Fall of Houston Series | Book 5 | No Man's Land

by Payne, T. L.

  Tapping the pack at her feet, Isabella attempted to make the same mental shift. It was difficult because she had no idea what they were going to be called upon to do next. They’d spent months preparing for some sort of important mission. The Horse Cavalry Detachment had been out nearly every day patrolling the seemingly unoccupied countryside surrounding the military base in Little Rock. They’d drilled and run training missions, but none of it gave her any indication of what they were really going up against. All she knew was they were meant to move silently and strike quickly—the who, what, and when, no one in her unit knew. It was all the uncertainty that bothered her the most.

  Fortunately, Isabella didn’t have to wait long for the answers she and the others had so long sought regarding their mission. When the unit arrived back at base, Stephens and the other CIA agent, Brad Smith, were waiting for them. Gathered around a table in the tactical operations center, Isabella and the others listened as newly promoted Colonel Sharp described the role the two teams would play in the covert mission into Missouri that they were about to depart on in search of the US government’s lost shipment of gold.

  Will and Isabella exchanged glances as the significance of the mission was explained. Isabella was sure Sharp was holding much more back than he was revealing.

  “General Dempsey’s men are spread out across southeastern Missouri looking for the shipment. They are better armed and supplied than you will be. It is important that we slip in, get the gold, and get it to Fort Leonard Wood on time. That’s why we’re sending two teams.”

  Isabella waited for him to say it—she chuckled a little whenever he did…

  “Two is one and one is none,” Sharp said. He used a telewhip, a telescoping lunge whip used by riders to make a horse go faster, to point to a pin on a map hung on the wall.

  “Our gold is here.”

  He moved the whip to another pin.

  “This is the airfield at Fort Leonard Wood. The base is supposed to be unoccupied. The military left the base shortly after the event and moved north along the borders between Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa.” He pointed to a large area outlined in red. “All of this is Dempsey’s territory. He controls everything east of Wyoming and Colorado. North and South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and the northern parts of Indiana.”

  “If he doesn’t control Missouri, why the stealth?” Jason asked.

  “The last time we sent in teams, we flew them into St. Louis and sent them out in Humvees and cargo transport trucks. Dempsey’s army was immediately on them like flies on shit and they were overwhelmed in number. Even though they don’t ‘control’ Missouri…” Sharp made air quotes with his fingers when he said “control.” He cleared his throat. “They have a significant presence there around St. Louis. There has been intermittent fighting for control of the city for months. Being a port city along the Mississippi River, it's strategically important to both sides.”

  “Team Razorback, you’ll be transported to within fifty miles of Iron County. You will do surveillance around the cave where the shipment is held and report back to headquarters. Team Lonestar will be transported to Fort Leonard Wood. They will report on the condition of the base and airfield before moving to meet up with Team Razorback, at which time, both platoons will retrieve the cargo and transport it the fifty or so miles west to Fort Leonard Wood in time to meet the cargo plane.”

  Isabella’s stomach churned. How were they going to transport a large shipment of gold fifty miles along rural roads without detection? This sounded more like a suicide mission to her.

  “Smith will be attached to Team Razorback and Stephens will be with Team Lonestar. Lieutenant Burns and Team Razorback will set up headquarters to receive and relay information as Staff Sergeant Fontenot and 1st Squad gathers it.”

  Isabella sighed. She would have much preferred to be with Stephens. Brad “the Cad” gave her the creeps. With Stephens along, they’d at least be told something of the dangers they faced. Smith would just brief the first sergeant, and the first sergeant would brief the platoon sergeants, and the soldiers wouldn’t get any information about what was going on or what was coming up until the last minute. If they were headed into a dangerous situation they may not even know where they were or where they were going—they'd just have to follow basic orders and execute Rules of Engagement on the fly. That meant if they were told not to fire their weapons—even if they were fired upon—there would be no room for discussion when the bullets started flying. They would just have to take cover and wait for someone to tell them it was okay to protect themselves, their fellow soldiers, or anyone else who was being fired upon.

  “Okay, troopers. Let’s mount up,” Sharp said.

  Sixteen

  Savanah

  Texarkana Refugee Center

  Texarkana, Texas

  July 4th

  Event + Ten Months

  The children seemed thrilled with the announcement that there would be fireworks at that night’s Fourth of July celebration. The commander of the shelter wanted to make everything feel as normal as possible and observing holidays as they used to was one of the ways he felt was necessary. His job wasn’t an easy one, Savanah would give the man that. Residents of the camp had grown increasingly displeased with being in the shelter, especially those who’d been forced to come there.

  Many families were separated due to mandatory military or civilian service. Savanah doubted they’d known that would happen when they registered at the gate and signed up to serve their country. The place on the form that asked for previous employment, training, and skills wasn’t optional—they were looking for workers.

