by Dave Hazel
Silence filled the room. Everyone in the room stood or sat there watching them. Not one man sided with William. Most thought he had been a whiny complainer. The Elves, Nordad and his men did not know enough about their relationship, but for the short time they been in the presence of William they would prefer to align with Mykal and all the others despite how strange Mykal’s suggestion was.
William continued his personal quest to turn the others against Mykal. “I’m not trying to make things difficult for you Mykal, but I personally believe if situations would have been handled differently we would not have suffered the casualties we suffered and we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in now.”
“So you’re blaming me for everything that’s happened to us? You’re blaming me for all the men killed or wounded?” Mykal quickly fired back from a defensive position. He caught sight of Diaz shaking his head as if to tell him not to engage in such a debate.
“No, I’m not blaming you, but I’m bringing into question your leadership abilities. As the leader the responsibility falls on your shoulders and you should be held accountable.”
“Screw you, you friggin scumbag,” Mykal snarled with Boris type hatred for William. “I told you from the start not to come along, but you pushed your way here. I told you repeatedly to get on the first helicopter, but no! You had to stay with us. You are here because of your choices. And let me fill you in on something Will, you don’t have a friggin clue how much each death and each injury has ripped me apart. Get off my friggin back. You have done nothing except be a thorn in my side?”
“Hey baldy, how have you helped?” Boris raised his voice to join Mykal and moved to Mykal’s side like a protective guard dog. “If you were in charge we’d all be dead. The first decision you wanted to make was to approach that army of more than twenty thousand soldiers who were probably looking for us. I know it’s just eating you up that an ex-enlisted man is in charge and you’re not.”
“That’s not true. I will submit to those appointed over me. I just don’t like that Mykal has led us into turmoil after turmoil, chaos after chaos and now we’re trapped in a situation where there is no hope of getting out alive.”
“He told you, Towbar’s gonna get us outta here,” Boris yelled in a blind rage showing his complete confidence in Mykal. Boris gripped the handle of his .44 magnum tightly.
“I think this should stop now,” Diaz commanded as he stepped in between the three of them. “This is not helping. Captain Roberts, I am going to ask you to back off, please” he said. It seemed clear that he tried to sound as non-threatening as possible. “I am a United States Marine and I have my orders. I will follow Mykal unless I think there is a problem with his leadership. I do not see that as the case so I will ask you for the final time to cease being the opposition.” Several Marines stepped forward as if ready to physically remove William should he try to attack Diaz and give a beating as he had dished out several days ago.
“The opposition?” William gasped. “I’m stunned. I’m not the opposition.”
“As one officer to another, I’m asking you for the final time, to voluntarily back off,” Diaz said calmly but firmly.
Lieutenant Finley looked like he wanted to say something, but he saw Diaz had command and control of the situation. He stepped beside Captain Diaz and his Army soldiers looked ready to join him.
“I, I, um, I,” he stammered while back peddling from the five Marines who slowly encroached on his space. The eight Marines looked like they were prepared for a confrontation whereas the last time, William caught everyone off guard. He turned and went to a corner of the room and sat by himself sulking. His attempt to turn the men against Mykal didn’t work.
Everyone dispersed and went back to what they had been doing. Sitting around and waiting.
“Myk, come here,” Boris waved him to a corner away from all the others. “Are you getting fed up with that moron?”
“No, whatever gave you that idea?” They laughed together.
“Let’s take him out,” Boris begged quietly so no one could possibly hear him. “I’ll gladly do it for you,” he whispered.
Mykal shook his head. “I’d like to. But I can’t.”
“That sonovabitch is no better than Edwards and Mansfield,” Boris hissed hatefully. “Do you remember those two idiots?” He paused for Mykal to think back to the first visit.
“I agree with you, but I have too much to lose this time if we get caught.”
“I don’t. And get caught? Who’s gonna know? Let me do it on my own,” Boris pleaded. “No one has to know that you knew anything about it. Besides, I’m never going back to the world.”
“Let’s just ride out this storm and we’ll see what happens. Okay? Once this is all over we’ll never have to talk to that jerk again. Boris,” Mykal placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Look at me. I’m asking you, as a favor for me, don’t do anything. I can’t stand that little whiny weasel, but I don’t want you to kill him.” Mykal feared it would fall back on his shoulders and then he would be separated from his family forever. As much as he would like to take his frustrations out on William he could never live with himself if he lost his family over something that just required a little more patience.
“You got me out of prison and brought me here,” Boris whispered slowly. “I owe you everything. I’ll honor your request cuz you’re the best friend I have, but if you change your mind I’ll do him like that,” he said with a quick snap of his fingers. “Cuz I’ve got nothing to lose and I’d love to do it for all that he’s done to me and to you.”
“I appreciate it, buddy. All I care about is getting back to the Pass and then getting back to Pam and the boys. I don’t want something that’s gonna haunt me later.”
“Hey Myk,” Jake called from across the room. “When you’re done, come here.” Jake waved his hand rapidly which showed the excitement in his voice. Jake stood with Diaz, Finley, Nordad, Starling, Leeno and Blair. “Look what Starling just found.”
