One by one the soldiers began climbing into the trucks, loading their wounded and dead. The wounded soldier on the stretcher gradually turned his head to the left and looked directly at Mason. Mason could see shock and realization in the man’s eyes, as he opened his mouth to scream. For a split second, Mason thought that he was dead for sure. But then miraculously the man’s eyes rolled into the back of his head, as his last breath of air slowly escaped from his parted lips. Mason sighed in relief, as two soldiers bent down and lifted the stretcher, putting the dead soldier into the back of the truck.
Perhaps Shiloh and Rupert were onto something with all of their prayers and talk of God? More likely it was just a coincidence and nothing more. When the last soldier had climbed aboard, the trucks pulled out onto the highway and headed west towards Lake Tahoe. Mason tightened his grip and held on for dear life, as the ice on the road crunched beneath the truck’s tires. Once again he found himself praying for protection, as the truck carried him away. It couldn’t hurt, coincidence or not.
It was a cold, wet and slippery ride with Mason clinging to the underbelly of the truck like his life depended on it, because indeed it did. Luckily he didn’t have to hang on for very long. About twenty minutes later the trucks came to a stop in the small town of South Lake Tahoe. By the time they’d arrived in town and began unloading the trucks, Mason was drenched with slush and covered in mud.
He waited until the trucks were empty and no one was around, before climbing out from under the truck and sprinting into the nearest cluster of pine trees. He then worked his way back up the mountainside through the deep snow, avoiding roads and people as he went. Using the tree line north of the Heavenly ski run for concealment he continued to ascend the mountain, every now and then stopping to watch his trail and ensure that no one was following. Although the weather was ideal for skiing, he appeared to be the only person on the mountain. The entire town seemed to have been taken over and occupied by the enemy, and there was no telling who was friend or foe. This was purely a reconnaissance mission and the last thing he wanted was to draw attention to himself.
When Mason finally reached a point that was high enough for him to see the entire town below, he stopped and hunkered down next to a large tree. He was freezing from head to toe and his body was shaking violently. The temperature up here was at least twenty degrees colder than down in the valley where Clearview was located, and his frozen clothes were not helping the situation.
Using a small shovel from inside his pack, Mason quickly dug a hole in the deep snow. He then climbed into the hole and covered the opening except for a hole to breath. He removed his frozen clothes and placed them in a plastic bag, which he slid into his pack. Naked and shivering, he quickly changed into the extra set of clothes he’d brought along just in case.
When he was fully clothed, Mason took out a couple of pocket warmers from inside his bag and slid one into each of his socks and both gloves. He sighed with relief, as feeling slowly returned to his frozen hands and feet. He sat there for a while, rehydrating and ensuring that his body temperature had returned to normal. He’d been well trained and having spent a winter in Antarctica, knew how to survive in extreme climates. Knowing that he was out of immediate danger, he climbed out of his shelter.
Using his scope, he began to scout the town. It was obvious that the town had surrendered without much of a fight. Some of the town’s citizens could be seen walking down the street, side-by-side with enemy soldiers, going about their business as if nothing had happened. Mason was amazed at how quickly some people had adapted to the change. Those who refused to conform had been rounded up and were being held in what looked like a large school auditorium.
He spent several hours scouting the town and the enemy’s forward base camp from multiple positions. Most of all he wanted to get an accurate count of how many soldiers were stationed there. But he also took a tally of the number of tanks, artillery, trucks, jeeps, pretty much anything and everything. His goal was to acquire as much intelligence on the enemy’s strength as possible, before returning to Clearview.
What worried Mason the most was not the size of the enemy, but the proximity. Although the Chinese forces were located on the other side of the mountain they were only about twenty miles away from Clearview, less than an hour’s drive. Although Mason and his wife Savannah had a house in Santa Fe, New Mexico, they now considered Clearview their home. They’d fought side by side with the townsfolk and protected their town from the notorious gang of outlaws, known as the Enlightened Ones.
