"Dairy Farm. Bad. Attackers with automatic guns. All I know is we have four down already and our guys are in the farmhouse firing back. Some of the cows have been shot. Here's the radio." he handed it over. I turned it on because for some reason he had turned it off. No time to roll my eyes, besides he wouldn't see it in the lantern light.
"This is Jay. What's your situation, over…?” I spoke into the radio then released the key.
"Jay. This is Darin. We're under fire." I could hear automatic weapons and single shots in the background. "They caught us by surprise and we have 4 down. There are dozens of them Jay. We can't hold them off much longer.” I heard a burst of static then the radio went dead in my hands or rather his end of it did. I tried reaching him again as Michael and I ran down the stairs, but no luck. I ran full tilt into the squad bay we had reserved for the soldiers. The huge sorting area had been converted into living quarters and pallets and comforters had been carefully arranged into beds. Regular smaller barracks were planned if they stayed but I only had so many resources available until I knew mommy would let us keep our new toys.
"Sergeant!" I hollered. "I need your help and I need it now. Saddle up your men. I want them ready in one minute." I saw a flurry of activity and the Sergeant was at my side within seconds buttoning his utility jacket over the white t-shirt that covered his coal black skin. He had his boots in the other hand. With amusement, I saw a young woman with white blond hair had followed him carrying his rifle and other equipment in her hands. Very cool I thought, because she looked familiar. Then it hit me. I had helped rescue her and her children the other day. Around me, I saw soldiers in various stages of undress start throwing fatigues on while a great many women, some totally undressed looked up in shock at our abrupt entrance and activity.
"Michael!" I said. "Stay here and protect the place. We have enough of our people on guard. Do it!" I commanded in a no nonsense tone he nodded and took off running.
"Sir. What's the mission?" MSG Trask said, as he dropped to the ground quickly lacing his combat boots up, the diminutive white blonde girl floating back after caressing the back of his neck. I filled him in on the situation with a few sentences. He nodded. He grabbed my arm and guided me to the lead Humvee just outside the doors as we ran outside. "Get in, Sir!" he shouted at me as Humvees roared to life all around me. Jumping into the passenger side, I was passed a wired device. "Put this on, Sir. It's a tactical microphone. The battery pack clips to your belt. Put the wire under your shirt if you don't want it ripped off. I nodded and did as he said, clipped it to my belt, then feeding the wire up under my sweatshirt and fastened the ear and mouthpiece securely. I thumbed the on/off switch on the battery pack. I had used similar devices before after all. Instantly I heard excited voices. Too many. I depressed the mute button on my earpiece, which also controlled the spider microphone before my mouth. By depressing it, I took it off mute and spoke harshly.
"Settle down men, we have a mission. Too many of you are chattering like little girls." I heard top grunt beside me. A chorus of ‘yes, Sirs’ echoed over the net and I filled them in. Not sure when I started thinking of MSG Trask as ‘Top’, it just seemed to fit. As the Top Sergeant, he had total control of the men. Knew them all along with all their little issues.
"We have an unknown number of hostiles at the diary farm. It’s just over a mile away and I suspect it's marauders." Top was driving fast. He knew the way as he had been there with me all afternoon. "Reports indicate automatic small arms fire at the location. Be advised my men there have no automatic weapons. Take out anyone you see using them." I heard another chorus of, ‘yes Sirs’.
We were approaching the farm now and I could see moving lights all over the place to our west surrounding the farm. There were dozens of them. "Are my 134's in service?" I barked into the microphone. Six voices shouted, "Yes, Sir!" I continued giving orders. "Top, have the last six Humvees veer off now and hit them from the back side on the south west. I want two 134's in that bunch and one of the forty mikes. DO NOT KILL MY COWS!" I shouted.
"Scorpions, Sir. The 40mm Mk-19 Automatic Grenade launchers we call scorpions." he interrupted.
