Manus Xingue Read Online Free PDF Page A

Special Forces are still operating in Iraq – looking for the weapons of mass destruction!’
    ‘If they exist,’ Kane answers. ‘Why do we always have our heads up the Yanks’ arses – are we still paying lend-lease?’
    The Captain smiles, ignoring the question. ‘They want us to target Chevez.’
    Kane regards the Captain suspiciously. ‘Off the record Henry – this is not one of your moonlighting jobs, is it? I heard you and your lads did well in Iraq Two, working with the Yanks.’
    ‘We handed all the money we found back,’ answers the Captain. ‘I heard your team shot down an American Black Hawk gunship.’
    ‘They opened up with a Gatling-gun – I lost two men!’
    ‘Not to worry, Jim,’ replies the Captain with a knowing smile. ‘I must tell you this is a ‘ deniable operation’ - any causalities must be stripped of ID – any seriously wounded….’ The Captain stops, not wishing to commit himself.’
    ‘Is this mission going in the 22 Squadron’s operations logbook?’ asks Kane.
    Captain Price-Palmer takes the logbook from the desk.
    ‘Every commander has a right to refuse an operation,’ says Sgt Kane. ‘I’ll give this one a miss, Henry.’
    The Captain hands Kane a letter. ‘Read this, Jim – before you decide.’
    Kane reads the letter; he is visually taken aback!
    ‘In two days,’ says the Captain ‘you will be promoted to Staff Sergeant – this is your last chance for active service. Chevez’s jungle skills will be a match, even for you, Jim!’
    Kane takes a longer look at the photograph, with renewed interest.
    ‘Ok Henry – I’ll do it.’
    ‘Good man, Jim,’ says a delighted Price-Palmer. ‘The Americans have especially asked for you to command this operation.
    ‘I will need my usual team sent out from Credenhill.’
    ‘No can do, Jim - there is no time – a chopper is waiting to take off. US intelligence knows Chevez is leaving his jungle hideout tonight to meet a Portuguese trader called Mendoza.’
    ‘Well, give me the bad news then, Henry,’ Sgt Kane asks. ‘Who have I got?’
    ‘Trooper Lacy,’ replies the Captain.
    ‘What!’ explodes Kane, ‘that noisy useless twat!’
    ‘He’s a fine marksman, Jim – and extremely fit.’
    ‘Lacy’s also afraid of spiders and the dark!’ replies Kane.
    ‘He passed Selection – you were there,’ says the Captain.
    ‘Lacy could have died during interrogation,’ Kane adds.
    ‘Yes, I know one of my men was a little too enthusiastic. It won’t happen again – you have my word, Jim!’
    ‘Who else have I got ?’ asks Kane.
    ‘Corporals Bill Edwards and Frank Dublin, two of my best men.’
    ‘Well, fuck me gently!’ exclaims Kane. You have given me a right tote-double there! One is a Welsh barrack-room lawyer – with the brain of a fully grown ferret – the other is a brawling Irish piss-artist. Both are Anglophobes–. and also the biggest shit-stirrers and tea-leaves in the regiment!’
    ‘Edwards and Dublin are good, experienced soldiers,’ defends the Captain. ‘They served with you in the Paras.’
    ‘Don’t remind me,’ replies Kane.
    ‘They are also excellent navigators – with good jungle skills. There are alternatives, Jim – you can take three new recruits - or I could ask the other commanders to release their best men,’ suggests the Captain, with a dry smile.
    ‘That is like offering me the choice between syphilis and gonorrhoea ,’ Kane replies. ‘All commanders love to be asked for their best men, Henry – it’s a good chance to unload the wankers. I will stick with the devil I know.’
    Price-Palmer points to a wall map. ‘Chevez and his Kier Verde woman live somewhere here in these hills, over the Japari River. Chevez will meet Mendoza in a hut – here.’ Kane studies the map.
    ‘I did a search and rescue near there once – thick jungle – flat as a witch’s tit.’
    ‘The chopper will fly you to the US Special Force base. The Americans will drive you across the