THE TOCABAGA CHRONICELS: (BOX SET PART II - BOOKS #6-8)
Page 20
“I suggest you pull back to the bridge with your men and dig in on this side. Lee and I will get behind them. Then we’ll pick them off one by one.”
Tommy commented, “We’ll make some ad hoc ghillie suits. The camouflage will make it difficult to spot us.”
I asked, “Can these invisibles see each other?”
Park answered, “Yes and no. They keep in contact by radio with position finders that are like a GPS. It’s built into the helmet.”
I said, “So they know where each man is at all times.”
“Yes, unless the GPS is turned off.”
“Here’s a stupid question. How can we see these guys before they see us?”
Park gave me a weird smile. “We’ll be your eyes. I’ll radio you their position.”
Tommy spoke up. “There’s two other methods to detect them. One is using radar and the other is laser beams. Since they’re solid objects the radar will detect them. A red laser beam will bounce off the nano glass and reflect a red glow. The problem is they’re only good for a couple of hundred yards.”
Tommy pointed his M4 laser at Park’s suit and it glowed a faint, but much larger than normal red dot. It wasn’t very bright, but you could see it in the dark.
Park commented, “I never knew that. You learn something new every day.”
I said, “All our M4s have lasers, so that solves the problem. However, if they see our lasers they can get a fix on our location. It’ll be a question of who shoots first.”
Tommy said, “Not necessarily. Mike and I could snipe them from the trees so they might not spot us. We’ll scan the area with the lasers and when we spot the reflection we’ll shoot the bastards.”
“Yeah, that sounds reasonable.”
Tommy advised, “Here’s what I suggest. We position ourselves just after the intersection, where the road splits off to the old boat ramps. Mike will be on one side of the street in a tree and I’ll be on the other. The four of you spread out; two on each side of the street. Stick some twigs and grass in your clothes to create some camouflage. Then find a spot with good protection.”
I added, “Jim Bo and I will take the westside of the road. Tony, Rick, you take the east.”
We all agreed on the plan. As we mounted up I said, “Park, be careful out there. I don’t want to shoot you by mistake.”
Park said, “Don’t worry. We’ll be careful.” Park and Lee disappeared after putting on their invisible cloth covered helmets. I noticed that I could see their rifles, which were not invisible. I made a mental note of that.
On the way to the south side of Shark Channel Bridge I radioed Amy that we were approaching and filled her in on the details about the invisibles soldiers. I advised her to use lasers to detect them.
The Amazons would stay on the north side of the bridge using cars for a road block. This road block would be the last line of defense. If these soldiers made it past us they would never make it past the 20 Amazons. There is only one way to get past the Amazons and that’s to swim across Shark Channel or take a boat. A boat is an easy target for my shooters.
Tommy commented, “I still don’t trust Park.”
“I agree,” Jim Bo said. “I could tell that Lee didn’t like us just by looking at his face. It showed a lot of hatred.”
I replied, “We’ll find out pretty soon if they can be trusted.”
Reaching our sniper location we quickly dismounted. I turned to Jim Bo. “Back the Hummer into the jungle next to that old sign and cover it up with leaves. Stay in the gun turret so you’ll have a better view.”
Mike and Tommy scampered up tall trees on each side of the street. Tony and Rick went to the east side and hid behind some mangrove bushes at the edge of the water. We were all in position.
I trotted back down the road about 100 feet and stopped. Using my naked eyes I searched for each one of my hidden men. I figured if I could see them then the enemy could see them. They were well hidden so I was satisfied and returned to my position.
I hunkered down under the sign which used to say ‘Boat Ramps’. It was supported by two, five-foot-tall concrete pillars. Jim Bo, sitting in the gun turret, was about 15 feet away.
I got on the radio. “Park, we’re all in position. What’s your status and where’s the enemy? Over.”
“They’re slowly coming towards you. I guess they’re about 500 meters away from you. Out.”
I looked at my watch it was just past 4 am when I heard four shots. My radio came on. “Jack, we just killed two. Park, out.”
