Chapter 63
As the Clan Council broke up from their after-supper meeting; many of the Council were not in agreement that all of the Clan members and the new arrivals should be told of the news from the Government. The only good news that they had received today was the four teenagers had decided to stay and become part of the Clan and remain at the Lease. The Council had approved their acceptance into the Clan completely. Happening while Luke the oldest was sitting in OP 1 with Melton finishing out the daylight shift and learning the ropes.
Twos, Woods, and Blake were sitting at the table discussing the plans for the second outdoor kitchen for the Lodge. Also, the improvements that Woods thought they could add to this one without any added work or time. Woods said, “Expanding the amount of cooking surfaces and adding a flat griddle area like a commercial kitchen will be no problem. I actually told Ruth where to get it tomorrow. There is exactly what we need in the kitchen area at the Solar panel place. Saw it when we were there before.”
Twos said, “How much time would it save if you went in the morning and did the dismantle yourself, Woods? There is plenty that Blake and I can do on the fabrication parts of the kitchen, that you will not be needed to complete.”
Woods answered, “Truthfully it would save a lot of time and if I go, we can get the whole deal and just set the eyes and all in to fabricated cook top area. That would save us a lot of time also, as all we would need to do then is plumb the propane and fabricate the counter top. We will still have to build the oven as they want to have a rotisserie option for chicken and pork and a larger bread making oven, that they can make pizza in.”
Blake said, “Sounds like we have a plan. I am out of here I have the 2300 hours to 0300 hours watch in the OP1. I am going to lie down and get some rest. See you guys in the morning,” and the big guy got up and headed towards his cabin, leaving Twos and Woods to discuss other pressing issues.
James and Thomas walked up to where Twos and Woods were talking and James said, “The task master wouldn’t let us off before supper. We have a few minutes now Dad before we are going to try and get one of the drones up for a while. They have not been running since we have been in the hospital.”
Woods said, “I can take a hint and you boys were in charge of the Solar and set your own hours, so don’t blame me for the long hours. Good job on completing the Lodge before supper and getting everything moved over to the hospital for an early start in the morning. I am going on the run in the morning so I expect the hospital to be completed before I return.” The boys agreed that the hospital should take half the time of the Lodge and said their, goodnights to Woods.
Thomas looked at Twos and said, “What’s up, Dad? Did we do something wrong?”
Twos said, “You boys know me, if you had of done something wrong, we would have addressed that right then while it was still fresh in our minds. No, it is just the opposite, I wanted to take a few minutes and tell the two of you how proud I am of the jobs you have done and are doing for the Clan. The two of you are pulling the weight of grown men and doing it well. I want you to remember, that if we ask to much of you to tell us. We need one hundred percent from you, no more. If it is too much tell someone.”
A chorus of okay Dad rang out in the Atrium from the boys who were as proud as peacocks. As Twos and the boys were talking and he was asking the boys had they had a chance to take their new pistols to the range and really check them out. Sarah and her Mom came exploding into the Atrium. Sarah’s Mom demanding to see the person in charge of this facility and she spit facility out of her mouth like it was red devil lye or snake venom.
Twos stepped forward and said, “That would be me Ma’am, how can I be of service tonight?” Speaking with all the grace and charm of a fine southern gentleman. It was all that Thomas and James could do to keep from busting out laughing at Twos. As he had surely lost his mind, with the fake servant’s line. Ms. Pam Garrett looked at Twos as she would any servant and said, “I am finely glad that someone in this establishment realizes their place in life.”
Sarah said, “Momma this is the person who saved you and brought you to his home. Don’t you remember? He is not the help and here to serve you.”
“Nonsense my dear, this is clearly a man who knows his place in the world and will be able to help me immediately,” answered Ms. Garrett. The boys busted out laughing and drew a stern look from Twos that they both new from experience meant shut up and be quiet right now.
Ms. Garrett continued, “I need better accommodations, immediately, a private suite with a California King for me and also one for Sarah, hot tub and a completely stocked mini-bar with Makers Mark and Bombay Safire Gin and a good American Merlot. Also, replace the regular sheets with Silk, Egyptian Cotton is for the help.”
