by Dave Hazel
Mykal laughed out loud because he knew what Norg was trying to say. He placed his hand on Norg’s shoulder. “He thinks we’re out numbered ten to one. Norg, we are outnumbered, but even if it is ten to one,” he paused and pointed to the ten and then back to himself. “No problem,” he said and patted Norg on the shoulder. He pulled his rifle from his shoulder and held it out. He slapped the butt of his weapon and pointed to the ten. “This will easily kill them. My weapons are greater than you’ve ever seen. Trust me, my friend. Okay? Do you understand?”
“Not sure,” Norg answered and looked to others to see if they agreed with Mykal’s bold statement.
“If I thought we had a problem,” Mykal spoke slowly for Norg. “We would go inside the mountain right now. We are a different kind of warrior and we will make a big difference.” Mykal couldn’t keep from showing his humor at Norg’s concern. “Towbar knows what I’m talking about. He trusts us, ain’t that right Towbar.”
“Yes my friend. Norg, Mykal speaks truth. Their weapons are more powerful than magic.”
Norg relayed what was said to his comrades who did not understand the common tongue. A light grumble of disbelief rose among the Dwarves, though their words were unintelligible.
“I have much to lose,” Towbar continued speaking to Norg. “I put my faith in their weapons because I have witnessed their power with my own eyes. I assure you, my little friend, your mind will be changed when you watch them in combat.”
“I trust Towbart,” Norg said. He always pronounced Towbar’s name with a T at the end. “I trust Mykal,” Norg said and folded his arms over his chest and rested on his axe. “I see Mykal’s people, small fight months back. Good fight, strong fight. Few numbers, good fight.”
Mykal smiled at the confused looks the others gave the Dwarven warrior. “Thank you Norg. What Norg is saying is that he seen our people in a small battle. There were only a handful of us left when the Sosos attacked and caught us off guard,” Mykal said in reference to the skirmish just days before he returned to the real world for the first time back in July. “Major Innes would you please continue now that we got that cleared up.”
“As said, all non-combat personnel will be transported to the rear of the Pass. They will be out of harm’s way. Towbar One will be divided into three groups of two companies each. Each of the three groups will have just fewer than four hundred men and they will be positioned behind the pits. Towbar’s men and the Dwarven warriors will be stationed with our men for two specific tasks.
“Group one will fight until the Soso wave is about to breach the pit. At that point Towbar’s men will strike the Sosos exiting the pit. Group one will leap frog past groups two and three. Towbar’s men will also assist in carrying weapons and ammunition to the rear where they will get into position. Group two will then fight the Soso advance and after the Sosos get close enough they will leap frog behind group three and one.
“We repeat the process until the Sosos retreat or we run out of ammunition. The weakened forces of the Sosos will then have to face the Towbar and the Dwarven contingent. We will at that time move to the rear with the non-combat personnel.”
“A quick question,” Mykal said and raised his hand. “Have we come up with a way to get the men over the pits without having them climb down into them or running to the ends?”
“Yes. Great question,” Innes answered as if he stood at a professional news conference. “We have put together planks, mini-bridges, if you will. After the men cross the pit, Towbar’s soldiers have the responsibility of moving the mini-bridges to the next pit in preparation of the next group leap frogging.”
“Great, and what about the choppers?” Mykal asked.
“They will be in the air giving support but will also be doing recon to reveal the strengths of the advancing force. I might add they will be in constant radio contact so if any area of the line is taking a beating or has a greater force thrown at them, the choppers will swoop down and assist as need be,” Innes added and nodded confidently. His statuesque stance in his starched uniform spoke loudly that he was a professional warrior and this was what he lived for.
“What about the mortar teams and the .50 cals?”
“Great question Myk,” Innes said without blinking and never shifted his stance. “The .50 caliber machine guns are all mounted on vehicles. They will be on the front and they will assist as each group leap frogs to their next position.”
“Do you mean when they retreat?” Jules broke the silence of the reporter group.
“Retreat!? Did you just dare say retreat?” Captain Taylor shouted. His anger was immediate and blistering. “Marines don’t retreat!”
