by Gary Paulsen
When the smoke cleared, Cody helped lower Nick into the car and then dropped through himself.
“This isn’t it,” Nick said. “It must be in the next car. These crates have pictures of food and baby formula on them.”
“Wait. Something’s not right.” Cody stared at the boxes.
“Come on, Pierce. We don’t have much time.”
“Give me a minute.” Cody took his combat knife out of his boot and pried open one edge of a large crate.
“What are you doing, Cody? This can’t be it. Jake said the shipment would be heavily guarded.”
“Jake doesn’t know Gollgath.” Cody pulled a lead container the size of a shoebox out of the crate.
It was locked. He reached inside his poncho for his piece of wire and had the box open in seconds.
“Well, what do you know?” Nick gaped at the large pieces of crystal ore inside. “Gollgath thought he could fool us by not placing a guard in the car and by putting fake labels on the crates. How did you know it was a trick?”
Cody closed the lid on the box and put it back in the crate. “The CCR could care less about feeding American babies. They kill every one they find. It doesn’t make sense that they would go to the trouble of transporting milk for them.”
“Come on, genius. Let’s go see how the rest of them are making out.” Nick offered Cody a leg up.
When Cody was out he reached down and pulled Nick up. Matt was sitting on top, grinning. He pointed behind him.
Half the train had been left at a standstill behind them.
Cody slapped him on the shoulder. “Good job. Any sign of trouble up front?”
Matt shook his head.
“Good.” Cody moved to the front of the car. “I’ll be right back. I’ve got a little present for an old friend of mine.”
He jumped to the roof of the next freight car and took the black bag off his shoulder. This car, like the last one, was fitted with an old-fashioned air-conditioning unit on the top. Cody snapped off the cover and unzipped his bag. Then he quickly dumped the contents inside and closed the lid.
It didn’t take long to see results. The door of the freight car flew open and three soldiers covered with wild bees screamed as they leaped off the fast-moving train.
Someone fired shots at them from inside.
Cody waited. There was no sign of Gollgath. He lay down on his stomach and leaned over the edge of the car to get a better look.
Slumped in the corner of the car was the bald CCR officer, completely covered with hundreds of angry stinging bees.
Cody studied the man, seeing no movement, no breathing. He sighed. Must have been allergic to beestings, he thought. Probably the first few killed him. Cody fought his disappointment—he had wanted it to be slower.
CHAPTER 10
The train squealed to a grinding halt outside the ghost town of Tingley. Jake immediately made his way back to the other cars to check on the boys.
Slick was waiting for him in the radio room. “Hello, Major,” he said weakly. “Mission accomplished.”
Jake saw the blood on Slick’s sleeve and pants leg. “What happened?”
“Nothing that won’t heal. There were two of them. I told them to get off. One did but the other one had a knife. He turned on me and knocked my gun out of my hands. Tell Cody his training sure came in handy. I rammed the guy with my head and pushed him out the door.”
“Not before he took a couple of pieces out of you. Let me have a look at that.” Jake gently helped Slick out of his poncho and shirt.
“Some people will do anything for a little attention.” Cody stood in the door. “How bad is it?”
“It’s bad,” Jake answered. “I’ll wrap it up the best I can and when the Smiths get here we’ll send him back with them. How are the others?”
Cody set his gun down. “Nick and Matt are fine. We found the car with the shipment. They had it disguised.”
“What about Gollgath?” Jake asked.
“He’s out of the picture for good.”
“Oh.”
Two large transport trucks in camouflage paint pulled alongside the train. Cody grabbed his gun. “I’ll help the others load the crates. You stay with Slick.”
Cody directed the Smiths to back up as close as possible to the door of the freight car. Patch and Davey stepped from the bed of the truck into the train.
“Where is everybody?” Davey asked.
“We ran into some trouble.” Nick frowned. “Landers is dead and the CCR got Trisha. But don’t worry, we’re going after her just as soon as we get this stuff loaded.”
“And Slick got cut up some.” Cody started sliding one of the crates toward the door. “Jake’s in the radio room taking care of him. He’ll be going back to camp with you.”
“I wish I didn’t have to protect this shipment,” Patch said sulkily. “I’d go with you and take Slick’s place.”
“I know you would.” Cody waited for the second truck to move into position. “But this time you better follow orders. We don’t want to have to tell Trisha that it was all for nothing, do we?”
Patch shook his head.
“Did you guys bring the stuff I asked for?” Cody glanced in the bed of the truck.
“It’s all here, including the grenade launcher. Davey and I will unload it for you.”
When the vehicles were ready, Cody helped Jake carry Slick to the front seat of the second truck and set him inside.
“You guys don’t have too much fun without me, okay?” Slick smiled feebly.
“We’ll try not to.” Jake pounded the roof of the truck. “Get going. Take the route we talked about and be careful.”
The trucks left in a cloud of dust.
“Let’s move,” Jake ordered. “Nick and I will run the engine. Cody, since you speak their language, you and Matt take the radio room. Go ahead and make that call to your chopper pilot friend and then monitor the Turbo’s frequency. Pay attention to what they say but watch how you answer. We’ve only got a couple of hours before that shipment is due. After that they’ll come looking. Any questions?”
