“Well that is not exactly what we wanted to hear Major but should make for an interesting time.” Butch spoke up from behind Dan.
“Adapt and overcome Chief. Oh, and stop calling me Major, I hate these fucking ranks and pompous shit.”
“You got it Jefe, call me Butch then.” Butch snorted.
Dan turned in his seat and stared at Butch. “How many languages do you speak Butch?”
Butch craned his head to the side as he thought. “I can speak four fluently and get by with half a dozen others.”
“I speak American and barely at that.” Dan stared down at his empty cup of coffee. “I guess we should go tell Chun and Kuppers the good news.”
“What good news?” Iron Man’s voice came from the door behind Dan.
“Stop sneaking up on me. I am going to have a heart attack with all the stealth shit you guys are so fond of.” Dan grabbed his chest.
“Stop being so dramatic. What’s up?”
Dan explained the issues to Kuppers and gauged his response. Kuppers leaned against the far wall and looked pensive. Kuppers spoke finally after filing everything away in his spectacularly tactical mind.
“Only means we need to take on two smaller forces instead of one massive one. I’ll go deliver the good news to Chun,” Kuppers eyed Dan and Butch. “Unless you two have any ideas.”
Butch stroked his beard and gave a wide toothy grin. “I have some ideas.”
Dan picked his hand up palm open. “Wait. I’ve had a question on my mind since the Ridder zombie attack at my dad’s ranch. How the hell is Ridder herding their dead army? If we can answer that, we may have a way to turn their dead army against them.”
Kuppers and Butch shared a look of awe and amazement. “Does he do that a lot? Just pull shit out of his ass?”
Kuppers chuckled and rolled his eyes. “That is why everyone follows him. He comes up with things we never think of. We are reactive, his ass is proactive.”
Dan ignored them as he turned back to his radio and started hailing Amanda. She came on in minutes. “What’s up Major?”
“Amanda, I need to know how Ridder is keeping the zombies driving toward us. It would be nice to know how they are keeping them from attacking their own troops. Do you see anything out of the ordinary on the satellite photos?”
Amanda paused for a while before answering. “I was actually thinking the same thing Major. I have been trying to identify all the vehicles and hardware on them.”
“Great job Amanda. Assign that grizzly Marine, Neal on this project. Tell him I said to use all his resources, and if he needs me to remove obstacles to give me a call.”
“Roger all sir. By the way, there is a woman here saying that if I don’t give her the radio, she is going to hurt me.”
Another woman’s voice came over the speaker that caused Dan to close his eyes and smile. “Hey babe, when are you coming home? Your dad and I miss you.”
“Hun! Kuppers and Apache have been keeping me busy. I don’t know when I can get out there, but I’m working on it.”
“I have big news to tell you!”
“Go ahead babe, I need some good news.”
“I never said it was good. Anyway, I can wait, this isn’t the kind of news that should be sent over the radio waves. I know you have been under almost constant attack, you tell our Sasquatch that he better bring you back in one piece. I love you babes!”
“I have two Sasquatch’s watching over me now. I will be fine. I love you more babes. I gotta get going, give the team my best and tell the old man I love him. Out.” Dan took his earphones off and put them down on the table. He turned to the two men in the room. “I got my “A” team working on the problem. Let’s go talk to Chun.”
Kuppers took lead, Butch stayed in the rear as they sandwiched Dan in between them. They strode through the facility and back upstairs through the internal stairway. The Seals had cleaned up the debris from the bombing that was clogging them. They found Chun standing outside the main doors staring off to the northwest and the entrance to the valley. Worry was written all over his face. He rubbed his face and turned toward the trio coming outside.
“Tell me you have good news gentlemen.”
Dan passed by Kuppers and walked up to Chun, stopping mere inches. “Some good, mostly a shit sandwich.”
Chun broke into laughter and shook his head. “Wow! You sure you weren’t in Spec Ops?”
Dan gave him a ‘what the fuck’ look and rolled his eyes. “Nope, just a nerdy middle manager working in project management. I have picked up some cool vocabulary from Kuppers and his men, oh and I have my very own pet Marine.”
