by Mark Church
“I don’t think so. They’re too arrogant to think their offensive is anything more than target practice.”
“Then we have quite the surprise for them.”
“That we do.” John smiles confidently. “We’re going to send them back to DC with their tails between their legs.”
Jake senses that John is trying to rally him even further – and it’s working.
With a little more confidence than he truly possesses, Jake adds, “And my boot up their ass!”
John smiles. “Now you’re talking.”
27 first contact
Cole slips out early in the morning with one of the three guerilla groups tasked with slowing the enemy’s advance.
Kayla is aware that Cole plans to join them, but Cole has asked her to promise not to tell and she has kept the secret. He feared his dad would try to stop him, and he doesn’t want special treatment just because he is the militia leader’s son.
While Kayla is concerned for Cole’s safety, she understands why he needs to go. Before he left, Kayla gave him the neck chain with the cross that Maggie had given her back in the RZ. When she put it around his neck, she told him, “Make sure you bring this back, it’s very special to me – and so are you.” After an exchange of “I love you” and a quick kiss, he was gone.
When Jake learned about Cole’s departure, he was angry, proud, and worried all at the same time. He considered sending someone to bring him back but ultimately decided against it. Instead he took a moment to pray for his son’s safe return.
✽✽✽
Squad Leader Mason set up his ambush in the town of Potosi near its main intersection of Highway 21 and Highway 8. His unit is tasked with slowing down the advancing force while duping them into believing they are operating alone. The overall strategy depends on the enemy buying into this notion.
Their plan is to engage the government scouts traveling about five miles ahead of the army. While the attack is carefully choreographed, they want it to appear as if it is a chance encounter. They hope this will establish the carefully planned ruse.
Each member of the group carries modern military style rifles, but they also brought a number of old, worn-out bolt-action hunting rifles and shotguns. They plan to leave these scattered about the area where they may be easily found. In addition to government forces thinking they are facing disorganized resistance, the rebels want them to believe that the arms they possess are antiquated and ineffective.
The lookout on a nearby water tower whistles sharply. Cole and the rest of the group look up. The lookout is using his index and ring finger to point to his eyes and then north on Highway 21.
The militia takes their positions while the lookout scrambles down the water tower’s ladder. They focus their attention on the highway leading into town. Two smaller vehicles appear over the horizon. They are separated by about three hundred yards and moving steadily but cautiously down the highway.
The squad leader retrieves his binoculars and focuses them off to the right where a second guerilla team manned with sharpshooters is providing cover. They are in position.
“Let the games begin,” he mutters under his breath.
The squad leader is an ex-marine. He’s a no-nonsense, hardnosed man who’s itching for revenge. He’s a man of few words so no one knows the exact source of his anger but it’s pretty obvious that the government did him a great wrong at some point in his life.
The militia members give the appearance that their vehicle has broken down; the hood is up and they are fiddling with the engine. They feign indifference to the approaching vehicles.
The lead vehicle suddenly stops. Most likely they’ve spotted the commotion near the intersection. The trailing vehicle pulls alongside.
After a brief pause the two vehicles continue to advance. When they get within a hundred yards, the second vehicle stops, and the first vehicle continues on.
When the advancing vehicle gets within fifty feet it comes to a stop. The vehicle doors open and soldiers jump out and take cover behind them.
The militia’s squad leader and two other team members turn to look at the paused military vehicle. Their weapons are within easy reach but hidden from view.
Cole and two others are hidden behind the vehicle with their rifles at the ready.
The soldier who is near the front passenger side yells out, “Howdy, friends, what seems to be the trouble?”
The squad leader responds, “Having a little engine trouble, can you give us a hand?”
“Sure,” the soldier directs them with his rifle, “Why don’t you all step away from the vehicle where we can see you.”
“I don’t know why that’s necessary.” The squad leader gives the impression of a grouchy rube. “All I’m asking for is a little help.”
The tension in the air is as thick as molasses on a cold morning. The soldier nervously looks back and forth between the three men. The silence is deafening.
“Look,” the soldier finally yells excitedly, “I’m no longer asking, now move away from the vehicle!”
The squad leader senses it’s about to go down. A smile begins to form on his lips. The soldier’s face turns to one of disbelief and then anger.
Acting rashly, he gives the order to shoot but before he and his fellow soldiers can level their rifles, shots rain down on them from the hidden sharpshooters with the other guerrilla team. Two soldiers are hit immediately.
The squad leader and others duck for cover as Cole and the hidden rebels rise and begin shooting at the remaining soldiers.
The exchange of gunfire doesn’t last long. Within seconds, the remaining two government soldiers are down.
Both guerrilla teams turn their attention to the second vehicle. It is making a hasty retreat. They pepper it with rifle fire as it disappears over the horizon.
The militia team spreads out and cautiously approaches the stricken vehicle. They discover that all of the soldiers are deceased.