Three tired young soldiers shook their heads.
“All right then. Take your positions and we’ll head this train south.”
CHAPTER 11
They were sitting on a side rail near the bombed-out town of Spanish Wells. A transmission came over the radio.
“What’d they say?” Matt whispered.
“Shhh.” Cody held his finger to his lips and kept listening. When they were through, Cody took the mike and answered them in the Republic language.
“Well?” Matt questioned. “Are you going to tell me what’s going on?”
“That was the radio operator at the main station. He was just checking to see if we were on schedule. And since we are right on the money as far as our timetable is concerned, I answered him in the affirmative.”
Matt smiled. “When this is all over maybe you could teach me how to talk—” He looked out the window. Two vehicles were approaching the train. “Uh-oh. Grab your gun. That first jeep has a Republic symbol painted on the side.”
Cody shouldered his laser gun and quietly slipped out the back door with Matt on his heels. They climbed down and edged around the side of the train.
A Republic soldier was driving the jeep and a woman dressed in civilian clothes was at the wheel of the truck. The soldier stepped out and walked toward the train.
“Hold it right there,” Cody ordered. “Tell your partner to get out of the truck.”
The young corporal turned and shouted instructions to his comrade. The tall woman stepped out and waited.
From the engine Jake heard the commotion and came running. He stopped when he saw the soldier. “So you’ve finally been captured, Yuri. It’s about time.”
“That’s not funny, Jake. Tell your men to put down their guns. I’m on your side, remember?”
“It’s all right, Cody. This is Yuri, my contact. He brought us some transportation.”
<
br /> Cody stepped out in the open and lowered his gun barrel. “Sorry about that. It’s the uniform. I get sorta nervous every time I see one.”
“No hard feelings.” Yuri handed Jake the keys to the jeep. “I better get back before they wonder where I am.”
“Thanks. I’ll be in touch.” Jake shook hands and the soldier hopped into the truck with the woman and drove away.
Jake turned to Cody. “Well, you’ve had a long wait but it’s finally time. Your problems are now our problems. Let’s go visit your prison camp.”
CHAPTER 12
Jake started the Turbo’s engine and set the acceleration lever on top speed—in reverse.
He jumped down and watched the giant silver machine pick up momentum. “When this end smashes into the cars Matt left stranded on the tracks it should make quite a mess. Maybe it’ll give the CCR something to think about so they won’t have time to worry about us.”
“How far is the prison camp from here?” Nick asked.
“It’ll take a few hours of hard driving.” Jake turned to Cody. “Did you make that call to your pilot friend?”
“It took a bit to get her—she hadn’t heard from me in so long she thought I was dead. But Toni said she’ll be watching for our signal.”
“I guess that’s it, then.” Jake let out a deep breath. “The rest is up to us.” He climbed into the driver’s side of the jeep and waited for the others to find room around Cody’s arsenal.
They drove at breakneck speed across the open desert through the greasewood and yuccas. An hour away from the tracks Cody noticed a cloud of dust coming toward them. He looked through his binoculars.
“It’s a patrol, Jake.”
Jake glanced around, looking for cover. There wasn’t much. He whipped the utility vehicle into a shallow gully and ordered everyone to spread out.
Cody reset his laser gun for a bigger target and waited.
Three Republic trucks were coming straight for them. Cody took a bead on the first one and fired. The truck was instantly incinerated, melted to a puddle. Quickly he took aim at the second one. The soldiers inside leaped clear just before he fired.
The third driver threw on his brakes and the troops in the back dove off the sides, shooting wildly at everything in sight. Matt and Nick returned their fire, making them run for cover.
Cody aimed and the last truck disappeared.
“Everybody back in the rig,” Jake ordered. He fired a barrage of bullets to keep the soldiers busy as G Company made its way down the gully.
Keeping low, Cody crawled into the driver’s side and started the engine. Matt dove into the back and Nick landed on top of him. Jake ran backward to the door, shooting as he came.
When Jake jumped in, Cody mashed the gas pedal to the floor. A hailstorm of bullets chased them as they plowed down the sandy gully and out the other side.
“Whew.” Jake wiped his forehead with his sleeve. “That was close.”
“I think we’re getting good at this line of work, Major.” Matt pushed Nick off him. “Either that or it’s just our lucky day.”
“Luck is great,” the major said softly. “Just don’t count on it.”
CHAPTER 13
Cody drew a picture in the dirt of the prison camp layout. “The main gate is here. There are two lookout towers on either side with armed guards. They have orders to shoot first and ask questions later. There will also be guards at the gate.”
“Where will they be holding Trisha?” Matt asked.
Cody hesitated. “You guys should know that the chances of Trisha’s still being alive are pretty slim. When Sidoron gets a prisoner he needs information from he doesn’t care what he has to do to get it.”
Nick frowned. “You didn’t mention anything about his earlier—”
“It’s not Cody’s fault Trisha was captured,” Jake interrupted. “If she’s alive we’ll get her out. For now let’s stick to business. We’ve got to learn where everything is in the camp while we still have daylight.” He looked at Cody. “Where do they keep the prisoners?”
