The Reaper: No Mercy

by Sean Liebling

  "Issues with the good doctor before takeoff, Paris Six. Seems he didn't realize he'd be married to one of the men." At that, the Reaper couldn't help but snort. A tandem jump was only done in two ways, the most common being 'back up' to the one with the chute. You clipped your harness to theirs and they controlled the experience, though that experience was intimate. Many referred to it as being married, and a great many jokes had come from the familiarity.

  "We'll be making two passes, Paris. First, four pallets, we'll do a turnaround and drop the men and doctor on the second pass. The pallets will be on the ground before our second pass, so keep your people clear."

  "Roger, two passes and will keep my people clear, Blue One. We are standing by to receive inbound."

  "Countdown is commencing now. Thirty seconds, Paris." In the distance, they could hear the faint yet unmistakable drone of aircraft though no lights were visible. The hum grew closer and the radio barked again.

  "Dropping now, Paris. Four pallets. Be advised, the pallets have infrared beacons." A pause, then, "Pallets away, commencing turnaround." Another three minutes passed before they heard, "Commencing second pass now. All out, the boys are yours, including one disgruntled doctor, Paris. Check your doorstep and good luck, Reaper. Blue One out."

  "Thank you, Blue One, have a safe flight back. Paris Six, out!" the Reaper responded as he set the microphone back on its clip and stood. "Let's go, Rodriguez."

  As they exited the interior of the M-ATV, the Reaper looked into the night sky and by the bright moonlight saw a great many chutes descending towards them. Glancing into the field after his vision had adjusted, he could see the four pallets within the empty crop field before them. “Those pilots are accurate as all get out,” he grunted. He then glanced at the luminescent dial of his watch and noticed it was 2215, or 10:15 p.m., then glanced over at the long line of vehicles arrayed beside him. They had taken all four of the light cargo trucks, LMTVs, in addition to the two M-ATVs which mounted the light machine guns, or 240Bs. Behind them were the other trucks that would carry the men back. Currently, all were dark, with no lights showing. He knew the men would be dropping under visible light conditions and did not want the additional illumination to blind them. The Reaper would wait patiently for the Special Forces to descend, and as he watched, he saw them landing in the field with a few dropping near or in the tree lines boxing in the landing zone. Turning quickly, he pointed out one vehicle to Shue. It was turned sideways, and he spoke quickly.

  "Have that truck turn their lights on. I would have preferred a blue drop light, but we use what we have. We'll wait until the men regroup and approach us."

  "Got it sir!” Then Shue was running towards the indicated vehicle and within seconds lights blazed forth, but directed away from the field.

  The Reaper settled back to wait.

  *****

  Dr. Rossi gasped as they suddenly rotated and his body was flung sideways, only to quickly settle down, and then he grunted when he felt his feet hit the ground. As his body was propelled forward and down, he noticed they were very close to one of the pallets. He could barely make it out, though the moonlight made it more visible.

  When they had first left the aircraft, he’d held his eyes tightly closed; the sudden descent and a slight amount of vertigo had frozen him. True to his promise, he'd kept his hands tightly gripped to the straps Sokowski had wrapped them around. It had taken him half a minute to overcome his fright and reopen his eyes, and was amazed that even at night he could see the ground almost clearly.

  Sokowski's head was turned sideways while his arms were stretched slightly overhead doing something with straps he held tight in his hands. For an instant, Rossi thought he was not paying attention, then their bodies shifted sideways when one of those straps were pulled.

  Then they were approaching fast, and out of the corners of his eyes he saw Sokowski pull sharply on the cords he was holding. Remembering the instructions, Rossi let his feet drag as the captain hit the ground and they were suddenly trotting forward. Several sharp jerks later, Rossi was separated from their intimate position and turned to Sokowski.

