“I don’t know. Why don’t you ask him? Use the same tone you are using right now, too,” the calm one mocked his partner.
“Maybe I’ll do just that.”
“Yeah, sure you will. You ready to go, or do want to bitch some more?”
“I can bitch on the move, let’s go.”
At that, Jack looked at Tom and nodded. Tom nodded back and Jack said in a stern voice, “Don’t move. Slowly put your hands over your heads. Now!”
The two men were startled, but didn’t move for their weapons, nor did they raise their hands. The calm one said, “Hey look buddy, we are just trying to get back to the road. We aren’t looking for trouble. What’s the deal?”
“The deal is the hands go up or we start shooting,” Jack replied in an edgy voice.
“Hey, hey, hey, we’re raising them. No need to go all Rio Bravo on our asses,” the calm one said as both men brought their hands up and rested them on their heads.
“I said hands up. Up!” Jack barked.
Shit, that scared me! Tom thought.
“Okay, okay!” the men said as they complied.
“Do you two gentlemen see the sand bar to your left?” Jack asked.
“Yes I do,” replied the calm one, “I take it we’re headed there?”
“You take it correctly. Very slowly. You stand up. You walk to the sand bar. If your hands come down, you get shot. Understood?” Jack said coldly.
“What if I stumble in the bushes on the way down?” asked the grumpy raider.
“Then you better fall with your hands up. Now gentlemen.”
The raiders stood and slowly made their way down to the river and moved onto the sand bar. As Thomas passed the rifles the raiders left on the ground, he picked them up and brought them along.
Jack ordered the raiders to the middle of the sand bar in preparation to searching them. As he did so, noise emanated from a short distance downstream.
“Ho! Rangers coming. Can you hear me?” yelled Ranger Mike Pitts from the brush.
“We hear you, come on out,” Thomas shouted in reply while he and Jack kept their rifles pointed at the raiders.
Ranger Pitts stepped out of the trees followed closely by Anne Anders.
“What you got there, Jack?” Pitts asked.
“Just a couple of innocent travelers looking for the road,” he replied.
The two Rangers chuckled and Pitts said, “Oh, so that’s what they are. You two did well. Cover us, we’ll take it from here.”
Jack replied, “You got it.”
“Tall guy, move over there,” Pitts said to the calm raider, gesturing at a spot near the edge of the sand bar twenty feet away, “Thomas, cover him.”
“Jack, you stay behind this guy,” Pitts said, referring to the shorter raider, “I’m going to search him. Put your hands on top of your head and spread your legs,” he said sternly. The raider complied, sneering at Ranger Pitts.
Pitts set his rifle a few feet behind Ranger Anders—a short distance to the left and front of the short raider—then he approached the raider and knelt in front of him saying, “I hope you know enough not to try anything.”
“With four Rangers? No way,” came the reply.
Pitts started searching the left boot of the raider, then moved up the leg. As he did so, the raider slid his right hand into the collar at the back of his neck. Jack rotated the safety lever on his rifle up into the safe position and yelled, “Look out!” as he slammed the butt of his rifle into the left side of the raider’s ribcage. The raider grunted and arched sideways, falling on the sand, he grimaced and curled up holding his ribs.
“What the...” said Pitts as the raider fell. “What do you think you’re doing!” he said, scowling at Jack.
“Saving your ass, that’s what, Mike,” said Ranger Anders. “Look,” she said as she pointed to the short-bladed knife that had fallen from the raider’s hand onto the sand when Jack struck him.
“I’ll be damned,” Pitts exclaimed. “You’re the third Traipse to save my dumb ass, Jack.”
“A Traipse?” grunted the downed raider. “You kin to Hardin and Gordon?”
“That’s right.”
“Shit, I’d hoped all o’ you died back when Hardin and Gordon kicked off.”
Anne Anders took a step toward the raider, an angry look on her face. “Shut your mouth you little shit,” she spat. Ranger Pitts stepped in front of her and said, “Calm down. Don’t get bent out of shape on this.”
