by Reed, N. C.
“I’ve been told that by more than one person in Jordan,” Adcock nodded. “There are some that hate you, that’s true enough, but I’ve listened to their complaints and they’re complete bullshit. Pickett and Dawson both like you and speak well of you.”
“That is a shock, honestly,” Jose chuckled. “But I’m glad to hear it. Unless you really do need something else, we need to be headed home. One of our men took a round to his vest, so we’d like to get him examined by the doctor as soon as we can.”
“Of course,” Adcock straightened. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I hope he isn’t injured too badly.”
“His vest worked, so it should just be bruises, but we want to be sure. I think you’ll be surprised by what you find out in there,” he pointed to the report Nate had sketched. “Your prisoners should be even more forthcoming. That is something you should be good at,” he smiled.
“I am indeed,” Adcock nodded. “Thank you all. I definitely owe you one.”
“If we ever need it, we’ll call,” Jose assured him. “Let’s move,” he said to Nate. Mitchell was already moving toward the Cougar.
-
Gordy led the way, pulling a train of seven horses behind the one he had chosen to ride, a beautiful paint gelding that looked strong and healthy. They had looped reins from one horse to the next to keep them together and keep them moving. It wasn’t the best way to herd them, but in the dark and in unfamiliar territory it was about the best they could manage.
Samantha led a similar train of five horses, riding a roan mare. Kevin was leading another six horses, having chosen a black stallion to ride rather than try to lead. Zach followed on an appaloosa gelding, leading seven more, and Kurtis brought up the rear with another seven, riding a monster of a golden maned red stallion that was not at all impressed with having a rider. Had Kurtis been less of a horseman he could not have handled it.
“That’s a lot of horse,” Gordy had said as they prepared to move.
“Ain’t he though?” Kurtis had grinned. “I like me a challenge.”
“Probably good that you do,” Gordy had laughed before moving forward, leaving Kurtis to his challenge.
They had made it back to the road and turned for the interstate by the time the sun was fully above the trees. They had to slow on the pavement as the horses were more nervous on less than sure footing.
They had gone no more than three miles Gordy estimated when he heard a vehicle engine behind them. Before he could turn to look, Kurtis had called up that it was the Cougar, coming up behind.
Mitchell was driving and kept the big MRAP far enough back that the engine noise would not bother the horses. It was slow going and the engine was mostly at idle as they followed along. Tandi had examined Xavier, who was already developing a huge bruise from the impact of the round. While he wanted Patricia or Jaylyn to look at it, he could find nothing beyond the deep bruise to the middle of Xavier’s back. Xavier endured it just as he had everything else in life, which meant he pretty much ignored it except when the pain was intense.
Jose sat in silence for less than twenty minutes before realizing this wasn’t working for him. They were getting nowhere fast, and at this rate would have to make camp somewhere on the interstate tonight. With that in mind, he picked up the radio in the Cougar.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Home Plate, Home Plate, this is Grey Ghost. How copy?”
JJ almost fell out of his chair as the radio blared at him. There had been so little traffic of late that this sudden blast had startled him completely.
“Go for Home Plate,” he managed to reply calmly.
“Message for Bossman as follows,” Jose said. “Mike Charlie, November Charlie, Romeo Tango Bravo. Need transport for thirty-seven, that is three, seven equines and their gear, to meet us along the way. We are herding them now, but we need to get them back home ASAP. Message ends.”
“Roger that,” JJ replied. He read the message back to Jose, who confirmed that JJ had it right.
“Stand by, Ghost,” JJ said and switched radios.
“Bossman, Bossman, this is Home Plate with urgent traffic. How copy?”
“Go for Bossman,” Clay’s voice replied at once, his unease coming through the radio.
“Ghost reports mission complete, no casualties,” JJ told him at once. “They’re on the way back, but have captured thirty-seven, repeat, three, seven, horses with all their gear and need transport to meet them on the way. They are herding them this way now, but it’s a long way.”
“Roger that,” Clay’s voice sounded full of relief. “Send for Roddy, Moses, and Clifford. We’ll take the hauler, and then the two largest horse trailers. Have them set that up and get them whatever help they need. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Roger that. Will advise Ghost.” JJ returned to the other radio and informed Jose what was happening.
“Roger that, Plate. Ghost is standing by.”
-
“Vee, this is Bossman. How copy?” Vicki grabbed her radio and replied.
“This is Vee.”
“Vee, we have a small convoy going out to bring back some horses our team has captured. This is a good time to get our new team members’ feet wet, I think. Gather them up and have them report to the pad in full gear. Fifteen minutes.”
“Roger that,” Vicki replied. “Vee, clear.”
His message to Vicki done, Clay hurried to Building Three where Sienna Newell spent most of her time these days. True to form, he found a huge pair of denim covered legs sticking out from under the Stryker, and next to them a much smaller pair of digi-cam style BDUs.
“Sienna, you under there sleeping or what?” he called and was rewarded with a loud clang and muttered curse as someone dropped something.