“In these barracks.” Cody tapped a spot on the dirt with his stick. “The one on the end is where the kids stay. The rest are adults. Prisoners like Trisha and anyone else the CCR considers useful are put in cages in the ground behind the main headquarters until they’re finally shot or beaten to death. That’s where they’ll take me.”
“What’s he talking about, Major?” Matt asked. “Why would the CCR take Cody anywhere?”
Jake scratched his head uncomfortably. “Well … it was Cody’s idea. He believes the best way to get into the camp is right through the front gate. I’m taking him in as a way to gain favor.”
CHAPTER 14
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Jake slowed the jeep. “We could always try to find some other way.”
“This is the best way and we both know it.” Cody looked down the road at the tall barbed-wire fences. “I just hope we can pull it off. You better step on it before the tower guards get suspicious.”
Jake nodded grimly and picked up speed until he pulled to a stop a few yards from the front gate.
A stone-faced guard stepped in front of them and shouted in an impatient voice, “Halt. State your business.”
“I’m a loyalist and I have a prisoner for Colonel Sidoron,” Jake yelled back. “The White Fox.”
The guard cautiously stepped closer and inspected the back of the jeep and looked underneath. A second guard stood ready with his rifle, watching, and he smiled tightly when he recognized Cody. “So, you’re back.”
Cody said nothing.
When the first guard finished his inspection, he stood up and waved to the tower. Then he turned to Jake. “You may enter but you must leave your weapons here.”
Jake wore Cody’s laser gun on his shoulder and his finger was on the trigger of the submachine gun in his lap. Plastic explosives that the guard couldn’t detect were hidden under his clothes.
“I don’t think so, Sergeant. I haven’t survived this long making stupid moves. If Sidoron doesn’t want my little prize, I’ll take him somewhere else. It doesn’t matter to me as long as I get the credit. I’ll be famous either way.”
“Wait here.” The guard whispered something to his comrade and opened the gate. He climbed into the back of the jeep. “You may proceed.”
Cody fought to control his feelings as they drove down the dirt road. Everything looked the same as it had the day he and Toni had escaped. He could almost see Luther’s body hanging from the fence. There were no prisoners in sight but he knew that was because they had to be on their bunks before dark or suffer the consequences.
The jeep stopped in front of the camp commander’s office. Jake stepped out and roughly pulled Cody from the passenger side.
Cody’s hands were tied in front of him and the ropes were burning into his wrists. He had insisted that Jake make it look authentic; otherwise, Sidoron wouldn’t be fooled.
The guard ran up the wooden steps and inside the double doors. In moments the doors burst open and Sidoron strode onto the porch.
Cody stared up at him.
The commander took the steps slowly until he finally stood before them. Without warning he struck Cody across the side of the face.
Cody’s knees buckled from the force of the blow but he managed to stay on his feet.
Sidoron circled behind him and grabbed a handful of Cody’s hair. He jerked the youth’s head back and held a long sharp knife to his throat.
“Hold it right there,” Jake demanded. “No damaging the goods until I get my money.”
Sidoron noticed the major for the first time. He reluctantly lowered the knife. “How dare you speak to me like that? Has no one ever taught you how to address your superiors?”
“I don’t know about that. All I know is you offered a reward on this kid and I want it. He wasn’t exactly easy to catch. I don’t want to kill him until I get credit from the proper authorities for his capture.”
; “Shoot this man,” Sidoron ordered.
The guard leveled his rifle at Jake’s head.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Jake drawled.
“And why is that?” Sidoron’s eyes narrowed to tiny yellow slits.
Jake opened the palm of his hand and revealed a round metal object. “Ever see one of these before, Colonel? It’s a photon detonator. All it takes is one tiny little push on this button and this whole camp will blow sky-high.”
“Disregard that order, Sergeant.” Sidoron moved around Cody and stood on the bottom step studying Jake. “I like you, bounty hunter. You have a good head on your shoulders.”
“Do we have a deal, then?” Jake asked.
Sidoron smiled. A quick flash of teeth; then the smile was gone. “Of course we do. Unfortunately it may take some time to collect your money. I’ll have to wire headquarters.”
“How long will that take?”
“Three, perhaps four days. These things must go through channels. In the meantime, may we offer you some of the comforts of our humble camp?”
“What comforts would they be?”
“What is your name?”
“Christmas. Jake Christmas. Remember that name, Colonel. You’ll be hearing it again.”
“Guard, take Mr. Christmas to the VIP guest quarters and see to it that he is made comfortable. And under no circumstance is he to be left alone.”
Jake hesitated. “What are you going to do with the kid?”
Sidoron licked his puffy lips. “Don’t worry about him, Mr. Christmas. The White Fox and I are old friends. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
CHAPTER 15
The bright light in the interrogation room attracted a variety of insects. Cody sat with his hands still tied, watching them, wondering if he’d been like the moths that persisted in flying too close to the bulb until finally they touched the hot glass and killed themselves.
