by Robert Boren
“We’ll need to give the band some tip money,” Hannah said. “Hardly anybody here.”
“Yeah, I was thinking that,” Brendan said. “We’ll take up a collection.”
“Guess I should look at the apps one more time before the food gets here,” Richardson said, sitting up straighter. He loaded the app and looked.
“Something’s wrong,” Lita said.
“They’ve stopped,” he said.
“Where?” Juan Carlos asked.
“New Braunfels,” he said. “That doesn’t mean they’re coming here.”
“It might mean they’re looking for these girls, though,” Brendan said.
“Why would they know to do that?” Hannah asked.
“They probably don’t, unless they knew who they were when they were chasing them,” Madison said.
“Maybe we should stop talking about this,” Lita said.
Madison chuckled. “I think we have a right to be a little paranoid after all that’s happened.”
“She’s right, dude,” Juan Carlos said.
“Don’t worry,” Richardson said. “If they start coming this way, we’ll know it. It’s a new ballgame now.”
“Here comes our food,” Brendan said.
“Good,” Lita said. “Check once more, honey, before we start eating.”
Richardson sighed, and picked up his phone. “No worries, they’re still in the same place they were before.”
“Maybe we ought to chat with the band during the break,” Brendan said. “We could ask if they’ve had run-ins with these folks before.”
“That’s fine, but no flirting,” Hannah said. “Those girls are kinda hot.”
“Oh, please,” Brendan said. “You’re much hotter than they are.”
“Quit fishing, dearie,” Madison said. Hannah looked at her and giggled.
“Don’t ruin my fun,” she said.
Lita smirked, then moved aside as the food was placed on the table in front of them. “Shut up and eat.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Richardson said.
They ate quietly, watching the band as they finished their first set. A few others had shown up for the show, and were sitting closer to the stage.
“Finally, a few people here,” Lita said.
“It is a weekday, you know,” Richardson said, picking up his phone again. He looked at the app, his brow furrowed.
“They’re not coming this way, are they?”
“No, they’ve fanned out across New Braunfels, and there’s another group coming up I-35. Something’s going on.”
The band went on break, the lead singer walking over to chat.
“Hi,” she said. “What’d you think?”
“Very good,” Brendan said.
“Yeah, I’m impressed,” Lita said. “Been together long?”
“Almost a year,” she said.
“Sit down,” Richardson said, moving closer to Lita in the booth, giving her room.
“I don’t want to intrude,” she said.
“Nonsense,” Lita said. “Have a seat. What’s your name?”
“Bridgette,” she said. “Nice to meet you.”
Lita introduced herself and the others.
“You just graduated high school, I’ll bet,” Brendan said.
“Last year,” Bridgette said. “We were all ready for our lives to begin, and then this damn war starts up.”
“Have you lost anyone?” Hannah asked.
“Nobody close,” Bridgette said. “I still live with my parents, outside of San Antonio. The burbs.”
“Have you had problems with those guys before today?” Richardson asked.
“We’ve never been chased before,” she said. “We’ve had people who look like them show up at our gigs before. They try to look Mexican, but I think they’re some of those damn Islamists.”
“They are,” Lita said. “Don’t be alone with them. Ever.”
“How many times have they been at your gigs?” Richardson asked.
“Just twice,” she said.
“That’s twice too many,” Madison said.
“They think they know how to hit on us,” Bridgette said. “They talk to us as if we were strippers or something.”
“Pigs,” Hannah said.
“Where were you when they messed with you before?” Richardson asked.
“Close to home the first time, and in New Braunfels the last time,” she said. “We left a gig because of them. They started to follow us, but the bouncer saw it and punched one of them. Turned into a brawl, because when this jerk’s friends went to mess with the bouncer, a bunch of rednecks jumped into it. They beat the crap out of all five of those guys.”
“There were five?” Brendan asked. “Did any more show up later?”
“Not that I know of,” Bridgette said, looking nervous. “We left after the police got there. Should I be worried? Do you think they’re following us?”
“Probably not,” Richardson said, pulling his phone in front of his face again. He shot a glance to Brendan and Juan Carlos.
“Do we need to step out, boss?” Juan Carlos asked.
“No, not yet,” he said.
“What are you looking at?” Bridgette asked.
“Just the DPS social media account,” Richardson said. “They’re keeping track of these kinds of attacks, and of instances where people are being harassed.”
“You’re checking to see if they’re after us?”
“We can’t tell that, Bridgette,” Richardson said. “We can only look at reports.”
“That looks like a map program,” she said, bending her neck around to see his screen. “What are those icons?”
“Those are markers for prior reported incidents,” Richardson said.
“Shoot, those right there are at the place we played,” Bridgette said. “The Justin House, right by the river off I-35. Why are there so many markers? Are they having a lot of problems there?”
“Looks like it,” Richardson said, glancing over at Lita. “I think I need to go chat with Skip.”
“I’ve got to get back,” Bridgette said. “We’ll be going on pretty soon. Hope you enjoy. Some of our better songs are coming up.”
“Thanks, it was nice talking to you,” Lita said. The others nodded as she left.