“Okay lay it on me.”
“I would like to ask if we could have Henry and his dad included in our little talk.”
Chun raised an eyebrow. “Who is Henry?”
“He is the son of Chief Winnemucca of the Shoshone Paiute tribe. They know this land better than anyone, and if it wasn’t for their bravery and guidance, we never would’ve made it here.”
“Wait, we have a cowboy, and now a bunch of Indians?”
Dan had to think for a minute to understand that Chun was indicating Doc and his native American friends. “Funny Chun, funny,” Dan turned to Kuppers, ignoring Chun. “Can you have someone bring Henry and the Chief here please? Might as well bring in the rest of the senior staff.”
Kuppers entered the facility to find runners to relay his messages. Dan quickly shared his info with Chun and paid close attention to how the young Asian man took the news. Chun was visibly upset, his lips drew together in a tight line as his brow wrinkled and bunched up around his eyes. In an instant, Chun had assimilated the information and the look was gone. Chun hunched his shoulders and gave Dan a calm and collected look.
“That seems par for the course. We need to bolster our defenses and hasten our planning,” Chun removed his cover and mopped the sweat off with a bandana he produced from one of his many pockets.
Henry and the Chief appeared at the doors to the facility. They had changed clothes and now sported standard military BDUs. Close on their heels, Apache led the SWAT team followed by the remnants of Delta. Brian came around the side of the facility with the big Navajo, Hashkeh glued to his side.
Dan scanned the crowd and felt a mixture of relief, hope, and pride fill his chest. He may not have the supplies he needed, or a high number of men at his disposal but he had the smartest and most-deadliest warriors ever assembled. He caught Heaven nodding his head as if in agreement to Dan’s unspoken thoughts. Dan threw him a wink and they shared a small smile of understanding. Dan thought about the words he was going to speak to these people, he wasn’t sure if he had to give a stirring speech that spoke to their hearts or simply give them the raw information.
“You all know I am not one who is really good at this public speaking thing, but I have some stuff to share with you,” the men and woman present chuckled at Dan’s words. He laid out the intelligence he had received from General Richards and explained that he had ordered Amanda on a fact-finding mission. He rubbed his hands together and stopped talking, as he reflected on his next words. “I know I don’t have to strut around and pontificate with heart stirring words in order to motivate you all, but…” Dan stopped speaking to swallow an emotional laden lump that had climbed up into his throat.
“You have all given more than what has been called for, and that has driven us to victory after victory. Some of our friends are no longer with us. They spent their lives to pay for those victories. Before we come out on the other side of this battle, we will lose even more friends, and before this whole war is over, even more will be lost. I just wanted to thank you all for your continued support in me. I will continue to do whatever I can to give us the best chance at winning.”
“That may be the worst stirring speech I have ever heard,” a deep grumbling voice came from Dan’s right. “But, it may be the most truthful one I have ever heard,” Brian shouldered his way to Dan’s side and wrapped his arms
around his brother and hugged him tight, lifting his feet off the ground.
“You are going to make people think improper thoughts Sasquatch,” Dan spit through clenched teeth.
“I keep telling you, you aint my type little man,” Brian laughed as he put Dan back on his feet.
“Shit son, we have been watching you two and your blossoming bromance since day one,” Doc hooted from the rear of the group.
“All right, back to business people. Do any of you have issues, gripes, or concerns?”
Henry and his father spoke up. “Our warriors are at your disposal, and if you do not mind. We know these hills, we know the trails the Ridder convoy is going to have to use. We have an idea, one that our tribe had used before. There is a narrow pass, ten miles up the valley, only two vehicles at a time can pass through abreast. If we have enough explosives, we can collapse the pass and slow them down.”
Chun came up to Dan’s side and regarded the chief and his son. “If you could send two of your warriors to show a couple of my men the pass, we can get to work setting up that little diversion.”
Apache raised her hand and cleared her throat loudly to get everyone’s attention. “I have some additional thoughts. That is, if you want to listen to the only woman of the group.”
