by Dave Hazel
“Oh, sorry Sarge, I didn’t think you could hear me.”
Mykal took the microphone from Kurt. “Denny, where are you guys at?”
“We’re still in the hills. Kotan says we’re at the edge of the hills and should be coming out of them soon. We got held up, so it’s taken us a little longer than we thought it would.”
“Was it Sosos? Is everyone alright?”
“Oh no, it was nothing like that at all. I’ll explain it to you later. Also, someone has been talking on the radio a lot, but we could never make out what they were saying. I don’t know if the hills are causing interference, but I think it might have been Lt Light and his men or maybe those other people.”
“Okay, we’re back at the hills but we’re farther to the west than where you guys will be coming out. We’re gonna take off and see if we can find the convoy. Just follow along the hills and it will lead you back to Light. We traveled in a big circle from where we originally left them. There were tracks out here yesterday, at least eight sets of tracks. They traveled that way, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed, hoping maybe it’s a rescue team.”
“Alright, keep safe and we’ll join you soon.”
“You too Denny. I just hope Sosos don’t drop in on them. They’re roaming in small armies. The ones we ran into had several thousand. We killed a few hundred of them easily,” Mykal added calmly as if it was all in a day’s work. “But it didn’t even put a dent in their numbers. Towbar told us that we’re gonna start seeing a whole bunch more of them cuz they’re on the war path. We’re in the middle of some deep shit.”
“Please, just be careful out there Myk,” Denny begged. “And keep those guys from doing anything stupid.”
“Will do.”
“Who’s gonna do anything stupid?” Kurt huffed playfully and pretended to be offended.
“After you make contact with the convoy and get them up to speed on what’s going on, why don’t you guys come back this way to make sure we’re going in the right direction,” Denny said.
“It sounds like you want an escort or some protection Sarge,” Kurt laughed into the microphone.
“Actually, what I want Kurt, is to stick my boot up your behind. But yes, if there’s that many Sosos wandering around, we could use the added fire power.”
“No problem,” Mykal took the microphone back. “We’ll come back as soon as we can. Wait till we tell you about the strange stuff we ran into last night. Towbar don’t even know what the hell it was.”
“Oh great! I can hardly wait.”
“You’re fading out again. We’ll talk later,” he finished and handed the microphone to Boris. “Let’s haul ass Kurt, and if everything goes alright we should be back with Denny tonight.”
4.
They traveled in a westerly direction until the hills smoothed out into the plains. Their direction changed northward in wide open sea of green. The storm removed evidence of the tracks from the previous day, so they were uncertain which way the rescue team traveled. A short time later the convoy appeared in the distance. The convoy’s size grew. There were more people and vehicles, both military and civilian vehicles.
“Turn on the reds and the siren,” Kurt smirked to Boris as they approached the convoy. “Oh, look at that, civilian vehicles. About four cars and a pickup truck.”
Mykal sat up in his seat, and his heart sank. “Man, look at all those people. This don’t look like any rescue team. Damn it.” He gave a defeated sigh. “I wonder if they’re all lost too.”
“Adam Sommer, is that you?” Lt Light’s cheerful voice rang through the radio speaker. A crowd gathered to greet them.
“No sir, this is Sgt Mykal Graves. I was with SSgt Denny Felps when we went to go looking for the Marshal a couple of days ago. Is this Lt Light?” He asked as Kurt drove slowly toward Lt Light’s vehicle.
“Yes it is. I take it you found Adam Sommer and my people?”
“Sir, I’ll explain everything face to face,” he replied. He didn’t want to relay their deaths over the radio. “You’re not gonna believe all the shit I have to tell you sir.”
“Sgt Graves! Maintain your radio discipline,” another more familiar voice cracked through the radio speaker. “This is Lt Edwards, your Flight Commander. Is Sgt Felps with you?”
“No Sir, he isn’t. I’ll explain everything shortly.”
“Damn, that friggin weasel Edwards is here,” Boris moaned and turned to Roy Jr. “He’s our boss. This sucks big time.”
“This is bad news,” Kurt said and his head dipped slightly. “As bad as everything’s been, everything, just got worse.”
“Is he really that bad?” Roy Jr. asked.
