by JEFF MOTES
“How do you want to handle this?”
“I want you to approach through New York. Authenticate X-ray 1.”
“Roger. Approach New York. Authenticate X-ray 1.”
“WC, out.”
“Tin Man, out.”
“Please explain this to me,” Jill says. “Are we in danger?”
“I don’t think so, not immediate danger, anyway. The Watch Commander wants us to approach through New York. It’s an old hunting trail that spurs off an unused logging road. We’ll have to backtrack about half a mile to access it. The logging road hasn’t been used in recent times and is mostly grown over, so it’s going to be rough driving. I’ve got to pull my notepad for the authentication code for X-ray 1.”
I open one of the side pouches of my pack, retrieve my notebook, and turn to the back. Next to X1 is Willie Nelson. Next to Willie Nelson is Michael Jackson.
I turn back along the county road, then left onto the old logging road. “This is probably going to take at least half an hour,” I tell Jill. “I’ve never driven this at night.”
Heck, I’ve only driven it once, about a year ago when this part of the plan was set up. The longitude and latitude are stored in my GPS and iPhone, so we shouldn’t have to worry about getting lost. I hope the briars aren’t too thick. Once we’re down the old road for about twenty-five yards, I stop and get off, telling Jill, “I want to obscure our entry, if I can. I’ll be right back.”
I walk to the paved road and start back, scattering leaves here and there, trying to give it a natural look. That’s difficult to do with the NVD. The few small trees I bent over, I attempt to straighten. Those that won’t straighten, I forcefully bend to the front, away from our direction of travel. I make it back to Jill and proceed ahead. A little further there’s a briar patch in the road and it stretches deep into the woods on either side of the road. Great.
“There is a briar patch up ahead. Let’s keep those nice legs of yours unscarred. Pick your feet up and wrap them around me if you can. It might help keep you from getting scratched up.” Jill wraps her legs around my waist. The briars tug at my pants and a few stick my legs.
Fortunately, this is a small patch and we’re soon through and stopping to pick the thorns out of my pants legs. Some stuck into my legs and still sting.
We approach New York and I key the radio mic. “Tin Man calling New York.”
“New York to Tin Man. Approach slowly.”
“Tin Man approaching.”
A few moments later, I receive the verbal command, “Stop. Authenticate Willie Nelson.”
I reply, “Authenticate Michael Jackson.”
The man approaches. It’s Ray Tucker, one of our twelve members. Actually, he’s one of my inner group—five friends I have specially trained with through the years.
He gives me a big hug. “John, it’s so good to see you. It really is. Who is this behind you?”
“Ray, this is Jill Barnes, my soon-to-be wife.”
“What? Who? How?” Ray splutters in surprise.
“Jill Barnes. You know Jill.”
Ray says, “Yes I do. Hey, Jill! This is a very pleasant surprise. Go up to your dad’s right now. There are some people who are going to be surprised and happy to see you both. We can talk later.”
“Thanks, Ray. Is everything under control?”
“If you’re referring to our visitors, they’ll be taken care of before dawn. Mike already has a plan put together. We aren’t going to need your help on this, so go to your dad’s. We have this.”
I smile gratefully. “Thanks, I need a break.”
Jill says, “I’ll talk to you later, Ray.”
Ray mutters to himself, “Jill Barnes, unbelievable.” He says into the radio, “New York to Texas. Tin Man is on the Reservation. I repeat, Tin Man is on the Reservation. He’s heading to the Wizard. New York out.”
We make it across the creek. Ray has already removed the obstacles from our path. We continue on the path until we turn onto another, more heavily traveled, woods road. Then shortly we’re back on the county road. I can’t help but be excited. Jill is starting to tremble behind me as we turn down the dirt drive to my father’s house.
“This is the drive to my dad’s,” I tell her. “My place is about a half mile further down the county road.
She starts sniffling. Fighting back tears, she says, “John, you did it. You got us home. I love you, John. Thank you.”
“I love you too. Let’s go see our families so we both can cry.”