I was really hoping that Park and Lee would terminate at least half of the Invisibles before they reached our location. I heard five shots and then automatic gunfire from an AK47.
My radio hissed. “We got two more. Over.”
“Park, what was the automatic fire about?”
“Oh, that was Lee. He got carried away. They just turned off their GPS locators. We have to sit tight for a while. Over and out.”
It was spooky sitting there in the moon-light waiting for invisible soldiers to attack us. I could see Tommy and Mike’s lasers scanning the area. We were all on edge waiting for the red glow to appear.
My trigger finger was twitching. It wanted to shoot someone. I started talking to my finger. “Settle down boy, settle down.” I took my hand off the grip and made a fist several times. I was tense and needed to let off some steam.
Muttering to myself I said, “Come on, you commie bastards.”
I whispered to Jim Bo, “Don’t shoot that fifty unless I tell you where to shoot at. Those rounds can go a mile and I don’t wanna shoot Park by mistake.”
“Ok Boss, whatever you say, but I’m using the M4 anyway. I couldn’t hit shit with that machine gun.”
“Good idea. Let me know if you see anything.” Since Jim Bo was sitting in the gun turret he would most likely see a red glow before I would.
I looked at the eastern sky and could tell the sun would be up soon. The moon was almost gone. Peering out into the darkness I could see our lasers flashing on the edge of the jungle. Then I heard Jim fire a shot. The sudden bang from a few feet away made me jump.
I said, “Damn Jim, warn me when you gonna shoot.”
“Sorry, but I saw two red spots. I think I hit one of them but the other disappeared.”
“Where?”
“They were on the edge of the jungle, right near the road going to the boat ramp. They’re gone now.”
I pointed my laser at the area, about 200 feet away, and didn’t see a damn thing. “Keep scanning that area,” I advised.
The big problem, when scanning the area, everything showed a red dot. If the beam hit a tree, leaf, or anything the red dot was there. The only difference was the dot on the invisible suit was bigger, and not so well defined or bright. Maybe Jim didn’t see anything but a tree or animal.
I hadn’t heard a peep out of Park for about an hour so I keyed my radio. “Park, what’s going on?” There was no reply.
Mike came on the radio. “Hey guys, I spotted something over here. I think three invisibles are 200 feet in front of me.”
I cocked my head out from behind the concrete pillar and could see three faint red spots. Tony came over the radio. “We got them painted. Fire!” A wall of gunfire hit the red dots and they fell to the ground. Not one of them fired a round at us.
Then it occurred to me that the two jerks Jim saw might be headed to the boat ramp. That would enable them to get behind us or make it to the bridge. I decided to leave my sniper position and check if Jim really saw anything.
I got on the radio, “Everyone, listen up. I’m heading to the boat ramps. Jim saw two men moving in that direction. So don’t shoot me by mistake.”
Jim said, “I’ll come along and cover your back.”
“Ok.” I keyed my radio, “Jim Bo is with me. Tommy, you need to watch our section.”
Tommy answered, “Affirmative. Be careful it’s a jungle out there.” We laughed because that’s an expression I always use.
Jim commented, “Man, it’s dark here. What’s the plan?”
“You just keep checking behind us for anyone. If these guys are here they could ambush us. The plan is simple … we terminate them.”
After progressing about 500 feet along the road I raised my hand signaling Jim to stop. I waved him over to me and whispered, “I don’t see anything. Let’s just stay here a minute and listen.”
We both dropped to one knee and didn’t move a muscle. Our ears were straining to hear the slightest noise. I was squinting trying to see if anything, a bush or tree, was moving. Peering into the dark shadowy jungle your eyes play tricks on you. You imagine that you saw something when you didn’t.
My sixth sense told me they were close. Then I heard it and so did Jim Bo. It was the soft snap of a twig. It was just one snap, but I knew it was them. Most animals living in this jungle aren’t big enough to snap twigs on the ground. Jim Bo and I both instantly looked in the direction of the noise.
Jim said, “Did you hear that?”
