Venez Mil

 

Venez Mil

In the military area in Venezuela. This could be classed as the entire country but in reality it was just one large zone. There were a dozen bases and facilities. Some were only reachable by air, others by road or sea. Venez was a massive country. Frank was there for a while and did many missions. At times he left and then returned. This was for debriefing or extra training. There were times when he was meant to return and was stuck in situ. For example, when the weather went bad or enemy patrols were looking for him. He always escaped for he was Frank. It was as simple as that. When people asked how he did it, he replied by the will of God and his training. No more no less.

 

Frank's greatest attribute was his patience. Like when learning a difficult topic or waiting for an enemy to come on by. Wait and results will be given. All in good time. Like waiting to get over Amy or back with her. What would she think of the military area in Venezuela? So much went on there. Their army guarded many labs and production facilities. You know what they made. It wasn’t shoes.

 

Venez was like Vietnam. Many soldiers remembered 'Nam. Less remembered Venez for far fewer had been deployed there. They were SpecFor, Special Forces. Not normal squaddies holding the line. There was no line. The enemy battle area was all of Venez and neighbouring nations. Frank had gone over the border into Columbia six times. It wasn’t delineated. The jungle was the jungle.

 

One day he would write a book about it. Use a different name and tell the world of this ongoing secret war. What would his dear Amy think? Of all of it. He would deal with his PTSD and get to tell a unique story. Events from the nation called Venezuela. A number of their nationals and others were with spirit due to Frank. How close it came to him being there…

***

 

In Albania

 

 

In Albania

Frank spent three months living in Albania once. He stayed with his friend. His friend was a gangster and dealt with ‘fake’ money made with a stolen press. The quality of the money was equal to that produced in the official government mint. That was where the machine was from. Frank helped his friend out while there. Being an ex soldier, he knew how to secure a building or check for threats or plan a route to safely move the money. Frank dressed like his friend. Never too flashy or too scruffy. No unwanted attention would be brought then. His friend was aware of who knew what. It was impossible to keep it secret. Money bought silence. Those who did grass were dealt with. Frank eradicated a rival who tried grassing to the cops. The cops were bought by Frank’s mate so it was no issue. It was the cops who delivered the grass to Frank and his friend. The grass was very surprised but half expected it. He took what was coming like a man. Never fought back, tried to escape or make a scene. They took him to a secluded forest with an area for executions and graves. All three men shared cigarettes. Frank asked the man if he had any last words. The man said tell his brother to take care of his wife and daughter. It was over quickly and the grass didn’t suffer. Two shots in the face took away his identity and life. He fell forwards flat out dead. They removed his watch, belt and shoes. Those were expensive items. He was buried six feet below. Later, back in the city Frank and his mate drank heavily. They toasted to a job well done and to the dead man. Even though he was a grass they remembered him. He’d done the wrong thing and had to pay the price. It was that simple. His family would be bought off so there would be no blood feud. Business was business and there were rules to follow. Frank did other things in Albania. He fucked the best prostitutes in Tirana, went hiking on Albania’s highest and best peaks, explored old military tunnels still full of decaying Soviet Mig fighter jets, and scratched his head at the many small concrete gun bunkers that dotted the landscape. His three months in Albania was constructive, informative and paid well. Frank promised his friend to return in future.

***