“Wow… what a comfort,” Lynn said. “Okay, Muerto… thank you, but what the hell was that all about… dragging replaceable weapons aboard a combat helicopter?”
“We brought down a jet fighter with them, Lynn. What can I say, I’m superstitious.”
“Good point,” Lynn replied.
“I have to admit it, Dead Boy. Those were some well-done combat adlibs,” Clint said. “That water’s a bit chilly, huh guys?”
“Tha…that’s an understatement,” Gus managed with only a slight shivering stutter. “I hope to hell I can find something dry on the Tempest.”
“Since we don’t know what the hell Mexico will do about getting their F-5 splashed by us, I think we better crew the Tempest to Monster Island without delay,” Casey said. “Should we dump all the drugs and keep the weapons, or turn it all over.”
“At the rate the idiots in charge of our government are importing the Trojan Horse Muslim refugees into California, we’ll need to confiscate the weapons on board so we can outfit a good militia when warfare breaks out,” Nick stated.
“Damn… Muerto going all militia survival on us,” Lynn replied. “I’m in. Maybe we should start training a militia. We have a lot of veterans who’ve seen combat. Between the Marines and Delta guys we have, a trained militia would not only be feasible but a damn good idea. From now on I vote we confiscate all weapons when we find these Muslim terrorist enclaves instead of turning them in.”
“It’s definitely something to think about,” Casey said. “I used to think a militia was farfetched until the stupidity in government lately. Think about it. Importing a horde of possible terrorists while taking away our Second Amendment right to bear arms so the common citizen can’t even protect themselves. Soon, we’ll have Muslim refugee hordes rioting through our cities like they do in Europe.”
“No,” Johnny stated. “We will stop them, my friends. If not, we will all be dead with all our ammo expended. I like the militia idea.”
They paused in the conversation as the roar of low flying jets went by, their trails showing in the clear night air.
“At least we won’t have to worry about any surprises on our tail,” Laredo said over the network. “As to your pow-wow about militias, we have been gathering both a Navy and an Air Force. Air support wins wars. The Valkyrie is a jewel because of the helicopter pads and RGM-84 rocket emplacement. I never thought I’d say this either, but it may be time to think about preparing for war on American soil.”
“If it comes to that I know we won’t be running to the island,” Clint said. “That’s why it will be important to secure the compound at Pilot Hill. If we did train an actual militia it would have to be done there. We’ll need an airfield and definite helicopter landing zones with hangars for anything we have. I like the armed militia idea for one reason more than anything else – I don’t want citizens dying while trying to fight off an enemy while outgunned.”
“I know you’ve been listenin’, Denny,” Lynn said. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s a damn good idea. I’m in all the way. From now on we take all the weapons with us, starting with the Tempest. The drugs will be enough to explain our interdiction, not that I plan on sharing shit unless Mexico gets involved. Don’t forget we’ll have two new enemies in the Mexican government if our evidence gets ignored by El Presidente and the rest of the cabinet ministers.”
“We’re two minutes out,” Laredo said. “Light up my LZ, John.”
“On it,” Harding said. “I wish I would have been on the Stealth when the Unholy Trio splashed the jet. I think I would have hit it with the RGM-84, but too damn late to save any of you. That was a hell of an action sequence from the Stealth cams.”
“LZ lit. Coming in. Hold her steady, Issac.”
Issac laughed with Lucas from the Valkyrie bridge. “Would if I could, my friend. I have heard you old Vietnam pilots can land anything anywhere.”
“Very true statement,” Laredo replied, easing the Stealth down onto the bobbing Valkyrie helicopter pad. “How’s it looking for a Monster Island run, Lucas?”
“We’re shorthanded to drive both boats but I agree with what Case said. We need to move immediately. You know… I bet we could afford to buy a couple of combat jets. It seems we’re constantly getting close calls with our missions, involving some jackasses with jets.” Lucas paused for a moment before going on. “Nick? Weren’t you qualified on fighter jets? I read it in your Delta file when you were transferred into my training group.”
