by Ray Wench
“Yeah, it was the car that followed you and then turned right a few miles back.”
“That’s the one. They’re not responding. I need to know what happened to them.” The truck turned hard, throwing Mark sideways.
“You think they might have been attacked?”
“It’s a possibility. It could also just be that their batteries died. They should have rejoined us by now.”
“And the harm’s way is I could get attacked too?”
“Yes, so be very careful. Keep on the radio with Caleb. If you find them, I need you to pass them a message.”
“What if I find them dead?”
“Then get the hell out of there.”
“Ah, what’s the message?”
“Tell them to cross the turnpike on foot and come up behind the enemy.”
“You found them?”
“Yes. Vince, this is important. Can you do it?”
“I can try. I mean, I’ll go look for them, but obviously I may not find them.”
“That’s all I can ask for.” He handed the radio back to Caleb as Bill took another turn, pitching Mark across the bench seat again.
“Sorry,” Bill said. “You should be wearing your seatbelt.”
Eighty-Three
A mile down, Jarrod and Lincoln were pulling to the side of the road. Bill drove up and parked across the road from them. Mark got out and approached Jarrod’s window.
“What’s up?” the big farmer asked.
“What happened to Brandford? He’s not responding.”
“He turned off a mile back and motioned us to continue. We haven’t seen or heard from him since.”
Mark pointed. “Just beyond those trees is a farmhouse. That’s where West is. He’s surrounded, but I’m not sure how many of his men are inside. I have an idea.”
“You usually do.”
Mark smiled. “I hope this one works better than that last one.”
Mark gathered everyone around him.
“The farmhouse West and his troops are holed up in is on the other side of those trees. Take both cars all the way around to the opposite side of the farm. Keep your distance so no one sees the car. Then you’re gonna have to hoof it. There’s some buildings on the far side of the house that you can use as cover. I saw some enemy troops but there could be more. You’ll have to check and clear each building.”
What sounded like gunshots echoed across the distance. They all glanced in the direction.
“It’ll take some time. We’re gonna crawl across the field on the other side of the road and try to get to the drainage ditch in front of the house. Hopefully, it takes about the same time as your approach. There’s another group of enemy hiding in the ditch in front of the house on the north side. If we can get unseen into the south ditch, we’ll try to take them from behind.”
Bobby asked, “What about the other car?”
“We haven’t had any contact with them in a while. At this point I have to assume they are no longer available to us. We proceed without them.”
More shots were fired. Perhaps a fresh assault was underway. “The defenders may not have much time remaining. So unless there are any questions, let’s move.”
No one spoke.
“Be smart. Don’t take unnecessary risks. It’s not worth trying to save them if we lose any of you in the process.”
Becca gave her father a big hug. Bobby shook his hand. They went their separate ways.
Mark led his team into the woods. He refused to allow concerns for Bobby and Becca to dwell in his thoughts. Saying a quick prayer for their safety, he focused on the task ahead.
He knelt five feet from the end of the trees. They were not as thick as the ones he had fought the wild man in. There wasn’t as much low cover. No one was moving, no one was shooting. What are they waiting for? It was as if someone called timeout and stopped the action.
“Caleb, try Vince.”
Mark was only vaguely aware of Caleb speaking, his attention full on the scene in front of him. Something didn’t feel right. Could it be a trap? Maybe his convoy had been spotted, and the enemy troops were using the men in the house to lure his people into the open.
He scanned the area far from the house. If it was a trap, there was no place close to hide extra troops unless they were in the outbuildings. Mark studied the structures. They could hide a lot of men. That was the direction his kids would be heading. Alarms flashed in his head. He needed to contact them to warn them.
Caleb shook his head. “I couldn’t get him.”
“Damn! We may be in way over our heads here.”
A distant motor grew steadily closer. In his scope, Mark watched as small shapes moved across the wide open field to the west. Jarrod’s team had already begun their approach. The big man was smart enough to turn his radio off to avoid any unexpected noises, but Mark had Caleb try anyway. No response.
“Turn that thing off for now. We have to move. We’re late. Keep low. Crawling’s not an option. We need to get out of the line of sight from the men in the backyard. The closer we get to the house, the harder it will be for them to see us. Stay to my left and right in a V formation. When you see me drop you do it too.”
He made eye contact with both men to make sure they understood. “Okay, let’s go.”
Mark took off at a jog, keeping bent over as low as possible. They had moved about a third of the distance they needed to cover, when a loud motorized sound froze him. He threw himself prone on the ground. Without looking, he knew the others followed him down by the grunts he heard.
The jeep with the mounted machine gun crept from the east. Mark’s heart leaped. That .50 caliber gun would lend some serious firepower to the rescue. There were four men inside; two in the front seats, one seated in the back and one standing behind the gun. The engine rattled. A small but steady streak of black smoke trailed behind.
Mark raised the binoculars. “Oh, sweet Jesus.”
