have been a far more muted affair if the American brass had their way.
The US military didn’t allow its service members to drink alcohol at Bagram. Officially, anyway. Their officers tended to turn a blind eye to infractions unless they were particularly egregious.
However, the rest of NATO wasn’t having it. You try prying a beer out of a thirsty German soldier’s hand and see how far that gets you.
As a result, European soldiers from NATO countries were allowed to imbibe – which made European soldiers the most popular people on base, especially after a hard day.
Following the mission debrief and a shower, the Special Forces guys from the raid crowded into the Swedish barracks. Absolut Vodka is from Sweden, and our unit was known for our copious supplies.
Rachel was there, too. After showering the grit out of her hair, she’d left it down to dry – and she was absolutely stunning. It fell down to her shoulders in waves of dark brown.
“What?” she asked when she caught me staring at her.
“I think you need a drink,” I said, pouring some vodka into a paper cup.
“I thought I was supposed to buy you one,” she replied. “A couple, actually p>
“Can’t buy it on base, thanks to the Americans,” Gunnar said with a smile.
“I officially apologize on behalf of the United States military,” shouted one of the Delta Force guys, and everybody from the other countries started razzing him good-naturedly with cries of Fuckin’ Americans!
I handed Rachel the paper cup. “You can buy me a couple of rounds once I get back from deployment p>
She smirked at the implication I would see her again. “…alright. Sure p>
The mood in general was celebratory… but me, Gunnar, and the other Swedes were thinking of Ingmar, so we were on the somber side.
As soon as she had her drink, Rachel cleared her throat. “I’d like to say a few words p>
The men all grew quiet.
“I was impressed today by everyone’s capability in the field… but there was one member of the Swedish team who didn’t make it back tonight, and his sacrifice is the reason I’m standing here right now. That, and because of the tremendous efforts of Lars Henriksson and the rest of the Swedish Special Forces to keep me alive.” She looked at me with grateful eyes. “Thank you p>
I nodded silently.
Gunnar and several of the other guys said Hear, hear.
Rachel kept my gaze as she raised her cup. “To Ingmar p>
“To Ingmar,” every person in the room said and drank in his memory.