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As Long opened the door to the front passenger side, Captain Dillon wondered if the rest of his team was already on their way. It was not odd that instructions came out of the blue like this. What was weird was his bosses rarely sent personnel to the same place twice.

For an unknown quality, Chu did his job well, moving through the narrow crowded streets with the necessary skill to avoid multiple collisions with trucks, pedestrians and the odd ox cart. Dillon allowed himself a moment to relax, wondering at the possible reasons behind his reassignment.

Westmoreland, the fella in charge of the South Asian theatre, chose his people well. General Warren; the ghost soldier who dispatched the invisible units like Dillons into high hazard zones to soften them up, did his job quietly and effectively. The level of assistance which the Captain gave Deng had not been official.

"Yun did well for himself. " mused the American as they arrived at the small compound which constituted the headquarters of the new General. A high gray wall surrounded the modest grounds, done in the immaculate style of an Asian stone garden.

Around the outside were stationed stern young men, standing with rifles held straight and steady while their slant eyes viewed the car with cold speculation as it approached. Stopping before the heavy iron gate, Chu leaned out to argue with the Sargent in that angry sing song noise which passed for a language here.

Dillon barely spoke it, even after half a year spent slogging through humid rainforests with these people. Less from inability than lack of interest. They'd always had a translator on hand before for specific conversation.

It seemed like forever as the two soldiers discussed protocol between them, each apparently wanting to finish on top without losing face. Dillon saw the others watching this exchange closely, feigning disinterest while actually waiting to see how it would end.

At last the sentry nodded, as if reluctantly conceding the verbal contest to Chu. Shouting commands to his men, the Sargent had them open the gate for the sedan.

"All is okay. " remarked Long with that wide grin particular to his people. From experience with both sides, enemy and friend alike, Jody knew it meant either an invitation to tea or a grenade concealed beneath the robes of some villager. "It is all clear. "

They drove up to the two story manor where the flag of the Republic of South Vietnam hung over the main doorway. Beneath it stood the tall lean figure of Lee Yun, a deceptively soft smile on his face as the sedan pulled to a stop.

"Captan Deon. " he greeted the American with enthusiasm. "A pleasure that you could come to my beautiful country once more. Once again to help us remove ugly things from our homeland. "

"General Yun. " Jody rejoined with neutral politeness. "I confess to ignorance of the exact reason for my being here. Pardon my confusion. " His eyes took in the opulence of the others uniform, the overtly decorated outfit of a strutting game cock rather than a serious military man.

"If you come with me, all your questions will find answers. " promised Yun as Chu left them in response to a nod from his superior. Following the General inside, Dillon noted the dominance of the west in the interior decor. Specifically there was a strong French influence to fixtures and furniture, likely from the late fifties when France finally let go its hold on this tiny country.

"I'm thinking there's someone who can exprain how you might be of service yet again, Captan. " Yun told the operative as they entered the dining room. Seated in a high back chair facing the open hall, a familiar face beamed at the surprised reaction he got from Jody.

"I never realized ya missed me that much, son. " laughed Colonel Ray Miller, the fella who'd hand picked Captain Dillon to come to Vietnam the first time around.

"Always ready ta help a good ole boy such as yerself... sir. " answered the younger man as Miller smoothed back his short salt n pepper crewcut. "Of course I'm a bit confused. I'd thought my last job here had earned me that transfer we'd talked about. "

"Kinda young for a desk job in Wiesbaden, don't ya think? " asked the Colonel. "I can't see you coolin yer heels when there's so much work ta do. "

"I'd hoped to give old age a try, sir. " Jody told him, eyes narrowing as he sought some clue as to why Miller had asked for him. The usual poker face was there so Dillon decided to bite the bullet and take the straight approach.

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