  Most were eager to be assigned a job and Savanah could see how getting back to work would feel like a return to a somewhat normal life. The engineers, electrical workers, doctors, and others with the skills necessary to get the country back up and running were treated like royalty. Savanah didn’t begrudge them that. She was pleased for them. They could move to Houston and Dallas and enjoy their air-conditioned apartments. She didn’t hate air conditioning, she just didn’t want to give up all freedom in order to enjoy it.

  “You want us to save you a seat?” Jack asked.

  Savanah had kitchen duty. She’d be washing dishes well after dark. Kathy had offered to trade shifts with her so Savanah could be with her children for the festivities, but Savanah hadn’t taken her up on the offer. She had plans. There was to be a meeting after dark, and while the others were watching the fireworks, she’d be talking to a few of the new arrivals about joining her at the compound in Williams Junction.

  “No, thank you. I have to work tonight. Will you help Jane keep an eye on Kylie and Keegan for me, though?”

  Jack looked reluctant. “Sure thing.”

  She felt bad for pawning her kids off on people all the time lately, and she knew full well what a hand full Kylie was, but she was working hard to keep the dream of their own home alive. She was moving forward, despite Will and Jason being away all the time.

  “Kendra and Karson are both working one of the games.”

  “The little kids are sure to enjoy them. It’s so good to see them happy and carefree for a change,” Jack said. He turned to head toward the field where the night’s events were to take place. “I’ll save you a seat—just in case.”

  Did he know? Did he suspect something? No matter. Savanah trusted Jack to keep quiet.

  Although the issues with his legs prevented him from fighting for the country, he would be a valuable asset when the group finally settled in Williams Junction. He had knowledge and skills far beyond being able to run and shoot. He’d survived on his own for months, living off the land, until he reached her homestead in Vincent, Louisiana. They would need that kind of knowledge to feed themselves until they could establish gardens and find game.

  Savanah’s thoughts turned to Evie and her grandfather. It was a miracle that Savanah and Jason had found them and for the medical personnel at Lake Sylvia to be able to help Mark. Sh
e felt much better about bringing everyone up to Williams Junction knowing how skilled their new neighbors were.

  After finishing the last of the supper dishes in the mess hall, Savanah dried her hands on her apron and slipped out the back door. She found her cousin, Gabby, and the newcomers in one of the storage trailers near the back of the shelter grounds. They were in the middle of a conversation when she slid into a seat next to Gabby.

  “I stashed what was left of my ammo in a plastic barrel and buried it under my deck before the military forced me to come here,” a man in his late thirties said. He was thin, but not as thin as most in Savanah’s group had been when they’d arrived at the shelter. Under his left eye was a healing bruise. His lip was split, and abrasions covered the knuckles of his right hand—he’d put up a fight.

  “Ammo ain’t no good without a weapon to fire it from,” another man said. He ran his hand down the length of his long beard. His clothes hung loose on him. He’d not faired as well. His cheeks were gaunt and eyes sunken as were so many struggling to survive these days.

  A woman in her late twenties raised her hand timidly. “I can get weapons.”

  Every eye turned to her.

  “My daddy stashed all our rifles inside an old semi truck a mile from our house. He said he wanted them in case he ever did find ammo for them. He never did. I bet you anything they’re still there.”

  “How far away is that?” Gabby asked.

  “About thirty miles south of Little Rock.”

  “Doable,” the thirty-something man said.

  Savanah reached into the pocket of her dress and retrieved a small notepad and pen. “We need to make a list.” She smiled and looked around the circle of her new friends. “Anything you think will help us set up and survive out there. We’ll need nearly everything from axes to cast iron skillets. List the items and locations where we can find them.”

  Everyone nodded and Savanah handed the notepad and pen to the young woman sitting next to her. The short-haired woman looked to be in her forties, but looks were deceiving with what they’d all been through.

  “I got seeds,” she said. “I got seeds and jars for canning.”

  Savanah’s heart swelled with joy and hope. There were still people out there who were willing and able to live self-sufficiently, not content to rely on the government that had failed them so miserably for the last ten months. She wasn’t about to leave her children’s lives in the hands of people who didn’t even know their names.

  “We’ll have to act quickly. As soon as the docs declare you fit for duty, you’ll be shipped to your new duty stations—likely in Houston where they need workers for their factories.”

  “Factories?” the woman next to Savanah asked, surprise in her tone.

  “They’re trying to manufacture parts to get the lights and things back on.”

  “I didn’t know they were that far along.”

  Savanah worried they were going to lose this woman—and her seeds to the big city.

  “I’d hate to be sent to sweat in some factory all day,” she said, much to Savanah’s relief.

  “You know, there is nothing wrong with someone wanting to return to a normal job and normal life, right?” the ammo guy said.

  Savanah’s heart sank.

  “Of course. That is perfectly fine for those folks. I just ain’t going to be forced into relying on the man to take care of me. I’ve seen how that ends,” the woman replied.

  “No one here is bashing anyone for their choices. If any of you choose to take jobs or assignments instead of joining us, there’s no judgment here. We just would like for you to keep our plan to yourselves,” Gabby said.