“You little piss-ant!” Jake yelled. “Don’t scare me like that! You know I have a delicate constitution!”
“Sorry, dude, but I need your girlfriend. Got a little mission laid on.”
“I’m here!” Sienna called at once, sliding out from beneath the armored carrier on a creeper board. “What are we doing?” she asked, excitement clear in her voice.
“Our team is finished in Lewiston and on the way home, but they captured a small herd of horses,” Clay explained. “I’ve already got trucks ordered to go, and I’ve got Vicki gathering our newest team members. We’ll let this be their initiation. I want you and Virgil to take Cop One and ride escort. I’ll have Vic follow in Thug Life. You guys will take one of the newbies with you, and Vic will get the rest. That will give you plenty of firepower on the way back since they have the Ghost with them down there already.”
“Roger that!” Sienna was already on her feet, scrubbing her hands with a shop towel. “On the way!” she shouted as she ran out of the building.
“Sorry man,” Clay called to Jake. “It won’t take long.”
“I might be able to get some work done without her supervising,” Jake grumbled, though there was no heat. “Everybody do okay down there?”
“No casualties,” Clay nodded. “And we got a small herd of horses out of the deal. Maybe I’m looking at this stuff wrong?”
“I can’t imagine you ever being wrong,” Jake replied, sarcasm heavy as he gripped his chest. “Surely you jest, sir!”
“I’m always sorry I talk to you,” Clay shook his head as he left.
“Bye, sweetheart!” Jake jeered before sliding back beneath the Stryker.
-
“So where are we going?” Kim Powers asked, still struggling into her pack.
“You’ll get the word,” Vicki told her flatly. “Meanwhile, you got eight minutes left to be on the pad, so get moving!”
“Are we going to Lewiston, you think?” Petra Shannon asked, already geared up and near the door.
“Again, you’ll get the word,” Vicki repeated. “If you’re ready, then go.”
Soon all five of the new recruits who had volunteered for duty off the farm were moving. When they arrived at the pad, they found not
hing.
“Well, we’re here. What’s the deal?” Amanda Lowery asked, looking around.
“Welcome to how things are,” Vicki snorted. “Hurry up and wait. Get used to it.” Just as she said that they heard a diesel engine starting behind the buildings. Then another engine, further down. There was some clanging of metal, some cursing that was audible even over the sound of idling engines, and finally there were vehicles pulling around to form a convoy on the pad.
“Okay, ladies,” Clay’s voice behind them made them all jump except for Vicki. “This is your first time off the farm as part of an operation, so pay attention. Our team in Lewiston is finished and on the way home, but they have managed to capture a small herd of horses. We’re sending transport to bring those horses back, and you are the escort.”
“That’s it?” Petra Shannon asked, frowning. “We’re escorting some horse trailers?”
“Would you rather be shot at?” Clay asked, rather than call her out like he would have one of the boys. “Escort duty is a large part of what we do, Miss Shannon. Consider how important horses are now. Then ask yourself how likely it is that someone would want to steal a small herd of horses complete with tack and saddles. Should that happen, then it becomes your job to make sure that those trucks,” he indicated the stock hauler and horse trailers, “get away while you delay or eliminate whatever threat you have encountered. So yes. That’s it. Any other questions? And let me stress that I mean questions that are concerning this mission?” he raised an eyebrow.
“Very well then,” Clay clapped his hands together as he was wont to do to indicate he was done with a subject. “Vick will command the Cougar. One of you will ride the Guardian with Lieutenant Newell. Who will that be?”
“I’ll go,” Janessa Haynes raised a hand. “It looks cool.”
“It is indeed. Very well then, pile aboard,” Clay ordered. “Miss Gray, do you think you can handle driving this rig,” he pointed to the small Cougar that Corey Reynard had brought around. He was already back on the ground, waiting to see if he needed to do anything else.
“I think so,” Gray was only a little hesitant. “I’ve driven large vehicles before, including forklifts.”
“It’s just a truck when you get right down to it,” Corey offered. “A little top heavy so be careful on turns. Not that you’ll get up too fast. She ain’t built for speed, really,” he chuckled.
“If you’re uncomfortable with it, you can have someone else take over once you get there,” Clay told her. “There are plenty of people already there. Vic, you’re in command until you hook up with Jose and the others. Head ‘em out.”
“You heard the man!” Vicki called down the line. “Everybody on board!” She waited until all the drivers were waving before climbing aboard the Cougar herself. With a last nod at Clay, she ordered Talia Gray to head out.
-
“I’m uncomfortable with this,” Clay admitted a few moments later as he sat with Stacey Pryor in front of Building Two.
“With what?” Stacey asked.
“With so many people off the farm at one time,” Clay pointed out. “It makes our defense weaker.”
“That’s always going to be true,” Stacey nodded. “But we’ve got a few more people now, so that has to help. And I’m the only one still laid up,” he added.
“How about that, anyway?” Clay looked down at Stacey’s leg.
“Jaylyn figures another three weeks, tops, and I can start working to get back into battery,” he sighed. “It was a through and through hit, too. Should already be on my feet.”
