Bug Out! Part 13: Finale

by Robert Boren

  “Yeah, and they’re usually right,” Frankie said.

  “Coincidence,” Clara said. “Just coincidence.”

  “Sounds like an inside joke,” Ned said, sipping his sangria. “This is good.”

  “Yeah it is,” Jake said.

  “You two are together, I take it?” Ned asked.

  Jake smiled and looked over at Frankie. “I don’t know. We together?”

  She punched him on the arm playfully.

  “Yeah, they’re together,” Clara said. “It’s sickening.” She laughed.

  “Why sickening?” Ned asked.

  “She wasn’t even trying, and a man falls right into her lap,” Clara said.

  “I’ll bet you have men following you around all the time, Clara,” Ned said. “You’re beautiful, you know.”

  Clara looked embarrassed. “I think we should change the subject.”

  “Fair enough,” Frankie said. “What group are you with, Ned?”

  “Special Forces,” he said. “In what’s left of our army. The real army.”

  “His brother is being held with Jeb and Rosie,” Jake said.

  “Yes,” Ned said. “I’m so worried about him. Dick’s my big brother. Always looking after me. He came out to help me when the UN had us pinned down, and then he got captured on the way home.”

  “Oh, no,” Clara said.

  “We have a pretty good chance of getting them back, from what it sounded like in the meeting,” Jake said.

  “I hope so,” Ned said. “We’ve got three nasty operations coming up. If we don’t lose any people, it’ll be a miracle.”

  “Maybe the other subject was better,” Frankie said, a worried expression on her face.

  “Well, you guys had to keep teasing me,” Clara said. “But I agree. Maybe we should focus on you two. When are you moving in together?”

  Jake laughed out loud.

  “Yeah, when are we moving in together?” Frankie asked, grinning at him, moving close to kiss his forehead. “No pressure.”

  All of them laughed and drank and enjoyed the rest of the evening.

  ***

  The iron door opened with a clank. Jeb and Dick snapped out of their sleep. Rosie was already awake, sitting in the morning beam of light coming from the high window, thinking.

  “What want?” Rosie asked the guard who came in.

  “The boss wants to chat,” he said. Daan Mertins appeared behind him.

  “Good Morning,” he said, pulling a stool in from the hallway and sitting. He nodded to the guard, who left, closing and locking the door behind them.

  “To what to we owe this dis-pleasure?” Dick asked gruffly.

  “Things aren’t looking so good for you guys,” Daan said. “We haven’t been contacted for an exchange. I’m starting to think your people don’t care about you.”

  “Oh well,” Jeb said. “I wasn’t going to let that stand anyway, remember?”

  “You overestimate yourself, old man,” Daan said. “You’re sitting in a cell with a crippled woman and an old redneck sheriff. I’m holding all the cards.”

  “He needs something,” Dick said. “Else he wouldn’t be in here. What is it, euro trash?”

  “Do I need to withhold your meals again today?” Daan asked.

  “Who care,” Rosie said. “Better for figure.”

  Daan sighed. “Frank and several of the other rebels are heading towards Boise,” he said.

  “So?” Jeb asked.

  “You know his daughter lives there?” Daan asked.

  “Whatever you say,” Jeb said.

  “Oh, you don’t have to deny it,” Daan said. “We know. We’re laying a trap for him now. When he tries to contact her, our agents will sweep in and capture him. We’ll get the other rebels who are with his party too.”

  “Take your best shot, jerk weed,” Jeb said. “You need us for something. What?”

  “Something disturbing happened last night. A detachment of UN Peacekeepers got murdered up by Cheyenne, Wyoming. They were close to where Frank and his party are right now.”

  “Good,” Dick said. “Less shit stinking up the joint.”

  Daan glared at him. “And to think you were an officer of the law. This was a murder.”

  “No, it was an act of war,” Dick said. “But no matter. Dead is dead. I salute whoever did it.”

  “Why are you asking us about it, euro trash?” Jeb asked.

  “There was an eyewitness account of the attack,” Daan said. “Some in my group think our allies might have done this.”

