“What do they want with me?”
“It’s an urgent matter, and classified top-secret. I need to speak with you in private.”
Wicks came up alongside Simon. “Friends of yours?”
“Hardly . . . I thought I told you to hang back with the others?”
“A leader leads, right? That means my place is out here with you, not back with the others. Oh, and by the way, I have a present for you,” she said in a dull voice, moving a full step forward and turning away a few degrees.
A bulge became noticeable under the tail of her shirt, hidden along the back of the waistband. She leaned forward slightly, giving Simon a partial view of her grandfather’s .44 magnum revolver tucked inside. Simon figured it was loaded with the explosive bullets Diesel had made earlier.
“I know you’re just trying to help, but you need to return to the others. Let me handle this. They’re here for me and I don’t need anyone starting a firefight. Especially with only five rounds at our disposal. Can you do that for me?”
“Not a chance, Simon. I’m not going anywhere. We’re in this together, as a team,” Wicks said quietly through the side of her mouth. Her feet moved back until she was standing next to him.
“What about me?” Austin asked, tugging at Simon’s grip. “I’m not part of this.”
“That remains to be seen,” Simon answered, tugging on the man’s shirt to keep him front and center.
Tanner moved a few steps closer, his arms still out to his side. Once again, his men spread out farther than before, creating more distance between themselves.
“That’s far enough!” Simon shouted, turning his attention away from Austin.
“Look, my men and I are here to talk. Nothing more,” Tanner said in a louder, more direct voice. “We don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“Then tell your team to put their weapons on the ground and take a step back.”
“You know we can’t do that, Simon. That would be putting everyone at risk.”
“I won’t ask again. Otherwise, your man here will meet the end of my blade,” Simon said, pressing the knife harder into Austin’s back. The prisoner let out a yelp, telling Simon the tip broke the skin. He stopped pushing and held it firm.
Tanner’s tone changed to one of confusion. He motioned with his hand at Austin. “I don’t know who that man is, but he’s not with us. We’re only here for a conversation.”
“Yes, you’ve said that before. But it still doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. You’re trespassing on private property, and I’d advise you to get in your vehicles and leave.”
Tanner smiled, though it looked forced and unnatural. The kind of smile you make when your mother wants to take yet another family picture in front of the Christmas tree. “The Big Nasty says hello.”
“The Big Nasty?” Wicks asked Simon with red droplets falling from her nose.
The tension in Simon’s body eased. “It’s an inside joke. From an old friend.”
“What does it mean?”
“It tells me these men are who they say they are,” he said, handing Austin to Wicks. “You watch him while I go see what Tanner wants.”
“You shouldn’t go alone. You need backup,” she said, pulling the revolver from her pants and aiming it at the small of Austin’s back.
Simon turned to Wicks, giving the knife to her. “Tally, I really need you to listen to me. You brought me here and asked me to help you with tactical, and that’s exactly what I’m trying to do. Nighthawk came here to speak to me, and I’m the only one who knows how to handle these guys. I’ve had dealings with NSG before, so trust me when I say they tend to shoot first and ask questions later. Even more so when a situation escalates. That’s why I need you to stand down and let me speak to them alone.”
“But what if these are the men who attacked my brother? It could be a trap.”
“They’re not.”
“How can you be sure?”
“I am. Now go, please. I need you take Austin back to the others and get everyone inside.”
“But—”
He shot her a firm look. “The first rule as a leader is to always keep your people safe. That’s what I need you to do right now. Keep everyone safe.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll be fine. Let me do my thing and talk to these guys, then we’ll face the next step together. Agreed?”
She hesitated, then her face changed. “Fine, but at least take the gun. I don’t trust these guys.”
“No. You keep it. If I’m wrong, use it as a diversion, then get everyone out through the escape tunnel.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Bruce Tanner waited for the man claiming to be Simon Redfall to approach, keeping a close watch on the subject’s hands. The rest of the NSG team had his back covered, standing with weapons at the ready.
The civilian walking his way resembled the businessman’s photo he’d seen displayed on the Encrypted Action System earlier. However, the man in front of him he looked to be a good deal thinner and at least ten years older.
Tanner held his hand out for a shake, wishing he was somewhere else, specifically driving to a rural address on Old Mill Road in western Pennsylvania where his weapons had been misdelivered.
“I’m Bruce Tanner.”
“Simon Redfall,” the man said, gripping his hand and giving it a single shake. “You have two minutes.”
Tanner studied Redfall’s eyes through the rain, trying to discover what made the man so damn important that the Director of National Intelligence went out of her way to call his boss, Blake Anderchuck, and arrange this unusual mission.
Tanner ran his hand across his nose and mouth, ridding them of the red rain before he spoke.
“The director and the general need your assistance in locating a former colleague of yours. They’ve sent us here to collect you, hoping you’ll come in willingly.”
“And if I refuse?”
“We’re hoping it doesn’t come to that, sir. It’s a matter of national security.”
“That much I gathered, based on the size of your collection team.”
“Is that a refusal, then?”
Simon shook his head. “I haven’t decided yet. First, I need assess the true nature of this visit.”
