by Robert Boren
“We running spotlights?” Juan Carlos asked.
“Yeah, here we run the lights,” Richardson said.
“Is there a navigable passage to the Gulf anywhere around here?” Juan Carlos asked. “Looks like a pretty solid coast along here so far.”
“Yeah, just south of where the bar was,” Richardson said. “Didn’t you guys study the charts?”
“We never got any charts.”
“Dammit, somebody screwed up there,” Richardson said, shaking his head. He pulled out his phone and moved over next to Juan Carlos. “Here’s where we were with the girls last night. Right where route 100 crosses the bay on that big bridge. See?”
“Yeah,” Juan Carlos said. “That’s a huge opening.”
“We have Coast Guard gun boats watching that entrance, so we really don’t expect anything getting in from the Gulf there, but look southwest, here. That’s the border with Mexico. See that long channel?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s a place to look out for. There’s also thousands of boats in and around Port Isabel here. They’ve been searched, but it wouldn’t be that hard to carry something onto them from the docks.”
“Geez,” Juan Carlos said. “Three boats aren’t enough.”
“That’s why this is dangerous,” Richardson said. “We’ve got new boats on the way, but not overnight.”
“They going to build more?” Brendan asked. “Doesn’t that take a long time?”
“They aren’t building them from scratch,” Richardson said. “They’re taking some off the private boat production line and retrofitting them with what we need. Armor and the guns and the rest of it. We’ll get another eight out of the factory early next week. Four will come here, four to the Rio Grande.”
“Where we getting the crews?” Brendan asked.
“Mixture of places,” Richardson said. “Coast guard academy. DPS training program. US Navy.”
“Good,” Juan Carlos said. “Where we going?”
“Let’s go to that channel I pointed out. Go all the way back. It’s narrow, so we’ll need to watch out for snipers on the coast. Then let’s go north along the mainland side, cross over and come down the South Padre Island side. Okay?”
“Got it,” Juan Carlos said. “Why don’t we mount GPS units on here?”
“That was discussed,” Richardson said. “They decided against it.”
“Cost?” Brendan asked.
“No, they want everybody to be trained in how to survive without them,” Richardson said. “If the satellites go, we’d be blacked out.”
“Got it,” Brendan said.
They made the long cruise as night fell. It was quiet.
“This is way larger than I expected, dude,” Juan Carlos said.
“Normally this place would be thick with pleasure craft,” Richardson said.
“You’ve spent time here with your girlfriend?” Brendan asked.
“Yeah,” he said. “Great place.”
“You serious about Lita?” Juan Carlos asked.
“I’m going to pop the question as soon as the war is over,” Richardson said.
“Why not before?” Brendan asked.
“I’ve got enough to worry about,” Richardson said. “I’ve got the feeling I won’t live through this war.”
“Gee, thanks, boss,” Juan Carlos said.
“I didn’t say anything about you guys,” Richardson said.
“Yeah, but you’re serving with us,” Juan Carlos said.
“I won’t be on the boat forever,” Richardson said. “I’m just here filling in, remember?”
“Why are you so worried?” Brendan asked.
Richardson stood silently for a moment.
“Well?” Juan Carlos asked.
“There’s half a million Islamists on the loose in Texas that we know about, with more flooding in all the time. Eventually we’re going to end up fighting these people house to house. We don’t have enough forces to defeat them.”
“You’re forgetting about the population,” Brendan said.
“Oh, I know we got tons of people with guns, but few of them are well trained.”
“They’re more capable than you think,” Brendan said. “Look what happened in Austin and Dripping Springs.”
“That was when the war was just getting started,” Richardson said. “Look at the reports on Carthage, Sonora, and Stonewall. Lots of dead civilians in all of those places, and the enemy forces that carried out those attacks are still operating.”
“He’s got a point, dude,” Juan Carlos said.
