- Listen to this. If one skinny kills another his clan owes the dead guy’s clan a hundred camels. A hundred camels.

- Camels. I wouldn’t pay one camel.

- Must be a lot fucking camel debts.

- Is that really true, Lieutenant?

- Ask Sgt. Eversmann. He likes skinnies.

- Sgt. Eversmann, you really like the skinnies?

- It’s not that I like them or I don’t like them. I respect them.

- See, what you guys fail to realizes is the sergeant is a bit of an idealist. He believes in this mission down to his bones. Don’t you, sergeant?

- Look, these people, they have no job… no food, no education, no future. I just figure that, I mean, we have two things we can do. We can help… or we can sit back and watch the country destroy itself on CNN. Right?

- I don’t know about you guys, but I was trained to fight. Are you trained to fight, Sergeant?

- Well, I think I was trained to make a difference, Kurth.

- Like the man said, he’s an idealist.

- Oh, wait. This is my favorite part.

- No, no, stay back. He’s having a seizure. Put something in his mouth.

- John, it’s okay. John, it’s okay. It’s okay.

 

5:45 AM-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3

-          Well, he’ll be fine. But not in this army. He’s out of the game. He’s epileptic, going home. I’m putting you in charge of his chalk. You got a problem with that?

-          No, sir.

-          It’s a big responsibility. Your men will look to you to make the right decisions. Their lives depend on it. All right.

-          Rangers lead the way, sir.

-          All the way. Good luck, son.

 

HAWLWADIG ROAD-BAKARA MARKET

AIDID’S MILITIA STRONGHOLD

-          A meeting of Aidid’s senior cabinet may take place today at 1500 hours. I say ‘may’ because we all know by now… With the intel we get on the street, nothing is certain. This is actual intel confirmed by three sources. Two tier-one personalities may be present. Omar Salad, Aidid’s top political advisor… and Abdi Hassan Awale, interior minister. These are the guys we’re after. Today we go. Same mission template as before. 15:45, Assault Force Delta will infiltrate the target building and seize all suspects within. Security Force Rangers: 4 Ranger chalks, under command of Capt. Steele will rope in at 15:46 and hold a four-corner perimeter around the target building. No one gets in or out. Extraction Force Lt. Colonel Mcknight’s humvee column will drive in at 15:47 on Hawlwadig Road and hold just short of the Olympic Hotel. Wait for the green light. Now once Delta gives the world McKnight’s column will move to the target and load the prisoners onto trucks. Immediately after the prisoners are loaded, the four Ranger chalks will collapse back to the target building load up on humvees and the entire ground force will exfil the 3 miles back to base. Mission time, no longer than 30 minutes. Now, I had requested light armor and AC-130 Spectre gunships but Washington, in all its wisdom, decided against this. Too high-profile. So Black Hawks and Little Birds will provide the air cover with miniguns and 2.75 rockets. Colonel Harrell.

-          In the C-2 bird, Colonel Matthews will coordinate the air mission and I will coordinate ground forces. Colonel Matthews.

-          Mission launch code word is Irene. Questions?

-          Which building is it, sir?

-          Exactly, which building We’re confirming right now is somewhere near the Bakara market. I don’t choose the time or place of their meeatings.

-          I didn’t say a word, sir.

-          Make no mistakes, once you’re in the Bakara market you’re in an entirely hostile district. Don’t underestimate their capabilities. We’ll be in friendly neighborhoods before we hit the market. So remember the rules of engagement: No one fires unless fired upon. Now, let’s go get this thing done. Good luck, gentlemen.

-          What’s the matter, Danny? Something you don’t like?

-          No Spectre gunships, daylight instead of night. Afternoon when they’re all fucked up on khat. Only part of the city Aidid can mount a counter-attack on short notice. What’s not to like?

-          Life’s imperfect.

-          For you two, circling above it at 500 feet, it’s imperfect. Down in the street, it’s unforgiving.

BASED ON AN ACTUAL EVENT

ONLY THE DEAD HAVE SEEN THE END OF THE WAR.

                                         PLATO

SOMALIA – EAST AFRICA   1992

Years of warfare among rival clans causes famine on a biblical scale.

300,000 civilians die of starvation.

Mohamed Farrah Aidid, the most powerful of the warlords, rules the capital Mogadishu.

He seizes international food shipments at the ports. Hunger is his weapon.

The world responds. Behind a force of 20,000 U.S. Marines, food is delivered and order is restored.

April 1993

Aidid waits until the Marines withdraw, and then declares war on the remaining U.N. peacekeepers.

In June, Aidid’s militia ambush and slaughter 24 Pakistani soldiers, and begin targeting American personnel.

In late August, America’s elite soldiers, Delta Force, Army Rangers and the 160^th SOAR are sent to Mogadishu to remove Aidid and restore order.

The mission was to take three weeks, but six weeks later Washington was growing impatient.

Black Hawk Down

SATUDAY – OCTOBER 2, 1993

RED CROSS FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTER

-          There!

