by Robert Boren
“Uh oh,” John said. “How long ago?”
“Less than half an hour,” Jason said.
“Does he know where we are?” Sam asked.
“My boss doesn’t think so,” Hank said. “I can’t say for sure.”
“So, what do we do?” Trevor asked.
“My suggestion is that we take off now and hit them,” Tyler said. “We’re only a half hour away.”
“I agree,” Hank said. “We need to take them out before they move to a new hiding place, or before they move in this direction.”
“They’re right,” Sam said. “We need to leave now. Hit them before they can react. Turn on that big screen. It’s a new enough TV that I should be able to cast a view from my phone. It’s attached to Wi-Fi. Checked a little earlier.”
Tyler nodded, and James switched it on. Sam walked up to the screen. He pulled his phone out, moved his fingers on the screen for a moment, and then a Google Earth picture came up.
“Gather around, folks,” Sam said.
Everybody in the room moved closer, Tyler and his team getting off the stage to join them. Sam pointed to the area north of town. There was a collection of buildings, then some open land, then some dilapidated tennis courts and a ruined pool.
“That’s it,” Hank said.
“Stupid place for them to hide out,” Sam said. “Look at the ridges all around the back end. They’ve only got one way out of there.”
Ji-Ho chuckled. “This be easy if we get there fast enough. Send in first team to set up mortars. Start pounding them. Meanwhile we bottle up roads using our ground forces and the battle wagon here, on this road. They can’t go out. We fry them up good.”
“I see more than one way in and out,” Ryan said. “See that road that goes off to the right side?”
“They can’t go that way, unless they have some serious off-roaders,” Jason said. “It dead-ends into nothing. Move the picture over a little bit.”
Sam nodded and moved the picture, showing the road coming to an end.
“We do need to bottle up two places,” Hank said. “Or they’ll get down into those residential areas, and we’ll have to take them out house to house. We don’t want to do that.”
“We put off-roaders at that spot,” Ji-Ho said. “Put battle wagon and other vehicles on road that merges with Highway 79 here. He pointed. “It work, but we leave now, or they go. Must hurry.”
“Okay, everybody to your vehicles,” Tyler shouted. “Lock and load!”
“So much for resting up,” Megan said.
“Stay focused,” Trevor said. “Let’s go.”
The clubhouse emptied out in a couple minutes. Engines all over the RV Park started.
***
Jules was at the wheel of the black coach, Sparky in the passenger seat. Shelly and Dana came up from the dinette as the coach got off I-5.
“We stopping?” Shelly asked, her short blonde hair swaying as she bent down to look out the window.
“No, we take Highway 58 through Buttonwillow,” Jules said, turning to smile at her.
“Watch the road,” she said, shooting a sidelong glance at Dana, who grinned back at her. Sparky noticed, and chuckled.
“Where are we dropping off the snowflakes, anyway?” Dana asked.
Sparky laughed. “Snowflakes? That’s not nice.”
“Oh well,” she said, getting close to him. “Move your hands.”
“My hands?” Sparky asked, looking at them on his lap. “Why?”
Dana looked him in the eyes. “Just do it.”
He moved them, and she sat down on his lap. Shelly giggled.
“Oh,” Sparky said as she settled in. Jules looked over and chuckled. “I like. Hey, Shelly.”
“Yeah, right,” Shelly said. “Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes forward.”
“You never answered my question,” Dana said.
“We go Paso Robles. Friend’s ranch. We overnight there. Out of sight of road. Leave women with cash.”
“Women?” Dana asked.
“What, you want me to say snowflake? No respect.” He tried to keep a straight face, but busted out laughing.
“European men,” Shelly said, shaking her head. “Everything’s a joke to you guys.”
“Sound like… how you say… stereotype.”
Shelly chuckled. “Okay, a little, I guess. I’m still not sitting on your lap.”
“Maybe when I not driving, no?”
Shelly rolled her eyes. “No. The American no.”
“You change mind,” Jules said.
“Yeah, whatever.”
“Hey, you see this guy behind us?” Sparky asked.
“Yes, I watch,” Jules said. “Wait for move.”
