by A. American
“You seen the old man today?”
“This morning.”
“Then you don’t know what you’re about to do?”
He sat up quickly, knocking the sunglasses askew. “No. What is it? Do I get to take my tank?”
“I don’t know about your tank. But he’s lining up a strike against the Russians at the auto auction. Said he’s got a B1 bomber strike planned. You and Ted are supposed to go over there and put a laser or something on the target.”
He jumped to his feet and shouted, “Hot damn!”
I turned my head, “Put something on, would you?”
Mike looked down and smiled. Putting his hands behind his head, he started to gyrate his hips, shouting, “Helicopter, helicopter, helicopter!”
Dalton’s voice boomed from the road, “You’re doing it wrong! You have to have something to swing to pull that off.”
Mike looked at him and smiled, “You wanna go for a ride?”
Dalton walked across the yard and snorted, “That little thing couldn’t even get my interest up.”
Mike snatched the sunglasses from his face and pointed at Dalton with them, “You’d fall in love. Hey! We got a mission!”
“What sort of mission?”
As we were talking, Sarge pulled up in his Hummer. He sat in the driver’s seat, shaking his head. Mike started walking towards the truck and the old man shouted, “You better go put some damned clothes on before you even think about talking to me! Who the hell walks around naked? What the hell is wrong with you?”
“You know the difference between naked and nekkid?” I asked. No one answered, so I continued. “You’re naked when you ain’t got any clothes on. You’re nekkid when you ain’t got any clothes on and you’re up to something!”
“He better get some clothes on his nekkid ass!” Sarge shouted.
Mike turned and sprinted for the house. He came back out with boots on his feet and a pair of shorts. He was pulling a t-shirt on as he walked across the yard. “So, what’s this mission?”
The old man climbed out of the truck and jabbed a finger at Mike again, “I better never catch you running around in your birthday suit again. If I do, I’ll grab you by the stem and take you on a tour of the neighborhood, got it?”
“Yeah, yeah. What’s the mission? I’m fucking dying here. I’m so bored I can’t even jackoff anymore.” Sarge dropped his face into his hand and shook his head.
“What’s the word, Top?” Dalton asked.
I leaned in close to Dalton and said, “It’s Colonel. But you got to say it with a thick southern accent.”
Sarge slowly lifted his face from his hand and looked at me. Straight faced and through gritted teeth, he said, “Morgan, you do not want to start any shit with me right now.” Then, ignoring Mike, he looked at Dalton. “We’re going to set up on the commies at their base of operation. Mark them with a laser so a B1 can drop some serious hurt on their asses.”
“You have the laser?”
Sarge cocked his head to the side and asked, “And just how the hell would we do it if we didn’t? Stop being a dumbass, Dalton.”
“Are we taking the big gun?” Mike asked.
“Hell no, shithead. You have to sneak in there and paint the target. You think they won’t see that big bastard come rolling up? Get your head out of your ass. You’ll take the war wagon. Get in somewhere so you can have eyes on the target and wait for the Bone.”
“Who’s going?” Dalton asked.
The old man pointed at him, “You, numb nuts, and Teddy.”
Mike tuned and sprinted for the house, “I’ll get my shit!”
“Tell Teddy to bring his ass out here!” Sarge barked after him. Then, looking at Dalton, he said, “This is important, Dalton. You guys need to stay out of sight. We’re not going there to get into a gunfight. If that happens, then the mission is a failure. We’re going to have one shot at this. If Bone can’t drop on the first pass, there won’t be a second attempt.”
Dalton nodded as Ted came out of the house. Sarge filled him in on the mission and handed him a piece of paper. “Here’s everyone’s callsign. I’m Swamp Rat one, you’re two. Eustis is Gator Hole and the B1 flight is Bone one and two. They’ll contact you when they’re in route and let you know when to light up the target.” He pointed at the house and said, “Keep his ass outta trouble. No shooting or any other bullshit.”
