The only thing observable now was the aftermath of a well-planned, well-executed assault. Only, it looked more like a massacre or a bloodbath—an ethnic cleansing of evil men sent to their graves by a bombardment of precision explosive ordnance and a lethal volley of tracer rounds.
Nearly catching him off guard, Christian turned his head in time to see a man who had crawled over to them on his knees and elbows. When the man extended his arm in Lauren’s direction, Christian intervened, kicking the man’s hand away with his boot. “Whoa—slow the hell down there, hero. Hands off the lady. Is there something I can help you with?” Christian moved closer to him, his fist poised to strike.
The man drew back, half-covering his face with his hand in anticipation of another hit. “Well, being completely honest, I’m not sure if you can or if you can’t,” he rebuked, a mild British accent coating his words. “That all depends on if you can tell me what the devil is going on. I think the rest of us here, myself included, have a right to know.”
Christian mocked his accent with some added extravagance. “Well, chum…I think it’s pretty obvious what the devil is going on. We’re getting the hell out of here. So hail a hackney carriage, gather yourself some Hobnobs, and be patient.”
Lauren turned to have a look at the man who had decided to join them. He wore a soiled gray sweater with a collared shirt underneath and had on a well-worn designer-brand down jacket that was missing most of its loft. He even had on a necktie, which while slackened and not pulled in tightly, was still threaded through his button-down shirt collar.
There was something about this man—a certain aura perhaps, and for a moment, Lauren thought she recognized him. She had seen his face somewhere before, but couldn’t place him. She didn’t say anything to him, and the man didn’t say anything to her. In fact, he didn’t even look her way. He was too busy steaming and cutting his eyes angrily at Christian while he rubbed the pain away from his recently booted hand.
After a period of time had elapsed, the flurry of weapons fire began to die down and eventually terminated altogether. Shouts of men bellowing orders could be overheard, along with the occasional report of a single gunshot. Groups of up to six individuals could be seen entering the boundaries of the camp, most carrying flashlights with smoke-penetrating beams shining through red filters.
Lauren rose when she noticed a group of men heading her way. Six men in black fatigues marched over, and while three of them put their backs to the exterior wall, their rifles covering separate fields of fire, two others removed tools from their packs and worked to unfasten and permanently disable the primitive locking mechanism on the entry gate.
“So, Lauren,” Christian said while minding the armed men in black, “before things start to get even more…crazy around here, I have a few questions.”
Lauren sniffled and tried brushing her fingers through her hair. “I sort of figured you would. I’m surprised it’s taken you this long to start probing.”
“Yeah, well, it’s been…rather loud. And I didn’t think my voice could compete with all the gunfire.” Christian gestured to the men outside while lackadaisically rising to his feet. “You said that guy, the one with the sword who was here earlier on, was a friend.” He paused long enough for Lauren to gesture her response, then pointed outside to the men in black. “Would that make all these guys…your friends, too?”
“I don’t know,” Lauren replied, her attention switching beyond those nearby to others in similar uniforms farther away, in what had become a much larger assembly than she had anticipated. “It’s hard to say, really.” She paused. “The last time I saw them, there was only about a dozen or so.”
“The last time you saw…them.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Okay. I guess,” Christian said, looking befuddled. “You know—I’ve never been the best at math, but by my count, there’s at least a hundred men out there now.”
“And I would agree with you. That’s an accurate estimate…maybe your math skills are improving.”
Christian hesitated. “So…I guess, maybe, whatever…team you used to train with has done some recruiting, then. You know, since the last time you saw them, that is.” He glanced away, giving her time to respond, but kept her in the corner of his eye. “Wouldn’t you say?”
Lauren quickly turned to him, smiling coyly. “That took you a lot longer to put together than I thought it would.”
Christian shrugged. “Yeah, well, you haven’t exactly been forthcoming with information.”
“You’re right,” Lauren said, hanging her head a bit. “I haven’t been.”
