Eagle People

by Benton, W. R.

  “Can I have my archers fire when they're a hundred yards away?”

  “I see no reason to say no. It won't stop them, but the guns will.”

  Dooley said, “Two hundred yards and closing.”

  Amon stood and said, “Eagle warriors, prepare your bows. When I give the command, fire your arrows at the enemy. We will release as a group and do it three times. After that, fire at will.”

  “What kind of bow is it you carry? It's longer than most I've seen.” Major asked.

  “It's an English long bow from our books. Our Learned Ones discovered them years back and we've been using them for at least 200 years, maybe longer. They shoot further and are more accurate at long distances than a standard bow. An added advantage is, if we shoot someone within, say fifty yards, there is a good chance the arrow will go through the target and do maximum tissue damage. You'll notice our arrows are not flat with one arrowhead. The arrows we shoot have four cutting sides on each arrowhead, for massive internal bleeding, and it usually causes the target to go into shock almost instantly. If one arrow strikes a man in the middle of the chest, he's dead, because he'll bleed out in no time.”

  “Get your bowmen ready.” Major said.

  “Eagle archers, bowstrings back and release on my command.”

  Amon pulled his string back, lifted the point of his arrow and as he released it, he said, “Fire!”

  Hundreds of arrows flew toward the Snake warriors.

  From what he could see, most landed with the men, and some were seen to fall and screams were heard.

  “Prepare your arrows!” Amon glanced at his warriors.

  “Prepare to release! Release!”

  Again arrows filled the air and the line paused as shields were place over heads as protection. Men staggered and then fell, as others screamed as they were struck.

  “Prepare an arrow!”

  “Prepare to release! Release!”

  The third time a couple of men were spotted running for shelter, but the main group remained in position. The grasses were littered with bodies of injured and dead men.

  “Archers, fire at will!”

  Twangs of bowstrings filled the air as the Major and his men waited.

  There sounded a war cry and the Snake warriors ran forward.

  “Fire at will.” Major said, and then started picking targets and firing single shots. A minute later, Amon joined him.

  Men fell left and right, some dead, but others wailing in pain and fear.

  “They're getting close!” someone yelled.

  “Fix bayonets!” Major yelled as he pulled a knife from his belt and attached it to the barrel of his rifle. Amon had no gun knife, or bayonet as the Major called it, so he did nothing.

  When the Snake warriors were close enough to see the shape of their noses, Major yelled, “Charge!”

  Soldiers came up and out of their holes and ran for their enemy.

  “Charge!” Amon screamed and Eagle warriors ran forward to help in the fight.

  The fight was ugly, with men being killed with rocks, clubs, guns, spears and knives. A man beside Amon took the shield from a Snake warrior and beat him to death after numerous hard swings. A big man ran for Amon, with a battle ax in his hand. The Eagle waited and when the man neared, he dropped the gun, pulled his sword and they began to circle. Out of the blue the Snake screamed and ran right for him, so he dropped to his back and used his legs, as well as the Snake's forward momentum, to propel the man up and over him.

  Amon quickly turned and moved to the man, picking his sword up along the way. When the Snake sat up, the Eagle warrior's steel blade caught him in the center of the face. The man screamed, reach for his face, and then fell backward. As the injured man's fingers felt his injury, Amon drove the tip of his sword through the warrior's belly. The man screamed again, fell to his back, and died.

  The Snakes were leaving the battle, but the ground was covered with Snake warriors: dead, dying and seriously injured. Rifle fire began to slow and a minute later it stopped, except for a random shot or two.

  Amon yelled, “Eagle warriors, move among our enemy and kill those yet breathing. Cut the throats of every warrior.”

  Major said, “We do not mutilate the dead.”

  “We don't either, but by cutting each man's throat, no one will escape death. We are called the 'cut throats' because of this. All on the battlefield will soon be dead and no longer a risk to us.”

  Major grinned and replied, “It makes sense to me. Let us return to Colonel and report the outcome of our battle.”

  Over the next few weeks minor problems arose and were quickly handled by Mongoose and Colonel. Usually it was bickering over this or that, but nothing serious.

  A week after arriving, Sergeant Dooley brought the Eagle warriors together and issued each of them a rifle, which were still packed in cosmoline, a thick grease. Over the next few days they cleaned the weapons, learned the functions of all parts, and how to change magazines. Safety classes were held, each warrior had to show he or she was able to take the rifle completely apart and then put it back together again, and have it function. They were taught how to load magazines, sight in their weapons and then finally the big day came to fire their rifles.

  “Each of you will fire twenty-five rounds from your rifles. You will come forward one at a time and do as you're instructed.” Sergeant Dooley said as he paced in front of the small group. “The barrel of your rifles will always be pointed toward the target, or up in the air. At no time will you point it at a person. If you point your rifle in any other direction, I will knock you on your ass.”

  Amon was excited and felt he'd do fine, but was surprised to hear his name called first, “Amon, you're first.”

  He moved forward, fired from different positions and then they checked the target.

  “Fine shooting. All twenty-five of your bullets hit the target with twenty-one placed in a kill zone.” Dooley said.

