by Robert Boren
“He wants you to be even more aggressive with us?” General Hogan asked.
“Hell, he’s been pushing us to stage a full scale on attack on your RV Park for several weeks now. We knew they were hitting you guys. Didn’t know they were doing it with shielded vehicles, though. We figured you guys kept winning because you could see them coming. And by the way, how did you see us coming?”
“We’ve got a military drone covering our position,” General Hogan said.
“I thought you weren’t with the Federal Government,” Hopper said, sounding anxious.
“There are some in the government who are still good patriotic Americans,” General Hogan said. "They’re actively fighting the Globalists who’ve entrenched themselves. They’ve been helping us all along.”
“How many people do you have left to fight them?” Hopper asked.
“Under a hundred with this group, but there are many others like it. General Walker got a lot of stuff set up before his death.”
Hilda came down the steps with a tray full of coffee cups. “Here you go, sweetie,” she said to Charlie. “Hate to set it on that nasty workbench there.”
“Don’t worry about it,” Charlie said, taking the tray from her.
The men got cups off the tray, and he gave it back to Hilda. “Thanks, honey.”
“Who was that?” Hopper said.
“My wife Hilda,” Charlie said. “Bringing us coffee.”
“The Hilda who owned that RV Park in Utah?” Hopper asked.
“Yeah,” Charlie said.
“I’m sorry about what happened there,” Hopper said. “We didn’t know Saladin was going to go nuts like he did. It didn’t happen until after we left.”
“I never could figure that one out,” General Hogan said. “General Walker was too valuable to kill.”
“They weren’t supposed to do that,” Hopper said. “We were pissed. His stupid videos got a lot of Islamists killed too, by the way. You guys really kill him?”
“He died in this very room,” the Sheriff said.
“Good,” Hopper said. “Wish I could have helped.”
“You guys infiltrated the army detail in the back of the park, didn’t you?” Charlie asked.
“Yeah,” Hopper said. “Surprised it worked. All of us are older than your average army private.”
“We noticed that in the video,” Charlie said. “How’d you work your way in?”
“We had a lieutenant placed. He set the whole thing up.”
“Lieutenant James,” Charlie said. “We thought so. Even saved that jerks life. Treated him like family.”
There was silence on the line.
“You okay, Hopper?” Billy asked.
“Yeah,” he said. “This is where things are going to be difficult. Lieutenant James was a hero to us.”
“War is war, gentlemen,” General Hogan said. “How long do you think the charade with Daan Mertins will last?”
“I think he’s already suspicious, but he can’t do anything about it,” Hopper said.
“So what do we do now?” Jesse asked.
“I’ll go talk to the other leadership, and see if they’ll agree to more detailed talks,” Hopper said.
“You think they will?” Charlie asked.
“I think I can convince them,” Hopper said. “If we’re going to keep Daan Mertins on the hook, we’ll have to stage some phony conflicts with you guys.”
“Sounds like fun,” General Hogan said.
“How about us?” Jesse asked.
“You got the vehicles stashed somewhere?” Hopper asked.
“Yeah, about five miles from here,” he said.
“You okay if they come home, General Hogan?”
“Yes,” he said. “We’ll even drive them to their vehicles if you’d like.”
“That would be a good gesture,” Hopper said. “As long as you don’t put a tail on them.”
“That would be a bad way to start a new partnership,” General Hogan said. “We won’t do that. You have my word.”
“And you have my word that I’ll do my best with the other leaders,” Hopper said. “Talk to you soon.”
The call ended. The Sheriff went over to the drawer and picked up the other cellphone. “Here you go, Jesse.”
“Much obliged,” he said.
“We’ll take you to your vehicles now if you’d like,” Charlie said.
“What about the bodies of our people?” Billy asked.
“We’ve buried them out back,” Charlie said. “We can give you their effects.”
“Thanks,” Billy said. “Wish we would have done this sooner. They’d still be alive. Could you keep track of where the grave is, so we can put a marker someday?”