“That’s okay…I’m used to it. I just did the best I could with what I had,” Christian said. “The clues I had to go on—what few there were, have always been rather vague, but it’s coming together nicely now.”
After the men in black forced the gate open, they removed the door completely from the frame, placed it on the ground, and destroyed it. They moved inside, announced their presence as friendlies without giving their names, then stood by while ushering out the former captives, using their flashlights’ red-filtered beams to illuminate the path. Another group of armed men in black had gathered together outside to hand out basic comfort items in the form of bottled water and blankets.
Lauren waited patiently for everyone to exit the stockade, except herself, Christian, Norman, Fred, and Ricky and Austin Brady. When she went to take her first step outside, Woo Tang treaded out from the shadows and moved into her avenue of travel. His mask was pulled under his chin now, and his NVDs were locked in the upward position. She could clearly make out his scar, a feature that had caught her attention upon meeting him years ago and had been key to helping her recognize him again today after he’d practically materialized out of the darkness.
Overcome by everything that had transpired, Lauren didn’t know how to act. She found herself speechless. She stood stationary, frozen in time, her memories and wistfulness getting the best of her. What are you doing? Say something, stupid.
Woo Tang spoke first, his disposition forthcoming, his face and tone bearing little to no emotion. “Good morning, Lauren Russell. Fancy seeing you here, in a place such as this. Do you…come here often?”
Lauren tried to pull together a smile. Her body trembled while shaking her head in the negative. “No. This is my first time here,” she said hesitantly. “And I’m really hoping it’s going to be my last.”
Woo Tang shifted his stance while one of his eyes focused tighter than the other. “I am glad to hear you say that. I very much hope it is your last visit, too. Places like this should not exist and are certainly not meant for bright young women such as yourself.” He took a step closer. “I am in a quandary. It troubles me to see you here, locked inside a corral—a place far better suited for animals like swine or bovine.” He paused, looking her over, paying special attention to her torn, ragged clothing, remnants of which were dangling beneath the fleece jacket liner Christian had given her. “As you probably can imagine, seeing you here has spawned many questions. For the moment, I will spare you them and will only concern myself with your physical and psychological well-being.” He inched closer and studied her as his expression slackened. “Are you…squared away?”
Lauren hesitated. A potent emotional state in combination with her physical exhaustion was becoming too much to bear. “I’ve been better,” she whimpered, her voice cracking. “It’s been a really rough year, and my friends and I have had an even rougher past couple of days. I’m weak, tired, my hair is a mess, and I can’t remember the last time I had anything to eat or drink.” She sighed, on the verge of tears. “Apart from that, right now…this is the happiest I’ve been in a really, really long time.”
Woo Tang’s features softened even more. He nodded and cracked a sheepish grin. “Okay. Fine business. Am I to take it that you are…glad to see me?”
Lauren’s body quivered beyond her ability to control it. She closed her eyes and covered her mouth, and then her emot
ions broke loose from their bonds and overcame her. She dashed to Woo Tang in a burst of tears and latched on to him, her body trembling, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. She nodded her answer at first, unable to get the words out. “Yes, I’m glad to see you. You…have no idea…how glad I am to see you here.”
Woo Tang barely had the time to move his rifle out of the way. “Whoa—easy there, Lauren Russell. I cannot remain on alert with all of that hair of yours blocking my view,” he said lightheartedly. “By the way, I know it has been a while since we last saw each other, and I do not want to come across as rude, but have you showered recently?”
Lauren smiled and squeezed him. “Just shut up and hug me back, Jae,” she said through tears of pure delight.
Woo Tang relented. “Okay, I give. I suppose…there is no harm in it.” He snapped his fingers, sending two of the armed men to stand on either side of them. Only then did he allow himself a moment to close his eyes and respond to the embrace.
“I missed you,” Lauren purred. “I missed you so much.”
“I can tell. And I…missed you, too.”