As she was spouting this nonsense, Mackenzie got on the radio to Megan and said, “Find Ruth and the Major and get them to the Lodge immediately.” Megan hollered at Joe and told him about the request and she got Silvia to help and they took off at a run looking for the two Ladies. As the biggest commotion, ever at the Lease was taking place, with people reacting to Ms. Garrett’s hollering and others seeing Megan and Silvia running to and froe. This and Joe calling an all-points bulletin announcement for Ruth and the Major to report to the Lodge right now. Members of the Clan were reporting to the call of the Clan to report for battle or whatever was needed.
As luck would have it, Ruth and the Major were only around the other side of the Lodge under the awning washing clothes. They both had already mutually decided that they wanted to know what all the commotion was about. As the two ladies walked around the front side of the Atrium, they both saw the reason for all the hollering. Sarah’s Mom was telling Twos what she needed and Twos was playing the obedient servant to the rich, cruel and clueless. Ruth thought this is going to be fun and said, “This is going to be great; people should have to pay for this performance. I tell ya, pay for it.”
Sarah said, “Twos, I am sorry for the way she is acting I will take care of it. We will be going,” and reached for her Mom who jerked away from Sarah. Ms. Garrett said, “I will deal with you later young Lady.”
Twos stepped in between Mother and daughter and said, “No problem young Miss Sarah the management of the Lease will handle this to the best of this resorts abilities.” Then calmly turned and winked at Sarah who was mad and hurt, but mostly amazed at how calm and collect Twos was dealing with her idiot Mother.
Twos said, “Ma’am the management here at the Lease is so sorry that our facilities do not meet your standards. The rooms for the length of your stay will be comped, I will personally see to it. As soon as we can make the situation meet the standard of excellence an honored guest such as yourself deserves. I am sorry to say that due to the recent circumstances with the attacks and all our staff and requisitions have been hit hard. I know for a fact that the last bottle of Makers Mark and Bombay Sapphire were consumed earlier in the week and as for the Merlot all we have left is some Australian. I know that is not satisfactory to a woman of your elegance and grace.”
“Also, the accommodations are such that we only have two suites here at the Lease and the owners arrived early and have taken residence in the two suites. What I can offer you though is to drive you back to where we found you and dump your insufferable butt out at your house. Would that make the Madame happy.” Twos had made the whole speech in the I am at your service at all times that Management at high class places use to appease the rich.
The Major said out loud where everyone could hear, “You were right Ruth your husband is the most insufferable man ever, but he is worth the price of admission and you do have to Love him,” and started laughing and clapping.
Which made all the others of the Clan who had seen enough of the exchange between Sarah’s Mom and Twos, to break out laughing and clapping. Twos being the insufferable man that he was and having a sense of humor that most did not understand started curtsying to the crowd like a Prima Ballerina after a performance of Swan Lake or the Nutcracker.
These actions only made it as if he threw gasoline on the fire that was Mrs. Pam Garrett wife of the Senator. She being the soon to be the first lady of South Carolina and maybe one day to the Whitehouse. As Twos came up from his fourth curtsey, she slapped him as hard as she possibly could. The sound of her hand against Twos this morning freshly shaven face was like the sound of thunder echoing across a valley. From the group that was present you could hear the audible gasp as all the air was sucked out of the room. Woods, Phil and Ruth took off running to stop Twos from whatever mayhem that he was about to propagate on Mrs. Senator. The funny thing was he just reached up to rub his burning face and busted out laughing. Twos eased over to Mrs. Pam Garrett and whispered in her ear something that nobody but her and him would ever know what he said. The effect of the thirty or so second one-sided conversation on Sarah’s Mother was profound and immediate. She fell to the ground sobbing and asking Sarah for forgiveness.
Sarah looked at Twos for confirmation or explanation. He winked at his young fire breathing sharp shooter and said, “Sarah it’s all good now. Your Mother, she just needed to have the way we do things here at the Lease explained in words she could understand. She is having a hard time adjusting to the new world. Especially the fact that her place in it has changed drastically from the old world. She will think twice about acting a fool again, here at the Lease. You might reiterate that we are doing the best we can and this beats the crap out of the real world by a mile. You also, might want to find her something that she can do to help out here starting first thing in the morning. We have to carry our own weight, no free lunches at the Lease, the Clan will always feed, house and protect those that carry their weight.”
Sarah said, “Thank you Twos, I am still your bodyguard and I would hate to have to do something to protect you from my Mother.”