  "Stay up but low, and stay near the pallet, Doctor. We'll secure the area first." And the man was stepping away from him while bundling up his parachute, then his compact rifle rising as he moved away from the pallet. Rossi quickly scurried to its side and crouched. This was dangerous, yet at the same time fun. From less than five meters away he heard Sokowski speak, obviously talking into the microphone his helmet had been equipped with. Rossi frowned again because they had not given him any means of communication. He vowed to have a talk with them about that later, if he could get over his trepidation towards this stern soldier, that is.

  "Red Team, this is Red Six, report!" Rossi could not hear what was said in return, which infuriated him further.

  "Roger that Red Two, we are at one of the equipment drops, northwest corner. I see a single beacon on the hill, regroup here and secure the perimeter. Glad you all made it." Wildly Rossi looked around, and behind them he saw what looked like headlights pointed slightly away from them. He stayed put though, because he had been carefully coached in this. He was to move only when told to move. There were some very bad people out there that would hurt him if he was seen. He crouched lower against the large crate.

  *****

  Captain David Sokowski smiled in satisfaction as all of his men reported in and his assistant commander, Chief Warrant Two Richard Brady, or Rich, asked his location. Sokowski responded with their position and told his team to regroup on his current position. Now he needed to contact Blue, and his hand rose, automatically hitting the almost hidden switch to change channels.

  "Come in Blue Team. This is Red Six." Instantly a voice responded.

  "Blue Six," the voice of his friend, First Lieutenant Roger Hewitt, responded.

  "All your men make it down okay, Rog?" he inquired.

  "Sure, but two are stuck in trees, we're getting them out now."

  "I'm at the northwest corner beside an equipment drop. Get your men down and assemble on our location. We’ll move up together to greet our welcoming committee."

  "I see the headlights. Will do, Blue Six out."

  "Red Six, out," and Sokowski was reversing his steps to the doctor. Coming in from multiple directions around their positions, he could see his men converging and he smiled.

  *****

  The Reaper frowned and glanced at his watch again while he waited. The time was 2025 and he knew they would be approached shortly. He’d sent no one to collect the pallets, even though Rodriguez was anxious to peruse their contents. He knew the men approaching would be securing their perimeter and only then approaching his position. Then he heard something, and coming faint to his ears he heard a loud thump with assorted metal jingling.

  "I'm sorry, I tripped." The unmistakable whine of Dr. Rossi's voice was clearly audible, causing Jason to shake his head in resignation, and since the approaching team’s position had now been given away, the Reaper called out.

  "Greetings, Dr. Rossi, Thank you for coming."

  "You're welcome," a voice called out, then immediately sounded again, "what do you mean I'm supposed to shut my mouth?" and this time the Reaper grinned inwardly as he realized that no matter what, some things never changed.

  Moments later, a man rose out of the darkness twenty meters before him. Vaguely the Reaper could make out a face covered in camouflage paint, and a ready weapon. Beside this figure, another rose and the Reaper was stepping forward to greet them, when the foremost spoke.

  "Captain Sokowski, Red Team, and Captain Hewitt reporting. Good to see you again Reaper."

  Jason grunted and, drawing closer, recognized the features of a man who had accompanied him in the labyrinth of tunnels under Ohio. Jason reached out his hand, which the other gripped tightly, both men murmuring “fallen comrades.”

  "Good to see you again, David." Then Jason turned to Hewitt, remarking, "You were in the Massachusetts raid, if I'm n
ot mistaken. I hear it was busy." The Reaper held out his hand towards him.

  "Busy and intense, sir," Hewitt responded as he met the hard grip with one of his own. Both newcomers removed their helmets while behind them over a score of additional figures rose, with a complaining Dr. Rossi amongst them.

  "Jason! Would you tell these soldiers to let go of me? After what I've been through, I'm tired of being manhandled." The Reaper sighed.

  "Shue, would you direct recovery operations on the pallet drops, and Rodriguez, please take charge of the doctor. He'll want to meet your chief surgeon soonest, I'm sure."

