They took off at a run to join the rest of the squad already in the helo. It was time to blow shit up.
Chapter Nineteen
Date: 08.03.2014
Time: 0200UTC 1800PST
Mission: Code Name Luminous
“She’s going to breach!”
They’d brought down the bridge three and half hours ago and blew a trench into the sway of land that lay on the west bank. Both dams had been shut down. The Admiral and Mace led a CDC crew at the Caballo Dam while choppers dropped the canisters into the Rio Grande to ozonate the water and kill the virus. Tony watched the water continue to rise, being fed by underground tributaries they couldn’t hold back. The river lapped at the shore like a needy tongue searching for food. The area had been cleared on both sides of the river. Families who’d been extracted from their homes didn’t go far, waiting by their cars behind a perimeter line manned by the National Guard. Parents held small children in their arms with worried expressions. Some folks had managed to pile suitcases and a few important belongings on the roofs of their cars. These people had little but their farms. It was the only way to put food on the table, and if the squad took that away, beating the virus would be a win, but life would be a struggle.
Tony stood on the east bank. Fox was ready to set off the charges to blow the blockade they’d created with the highway bridge and concrete dividers that had been used to hold the Rio Grande back. “Come on, man,” Tony said to himself, watching Ed work with the last charge on top of the rubble.
The rest of the squad stood to his left, Captain Cobbs flanking him.
Cobbs glanced at his watch and his brow furrowed. “Thirty minutes too early,” he advised.
“Don’t have a choice,” Tony said. “If that water breaches, it’ll flood the farms.”
The water had risen fast. Gravity doing its job. Holding back Mother Nature had only worked for a while, the force would create another path, one with devastating results.
“Cracker?” Tony called into his comm set.
“Done,” Ed said, rising to his feet and jumping to the toppled edge of the bridge, balancing as he made his way toward them. The water splashed only inches from his feet.
“Hold, Fox,” he ordered.
“Standing by,” Fox responded.
“Alpha One,” Tony called on his portable radio.
The Admiral answered. “Are you set?”
“Affirmative, the water is about to breach the east bank. We need to let her go,” Tony answered.
“Last test was clear of the bug. CDC wants another test in two minutes. Can you hold until then?” the Admiral asked.
Tony’s eyes watched the water as it lobbed with a gentle sway. “Two minutes.” He wanted to pace. Move. Do anything. He sure as hell would have never made a good sniper. Mace had the patience, and although he’d suffered through being his spotter on missions before, the whole time his mind worked like a big man trapped in a small space, desperate to escape.
The land owners began to mutter and some yelled out, “Blow the bridge.” He understood their fears. They didn’t know he had the same ones. To the families, they were as bad as insurgents, taking away their independence. His cell rang.
“Dr. Clarke, what’s the water height at Cochito Dam?” he asked, recognizing her number.
“Tony, the dam operator reports the reservoir is at full capacity. They need to bleed off some of the water or she’ll find another way around.”
“Doc, we’re almost there. We’ve got the same problem down here. We’re going to blow the block. The Admiral advised they need a couple minutes for one more test.”
Dr. Clarke covered the phone and Tony heard her strained but muffled voice speaking with someone. “We don’t have two minutes,” she said coming back on the line. “They’re going to open the dam, you have to clear out of there. The force pushing behind the water is going to make it surge.”
“We’re going to lose the farms, aren’t we?”
“Yes, a lot of them. Flood warnings and evacuations have been in effect for hours. The force of the water will intensify as it reaches the block taking out the banks of the river as she sweeps down and slams into the Caballo Dam. You have to open it now. Get out of there.” She paused. “Just wait,” she yelled at someone. “Tony, they won’t wait any longer. You don’t have much time.”
“Friggin’ hell.” He hung up. “Blow the god damn thing, Fox.” He held down the press-to-talk on his portable radio. “Alpha One, we’re out of time. They’re opening the Cochito Dam. The doc says the surge is going to be like a tidal wave. Get everyone to high ground. She’s going to be packing a punch when the water reaches you.”
“Copy, Tinman. We’re clearing the area.”
