by C. R. Daems
Fox, I've been discovered. Taking them south. Firebird.
Not on my watch, I mused.
Firebird, Devils to me. Fox.
I transmitted over the squad's open channel, and within seconds, everyone appeared with weapons drawn and heads swiveling in search of the danger.
"Firebird has been compromised. I'm calling him back to us," I said, and everyone nodded agreement. We were family. We did not throw one to the wolves no matter the cost. "Smitty, you will take four men and hide, and let the Moech chasing Firebird pass you without engaging them. My four men will engage the Moech appearing to assist Firebird's escape and to encourage the Moech to chase us. When I send Attack, you will engage them from the rear. Limit your firing to double taps, since all misses will have brothers in their path." That last remark was probably unnecessary but worth repeating. Double taps would prevent bursts of three to eight bullets when set on automatic. Smitty nodded at four men: Peppermint, Mamba, Wolf, and Bulldog. The five trotted to the rear looking for good cover. In a few minutes, they had disappeared.
"Alright, we need to find a good spot for our final stand and a forward spot to slow Firebird's pursuit and make it look like we are retreating to encourage them to follow and to ensure they are all caught between Smitty and us."
"That's very devious, Fox. If they find cover from us, they will be exposed to Smitty. Conversely, finding cover from Smitty will expose them to us," Salamander said with a glean in his eye.
"A revolving door that always leads to Devils," Taipan said. Five minutes later, the men had identified our two shooting areas, and we settled down to wait.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Planet Lochpin: Life-Saving Training
Freddie Hall, callsign Firebird, sat in an old oak tree about twenty meters off the ground observing the North Moech arrive in five trucks. They exited fifty meters before the farm buildings and formed two lines stretching pass both buildings. They then cautiously entered the area. When nothing happened, they broke into four groups. One group went into each building while the other two groups stayed outside guarding the area. Most of the men's dark-tanned skin looked close to white when exiting the building, and several lost their last meal. Besides, the gore splattered on the floor, walls, and furniture, the temperature in the nineties, and the bodies ravaged by feasting scavengers, the building must have smelled like a week-old slaughterhouse. Before long, teams of men with scarves around their mouths and noses were carrying the bodies to the trucks. While they worked, others formed a protective perimeter around the two structures in case whoever had killed the occupants were still in the area. The rest appeared to be trying to determine who and how many invaders had been involved. Firebird would have loved to set off the explosives, but Fox was after bigger fish. Firebird was more a bird in the hand rather than two in the bush. But she was the squad's leader, and besides, she was good at finding bushes with lots of birds. He sent one update just to let her know he was alive and paying attention, even if there was little to report.
Luan, they have close to one hundred troops cleaning out the building and several officers trying to determine who and how many were involved. Boring. Freddie.
It was late afternoon when it looked like they were preparing to leave. The officer in charge was leaving a senior sergeant and three squads behind. Freddie decided it was time for another update. When he shifted to use his TCom, several birds took flight. He had been so still for the past hour that birds had landed on the nearby branches. The officer and sergeant who were no more than thirty meters from his position immediately looked up towards the birds. The officer shrugged and returned his gaze to the sergeant. But the sergeant continued to stare and drew his sidearm. When the sergeant's stare and weapon appeared focused in Freddie's direction, Freddie decided it was time to leave and rolled sideways, dropping lightly to the ground. He stayed low as he scurried along his preplanned emergency route. He heard random shots, but none appeared close. There was noise from officers and sergeants shouting orders and soldiers responding, so Freddie used his audio feature to update Fox as he ran.
Fox, I've been discovered. Taking them south. Firebird.
He had no intention of leading what would surely be fifty-plus North Moech troops back to his squad. He had caused the problem, and it was his problem to solve. He intended to lead them south and to lose them eventually. But before he had gone fifty meters, his TCom lit.
Firebird, Devils to me. Fox.
Damn, the woman. The message was clear. He was to lead them to her. If he hadn't seen her in the shower naked, he would have sworn she was a man pretending to be a female and had more testosterone than the rest of them. He just hoped his mistake didn't get anyone killed including himself. Her order meant he couldn't lose the pack chasing him. She expected him and his pursuers, and he didn't intend to disappoint her.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Planet Lochpin: Double Surprises
I lay wondering how they had discovered Firebird, not that it mattered. He could probably lose his pursuers, but he was one of my squad, and I wanted him in the nest under my protective wing. Besides, I was out of ideas on what to do next and decided this was a good excuse to poke at the status quo and to see what happened. I was having second thoughts when my TCom lit with a message.
Fox, home in five minutes. Freddie
I resent the message to the squad, but it proved unnecessary as shots and men shouting could be heard not far away. Two minutes later, Freddie broke through some thick underbrush, saw me, and headed in my direction. He jumped the log I was behind and turned ready to fire just as men broke into our small clearing. Multiple double taps sounded and eight dropped in mid stride. Those following scrambled for cover. As they did, I signaled our retreat. We rose as one and retreated, staying low and running in and out of cover for some twenty-five meters to our prepared position. Now the Moechs were charging all out thinking we were running in fear. Our weapons had suppressors, but the Moechs’ didn't and it sounded like an active firing range. We took down another ten before they turned to retreat–straight into Smitty's fire. They had no place to hide and died not fighting but while trying to find cover or escape.