“My brother died on the same mission Jack’s dad disappeared. We both lost somebody, Mike.”
“I’m sorry Anne. I knew that, I guess I’m just a little addled,” Pitts said sheepishly.
“Both them Traipses used to fuck with me, so’s now I got a chance to fuck with you, young Traipse,” said the sneering raider.
“My father has been gone five years.” Jack smiled with cold eyes. “You’re still bent out of shape about how he treated you that long ago? Seems to me he’s still fucking with you. He’s stuck in that pea brain of yours, always will be.”
“You fu—”
“And one more thing,” he interrupted, “my uncle Gordon is alive and well, living down south.”
“Fuck you! Fuck you, Traipse! You be seein’ me again Traipse. I be comin’ straight for you, and I always get what I come for,” the raider snarled.
“Be smart and steer clear,” Jack said calmly giving the raider a hard look.
“We’ll see, Ranger. If you hadn’t broke my ribs we’d go right now,” the raider said.
“Hah! You just can’t stop can you? You don’t know when to shut up,” said the other raider.
“You shut up!” the downed raider barked, “Why didn’t you throw in with me?”
“In case you missed it, this big bastard has a rifle screwed in my ear,” he said tilting his head at Tom Young.
Ranger Pitts stepped into the middle of the group. “We can continue this later. Let’s get these guys secured, searched, and get’em to Geneva,” he said rolling the short raider face down to bind his wrists behind his back.
“Watch it, I got broke ribs!” the raider whined.
“If you had broken ribs you wouldn’t be yelling,” Ranger Pitts said. “On your feet.”
“Let’s head back the way we came in,” Thomas suggested, “so we won’t have to bust so much brush.”
With the raiders bound and weapons secure, the group headed out after searching them. On their way back up the creek bed, the group ran into Art Sierra leading a small group of Rangers, who turned around and went back to the road with Ranger Pitts and company.
Once they returned to the bridge, the Rangers and trainees, along with the men from Oldiola, reviewed what had occurred, then the Rangers, along with the raider prisoners started toward Geneva, the militiamen to Oldiola.
On the short journey to Geneva, Jack spoke with Anne Anders, an old friend of the family.
“Nice to see you, Anne. It’s been awhile.”
“It’s been years. Be nice to see Tess. We talk on the telephone often, but it’s not face-to-face. She said you’d filled out. You sure take after your mom looks-wise, and no I’m not going to say anything about you being all grown up.”
“You just did, at least you didn’t mention changing my diapers when I was an infant,” he quipped.
“Ah, the good old days. I about had to change my diapers when you laid that ‘he’s still fucking with you’ stuff on Mr. Grumpy back there. I wish I’d thought of it.”
“I thought you were going to kick his teeth in at first, but I know you wouldn’t do that,” he said with a smile, which faded. “Old wounds never completely heal, do they?”
“That’s for sure and for certain. I lost a brother. You lost a father. Tess lost the love of her life. I don’t how she stayed so strong.”
“She had... has friends that she can lean on. Friends that call her regularly from down south,” Jack said earnestly.
“Stop that Jack,” she said as she became a
bit teary-eyed. “You’ll make me cry right in the middle of the road. I’ll go see Tess as soon as we get free of this business.”
“Mom will be thrilled. What brings you up here, Anne?” Jack asked.
“They sent me up here to pick up some of the new Rangers. We need as many as we can get down south. Damn raiders are causing everybody fits.”
“Do you know who is going south with you?”
“No. I don’t even know how many.”
“Well, I guess we’ll know in a few days.”
“It will be nice to have a Traipse in the Rangers again.”
“Art is a Traipse in all but name, Anne,” he joked.
“Art is unique, Jack. They broke the mold while they were making him.”
Jack laughed. “What’s going on at Kings Town?”
“I’m not sure. I was only there for a day or so, but they have something planned. That’s why they are calling in all the Rangers they can get.”
“Is the town still cut off?”
She nodded. “I guess they’re holding their own, but something has to give, and soon.”
