Tears did not come to his eyes. His heart stayed just shy of that. Maybe this is all making me harder, Cooper thought when he recalled how easily the tears had flowed when he had knelt beside Elena’s grave before his last mission.
He looked into Elena’s eyes, “I’ll do whatever it takes to get him back safely. I promise you that. Or, I’ll die trying.” His words were firm, stronger. They rang out into the forest, but went unanswered by the trees and animals that scurried about. He felt her answer in his heart, though. Warmth rushed in. The love they had shared came back. Her confidence in him had never wavered that he would do what was needed for their son. Now, it came back to him from her grave. His nerves vanished.
Cooper stood up. He gave a last look at Elena and Jake in the photograph and nodded to it. No words were needed now. He put it back into his chest pocket and began walking back towards the cabin. He was peaceful, relaxed.
He made it about ten yards past the trees before a plaintive wail ripped all of that away from him.
**********
“Oh my God! Oh my God!” Angela wailed as she came flying outside. She was running in haphazard fits and starts, changing direction constantly. Her arms flopped up and down unevenly, akimbo. Her eyes were unfocused, wild.
Cooper raced towards her, just as she collapsed into a heap on the ground. The others came rushing out from the cabin and clustered about her. Everyone else was confused.
Cooper slid down beside her, grabbing her shoulders, and tried to make eye contact with her, “What, Angela? What?”
His eyes caught hers. Terror owned them. Her words came out jumbled.
“Nuked. They. So many dead!”
Cooper looked at the others, but received nothing for his trouble except blank stares.
“Okay. Slow down. What are you talking about?” Cooper responded.
Angela took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and then looked up at him again, “I was listening to the Ham radio. Honolulu. It was nuked. It’s gone!” She began sobbing again.
The air whooshed out of his lungs and he immediately felt dizzy. He fell backwards and landed in an awkward seated position.
He shook his head in disbelief, “Honolulu? What? Who?”
Seconds ticked by before Angela could respond. “Early this morning.” She shook her head slowly, “No one knows.”
Dranko recovered fastest, “Could be the Russians or the Chinese.”
“Why Honolulu?” Cooper asked, looking up at him.
“If it was the Russians, it’s a good warning shot to the U.S. Limited fallout to the rest of the country. If it’s the Chinese, it’s good for weakening our power in the Pacific,” Dranko’s tone was analytical.
Angela climbed to her feet, “Oh my God. I can’t believe it.”
“What’s gonna happen now?” Freddie asked.
Cooper shook his head, “Who knows?”
They all stood in shocked silence for a long while. Freddie fell to his knees. Calvin paced around, wordless. Cooper remained on the ground shaking his head in disbelief.
Freddie finally spoke, “The world needs this like we need a hole in the head.”
Suddenly, Dranko’s face alighted, “Is there any news of a retaliation?”
She shook her head, confused, “No. Why?”
“There will be a hue and cry for one. And, it could lead to an escalation.”
“My lord,” Cooper exhaled.
His father’s words returned to him: in a crisis give people a shared challenge to rally them. Then, he shook himself out of it, “There’s one upside here. At least for our little tiny corner of the world.”
“What’s that?” Dranko asked.
“This might have Hodges and his men distracted. If we can stay focused.”
He received a series of mumbles for the response.
He looked at each of them sharply in turn, “Can we stay more focused than Hodges’ men and bring Jake home safely today?”
Calvin squinted his eyes to look at him intently, “Yes, we can.”
Freddie nodded vigorously. Angela fell into his arms and gave him a firm, confident, hug. She stepped away, drying her tears. Dranko simply nodded at his old friend.
The butcher’s bill for the truth I told just keeps growing. Cooper brushed his tormented thoughts aside as he went back inside to grab his gear and weapons for the work that lay before them today.
**********
He had laid everything out the night before, so it was a simple matter for him to don his body armor, the belt and pouches that held the magazines for the his FAL rifle, and then to hoist it into his arms. He checked the function several times out of habit more than necessity. He liked the heaviness of the rifle in his hands. He knew that there were disadvantages to carrying a rifle that weighed more than ten pounds; namely that fatigue could set in during combat. However, it was the weapon he was most familiar with and that counted for a lot, too, in the stress of battle. But, the biggest reason he carried the FAL was that he welcomed the hard-hitting power of the .308 cartridge.
Around him he heard the sharp snick of metal hitting metal and sometimes the louder bangs as metal crashed against metal. His friends were readying themselves and their equipment, as well. Everyone else, except Angela, was carrying the M4 rifles that they had taken from the men who had attacked them. The selective-fire M4s might make the difference in their attack. Angela was cradling a hunting rifle in .308. She would provide sniper fire during the attack.
“So, how did it go at Miles’?” Cooper asked.
Calvin finished snapping a buckle before responding, “Good, I think. In addition to Miles, he thought he could round up another four or five trusted men.”
Cooper nodded, “That is good. What kind of weapons would they have?”
“That part wasn’t so good. Mostly hunting rifles and shotguns.”
He rubbed his chin, thinking, “We can put the ones with hunting rifles as our sniper fire support team and those with shotguns can join one of the assault teams.”
