Chapter Two - part fourteen

   The President had barely moved while James was talking. Now he just looked past James and gave a single nod to someone by the door. That man quickly left the room. Only then did the President speak. "Well, I will say this Captain Cooper. You are exactly what they say you are. I think maybe I am beginning to see a big 'S' under your uniform after all. You were very thorough and complete with your report. You were also very compelling, but now I would like to let you see someone who has been even more convincing than you about what happened that day and why." James heart sank as the President again gave a slight nod to someone at the door, as the door opened behind him James turned to see who it was that had managed to sway the President against him. He was stunned when he saw who was stepping inside. The first person in was Sabella, the next was Sargon Najjar! James couldn't believe his eyes. The Lion of Syria was standing in the same room with the President of the United States! Sargon walked straight past Sabella who had snapped a salute when she entered the room. He stepped up to James who had come to his feet without thinking. Sargon suddenly burst into a huge smile and hugged James tightly. When he finally released James he turned to the President and gave him a very formal bow before he spoke.

  "Did I not tell you he has great wisdom and honor? He is as honest as he is courageous. I tell you again, you must let him return with me. All of the Syrian people have heard of what was done. They want him back! We need him back." He turned to Sabella and smiled. "Captain Reed is a very wise woman as well, but she isn't the man that Captain Cooper is. She has done much, but he alone can finish what he has started. I am grateful that you were willing to hear my words, but now I too beg you, as he has begged you. Let him return to us. Let him finish his work with us. He can do this! He can bring peace to my land! I have never trusted you or others from the west, but this man... this man I trust! I am not alone. He has earned the trust of many in Syria and proven himself worthy of our trust. You must let him finish this. He has spoken only the truth to you. He has done only what he knew was right and good. You should not blame him for what others have done." Sargon stopped and again gave a short bow before stepping back to stand directly beside James. Sabella now stood on his other side.

  The President just sat watching them for a time. Then he stood up and stepped forward. After standing only a single step away for a time he spoke softly. "General Adams, if you please." The general stood up and handed the President something as he snapped an order. "ATTENTION!" Everyone in the room came to their feet and any who were in the military stood at attention. The President was smiling as he opened the small box he had been given. He carefully removed something from it and began to speak. "Captain James Andrew Cooper, it is with great pleasure that I now present you with the Silver Star. At great risk to yourself and your career you did what you believed had to be done in order to salvage the situation you found yourself in, at no fault of your own. Your actions, though against possible allies, have been determined to have not only saved critical people's lives, but perhaps saved a long sought peace in a nation that hasn't known peace in decades. Though many will continue to blame you for things beyond your control, you have in my opinion and the opinion of your superior officers acted in accordance to the finest possible standards for officers in our military services. Congratulations Captain Cooper." The President had pinned the medal on James as he spoke. Now he shook his hand and stepped back as General Adams stepped forward. Everyone was still at attention.

   Now General Adams spoke. "Captain Cooper, due to those same actions and all the work you had already done to make peace a real possibility in Syria prior to this; it has been determined that you have far exceeded the requirements of a Captain in the United States Air Force. After much careful consideration it is my pleasure to inform you that you have been promoted to the rank of Major effective immediately." General Adams stepped forward to carefully remove the Captain's bars from James uniform and replace them with a Major's clusters, which Sabella had handed him. He stepped back and gave James a salute, which James returned. The President stepped forward again and spoke. "At ease, everyone. Now Major Cooper I think it is high time you got back to work. I am told there is a lot to be done and that you are the man that can get it done. I have a plane waiting to take you..." He paused and smiled at Sargon. "...and your friends back to Damascus. I wish you well. I do have one favor to ask of you. Would you please try to finish your work without any further international incidents? My indigestion can't handle much more of this!"

   James managed a smile and a sharp "YES SIR!" Then the President shook all of their hands and dismissed them. James was escorted out along with Sargon and Sabella. None of them spoke a word until they were safely away. Once they were away James got to listen to a very wild and almost unbelievable tale of how everything had happened and what was going on now. He was well over the Atlantic before he had heard the entire tale. James wasn't the only one who had received another commendation. Both Aadila and Sabella had been awarded the Bronze Star, as well as the Purple Heart for wounds they had received while getting James and Sargon to safety. Sabella had just grinned and told James he wasn't the only hero in the world, when he had tried to say thanks. After that they spent the remainder of the trip trying to sort out what the next step would be and how to deal with the unfinished issues that James had left them with. James did manage to call Sarah and his family before they landed. It was good to be able to talk to them, though he still couldn't discuss a lot of things. They had all been very worried. James didn't tell them about his medal or his promotion. He only told them he was headed back to try to complete his mission. His folks were just glad to hear his voice. They hadn't been able to see or talk to him and Sarah telling them he was fine just wasn't the same. The sound of his voice had helped after so many weeks of silence.