“Look, I understand your hesitation, but the true nature of this visit is just as I said. Your help is needed with an urgent matter related to national security.”
“I’m afraid I’m going to need more than that, Tanner. I can’t leave this farm and the kids behind me unattended, not unless I know exactly what Wiggins and Rawlings want from me, and for how long. You may not be aware of this, but the same government you represent just executed my wife and did so on worldwide pay-per-view. I don’t exactly have a warm fuzzy feeling for any of you right now.”
Tanner hesitated, deciding whether or not to reveal the last piece of information he had. It might sway the man’s decision from no to yes, and that was something he preferred didn’t happen.
But before he could decide, his ethics took control of his lips and out it came. “They need your help in locating a man by the name of Jeffery Hansen.”
“I was wondering when that asshole’s name would come up.”
“Then you do know him.”
“Well, technically I used to know him; however, we were never colleagues or friends or anything of the sort. We did work together a long time ago, but that was the extent of our relationship. In fact, if I saw the man right now, I’d probably put a bullet in his head. I’m not sure if that’s what Rawlings and Wiggins are hoping for or not, but you need to know what you’re walking into here.”
“I understand.”
“So tell me, what does Hansen have to do with national security?”
“I afraid that’s all the information I was given, sir.”
“I’m guessing it’s about this God-awful rain.”
“I can’t speak to that, Mr. Redfall. But we do need to wrap this up. Can your country cou
nt on your assistance?” Tanner asked, hoping the man would say no. He needed to resume his weapons recovery mission before HQ discovered the delivery snafu, and that couldn’t happen if his team got stuck ferrying around some former spook.
Redfall didn’t answer right away, obviously thinking it over. “I’m going to need a minute to discuss this with my people.”
“Fair enough. But make it quick.”
* * *
“What do they want?” Wicks asked Simon when he returned from the meeting in the driveway.
“Do you remember the man I told you about earlier? The one I decked in Istanbul?”
“Yeah. Hansen, right? The man who owns the company that’s working on the weather stuff for the government.”
“That’s him. Two former bosses of mine have asked for my help in locating him.”
“You’re not seriously thinking of going with them?” Dixie asked, pushing through the group huddled around Redfall—all of them standing just inside the door to the main house. “I mean, you just got here. You can’t leave us now.”
“They say it’s a matter of national security,” Wicks answered her in a firm voice, like a mother trying to quell a revolt at bedtime with her children.
“Sounds like complete bullshit to me,” Slayer said.
“Yeah, definitely,” Diesel said, joining the group from the roof.
“I think so, too,” Dre said, arriving just after Diesel.
“If their request has something to do with this rain, then I should help,” Simon told them all. “Both for the good of our country and for our planet.”
“The planet?” Dre asked in his boyish voice.
“Yes, the planet. And that includes all of you.”
“Sounds to me like you’ve already made up your mind,” Slayer said.
“Not yet, but it would give me the opportunity to pass along what we’ve learned about the microwave emitters and the redirected weapons shipments.”
“But what about my brother? We still need to go help him. You promised, Simon. You did,” Wicks said in an emotional voice.
“Yes, but that was before these men showed up.”
“A promise is a promise!” she snapped.
Simon stared at her, but didn’t respond.
“You’ve been preaching at me to step up and be a leader and do what’s right. Now it’s your turn. Besides, you owe me and the rest of us. You can’t do this. You can’t go with them. We need you. Here.”
Simon’s eyes dropped to the ground, but he said nothing.
“You know I’m not a fan, Red,” Slayer said in his deep baritone voice. “But we do need your help. So I ask you . . . are you a man of your word, or not?”
Simon nodded slowly, his eyes making contact with everyone standing near him.
“Please, Simon. Stay and help us,” Wicks pleaded, biting her lower lip.
If Simon left now, she was sure Pandora would crumble. She’d opened a bucket of worms by having adults in camp, and now that everyone was depending on him, his departure would certainly cause dissension. Her team was loyal, but she could sense they were having doubts about her leadership. Especially with everything that was happening. She couldn’t blame them. She had her doubts too about all the tactical stuff.
Simon looked at Wicks. “How about this? I’ll agree to go help them, but only after they help us.”
“What do you mean?” Wicks asked in a shaky voice.
“They team up with us and we go to your brother’s camp. With their training, weapons and manpower, we significantly increase our combat effectiveness and chances of mission success.”
“Force Multiplier,” G said, finally speaking up.
Wicks wondered why he’d been quiet thus far, but couldn’t dwell on it. “I don’t know, Simon. How can you trust these men?”
“We don’t have to. If I make it a condition of my helping them, they’ll agree. It’s the only leverage we have right now and if you want to help your brother, then we need to use it. What do you say, Wicks? It’s your call. They help us with your brother, then I go help them save the world. Seems like a fair trade to me.”
Everyone was staring at her, but she wasn’t sure what to do. Simon seemed confident in his suggestion, and her insides were burning with concern for her brother, but she couldn’t make a decision. Every second that passed made the pain in her gut worse.
