by Cyn Bagley

Created on: August 27, 2007   Last Updated: March 24, 2011

Just Cause

Quarry Heights in Panama City, Panama was not only a U.S. military base that loomed over the city, but also was an animal sanctuary filled with spider monkeys, iguanas, snakes, and sloths. Any day you could exit the long secure tunnel guarded by two MP's, stand in the parking lot, and watch the secret life of monkeys or other animal families.

In the spring toucans preened their feathers in the top of the palm trees. Burr. Burr. They would say. The sloths would slowly crawl along the antenna lines-hand over hand in slow motion. It was a peaceful place.

But today was different. As a contractor, Mark Spelling could get called in early to fix equipment at the site. This day was earlier than usual. Mark grumbled about being called in at 4 a.m. in the morning. It was the job. There were some perks included to being THE CONTRACTOR like free coffee brought by an airman.

Mark carried a .45 because as a private citizen, he was allowed defend himself. Panama was the wild south. There had been reports that Noriega's thugs had killed an officer named Paz. Ironic really. Paz meant peace in Spanish.

Mark showed his badge at the gate. "Glad to see you," said the MP, his M-16 slung behind his back. There was a dog at his side. The MP closed the gate behind him with a clang.

Mark drove into the base and parked his car next to the post office. He noticed that a forklift was putting concrete blocks in front of the gate. "What the heck," he said.

He walked to the front of the tunnel. Another MP checked his I.D.

"Your gun, sir," the MP said politely. Mark handed him the gun. "Could you please move your car to the club parking lot?"

"Sure," said Mark. It was too weird. He had never been asked to move his car before. He drove it to the club parking lot and walked back.

He walked back into the tunnel. He nodded to the MP. The MP nodded back. The tunnel was concrete bunker made in WWII. It was many levels leading to the very top of the hill. The hill was surrounded by fence which was surrounded by jungle. It would be very hard for anyone to take it.

"What's going on?" he asked the airman operating his equipment. The equipment seemed to be operating fine.

"Just Cause," said the airman. "We are at war. I'm glad we were able to get to you in time. We weren't able to get to all the contractors. We hope they'll be alright."

A prophetic hope Some of the contractors in the main hotel were hidden by the staff. The staff would roll the contractors around in the laundry baskets. No one was found.

Mark was more worried about his refuge. Where would he eat and sleep? He was still tired. But he was assured that there was a place for everyone.

The General in charge had been preparing for this assault for weeks. Paz's death had been the opportunity to go for it.

Mark's job was to keep the equipment running. He tried not to worry about his girlfriend who was picking up her parents at the airport. He did hear that the airport was surrounded by Noriega's troops.

As things started to heat up, he walked to the top of the hill to talk with the MPs up there. They watched a PNP (Panama policeman) walk to the gate. He handed a piece of paper to the MP and then ran to his car.

He found at later that the PNP was giving a warrant for the arrest of the General. The PNP ran when the MP's let loose with a volley of bullets.

It didn't take long to take over Panama City. Mark was relived to hear that his girlfriend was safe (she and her family had been used as hostages).

It was a whirlwind war. When Noriega ran out of the Catholic Embassy, Mark was happy to go home. His clothes stank.

What an amazing experience to be caught up in a war like this. Hopefully it would never happen again. Maybe.

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