  A pang of conviction struck Savanah. Had she been judgmental against those choosing the comforts of the big cities? She’d never felt that way before. She, herself, had experienced such judgment from people when she’d chosen to live a self-sufficient life on her homestead in Louisiana.

  “We’re not asking for a commitment tonight, but you’ll need to decide soon, before the choice is made for you,” Savanah said, stuffing the list into her bra. “And whatever you choose, I wish you a blessed life.”

  No one spoke as the storage container cleared of people. Even Gabby was quiet as she and Savanah made their way back to where the festivities were occurring. Gabby finally broke the silence.

  “Do you ever wonder…”

  “No!” Savanah interrupted her. “No. I’ve heard first hand how they separate mothers from their children—for their good— and send them to schools far away. I won’t be separated from my children. Being apart from my husband and brother is hard enough. I won’t…”

  “I understand, Vannie.”

  Tears welled in Savanah’s eyes. Gabby had used the nickname their grandmother had given Savanah when she was little. She missed her now—so much. The world needed women like her now more than ever. She had no doubt what her gran would do. Family had been everything to her—and was everything to Savanah. Family first! It had to be that way.

  Savanah slid into the seat Jack had saved for her and watched as her children delighted in the aerial light display. Soon, Kendra and Karson would be old enough to choose for themselves but she still had years before Kylie and Keegan would fly the nest. She had to make sure all of them were equipped to survive, no matter what they chose.

  Seventeen

  Will

  Little Rock Military Base

  Little Rock, Arkansas

  The Fourth of July

  Event + Ten Months

  They’d trained for this mission for most of the summer. The horses were all in great condition and the unit was as prepared as Will thought they could be for a trip north into Missouri. It had been two weeks since they’d been informed where they’d be going and the hurry-up-and-wait game was in full effect. They had loaded up the horses and all their gear twice, only to be told it was just a drill.

  At morning roll call, First Sergeant Charles Webster informed them they had the day off.

  “Stand at ease, troopers. Rest. Just in case you knuckleheads didn’t know, today is the Fourth of July. Colonel Sharp has decided to give you troopers the day off from PT and the cooks are preparing something special for supper. I’d advise you to take it easy on the revelries. We want to maintain readiness. You never know when we’ll get the order to pull out.” He looked at Hogan, one of the heaviest drinkers in the 2nd Platoon. Hogan adjusted his black Western hat and grunted quietly.

  Will was grateful Hogan wasn’t in his squad. Like Will, Hogan hadn’t been with the military long. He’d been assigned to the Horse Detachment due to his blacksmithing skills. He was great at his job, but he sucked at everything else.

  Stephens stepped forward and stopped to talk to the two newest members of the company. Both were special forces soldiers. They knew what the hell they were doing, unlike much of the rest of the company. These two were highly trained and had been with the military prior to the lights going out. Will noticed Isabella checking them out and nudged her.

  “What?”

  “You’re staring.”

  “So are you,” she replied.

  “Did Stephens say anything to you about them—what their military occupation specialty is or what they’ll be doing for this mission?”

  “She just said they were on loan from Fort Hood and part of the Joint Task Force. There will be two JTF soldiers with each platoon. The ones traveling with us won’t be here until tomorrow morning.”

  “She told you all that?” Will asked, his eyes fixed on the man with the enormous biceps and a tattoo of a grim reaper draped in the American flag.

  “They’re special forces. They’ve got all that high-tech equipment and super-soldier skills to make sure we succeed.”

  “I’m sure they’re thrilled to be babysitting the rest of us,” Will said.

  “At least we can stay on our horses.”

  “What? He’s not an experienced rider?” Will asked.

  “He’s not the worst ri
der I’ve ever seen.”

  “Oh crap.”

  Will had been detailed to working with his fellow squad leaders signing for equipment and gathering and packing more food and water for the last two days as Colonel Sharp and the platoon leaders were finalizing the mission and briefing the platoon sergeants. What else had he missed?

  They ate something resembling hamburgers for supper while a band played patriotic songs. There were no fireworks to celebrate the anniversary of America’s Independence from Britain. But when soldiers lowered the flag outside the headquarters building to signal the end of the official duty day lately, the ceremony had begun to really mean something to Will. He had begun to understand what it was to pay respect and honor the American flag. It took several minutes for the team of soldiers to lower and fold the flag and march off to secure and store it properly each day. As the bugle played “Retreat” and the flag was being lowered, all activity stopped on the installation and everyone was required to stand still and be silent. Everyone in uniform was required to salute and hold their salute as the flag was slowly lowered until Retreat was over and the flag was unhooked from its tether. If not in uniform, the requirement was to put your hand over your heart. When the song ended, everyone would go back to whatever it was they were doing. It had been strange and uncomfortable initially, but as time went on, the daily ceremony provided a time for reflection on what they were all a part of. It gave people time to consider the importance and seriousness of what they were doing and to remember those who had served and died to provide them the freedom he and his son had enjoyed but never really appreciated as Will now knew they should have.