The Journey of Kyle Gibbs Box Set

by Wayne Marinovich

  ‘Are we near Warsaw yet?’ Chilemba asked.

  ‘Not too far. We will be getting guests this evening. A squadron of the Polish resistance will be joining up with us, and then we can plan our next steps together,’ René said.

  ‘Are these orders coming directly from Vargen?’

  ‘I only deal with his second in command, never Vargen himself. And yes, I have spoken to him today. It was resistance headquarters that directed me to this farm,’ René replied.

  • • •

  The sound of approaching trucks in the early hours of the morning stirred the men into action, and they took up defensive positions around the shell of a farmhouse. René waited until the three trucks stopped in front of the house then walked out and greeted two men, both dressed in brown and green fatigues before they all walked back to the house and through into the old kitchen.

  Chilemba walked in and saw René and another man laying out maps on the table. René turned and said. ‘Ah Chilemba, I was going to send for you. This is Gabrjel Piotrowski. He’s the head of the Polish resistance, and the man I have been liaising with.’

  The two men nodded as they shook hands before René turned to Gabrjel. ‘Chilemba is a great soldier, and I’ve had the privilege of serving with him and his team, who have all witnessed the ruthless nature of the GGC and their puppet masters first-hand.’

  ‘I welcome you and your team to the struggle. We always need good soldiers to help ensure this tyranny does not come to fruition. Your input is welcome. Come,’ Gabrjel said and pointed to the maps on the table.

  ‘We know from our men on the ground in Warsaw, that the Guard unit has made contact with the research team at the University. They’re all spending the night in the university itself and as we don’t have anyone on the inside, so we have to rely on the information Vargen is getting from other informants. From what we hear the Guard unit is being assisted by the Warsaw warlord and his men, so it’s not feasible for us to mount an attack on them while they’re in Warsaw,’ Gabrjel said.

  ‘What about an attack at the airport, before they depart?’ Chilemba said.

  ‘A viable plan, although we have just heard from Vargen that the pilot has called the GGC to report that the plane is damaged and cannot fly. He reported sabotage, but we are not sure who could have damaged the plane, as it wasn’t any of our people. It looks like the team will possibly now have to make the journey by road, as the nearest working aircraft are in either Bruges or Hamburg,’ Gabrjel continued.

  ‘They could decide to wait it out for another few days until another plane comes,’ René added.

  ‘That is a possibility. We have to hope that a little fortune comes our way at this point. Our people will let us know as soon as they make a move from the University. We’ve gambled that they will attempt to make a road trip to Hamburg. We also have men stationed near the airport so we should have all exits covered,’ Gabrjel said.

  Chapter 44

  University of Warsaw, Poland - 2028

  Gibbs was lying on the uncomfortable makeshift bed, staring at the ceiling, when the alarm on his wristwatch went off. He wondered whether his vendetta to shaft against the GGC was indeed warranted now. Despite everything that they’d done and no matter how much he blamed them for not doing enough to save Christina, they did have the resources to bring this new energy to populations around the globe. Or, would they hoard the knowledge, to control and exploit it? One thing he knew for sure, Christina would want the technology given to the people.

  The satphone rang a second later. Gibbs answered, trying not to wake the other men in the cramped room.

  ‘Captain Gibbs, this is Lieutenant Clark from GGC Ops.’

  ‘Morning, Lieutenant,’ Gibbs answered.

  ‘Captain, according to yesterday’s sit-rep, you are currently based at the University and are scheduled to fly to London this morning at ten o’clock.’

  ‘That is the plan, yes.’

  ‘I’m afraid that is not going to happen at this point. Your pilot was on the radio with us last night, and it seems that the plane was sabotaged during the night, and is unable to fly,’ the lieutenant said. ‘He was hoping to have it repaired by this morning, but was unable to do so.’

  ‘What?’ Gibbs replied, trying to sound surprised.

  ‘Seems the resistance have done sufficient damage to ground the plane, and the pilot confirmed that extensive work would be required to get it airborne again.’

