by Finley, Zack
"Not yet, taxiing out now. Good luck with the spy."
"Good hunting," I radioed. "Roger Carlton, this is Jeremy."
"Carlton here."
"Do you have any intel?" I radioed.
"Negative, just started the round-up."
"Spy is Lucy Matthews from Glenn's neighborhood," I radioed. "Relay to Tom anything that might identify the men in my house."
"On it, Carlton out."
Tom might use the spy's name to break down her resistance. Anything more Tank or Glenn could supply might corroborate the intel she spilled.
I ran for the radio hut, a plan building in my head. Successful hostage rescues required surprise, deception, intel, and skill.
The deception would require radio help to accompany the arrival of the requested Humvee. We needed the hostage-takers occupied on the radio and watching the approach of the Humvee.
Surprise would come with a second-floor entry. Leaving the wooden shutters open on the balcony, was in our favor.
My team had the skill. All we lacked was enough intel to pull this together. The need to follow the first Humvees limited how long we could allow the current standoff to continue. The obvious time to hit them was when they shifted from the house and into the Humvee. That was not just obvious to me, I'm sure the hostage-takers shared my conclusion. We would move in before they expected it.
I poked my head in the radio hut. My dad slumped in one of the visitor chairs, and Sally perched on her desk.
"They are tired of talking to us for now," Sally said. "Their attempted contacts with the Humvees continue. One man talks to us, while another man tries to call the Humvees on another channel. They tried to contact Lucy a few minutes ago on the Humvee channel. From the way they reacted to her not responding, they didn't sound very concerned. On the other hand, they are very pissed off at the Humvees for not answering."
"Depending on what Tom learns, I'm planning for Buzzer to bring up the Humvee and park it nearby as a distraction. The extraction team will enter upstairs and attempt to put eyes on the group with our snake camera. Dad will then demand to talk with the hostages before we let the Humvee move closer. I'm hoping an opportunity comes, and we can take them down before they try to move our people. We don't know how many shooters or hostages. I'm expecting Tom to extract that info."
I squatted next to my father, "Dad, we will rescue them. It's what my men do. I need you to force them to reveal who they are holding in my house. Hold firm. In the hostage business, this is known as proof of life. If they have watched any TV, they will threaten the hostages with vile, horrific things. Remember, we have what they need to leave here. They will be looking at that. Your job is to help distract them. That will allow my men to swarm them."
"I'll do my part," my dad said. "The betrayal is deep; we violated the Plan out of compassion to rescue them, and now this. We fed them and kept them safe. I want to torture and kill every one of them."
Murderous rage was also my companion. Held back only by years of deployments. Years of setting aside my own needs and the needs of my loved ones to soldier on. I wouldn't let it break through, worried if I loosened my grip, my wounded soul would bring me to my knees. My skills and the talent and training of my warriors stood between my family and the unthinkable.
"If killing them all would save our family, I'd mow them down in a heartbeat. I guarantee none of the hostage-takers will live, but the rescue comes first. You are part of the deception. They need to feel good about their chances of escape. The better they feel, the more relaxed they will be. Relaxed men are less likely to hurt the hostages. That gives us the edge," I said.
"I can do it," my dad said. He straightened in the chair and put on his negotiating face. The reddened eyes and tear tracks were still evident, but he sucked it up. I looked for help from Sally.
"I'll back him up, don't you worry. We will be listening on your radios," Sally promised. "Take this spare radio set to the hostage-takers’ frequency so you can monitor if you need to."
I thanked her and tucked it in my plate carrier, making sure the sound was turned low.
"Sky to Scouts."
"Go for Scouts."
"This is Sky. Three Humvees stopped just past the Mecklin River bridge, where the sheriff used to put the radar trap. Appear to be monitoring for pursuit."
"Scouts to Sky, thanks for the heads up. We'll stage before the bridge 'til you give the okay."
I had intended to block US 27 to the south at the Mecklin River bridge, but it slipped by with the various other priorities.
I expected them to go north or northwest. Heading south surprised me. We needed at least one of the hostage-takers alive, just to understand what their actual exit strategy was. That was assuming the yahoos in my house knew where the other group was going. The first group dumped them rather quickly. They could have easily driven the fourth Humvee to my house and picked up their people on their way out. After all, they took the Humvees with machine-guns.
I doubted they picked a random direction. They likely had a destination in mind.
I called a command team meeting to clarify the hostage extraction plan. I had Matt and the pursuit stay on the original channel. Everyone in the Valley switched to an alternate radio channel. Matt promised Justice would monitor both and provide updates as appropriate.
I assigned Joel to overwatch with Craig. He was our next best-trained sniper, with Ben out of action. Joel sprinted to join Craig in the tower, leaving the snake camera with Mike.
Mike would lead the breaching team through the upstairs balcony and into the main living quarters. We assigned fireteams of one Ranger and one of Grady's men to monitor each door.