I whispered very softly, “Don’t move. Stay down.”
I flipped off my safety and aimed my M4 in that direction while looking through my FLIR scope. I squeezed the laser button and started to paint the area.
Nothing was there, but I heard the bushes move and more twigs snapping and it was getting closer to us. The undergrowth was very thick. It was so thick that a man could be walking or crawling through it undetected. I saw the tops of the 4 foot tall ferns start to sway. It was coming directly towards us and it was coming fast.
Jim Bo and I both pointed our guns at the movement. Suddenly a huge blur burst out of the dense bushes attacking Jim. It knocked him to the ground while making growling like sounds.
I pumped ten rounds into the belly of the monster. The huge creature turned and ran towards me like a charging bull. I shot it five times in the head as it lunged at me. The creature skidded to a stop on its belly, dead at my feet.
The damn thing scared the shit out of me. My hands were shaking as I looked at the giant wild boar. It had to be 300 pounds and 3 feet high.
“It got me good … in the leg,” Jim said, while holding his leg, in obvious pain.
I bent down to look at the wound in Jim’s calf muscle. The boar’s long tusks had sliced it wide open. He had a five inch cut that was bleeding severely. Jim needed immediate medical attention. I took his belt and tied it just above the knee to help stop the bleeding.
I asked, “Can you walk?”
“I think so.” I grabbed his arm and helped him stand up. I slung both weapons as he put his arm around my shoulder. We slowly started to hobble back to our defensive line.
After a few steps, I said, “This isn’t gonna work.” I got on the radio. “Tommy, Jim got attacked by a wild boar. Get the Humvee and pick him up.”
“Ok, be right there.” We sat down in the road while I kept watch for any other surprises. I was worried that the Invisibles may have heard the shots.
Tommy pulled up and dismounted. While observing the pig, he asked, “That’s what the gunfire was all about?”
“Yeah, we killed a pig.”
“What happened?”
I told him, “That damn thing charged out of the jungle and managed to slice Jim and almost got me.” I walked over to the giant ugly thing and gave it a good kick. “That’s biggest piggy I ever saw.”
Wild hogs are disgusting looking animals that have long hair growing on their bodies. They are strong and the males have big sharp tusks. They eat anything, including people. No one knows how they got here, but these opportunistic omnivores wreak havoc on the land and agriculture. They live all over Florida.
We loaded Jim into the front seat. I told Tom. “Take him to Amy. She’ll know what to do.”
Amy is Jim’s wife, Commander of the Amazon Warriors, and she’s a trauma nurse. Jim Bo will be in good hands. Looking at Jim I could tell he was going into shock.
Jim Bo is my nick name for Jim. He’s a great guy who married my only daughter. He has a good heart and is loyal to the core. I love him like my own son. He keeps his word and is fully trustworthy. I know he would give his life to protect his family and that of Tocabaga.
Jim has black hair and blue eyes. He stands 6’2” and comes in around 185 pounds of solid muscle. He works out and runs with me all the time. He’s an expert in the use of weapons from years of training with the Gunn family.
“Are you coming?” Tom asked.
“No, I’m staying here. I wanna find the two guys Jim saw,” I replied.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine. Get going.”
“Ok, but don’t take any chances. Radio me if you need help.”
I stood there watching Tommy drive off leaving me on the dark lonely road. Soon they were out of sight. A shiver ran down my spine knowing I was alone.
I crept forward walking on the edge of the road near the jungle. It was a slow process because I had to keep using my laser to scan the area. I’d move 20 feet then get down on one knee and shoot the laser beam around. I had to keep checking behind me in case an Invisible was lurking.
I reached the overgrown grass covered parking lot, which is the end of the road. Dropping to one knee I took a drink of water before proceeding. The damn mosquitoes were eating me up. I hate that buzzing sound when they fly around your head.
Gazing around the parking lot it looked all clear, but the grass was so high it was hard to tell. My plan was to move along the edge of the woods to Shark Channel Bridge. If the Chinese were here they would be doing the same thing. This would allow them to move behind our lines and attack us from the rear. From here it was probably about half a mile to the bridge.