“Yep. That was a long time ago, Lucas. No one wanted me to fly jets. It was a skill paid for so I could possibly bail my team out on a mission because I had an aptitude for it. The Air Force flight instructors were none too happy teaching an uneducated army puke. Why?”
“We have John and Laredo qualified on jets. If we got you a refresher course would you add on to our qualified pilot reserve program?”
“Sure. I’m glad we talked this out. The militia idea has been drifting around in my head for a while now,” Nick responded as Laredo settled the Stealth into place. “We already know out here the vocal contingent of Californians have bought into every liberal bullshit program on earth. They’re waiting for the chains with bonged out brains and a stupid smile on their face. I’d like to reach the veterans from our area who would join us if we need an army to stop these bastards.”
The combatants exited the Stealth with Johnny and Gus helping carry the lucky weapons with Nick. Cala ran over to grip Johnny’s arm, leaning her head into his shoulder. John Harding, Lucas, Jafar, Denny, Tommy, Del, Jesse, and Issac welcomed back their friends. The minions had Fernando and Senta in control on the amidships deck.
“We heard we’re crewing the Tempest to Monster Island,” Tommy said to Gus. “Which one are you going to pilot?”
“It’s decided already, T,” Lucas said. “Gus and Issac will pilot the Tempest. I’ll pilot the Valkyrie with Jafar and Cala helping. We definitely need more trained boat drivers for our naval operations. When do you all think we should leave? Denny and I are thinking the sooner the better if we want to maintain ownership of the Tempest. Anyone think of a name to reregister her under?”
“You’re the admiral of the fleet, Ahab,” Lynn said. “Pick a name.”
“Well… I did a stint aboard an aircraft carrier back in the day in the Marine detachment between deployments: the USS Ranger. They’ve scrapped her but the name’s a good one. Let’s call her Ranger.”
“I like it,” Lynn replied. “All in favor say aye.”
A chorus of ayes reinforced Lucas’s pick for the new name.
“We’ll have to make the Ranger into a ship to be reckoned with,” Harding said.
“Of course,” Lucas agreed. “I’ve been thinking about another addition to the Valkyrie since we’re talking fighter jets. Do you think we could land a Harrier type jet on the Valkyrie, Laredo?”
Laredo took a second look at their spacing on the pads to any bulkhead type interference. “I think we could. The Harrier is way beyond the F-5 or its like in fighter jet qualities, especially if we get a later version with all the bells and whistle.”
“Good input, Lucas,” Denny remarked. “I’ll get on it. I think we might be able to get a McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier if we can fit it. Have you ever piloted one of those Harriers?”
“Did you just insult me, Spawn?”
Denny endured amused catcalls for a moment. “Sorry… let me rephrase… can we get it on the Valkyrie?”
“I think so, but we wouldn’t know for sure without testing it out. It wouldn’t hurt to have a jump jet like the AV-8B. It’s a great ground attack jet with bombing capabilities. Lucas is wrong about the fighter jet capabilities though. It’s not an air combat type aircraft. It wasn’t designed for a dogfight in the air. It would be a hell of an addition to our air force whether it fits on here or not.”
“I’m going to shower and find some clothes,” Gus said. “They have a great bar aboard the ‘Ranger’. Do we
have cover until tomorrow morning to sip a couple and get some sleep, Denny?”
“I guarantee it, Payaso.”
“That is an excellent idea,” Nick stated. “I’ve been meaning to try out the Bud and Beam brothers with the Cheeseburger.”
“I’ll be with you on that one, Muerto,” Harding replied. “We have to toast you on your first confirmed kill on the way to being a jet fighter ace.”
“Without the Unholy Trio, I’d have been swimming with the fishes,” Nick replied.
“Oh great!” Clint gestured at the skies as if seeking divine intervention as Lynn danced around clapping her hands. “Now… for the rest of the night we’ll be tortured with Godfather Deville’s lines from the entire series. She uses every line ever made popular in that damn movie set to annoy the hell out of me. Thanks a lot, Dead Boy.”
“Calm down, Nowhere Man… leave the gun, take the cannoli.”
