by Mark Tufo
The sleep had done me good—not quite a hard reset to factory settings, but my operating system was up and running, even if it was buggy. I was heading back to my room with a cup of coffee for Tracy when Stenzel interrupted my trek.
“Might have a problem, sir.”
My head dropped down. I don’t think I sighed, but I could have. “I’ll be right back.” Tracy was still asleep; I left the coffee on her nightstand. I had a feeling if I hadn’t brought it to her then, by the time I was able to, it would have been cold. Stenzel was waiting for me directly outside the building. “You seem to think this is important.”
“Ben-Ben had a bag of food.”
“When doesn’t he have a bag of food? Sorry, sorry, finish,” I apologized when I saw that she hadn’t appreciated me interrupting.
“It was one of the emergency supply rations from Etna.”
I was confused, wasn’t picking up on the significance.
“We don’t have any,” she said, thinking that was going to cut through the thick fog in my mind. Spoiler alert, it didn’t.
“Okay,” was all I could think to say.
“Seriously?” she prodded.
“How about this. You tell me what the problem is and I’ll act accordingly.”
I could see her wanting to palm her head, or more likely mine; kudos that she did neither. “It’s things like this that make me wonder why I follow you into battle. Ben-Ben’s snack appears to have come from Etna’s emergency supply. And we. Didn’t. Bring. Any.” She rolled her hand out as she waited for me to put the not so difficult puzzle together.
“She’s here.” I didn’t mean Deneaux specifically, not that she was afraid of wet work, but if she had lackeys, there was no doubt she would prefer to have them do her bidding.
I thought Eastman might be a tough sell on the logic, but when I did tell him, he didn’t even blink and, to his credit, I only had to say it once. “Captain, I need you to get a team together and find out what you can. This is a recon, unless you feel that you can neutralize the threat without risk. I’ll have a larger force on standby.”
As we left HQ, Stenzel asked if she should get the team. I had to think about it; we were hurting and they needed rest. I needed rest.
“See if you can find Tommy and Dallas.”
“The rest?”
“You heard the major. We’re just going to ascertain the threat and get rid of it, if possible. They need this downtime. If you weren’t the one that brought this to me, I wouldn’t be telling you, either.”
“Not like you would have figured it out on your own, sir.”
“Well, there’s that. Just find Tommy and Dallas.”
“What about Harmon?”
I didn’t say anything for a second. “I know she’s back in the squad, but I’m not so sure she should be.”
“You don’t trust her, sir?”
“No, that’s not it at all. She’s a good soldier, I just feel like she could be a great something else, and if she keeps fighting and killing, it’ll take that away from her. She told me once that she wants to help people; we need medical people, now more than ever. With the time she’ll have and the equipment on that ship, it could be all the difference.”
I don’t think Stenzel knew exactly where I was going with that. I sort of did. I was going to give the kid the opportunity to do something more, and quite possibly save her from the nightmares the rest of us endured. I liked my decision, unless, of course, when the rest of us went out on this mission and found ourselves completely in over our heads and could have used the extra help…then I wouldn’t.
“You up for this?” I asked Dallas as she was coming to the rally point.
“Itching to do something. I wanted to help when you went on the ship.”
“I appreciate that, and I’m also glad you weren’t there.”
“Little on the light side, no?” Tommy asked as he and Stenzel joined.
“Just going to check things out then we can call in the big guns,” I told him.
“Uh-huh.” He didn’t believe me.
“Stenzel, odds are they have eyes on us twenty-four-seven. I’ve been looking around; there’s only two or three places that give them ideal viewing advantages. You’re going to spend the day finding their forward observation post. Tommy, Dallas and myself are going out on a sightseeing tour. When you find it, you’ll radio us the coordinates and we’ll circle back around, walk in to the location, radio what we find then head on out.”
“Uh-huh,” Tommy replied.
“What’s this circle jerk about?” Sergeant Walde asked.
I looked over at Tommy, he shrugged. “I told her.”