  On and on the afternoon went, with all of the warriors placing fair to excellent shots.

  After the last man fired, the Sergeant said, “Always keep your rifles with you, even when going to take a leak. At all times keep it within reach. It will do you no good if you don't have it and need a rifle.”

  Over the next few months, the warriors taught the soldiers sign language, and they went scouting together, so each would learn from the other. Friendships were developed and in a few isolated cases love blossomed between men and women, but as a unit they all grew closer.

  They were taught how to strip and clean pistols, reassemble them and finally how to fire them. Again, Amon demonstrated better than average ability to shoot well.

  Finally, Sergeant Dooley said, “Today, I will teach each of you how to throw a grenade.” He went on to discuss burst radius, delay fuses, and then demonstrated how to toss them. He warned of the importance of throwing the explosive, once the spoon flew from the grenade. “If not, it will blow and tear you apart when it does.”

  Then, like other training, each warrior was allowed to throw one live grenade. Amon was shaking so badly when his turn came, he almost dropped his grenade once the spoon flew through the air. He didn't do as well with the grenade as he did the firearms, but figured he'd be fine, once he overcame his fear. He'd conquer his fear with time and usage.

  With weapon and grenade training behind them, Dooley started teaching compass and map reading sessions. The warriors all learned to locate their positions, read a map, explain the contour lines, triangulate, and to complete the course they had walk to distant positions the Sergeant gave them. When they arrived, he was waiting for them with a big smile. Overall, Sergeant Dooley was deeply impressed with the skills of the Eagle People. They are a great addition to our tribe, he thought.

  Finally, Colonel and Mongoose called all of her warriors for a meeting.

  The Eagle warriors stood at attention and in columns as did the soldiers. They'd learned to march, form into formations, and some of basic military movements. />
  Colonel said, “Effective this date, all of you have been awarded military ranks. Mongoose has declined a military title, but her rank is Colonel, as is mine. When one of us speaks, it is as if we're both speaking. In other words, an order from her, is an order from me. Now, we will pass your rank and files, and present some of you with well deserved rank.”

  A Corporal walked behind the Colonel, holding a tray of small stripes, bars, and other small rank made of metal. He handed out stripes, until he reached Amon. Once in front of him, the Colonel said, “Amon, as the second in command of the Eagle Clan, your rank is Lieutenant Colonel. You have demonstrated in battle and training that you are a leader, and it makes me proud to promote you.” The Colonel saluted Amon, who did the same, and then they shook hands.

  Down the rows of men and women he went, promoting many more to positions of leadership and trust. When he reached Ada, he smiled and said, “Ada, I am impressed with you and your training. However, it's with pride I promote you to the rank of Major, and the leader of all warriors of the Eagle People. Your leadership is to be shared with my Major, and each of you will command the men and women under you. The two of you are only outranked by Amon, Mongoose and myself. Congratulations.”

  Once they saluted and shook hands, he continued down the rows awarding promotions.

  Finally, his promotions complete, he moved to the front of the group and stood beside Mongoose. Suddenly turning stern, he said, “Dismissed.”

  As the group broke up, Colonel said, “I want to see all officers and Senior Sergeants in my lodge immediately.”

  “Tests on all the women in your group show no disease at all. We especially paid attention to the group of captives that might have been exposed to syphilis. All are clean and have been released into the general population.”

  Mongoose said, “But, your women is not the main reason we called all of you to this meeting. A trader came through yesterday and claimed the Snake People now have guns, lots of guns. According to him, they traded slaves, gold and copper to the Japanese for the weapons.”

  “Also,” Colonel said, “we want Major Ada's warriors to continue to act as Dog Soldiers and roam the mountains and trails. I and Mongoose feel our best defense are these special warriors, who act as our eyes in all places. I feel it's only a matter of time before they come for us again, but they'll have guns this time.”

  The man called Major stood, and then said, “I'm Major Cole, but before I was address simply as Major, because I was the only one. Now with Ada a Major as well, call me Major Cole. I think, sir, it'd be smart for us to remove and start training on flamethrowers, LAW, and Claymore mines.”

  “That's an excellent idea, Major Cole, so see to it immediately. Most are crated or boxed and will require cleaning. After being in storage for years, many may no longer work. See our village is ringed with mines, both anti-personnel and Claymores. I want you to map each mine and make five copies of the map. Leave clear trails through some areas so folks can go out, collect food and then return safely. Make damned sure the clear zones are marked on your maps.”

  “What about stringing razor wire? We have pallets of the stuff, but I'm sure most of it has some rust.”

  “Do anything to make our village safer. If you think wire will help, use what you need.”

  One of the Learned Ones, who the soldiers called a scientist, stuck his head in the lodge and said, “Sir, during a routing radio check, we just made contact with another military unit.”

  Smiling, Colonel said, “That's all we have to discuss at this point, but Major Cole, I expect your work to start today. Dismissed.”

  As the officers and Sergeants left the lodge, Colonel motioned the scientist into the room.

  Walking to Mongoose and the Colonel, the man said, “We were surprised. It was during a short power up time, which you know we use to check our electronics and gear, that I heard the radio squawk.”

  “Who are these people and where are the located?”