“When I’m done helping them, I’ll come back to Pandora,” Simon told her. “This isn’t the end. Just a detour. We have to look at the bigger picture. This isn’t just about Pandora anymore. It’s about the fate of the entire world, and we can do something about it. Isn’t that why you brought me here? To make a difference? To stop what’s about to happen?”
She looked at Slayer and Dixie, then Kat and G. Each of them nodded. So did Jazz and Diesel, but not Dre. The second-youngest member of Pandora only smiled, apparently getting a kick out of the drama unfolding around him. She should have expected it. Dre was just being Dre, taking a different path than the others.
Wicks knew what she needed to do. For the good of the team and the rest of the world. “Okay. We team up with those guys.”
“You’ve made the right decision,” Simon said in a strong voice. “I’ll go make the deal.”
“But I’m coming with you,” Wicks said. “That’s my condition.”
“Me too. Where Wicks goes, I go,” Slayer added, puffing out his chest with a deep breath.
“What about Austin?” G asked.
Austin pushed forward. “I should go with you. You might need my help.”
“No, he stays here. Jazz will watch him,” Wicks answered, giving the knife to her. “We should keep him separate from NSG, just in case this is some kind of setup. If he moves . . .”
“I’ll take care of him,” Jazz said, twirling the knife around the fingers on one hand.
“Anyone else?” Simon asked the group.
No one answered.
“G? Kat? Anyone? Now’s the time to speak up.”
They all shook their heads.
“Then it’s settled. The three of us go with NSG, and the rest stay here and help G finish the shielding,” he said, turning to Wicks. “Now would be a good time to give me Wyatt’s address. They’re going to ask.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“It’s about time,” Bruce Tanner told his second-in-command, Larry Fritz, pointing at Simon Redfall, who was walking their way from the front door of the farmhouse. “Look at this shit. He’s dragging the kiddies along. I hope he doesn’t think we’re taking them to DC, too.”
“This day just keeps getting better and better,” Fritz said.
“Maybe we’ll get lucky and he’ll decline. Then we can get back to the task of recovering our shipment. This babysitting duty just ain’t gonna cut it. Old Mill Road should be our focus, not this crap.”
“Roger that,” Fritz said as Tanner began to move forward to greet the trio heading his way.
Tanner waited another thirty seconds, until Redfall arrived with a redheaded girl and a tall, dark-haired young male—enlistment age, he guessed. The girl looked a little older—maybe mid-twenties—and was rather attractive, even in the drizzling rain. All three civilians had focused eyes and stiff faces, but he wasn’t sure if it meant Redfall was going to accept or decline.
“Have you reached a decision?” Tanner asked Redfall, wanting to speed up the process.
“Yes, we have.”
Tanner didn’t like the use of the word ‘we’ in the man’s response. Something must have changed, meaning it was possible the Old Mill Road mission might be pushed back even further. He waited while Redfall continued.
“I’ll go with you and help with Hansen, but on one condition.”
“I’m listening.”
Simon pointed at the young redhead. “This is the owner of the farm, Tally Wickie.”
She nodded.
Tanner did the same.
“She has a brother west of here, and there’s been reports of
trouble on his property. But we haven’t been able to make contact with him to verify.”
“Okay, but what does that have to do with this?”
“I’ve already promised Tally I’d go with her to check on her brother, Wyatt.”
“That’s it? That’s the big condition?”
“I’m not sure you’re reading me correctly.”
“Explain.”
“In exchange for my assistance with Hansen, you and your men will need to escort us to her brother’s farm, where you’ll provide logistical and tactical support.”
Tanner shook his head, his face flushing. What had started as frustration was now being replaced with tempered excitement. All he had to do now was turn Redfall down, and this ridiculous mission was over.
“That’s just not gonna happen, Redfall. We have our orders and running around to check on the family isn’t part of them.”
“Well, Commander, you need to make it happen. I suggest you get on the wire and call HQ. Once you explain the situation, I’m sure you’ll receive authorization. Otherwise, I’m not lifting a finger to help with Hansen. Rawlings and Wiggins will just have to find him on their own, but I suspect they’ve already tried—and failed. That’s why you’re here. They’re desperate. So my condition stands. Call it in and obtain approval to redeploy to 9701 Old Mill Road. This is non-negotiable.”
When Tanner heard the address, his heart skipped a beat. He needed to play it cool. “Let me confirm. You said 9701 Old Mill Road? I’m assuming that’s in Lancaster County?”
“Yeah, and no funny business,” the girl said as Redfall nodded.
The tall, handsome young man was silent, but his eyes weren’t. First they scanned Tanner, then moved to study Larry Fritz, who was covering Tanner’s six.
Tanner didn’t want to appear too eager and tip his hand. “Look Redfall, we’re just wasting time. My superiors will never authorize it.”
“Well, then I guess that’s it. Come on, kids,” Redfall said, waving his hand. “This negotiation is over.”
“It’s about time,” the boy said, flipping Tanner the bird.
“Wait!” Tanner snapped after a two count.
Redfall stopped and turned in the red-colored mud. So did the other two.
Redfall: Freedom Fighters (American Prepper Series Book 2) Page 9