Eighty-Four
Jarrod held up his hand for the group to stop. They were halfway across the massive field. He crouched and the others joined him. “There’re two buildings in front of us. I want you three,” he pointed to Becca, Bobby, and Myron, “to veer off and stay behind that smaller one. We’ll go straight ahead. Don’t stop again until you get there or if you think someone might see you.
“Try not to get into a fight if you can help it until we’re ready. First thing we have to do is find out if anyone’s inside. We don’t want to come around the buildings and get attacked from behind. When you get there, signal me what you find. Any questions?”
“What if we do get seen?” Myron asked.
“Cover each other and try to join us. Work as a team. Try to pin them down before they do you.”
Gunshots started again.
“Let’s go before we get seen out here.”
The groups separated and ran all-out. Bobby reached the far outbuilding first. Becca followed. Bobby grabbed Myron before he banged into the wall. The boy was breathing hard. Bobby held a finger to his lips. He moved next to Myron’s ear. “Remember, there could be someone inside.”
Myron nodded.
Bobby looked at Jarrod and Lincoln and the other two members near the opposite end of the long wooden structure. They had arrived safely as well. Jarrod motioned for them to go around the far side. Bobby waved back. Staying low, they crept to the corner. Bobby peered around.
The rate of fire increased, but Bobby couldn’t tell if the shooting was from the house or the attackers or both.
Bobby started around the corner and then jumped back, colliding with Becca. There was a man behind a woodpile off to the left. If they moved, he would be able to see them. Bobby poked his head around again and took in the yard behind the house. There was a small shed beyond the woodpile and a two-story, two-and-a-half-car garage past that. Each building could hold more enemy.
“There’s no way of going this way without being seen. We’ll have to go around the entire yard and come up from
behind. It’s going to take a while.” He looked at the other end. Jarrod’s group was no longer in sight. If Bobby’s group had to detour they might not be in position in time to offer assistance should Jarrod’s group get attacked.
“What are we going to do, Bobby? We can’t just sit here.”
“I know, Becca, give me a minute.”
“We don’t have extra minutes to spare.”
“Becca, stop!”
Bobby glared at her and then peeked around the corner again. The man was an open target for them from the side. But a gunshot would announce their presence. He turned quickly back to face Myron. “How good are you with that thing?”
Myron shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Becca said, “This is no time to be shy, Golden Feather.”
“Let me take a look.” Myron crawled forward and sized up the target while Bobby looked over his shoulder.
“See,” Bobby whispered. “An easy shot.” He hoped his voice offered more confidence than he felt.
Eight-Five
To Mark, the presence of the machine gun changed the game. However, the men manning the gun and jeep were Asian. They wore no uniforms that would identify them as part of an invading army. However, who they were didn’t matter. The size of the rounds and rate of fire the machine gun could spit would chew up the house in a matter of seconds. I hope there’s a basement.
On the other hand, if they continued and were spotted out in the open, they wouldn’t stand a prayer. He shivered at the thought of the massive holes that would be ripped through their bodies
At the sight of the jeep, some of the attackers in the front ditch began to cheer. Hands raised above the ditch and pumped like someone had just scored a touchdown. The slow rate of approach would put the jeep in front of the house within two minutes. But that would also put them in range from the house. If they stopped on a diagonal to the house, they might not get complete coverage inside. They could move up along the side of the house, but they would have to cross the drainage ditch. Of course, the Jeep should be able to do that.
But the driver of the jeep didn’t choose either option. When the wheels turned south, Mark swore. They were crossing the ditch in front of the three of them.
“Quick, using as little movement as possible, dig a trench to lie in. Stay low.” Mark clawed at the soft ground. Some of the low weeds and browning crops offered cover, but they would need more to keep from being discovered.
He glanced up. The jeep was pointing downward into the ditch. In precious seconds, it would be climbing and pointing straight at them.
“Stop moving when I tell you.” He slid backward and continued digging out a small ditch. His hands moved frantically. The Jeep was beginning a slow climb of the back of the drainage ditch. They were coming straight at Mark. The two men in the back were looking at the house. The driver was looking ahead but was angled upward. The passenger was looking down at the ground over the side of the jeep. They rose steadily.
In seconds, they would be out of time. “Burrow in and stop moving. Keep your face down. Do not panic. Stay still and wait for me before you do anything.”
Mark scooted forward into the depression he had created. It wasn’t perfect, but it would have to do. He turned his head so his ear was on the ground. He had a view of the jeep. Slowly he reached out and pulled a clump of weeds free from the ground. He placed it on the exposed side of his head.
The Jeep leveled off and advanced into the field. The passenger held binoculars to his face. For now they were aimed at the farmhouse. He motioned with his hand for the driver to keep going. Mark held his breath. As slow as possible, he slid the rifle along the ground so he could track the jeep. If they were spotted, he needed to get off the first shot.
The jeep was halfway across the field before the driver signaled to turn. All four riders were focused on the house for the moment. The jeep moved parallel to the house, broadside and ten yards in front of Mark. The passenger stood on the hood, the binoculars focused on the house. He turned and spoke to the gunner. After a brief discussion, the driver moved forward another ten feet.
