Concealed

1

1

Panama, 2003.

The heat was unbearable. Forty degrees Celsius and it was only ten AM. Heat and humidity were their worst enemy here, at the small camp, hidden in the jungle of Panama.

“Baldwin!” Commanding Officer Sleighton called for one of his sergeants. Baldwin slowly walked into the office. Even though the AC was running top speed the air-conditioning could not beat the fast rising temperature. Sweat dripped down Sleighton’s face when he commanded Baldwin to stand at ease.

“Sir?” Baldwin asked shortly.

Sleighton was furious. “What the f**k happened out there sergeant?” he yelled.

“Sir?” Baldwin repeated as if he did not know what Sleighton was referring to.

“Damned sergeant, I’ve had the MP calling me. You know what that means? Military Police calling me? Here, at a secret location?”

Staff sergeant Rudd Baldwin understood the reason why the Military Police would investigate the event of last week very well. He also knew why the location of the camp was kept secret for the outer world. Interference of the MP was not appreciated. Any interference was not appreciated. Yet Baldwin wanted to know how much his Commanding Officer, his CO, really knew before he would tell him what happened. “I’m sorry Sir,” he replied.

“f**k it sergeant. I’m not able… Not even willing to keep the MP from getting to you.”

“I understand Sir, but there are some very young men in my squad. Some of them barely left High school.”

CO Sleighton stood up from his chair. Walked towards Sergeant Baldwin and stopped right in front of him. “Tell me sergeant; how old do you think I am?”

Baldwin observed his CO closely. “About thirty-five? I guess.”

“Well guess again sergeant. I’m twenty-nine. Hardly older then you are.”

“I’m twenty-two Sir.”

“So? My point is; we are both young men. Just like the people under our command. And every single one of those men has sworn an oath. They all know this operation must be kept secret.” Then, raising his voice, Sleighton said: “So what the f**k were you men thinking?”

“I take full responsibility Sir,” said Baldwin.

“Well sergeant, I appreciate your devotion; your dedication to the squad. But if you want me to safe your a*s, you have to start telling me what happened.”

“I thought you… You just said you were not willing to do so Sir.”

Sleighton stepped even closer to Baldwin, looking him straight in the eyes: “Saving your a*s does not mean I’m helping you out sergeant. It means I’m doing all I can to save this operation. Am I clear?”

“Yes Sir.”

Sleighton walked back to his desk. Sat down in his chair and wiped the sweat from his face. “Fine then blow it away sergeant. Tell me all you know about Golfito.”

Rudd Baldwin looked down to the ground. He was ashamed things went out of control. Disappointed about what happened under his command. Although they were on an official leave, he was there too. “Does that mean the MP will stay out of it Sir?”

“You’re not in a position to bargain sergeant. But I promise you I will do the best I can for the benefit of this camp.”

“Understood Sir. And what about the men?”

“US army is my priority sergeant. I will do everything to protect the good reputation of the army. As far as I am concerned any consequences for you and your men, good or bad, are collateral.”

“Fair enough Sir.”

“That’s what I thought. Now… Start telling me sarge!”

Staff Sergeant Rudd Baldwin looked at his commanding officer. Without asking permission, he sat down. “Golfito,” he said. “We all went to Golfito.”