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Free Fire Zone Chapter 1; Beginnings, page 6 For what seemed like forever, they stood, hunched over, having to defecate and piss at the same time. Finally, they got the word and Jake edged himself around to the side and pushed Bobby along. Bobby made a move to speak to the Jump Master, but Jake pushed him up the steps into the plane before he could speak. Seated on the webbed straps lashed along the side of the plane, it was a silent group as the C130 workhorse roared down the runway and into the air. Twenty minutes later, the jump master stood with his mouth moving, but no words heard, but everybody knew exactly what he was saying. "Outboard personnel stand up, sound off for equipment check, stand in the door." The shuffle started and people moved toward the door. In a second, the green light came on. Sloan folded up in front of Jake like a wet noodle. Jake reached down and wedged him between the next GI's equipment and himself and pushed him along toward the door. At the door, the Jump Master was shouting. "Stand in the door," and as each guy moved into the door, he patted him on the rump. "Go." After the first one or two, they just flew out the door, emptying the plane like nobody's business. When Bobby didn't move like the rest, he looked up and Jake moved Bobby into the door and pushed him out. Jake went out behind him and as soon as his chute opened, he scanned the skies looking for Sloan. Because of the wind, he knew he could be twenty five to fifty meters away. Jake hit the ground, with still no sign of Bobby. Beside the truck at the assembly point a big crowd boasted about the jump and above all the voices could be heard Sloan. "Man, I hit that door, and popped right out to a 'Mae West.' " I shook it out with no sweat, and did a perfect PLF." He looked up at Jake, who said, "Nice going, Sloan, you did good." There were many times after that day when Jake wondered if maybe he should have let Sloan alone, go another path that day, not become a paratrooper. Who knows, another path might have saved his life. "Gentlemen, this is Captain Jensen, we'll be landing in about twenty-five minutes. Presently, we're starting our descent and you'll deplane at Bien Hoa Air Base. We hope you've enjoyed your flight and that your stay in Vietnam will be a pleasant and safe one." Jake noticed his voice trailed off at the end. I don't guess there's much else the guy can say. They were all quiet. A few more minutes and all the wondering and doubts would be realized. For years, Jake had read and been conscious of the Vietnam war on TV and now he was part of it. I wonder what the scene will be when my year is up, aware that his insides were churning. For Miles Jacobson, Jr., the thought never entered his mind that anything could happen to him. When you're 23 and the year is 1968, you're invincible.
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Beginnings; page 1
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