“That makes sense,” Calvin answered, while hoisting his rifle into his arms.
“What’s the general plan, anyway?” Angela asked.
“We’ll review it in more detail later once we have all the people together, but it’s a simple plan. We will have the sniper team infiltrate on the left side of their position to provide suppressing fire. One assault team will approach from the front and to the right. The other will hook around and come in from slightly behind their position and from the left,” Cooper responded.
The others nodded and then Calvin spoke up, “What happens if, during all this movement, we have contact with them early?”
“I’m hoping they will mostly be buttoned up in their defensive positions. But, if not, we will have to crash it.”
“What’s that mean?” Freddie questioned.
“From point of contact, everyone moves quickly to engage the enemies’ positions as soon as possible.”
Cooper continued to jam magazines into their waiting pouches and turned back towards Calvin, “Where are Miles’ men supposed to meet us?”
“I told him that I would meet back up with him at nine.”
“Perfect. I’m meeting the men we hired from Portland at nine, as well. Hopefully they are on time.”
“Yeah, travel from Portland to here is iffy at best,” Freddie added.
Cooper nodded and continued. “So, let’s meet here,” he said pointing to a road junction on the map. Calvin leaned in to see it.
“At ten,” he asked.
“Sounds good,” Cooper responded.
Dranko slammed home a magazine into the M4 he carried to get their attention.
“As much as I hate to waste the gas, we will need to move out of here in a haphazard fashion.”
“Why?” Freddie asked.
“Well, if Hodges has an ounce of brains, he’ll have us under some kind of surveillance. If we all tear out of here at once, it will be too easy for them to follow us and too easy
to know something is up.”
Cooper agreed, “That makes sense. You and I should drive out first. If someone is doing some tailing work, they will follow us. Then, Calvin and Buck should drive out to Miles’ spot. Finally, Freddie and Angela should leave last and just meet us at the ten o’clock rendezvous location. Sound good?”
“Sure. I will wait twenty or so minutes after you leave,” Calvin added.
“That’s good. If you see someone tail you out of here, do your best to lose them,” Dranko said, stating the obvious.
“Same will need to be done at Miles’ place. Leave in separate groups. He probably would have them under the microscope, too,” Cooper said.
“I will handle it,” Calvin answered.
“Everyone ready,” Dranko asked.
Cooper cleared his throat.
“I want to say something before we go out there,” he said. He paused for a moment, looking each of them in the eye. He liked what he saw: friendship, sympathy, and support. There is no greater feeling in the world than being with people you know will have your back in a life or death situation. His heart swelled.
“I just want to thank each of you.” Others immediately tried to stop him, but he plowed through their protests.
“What you are doing today, I will never forget. You are risking your lives to save my son. You aren’t just fighting for your own survival. You could walk away. From this moment forward, I owe each of you my life. If it is ever needed, it is there for each of you.” Despite his efforts, his voice cracked as he finished.
A long silence filled the room. They looked at each other, soaking the moment in. Warm smiles that spoke volumes without a word were exchanged across the room.
“Heck, I woulda settled for a Big Mac, but I’ll take it!” Freddie broke the silence with a deadpanned delivery and the room exploded in laughter before the group devolved into a flurry of hugs and high fives. Eyes were wet and hearts were warm by the time they had finished.
“Let’s do this,” Cooper said as he and Dranko left the cabin and scrambled into his Jeep.
**********
They drove toward the rendezvous location with the hired men from Huynh’s gang. Silence ruled the cab, as neither man had anything to say. Cooper was preoccupied with reviewing the plan of attack over and over in his head. His stomach was tight. Thinking about his son in danger maddened him. He worried about what was being done to him. He wanted him safely back in his arms. He cursed himself for not being there when the men had come to take him.
A black Toyota Forerunner was parked at the intersection when they got there. Two men remained inside the front seats, while the other four had dismounted. They were dressed in green camouflage; pant legs bloused at their boots. They all wore bulletproof vests, while three had additional body armor on their legs and arms. Each wore a helmet on his head, with goggles affixed to the front. The weapons they carried were an equal mix of AK-47s and M4s. Vests carrying multiple magazines for their respective weapons were strapped over their body armor and their faces were stern, emotionless. Cigarettes dangled from half the men’s lips. They were taking deep drags and blowing clouds of smoke upward or to the side.
Dranko tapped his horn gently, flashed his headlights a couple times, and approached at a slow pace.
“You don’t want to surprise armed men,” he mused as much to himself as to Cooper.
He pulled the Jeep in behind the Toyota. Once they were at stop, they exited the vehicle.
One of the other men stepped forward from the others. He lifted his goggles up, so that he could make eye contact with them. He was young, in his later twenties. He had sharp, dark, eyes that surveyed Cooper as he extended his hand.
Cooper took it and the man’s grasp was firm, “I’m Cooper.”
“Nice to meet you. I heard a lot about you from Mr. Huynh. I’m Jason.”
Cooper mustered a smile, “What’d he say?”
Jason demurred, “Just that you were a man of your word. A straight talker.”