Buzzer left to stand by at the Humvee. He was the main distraction. Buzzer's arrival in the Humvee would initiate the breach. The Humvee would stand by until I gave the okay.
Mike wanted to enter the second floor and surveil with the snake camera before Buzzer arrived. I told him to use his judgment. Not quite a cop-out. I wanted the intel, but feared the potential risk.
"Tom to Jeremy."
"Go for Jeremy."
"No other rats. Four men holding hostages. Her job was to watch the bridge for followers today, then slip back into Valley life. She still expects a rescue. I'll keep digging," Tom radioed.
"Ben, send two ninjas and some spare vehicles to Matt," I radioed.
"Ben copies."
"Sally, tell the hostage-takers the Humvee is on its way."
"Roger," Sally radioed.
"We are in," Mike radioed.
I watched the six warriors enter through the balcony doors, as I listened to my dad explain that the Humvee was moving up. He then demanded proof of life.
That didn't faze the hostage-taker, "The only proof of life you need is when you see the hostages get in the Humvee with us. Keep talking about it, and I'll shoot one and toss the body out. Just make sure to park the Humvee where we told you."
"Jeremy to Buzzer."
"Go for Buzzer."
"I need you to drive the Humvee past my house, turn around and drive by again. Park about 100 feet away," I radioed. This should provide enough distraction for Mike to drill his hole for the snake camera. The construction was too tight to slide under the door, since it was designed to keep radioactive fallout from reaching downstairs.
"Drive-by, return, and then park," Buzzer summarized.
"Start now," I radioed.
"Roger."
I could hear the Humvee approaching. Buzzer kept it in the lowest gear, making the most noise, and eking out the distraction for the longest possible period.
"Craig to Jeremy."
"Go for Jeremy."
"We have three observers looking out peeps. One each in mudroom, kitchen, and front bedroom," Craig radioed. "Positive we can kill two, third is a probable."
"Hold for now," I radioed, as the Humvee crawled by my house.
"Eyes in place," Mike radioed. "Nothing in the hallway in front of the door. Ready to breach when...
Wait one."
"Snipers, shoot now," Mike radioed.
A double crack and then a third crack competed with the roar of the Humvee engine for attention.
The pressure in my chest nearly exploded. My need to learn what happened collided head-on with years of hard-earned experience. When the shit hit the fan, nobody needed command demanding info.
"All shooters down," Mike radioed. "We need a medic, stat."
"Dr. Jerrod is on her way," Roger radioed.
"I'll be there in two," Tom radioed, just as the mudroom door opened, and the body of one of the hostage-takers was dumped outside.
"Jeremy, we need you in here," Mike radioed. I was already on my way at a dead run for the mudroom door.
Mike met me at the door, "Esther is hurt. The kids are all locked in the safe room and won't come out unless you tell them it is okay."
I ran in to see Granny. She was lying beside a dead man, unconscious. The amount of blood was horrifying, as I tried to see what was wrong. "Not all her blood," Mike said at my elbow. "He probably hit her in the head with his rifle butt. I don't want to move her until Tom, or Dr. Jerrod gets here. Head wounds are really tricky."
One of the other rangers covered her with a thick blanket, while another heated water bottles in the microwave. Someone else then dragged the dead man away. I only had eyes on my granny.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Not sure, we breached when I saw Joe and two kids slipping into the basement. We weren't in time to see what happened to Esther. Her assailant bled out before we got to her. Only a slight smudge on her temple. She is covered with blood, but I don't think any of it is hers," Mike said, kneeling beside her. "Keeping her warm is all we can do for now. Dr. Jerrod might have some miracle treatment, but it is beyond my training. Let's get the kids, I'm worried they may be injured, too."
That jerked me out of my despair, giving me a new jolt of adrenaline and dread. I charged down into the basement to the safe room door. One of the Rangers who lived with us was trying to coax the kids out, but having no luck.
"Joe, are you in there? This is your Uncle Jeremy," I shouted to be heard through the thick door. "It is safe to open the door now."
"Melissa asks you for the code word," the door muffled Joe's shout.
"Unicorn," I yelled. There was a brief pause followed by the sounds of the door locks being turned. Melissa was okay. My concerns for Granny and those of the other hostages now speeding away from the Valley tempered the joy I felt knowing that Melissa survived.
I knelt, grabbing the two youngsters who ran into my arms. Melissa sobbed, saying over and over, "They killed Granny."
"Dr. Jerrod is taking care of Granny," I countered, still hugging Billy and Melissa much too tightly. "Is anyone hurt down here?"
I looked up at Joe. He carried his rifle at the ready, looking much older than his 16 years. Streaks of dried blood covered one side of his face. The cut above his eyebrow still oozed. He had the beginnings of a shiner, and several dusky places on his face that I expected would bloom to full bruiser status before too many hours passed.
"Granny isn't dead?" Joe asked, the hesitancy in his voice constricted my throat.
Mike answered for me, "No, she has a concussion, and Tom is looking over her now. Dr. Jerrod should be here right away."