“What’s the matter, Fox?” Tony watched him pressing the detonation button.
“Jesus, fucking crap,” Fox swore, shaking the remote detonator. He popped the back. Surveyed the components and looked up at him. “Problem has to be out there.”
“Cracker. Did you jury rig that last charge?” Cracker had taken longer than the norm to set the last one in the line.
“No, it’s got to be the detonator. It should be working.”
Tony’s anger bloomed. “Does it fucking look like its working?” A deadly wall of water was on its way and picking up power as it went. “Tell the Guard to get those people moving out of the area or to higher ground.” Cobbs knelt beside Fox, both of them inspecting the remote once again. “I’m going out there.”
“No, Bale,” Cobbs ordered. “She’s live.”
“And we’re all dead if we don’t blow this blockade,” he said, already running backward.
“Bale, get the fuck back here.”
Tony ran full out, jumped to the first broken piece of concrete and scrambled, grabbing as he went, till he reached the top of the bridge. Was it his imagination? Hell no, the water seemed to breathe a big sigh and it jumped over the bank on the eastern edge, hundreds of gallons galloping toward low ground. He tottered, found his center and dropped to his knees when he reached the furthest charge, the last one Cracker assembled. It looked good. He replaced it in the crack of cement and back tracked to the next. It was a race; man’s technology against Mother Nature’s need to bring balance back to her element.
Tony heard Cobbs in his headset. “Fox, check the remote again,” he ordered.
They’d been in enough close calls, shaving seconds down to win or fail missions had taught him to keep his cool, but not this time. His pulse came in short, gasping shots and his adrenaline spiked.
“Sir, it’s functioning. I’m getting a green on the connectivity. It has to be out there,” Fox reported.
Tony checked the second charge. Cobbs put it into high gear, taking long, running strides, and vaulted onto the bridge to join him. “What the hell are you doing, sir? Get off the block,” Tony said.
“Work faster, Bale.”
He shot a quick look and saw the river running into the low lying area, headed straight for the nearest farm house. Captain Cobbs and he checked each charge. One left.
“Oh, shit,” Fox yelled in his ear. “Get clear. Get clear. The remote went green. Get outta there!”
Both of them stood on a mountain of a bomb. Tony met his captain’s gaze. Only one place to go. The explosion deafened him. The heat burned him. Cement catapulted around them, but through it all he saw Cobbs vault toward him. The impact of Cobbs’ body hit him hard, protecting him as they both fell into the river. Rebar and debris exploded into the air. Before Tony closed his eyes, he saw a band of steel lash out at them.
The pull of the river swept Tony away as he powered his arms to control his direction. He surfaced, and fought hard against the current. Cobbs broke the surface but he wasn’t swimming.
“Captain!” he shouted and stroked hard, only ten feet apart. “Captain!” Cobbs’ eyes were closed. He’d drown if he’d been knocked out. The team ran, arms and legs pumping hard along the bank, trying to keep pace.
The
distance narrowed between them and Tony snagged his captain’s arm, drew him close and hung on for dear life. Up ahead he saw the bank wasn’t as sheer with a bay and an easy grade. He kicked hard and used one arm to direct himself. His feet touched ground but he couldn’t keep a footing. They rolled several times. Thrusting hard, his feet found purchase on soft ground as he neared the small bay. He crawled, knees sinking deep in the muddy bottom. His arms strained, the river trying to take his captain. Every muscle burned but he refused to let go, yanking them both into the shallows.
It had been no more than a minute of struggle, but the struggle had exhausted him. “Captain,” he said loudly, before opening his eyes but when he did, ice coated his spine. “No.” The blood. Too much blood. He sat up and saw they were sitting in a pool of it. It mixed with the color of the river, darkening the brown to a murky black. Captain Cobbs’ lids opened.
“No pain, T-man.”
“Sir.” He drew Cobbs into his arms just as the rest of the squad reached him.
Stitch jumped into the water and yanked at Cobbs’ jacket. He blinked hard and paused as if not believing what he saw. Tony refused to believe what was written on Stitch’s features. “What? Stitch? What is it?” Stitch dropped to his knees and closed his eyes as if he couldn’t face what he was seeing. Tony ignored him. “It’s going be okay, we’re gonna get you out of here, Captain.”
