Haunted Tank #5 is an issue of the series Haunted Tank (Volume 1) with a cover date of June, 2009. It was published on April 1, 2009.
Synopsis for "It's a Nice Place to Visit, But..."
The Haunted Tank crew have advance into central Baghdad as they overcome any enemy combatant they encounter before securing an intersection to stage a rally point. They then literally run into a car driven by an Iraqi officer of the Iraqi Army in which they apprehend him. Schwartz joins the crew as they openly discuss about Iraq's fractious history concerning the fact that, as provided by Chop Chop, the nation has never been a unified country but an artificial creation of the British in 1921 in which three cities, each controlled by the Sunni, Shia, and Kurds, were mapped and called to be Iraq.
This discussion led Jeb Stuart into telling his story of how he faced against the Cheyenne Indians in 1857 in which he was wounded by a Cheyenne after killing his attacker. After finishing his story, Chop Chop, Babe, and Hot Rocks are already fast asleep from fatigue. Schwartz shares his doubts about the war with Jamal, stating that it is "the ultimate failure. A failure of leadership and rational thought." Jamal rebukes him and expresses that "it's killing your enemy before he kills you! Hit him first, hit him hard, and then go home. There's no place for ideology out here." Schwartz apologize Jamal before the Sergeant falls asleep.
The next morning, the tank crew lead their forces to Zawra Park as they are welcome by some of the Iraqi people. Jeb recall this moment to his Maryland Campaign of September 1862 in which he noted that nearly every Marylander didn't greeted him and his men as "liberators." His story is cut short as the tank column falls into an ambush by insurgents. The tank crew manage to repel the insurgents before finally arriving in Zawra Park.
The tank force begins to secure the area. Schwartz also joins in the battle. As the tank crew are dismounting, Chop Chop is shot by sniper fire. He is immediately see to by his friends, who they request for a medic. Jeb assures them that Chop Chop's "sacrifice" didn't go in vain. Jamal reacts Jeb's attitude with anger and accuses his ancestor that he never even care about the cost in his gallantry and that he "love" being in war, believing that he is using his honor as a cover for exploitation. He again tells Jeb as to why he is truly here and how is he able to keep on fighting beyond death. It is then reveal that in the past Jeb had repeatedly raped the same slave woman who had been trying to feed her baby, who in turn is his child and thus creating Jamal's lineage. For his sinful actions, he was cursed by a slave with a voodoo spell in which Jeb's soul will eternally continue to be at war forever.
In anger, Jamal punches Jeb. He tells his ancestor that he is looking forward to never see him again once their duty in Iraq is over. However, Jeb states otherwise that their tasks is not that simple as he knows in his feelings that the conflict is not over, but growing as opposing factions within Iraq are refusing to back down from their differing beliefs and ideologies, and acknowledge what will lead to: civil war.
Appearing in "It's a Nice Place to Visit, But..."
Featured Characters:
- Jamal Stuart
- J.E.B. "Jeb" Stuart (Flashback and main story)
Supporting Characters:
- Beauregard "Babe" Johnson
- Hot Rocks
- "Chop Chop" Kim
- Schwartz
Antagonists:
- Iraqi Armed Forces
Other Characters:
Locations:
Items:
Vehicles:
- U.S. Army M1 Abrams tank
See Also