Cupcake, who was the farthest from Apache spoke up. “You are a woman? You think you know someone and then they throw something like that out there and surprise the hell out of you.”
The group exploded into a hearty laugh that lasted a while. Apache placed a “I am not amused look” on her face. She grabbed her breasts and squeezed them. “Cupcake, your boobs are bigger than mine and you act surprised that I am a woman?” The laughter in the group doubled as Cupcake’s face turned bright red.
“You two can play doctor later. Speak your mind Apache,” Kuppers spoke above the rest of the dying laughter.
“Well first, I need to ask a question of the Chief,” she turned to face Henry and his father. “How long is this pass?”
The Chief conferred with his son in their language for a moment. He gave her a smile as he figured out what she was thinking. “Apache, the pass is approximately two hundred yards long. It is wider at the mouth and tightens as it gets closer to the exit into the valley.”
“Thank you Nanta.” Apache used the word in her language for Chief.
“You are most welcome Apache. Our two tribes have never clashed, let us celebrate our newly founded tribe of warriors,” the Chief moved slightly and eyed Hashkeh. “Let us not forget our Navajo friend. We will truly be a war party that our enemy will speak of for ages to come.”
Apache, Henry, and Hashkeh dropped their heads in reverence of the Chief’s words. Apache cleared her throat and wiped the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. “Dan, my idea is to collapse the front and rear slopes of the pass. That way we can compress and trap the enemy, leaving them nowhere to run, as we decimate their numbers. When the rest of the Ridder convoy comes they will find the pass closed. This will hopefully cause confusion and buy us time to figure out how to deal with them.”
“I like it. Apache, you and Hashkeh join with the group Chun assigns you to and get moving. I need to get back on the horn with the General and see if we can scare up a little more resources. I think we need our own air wing,” Dan turned to Chun and gave him a supportive slap on his shoulder, as he walked past and through the parting crowd, as he moved back into the facility with Butch close on his heels.
Lead onward Sasquatch
That speech was a pretty good one, for the Boss. He always complains that he hates the spotlight. Yet he always finds himself in it. I took Hashkeh into the facility and showed him the showers and laundry facilities. He quickly took advantage of both, while I worked my way to the dining, lounge, and kitchen combination. I knew my friend Lewis was off duty and wanted to catch some leisure time with him. As I walked up to the doors, they opened before I had a chance to put my hand on the knob. There stood Lewis with a big smile etched on his face. It took everything I was to not to pick him up and place a big kiss on him. We were somewhat out of the closet with the troops, and amazingly enough they embraced it. Lewis and I had talked though and decided that yes, we would show our appreciation for each other through hand holding and hugs but would keep the more intense things for our private shared quarters.
“Hey! If it ain’t the platoon’s very own mascot, Sasquatch.”
I stepped up and pulled Lewis into a tight hug and felt him stiffen for a moment before melting against me. “I carved out an hour or so, if you want to spend some quality time with me.”
“Lead onward Sasquatch!”
Lewis broke our hug and grabbed onto my hand. I followed along willingly, mostly since there was no way he could move me if I didn’t want to go. We spoke about gossip from the base but made sure to not put into words about the incoming Ridder force. We came to our room and I picked up Lewis into my arms. I carried him into the room and kicked the door closed. I could go into the blissful time we spent together during our brief time, but this is not an erotic journal. I guess it is safe to say I felt relieved and much happier as we each parted way moving off to our assigned duties. As Lewis took a step away from me, I reached out and snatched his hand and pulled him in close. We shared a brief kiss and lingering moments with our gazes. I had this feeling I wouldn’t see him again.
I headed topside and found my Navajo friend Hashkeh speaking with Henry and Apache. I worked my way over and waited till they were finished with whatever they were doing. It sounded like they were chanting something. I did not know that some tribes shared a language. It wasn’t till later that Hashkeh told me they were taking turns speaking in their own language asking for guidance and strength in their upcoming mission. As they broke up their gathering, Apache delivered a big smile at me and jumped into my arms and kissing me on my bearded cheek. I really liked her, she was so genuine, caring, and accepting. If I had not been gay and Hase had not been in the picture, I might just throw my hat in her ring. I digress again, damn I am good at that. I put Apache down and looked her over.