"Whatever, Top. The rest of us will hit them from the front by surprise with half our force and drive them to the back where we'll finish this. Run flankers to the north and west and take no prisoners. They’re all dead men." I commanded with finality. The Sergeant began issuing orders in a rapid-fire voice. Assignments were given in seconds and we sped up. I estimated we were doing at least seventy but the Sergeant wanted to hit them hard and give our flanking crews enough time to get in position.
I had been dreading this but knew it was only a matter of time. Marauders. They were already out and about according to the shortwave. I just thought they would give us more time before they exhausted supplies in their own areas. I guess they were bored and lazy and I was freaking angry.
We hit them hard, my M4 firing three round bursts out the window as we swerved into the driveway turnaround and I don't think I missed, even with the bouncing of the Humvee. We went careening through the center of the pack of them circling the two-story farmhouse. Jesus, just like the books. They were driving in circles around the house firing into it with automatic weapons. I blew out a few tires and saw vehicles overturn and picked off the figures I saw running on the ground. Damn. I hoped all my people were still in the farmhouse. Friendly fire wasn't in my playbook. I made a quick mental note to start classes tomorrow. The Sergeant veered left and we ran over a running figure dressed in jeans, cowboy boots and a flannel shirt. Not mine I was sure.
They had a variety of trucks and ATV's and were instantly speeding away from our assault. They actually outnumbered our fourteen vehicles, as there were literally dozens of small ATV's and trucks in their pack. Over the open tac-net, I heard call signs given and tallies as my temporary troops efficiently took out the bad guys. I sighted on another truck that was blazing away with automatic weapons on one of the Humvees, which desperately swerved to get out of the line of fire. I fired off a burst. Out. I reloaded quickly firing off two more bursts seeing stars appear across the front windshield and the truck suddenly swerved hitting a cattle stanchion and overturned spilling six men out onto the ground who had been in the bed. Our Humvee swerved to a halt and I jumped out, pissed off as all hell, and started running towards these bastards firing 3-round bursts as fast as I could pull the trigger.
I'm not exactly sure how many rounds I fired but I didn't stop until I was in their midst and empty. I saw two left as the bolt locked to the back. I dropped it, the sling curling the smoking weapon behind my back as I hit them at a dead run drawing the K-bar given to me by Top as a thank you. I dropped, sliding into the first like a runner coming into first base knocking his feet out from under him. As he fell towards me, his arms outstretched to break his fall I angled my knife upward taking him just under the jaw the blade angling upward into his lower brain and twisted it as his scream pierced my ears. I rolled quickly before his weight could fully settle and swept the feet out from under the second as I caught him sighting his deer-hunting rifle down on me. My right leg scything in a 180-degree arc and as he hit the ground I twisted my upper body in the air and over on top of him burying the knife to the hit in his chest. He gurgled spewing bloody froth into his dirty beard; his face stared into my eyes until I saw the light disappear out of them forever.
Behind me, I heard the roar of the M134 Mini guns and rolled over seeing the Sergeant pinned down with the others behind our vehicle. There were several in the barn where the machine gun couldn't get to them and they had my men pinned down. The M134's could have chewed the barn into toothpicks and I knew the crews were trying hard not to damage anything. I growled as I rolled onto my belly, taking cover behind the man I had just killed, my knife still sticking out of his chest. I slammed a fresh magazine into my M4, rolling back again to site on the opening across the still chest flipping up the holographic reflex site. Sighting through the illuminated crosshairs I outli
ned the first of our attackers and fired off a burst sending him back to god or the devil, whichever. It really didn't matter to me. I quickly sighted in and killed the next in a matter of seconds as the Sergeant and my other two troopers stormed the barn taking out the others in close combat. I saw one figure in the distance raise his hands but true to my orders, my men took him out quickly.
