First Strike

by Jack Higgins

Colt Python revolvers. Another uses a tomahawk. And still another prefers a

  katana. They are better with their weapons than I could ever hope to be." "I'd like to meet them some day," Grizzly remarked.

  "Maybe you will," Blade said. He gazed from one recruit to the next,

  pleased at the expressions he beheld. With one exception, Kraft, they were

  staring at him with varying measures of respect in their eyes. Perfect. His plan

  had worked. He'd needed to garner their respect if he was to entertain any hope

  of leading them. With their respect would come obedience. He could have

  intimidated them into complying with his commands, but earning their respect

  was wiser. Now he would also have their loyalty, and loyalty was preferable to

  fear any day. Give him another two months, and he would whip them into a

  crack fighting unit.

  But he wasn't to get the two months.

  CHAPTER FIVEBlade was at his desk, reviewing the makeup of his team and analyzing their respective weaknesses, when he heard a jeep pull to a stop outside. He looked at the clock on his desk. Ten-fifteen. Who would be arriving at such a late hour? General Gallagher? But Gallagher had said he would not return for three days. So who could it be?

  Moments later the general strode into the office without knocking. "Hello, Blade," he greeted the Warrior somberly.

  "Hello, General," Blade said. "This is a surprise. I wasn't expecting you for a few days."

  "And I wasn't planning to come back so soon," Gallagher stated. "But something came up." He crossed to a chair in front of the desk and sat down.

  "What could be so important?" Blade asked, leaning back in his metal chair.

  "How did your training go today?" General Gallagher inquired.

  "Fine," Blade answered. "His recruits show promise."

  "How long will you need to get them ready for their first mission?" Gallagher probed.

  "Our agreement was I could have two months, minimum," Blade reminded the officer. "Governor Melnick said I could have more time, if needed."

  "That wasn't what I wanted to know," Gallagher said. "How long will you need to get them ready?"

  "I intend to take the full two months," Blade informed the general. "I'm not about to take these men out into the field unprepared."

  "I can appreciate your sentiments," Gallagher stated. "But you don't have two months." Blade sat up. "What? Why not?"

  "Because something has come up," General Gallagher disclosed. "You'll need to get them ready sooner."

  "How much time are you talking about?'' Blade asked.

  Gallagher hesitated before responding. "Two weeks."

  Blade came up out of his chair. "Two weeks! Are you insane! I can't have them ready in two weeks!"

  "You must get them ready," Gallagher said, "It's imperative."

  "No way," Blade reiterated.

  Gallagher sighed. "I knew you'd say that. I even told Governor Melnick you wouldn't go for the idea. But he insisted. He said the lives of dozens of women are at stake."

  "What, women?" Blade questioned.

  "Why don't you calm down and have a seat," Gallagher suggested. "I'll explain everything." Blade sat back down. "I'm listening," he announced gruffly.

  General Gallagher cleared his throat. "Like I said, something has come up. Something requiring our immediate attention."

  "Like what?"

  "Are you familiar with northern California?" Gallagher inquired.

  "No," Blade admitted.

  "The country is real rugged up there," Gallagher detailed. "There are a lot of mountains and rivers and the densest forest you'd ever want to see. It's all very remote, and in some places almost inaccessible. There weren't a lot of people there before the war, and now there are even less."

  "Does your Army patrol this area?" Blade interrupted.

  "We patrol around it," Gallagher responded. "Going through it would take weeks, if not months. As far as we know, there aren't any Raiders operating in the area because there are so few towns to raid. There are a lot of wild mutants, and we keep them away from the inhabited outposts."

  "Are there any big towns at all?"

  "There are a few along the coast, but that's at the west end, and the part I'm talking about is the Marble Mountain Wilderness in the center of the state. The nearest town is called Yreka. It has a population of about six thousand," Gallagher said, then paused, frowning. "About two weeks ago a young woman was brought into Yreka by a family living in Ft. Jones, a small community of about five hundred southwest of Yreka. You see, Yreka has a doctor and Ft. Jones doesn't, and the young woman, was badly in need of medical attention. She was starving to the point of wasting away and had a touch of pneumonia. The doctor reports she was on her last legs, but she has recovered pretty much since."