“You’ll see. Kurt’s right. We’re so screwed with him in charge.” Mykal tried not to be upset, but emotional nausea flowed across his face. “Let’s see what happens. I’ll tell ya about him later,” he replied to Towbar’s questioning look.
“It’s bad enough that we gotta fight for our lives out here. Now we’re gonna have to put up with that dipshit,” Kurt complained loudly. “We’re so screwed,” he copied Mykal’s line.
“Okay look,” Mykal pointed to different vehicles. “It looks like our whole Crew is here. First, no matter what happens, no matter what is said, no matter what that idiot tries to do, we all gotta stick together, alright? Especially in our stories,” he explained. Suddenly he feared the two attacks he initiated on the Sosos. Worry grew for the killing of Gan and his men.
When the car came to a stop they were mobbed from all directions by people who looked very excited. The four were like rock stars showing up for an event, but instead of adoring fans wanting autographs, these were desperate, anxious, people who wanted answers to their strange predicament.
“Back away. Stand aside,” Lt Edwards barked, creating a divide in the throng.
Lt Light stood at Edwards’ side like an obedient pet. The top ranking NCOs of Mykal’s Crew followed behind. Mykal feared Edwards had a firm control over the group. He genuinely feared Edwards’ leadership would be a danger to all.
Many voices shouted and asked questions. All requests and demands were of the same theme. The how’s and when’s they will go home? The ‘most important inquiries’ to be addressed were the questions put forth by Edwards due to his rank as an officer.
Stunned silence filled the wide open plains when Towbar stepped from the car. Everyone had to look up at the giant. All were at a loss for words. Towbar gave a friendly and inviting smile. Obviously his size and build intimidated everyone.
“How ya doing Jake?” Mykal gave a nod to his close friend, and felt some ease that TSgt Eugene ‘Jake’ Irwin was one of the four ranking NCOs on his Crew. Mykal knew he could count on Jake to be in his corner when problems arose. With Edwards present, there were going to be problems.
“What the hell is going on around here?” Jake asked. He never took his eyes from Towbar. Though Jake stands 6’6” tall, he looked short compared to the giant.
“You’ll never believe all that’s going on around here,” he said and had to hold up his hands to silence the rumble that started again. “First things first. Let me introduce you to the others. This is Roy Dosch Jr. His father and brothers are with SSgt Felps right now, and they’re on their way to this location. And this guy here,” he pointed to Towbar and couldn’t keep from chuckling because of the expressions everyone had. He had seen the same expression on little children at a circus. “His name is Towbar. He is a native of this land. He will be able to explain a lot of what I can’t answer about this land.”
“Sgt Graves,” Lt Edwards spoke up to get his attention. “Please explain why you chose the words ‘native of this land’. Where is this land? And where did you acquire that side arm?” His tone changed when he caught sight of the holstered pistol.
“I’ll get to that in just a moment Sir. Is anyone here hungry?” He called out loud enough for most to hear him. He was taken aback by the thunderous roar as they rushed toward him as if he offered himsel
f as a meal. “Boris and Kurt, take all the food we have left and divide it the best you can. When you’re done, come back, cuz I want help in explaining what’s going on. Don’t say anything till I’m done,” he whispered.
“Let’s step over here away from the crowd,” Lt Edwards suggested as he ushered those in leadership from the main body.
A heavyset, bleach blonde woman, with two children in tow, tracked down the senior man. “Lt Edwards, Lt Edwards. Did you find any information that will explain how to get home yet?” She asked with a three year old holding onto one hand, and her five year old holding onto the other hand.
“No, I haven’t Mrs. Holen,” he said without emotion. “After I gather information I will gladly let everyone know my plan,” he added with an undeniable condescending tone.
Mykal didn’t like the sound of Edwards’s “my plan.”
“Mrs. Holen, you should take your children over there,” Jake nodded to the crowd that had gathered around Boris and Kurt. “They’re handing out some food. Hey Boris and Kurt,” he yelled. “There are two small children here. Make sure they eat.”
For a brief moment Mykal looked into the faces of those who were in charge. He studied the expressions of the higher ranking men, who literally had control of his life, to see if he might discover strength or weakness in their leadership or character. The danger of their situation couldn’t be taken lightly.