  "Why wasn't I told you had a chief surgeon? What's his name?" the plaintive voice of Dr. Rossi was overly loud in the night, and from beside the Reaper, Rodriguez immediately responded.

  "That's Head Surgical Nurse Nancy Kerrigan to you, doctor and she's all we have. She's performed miracles." The voice was low and very protective as Rodriguez came forward to grasp the doctor by his upper arm.

  "Well, I'm here now and I'll have you know ..." his voice rose in a squeak as Rodriguez dragged the doctor to a waiting Humvee. The Reaper ignored them as he beckoned the remaining soldiers to approach.

  "We'll talk back at the complex. Schuster will arrange recovery of the equipment and we'll intro your men when we’re all inside."

  "Roger that, sir," Sokowski responded as he gave the forward motion to the men behind him and Hewitt before stepping closer. Reaching inside his vest, he pulled out a large plastic baggie which he extended to Jason, along with a small pen light he turned on. "I have satellite intel to go over with you later, but was told to give you this first, Captain," and then Jason was accepting the proffered items and quickly turned the light on the plastic baggie.

  It was a cartoon picture of a man dressed in brown, features indistinct but holding the hand of a small figure with curly hair. The man had a large beard on his face and the small child was dressed in pink. Scrawled at the bottom of the picture were the lopsided letters spelling the name Emma. As tears tricked down his cheeks, the Reaper unsealed the picture and brought it closer to his face to see it better. A sharp scent was immediately identified and, lowering his face to the stiff paper, Jason immediately smelled Emma's brother Paul's cologne—the same cologne his father used, and a fragrance Emma was always stealing from the family dresser top as she idolized her older brother. He smiled as tears continued to trickle down his rugged face. Emma wanted him to be reminded of her. Carefully he placed the drawing back in the plastic wrapping and tucked it within his coat, close to his heart. This he would keep as long as he remained on earth.

  "Thank you!" he responded, a catch in his voice.

  "Hey, sir. We've met Emma. The colonel isn't shy about introducing those he loves, so we know!" responded Hewitt, while Sokowski gripped his shoulder tightly.

  "Okay, let's get back. We have a lot of work to do," the Reaper said huskily after clearing his throat.

  *****

  Chapter 18

  Rodriguez dragged the resisting doctor, who already in his opinion talked way too much, to the waiting Humvee where Barber awaited. The Reaper had previously briefed him on the doctor's corrosive nature, and Rodriguez stopped just short of the vehicle to pull Dr. Rossi close.

  "You will treat Nancy with respect. She is all we had until now. She's done her best, and if you dis her, I'll have your ass. Are we clear?"

  "Very much so," Rossi sputtered, his demeanor that of one offended. "I do realize what you're going through. We've all been through this. You didn't have the staff, nor the supplies to make a difference. Well that's changed now."

  "Incorrect, Doctor, we did make a difference, and she's saved more people in the last month than you can count. She's done the best she could, so don't go there. It’s advice you should take heed of. The Reaper warned me about you, so do not hurt my Nancy, even with words."

  "Okay. I get it. Why are all you soldiers the same? I'm a civilian and should be treated with respect!" Dr. Rossi was sputtering again while backing away from Rodriguez.

  "Respect is earned!" Rodriguez growled. "Barber. Take him back to the complex and introduce him to Nancy. They need to meet. Hang around. I want to know what he says.”

  "You got it," was the answering reply.

  Rodriguez turned away as the doctor entered the Humvee. He would help Shue oversee the recovery operations and ensure all the supplies were accounted for. This was not just their salvation. This was an opportunity to make a difference in the here and now. Eagerly he strode forward, commanded the waiting vehicles to turn on their lights, and went to work.

  *****

  Sokowski laid a short stack of photos out before the Reaper, and they both hunched over them, perusing the layout.

  A lightning-quick reload from the pallets to the back of the trucks, then the short drive back to the industrial complex, currently had them in planning mode. As promised, Newaygo's commander had delivered everything promised, and more. The room was crowded; most of the military men were present, all listening intently as the operational plan was discussed.