He nodded in response, “Fair enough. He’s a good man to deal with.”
Jason cocked his head to one side, “And, he’s a good boss to work for. Should we get down to business?”
Cooper motioned Dranko forward and the trio walked to the hood of the Jeep. Dranko spread out the map that showed the area where Jake was being held. They reviewed the plan with Jason first. He had a few questions that they answered in turn. Then, he brought his men in for a briefing. They talked through the plan.
Cooper pulled out a picture of Jake and showed it to the gathered men, “This is my son, Jake. Take a good look. I don’t need him getting killed in the attack. Be careful, please.” The men who were clustered about him were a hard-looking lot. It was clear to Cooper that Huynh had sent some of his better men. Experienced. Still, he saw them nodding in rapt attention. He guessed several of them had children of their own and hoped that connection would compel them to be careful during the attack.
Jason spoke, “Our men will pay good attention, but you know there’s a risk.”
Cooper nodded gravely, “I do. Thanks.”
Dranko explained to them the location from where they were going to jump off into the attack.
“Any other questions?” Cooper asked the men.
“We need the gold now. Weapons after the attack,” Jason’s voice was firm.
“Sure thing,” Cooper said and motioned to Dranko to retrieve the pouch holding the gold from the Jeep.
Dranko handed it to Cooper. In turn, he motioned Jason to step away from the other men with him. They slowly walked side by side down the asphalt.
“I have to ask you one thing,” Cooper began.
“What?”
“Why aren’t you just hauling me in? I’m worth far more than this bit of gold.”
Jason laughed, “That’s a good question. The boss would have to answer it. But, my guess would be that you have been very good for business. The greater the chaos, the greater the business opportunity. You get into the authorities’ hands; the chaos would probably go down. You get it?”
Cooper smile was rueful, “Yeah, I don’t like it, but I get it.”
“Now, I have one question for you.”
“And?”
“If you were that worried about us just nabbing you and turning you over for the reward, why’d you even call us?”
Cooper didn’t miss a step, “That’s easy. I had no choice. We didn’t have enough firepower to get my boy out. I had to take the risk and hope.”
Jason’s smile withered from his face, as he turned serious, “I get that. I have a six year old son and I’d risk anything if he was in danger.”
“Thank you. I need the best from your men.”
Their eyes fixed on one another, “You’ll have it. Mr. Huynh was very clear about that. He wants our work to be solid. Always. And, most of my men have children of their own.”
He reached out and handed him the pouch full of gold. When Jason took it, he extended his hand and they shook once more. The grip was firmer this time. Then, they separated and made it back to their vehicles.
Dranko was already sitting in the Jeep when Cooper got back in.
“What was that all about?” He asked.
“I had to find out why they weren’t just hauling me in for the reward.”
Dranko grunted, “I was wondering about that myself. I figured it was a very high risk, but didn’t want to bother you with it.”
“You went into this, thinking it could be a trap?” Cooper’s tone revealed his surprise.
“Sure did, brother.”
“Damn, you are a good friend.”
Dranko shrugged, “Nah, I just know something to be true.”
“What’s that?”
“You’d have done the same for me if the shoe was on the other foot.”
Cooper gave his friend a warm smile, “True.”
“So, what’d he say?”
“He said I’m good for business because of the chaos I�
�ve caused. And, I’m better for business while on the loose.” Dranko heard the sorrow in his friend’s voice.
“Sorry, brother. But, look at the bright side.”
Cooper turned to look at him, “You’re telling me about the bright side? The apocalypse must truly be upon us!”
“That I am. As much as you don’t like it, it is keeping you from getting kidnapped and turned over to the government.”
A forlorn grimace took hold of Cooper’s face, “I guess. But that’s gotta be the worst ‘bright side’ I’ve heard in my entire life.”
Dranko made a mocking low bow, “Forgive me, sir. I don’t have much practice.”
That brought a chuckle from Cooper.
**********
Their vehicles were stacked upon the side of the road, about a half-mile from where Jake and Julianne were being held. Cooper closed his eyes deliberately and sniffed the air, trying to calm his nerves. The pine was heavy with a faint hint of lavender mixed in. He was pacing up and down the line of pickups and SUVs. They were waiting for one more, carrying two more men from Miles’ group. Cooper couldn’t remember being more amped up before an action than he was now. A lot more at stake than any time before.
He edged up to Freddie, who was puffing on a cigarette at the end of the line.
“Can I have one?” Cooper asked.
Freddie’s eyes opened in surprised, but he quickly recovered, “Sure. The first one’s free. The second will cost you a pound of gold!” Freddie’s quip was nearer the truth than not. Cigarettes were quickly becoming very scarce and expensive. Dranko was endless in pontificating about the stupidity of being addicted to any substance.
“I won’t be having another. I just need something to calm my nerves before we do this thing,” Cooper responded seriously.
Freddie fished the pack out of his pocket and handed a cigarette to Cooper.
“Yeah, that’s what I said two weeks ago. Now, I’m hooked like a heroin addict.”
Brushfire Plague: Reckoning Page 29