“For a while, everything went quiet as we lay nestled between two boulders. The stars came out on that cold night, blinking as they did against the backdrop of night. It was eerily quiet and almost beautiful. Tomas and I lay back-to-back ready to fight and die if need be.
“But when we heard the chop of rotor blades, the entire mountainside opened up again. It was as if they knew exactly where Tomas and I were hiding because every bullet and mortar shell seemed to be locked onto our very position. Somehow they never managed to land a direct strike, though, and we stayed safe, right up until it was time to leave and run for the chopper.”
Annja was leaning forward, closer to Hans now. Hans seemed to be breathing faster, almost as if he was reliving the event.
“We saw the chopper touch down and we ran out from the boulders. We’d ditched all our gear so we could move faster. I ran like I’d never run before. Bullets whizzed past us. Dirt kicked up in our faces. Explosions everywhere. I had to run zigzag to keep from being hit. We were so close to getting out and then I was falling into the back of the chopper.
“I turned and saw Tomas on the ramp coming in. He smiled at me. I grinned back. We’d made it. And then a single bullet burst through his chest. He died right there on the back ramp of the chopper as we lifted away. He fell to his knees and died, that smile still on his face.”
Hans was silent.
Annja took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
Hans cleared his throat and clenched his jaw. “The scar came from a bullet that caught me across my face, but never entered the side of my head. Just a flesh wound, in other words.”
“You were incredibly lucky.”
Hans eyed her. “Was I? I sometimes wonder if perhaps my friends who died were the lucky ones. We never should have been left out there. We never should have been abandoned like that. Three good men died because of political idiocy.”
There wasn’t much Annja could say to that.
Hans stood. “You’ll have to forgive me, Annja, but I think I’m going to get some sleep now. I’ll see you down at the dock tomorrow morning. Joachim likes to get started early.”
And then he turned and left the pavilion.
Annja watched him go and frowned. This day hadn’t ended how she’d thought it would. That was for sure.
7
By the time Annja got down to the dock by the dive master’s hut the next morning, Spier, Hans and the rest of the team were already there. Hans, for all the horror he’d relived with Annja the night before, looked happy and fresh from a good night’s sleep. He smiled as she came down the walkway and took her by the elbow to guide her off to one side.
“I want to apologize for my conduct last night.”
Annja smiled. “Your conduct? It’s not like you made an unwanted pass at me, Hans.”
He shrugged. “I haven’t talked about Afghanistan with many people. It is a time in my life when I faced death and lost the people I felt closest to. As such, the memories tend to run together and come out in a jumbled mess of sadness, anger and confusion.”
Annja laid a hand on his arm. “It’s okay. Really. I don’t think anyone would have come through something like that unscathed in some fashion. And, if anything, it’s my fault for being so nosy about your scar and how you got it. I certainly wasn’t expecting the story you told me.”
Hans smirked. “No, I suppose you weren’t.”
“But that’s beside the point,” Annja said. “I’m glad you shared it. It helps me understand who you are.”
Hans grinned slyly. “And why would you want to know something like that?”
Annja thought about responding but instead looked over his shoulder. “Are you going to introduce me to the rest of the team?”
“Didn’t I do that last night?”
Annja shook her head. “Actually, no. By the time I sat down and Joachim started talking, there wasn’t much time to talk to anyone else.”
“Mein Gott,” Hans said. “How rude of us.” He dragged Annja over to where the rest of the team were preparing their gear. “Annja, allow me to introduce Gottlieb, Mueller and Heinkel. You already know Joachim.”
Each of the three other divers nodded and smiled at Annja in turn. Like Hans, they were all exceptionally athletic, muscular and had strong jawlines. She wondered if they were all ex-military like Hans.
She supposed they probably were.
Joachim smiled at her. “Did you have a good night’s sleep?”
“Very.”
“Excellent. So, no lingering effects from the concussion?”
Annja shook her head. It was true. She felt perfectly fine today. “I don’t think so, no.”
“Well, that’s good to hear,” a voice said behind her.
Annja turned and saw Dr. Tiko. She grinned at him. “No doubt thanks in large part to your excellent care, doctor.”
“Don’t believe a thing she says,” the dive master said coming down the walkway.
Annja sighed. “I thought I already apologized to you yesterday.”
“You did, but I still don’t trust you.”
Dr. Tiko came over to Annja. “You’re certain your head isn’t hurting you at all?”
“I’m fine.”
Dr. Tiko frowned. “Even still, I’d much prefer it if you didn’t go diving today. There’s a chance you could still be suffering from your concussion.”
Annja shook her head. “I’m not missing this chance to go exploring, doctor. And besides, you told me it was a mild concussion.”
“Even a mild concussion can prove troublesome if it’s not treated properly and the patient hasn’t had enough rest and recuperation.”
Annja smiled. “Doctor, I assure you that this is not the first time I’ve had a concussion. I know what to expect.”
“You’ve had them before?”
“A few.”
“How? More boating accidents?”
Annja frowned. “Something like that.” She didn’t think it would be a good idea to mention falling down the sides of mountains, armed assailants, ice shelves and the like.
“Then that’s even more reason for you to stay here and rest today. The cumulative effect of repeated concussion can cause lasting brain damage.”
Annja laughed. “I’m pretty sure that’s already taken effect.” I have to be crazy to do the things I do, she thought.
Dr. Tiko looked at her like she was quite insane. “Miss Creed, I may have to insist that you stay behind from this expedition.”
“Dr. Tiko.” Spier came walking over with a broad smile on his face. “I don’t think that’s really necessary and neither do you.”
“Don’t tell me my business, Mr. Spier.”
Spier put a hand on his chest. “I wouldn’t dream of doing anything of the sort. But it’s just that this expedition is very important, and all the more so now that the illustrious Annja Creed has deigned to join our merry band. After all, it’s not every