“Of course,” General Hogan said.
***
Frank and Jane hit the highway fast, followed by Malcolm and Dobie. The road was wide open before them.
“Saw you guys chatting before we left,” Jane said. “Which way are we going?”
“We thought it would be best to go through Denver, up I-25 to I-80, then to I-84 northwest into Boise.”
“Good, that’ll keep us well north of where we saw the UN folks,” Jane said.
“That’s what we were thinking,” Frank said. He chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” Jane asked.
“Dobie,” Frank said. “That little blonde planted one on him before he left. Threw him for a loop.”
“Oh, really?” Jane said, grinning. “Good for him.”
“Yeah,” Frank said.
Jane’s phone rang. She looked at it.
“Sarah,” she said. “Hi, honey.”
“Hi, mom,” Sarah said. “We’re at the lodge safe and sound.”
“Good, thanks so much for letting us know.”
“Hank has a phone number for you guys. It’s a friend of his on the Boise PD. I’ll text it to you. Call him when you get there, okay? He’s got the keys and some other stuff.”
“Okay, thanks, honey.”
“You aren’t going to be there, right?” Sarah asked.
“Right,” Jane said. “Malcolm Davis, Agent Williams of the FBI, Ted Crowley, and our friend Dobie will be at the house. We’ve just got to be seen in the right places around town.”
“I’ll worry about this until it’s over,” Sarah said.
“Remember what I said about the baby, honey. Try to keep your stress level down.”
“I know, I’ll try. You two be careful. I love you.”
“Love you too, honey,” Jane said. She set her phone down.
“She got there safe and sound?” Frank asked.
“Yeah,” Jane said. “Doesn’t mean I’ll stop worrying.”
“Of course,” Frank said, chuckling.
Jane’s phone dinged. “There’s my text message.”
“From Sarah?”
“Yeah, the guys need to call this number before they go to the house. I’ll send it in a broadcast text.”
Frank’s phone rang.
“What is this, Grand Central?” he said as he put the phone to his ear.
“Frank, General Hogan here.”
“Uh oh, something wrong?”
“No, but I need to tell you about something. We made contact with one of the militia leaders, and they’re open to discussions about teaming up.”
“Oh, really, now?” Frank asked. “How are the others taking it?”
“Okay so far,” General Hogan said. “I know you asked to be involved in a conference call, and you will be. We’re waiting on the contact to talk to the other militia leadership. Oh, and we let the two prisoners go as an act of good faith.”
“Makes sense,” Frank said. “Hope our folks keep an open mind about this. Keep me in the loop.”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” General Hogan said.
“Heard from Ned yet?”
“Not yet, Frank. That’s the next call I’m going to make.”
“Good luck,” Frank said. The call ended.
“The militia is taking a chance, eh?” Jane asked.
“Yeah, looks like it,” Frank said. “Wonder how it went over with Charlie and the Sheriff?”
“Hopefully it will be good for us, but it’s hard to be trusting.”
“Yes, it is,” Frank said. “So much death.”
“Look, Frank, traffic is slowing down up there,” Jane said, pointing.
“I see it. Something around the bend. Dammit. We haven’t even made it to Colorado Springs yet.”
Jane’s phone rang. She answered it.
“Jane, Malcolm here. See what’s ahead?”
“No, it’s around the next bend,” Jane said.
“You got guns up front?”
“Yeah,” she said. “Hope it’s just an accident.”
“You and me both,” Malcolm said.
“We’re just about there,” she said.
“Want to stay on the line for a minute?” Malcolm asked.
“Sure,” she said. “Oh no!”
“What is it?” he asked.
“A big UN roadblock,” she said.
“Son of a bitch, how are they getting away with this garbage?”
“Should we try to get off, Malcolm?”
“No place to do it,” Frank said, looking at Jane. “Tell Malcolm to stay calm.”
“Frank says there’s no place to get off,” Jane said into the phone.
