Tess Awakening
Tess
Valkyrie Awakening
Andres Mann
Books by Andres Mann
Tess Awakening
Tess Valkyrie
Tess - Valkyrie Awakening: The Complete Story
Tess - Valkyries United: The Abomination of Human Trafficking
Tess – Valkyrie Awakening
Copyright © 2015 Andres Mann
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Novel Green Publishing
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
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V 18
Cover Art by Melanie Michalak
Melancholie
www.melancholie-online.de
To the real Tess, the inspiration for this story
Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter 1 – A New Challenge
Chapter 2 – Betrayal and Retribution
Chapter 3 – Planning for War
Chapter 4 – Blood and Guts
Chapter 5 – Capture
Chapter 6 – Coercion
Chapter 7 – Escape and Tragedy
Chapter 8 – Prelude to Love
Chapter 9 – Fight for Another Day
Chapter 10 – The Quest
Chapter 11 – Naples
Chapter 12 – Know Thy Enemy
Chapter 13 – Istanbul
Chapter 14 – Interlude
Chapter 15 – Confrontation
Chapter 16 – The Arrogance of Men
Chapter 17 – Spider to the Fly
Chapter 18 – Roots and Reflection
Chapter 19 – Villefranche
Chapter 20 – Lost Trail
Chapter 21 – Getting to Know You
Chapter 22 – Paris
Chapter 23 – Brotherly Love
Chapter 24 – A House in the Country
Chapter 25 – Stallions
Chapter 26 – Change in Plans
Chapter 27 – Battle of the Flesh
Chapter 28 – Agony and Defeat
Chapter 29 – Return to Baghdad
Chapter 30 – Friends
Chapter 31 – Back in Business
Chapter 32 – Secrets Best Kept
Chapter 33 – Regrets
Chapter 34 – Corruption
Chapter 35 – Reminiscences
Chapter 36 – Back to the Living
Chapter 37 – Connecting Again
Chapter 38 – Adieu
Chapter 39 – Life Goes On
Chapter 40 – A New Family
Chapter 41 – Surprise
Chapter 42 – Reflection
Chapter 43 – Let Others Do Your Bidding
Chapter 44 – A New Enterprise
Chapter 45 – Duel on the Highway
Chapter 46 – Failure and Wrath
Chapter 47 – Carmen Redux
Chapter 48 – Return to the Living
Chapter 49 – Chiavari
Chapter 50 – Anguish
Chapter 51 – Tempest
Chapter 52 – Abduction
Chapter 53 – Plan A
Chapter 54 – Frustration
Chapter 55 – Plan B
Chapter 56 – Positano
Chapter 57 – Capture
Chapter 58 – Istanbul Again
Chapter 59 – Arrogance and Torment
Chapter 60 – A World of Pain
Chapter 61 – Sorrento
Chapter 62 – Fadime
Chapter 63 – To Love Again
Chapter 64 – Treason
Chapter 65 – Good for Business
Chapter 66 - Setback
Chapter 67 – Battle in the Sky
Chapter 68 – Debacle
Chapter 69 – Debriefing
Chapter 70 – Penitence
Chapter 71 – Retreat
Chapter 72 – Lawyers are Happy
Chapter 73 – Negotiation
Chapter 74 – Intrigue
Chapter 75 – Regroup
Chapter 76 – You Can’t Tell the Truth
Chapter 77 – Plan in Motion
Chapter 78 – Showdown
Chapter 79 – Tragedy
Chapter 80 – Recovery
Chapter 81 – Grief and Regrets
Chapter 82 – Plotting Again
Chapter 83 – Day of Reckoning
Chapter 84 – Full Circle
Postscript
About the Author
Preface
This book combines two previously published novels: Tess Awakening and Tess Valkyrie. Since the second novel is a sequel, this book provides the full story of Tess’s confrontations with Amir.
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of the characters to real persons is entirely coincidental.
Much of this story is based on contemporary historical events that have taken place during the second Iraq War. Information about real persons and public figures mentioned in this book has been previously reported by generally accepted information resources.
The opinions expressed in this work are solely those of the author.
Chapter 1
A New Challenge
“Are you Major Turner? Major Morgan Turner?”
It was the same question Tess had heard throughout her career in the United States Army. Reconciling her name with her appearance left most people — especially men — baffled. Morgan Theresa Turner, otherwise known as “Tess” by her friends, was an Army brat. There had never been a girl born into her family since the Civil War, and it was a foregone conclusion that the firstborn would always be called Morgan. When the little bundle of joy arrived, her father decided to keep the tradition going, and bestowed the masculine name on the gorgeous little girl. Her dad, a four-star General, was recently lured away from the Army by a very lucrative position in the defense industry.
Well, the time for such trivia was long over. She was reporting for duty at the airbase in Kuwait to participate in the invasion of Iraq—the second Gulf War.