  ‘What are we supposed to do now?’

  ‘It will take three to four days for us to task another available aircraft from Hamburg to collect you and your cargo, and even longer for us to get the spares out to you, for repairs on the plane.’

  ‘What, pray tell, are our orders, Lieutenant? We’ve noticed an increased presence in resistance numbers around the university, and the number will continue to rise, along with the risk to our precious cargo if we stay. May I suggest that we make the journey to the Hamburg airport by truck?’

  ‘Captain, I will relay your request to the GGC ministers. Please await further orders,’ the lieutenant said.

  ‘Standing by,’ Gibbs said and threw the phone on the bed just as Shredder sat up on the bunk near him.

  ‘We wait on the powers that be,’ Gibbs said to Shredder. ‘Nice work, by the way. The plane is out of commission.

  • • •

  An hour later the phone rang, and Gibbs was surprised to hear the voice of Lord Butler.

  ‘Hello, Captain. How are you all holding up?’ he said.

  ‘Getting a little edgy here, sir. We’re sitting ducks, and more guns seem to be arriving every hour,’ Gibbs replied.

  ‘I didn’t realise that it was that bad, Captain. Minister Kirilenko is trying to get to the bottom of the sabotage issue because we are not happy for you to attempt a trip to Hamburg by truck. The risks are too great.’

  ‘As I said to the ops person, the number of people sympathetic to the resistance is increasing and will continue to do so, sir. Sooner or later they will have the confidence to want to strike at us here in the university buildings. If we’re on the move, it will be more difficult to attack. We’re better equipped than they are and have trucks available that can be ready at my say so,’ Gibbs said.

  ‘I am still hesitant to allow this, Captain, although I agree that staying put is no longer the wisest option.’ He was silent for a while. ‘Okay Captain, get the convoy on the road and please use as many back roads as possible. The resistance will probably have sympathisers stationed along the main routes to try and get their hands on the cargo. We will hopefully have a plane ready for you in Hamburg.’

  ‘Yes, sir. We will take every precaution to protect the professor and his team,’ Gibbs replied.

  ‘One more thing, Gibbs. Andrei Kirilenko was able to have another aeroplane do an extra day search for Christina. I am afraid that they have sighted debris in the channel. Reports I have on my desk state that it is the wing of a DC-3. I have a fisherman heading out to that position this afternoon. Sorry to say this, but we must prepare ourselves for the worst.’

  Gibbs swallowed hard. ‘Thank you for letting me know, Francis. Now if you don’t mind, I have documents to deliver. Christina would want me to get on with this job and keep them safe.’

  Gibbs looked across at Shredder and Killey, who was standing near him, and just shook his head. Killey walked over and put his hand on the grief-stricken man’s shoulder.

  • • •

  Gibbs walked down the long corridor to the chemistry lab. Aleksy was standing in the passage, gesturing angrily at Pavel who stood with his shoulders rounded as he stared at the floor. The Warsaw warlord smiled when he saw Gibbs approaching. ‘Good morning, Captain.’

  ‘Hello, Aleksy, you got a minute?’

  ‘Of course,’ he replied, turning his back on Pavel.

  ‘It seems the plane has had technical problems and won’t be flying us anywhere soon which means that we have new orders to travel to Hamburg by road where anoth
er plane will be waiting for us,’ Gibbs said.

  ‘This is not good news, Captain. The road will be full of these bastard resistance men,’ the warlord said.

  ‘I know, that is why I will need two of your most roadworthy trucks and additional ammunition to transport the professor and his team. Also, do you have two motorbikes that we can use?’

  Aleksy turned and barked orders to Pavel in Polish, who then hurried away.

  ‘Pavel will get these things organised, and I will inform the professor about the new plans. What time do you want to leave?’

  ‘We will need a few hours to get ready, so let’s try and aim for midday.’

  • • •

  A little after midday, all the trucks were packed and parked out front. Gibbs and his men walked out with their SA80s at the ready and took positions around the trucks. The three shell-shocked scientists scurried out into the bright sunshine, blinking and looking around nervously. ‘This way folks, follow me,’ Shredder said.