The driver stopped and got out. The passenger stood in front of the jeep. A sudden burst of fire from the house launched toward the jeep.
The gunner quickly silenced them by opening up on the house. The bullets tore through the aluminum siding like it was paper. The gunner continued to hammer away, the barrage spraying pieces of the house into the air creating a cloud of debris.
The siege would be over in a flash if Mark didn’t do something. He turned to the others. “We need to take them out, or everyone inside will be dead. Can you hit anything from here?”
“I can,” Caleb said.
“I think so,” Bill said.
“Okay, while the machine gun is covering our shots, Caleb, you take the guy in front of the jeep. You take the driver, Bill. Ready?”
They nodded.
“Come up to one knee, line up your shots, and wait for me to fire. If you miss your shot, don’t panic and go crazy wasting bullets. Take a deep breath and shoot again.”
Mark looked over the scene to make sure it hadn’t changed. All eyes were still focused on the house. Very slowly, Mark lifted to both knees. He planted one foot on the ground and brought his rifle to his shoulder. He sighted on the man sitting in the back. It would be the tougher shot. He wanted to save the gunner for last to allow his fire to mask theirs. He breathed out slowly and pulled the trigger. Two other shots followed. The blasts caused ringing in both ears.
The guy in the jeep fell out. The man with the glasses pitched forward.
The driver ducked behind the jeep, evidently thinking the shots had come from the house. Mark couldn’t worry about him. The others would have to take him. He had to stop the gunner, who, even though he was still depressing the trigger, was beginning to look behind him.
He spotted Mark and began swinging the gun toward him just as Mark blew a hole in his head. Two more shots followed, and the driver slumped against the jeep.
“Hurry,” Mark called as he scrambled for the jeep.
Heads were poking up from the ditch and looking back at the jeep. It wouldn’t take long for them to realize the stoppage hadn’t been planned. Mark had to reach the jeep before the enemy. He pushed harder.
He knew they’d been spotted when men began climbing out of the ditch. Shots fired. He kept running, keeping the jeep between him and the shooters. Some of the attackers sprinted toward the jeep. Whoever reached the machine gun first would control the battle.
It was a race Mark couldn’t afford to lose.
Eighty-Six
Loud continuous gunfire erupted.
“Oh God, they’ve got a heavy machine gun,” Bobby said. “We’re out of time.”
Becca shushed him. “Listen.”
Voices came from behind the wall. They were cheering.
Bobby shook his head. “I think we’re outmatched here, Sis.”
“I know, Bobby, but Daddy and the others are counting on us. We can’t just sit it out.”
“You’re right. But if lover boy can’t take the shot, we’ll have to go the long way around and could be too late to help them anyway.”
“What’s the plan if he does take the shot?”
“We move to the woodpile and behind the shed. We take out those in the shed and move behind the garage. I’m betting there’s a back or side door we can go through to get inside. From there, we can cover the backyard and pin down the guys in this building.”
Becca looked at him with her mouth open.
“What?”
“That’s an amazing plan. Daddy would be so proud.”
She moved to where Myron sat. She leaned over him to see around the corner. She purposely pressed her body against his. When she pulled back, Myron was blushing. She smiled.
“Piece of cake shot, Myron. I believe in you.” She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “You can do this.” She sat back. “And no pressure or anything, but a lot of lives
, including ours, are depending on you.” She moved away.
Myron looked at her, his mouth hanging open, his eyes wide and almost bulging.
“Now, Myron,” she said with a sweet smile.
Myron turned his attention back to the lone man.
Bobby raised an eyebrow at his sister. She shrugged in reply.
The machine gun continued to chatter loudly. Myron drew an arrow and set it. He stood pressed against the wall.
In one motion, Myron stepped away from the wall, faced his target, and drew back the string. The arrow flew true, driving into the man’s chest before the rifle came on bead.
The man staggered backward, the arrow sticking from his chest. The rifle fell as both hands grabbed the shaft.
Bobby understood the problem instantly. If the man didn’t go down someone would see him for sure.
Pushing his rifle into Myron’s hands, Bobby drew his knife and sprinted forward. The man was dancing in circles, trying to pull the head from his chest. He was nearly clear of the woodpile when Bobby reached him. He snagged the man around the neck and pulled him backward at the same time, driving the blade into his back.
He pulled the man to the ground and rolled on top of him. The man was still kicking. The machine gun ceased firing and left a deafening silence over the battlefield. Bobby had to end his prey’s screams fast before he drew attention.
Bobby covered the man’s mouth and drove the knife in repeatedly until there was no movement. He motioned for Becca and Myron to join him.
When they got there, Bobby was twisting and pulling on the arrow. With a sickening sound, it came free. He handed the bloody arrow to Myron. Myron held it away from him like it was a dirty diaper.
They were about to move behind the shed, when several armed men ran from the side of the garage along the side of the house toward the front. Maybe Jarrod’s group had been discovered. If the enemy were running toward the front, controlling the backyard would be easier.
Without a word, he ran to the side of the shed. The machine gun started firing again.