It now appeared as though they may have to defend the town once more. Only this time the enemy was much larger, stronger, more disciplined and better equipped. Could the small town withstand another assault? Mason needed to get back as soon as possible and warn everyone. He glanced up at the sky, it was already getting dark. Knowing that it would take him a couple of days to get back, he decided it would be better to dig in for the night and head out at first light. He returned to his shelter and fell asleep almost instantly.
*******
Followed closely by Ian, Alfonso and Cole, Shiloh set off towards the tree house. His eyes rotating between scanning the tree line around him and the ground beneath his feet. Although he believed the enemy soldiers to be gone, there was no telling when they might return. As for the poisonous snakes, they were most likely too frozen to be dangerous but he wasn’t taking any chances.
When they reached the area where the snakes had been dropped onto the Chinese soldiers, the men slowed their pace and aimed their guns at the ground, ready to fire at the first sign of movement. Despite the darkness, they could see moonlight reflecting off of spent cartridges scattered on the ground. The soil around them was chewed up by machinegun fire from the frightened Chinese soldiers before fleeing the scene.
“Keep an eye on the ground,” cautioned Shiloh, as he looked for a way up to the tree house.
It took several minutes of searching, before he found wooden steps carved into the side of the tree trunk. “Here it is,” he whispered, slinging his rifle over his shoulder. He began to climb and was about a third of the way up, when he heard a stifled shriek from Cole below. Surprised, Shiloh lost his footing and almost fell to the ground. After regaining his foot hold, he looked down towards his friends to see what had happened.
Ten yards below, Cole held his rifle pointed towards the ground beneath his feet. Although Shiloh couldn’t tell for sure in the darkness, he surmised that Cole had found a snake. Or rather the snake had found Cole. Before the frightened young man could fire his gun and arouse anyone within earshot, Ian quickly reached down and grabbed the snake by its tail. He swung the snake through the air, smacking its head with a soft thud against a nearby tree trunk, before tossing it into the bushes twenty feet away.
“Thanks,” whispered Cole, his rifle rattling in his hands.
“No problem,” replied Ian, in the same hushed voice. He reached out and placed his hand on Cole’s, steadying the younger man’s rifle. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” said Cole, as the shaking slowly subsided.
“Why don’t you go next,” offered Alfonso, realizing that if another snake came along Cole might open fire without thinking.
“Right on,” said Cole, slinging his rifle over his shoulder and beginning to climb. Alfonso waited a minute before following, with Ian bringing up the rear.
When Shiloh reached the top of the tree ladder, he found a wooden hatch leading to the porch above. As quietly as possible, he turned the latch and opened the trapdoor. Popping his head up and through the opening, he quickly glanced around. He was half expecting to encounter more snakes or some other form of booby-trap, but luckily nothing happened. He waited for a moment, before pulling his body through the opening.
With his feet firmly planted on the wooden porch, Shiloh signaled for his friends to join him. He bent down on one knee next to the opening with his gun held ready, as Cole climbed up and through the door, followed by Alfonso and then Ian. Shiloh
waited for Ian to quietly secure the door, before whispering orders to his friends.
“Cole, you and Alfonso stay here and guard the hatch. Be sure to keep an eye on the ground below in case the soldiers return. Ian, you go that way,” said Shiloh, pointing in one direction, “and I’ll go this way.”
Ian nodded and handed Cole his rifle, before withdrawing a pistol from inside his jacket. Shiloh did the same thing, handing his rifle to Alfonso. He watched for a moment, as Ian disappeared around the wrap-around porch, before turning and heading in the opposite direction.
Shiloh was the first to arrive at the tree house’s front door, where he stood silently waiting until Ian tip-toed around the porch from the other direction. As gently as possible, Ian reached down and turned the doorknob. Both men were surprised when the door opened effortlessly, without even a squeak of sound.
Shiloh was the first through the door, with Ian following close behind. The two men spread out and walked softly into the dark house, exploring every nook and cranny. The only light in the room came from the fireplace and the glowing embers of wood that remained. Lying on a blanket in the middle of the room was the American pilot, still dressed in his jumpsuit.