. . . . .
The Ranger group arrived at Geneva and were back at the Ranger Post by 1600. Lieutenant Geiger was there when they returned. After quarantining the raiders and getting a quick rundown on what happened, he called Jack and Thomas aside.
“I need a quick word with you guys,” he said.
“I take it we finished last on the nav course, Lieutenant?” Thomas asked, causing Dan Geiger to burst out laughing.
“Thank you, Thomas. I can use a good laugh,” he said patting Tom on the shoulder. “No, you two did just fine today. I need you two back here at 1700 for a meeting. Don’t worry about a debrief or anything. Grab some chow and clean up, but be back here at 1700.”
Both trainees acknowledged the lieutenant’s order and ran to catch a quick shower and meal. Jack took time to run home so he could tell his mother that Anne Anders was coming for a visit, and was back at the Ranger compound by 1700.
When he arrived at the training area benches, all of the other trainees were there as well as most of the Rangers that took part in their training. Shortly after seating himself, and exchanging glances with Jennifer—She doesn’t look angry, he thought—Dan Geiger moved to stand in front of them.
“As you probably already know, strange things are afoot. In a few minutes you are going to put on the Ranger star and officially become Rangers.”
His statement caused murmuring and confused looks among the trainees.
“I received word this afternoon from Ranger Commander Straily that some of you are needed down south as soon as possible. That being the case, you will all put on the star a few days early. Quite frankly, I think you were ready before this. You have been an exceptional group of trainees. I would go so far as to say the best group of trainees I have ever had, and no, I don’t say that to every group,” he said as the trainees laughed.
“You got where you are in half the time most Rangers receive, and that says more about you than it does about us trainers. It says to me that you are exceptional people, and I think you will be fine Rangers.
“Corporal Sierra would like to speak to you, and after that you will come up here and take up the star, and then I will give you your duty assignments. Normally we’d have a small party for you, but regrettably we do not have the time. I hope you might stay for at least a few minutes afterward so we can wish you farewell. Corporal Sierra.”
Art Sierra stepped in front of the group and said, “The LT pretty much covered what I would say if I had his vocabulary. One thing though, since your training was short some Rangers might think you ain’t quite ready for the job. Don’t you worry about that. You haven’t got anything to prove, so when you get to your new job you just do your best and them that’s wonderin’ about you will see they was wrong.
“I think I speak for all the Rangers that took part in your training: any of us would work with you anytime, anywhere, on any job. You know me, and I wouldn’t say that if it weren’t true. That’s all I got, Lieutenant.”
The lieutenant called the trainees up one at a time—Jim Barstow, Amanda Hays, Jennifer Lewis, Ralph Sikes, Sean Trahearn, Jack Traipse, and Thomas Young—to receive their Ranger star, A five-pointed star surrounded by a circle upon which there was stamped a single word arching over the top, FREELANDS, and another curving on the bottom, RANGER. There was no oath ceremony, pinning on the star was oath enough. As was tradition, the trainee pinned his or her star on themselves with no one but Rangers present. And with that, they were Rangers.
After allowing the newly-minted Rangers a chance to enjoy the moment, the lieutenant said, “Your duty assignments, Rangers: Rangers Barstow, Lewis, Sikes, and Young will be going to Horns. Rangers Hays, Trahearn, and Traipse, Geneva. Those of you going to Horns will be involved with the issue in the Kings Town area. Ranger Lewis, you will likely be receiving more medical training, which will be in Heaven. Rangers Barstow, Sikes, and Young, will be assigned to a troop. Ranger Hays, you will be taking another crash course, learning how to do Ranger Louis’s job of commo and intel. She is going to Horns in two weeks. Rangers Trahearn and Traipse, assignment to Troop A, Geneva Element. Rangers Daley and Pitts are being reassigned to Horns as well.
“Those of you going south, you leave at first light. Those of you staying here will be here to see them off I hope, otherwise report for duty at 0800.
“You are dismissed. Feel free to leave when you wish, but I hope you’ll stay for at least a little while.”
