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Post by bretf on Oct 7, 2020 7:09:38 GMT -6
You're worse about cliffhangers than I ever was. Good chapter. Thanks. Yep. Brett has made kliffs into an art form. Texican.... What, again? I don't know what happened there!*
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Post by bretf on Oct 7, 2020 7:10:00 GMT -6
Chapter 22
What followed was pandemonium.
“MAT, OH…MY…GOD! This is so unreal!” Alison exclaimed.
Mat winced and cursed himself. He always aimed for the center of mass, there was more room for error there, but he’d missed his targeted spot. His shot, though effective, had been high. The enemy gunner’s head had turned into a pink mist as the heavy slug obliterated it.
Ali was wrong. It was real, all too real. And it could happen to any of them at any moment. With no warning, a bullet could snuff out their lives in an instant.
It was real that the eyes in that mist would never see again. The nose would never smell. The mouth, the lips would never smile at a loved one again.
He felt a momentary pang, thinking about Heather and their children. Focus Mat, focus so you can see them, smile at them, and kiss them when this is over.
Alison’s next statement helped him focus. “Airplanes! Mat, jet airplanes! They’re real! Not just stories from you old people. And those missiles! OH…MY…GOD!”
If he hadn’t been focusing on his next target, aiming slightly lower, he’d have winced again at the “old people” comment. Still, it was all but impossible to remain focused due to all that was happening. If not for his training and prior experience, he’d be as distracted as his young sister. Thank goodness he’d targeted the right ship at least.
He squeezed the trigger, more satisfied with his shot placement. It hit where he’d aimed and was just as effective, as deadly as the first had been. Back in the moment with Alison, he was glad it wasn’t the enemy’s head exploding that’d amazed her. She and Brooke were tough but he’d rather keep some things from them. He racked another cartridge. “Yes, they’re real.” He sighted on his next target and squeezed the trigger.
#
The armored vehicles slowly crossed the beach and reached what remained of the access road leading to it. Many soldiers remained on the sand, writhing in pain from the traps that’d been laid. But not enough to make an effect. The advancing soldiers far outnumbered the hidden defenders.
Suddenly, a rocket flashed through the air and slammed into the lead tank. The vehicle erupted in a conflagration of flame which was instantly obscured by heavy black and gray smoke. It kept rolling and was rocked by secondary explosions from within, the top hatch blowing open in a gout of fire. A hatch near the front flipped open and a man, fully engulfed in flames climbed out and fell off the front just ahead of the still moving tracks. Fire and smoke belched from the open hatch and the tank lurched to a stop. The second tank suffered the same fate.
Brooke shouted. “FIRE! HIT THEM WITH ALL YOU CAN.” She punctuated her shout with a well-aimed shot.
She turned to the former caver, the man who’d arranged the acetylene bombs. “Whenever you’re ready.”
“Okay. Let’s do the boat first. It seems to have attracted a crowd.” A boat lay on its side on the beach and a large cluster of enemy soldiers were taking cover from the hail of bullets behind it. The boat had been filled with shrapnel, and then a large portion of carbide and water had been staged inside.
The moment the Chinese ships appeared, the man who’d produced the carbide sprinted from site to site, combining the two containers to produce the acetylene gas. Mat’s ignitors had been placed within view of Brooke’s and the man’s location. In tests, rifle bullets triggered the ignitors. It was up to Brooke to hit the small targets.
Brooke controlled her breathing and took careful aim as Mat and Aunt Heather had taught her. Exhaling a deep breath, she fired.
The boat erupted in a ball of flames. Pieces of the boat and enemy soldiers flew through the air. Flying pieces of metal, as well as pieces of the boat struck men, ripping into their flesh. Many men lay on the ground, still, while others crawled or limped away.
“Nice shot,” the caver told Brooke calmly. “Now target two. Check out all those bastards that’re close to that barrel.”
#
Jim Wilson turned the trebuchet he was manning a bit to the left, fine-tuning the aim. Content that he’d hit his target, he pulled a twig from the small fire he’d maintained and touched it to the napalm in the sling. Standing clear, he pulled the rope to release the trigger. The rock-filled counterweight dropped, the main arm swinging up and over the weapon’s support structure. The sling whipped out and past the arm, arcing the flaming ball through the sky towards the enemy.
The ball of flame landed amidst the soldiers and burst, sending fire out in all directions. The men were engulfed, the flaming goo sticking to their uniforms. Wilson heard men screaming but didn’t look. He only drew satisfaction from their shrieks of pain. “Scream, you invading sons of bitches, scream!” Feverishly, he worked the crank, pulling the arm down for another shot.
Behind him, more balls of flame arced into the sky. Unlike Wilson’s, those trebuchets would only fire once. Then, the men would take up their rifles and fall back into firing locations. Wilson wouldn’t join them until he’d fired all the reaming napalm.
As the counterweight reached the ground and he was able to engage the trigger, it was obvious he’d been located. Bullets hit the trebuchet’s frame, ripping off chunks of wood.
“I guess I’ll only get one more shot,” he said, patting the weapon. Ducking to present a smaller target, he put the final three balls of napalm in the sling. They didn’t fit well and he lost precious time arranging them so they’d all fly.
Quickly studying the enemy troops, he adjusted the trebuchet’s position. The bullet hit him in the shoulder, knocking him off his feet.
Through the shock and pain, Wilson gritted his teeth and crawled to his fire. He raised a burning stick and put it to the napalm. He let out a cry of agony as a bullet ripped through his thigh.
With his jaw locked tight, he belly-crawled to the trigger rope. Every movement sent excruciating pain shooting from both wounds. He reached the rope and cried out when a bullet tore into his side. Grimacing, he wrapped the rope around his hand, slowly tightening it. Another bullet entered his chest wall near the place the previous one had.
Dear God, help me, allow me to finish. Through clenched teeth, Wilson rasped, “God bless America … Land that I love.” The words were emitted in a red froth. He pulled the rope with all his remaining strength.
#
Chad tapped Cooper’s shoulder and nodded towards Chen. The crouching man was backing away from the pile of rubble he’d sheltered behind; away from the fight.
“Captain Chen. Going somewhere?”
“Huh … what … oh. I was going to join Colonel Crocker.”
“I don’t’ think that’s a good idea,” Chad said. “He’s in a concealed position and hasn’t done anything to draw attention. If you try to join him, you might be seen. You’d make his location a target. The enemy is sure to dig in and fight back.”
“That’s right,” Cooper added. “We can fight from here until it gets too hot. Then we’ll all get the hell out, not just you.”
