March 25, 2023
RULES
Dr. Anderson remarked, “You have had some very stressful times over the last ten days, Liam.”
Liam confirmed, “Oh, yes.”
“Did you have any anxiety attacks?”
“No, but there were a few minutes in the convention center parking garage when I got that anxious feeling in my gut. I remembered our last session, and your advice to take deep breaths worked. The feeling passed, and I was able to continue.”
Dr. Anderson continued, “I saw you on television at a press conference. You had a bandage on your head. Is that injury a lingering problem?”
“The doctor said that I had a mild concussion. The stitches were removed, as you can see.”
Dr. Anderson asked, “What is on your mind today, Liam?”
“During our investigation of Colvin Miller and Clay Matthews, it was discovered that they served as mercenary soldiers in Afghanistan. They were both in the military, discharged, and then contracted with Black Swamp.”
“Is it that you are interested in, Liam? Can you elaborate?”
“When I was in Afghanistan, I led a unit on a mission to extract a Taliban warlord from the village of Najeeban. Our investigation revealed that Colvin and Clay may have been in that village simultaneously. What I want to know is what I really saw. What happened and not just what I think happened?”
Dr. Anderson inquired, “Are you asking me to assist you with a regression as we did during our last visit?”
“Exactly.”
“Liam, regression does not always provide the answers we want.”
“I understand, but it is important to me so I can stop replaying the event in my head.”
“Ok, let’s give it a try,” Dr. Anderson began. Just relax, take three deep breaths, and exhale slowly.”
Liam began breathing as instructed.
After the last exhale, Dr. Anderson directed, “Right now, you are very relaxed, but you know that you can relax further, right?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Now, imagine that you are at the top of a staircase. Do you see it?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Now, you are going to walk down the staircase. There are twenty steps. Count backward after each step-down. You will be twice as relaxed whenever you step down.” Dr. Anderson moved closer to Liam. “Let’s begin, take a step down, 19, 18 …” By the time Liam reached 15, he was under. Dr. Anderson probed, “What do you see, Liam?”
“We exited our transports and are entering the buildings opposite the suspected Taliban position.”
“Let’s move a little forward to the start of the firefight.”
“The Taliban see something and begin to fire at the building. We are returning fire. A Taliban fighter launches a rocket, and the building next to ours is hit. More fighters are firing at our positions. Two more Taliban fighters with shoulder rocket launchers appear. One of them fires, and the rocket strikes our building. My ears are ringing. Dust fills the air. The second fighter with a shoulder rocket is hit but still fires the rocket. It lands in the street before exploding. Three men walk out of the building.”
“Liam, slow down. See the details. What are the men wearing?”
“Two of the men have beards and black turbans. Both carry automatic weapons. One has his weapon pointing skyward and opens a car door for the man standing between them. The other man is firing at one of the other buildings.”
“Look very closely at the man in the middle. What is he wearing?”
“He is wearing a long blue patu shawl. His turban is white. Before he steps into the car, he looks up directly at me. His head snaps back, and the front of his white turban turns red.”
Liam was startled, and he breathed rapidly. He opened his eyes.
“You're safe, Liam.” After a few minutes, Dr. Anderson continued, “Now that you have your answer to what happened in the firefight, how does that make you feel?”
“Someone was there beside us. I feel angry.”
“Why are you angry, Liam?”
“It was a setup.” Liam stood up. “We were not sent there to extract the warlord but to get him in the open. Someone with great skill took the shot. This confirms what the investigation alluded to. Black Swamp was aware of our operation. They inserted Colvin Miller as a sniper and Clay Matthews as the spotter. They were there to kill the warlord.”
“Why else are you angry, Liam?”
“What?” Liam yelled. He now passed back and forth.
“Why else are you angry, Liam?”
Liam now sat at the edge of the chair and whispered, “They left. The firefight continued. They left. They must have exited the building quickly after the shot. I assume they went to a designated location and were extracted by helicopter while we were still stuck in the firefight.”
Dr. Anderson persisted, “Why else are you angry, Liam?”
Exhausted, Liam stared straight ahead and said, “Billy did not have to die.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do. The extra firepower and Colvin’s skill would have caused the Taliban to retreat.” Liam now held his head in his hands.
Dr. Anderson pressed, “Take as much time as you need to answer. Why else are you angry?”
Liam was ready to give up. He sat and thought for a few minutes, and the room was completely silent. Then, lifting his head, he opened his eyes. Looking directly at Dr. Anderson, he confessed, “I played by the rules.”
“Yes, Liam. That is why you are angry. You played by the rules. Billy and your team played by the rules. It’s not your fault. What is the first rule in war?”
Confidently, “The first rule is there are no rules.”
“Correct, but remember, you are a good man, Liam. Playing by the rules, even in war, allows us to retain our humanity. It prevents human tragedy. You are a good man, Liam.”
The session ended. On the drive home, Liam suddenly made the connection. Some, but not all, big coal businesses only pretended to play by the rules. Some, with the power of money, changed the rules. Most ignored the rules entirely.
Parker,
Thank you for reading CASCADE. I have appreciated your comments throughout the book. This is an important chapter because it has many layers. Did Colvin play by the rules in Najeeban? Who didn't? Yes, Liam has much to work out. I hope to hear your comment after Monday's CASCADE post.
Joel
I think playing by the rules is hardest when your friends are sacrificed. You did the right thing, but it still doesn't feel like it. It sounds like Liam has a lot to work through.