  “Allies?” Jeb asked.

  “The militia,” Daan said. “I’m here to give you a chance to tell me if a new alliance has been formed between you rebels and the militia.”

  Jeb and Dick busted out laughing.

  “Those assholes stood by while the Islamists were beheading Americans,” Jeb said. “And you dullards think we’d make an alliance with them. That’s rich.”

  “Yeah, we haven’t been exactly nice to them either,” Dick said. “Killed me a lot of militia creeps. Tortured quite a few too.”

  “I didn’t expect any cooperation,” Daan said. “But I wanted to avoid nastiness if possible. I’m afraid we’ll have to move to torture.”

  “Yeah, whatever,” Jeb said.

  Daan got up and rapped on the door. It opened again, and two guards appeared, one carrying shackles. “Grab Jeb.”

  The two men rushed at Jeb and wrestled him to his feet, putting the shackles on his wrists.

  “No!” Rosie cried. Dick tried to get to his feet, but Daan pulled a pistol and pointed it to his head.

  “You can stop this,” he said. “Tell us the truth.”

  “We did,” Dick said. “We aren’t with the militia, idiot.”

  Daan slammed him in the side of the head with his pistol, and left with the guards and Jeb. Rosie cried as they both lay on the floor. Then Dick got a big grin on his face.

  “What?” she asked. Dick crawled over to whisper.

  “Hear them outside?”

  “Yes.”

  “We’ve got people watching this place. They didn’t know what building we’re in. Now Daan is taking Jeb outside.”

  Rosie smiled.

  Chapter 11 – War Games

  Ned woke up in the lounge to a pounding headache. Sangria. His thoughts went to Clara and a calm feeling settled over him, dulling the pain. His phone rang.

  “Yeah,” he said.

  “They’re in the third building from the southeast corner of the complex,” a man’s voice said in hushed tones.

  “How do you know?” Ned asked, sitting up.

  “They took Jeb outside, to the building next door. Must have tortured him, because they carried him back after an hour or so.”

  “Shit,” Ned said. “I hope they didn’t kill him.”

  “He was still alive when I saw him,” the man said.

  “Thanks for the info,” Ned said. “You doing okay?”

  “I need to disappear soon. A couple of them are getting suspicious.”

  “All right, do what you have to do. I’ll be there soon with some friends. Good terrain for an assault?”

  “Yeah, actually, since it’s on the southern edge of the complex. There’s a dry wash that runs along the southern side, and some hills across that overlook the place. Somebody up on the ridge could control the entire area.”

  “Perfect, thanks,” Ned said.

  “Good luck, and be careful.”

  “Thanks, you too,” he said.

  Ned got to his feet, and went to the kitchen for a drink of water. General Hogan walked out of the back hallway.

  “Slept in here last night, eh?” he asked. “Those couches aren’t too bad.”

  “Yeah, not bad. I just got a call from the contact we have in that industrial park. I know which building they’re in.”

  “Yes!” General Hogan said. “We should round up the others.”

  “Yeah,” he said. “Clubhouse?”

 
“Yes, sounds good. I’ll get George and Jerry on the phone, and bring my boys.”

  “I’ll get my men,” Ned said, climbing the stairs. “Think there’s coffee up there?”

  “Knowing Hilda, yeah,” General Hogan said, smiling. “If not we’ll crank some up.”

  ***

  Jake woke up in his trailer, head pounding as the light seeped in through the curtains. He turned, and there she was, her naked shoulder to him, long hair spilled over the pillow. She stirred and turned to him, then winced.

  “Ouch,” she said, holding her head.

  “Those were a little too strong,” Jake said sheepishly.

  She turned on her back and looked at him. “They did the trick though, didn’t they?”

  “You planned that,” Jake said, grinning.

  “Maybe just a little. You were an animal.”

  “Sorry,” he said.

  “I liked it, silly,” she said, turning towards him. “The memory is a little too dim, though. I think you need to refresh me.” She reached for him, and they entangled, headaches forgotten in their passion. Afterwards they lay on their backs together, looking at the low ceiling in the little trailer.