  They were helped up into the truck by Killey and shown to their seats, tucked away neatly amongst the Guard unit in the back. ‘It’s okay, folks. There will be six heavily armed men in here with you.’

  ‘Are you expecting trouble, Corporal?’ the professor asked.

  ‘Just taking precautionary measures, Professor. You do have world-changing technology in your possession,’ Killey said and jumped down from the truck.

  He walked over to Gibbs. ‘They’re all settled in, boss, if not a little rattled.’

  ‘I’m sure they are, mate. Right, Smithy, you take the second truck and follow me. Shredder and Killey, you gents are our mobile reconnaissance. Shredder, ride ahead and look out for any signs of an ambush, Killey lag behind for a while and make sure that we are not surprised from the rear. Five miles outside of Warsaw, pass us, and then join Shredder up front.’

  ‘Sure, boss, which route we are following? Out-of-sight back roads or, in plain sight main roads? Shredder asked, with a grin on his face.

  ‘The E30, all the way to Hamburg, will mean more exposure for us,’ Gibbs replied.

  ‘In plain view, it is then. How are we going to get their attention to set up a meeting?’ Shredder asked.

  ‘We’ll have to capture one or two of them, then contact their bosses by radio.’

  ‘That means we could still head straight into contact and take a few hits,’ Shredder said.

  ‘It’s a risk we have to take to get their attention. Engage, and then surrender,’ Gibbs said.

  Chapter 45

  Countryside west of Warsaw, Poland - 2028

  The cold morning air seeped through the many missing window panes and drifted throughout the old farmhouse. The men slowly stirred and gradually set about preparing the trucks to leave for Warsaw.

  Chilemba had risen well before dawn and was standing drinking coffee in the kitchen with René Chabal when Gabrjel walked in, gesticulating and speaking to someone on the satphone in his native Polish tongue. When he finished, he turned to them. ‘That was one of my men in Warsaw. He is stationed near the University and has informed me that two covered trucks have arrived and parked in front of the main building. They have seen men loading supplies into them both. Water, diesel and food containers on board are now, so we assume they are indeed heading to Hamburg today.’

  Chilemba and René looked at each other and set their coffee cups down. ‘Damn, we won’t have time to get to Warsaw to set up an ambush for them as they leave,’ René said.

  ‘They could leave the university at any moment,’ Chilemba said. ‘Let’s get the truck loaded and get on our way.’

  Twenty minutes later, Chilemba was sitting in the front of the truck with René when a call came through. René kept driving with the phone on his shoulder, wedged against his ear. ‘Yes, I understand, that sounds like a plan.’

  He hung up and turned to Chilemba. ‘Okay, we are to set up the ambush, in a little town up ahead.’

  The trucks bumped along for another few minutes, and they passed a signpost welcoming them to a town called Blonie.

  ‘Is that the town?’ Chilemba asked.

  ‘Yes.’ René said.

  A few minutes later the convoy came to a halt in front of an old department store with faded advertisement placards pasted all over the front windows. Across the main road from the store, stood the white-marbled town hall. The town looked deserted except for the occasional mangy dog scampering around. Chilemba kicked open the department store’s front doors, and they unloaded their supplies and weapons into the building. It was a double storey building that overlooked the main road, so he was keen to see what the vantage point was like from the top floor.

  Chilemba walked outside and saw that Gabrjel had stopped his truck a little way ahead of them and was busy setting up a roadblock using the truck, metal barrels and painted poles.

  ‘Are you sure this is the best place for an ambush?’ he asked as René came out.

  ‘We’ll let the GGC trucks drive past and then trap them between our and Gabrjel’s trucks. It’s a simple plan, but it should work.’

  René’s phone rang again, and he listened intently before turning to Chilemba. ‘Take three men and get them set up on the floor above us. They can act as a backstop in case the convoy tries to reverse out. I’ve just heard that the two trucks left a few minutes ago.’

