I turned my head already sure of who was going to be there. Cupcake dressed in blue jeans, a white T-shirt that advertised some author named Mike Evans and his book Orphans, along with blue flip flops stood in the open door to the garage. Cupcake ran his fingers through his messy Raven black hair. He had a little smile playing on his lips.
“When the fuck did you get back?” I asked.
“A couple of hours ago.” Cupcake yawned.
I took in his exhausted look and shook my head. “Nope, you look like you should be dead, not walking around.”
Cupcake looked down to his shirt and smiled. “Just consider me a smart zombie.”
“Zombies aren’t real you dumb Pol.” Bri answered behind me.
Cupcake rolled his eyes and pulled out the front of his shirt. “Not according to my favorite author Mike.”
“Sorry Cupcake, you need sleep before I would even trust you to peel potatoes.” I cut in before Bri and Cupcake could expand on their sidetrack conversation about zombies.
“I am the only option you have Boss.” Cupcake strode over to the coffee machine someone had so kindly brought into the garage and brewed a hot pot.
It was then a woman’s voice spoke up. “I will run the base till your little ugly Pol can get a couple of hours of rest in.”
I turned to find Bri’s wife Athena standing nearby with my MK14. She was more beautiful than ever before. And yet she had been outside on the garage’s roof for the last two days. I weighed my options as I paid close attention to her well-being. She stood tall, no slouching. Her eyes were bright with awareness.
“Alright, you and Cupcake will defend our home while I take the orangutans. You know how to use the radios?”
“Do you think I’m an idiot?” Athena shook her ponytail back and forth as she left. “Yeah, I can use the radios. Your Sasquatch instructed me on the channels and encryption. Don’t worry, I got this Dan.”
I scratched my stubbled chin. “My Sasquatch? Oh, you mean your husband,” I turned to Cupcake looking him over. “Just so you both know,” I pointed to Athena. “She Is in charge.”
Cupcake opened his mouth wide in shock. “But I am a trained soldier,” Cupcake complained.
“Yet I wouldn’t trust you with a potato gun. She is in charge,” I chuckled. Cupcake swore up a blue streak at me in Polish. I stood with my arms crossed over my chest. Cupcake was a complainer but seriously, he was a great soldier and best mechanic and driver I had ever met.
“Whatever. We will cover the ranch and man the radios. I am going to go catch a couple of more hours of sleep. Wake me if you need me Athena,” he walked away and stopped before he made it to the bunker doors. “Oh, and by the way. The Rhino had been resupplied, fueled, and ready to go. If you put a scratch on her I will kick your teeth down your throat” he spun before anyone could answer him and entered the bunker. In less than a minute snores floated up the stairs. The man could honestly sleep anywhere.
“Alright, Athena wake dip shit if you need him. If not, man the radio and keep checking on the security systems,” I turned to the rest of the group. “Bilbo, do you have any fuel in that thing?”
The Englishmen pulled out a small notebook from the breast pocket of his flight suit and checked the data written there. “About an hours’ worth if I don’t firewall the throttles.”
“Excellent, can you lift that bird and fly her toward the base?”
“Aye mate, I can do that. Where do you want me to land it? I think the base is a bad place.”
“Find a field ten minutes out and put your ass down. When we need you I’ll give you a ring.”
“Aye, that sounds like a fabulous idea. I even know of a great parking place to wait.”
“Excellent. Mount up and get moving,” I turned to my team. “The rest of you grab what you need and get in the Rhino, we got a road trip waiting for us.”
“A road trip? Who has the Funyuns?” Bri clapped his hands together and bounced up and down like a little kid.
“I got the donuts and Pepsi,” Johnson threw in.
“I guess I can bring the candy,” Apache rolled her eyes.
I shook my head in mock exasperation. “You’ll get my foot in your ass if you don’t get your asses in the Rhino.” I growled loudly.
The room became quiet as all present turned to take me in. I looked each person in the eyes showing my resolve. You could hear a pin drop with the hush that sat heavily in the room.
That is until Bri spoke up, “Which foot?”
“Why does it matter?” I used my best imitation of a drill sergeant.
“Well if it is your fake one, it will be easier to remove. If it’s the real one, then we would have an issue.” Bri answered in all seriousness.