* * *
Rachel met Nick at the door in an embrace, leaving no doubt of her missing and worrying about him, while juggling a sleeping Quinn in her arms. She released him after a moment to allow Jean to give him a hug and Deke to attack with full on head butting action. “God, Muerto! We’ve heard reports of drug operations, Mexican Navy and Air Force casualties, and high seas gang wars, not to mention piracy, helicopter assaults, and human trafficking. You look like hell.”
“The master mariner and our guys fled the storms along the Northern Pacific Coast to no avail. We rode the Valkyrie through seas I thought we’d lose our landed helicopters. It got so bad one night, we played ‘Ride of the Valkyries’, and Gus went full throttle as if we were doing at sea combat. He brought us through it all. On the upside, we deposited the newly named ship in our fleet, The Ranger, at the deep water dock Denny had a crew of engineers build. She’s a real beauty – a true super yacht in every way.”
“How bad was the combat, Dad? It had to have been bad with the reports we saw on TV, even if they were twisted.”
Nick shrugged while petting Deke. “Let’s go in the kitchen. I want a Bushmill’s and to hear about your adventures here in the ‘Grove’. Did any ruling come down about my shooting of Jean’s gangster?”
“All done,” Rachel answered. “Neil called and said they accepted the plea deals. We’ve been steering clear of our newbie Islam bitch. The husband’s been dropping her off as if she’s in danger, which is exactly the scenario he’s trying to build.”
“She’s tried to goad me a little at recess, but I’ve had Cracker with me at all times as a witness in case I have to kick her ass.”
“Jean! Honest to God, Daughter of Darkness, I will kick your ass if you don’t watch that mouth of yours.”
“Sorry. Ms. Nazari gets away with doing all kinds of stuff none of the other teachers can do, especially concerning religion. It’s a double standard when she can preach Islam, while no other religion can even be mentioned.”
“I’m pleased you can use double standard correctly in a sentence.” Nick sat down, drink in hand, with Deke lying across his feet. “It’s a good thing we took everyone we could with us. We needed to move the Ranger right away. Having Cala and Samira with us helped a lot. If we would have run into a bad storm while journeying home, sailing both ships toward Monster Island… Mama Mia.”
“Did you capture the Carone guy?”
Nick glanced at Jean. She smiled back, putting her chin in hands with elbows on the table, completing an intensely interested pose. “Yes, Daughter of Darkness, we captured Carone and a woman assassin.”
“Really?” Jean had expected Nick to tell them there were no prisoners. “A woman assassin like Lynn?”
Nick chuckled. “No one’s like Lynn. We’ll be using them to help us gain entrance into a terrorist compound at Pilot Hill. They’ve been making it into a halfway house for Isis cell members.”
“Why the hell doesn’t the FBI and Homeland Security move on the compound like an army? How many will you be going against? Maybe I should start going on more missions with you,” Rachel said.
“They don’t want these guys in the news or in the courts. In truth, any action we take with them is legal. They’re saboteurs without country or uniform. They’re plotting the destruction of America on our soil. That means they can be executed just as the saboteurs in WWII were. We’re not sure at any one time how many they have at the compound. Denny Strobert will be providing us with satellite surveillance of the place. On your last note, Rach, you did an excellent job spotting for me on the ‘Starlight of the Seas’ mission, but as we talked about in the past, Jean and Quinn will need one of us alive if a mission goes sour.”
“I know… it’s just I’m a bit jealous of Cala’s ability to do what she’s done – taking flying lessons, learning to crew a boat, cleaning crime scenes… oh, wait a minute… maybe I’m not that excited about her many talents,” Rachel joked.
“Let’s get the Daughter of Darkness raised along with Quinn and then I’ll take you along anywhere I go. I’ve been asked to reacquaint myself with fighter jets. We’re thinking about getting a Harrier jet if it will fit on the Valkyrie helicopter landing zones. I’m sure they’re thinking of having one at the compound.”
“You flew jets?” Jean, learning something Nick hadn’t shared yet, dropped the cute pose, and grabbed on to his arm. “Who’d you shoot down?”