“The wall?” Mykal asked when he saw them stare at the wall.
Jake smiled. “That’s what I said. It’s not the wall. Starling said it’s a secret door hidden in the wall.”
“Huh? I don’t see--oh, now I see it,” Mykal said and smiled as he watched Starling’s finger trace an almost invisible outline in the wall, the size of a door. “Do you think the Goblins know about it?”
“My thoughts are they would have surprised us with an attack if they knew about it,” Leeno answered first. “I do not think they know. We are not sure what lies on the other side. It may be just an adjoining room or it may be another corridor.”
“If that is the case then it could be a secret exit out of this room,” Blair suggested. “Which means it could quite possibly be a secret exit from the entire underground maze we are in. We do not know who designed and created this complex.”
“If something happens and Towbar doesn’t come, this may be our way out,” Finley offered.
“Should we send men to investigate it?” Jake asked.
“I think we should wait until Towbar gets here,” Mykal said and cringed. “Once we go through that door that may be our only chance to go that way.”
“It may be wise for us to wait,” Nordad agreed. “We do not know what we will find or where it may lead. We may only have one opportunity to utilize that exit,” he repeated Mykal’s thoughts.
“How much longer do you think it will be before Towbar gets here?” Jake asked and looked at his watch.
“Not much longer,” Mykal answered. “Just bear with me. And let’s keep some men watching this door just in case the Goblins do know about it and decide to come busting through it.”
All the men relaxed for the most part. Everyone kept glancing at Mykal and wondered if Towbar really would come to their rescue. Mykal feared some of the men were beginning to doubt his Mind Talk communication. The minutes seemed to crawl like hours, but he knew he spoke with Towbar and he had to be patient and wait for the giant to re
scue them.
2.
The more time dragged on the more Mykal feared the men were losing trust in him. He worried they would turn on him because their lives were on the line. He knew if William saw a crack in their alliance he would pounce on the situation and turn the men against him. He began to question himself if in fact he had really conversed with Towbar or was it all just his imagination. His heart started to race. He realized the panic that crept up inside him was the same anxiety when they first started inside the mountain. ‘Why do I let my emotions get to me? I feel like something is wrong, or something is gonna go wrong. I don’t wanna let this get the best of me. Am I just weak? Am I not strong enough mentally to be the leader?’
“Myk, are you alright?” Jake came to his rescue again. “You look like you’re starting to,” he paused to find the right word.
“Freak out?” Mykal forced a laugh to finish Jake’s sentence. “Yeah, I am starting to freak out. I feel like something is wrong and I don’t know what to do.”
“Do you mean about Towbar?”
“No, not that. I’m not sure what it is. I know he spoke to me, and I believe we’re gonna get outta here. Why? Are you starting to doubt what I said about me talking with him?”
“No, no. I believe you,” Jake said and seemed to drag out the words. “I don’t doubt you, but we’re trapped. Even though I don’t think most would admit it, I think most of the men are scared. We need you to be sure. We also need you to be strong. The men need to know that you will be the one to get us outta here, whether it is with Towbar’s magic or Captain Diaz’s God. Do you understand what I’m trying to say to you buddy?”
“Yes,” Mykal sighed with relief. Jake’s words gave him a boost of confidence. “You’re right. I know what I experienced. So I’m not worried about that cuz I know Towbar’s gonna get us outta here. But I’m just worried about something that’s twisting my guts but I don’t know what it is or how to fix it. I know that friggin William is trying to cause me trouble with the men.”
“Don’t worry about the men,” Jake whispered. “They would never side with him. All the men have seen his true colors.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that, cuz I just need to know I have you and Boris in my corner,” Mykal said with another sigh.
“We back you one hundred percent. Don’t worry about us. Well, just try to--”
Mykal jumped from his sitting position when he could hear his name being called from the friendly, familiar, voice of Towbar. “Yeah,” Mykal yelled his excitement which startled Jake. “We’re still here Towbar,” he yelled and he looked like a lunatic talking to the ceiling.
“I am glad I made contact with you again my friend,” Towbar said. “This is good. I have found you. I have the magic powder. I am ready to bring myself to you. I will concentrate on your surrounding and I will come right to you.”
“Towbar, you gotta give us just a couple of minutes to get outta this room,” he called out to his ‘imaginary friend’. “If the green fog appears here we’ll be transported outta here and you’ll be here by yourself.”
“Ah, that is correct my friend. I was so anxious to join you that I forgot you would disappear in the green fog.”
“Give us just a couple of minutes and we’ll leave the room. Now understand we’re going to be fighting Goblins so be prepared to fight in case they get in here. I will know the green fog is gone once my hand goes back to normal,” Mykal said referring to the effect the green fog has by turning his right hand and forearm green.
“I will wait just a few moments,” Towbar agreed.
“Come on, we gotta go,” Mykal turned to his men without missing a beat. He could detect some of the anxious looks but he didn’t care. “Look, you could either come with me or you could stay here. If you stay here I don’t know where you’ll end up.”
“I’m with you Myk,” Boris spoke in blind faith.
