Strategic Shadows: Selective Service

By Thomas Ryan

The Americans have Delta Force, the Israelis have the Sayeret Matkal, and the British have the SAS, but no one has these clandestine men. They work on the flanks of society, and no movies were made, or books written about them and their operations that are so black, they obscure reality. Their origins are unknown, and they are an enigma to the even the most elite of Special forces.

These men operate undetected in the shadows, and even in plain sight. They can assassinate by day as skillfully as by night. Accountable to no one, and accessible to only the select few who are willing to hire them, these are the men who live in the Strategic Shadows.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 4, 2012
• ISBN: 9781105771088

Thomas Ryan

Thomas Ryan has been a soldier in a theatre of war, traded in Eastern Europe, trampled the jungles of Asia and struggled through the trials of love and loss: ideal life experiences for a would-be author. Schooled by professionals who have helped him hone his literary style, Ryan is quickly establishing himself as a skilled writer of riveting thrillers and short stories. He considers himself foremost a storyteller, a creator who has plunged his psyche into the world of imagination and fantasy. Taking readers on a thrilling journey is what motivates Ryan as a writer.

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Strategic Shadows: Selective Service

Strategic Shadows:

Selective Service

By: Thomas Ryan

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© 2012 Thomas Ryan

All rights reserved.  This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, in any format for any reason, with the exception of small excerpts in a review, without the express written permission of the author.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to Kim, my loving wife who endured many years of collateral damage from my shattered dreams and nightmares.  Without her loving support and editorial eye, this book would never have happened.

Introduction

1

101930Z SEP

The small band of American volunteer doctors and nurses were providing medical assistance to the refugees who fled their homelands during the decade-long civil war.

Here in the camp, with the help of global charity groups and the local government officials, the medical personnel were able to set up a complete field hospital, with an operating tent, and a triage center. 

To the naked eye, all seemed in order.  The people were being taken care of, and even though they were far from home with minimal possessions, they were fed and sheltered.

Security was provided by indigenous volunteer men with the most antiquated firearms and equally futile ammunition.  This was not a problem with them as they didn’t really know how inferior the weaponry they were depending on was.

The overcrowded conditions of the camp compounded the medical issues that the overworked doctors and nurses faced.  Injuries allegedly caused by troops who were touted globally as an evil faction, were much harder to handle with the addition of diseases that wouldn’t be found in a proper medical facility.

The medical team gathered in a small spot of shade created by one of the tents they sleep in.   Shortly thereafter, their lead doctor approached with a grim look on his face.

Well, he began in a dour tone, I just learned that we will be having guests in a day or so.  He sat down on the ground and lit his pipe before continuing.  They are anthropology students with one of their professors from University…Goddammit!  We need M.D.s and nurses, not students.

Why would they be coming here in the middle of a civil war, Doctor Harris?  One of the younger nurses asked.

I asked the very same question.  Doctor Harris replied.  I was told to just take them in and do what we can for them.  Evidently they want to study the people who are going through this turmoil.

Where are they now, Doctor?  Asked another Physician.

Being cleared by the government officials and customs I would suppose.  Doctor Harris was not afraid to show his displeasure.

The idea of more bodies in an already cramped environment was not a welcome one.  The fact the new personnel were totally worthless in terms of medical care and any other plausible manner, only added to the disdain for these unknown people, long before they arrived.

How many will there be?  Another nurse asked with a sigh.

Six.  Replied Doctor Harris.  All men I hear.  Sorry lads, no new females to ogle.

You still haven’t lost your sense of humor Doctor.  A female doctor replied with a subtle smile.

Sarah, The Doctor began,  If I ever lose my sense of humor because of this place or anything that may occur here, you have my direct permission to feed me to the first hungry lion you see.

The rest of the group let out a laugh and then Sarah responded with, Baboons would be a worse fate.

Baboons it is then!  Doctor Harris replied with a big grin.  Okay everybody, coffee break is over.  It appears we have more customers.

A small group of indigenous women were approaching with small children draped across their arms and looking very sickly.

Sarah sighed as she stood up and said.  We need medicine-why can’t they send more medicine instead of goddam college kids?

It will come, Sarah.  Doctor Harris assured as he started towards the approaching people.

______________________________________________________

2

102045Z SEP

The young indigenous soldiers riding in the large truck with the six foreigners looked very inexperienced even though they tried to display a façade of fierceness.

The sun was setting as they drove westward making it seem like darkness was chasing them.  The six Americans would occasionally glance at each other, and then scan the faces of the government security troops. 

This made the soldiers nervous and they gripped and fidgeted with their AK-47s more and more.  Every so often, one of the six would move sharply and then hold position.  This would cause their watchers to flinch and then slowly return to their vigilant state.

The leader of the troops, who was riding in the front passenger seat, would look over his right shoulder and glare at the one of the six seated behind the driver. 

The leader was obviously trying to intimidate the oldest looking member of this college group.  The group leader’s only response when the troop leader would glare at him was to smile and nod, which infuriated the troop leader so much that he would look away and bark an order at his driver.

After a long drive, the driver pulled the truck over and stopped.  The troop leader barked an order over his shoulder and the soldiers in the back immediately began disembarking the truck.

The troop leader exited the vehicle, and