by Robert Boren
Isn’t that kind of a big street to be on?” Tex asked.
“Yes, so keep guns handy,” Jules said. “Climb back and get extra ammo from back before we get there.”
“I’m on it,” Tex said, climbing over the back seat. He opened the hatch in the rear floor and pulled out two ammo boxes, lifting them over the seat. He climbed back up. “Nice, more 30-06.”
“I know you need,” Jules said. “Might want to change to M60. Faster, more ammo around. Belt better.”
“I will eventually, but I like the feel of this better.”
“Here comes Hawthorne,” Sparky said. “Stay sharp. Hand me one of those ammo belts.”
“Here you go,” Tex said, handing him one. “Use it in good health.”
Jules chuckled as he made the right turn onto Hawthorne. “Keep eyes open.”
“This isn’t a bad street, actually,” Tex said. “The buildings are set so far back from the curb.”
“Nobody around,” Sparky said as he scanned both sides of the road.
“We kill many pansies last night,” Jules said. “They shorthanded, and things blew up inland too. We got them on run.”
“Watch it,” Tex said. “Pickup truck just turned onto the street.”
“If they get too close, take them out,” Jules said.
Gunfire erupted behind them.
“Crap, some guys are standing in the bed, shooting over the cab,” Sparky shouted.
“Not for long,” Tex said, pulling the trigger on the BAR. Bullets ripped into the cab of the truck, killing the driver and passenger, some bullets going through the back window into the torsos of the men in the bed. The truck careened into the center median and rolled several times.
“That fix them,” Jules said. “Nice shooting.”
“You notice what those guys were?” Tex asked.
“Probably Islamists,” Jules said.
“Shit. Really?” Sparky asked.
“Yep,” Tex said. “Don’t worry, they’re even more stupid than those UN punks.”
“You got a red light coming,” Sparky said as they approached Rosecrans.
“No guts, no glory,” Jules said, floor boarding the Jeep. They flew through the intersection to honks and shouts.
“Yeeeehawwww!” shouted Tex.
“You’re crazy, man,” Sparky said.
“They might be in big intersections,” Jules said. “I’m doing again at El Segundo and Imperial too. Don’t worry. Not many drivers out and around.”
“He’s right about that,” Tex said. “Just like poker, you got to play the odds to win. The odds are in our favor here.”
Sparky shook his head, eyes darting on either side of the street as they approached El Segundo Boulevard. “Hold onto your butts!” Jules floored it again, the big V-6 in the Jeep roaring as they flew through the intersection.
“Slugs off to the side,” Tex said, raising his BAR. “Here they come.”
“Ice them,” Jules said.
“Maybe I ought to be in the back seat too,” Sparky said. Just then he saw a car coming out of nowhere on his side. “Spoke too soon.” He leveled the M60 and pulled the trigger, lead spewing into the car next to them, the driver’s head exploding as the car rolled to a stop.
Tex laughed. “Those guys back there didn’t like that. They’re slowing down.”
“Hit them anyway,” Jules shouted.
“You got it,” Tex said, pulling the trigger, bullets slamming through the windshield of the van. The driver fell on the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to turn way too fast and roll several times.
“Nice,” Jules said, watching the rear-view mirror. “Here comes Imperial. Hold tight.” He floored it again, blasting through the intersection.
“Don’t see anybody here,” Sparky said, looking around.
“Yeah, we’re clear behind us,” Tex said. “Nobody following this time.”
“We gonna turn left on Century?” Sparky asked.
“Yeah,” Jules said, “and then full bore until we get to the freeway overpass. We set up there. Saw video surveillance earlier. Good cover to shoot from.”
“Don’t you think the folks at that first checkpoint have warned everybody now?” Sparky asked.
“You worry too much, partner,” Tex said.
“Yeah, I’d rather live to continue the fight,” Sparky said.
“Don’t worry, my friend,” Jules said. “We’ll splash these creeps and go have drink afterwards.”
“You know they’re probably using the surveillance cameras on this street, right?” Sparky said.
“I count on,” Jules said. “I want tank to fire. Boss wants big show. Don’t worry, we got surprises coming.”