“Shit, there’s somebody on our tail and I’m sitting up here like this?” Dana asked, getting off Sparky’s lap. “Really?”
Sparky shrugged.
“Girls get in back,” Jules said. “Get out M60s, in case we need to use gun slits.”
Shelly and Dana nodded, looking serious.
“I’ll go help,” Sparky said.
“No, you stay. Pull out tray in front of seat. Joystick, trigger for guns, and sight for front and back.”
Sparky nodded. “I remember.” He pulled the tray out, switching on the sight. “Hell, great view. Those are Islamists. See?”
“I figure,” Jules said. “Heard they help UN in boondocks.”
“Where do you want us?” Shelly asked, M60 in her hands.
“Just hang back there,” Jules said. “If we lucky, we won’t need.”
“This is scary,” Shelly said.
“You be fine,” Jules said. “Trust.”
“Guns out in Islamist car,” Sparky said. “Goodbye.” He pushed the button, a loud machine gun noise coming from the back of the coach.
“Holy shit,” Dana said.
“It just rolled about five times,” Sparky said.
“Yes, I see. You get both, or should we go back?”
“I shot them both,” Sparky said. “Passenger first. They’re toast.”
“Onward,” Jules said.
“We aren’t even going to stop?” Shelly asked.
Jules laughed. “Why? To answer questions from police? No thanks.”
“I agree,” Sparky said, “but I’m sending a broadcast text to the others. What city did we just pass?”
Dana walked up to the front. “We just barely made it out of Buttonwillow. I know which cross street we were by. Stupid name. Eighty Foot Ditch.”
“Good, thanks,” Sparky said. He slid the gunsight back in. “Gonna take your seat back?”
Jules laughed.
“No, I think I’ll save that for later,” she said. “Maybe you should leave that tray out, just in case.”
Sparky sent the text. “Nah, I can see back further with the side mirror.”
“You think they sent a description of this thing before we wasted them?” Shelly asked.
“Maybe yes, maybe no,” Jules said. “Don’t worry about.”
“Nothing bothers you,” Shelly said. “I’m shaking.”
“Ji-Ho’s crazy battle wagon give edge,” Jules said. “Not impossible to take us, but much difficult.”
“Yeah, I’d have to agree,” Sparky said. “Maybe he’ll let me keep one when this is over.”
Dana chuckled, glancing over at Shelly. “Should we put the guns away?”
“No,” Shelly said quickly.
“Keep them out,” Jules said. “Makes feel safer, no?”
“Yes,” Shelly said softly. “Sorry I got scared.”
“You think I never scared?” Jules asked.
“You never look scared,” she said.
“Well I was scared,” Sparky said, “but it was also kinda fun.”
“That’s a little sick,” Dana said.
“Sure you don’t want back on my lap?” Sparky asked.
She shook her head and climbed back on. “There, satisfied?”
“For t
he moment,” Sparky said, shooting a smile over to Jules. He laughed as they cruised down the road.
Chapter 12 – The Battle of Warner Springs
Ji-Ho drove his motorhome down the darkening Highway 79, Clem in the passenger seat. John and Sarah were sitting on the couch in the salon. Clem’s phone dinged with a text. He looked at it.
“Tyler?” John asked.
“Yep,” Clem said.
“Well?” Ji-Ho asked.
“The mortar team is on site and setting up now,” Clem said, reading off his phone screen. “The off-roaders are set up at the eastern exit and are deployed in the bushes surrounding that area. James, Ryan, Hank, and Jason are in place to fire at the enemy fighters when they attempt to leave the facility in that direction. They’ve got townspeople from Julian and the rest of the tribe folks with them, spread out wide, covering the entire front area. Sam, Sid, Yvonne, Trevor, and Kaylee are on the ridge behind the facility, ready to hit them from that side with M60s and BARs. Oh, and those two kids and their women are with them too. Seth and Angel with Kaitlyn and Megan.”
“So it time for us to bottle up main road,” Ji-Ho said. “None too soon. We there.” He made the right turn and followed the curved access road around its first bend, then parked in a place too narrow to get around.