“It is all peaches and cream, Annie Oakley, now go get you Mother settled in and then come back and we will talk,” said Twos.
The Major and Ruth were standing there beside Twos with Woods and Phil and the million-dollar question was verbalized by the one who knew him best, Ruth said, “Okay, give wise guy. What did you say to the prima donna?”
Twos looked at his wife and with a grin a mile wide said, “I told her, the first one is free, I don’t turn the other cheek and the last two people that I was this mad at their actions toward the Clan, did not live another day. Reminding her that what I told her was neither threat or promise it just is what it is. I also told her she has had a bad day losing her husband and I really liked her Daughter and felt like she was family. With those facts Mom got a break today, she better use it for good, she was all out of Clan favors now.”
Tonya and Imogene were standing their listening to the conversation just close enough to hear what Twos had said. Imogene turned to Tonya and said, “Remember, what I told you about the first day I was here that Twos scared me to death. One minute he is the nicest guy on the planet and the next, stone cold, ice in the veins, all business doing whatever. For fact, I do mean whatever needs to be done with full speed ahead no hesitation, done. Phil told me that lots of people mistake his easy-going nature and good humor and respect for people as a weakness. As you see it most definitely is not.”
Tonya said, “I like him being on our side, because you know they say he is as good with them Glock 17L’s as he is with that big rifle, maybe better. Sarah told me, that he may not be quite as good as she is and she was a world class shooter. She also said, there was not any real difference between their shooting ability, he would probably win five out of ten and her five out of ten, that close.”
Everyone kind of drifted back to whatever they were doing before the commotion and the Lease began to settle down for the night. Sarah came walking into the Atrium of the Lodge and saw Ruth talking with Mackenzie and Jasmine with all three leaned up against the outdoor kitchen cabinets. Sarah walked up and said, “Ruth I want to apologize for my Mother and her actions today.”
Ruth said, “Don’t even think about it, sweetie. We don’t get to pick our relatives. Except for me who picked Twos,” her and the other ladies had a chuckle at that.
Mackenzie said, “That boy he is a handful at the best of times. The truth is Ruth you have a real gem and we all know it. Twos is a real heck of a good, Father, Husband, Leader and good guy. He does fall under that old women’s saying a hard man is good to find, though. I am not talking about anything naughty either and you know it. We have all seen him at work, me more than the others here. He gets the job done and right now that is what every woman wants and for that matter needs.”
Sarah said, “Thanks for the pep talk Ladies. Now, where is the man of the hour?”
Ruth said, “He said, to tell you he was in the gunsmith container and would be waiting on you there.”
Sarah said, “Thanks.” She turned to leave, then turned around and went and hugged Ruth, then Mackenzie and Jasmine. As she left, she had a few tears running down her cheeks and hoped the Ladies hadn’t seen them. Little did she know that the three Ladies had them a little cry after she left.
As Sarah was walking to see Twos, Joe and the First Sergeant were drinking what they called coffee. That along with trying to decipher the response from Command to their request for people, equipment and / or supplies of all kinds. The answer when deciphered on the correct code did not make sense unless it was another code to be applied and they couldn’t figure it out. The two old warhorses with close to thirty-five years of code breaking couldn’t make heads or tails of the message. The message read as follows:
Five stripes,
2 bear, it’s 8:pm & fish eggs: with 2 40 oz. cold beer & pallet, little brother 2.
coming home sweet condo plus the 7-11stop; with 2nd baby Mama & posse from closest ville, no charge.
By Puff Air.
Baby Daddy gone till EBT check day.
Joe said, “I have put every code breaking algorithm I know to it and none of them make any more sense than the note does when you read it regularly.”
“I am with you, I have been trying to rack my brain to see if it might fit some short specific code I have used before or something with no luck,” said the Sergeant.
Joe said, “Well, I think we need to lay it down for a while and see if anything comes to us by morning…” stopped for a moment as if thinking and continued, “Sometimes that helps me to think.”
Sergeant getting up from his chair said, “Works for me, the days seemed to be getting shorter every day, so much to do and so little time. I will see you in the morning, my friend.”
Joe just said, “Chow.” Arose from his seat and threw another log in the wood heater it was getting a little cool in the Comm Shack. Then he reached to the coffee pot and poured the last half a cup of coffee in his cup. He didn’t have enough to waste. He cut the lights down a little and listened to the radios as he heard Silvia and Megan sleeping in the loft room above.