Reading the paper, Ted nodded. “He’ll be alright. He likes to play the jackass part up, but he’s a pro.”
“What about after the strike?” Dalton asked. “We cleared hot on anyone left walking?”
Sarge nodded without hesitation. “Anyone you see upright after the strike is a fair target.”
“Can I get that M1 of yours then? It’ll give me some reach out and touch someone range.”
Sarge nodded, “Come on inside and I’ll get it for you. Teddy, you get your shit together and get ready to go. I want you guys in place with eyes on by this evening.”
“Roger that, boss.” Ted replied as he walked away.
As Dalton followed Sarge into the house, I said, “Alright guys. I’m gonna take off.” Turning to head up the road, I added, “Since there’s no reason for me to be here.”
As he walked into the house, Sarge called out over his shoulder, “Dry up, Nancy!” It made me smile.
CHAPTER 2
The auto auction sat on a huge lot at the intersections of Highway 50 and the 42-toll road in Ocoee. It occupied over one hundred fifty acres, a huge area. Fortunately for the guys, most of the communist forces were gathered around one large metal building. But there were several positions scattered around the facility as well as perimeter patrols.
It’d taken hours for them to get to the area. Caution was the word of the day and it made Ted lay out a surreptitious route. The final approach was made along the shores of Story Lake to the northeast of the compound. The buggy was too large and loud to get too close to the target area and was left in the garage of an abandoned house. Actually, every house in the area was abandoned and appeared to have been empty for some time.
The three men closed the final distance on foot around midnight. Numerous stops were made to watch and listen. NVGs and thermal optics were used to look for any hidden observation posts. Dalton spotted one and the men adjusted their route to keep distance and obstacles between them and the manned position.
In the early hours of the morning, the three men chose a position that would allow them to observe the activity yet be far enough away to provide some security. The spot they chose was a small clump of trees at the edge of a residential area. The lack of people cutting the grass and keeping the weeds at bay had allowed nature to reclaim what was once hers. It provided great concealment, but little cover. It was hoped cover wouldn’t be an issue.
“I’ll take the first watch,” Ted whispered. “You two get some sleep.”
Dalton nodded, used his pack as a pillow to get comfortable. He was asleep almost immediately. It took Mike a little longer. He fidgeted, tossed and turned until Ted told him to knock it off and get some sleep. “You’re up next,” he said over his shoulder.
The Russian and Cuban forces were not very concerned about the possibility of attack from the looks of the place. While they did have a defensive position set up, they also had the place lit up like Times Square. From his position, Ted couldn’t hear the generators but knew there must be a couple running. Two separate areas were well lighted. One was the large building where the auctions took place. The cars would roll in at one end and leave the other end of the building… sold, in most cases.
The bulk of activity was concentrated around this building. There was additional activity around another smaller building not far from the first. Since he was lying on the ground, Ted couldn’t see any armor that may be gathered there; but he was certain there was plenty of it. Surveying the target, he began to worry that the strike they were preparing to make wouldn’t be sufficient to do the job. There was just too much rea
l estate. But he’d find out soon enough.
The trip to the springs looked like the Clampetts going on vacation. We had a string of trucks all loaded with people. There was also a cooler and brightly colored inflatables for the kids. Everyone was in good spirits; even the old man was smiling as he sped past us on the way to the spring. My girls were in the backseat of the Suburban laughing and talking. They had swim masks around their necks and were ready to get in the water.
We’d spent the morning getting things ready. Thad prepared burgers and Miss Kay baked some buns. There was a precious bottle of mustard, several bottles combined into one, and a little ketchup. There was no cheese, but we did have some lettuce and tomatoes. No matter, they were sure to be amazing. I’d made sweet tea, enough to fill the five-gallon water keg. We’d frozen a gallon jug of water and dropped it in to chill the brew.
