Corps Justice Boxed Set: Books 1-3: Back to War, Council of Patriots, Prime Asset

by C. G. Cooper

  Ponder’s eyebrows furrowed. “What?”

  Neil grinned like a drunk. “Oh, you’ll see.”

  Before he could say another word, Benjamin stepped forward and closed and latched the lid.

  “What was he talking about?” Ponder asked.

  “I believe it was simply the effects of the medication. You never know what a person will say.”

  Ponder’s bullshit radar was blaring in his head. Benjamin looked to be saying the truth, but his instincts were telling him something different. He finally shook the feeling off by thinking about all the money in his bank account.

  The bearded mercenary grinned and patted Benjamin on the back, gruffly.

  “No problem, buddy. You guys all set to go?”

  Benjamin breathed an imperceptible sigh of relief. He’d thought Ponder wanted to press the point. This phase of his operation would be the trickiest. Once he and his men left Ponder’s compound he’d feel much better.

  “We will be leaving momentarily, Mr. Ponder.”

  “Well, you guys know how to contact me if you need anything in the future.”

  “Thank you very much for your work and hospitality.”

  The two men shook hands and parted.

  Benjamin jumped on the lead snowmobile and the vehicles left the compound.

  Ponder waited until the large doors closed and then turned to go back to the main level. Between transferring his newfound fortune and dealing with the remnants of the SSI team, he still had a lot of work to do.

  +++

  Benjamin grinned under his mask as his small convoy made its way off Battleship Mountain. It was always fun dealing with greedy Americans. They were so easy to manipulate.

  +++

  Ponder sat down at his laptop and typed his password. He took another sip of his whiskey as the web browser loaded his bank’s homepage. After glancing at a small notebook he’d pulled out of his pocket, Ponder entered his account ID and password. He waited impatiently as the website took him through its various safeguards.

  Finally at his dashboard, the large man clicked on his account.

  “What the fuck?” he whispered.

  The screen showed that his account had a zero balance. Frantically, he refreshed the page. The balance didn’t change.

  Ponder could feel his blood pressure rising. He wanted to kill someone. Picking up his landline, he dialed his broker’s number from memory. The man picked up on the second ring.

  “Yeah?”

  “It’s me,” Ponder responded, on the verge of exploding.

  “I know who it is, Nick. It’s like two in the morning here. What do you need?”

  “I need you to get your fucking ass out of bed and find out where my fucking money went!”

  There was a commotion on the other end as the broker jumped out of bed, knocking several items off his nightstand in the process.

  “What are you talking about, Nick?”

  “I told you. My fucking money disappeared!”

  Ponder could hear the man clicking away at his own computer.

  “Okay, I’m in your account. It says here that the money was wired out less than an hour ago. What am I missing here, Nick?”

  “I’m putting you on hold. Don’t go anywhere.”

  Ponder replaced the phone on his desk and ran for the server room. The only thought in his head as he blasted past two stunned guards was, I’m gonna kill those fucking ragheads!

  +++

  He berated himself for not keeping a closer eye on Benjamin. Ponder realized too late that his greed had seriously clouded his judgment.

  Logging onto the computer in the server room, he tapped his foot impatiently, waiting for the thing to load.

  A new window popped up.

  “What the hell?”

  Words started appearing in the window as if someone was writing.

  Mr. Ponder, We will no longer be needing your services. - Benjamin

  Ponder picked up the flat screen monitor and threw it against the wall.

  “Motherfucker!”

  Chapter 37

  Grand Teton Mountain Range, Wyoming

  12:30am, September 29th

  “Get your asses moving!” Ponder commanded. His men were hurrying to comply with the rushed orders. Some were still scrambling to get their clothes on.

  After destroying half of his server room, Ponder had run through his compound rousing the rest of his troops. He’d even radioed all his men posted outside the compound to assemble in the oversized garage they were now prepping in. His only hope of getting his money back was to catch the double-crossing Pakistani.

  “Take only what you need. We’re not coming back,” Ponder ordered.

  The mercenaries looked up in confusion. One man had the nerve to question his employer.

  “What do you mean we aren’t coming back? All my shit’s in my room!”

  Instead of answering, Ponder stepped up to the man, pulled out his pistol, and shot him in the face. The boom echoed then left the room in silence.

  “Anyone else have something smart to say?”

  They all looked down at their dead colleague in shock, then went back to the task of preparing the remaining snowmobiles.

  Ponder breathed heavily as he held his gun out, ready to fire. Calming somewhat, he knew it hadn’t been the smartest thing to thin out his already minimal troop strength. At least his men now knew how serious the situation was.

  The Ponder Group’s sole owner stomped out of the room, his mind in full crisis mode. He had a few last things to take care before leaving. Nick Ponder was planning on never coming back to his fortress on Battleship Mountain.

  +++

  Cal’s team had made good time getting around the mountain. They were at their final checkpoint trying to get a look at Ponder’s hideout.

  “Looks like the weather might be clearing a bit,” MSgt Trent observed.

  Cal looked up into the darkness with his night vision goggles. He couldn’t tell.