“Oh boy,” Mykal whispered to Towbar and wanted to join in.
“We attack in another direction. Marines retrograde and regroup. Marines adapt and overcome,” Taylor raised his voice while leaning forward from the waist causing Jules to take a step back though he was twenty feet away from him. “Marines--”
“Thank you Captain Taylor,” Chick called out to stop him.
“That wasn’t too smart, Jules,” Mykal said. Clearly Mykal poked fun at and mocked the reporter’s name.
“I really didn’t mean anything by it,” he said to Mykal.
Mykal saw the surprise in Jules’s face and assumed Jules looked to Mykal to bail him out. Mykal wanted to lay into him but he remained silent. Mykal knew he would pay for it back in the world if it got back that he had been hostile toward the reporter corps. Mykal looked at the reporter group for Chris Schultz to see what he would have to say after comparing Mykal to Hitler. Thankfully Chris Schultz was nowhere to be seen.
Major Innes continued after a nod from Chick. “To clarify my point the mounted .50 caliber machine guns will provide covering fire when each group maneuvers to their next fighting position. And as to your question of the mortar teams Mykal, when they return from the front they will join Alpha Company, 1st Platoon. Alpha Company had suffered more casualties, primarily due to the losses sustained when your group was sent to the other side of Towbar’s world.”
“Thank you Sir,” Mykal replied and turned to Major Chick. “I’m going to go talk with the injured before they’re moved. If you would, have someone brief me on any other info.”
Major Chick walked off with him. “When you come back Myk, we need to discuss what we’re going to do about returning the injured to the real world and how we’re going to get more equipment. I really wished we had artillery now. We could have put a real hurting on them. I have to blame myself for being lackadaisical. I’m guilty of thinking they really wouldn’t attack so soon,” he said with a sigh.
“I’m just as guilty,” Mykal said. “I didn’t wanna go back with Christmas so close only because I was afraid it would cause problems, but it’s too late to cry about what shoulda been done. We gotta deal with what we have and like Captain Taylor said, we gotta ‘adapt and overcome’. As soon as I’m done I’ll find you.” Mykal didn’t want to voice his thoughts in front of the media group, but he believed losing two helicopters the previous day may have motivated the Sosos to go on the offensive, which he blamed himself for.
Mykal rushed through the crowd and he felt the buzz of excitement everywhere he went. This was the most activity he witnessed in the camp since the arrival of Towbar One. It impressed him with the speed at which the camp was being broken down and loaded onto trucks. Many called to him asking the same question. Everyone wanted to know if the Big One was truly under way. Mykal didn’t know but would treat everything like this was it.
“Hey Sam and Larry,” he yelled when he caught sight of his friends. If it wouldn’t have been for the white bandage around Larry’s head he might not have seen them in the crowd.
“Myk, is this really it?” Sam asked.
“I don’t know, but it doesn’t look good. The OPs are on their way back. The Sosos are on the move so I guess this could be it. How’s Jake doing and how are you doing?”
“I’m alright. I was told I have a slig
ht concussion,” Larry answered and rubbed the side of his head. “Everyone told me I was acting goofy last night but I’m feeling better now. Really,” he said before Mykal could press him. “But Jake is really hurting. I heard that it’s possible he might have to lose his leg.”
“Awh man, I hope not. Look, I need you guys to do me a favor. I need you guys to go get all the doctors, the wounded, the civilians and anyone considered non-combat personnel, and then meet me at the tent where Jake is. I’m gonna go see him, but I need to give everyone a heads up as to what is happening.”
They were gone in a flash and as Mykal made his way toward the medical tent where Jake rested. Suddenly a fight broke out near him. A Marine and an Army Ranger just started punching each other. They clamped on to each other and tumbled onto the ground. A roar erupted from the small group that circled around them.
“What the hell’s going on?” Mykal yelled. He was more shocked than angry.
“Area, ‘ten-hut,” a Marine yelled making all those present snap to attention. The two men on the ground jumped to their feet to get into the position of attention.