“He’s right,” Malcolm said. “We’ll have to ride it in. Luckily there’s a lot of people around. How many people are running the roadblock?”
“Looks like eight or ten,” Jane said. “I’d better get off the phone.”
“Okay, you two be careful up there. We got your back,” Malcolm said.
Jane put her phone down. “You think they’re looking for us?”
“They’re probably still trying to confiscate weapons, but they might have a good description of us after the incident at Clint’s place,” Frank said.
“They’re letting most of the people through quickly,” Jane said.
“Be casual. Here it comes,” Frank said. He rolled to a stop in front of the officers.
“What’s this about?” Frank said.
“Where are you coming from?” the peacekeeper asked.
“Kansas,” Frank said.
“We’ll have to search your vehicle,” the peacekeeper said.
“Like hell you will,” Frank said.
“Please move over there and park.”
“You have no right to harass American citizens,” Frank said. “I’ll just be going now.”
The peacekeeper backed up and pointed his weapon at Frank. “Hands on the wheel!”
“They’re rushing Malcolm and Dobie’s rigs,” Jane said, watching in the rear view mirror.
“Never mind that,” the peacekeeper said. “Hands on the wheel.”
“Screw you,” Frank said, hand slipping towards his .44 mag.
Suddenly the crack of a rifle broke through the air from the ridge above, and the officer clutched his heart and fell.
“Malcolm?” Jane shouted, grabbing her M-16.
“No, that came from the ridge up there,” Frank said. “Somebody’s helping.”
Another blue helmet was rushing their rig. Jane slid the passenger window open and blasted him.
“Nice shooting,” Frank shouted, as he got a bead on one running towards the driver’s side. He fired the big .44 mag, sending the peacekeeper to the ground. Several more rifle shots went off from the ridge, and Frank saw the men by Malcolm and Dobie’s rigs falling.
“Look, Humvees!” Frank shouted. “Up there.”
“See them,” Jane said.
“See any more UN creeps?” Frank asked. “I don’t on this side.”
“No,” Jane said. “Their vehicle is over there. Want me to blast the tires?”
“Only if they try to leave,” Frank said.
The Humvees were on them now, the lead one turning, drifting to a stop a few feet away from Frank’s window. A big man came out, tall and muscular, wearing dusty army fatigues. He was about fifty, with gray hair, clean shaven.
“Hold your fire, folks,” he shouted. “Any more blue helmets around?”
“Not that I’m seeing,” Frank said. “And you are?”
“Ned Branson,” the man said.
Frank’s mouth dropped open. “No shit. I’m Frank Johnson.”
A big grin washed over Ned’s face, and he walked over. “Looks like we picked the right roadblock to smash. Who’s that behind you?” Ned asked.
“Malcolm Davis and a couple of friends in the motor home, and our friend Dobie in the fifth wheel.”
“Malcolm Davis, eh? George wouldn’t be with him, would he?”
“Not on this trip,” Frank said. “Maybe we ought to move out of the road. There’s a lineup building behind us.”
“Yeah, go ahead,” Ned said. “See you in a few minutes.”
Frank drove off the side of the road into a clearing near the blue UN vehicle. Frank and Dobie pulled next to him, and they got out of their rigs.
“Watch it,” Ned shouted. “Might be somebody still alive.”
“I’ll get my dogs,” Dobie said, rushing to the door of his fifth wheel. He pulled out Princess and headed over to the vehicle with her.
Malcolm walked up to where Frank and Jane were as Ned joined them.
“You must be Malcolm. Ned Branson.”
“Ah, George’s friend,” Malcolm said, shaking hands. “Glad you guys showed up when you did. Do this often?”
“Yeah,” Ned said. “We’ve been a nuisance to the UN, I’m afraid.”
“Nobody over here,” Dobie shouted. He walked Princess over, Gabe joining him. Agent Williams and Ted Crowley walked over too, and Frank made introductions.