  “We’ll break up into the same groups as last time,” said Cal to the group gathered near him. “Remember to keep your eyes out for Ponder’s guys. Who knows where he’s got them posted.”

  None of the men commented. They knew their responsibilities and were mentally preparing for the final descent toward the hideout. If the enemy presented itself, their training would take over.

  “If there aren’t any questions, I’ll see you boys on the objective,” finished Cal.

  They dispersed and Cal caught up to Brian.

  “You sure you remember how to fire that thing, Doc?”

  Brian looked down at his weapon. “Shouldn’t you be worried about making sure you don’t get lost again, jarhead?”

  The two friends looked at one another. They’d left the tension between them behind. Both warriors knew how dangerous this last part would be. It was entirely possible that they could be walking into a trap.

  “Doc, I don’t know how to say…”

  “I know, Cal. Don’t worry. You know I never would have missed this. Every one of us is doing this for Neil. You’ve done good. Shit, we’ve been through worse, right? I’ll see you down there, okay?”

  Cal managed a nod as Brian turned back to his assigned team.

  I hope I’m not leading these men to their deaths, Cal thought darkly.

  +++

  Just as his team set out, Daniel silently ordered the formation to halt. Through his night vision goggles, Cal could see each man quickly crouch down. He made his way up to the sniper’s position.

  “What is it?”

  Daniel pointed down the mountain. “I think I just saw a bunch of snowmobiles head that way.” Daniel motioned to the northeast.

  “Could you see how many?” Cal strained to see what Daniel was talking about. He could just make out headlights moving in the direction Daniel had indicated.

  “I’m thinking ten to fifteen vehicles.”

  “Could you make out any of the drivers?”

  “No.
Visibility is definitely clearing, but it’s not that good. I’ve got a bad feeling about so many leaving at once, Cal.”

  Cal didn’t know what to think. Where were that many vehicles going? Is it a decoy? Cal wasn’t sure how many men Ponder had. The whole thing was one big guessing game.

  “Let’s get down there fast, Daniel.”

  The sniper nodded and motioned for the rest of the men to get up and move out.

  Cal did something at that moment that he rarely did. He said a silent prayer. God, please tell me that Neil is still down there. When no response came, Cal got back into his position in the moving formation. Time was working against them.

  Chapter 38

  Grand Teton Mountain Range, Wyoming

  1:04am, September 29th

  “We’re over the objective, Trav,” Cowboy announced over the C-130’s loudspeaker.

  Travis stood up and walked to the cockpit. Keeping his promise, Cowboy’s friends on the ground had made quick work of the refueling. Most were combat vets and highly experienced in getting planes back over the battlefield, posthaste.

  “How’s the visibility?” Travis asked.

  “The snow gods must be on our side this morning. Believe it or not, I think it’s clearing up.”

  “That’s a relief.”

  “Now, I’m not saying it’s gonna be like a sunny day on the beach, Trav. Your drop is still gonna be hella dangerous.”

  “You just worry about getting us over the target. We’ll let our GPS guide us in.”

  Cowboy nodded and downed the rest of his third Red Bull. “You wanna stay up here while I get the video feed up?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Give Lieutenant Granes over there a second, and he’ll let you take a look.”

  Cowboy’s co-pilot fiddled with his instruments, then looked up.

  “I think we’ve got some tangos down there, Captain.”

  Travis moved over for a better look. The co-pilot had the aircraft’s thermal imaging running.

  “Tell me what you see, Mr. Haden,” said Lt. Granes.

  It took Travis a second to take the picture in.

  “That looks like a convoy of some kind. Wait, up on this mountain?”

  Lt. Granes nodded. “I make twelve or thirteen small vehicles, or snowmobiles considering the terrain.”

  “They look like they’re going pretty damn fast,” Travis observed. “Are they chasing something?” He asked in alarm.

  “Let me see.” Lt. Granes panned the camera in the direction of the convoy’s movement. Seconds later, he zeroed in on a smaller group of three vehicles. “A hundred bucks says that’s what the others are after.”

  “Shit. I wish I knew who the hell they are.”

  “Who who is?” Todd Dunn asked from over his shoulder. None of the men in the cockpit had realized he’d walked up behind them.

  “We’ve got two groups of snowmobiles down there. It looks like the larger group is chasing the smaller group,” said Travis.

  “How large and how small?” Dunn asked.

  “Thirteen in the big one and three in the smaller.”

  “Any thoughts?”

  “I hope to hell it’s Cal in the larger group.”

  No one answered as they all digested the situation.

  Dunn spoke first. “Captain Jennings, do you think you can find a spot ahead of that first group to drop in?”

  Cowboy scrolled through his mapping system before replying. “Yeah, I think this’ll be as good a spot as any.” He tapped the screen to indicate the new drop zone.

  “Skipper, have you tried calling Cal again?” Dunn asked.

  “Fuck! I completely forgot.” Travis hurried to pull the satellite phone out of his cargo pocket. “I’ve got a signal.”

  Travis redialed the Cal’s phone. Cal picked up on the third ring.

  “Trav?” Cal sounded out of breath.

  Travis cut right to the chase. “Cal, are you guys on those snowmobiles?”