God I my body ached, as I stood surveying the damage. There was still fighting going on but it was sporadic and almost finished. I saw a series of explosions occur in the field to the west where we had driven them, briefly lighting up the surrounding countryside in bright orangish-white flashes, as the belt fed 40mm grenade launchers did their work. I keyed my microphone. "Finish them." I breathed. My eyes were dead. I would hunt these bastards down and kill every single one of them for being stupid and attacking us. I didn't care if they were husbands, fathers, or community leaders. They were dead men. Time to tally up, I thought as I saw the last of the flashes occur before silence and darkness. The roar of the Humvees could be heard approaching us.
"Casualties." I commanded over the open net. I wanted to know how many died.
I heard a great many, ‘none’, but then Top came back with, "We have three wounded. Lightly. Nothing serious. Good job, Commander" I was amazed. Well maybe it was that armor they all wore. Damn I needed to get some of that. Actually, we had some from the bad guys at the fuel farm but I hadn't wanted to wear it before now. I also appreciated the new title the Sergeant addressed me with. Not that I wanted to be a ‘Commander’ but they respected me and my plan had worked. Damn. Now to check on my other people.
"Okay, men hold tight and set up parameter security. Keep an eye out for any stragglers and kill them if you see any." I heard a few ‘aye ayes’, ‘yes Sirs’ and even a 'we got ‘em all, Sir'. before turning to the farmhouse. We didn't get them all but we would, I thought to myself.
My people slowly came out as I approached. They weren't all wounded but most were. Darin had a large bandage or I think it was a t-shirt tied around his hand and a pronounced limp with another t-shirt tied around his left thigh. The others were similarly equipped with makeshift bandages of all sorts. I hugged them all. Of the even dozen we had left, there were six left. Damn it to hell. I couldn't afford to lose anyone.
"I'm sorry we're late, Darin." I said as I held him upright. He didn't have his radio on him. I guess that explained his bandaged hand. I had assumed the worst at the time.
"A-Okay, Jay." He smiled and I could see the tears on his face. I think I was crying also. Didn't matter, we were alive. "You’re here and you saved us. Hell, when we saw them drive up we went out to meet them. They started firing right away. We didn't have any warning," he continued then passed out on me. I gently lowered him to the ground. More trucks were approaching. I keyed my microphone. "Incoming." I growled. The soldiers around me all assumed defensive postures their weapons aimed at the approaching vehicles while a medic ran my way to see to Darin. There were over a dozen new vehicles approaching and frankly, I was a bit worried. They pulled up slowly. It was my crew. All armed to the teeth. I smiled with relief. The Sergeant touched my arm.
"Here, Sir." he handed me some cards. I looked at them slowly, seeing they were Utari Survival Group membership cards. Figures. I love survivalism don't get me wrong. I love survival groups. I hated stupid evil ones though. I knew I had a list of their HQ's and many of their members’ homes on my laptop. Way back when I had planned a video documentary about survival groups. I never did get around to finishing it but I did know where to look for them. "We'll find them and kill them." I said hoarsely. He nodded expressionless. I reached out gripping his arm. "I want you to leave half your men here tonight. We need to protect this farm at all costs. It's vital to our survival. The rest of you go back home. We'll clean this up in the morning." He nodded and began issuing orders. I felt like passing out. I was beyond bone tired. Time to go home.
*****
The tall strong looking older man in pristine white lab coat paced back and forth, as he waited word. He had received notice from the monitors that there were problems and they were trying to raise one of their expeditions. They hadn't reported in and protocol was to wait an hour and resend their daily progress report, and then receive the code to unlock the new command keys that were generated each day. Three units hadn't reported in. Now he was pacing while waiting the hour until their next transmission, which hopefully would arrive.
"Sir." A new technician spoke to him. This one was female and quite pleasing to look at. Also, much smarter than the male whose old spot she was currently occupying. He was in or out of surgery by now and would no longer be able to foster children. Good Riddance.
"What is it? Did they report?"
"No, Sir! It's past all allowable time limits."
The lab-coated figure nodded and made a decision. "Send this information to Don. See what he thinks of it."
"Yes, Sir." She was busy for a moment as she studiously typed away at her keyboard, separating then transmitting information to another office. He absolutely loved the way her breasts jiggled as she moved at her workstation. Very nice indeed.