  "Was this woman from Ft. Jones?" Blade queried.

  "No," Gallagher replied. "She was pulled from the Scott River near Ft. Jones by a fisherman and his son. She was close to drowning when they found her."

  "If she wasn't fromFt.Jones, then where did she come from?" Blade questioned.

  "No one knew where she was from until she was able to talk," General Gallagher said. "And this is where the story starts to get hairy. Her name is Athena Morris, and she was officially declared dead seven years ago."

  "Dead?" Blade repeated, puzzled.

  "Dead," Gallagher affirmed. "She was a journalist from LA on her way to Yreka to do a story when the plane she was in went down.

  The CAP launched a search for the plane, but they never found a trace of the wreckage. According to her, the plane developed mechanical problems and crashed on a ridge in the Marble Mountain Wilderness, killing the pilot."

  "So where has she been for seven years?" Blade asked.

  "I'll get to that," Gallagher promised. "We've run a background check on her. She was a top reporter for the Times, on her way to Yreka to cover the extensive flooding they had there seven years ago. She had a reputation for honesty and accuracy. I've met her. She's the independent type, a very strong woman. She must be if she survived the hell she went through."

  Blade leaned on his elbows, all attention.

  "Morris claims she was captured and held prisoner in a secluded valley in the Marble Mountain Wilderness. She says there are other women still being held there. About two dozen," General Gallagher divulged.

  "Being held prisoner by whom?" Blade wanted to know.

  "I'd rather let her tell you that," Gallagher said:

  "Is she here now?" Blade inquired.

  "She's in LA," Gallagher stated. "If you're willing, I will come back tomorrow morning with Morris and Governor Melnick. Hear her out. Maybe let her address your men. It's their lives on the line if they go on this mission."

  "Why didn't she come along now?" Blade asked. "Why wait until tomorrow?" General Gallagher stared into the Warrior's eyes. "Because I didn't want to spring this on you cold. I could have phoned, but I wanted to see your reaction when I told you. Governor Melnick wants to rescue the other women as quickly as possible. If you could have your unit ready in two weeks, you can go in after them."

  "I don't understand," Blade confessed. "Why us? Why the Force? Why not send hi some of your commandos or regular Army troops?"

  "There are a couple of reasons," Gallagher mentioned. "First, we don't know the exact location of this remote valley. Morris has a vague idea where it might be, but that's it. So your unit stands as good a chance as any of ours at finding the site, maybe even better because you have an Indian with you. Thunder told me he's an excellent tracker. Secondly, another of your team is ideally suited for the job, considering what you might be up against."

  "Who? And what?"

  "You'll understand better tomorrow," Gallagher said.

  "I have an idea," Blade observed. "Why not search for this valley from the air? Why not drop in your soldiers by parachute? Why go in on foot?"

  "Because the site is camouflaged an
d hidden from the air," Gallagher replied. "They have lookouts on the ridge and can see a plane coming for miles. Morris doubts we could find them from the air. They'd take cover before we got there."

  "I still don't like using the Force for this. Blade said, "The recruits haven't been trained to function as a team yet."

  "Then that's another reason to use them," General Gallagher commented.

  "What do you mean?" Blade queried.

  "This mission could be extremely dangerous," Gallagher stated. "None of you could come back alive. Have you ever noticed how danger has a way of drawing people closer together? Your recruits don't function as a team now, but if they survive the mission I can guarantee they'll be one."

  "Do or die, huh?"

  Gallagher shrugged. "Life is rough. What can I tell you?"

  "You can tell me I'm asleep and dreaming all of this," Blade said.

  "Sorry. So what's your decision? Do I bring Morris and the governor up here tomorrow morning, or what?" General Gallagher asked.