“Are you friggin idiots kidding me?” Mykal barked into the face of the fighters. They were both bigger than him and he knew they could whoop him if it came to a fist fight. Though Mykal had no rank on his shoulders they knew he was the senior man and was to be respected like any officer of high rank.
“I’m sorry Sir. Our argument got a little carried away,” the Ranger replied as a small trickle of blood slipped from his nose. “He said--”
“I don’t give a shit what was said, you morons,” Mykal hissed between clenched teeth. “This could be the Big One and you two dip-shits are squabbling over nonsense. The Sosos don’t screw around. I don’t friggin believe this.”
“I’m sorry Sir, this is my fault,” the Marine admitted. The left side of his upper lip was swelled three times the normal size. His left cheek was marred with scratches.
“We’re both at fault Sir,” the Ranger added when the Marine took ownership.
“Am I gonna have to babysit you guys?”
“No Sir,” the Marine answered and extended his hand to his one-time foe of twenty seconds. “Sorry bro.”
“No problem. I’m sorry too,” the Ranger grabbed his hand. The handshake turned into a friendly hug.
“It won’t happen again Myk,” the Marine promised.
“Everyone, get back to work,” he said and rushed toward the medical tents.
“Where you going Myk?” Roy Jr. yelled out as he was dumping out a cup of old coffee.
“I’m going to see Jake.”
“They moved him. Come on, and I’ll show you where he is. So is it true?” Roy Jr. asked when Mykal joined him.
Mykal knew what he was referring to without saying it. “It sounds like it, but I don’t know for sure. How are you doing?”
“I’m doing fine. I didn’t even have a scratch on me,” he answered and gave a proud smile. “It scared the hell outta me, cuz when our chopper went down, I honestly thought I was dead. I thought we were gonna be killed on impact. I musta got knocked out, cuz I don’t remember hitting the ground, but I remember waking up and there were all these bodies on me. I thought, ‘oh man I done died and went to hell.’ I was scared.” Roy Jr. gave an odd laugh. “I don’t know why I thought I was in hell, but when I realized I wasn’t dead I thought for sure the Sosos were gonna get us, cuz I didn’t think there would be any way on earth you guys would be able to land there and rescue us.”
“Well there was no way we wouldn’t have tried to rescue you. Besides, if we wouldn’t have tried, I think your brother woulda kicked my ass,” Mykal said and playfully punched himself in the face to simulate what Randy would have done to him.
“I screwed up though,” Roy Jr. said with a shake of his head and pointed Mykal to the correct tent. “When we got back I told Ski that I thought I died and went to hell, and what a mistake--”
“Oh no, you didn’t,” Mykal cut him off with a laugh knowing what was going to follow.
“Yeah, like a dumb ass I did. It was like I opened up a can of religious whoop ass on myself. Oh damn, I couldn’t get that guy to shut up. I thought I was gonna have to threaten him.”
“I know, if you get him started on that religious stuff he won’t stop,” Mykal replied and slapped Roy Jr. on the back.
“He’s a good guy and all, and he even made some great points,” Roy Jr. admitted. “He’s actually got me thinking seriously about God and all that stuff, but he wouldn’t shut the hell up. The guy really believes and lives for the stuff, but I had just nearly been killed and didn’t want to talk to anyone.”
“I understand,” Mykal paused and laughed because he could picture the scene. “I like Ski, but he’s, by his own definition, a Jesus freak. And he knows his stuff. When it comes to the Bible he can quote it left and right. I think he has the whole thing memorized, cuz every time I ever asked him a question he knows right where to go in the Bible.”
“Yeah, but now I’m afraid to talk to the ol’ boy cuz I know he won’t shut up.”
“Well look, why don’t you go get your father and brother and come here to Jake’s tent so I can fill everyone in on what’s going on. I want you guys to know what our plan is.”
“Alright, we’ll see you in a few.”
Mykal was glad to see Jake had visitors. Baby Hulk Jordan, Jeff Tackett and Shelton sat on one side of Jake’s cot. All three were originals from the first visit. Shelton had been left behind the first time with Jake, Larry and Sam.