“You all heading out to deliver our first blow to Ridder?”
Apache turned around gracefully and smiled up at Hashkeh. “It would seem you are coming with us. The big Navajo volunteered you.”
I gave Hashkeh my best grim look, but when he mirrored it I broke into laughter. “That’s only because Seals need a big Marine around to be the adult.”
“Hardly, but if that is what you need to tell yourself.” Hashkeh delivered in his perfected monotone.
“You do see who I usually hang out with right? He calls himself Major... I call him Major Pain In The Ass.”
“He has sure grown since we met him. Remember how useless he was with a gun the first time we gave him one?” Apache remembered.
“I was worried he would shoot himself in the foot, but he ended up doing better than we thought.”
“I would say he continuously amazes me, but now I expect it from him.”
Henry broke into the conversation. “Whatever that man decides, I am behind him. I don’t care if he says we have to nuke half of the country, I have to believe he is on the side of the Gods.”
It was then Hashkeh broke into the conversation. “Even a man who fights on the side of the Gods can make mistakes. He is but a man made from blood, flesh, and bone. Even so, I will follow this man, till he gives me a reason to doubt him.”
“When do we head out to lay our little trap?” I asked.
“Two hours. Your man Cupcake, is loading everything he can scrounge into three Humvees. The four of us along with two more of Henry’s warriors and two of my brothers, Hootie and Lupo will go with us” Hashkeh explained. With that Hashkeh turned and worked his way down to the garage, the three of us followed close behind.
Ghostrider
Ricky Fleet of Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force piloted his new AC-130J Ghostrider, over the western ridges of Nevada. Five C-130 cargo planes along with two HC-130 fu
el tankers flew closely behind in formation. Ten fully armed F-35Bs Marine jet fighters and three A-10 Thunderbolt Warthogs were surrounding and leading the badly needed birds and their supplies toward Dan and his crew. They had two mission roles planned out for them. The C-130s and AC-130J cargo planes would land on the hard-packed desert of the facility, on a smoothed out improvised landing strip. While half of the F-35Bs and all the Thunderbolts would continue toward the incoming Ridder column and target the twenty tracked vehicles equipped with loud speakers. It was decided that the vehicles, first discovered by Canada’s very own Amanda were the driving force of the zombie horde. General Richards’ staff had worked out that certain frequencies might be used to direct the hordes. It was quickly decided to test this theory by ordering a quick attack targeting them.
“Ghostrider this is Lightning one, over.”
Ricky looked across cockpit to his copilot and lover Alina. “You mind taking that call Love? I am a little busy with all these gauges and dials.”
Alina rolled her eyes. The gauges and dials Ricky had joked about had been replaced with flat touch screens and most of the data was her job to follow and chart. “Of course, love, you handle the stick I will handle the radio,” she thumbed the radio control on her controls and spoke in her Romanian accented English. “Lightning One this is Ghostrider, send. Over.”
“Ghostrider, Lightning One is about to tank and take his flight of eight to point Bravo. Over.”
“Roger all Lightning One. Thanks for leaving us some protection, have a good time gentlemen. Over.”
Alina leaned forward and looked out her side window. Two F-35s pulled away from their tanker and formed up with three others, the Thunderbolts had already moved on toward their targets as they were much slower than the technically superior F-35s. They waggled their wings at Alina and rocketed off in a southern direction. She felt a little exposed for a moment, till one of the remaining F-35s showed in her window. The helmeted figure pointed their head in her direction and a hand came up and saluted toward her. She saluted back and sat deeper in her seat. She had learned to appreciate these American Marines. They seemed professional and dangerous as hell. She had been in her country’s military for ten years now and had yet to meet anyone as serious as the American warriors she found herself serving with. She shook off the thoughts and got back to checking on the data, flowing to her from her screens.
Zombie Theorem: Dark Times Book Five Page 2