“What?” Tex asked.
“You see,” Jules said. “Scouts set up area earlier. Claymore mines. They watch and blow when we need. Concentrate on the tank. Make good show.”
Sparky shook his head. “Yeah, Ivan always did like to put on a show, I guess.”
“Still nobody following us,” Tex said as they neared Century.
“Good, at least we got the light this time,” Sparky said, watching the intersection as Jules pulled a left turn, speeding up.
“See that pickup truck over there?” Sparky asked.
“I see them,” Tex said. “They just pulled out. How close do you want them?”
“Blow them away fast,” Jules said. “No time to play. Tank is job one.”
“Okay,” Tex said, aiming the BAR. The driver saw it and tried to turn, but not fast enough, as lead tore into his face. The truck slammed into a parked car, throwing the men in the back into the air. “Pull!” Tex yelled, firing at the flying men.
“You’re a sick puppy,” Sparky said.
“It’s not like we’re shooting humans,” Tex said. “We’re shooting the enemy. Don’t get confused.”
“Yes,” Jules said. “You listen.”
“All right, all right,” Sparky said. “I get it. That freeway overpass is coming up fast. Surprised they don’t have people lining the streets ahead of it.”
“Like I say, they short-handed,” Jules said. “Look, see tank ahead?”
“It’s coming this way with its cannon aiming at us,” Sparky said.
Jules pulled over. “Out. Take weapons.”
They piled out, Tex setting the TOW launcher between a couple of parked cars.
“Want me to wait?” Tex asked.
“Yeah, you wait,” Jules said. “Look, UN pansies running this way.” He aimed the M60 and fired, cutting most of them down. Sparky fired at the remaining men as they fled in a panic. Then there was a loud bang from the tank’s cannon, and a car half a block behind them blew into the air about twenty feet, coming down on the sidewalk.
“Okay, now you shoot,” Jules said. “Those take more than a minute to reload. Old Sheridan.”
Tex smiled as he slipped another missile into the tube and moved the sight unit into the street. He got a fast bead on the tank and pulled the trigger, the missile flying to the tank. It blew sky high, fire and pieces of armor flying in all directions.
“Wow,” Sparky said.
“Aluminum tank,” Tex said. “Damn deathtraps.”
“What now?” Sparky asked.
“Look, more men running this way from the intersection,” Tex shouted.
“Don’t worry,” Jules said. There were several loud bangs, and the running men collapsed on the road.
“Claymore mines,” Tex said. “Nice. Let’s blow this joint.”
“You got it,” Jules said. They threw their weapons into the Jeep and took off, making a quick right turn onto the 405 freeway on-ramp.
“We’re taking the freeway?” Sparky asked. “Sure it’s open?”
“Yes,” Jules said. “We get off at Culver, then go up Sepulveda to Venice. Blast them again. Another Sheridan. Splatter time.”
“Reload the guns,” Tex said.
“Yeah,” Sparky said. He worked the M60s while Tex reloaded his BAR.
“Why don’t they close this?” Sparky asked, looking out over the nearly empty freeway.
“That why,” Jules said, pointing at a semi-truck on the southbound side. “Need food and supplies here. Hungry people hard to control. Much easier if life is normal.”
“This is far enough away that they might not expect us,” Sparky said.
“Yes, my friend,” Jules said. “This should be easier.”
“We going to fight our way through the marina?” Tex asked. “It’s dense there, with small streets.”
“No problem,” Jules said. “We throw curve ball. You see.”
They raced along the 405, past the Marina Freeway.
“Culver coming up fast,” Sparky said.
“I see,” Jules said, moving to the right lane. He took the ramp onto Culver and turned left against the light, flying forward on Sepulveda.
“Less people out and around here,” Sparky said.
“Nobody behind us so far,” Tex said.
“That Claymore mine limit the number of UN pansies who saw us get onto the 405,” Jules said. “Maybe none of them see.”
“Yeah, that’s possible,” Tex said. “I didn’t see anybody nearby when we got onto the ramp.”
“There’s the tank,” Sparky said. “See it?”
“Yes,” Jules said.