While greeting them five more walked in. Terry Burns, Spencer, Douglas, Krenshaw and Monk walked in and were surprised to see Mykal standing there. The sight of Terry Burns and Spencer made Mykal’s stomach tighten in a knot. They were with Big Jeff Cann and Douglas who planned to ruin Mykal’s life because they were jealous that he became wealthy and famous. Mykal realized he had to make a decision to put all that behind him and deal with it later. He may have won Douglas over, and if that was true he was sure he could win over these two as well. Douglas had several white bandages on him and he smiled at Mykal like they were longtime friends. He turned grateful that Mykal helped him the day before.
“How’s it going?” Mykal greeted the four with a fake smile.
“Good,” Terry Burns replied with a nervous twitch.
“I know we’re ready to get outta here,” Sergeant Monk said and pointed between himself and Krenshaw. They were left behind from the first visit. Monk was almost killed by Mykal when he and another tried to steal ammunition from Mykal while he slept. It had been the night after the biggest battle they had ever been in. If the Big One was truly being launched, the Big One would dwarf that last mega battle that was held on July 4th.
“Yeah, we’re all ready to get out of here,” Burns said.
“That’s what I wanna talk to everyone about,” Mykal said and when he looked at Burns, something inside him raged with hatred. Mykal knew he had to set aside his anger with Burns and the others. He knew he could always get to them as he glanced down to his golden ring. “All the people are being gathered right now and when they get here I’ll fill everyone in on the plan. So, how you doing Jake?” He turned his attention to his friend. Jake’s right leg was in a cast and in traction.
“I feel like shit, but I’m getting by I guess,” he answered and his words were slow and slurred. “It’s good I got visitors. So is it true I’m going home today?”
“I’m not gonna pull your leg Jake, oh, no pun intended,” he stopped when they started to laugh. “But I don’t know, we have to wait to see what’s gonna happen. I don’t know if anyone told you yet but it looks like the Big One may have started.”
“What the hell man, I can’t move. I feel so damn helpless,” he said and pointed to his leg. “I can’t even sit up.”
“Nah, don’t worry Jake,” Mykal raised his hand when he saw the look of worry cover his friend’s face. “You’re not gonna be in any danger at all. All the injured peo
ple, all the non-combat personnel and any of you guys who have been here before are going to be moved to the rear of the Pass, miles away from danger. You’ll never see the Sosos.”
“Myk, please, help me. I just don’t wanna die here. I’ve been here too damn long, and now I’m worried.”
“You’re not gonna die here,” he replied and felt a deep sense of sadness that hurt. “I promised Jana I’d get you home to her and I’m not gonna break my promise. I’m gonna get you outta here even if I gotta carry you out myself. I just need you to be patient with me, okay?”
“I have no choice in the matter,” Jake huffed. “I’m stuck. I shoulda never screwed around and went on that damn mission. I only did it because I wanted to help and I was bored. I don’t wanna die because of my foolishness,” Jake added with mournful regret.
“I give you my word Jake, nothing, and I mean nothing is gonna happen to you,” Mykal declared firmly.
“We don’t have to be on the front lines, right?” Spencer said to change the subject and raised his hand for Terry Burns to slap it.
“No, you guys have been through enough, but if you want to help we’ll accept it,” Mykal answered. “What I would prefer is for all you guys to help with the wounded and the civilians. To help with the supplies and anything that wouldn’t pull people away from the front lines.”
They all agreed enthusiastically. “Why can’t we just go home right now?” Terry Burns asked.
“As soon as I know everything is okay I’ll take you guys home. The problem is I might have to take all of Towbar One at once and if I’m back in the real world with you guys I won’t know what’s going on here and then it might be too late for them. Plus, I’m waiting to see when it’s good to go, because I’m going back to get more resources. We want heavy artillery and more men. I would like to wipe out the Sosos once and for all. So there are a couple of different things going on and I have to wait to see how they play out. Trust me,” he paused and glared at Burns. “All you guys are gonna be safe.”