Enos was ready when I arrived at the Penthouse. Security had been doubled and Mama Bear was concerned about the heir apparent to the Worthington Dynasty being put in harm's way.

 

I assured Mama Bear it is a commitment every man and woman in the military makes when they enlist in the military. Any impact I can make to help our great nation in the time I have left on this earth I freely will make. I assured Mama Bear I would protect Enos with my life. "Now spoil your daughter and grandkids and take your meds like a good Mama Bear."

 

I was surprised to see Enos wearing his Lazer Saber and he assured me he was wearing his ankle baretta as well. I always wear my ankle baretta unless I'm sleeping or in the shower. My gem encrusted saber is for looks only. You couldn't cut hot butter as dull as the blade is.

 

I knew something important was happening as the Secret Service rushed Enos and I into the Oval Office without having us secure our firearms upon entering the White House.

 

My son Junior was ever proactive and handed us both a double 20 year old Single Malt Scotch and asked us to be comfortable in the seating area of the office. POTUS would be joining us shortly.

 

When POTUS entered the Oval Office we all rose as he joined us Junior providing him with a double single malt which he commented "I'll take a refill" even before he finished his first drink.

 

"Ricardo and Enos... two friends I trust with my life and the lives of every citizen of the United States. We have a disaster to advert and if we fail it could easily become the start of World War III."

 

"Enos, I will understand if you turn me down. You have your entire life ahead of you and Worthington Industries needs a leader of your caliber and of your ethics to lead it forward." Whatever you decide I will respect and understand your decision.

 

"Our friends at Mossad who have never given us inaccurate security information have disclosed a coup d'etat within the General Staff of the Russian Military. Both of you are on a first name basis with the Russian Minister of Defense and he will believe you when you vouch for the information contained on this flash drive."

 

"This flash drive contains the list of conspirators and proof of their conspiracy to decapitate the Russian military in the hope of bringing back the dictatorial rule of a leader like Stalin. This would result in an immediate return and escalation of the cold war presenting untold dangers to not only our citizens but we all know a nuclear winter would impact billions of deaths in every country in the world."

"To say this trip is without risk would be an out and out lie. I can't guarantee your safety once you leave our airspace. You will have fighter jet escort by the Air Force, Navy and NATO until you reach Russian Air Space."

 

"The American Ambassador has been advised of your arrival and will be hosting a reception in your honor. Your old friend the Minister of Defense has accepted his invitation. Hopefully, during the evening you can get him in a quiet place and have an honest discussion about the coup he is facing and provide him with the proof on this flash drive."

 

"We all know if you are successful, ever name on this list will be immediately executed for TREASON! As much as the loss of any life weighs heavy on my conscious I have to make the best decision as Commander in Chief of our Military and my Constitutional obligation to protect our great nation."

 

"I hate to put you two between a rock and a hard place but I need an immediate answer if you will accept this mission."

 

Enos spoke first: "Mr. President... I may be young but I grew up as an `Army Brat' and I have always respected the men and women in our military service who freely put themselves in harm's way to protect our country." "Yes, I could sit in my comfortable office and collect my obscene salary but I could never look myself in a mirror if I refused the calling of my country when my services and abilities are needed." "On a more personal note, I have two precious sons at home I would sacrifice my life to protect." "My answer is an unequivocable YES!

 

Aaron and Junior looked at me and I only commented: "I couldn't express my answer better than Enos just has... COUNT ME IN!"

 

Enos and I used the flight time to review the documents on the flash drive and Enos now learned how valuable his Harvard language requirement (and choosing Russian) just became.

 

Finally, we entered Russian Air Space we looked out the window to see fighter jets with the all too familiar Red Star on the tail fin. The Russians were out to impress us. Then had a squadron of Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jet escorting us to Moscow... which we estimate at a cost of $750,000,000.00 USD EACH!

 

Alpha Zulu provided a small security detail for us. We didn't want to look aggressive as we entered into Russia. Even after all these years every military base we land at has standing room only wanting a look at our flying behemoth. I hope the new Alpha Zulu Six Star Generals appreciate our "baby" as much as Rod did and I have. (That is if Aaron and Junior ever get off their dead assess and select our replacements. I know Junior doesn't want me to feel like I'm losing Alpha Zulu but the men and Fort Connor need the assurance of sound leadership.)

 

As Russian Military Police gave us a fast escort to the American Embassy our ambassador welcomed us and informed us everything was ready for our Formal Dinner the next night. Whatever else he could do to assist us, please just give him as much advance notice as possible.

 

As our old friend the Minister of Defense saw us in the reception line he was ecstatic. He smiled at me and told me he had a flask of single malt Scotch Whisky in his pocket for me to enjoy before the night was over. I whispered for him I had a bottle of Beluga Premium Vodka with his name on it for us to enjoy as soon as we can get free this evening.

 

Our American Ambassador host was most eloquent when he introduced Enos and me to the guests assembled. Me as a Six Star General and the highest ranking officer in the United States Military and Enos as the most decorated officer in the United States Diplomatic Corp.

 

Naturally, as we mingled after a fantastic repast with countless guests wanted to see my jeweled saber and most curious about the jeweled hilt hanging from the waist of Enos's Ambassadors Uniform.

 

Finally, we got the Russian Minister of Defense alone in the Ambassador's office and after a couple double glasses of Beluga Vodka he started to comprehend the extent of the pending Coup d'état.

 

Thanking each of us as only a Russian can, both Enos and I got a kiss on each cheek combined with a massive bear hug. I'm glad Rod isn't the jealous type or I'll have a lot of explaining to do when we meet in heaven. As for Jon... Enos and I have both decided "What happens in Russia stays in Russia".