The room broke out into laughter as I tried to keep a serious look on my face. It didn’t last long as I broke into fit of laughter joining in with my people. Bilbo and Phyl stood apart from my people surveying us with a puzzled look on their faces as if trying to figure out what was wrong with us. I turned to them and gave them a real smile.
“We joke around a lot, flyboy and girl. Come on let’s get moving.”
The room emptied quickly as each person moved off to accomplish their orders. I was left alone with Athena and Bri. I turned to give them some privacy as I rifled through my pockets and pouches, refilling them with loaded magazines for my weapon. I could hear their entire whispered conversation and could see them in the reflection of the mirror on the far wall.
Bri enveloped Athena into his arms and pulled her close against him. She molded her body in return against his, resting her head on his mighty chest. They held each other for a moment not speaking but conveying an entire conversation. When they broke they gently kissed. Bri rested his forehead on hers and they spoke soft words.
“Come back to me Sasquatch,” Athena whispered.
“I got my lucky rabbit’s foot, and my best friend Dan. There is nothing in this world that can keep me from you my love.”
“Take care of him. I can’t imagine losing you, like he has lost Kell.” That last part was almost inaudible.
“No worries baby. I got big enough shoulders for all of us.”
“Okay. Don’t worry, I got this place under control till you get back. Plus, I got that crazy ass Pol downstairs if I need a meat shield.”
Bri chuckled over that and laid a kiss on her forehead. “I need to get going, see you soon.”
I waited for a second while Bri left the garage. I then turned and found Athena standing right next to me. She was four, almost five inches taller than me. I opened my mouth to speak, when she beat me to it.
“Bring him back Dan, in one piece. Got me?” Athena ordered me.
“You know I can’t make any promises. That man is an idiot and has this grand idea that he’s bullet proof,” I joked.
“You both better comeback in one piece, but not until you pay these fuckers back ten-fold. I know Kell is on your mind, but you have to believe she will be back safe soon.”
“I trust my alien friend that he will bring her back. In the meantime I am gonna show the Collectivus that they chose the wrong realm to fuck with. I’ll bring the big lug back, don’t worry Athena.” I gave her a hug and released her.
I hurried through the door and outside. The Rhino sat under the carport by the house, her big snout sticking out in the sunlight. I opened the back hatch to stow my gear and was surprised to see my friend Heaven strapped in and ready to go. I stepped back in surprise. I had completely forgotten he was here.
“Sir,” Heaven spoke in his quiet way as he nodded at me.
“Where the hell have you been hiding?”
“I was standing in the garage the whole-time sir.”
“I never saw you.”
“My training must be complete sir.” A little smile played on his lips.
“Your training in what?”
“Being a ghost sir.”
“Have you gained the ability to disappear and walk through walls?”
“If God needs me too sir, he will then give me the ability. Till then I am but a man of many talents.”
“Well I am glad you are here. Take the navigator’s position,” I closed the hatch just as he detached himself from his safety straps.
Ten minutes later we were pulling out of the carport and moving through my back yard taking the direct route to the airbase. The intimidating Apache flew over us just meters above the top of the Rhino, swirling leaves and grass into the air. In seconds the mighty copter was over the trees and gone from visual contact. The Apache was designed to fly low and hide in the trees as it seeks its targets using its powerful Longbow mast mounted RADAR which sticks up over the trees and searches for targets. Once it finds one, it locks on and the gunner can launch a Hellfire or other munition and then forget about it.
We continued charging through heavily rutted farmer fields and over fences. The Rhino was one hell of a monster truck, as it knocked down saplings and blasted over every obstacle they came upon. The over designed suspension kept the occupants inside stirred slightly but unshaken. I drove the Rhino like I was a rallycross driver assured of my mad driving skills. In another hour we came across the outer border of the air base’s defenses.
Phyl unbuckled herself from the back and climbed up between the two front seats. “Okay Dan, once you get past the fence turn West and follow the small creek for four hundred yards. It will take you to the inner perimeter where we can park near the weapons lockers. We can park under the trees and shadow of an old unused water tower,” she pointed out the front windshield.
“Did she just say weapon lockers?” a deep rumbling voice asked from the back seat.