‘Lt Light, hmm, I don’t know him,’ he thought. ‘Lt Edwards, what a friggin jerk. But I gotta give him the benefit of the doubt and see how he handles everything despite how he handled that woman. I think he’s gonna be a problem.’
He looked at the senior enlisted personnel just as MSgt Flemour stepped into the group. ‘He’s the highest rank, but I don’t know him.’ He looked at the overweight TSgt Mansfield. He shook his head in disgust. ‘Rob, fat-assed, Mansfield. He’s a good for nothin’, ass kissing, fat slob. He’s gonna be a problem. He’s Edwards’ butt buddy,’ he scoffed in thought.
He felt a momentary twinge of sympathy for Mansfield, because Mansfield shouldn’t be here. His retirement from the Air Force would be in effect in a few days. Unless help arrives he will start his retirement in Towbar’s world. ‘Edwards should have given him the tour of duty off. Sucker, that’s what you get for kissin’ up to that low-life.’
Mykal looked at TSgt Finn who had been assigned to the Crew a few days ago. ‘The new ‘Top Dog’ of the Crew. I don’t know the guy, but Jake says he’s a good guy. People from other Crews say he’s a good guy, but we’ll see,’ he pondered.
A smile formed when Mykal considered the next in the chain of command. One of his good friends, TSgt Jake Irwin. Mykal knew his thoughts were biased because of their friendship. ‘But Jake is the best leader here. Hands down! I’m gonna need all the friends I can get since the dipshit brothers are here,’ he thought referring to Edwards and Mansfield.
“Now what did you mean when you said this Towbar is a native of this land?” TSgt Miller asked as they walked from the mob. “Are all the people here this big?”
Mykal looked at the lowest ranked supervisor. ‘Miller. What a joke. A big cry baby and another ass kisser to Edwards,’ he thought before answering his question. “No, Towbar is the only one I’ve seen that large.”
“TSgt Miller, I will ask the questions here,” Lt Edwards cut in as if Miller stepped on his toes. Clearly, all were frustrated and irritable. They wanted to go home and couldn’t understand what brought them here.
“Yes Sir. Sorry Sir,” Miller bowed his head fearfully, and stepped back a couple of steps.
Mykal looked at the pudgy Miller and wished he wouldn’t act so spineless to Edwards. “I don’t know where to begin,” he gave a nervous chuckle when the leaders stopped walking and focused on him. He feared the leaders wouldn’t be receptive to the information he needed to share.
“First, explain how you came by Adam Sommer’s car,” Light requested. “I need to know where my men are.”
“Yes, where are they?” MSgt Flemour asked. “I’m responsible for the safety of the two missing airmen.”
“I’ll get to that, but I’m going to explain everything that happened to us, and I’m going to explain it quickly. We need to get outta here as soon as possible. We’re in serious danger if we stay here.”
“What?” Mansfield forced a laugh. His large belly showed a noticeable bounce when he laughed.
“I’m not joking. We left here a couple of days ago to go looking for the Marshal and the two airmen. I’m sure Lt Light explained that to you. We found the Marshal and A1C Taylor. They were both chopped into little pieces. Their legs, arms and heads were cut off. That’s where I got this,” he turned his eyes to Lt Edwards while placing his hand on the butt of the revolver.
“They’re not too far from here,” Mykal continued. “The other airman, the maintenance troop,” he looked at Flemour. “We didn’t find his body, but you can cross him off as dead. The Sosos don’t play around. I saw what they do to innocent children. I’m sorry-- the Sosos are the people who are on the war path and they are the ones we’re in danger from. I’m telling you, these people are ruthless and they’re blood thirsty.”
“Why did they kill them?” Edwards asked.
Light looked shocked. “First the helicopter, now this.”
“They‘re savages,” Mykal said. “They believe that the more people they kill before they die, the better their place in paradise will be or some nonsense like that. I’ll have Towbar explain about the Sosos in a little bit. But while we stood there, trying to figure out who would kill them. All of a sudden we came under attack. Arrows were flying in everywhere, all over the place. Nelson was the first one hit. He took an arrow in the chest. He dropped dead right there and never knew what hit him.”