Chen looked conflicted but he pursed his lips and nodded.
Chad aimed out through the rubble, trying to watch Chen in his peripheral vision as he sighted on a scurrying soldier. He flinched as the armored personnel carrier was hit by a rocket, re-sighted, and fired.
#
Four F-15E Strike Eagles roared into the sky over Tacoma from the south. Each was equipped with six AGM-65 Maverick missiles and 20mm multi-barrel guns with five hundred rounds of ammunition. The Mavericks were equipped with 300-pound penetrator warheads. A contact fuse in the nose was designed to fire the shaped-charge warhead. The penetrators used delayed-fuses, allowing the warhead to penetrate the target with its kinetic energy before firing. They were very effective against large, hard targets. The perfect armament for the anchored ships.
Each plane targeted a different ship. Explosions rocked the ships as the missiles detonated deep in their bowels. The planes screamed over the damaged ships, veered to the northwest, and approached from the opposite direction. They loosed more missiles, targeting the same ships.
Four of the five enemy ships were heavily damaged. Detonations below the waterline rocked them and flames erupted from below the decks. They listed heavily to the side as they took on water. Men scrambled on the decks, many going over the sides and swimming towards the undamaged ship. Crewmen on the undamaged ship threw rope ladders over the side while others worked the deck guns, training them on the jets. In rapid succession, three gunners were blown from their perches by heavy rounds.
Two of the jets passed close over the remaining stable ship, raking the deck with 200mm rounds. The other jets targeted the troops on the ground, ripping the soldiers to shreds with the heavy slugs.
As fast as they’d arrived, the Strike Eagles roared away to the south.
#
“OM MY GOD, MAT! That was awesome!” Alison stated. “But why did they leave one of the ships floating? Couldn’t they have used a couple of missiles on it, too?”
“I’m sure they could have but we didn’t want them to.”
“What? Why on earth not?”
“We wanted to give the Chinese an out. We need to smash them in the mouth and demoralize them enough it takes the fight out of them. Make them want to get the hell away and go home. We don’t want them with no other option than to fight to the death. They’ll need that ship if we can pull it off.”
“Ahh. So, are you going to keep picking off the guys on the ship?”
“No. I think the jets did a good enough job on them. Now we switch to the ones on land. Search for anyone who looks like he’s giving orders and directing the rest. It’s back to your idea of cutting the snake’s head off.”
“Got it,” she said and took one more scan across the ship. “Holy sh… Mat, It’s Mr. Bling!”
“Where, exactly. It’s nuts on that ship with everyone running all around.”
“On the left, about the center.”
“I see him,” Mat said, took careful aim, and fired. He cursed out loud. The same instant he squeezed the trigger, two sailors crossed directly in front of him. Both men and Mr. Bling disappeared. “Damn it!”
“Do you think you got him?” Alison asked.
“I don’t know. I just don’t know. Not let’s start taking out the leaders on land.”
#
Brooke scanned the area before her and the caver. “I don’t see any more of your surprises.”
“No, that was the last one,” the man said grimly. “And Jesus, no matter how many of those guys we took out, it seems like there are five more to replace them.”
“Yeah, it …” Brooke stopped and flinched. “What was that?”
“I’m not sure but I think it was a mortar. I’d say our surprise has run its course. It appears they’ve dug in and are going to shell the hell out of us.”
Another round exploded nearby and the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. It wasn’t the invaders; it was the defenders she heard in agony.
She shared a look with her companion and keyed her mike. “Crocker, do you see this? We’re under heavy fire and taking casualties.”
#
Chad wiped the blood from his eye and flattened even more. Bullets tore and whined through the rubble he was behind, accompanied by a heavy whump-whump-whump from the shooter. He belly-crawled to Cooper’s position.
“Any bright ideas?” Chad asked.
“Yeah, keep your head down so it doesn’t get blown off.”
“Wow, Coop, how profound. But I already figured that much out.”
“Aside from that, we’ve got to move. We’ll be cut to pieces if we stay here.
“Howie, Nick, Chen, move out. Slow and controlled, and for God’s sake, stay down!”
Something exploded in the spot he’d just vacated, filling the air with smoke, debris and dust. Combined with the sweat and blood that kept running into his eye, Chad was momentarily blinded. When he could see again, he looked all around.
“Chen, Captain Chen. Where the hell are you?”
#
Brooke’s radio crackled and Crocker’s voice came from it.
“All units, all units. It’s time. Phase two. I repeat. Phase two.”
Brooke and her companion shared another look and they hurried from the remains of the building they’d hidden in.
“EVERYONE!” she called in the direction the defenders were stationed. “We’ve got to get out of here while we still can! MOVE IT!”
Men and women rose from cover and began to retreat. Exploding mortar rounds and the barrage of bullets from the enemy hastened them.
*”I don’t know what happened there!”
Several years ago my kids were in karate lessons. The facility had an area with toys to occupy younger siblings. My son had finished his lesson and went to play with another little brother while their older sisters had their lessons.
At one point, our son came back and sat down quietly with my wife and I, watching the lesson. It was out of character but didn’t register at the moment.
A minute or two later there was a loud crash from the toy area. The other little brother came around the corner looking guilty. He said, “I don’t know what happened there.”
It is a line we’ve used often ever since.
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Post by texican on Oct 7, 2020 12:43:06 GMT -6
Time for another air strike to turn the chinese around.
Where are the other surprises for the chinese?
Thanks Bret.
Texican....
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Post by arkansascob on Oct 13, 2020 8:41:53 GMT -6
Thanks Bret. Never disappointed.
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Post by bretf on Oct 16, 2020 17:46:26 GMT -6
Chapter 23
Firing at the invading enemy stopped as defenders ran away in a blind panic. The Chinese continued to shoot at the easy targets. The barrage of bullets was devastating, dropping all but a few of the fleeing defenders. The action caused the panic to spread and more defenders fled from a wider area.
The Chinese shots were devastating, not stopping until the last American was down.
“Some of them played that close,” Brooke’s companion observed.
“Too close,” she stated, a tear leaking from her eye.
Most of the defenders, dropping in time, slunk and crawled away. Some were unable to move under their own volition and were helped by a companion or two. Others, too many others lay motionless.
Brooke stopped and studied the still forms, terrified she’d recognize one. Joe, Brian, Chad, Nick, Howie, Coop.
On one hand, seeing those lifeless defenders saddened her. On the other hand, it pissed her off to no end. The Chinese had come to American soil and killed her countrymen. She steeled herself not to rest until the invaders were gone or she lay lifeless as well.
