by Dave Hazel
“You’re right,” Mykal finally replied to the Army soldier and he laughed wildly. “Gimme a couple of grenades,” Mykal said and turned to one of the Marines. “Thanks. Barstow, hover over the surviving little freaks.” Mykal held a hand grenade in each hand. “Pull the pins for me,” he said to the Marine who quickly complied.
Goblins stopped fighting when they realized the tormenting death had ceased. They seemed to bow down as if paying homage to the beast lingering overhead. They looked above fearfully as if waiting for instructions.
“Hey, listen to me,” Mykal yelled as loud as he could. “This is what you get for helping the Sosos.” Mykal had no idea if they could hear him or understand him. He dropped the two hand grenades into the frightened mob of Goblins. “Let’s get outta here, go, go, go,” he yelled to the pilot. When the helicopter flew away the two sudden explosions devastated the plain flat boat. He didn’t look back to see what damage the grenades did.
“Myk, that was on the other side of crazy,” Lewis said while flying away. “What direction now?”
“I just wanted to give them a taste of what they’re gonna get for messing with us. But let’s keep looking just a little more before we head back.”
“Myk, I’ll betcha those little freaks are wondering what the hell they got themselves into,” Boris laughed and others joined his laughter.
One of the Marines spoke after it became silent. “Myk, after seeing you Air Force dudes on the ground, and now in the air, I only have true respect for you guys. You know most people in the other branches look at the Air Force as being soft and easy. Not me, not any more. I’ll never doubt the Air Force capability ever again.”
“Thanks,” Mykal said to be polite but he knew it had to be Towbar’s world that turned them into fierce warriors.
“Hey Myk, Barstow here. One of the other pilots called and said one of the reporters on his bird is demanding to know what that was all about? He said something to the effect that attack was unprovoked and unwarranted. We are showing that we’re no better than the savages you warned us of.”
“Tell that reporter he can kiss my ass,” Mykal snarled. “No wait, don’t say that. But call back and ask that reporter if he would like to go apologize to them cuz I’ll gladly let him.”
“Hey Myk, there was no response from the reporter. He is probably worried how you will respond to his response,” Barstow chuckled. “Mykal, to change subjects, we’re going to have to think about turning back here shortly, say about thirty, thirty-five minutes. We’re going to have to refuel,” Barstow announced. “We’re getting close to the half way mark.”
“Alright, take it as far as you feel safe and then we’ll turn around. From the vehicles they’re traveling on foot and they’re prisoners if not dead. I don’t think they crossed the water there so let’s get on the west side of the river and see if we can find any signs of them.”
“We’ll do Myk, but I’m not going to allow us to go past the danger point.”
The helicopter veered off and continued northwest. The other helicopters followed. Shortly after flying over the river they flew over a couple of large bands of Sosos and Goblins. The Sosos and Goblins all eyed heavenward in amazement trying to determine what type of creature flew overhead. Towbar looked more concerned by the size of the force that would be coming against them at the Pass. Mykal knew Towbar worried the Pass could fall this time just based on the size, the unbelievable numbers, of enemy.
“How long does it take to travel around your world?” Mykal asked Towbar while Towbar stared over the side of the helicopter to look at more of the enemy slowly advancing to the battle grounds. “How could they have gotten here so quickly?”
“We do not know where they traveled from my friend. We do not know when they departed. They may have used the green fog to arrive here. That would explain the strange occurrences that brought you here and the subsequent appearances of the green fog. I do not know if you remember. When I first explained my trouble with the Soso wars I told you that the Sosos have attacked a couple of years earlier than their routine war cycle. It could be the forces behind their sudden aggressiveness had already sent the Goblins. The Goblins could have been on the move for many months prior to your arrival to my world. There are so many unanswered questions, my friend.”