“Dammit, they’re out looking for those girls,” Lita said under her breath. “Aren’t they?”
“Looks like it to me,” Richardson said. “They still might not make it here. We’re on the far side of the lake. Quite a ways from where they are.”
“What’s the name of that place?” Hannah asked.
“New Braunfels River Justin Hotel,” Richardson said. “Why?”
“I’m gonna call their lounge and ask if anybody’s been poking around,” she said.
“Good idea,” Lita said.
“Don’t pass any info on where we are,” Brendan said.
“C’mon, I’m not stupid,” Hannah said as she searched for the name. “Bingo.” She hit the phone number on the search return, waiting for the phone to pick up.
“Hope this isn’t a mistake,” Richardson said.
Hannah put her hand up for silence. “Yes, hi. Are there any troublemakers there looking for a band?”
She listened quietly for a moment.
“Dammit,” she said. “Why? Because we were thinking of going there, but one of our friends said things are getting dicey.”
She listened for another few seconds. “Really? Thanks. I’ll let you go. Maybe we’ll show up later.”
Hannah put her phone down. “We’ve got a big problem. They were there looking for this band, and they pushed around some of the patrons as well, so the bouncer got involved again.”
“How is that a problem for us?” Richardson asked.
“Somebody there told the Islamists where this band is playing,” she said.
“We need to go chat with Skip,” Richardson said.
“Yeah, I think you’re right,” Lita said. “I’ll go with you
.”
“The rest of you should stay here,” Richardson said, “but keep an eye on your apps.”
“You got it, dude,” Juan Carlos said.
The couple left the lounge, heading for the front desk. Skip wasn’t there. A young woman stood in her place.
“Where’s Skip?” Richardson asked her.
“Gone,” she said. “He got a phone call a few minutes ago, and said he had to leave to take care of an emergency at home.”
Lita and Richardson looked at each other.
“Is there something I can help you with?” the woman asked.
“No, thanks,” Richardson said. “C’mon.” He walked back into the lobby by the front doors, and texted Brendan and Juan Carlos.
“What are you doing?”
“I want to see if Skip has left the parking lot yet, but I texted Brendan and Juan Carlos so they know.” He bolted out the doors, Lita following in a panic.
“Where are you going?” Lita shouted as she ran.
“Front gate,” he said. “That looks like him.” He bolted to the gate, getting in front of Skip, who slammed on the brakes.
“Out of the way,” Skip said out his window.
Richardson rushed to him. “They’re coming, aren’t they?”
“I have an emergency. I have to leave.”
“They’re still in New Braunfels,” Richardson said, pulling his piece.
“You’re not going to shoot me, are you?” Skip asked, eyes wide with fear.
“I’m a DPS agent, not a thug,” Richardson said. “You’re in too much of a hurry to get out of here.”
“Will you let me go if I tell you?”
“Yeah,” Richardson said.
“We’ve been paying protection to those creeps. Most places around here that are still open are doing the same.”
“You, or the Hotel?”
“Well, the Hotel, but the management doesn’t know about it,” he said. “They found out where my family lives, and they’re holding it over my head. They need the cash.”
“You’re leaving to get your family out of harm’s way,” Lita said.
Skip nodded his head yes. “Got a call from a friend in New Braunfels. They’re good at finding people, and good at getting revenge. I’ve heard stories.”
“We’ve lived it,” Richardson said. “That’s why we’re here. Go get your family. I’m going to warn the guests and figure out a strategy.”
“I’ll come back if I can get them safe,” Skip said. “I promise.”
“Worry about your family, man,” Richardson said. “Take care of them. We’ll handle this. I’ll make some calls.”
He backed away, and Skip floored it, tires squealing as he hit the street.
“You’re a good man,” Lita said. “He’s not.”
“He’s a family man who’s been living under the thumb of those creeps. He’s one of us. We have to stick together, and family is still the most important.”
They rushed back to the lounge. Juan Carlos got up and motioned them over.
“Hey, dude, the hits are leaving New Braunfels,” he said. “A couple of them just turned northwest on Highway 306.”
“Hey, all of them are there now,” Brendan said.
“They’re on the way,” Richardson said. “We’re gonna get hit. I just caught Skip leaving the area. He’s been blackmailed into providing protection money.”
“How many are coming?” Lita asked.
“Thirty in this group, another twenty coming up I-35 now,” Brendan said.
“We don’t have enough ammo to fight them,” Juan Carlos said. “There’s only six of us.”
Richardson stood up. “Everybody, it’s not safe here. Enemy fighters are on the way.”
The band stopped, Bridgette staring at Richardson.
“Who are you?” asked one of the patrons.
“DPS,” Richardson said. “There’s too many to fight off. We need to leave right now.”
“Oh my God,” Bridgette said. The girls started packing up their instruments. “Where can we go?”
“I can see it, dude,” Juan Carlos said. “Get back on 306 going northwest, then hit 281 south and get back into San Antonio. Easier to hide there.”
“We’ve got about half an hour,” Richardson said. “Let’s go.”
“We’d better go notify the front desk,” Lita said.