But not all the defenders panicked and ran. On each side of the defensive line, fighters slipped back silently, creating a corridor between them. They settled into pre-picked firing positions, positions that offered heavy cover.
The Chinese weren’t content to stay in place and began their stealthy advance. From her vantage point, Brooke saw many of them scurry from position to position. It was all she could do not to shoot as many as she could. But she kept control, trusting Crocker and Mat’s plan.
“I think we need to move,” she told the caver.
“Ya know, for a kid, you appear to have a head on your shoulders. But I don’t just think we need to move, I’m certain of it. We’ve got work to do before those bas… excuse me, before those gentlemen get much closer.”
“Geez, why are you old fogies always so stinking literal? And for your information, I know that word, I’ve used it, and share your sentiment. Those Bastards!”
“I tell it as I see it, girl. It clears up the confusion. And as for the other part, yeah, they’re bastards but I’m sure most of them are just following orders and would rather be home with their families. Just like us. However, as I said, we’ve got work to do so we need to get the hell out of here. It’s pretty much like you said, but more direct.”
Brooke crawled away from the wall they’d taken refuge behind, stopped, and looked back. “So, are you going to let your actions match your words?”
“Yeah, I’m coming. But remember us, old fogies aren’t as spry and limber as you kiddos; I’m moving as fast as I can. Now be patient, chickee-doo, and deal with my limitation. Besides, my generation wasn’t based on instant gratification like those who followed us.”
Brooke snorted. “Just take care of your job and I’ll take care of mine. Oh, and try not to catch a terminal case of lead poisoning while you’re at it.” She snorted again and said, “Chickee-doo?”
The caver shot her a wry smile and said, “Another generational thing,” and darted to one of the few standing buildings. His movements belied his earlier comments.
“Yeah, you look spry enough you old goat,” Brooke said.
#
Alison and Mat remained in their hidden location, monitoring the enemy. It was satisfying to see the beach strewn with masses of unmoving bodies, and many more thrashing in agony. Yet, too many were advancing.
“Those jets were sooo cool!” Alison said. “Are they coming back? There’s still a heck of a lot of China-men out there.”
“Lord knows I wish they would but the brass told Crocker he only got one shot with them so he had to make it count.”
“Dang. They could take out scads of those guys now. Maybe it would be enough.”
Mat shrugged. “Wish in one hand.”
“Yeah, and spit in the other, I know,” Alison said.
They remained silent for a few minutes before Alison said, “Well, lacking those awesome planes, it looks like the China-men took the bait.”
“They sure did. Now we need to hit them in the mouth so hard it knocks all their teeth out,” Mat said. Wryly, he added, “Without air support.”
#
The enemy soldiers moved forward, more stealthily than when they’d started with their armored vehicles ahead of them, but they still moved, gaining ground on the position the Americans and been. They darted from cover, dashing to the next available cover. It was a silent advance with no shooting to slow the forward movements.
“Arent’ they far enough?” Ali asked. “My God, how far are we going to let them go?”
“Just a little farther. We need more of them to get in position.”
#
“Did you see where he went?” Chad asked.
“No, damn it. When that mortar blew, I lost him,” Cooper said.
“Nick, Howie, did you see anything?” Chad asked.
“No, sorry, I was keeping my head down. You know, I want to keep it so I can get back home to Amy,” Howie said.
“Me neither, Chad,” Nick said. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. But let’s all keep our heads and find him. Lord knows what he’s up to.”
#
“Hey old fogie, glad to see you made it,” Brooke said with a grin.
“You too, Chickee-doo. Did you get them all?”
“Yep. And you?”
“Oh yeah. Now let’s hope we get enough gas and those old barbeque strikers still work.”
#
“Now?” Alison asked. “Aren’t they where you want them yet?”
Mat’s answer was a squeeze of the trigger. The heavy slug, seven hundred and fifty grains of copper-zinc alloy blew the Chinese officer off his feet. It was the signal the defenders had been waiting for. Gunfire erupted from both sides of the advancing troops.
Although the enemy soldiers had moved from cover to cover, they’d been watched by the silent defenders. The shots decimated the advancing troops. Concealed from view ahead, the enemy was exposed on one side or the other. The defenders, who’d had a decade of hard survival didn’t waste their shots. When hot lead projectiles came from the side cutting them down, the Chinese exposed themselves to the forward defenders, bringing death from all sides but the way they’d come. They had no time to focus their superior fire-power. They were mown down. Dead and dying men littered the streets in growing numbers.
Soldiers ran for cover, ducking into still standing buildings. The hoped-for refuge wasn’t to be found. Explosions and gouts of flame erupted from doorways, blowing the trailing soldiers back into the streets.
Buildings that didn’t contain acetylene traps were equipped with Jack’s welcomes. Hidden spikes swung from above door frames impaling Chinese fighters. In other buildings, tripwires sent bolts from hidden crossbows taking out several men at once. The survivors stood shocked and were taken out by defenders hidden inside.
Chinese soldiers froze, not knowing what to do. To stay meant to die. To advance meant to die. To take refuge meant to die. Death was everywhere, everywhere but …
The retreat began with one soldier; he turned and ran in the direction he’d come from. Others of the same mindset followed. In moments, more soldiers were fleeing than advancing.
“Mat, look, there’s an officer. Take him out,” Alison said.
“I don’t think so. Let’s see what happens.”
“What? Are you nuts? It’s an officer. He’s trying to stop them from running.”
“No. Let’s let it play out for a bit.”
The officer shouted and gestured wildly at the soldiers, trying to make them turn and advance. A soldier in his face shouted as well, angrily, his arms flying in equally animated moves. Nearby soldiers fell from well-aimed shots as the two men argued. The enlisted man stopped gesturing and shoved his officer away.
The officer swung his rifle towards the man, obviously intent on punishing his act of insubordination. Before he could fire, his chest blossomed with red in several places. He stumbled backwards and fell in a heap. The Chinese soldiers who’d been watching were no longer willing to let the situation play out as Mat was. One replaced his spent magazine, spat at the fallen officer, and ran for the landing crafts at the beach.
Their actions were like cartoon snowballs rolling down a hill; the movement gained momentum and mass. All advancing movements stopped. As enlisted soldiers ran, any officers who tried to stop them were shot by his own men.
“You said, ‘Punch ‘em in the mouth and knock their teeth out.’ Ya know, Mat, it looks like we did it.”