“Planning on hogging all the fun for yourselves?”
“That’s me, can’t help myself.” I went over the plan, such as it was. “You could spot for my sniper,” I said.
“I thought we weren’t planning on engaging?” Tommy asked.
“You guys always give me shit for not having a plan and now that I’m trying to prepare for contingencies, you’re giving me shit.”
“I’m in. I’m getting Reed, though, he can stay and be the spotter. I’m going for the coastline tour.”
We loaded up a Chevy Suburban and headed out the opposite way from where we figured Deneaux’s people were. We had no desire to spook them. Hadn’t been out for more than ten minutes when Reed checked in.
“Rachel, this is Van Gogh,” Reed said over the radio.
“What?” I asked those in the car.
“Rachel was supposedly the prostitute that Van Gogh gave his severed ear lobe to,” Tommy said. “Although it is widely believed that most of that story is fabricated.” He grabbed the mic. “This is Rachel, go,” Tommy said.
“Why are we the prostitute in this scenario?” I asked. “Fucking SEALs.”
“Rachel, this is VG. Been looking for a resupply of Miller High Life, a case or two, at least. Best place to try would be the Costco in Pasadena.” We’d set up a code, knowing full well that Deneaux had the same equipment we did. It was either Costco, Sam’s or Walmart. “Intel tells us that it doesn’t look like more than one or two people have hit it previously.”
“Thanks for the update. Rachel out.” Tommy hung up.
Now we knew where they had their spotter and how many were with them. Of course, that didn’t take into account how many they were reporting back to. There was always a chance that they were the only ones there and were going to paint the camp with a laser for an aerial bombardment. I had my doubts about that scenario because this was Deneaux; she was going to want to make it up close and personal. We took the long route, something equivalent to like when I used to have to drive to the in-laws and I didn’t want to go, figured if I took long enough, the event would be over.
It took us an hour and we parked over a mile away, making sure that the vehicle wasn’t heard. At a half-mile, I halted us and had Tommy go and scout ahead. I was pacing around. Every minute Deneaux’s dipshits were out there was a threat. I was seconds away from calling Eastman and telling him to assault the area with everything he had. Ended up being pretty happy I hadn’t done that.
“Rachel, this is Potato Eater.” I knew it was Tommy, but no clue who Potato Eater was. “I’m at Costco. Intel was bad, place has been ransacked by multiple parties, not a beer in sight. They also left a very large present.”
“Okay, well, not sure what we’re going to tell the camp when we don’t bring any goodies home, but come on back,” I said. “Walde, you want to tell me what the hell he just alluded to? And I’d appreciate it if it’s not what I’m thinking.”
“Multiple enemies and it sounds like they’ve got a rather large weapon with them.”
“Fuck, that’s what it sounded like to me. And what the hell is Potato Eater?”
“Famous Van Gogh painting. Haven’t you ever been to a museum?”
“Marines aren’t much into paint; we’re all about the crayons.”
“Way to perpetuate the stereotype,” Dal
las said.
Tommy was back quickly, five minutes, maybe. He must have been hauling ass.
“I counted eighteen, and they have a nuclear device.”
Is it possible for your anus to drop out on its own volition? Because that’s what it felt like happened.
“You’re positive?” I asked, hoping he’d mistaken it for, say, a case of Ramen.
“I didn’t see it specifically, but the crate was clearly labeled. Even had your name on it.”
I walked back and forth a couple of times, took my cap off to bring my hand through my hair a few times. “Any idea how long they’ve been there?”
“That’s relevant, how?” Walde asked.
“Not sure,” I told her.
“Few days, maybe close to a week,” Tommy replied.
“What’s that mean?” Dallas asked the question; I didn’t know the answer.
“Well, they’ve definitely seen us; it's not like they need to drop that thing off in the middle of camp for it to be effective.” I was pacing in small circles.
“I think I might know,” Tommy started. “This is Deneaux we’re talking about. She hates you.”