Sarah walked into the shop and Twos was setting at the bench in the famous ‘The Thinker’ pose from the Rodin statue. Two rifles were laying on the bench in front of him, they could have been snakes and he would not have noticed. It was evident to Sarah that the big man was lost in deep thought or pre-occupied in some way. She decided to just stand and wait for Twos to come back to earth from that distant place his mind had traveled and had taken him there.
She leaned up against the door face and wished she had a cold glass of the tea the Ladies made. She could just taste the sweet concoction and it made her mouth water. Sarah thought maybe I can slide out and be back before earth reels the big guy back to the present. As she started to turn to walk out the door her arm hit the door face and made a slight noise that brought Twos back to this world. Instantly deathly serious as he had awakened and drew the Glock 17L and brought the weapon to center mass of the perpetrator in one smooth motion.
Sarah threw up her arms in surrender and said, “It’s me Twos, whoa!”
“Oh, my,” said Twos and continued, “I must have wandered off the reservation for a minute.”
Sarah smiled at Twos and dropped her hands and walked over to the bench across from Twos and said, “More like twenty, but who’s counting, among friends,” and laughed at her big mentor and Father figure.
Twos said, “That long huh.”
Sarah answered the big guy saying, “That was just while I was here, could have been much longer.”
Twos looked down at the Seiko Kinetic Titanium dive watch and grunted. He then said, “We will go with twenty so I can save some face,” and grinned at the best shooting young lady he knew, that wasn’t his blood.
Sarah looked at him and said, “I don't know where to start. All I am going to say is Thanks for not throwing my Mom off the Lease or worse today. I am not going to say she didn’t deserve it. Thanks for showing such great restraint. What did you say to her anyway? She seems like a new person, quite different. She even told me that she had not always been that way. Going to a very Liberal College and marrying Dad had made her feel entitled both as a Woman and as a distinguished Senators wife. She confessed that she was only able to go to that college because her parents were very poor. They would not have been able to send her to even a state supported school much less a fancy private girl’s school.”
Twos looked at Sarah and said, “I told her the first one was free, and I didn’t turn the other cheek and I really liked you. She had though used up all of her favors from the Clan.”
Sarah laughed at her big friend and said, “Mom said, a Lady couldn’t repeat what you had said to her. I am guessing I got the G version from you, Twos.”
Twos held up his hands in mock horror and said, “It was off the cuff and not pre-planned so maybe I don’t remember exactly what I told her. I will say, in case she asks, I meant every word of what I told her.”
Sarah grinned and said, “I think she has already figured that part out by herself and is going to try to be a good citizen and maybe just maybe become one of the Clan.”
Twos sad, “Sarah that would make me very happy for her, but even more happy for you. Now, we can get down to the fun part and why you are here. I have two rifles here that were in the stuff from your Dad. They are actually a couple of more and I gave one to Trooper Jay Holtz. The first rifle is an LMT 18-inch heavy Douglass barreled Flat dark Earth rifle and has a Leupold Mark 4 LR/T scope. It is a very nice short-range Sniper quality rifle out to about five to six hundred meters and maybe farther with the seventy-three grain bullets it was designed to shoot.”
“The other is a Patriot Ordnance Factory gas piston rifle in 5.56 X 45 mm P415 with the 10.5-inch Renegade Plus upper housed in a 9.5-inch free floating rail. It comes with a Combat upgraded trigger and a SureFire Suppressor with a VTAC sling and adjustable stock. The scope is a red dot Trijicon and flip up sights from POF. Both of these weapons it would be hard pressed to find a better weapons system on the planet and I think you ought to turn in your S&W AR clone and take one of these. You are probably the only shooter I know that can out shoot either rifle and they would be deadly in your hands like the Uzi’s; the revolver and your pistol.”
Sarah picked up each weapon and went over them with a fine-tooth comb, checking function, balance the optics and generally everything about them. She went to the extent of popping the pins and pulling the bolts on both and checking the bores on each rifle.
Twos said, “I don’t think either has ever been fired if they have only a couple of times and were professionally cleaned afterwards. I checked the optics and the bore sights are dead on. Each rifle has nine magazines. The LMT has four LMT twenty rounders and five MagPul thirty rounders. The POF has four thirty round magazines from MagPul and five Sure Fire sixty rounders like you like. Either would be money in your hands and the way they are put together with the Leupold scope you told me you liked and the sixty round SureFire magazines, I think your Dad had them built for you personally.”