I sat there still gazing and listening. Shortly the sun would break the horizon. I wondered if we could see the Invisibles in the day light. The laser beams wouldn’t be as effective. I thought how in the hell will we be able to spot them in the bright sun light? I had to move out. I checked my M4, putting in a new magazine, and racked in a fresh round.
As I proceeded the bushes move, about 100 feet away, directly in my path. Hogs are usually in groups so there could be more of them around here. I aimed my laser in that direction, but only saw trees and bushes.
Then a warning went off in my head. My adrenalin started to pump. My hands started to shake a little as I came closer and closer to the location where the bushes moved. I thought, calm down, it’s probably nothing.
Ten feet away I stopped and stared at the area. I admit the darkness, combined with the thought of Invisibles, was really getting to me. I froze in my steps thinking I heard a noise.
Aiming the laser directly in front of me, I squeezed the on button located on the hand guard. Nothing happened so I squeezed harder. There wasn’t any beam.
I whispered, “Shit.” Taking off my Nomex gloves, I unslung my M4. Reaching into my tiny vest pocket, I felt around for a battery. Pulling it out I knelt down to remove the laser and quickly change the battery.
I thought I heard a noise to my right. As I pivoted to look … WHACK! The lights went out for a second as I tumbled backwards dropping my rifle. Somehow I managed to stand up to see who hit me in the face.
I didn’t see anything, but a blur, and then … WHACK! Another strong blow hit me in the chest knocking the wind out of me. I was lucky I had on my BPV (bullet proof vest) underneath my tactical vest otherwise the blow could have broken some ribs.
WHACK … another blow to my face knocked me on my back to the ground. My nose started to bleed profusely. I saw a blur again and felt a sharp kick to my head. I guessed there would be another, so I reached out and grabbed the foot I could barely see.
I twisted the foot, with both hands, as hard as I could. He fell next to me. I could feel the sharp jagged glass texture of the invisible suit. Being
this close I could make out the suit. I grabbed him and pulled myself on top, while holding him down with all my strength and weight, as he flailed away at my face.
I mounted him for a classic ground and pound move. I got in two good punches to his body, but his helmet deflected my punch to his face. He swung his right leg up, hooking me around the neck, and flipped me backwards.
Sitting on my butt, I drew my Glock and pointed it … BAM … BAM. The semi-invisible man plunged on top of me.
Pushing the Invisible off, I quickly removed his helmet revealing his head. He coughed and whispered, “You got me, blood brother.”
“Park, what the hell are you doing? It’s me, Jack!”
“I knew it was you. I was going to … kill you.” He let out a little laugh. Blood sprayed out of his mouth indicating a round had hit his lungs.
“Why kill me? Doesn’t friendship mean anything to you?” I asked.
“I’m a Communist … first and foremost.” Park hesitated and said, “We’re sworn enemies.”
“Then why did you kill General Chen?”
“To make you trust me. Besides, I hated that … fat ass.” Park coughed up more blood.
“Why did you show us the stealth suits and advise us what to do?”
“It was all a trap … to lure you in.”
I commented, “So the Invisibles are really your men.”
“I’m the … Commander,” Park said, while coughing up dark red ooze.
He continued to speak, but I could hardly hear him so I leaned in closer. “Thanks, for an honorable death. Watch out … for … Lee.” He let out one last breath and that was it for my traitor blood brother. I pushed his eyes shut with my index finger.
I felt sad, not for myself, but for him. He couldn’t change his thinking. He couldn’t accept freedom. He couldn’t accept a true friend. That’s what communism does to you.
I wondered why Park didn’t shoot me. Maybe he wanted to prove he could beat me in hand-to-hand combat since he never graduated from Mr. Yoon’s fighting school. I’ll never know now. I quickly glanced around looking for Lee.
It occurred to me that I could use Park’s stealth suit to hunt down Lee and the other Invisibles. I had to be careful however, because my own men could shoot me.