The next morning, they set out for their previous campsite. Twelve hours later they found the smoldering remains of a camp that had been there the night before. The fire had been put out with dirt and ash instead of wasting water. Depending on the number of people and the supplies they had, using water would have been a stupid choice.
“Ours?” Kelly asked.
“Looks that way,” Dallas said.
Budd looked around for the clues of where they were heading next. “You think they went to the next site?”
A clicking sound could be heard in the brush thirty yards away. The noise was familiar.
“Well, somebody took their training to heart,” Dallas said, turning towards the noise. He recognized the familiar sound of a safety being turned on. The brush moved aside where Sophie emerged. She was barely recognizable and Budd was half tempted to shoot her.
“If I wanted you dead you wouldn’t be looking at me now,” Sophie shouldered her rifle.
“Where are the rest?” Dallas asked.
“We heard you coming,” she answered. “I sent them out into the woods to wait for word. If I don’t retrieve them in twenty minutes they are to leave and seek shelter elsewhere.
“Let’s go get them,” Dallas said. “How many escaped?”
“In my group a dozen,” Sophie started to explain. “We had to split up once we were away from the prison. We made it to the rendezvous site. Jenny’s group didn’t show up.”
“You think they’re gone?” Kelly asked.
“No telling,” Sophie kicked a rock while thinking of what to say. “I keep hoping they went to the wrong campsite.”
“We’ll have to continue as if they are gone,” Dallas said. “Let’s get everyone else and work on our next phase of the plane.”
“Which is?” Sophie asked.
“Taking back Seattle.
Year 5
Chapter 41
The run to the border ran like clockwork. After the offense on the prison and capturing the General, Budd was excited to share the news while giving too much credit to himself. The dirt bike roared between the trees and down the trails. This time Budd didn’t need to check the map to see where he was going. The new year had rolled in and the Rangers were now set up just outside of the city, waiting for supplies and possible reinforcements. Everyone doubted the Canadians would give more than they already had. Overall, Budd didn’t care about that. He had smoked his last cigarette over a month ago. This would be great if he was trying to quit smoking, but that wasn’t the case.
Budd pulled the radio out of the bag. He turned it on and changed the channel to the correct number and clicked the button twice. A few seconds later the radio had two clicks in return. Sitting back against a tree, Budd waited for his friends from the north to appear and greet him into the country.
An hour later the crackle of footsteps in the woods caught his attention and three Canadian soldiers were on the opposite side of the fence.
“Gentlemen,” Budd greeted while standing up.
“Eh,” one of the soldiers said as a form of hello. “When you come over we have to take you in.”
“No kidding,” Budd said. “That’s why I’m here.”
“No. I mean as in arrested.”
Budd stopped moving towards the fence. “What the hell does that mean?”
“We had a visitor after your last supply run,” another soldier explained. “The Chinese learned about our meetings and unless we arrest you, and take you in as a prisoner, it will look like we are aiding you and violating international law.”
“Nobody follows international law,” Budd pointed out. “So I’m not coming over?”
“You can,” the first soldier said. “We just have to make it look like you’ve been arrested.”
“I am or I’m not? Which is it?”
The soldiers looked at one another.
“Can I get a smoke?” Budd put his hand through the fence. One of the soldiers poked a filter out of the pack and Budd pulled it out. He lit the end and inhaled a long desired hit. “Oh that’s so good. I’ll finish this and we can go.”
Two minutes later Budd walked through the fence and handcuffs were put on his wrist.
“I swear to God if you’re lying to me…” Budd started to say.
“What do you think we are? Americans?” one of the soldiers said.
Back at the police station, Budd was placed in a holding room like the first time he had come over the border. Ben and Clive had been the two men that started the exchange with Canada and now they were both dead. It was the first time that Budd had really thought about it. Almost half of their team was gone. Things were so bad that Budd was the guy they trusted in order to keep relations alive with their northern neighbor. How messed up was that?
A few minutes after he was placed in the cell a Major with the Canadian army entered the room.
“Apologies for the bracelets,” the Major stated. “We had a visit from the Chinese military after our last meeting. We have to keep up appearances.” The Major leaned over and removed the handcuffs from Budd’s wrist.
“Who came to visit?” Budd asked.
“General Choi.” The name rolled off his tongue with a hint of disdain. “Not the friendliest person on the planet.”
“Was,” Budd replied. The look on the Major’s face told Budd the Canadians had not received the news. “He was killed a few months back. Before winter. We don’t know who he has been replaced with.”
“Was that your handy work?”
“It was a team effort,” Budd said. “Can I have another one of those delicious cigarettes?”
“I don’t smoke. A parting gift perhaps.”
“So did the Chinese scare you off?” Budd asked. “No longer helping the Americans?”