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Post by texican on Oct 16, 2020 21:10:58 GMT -6
Brett,
The plan worked and the chinese are on the run. Now will the ship fire on the cowardly chinese fleeing the killing field? Can hope so.
Thanks.
Texican....
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Post by bretf on Oct 22, 2020 6:49:17 GMT -6
Chapter 24
The Chinese soldiers were in disarray, running towards the beach in a full retreat. Deadly firing from the hidden defenders spurred them on.
“I’ll be damned!” the caver stated. “It worked!”
“It sure did!” Brooke said. They sat silent for several minutes, savoring their apparent victory.
Brooke finally broke the silence between them. “Now I wonder what we’re supposed to do. Crocker didn’t tell us what was next if this happened. He only planned out our next ambush point for when we’d have to fall back.”
The caver didn’t respond and they fell back into silence, watching the mayhem below as the terrified soldiers fled. Their numbers lessened; many were cut down by the defenders’ bullets. When the shots injured fleeing men without killing him outright, some were helped by their comrades, but not all. Those clumps of men, three together with the wounded man supported in the center, moved towards the beach without drawing fire.
The caver broke the silence. “Well, I’m going to sit here for a while and relish our success while I hope like hell the survivors get back in those boats and leave.”
Brooke considered the situation, and then said, “I’m going to go check in with the boss. You take care old-timer in case they change their minds.”
“I will, and you watch out for yourself, chickee-doo.”
Brooke snorted. Ducking low, she scurried away until she was out of view in case any of the Chinese dared to look back.
She took her time, utilizing any cover she could find, not wanting to expose herself. Pausing, she looked all around and thought she caught a flicker of movement. It was there, then gone in an instant. What was that? She asked herself. Is someone watching me?
Taking even more time, she listened for an out-of-place sound and studied the place she thought she’d seen movement. It’s nothing, she decided, nothing but my over-active imagination. With all the events of the day, she couldn’t help but be jumpy. With a shrug, she continued to the building remnants where Crocker was holed up.
She entered the room stealthily and approached to within a few feet of the Colonel before speaking. “Hey boss, what now?” she asked in greeting. His startled jump pleased her to no end.
A look of relief passed Crocker’s face as he recognized her, quickly replaced by a broad smile. “If providence is on our side, now we watch the remaining invaders load back onto that ship and sail away. We monitor them to be certain they’re really leaving, and when the regular army gets here and can take over, we all get back to what we were doing before all this happened.”
“But,” Brooke said, “Mat was afraid those ships would shell us here if we revealed ourselves. What about that?”
“Yes, it was a real concern before. But here,” he said, indicating the tripod-mounted spotting scope, “check out what those F-15s did to the deck of that ship.”
She leaned her rifle against the wall, knelt, and peered into the scope. The view through the optics amazed her. “Whoa, this thing’s powerful! And those planes did a heck of a job.”
“They sure did. Some of those deck guns might still fire, but from what I can see, I don’t think they can adjust or aim them. You know, we’re damn fortunate our subs took out so many ships at sea. The ones the enemy saved weren’t too heavily armed, at least not that one.”
A sound, a presence behind them drew Brooke and Crocker to turn around. Crocker, surprised for the second time in minutes, looked the man up and down distastefully. “Captain Chen, you’re out of uniform. What’s the meaning of this?” Chen’s battle dress uniform, BDUs, matched that of the Chinese soldiers.
Chen looked Crocker up and down as well, noting the patches on his BDU. “No, you are wrong, Colonel,” Chen said, shaking his head. “I am in the proper, the appropriate uniform. The uniform of my father and his father before him. This uniform is my birthright.”
Chen sneered and leveled his rifle at Crocker’s chest.
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Post by arkansascob on Oct 22, 2020 9:32:29 GMT -6
should of dropped Chen from the get go.
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Post by gipsy on Oct 23, 2020 8:24:57 GMT -6
My fingers are getting stronger from hanging on all these cliffs
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Post by cutter on Oct 24, 2020 17:41:20 GMT -6
That's just mean! I can't believe you left us hanging over THAT cliff! (Actually, yes I can.). Nicely done!
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Post by texican on Oct 24, 2020 21:01:12 GMT -6
If Brooke still has her sticks, Chen will be toast.
Or,
Will someone else just shoot Chen in the back?
Either works. Brett?
Thanks Brett for the chapter.
Texican....
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Post by bretf on Oct 25, 2020 12:14:23 GMT -6
That's just mean! I can't believe you left us hanging over THAT cliff! (Actually, yes I can.). Nicely done! 😊
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Post by texican on Oct 25, 2020 15:14:51 GMT -6
That's just mean! I can't believe you left us hanging over THAT cliff! (Actually, yes I can.). Nicely done! 😊 Brett, You do have create large streaks of kliffs for your readers. We will live thru these even if we do not like the kliffs. Just remember, another chapter would be greatly appreciated and devoured by the Moar Hounds. Texican....
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Post by bretf on Oct 27, 2020 9:51:28 GMT -6
Okay, Texican, you asked for moar. Hopefully this will hold you over for a while.
Chapter 25
Brooke studied Chen. He held the rifle, aimed, unwavering, at Crocker’s chest. The room was small; there was little chance he’d miss at such a short range. She needed Ali, bad. From what she observed, the rifle, the hateful look on Chen’s face, she didn’t see a way out of the sticky situation. Help was needed in the worst way.
Ali! Together, they were always more effective. All their lives, they’d let people believe they had some type of psychic connection, in fact, they encouraged the idea. If ever there was a link, she willed it to work now. Please, Ali, come now. I NEED YOU.
If Alison and Mat didn’t come, maybe Chen could be distracted and Crocker would have a chance to make a move. Or, the other way around. She silently cursed herself for leaning her rifle out of reach against the wall.
She shifted a bit and asked, “Your birthright? That’s what this is about for you? In case you missed it, birthrights aren’t all that important. Not here, not now. Besides, America was built on being a melting pot. All the former nationalities were supposed to be set aside. You’ve got to earn your own way, be your own man.”
The rifle never wavered, only Chen’s eyes. They moved to her and flared with hatred. “My birthright! Of course, no one in this land of baby stealers would understand.”
“Baby stealers, what on earth are you talking about?”
Chen glared and said, “You greedy Americans. You take our goods you can never pay for and then you steal our babies. And some who were not babies.”
Crocker said, “As I recall, Americans adopted Chinese babies because of the one-child policy. When a second child came along, especially if it was a girl, or a boy with physical problems, they were all too happy to dump the kid.”