“So, is this the away team that’s going to Boise?” Ned asked.
“Been talking to General Hogan, I guess,” Malcolm said.
“Yeah, we’re on our way to Kansas now, to start planning the rescue mission.”
“How long has it been since you’ve talked to the general?” Frank asked.
“Couple days,” he said. “Hogan tried to call me a few minutes ago, but we were busy with this ambush. Why, what happened? We still going forward with the mission?”
“Oh, yeah,” Frank said. “I’ll let him tell you what’s going on.”
Ned gave him a quizzical look. “Okay...”
Chapter 7 – Grand Tour
“That was scary,” Jane said as Frank pulled back onto the highway.
“That Ned will be a big help,” Frank said. “Hope he doesn’t get spooked with this militia deal.”
“You didn’t want to tell him here,” Jane said. “Why?”
“I’d rather let General Hogan do it face to face with him in the meeting,” Frank said.
“Hope we don’t run into any other problems on the road.”
“Me too,” Frank said. “I’ve heard there’s still quite a bit of military around Denver, and we’re getting close to Colorado Springs now. We’ll be in Denver well before the day is over.”
“This road is flatter than I expected,” Jane said.
Frank was silent for a few moments, deep in thought. “Yeah, easy road,” he said.
“You worried about something?” Jane asked.
“I’m worried about everything,” Frank said. “Especially Sarah. I hope they weren’t followed.”
“You think they were?”
“Oh, probably not,” Frank said. “But if they were, they’re in the boonies now. Wonder how capable Hank is.”
“He’s a hunter and he’s got guns,” Jane said. “Plus he’s a fireman. They tend to be strong and resourceful.”
“I know,” Frank said. “Just wish they had others with them.”
“Wonder where Robbie is now?”
“That’s the other thing,” Frank said. “I hope he doesn’t end up in the middle of the Carlsbad Caverns battle.”
“I’m trying not to t
hink about that,” Jane said.
***
Jake left his little trailer, looking at all the coaches sitting in the midday sun. He’d been working on the satellite dishes all morning. Terry came out of his trailer with Trish and waved at him.
“Thirsty, dad?” Trish asked. “Just mixed up some of that powdered lemonade you like.”
“That sounds good,” he said, joining them under their awning. “What are you two up to today?”
“I got duty on the roof in an hour,” he said. “Want me to carry those dishes up there when I go?”
“One of them,” Jake said. “The second one has more damage that I thought from the bullets. Still working on it.”
“We probably shouldn’t put them right next to each other anyway,” Trish said.
“Yeah, you’re right,” Jake said. “Maybe we should put the other one on the front building.”
Trish poured a lemonade for Jake, and he took a big swig. “Ah, that’s good and cold.”
“Wonder when the weather is gonna turn?” Terry asked.
“I think it’s already starting,” Jake said. “Nights are colder now. I’m actually sleeping with a blanket.” He stared off into the distance, eyes squinting. Terry glanced in the direction he was looking and smiled.
“She’s nice, Jake,” Terry said. “You two are hitting if off, aren’t you?”
“So far,” Jake said.
“Don’t be embarrassed, dad,” Trish said. “This is a good thing.”
“Here she comes,” Terry said, watching Frankie walk over.
“Good afternoon,” she said, glancing at Terry and Trish, then focusing on Jake.
“Hi, Frankie,” Jake said. “Sleep well?”
“Yeah, when I finally got to sleep,” she said. “It was so nice talking to you last night.”
“Want some of this?” Trish asked, holding up the pitcher.
“No, thanks,” she said. “Was about to go check out the rest of this place.”
“I’ll show you around,” Jake said.
“Thanks,” Frankie said. She watched as Jake chugged the rest of his drink.
“You two have fun,” Terry said. “I’ll grab the dish before I go up.”
Jake nodded. “It’s in the back of the bobtail, with the cable already attached.”
“Go up?” Frankie asked as they walked away.