“Those were all small towns that got caught with their pants down,” Brendan said. “Wait and see what happens. These Islamists are going to run into a buzz saw when they try to take any of the major cities, or even any of the middle-sized cities.”
“I pray that you’re right,” Richardson said. “Meanwhile we’re on the front lines. You hear that?”
“Is that a prop plane?” Juan Carlos asked, scanning the skies.
“I’m calling it in,” Richardson said. “Stay sharp.”
“We can’t fight aircraft very well,” Brendan said as Richardson got on the radio.
“DPS Headquarters, come in please. Over.” Richardson said.
“This is DPS Headquarters. Who is this speaking please? Over.”
“Lieutenant Richardson in the southern patrol boat. We hear a prop plane approaching. Is it a friendly? Over.”
“No, we have no prop planes in the air. Attempt to shoot it down. We’ll notify the choppers. What is your position? Over.”
“We’re about five miles south of Port Mansfield. Over.”
“Thank you. Over and out.”
“It’s getting closer,” Juan Carlos said, turning the boat towards the noise, scanning the night sky.
“I don’t see it yet,” Brendan said. “Wait, there it is. It’s an old seaplane. Look. Flying low over the water. Hard to see in the dark. Not running any lights.”
“It’s trying to stay under the radar,” Richardson said. “Blast it.”
Richardson and Brendan got on their .50 cals and started firing as Juan Carlos tried to follow it with the M19.
“It’s moving too fast, dude,” he yelled.
“Lead it and fire. As fast as you can. We’ve got plenty of grenades. The choppers will be here any second.”
“Got it,” Juan Carlos said, driving, his eyes still on the sight. He fired, the grenade flying past the front of the plane and exploding.
“More speed,” Richardson yelled, as he and Brendan continued to fire. “We’re not close enough.”
“That’s a plane, dude,” Juan Carlos said, flooring the throttle. “We can’t keep up with that thing.” He fired off several more grenades.
“I hear the choppers,” Brendan said.
“Look, the plane is turning this way!” Richardson shouted.
“Guns coming out of the side door,” Brendan shouted. He looked over at Juan Carlos, who had his eyes in the sight, ignoring everything else.
“Come to papa,” he said as the plane was in mid-turn, banking, exposing the top of its wing. He fired three grenades in rapid succession. The first two missed, but the third one hit the tail, blowing it off. The plane careened into the water, exploding on impact just as the choppers got overhead. They opened up with their mini-guns, shattering what was left of the plane as its hulk floated on the water.
“Nice shooting!” Brendan yelled.
“Took you too many rounds,” Richardson said.
“I know, but I’ll get better,” Juan Carlos said. “Should we go over there?”
“Yeah, just in case there are survivors,” Richardson said. “Maybe we can question them.” Juan Carlos turned the boat back in the direction of the wreckage and sped up, arriving in a couple of minutes. Most of the plane had sunk by the time they got there.
“No survivors,” Brendan said as he searched the area with spotlight next to his gun.
“Dammit,” Richardso
n said. “We need to know who this was and what they were doing.”
“Hope they didn’t have a nuke on board,” Brendan said.
“We’ll get a dive team out here in the morning,” Richardson said, picking up the mic. He called in the results to DPS Headquarters.
Chapter 17 – Martinis and Eggplant
Maria walked into Kip Hendrix’s office. “Sir, Attorney General’s office on the line.” She had fear in her eyes.
“Good, I’ll take it,” Hendrix said. “Thanks, Maria.”
He looked out the window into the late-afternoon sky, then hit the flashing button on his phone and put the receiver to his ear.
“Kip Hendrix.”
“How goes it, Kip?”
“Fine, Franklin,” he said. “How are you?”
“About the same. Wanted to share some intelligence with you.”
“I’m all ears,” Hendrix said.
“We intercepted a small plane outside of DC this morning. Tried to get it to land, but the pilot refused, and was heading towards the Mall area. We shot it down. It had a nuclear device in it.”
