Hearing the roar of big rotors, Matt looked over at the technicians. “What the hell is that?”
“The V-22 Osprey coming in,” the technician reported.
Grabbing his rifle, Matt shouted, “Buffy, let’s go see what the hell they are doing here!”
She jumped up as Matt headed for the door. “This thing makes me feel like I’m on a spaceship,” she said, walking out with him.
“Yeah, and I have to say, I really like it,” Matt said, looking over his shoulder at the massive vehicle.
He saw several containers sitting at the front of the warehouse and four small forklifts. When Matt saw his Dad, he made a beeline for him. “Dad, what’s going on?”
Mike turned, “Getting the material out.”
“I thought we were going to drive it,” Matt said, stopping beside him.
“I don’t want any unarmored vehicles convoying to us.”
Kicking the ground, Matt threw up his hands, “Why am I just now learning this?”
“Son, I was told to get this material home. You were told to give me the time to do it,” Mike said, patting Matt on the shoulder. “I take it, the blues are still hiding?”
“Hell, yes,” Matt snapped turning away as the rotor wash from two Ospreys threatened to blow them all away. When the two planes landed, the small forklifts started loading them with pallets.
They stood watching as the eight Ospreys rotated out getting loaded up. When the last two left, Matt looked up at his Dad. “So, we are going to ferry this shit out?”
“Yes, but to the forward airbase. They are set up at that small airfield and Mack is going to send cargo planes down to carry the material back home,” Mike said, looking around at the wall and stopping at the corner.
The wall was stacked three high but at the corner, containers had been stacked inside the wall forming stairs. Then, containers with doors at each end were stacked, running up the ‘stairs’ and forming a tunnel to the top of the wall.
“Son, that was a great idea to get access to the top of the wall,” Mike said.
“Thanks,” Matt said without enthusiasm. “So how long before we can leave?”
“Late tomorrow night at the earliest.”
Looking at Buffy with a glare, Matt turned to his Dad. “Okay, we are secured. Call Daddy Bruce and tell him to get his ass down here.”
Slowly, Mike turned to Matt. “You think I haven’t?”
“Then where the hell is he? The blues are up to something!” Matt growled in a low voice.
“He’s coming,” Mike said looking away.
Relief flooded Matt so fast he almost collapsed. “Oh, man,” he sighed. “I’ve been running scenarios in my mind trying to come up with something and can’t think of shit.”
“Son, nobody can,” Mike said as Nancy walked up and patted Matt on the back.
“You’re doing so good,” she smiled at Matt.
“Mom,” Matt said holding up his hand. “I have no idea what’s going on and I’m hiding behind a wall.”
“I know, and that is smart,” she said, widening her grin.
“Daddy Bruce wouldn’t have done this.” Matt said, waving his hand at the wall. “He would figure out what the blues were doing and kick their ass.”
Letting out a laugh, Mike stepped over and put his arm around Matt’s shoulders. “No, son. He was the first one who said the wall was a great idea.”
Letting out a long breath, “He needs to tell me these things, then,” Matt mumbled.
“He will,” Mike said. “You’re doing great because I would’ve loaded up what I could’ve and hauled ass.”
“The mission only changes when survival of your troops is questioned,” Matt said, looking at the ground.
“That’s right, son and to me, the blues changing tactics fit that,” Mike said. “I’m not a risk-taker in ground combat and I’m not scared to admit it. I’m overly cautious, which could be good or bad. You did what any good commander would’ve done. Secure the area to your advantage and complete the mission.”
With a tired face, Matt looked up. “I don’t like being in charge.”
“Nobody in their right mind does, baby,” Nancy said, stepping beside him. “That’s why we are the ones in charge.”
“I’m scared I’m going to get someone killed doing something stupid.”
“Son,” Mike said, lowering his voice. “I have, your mom, Bruce, hell everyone on the command team has made mistakes that got people killed. I can tell you from my own perspective, that has made me more of a risk-taker. The more complex you make a mission, the more probability you will lose people. Just never make the same mistake twice.”
