// Chapter Four //
1939 hours | August 12, 1973 | Over Miaoli County | Island of Taiwan
Despite the time stuffed inside a small transport plane, the sweltering heat on the island, the itching of his scalp after another buzz-cut, and the increasing possibility of taking a missile, Zach was enjoying himself.
Ping! The well-watched green light flashed on.
The airman instructed, “Everybody out now!”
Zach obeyed and was the fourth person to jump out of the transport plane. He immediately experienced glorious freefall over hostile territory.
It was loud. The warm air that pelted his square face was moist. Huge silver cumulonimbus clouds danced across the night sky, illuminated only by the waxing gibbous moon. It was quite a remarkable sight.
Despite his awe, Zach forced himself to stay focused and pulled his ripcord to engage his parachute, bracing himself with his toned arms. The effect was a few seconds pause before a sharp jolt slowed him. The rushing air slowed, and the night quieted.
As he floated downwards, Zach looked for the landing zone. However, a thick rolling cloud wafted in his way.
“Rain is coming! Let’s make this quick,” one trooper yelled from above.
“Affirmative!” Zach yelled back, concentrating on staying in formation. He leaned into the harness to correct his descent.
Once through the cloud, the ground came up fast.
And…
“Ugh,” he grunted.
He landed hard, knees and nails digging into the soft soil.
Zach looked around and saw that he had arrived at the right drop zone. Red lights scattered around several temporary structures illuminated him. As he stood, his platoon slowly came near him as well. It did not take long before everyone eventually clustered together so that leaders could send specific units to their proper position for the upcoming assault.
His squad leader reminded them that beyond the north roads lay Hsinchu City, where they were planning to reinforce the troops already along the southern outskirts. The enemy was retreating, leaving Miaoli County devoid of defenses, and they planned to chase them north. If everything went well, they would have most of the ROC driven back toward Taipei within the week. Then they would have no choice but to surrender or face inevitable civilian casualties. It was a good plan. After years of small island invasions and playing cat and mouse with the US Seventh Fleet, the thought of reunifying the two lands was finally a possibility. Then all Chinese people would become one and share in mutual security and prosperity.
This thought filled Zach with inspiration as he followed his squad to an open-bed transport truck. He was the last in, but there was still room.
“I wonder if we’re picking anyone up,” he said to the soldier next to him. Zach recognized him as An, a man with whom he’d trained intermittently but did not personally know very well.
He responded with, “Didn’t you hear? We’re going to pick up communications men next.”
Zach leaned back in his seat and tried to look up at the stars. He typically contemplated various things in this manner, but this time the same cloud he’d just parachuted through foiled him yet again. The truck then hit a bad rut and smacked Zach against the cabin wall. Sometimes he wished things were more comfortable during warfare, but that was the trade-off for excitement.
He tried to relax as the ride continued. The salty ocean abir became thicker. He certainly had not memorized the entire island’s networks of roads, railroads, and waterways, but he prided himself on having gotten close. They must have headed directly west from the drop zone.
It was not long before they arrived at a small building with a large metal tower nearby. The truck rolled to a stop next to a parking lot, where a person with a radio unit stood. They must be the communication operator. Upon closer inspection, Zach realized it was a woman! A pretty woman, at that.
To his surprise, she climbed into the truck and met his eyes for only the briefest of seconds before sitting down. Her eyes were dark and mysterious, and it made his head go blank. He did not know what to do at that point but try to act calm. He could not let her know how she was making him feel.
The truck continued moving.
“So, uh,” Zach began, trying to sound suave, “you were all by yourself out here.”
Zach looked at her for a reaction, but she did not immediately respond. He then realized he forgot to add a “why” somewhere in that sentence.
It was too late to repeat it now, though, so he hoped she would help him along, but she seemed somewhat aloof.
When she did speak, she did not meet his gaze but said, “My squad was wiped out. I am the only one left.”
“Oh my,” said Zach.
He fumbled for more words to say, but could not readily think of anything beyond that. After a moment, he also added, “That’s terrible.”
He continued looking at her, and she did not seem very consoled. It made him sad, thinking of anyone doing such a thing to someone so pretty.
He tried speaking again, “How many men attacked you?”
Her eyes slowly drifted upward before locking onto his. She looked like she was still in a sort of daze, and it made him even more uncomfortable.
“I need to get off this island.”
You can buy Angle at https://www.amazon.com/Angle-Harley-Ferry/dp/B08GVGCXMC.
After getting his English degree, HARLEY FERRY went on to write fiction while holding three library positions. He works in Huntington Beach and Westminister. He also plays bongos and Dungeons & Dragons for fun. Harley’s favorite books are Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (J.K. Rowling), The Silmarillion (J.R.R. Tolkien), The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams), and Seven Deadly Wonders (Matthew Reilly). Harley’s favorite food is Korean BBQ, particularly Bulgogi. He hopes you love reading Angle. He thinks one of the best things about being an author is there is always so much more story to tell. https://www.goodreads.com/harleyferryauthor
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