As my squad checked to ensure no one lived, I crawled to my previous lookout point and saw a horde of Moech heading in our direction. What now, I wondered. I had obviously failed to consider the base would send troops, and there was no time to sit and consider my options. I came flying down the hill on my ass.
"Single file; we are heading for the farm," I said pointing in that general direction. I waited for the scouts to form up and start moving, and I joined the end of the line with Smitty.
"Why the farmhouse?" Smitty asked.
"Because I have no better idea, and I don't think this is the time for me to sit and think about it," I said as we moved along at a double-time pace. Smitty laughed. I hoped we could stay at least several minutes ahead of whoever was chasing us. I also hoped there was no one with them smart enough to deduce that we were heading for the farmhouse. If there was, we were in trouble because they could use vehicles to beat us there. With luck, they thought we were running wild and they would eventually track us down. With our current double-time pace, they would have no trouble tracking us. Time seemed to slow to a snail's pace, so I was surprised when we broke through heavy vegetation into the farmhouse's clearing. Dumb luck was still with me as there were no troops remaining at the farm. They apparently had been ordered to chase Firebird.
"Two in the house and two in the barn. The rest will find cover at the end of the clearing," I said after we had all stopped.
Wolf said, "They will just surround us–"
I interrupted him before he could continue. "I want the people in the buildings to exit before they have a chance to surround you and join those at the end of the clearing. I want the Moech to use the buildings as cover," I said to smiling faces. Before I could choose which of the buildings I wanted, Smitty grabbed me by the arm and pushed me towards the south end of the
clearing.
"The boys have longer legs and can run faster than you." He smiled. This was no time to argue, so I shrugged and continued running for cover with the other four men. It continued to amaze me how they decided each time who would do what. This time, they decided which two would go to the barn, which two to the house, and which four to the south end of the area. It was like they were telepathic. It certainly made leading this group simple, and I wondered at times whether I was leading them or if they were leading me. We had barely settled down when twenty Moech troops emerged from the jungle and entered the clearing. They stopped while scanning the area. When they couldn't see anyone, they began moving forward. They were less than five meters from the buildings, when my brothers in the buildings opened fire. The Moech’s attempts to retreat were a disaster as there was nothing to provide cover. As the troops behind them began to lay down heavy cover fire, the Tasmanians in the buildings exited out the back but made no attempt to run to our positions.
Very clever, I mused. The Moech would believe they were still in the buildings and therefore would enter to get them out while others circled the buildings to keep them from escaping. The Moech's plan wasn't going to survive its encounter with the enemy.
Sure enough, several minutes later, the forty-plus troops remaining opened fire while ten rushed the buildings. As they entered the two buildings, the others came out of the jungle. A few more entered the buildings as the others began to circle them. We opened fire, catching them with no cover and causing them to retreat back behind the buildings. As they did, the Tasmanians hiding at the rear of the buildings made a mad dash for our positions. As if I had diagrammed it beforehand, the Moech were staying close to the buildings hoping that would provide some protection.
"Now, Firebird," I said, and a second later, both buildings exploded. As I had hoped with fingers crossed, debris flew in every direction. Although it didn't kill all our opponents it certainly injured most of their remaining troops. "Time to leave. south then west then north," I said to nodding heads. We needed to lose our pursuit or kill them quickly, because we had wounded, and they would need treatment and rest before we would be fit to continue.
* * *
We continued south for about an hour, just long enough to determine that they had only sent a couple of scouts after us, probably just to keep track of where we were going. We killed them before turning west. Several hours later, after ensuring that no one was following us, I informed the lead scouts to find us a safe place to camp. Mamba found a quiet area near a stream less than an hour later, and Peppermint and I began examining each person. To my surprise and shame, everyone had taken some damage, and a few had serious wounds–and I hadn't been aware of it or bothered to check. Even I had been wounded. Isaac found I had a flesh wound to my thigh.
"Alright, let's get something straight. I know none of you are too smart; otherwise, you wouldn't be in the Tasmanians. But if you are going to be in my platoon, you're not allowed to ignore serious injuries. What if you collapse from loss of blood, or die because you ignored an infection?" I paused and looked at each person. Most could barely hold eye contact as they knew I was referring to their current condition. "I'll tell you what! I'd have to do your work and mine." Before they could smile, I continued. "I'm the leader because I can't do your job. So, it would make me and the Tasmanians look like idiots, and it would make Major Wet Pants look right. Do you want that?" I asked and was greeted with vigorous shakes of their heads, not wanting to shout in enemy territory. "So, if you want to be on my team, you will let Isaac or Van or me know when you are injured. We will be the judge of when it gets fixed. Is that crystal clear?" This time, the nods were sober as I had tears in my eyes.
* * *
I decided Mueller needed an update and typed out a short message.
Mueller, we have wounded after a skirmish with the Moech. Plan to rest a day before returning to Moech Alley to see what they are doing, unless you have something for me to do. Luan.