Sarah looked at Twos with a single tear running from her right eye down her cheek and broke down. Twos reached to Sarah and enveloped the little Lady in his massive arms and pulled her in tight to his chest and just held her saying, “Let it out little bit, let it out.”
Sarah cried for what seemed like hours and that is the way that Ruth and the Major found the duo, when they walked into shop looking for Twos. He looked at them and motioned for them to come on in to the shop. Twos had nothing to hide and Ruth new that her husband was just being the father to Sarah that she never really had. Yeah, she had a biological father, just not a Father that Loved her and showed her this type Love. Ruth thought, if Twos can give her what she has missed all these years that is money for Sarah and Ruth also, just more reason to Love the big galoot.
Sarah finally quit crying and looked up saying, “Thanks, that is just what I needed.”
“You are most welcome, little bit. Now which one of these beautiful rifles fits you the best?” Twos asked.
She looked up at Twos and said, “Can I have them both. It is like golf; they do different things and each is best for its own thing. I want them both.”
“A Lady after my own heart, both rifles it is, and even by Soloman a better choice could not be made I might add,” said Twos mimicking a salesman with the last part.
Sarah finally noticing Ruth and the Major said, “How long have you been here?”
Ruth answered, “Long enough for me to know I have to watch my Husband around such a beautiful young lady.”
Sarah trying to speak and couldn’t when Ruth busted out laughing saying, “Gotcha,” and they all had a good laugh at Sarah’s expense. It was just what Sarah needed and she started laughing and went and hugged Ruth and the Major saying, “The Twos Clan is the best.”
The Major said, “You said it and I agree one hundred percent Sarah, it has saved us all.”
Twos said, “You need any help carrying your loot back to the lady’s cabin.”
Sarah grinned and said, “I am floating on air right now, Twos you have fixed a lot of ills tonight with just being you, again Thanks.”
Twos said, “My work is done here. I am off to bed and some pain medicine. Shut off the lights when you all leave.”
Ruth said, “Wait a minute,” to the back of Twos head as he walked out the door like a man on a mission and he pretended not to hear Ruth and kept on walking.
“You know he heard you, don’t you,” said the Major.
“Yeah, but him saying he needed to go get some pain medicine and to bed, was his way of saying, he was done for today. He never admits in front of anybody about the pain meds, I think I will run by the Hospital and see if one of the Doctors will come give him a once over,” said Ruth.
The Major said, “You know him best, he looks fine to me. I have not however, heard him say anything about pain or medicine at least not for him.”
Ruth said, “We will make the decision for him, we have to have some more beds. The hammocks and the ones Raj gave us from his store was great and Joe and his group gave us the extra couple that they had leftover. We still need a dozen easy and everyone will be appreciative. I think the only people that really like the hammocks is Silvia and Megan and I think Megan could sleep on a bed of fifty-seven stone.”
The Major said, “I will see you in the morning bright and early for our trip to the store,” and laughed as she cut out the lights to the gun shop and started towards her cabin and Blake.
Ruth walked a little way with the Major and then turned to the Hospital, in search of Dr. Phillips or one of the others. She was hoping for Dr. Phillips as she could usually handle Twos and his ways pretty good. She seemed to be as hard headed as Twos and almost as ornery when people didn’t do what she told them to do about their health. As she walked into the hospital door the two Doctors and the Pharmacist were in deep conversation and writing things on a white board, while making hand signals and pointing at the computer screen.
One would have thought they were trying to figure out how to get back from the moon or something even more complicated. Phil was sitting at the front desk with his feet propped up and leaning back watching the ladies and trying not to laugh at their hysterics. Ruth walked in unnoticed and glided over to Phil and ask what the ladies were in such a tizzy about.
“They have been in this freak mode since after supper when Woods told them they were getting a new electrical system and it would be almost twice as powerful as the old one. Six thousand watts to ten thousand, I think is what he said. They have been trying to maximize the usage to the best of their abilities to get more light, better refrigeration, the centrifuge and the autoclave moved from the tent and about a dozen other things. It has been like a Chinese fire drill in here with a blind man leading the drill ever sense. I am going to let them burn their selves out and then I am going to tell them that, they still can’t run all of that stuff at one time,” and laughed out loud at his own joke on the ladies.
