“Can everyone hear me?” I asked.
There was a mumble of assent through the group and they fell silent, once again.
“Alright, listen up, everybody,” I started. “The reason I wanted you all here is my gut tells me that the Freemen are going to make a move. I believe that they are going to make it, soon.”
This caused the others to exchange worried looks and low murmuring.
“We’ve got to be ready,” I continued. “We have to end this, once and for all. If they keep coming after us, eventually they’re going to find a way to get the job done. Even if they do it through attrition. They outnumber us by quite a bit. Plus, all of them are fighters. Admittedly, most of them aren’t very well trained. The advantage of numbers should not be underestimated.”
That drew some murmuring and a grave nod from the First Sergeant.
“We’ve got to force them to do this on our terms,” I said. “We need to control the situation. Bowman, do you still have that mini-gun mounted on that Hemmitt?”
“Sure do,” he replied. “We had two of those guns, so I mounted both of them.”
“That reminds me,” I said. “What does H.B.D.C. stand for? I saw that you’d stenciled it on the side of the first one.”
“It’s on both of them, now,” he replied, grinning. “It’s what I call them. Those monsters don’t care who you are or how bad you think you are. They’ll cut you to ribbons.”
“OK,” I agreed, waiting for him to finish.
“It stands for Honey Badger Don’t Care,” he said.
I just rolled my eyes and several of the group chuckled. Southard thought it was hilarious.
“Well, that solves that mystery,” I said. “Can you put one of your Honey Badgers on each entrance?”
“No problem,” he said. “I’ll get them in place.”
“Josh,” I said, “we need those cameras watching our perimeter.”
“I’ll see to it, personally,” he said. “I’ll let you know the second we see something.”
“Good,” I replied. “We’ll need all the advance warning we can get. I also want to organize two fire teams. Gunny, you take one and First Sergeant Gregory will take the other.”
“What about you?” asked Gunny.
“I’ll be in operational command,” I replied. “I want to be able to go where the action is. I’ll leave the line of defense up to you guys. You have more experience at it than I do, anyway.”
“That’s true,” grumbled Gunny. “It’s about time you learned that you can count on us, son.”
“I never doubted that, Guns,” I said.
“Good call, Sheriff,” said the First Sergeant. “My Rangers won’t let you down.”
“Hoo-ah,” said the other two Rangers, in unison.
“Hoo-ah,” I replied, nodding.
“I’ll work with both of them to draw up the fire teams,” said Spec-4, holding up a clipboard. “We’ll keep the teams as even as possible.”
“Good,” I said. “Everyone get their gear and make sure you’re fully loaded. This could kick off at any time.”
Everyone started heading off. As the Rangers stood up, I caught the First Sergeant’s attention.
“Top,” I said, “can I talk to you a second?”
He nodded, and motioned for his men to carry on. Then he came over to me and waited for the others to move off before we spoke.
“Is something wrong, Sheriff?” he asked, warily.
“I just wanted to discuss something with you and not let everyone know about it,” I said. “At least, not at the moment.”
“Op-Sec,” he said. “I completely understand.”
“Can you contact your chain of command?”
“I thought you wanted us to stay?” he said, a little defensively.
“I do, Top,” I reassured him. “I just wanted to know if that airstrike possibility was still on the table.”
“I’m sure it is,” he replied. “I’ll just have to confirm my identity with them. It might take a little while. Why?”
“When we engage them, this time,” I said. “I want to make certain it’s the last time we have to engage them.”
“I’ll get right on it,” he said. “Anything else?”
“Let’s keep this under our hats, for now,” I said.
“Can do,” he said.
I could see he resisted the urge to salute me before he turned to head off.
“Oh, and Top,” I called after him.
“Yes, Sheriff,” he said, looking back.
“Thanks,” I said.
“You’d have done the same for us,” he replied.
“Hoo-ah,” I replied.
“Hoo-ah,” he answered.
Then he turned around and saluted me. I returned it with a solemn motion. We finally had an understanding. He dropped his salute and executed a precise about-face, then walked away. I held the salute for a second longer, then released it and watched him go.
“You two seem to have reached an understanding,” said Karen, as she slipped up next to me.
“I think so, too,” I replied, sliding my arm around her waist.
I leaned down and kissed her on the forehead.
“Wylie,” she whispered, turning and putting her arms around me.
“Yeah, babe,” I said, slipping mine around her, in return.
“Are you sure you’re OK?”
“I will be,” I answered. “The wounds will heal, like they always do. I may have nightmares for a while.”
“Who can blame you?” she said, softly.
“We’ll get through this,” I whispered, and then I kissed her on the neck.
Just before I closed my eyes to enjoy the kiss, I had the sudden feeling in the pit of my stomach that something was very wrong. I looked up quickly and started searching around for any sign of danger. There were deep pools of shadow around us in the cave, so I couldn’t see very far. I let my hand slip down to the handle of the old Colt and something caught my attention.
There was a sudden blur of movement in the darkness to my left. Before I could move, I saw Patty the she-ape leap out of the shadows, with my sword in her hand. She was going for a killing blow on Karen. With a sudden shove, I threw Karen clear of the attack. The lethal tip of the sword sliced into my chest armor and clanked to a stop against the trauma plate.