A few minutes later, I received a reply.
Luan, keep doing whatever you're doing. The Moech data and updates you sent have been very useful. Colonel Delgado would like more updates. He claims it helps him with the larger picture. The images from our transports are too static. you also seem to have put their attack on hold by killing their senior commanders. Mueller.
It took us three days to get back to Moech Alley, deciding to travel slow as there may still be Moech in the area searching for us and so as not to overstress the wounded. We were not in prime condition.
"Looks just like it did when we left," Smitty said, lying next to me on a small ridge several hundred meters from where we had originally been spying, in case they had that area under observation. "And they don't look like they are preparing to leave anytime soon."
"I suspect they are waiting for word from North Moech. It's a very structured society, so I doubt the colonels will decide to take independent action," I said, thinking even the USP military was very structured. Smitty gave a snort.
"Meaning they don't have a Jolie Luan in their ranks." He grinned. "Probably shoot them rather than give them a platoon."
He was right. The Tasmanians had encouraged my idiosyncrasies whereas the army tried to punish them. I didn't understand at the time, but I do now. The army runs on discipline whereas the Tasmanians run on trust. Smitty broke into my musing.
"Jolie, that looks like a high-ranking caravan from the north, judging by the limousines and the armored escort." Eight men exited the three limousines followed by twenty or more men from the escort. The escort were dressed in black combat gear. The eight men entered the largest tent while the armed escort surrounded it. "They don't look very trusting."
"I agree. I doubt they would have used the farmhouse," I said wondering how we were going to continue to disrupt them.
"They will want to reestablish communications with their troops attacking Mortone," Smitty said. "Although I doubt they'll want to use the communications tent we destroyed."
"True, but they will need to send equipment and personnel. Maybe if we can catch that caravan." I said, thinking out loud as an idea began to take root. "Gather the troops while I check our map. Let's see how many options they have." Several minutes later, everyone was sitting in a semi-circle around me. "It appears to me that the new staff will have to establish communications with their troops invading Mortone. There are several roads to do that; however, only one goes directly there. We need to intercept that convoy. Unless I'm wrong or the North Moech are stupid, that convoy will be larger and better armed than we can take on with just assault weapons." I paused and saw everyone nodding.
"We could slow them down by blocking roads and using snipers," Mamba said, pointing to the CheyTac rifle lying beside him. "If we find the right spot, we can stay well out of their ability to target or chase us."
"That's true," I said. "We may have to resort to slowing them down, but I would like to kill their senior officers. That would delay them further," I said before closing my eyes. Sometime later, I opened my eyes, already regretting what I knew we would have to do. "Wolf, I want you to stay behind and monitor their activity and let us know when the convoy is leaving. That will give us some advanced notice. Taipan and Mamba, you will select a position where you can delay the convoy if it leaves before we're ready. Your shooting positions should be at least eight hundred to one thousand meters from the road. The rest of us will scrounge potential explosive material from the houses the North Moech destroyed on their march to Mortone. Questions?"
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Planet Lochpin: Cedric Reid, call sign Wolf
Cedric lay near the top of the ridge with a good line of sight to the main tent. He thought Jolie had given him the most boring assignment. It could be a day or two before the Moech decided to leave for Mortone. He had already been here for twelve hours, and except for people coming and going from the main tent, there had been no indication that they were preparing to leave. He didn't trust himself to sl
eep, as the Moech may have details out searching the area since it was obvious someone had been in the area spying on them. He needed to let Taipan and Mambo know as soon as the envoy appeared to be getting ready to leave. They would need the time to set up for the ambush. That would be particularly critical if the Moech left within forty-eight hours. Luan couldn't possibly be ready to intercept the convoy if they slipped by Taipan and Mambo. So, his job may be boring, but it was critical to Luan's strategy.
He heard talking to his left. If they saw him, they would call for help and discharge their weapons, which would alert everybody in the area. Even if he survived, his mission would be compromised. His mind raced with whether to lie still and hope he had enough cover to go unnoticed, or if they were distracted and wouldn't notice, or to try and take them by surprise before they could sound the alarm or use their weapons. Luan's Vanquishing Fear class saved him. Closing his eyes, he focused on the problem and the initial panic to action disappeared. More talking and laughter made him decide that the best odds were remaining still and hoping they passed without notice. Several minutes later, a group of four Moech troops passed them by without incident. Although scanning the area as they walked, their chatter diminished their focus and they never saw him. When he got back to the team, he vowed to make sure everyone else took Luan's class. Without that training, he knew he would've tried to take out the four.
Next morning, he saw activity that looked like they were getting ready to leave. Cars and trucks were parked off to the side of the main tent, and around noon, the officers arrived. An hour later, the officers entered the vehicles and the caravan left the area. Wolf sent the following message as he prepared to leave the area.
Taipan, Mamba. Moech caravan leaving the camp now. It includes two trucks with approximately forty fully-armored combat troops, three limousines with twelve officers and staff, one armored vehicle with a heavy machine gun, and what looks like a communications truck. Wolf.