We rode down the road with all the windows open. It was like standing in front of the oven with the door open, but we enjoyed it all the same. I couldn’t help but smile; the excitement was infectious. When we made the turn to head towards the spring, I could hear everyone in the other trucks whooping and hollering. I went wide in the turn and pulled abreast of Thad. He looked out, smiling as usual. I pressed the throttle and passed him. The little red pick-up didn’t have the ass to keep pace with the Cummins.
Jamie and Ian were bringing up the rear in one of the MRAPs. The old man thought it would be a good idea to have some muscle with us, just in case things went sideways. Jess and Doc rode with them and I could hear them cussing on the radio about everyone leaving them behind. Sarge came over the radio and called for everyone to slow down. He cussed me when I sped past him. They could wait; we were going swimming!
But I did slow a bit, enough to keep them in sight. I wasn’t worried about the big armored truck getting in trouble, but the Suburban would be a prime target for someone not paying attention to the line of vehicles coming up behind me. The worry was wasted though. It was a beautiful day and we didn’t encounter any trouble.
I drove right past the little pay station. I used to call it a ranger station. But it was no longer that. The Forestry Service had contracted the operation of the parks to a private company long ago. Naturally, it got a lot more expensive to visit what was supposed to be public land. The land belonged to the people…..if they could afford to get in.
At the swimming area, I got out and took down a section of the split rail fence that bordered the spring. I wanted to drive down to the water, keep the trucks close. I wound the truck through the trees, sometimes on the sidewalk, sometimes on the grass, until we were down near the beach. The park was empty, we had it all to ourselves. Before I was stopped all the way, the doors flew open and the kids bolted for the water.
Getting out, I laughed as they all ran into the water and dove head-first into the crystal-clear spring. Mel walked to the front of the truck and watched them. Still watching the kids, I said, “Remember how long it used to take them to get into the water?”
She looked over at me. “It’s still going to take me that long.”
I held out my hand as Thad pulled to a stop beside the Suburban. “Come on, babe. Let’s go swimming.”
It wasn’t long before everyone was in the water. Everyone except the old man. He, Miss Kay and Cecil were sitting on the stone wall that surrounded the near side of the spring with their pants rolled up and their bare feet in the water. Mel and I waded into the cool water. She never did like going to the spring. Well, she did, but she hated the getting in part. Florida springs stay at seventy-two degrees year-round. In the summer, that means at least a twenty-degree difference. To say it was brisk was an understatement.
Mel and I held hands as we waded out into the water. Her breath was short and in quick gasps as she tried to hold her stomach out of the water. But it was useless, and I had to laugh. “Come on, babe. Just get in.”
“You get in!” She shouted back.
Glancing over my shoulder at the rest of our group as they all dashed for the water, I said, “Ok.” And I turned and dove in.
The water was cold, but awesome. I swam through the cool water as far as I could hold my breath before surfacing. When I came up, I saw Mel was with Jess and Fred. They were watching the kids who were all clinging to a bright pink raft, trying to clamor aboard. Aric and Thad were both swimming as hard as they could, racing one another towards the bubbling spring.
Coming up, I waved at Mel. She waved back, and I started towards the gurgling water. Getting to the giant crack in the ground where the cool water issued forth, I found Wallner there with two of the Guardsmen. I smiled and splashed water in his face, “So, you did make it.”
He smiled, took a mouthful of water and spit it into the air like a fountain. “Yes, I did! Man, this feels good!”
Thad and Aric were splashing each other in a fury of spray. Everywhere you looked, people were laughing and smiling. It was just the break we needed. I looked towards the shore and saw Perez sitting under a tree, smoking of course. He was barefoot and down to his t-shirt. I saw Danny in the shallow water, sitting in water up to his chin. The kids’ raft had found its way to him and he was spinning them around. Hearing another truck, I looked up to see Baker, Terry, Scott and Eric running for the water. They’d driven the bucket truck all the way out here and were quickly in the water with everyone else.
We spent the day like this. At some point, Thad left the water to start cooking. I headed for the shore, stopping to kiss Mel on my way and to splash the kids chasing minnows along the bank. Catching up to Thad, I told him I’d collect some wood for the fire. We were going to use one of the grills at the park. It didn’t take long to get the wood. The park had numerous hardwood trees, and their limbs littered the ground.