“Tinman,” Cobbs said quietly.
Tony choked down a lump which he knew was a roar of disbelief, an all out assault against God to keep his fucking angel of death away. He strained against the reality wanting to steal this moment and make it final. He held his Captain against his chest. “Jesus, Jesus,” he said, raising his gaze to the rest of the team who stood with dismay and shock on their faces.
Cobbs’ life force drained out of him, and nothing would stop it. The metal had cut deep into his back, severing arteries and flesh. His warm blood gushed over Tony’s hands like a waterfall into the Rio Grande.
Cobbs closed his eyes. “Don’t let Marg cry too many tears,” he said quietly. “I’ll be waiting for her, forever and ever.”
No sound except the soft wash of water rushed by them. No explosions. No yelling or confusion. The sounds of war were silent. Peaceful. They watched as a great warrior’s soul slowly drifted away from them. A hurricane of sorrow slammed into him as Tony rocked Cobbs in his arms. Fox, Nathan, then Ed and Ditz kneeled around them. They surrounded their captain, gripping his shoulder, his hand and an arm, a sentry of safe passage waiting for his last breath.
It came and went without a sound. The tumblers of fate ceased to turn. Its task complete.
“Fox, SITREP?” The Admiral’s voice cracked from his radio. “Fox this is Alpha One, what’s going on up there?”
Fox slowly pulled his radio, but before he could answer Tony reached for it and Fox gladly gave it over. He swiped his sleeved arm across his eyes and said, “Alpha One this is Tinman, the block is open.”
“Zodiak isn’t responding on his radio. Is he with you?”
“Yes, sir, he’s with us.”
“Roger, we’ll rendezvous with you in ten minutes.”
“Roger, out.”
They carried their captain to higher ground, and Stitch called for a medical evac. Tony sat next to Cobbs and watched as the Admiral’s helo descended ten minutes later. Mace was with him. With every step the Admiral took, dread should have filled Tony, but he was numb. The Admiral had trusted him. Put him as lead on this mission. Ghost had never lost a man while he was in charge, but now he stood vigil over the Admiral’s best friend.
Admiral Austen’s step began to quicken, and then it was a full-out run. “What’s happened?” the Admiral barked as he approached. He kneeled down on one knee beside his friend. “Pat?” The truth stared back at him, but he resisted. “Pat.” He gripped his shoulder.
Captain Patrick Cobbs wore a peaceful expression, but it was obvious he was gone.
The Admiral shook his head. “What…the…fuck,” he choked the words out. He turned unbelieving eyes on Tony and although there was confusion and anger, the anguish took hold.
“We—there was a fault. I went on the blockade to find it. Captain Cobbs joined me, sir. The fault was in the remote controller. The bridge went up with us on it. Debris cut through his back. He bled out.” Tony was only whispering as he watched the Admiral’s brows knit together. “I told him to get off the block, but he wouldn’t do it. We both went into the river.”
Tony’s mind numbed, playing the moment over again in his head. In that split second, fate took charge. A mistake. It had to be a mistake.
The Admiral swiveled on his haunches when the sound of the medevac chopper landed. Ghost bit down on his emotion and said, “I’ll carry him the rest of the way.” He shoved his hands under Cobbs’ body and pulled him into his arms, rose to his feet, and walked toward the helo.
The team remained where they were. Tony would never forget the sight as long as he lived, watching the Admiral’s slow steps, the weight he bore in his arms inconsequential to the one in his heart. Two friends who had survived twenty years of combat because of one another were now parted. Every moment, now a memory. Ghost carefully placed his friend on the deck of the chopper. He leaned over Cobbs and spoke to him. When he was done, Admiral Austen backed away and kept his gaze on the chopper as it rose into the air. Tony finally looked away when he saw the Admiral’s shoulders shake with heart-wrenching sobs.
* * * *
Lumin rested on the couch in Tony’s apartment. Although her body still ached, she felt safer being here with his things surrounding her. Her cell rang and she quickly swept it up, but it wasn’t Tony.