Ruth said, “That is cruel Phil, you should be ashamed of yourself.”
Phil looked his dear friend’s wife and said in all seriousness, “I tried to tell them three times and each time they would not let me finish what I was saying. I have a plan put together that will do almost all of what they want as long as the sun is shining. In the morning, I am going to see if James and Thomas can figure a way to give them a little more electricity. They don’t really need a lot more and it would be a big help. I think we can work it out, if not I bet Woods can, he lives for this type drama.”
Ruth said, “I am going to tell him you said that,” and laughed at the expression Phil’s face took hearing that little bit of trivia.
“That's not even fair Ruth and you know it. Where is your honor,” asked Phil and grinned at Ruth as if to say you win?
Ruth said, “Dr. Phillips can I have a few minutes of you time it is very important to me.”
“Hey Ruth, sure when did you come in? I didn’t even realize anyone was here,” quickly answered Dr. Phillips.
“Oh, I guess ten or twelve minutes ago, something like that right Phil,” said Ruth.
Phil threw his hands up in surrender and said, “I know nothing,” in his best Sgt. Schultz impression from the TV show Hogan’s Heroes.
Ruth couldn’t help herself, Phil had won this round, she busted out laughing and said, “Phil that was great you win, no tatlin’. What happens in the Hospital stays in the Hospital.”
Dr. Phillips knew she had missed something, she could not for the life of her figure out what they were talking about. That made her a little perturbed with the couple of hooligans in her Hospital pulling things over on her.
Dr. Phillips straightened up and all businesslike said, “How can I help you Ruth and I will get to you, latter buster?” The latter part a direct shot at Phil. Phil thought, I won the battle and lost the war, just my luck.
Ruth answered, “Twos is complaining that he needs to get in bed and take some pain medicine and he said it in front of others, not just me.”
Dr. Phillips went into strict Doctor mode and said, “Billie fix me up a Demerol and Morphine pain shot for Twos like before and give me a bottle of the Percocet. Phil grab my bag and my Kel-Tec we need to go see Twos.” Continuing towards the door as she reached for her coat, the autumn temperature had dropped significantly after dark today. In just a few moments the trio of Ruth, Phil and the Doctor were on their way to see the Leader of the Clan and check on his well-being.
Joe was sitting in his favorite chair monitoring the radios and the computer sites that Megan and Thomas had shown him to monitor. He was basically just sitting there reading the answer from the First Sergeant’s command group over and over wandering what he was missing. As he was doing this, he was looking out the front door of the cabin and saw Ruth, Phil, and the Doctor race by heading towards the Lodge. He hopped up from his chair leaving the message and stepped outside and hailed the trio to find out the problem. He was quickly told it was nothing serious they were just going for a regular checkup on Twos. He was thinking, I was born at night people, just not last night, people.
As Megan came down from the Lounge to see what all the excitement was and to get a drink of water; Joe was still out on the porch when she walked by Joe’s chair and saw the message laying in the chair. She read the message just as Joe and the Sergeant had so many times except without the preconceived notion that the text was some great algorithmic code. She looked at the paper read the text out loud.
Five stripes,
2 bear, it’s 8:pm & fish eggs: with 2 40 oz. cold beer & pallet, little brother 2.
coming home sweet condo plus the 7-11stop; with 2nd baby Mama & posse from closest ville, no charge.
By Puff Air.
Baby Daddy gone till EBT check day.
She wrote down her analysis and it was as follows:
Five stripes = Sergeant
2 bear, it’s = 2 Barrett's
8:pm = 8? precious metals
& fish eggs = plus roe
with 2 40 oz. cold beer & pallet, little brother 2. =? not a clue
coming home sweet home plus the 7-11 stop; = arriving Lease with snacks? groceries?
with 2nd baby Mama & posse from closest ville no charge. =? troops nearest Fort
By Puff Air. = coming on plane?
Baby Daddy gone till EBT check day. = they will call back on the first of month at midnight
Then she walked out on the porch and asked Joe what the ruckus was about. Joe answered, “Something is up with Twos. Ruth, Phil and the Doctor were almost at a run going over to the Lodge and the Doctor had her bag. They told me it was nothing but I smell rotten fish on the answer they gave me. What do you think?”
