Spaghetti Invasion

Higher Education

Graduation day at Camp Pendleton-North's basic training facility was a grand affair. Ribbons and flags flew everywhere and the graduates were decked out in their finest for the graduation ceremony. Proud family members and those merely relieved to see their loved ones again sat in orderly rows of bleachers to watch and cheer on the graduates.

Sarah watched with a kind of bittersweet indifference. Watching the audience was at least mildly entertaining, even though she knew that there was nobody in the stands to take her picture, to whoop and holler when her division was called. Aside from the higher-ups, nobody seemed to care that Sarah Mae Wentworth was graduating near the top of her class, that she'd earned an expert marksmanship pin or that she was to receive an award for overall excellence that came with a promotion and a pay raise.

Still, she'd been given three nourishing meals a day that she didn't have to pilfer from some deserted restaurant kitchen and slept in the same bunk every night. She was clothed and had been issued everything she needed for basic hygiene. For Sarah, the military was almost a free ride, aside from the physical challenges.

Deep into her reflections, Sarah almost missed when her name was called. The person beside her elbowed her into action. To Sarah's surprise, three people in officers' uniforms stood and applauded when she walked over to accept her award. A camera flashed just before the official photographer got his shot. Sarah spent the remainder of the ceremony trying to see who had applauded her, but the three people were in the rear of the crowd and seemed to have disappeared shortly after she resumed her designated place in the lines.

After the graduation ceremony, the new soldiers were allowed to socialize with their families on a nearby lawn before being shipped off to the advanced training courses they'd been placed in. She looked but saw no sign of the officers who'd been at the graduation ceremony. Sarah had barely stepped out onto the lawn, before a uniformed officer accosted her.

"Wentworth, your ride is here."

"Ma'am?" Sarah came to attention immediately.

The officer didn't answer, only turned and walked away, expecting Sarah to follow her. Sarah trailed in her wake, pausing only long enough to retrieve her duffel from among those lining the corridor outside the reception area. The officer led the way outside, to the VIP parking area where a line of three dark colored, official government vehicles waited. The center sported national flags and a very familiar figure standing at attention, flanked by several other men.

"Dad?" Sarah stared in utter amazement at the crisp, uniformed officer in the center of the group. The name 'Johnson' was embroidered on his navy-blue jacket.

Colonel Johnson winked. "I told you President Polk has a sense of humor, Kiddo!" He tapped a Special Forces pin fastened to his lapel. "I have a seat on his advisory board and my own division, one I want you in."

Private Wentworth stood at attention, fresh out of basic training and not having been given permission to relax. "Sir?" she asked.

"In the flesh," he grinned and winked at her. "At ease, soldier. I'll explain on the way." He motioned to one of the men with him, who obediently took charge of Sarah's duffel bag.

Sarah dropped into a parade rest when ordered to, surprised by the tone of his voice. Six years had changed a lot. Slippery Sam was gone for good, replaced by this new, authoritarian colonel. She finally relaxed when Sam gave her a brief hug before opening the car door and motioning her inside.

When they were seated inside, he grinned at her. "You lasted a lot longer on your own than I expected."

The car started and the cavalcade was soon under motion. Sarah shook her head. "It wasn't easy. I had to go deep into the shadows after I lost the apartment."