I walked toward Joe slowly, gently lifting Melissa up into my arms, and urging Billy to stay close. I put my spare arm around Joe and hugged him to Melissa and me tightly. He returned the embrace before dropping to his knees and wrapping Billy in his arms. Despite the emotions and turmoil, I noticed Joe placed his rifle carefully on the basement floor, somewhere safe but available if needed. It would be hard to treat him like a boy after today.
"Dad, I need you at my house," I radioed, knowing Sally would send him my way.
"Joe, tell me what happened," I said.
Joe took a deep breath, but kept his trembling arms around Billy. "We were all here packing up and getting ready to move to Justice. Ellie, Billy, Melissa, Jennifer, and I were goofing around when these people came in from upstairs, pointing their rifles at us. All our rifles were in the mudroom. We didn't stand a chance. They only expected to find Granny, Jennifer, and Melissa. They were really happy to have more hostages. That started some discussion about taking another Humvee, so they changed the plan."
My dad and Carmine arrived in the basement beside us. Carmine's presence surprised me, but I had too many other pressing issues to deal with. My dad knelt to hold both Billy and Melissa tightly in his arms. Joe, Mike, and I moved to the side. I nodded for Joe to continue.
"There were at least 20 of them. Only three women. I think the guy running things is called Everett. He is the one who picked the four guys left behind. When they grabbed Jennifer and Ellie, Grandma jumped on them, and they hit her. That is when I jumped in to help her. Somebody hit me on the head, and I passed out, so I don't know what happened next. Granny said they took Grandma, Ellie, and Jennifer away in a golf cart. They were supposed to come back for the rest of us when the shooting started. Then the Valley alarm blew," Joe said.
Tom joined us and immediately knelt to examine Joe. He flicked the flashlight in Joe's eyes and declared Joe had a concussion and needed stitches.
"How is Granny?" I asked.
"Esther got hit pretty hard," Tom said. "Dr. Jerrod is taking her to the hospital for x-rays. She probably has a skull fracture. Looks like Joe has a thicker skull, so he should be okay, but Dr. Jerrod will want to see him when she can."
"How did you guys get free?" I asked Joe.
"Granny had her butcher's knife. It's her secret backup weapon. Grandma has a little pistol, but granny only carries a knife. Most of the time, two men stayed with us, but when we heard the Humvee drove by, the second man left. Our guard wasn't watching us very close, and Granny cut everyone loose. When he turned back to look at us, she stabbed him twice. He was bleeding a lot but still hit her with his rifle.
"Billy jumped on his back, and Melissa covered his mouth with a pillow so he couldn't call for help. He quit struggling right away. I took his rifle and was ready to defend us from the other men. That was when we realized Granny was still down. We thought she was dead, so I grabbed the kids. We sneaked down to the basement into the safe room, barred the door, and waited." Joe looked at me with anguish in his eyes. "I'd never have left Granny behind, but I thought she was dead."
I gripped him with a hug and forced him to look at me. "You took care of those in your charge. What do you think would have happened if those three men found you still in the family room?" I asked. "That would have made any sacrifice Granny made in vain. You did what needed doing. You kept Billy and Melissa safe and let us take out the guys with the guns. Also, moving Granny with a bad concussion might have caused more damage. You did what a warrior is supposed to do. You defended the weakest ones. I'm proud of you, Joe."
"Me too, Joe," my dad added. "Thank you for saving Billy and Melissa from those madmen."
Now I needed intel. "Does anyone know where the others were going?" I asked, including Billy and Melissa in the question.
"The two guys in with us didn't say anything helpful, while I was awake," Joe said.
"Melissa, Billy, did you hear anything?" I asked.
"I think they had someone watching our bridge," Billy said, tentatively. "One guy kept complaining about how she never answered the radio, but the other one kept defending her. I think he had the hots for her."
"Which one had the hots for her?" I asked.
"The creep that granny stabbed," Melissa said, without any hint of distress. I'd heard more unhappiness over the demise of a spider. "His name was Curt."
"Did you hear any other names?" Tom asked.
"The guy who talked all the time on the radio was Ted," Melissa offered.
"Marty and Junior were the other dudes," Billy said. "Junior was the other guy in here with us a lot."
"Matt to Jeremy."
"Go for Jeremy."
"Ju
les reports the Humvees are moving south again on US 27. He is coordinating with the forces following. The first two ninjas are lagging at least one curve behind. The second group of ninjas will speed forward to reach them stat," Matt radioed.
That dragged me back to real-time. It had only been minutes since we dispatched the new set of ninjas. We now had a direction.
"Matt, send everyone after them, we'll be right behind you. Take plenty of ammo and vehicles. Jeremy to Zeke."
"Go for Zeke."
"Zeke, send four more ninjas. Mount up the rest in Humvees or pickups. We'll take this one. Everyone with NVGs and radios. Bring the last rebroadcast unit, have them roll as they can."