  “Well?” she asked. “Ready to surrender yet?”

  He got on his elbow, facing her, teary eyed. “I was ready before last night.”

  “Good,” she said. “Wonder if Ned stayed with Clara last night? She’s usually pretty open.”

  “Nah, I saw him stumbling down the stairs to the lounge,” Jake said. “Hope he didn’t fall.”

  “The seeds are planted,” Frankie said. “It’s only a matter of time. Clara was already falling for him.”

  “What do you want to do now?” Jake asked.

  “Get up, I guess,” Frankie said.

  “No, I mean with our lives,” he said.

  “Oh,” she said. “I know you’re mine. I can feel it. That’s all I care about.”

  “You want to be married?”

  “Doesn’t matter that much to me,” she said. “Is that important to you?”

  “Yeah,” Jake said. “I’m kind of an old-fashioned guy, in case you haven’t noticed.”

  “Anybody here who could do it?”

  Jake laughed. “No, I’m the only one here that can do that.”

  “You’re a minister?”

  “Well, you know. Did all kinds of crazy things in the 70s. I married Trish and Terry.”

  “Oh, that’s nice,” she said. “We can always go into town. I’m sure they have a courthouse.”

  “Would you mind?” Jake asked.

  She smiled at him. “Like I said, I know you’re mine, and that goes both ways. I’m yours. I’ll go down there with you right now if you want.”

  Jake’s eyes focused out the window. “Something’s going on.”

  “Uh oh,” Frankie said, getting up and pulling the curtains apart. “Yeah, Ned and his folks are rushing into the clubhouse. There goes George and Heidi, too. Something’s happening.”

  “Want to go see?” Jake asked.

  “Yeah,” she said, getting out of bed. Jake looked at her naked form in the morning light.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he said, choking up.

  “We aren’t hiding our relationship, right?”

  “Not as far as I’m concerned,” Jake said. “I’ll have to chat with Trish. Where do you want to live?”

  “Why don’t we live here, and let the kids have my trailer?”

  “You don’t mind cozy?” Jake asked.

  “No, not at all,” she said. “You’re going to have to marry them, you know.”

  “Who? Your daughter and Josh?”

  “Of course,” she said.

  “They old enough?”

  “In this world, yeah,” Frankie said. “Britney is going to be eighteen in two weeks.”

  They got dressed and left the trailer, heading towards the clubhouse. They saw Clara on the way.

  “Didn’t let him spend the night?” Frankie asked.

  Clara looked embarrassed. “I passed out,” she said. “Too much sangria. When I woke up he was gone. Don’t know what happened before he left.”

  “He went down to the lounge just as we were leaving,” Jake said.

  “You like him?” Frankie asked.

  “You’re going to tease me, aren’t you?”

  “No,” Frankie said. “I promise. And by the way, we’re getting married.”

  “I thought you didn’t care about marriage.”

  “Jake does,” she said. “So I do too.”

  Clara smiled. “Well, I think that’s nice.”

  “You didn’t tell me how you liked Ned,” Frankie said.

  Clara rolled her eyes. “What do you want me to say? I’m extremely attracted to him. Okay?”

  “Okay,” Frankie said. “I’m glad. He’s going to be in danger, but he’ll come out of it without a scratch.”

  “Why are you saying that?” Clara asked.

  “Because of what we’re going to hear in the clubhouse. I don’t want you to worry too much. You’ll live out the rest of your life with him, and it’s going to be long. Coming?”

  Clara rolled her eyes and followed them.

  They joined the growing crowd inside. The smell of brewing coffee filled the room. Jerry and Jasmine were sitting at their computers. People were gathering around the big TV screen, looking at a satellite view which Jerry was manipulating. Charlie walked up to the front of the room with General Hogan. Ned and Clint were already up there, with George and Heidi, studying the screen. Jasmine’s face showed the strain of worry.

  “Could I have your attention, folks?” Charlie asked.

  The talking came down to a dull murmur.

  “Thanks,” General Hogan said. “Ned, you want to fill us in on what happened?”