“Yes, Sergeant, I assure you that I am Major Morgan Turner. My orders are correct and if you look at them, you will see that I am assigned to this unit. I need to see Colonel Reynolds. I am reporting for duty.”
The sergeant fumbled with the paperwork, excused himself, and tapped on the CO’s office door, entering without waiting for an invitation. “Sir, Major Turner is reporting for duty.”
“Ah, yes! Let her in”. The sergeant shuffled outside, conscious of his awkwardness, and invited Tess to enter the boss’ lair. Tess stepped in and smartly saluted the superior officer. Reynolds returned a perfunctory acknowledgment and smiled warmly.
“Tess, my, you have grown up!”
“I should hope so, Sir,” she answered. “Last time you saw me I was in high school!” The Colonel came around the desk and grabbed a chair.
“Please, sit down! How is your dad?”
“Still raising hell and playing golf,” she answered. “When I lef
t him three days ago, he was bitterly complaining that timing has robbed him of a chance to get in on the action over here.”
The Colonel leaned against the desk and laughed. “I told him that retiring was not such a good idea, even for the megabucks that NTC is paying him. What we have going here sounds far more interesting!” Colonel Reynolds and Morgan Turner, Tess’s father, had been fast friends for many years. They had grown together in the military until General Turner was offered the presidency of a military contractor specializing in advanced avionics. “Well, no matter” the Colonel continued, “I am really glad you are here. We have a lot of dangerous work cut out for us.
“Our mission is to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Our brigade crossed the berm into Iraq a couple of days ago, not only to launch devastating deep attacks, but to protect the V Corps’ western flank.”
“Our troops are making excellent progress, but they are moving so fast that their rear is left exposed. We already had problems with enemy irregulars taking pot shots at our supply lines. Our outfit has a dual role: we must provide air support in advance of the Third Infantry to eliminate targets ahead of them, and save enough ammo to target nuisances on the way back to the base. I would like you to command three choppers to recon the field fore and aft, to use a boating analogy. Your Black Hawks have been equipped with rescue and medical evacuation equipment to be used as necessary.”
Tess frowned. “Sir, I thought my job was to participate in the offensive in a combat capacity.”
Reynolds smiled as if amused by the tantrum of a pretty little girl. “Tess, I am sure you can do a good job of that, but I need the best people I can get so I am able to put them where they can do the most good. I don’t have to tell you that recon and rescue are, in many ways, even more dangerous than direct combat.”
Tess felt her pulse and temperature rise. “Colonel, with due respect, I was trained as a combat aviator. I am assigned as one of your squadron commanders. According to the rules, I am to lead our units into battle and to safeguard you and headquarters so that you can direct operations. I don’t need babysitting. I am here to do a job.”
The CO looked at her in earnest. “Tess, I know you have a great record, but you must put yourself in my position. Besides promising your father that no harm will come to you, I am in a difficult political situation here. I am sorry to say, you are too good-looking and too visible for your own good. I don’t want to explain to your dad and a hostile press that I have allowed someone like you to get killed, hurt or even worse. I don’t think that we are ready for that, equality theories aside. In any case, you have an important job to do, with commensurate risks, if that makes you feel better.”
Tess stayed at full attention in her chair, but her mind was reeling. Dad rules again, and my gender is still a source of bias that I was foolish enough to think I had overcome.
“Colonel, in case you haven’t noticed from my records, I am a Regular Army officer. My career depends on the combat experience that I obtain in the field. I am not afraid of facing combat, in fact, I seek it. Remember, I have been intensively trained to perform such duty.”
The Colonel affected an avuncular posture and grabbed Tess’s hands. “Tess, I know that, and I promise you will get an opportunity to do what you need to enhance your career. Let’s just take it one step at a time.”
Reynolds paused, and then assumed a conciliatory position. “I know that you have worked hard, Tess. You paid your dues. I am just asking you to do what I ask of you, and I assure that when the time comes, you will get the chance to do whatever you want. We have to stay flexible here. Just humor me. Start recon, and let’s play it by ear. In the meantime, we have troops to feed, take care of and motivate. Let’s go meet them, Major!”
“Yes, Sir,” Tess responded, having concluded that this is as far as the Colonel would go at this time. More of the same; again, she would have to prove herself as a warrior, pretty face notwithstanding.
Colonel Reynolds opened the office door and waved Tess through. The base was fully operational, getting people and aircraft ready for the operation designed to cut through the heart of Iraq, and to make a run all the way to Baghdad. In less than a minute, they walked into a busy hangar. Several troops were busy readying AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk choppers for unloading from an enormous transport aircraft.
“Atten-shun!” screamed an NCO, letting everyone know that the Old Man was on the premises.
“At ease” responded the Colonel. The crew, a combination of maintenance techs and pilots, stopped what they were doing as the CO and Tess ascended a platform over the aircraft.