“Thank you again,” Bridgette said, rushing for the door with her guitar in one hand and her amp in the other. The other girls followed.
“We’ll get my drum set later,” the brunette said.
Richardson and Lita rushed to the front desk, had a hushed conversation with the now terrified clerk, and then bolted for the elevator, meeting the other two couples. They rode it to the fourth floor.
“I’m gonna text Wallis,” Richardson said.
Lita nodded. “I’ll put our belongings into a bag. Be ready to go in a sec.”
They were back at the elevator in less than five minutes. Other residents were leaving quickly.
“This might tip off the enemy that we can see them,” Lita said.
“Don’t care at this point,” Richardson said as they rode the elevator down. The lobby was a mess, with people flooding out the other set of elevators.
“We’re liable to hit a bottleneck getting out of this damn place,” Madison said.
“I saw a back driveway,” Juan Carlos said. “Follow me.”
They got into their trucks and raced towards the back gate, Juan Carlos in the lead, hitting the pavement with tires squealing.
Richardson’s phone dinged. He handed it to Lita as he drove. “Check that out.”
She looked at it. “Wallis. There’s two hundred national guard troops on the way here.”
“Really? Maybe we should stay, then,” Richardson said.
“Not on your life,” Lita said.
They blasted down highway 306.
Chapter 30 – Counter Attack
Maria and Hendrix were just getting finished cleaning the kitchen after dinner. The monitor went off.
“Duty calls,” Maria said. “I’ll get us connected.” She washed her hands in the big industrial sink and then rushed off, as Hendrix finished the last of the cleanup.
“Call coming in,” Ramsey said, sticking his head in the kitchen.
Hendrix dried his hands. “Yeah, Maria just went out there to answer it. They went into the console room, joining Governor Nelson and Dr. Schultz, who were already sitting in chairs near the screen.
“Director Wallis is on,” Maria said from the console. “We’re live.”
“Wallis, what’s up?” Nelson asked. “Where’s Gallagher?”
“He’ll be along in a second. We’ve got a special guest. I’ll patch him in.”
The screen went dark, and then came up in two sections, General Hogan’s smiling face on the right side of the screen, Wallis on the left. Gallagher joined him.
“You got them dispatched?” Wallis asked.
“Yeah, they were close to Canyon Lake.”
“General Hogan,” Nelson said. “Good to see you. What’s going on?”
“I’d better start at the beginning,” Wallis said. “Our DPS team was at a hotel near Canyon Lake, and saw a group of about thirty enemy fighters coming to their location.”
“They’re tracking our DPS guys?” Ramsey asked.
“No, they were tracking a girl band that was playing at the hotel our DPS guys were at,” Wallis said. “Islamists tried to take the band on the road, and our team got involved. Killed the attackers. This is a revenge attack on the band. We don’t think the enemy knows that Richardson’s folks are there.”
Nelson stared at the screen for a moment, trying to understand.
“Sorry, I’m not doing a very good job of this,” Wallis said. “Long story short, Richardson called me to let me know, as he was leaving with the rest of the people at the hotel.”
“They didn’t want to stay and fight?” Ramsey asked.
“
Six guys against thirty, and they didn’t have much ammo,” Wallis said. “I want them to stay alive. We need to rebuild the patrol boat force.”
“Okay, sorry,” Ramsey said.
“Get to the point,” Nelson said.
“I wanted to send a group of National Guard troops over there to nail the enemy,” Wallis said, “but that might tip them off to the fact that we have the apps, so I contacted General Hogan to discuss it. He was about to call us.”
“Why?” Nelson asked.
“I’m giving the okay to provide the apps to all combatants, civilian and military, and to all the Texas leadership,” General Hogan said.
“You cracked it,” Nelson said, smiling.
“Yes, we did, and the cleanup in Washington DC has already started, rather quietly for now. We’ve got all the evil-doers in our cross hairs.”
“So we can use the apps to clean up Texas.”
“Yes,” General Hogan said. “Go after them.”
“Is the wide release happening to everybody yet?”
“Nope, it’s on an auto-timer. We’ve got a couple of weeks yet.”
The phones in the room started to ding. Hendrix looked at his. “I just got an app package.”
“Yep, it’s coming to you guys, and you can send it out to your forces right away. I’d suggest sending the apps to the national guard force going towards Canyon Lake.”
“On it,” Gallagher said, walking away with his phone.
“So is the war almost over, then?” Maria asked.
“No,” General Hogan said. “There are almost a million enemy fighters in the southwest. There’s still a lot on the eastern seaboard as well. This is going to be a tough battle, but they’re exposed now, and we can focus our attacks, while arresting the traitors in our government.”
The console beeped. Maria looked at it. “What’s this coming in?”
“The long-range high definition program that our person came up with,” General Hogan said. “It can only run on PCs and high-end laptops, but it gives you a very detailed view. You can zoom in on a room in a building with that technology. The prototype of that system was used to rescue me.”
“Excellent,” Nelson said.
“That’s all I have time for,” General Hogan said. “We’ve got a big operation going on in Utah. I need to get back to it.”
“Thanks a million, General,” Nelson said.