It nailed me like a sliced golf ball to the side of the head. “I haven’t been around. She wants to make abundantly sure I fry under that explosion. But that doesn’t make any sense; I was on the beach for a bit. No way from that vantage point I wasn’t seen.”
Tommy shrugged. “Must have missed you, because they’d be long gone and that thing would be on a timer.”
“No, not a timer. Deneaux is walking around with the nuclear football. Probably has her finger on the button as we speak. We have to stop them.”
“There’s four of us against twenty; don’t you think we should call in Major Eastman’s troops?” Walde asked.
“We should, but we’re on borrowed time. They radio in and say they’re being attacked, she pushes that button.”
“And kills her own people?” Dallas asked.
“Without hesitation,” Tommy finished that one up for me.
“Stenzel and Reed will be able to take two out quickly; with the element of surprise, it’s a good bet we can take down seven or eight before they know what’s hit them. It’ll still be ten or eleven on four, but not the worst odds any of us have seen. We’re moving out in five. The radio operator and anyone near that person has to go out first. Van Gogh, this is Rachel.”
“This is Van Gogh,” Reed replied.
“In thirty-three zero minutes, the Costco raiders will need to be dealt with. We will be in position to take their supplies. Confirm.” I had no idea if that was specific enough.
“Copy, Rachel. Good hunting, out,” Reed replied.
“We’ve got to move.” I checked my mag filled pockets and was at a slow trot behind Tommy.
19
Captain Vienden
“Sir, we’re getting a lot of chatter from the camp.” Corporal Gordon had gone down to the observation post.
“What are they talking about?” the captain asked.
“It seems that they’re trying to get supplies from a local Costco, but someone beat them to the store and now they’re going to engage. Should I tell them they don’t need to bother?” Gordon smiled.
Vienden wanted to punch the man. Up until recently, all of these people had been fighting side by side and now the corporal thought it was funny that they were going to wipe them out in one massive explosion.
“That’ll be all,” Vienden told the man.
“That’s funny because they won’t be around to use any of the stuff,” Private Comera said.
“Just keep an eye on the camp. Let me know if you see anything suspicious,” the captain said as he watched the corporal walk away.
20
Mike Journal Entry 12
Ten minutes later, we were in position on a tree line not more than forty feet from a picnic area. A small group were playing cards, others doing normal camp life.
“Where’s the rest?” I asked as I was looking at eleven people.
“House across the street.” Tommy pointed to a trailer.
“Perfect,” I sighed. No way those in the house weren’t going to hear the commotion. “They have to be dealt with first. Tommy, you and I are going to the trailer. Walde, Dallas, you both stay here. If we’re not back in time—or at all—call Eastman and start the party without us.” Splitting up our already meager forces was not advantageous, but choices were limited.
“Some are sleeping,” Tommy said as we came through the wooded back yard and to the sliding glass door.
I didn’t ask him how he knew; I was too busy trying to get rid of the bad taste in my mouth. Killing people while they were asleep was right up there with kicking puppies. Well, maybe not; puppies don’t try to flash-fry you. Still distasteful. Tommy pulled out his knife. I followed suit as he noiselessly slid the door open.
One man was passed out on the couch, a bottle of cheap whiskey hanging from his hand, slowly sliding down, getting ready to hit the hardwood floor. It might not wake him up, but there were others to take into account. I grabbed the bottle just as it fell. Tommy quickly slammed a hand over the drunk's mouth and plunged the knife through his ribcage and into his lungs. The unfortunate bastard’s eyes flew open, pain, surprise, shock and a swift death swept through them. There was snoring off to our right. To the left, it sounded like someone was eating, could hear the crinkle of a food packet being opened then the shuffle of silverware in a drawer. I moved to the side of the wall next to the opening that led into the kitchen.
“Bransen, pass the hot sauce. This shit is worse than MREs and I didn’t think that was possible. I’ve had gas station sushi that was better, even if I spent the following twenty-four hours shitting fire. Come to think of it, what I wiped away looked suspiciously like this.”