“What now?” Clem asked.
“Siege mode,” Ji-Ho said, pushing a button on the dash board. The whir of electric motors started, the plate rising in front of the windshield.
“Pull out tray in front of passenger seat,” Ji-Ho said. “Control front and rear machine guns, like I show. I’ll run mini-gun.” He pushed another button and the mini-gun’s turret began to rise out of the bedroom ceiling, the sight opening in front of Ji-Ho.
“What do you want us to do?” Sarah asked.
“Watch out side windows,” Ji-Ho said. “Get out M60s and M-16s. Shoot through slits if enemy approaches. Be careful not to hit our people from passenger side. They there. Concentrate most on driver’s side.”
“Got it,” John said, getting the guns out of the cabinet in the hall. “You want me to be ready to re-load the mini-gun too, right?”
“Yes, but I help,” Ji-Ho said. “We use front machine guns as much as can. Much more ammo for those, and lasts much longer. Hold mini-gun in reserve.”
There was a pop, and a bright flare lit up the sky around the area.
“Flare off,” Ji-Ho said. “Whoa, roof lined with gunmen.”
Gunfire blazed from the building, towards the front of the facility. Then Sam and the others on the ridge opened fire, pinning the enemy down on the roof, several of them getting hit in the first volley. Another mortar fired, hitting the ground right in front of the main building, blowing out the door and windows near it. A third mortar round went off, hitting the top of the building, breaking the roof, UN Peacekeepers screaming.
“That got them good!” Ji-Ho said. “They start to flee soon.”
“I half expected these folks to be gone,” John said as he watched out the side windows.
“Look, here come first catch of day,” Ji-Ho said. “Van coming down driveway. Nail bastards.”
Clem smiled and used the joystick to aim the front machine guns, then fired, hitting the engine compartment of the van first, then moving up to the windshield, killing the driver and passenger before they knew what hit them. The side door opened and UN Peacekeepers flooded out, most of them cut down by the gun, Clem’s eyes frozen on the reticle screen.
“Nice,” Ji-Ho said.
Suddenly the van was hit from behind by a second vehicle.
“I take,” Ji-Ho said, aiming the mini-gun. He fired, taking off the top of the cab, killing the men inside. Then an RPG hit the truck from the side, blowing it sky high. Two more mortar rounds went off, both hitting the top of the building, the second one falling inside before it blew up, glass blowing out of the second-story windows.
“Holy smoke,” Clem said.
“Hey, we got company, coming up Highway 79,” John cried, sticking his M60 out the slit and firing. He hit the front of the first van, the driver’s head exploding inside, the van hitting the shoulder of the road and rolling several times. Sarah opened fire on the second one as it was trying to K-turn and leave. She hit it broadside, but it didn’t stop.
“I get,” Ji-Ho said, aiming the mini-gun and firing into the back of it, bullets flying through the back of the van and out the front windshield. It exploded on the road as the gas tank ruptured.
“Wow,” John said.
“Look, they’re trying the other way,” Clem said. “I don’t think I can aim in that direction with these front guns.”
“Don’t worry about,” Ji-Ho said. “Others get. No problem.”
The mortars fired again, hitting the second building as the group in front advanced, guns blazing away. The enemy was in a flat-out panic now, many men breaking ranks and running for their lives in both directions, Sam, Trevor, Kaylee, and the others shooting them before they could get far.
“Damn, Ji-Ho, who taught Kaylee to shoot?”, Clem asked.
“Father and me,” Ji-Ho said, watching through his sight screen. “Look at Kaitlyn. She good too.”
Clem laughed. “Trevor’s moved to his Winchester. Wow, he’s good with that thing. He’s hitting every running person he’s shooting at.”
Ji-Ho smiled. “Uh oh, look. More vehicles make run. They try to get past us. Get ready.”
Clem nodded, eyes on the sight. Several shots hit the front plate, the noise flowing into the salon.
“Were those bullets?” Sarah asked.
“Yes, bounce off,” Ji-Ho said. “Okay.”