“I understand. I will do what I can to help,” he mouthed the words so the others could not hear him. The noise of the helicopter covered his voice. Though Mykal had one specific mission, he wasn’t going to leave his friend to fall to the evil enemy. He planned to use the might of his military force, Towbar One, to help keep the Pass from falling to the Sosos and whatever other evil forces allied with them.
“Thank you my friend. You are like a brother,” Towbar said. “You are my brother.” The others didn’t know why Towbar said that.
Within twenty minutes they came upon another large group of stationary Sosos. They were set up as a fixed camp and appeared to have been stationary for some time. The size of the camp with the many tents and many structure standing gave the impression this must be a headquarters type location. Towbar had never seen a setting like this before. Many of the thousands of Sosos were set up for their stay in the wide open. Mykal assumed only the Sosos of rank and stature were allowed to have a tent or other provisions of comfort. This area actually had many animals and many carts for transporting goods and weapons.
“Mykal! Mykal!” Barstow’s excited tone couldn’t be missed. “Someone from one of the helicopters spotted some regular people waving, trying to flag us down. They weren’t Sosos,” he declared as if a thrilling discovery had been made. “They’re wearing suits. It’s our people!” Barstow affirmed boldly in Mykal’s ear.
“Where? Where?” Mykal yelled and looked in all directions of the camp. His stomach tightened nervously. Thoughts of being freed from his slavish obligation overwhelmed him. “Everyone look around,” he yelled and pointed. “Someone thinks they spotted our people. Find them!” He demanded fervently getting others to rush to the open bay doors. He wanted to see with his own eyes.
“We’re told they’re down by the tents,” Lewis relayed to Mykal’s ear. “We’re circling and going lower, but we’ll have to make it short. We’re running low on fuel. We can come back as soon as we refuel.”
*******
Sosos were on their feet looking skyward studying the strange flying creatures. Nothing like those flying beasts had ever been seen before. Nor had they ever been mentioned around the camp fires. Were they friend or were they foe? Were they curious or were they hungry? The Sosos weren’t sure what to make of them and didn’t know if they were connected to their strange prisoners they had taken captive from the peculiar ground crafts. Or were they new allies sent by Zizmon-Tarl to help defeat the vile vermin at the Pass once and for all?
So many oddities had occurred rapidly, from Zizmon-Tarl sending allies from the other side of the world, to the strange enemy dressed in funny clothing travelling in strange horseless carriages armed with mighty magic. This war would go down in Soso history as the strangest war ever.
*******
“Look, those are our people,” Mykal shouted with animated confidence while pointing out the prisoners trying to flag them down. “Go lower!” Mykal directed into his mouth piece.
“I will Myk, but we can’t land,” Barstow replied.
“That’s fine. I want our people to know we see them,” he said and waved at the prisoners.
The helicopter lowered and hovered close to the ground. Many of the Sosos dropped to the ground in fear. Some ran away as if terrified of being eaten. Some Sosos began to beat on the prisoners for calling to the strange monsters.
“They’re beating the prisoners,” Larry yelled. “Should we open up on them?”
“No! They’ll probably kill them all,” Mykal argued. “You!” Mykal pointed to a man in a three piece suit. The man looked as if he had suffered from several physical beatings. The man caught sight of Mykal pointing at him. Mykal knew the
man couldn’t hear him so he tried to use hand signals to speak to him. First he pointed to his own eyes with two fingers and turned them to the man to let the man know he spotted him. He quickly pointed to his watch and shook his head wildly to indicate they didn’t have the time to stop. Mykal then pointed to his own chest and circled his finger and pointed back to the man signifying they would return. He then put his two hands together and placed his head on the cupped hands as if laying his head down for sleep to explain they would try to come back at night. Mykal gave thumbs up and waited for a response to see if the man understood.
“Yes. Hurry! They’re going to kill us,” he bellowed, but his words were not audible. “Please hurry back.”
“Uh oh,” Boris yelled to be heard over the noise. “They’re gonna try to shoot us down with bow and arrows.”