“Jesus, Connor! Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry, man. I just want to eat.”
“This? You want to eat this?”
“You see a fucking Arby’s anywhere nearby?”
“I got the shits from an Arby’s once, too.”
“You ever think maybe it’s you?” Bransen asked. “Maybe it’s your little baby belly. Now shut the fuck up and here.”
I assumed he was handing over the hot sauce.
“Should we save some for Davidson?” Connor asked.
“I haven’t seen him eat anything in three days, too busy guzzling that swill he calls whiskey. Stupid shit has his pick of any booze he wants and he’s drinking Mississippi Lowlands. I’ve never even heard of it.”
“It might be top shelf.”
“It was eleven-fifty for a half-gallon plastic jug. He’ll be lucky if he doesn’t go blind. I was with him when we found the liquor store. One aisle over was Johnny Walker Black, three hundred bucks a bottle. I think he’s trying to kill himself; hell, I don’t know if I can blame him. That Deneaux bitch is going to get us all killed.”
I was having second thoughts, that maybe I should go in and talk to them, see if we could get them on our side. Again, I was pretty happy I’d waited a few more seconds.
“Still, though, the hag is better than that prick Bennington and all his stupid fucking rules. I was happy when she put one in his skull. We kill this jizz-stain Talbot and his band of twatwaffles and she’ll reward us handsomely.”
“Jizzstain?” I mouthed to Tommy, who was next to me.
“Twatwaffle?” he asked back.
“Talbot and the defectors I get,” Connor said around a mouthful of food. He deserved to die just for that. “But I don’t know how I feel about Vienden.”
I looked to Tommy to see if he knew what the man was talking about, he shook his head.
“Meh, just another officer that dies, one less asshole to salute.”
“He has a daughter.”
“So what? He pumped some cum into a chick. Am I supposed to take responsibility now?”
I held up my hand with three outstretched fingers and began to count down. When none remained, we were going in
. I was at one when I made a fist.
“You two fuck faces eating again? You’ve done nothing in a day and a half.”
“Stressing eating, Sarge,” Connor again spoke with a mouthful.
“What are you stress eating about?” Sarge asked.
“Maybe it’s because of that megaton thingie we’re hauling around,” Bransen answered.
“You fink?” I could just about see the bits of food flying across the room as Connor spoke.
“Is Davidson passed out again?” the sarge asked.
I heard movement; one of the two men must have pointed to the living room.
“Davidson, get your…” The sergeant had no sooner rounded the corner when I drove that knife straight through his throat, blocking the vocal cords from ever getting those final words spoken.
“What’s amatter Sergeant, did he puke again?” Bransen laughed. I pulled the sergeant all the way into the room and gently laid him to the floor. His hands had wrapped around mine and the hilt of the knife; blood pulsed from the lethal wound, already pooling on the floor. “Sarge?” Bransen asked again. This time, he must have sensed something because the question was no longer carefree. I nodded to Tommy, who moved like only he could. I don’t think either of them had enough time to be surprised at the intruder. I pulled my blade free and wiped it on the sarge’s shirt. I did not go into the kitchen to check up on Tommy’s handiwork; I knew he would be getting a meal, and I was worried that I would be completely disgusted. Or that I wouldn’t be.
“Four down, more to go,” I said grimly as I worked my way down the short hallway. Was not at all expecting to see what I did when I opened the first door I came across. I didn’t know what to do; there was a male and female soldier sitting across from each other, naked as the day they were born, manually manipulating themselves, the meaning as clear as I’m willing to express. The enemy was human and doing human things. Again, I had no idea what to do. I had my rifle up and at the ready, but if I found killing someone in their sleep barely acceptable, this easily surpassed that feeling. The woman was in the throes, her head thrown back, complete bliss coloring her cheeks. The male, entirely too busy watching her to take notice of an interloper. I slowly backed up and closed the door. Neither of them was the wiser, though I was more than slightly disturbed.