She yanked the sword clear and tried for another swing, this time at me. I dove to the side and drew my hammer. Steel rang on steel as I caught the blade on the head of the hammer. She tried to disengage, but I stepped inside and drove my fist into her already mangled mouth. She cried out more in anger than in pain, and swung the sword like a baseball bat. Despite her lack of technique, she still swung the sword with tremendous force.
I ducked back, just enough to avoid the blow. Her “Mighty Casey” swing had left her off balance, so I capitalized on it. With a snap of the wrist, I slammed the head of the hammer into the side of her knee. I could hear the bone crunch beneath the force of the blow. She bellowed in pain and rage as she fought to stay on her feet.
With a savage back swing, she swiped at my face with the blade. I had to duck my head to avoid it and she lunged at me. She outweighed me and bore me to the ground easily. I struck her twice in the ribs with the hammer, but she was beyond pain now. She only grunted as she grabbed my throat with one enormous hand and pinned me to the ground. Bringing the sword up, I could see a mixed look of hatred and triumph on her face.
As she was about to deliver the killing blow, I heard the report of a pistol. Six shots rang out and I could see the force of the impact make Patty shudder with each hit. She arched her back and groaned, dropping the sword from suddenly lifeless hands. Before she could pitch forward, I shoved her to the side. She fell in a heap to my left, and didn’t move anymore. Behind her, holding her pistol just like I’d taught her, was Karen.
“Get the hell away from him,” she snarled.
I got shakily to my feet, recovering both sword and hammer.
“Are you alright,” we both asked at the same time.
“I’m fine,” I said. “How about you?”
“I…killed…her,” she stammered.
“It’s ok,” I said. “You didn’t have a choice. Besides that, she’s the one who beat me.”
“What?” said Karen, anger in her voice. “That was the thing that hurt you?”
“Yeah, babe,” I said. “Look, I’ve got to go. If she made it inside, who knows who else came with her.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Reload,” I replied. “We’re under attack.”
I grabbed my radio and keyed up.
“Josh,” I said, “do you read?”
“Copy that,” he said, “what’s up?”
“We have intruders inside the perimeter,” I replied. “Sound the alarm. We have intruders in the Underground.”
Instantly, I heard the intercom system kick in.
“Attention all personnel,” said Josh. “This is not a drill. We have intruders inside the perimeter. All units respond.”
I could hear activity erupt all around. I didn’t hear any gunfire yet, but I knew that was just a matter of time. If Patty was down here, you could rest assured that she didn’t come alone. I locked and loaded my weapon and headed for the Hive. It was the nerve center of the Underground. I could direct the defense from there and find out where everyone was. I hadn’t made it far when my radio went off.
“Dad!” shouted Elliott. “We’re pinned down near the rock crusher!”
“On my way,” I shouted.
I jumped into the nearest vehicle. It was one of the Underground dually pick-ups. The keys were in it, so I fired it up. Karen dove into the passenger seat as I pulled it into gear.
“You should get to the Hive,” I told her.
“You should drive,” she said, working the slide on her pistol. “Those are my sons, too.”
I didn’t argue. I just handed her my Keltec shotgun and hit the accelerator. I knew the way to the rock crusher. It was at the east end of the cavern. It was also near the ventilator shaft that was outside the perimeter fence. I was pretty sure I’d just figured out how they got inside. I squealed tires as I slid around the corner by the Hive. Southard and Spec-4 saw me and dove into a Humvee to follow.
As the rock crusher came into view, I could see four figures crouched down behind it. There were six of the Freemen taking cover behind piles of rocks, keeping the fire on the people behind the crusher. I slid the truck sideways and crushed one of them with the back fender as it slammed into the rock. I did some body damage to the truck, but it wasn’t out of action. The scumbag was not so fortunate. He was a broken and bloody mess as I pulled away.
A second gunman turned and stood to fire at the truck. Karen shot him in the chest with the Keltec at a range of about thirty feet. The force of the 12 gauge Winchester Supreme Elite round slamming into his chest tossed him like a ragdoll. The Freemen didn’t wear body armor, so it punched a hole in his chest about the size of a grapefruit. He wasn’t getting back up.
Two more opened fire on the truck, only to get cut to ribbons when Spec-4 opened fire with the SAW. Stray rounds from the gunmen peppered the windshield, but didn’t hit either of us. The other two ran for the interior of the Underground, on a path that would take them to the Hive. I couldn’t let them reach it.
I punched the gas and spun the truck around, squealing tires and throwing gravel as I did. I mashed the pedal to the floor and shot off in pursuit of the fleeing gunmen. I ran over the first one as he tried to beat me to a corner. The second threw his hands in the air and dropped his weapon.
“You can’t shoot me, now,” he screamed. “You idiots have rules.”
I slammed on the brakes and screeched to a stop.
“Screw the rules,” said Karen, and shot him in the chest with the Keltec. “Never threaten my children. That’s the only rule you need to know.”