At 1:15 a.m. we drive up to the porch. As I help Jill off the ATV, the door to the front porch opens and the LED lights are turned on. Dad is stepping out the door. I have my arm around Jill as we walk up the steps. She’s trembling so bad I’m afraid she might fall. At the top of the steps, she steadies herself against a post. My dad and I embrace each other and we both start crying.
“Dad, it is so good to see you.”
“I love you, son. I knew if anyone could make it home, it would be you. I never gave up hope. It does my soul good to see you.” He separates from me and looks at Jill in obvious surprise, his mouth hanging open, as if to say something, yet words don’t come out.
“Johnathan, is that John?” a woman’s voice says from inside, then Beverly Barnes steps through the door. Her eyes lock onto Jill. The shock is evident, and it is more than she can bear. She starts to fall, but Dad is quick and catches her in his arms. Jill is at her side in a flash, sobbing.
Mrs. Barnes regains herself and starts crying, “Oh, my baby! Oh, my sweet baby! I thought I would never see you again! Praise be to God for answering a mother’s cry! Oh, my baby girl!” Jill and Mrs. Barnes are locked arm in arm as they walk into the house.
“Dad,” I ask, “where are Will and Lizzy?”
With a grave expression he says, “Son, we need to talk.”
Glossary of Acronyms
4X4 – Four-wheel drive vehicle
1911 – A type of 45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. Formerly used by the US military.
AAA – American Automotive Association.
AK47 – A civilian variant of the original AK47 rifle as developed for the Russian military.
ASAP – As soon as possible.
ATV – All-terrain vehicle. A common term referring to four-wheelers and utility vehicles.
Cal – Calories
CAT – Combat Application Tourniquet.
CIA – Central Intelligence Agency.
CRKT – Columbia River Knife and Tool Company, maker of knives and other useful small tools.
ER – Emergency Room.
EMP – Electro-magnetic pulse.
EMT – Emergency Medical Technician
FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation.
FEMA – Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FMJ – Full Metal Jacket ammunition, commonly used by the military and for target practice.
GHB – Get home bag. Sometimes called different things. Contains useful supplies to help you make it home in the event of an emergency situation.
Glock – Manufacturer of pistols of various types. Common pistol used by law enforcement agencies. The Glock 19 (G19) is the most popular pistol sold in America.
GPS – Global Positioning System, used by many navigational devices.
HAM radio – Home amateur radio. Sometimes referred to as short-wave radios.
ID – Identification.
IED – Improvised Explosive Device.
IFAK – Individual First Aid Kit.
IR – Infra-red.
ITK – Individual Trauma Kit.
IWB – Inside the waistband holster—as distinguished from a holster worn on the outside of clothing.
LED – Light emitting diode.
M1A – A civilian variant of the M14 rifle formerly used by the US military.
M4 – Current US issued military rifle. Similar to the civilian AR15 version except with a shorter barrel and capable of full automatic fire.
MACE – Non-lethal eye irritant con
tained in small spray cans for personal defense. Trade brand.
MRE – Meal Ready to Eat. Common pre-prepared long shelf life food. Used by the military and others.
NAPA – National Automotive Parts Association. Auto parts store.
NSA – National Security Agency.
NVD – Night Vision Device.
PD – Police Department.
PDQ – Pretty damn quick.
RPM – Revolutions per minute.
QD – Quick detach.
SKS – A civilian variant of the Chinese military rifle.
Sub2K – A slim, folding, semi-automatic pistol caliber rifle manufactured by Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc.
SWAT – Special Weapons and Tactics. Refers to law enforcement units used in high threat situations.
SWOT – Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats. Common term used in business for strategic planning.
Tangos – Bad guys.
TP – Toilet Paper.
UN – United Nations.
USB – Universal Serial Bus. Common cable port/outlet found on computers and many handheld devices.