“I didn’t say that,” the Major said. “We just have to change our methods. Are you familiar with mercenaries? I only ask because we can’t send our troops across the border. Now, if a Canadian citizen wants to engage in that form of capitalism there are no Canadian laws that are broken. We had a few retired soldiers that went to fight ISIS a number of years back. When they came back they couldn’t be prosecuted even if we wanted to. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“I don’t know if we can pay.” Budd was being honest, reminding the officer that United States currency no longer held any value.
“Consider it pro-bono.”
“Who can argue against that?”
“What I’m about to tell you was never said. We never had this conversation.”
“I don’t even know what you’re talking about.” Budd winked showing the officer he knew what was meant.
“We are sending down a team of six men to help aid you with your infestation problem. We look at it like a neighbor with termites or roaches. Sometimes it is better to help your neighbor get rid of the problem before it spreads to your own house. Along with those six men who are not Canadian citizens, there will be supplies to aid in the training and arming of other exterminators that you might come across. Communications and other equipment will be included so that we can better plan these visits.”
“Long range radios?” Budd asked.
“With rechargeable batteries.” The Major answered. “Solar panels to be exact.”
“So when am I leaving?” Budd wondered. “It’s still two days back.”
“Our men are getting their gear together to join you on the way back.”
“Ok.” Budd didn’t know how to take that, hoping they wouldn’t be riding horses or using mules again.
“Before you leave you will have to change into something that the Chinese won’t be looking for.”
The starchy fabric of the police uniform was uncomfortable on many levels. The fabric was itchy, and the thought of him wearing something that scared him so much as a child bothered him. Some people didn’t like clowns or people in hockey mask. Budd didn’t like cops. It wasn’t that he didn’t like them as people, it was the number of times he had cuffs
put on him, and was placed into the back of car that ruined so many fun nights he had as a teenager. While many people suspected, Budd would never confirm that was how he ended up in the Army. After his eighteenth birthday, Budd stood before a judge for another dumb thing he did before he was eighteen. Under these circumstances and seeing the history of the young man, and where he was heading in life, the judge made him an offer.
“Son,” the judge started. “I could give you the sentence for the crime you committed, but seeing your history here it is obvious I will see you again in the near future. So you have two choices. Do the time or join the Army and make something out of your life.”
Budd didn’t think about the option for long and decided on the Army. It was a legal way to blow shit up, was how he thought of it. The next day he went to the recruiting office and to his surprise passed a drug test. A few weeks later he was shipped to boot camp, but not before getting it a few fights in the parking lots of the local bars.
The fabric itched and the thought of having a badge on his chest burned a little into his ego.
“You ready?” one of the cops asked.
“Ya,” Budd itched his armpit. “The sooner I’m out of this uniform the better.”
Budd and the police officer loaded up the car and for the first time in his life Budd rode in the front seat.
“Can I turn on the lights?” Budd asked.
“No,” the cop said. “Maybe when we come to a light,” he added later.
Budd smiled and flipped the switch as they drove up to a red light.
The car cruised through and drove back to where Budd’s dirt bike was waiting for him. They made sure to park under a tree, hiding from any eyes in the sky. They unloaded the equipment and Budd changed out of the uniform. His uniform was now showing a frayed collar and cuffs.
“We packed some new BDUs with the guys that are coming along,” the cop said.
“Where are they anyhow?”
“Waiting for you.” The cop said.
Budd carried the items to the fence and on the opposite side six men sitting on all-terrain vehicles waited. They were wearing camouflage uniforms, scruffy unshaven faces, and rifles that were strapped to the handlebars for easy access.
“If I knew those were an option?” Budd started to say.
“Sorry, these are ours,” one of the men replied.
Budd loaded up the bike and lit a cigarette.
“You queers ready?” Budd didn’t wait for an answer and started the bike. The men started their ATVs and followed Budd back to Seattle.
Chapter 42
After two days of driving, the group of seven men arrived to the camp. The trip ended a few hours later then it would have if Budd was by himself. The dirt bike could maneuver through the terrain better than the four-wheeled ATVs that pulled trailers behind them. As long as Budd had his cigarettes the setback wasn’t that bad. He even looked forward to the lunch breaks towards the end just to get some nicotine in his system. The Canadians weren’t that talkative. The unspoken leader, Michael, stated he wanted to contact the leader of the opposition first before they discussed any of their plans or intelligence.
A few hundred yards away from the new forward base Budd was stopped on the trail. A fallen tree limb blocked the route and Budd turned off the bike, putting his hands up.
“You coming out or what?” Budd hollered into the woods. A man appeared next to Budd only a few feet away. The lack of sound as Kelly exited the side of the trail startled him. “Jesus man, you scared the shit out of me.” A second later the soft roar of ATVs could be heard following behind Budd. “We have guests.”
Kelly lowered his rifle and watched the first ATV pull up. More men followed.
“Well it’s about damn time.” Kelly dragged the tree limb out of the way and the men passed through.
The camp was located in a former public park that had no longer been maintained and therefore provided cover while stationed not far from the city. The two track roads that were in place for the city workers that once maintained it still had gates at the entrances with locks securing them. If any group tried to raid the area, the noise from plowing through the gate would give notice to their entrance. Along the routes, traps were set with some of the leftover Claymores the Rangers had saved.