Looking his Dad in the eyes, Matt gave a small nod. “Yeah, I know,” he mumbled.
“It’s hard, son, but you can do it,” Nancy smiled then kissed his cheek.
Looking around and seeing nobody close, Matt put his face in Mike’s whispering. “Why in the hell hasn’t Steve been put in charge? He’s the oldest? And David is only over a team.”
“Son, Bruce has his reasons and Steve does a great job commanding the helicopter air wing, so he is in charge,” Mike said in a low voice, glancing at Nancy. “What I tell you goes no further, and I mean even Danny.”
Matt tried to move back, not wanting to know but Mike grabbed him, keeping Matt close. “Bruce asked your mother and I about putting David in charge of a full area like Mary is, but we argued against it. David has no fear and would get a lot of people killed if he were in charge. Bruce thinks David won’t, but I told Bruce he was wrong. David is where he needs to be, over a team and answering to someone higher.”
“I should’ve been less of an achiever,” Matt mumbled.
Letting Matt go, Mike grinned as Nancy moved up. “That goes against who you are,” she said, patting his arm.
Turning to Buffy, Mike dropped the grin, startling her. “Young lady, what you heard isn’t to be repeated to anyone,” he said.
Throwing her hands up, “When do I ever talk to anyone?” she cried out.
Just tilting his head at Buffy, Mike turned back to Matt. “You need to have your ideas ready to offer when Bruce gets here,” Mike said.
“That’s the problem, I can’t even think of why the blues are doing this,” Matt snapped.
Knowing Matt was tired and under a pressure few would ever know, Mike just nodded. “If they weren’t blues, what would you do?”
“Pull out and nuke the city,” Matt said.
“And I thought I was extreme,” Nancy said, raising her eyebrows.
Walking away, Mike looked over his shoulder. “Follow me, Matt,” Mike said, heading into the warehouse.
***
Just after 1600, they were standing outside and looking to the west at long lines of helicopters flying toward them. “Twenty bucks says Daddy Bruce won’t do any of the things we talked about,” Matt said, glancing at his Dad.
“No bet,” Mike said, letting his rifle hang across his chest. “I just wanted you to think of alternatives. Nobody knows what Bruce is going to do. Sometimes, I think not even he knows until he does it.”
“Debbie would always come close, if she didn’t already know,” Nancy said in a remorseful voice. “She knew him, better than he knows himself.”
“Now that, I would bet on,” Mike said nodding, watching the choppers starting to get lower. “I’ll give you one guess which one Bruce is on.”
“Mike, he still hasn’t forgiven you for using his last chopper as a refueler,” Nancy laughed, watching the massive Super Stallion in the lead getting lower.
“I used what I had to get the job done,” Mike huffed. The massive chopper sat down and troops poured out of the back as two Chinooks sat down behind it, disgorging troops. “If those Chinooks were painted yellow I swear, they would look like a bus,” he mumbled.
Adjusting his pack, Bruce stopped and looked around at the wall. “Impressive,” he said as the choppers took off and more followed.
The group around him s
pread out as he walked over to Mike, but looked at Matt. “Matt, that was great thinking on the wall,” he said grinning. Then, Bruce turned to Mike and the smile dropped and Mike let his arms fall to his sides, getting ready to fight. “I was coming. You didn’t have to call Angela and Stephanie,” he snapped, narrowing his eyes.
“They moved your ass,” Mike snapped back.
“Yeah, they said if they beat me to the chopper, they were going,” Bruce shouted. “I’m not putting up with them in combat while they are pregnant again!”
A smile broke across Mike’s face as he glanced at Nancy. “I love those girls.”
“You are so pushing your luck,” Bruce huffed. “Any changes from the blues?”
Shrugging his shoulders, “Shit, I don’t know,” Mike said. “I’m getting material out, that’s Matt’s job.”
As the next group of choppers landed, Bruce turned to Matt. “Matt, you need to get your subordinates in line.”
A true grin filled Matt’s face. “No, they still outrank me.”
“Smart man,” Bruce said, turning around and watching the troops unload. The troops from the Chinook closest to them headed right at the group. One figure broke away into a run.