WC – Watch Commander.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Chapter 1 Jill - The Day - The Event
Chapter 2 Jack - The Day - Uncertainty
Chapter 3 Jill - Day 1 - Time to Move
Chapter 4 Jack - Day 1 - Realization Sets In
Chapter 5 Jill - Day 1 - A Long, Slow Walk
Chapter 6 Jill - Day 1 - The End of a Long Day
Chapter 7 Jill - Day 2 - At Mary’s Home
Chapter 8 Jill - Day 2 - On the Road Again
Chapter 9 Jill - Day 2 - In a Hurry
Chapter 10 Jill - Day 2 - Darkness
Chapter 11 John - The Day - Nor the Next
Chapter 12 John - The Day - Ready for the Night
Chapter 13 John - Day 1 - Heading Home
Chapter 14 John - Day 1 - Officer Brunson
Chapter 15 John - Day 1 - On the Road
Chapter 16 John - Day 1 - Introspection
Chapter 17 John - Day 2 - Plan for the Day
Chapter 18 John - Day 2 - At the Barn
Chapter 19 John - Day 2 - She Lives
Chapter 20 John - Day 2 - Jill Barnes
Chapter 21 John - Day 3 - Waiting for Jill
Chapter 22 Jill - Day 3 - It’s John Carter
Chapter 23 John - Day 3 - Staying at the Barn
Chapter 24 John - Day 3 - Standing Too Damn Close
Chapter 25 John - Day 3 - A Misunderstanding
Chapter 26 Jill - Day 3 - Many Questions and No Answers
Chapter 27 Jill - Day 4 - Catastrophe
Chapter 28 Jill - Day 5 - How Can It Be?
Chapter 29 Jill - Day 5 - Jill, Are You Okay?
Chapter 30 Jill - Day 5 - I Forgive You
Chapter 31 Jill - Day 6 - I Don’t Snore
Chapter 32 John - Day 6 - A Small Voice
Chapter 33 Jill - Day 6 - Don’t Let Him Fall
Chapter 34 John - Day 6 - A Walk Around the Farm
Chapter 35 Jill - Day 6 - Jill Talks
Chapter 36 Jill - Day 7 - A Talk in Bed
Chapter 37 Jill - Day 7 - John’s Pack
Chapter 38 Jill - Day 7 - Jill’s Pack
Chapter 39 John - Day 7 - The Honda ATV
Chapter 40 John - Day 7 - The National News
Chapter 41 John - Day 7 - A Starry Night
Chapter 42 Jill - Day 8 - Target Practice
Chapter 43 Jill - Day 8 - Leaving for Home
Chapter 44 Jill - Day 8 - On the Road Again
Chapter 45 John - Day 9 - Roadside Campfire
Chapter 46 Jill - Day 9 - Talking With Lisa
Chapter 47 John - Day 9 - I’ll Still Have Them When We Get There
Chapter 48 Jill - Day 9 - With a Loud Bang
Chapter 49 John - Day 10 - There Goes the Neighborhood
Chapter 50 Jill - Day 10 - It’s Not a Fair Question
Chapter 51 John - Day 10 - Please Protect Jill
Chapter 52 Jill - Day 10 - Theo and Cassandra
Chapter 53 John - Day 10 - The Perry County Militia
Chapter 54 John - Day 10 - On to Marion
Chapter 55 Jill - Day 10 - I Don’t Want You To
Chapter 56 Jill - Day 11 - I Have To
Chapter 57 John - Day 11 - Just in Case
Chapter 58 Jill - Day 11 - Leaving Marion
Chapter 59 Jill - Day 11 - Keep Moving
Chapter 60 John - Day 11 - End Around
Chapter 61 Jill - Day 11 - Hello Theo
Chapter 62 John - Day 11 - We Aren’t Stupid
Chapter 63 Jill - Day 12 - In Clarke County
Chapter 64 John - Day 12 - The Swarm
Chapter 65 Jill - Day 12 - Jackson
Chapter 66 John - Day 12 - Jill’s House
Chapter 67 John - Day 12 - The Jackson PD
Chapter 68 Jill - Day 12 - Jack’s Wife
Chapter 69 John - Day 12 - On the Reservation
Glossary of Acronyms