  “Okay,” he said. “I got a call from our contact inside the industrial park where Dick, Jeb, and Rosie are being held. He knows which building they’re in now. See this one here?” He pointed to the screen.

  “How did he find that out?” Earl asked.

  “They took Jeb outside to another building, then carried him back. Looks like they tortured him.”

  Jasmine was crying. Jerry pulled her close.

  “That’s a perfect place for an assault,” George said. “I could set up the M107 and the OICW on this ridge and keep anybody inside the industrial park from rushing the building.”

  “Yes, and then we could send in a strike team to open the building and get them out,” Ned said, smiling at George. “Be just like old times, brother.”

  “We have to do this quickly,” General Hogan said. “Before they leave the area. Your contact have any idea how soon they’re leaving, Ned?”

  “He thinks they have another few days at least.”

  “How long does it take to get there?” George asked.

  “On it,” Jasmine said, typing on her laptop.

  “We need to leave in a hurry no matter what,” Ned said.

  “Got it,” Jasmine said. “Just over eight hours at normal highway speeds.”

  “We should take Jeeps and Humvees,” George said. “That way we can beat that time.”

  “Can you carry enough ordnance?” Jerry asked. “I could follow in our motor home.”

  “We can fit everything we need in our vehicles,” Ned said. “Hell, the Humvees are already loaded with most of what we need.”

  “Everybody get a good enough night’s sleep to leave right away?” General Hogan asked.

  “Who’s going?” Jerry asked.

  “My team and I, with all of our Humvees, of course,” Ned said.

  “I’m going,” George said.

  “With me,” Heidi said.

  “I’ll go with my dogs, if you want,” John Harper said.

  “Don’t we need the dogs here?” Kurt asked.

  “This park is in very little danger now,” General Hogan said, “thanks to our alliance with the militia. While you guys are gone, we’ll plan the phony atta
ck. We’ll try to start it about the same time you guys attack, or shortly before.”

  George chuckled. “Good idea,” George said. “Hope Mertins is there.”

  “He’s not the objective,” Ned said. “Our people are job one. If we can get him, fine, but we’ll fry his bacon in southwest New Mexico soon enough.”

  “Agreed,” General Hogan said. “I suggest you try to be on the road within the hour.”

  “Guys, remember what we did before with the meeting software?” Jerry asked. “Bring your phones to me if you weren’t on the last one, and I’ll get you set up. Everybody have blue tooth headphones?”

  “Jerry, you can set up Ned’s team through their helmets,” General Hogan said.

  “What are you guys talking about?” Ned asked.

  “Something that we did at Capitol Reef,” General Hogan said. “We’ll have all of you on a secure conference call with us. Jerry and Jasmine will be looking at real-time satellite images to help you on the ground.”

  “Really?” Ned asked. “That work okay? Not too much chatter?”

  “Worked perfect in Capitol Reef,” Jackson said.

  “Okay, then let’s get that set up and blow this joint,” George said. He started for the door with Heidi.

  Ned made eye contact with Clara. She smiled and nodded towards the porch. They rushed to the door, meeting outside.

  Ned looked her in the eyes. She had tears running down, and moved to him, putting her arms around him. He stiffened at first, then sighed and relaxed.

  “Don’t worry,” he said. “This’ll be routine. We’ll get them home safe.”

  “I know,” Clara said, looking up at his face. “You’ll come back.”

  “Can we date when I’m back? I like you,” he asked, sounding lame. Clara chuckled.

  “Are you kidding me?” she asked, pulling him tight and kissing him. They broke the kiss, and studied each other’s faces. Clara was still crying.

  “I’ll come home, don’t worry,” he said.

  “I know you will,” she said. “Frankie told me.”

  Ned laughed. “She’s a card. I like her and Jake a lot.”

  “Good, because they’re going to be in our lives for years,” she said. He gave her a strange look, which turned slowly into a smile.

  “This is really strange,” he said, pulling her close again.

  “Just go with it,” she said, looking at him. “That’s what I do.” She kissed him again, longer this time.