“No shit,” Hendrix said. “It didn’t go off?”
“Pilot didn’t get a chance to set it off.”
“Good,” Hendrix said.
“We got lucky. We aren’t giving second chances anymore,” Franklin said. “Usually we follow and don’t shoot, especially over populated areas. Now we give one warning and fire.”
“Were there casualties on the ground?”
“Yeah. Took out a couple of houses. Eight people killed, including a couple of kids.”
“Dammit,” Hendrix said, eyes misting. “There was a seaplane shot down by a DPS patrol boat by South Padre Island last night. We sent a dive team out there earlier. Haven’t gotten word on what they found yet.”
“South Padre Island, eh? That’s not a good place for a nuclear device. Not enough people to kill around there.”
“You wouldn’t think so,” Hendrix said. “One theory I heard was that the Coast Guard ships are too much of a threat to aircraft, so they took the route inside to get past them. Probably targeting Corpus Christi.”
“Shit,” Franklin said. “Glad you blasted them, in any event.”
“Seriously,” Hendrix said. “What else is going on? Heard you had some problems with martial law in upstate New York.”
“Luddites,” Franklin said. “The Governor of New York gave up. The President is furious.”
“Why would he be so upset? Wasn’t it a state matter?”
“He’s changing the relationship of the Federal Government and the States,” Franklin said. “You know that. We need more centralized control in order to get a handle on our gun problem. You were for it.”
“Yeah, I remember,” Hendrix said.
“You changed your mind?”
“I’ve become a realist,” Hendrix said. “Getting guns away from the population is a pipe dream. It’s not gonna happen. More Federal control isn’t going to help. Just the opposite.”
“Speaking of State’s Rights, what can you tell me about Nelson’s plans for New Mexico?”
“I haven’t been involved in those discussions,” Hendrix said.
“Watch it,” Franklin said. “I just told you about the situation in New York.”
“I already knew most of what you told me,” Hendrix said. “I don’t know why you’re getting your panties in a bunch about this, anyway.”
“We don’t want Texas taking over territory,” Franklin said. “Or pushing other States to follow Texas out of the union.”
“I’m sure that isn’t Nelson’s intent.”
“Then what is his intent?”
Hendrix sighed. “I guess I can tell you that much. New Mexico is getting a flood of foreign fighters, and the state government there is doing nothing about it. Nelson’s just shoring up our border there, and if need be, chasing invaders into New Mexico.”
“That’s an attack on the sovereignty of the United States,” Franklin said.
“So send Federal troops into New Mexico to clean up the mess,” Hendrix said. “Texas has better things to do than clean up after you guys.”
Franklin laughed. “The President would do that, if he wanted to.”
Hendrix snickered. “Yeah, this is pretty funny when you think about it. Reminds me of how the European countries dealt with each other back in the middle ages.”
“You sure you can’t tell me anything else?”
“I can tell you this. Nelson has no interest in annexing New Mexico. I’m sure of that. No bullshit.”
“Well I guess that’s as much as I’ll get for today. You may be asked for more in the future. We still have things to hold over your head.”
“And I still don’t care,” Hendrix said. “Take your best shot, but this back channel has its own value. It’d be a shame to lose it by pushing too hard.”
“Have it your way for now, Kip. Talk to you later.”
“Take care,” Hendrix said. Franklin hung up, and Hendrix slammed the receiver into its cradle. “What an asshole.”
Maria rushed in. “Everything okay?”
Hendrix smiled at her, struggling to keep his eyes on her face. She was wearing a tight navy-blue dress, and she looked stunning.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “It’s fine. I just hate dealing with that guy.”
“He wanted to know things you couldn’t tell him?” she asked.
“Yeah, the usual,” Hendrix said. “I’m not going to budge. I can tell you all about it at dinner tonight.”
“You sure it’s a good idea for us to go out?” she asked.
“Having second thoughts?”