-          Technicals, nine o’clock.

-          Oh, shit! Did you see that?

-          Chief, we got unnamed civilians getting shot down here at nine o’clock.

-          I got it, Matt. I don’t think we can touch this.

 

-          This food is the property of Mohamed Farrah Aidid! Go back to your homes!

 

-          Command, Super 64… we got militia shooting civilians at the food distribution center. Request permission to engage.

-          Super 64, are you taking fire? Over.

-          Negative, command.

-          U.N.’s jurisdiction, 64. We cannot intervene. Return to base. Over.

-          Roger. 64 returning.

 

MOGADISHU

BAKARA MARKET

AIDID CONTROLLED TERRITORY

-          Ready, Mr.Atto.

-          Leaving.

 

- General Garrison?

- No, thanks. I got one.

- But these are Cuban.

- Bolivar Belicoso.

- So is this.

- Miami, my friend, is not Cuba.

- I see not catching Aidid is becoming a routine.

- We were trying to catch Aidid. We were trying to catch you.

- Me? But am I that important? I hardly think so.

- You’re just a businessman.

- Trying to make a live.

-Yeah. Selling guns to Aidid’s militia.

- You’ve been here, what? Six weeks? Six weeks you are trying to catch the general. You put up reward posters. ,000. What is this? Gunfight at the K.O. Corral?

- It’s the O.K. Corral.

- Do you think bringing me in will make him suddenly come to you? Make him more agreeable?

- You know where he sleeps. You pay for his beds, much less his militia. We’re not leaving Somalia till we find him. And we will find him.

- Don’t make a mistake of thinking because I grew up without running water… I am a simple, General. I do know something about the history. See all this? It’s simply shaping tomorrow. A tomorrow without a lot of Arkansas white boys’ ideas in it.

- Well, I wouldn’t know about that. I’m from Texas.

- Mr. Garrison, I think you shouldn’t have come here. This is civil war. This is our war. Not yours.

- 300,000 dead and counting. That’s not a war, Mr. Atto. That’s genocide. Now, you enjoy that tea, you hear?

 

-          How’d he strike you?

-          Urbane, sophisticated, cruel?

-          Yeah, he’s a good catch. It’ll take time, but Aidid will feel the loss. I’m not sure time is something we got in great supply. This isn’t Iraq, you know. Much more complicated than that. Boss, most of Washington might disagree. They’ve been calling for situation reports every morning this week.

-          Well, tell them the situation is fragile.

 

MOGADISHU AIRPORT

U.S. ARMY HEADQUARTERS

- Ladies and gentlemen, my name’s Cliff’Elvis’Wolcott. I’ll be your pilot this afternoon. Federal regulations designate this a non-smoking Black Hawk helicopter. Those in Mogadishu frequent flyer program will earn 100 free credits this afternoon. And as always, the air sickness bags are locater in the seatback in front of you.

- Number one indications are good, Cliff. Put her on two.

- You’re still clear.

 

-          61, this is 64. Go to UHF secure. I’ve got some bad news.

-          ‘Limo’ is a word, Durant. I don’t want to hear about it.

-          It is not a word. It’s an abbreviation of a word.

-          ‘Limo’ is a word in common usage. That is the key phrase in Scrabble, my good friend. Common usage.

-          If it’s not in the dictionary it doesn’t count!

-          It doesn’t have to be in the dictionary.

-          It does have to be in the dictionary.

-          Listen, when we get back to the base, it’s coming off the word.

-          You touch my ‘limo’ and I’ll spank you, Nightstalker. You hear me?

-          Yeah, promises.

-          That’s a nice beach down there.

-          How’s the water?

-          Yeah, it’s nice and warm. And it’s loaded with sharks.

 

- Name.

- Todd.

- Last name.

- Blackburn.

- First name, Todd.

- So, what’s it like?

- What’s what like?

- Mogadishu. The fighting.

- Serial number.

- 72163427.

- Firstly, it’s ‘the Mog’ or simply. ‘Mog’No one calls it Mogadishu here. Secondly, I wouldn’t know about the fighting, so don’t ask.

- Why not?

- Didn’t I just say, ‘Don’t ask’?

- You look like you’re about 12, so let me explain something to you. I have a rare and mysterious skill that precludes me from doing missions.

- Typing.

- Can you type?

- No.

- Date of birth.

- 2-27-75.

- Well, I’m here to kick some ass.

 

-          Nice, man! Very smooth!

-          Single shot through the engine block.

-          Shit, that’s a shame. That was a nice jeep.

 

- Cease fire! Cease fire! Check your weapons!

- Sergeant Eversmann.

- Private First Class Blackburn.

- Yeah?

- Reporting to duty.

- Not to me. You’re reporting to Lt. Beales. He should be here somewhere.

- Can I leave him with you?

- Yeah, go ahead.

- You brought your weapon.

- Yes, sir.

- Want me to shoot? I’m rested.

- When did you get in?