“Big gun is pointed east,” Tex said. “Another piece of crap Sheridan, like you were thinking.”
“Great, make good blast. Hope news chopper get good video for boss’s show.”
Sparky laughed as they pulled up and stopped. “They see us.”
“Yeah, we’ll cover Tex,” Jules said, getting out with his M60. He got on one knee and fired as Tex leapt out and grabbed the TOW. Sparky dived onto the ground and fired with Jules, both of them dropping running UN Peacekeepers as they scrambled for cover.
“What, they don’t think we’re armed?” Tex asked, shaking his head. “They ought to be hiding behind stuff, firing at us guerrilla style.”
“They stupid,” Jules said. “Get ready with that TOW. Tank noticed us, coming this way.”
“On it,” Tex said, moving the unit so the sight had a clear shot. He slipped a missile into the tube. “Here we go.” His eyes were in the binocular sight. He made adjustments and pulled the trigger, the missile flying to its target, blowing pieces of the tank all over the intersection. The resulting fire blew up two UN vans sitting on one side.
“Yes!” Sparky shouted.
“Creeps coming from left,” Jules said, aiming at them. He pulled the trigger, but one of the enemy fighters fired first, hitting Jules. He dropped.
“Dammit,” Tex shouted, grabbing his BAR. He nailed the rest of the men, Sparky joining him.
“Jules!” Tex shouted.
He looked at Tex. “Don’t worry, kill shot hit vest. Other hit shoulder. Dump me in back. One of you drive.”
“I’ll drive,” Sparky said. He helped Tex struggle with Jules, getting him into the back seat.
“Damn, boy, you need to go on a diet,” Tex said.
“Shut up,” Jules said. “Get us out of here. Get back on 405 south. Take 90 west.”
“Got it,” Sparky yelled, getting behind the wheel. He pulled a U-turn and drove down Sepulveda to Washington, taking the right turn a tad too fast.
“Don’t crash us,” Jules said, feeling the Jeep rocking.
“Don’t worry,” Sparky said. “Another right turn. The southbound ramp is on Sawtelle.”
“Good thing you’re driving,” Tex said. “I don’t know this area very well.”
“I know it like the back of my hand,” Sparky said. “How bad is Jules bleeding?”
“Not very,” Tex said, looking at him. “Flesh wound.”
“We can go to the hospital,” Sparky said.
“Don’t you dare,” Jules said.
“Okay, okay,” Sparky said. “Tell me where we’re going, just in case you pass out.”
“I no pass out, but I tell,” Jules said. “Get off Marina freeway on Lincoln. Make left onto Marina Pointe and duck into underground parking lot in second building on street.”
“Left or right side?”
“Right,” Jules said. “Driveway right in front of building. Easy.”
“That’s where Ivan is?” Tex asked.
Jules chuckled. “No, that’s where we dump this Jeep and pick up our new ride. Then we go to round towers by water. Park underground. Card key in new vehicle. Take elevator to penthouse.”
“Which one?” Sparky asked.
“Middle,” Jules said. “Off Admiralty Way.”
“Got it,” Sparky said. “What does our new vehicle look like?”
Jules laughed. “It UN van. Captured in last group of attacks.”
Tex laughed hard. “That’s rich.”
“There’s the 405,” Sparky said, taking the on-ramp. They flew down the deserted freeway, getting to the Marina Freeway in less than a minute.
“That was fast,” Tex said.
“Yeah,” Sparky said. “We aren’t very far from that last hit. You been watching the skies?”
“Yeah,” Tex said. “Nothing following us. I do see a few news choppers on the way, though.”
“We’re almost to Lincoln,” Sparky said.
“What a piss-ant freeway,” Tex said.
“Yeah, it just dumps out onto Lincoln,” Sparky said. “Should I run the light?”
“You have to ask?” Jules asked.
“How’s the pain, man?” Tex asked.
“Hell, the hit to the chest hurts more than the flesh wound,” Jules said. “No worry, boss has doctor on staff. I be fine.”
Sparky’s sweaty hands gripped the wheel as he shot from the freeway onto Lincoln. He went the short block and made a quick left turn, flying onto the driveway and turning into the underground parking lot.