In a powerful, commanding voice, the Reynolds addressed the group.
“People, I would like to present to you, Major Morgan Turner. She will command our recon and rescue squadron.” An appreciative whistle was heard from the back of the audience. Reynolds frowned but managed to ignore it.
“Major Turner has top ratings on both the Black Hawk and Apache. She can also fly Kiowa’s. Her assignment is to lead our recon operations as we advance and to protect the rear of the armored column and the refueling units. I am sure that all of you will get to know Major Turner, and that you will provide her with any required assistance and support to make us the team that Saddam fears most!” The troops cheered enthusiastically.
“Major, here is Lieutenant Oxley, you second in command. He will show you around. You will also meet Major Dan Gardner, who will lead the assault. He will be back from Kuwait City in a couple of hours. Let me know if you need anything from me.”
Tess saluted smartly. “Thank you, Colonel.”
She went through the usual round of introductions, met her crew, and sat through a preliminary tactical briefing. The unit had orders to deploy in 36 hours.
All pilots were given 24 hours R&R before the festivities started. Kuwait City was not exactly Vegas, but it had nice hotels and restaurants. Better than a tent, anyway. On the way out, Tess checked out her Black Hawk chopper. Nice machine, difficult to fly, somewhat unreliable. Just about right for what she wanted to accomplish: being the warrior she was trained, and wanted, to be.
Chapter 2
Betrayal and Retribution
Right out of West Point, Tess married a fellow cadet, Roger Haverty – but never took his name because she was too independent to give up that part of herself. Sometimes she regretted this decision when she got “are you related to General Turner…” comments.
Separate duty assignments, a lukewarm relationship, a boring love life, a mutual understanding not to have children and Roger’s lack of what Tess viewed as a ‘total commitment to the service’ led to tensions in their marriage.
When she received orders to report for a new assignment in Iraq, Roger suggested a long weekend in Las Vegas. Neither of them was particularly interested in gambling, but they both thought that it would be a good place to reconnect before facing the Iraqi desert. Roger had arrived one day ahead of her because Tess had to attend briefings on her new assignment.
Finally getting out of the cab from the airport, she hurried through the hotel lobby and made it to the elevator, which was almost filled to capacity by Asian men.
Always practical, Tess was wearing a man’s white shirt and silky pants, a simple outfit that was comfortable, revealing her lithe figure and long legs.
She squeezed into the elevator, and the chatting ceased. The statuesque woman towered by at least a foot over the diminutive bunch of men. Her perfume apparently intoxicated them. Several reached into their wallets and attempted to stuff dollar bills down her bra. Tess was sorely tempted to use her martial arts skills to plaster her unwanted solicitors to the four walls of the elevator. Her training prevailed, enabling her to exercise restraint. She limited her response to a jab of her elbow on the ribs of the man closest to her. She managed to exit, leaving her disappointed admirers elbowing each other to get a last look at the stupendous goddess.
Tess practically ran to the room that Roger had checked int
o, eager to fall into his arms. She got to the door as a valet from room service was removing a cart. She rushed past him and barged into the room. What she saw initially did not compute. She thought that she walked in the wrong room. A naked woman on the bed shrieked, causing the other occupant to come out of the bathroom. It was Roger, drying himself with a towel.
Tess was speechless for thirty seconds, then quickly recovered, dropped her small suitcase, and grabbed a lamp from a cabinet. She yanked the cord and threw the fixture toward Roger, who barely managed to duck the missile. The woman on the bed continued to scream, terrified. Tess, in a rage, grabbed the woman by the hair and around her throat to silence her screams and hurled her naked out of the door and into the hallway.
Roger recovered, trying to wrap a towel around his waist, and implored “Tess, it’s not what you think!” Whereby Tess grabbed a chair and hurled it at him, this time connecting with his head. Roger fell like a sack of potatoes, bleeding from a head wound.
Tess was not finished. She tried to grab the television, but the cord did not give way, and the small cabinet on which it rested fell forward.
Roger, shocked and bleeding, still on the floor, screamed “Tess, stop it! This means nothing, I love you!”
You pig! You lying son of a bitch! Do you think I am done with you?!”
Roger ran around the other side of the bed, recognizing that Tess was nowhere ready to take it easy. She grabbed her bag and whacked him on the head. Roger fell again and braced for more blows. Tess grabbed another lamp, raised it to throw it, but was stopped by a strong arm.
A powerfully-built man had come into the room and restrained the furious female. She resisted, but he locked his arms around her from behind. She tried to shake him off, but he continued to immobilize her. “I am pretty sure that security in on the way up here, and I think we should leave,” said the man.
Tess tried to shake herself free again and exploded. “Who the heck are you? Go to hell! I need to kill the bastard.”
Roger had slightly recovered from the onslaught and plaintively tried to explain. “Tess, it was nothing! It just happened! It didn’t mean a thing! I love only you!”