The carnage is a pretty disturbing scene for a newbie to the world of warfare. Cole is a little sick to his stomach. He has never seen a shooting victim before, much less one that he may have shot.
Noticing Cole’s reaction to the dead soldiers, the squad leader makes a compassionate decision, “Cole, I want you to drive this vehicle back to headquarters and give a full report to command.”
“With all due respect sir, I want to stay up front with the team.”
“That wasn’t a request, son,” the squad leader clarifies, “that was an order.”
The squad leader was initially unaware that Cole accompanied their group until they were well underway. While he proved himself capable, he had not trained with the forward operating group, and he doesn’t have the profile they looked for when handpicking their teams.
Guerrilla volunteers generally have military background and they are unattached and without dependents. This prerequisite was followed due to the dangerous nature of their mission.
“Yes, sir.” Cole is clearly dejected.
The hardened squad leader softens, “Look, son,” he starts, “You are as brave and as tough as anyone here, but I need this vehicle back at headquarters. I’m not sending you because you’re expendable, I’m sending you because I need to know that it will get there in one piece.”
Cole looks at the squad leader and then around at the rest of the team. They all smile at him and nod their heads.
Cole squares his shoulders, stands up straight, “I’ll get it there, sir.”
The squad leader pats him on the back, “Then get going, there’s no time to spare.”
Cole salutes the squad leader before swinging into the driver seat and firing up the vehicle’s engine.
The squad leader steps up to the open driver’s side window and adds, “Hey, no matter what happens out here, make sure that we beat them on our home field.”
Cole nods and takes one last look at the team before stepping on the gas pedal and heading south back to base camp.
✽✽✽
Cole is no more out of sight before the squad leader hears the unmistakable sound of rotor blades. He and the team look back to the north and see a spec in the air that is growing rapidly.
“I’ll be damned!” One of the team members swears. “They have a helicopter.”
“Miller, break radio silence,” orders the squad leader, “we’ve got to tell command. The rest of you, do your best to bring it down!”
Not sure if they are out of the range of headquarters, Miller retrieves the radio anyway and begins making frantic calls on the emergency frequency.
Miller pleads, “Pack Leader, this is Lone Wolf, come in.”
He repeats this phrase over and over.
He finally gets a response “This is Lonesome Dove, Lone Wolf, how can I help?”
The response is from George, the pilot approaching from the south.
“We’ve encountered an enemy helicopter near Potosi,” exclaims Miller, “we have to stop it.”
“Roger that,” George acknowledges.
George considers Jake’s orders to avoid direct contact with the enemy, but he also knows that if the helicopter reaches Ironton, their element of surprise will be lost. He decides that he has to find a way to knock the helicopter out of the air. He has no armaments on his planes, so he’ll have to be creative.
While George is contemplating his options, the helicopter attacks the guerilla team near the scene of the recent firefight.
Fifty caliber machine guns open up on their position as it makes a first pass. Shrapnel from an exploding vehicle hits numerous squad members but, luckily, none are hit by machine gun rounds.
The helicopter circles for another pass. Now it’s approaching from the south.
George comes up with a plan as he nears the scene. He climbs above the low hanging clouds so he can use them for cover.
“Lone wolf,” radios George, “this is Lonesome Dove. Come in.”
Miller comes back on the air, “You’ve got Lone Wolf, over.”
“Hold that bird’s attention.” George yells over the engine noise, “The cavalry is coming.”
George can hear gunfire through the radio. “We’ll do our best, but you better hurry!”
“Roger that, Lone Wolf. Hold tight.”
The squad leader orders his team to fire at will. As the helicopter levels off and prepares to unleash another volley, they try in vain to shoot it down but their rifles prove woefully inadequate to the task.
George spots the helicopter. He is high above it and approaching from behind as it prepares to fire on the pinned down squad.
George pushes down on the airplane yoke, sending the plane into a steep dive.
Just as the helicopter pilot is about to squeeze off another round, George guides his plane’s right wing tip into the rear of the helicopter, clipping the tail rotor. The collision shears off the rotor, causing the helicopter pilot to lose control.
As the helicopter begins spinning uncontrollably to the ground, George fights to level off his plane. Its wing is badly damaged. He needs all of his skill as a pilot to right the damaged aircraft. Fortunately, there proves to be enough wing left to provide the lift he needs to stay aloft.
Back under control, George radios the squad below, “Lone Wolf, this is Lonesome Dove, come in.”
“Lone Wolf here. Over.”
“I hope I was some help to you.”
A different voice comes on the line. “This is Squad Leader Mason –you really saved our bacon.”
“Glad to help, but I’ve got to get this bird back for repairs.”
“Roger that.” The squad leader is well aware of the risks George took. “We need you healthy, we may need your assistance again.”
“10-4 and out.” George makes one more pass over the squad below and tips his wings in acknowledgment, before guiding his crippled airplane back towards base camp.