Then I shoved the transmission into reverse and headed back the way we came. I stomped on the brakes and spun the wheel, throwing the truck around facing the rock crusher. Yanking it back into drive, I headed right at it. My three sons and John Banner came walking around from cover. I screeched to a stop less than ten feet from them, and slid sideways.
“Get in!” I shouted.
The boys didn’t look hurt, but the younger two looked pretty shook up. Elliott looked angry. The two younger boys dove into the back seat of the truck and Karen turned to check on them. John and Elliott jumped into the bed and stood against the back of the cab. I could hear their weapons clatter down on the top.
“Dad!” shouted Elliott. “We’re in! Get to the Hive!”
I didn’t wait for anything else. I spun the truck around and roared off towards the Hive. Southard came alongside me with Spec-4 still in the turret. Seconds later, the Hive came into view. Four of our people were exchanging fire with about a dozen of the Freemen. Elliott and John didn’t wait for encouragement and started taking shots as soon as we had a clear line of fire.
Spec-4 added the SAW to the engagement and soon we had the Freemen trying to withdraw. I heard Elliott say “YES!” as I saw one enemy go down with a shot to the shoulder. Then I heard John’s three-round burst. It stitched another gunman from navel to nose, he fell and didn’t move. The one Elliott shot had dropped his weapon and was trying to crawl behind a security vehicle.
“Wylie,” said Josh over the radio. “I ran the camera back. It looks like about two dozen came down that shaft after they disabled the fans. How many have you guys taken out?”
“The number is still climbing,” I replied. “I’ll get back to you in a minute.”
“Clear,” he called. “I’ve secured the Hive from the inside. They’d need explosives to get inside.”
“Trust me, Josh,” I said. “They have them.”
Elliott leaped over the edge of the bed of the truck and headed off to the left, flanking the retreating Freemen. John jumped off the right side and headed around to do the same thing on the opposite side.
“Take the wheel,” I said to Karen as I dove out of the truck.
I took off at a run, following Elliott. I trust my son, but this was his first time in a firefight. He might just need my help. As I ran around the corner, I could see Elliott taking shots at the retreating enemy. To his right, the one that had crawled away wounded was leaning out from behind a rock and aiming at Elliott’s back with a pistol. I snap drew the old Colt and shot him through the forehead, killing him instantly.
Elliott took another shot and dropped his target, then moved off in pursuit. He’d never even seen the one who almost shot him. Yeah, he had a lot to learn. His aim was good, though. Holstering the Colt, I brought my M-4 up and ran after Elliott. I caught up to him at the edge of the industrial supply warehouse and shoved him down as a bullet whizzed by our heads.
“Thanks, dad,” he muttered, and then took a quick shot in the direction that the shot had come from.
“Watch your back, son,” I said. “You almost got shot back there.”
“I knew he was there,” he said. “I also knew you were, too. I knew you’d get him.”
“I’m glad you were confident,” I said. “He damned near shot you in the back.”
“I’ve got armor on,” he replied, taking another shot.
“Not on your head,” I answered, taking a shot of my own.
That seemed to make him pause and think a second.
“Sorry,” he said, and shrugged.
“Don’t be sorry,” I said. “You’re doing fine. Just stay alert.”
“OK.”
From across the way, I heard two quick shots and the last two Freemen fell to the ground. John Banner stepped out from the shadows and tipped his hat to us. Then he was gone.
“That guy’s like Batman,” said Elliott.
“Tell me about it,” I replied. “He’s been doing that to me for years.”
“All units check in,” called Josh over the radio.
“Josh, do you see any more of them on camera?” I asked.
“Negative,” he replied. “Zero hostile movement. Our people are sweeping the interior, just to be sure.”
“How does the outside look?”
“Switching to external camera,” he replied. “Whoa! It looks like we’ve got movement on the northwest corner.”
“Anyone hitting the perimeter?” asked Southard.
“Negative,” he replied. “It looks like they’re falling back.”
“Why would they do that?” asked Elliott.
“Because they either got what they wanted,” I said, “or they’re getting clear of the area before…”
I didn’t get to finish the sentence before a massive explosion ripped through the western edge of the underground. The ground shook and debris fell from the ceiling. The roof didn’t cave in, but I was worried it might for a few seconds. The explosion came from outside the Underground, but was large enough that it knocked us all off of our feet. Before I could stand up, the lights went out.
Emergency lights came on immediately. It was less than half of the previous illumination since they were all smaller battery pack lights that only came on if we lost main power. Obviously, we had lost it. I was dreading to hear the answer to the question I was about to ask.
“Josh,” I called into my radio. “What did they hit?”
My ears were ringing from the blast, but it looked like we were all uninjured.
“Hang on,” he replied. “I’m switching to battery backup.”
I could hear computers beeping and alarms ringing in the background. Josh had kept the channel open. Then I heard him grumble.
“Come on you son-of-a-bitch,” he snapped.
Then I heard more beeping, followed by a whirring sound.
“Alright!” he exclaimed. “Backup power is on, but it won’t last. We’ve lost part of the external cameras. I’m swinging a different camera around to sweep the area.”
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