I looked back at Johnson quickly and caught him with a big ass mischievous smile parting his lips and showing his pearly white teeth. I waved my finger at him. “No blowing shit up Johnson, this will not be like the last time we were in Iraq! Got it?”
Johnson deflated, and the smile melted off his face “Come on man, Iraq was not that bad. We all lived.”
“You blew up two buildings!” Bri hollered from further back squishing Apache against the rear glass window.
“They had Republican Guard in them man!” Johnson shot back.
“And our fucking squad!” Bri roared.
“Children!” I yelled from my seat.
“No, fuck that, because of this asshole and his need to make things go boom, I was injured for the first time! I was in country almost a year without a fucking scratch and then this monkey dicked, puss sucking, llama humper had to blow something up and I was the only one who got hurt!” Bri fired back.
I knew this old argument, as they liked to argue about it all the time. In fact, this was their way of letting off steam and banter. “Uhm, Bri. Should I bring up the time you shot me in the ass?” I added.
“That was your fault Boss. Who the fuck walks into another man’s firing lane? You deserved that shit.”
“I agree with the fucking Sasquatch looking mother fucker on that one.” Johnson roared with laughter.
“Next time we’re hanging with our asses out in the wind I am shooting both of you ungrateful fuckers. Apache, remind me of that.” I yelled back.
“At the first chance, I am plugging all you fuckers and jacking the Rhino. I have had enough of all this shit.” Apache remarked dryly from her seat in the back.
“You are all either crazy or really good friends. Not sure which.” Phyl shook her head.
“I’ve been to war with the two big apes in the rear. Apache and Heaven are on my team and have been in the shit with me.”
“And you are all crazy, I think you meant to say that too,” Phyl pointed out the windshield and punched my shoulder with her other hand. “Stop right here now!” she suddenly screamed.
I stomped on the Rhino’s brake pedal engaging the oversized heat reducing brakes. We stopped on a dime and Phyl was thrown forward almost colliding with the dashboard if it hadn’t been for Heaven’s quick reflexes. He had wrapped his left arm around her and curled his body around hers. Stopping her trajectory in mid-flight, before she could become a splattered bug on the windshield.
The Rhino stopped on a dime billowing up a small cloud of dust that enshrouded it. Not too far away was the water tank that Phyl had pointed out. If I had continued, we would have driven the Rhino right out onto the flight line. I pushed the start stop button and turned off the mighty engine of the Rhino. I opened my door and slid out onto the ground, landing on my feet. I reached up and back into the Rhino, till my fingers brushed against my rifle. I pulled it out and pulled the magazine out checking to make sure it was full. I slapped it home and pulled back on the charging handle, making sure I had a round already loaded. I then went through my ritual shakedown of my combat vest checking I had plenty of loaded magazines for my rifle and pistol. Everything seemed in its proper place and the vest felt good, no need to adjust it.
My team climbed out from the Rhino and went through their own rituals of checking their weapons and load outs. We met at the front grill of the Rhino and dropped to our knees. I handed Phyl my Karambit, and she quickly sketched out the lay out of the base on the ground. I studied it for a quick moment as I slid the Karambit back into its sheath. I mapped out my plan and got down to detailing team’s missions.
“Okay, Johnson and Apache, you will be designated Falcon. You will move off across the airfield and clear the air traffic control tower. Set up overwatch and be ready to take targets as we designate them. Go.”
Apache and Johnson lifted their long .300 Win Mag rifles and took off at a trot. I turned to Bri and Heaven and then studied the map again.
“Bri and Heaven, you will be designated Mustang. I want you two to circle around to these far hangars and check them for Tangos.”
The two men lifted their HK416s and disappeared into the foliage heading away from us. I turned and took in Phyl’s demeanor. She was a gunner but sat inside one of the world’s most dangerous helicopters behind armored plates and glass. She hadn’t had very much training on the ground. She seemed as cool as a cucumber, a Glock pistol in her hand pointed to the ground. Like a well-trained soldier, her finger sat outside the trigger guard extended along the side of the barrel. Someone in her past had at least taught her proper gun safety. I placed my finger down on our sketch and circled three hangars.