"Why don't you come down to my room when your shift is over? I'll be waiting." He reached out a hand caressing her silky black hair and turned leaving before she could speak.
"Yes, Sir." she replied to his departing back.
*****
Chapter 11
DAY 6: 0600 ET
Well our schedule just sped up by a wide margin. I woke up to the sound of forklifts running outside. The women woke up when I stumbled out of bed, and boy they were grumpy. I figured it was because I had been too tired to perform last night. Well they would get over it. It had been all I could do to drag my sorry tired ass up the stairs to my new residence. I honestly don't even remember falling asleep. The only thing that sucked about my new home is the lack of a bathroom next to my sleeping quarters. Damn it! I needed a shower and a shave and my bladder was telling me I needed to piss like a racehorse.
I grabbed a change of clothes and left in a pair of sweats and guns with the women bitching at each other. I didn't have time for my own shit let alone theirs. The facility was under power and they had a coffee urn set up downstairs. Surprisingly, I saw a large coffee mug labeled boss and grabbed it instantly chuckling to myself. That first sip of scalding hot black brew raised the hairs on the back of my neck. Good stuff. I sipped the coffee with appreciation, scalding my tongue and burning my mouth but it was worth it. In a much better mood, I wandered in search of the showers.
The RAC facility had several showers in each restroom. I opened the door to the men's room to be greeted by the sight of over a dozen men waiting in line for the two shower stalls. Well this just won't do I thought. We would have to come up with something better and quickly. Even though my coffee mug said I was the boss, I didn't feel it was right to go to the head of the line, but I was in a hurry. I left and opened the door across the hall to the ladies’ room. Two of our women were just leaving and a smiled at me as they squeezed by. Eureka, I thought. I had no problems taking a shower in the ladies’ room, I just needed a shower. Nobody else was in here right now which is really rare with women. Good! Quickly, I stripped down and jumped in the shower stall closing the curtain while turning the shower knob up to scalding hot. Holy shit! I turned it down a little. Now that's hot water. There was soap and shampoo on the shelf within the shower and I helped myself. I had brought my razor, so shaved under the running water. I was once again a new man. With some reluctance, I turned the water off pulling the curtain aside and stepped out naked.
My eyes stretched wide. Before me, bent over near the sinks was a vision of the perfect ass. I mean, it had that whole slight separation yet muscular thing going on. The ass cheeks parted and slanting to either side in the most erotic way above slightly muscular thighs and I didn't mean that gapped crotch look some skinny women have going on. Her thighs met together. I was referring to that muscular ass look some women have
where the bottoms of the cheeks actually curve slightly outward. Bridget was sweet. Cara was sweeter. However, this view was God's way of saying, 'You did good my son'. I think I must have choked or maybe my heart was pounding too loudly because she spun around gasping in surprise. I had interrupted her while getting ready to take a shower because she was topless and in the process of removing her socks, the last article of clothing she wore, and then I had my second surprise of the morning.
"Corporal Rider?" Okay, now my morning was complete. The dowdy looking petite young woman from the CAPC had been almost neuter in her sexuality when I'd seen her during our little altercation with the men in black. This creature before me was delicious. Jesus Christ she had tits and big ones. Where in hell had they been hiding? And that flowing red hair. Wow!
"Sir! Oh my GOD, don't look!" She squeaked turning to shield the front of her body from me. Over my surprise now, I relaxed and turned slightly reaching for my coffee mug on the bench beside the shower stall. Next to it was my towel and I picked it up also but didn't bother covering myself up. I took a healthy sip of the coffee, noticing it had cooled slightly.
"I think the view from the back might be better than the view from the front but I'm not sure. Just saying!" I said grinning. It was true. She was awesome from every direction.
"Sir, you shouldn't be looking at me." She squealed again grabbing her dirty uniform up and using it to try to cover her body as she faced me again. Her eyes were wide with fright.
Blood, Brains and Bullets Page 24