“That was not always the case,” Chen countered. “My brother —”
Brooke cut him off mid-sentence. She needed his attention and had to get more separation from Crocker if they were to have a chance of getting out alive. “Okay, I get it. You’re pissed because unwanted babies were offered loving homes here. What a crime,” she said sarcastically, moving farther from Crocker. “No, actually, I don’t get it. That’s twisted. I don’t get it at all. But why are you here, now? If that’s your proper uniform, why aren’t you heading for the ship like all the other guys dressed like you.”
“I came to give the Colonel here, a message.”
“What message?” Crocker asked.
“From my uncle. General Chen.”
“You keep talking in riddles. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Brooke said, again shifting farther to the side. “Who’s General Chen?”
He sneered at her and said, “He is the leader of this operation to extract payment from the land of the debt shirkers.”
Understanding came to Brooke. “That’s it! My sister and brother saw you on the ship, talking to some guy with loads of bling on his coat. So you’re telling us Mister Bling is your uncle?”
Chen’s eyes flared again. “Do not insult my uncle with childish names.” Speaking slowly and enunciating each syllable, he said, “GEN ER AL CHEN. He is a very honorable man. He will die for his honor. When he returns home, he will be executed for his failure. If he survives that long.” The cowardly act of his uncle being shot by a sniper added more fuel to his burning hatred.
“And you want to wear that uniform?” Brooke asked, moving a bit more each time Chen looked directly at her. “That’s twisted. But whatever. Now I think you better run for your boat. They might leave without you.” She waved an arm towards the beach where soldiers were clambering aboard the landing craft, gaining a couple more inches of separation.
“I will go, soon. I must complete my mission first. Since my uncle will die, it is just for the man who caused his death to also die.”
He shifted his gaze and coldly pulled the unwavering rifle’s trigger, tapping twice in rapid succession. The bullets ripped through Colonel Crocker’s heart.
As she’d inched away from the colonel, Brooke was on the balls of her feet, ready to move. Momentarily shocked by the shooting, she hesitated for an instant. The hesitation was an instant too long. Chen swung the rifle and fired as she leaped. She cried out in agony and crumpled to the floor.
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Post by sniper69 on Oct 27, 2020 10:20:50 GMT -6
Bret - thanks for the newest chapter. Although, I think I just traded hanging on to one cliff to hang on to another.
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Post by texican on Oct 27, 2020 21:12:28 GMT -6
As she’d inched away from the colonel, Brooke was on the balls of her feet, ready to move. Momentarily shocked by the shooting, she hesitated for an instant. The hesitation was an instant too long. Chen swung the rifle and fired as she leaped. She cried out in agony and crumpled to the floor.Brooke has a flesh wound and will survive to kill Chen the traitor if Alison doesn't get him first. Posted by sniper6910 hours ago Bret - thanks for the newest chapter. Although, I think I just traded hanging on to one cliff to hang on to another. As Sniper said, another cliff. Thanks Brett for the chapter. Texican....
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Post by bretf on Nov 4, 2020 7:43:51 GMT -6
Chapter 26
Chen glared at the two bodies, then checked the progress of his countrymen. The landing craft were quickly filling as soldiers fled from certain death in the streets. Turning his attention to Crocker’s laptop, he considered it. Would it hold any information that might turn the tide? Stop the fiasco and wrest victory from the jaws of utter defeat?
“You! I knew you’d be here, be a part of this,” a man said from the back of the room.
Chen turned to the source of the voice, swinging his rifle as he did. His face twisted with hatred. “So, you have decided to show your traitorous face. How fortunate. Now I will not have to hunt you down in order to kill you.”
“Traitorous? It is not treason to flee from a monster, a monster intent on murdering me and my mother.”
“Says the man who fled his homeland with the actual murderer.”
Brooke fought to remember where she was and to see who the men talking were. Something blocked her eyes and her head pounded. Wincing, she wiped blood out of her eyes, not understanding why it was there. Lances of fire radiated out from her fingers despite her tender touch. Gritting her teeth against the pain, she carefully traced the gash in her face. As she did, the memories of the last few minutes flooded her consciousness. She’d been shot. Chen had shot Crocker and then her.
Tenderly, she retraced the bullet’s path. It’d cut a furrow, running from the cheekbone to her temple and scalp, missing her left eye by a fraction of an inch. Carefully wiping her eyes again, the blood was still flowing, she was able to focus on the scene unfolding before her.
The sight was eerily familiar. Other than the rifles each had trained on the other and the BDUs they wore, one Chinese, the other American, she could have been looking at both sides of a mirror. The men in those uniforms were identical.
Captain Chen, the Captain Chen she was acquainted with had a twin. A hateful twin in the Chinese army. She let out a quiet moan, not from the pain in her face and head, but for feeling so stupid. If anyone should’ve figured it out, it was her and Alison. Alison had seen the evil Chen and watched him, then told her all about it. And it hadn’t clicked for either of them.
Carefully, she moved her hand to her pistol and eased it free of the holster.
“Murderer? You believe saving your life and that of a family member is murder?”
“She killed him,” Chinese Chen spat. “She murdered my, our father.”
Memories swirled into Chen’s consciousness, memories he’d suppressed. His father, intent on smashing his head with the club he wielded. His mother, protecting him. His father swinging the club and his mother jumping for it. Her arm deflected the swing but the radius and ulna were smashed from the vicious blow. He slipped away as his mother stood defiantly in front of her husband, her useless left arm hanging at her side.
“He was a beast,” American Chen countered. “You saw how he beat my, our mother. Mercilessly. You watched him beat me. And on that day, the last day, he came for me, to kill me. I was born second after all. But she always protected me, taking the worst of the beatings. She stopped him before he killed me.”
The black eyes burned with hatred. “My father was an honorable man! Now you will die for the sins of your mother.”
Gunfire erupted from nearly every opening into the room. Brooke couldn’t hear anything but the explosive blasts in the confined space. Chen, Chinese Chen jerked and spasmed as the multitude of bullets ripped through him. When he was nothing but a bloody heap on the floor, Brooke noticed the pistol in her hand and realized some of the shots had been hers.
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Post by cutter on Nov 4, 2020 21:09:38 GMT -6
Very nicely done! That was a twist I never thought to look for.
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Post by texican on Nov 5, 2020 15:00:29 GMT -6
Very nicely done! That was a twist I never thought to look for. Bret, A very nice twist to the story. Did both Chens die? Thanks for the chapter. Texican....