Dallas stood before the small group as the vehicles approached. He was surprised to see the added company arriving like everyone. Helmets were removed and for the first time the Canadian special forces were meeting what was left of the Army Rangers stationed in Seattle.
“Are you Sergeant Dallas of the United States Army?” the man sitting in front asked.
“I am,” Dallas answered. “Who might you be?”
“Michael Clark,” the man responded. “Former Canadian Special Forces.”
“Former?” Dallas asked.
“The Canadian government cannot officially deploy soldiers into the field due to international treaty. However, volunteers are not frowned upon.”
Dallas had to admit he was impressed. There was a time he hated loopholes, but this was a situation where he was grateful they existed. The trailers caught his attention and realized that not only did the Canadians provide backup, but they also brought far more supplies than he could have hoped to receive.
The men dismounted the ATVs, stretching their legs and looking around the camp. The area was small, enough for a half dozen people at the most. River and the rest of the freed prisoners had stayed behind to continue the sabotage raids on the logging sites. Everyone agreed that it would be safer for all of those involved. The monkey wrenchers, as the men referred to them, received supplies and the two mules to help move them along. They were also instructed to eat the mules if things became desperate in the future. River assured Dallas that things would not come to that.
The veterans that had connected with the Rangers on and off over the last two years were busy with their hit and run missions. On a good day they would coordinate with the Rangers to distract the Chinese from the real missions that were being implemented. The camp was thin and it was what Dallas and the men needed if they were going to continue in the offensive. There were times that Dallas wondered if Sophie would show up for more ammunition. There had been no news from her. If the Chinese had captured or killed a sniper, the news would have been broadcast everywhere for propaganda. The designated times they had set for transmissions had not been followed, but Dallas checked his radio at the specified time everyday just in case.
“What’s the situation?” Michael asked, looking around and not seeing much.
“We have a few support groups around the city,” Dallas started. “A group of veterans from a few different campaigns are running missions when they can. We have a sabotage element in the forest taking care of the loggers, and snipers in the city creating random chaos.”
“Sounds like Syria,” Michael responded.
“You were in Syria?” Dallas asked, trying to gauge the experience these men might have.
“All of us have been deployed somewhere.” Michael turned around looking at the men. “Greg and Will have also been to Syria. Over there, Ray was deployed in Iraq the last time around. Vance and Neal were in Afghanistan with me. We wanted to make sure the men who came here knew what they were getting into.”
“It’s appreciated,” Dallas said.
“You have a layout of the city?” Michael asked.
“You want to get to work right away?”
“I had family in L.A. before the shit hit the fan.” Michael looked like he was remembering something. “We haven’t heard from my sister since the lights went out.”
Dallas understood and didn’t say anything. The two men sat by the fire pit and took the map out.
Chapter 43
The road had been long and difficult over the past four years. The cat and mouse game the Koreans played with the Chinese never ended. There was a day that the Koreans were in possession of a tank. Stolen from the Chinese, the Koreans had set up a defensive position
in Koreatown, Los Angeles. It was there they fought off the Chinese for weeks. Small units would be set out and eliminated, their bodies dumped in the sewers to be washed out with the trash. Then a full assault took place, capturing the abandoned neighborhood.
After leaving the city, the Koreans moved north. They set up traps for the pursuing Chinese and have been on the run ever since. They hid in the area called Big Sur and were pushed into Oregon where they connected with other resistance groups. With a lack of supplies and numbers dwindling over time, the remaining Koreans decided to run to the only place they thought they might be safe. Canada waited to the north for them. They didn’t know if they could seek refuge there or not. They wouldn’t know until they arrived. The gamble was a big one and if it paid off, more would live. If not, they would live a little longer with the possibility to put up one last fight.
The city of Portland was a mess with Chinese corporations and soldiers overrunning the area. The locals there had taken to the hills running resistance groups, but they were not effective in putting any real damage onto the Chinese. The Koreans used the Rocky Mountain Trail to move past Portland and avoid contact with the Chinese. When they reached Seattle, they immediately noticed a greater extent of damage and fewer Chinese than in the south.
It was upon seeing Seattle that Kong, the leader of the Koreans, decided that they would make one last hit against the Chinese before pushing towards the border. He still remembered the day that he held their former leader, Lady Kim, in his arms after being shot by Chinese soldiers on a hillside during a trap the Koreans had set. Kim was an old lady that had watched her first husband executed by Chinese soldiers in Korea before fleeing to the United States. She was a mother figure to many in the community. She helped organize the community during the L.A. riots and later she was instrumental in organizing against the Chinese. When they lost her they lost a huge asset. Now Kong was in charge and he doubted himself all the time. He learned early to stick to his initial impulse and never second guess himself. That worked for the most part and he stuck with that philosophy ever since.
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