28 mark your target
When Cole is about twenty miles north of Ironton it dawns on him that he is racing towards his base in an enemy vehicle. He decides he better do something to show that the vehicle isn’t a threat. He remembers a comic book that he read years ago where one of the characters used a white flag to signify a truce. With no better ideas he decides it is worth trying.
He pulls over the vehicle and searches for anything that can be used for a white flag. Although he doesn’t find anything made of white fabric, he does find maps and other materials that may give a clue into the government’s strategy.
While reviewing the material Cole suddenly realizes that he is wearing a white tee shirt under his flannel shirt. He strips off his outer layer before removing the undergarment. He tears its seam to make it bigger before tying it to the antenna extending from the hood of the vehicle.
As Cole gets back underway, he contemplates his first encounter with the front-line militia and hopes that they have by some chance read the same comic book.
✽✽✽
The sentry in one of the forward militia units sees a military vehicle approaching rapidly. He yells to his squad leader, “There’s an unfriendly coming in hot!”
The squad leader yells to his squad, “Get to your positions!”
“Sniper,” directs the squad leader, “disable the driver.”
The sniper levels his rifle and dials in his scope. As he looks through the powerful lens, he can only see the driver’s silhouette. His pointer finger finds the trigger and begins applying pressure as he makes last minute adjustments to his aim.
The sniper notices the white cloth flapping in his peripheral vision just as the trigger nears the point where it will release the firing pin. He eases the pressure of the rifle’s trigger. “Sir, the target appears to be flying a white flag.”
The squad leader raises his binoculars for a closer look. When he sees the white cloth, he yells, “Hold your fire!”
The sniper removes his finger from the trigger but continues to keep the approaching vehicle in his scope.
“Put up a roadblock,” orders the squad leader.
Members of his unit hurry to position wooden barriers onto the highway and into the path of the rapidly approaching vehicle.
Cole sees the obstructions as his vehicle rises up over the elevated area in the highway. Cole slows the vehicle, eventually stopping it at the barrier stop. He exits the vehicle with his hands held high in the air as he steps out into the open. “It’s me – Cole!”
“Are you by yourself?” A nearby hidden voice yells.
“Yes!” Cole yells back to make sure he is heard.
Concealed militia members begin popping up all around him. Cole drops his arms. They approach cautiously. When they reach the vehicle, they check inside to make sure no one is hiding there.
“Where did you get the ride from?” The Squad Leader demands to know.
Cole explains their encounter with the government scouts while the very interested militia members listen. He finishes by repeating his orders to deliver the vehicle to command.
“Private Jackson,” yells the squad leader, “escort this man to command.”
“Thanks for the escort, sir.” Cole returns with military dignity.
“Well,” the squad leader grins, “I’d hate to see you get shot up now after coming all this way.”
The squad leader’s good-natured sarcasm prompts an anxious smile from Cole as the realization settles of how close he came to being shot.
The squad leader slaps Cole on the back, “It ain’t getting there by standing around jawing, now get moving.”
The directness of the order startles Cole into action, “Yes, sir!”
Cole hops back into the military vehicle just as Private Jackson pulls in behind him. He nods to the squad leader and stomps on the accelerator.
The squad leader and his men watch them for a moment before removing the barriers from the highway and returning to their defensive positions. They know that their wait is just about over, and things are going to get very messy, very soon.
✽
✽✽
The commander of the government forces has just been informed that they have lost communication with their helicopter as the second scout vehicle arrives from its forward position.
A lieutenant quickly exits the vehicle and approaches the commander. He salutes his superior, “Coleman reporting, sir!”
“At ease soldier. What happened out there?”
The lieutenant explains the earlier encounter.
“So, you’re telling me that three rebels took out four of our soldiers, a vehicle – and maybe a helicopter?” The commander is incredulous at this news.
The lieutenant looks at his feet and replies quietly, “Yes, sir.”
This infuriates the commander. He yells, “How the hell do three piece-of-shit rebels take out four highly-trained and well-armed government soldiers?”
The nervous lieutenant remains silent.
“Get out of my sight,” snaps the commander.
The lieutenant turns and is walking away as the commander yells after him, “If you let something like this happen again, I’ll personally see to it that you’re hung!”
The commander turns to his most senior officers and says, “Tighten up the formation, we’re not going to let them pick us off one by one.”
“Yes, sir!”
✽✽✽
When Cole arrives at camp his father races to his side. As much as he’d like too, he refrains from hugging his son.
“Where did you get this vehicle?” Jake is looking over the Federation truck as John trots up with one of his squad leaders close behind.
Cole rehashes the encounter to all three men.
When he finishes, John turns to his squad leader. “Let’s go through this thing and see what we can find.”
As John and his squad leader begin rummaging through the vehicle, Jake continues talking to Cole. “Kayla is worried sick; you should go see her.”
“I will.” Cole hesitates, “then I’ll get back to my squad.”
“Cole,” Jake takes a stern tone, “you’ll never be able to find them. I can assure you, they won’t be where you left them.”