  Chilemba quickly got his men settled into position above the department store. It was an old vacant room with a decaying wooden floor. There were two big window frames with no glass in them overlooking the street, which gave them the perfect angle to shoot down onto their enemy.

  • • •

  Chilemba grabbed his AK-47 and walked down the rusty metal stairs on the side of the department store, before turning right to head back towards the main street. Something stirred inside him as he hobbled down the main road to join up with the other team, a sense of a great battle looming on the horizon, but more importantly, revenge.

  René was kneeling on the ground next to Gabrjel, over a map of the area.

  ‘I hope they take the convoy on the E30,’ Gabrjel said.

  ‘Otherwise, this will all be for nothing,’ René said.

  ‘Should we not send a truck to guard the main back road?’ Gabrjel asked.

  ‘Too late for that, I think. Vargen and his people believe that the captain will continue on the E30 as it is the quickest and most direct route to Hamburg. The GGC is keen to get the scientists on a plane to London as quickly as possible.’

  ‘Then they will come straight down our throats,’ Chilemba said, slamming a fully loaded magazine into his AK-47.

  ‘I am not supposed to say anything, but there is a very good chance that Vargen will join us and take command of this operation himself,’ René said.

  As if on cue, a large armoured personnel carrier roared down the main street and turned towards the roadblock, but before it reached them, it turned again and disappeared into another side alley.

  Chilemba was about to say something when something caught his eye at the opposite end of the main road. Two motorbikes had parked up, and the riders were clearly watching them. He pointed them out to Gabrjel who lifted his binoculars and had a good look at the mounted men, who after a minute, turned their bikes around and left town.

  ‘Well that is the trap sprung, then,’ Chilemba said with disgust to René. ‘They will warn the GGC captain, and he will surely take another route.’

  ‘I am not sure that they were GGC men, they were in civilian clothes. Most probably the Warsaw warlord’s men we’ve seen around.’

  Movement in the main street drew their attention as four heavily armed men came around the corner of the white-plastered building, a few hundred feet away from the roadblock. MP5s trained out in front of them, the men were all dressed in black Special Forces clothing, sweeping their weapons up and down the road, before disappearing into an old abandoned bakery. A figure dressed in green camouflaged army fatigues was being shielded from view, in the centre of th
e protection unit.

  • • •

  The two trucks headed west along the old E30 road and passed through the abandoned urban outskirts of Warsaw. The once busy industrial estates now gave way to agricultural fields for as far as the eye could see. Gibbs kept checking his side mirrors, to make sure the second truck was still there. He smiled as Killey came screaming past on the motorbike and gave him a thumbs up. All was clear behind them. He continued his journey along the E30 and over the hill to catch up with Shredder.

  Thirty-five minutes later, Gibbs pumped the heavy brakes of the old truck and started to gear down. Ahead were his two men, standing next to their green bikes in the middle of the road. Something was up. He slipped the safety of the machine gun that lay on the seat next to him and pulled over next to them.

  Killey walked over to the open truck window and flipped his helmet visor open. ‘We spotted a lot of armed men moving about in the next town boss. We avoiding them or going straight in?’

  ‘Right down the middle, Killey. Go on ahead and find us a good place to take cover and hole up. I’ll get everyone ready here. What is the name of the town?’ he asked.

  ‘Blonie,’ he replied.

  Chapter 46

  Countryside east of Blonie, Poland - 2028

  Gibbs was behind the wheel of the old truck battling with the gear lever, trying to find a gear suitable for the slight incline of the hill he was on. He pushed the throttle, and the truck engine revved and lurched forward. A self-congratulatory smile crept across his face as he gained speed, only to look up to see Shredder and Killey approaching, indicating for him to pull off the road,

  ‘Arrrgh.’ he yelled at the thought of having to go through the entire gearbox again.

  ‘What’s up, lads?’ he said as he wound down the window and looked down at both bikers.

  Shredder slipped the helmet off his head ‘There’s a truck parked halfway across the road in Blonie, and we saw men carrying submachine guns. You could just about squeeze past the truck if we rammed it a little.’