  "If it was up to me, I'd say no," Blade responded. "But you're right. The men must decide this one. Bring Morris up. We'll hear what she has to say."

  General Gallagher rose, smiling. "I knew I could count on you. Thanks. You won't regret this?"

  "I hope you're right," Blade said gloomily.

  Gallagher walked toward the door. "Don't worry about it. Try and get a good night's sleep," he advised.

  "You must be kidding."

  CHAPTER SIX

  Athena Morris was a singularly attractive woman. Her appeal was not so

  much her figure, which was slim and athlete, but the quality of assurance she

  projected. Her fine brown hair fell past her shoulders, accenting her yellow

  blouse. She also wore tan slacks and brown shoes. Her alert brown eyes

  scrutinized the six recruits standing five yards in front of her.

  Blade stood to the woman's right, his hands clasped behind his back. To

  the woman's left was General Gallagher and Governor Melnick, a hefty man with

  dark hair, blue eyes, and perpetually congenial features, wearing an immaculate

  blue suit. Blade gazed from the governor to Morris, appraising her profile. Her

  cheekbones were high and prominent, her lips thin. He thought he detected a

  certain toughness about her.

  The six recruits were eyeing the woman speculatively, obviously

  wondering what in the hell was going on. Blade had told them nothing. After

  their morning workout and meal, Gallagher had arrived with his visitors. Blade

  had formed a single file in front of the HQ: Havoc was on the left, then Grizzly,

  Boone, Thunder, Kraft and Spader.

  "So what's the deal, cutey?" Kraft unexpectedly addressed the woman.

  "Are you a nurse here to give us an exam? You can start with my privates!" he

  suggested lewdly.

  Spader called.

  Governor Melnick reddened, General Gallagher frowned, and Blade took a

  step toward Kraft. Morris held out her right arm, halting the giant. She looked up

  into his eyes. "There's no need," she said.

  "I can handle this."'

  "Whatever you want," Blade said.

  Morris stared at Kraft, her gaze frigid. "I am not a nurse," she informed

  him. "And as for your privates, I stopped playing with marbles years ago." Boone, Grizzly, and Spader burst into laughter: Sergeant Havoc, standing

  at attention, couldn't suppress a grin. Thunder smiled.

  Kraft glared at Morris. "I don't think you know who you're messing with,

  lady."

  "I'm beginning to have my doubts," Morris stated. "I was told you men

  are known as the Freedom Force, that you're professionals. But maybe they

  confused you with a grade-school class." Boone slapped his right thigh in

  merriment.

  "She's got your number," Grizzly said to the irate Clansman. Spader tittered.

  Blade took two strides forward, his gray eyes sweeping the line. The men

  promptly sobered, straightening to attention. Kraft's jaw twitched, but he stayed

  silent. "I don't want any remarks out of any of you until the time comes for you

  to speak," Blade directed. "The next one who does so will answer to me." No one spoke.

  "General Gallagher explained the situation to me," Morris said to Blade.

  "Do you want to start the ball rolling, or should I?"

  "I will," Blade offered, his gaze still on the recruits. "This lady is Athena

  Morris," he introduced her. "I want you to listen to every word she has to say,

  because in a little while you're going to be asked to make a decision. How you

  decide could mean the difference between life and death for you." He paused. "Ordinarily you would not have a say in whether or not you go on a

  mission. You volunteered to serve for a year, come what may. But this is a

  special case. Governor Melnick here wants us to go on our first mission within

  two weeks. That's not much time to train. So whether we go or not will depend

  on you. It's your lives we're talking about." He nodded at Morris.

  "Thank you," she said, facing the recruits. "I'll make this short and sweet.

  For seven years I was held captive, along with approximately two dozen other

  women, in a valley deep in the woods in northern California. Like these other

  women, I was a slave. I only recently escaped, and I want to see the party

  responsible punished and the other women released. That's why I'm here, to talk

  you into going. Any questions?"