 

As we were walking our old friend the Russian Minister of Defense to his armored transport someone yelled SNIPER and all hell broke loose. I watched the Minister's security detail throw him in his transport and leave at high speed returning to a secure location.

 

I instinctively threw Enos to the ground and covered his body with mine. I never heard the bullet that struck me. My last memory is that of everything turning black and then a brilliant white light from which a precious little imp Angel appeared, offered me his hand and escorted me to heaven and into the arms of the man I love.

 

I wish I could have seen Enos in action as he crawled out from under me, took his Light Saber and dissected ever hostile that came close to him. Yes, the hostiles figured they would have a multimillion ruble payday from the ransom demanded of any Worthington.

 

As the Embassy Marine Guards regained control of the situation, Enos was secured within the embassy and it didn't take a Doc to realize my life had left my body.

 

There was a major show of Russian Security as my flag draped coffin was transported from the United States Embassy to Alpha Zulu Actual. The Russian President, heads of the Military and influential members of the Federal Assembly assembled to show their respect as my coffin was carried from the hearse onto Alpha Zulu Actual.

 

The Russian President assured Enos the men responsible for the death of his friend have been dispatched from this earth. Please extend our sincere regrets for this incident to your President. Handing Enos the "Hero of the Russian Federation" Medal he was asked to add it to the awards presented to this brave man. The World may never have a man of his wisdom and abilities again.

 

POTUS and especially Junior were traumatized and Junior had to be sedated when he heard the news. I politely asked Roger to make a trip and talk to my son. Tell him his father will be sending you back to kick his ass up around his shoulders if he doesn't quit blaming himself for something which neither he nor POTUS had any control over.

 

When POTUS asked Doc to do my autopsy, the strong man I always known broke into tears. Assuring POTUS he could do his duty but he would put himself on report as being unfit for duty the 24 hours following the autopsy. Doc would cope with this traumatic event privately with a bottle of Macallan M 75 year old single malt Scotch Whiskey... a gift from a grateful wealthy family of one of Doc's patients.

 

So much for my request for a small friends and family funeral identical to that we gave for Rod. Mama Bear would demand a state funeral considering I had saved the life of her son and combined with the grief POTUS and Junior felt over my death the wheels were in motion for a funeral Washington hadn't seen in years.

 

I would lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda... My flag draped coffin carried by caisson with all my awards on display, a riderless black horse led by an Alpha Zulu soldier with reverse boots in the stirrups and then a "high" mass in the National Cathedral officiated by Cardinal Emmanuel.

 

A contingent of every branch of the military followed behind my coffin and few people notice a four star Coast Guard Admiral wearing the service ribbon of Alpha Zulu among them.

 

The Secret Service went ballistic when POTUS, BG, Junior, Omoikane, Jon and Taki exited the Beast and walked behind the caisson carrying my flag draped coffin.

 

Even I was impressed looking at the group assembled and the Cathedral bursting with the crowds outside lining the Lincoln Memorial Reflection Pool where massive flat screen TVs were providing the public with the Cathedral service.

 

I was impressed to see the leaders of nearly every country in the world, even those not usually in good graces with the United States had representatives paying honor for my life of dedication to the people of the world. Even China and Russia sent high ranking representatives to pay tribute for my life and leadership of Alpha Zulu.

 

Our Cardinal Chaplain based the service on John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends".

 

It was a toss-up who the media focused on the most. Enos and Omoikane stood out as two of the most decorated individuals in attendance with BG coming in a close 3rd. Mama Bear watched from the Big Screen in the Penthouse Great Room and put the finishing details on the wake she was hosting in my memory after my internment at Arlington.

 

It was a real tearjerker at my internment service at Arlington. Our Cardinal Chaplain stood front and center in his crimson robes and when he concluded every person in the military snapped to attention rendering a hand salute as field artillery rendered their tribute to my life.

 

Overhead, squadrons of Air Force Jets, Navy Jets, Marine Jets and Army Apache Helicopters flew in the missing man formation to honor me.

 

Finally, as everything was so quiet a lone bugler sounded taps as another bugler in the distance echoed a reply. Cardinal Emmanuel blessed the guests present and only commented "Vade in pace, mole huius finita est".

 

It took my son Junior months of intense counseling with our Cardinal Chaplain before he could accept that death is something everyone in the military accepts as a risk. If Junior even hesitates in his decision to run for President when Aaron's two terms have expired I WILL be sending Roger back to earth with a message that will make a Command Sergeant Major BLUSH!

 

Richard and Billy were so proud of all Rod and I had done with our lives and I'll never tire of bouncing either of them on my knee and spoiling them with all the vanilla ice cream and hot fudge topping I can procure.

 

The one nice thing about heaven, all the food is caloric free! Even I became addicted to Vanilla Ice Cream with Hot Fudge Topping especially when I can get two spoons and share it with Rod. Of course, fighting Adela for every morsel of vanilla ice cream and hot fudge topping she can mooch.

 

After months of counseling sessions with our Cardinal Chaplain, Junior accepted my death and with a strong partner like Omoikane was ready to move forward with their lives and spoil their son Taki.

 

POTUS felt guilty about my death till the day he died. When he walked through the pearly gates of heaven I saluted my Commander in Chief and then placed my Size 12 boot directly in his ass.

 

"OK, I deserved that but I always considered you more than a General... I considered you family and most importantly my friend."

 

Junior had one last important task to face before he could let go and be at peace with my death. POTUS and our Cardinal Chaplain conspired and Junior would lead the team to select the replacements for the Six Star Generals of Alpha Zulu.