“Get us outta here,” Mykal yelled to the pilot. “I’d love to open up on these scumbags, but they’ll probably take it out on the prisoners. Let’s head straight back.”
Jake grabbed Mykal’s shoulder and yelled into his ear to be heard. “Myk, I think we should go back and try to bring one of them with us. One of them would be able to give us a lot of information about where and how they’re kept.”
“Right, great point. You’re right. Hey Barstow swing around and get down real low,” Mykal spoke into the mouth piece to the pilots. “Look, there’s a group of five of them right there. They’re all being beaten. Get down there cuz we’re gonna grab one for information.”
The helicopter dove down toward the physical abuse which forced the Sosos to stop. The Soso abusers fled or dropped to the ground. They obviously feared they would be punished for attacking the strangers. The five men rushed to the helicopter. Three of them were uniformed policemen, the other two dressed in ripped and torn suits. Mykal guessed the three had to be motorcycle cops for the motorcade and the other two possible Secret Service officers.
“Stop,” Mykal yelled when the five charged near. “I can only take one of you,” he yelled passionately while shaking his index finger. “I want the rest of you to warn the others that we will come back either tonight or tomorrow night.”
“Please take us,” one suited man begged. “They’re going to kill us.”
“I can’t! I need you to warn the others. Do you guys still have your weapons?” He yelled at the men just under him.
“Yes, but if we use them they’ll over power us and kill us,” one police officer shouted.
“Keep your weapons ready and be watching. Tell everyone to be prepared. Tonight or tomorrow night. Go lower,” he instructed the pilots. “Watch for us,” he raised his voice.
“Archers Myk!” Boris yelled. “They’re gonna shoot again. We gotta go!”
“Only one,” Mykal yelled and waved one toward him but all five rushed the helicopter. “Up, up, up,” Mykal yelled into the mouth piece as he watched the archers stringing their bows and aim at the helicopter. The Sosos camp had turned into a wild scene like an ant’s nest that had been invaded by rival insects. Sosos charged them from every direction, spurred by bully leaders who wouldn’t allow fear to keep them from obeying orders.
Two of the policemen jumped for the open bay door just as the helicopter started upward. One tried to jump inside the open door but the jerk upward of the helicopter caused the edge of the floor to slam into his shin and with nothing to grab onto he fell backward onto the ground. The other police officer dove for the skid of the helicopter and wrapped his arms around the metal landing leg and he held on for dear life.
Suddenly fear and panic swallowed the man when he realized how high he flew so quickly. He held on by his arms only. He wasn’t sure how long he could hold on, but he knew death waited if he let go. He felt his legs dangling loosely and he floated limply as the air craft zoomed away from danger. “Oh God, please help me,” he cried out. His strength weakened from his beatings and he felt his arms were beginning to slip from holding his own weight.
“Hold on!” Boris yelled to the terrified man. Boris laid on the floor to look over the edge. Larry joined him.
“You can do it,” Larry encouraged him from beside Boris.
Mykal joined them. The three lay on the floor looking at the terrified man. They didn’t attempt to grab him for fear of dropping him.
“I can’t do it. Oh no,” he cried out. Suddenly superhuman hands snatched onto the collar of his shirt and under his arm pit with the other. He was yanked upward like a small child. Towbar grabbed him with both hands and easily pulled him inside the helicopter and set him on the floor.
“Oh thank you, thank you, thank you,” the man gasped and sounded as if he was about to cry. He rolled over and his face bore witness to the abuse he suffered at the hands of his cruel captors. The man’s face had been bruised and cut, his lower lip had been split, and both eyes were blackened and puffy. A deep cut along his hair line stopped bleeding but left an open crusty stain.
“Everything is gonna be alright,” Mykal said and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
“Oh thank you,” he sighed and laid back. He looked up at all the people looking at him. “I can’t believe you rescued me from those monsters. I know who you are,” he gasped in disbelief but gave a big smile to the giant. “Thank you Towbar.”