Clem fired, hitting the first van, stopping it in its tracks. Enemy fighters flooded out in a panic and got cut down by the warriors in front of the building, led by Ryan and James.
“Whoa, those Indians are firing at a full run, and they’re hitting their targets too,” Clem shouted. “I’m impressed.”
“Another UN van coming up the highway,” John said. “See it, honey?”
Sarah smiled and stuck her M60 through the slit, opening fire. John joined her, both of them hitting their target. Several shots hit the coach’s side window.
“How much can these windows take?” Sarah asked.
John aimed at the men who were shooting at the side, hitting both of them. “That was just small arms fire. Looked like AK-47s to me.”
“They break with .50 cal,” Ji-Ho said. “If they break, get down. Big rounds not get through wall below window.”
Three more mortar rounds went off, destroying the last of the buildings. Then a Gaz Tigr roared out of the back, heading towards the east.
“Crap, somebody better get that thing,” Clem said. “Way out of my range.”
“RPG get,” Ji-Ho said. “Look, Jeep taking off after. One of mine.”
He and Clem watched as the Jeep followed the big Tigr, and then a rocket flashed out of the Jeep, from above the windshield, hitting the rear of the Tigr, stopping it.
“I got clean shot,” Ji-Ho said, firing the mini gun, blasting through the rear window and into the engine compartment. Three enemy fighters leapt out of the vehicle.
“Those are Islamists,” Clem said. “Oops, were Islamists. Somebody in the Jeep just shot all three of them.”
“Nice,” Ji-Ho said. The gunfire stopped. “It over.”
“Sam’s climbing off the ridge with the others to check,” Clem said.
“Yeah, I see people from the front flooding the ruins too,” John said.
There were several more rifle shots and a couple of blasts from an M60, and then silence.
“Should we go out?” John asked.
“No, we should stay here and keep watch,” Clem said.
“Yes, I agree,” Ji-Ho said. “May have more company.”
“Wonder why they didn’t split?” John asked.
“They probably getting ready to,” Ji-Ho said. “All of those vans were packed. I bet we get ammo and guns.”
/> “We’d better watch for booby traps,” Clem said, grim look on his face.
“That’s for sure,” Sarah said.
After about ten minutes, all of them got a broadcast text message.
“All clear,” Clem said. “What now?”
“We guard until others leave,” Ji-Ho said. “Then follow home. It Miller Time.”
John laughed. “There you go, man.” Sarah rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, sweetie, I’m done with drinking.”
“I know,” Sarah said, hugging him. “That’s one benefit from this mess.”
***
“Wow, you’re good with that thing,” Seth said to Kaitlyn as they walked back to their Jeep.
“You saw me shoot in the first battle,” she said.
“Yeah, I know,” Seth said. “You had more confidence this time.”
“I want this to be over, so we can go back to a normal life,” Kaitlyn said.
“Yep, I hear you there,” Megan said. “Guess I should’ve practiced more.”
“You did fine,” Angel said.
“Son, you’re pretty damn good with that Winchester,” Sam said, walking beside Trevor and Kaylee.
“I’ve practiced a lot,” Trevor said.
“You’re a natural,” Sam said. “Seen it before. Rare.”
“That’s what that instructor told him,” Kaylee said. “What was his name again?”
“Gus,” Trevor said.
“What kind of an instructor was he?” Sam asked.
“Combat pistol, but he let us use the combat range with our Winchesters,” Trevor said. “Angel, Seth, Matt, and me.”
Sam chuckled. “Oh, okay. Heard about that little sub-piece of the prepper gun culture. Popular in this state with its stupid assault rifle laws.”
“Exactly,” Seth said.
“You aren’t using your Winchester,” Sid said.
“I’m not good like Trevor, and I’ve got an M-16 now,” Seth said. “They make up for my lack of talent. I don’t shoot as well as Kaitlyn does with her AK, though.”
“Oh, please,” Kaitlyn said.
“I watched you, Kaitlyn,” Sam said. “I was impressed.”
“Really?” she asked.
“That’s a good compliment,” Sid said. “He’s a special forces guy, by the way.”
“Really?” Kaitlyn asked.