The Rangers stayed for considerably longer than a few minutes. Many tears were shed. Many thanks were given. There were pats on the back, hugs, and handshakes exchanged. There were goodbyes and farewells, and promises to stay in touch. The Rangers, new and old, knew it was likely they would cross paths again, such was the way of Rangers.
Eventually the gathering broke up. Jack had moved to the edge of the group and awaited a chance to speak with Jennifer.
When she was finally free, she went to Jack with tears running down her cheeks and said, “Jack, I can’t talk now, I can’t put the words together. I have too much going through my head, and I have so much to do before we leave. I can’t sort it out right now. It’s like a whirlwind in my mind. I didn’t think I would react this way. Meet me here before dawn, please. Maybe I’ll be more coherent.”
“I’ll be here,” he said solemnly.
“So will I,” she answered, then turned and ran, weeping, into the evening.
Jack turned to leave, when Sean ran up to him and said, “Hey Jack, can I talk to you?”
“Can it wait until morning? I have a lot on my mind right now.”
“Sure, I suppose you do,” Sean replied in a conciliatory tone, looking in the direction Jennifer had went. “I’m sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about, my friend. See you dark and early.”
. . . . .
In the last darkness before dawn, Jennifer carried her gear and luggage to the Ranger HQ building, where there were people loading the trailers for the trip south. She asked one of the men where to leave her bags and he indicated the ground next to one of the trailerss. She was the first Ranger there.
She walked to the training area, expecting to see Jack standing there, but there was no one. She headed for the seating area to wait, and in the traces of first morning light saw a shape on one of the benches, a man. It was Jack, sleeping on his side with a troubled look on his face. Jennifer woke him and said, “Have you been here all night?”
“No, just since they finished hooking up the trailers to the trucks by the HQ,” he said as he sat up and stretched, “about twenty-three hundred or so. I wasn’t going to risk oversleeping or something. We’ve had enough bad timing for one relationship.”
“I don’t know about that. I think our timing is pretty good. I thought about waiting until next year to try for the Rangers. I’m glad I didn’t.”
“Not as much as me.”
�
��Are you sure about that?”
“Yes, but I won’t argue with you about it,” he said with a small laugh as he put his arm around her.
“I was going to get onto you about chasing raiders again, but it doesn’t really matter now,” she said as she put her head on Jack’s shoulder.
“They are sure troublesome. You know, you are going to have guys all over you down there in Horns, Heaven too.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Sure it does, if you decide to take up with one of those fancy-boys from Heaven.”
“Well, I have no plans to take up with anyone,” she said glancing at Jack, “down there at least.”
“That’s a relief, I think.”
“You think?”
“Yeah, I’m a little confused.”
“What does that mean?” she asked with a quiet laugh.
“We should have had that serious talk. Things would be a little more clear maybe.”
“It can’t be now. They are already loading the baggage in the trailers,” she said pointing.
“Shit.”
“My sentiments exactly.”
“Then let me escort you, Miss Lewis,” he said as he stood and offered her his hand. She accepted and they slowly made their way to the convoy. By now there were dozens of people in the vicinity of the HQ, some loading the last few items in the trailers, some getting the trucks fired up, but mostly friends and families of departing Rangers come to see them off.
“I need to say farewell to a few people,” Jack said. “Will you give me a couple of minutes?”
“Of course. I need to do the same.”
Jack sought out Jim Barstow, Ralph Sikes, and Thomas Young.
“You get the problem down there straightened out and get your tails back here in one piece,” Jack said.
The three men laughed.
“We’ll watch out for Jen,” Thomas said.
“Thanks, speaking of which…”
Jack made his way to the trailer where Jennifer’s baggage had been loaded, the last in the convoy. She joined him soon after.
“I guess this is mine,” Jennifer said with a gesture toward the trailer. “I hope you’ll call me.”
“I will.” Say something you gutless shit, Jack thought, as he helped her climb aboard.
The Blastlands Saga Page 16