“Matt,” Danny yelled, running at him. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “Man, that wall was a great idea. I would’ve just pulled to the river in a horseshoe defense,” she said letting Matt go.
The grin grew bigger on Matt’s face as he shrugged. “It’s the first thing that came to my mind.”
“You brought Gene?” Mike shouted as the choppers took off and another group landed.
Looking over his shoulder, as Gene ran over with a line of troops, Bruce turned back to Mike and nodded. “Yep, if his troops act like pussies with me, I get to wax his chest,” he said as Gene walked up with Willie.
Unconsciously, Mike covered his chest. “Damn,” he droned. “I thought shaving the legs were bad.”
“I have to see how he fights this new war,” Bruce said as Gene stopped beside him.
When the last choppers landed, Matt gave a sigh, seeing a figure running at them. “Oh, man,” he sighed. “You didn’t have to come, Daddy Bruce,” he said as Jake walked up. “Between both of us, we could’ve handled this.”
Bruce dropped his pack, glancing around. “If you’re not a commander get back or you’ll be my personal bitch for a week,” he said and the others took off.
“I’ll be your bitch,” Mike said, winking at Bruce.
“Hell, no. You’ll go tattle to the wives,” Bruce snapped and looked at Matt as everyone chuckled. “What do you think the blues are doing?” he asked.
Matt lifted his hand as he shrugged. “Um, I don’t know.”
“Anyone?” Bruce asked looking around and stopping at Danny.
“Um, hiding?” she said and Bruce continued looking around as the others shrugged.
“Okay, kung foo master, what are they doing?” Mike asked.
“Shit, I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking,” Bruce said, reaching in his pocket and pulling out a sheet of paper. “Matt, I’m sorry, but I’m in charge.”
“Oh man, thank you,” Matt said with relief.
“I want you and Jake to get the first two hundred that joined Omega,” Bruce said, handing the paper over. “Danny, get Mary, David, and Mindy, then pull out forty RGs for us,” he said then looked at Buffy, then down at the ground on his left side.
“Oh, come on! Can’t I go with Danny and them?!” Buffy cried out as Bruce looked back at her. “I’ve been doing what I was supposed to.” With no expression, Bruce looked back at the ground on his left side, then back to Buffy. Letting out a groan, Buffy moved over to stand on Bruce’s left side.
“Ah, Bruce,” Nancy said clearing her throat. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to find out what the fuck the blues are doing.”
Stumbling back, “Oh, shit,” Mike gasped. “You’re attacking them?!”
“Yep, the original two hundred have practice attacking mounted. If this works, I’ll spread them out and continue,” Bruce said, turning to the kids. “Take off,” he said and they all scattered.
“Just why in the hell can’t I go with them?” Buffy shouted, waving her hand as the others ran off.
“Well, ninja girl,” Bruce sang out, not looking at her. “You are a little light in the ass to try and take a blue in hand to hand.”
Looking up at Bruce, Buffy’s jaw fell open and she slowly looked over at Mike. He held up his hands, “Hey, I didn’t tell him.”
“Nope, I heard it over the radio from some of the troops,” Bruce said with his voice getting tense.
“It never saw me,” Buffy cried out.
“Enough,” Bruce snapped and Buffy stomped her foot but wisely kept her mouth shut. “Gene, Willie is your second in command and you’re over second company.”
Willie patted Gene’s back. “You’re in for a treat, Omega, old school style.”
“No school like old school,” Gene nodded.
“Willie, make sure the vehicles are loaded ammo heavy, with spare rifles,” Bruce said, then turned to Ted and Carl. “Don’t start, you two are back in your old spots. Check your teams because we will be moving slow until we find out how the blues respond.”
“Hey, we’re still with you, so we’re still protecting you,” Ted chuckled and they trotted off.
Turning back to Mike, Bruce stepped closer. “The troops will be landing roughly a thousand an hour until all are here. I expect the ground convoy will be here late tonight or early morning. I want your original Gamma ready to roll out and pull my dick out of a hornet’s nest if I need it.”