“You will be fine,” Towbar said.
“Myk, the others wanted to know what that was all about,” Barstow spoke into his ear. “I explained we grabbed one of the prisoners to gather information.”
“Thanks,” Mykal said and used his thumb to show approval. “Tell them to go straight back to camp. Okay, what’s your name?” Mykal asked the police officer.
“I’m Officer Danny Weller,” he replied. Out of habit he pointed to the police badge on his uniform shirt.
“Danny, are you up to answering some questions?”
“And I know you too,” he replied to Mykal. “What are you guys doing here? You don’t know how glad I am to see you.”
“We’re here to rescue you guys,” Mykal said. “Are you guys traveling or staying put in that camp?”
“We’ve been there about five days now,” he answered as one of the Marines gave him a canteen to drink from. “Thanks.”
“Are they going to keep you people there?” Mykal asked.
“From what I understand, yes.” He gently sipped on the water. His lips hurt from the beatings. The big split in his lip looked white and puffy around the open wound. It looked infected. “We’re waiting there for someone to arrive to talk to us. They keep telling us that we are lucky to be alive. Some kept telling us that they want to kill us and when they’re done with us they plan to kill us slowly. Then they would laugh at us like they’re telling jokes. They have a sick sense of humor.”
“Do they keep you guys all together?”
“No, we’re separated but in smaller groups, but we’re all in that general location. They usually don’t tie us up because they know there is nowhere where we can go. They don’t know what our weapons are so they haven’t taken them away from us. What our plan was, when this special person comes to interview us we were going to take him hostage and try to make a break for it.”
“That would be a foolish thing to do,” Towbar declared in a stern manner. “That would not work with Sosos.”
“Do they keep you people in the tents?” Mykal asked.
“Some they do. Some they don’t. It’s hard to say.”
“Is this one of them?” William asked into Mykal’s ear.
“I think so, but whether it is or not we’re going back to rescue them as soon as possible.”
“If this is them, then we can go home right after we rescue them, right?” William asked. It became apparent William had his fill of Towbar’s world. He wanted to go home. “This is different than I thought it would be.”
“Are we who?” Danny asked.
“You were part of the motorcade in Washington D.C. that disappeared, am I right?” Mykal asked
“Yes. We departed from a meeting an
d only needed to travel across D.C., but we drove into that strange green fog I heard you talking about on TV.”
“As you’ve figured, you’re in Towbar’s world. We’re here to rescue everyone who disappeared that day,” Mykal said and realized if he mentioned he was here to return VIPs that would make Danny feel like his life wasn’t worth much. “Go ahead and sit back and get some rest and we’ll talk when we get back to where our camp is,” Mykal said. He didn’t want to start grilling the man about Mister X or rather an older man with a briefcase handcuffed to his wrist in front of others.
4.
The flight back proved quiet and uneventful. Mykal thought about the events of the day and the discoveries they made. After seeing the size of the Soso army with their foreign allies he feared for his friend Towbar and Towbar’s people. Based on numbers alone it didn’t look good as far as holding the Pass or for survival for that matter. The numbers the Sosos were mounting with their allies staggered the imagination. Mykal tried to think of a good reason to go back to his world in order to get a larger army with greater weapons so he could end this war once and for all. But he knew there were members of Congress who were against this mission so to ask to increase the size and scope of the mission would be out of the question. He regretted not taking bigger artillery when he had the chance. They would have to make do with what they had been supplied with.
“…so the first thing I wanna do Towbar, is rescue or find the remains of that guy with the brief case,” Mykal said when he and Towbar were alone. “And we’ll rescue the other people too. Once I know I have that case secured then I’m gonna help you as much as I can with this war. Their numbers just blew me away.”
“I truly appreciate that, my friend. Now I know Zizmon-Tarl is bringing forces from around the world. I fear for my people. We are greatly outnumbered. I fear--” he stopped. He couldn’t bear to utter the words of doom and gloom.