  “They're like us, descendants of those who were stationed Area 51 when things went to hell. Our computer information shows them to be in a remote part of Lincoln County in Southern Nevada, a little over 800 miles from us. They have fifty-four people in their group.”

  “What did they want, or did they say?”

  “They didn't say they wanted anything. I think they were as surprised as us to reach someone on the radio.”

  “Rough country, southern Nevada is, with little water. Keep me informed.”

  “Yes, sir, I'll do that. We had to shut down to save power, but they'll contact us again in the morning.”

  Colonel nodded and motioned the scientist to leave.

  Mongoose said as soon as the man left, “The distance is great to Area 51.”

  “I suspect they'll want to join us, but I'll not send troops to bring them here. Not with the Snakes having guns.”

  “I agree, because we need to protect our village, before we can help others.”

  Chapter 21

  MASHECK, CHIEF OF THE SNAKES, held the AK-47 in his hands and smiled as he felt the cold metal. Over the last six months he'd traded hundreds of slaves for guns and ammunition. Each man now carried a weapon of some sort and all were rifles. The Japanese were mainly interested in female slaves, but males brought a good price as well. While other tribes were raiding for woman to breed, he was trading for arms, which he felt would allow him to strike any village and almost guarantee him success.

  He was a big man, standing closer to seven feet than six, in his mid-forties, and near two hundred and twenty pounds, not an ounce of it fat. He'd assumed control of the Snake People when his father died of a sudden illness, which Masheck had arranged with the shaman. A little tasteless powder in his drink, and the old bastard had died a painful death.

  Zedock entered and said, “The men are ready.”

  “Good, because I'm looking forward to this. I want this village of the River People wiped out, completely. All women are to be taken captive, males over ten killed, and we can leave the elderly behind. Hell, they'll be dead in a few days anyway, because they'll starve. I see no reason to waste bullets on old people.” Masheck picked up his belt, which held his ammo magazines, knife and other gear and buckled it around his waist.

  Zedock nodded and asked, “The last report we had indicated many women and young girls and close to fifty men.”

  He waved the man off and said, “Numbers mean little when you have guns. Get the men moving, and I'll be out in minute or two.”

  After his second in command left, he walked to his wife and said, “We will return before dark.”

  “I will have your food ready.”

  “You be ready too, because a good fight always arouses me.”

  “I look forward to your return then, husband. Stay safe in the coming battle.”

  Masheck leaned forward and cupped her cheek in his hand as he said, “You are the only one in this village I fully trust. You are a good wife.”

  Meeting his eyes and giving a big grin, she said, “Tonight, after you eat, I will bring you much happiness.”

  Kissing her chin, he said, “And, I will please you as well. Now I must leave.”

  Walking from his lodge, which was made of logs, he joined the long column of his men moving south, toward the River People.

  The trip to the River People was short, close to three hours, and uneventful. While the main group remained in a thick grove of pines, scouts were sent forward to look the village over. As they waited, Masheck sharpened his knife and cleaned his gear. Soon, the two men returned, both wearing a smile.

  “The village looks the same as it did yesterday.” Luther, the chief of scouts reported. “They're working like most villages, and I see nothing to indicate they aware of any danger.”

  “Take a quarter of the men, Zedock, and circle around their camp. Once the battle starts, I want you to hit them from the side. I think between the two of us, along with the guns, this fight will not last long. Make sure all our
men have clear targets before the shoot. I have had a change of mind too. Bring home one old man and woman, because our women need some entertainment.”

  Luther grinned and said, “Hell, let the women have them. They're masters at torture and will surprise us all with what they come up with. I'd much rather die by the hands of a warrior than his woman.”

  “Just get two prisoners. Now move into position. I will give you an hour, then we'll move forward and start the attack. Tell your men to be quiet as they wait, or I'll remove a few heads when we return. I want these women, because they're worth a fortune in guns and bullets.”

  An hour later, the Snake warriors moved quietly into the woods surrounding the village. Masheck saw nothing out of place, with women drying meat and cooking, while the men worked with arrows and bows. The sun was out and the morning young, so at least the weather would help during the attack.

  Masheck stood, made his rifle ready and then gave a piercing war cry. His warriors began to run for the village. Shots were heard, first one or two, then the noise grew louder as River warriors ran from their lodges. A man ran for Masheck with his spear, but one round fired from his AK-47 struck the man in the head, sending blood, bone and brain to the lodge behind him. His target fell, quivering.

  An arrow struck the man beside Mascheck, low and in the gut. He fell and began screaming as the rest moved forward. The ground was littered with fallen men, most of which were River warriors. Screams filled the morning air and the smell of blood was in the wind, along with the raw smell of human waste from those hit in the guts or stomach.

  Then, the men with Zedock struck the River warriors from the side and panic hit them. More of the River men fell, some raised their hands in surrender, but a few others ran into a lodge with shutters and a reinforced door.

  Zedock neared and said, “All of the warriors are dead, prisoners, or in that one lodge.”

  “Keep men around the lodge, but have our men search each structures for life. Gather all women near the edge of the village were we entered. Remember to keep me an old woman and man.”