“Let’s hold and load what we came for, then get the hell out,” Mike said.
“Dude, that’s punking out. The enemy changed, so are they planning or scared? Either way, we have to attack. If they’re planning, you don’t let your enemy attack and if they are scared, they will attack eventually.”
Knowing Bruce was right, Mike only nodded as Nancy asked. “Bruce, what do you really think they are doing?”
“Hey, like I said, I don’t know. I asked Stephanie and she said it almost looked like the blues were scared, but they weren’t acting right. Animals pull together when they are scared, the blues spread out,” Bruce said, leaning back. “Like something that understands a large group is a target.”
“Fuck this,” Mike shouted. “If these fuckers have figured that out, we nuke shit.”
“You’re talking a lot of nukes and I really don’t want to glow in the dark,” Bruce said then looked hard at both of them. “Now, what in the hell were the troops talking about, ‘an infant blue with horns’?”
Chapter 16
Looking at his watch, Bruce looked down at Buffy. “We are doing stupid shit, so stay on my ass and I swear if you do something idiotic, I’m pulling my belt off.”
“You would’ve shanked that bitch,” Buffy shouted.
“I’m not light in the ass, young lady. Using a knife as last resort is understandable, not when one is playing hide and seek,” he snapped then looked up in his rig to see Danny, Mary, and Mindy. “Where is-,” he stopped as he turned around.
Seeing Bonnie, Bruce strolled over. “What the fuck?! I thought you said you wanted on my team!” he shouted and Bonnie stumbled back blinking.
“Uh, sir? They said original two hundred Omega only.”
“Get your ass in that rig!” Bruce shouted and Bonnie took off running with a smile. When she’d climbed up, Bruce looked down at Buffy. “You keep an eye on her.”
“I’m not a babysitter,” she moaned. “You send me to watch everyone and I don’t even get to bust caps.”
Walking to his rig, Bruce said. “You keep on and I’ll put you on one of Stephanie’s or Angela’s supply teams.”
With her eyes getting big and mouth falling open, “You wouldn’t dare,” Buffy gasped as Bruce climbed in his rig.
Standing there in shock for a few minutes, B
uffy slowly got angry. “I’m ready to beat the shit out of something,” she said and trotted over to the RG.
At 1800, the forty RGs pulled out of the container wall driving through the shipping yard. “All units, watch your spacing,” Bruce called out over the radio after seeing several rigs almost touching the one in front of them.
With the convoy driving at fifteen miles an hour, Bruce felt very exposed standing out the back hatch. He glanced up to see Danny behind the minigun in the cupola, slowly traversing the gun from side to side looking for targets.
Pressing his radio, “Base, do you see anything around us?” he asked, fighting the urge to drop down inside and close the hatches.
“Nothing,” Stephanie answered.
They drove through downtown and Bruce even turned music on to blare out the external megaphones and no blues showed up. Looking at his map, Bruce told the driver to take a left, heading toward a subdivision.
With the convoy driving so slow Bruce knew blues were in the houses around them, he could smell their nasty odor. Seeing he was getting close to I-65, Bruce grabbed his radio. “Convoy, pull to left side of road.”
After his driver moved over, Bruce looked back to see everyone in the wrong lane. “Convoy, halt,” he called out and the rigs stopped. “Gene, pull your section beside mine in two-by-two formation.”
“Copy,” Gene called back and the last twenty rigs pulled into the right lane, moving up. When Gene’s rig was beside Bruce’s, he stopped.
“First platoon, boots in the dirt at my rig,” Bruce called over the radio and even over the noise of forty diesel engines, he heard gasps.
Danny spun around, “What the fuck are you doing?”
“Going to check some houses,” Bruce said, climbing out onto the roof. “Bonnie, get behind the minigun and cover our ass.”
“Alright!” Buffy shouted, climbing out on the roof.
Getting on the roof, Bonnie moved into the cupola as Danny mumbled. “Notice he didn’t say ‘in case we find some blues’ after ‘cover our ass’ because he knows they are everywhere.”
Blue Plague (Book 7): Hope Page 20