All the men looked back and forth to the ranking leaders Diaz, Finley, Jake and Ratner to see what they were going to do. “Come on, let’s go, let’s go, let’s go,” Jake ushered the men when no one said anything.
“What door do you want us to go through Myk?” Diaz asked.
“The one Leeno was talking to the Goblin,” Mykal said. “The resistance seemed lighter than from the door where we came into the room and it had a much longer stretch of corridor. Besides, I wanna give these Goblins a taste of what they will get if they continue to pressure us into giving up to be punished. We gotta hurry. Guys with the 60s, get ready to unload when we open the door. Go! Go! Go!” He yelled. “The green fog is gonna appear any moment.”
“I am ready my friend,” Towbar’s voice boomed inside Mykal’s mind.
“Okay Towbar, give us just five minutes so we can get out of the room.”
“I’m coming, I’m coming,” William yelled out and left the corner where he sat sulking.
“Who gives a shit?” Boris muttered while getting his weapons ready for maximum usage.
The machine gunners positioned themselves in front of the door with their machine guns strapped over their shoulder and neck while the weapon rested on their hip. All four of the M-60s had a long 500 round belt of ammunition loaded into the weapon and they draped the ammo belt across their free arm which supported the front of the weapon.
“Men on the 60s give me your attention,” Diaz said as the four men stood before the door that was ready to be opened. “I know you know, but I want to remind you not to step in each other’s line of fire. When the opposition is eliminated cease fire because we will more than likely be assaulted shortly thereafter and I don’t want you to be out of ammo. Got it?”
“Aye Aye Sir,” the Marines shouted in unison. “Ooh-rah! Ooh-rah!”
“Myk, I just want to tell you how sorry I am,” William said as he stood by Mykal’s side, but Mykal ignored him.
“I knew it, you friggin coward,” Boris chuckled and pulled his .44 magnum from his waistband.
“I want to apologize to you too,” William turned to Boris.
Boris prepared to respond in hostility, but for Mykal’s sake he remained civil. “Apology accepted,” Boris said calmly and raised his hand. He was surprised that William understood that he wanted to high five him. Their hands slapped and they looked at each other like they were going to put all the ugliness behind them. Boris looked at Mykal to ensure Mykal saw what had just happened as proof they put their hard feelings behind them. In their own way they were both happy that being rescued seemed only moments away. Several days ago they put aside their differences when Boris risked his life to pull William away from a giant spider that would have killed William. They both knew they could work together if they really wanted to.
The open door took the Goblins by surprise. Most were taking it easy while performing their lazy guard duty. Some were standing, most were seated and some were lying down sleeping. When they turned to the shocking noise they were more surprised at the orange and yellow flame that poured out at them with the tremendous roar of thunder. Even more unexpected was how quickly and viciously their comrades were ripped to pieces and thrown about the long cold hard corridor. The cries and screams among the Goblins surprised fellow Goblins farther away.
Goblins rarely show fear, and almost never verbally express pain and fear. In a matter of moments the hundred and forty plus Goblins lining the long hallway had been cut down and wiped out. A small number escaped by running away down a side passage farther down the long corridor.
The men watched and cupped their hands over their ears. They knew the noise would bring about transitory deafness. In a matter of moments the machine gun fire ceased. Barely audible were the sounds of a couple of Goblin bodies twitching against the cold stone.
“That was easy,” Ranger Corporal Hall laughed, but he could barely hear himself. “I shoulda put my damn ear plugs in.”
“Everyone out, out, out. Get out,” Mykal pushed them. “If we’re not outta here when the green fog comes we’ll disappear and get lost
.”
“Fuller, you and Gorman take two 60s and two others and go down the corridor and be our eyes and ears,” Diaz ordered as everyone filed out of the room. He closed the door behind them. “Expect a counter attack and call if you need more help.”
Mykal wondered if Towbar would be able to make the green fog appear in the room. They had never tried to use the green fog in a confined space. It had always been out doors. They never experimented with the green fog in a building. He also didn’t know if the green fog would expand outside of the walls, thus still transporting them away from Towbar anyway. “Damn it,” he hissed quietly when he realized they could still be at risk of disappearing.
“Here they come again,” Marine Staff Sergeant Stewart yelled when he saw movement coming around the corner of a side passage.
Others saw the Goblins charging toward their location and they opened fire. Rifle fire and machine gun fire obliterated the new wave of attackers. After the brief bursts of weapons discharge the hallway became littered with more broken and dead Goblin bodies. Smoke and smells of death permeated the corridor.
“Great job men,” Diaz extolled the men. “But don’t allow them to get that close again.”
From Nordad’s light source and the several discarded torches down the hallway they saw the corridor to be long and straight. Beyond the illuminated view they couldn’t see where the side passages were. There were three side passages that brought the reinforcements, but they didn’t know where they were exactly.
“When can we go back in?” William asked.
“After Towbar gets here and the fog is gone,” Mykal shouted back. William looked terrified.
Machine gun fire erupted again. Goblins rushed from one of the side passages. As quickly as they came into view they were chopped down with burning lead. Their bodies were thrown in all directions flopping lifelessly to the floor not allowing any to get close enough to pose a threat.