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Post by bretf on Nov 11, 2020 18:23:08 GMT -6
Very nicely done! That was a twist I never thought to look for. Thanks, Cutter. That's what I was hoping for. And thanks Texican. You keep telling me some JD Black might help, but sometimes cheap beer gives inspiration as well.
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Post by bretf on Nov 11, 2020 18:32:32 GMT -6
Chapter 27
Alison was beside her in an instant. “Oh God, Brooke, NO!” she wailed as she gently raised her sister’s head.
Brooke blinked several times. “Oh Ali, I coulda used you a few minutes earlier,” she said, wincing from the movement.
In a quavering voice, Alison said, “Yeah … sorry.” As she fought to hold her composure, tears flowed down her face.
“When did you get here? How much did you hear?”
“We … we got here right after Chen, our Chen did. We … we heard the shots and started running and saw him come in. We stayed outside to try to figure out what the hell was going on.”
“He shot Crocker,” Brooke said shakily, hot tears mixing with the blood on her cheeks.
“Yeah, the asshole. I wanted to shoot him even after he was dead but Mat said to save my ammo. He’s full of holes like a sponge.”
Brooke forced her head up to look around. “Good! That was a lot of shooting—”
“Hey sis, are you okay?” Chad asked, kneeling on one side of her while Mat kneeled on the other. “Did you get hit anywhere else besides this one on your face?”
“Just the one, I think, so yeah, I’m okay, I guess, but it hurts like crazy.”
“We’ll get you patched up,” Mat said. Looking at Chad’s blood matted hair and his face, streaked dark red where he’d swiped blood away, added, “Both of you.”
“I can wait,” Chad said.
Mat studied him and saw there was no fresh blood. What was visible had mostly dried. He nodded and returned his attention to Brooke.
“Sorry, but I have bad news for you,” he said.
“More bad news? God, and I thought we were past that with the Chinese running away. They’re not coming back, are they?”
“No, at least they aren’t showing any sign of returning. However, I won’t breathe easy until I hear that ship has entered the open ocean headed west. Unfortunately, the bad news is personal for you. And Ali. With that gash across your face, people will be able to tell you two apart.”
Realization flashed in Alison and Brooke’s eyes. Alison studied her sister’s face, set her jaw, and turned to her brothers. She pulled her belt knife and held it out. “Mat, Chad, one of you needs to cut me. I need a gash that looks just like Brooke’s.”
Both brothers leaned back as if she was offering them poison. Brooke reached up and took her knife hand. “No Ali, no. It’s been a lot of fun and we’ve had a great time messing with people but it’s over. What just happened showed me how serious it can be, mistaking one person for another.”
“Are you sure?” Alison asked. “Because if they won’t cut me, I can find a mirror and do it myself.”
“Yes, I’m sure,” Brooke said. “Stay how you are. I don’t want to see you flawed.”
Alison scrunched her brow while she thought. “Yeah, what evil Chen did was bad but we never did it in a way that could hurt people. Let’s talk later, in private. After you have time to think.”
Mat got the first aid kit from his pack. He studied his meager supplies even though he knew what they held. All factory-produced antibiotics and dressings had been used up years before. He cleaned the wound the best he could under the circumstances and slathered it with honey.
Mat said, “We’ve got a problem, Brooke. With a face wound, I’d like to close it with butterfly bandages or adhesive tape. But we all know that isn’t possible. We could leave you with a wide gash that’ll take forever to heal or I sew you up.”
“Oh, jeez. I don’t want it taking a long time but sewing is going to hurt like hell.” She closed her eyes, thinking. A full minute passed. Opening them, she said, “Do it, but get me something to bite down on first.”
“If it’s alright with your brother, I’ve got something at my place that might help, Chickee-doo. A pain suppressor, so to speak.”
She looked up and saw the caver for the first time since they’d separated. “Old Fogie, dang but I wish we’d have stayed together.”
“Me too,” he said softly.
“Don’t get maudlin on me. I’ll live. Now, what do you have that might help?”
“I don’t only play around with carbide. I also ferment fruit. The results taste horrible but has a kick like a mule. I could get you some, but only if Mat approves.”
Mat grinned and nodded and the man hurried away.
“Let me sit up, Ali,” Brooke said.
Rather than letting her, Alison raised her to an upright sitting position. She looked around the small room.
Cooper, Nick, and Howie were fanned out along a wall, their weapons trained on Chen, American Chen. Chad and Mat were preoccupied by their sister, rightfully so, so Coop directed his companions to keep an eye on Chen. He was still unsure of the man, even though he’d witnessed him putting two three-round bursts of hot lead into his twin.
Chen was oblivious to the scrutiny. Frowning, he was looking down at Colonel Crocker’s limp form, slowly shaking his head. He turned and saw Brooke sitting up, crossed the short space, and knelt beside her.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get here in time and that he shot you and Colonel Crocker.”
She bit back her words. Not as sorry as me. And Ali. Instead, she said, “Don’t be sorry. You saved my life, even though you were late. He would’ve come to make sure I was dead. So, how is it you came to be here when you did?”
“I was looking for him,” Chen said pointing at the bloody heap. “All along, I’d guessed he might be a part of the invasion, he and our uncle. I wanted to be here even though Colonel Crocker gave me other orders. After seeing you and knowing how you could confuse people, I considered what my brother could do if given the opportunity. It may have been irrational thinking, but I assumed he knew I was an officer in our army.
“So, I wanted to see if I could locate him before he did major damage. Then, when I arrived here in Tacoma, I had a strong feeling he was as well. I can’t explain it; it was just a feeling I got when I saw those ships.”
Alison and Brooke nodded in understanding but didn’t comment.
“I tried to go search for him, to see if what I was feeling was true. But my watchdogs,” he pointed at Chad, Cooper, Nick, and Howie, “kept a tight leash. I was afraid to tell them what I wanted to do, that they would think I was collaborating with the enemy. It made sense to me that he,” Chen indicated the bloody heap, “would try to take out our command so I came here as soon as I was able to slip away.”
Brooke said, “I’ve gotta tell you, despite the uniform and rifle, well, I thought you’d changed, and I thought he was you for a while. And then I noticed how he talked. He sounded like you but something was different. Finally, it clicked. He didn’t speak American. He spoke proper. Of course, he had his rifle pointed at us when I figured it out.”
“American? I don’t understand.”
“Contractions. We speak in contractions. He didn’t,” she said, and emphasizing the last two words, said, “Rather, he did not.”
Chen’s face twisted and he turned it upright, studying the ceiling that looked like it’d collapse with a good shake. “You’re right,” he said.