“Nobody. We were going on a mission in Syria to steal one of their jets we had heard the Russians installed an advanced tracking system on. I learned how to fly a MiG23. Our Delta team crossed into Syria through Turkey to Taftanaz Air Base. The report was false. They didn’t have anything on their MiG23’s so I stole one of their Mi-8 Russian helicopters and flew my team out before they knew what we’d done. The base was in an uproar because we made it seem as if they were getting hit by incoming rockets. The black op fun part started when we called out for help from the fleet in the Mediterranean Sea. I flew the Mi-8 onto the USS Eisenhower Aircraft Carrier. They sent their air-wing to meet my pursuers. It didn’t end well for the Syrians.”
“Holy crap, Dad!”
Nick, who never thought of his deployments, combat, or training as entertainment, realized for the first time he should be sharing it, in particular with Jean. He already had no doubt she would be in combat. “Sorry, kid. I tend to forget about my past as it becomes the past. In any case, we were flogged for using naval assets in the region for a black op. My CO was an old Vietnam vet. He told the Admiral who called him we were all on the same side, thank you for the assistance, and go fuck yourself if you think saving American servicemen is a tragedy. The Admiral laughed and said he’d take the heat from the morons over him. I heard they became best friends.”
“How many past surprises do you have stored in your Muerto mind,” Rachel asked.
Nick sipped his drink with calm satisfaction. “I don’t live in the past. When you two trigger something from my past, I explain it. I have found a crew to collaborate with who are as monstrous as I am. They served America, kept on with what skills they could develop within their range as cold blooded killers, and we serve now to defend America. We will not defeat this Islamic scourge by pretending they don’t exist and it’s all a misunderstanding.”
“So… if I said tell us everything… what would you do?”
“I’d tell you to go upstairs and get to work on your homework. You would of course be grounded for eternity. Your Mom and I love the passion you achieve your objectives with, but you scare both of us with the lack of foresight you show in achieving them. I’m not shy about answering questions about my past life, but be careful of what you ask for. Some things cannot be explained as if they were a trip to the county fair.”
“Understood,” Jean replied with grim acceptance. “I don’t care much about flying stuff. I want to be on the ground, stopping bad people.”
Nick smiled at Rachel burying her face in her hands. “Understood, Viper.”
Rachel peeked out from between her fingers. “We’re going to hell.”
&nb
sp; “Welcome to my world.”
* * *
Nick happily walked Deke and Jean to school, taking extreme pleasure in the still gray skies, cooler ocean generated temperatures, and watching Deke hop up and down as he walked next to Jean. All was right with the world for a moment. He glanced over at Gus, his brother by another mother, with light hearted enjoyment. In that heartbeat Nick spotted the accelerating car in the distance. He threw the smiling and shocked Gus toward Jean.
“Protect Gus!” Nick pushed Gus toward Jean and Deke, only adjusting at the last second to what evolved. He saw Gus take Jean down, covering her with his own body and Deke sitting calmly at their side. Nick grinned as he drew his Colt.
Nick did not wait for gunfire. His senses, honed over the past missions, ripped reality into his ongoing perception of everything. Nick stood in a shooter’s crouch, weapon aimed. The moment Nick saw the machine pistol appear at the rear passenger window, he fired a three shot group into the driver’s head. The vehicle caromed to the tree enhanced side, opposite their walking path to the school. Nick noted the engine didn’t rev as he approached the vehicle on a dead run. He killed everything in the vehicle, seeing surprised looks from the other occupants as he fired without hesitation into each head. No one hunts me or mine.
Nick reached in and turned off the key. He recognized the features of what was left of the faces belonging to the shooter’s companions. “Aw… shit.”
Gus peeked from his duty in shielding Jean, knowing he was the last defense if Nick failed. He eased the 9mm handgun from its side holster, ready to bring it to bear on anyone until his own last breath. “Nick?”
“It’s me, brother. There’s no use in Jean going on now. I’m calling Rachel. She can pick you, Jean, and Deke up. We have another Kader problem, Payaso.
Gus helped Jean to her feet while Nick kept watch, Colt in hand. “Are you okay, Jean?”
“Yep.” Jean hugged Deke who remained vigilant at her side. “How many, Dad?”
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