  "Here's what we are looking at. These are satellite photos of the area, and I have close-ups for all the main areas." Sokowski’s hand moved to the topmost photograph, and with one finger moved down the road. “There are six vehicles here we can use for planting IEDs. Your plan for a secondary assault force here," and his finger moved to another location, "is perfect. It's a natural response to their running. We'll push these vehicles just to the north across the Highway and rig them to explode, causing a barricade, thus forcing them to run south. We'll hit them hard and fast. Secure the captives, and hit them again as they attempt to exit the area. I project few casualties for us, and maximum losses to the enemy, though Blue Team will set up a triage at the catacombs for those wounded."

  "Agreed!" It was shortly after 2300, or 11 p.m. local time, and the Reaper was concerned about the time frame. "Will this be enough time for your men to set the IEDs and instruct the civilians on the equipment?"

  "Yes! Hewitt's team will split into two squads shortly. One will plant the devices, and the other will provide security. It won’t take long. We'll plant the C4 on the undercarriage and attach remote detonators." At his words, the Reaper nodded. Then he shifted the drawings and pointed to a spot on the topmost one.

  "Let's go over the infil to secure the captives. I assume a silent infiltration and holding the access point, to be followed immediately with assault one, and attached elements labeled Fox Element to engage when their safety is secured."

  "Yes. Blue Team will do the infil first and secure the objective; then before any forces can respond, my Red Team will hit them hard and fast from the north with the support of Fox Element, or the M-ATVs along Hwy 15 here. We'll drive them east and south, fast." Sokowski indicated the placement of the M-ATVs along the western road fronting the cemetery. Spaced out from the north corner heading south, those four armored vehicles would direct fire over the wall at targets of opportunity. They were being resupplied now with ammunition, and would wreak havoc on the marauders. The most important aspect of the M-ATVs was that they were careful in their targets and the risk to any captives in the vicinity of a possible target was minimized. "Whisky Element, Comprised of the civilian force with Schuster will keep them from escaping to the west or too far south, here." and Sokowski drew another line down the map as he finished.

  "We'll want the .50s north of the 240s to ensure they keep running once they start, which they will. Anything really heavy on the south end may make them attempt to secure one of the current buildings with hostages and hold out, but we want them to run to the parking lot in the center and try to escape. The plan is a good one, Reaper, and as they clear the south end of the cemetery, Assault Force Two will engage as they try to drive past."

  "Agreed! Who do you have working with our civilian groups in that force?" When they’d brought in all the supplies, the Reaper had counted exactly forty AT4 missile launchers. They would need to be used wisely. The AT4
was an 84mm self-propelled rocket, issued from a tube that could be held by a single person. The entire unit weighed fifteen pounds, and because the missile was unguided, which meant you could not lock on a target and fire, you had to point it accurately to ensure a direct hit. They were easy to use, lightweight, and considered expendable semi-armor ordnance. They were perfect for taking out fleeing lightweight trucks and cars.

  "Two aspects to that. The first is Whiskey Element. It will be comprised of the local survivor groups as a cohesive unit as I indicated earlier. One group will provide security from any zombies attracted to the fight, and the others, under Schuster, will be operating as a standard fixed-in-place heavy fire team to drive any marauders that get that far towards the center east of the cemetery. We need them to get to their vehicles in order for Assault Force Two to have maximum impact."

  "Who's commanding Assault Force Two?"

  "I've detached MSGT (Master Sergeant) Brad Olsen. He's conducting the training, which should be happening right about now. He's used to teaching undertrained combatants and excels at it. He'll be hull down with his missile people, and when you issue a cease fire order, Assault Force One elements will stop and hold in place so that Assault Two can pop up. There will be no friendly fire on this mission. From your vantage point on the silo at that time, you'll be in the perfect position to gauge when they’re running. Call it with the understanding we'll need at least twenty seconds to calm down Whiskey Element and get them to stop firing."