Lauren pulled away and began wiping her tears. She wanted nothing more than to continue the reunion with her old friend, but she knew there were far more pressing items in need of attention. “Jae, we have a problem—a serious one. Fred is here…and he’s hurt really bad. He needs help.”
Woo Tang drew back, displaying his surprise at yet another bombshell. His hand moved to his rifle. “Fred? Are you referring to Fred Mason?” He peered over Lauren’s shoulder through the entrance into the dark recesses of the cage. “He is here with you?”
“Yeah, he’s here. Him and a few others.”
The former Navy SEAL’s brows knitted. “Take me to him.”
As Ricky and Austin Brady passed by on their way out without so much as even glancing at her, Lauren ushered Woo Tang farther into the cage to where Fred lay with Norman tending to him.
Woo Tang took a knee and sent a brief, supportive nod Norman’s way while removing a flashlight from a pocket on his plate carrier and bringing it to life with a button click. He studied Fred’s condition with a stringent, yet deeply concerned gaze before placing his fingers to a button located next to a microphone strapped to his neck. “Net, this is yellow one actual. I have wounded—category immediate…single male patient at the corral with severe facial fractures, multiple penetrating wounds and lacerations. Patient is unconscious and breathing at this time. Request immediate evac. Watch for my lasso. Over.” Woo Tang turned and motioned to his men, instantly seizing their combined attention. “I need an IR lasso in the clouds, gentlemen.”
“You guys have radios?” Lauren asked, her eyes studying the device, following a single wire to a covert earpiece. Another set of wires snaked to a short rubber antenna mounted to the back of his plate carrier. “I thought Dave hated those things.”
“He still hates them and always will. But we use them on assaults such as these because they are available, and it is the prudent thing to do.”
“Was that Stewie who responded, then?” Lauren asked, her voice slurring. “Please tell me he’s here with you guys.”
“No, Stewie is not here with us. Not today, anyway. He is with Staff Sergeant Reese, preparing for another operation near the town of New Creek.”
Lauren looked confused. “What do you mean another operation?”
“It is one of many. Do not worry, we have several other highly skilled medics, all of whom are capable of helping Fred.”
“Jae, Fred needs a hospital…and a doctor,” Lauren urged. “Those men…they beat him so badly. I watched it happen right in front of me. It was awful.”
Woo Tang rose. “Lauren Russell, as you may have already noticed, you are standing on a battlefield. This is a war, and bad things happen in wars and on battlefields. This battle is over now, and what is done is done. We will do everything in our power to help Fred. He is a brother, and we have a medical treatment facility not far from here, where he can be taken to be patched up.” He went to place his hands on her shoulders, causing Lauren to wince when one hand got too close to the back of her head. Woo Tang furrowed his brow. “Have you sustained injuries yourself as well?”
“No. I mean…yes,” she stammered. “Yeah…a little.”
While steadying her with a solid grip on her shoulder, Woo Tang pointed the beam of his flashlight intermittently into Lauren’s eyes, sweeping back and forth across each one several times. “Your speech is slurred. And one of your pupils is dilated more so than the other. You look concussed.”
“If she looks that way, that’s because she is,” Norman said from his spot on the ground, no longer able to keep his silence.
Lauren sighed irritably. “Thanks, Norm.”
“Sorry, sweetums, but I know how proud you are. You never would’ve admitted it yourself.”
Without another word, Woo Tang advanced behind her and shined his flashlight on her head while moving her hair up and out of the way. “Holy Moses. What happened to you? Get in a fight with a Buick or something?”
Lauren gritted her teeth from the pain of having her hair repositioned. “I got blindsided.”
“You most certainly did. I take it you have a hellish headache to accompany the swelling I am seeing?”
Lauren nodded.
“Did you lose consciousness?”
“Yeah. I was in the woods when it happened. When I woke up, I was here.”
“Do you feel shaky? Numb? And have you vomited recently?”