“Yeah, but a fat lotta good it did me,” she said and lightly touched her wound. “Or Crocker.”
Chen’s face fell.
“What about those things he said to you? Did your mother really kill your father?” she asked.
Chen’s fallen face twisted with pain. He looked up and turned his gaze to each person in the group. “My father was a monster. He was an officer in the Chinese army. He never was much of a father to me or much of a husband. According to gossip, he took up mistresses everywhere he went. At home, he railed at my mother for having the audacity to birth two children. He beat her for such a blatant act. As if she could control if she carried one or two babies. He beat me as well for coming second.
“It came to a head when he was passed over for a promotion, a promotion that went to his brother. He returned home intoxicated, livid from the perceived slight. He raged that it was all my and my mother’s fault. If only she hadn’t birthed that second little bastard as he called me, he would’ve gotten the promotion. He came at me with a club, yelling that it might not be too late. If he eliminated the problem, he might still have a chance to advance. He was intent on bashing my head in but my mother stood in the way. With his first swing, he broke her arm.”
Chen was silent as he looked for words. Quietly, he said, “You know, I’ve tried hard to forget all of that. I was mostly successful but today brought it all back.”
The long-buried scenes flooded into his head. Mindlessly running for his life when the monster hurt his mother. Stopping and looking around, realizing he was in the kitchen area and all it held. The monster cursing and screaming, berating his mother, the only person who loved him, telling her he was going to kill her and then that little bastard. Focusing on the one thing that might save his mother’s life. Gathering the courage to do it. He had to save his mother, no matter what. Running from the kitchen with the large knife and plunging it into the monster’s back. Twisting and pulling it out to do it again and again.
Chen cleared his throat and continued. “With the second swing of the club, he knocked her down. She lay helpless, looking up at him. He raised the club to smash her skull,” he said in barely discernable words. “I saved my mother. She didn’t kill him; I did. I saved my mother.” He paused and sucked in deep breaths.
“When she recovered enough, friends helped us get to Hong Kong, and then on to San Francisco. We melded into the Chinese-American society. I’ve been a proud American ever since. I had no sympathies or feelings for my former country, not after the way I and my mother were treated there. Treatment I thought condoned by my father’s superiors.”
“Wow, that’s rough,” Alison said. “How old were you?”
“Seven,” Chen said softly.
The subdued atmosphere was interrupted as the caver returned with a bottle. “Here it is, Chickee-doo. Drink up.”
“Give me that,” Alison said, snatching the bottle, happy for a change after Chen’s depressing story. “I need to make sure you’re not poisoning her.”
He laughed and said, “You might think I am with the first drink but the second one is better.”
Alison tipped the bottle up and drank. Her face twisted. “Oh God, that’s horrid.”
The caver cackled. “You think that’s horrid, wait until morning if you drink enough. Then it’ll feel like that mule kicked you in the head with both feet.”
Alison glared at him. “Brooke seems to like you but I may have to hurt you.” She took another drink and grimaced. Fire burned in her throat as it went down and continued to smolder in her stomach. She shuddered.
The caver laughed.
Holding the bottle out for Brooke, Alison said, “This is bad stuff, really bad, but I think it’ll work.”
Brooke took the bottle and tipped it up. She instantly spat the mouthful out. “Gawd, that’s … that’s … that’s worse than horrid. Maybe worse than letting Mat sew me up.”
“And here I thought you were tough,” the man said, his eyes twinkling. “Not a damn snowflake.”
Brooke pursed her lips, glared at him, then took a drink. She winced as it went down. “Snowflake my ass. But honestly, I don’t know what would be worse; this crap or Mat’s needle. How on earth do you drink this rot-gut?”
He grinned and said, “About like that. But as I told your sister, the second slug is better.”
She tilted the bottle back, drank, and grudgingly agreed. “But not by much.”
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Post by cutter on Nov 11, 2020 20:04:08 GMT -6
Very well written. Chen's turmoil and Ali and Brooke's utter devotion to each other shone through perfectly.
Also to note, I think you've more than earned yourself a six pack of the good stuff. Live a little.
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Post by texican on Nov 12, 2020 1:38:23 GMT -6
Brett,
Thank you for the revealing chapter.
Now are the chinese pukes leaving or will they be attacking again.
Only another chapter will reveal.
Texican....
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Post by bretf on Nov 18, 2020 8:53:21 GMT -6
Chapter 28
Being the sole officer, Captain Chen assumed command of the operation. With concerns over his twin alleviated, he proved to be efficient and decisive. In a private moment, he reiterated to Mat he’d been distracted since the operation began. But with his twin dead, he could concentrate on his duties. He nearly broke down in the telling, the heady responsibility passing to him a constant reminder he’d been too late to save Crocker.
Mat couldn’t help but feel a level of responsibility. After all, he’d assigned Chad and Cooper to stick with him. “I wish you’d told us.”
“I do too. Things might’ve turned out differently if I had. And now I have to live with the regret, the guilt.”
All able Chinese soldiers had packed onto the landing craft and returned to the waiting ship. Hundreds of dead and injured men were left behind.
Mat pointed them out. “What do you want to do about them?”
Chen studied the scene and said, “Perhaps we can open communication with the ship. Offer safe passage to any soldier who comes back to help their wounded and return the dead to their homeland. I believe it would be important to them.”
“Even if they take them, they’ll probably roll the corpses off when they get out on the open ocean, give them a burial at sea.”
Chen shrugged. “It may happen. But if they’ll do it, it’ll save us from exposing our people and having to deal with them.”
“It’s worth a try,” Mat said.
Chen sat at the laptop and established a satellite link. Speaking with an American officer thousands of miles away, he explained the situation and what he hoped for. After nearly an hour had passed, he was conversing in a mix of Mandarin and English to an officer on the ship.
The Chinese officer was suspicious, unsure about sending his troops back to shore. Too many had already been lost.
When he didn’t get far with the man, Chen requested to speak to General Chen. He neglected to tell him the general was his uncle.
“That will not be possible. General Chen was murdered by one of your snipers. I am in command.”
Chen felt nothing at the news. If anything, his uncle was more of a beast than his father had been. He had too-real memories of beatings he’d received from both men.
Alison looked at Mat and asked, “Do you know what he said?”
“Not word for word but I’m getting the gist of it. He just said General Chen was murdered by a sniper.”
“Murdered? As I remember it, an invading force was on that ship. I don’t see how that constitutes murder. But, whatever. Point out the fact our leader was murdered by one of them.”
“Quiet, I want to hear this,” Mat said.