“Hold on!” Lt Edwards raised his gasped voice and raised his hand to end Mykal’s discourse. “Are you saying one of my men, Sr. Airman Nelson, is dead? Killed by renegade Indians with bows and arrows?”
“Sir, the Sosos are not Indians,” Mykal corrected him. “They are a people who live to the north and are invading this land. That’s why we’re in danger. Back to what I was saying. Nelson was killed and Roy Jr.’s little brother took two arrows in the leg. We had to shoot back in self-defense and it--”
“You people discharged your weapons?” Edwards interrupted him again. The others seemed glued to every word Mykal tried to say. “I want reports written and statements taken immediately. You can be sure there will be a full investigation into this matter. A full investigation,” he repeated and glared at Mykal as if angry.
“What the hell, Sir?” Mykal raised his voice. He saw Lt Edwards was running on ‘Officer Mode’. “Did you hear what I said? We came under attack and fought back in self-defense. It was life or death. Nelson laid on the friggin ground right in front of me dead and there were arrows flying all over at us. It was kill or be killed. These Sosos were looking to chop us up into little pieces like they did to your guys Sir,” he turned to Lt Light. “There were hundreds of Sosos charging at us.”
Roy Jr. spoke to help Mykal. “Arrows poured in on us like piss in a urinal. I have to tell ya, I was scared shitless. As it stands we were lucky. There were hundreds of them, maybe thousands of them and we only had one killed and one injured. We hauled ass outta there and we didn’t have any idea where to go so we just drove. We finally came to a place to get some water--”
Mykal cut in, “Me and Airman Jones, went to the water to fill up our canteens and we got jumped by four of the Sosos. If it wasn’t for Denny, I mean SSgt Felps, making us wear our flack vests and helmets, me and Kurt would be dead right now. Kurt was hit in the head with an axe. Thank goodness for the helmet. He went down and I killed three of the four and just as the fourth was about to kill me, Kurt, I mean Airman Jones, blew his friggin head off and saved me.
“Soon after that we got caught up in a Soso ambush, which in fact they were trying to kill Towbar and his men, but we beat them back. We wiped their asses
out,” he said and couldn’t stop smiling his pride. “That’s how we met Towbar. He lost some of his men in that skirmish, but the rest of his men are with Denny and the Dosch’s. And from there…” he told the rest of their adventure skimming over fighting with the Sosos in the open. He didn’t want to make it known that they attacked the Sosos unprovoked. Mykal never mentioned the bar scene in Palomee.
“So there are towns and villages around here?” Finn asked. ”We had no luck trying to make contact with any people.”
“Yeah, there’s a number of towns and villages in this area. We helped Towbar warn some of them and in return he’s going to try and help us. You guys are very lucky. Yesterday when we left the hills, we came across your tire tracks. We weren’t sure who they belonged to, and right after that was when we got caught having to fight our way through several thousand Sosos. You guys were so close to the Sosos,” Mykal said. “And if you woulda tried to communicate with them they woulda attacked. Let me tell ya, they’ll stop at nothing to kill. You wouldn’t believe all the death and misery we’ve seen in the past couple days.”
Mansfield gave a nervous laugh. “Do you really expect us to believe something so outlandish? This story smells like there is a load of manure in it. Your team has always been known for the pranks and practical jokes they pull on people. Especially you, Mykal. I don’t know how you guys managed to pull this one off, but we’re--”
“Are you friggin kidding me? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Look around us. How could we have done this? Ask those two.” He pointed to Roy Jr. and Towbar. Mykal became angry that he had to defend himself to his supervisor.
“He’s telling you the truth,” Roy Jr. quickly threw up his hand as if taking an oath. “My baby brother is wounded. And I was there when Nelson got killed. This is no joke.”
“Jake, you can tell when I’m screwing around and when I’m not. Tell them I’m not friggin screwing around. For crying out loud, the damn world disappeared from us.”
“Maybe you didn’t do this,” Mansfield conceded. “I still don’t buy this tale of danger and savages on the war path. It just doesn’t make any sense. We haven’t seen any proof for it.”