“You and I are Bronco; we will check these hangars out and stay out of trouble. I want you to stay behind me at all times, keep that finger off the trigger and do everything you see me do. If I move, copy my movements, if I stop you stop. If I fire you fire, if you have to speak, do not whisper, just speak to me in a normal quiet voice. Those damn S sounds in whispering are very audible. You got any questions?”
Phyl looked down to her pistol for a second and then raised her eyes to meet mine. “Since the other teams left, how do they know each other’s designations?”
“Good question, they have worked with me before. They know my fondness for Fords, and they know my designation schemes. Anything else?”
“No, I understand.”
I gave her a reassuring wink. “Don’t be so nervous, I have done these kinds of things a thousand times.”
“You have fought life forms from another realm before?”
I tried not to laugh but it came out softly. “In video games yes. Now we need to head out let’s go.”
I moved off taking small steps, my HK416 at low ready. I snuck a peak behind me and found Phyl following me exactly as I asked. She would do just fine. We came around the corner of the first hangar, I dropped down low crouching on my haunches scanning the area around us. Nothing stirred, not even a bird or shadow. Something seemed off to me, but I pushed that feeling deep down inside. We silently crept around the corner and through the wide-open doors. Inside we found we found several stripped-down helicopters that were going through maintenance, or complete rebuilds. We searched every corner of the hanger but came up completely empty handed. We moved off to the next hangar in line and foun
d those door part way closed. I stopped before entering the hangar and dropped down to my stomach. I inched my head around the opening till I could see inside the hangar. I found two Collectivus Faquids standing over a third who was working on something mechanical. I inched back and turned to Phyl.
“Stay here, do not come in till I come and get you. Stay low, keep a sharp eye out. Okay?”
Phyl nodded her head once and lowered herself down to her knees. Her gun stayed in the low ready position and she turned her gaze out toward the parking ramps and other hangars. She was gonna do just fine if she kept this up. I slid my HK416 to my back and tightened the strap securing the weapon in place. I pulled my Karambits and held one in each hand, blades coming out of the bottom of my fists. I moved slowly inside the hangar and moved behind a wall of blue crates. I moved heel to toe, inching to a better spot to observe the Faquids. I stopped when I was directly behind them, about five feet separated us with a blue crate as the only barrier.
I became still and observed their actions. The two Faquids seemed to be fixated on the third and what he was doing. I analyzed their positions and tried to come up with a game plan to kill these things up close and personal with my Karambits. But the layout of the blue crates and the hangar took away that idea. I slid the Karambits away, back into their sheaths and pulled my Sig Sauer 226 pistol. I searched my vest till I found the suppressor fitted for the gun. I threaded the long suppressor onto the weapon and peered over the crate again, fixing the positions of each Collectivus soldier in my mind. I dropped down and took in four deep breaths trying to flood my system with oxygen, calming my nerves. When I had envisioned pulling the trigger on each being twice, I stood, popping up over the crates. I placed my feet into their proper shooting stance and brought the pistol up. I didn’t have to concentrate on aiming as I had already envisioned it twice. My finger slid into the guard and rested on the trigger. I pulled back twice putting one .9mm round in the back center of the spine of the soldier on the right and the other round in his head, in one smooth motion. I moved the pistol to the left and repeated the operation killing the next one before the first one I had shot, fell to the ground. The remaining soldier on the floor fumbled with his weapon trying to bring it up and aim at me when I fanned the trigger three times. Two entered his chest and the last buried into his head just to the right of his left eye. Not quite center forehead but close enough. His head snapped back, and he fell backwards slamming onto the ground. I vaulted over the crates and moved to the center of the hangar and where the three bodies laid and stood over them, surveying the results of my work. Just then, a blast of energy missed me by inches and collided with a stripped-down helicopter. I pivoted on the balls of my feet and dropped to the ground. As I hit the concrete floor I brought my pistol up and found a fourth soldier coming toward me, his hi-tech rifle up against his shoulder as he continued to fire. I had three rounds left and let him have all of them in quick succession. The first hit him in the crotch, the second climbed his body and plowed into his stomach just above his hips, the third hit him square in the middle of the chest. He took two more steps and fired once more before his body faltered from the impact of my rounds. I dropped the magazine and loaded another one as fast as my practiced fingers could. I was on my feet and moving toward the downed soldier before he could react. I stood above him and calmly shot him in the head twice.
Quantum Theorem Page 10