  Sergeant Havoc glanced at Blade. You can speak now if you want," Blade

  said. "Any of you." Havoc stared at Athena Morris. "There's a lot you haven't told

  us, Ms. Morris. For instance, how were you caught? And who caught you?" "I was a reporter for the LATimes"Morris replied. "I was on assignment

  at the time, and my plane crashed. That's when I was taken prisoner. As for who

  caught me…" She hesitated, her mouth downturned. "It was the vilest, most

  loathsome creature you'd ever want to see."

  "Creature?" Havoc repeated.

  Athena Morris looked at Grizzly, her forehead furrowed, as if she was

  debating whether to continue. Finally she appeared to gird herself. "I was held prisoner by a mutant," she disclosed.

  Grizzly cocked his head, peering at the woman.

  "This mutant is called the Spider," Morris hastily continued. "He is a

  monster, a tyrant. He controls all of the valley I mentioned. The Spider's

  Kingdom, they call it. The Spider has been there for decades. I don't know how

  many. His underlings roam the countryside for him, taking women as captives.

  These women are kept in huts in the valley. I know their lives firsthand. During

  the day they work in the fields growing crops. At night they're confined to their

  huts, all except for one. She is chosen to go to the Tower."

  "What's this tower?" Boone asked.

  "The Tower Of The Spider," Morris said. "Where the Spider lives. He never

  comes out of it. All his food, anything he needs including the women, are taken

  in to him."

  "What does he do with the women, ma'am?" Spader tactlessly inquired.

  Morris frowned. "The Spider uses them for reproduction."

  Boone, Sergeant Havoc, and Thunder exchanged glances.

  "The Spider uses a different woman every night," Morris disclosed. "He

  wants them to bear his offspring, the Hatchlings. Those women who can't bear

  children become sacrifices."

  "Sacrifices?" came from Thunder.

  Morris blanched. "Those women unable to have the Spider's children are

 
; periodically sacrificed." She paused, "They are fed to the Hatchlings." Blade saw a ripple of tension pass along the line of recruits, all except for

  Grizzly. The mutant was immobile, his indeterminate countenance seemingly

  chiseled out of granite. Spader did a double take. "You mean these Hatchlings

  eatthe women?"

  "That's precisely what I mean," Morris confirmed.

  "What's this Spider like?" Boone inquired.

  "I don't quite know how to describe him," Morris responded. "He's

  hideous, a cross between a spider and a human. You must see him to believe it."

  She shuddered at the recollection.

  "What about the Hatchlings?" Boone probed.

  "The Hatchlings are somewhat more human than the Spider," Morris

  detailed. "But they're still grotesque. They have two legs, but four arms, and

  they have these huge fangs. Their fingers are like talons, and they can use them

  to communicate by clicking them, signaling back and forth. They relish eating

  human flesh."

  "How many Hatchlings are there in the Kingdom?" Sergeant Havoc

  queried.

  "Nineteen," Morris answered. "And that's not all."

  "There's more?" Boone asked.

  Morris nodded. "The Spider also employs human guards to take care of

  the menial chores like watching over the women. There are eleven of them." "So the opposition includes eleven guards, nineteen Hatchlings, and the

  Spider," Sergeant Havoc tallied.

  "Thirty-one, all told. Is that right?"

  "That's correct," Morris confirmed.

  "Thirty-one of them and seven of us," Boone remarked. "That's what I

  like. Even odds."

  "There will be eight of us," Morris amended.

  Blade glanced at the journalist. "Eight?"

  Morris nodded, "Didn't General Gallagher tell you? I'm coming along."

  Blade slowly turned toward the general, his expression reflecting his disapproval.

  "What's this?" he demanded sternly.

  General Gallagher mustered a weak grin and looked from Blade to Morris

  and back again. "Oh! Did I forget to mention you'll be taking Morris with you if

  you decide to go on the mission?"

  "Such a minor detail," Blade said sarcastically. "I can see how you might

  have overlooked it."

  "We'll discuss it later," Gallagher stated.