Shiloh bent down next to the pilot and laid his hand gently on the man’s shoulder. Without a word, his eyes flashed opened. Shiloh quickly placed his finger to his mouth to stop the man from speaking, but it didn’t matter. The sound of a gun hammer click broke the silence, and Shiloh felt the cold steel of the muzzle pressed to his head.
“Well lookie here what I caught,” said Jeremiah, holding a pistol to the back of Shiloh’s head.
Shiloh felt a chill run down his spine, before he heard Ian’s voice from behind.
“Wanna trade?” asked Ian, his gun pointed at Jeremiah’s head.
The old man didn’t even flinch. “You’ve got nothing to barter with,” he said grinning.
Before Ian could respond, the silence was broken with the menacing sound of a round being chambered into a shotgun. Standing in the doorway of the bedroom was a young girl, and in her hands she held a shotgun aimed directly at Ian.
“Looks like we got us a Mexican standoff,” Jeremiah snickered.
“I totally disagree,” said Cole, standing in the doorway with his rifle pointed in the direction of the little girl. Another rifle barrel suddenly appeared in one of the windows and Shiloh could see Alfonso’s dark brown face grinning from the other end.
“Stop!” said Kye, pulling himself up to a sitting position. “We’re all on the same side!”
“He’s right,” agree Shiloh, as he slowly lowered his gun. Ian, Cole and Alfonso immediately did likewise. “We thought the pilot was in trouble. We’re sorry if we alarmed you.”
“You too!” said Kye, glaring at Jeremiah, who still held his gun to the back of Shiloh’s head.
“Fine,” said Jeremiah, lowering his gun and nodding to the young girl to do the same. “But just so ya fellas know, I’ve every right to shoot and kill home invaders. Next time I suggest you knock before entering my house!”
Kye chuckled and said, “You’re just mad because they got the drop on you old man.”
“Who you calling old?” asked Jeremiah. “At least I didn’t get shot down by the enemy!”
“We watched that dogfight,” said Shiloh, “and at least he took the other three fighters down with him.”
“So you were the gentlemen in the blue truck?” asked Kye. “The ones who tried to help me?”
“Damn straight!” said Cole.
“Well thank you,” replied Kye. “I don’t know if I’d have survived if it hadn’t been for your assistance. You guys sure helped to distract those MIG’s when I needed it most. I owe you all my life.”
“I’m sure you can make it up to us,” teased Ian. “But right now I’d really like to get back home.”
“Where is home?” asked Kye, excited to trade the safety of the tree house for something else, anything else.
“Clearview,” answered Ian. “It’s a small town, not that far from here.”
“Perfect!” Kye stood up and gathered his belongings, what little he had. “When do we leave?” he asked, using his makeshift crutch for balance.
“Right now if you’re able,” said Shiloh, casting a skeptical glance at Kye’s injured ankle. “Can you walk?”
“Hell I can run if I need to. I can’t wait to get back in the fight! By the way, I’m Lieutenant Colonel Kye Williams of the United States Navy,” said Kye, offering Shiloh his hand.
“Nice to meet ya,” said Shiloh, gripping the pilot’s hand in a firm handshake. “This is Ian, Cole and Alfonso,” he added, introducing each of his friends.
“Would you like to join us?” asked Shiloh, looking from Jeremiah to Sylvia and back again.
“Hell no!” spat Jeremiah. “This is our home and I ain’t letting nobody chase me from it!”
“Are you sure?” pressed Shiloh. “Those soldiers are bound to return and when they do, well, I don’t think it’s going to take them very long to figure out that those snakes didn’t just fall from the sky. As well concealed as your house is, it won’t take them long to find it, especially now that they know where to look.”
“It could be that I don’t give a damn!” hissed Jeremiah. “It could be that I got plenty more tricks up my sleeve. If they wanna come, let ’em come!”
“And the girl?” asked Shiloh, looking at Sylvia, who still stood in the doorway with her rifle in hand. “Are you sure you want her here when they come? They’re bound to be pissed and seeking revenge,” he added. “I wouldn’t want anyone that I care about to fall into the hands of those scoundrels, especially not a pretty young girl.”