- Just now, Sergeant.

 

-Hey, who’s hungry?

 

-          What is this, Sarg’nt? Another taxpayer-funded Delta safari?

-          Not if General Garrison is asking.

-          I’m asking.

-          Have a nice meal, Captain.

-          Hey, man, there’s a line.

-          I know.

-          Well, this isn’t the back of it.

-          Yeah, I know

-          Sergeant. Sergeant.

-          What’s going on here?

-          Some aerial target practice, sir. Didrt want to leave it behind.

-          I’m talking about your weapon.

-          Delta or no Delta, that’s a hot weapon. You know better than that. Safety should be on at all times on base.

-          Well, this is my safety, sir.

-          Let it go, sir. The guy hasn’t eaten in a couple of days.

-          You Delta boys are a bunch of undisciplined cowboys. Let me tell you something, Sarg’nt. When we get on a five-yard line, you’re going to need my Rangers. You’re all better learn to be team players. We’re done here.

 

-          Speak up. You say this is your safety? Well, this is my boot, son. And it will fit up your ass with the proper amount of force.

- Is that a Jersey accent?

- I’m trying to do this, give me a break. Take those sunglasses off, solider. Delta wants to wear Oakleys, that’s their business. I don’t want to see them on you again.

 

-          Is that your move？

-          Is my hand on the piece?

-          I can mate you in the three whatever you do.

-          I’d keep my eye on that queen before counseling others.

-          Well, she’s just lying in wait.

-          Yikes. It’s good. You’re really improving. If I may make a suggestion… Observation.

-          Go ahead.

-          It’s a children’s book, right?

-          Right.

-          They are not supposed to scare the living shit out of the children.

-          This is the part of the story where our knight, our warrior… is about to slay the one-eyed dragon. That’s scary. Besides, my daughter loves this stuff.

-          Thought you finished that last week.

-          You done?

 

- Hey, we are at the 10-yard line here, men. You understand? Can you count? 1, 2, 10. Okay? Where are my running backs? Hey, I didn’t see you at church on Sunday, so… You had something more important to do? Not on Sunday, you don’t. Not anymore. I will make you believe, you understand?

- Pretty funny, hoo-ah? It was a good impression. I recognize myself. All right, carry on. I’d like a word, specialist.

- Sir.

- You understand why we have a chain of command, don’t you?

- Roger that, sir.

- If you ever undermine me again, you’ll clean latrines with your tongue till you taste no difference between shit and French fries. Are we clear?

- Hoo-ah, Sir.

- All right.

                                                                                                                                                                                   to be continued...

Vampire

极其危险，不死永生，地狱一般的吸血鬼，是至今为止最强大的同样也是最令人恐惧的怪物。

1．历史

很难说，吸血鬼是真的时常为人所见才被记载入史册还是由于某个名不见经传的传说才名声大躁。不过的确，从那时起，作为一个文学中和电影中的形象，他的名声和受欢迎程度已渐渐大了起来。现在只有通过摈弃现代对吸血鬼的看法并研究原始资料，才能对他的起源和兴衰有一个正确的答案。

1．古代

吸血鬼的传说要追述至人类最早期的文明——亚述人，巴比伦人，以及其他东方的古代人种。最初的吸血鬼并不是像我们今天知道的那些温和，矫揉造作的欧洲贵族。吸血鬼，就他的起源而言，是一个怪物。

在闪族人的神话中记载了一种古老的吸血动物——Akhkharu，此后，一种被巴比伦人称为Lilu的类似于吸血鬼的幽灵被记载在巴比伦的鬼神学中。据说，这些女魔鬼徘徊在黑暗中，猎杀新生的婴儿和怀孕的妇女。其中一个名叫Lilitu的恶魔不久被记载犹太人的鬼神学中，更名为Lilith。

在印度北部发现一种了BrahmarākŞhasa，这是一种类似于吸血鬼的生物，他的头是一个围绕了肠子的头骨，它用这个来吸血。古老的民间传说盛传着Vetala和pisacha的传说，这是一种居住在尸体旁类似于盗墓者的生物。传说英勇的Vikramāditya王每夜都在捕猎一只狡猾的Vetala。所有关于Vetala的故事都被编在一本叫Baital Pachisi的书中。Vetala是不死的，就像和现今的吸血鬼有密切关联的蝙蝠一样，也是倒挂在坟墓和火葬地的树上。

在中国的传统观念中，吸血鬼和僵尸鬼差不多，然而，它靠吸收人的精气来生存而不是血。

在某个神话中，古老的埃及女神Sekhmet在屠杀了人类之后变得充满了杀戮欲望，并且只有在喝了颜色像鲜血的酒精之后才心满意足。

在此以后的年代，在类似确实存在且引人注意的传说中，最突出的是，在12世纪英国历史学家和年代记录家们记录了关于某种幽灵的说明，而可以证明的是，这些幽灵和东欧的吸血鬼有着一些类似之处。

未完待续...