As soon as they got inside, a buzzer went off, and the gates at the driveway shut.
“Dammit, they know where we are,” Sparky said. “They just locked down the place.”
Tex looked around in a panic, hand on his BAR.
Chapter 17 – Aguanga
“Don’t fire that thing,” Jules said, looking at Tex, his finger on the BAR’s trigger.
“We landed ourselves right into a trap,” Tex said. “I’m not going down without a fight.”
“This planned,” Jules said. “Get to UN van. Put on uniforms.”
“Who’s driving, in case we have to talk to anybody?” Sparky asked.
“I drive, but must wrap arm. I think bleeding mostly stopped now.”
They all got out and headed for the UN van, which was parked about ten spaces to the left, Sparky and Tex taking the weapons.
“I feel better now,” Jules said. “Pain in chest going away. Let’s hurry before authorities come. Too many question.”
“I’ve got to grab the rest of the hardware,” Tex said.
“Yes, do while I wrap arm and dress. Hurry.”
Tex and Sparky rushed back to the Jeep and grabbed the remaining weapons and ammo. Jules was already half-dressed when they got inside the van and slid the door shut.
“Put on uniforms,” Jules said as he settled himself in the front seat.
“Aye aye, Captain,” Tex said. “This is a hoot. What are they gonna think?”
“They gonna think we outsmart again,” Jules said. “And they be right.”
“How did they know to follow us?” Sparky asked.
“Satellite image,” Jules said.
“Crap, they’re gonna see us drive this van out,” Tex said.
“By time we leave, whole mess of these vans outside. Wait and see. We get lost in noise.”
Sparky cracked up as he finished dressing. “Frigging Ivan. This all his idea?”
“I help,” Jules said. “Sit in back. Act like you’re just at a normal work day when I talk. Keep guns out of sight. Pansies don’t have M60s or BARs.”
“Got it,” Tex said, “but I’ll have the hog-leg close a
t hand, just in case.”
Jules laughed. “You right, my friend. Ready?”
“Hell yeah,” Sparky said.
“Listen,” Tex said. “Euro-sirens. Sounds like a French cop movie.”
Jules snickered. “Just in time. Look, they raise gates, see? One step to get out now.” He drove to the exit as several UN vans drove into the parking structure. One drove next to them. The driver got out and ran over to Jules, who rolled down his window.
“You see?” asked the blonde man in a German accent.
“Their vehicle inside, but they left,” Jules said. “Two went in elevator. Others ran down to street. Come help us fetch. We going.”
“Which vehicle was theirs?” the German asked.
“Jeep without top,” Jules said. “Damn redneck hillbillies. C’mon, they’re gonna get away.”
“All right,” the German man said. He pulled out his walkie talkie as he was rushing away, instructing the other vehicles to converge around the hotel.
Jules glanced back at Tex and Sparky. “You see. We get away clean.”
“They’ll eventually figure it out and review the video feed from the satellite,” Sparky said.
“Won’t matter,” Jules said. “Bomb in room upstairs go off soon. Three bodies inside with weapons.”
Tex laughed. “You guys have this planned out to a T.”
“Ivan the Butcher not mess around,” Jules said. “They don’t know what hit them. This only the beginning.”
“Look, there they go,” Sparky said, nodding to the vans leaving through the entrance gate. “We better split.”
Jules nodded and drove the van to the exit, sticking his card key out the window. The arm lifted out of the way, and he drove out onto the street, making a right turn.
“Holy crap,” Tex said, looking around. “Got to be about twenty of these vans driving around out here.”
“Lots of men on the street too,” Sparky said.
They got a block away when a loud blast came from the hotel.
“That keep them busy for a while,” Jules said
Tex and Sparky glanced at each other as Jules drove around the back side of the hotel.
“Hey, Jules, you know that the building we’re going to is the other way, right?” Sparky asked.
“We need to look like we’re on the job for a few minutes,” Jules said. “I go Thatcher to Berkley, then Washington to Lincoln. We take Lincoln to Bali, then to Admiralty Way.”