“Don’t be a tough guy,” Clay replied. “Take the time and heal. Don’t let my worry get you down.”
“I’m not,” Stacey assured him. “I don’t get paid to worry. That’s your job.”
-
“Well, this is certainly exciting,” Amanda sighed, looking out the small window of the MRAP.
“You don’t want exciting,” Vicki told her flatly. “Exciting usually means people shooting at you. Trust me, that is trouble you don’t want or need.”
“You’ve been shot at?” Kim asked. Vicki snorted.
“I’ve been shot, let alone shot at,” she replied. “I’m telling you now, boring is the way to go. Always.”
“Where did you get shot?” Amanda asked.
“The leg,” Vicki replied. “Another caught me across the arm. What they call a graze. A concussion from an IED going off too close to me.”
“Oh. No, I meant where were you when you got shot?” Amanda clarified.
“A small town you never heard of in Iraq,” Vicki told her quietly. “Trying to disarm a bomb some ISIS fanatics had put in a school full of children.”
“Holy shit,” Amanda whispered.
“You can disarm a bomb?” Petra Shannon asked, her interest obvious.
“I can build them, too,” Vicki nodded absently.
“Can you teach me?” Petra asked, leaning forward. Vicki looked startled at the question.
“I wouldn’t mind knowing that myself,” Amanda admitted.
“I don’t know,” Vicki admitted finally. “If we have the gear, then sure. I mean, assuming Clay approves it. It would be up to him in the long run.”
“Oh, that would be so awesome,” Petra’s voice was low and edgy when she spoke.
“Yeah, well, when you’re being shot at and trying to figure out which wire to cut? Not so much,” Vicki told her. “And if Clay allows you to learn, the first thing you’re going to have to do is calm down. That jumping around will not work for an EOD tech. Every move has to be slow, steady and deliberate. You may want to start practicing now.”
“Oh,” Petra replied, subdued. “Okay. I will.”
-
“Engine sounds,” Gordy said into his radio. “From the interstate.”
“Hopefully, that’s our help,” Jose replied. “We’ll see.”
Two minutes later, Thug Life topped the small rise to their front, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
-
It took some time to load all the horses. First, they had to be stripped of the gear and loot they carried. That done, it became obvious that some of the horses absolutely would not abide being around each other. After some work, however, they managed to sort the horses out well enough to get them loaded.
The team returning from Lewiston was exhausted by this point, but Zach agreed to man the gun on Thug Life for Vic so she could drive. Talia had done a good job but wanted to let someone else drive the return leg.
Everyone else piled in wherever. Gordy hopped into the truck with Roddy Thatcher without a word, leaving a rather dejected Samantha to troop back to the Ghost and climb on board. She sat in the back, looking out the rear window.
“It will pass,” Xavier said softly from where he lay on his stomach.
“What?” she looked at him. She didn’t dislike Xavier, but he did make her skin crawl sometimes. She wasn’t completely convinced he was human.
“I said it will pass,” he repeated, never opening his eyes. “Give him a little time to get over his fear.”
“Fear of what?” Sam asked. “Was he hurt?” she asked, concerned.
“His fear for you,” Xavier told her. “He was afraid for your safety, young lady. Men are hardwired to protect those they love, Samantha. It is as simple as breathing, I’m afraid, and there is no getting over it, around it, or by it. There will always be that little spark in our DNA that demands we protect our mates, our children, and our family group. You should be familiar with some of this, studying animal sciences.”
“We aren’t animals,” Samantha replied, almost sharply.
“Au contraire,” Xavier smiled, his eyes still closed. “We are very much animals when you strip away the thin veneer that makes us civilized humans. You need only study history to see that. In fact, you need only look around you these days to see it. Our animalistic instincts are every bit as strong as any lion, tiger, bull or bear you will ever encounter. The fact that we cannot
always carry through with those instincts does not lesson their impact on our psyche. There is a saying that the most dangerous of men are those who have nothing worth living for, but I disagree.” His eyes finally opened to look directly at her.
“The most dangerous of men are those who have something worth dying for.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“You’re joking.”
“Sorry, but no,” said Nate as he finished debriefing his Boss. “Every man said the same thing. Even had some documents from that area, but we gave them to Adcock.”
“All this time, all that worry,” Clay shook his head. “Recordings and plotting radio intercepts and everything else. Worrying over that message, ‘Brimstone’, that we heard.”
“Apparently, that was code for mission failure and persecution imminent so he’s taking his own life, etcetera and so forth and what have you,” Nate shrugged. “The whole thing is a load of B.S. Boss. I don’t know if we should be relieved that it’s a load of crap or be angry that we were fooled by it.”
“I’ll take relieved for six hundred, Alex,” Clay told him at once, getting to his feet. “I…I never saw that coming. All I could think about was a hoard of fanatics just over the hillside, coming to get us.”
“I guess there may still be some of those,” Nate replied. “Don’t forget that bunch that Adcock found down in Alabama or Georgia or wherever,” he reminded Clay. “They were all spouting that crap.”