“Yes, yes, and…almost, but it wasn’t because of the headache.”
Woo Tang returned to his spot in front of her, dousing his light. “I believe we should have our medics take a look at you as well.”
“Fine, fine. Just tend to Fred first, okay?” Lauren insisted.
“It is already done.” Woo Tang gestured to the headlights of an approaching vehicle.
As the vehicle came to a stop, several men in black fatigues jumped out and, after procuring a canvas stretcher from the rear of the vehicle, made their way promptly into the cage. They placed Fred on the stretcher, strapped him down, and hoisted him away.
Christian finally made his way over as Fred was being carried out. When Woo Tang saw him, he stared at Christian fiercely, his hand moving to the backstrap of a holstered Sig Sauer.
Lauren saw immediately and moved to intercept. She put a hand on Woo Tang’s tensing forearm, preventing him from drawing his weapon. “Jae…he’s a friend. It’s okay. This is Christian.” She then pointed to Norman. “And that’s Norman. He’s one of Dad’s best friends. He used to come with us to Point Blank, but I don’t think you’ve met him before.”
“That is accurate, we have not met,” Woo Tang said, his hand moving away from his sidearm. He regarded Norman and Christian for a moment and said, “Gentlemen, I apologize for the unapproachability. I assure you there is no animosity here. But while I do know Lauren Russell and have for years, I am not familiar with either of you.”
“I’m not offended,” Norman said, just now getting to his feet. “Everything being equal, I’m just enthused with the thought of not dying today. Thanks for getting us out of this mess.”
Christian turned his head, noticing two of the men in black now had their rifles trained on him. “Are you sure about that no-animosity thing?”
Woo Tang smiled uncomfortably and motioned for the men to lower their weapons. “All parties are confirmed friendlies. Set up a perimeter,” he ordered, and the men hurriedly dispersed. He turned to Lauren, and while angling his M4 carbine back to a ready position, he slowly ushered her away from Christian and Norman. “We must speak alone. I am sorry we cannot spend more time catching up, but the op is not yet complete, and my team must get back to business. Before we go, I would like to brief you. Would you prefer now or later?”
“Brief me?”
“To bring you up to speed. It will only take a moment.”
“Okay,” Lauren said shyly. “I guess now, th
en.”
“First order of business is the neutralization of all remaining hostiles, which includes those who may have gotten away during the assault. Once the remainder of the unit arrives, we will strip the encampment of food, fuel, weapons, and supplies, then make camp for the night. We are set to rendezvous with Staff Sergeant Reese and Unit Delta tomorrow at a rally point sixty klicks due west, where we will rearm, regroup, and make ready for the next op.”
Lauren began shaking her head. She held up a hand. “Jae, hold up, just wait a minute. Neutralize all the hostiles you want…but I don’t know anything about a Unit Delta or some rally point or any op. We aren’t even supposed to be here right now. Before we got ambushed, captured, and brought here, we had a mission of our own. Things aren’t exactly squared away at home…we have sick people there, and we need to find a doctor somehow and get back as soon as we can with help.”
Woo Tang exhaled through his nostrils. “I am sorry to hear of your difficulties at home, Lauren Russell. I can only imagine how upside down things must be for you. Finding you here can only serve as a preface for me, and for us. It was not something we expected.”
“Tell me about it.”
Woo Tang removed a glove and compassionately rubbed a spot of grime from Lauren’s cheek with his thumb. “You know I am a man of honor. I would very much like to help you, and I would if I were able to. I would gladly join you on your mission and help you find the assistance you need and even accompany you back to your home. But as the situation stands, I cannot. Those decisions are ones I am not at liberty to make on my own.” Woo Tang squared his shoulders. “If you need to do something other than accompany us, something which deviates from our current objectives, you will need to discuss it with you-know-who.”
Lauren folded her arms and nodded. “Okay, fine. I’ll do that. And where is you-know-who?”
Divided We Stand Page 6