We loaded the grill with wood and kept feeding it until there was a heavy bed of coals. Then Thad started cooking. I left that part to him. Partly because he was so good at it, but mainly because he enjoyed it. “You got this?” I asked.
Thad nodded as he shook some sort of spice onto the patties of meat as they dripped fat into the flames. “Oh yeah. This ain’t nothing.”
“You need anything?”
He shook his head. “No, looks like I got everything I need.”
Miss Kay came over as I was walking away, “You go swim, Morgan. We got this.”
I smiled, “Just let me know if you need anything.”
I waded back out into the water and sat down, resting on my ass with my feet coming up to the surface. Mel swam up to me and took up the same position. “This is really nice.”
I nodded as I worked my arms through the water to hold myself upright. “Yes, it is. I wish we lived here. Could you imagine being able to come here every day?”
“That’d be nice. But I ain’t moving out here.”
As we discussed how nice it would be to have unlimited access to the spring, Miss Kay called out that lunch was ready. An afternoon of swimming had created intense appetites, and everyone was immediately headed for shore. We gathered under the shade of the big trees, sitting on blankets or beach towels.
Enormous burgers were passed out and Kay surprised everyone with a batch of homemade mayo. It was a huge hit, adding a new taste to what would have otherwise been a pretty bland meal. As we ate, the old man kept his radio at hand. I was sure he‘d been keeping in touch with the guys as they lay in whatever hide they’d found or made overlooking the commies. I thought of those guys, what they were doing while we were here carrying on as if we didn’t have a care in the world.
Thad and Mary sat close together, laughing and talking. Aric lay on the ground, his head in Fred’s lap. Mel and I sat with the girls on a blanket she’d brought. The kids ate quickly, wanting to get back into the water. The scene was interrupted by the sound of a machine. A big one.
I and many others rose to our feet as the sound grew louder. We were all looking to the south, over the trees. Something was flying our direction.
“What is that?” Fred asked.<
br />
“It ain’t one of ours,” Sarge replied.
In the distance, it came into view. A very large helicopter slowly came over the horizon. Sarge was shielding his eyes with a hand and announced, “Everyone stay still!”
“What is that?” Thad asked.
“It’s a Russian MI-24 attack helicopter, a Hind.”
Aric snatched up his rifle and raised it. Sarge slapped it down. “Don’t even think about shooting at that damn thing! You out of your mind? That thing is heavily armored. Your rifle wouldn’t even crack the glass.”
The big helicopter turned lazily in the sky south of us, headed to the south. Sarge picked the radio and called Sheffield in Eustis. Sheffield said they could see it, that it came from south of them and was heading back towards town. They stayed on the radio as the copter flew directly over Bay Street and out of town. Ted came over the radio and said they didn’t see the bird but would keep their eyes open for it.
“This can’t be good,” Sarge said as he put the radio aside. I’m really glad we hid the MRAP under the trees; if they had seen it, they probably would have attacked.
“Should we leave?” Miss Kay asked.
“I don’t think so,” Sarge said. “They didn’t do anything. I’m surprised they didn’t shoot up Eustis. Kind of worries me, actually.”
Seeing the menacing Russian helicopter put a damper on things for a while. But it didn’t last too long, and soon we were all back in the water. I’d brought a couple of fishing poles and spent some time casting a line. The lack of people in the area for so long had brought the fish back into the spring and the fishing was good.
Thad and I were fishing along the bank, where the spring discharges to form the river that runs through the forest to eventually reach the St Johns. We were catching blue gills and small bass and having a grand time.
Thad was reeling in a large bass and laughing. “This is the best fishing I’ve had in a long time!”
“It’s the only fishing we’ve had in a long time!” I replied as I got a solid strike and set the hook on a blue gill so fat I couldn’t wrap my hand around it.