“I got a little out of hand last night.” Maria said. “I was ashamed when I woke up this morning.”
“You were fine,” Hendrix said. “That was the best time I’ve had in months.”
“I teased you,” she said. “I shouldn’t drink like that.”
“Did I take advantage? Did I get mad?”
She looked at him, eyes softening. “No, sir. You were such a gentleman yesterday. In every way. You were perfect. It’s me that I’m worried about.”
“You were charming,” Hendrix said. “I loved everything about yesterday. Especially when you were sleeping against me in the waiting room. It’s so nice to feel protective of those we care about.”
Maria saw the look of longing in his eyes, behind the smile. He loves me. Suddenly he no longer seemed like a lecherous old man to her, but she pushed that feeling back, her heart pounding.
“Are you okay?” Hendrix asked. “We don’t have to go out tonight. It’s up to you. Really. I know how worried you are about your sister.”
“You’d be disappointed,” she said
“I’m a grown-up,” Hendrix said. “I can take it. We don’t ever have to go out again if you don’t want to.”
She stood, looking at him, thinking, working out the possibilities, good and bad.
“If you’re having to think that hard, maybe we better put it off,” Hendrix said, trying to keep the disappointment from showing. She noticed it anyway.
“No, I think we should go,” Maria said. “I’m sorry I’m such a stick in the mud. Yesterday was delightful, at least when we were done with my sister. I am worried about her, but I know she’s safe for now. She can’t hurt herself at the facility, and I’m not responsible for watching her. It’s a big load off my mind.”
“Great,” Hendrix said. “I’ve only got another half hour before I can stop for the day. Do you want to go home and have me pick you up, or do you want to leave from here?”
“I think I’d better go home first and freshen up a bit,” she said. “How nice should I dress?”
“What do you feel like eating?”
“Comfort food at somewhere quiet,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be too expensive.”
“Italian?” Hendrix asked.
“That would be lovely,” she said. “I can’t drink red wine, though.”
“Don’t like it?”
“Allergic,” she said. “I always get sick.”
“No problem, the place I’m thinking about has cocktails too,” he said.
She flashed an embarrassed smile. “I’ll have to watch myself. Casual dress?”
“Smart casual,” Hendrix said. “I wouldn’t wear jeans and a t-shirt.”
She giggled. “I wouldn’t do that anyway.”
“I’ll pick you up at eight. Is that enough time?”
“It’s just six now, so that’ll be fine,” she said.
“Go ahead and take off now if you’d like. I won’t need you for what I have left to do.”
“Okay,” she said. “See you later. Thanks.”
“Bye bye,” he said. She turned and walked out the door, giving him a chance to take in her shape. His heart fluttered.
“Now back to business,” he muttered to himself, picking up the phone receiver. He dialed Governor Nelson’s private line and waited as it rang.
“Kip,” Nelson said. “What’s up?”
“Just got off the phone with Franklin,” he said.
“Anything interesting?”
“He told me that they shot down a small plane outside of DC.”
“Military?”
“No, it was a general aviation plane. Had a nuclear device on board.”
“Dammit,” Nelson said. “You heard about that seaplane that the DPS shot down last night, right?”
“Yeah,” Nelson said. “It didn’t have a nuke on it, I hope.”
Nelson was quiet for a moment.
“Shit,” Hendrix said.
“Not a word about this, okay Kip?”
“Understood. What was the target? There isn’t much around South Padre Island.”
“We’re still trying to figure that out,” Nelson said. “Of course some of our analysts are saying Corpus Christi, but we aren’t so sure. That plane had enough range to get very close to Houston.”
“They’ve already tried that once,” Hendrix said.
“That’s where our gasoline supply comes from, for the most part,” Nelson said. “If we lose those refineries, we’re in deep trouble.”
“I figured,” Hendrix said.
“He try to nudge you?”
“I was getting to that. He wanted to know all about our plans for New Mexico.”