Jeremiah’s brow furrowed as he considered this. He didn’t even want to think about what the soldiers would do to his granddaughter if they captured her. During the Vietnam War he’d seen firsthand the atrocities committed by soldiers without a moral compass, and he’d be damned if he’d allow anything like that to happen to Sylvia. “Maybe you’re right,” he said, after a moment of consideration.
“No grand pappy!” cried out Sylvia, her eyes welling with tears. “I wanna stay with you!”
“I assume you’ve got some women folk in town that she’d be safe with?” asked Jeremiah, ignoring the pleas of his granddaughter.
“We do,” said Ian. “In fact, I’m sure that Jessie would be more than happy to take the young girl under her wing.”
Jeremiah walked over to Sylvia, who stood quivering in the doorway with tears streaming down her cheeks. The old man reached out and took her hands in his and smiled down at her. “There, there my sweet darling, don’t cry,” he said, gently rubbing her hands in his. “We’ll be together soon enough. I just don’t want you anywhere nearby when those heathens return. I will come visit you soon. I promise!”
“But I can take care of myself!” she sobbed, wiping tears from her face, as new droplets replaced the old. “I ain’t scared of nobody! Please don’t make me leave!”
“I love you too much baby to let you stay,” said Jeremiah, his voice cracking just a little.
“Then come with me,” pleaded Sylvia, tightening her grip on her grandfather’s hands. “Forget about defending the house, what good is it if you’re dead?”
“I built this house with my own two hands honey and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna let those communist bastards take it away, least of all without a fight,” said Jeremiah, drying a teardrop from Sylvia’s cheek with his finger. “Don’t worry about me snicker doodle. I’m tough as nails and I aim to be around for years to come. Stay with these gentlemen and do as they say. When the coast is clear you can come back. I love you precious.”
“I love you too grand pappy,” cried Sylvia, burying her face in Jeremiah’s chest and wrapping her arms around him.
The old man had to pry her arms loose or she never would’ve let go. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and handed her his rifle. “Take this with you.”
“But it’s your fav
orite!”
“You’re my favorite,” said Jeremiah. “Besides, I want you to have something to remember me by until we’re together again. Take it.”
Sylvia reached out and accepted the rifle with one hand, while wiping fresh tears from her eyes with the other. “Thanks grand pappy, I’ll think of you whenever I see it. I’ll carry you with me in my heart like I carry mama.”
“And I you baby, and I you. Take good care of her,” he added, looking directly at Shiloh. He didn’t know why, but for some reason he felt like he could trust this man.
“No one will harm her without going through me first,” Shiloh assured the old man.
“And me,” added Ian.
“Totally dude,” agreed Cole.
Alfonso simply nodded in agreement.
“Alright then,” said Jeremiah, “I reckon y’all best be on your way. The sun will be rising soon, and no doubt the enemy with it.”
One by one they stepped off the porch and onto the wooden plank, attached to the rope elevator. Ian was the first to be lowered down. When his feet were firmly planted on the ground, he bent down on one knee and scanned the area for any sign of movement. When he was certain there wasn’t any enemy troops, he signaled for the others to follow. Alfonso was the next to be lowered down, followed by Cole and then Sylvia, who cast a longing look towards Jeremiah before disappearing below.
“Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of her,” said Shiloh, noticing the worried look on Jeremiah’s face.
“Thank you,” said the old man, extending his hand.
Shiloh shook his hand before stepping off the porch and dropping to the ground below.
The last to leave the tree house was Kye. As he limped onto the porch, Jeremiah glanced down at his swollen ankle and said, “That doesn’t look so good. Are you sure you can make it?”
“Oh I’ll make it,” Kye grinned, as he reached out and took hold of the rope. “Thank you for everything Jeremiah, I’d be dead or worse right now if it wasn’t for you and Sylvia. I’ll never forget what you’ve both done for me.”
World War III Page 24