“Feeling a little better?” Kayla asked.
“Hello, Kayla. I’m not on death’s door. I guess that’s better.”
“How about some company? Nina and I took an hour for dinner.”
“Sure.” As soon as she said it there was a knock on the door. “Is that you?”
“Yup.”
Lumin got to her feet, took a step and paused to get over the wave of dizziness before leaving the safety of the couch. Kayla and Nina gave her a quick hug when she opened the door and then they both helped her back to the couch.
“Sorry, shouldn’t have made you get up,” Nina said, sitting next to her.
Kayla pulled three plates from the cupboard and opened up the take-out they’d brought.
“I’m so glad you’re okay, Nina.” She squeezed her hand and found she didn’t want to let go.
“You too, kiddo,” she said, and smiled at her. “It was a real bitch, wasn’t it?”
She nodded. Kayla handed her and Nina a plate.
“Drinks?” Kayla asked.
“There’s some soda and water in the fridge,” Lumin said.
Lumin had a creeping feeling of unease where there shouldn’t be one. “Is everything all right?”
Nina darted a glance at Kayla. After putting her plate down and chewing her mouthful of food slowly, Kayla said, “No.” She stalled and shook her head. Nina wrapped an arm around her friend’s shoulder.
“Captain Cobbs died this afternoon. He and Tony had to release the block in the river. There was a malfunction.”
Lumin didn’t know the man at all, but the short time she’d been in his presence, she’d liked him. “I’m so sorry,” she said kneeling in front of the women and holding their hands. “Did something happen to Tony too?”
Nina shook her head. “He’s fine.”
“Captain Cobbs is the Admiral’s best friend, isn’t he?”
“Yes,” Kayla said and dried her tears.
“Does Marg know yet?”
Nina nodded and her tongue jammed into her cheek as if trying to control herself. “That’s one call I couldn’t make. Kayla did it.”
Lumin put her hand on Kayla’s knee. “I don’t know how you could have done that, Kayla. I would have fallen apart.”
“They are both my friends. I wanted Marg to hear it from
me, not have a uniformed SEAL approach her door and rip out her heart.”
“Is she coming back?” Lumin asked.
“Not yet. She can’t. Not until Dafoe is found and the threat is over.”
Lumin plucked two tissues from the box and handed one to each of the girls. “Does this happen a lot?” Her heart strayed to Tony.
“It happens,” Nina said. “We used to think if only love could shield them from bullets, everyone would come home. This wasn’t a bullet.”
Even though both Kayla and Nina seemed to accept what happened, the worry in their eyes wasn’t as easily hidden. “How did he die?”
Kayla sputtered. “That’s the stupid part. Captain Cobbs has been a warrior for over twenty years. Hundreds of missions and deployments. Close calls, a few injuries, but—” She took a deep breath and shook her head. “It was an accident. Tony and Cobbs were working to blow out a block they’d placed in the Rio Grande. The remote detonator malfunctioned.”
Lumin held her breath. “And Tony?”
Kayla gave her a quick smile of reassurance. “They both went in the water when the charges exploded. Debris caught Cobbs across the back. He bled out. Tony pulled him from the river. He’s okay, at least physically.”
Lumin struggled to her feet and sat down across from the girls, then wedged her hands between her knees. They sat in heavy silence. Lumin prayed for Marg and for the rest of the squad. When her mind touched on Tony’s image, her heart spoke the loudest.
This wasn’t the time to tell the girls Tony had asked her to marry him but she wanted their opinion, desperately. Earlier she’d thought about calling Star, but although she was a friend, Star’s attitude about marriage was less than stellar. Lumin hadn’t known what to say when Tony popped the question every girl dreams of hearing from a man like him. Stunned silence followed. When the clatter in her head stopped, she stuttered, “Tony asked me to marry him.”
“We know,” Nina said solemnly.
“I said yes.”
Kayla nodded. “Know that too. You can be engaged for as long as you want, just promise us before you walk down the aisle that you understand what a life with Tony will be like. You’ll be alone for months on end and often no or little contact.”
Code Name: Luminous Page 25
