Haunted Tank #3 is an issue of the series Haunted Tank (Volume 1) with a cover date of April, 2009. It was published on February 4, 2009.
Synopsis for "Between Iraq and a Hard Case"
The tank crew have finally arrive at their destination at Checkpoint Charlie on April 2003, at the outskirts of Baghdad and reunited with their task force. Just as they arrive, Jeb Stuart is shocked to learn that Jamal is a "Yankee" by birth. The crew have the chance to rest for two hours before moving out with the task force. They are also met with war correspondent journalist Schwartz, whom they previously met before, and doesn't see Jeb Stuart's ghost in which the crew kept to themselves about their new ally. Jamal consults with Schwartz on the matter with the Iraqi population. As he finish talking with Schwartz, Jamal is save by Jeb from being run down by a bus that is driven by insurgents. Jamal and his crew retaliated with gunfire which destroyed the bus. Chop Chop checks the wreckage and to his horror to discover that the bus was also carrying civilians.
Two hours later, Jamal's crew leads the task force. The crew are shaken of what they done, but Jamal assures them that it wasn't their fault but the terrorists. Something which Jamal swear that he will extend the same courtesy on those that had led to the September 11 attacks. This led to Jeb to recount another story in his life.
In a flashback to his days in West Point, Jeb was accepted into a challenge of insults with a fellow student that left him with a black eye but proudly kept his honor. Something which his friend Curtis Lee, son of West Point's superintendent Robert E. Lee, was concerned of Jeb's steadfastness for being unable to understand and underestimating his rivals. Jeb summarize the moral lesson that honor dictates the defense of one's ideals. Jamal is intrigued by this but points out that his belief would undermine and acknowledge the fact to Jeb that Robert E. Lee would have told him the saying about a lesson to be learned.
Chop Chop gives a history lesson about Iraq ranging from its rich history in the classical era, its wealth of knowledge, and that Abraham, the founder of the three monotheistic faith, was born in Iraq. Jeb is impressed to hear this with the phrase "Ah'll be a monkey's uncle" which led to another heated argument with Jamal over evolution and the origins of the human race in Africa. Their argument is immediately cut short as their convoy reconnoiter into a column of Lion of Babylon tanks. Jeb takes the initiative and lead the charge, allowing Jamal's crew and their column enough time to attack the opposing tanks. The column make short work of the tanks and proceed on their advance.
Jamal and Jeb resume their argument into a standoff, but Jeb relent. Chop Chop shares his concerns with Jamal over his sudden militant attitude which he suspects that it is due to inheriting his traits from his ancestor. Babe inquire Jeb for relinquishing his duel with his descendant despite his talk of honor. In response, Jeb state that it is improper to dealt with an "inferior officer" in which Babe corrects him if he means "subordinate".
Appearing in "Between Iraq and a Hard Case"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- J.E.B. "Jeb" Stuart
- Beauregard "Babe" Johnson
- Hot Rocks
- "Chop Chop" Kim
- Schwartz
Antagonists:
- Iraqi armed forces
Other Characters:
Locations:
- Iraq
- Checkpoint Charlie
- West Point (Flashback only)
Items:
Vehicles
- U.S. Army M1 Abrams tanks
- Lion of Babylon tanks
See Also