  “Say again? I can barely hear you. My signal sucks down here.”

  Travis spoke more slowly. “I said, are you on those snowmobiles?”

  “No. We just saw them leave from Ponder’s place. Ten to fifteen of them, right?”

  “So you saw both groups leave?”

  “Both groups?”

  “Yeah. It looks like the group of thirteen might be trying to catch up with another three,” described Travis.

  “No. We only saw the one group. Shit, Trav. You don’t think they’re taking Neil out do you?”

  “I don’t know, Cuz.”

  “Wait, are you looking down via satellite?”

  “Uh-uh. We’re circling overhead in a C-130.”

  “No shit?”

  “No shit.”

  “Well that changes the game. We’re getting close to Ponder’s hideout. Do you have enough guys to handle the vehicles while we check out the compound?”

  “I think that can be arranged.” Travis looked at Dunn who hurried to the troop space to prep their men. “How are you boys doing?”

  “I’m a little dinged up but okay.”

  “You wanna tell me about it now?”

  “No. Let me get off the phone so we can start moving. With any luck, Ponder took a few guys with him. Maybe we’ll just have to mop things up and leave the real fun to you guys. Are you jumping in?”

  “Yeah.”

  Cal laughed. “You sure your old ass is still up for it? I’ve been meaning to talk to you about your expanding waistline.”

  “Fuck you, Cal,” Travis said, not without affection. If anything, Travis Haden was more fit than he had been with the SEAL teams. “You call me when you get done, okay?”

  “Yes, Dad. Stokes, out.”

  Travis looked down at the sat phone. Despite the risk, he realized that he’d really missed the fun of being in the field. He turned back to Cowboy. “I’ll head back to get suited up.” Travis joined his men, a little more swagger in his step than he’d had for years. To battle.

  +++

  Cal was now able to communicate with Trent and Brian’s team. They’d made better time and were even now approaching the main entrance to Ponder’s stronghold. Cal was close enough, and the weather had cleared so he could just make out their forms slowly maneuvering into position. He watched the breach team approach the large steel doors.

  He was able to raise Brian on his satellite phone.

  “The breach team is checking out the front door,” Brian described.

  “Yeah, I’m watching right now. No bad guys on the way in?”

  “Nope. You?”

  “No bad guys. I think they’re headed down the mountain chasing someone else.”

  “How do you know that?” Brian asked.

  “Trav’s playing guardian angel in a C-130 overhead.”

  “Holy shit!”

  “Yep.”

  “Hey, I think I see you guys. Wave to me.”

  Cal waved to the other group and Brian waved back. Just as Cal went to sign off from the call, Brian’s waving form disappeared in an enormous explosion.

  The sound and shockwave swept over his team as Cal screamed for his friends.

  +++

  “What the fuck was that?” Lt. Granes asked out loud. He’d been monitoring the progress not only of the two groups of snowmobiles but also of Cal’s two teams.

  “What?” asked Cowboy.

  “I think there was just a huge explosion right where the good guys were going.”

  “Don’t just sit there, Granes. Go get Haden!”

  Lt. Granes hurried to find Travis.

  Seconds later, Travis, fully outfitted for the jump, rushed awkwardly into the cockpit.

  “What’s going on?” he asked.

  “Granes says there was an explosion on your objective. Did your cousin bring a whole lot of C4 with him?”

  “No. Let me try to get him on the line. How long until we drop?”

  “Under two minutes.”

  “Okay.”


  Travis dialed Cal’s number. There was no answer. He tried again. Nothing.

  “Shit. I can’t get him.”

  “Maybe it’s just the weather again,” Cowboy offered.

  “I hope so.”

  Travis knew there wasn’t anything he could do about Cal’s team. He had to focus on stopping the snowmobiles.

  +++

  Glancing at his wristwatch, Ponder smiled. One of the precautions he’d taken while building his compound was to rig it with enough explosives to knock down a skyscraper. He’d learned the trick from a drug kingpin in Mexico City. The man had described how each one of his safe houses, warehouses and labs was rigged for complete destruction. When the drug lord told Ponder how much it cost, he was pleasantly surprised and filed it away until his own construction began. He’d done the explosives installation himself with the help of some tips he found online on various demolition how-to sites. The cost was minimal and it gave Ponder an added layer of security should his enemies or the authorities show up.

  It’d been an easy choice to set the timer. His cover was blown either way. Nick Ponder would never be coming back to Battleship Mountain. The small pack strapped to his back contained the currency and valuables that Benjamin had given him earlier. It would be enough to help him should the need arise. Ponder grinned again, hoping that some of his enemies had been consumed in the blast. The sadistic mercenary only wished he could’ve watched.

  +++

  At least four of his men were dead including Brian Ramirez. MSgt Trent was badly wounded and unconscious. Gaucho was doing his best to stem the Marine’s blood flow. More men were strewn about tending to their wounds.

  Cal shook his head in denial as he searched the rubble. The explosion had effectively halved his force and collapsed the entire complex. There was nothing to find. The only reason they’d found anyone was that the blast had blown them all away from the entrance.