Alison grumbled quietly to herself.
Chen said, “At least take the wounded. Our troops were under strict orders not to fire on anyone helping injured soldiers from the battle. Verify that with your soldiers. We only have capabilities to care for our own wounded. Your men will die here if you don’t help them.”
It was quiet for several minutes. Mat and Chen surmised the Chinese officer was conferring with his troops. When he spoke again, he said one boat would return and load wounded. Depending on how they were met would make a determination on further action.
“Unarmed men,” Chen stated. “If they do not have weapons, they will be safe to proceed.”
Mat deployed all the people who were waiting to spread the word. “Don’t fire unless fired upon,” was the message he wanted to be given to the defenders. “And, take all the weapons and every bit of ammo you can get your hands on.”
Many of the defenders were already among the dead and injured enemy doing exactly what Mat had just ordered. Several, long without proper clothing for the winter, relieved the dead Chinese of jackets and any other gear they carried. Boots in their sizes were liberated.
The landing craft beached and after several minutes, one man appeared. From Mat’s vantage point, he thought the man expected to be shot at any moment. He reached a wounded comrade, helped him to his feet, and stumbled towards the boat. As he approached it without drawing fire, other men emerged until the entire crew was helping their countrymen aboard.
It was near dark when the Chinese officer contacted Chen. “You honored your word. We would like to remain here and return with the light to proceed.”
“That is acceptable,” Chen replied.
#
The ship bustled with activity as the wounded soldiers were cared for. The new commander nodded his head, pleased at the efficiency of his men despite the demoralizing defeat they’d suffered. Turning to his top aide, he said, “It is time.”
Together, they walked to a dark portion of the ship where a large group of soldiers was waiting. He addressed them. “Thank you all for your honor and commitment to our cause and country. And thank you for volunteering for this mission. As I briefed you earlier, this mission will extend for at least one, if not two years before I am able to return. And when I do, we will not charge in, relying on mass force to overwhelm the enemy.
“We must learn from this defeat and adapt. You are crucial to victory as you establish a foothold here, infiltrate the enemy, and establish communications with the homeland.”
He talked longer before wishing them well and promising future success. They quietly boarded a boat on the opposite side of the ship from Dash Point and moved silently across the black water towards Gig Harbor across the bay.
The commander watched as the inky blackness swallowed them, contemplating the next several days. He would not return home in the most direct means. Once in the open ocean and out of sight of any monitoring eyes, they would turn north towards Alaska. It was a lonely outpost for America, isolated far from the rest of the broken country. The first step would be to observe and gain intelligence on the area. And leave more troops in anticipation of his return. He would not repeat General Chen’s mistakes. Alaska would be the first domino to fall.
#
Late the following afternoon, with all the wounded and dead recovered, the Chinese ship raised its anchors and began its long journey. Men Chen had assigned the task followed the boat’s progress from land to make certain it did indeed return to the ocean.
#
The United States Army convoy rolled to a stop in the street where the battle had taken place. An officer got out of the lead Humvee and looked around. Chen approached him and saluted. “General, it is good to see you. I am Captain Chen. I have been in command here since Colonel Crocker was killed.”
The general returned a lazy salute and looked at the people gathered behind Chen. “You’ve got to be shitting me. This bunch of riff-raff defeated the Chinese Army?”
Chen bristled. “With all due respect, sir, this bunch of ‘riff-raff’ as you call them have more guts, determination, and ingenuity than anyone I’ve ever fought beside. These men and women faced down a larger, better-equipped army and defeated them. I won’t call the Chinese a superior army because they failed. It has been my extreme honor to stand with these people, these soldiers.”
“Be that as it may, Captain, your ‘soldiers’ are officially relieved of duty. The real soldiers will handle it from here.”
Alison looked at Brooke. Making sure to speak loud enough the arrogant officer would hear, she said, “I think he needs his ass kicked by a couple of riff-raff girls.”
“Yeah, I’m surprised his fat head can fit in his hat.”
“Easy you two,” Mat said, quieter than his sisters. “Let’s be content to get out of here.” He received matching eye rolls.
The general’s face turned red. “All civilians are dismissed. Return to your homes so we can proceed with operations.”
Several of the people listening grumbled to the person beside them. More than one echoed Alison and Brooke’s sentiments.
Captain Chen turned to his soldiers and spoke, his voice carrying. “It has been my pleasure to serve with all of you. You’ve shown extreme bravery and determination. I don’t know what will become of it but I will put in for commendations for all the Tacoma Defenders.”
Ali looked at her siblings in turn, and then at Chen. “Stopping the conquering army and being able to keep living as we choose is all the commendation we desire. Remember that when your re-unification troops get to us. We’ll expect you to honor our desires.”
Chen, clearly uncomfortable said, “I’ll do what I can. Anyway, you can return to your homes and as I said, it was a pleasure, a bitter pleasure at times, working with all of you in such trying circumstances.”
He took his time, shaking hands with every person who’d assembled. When he came to Alison and Brooke, they shared a look, then crushed him in a hug. With huge grins, they each planted a lingering kiss on his cheek.
Chen’s face turned red with embarrassment, redder than the general’s face had turned in anger. Never one to miss such signs, Alison said, “Come back with us. I can set you up with a great girl.” She paused looking contemplative. “Sherri Weber is gorgeous, but I have to admit, I don’t know her well.”
Chen turned a deeper shade of red. Stammering, he said, “N…no…I … have to stay here. I have my duties. But thank you for the offer.”
Chen returned to the general, saluted, and said, “Sir, this group of people are from Idaho. They were instrumental in stopping the invaders, working directly with Colonel Crocker. I would like permission to take the colonel’s Humvee and return them to the rest of their party at Cliffdel on the other side of the mountain summit.”
The general looked at the group, incensed all over by the lack of respect the insolent girls had shown him. “Permission granted, Captain. Get them out of my sight.”
The group tromped to the building where they stored their meager belongings, happy to be out of the arrogant blow-hard’s sight.
As everyone gathered their gear, Brooke watched, tears running down her face.
“Brooke, what’s wrong?” Alison asked.
“I’m not going with you. I’m staying and enlisting in the army.”
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Post by texican on Nov 18, 2020 15:50:18 GMT -6
As everyone gathered their gear, Brooke watched, tears running down her face.
“Brooke, what’s wrong?” Alison asked.
“I’m not going with you. I’m staying and enlisting in the army.” That will not go over well with the family. Has anyone seen the chinese scum that remained? Thanks for the story. Texican....
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