Megan said, “I think we need to go inside to talk about this because it is cold out here.”
Then she promptly turned and walked back into the Comm Center, leaving Joe standing on the porch. She continued when Joe got inside, “I agree, there is probably something wrong with Twos again. He tries to do too much. Heck he was shot what three times just a couple of weeks or so ago.”
Joe said, “You are most correct young Sky Walker,” and sat back down in his chair and picked up the paper and looked at what she had written.
Joe looking at the paper said, “You my young friend are a genius. You have broken the code. I can get it from here. It is Army stuff; that is why you didn’t get the rest.
Five stripes = Sergeant
2 bear, it's = 2 Barrett's
8: pm = 8? precious metals (8 cases of ammo)
& fish eggs = plus roe (plus Raufoss)
with 2 40 oz. cold beer & pallet, little brother 2. =? not a clue (240 machine guns, pallet of 7.62 X 51mm ammo and two pallets of 5.56 X 45mm ammo)
coming home sweet home plus the 7-11 stop; = arriving Lease with snacks 24 hours? groceries? (supplies)
with 2nd baby Mama & posse from closest ville no charge. =? troops nearest Fort (2 Ma Deuce machine guns & troops from Fort Bragg Fayetteville, NC)
By Puff Air. = coming on plane? (C-130 airplane)
Baby Daddy gone till EBT check day. = they will call back on the first of month at midnight
Joe ask, “Megan, I get the first of month but how did you get midnight.”
She laughed and replied, “Everybody knows that you don’t go to Wal-Mart at midnight on the first of the month because that is when the money hits the EBT cards,” she laughed at the lost look on Joe’s face.
Joe said, “Well anyway, you solved the message, but don’t say anything till we can tell Twos or the Major.”
“No problem, I am going back to bed old man, wake Silvia when it’s her time don’t pull another all-nighter. We need you sharp too you know and besides yawl old people need your rest.” Megan laughed all the way back to bed at Joe. Joe balled his fist up and waved it at the back of her head. It was a wasted effort as Megan never even looked back.
The trio arrived back to the Lodge just as Twos had gotten out of the shower and was going to take his medicine and lie down, hoping to get a good night’s sleep. He very much doubted it though as the pain had kept him awake the last couple of nights. Twos seeing the trio coming in the door said, “What is the problem? Do I need to get back dressed?”
Dr. Phillips took over from there and gave Twos a thorough exam and the shot that Billie had prepared and ordered him to tell her when the pain got too much from now on.
Chapter 64
Early the next cold, damp, and dreary autumn morning at breakfast, the Doctor asked Ruth where Twos was and she said, “Still sleeping like a baby fifteen minutes ago. I am going to check on him again before I leave to go on the supply run.” Dr. Phillips told Ruth not to bother that she was going to check on him any way and she could take care of him till they got back.
Ruth said, “Thanks, I am going to use the time savings talking to Woods about us starting having a fire in the fire place here in the Atrium. Having the open front it is beginning to be a little chilly in the morning and at night.” Dr. Phillips agreed that they could probably get by without one at lunch and walked towards the Jacob’s side of the Lodge to check on Twos, as Ruth went in quest of the Lease’s Operations Chief.
Phil, Tonya, PFC Jennings had topped of their trucks and pulled them out in front of the Lodge. The Lodge had become the defacto launch point for all of the Clan’s expeditions off the property. They had all checked the load outs on the machine guns and the extra equipment that had been put on each truck to help in case of trouble or breakdown.
Blake had made a meticulous list of the equipment he wanted on each vehicle and he had just about completed the list for all of the trucks in the fleet. His list included a high lift jack, and three-ton bottle jack, water for the truck, extra fuel, can of starter fluid (ether), WD-40, Duct tape, oil, anti-freeze, brake fluid, tow rope and chain with ratchet binder, axe, shovel, pick axe, ten-pound hammer, and a large wrecking bar, and of course a tool box and an extra spare tire or two if possible.
Phil said, “I am going to get my CamelBak and my canteen filled up with some cold water and grab a glass of ice tea for the road, would the two of you wish to join me.”
Tonya immediately answered her affirmative and thought to herself, quit it girl he is taken. Chiding herself, I am not a teenage school girl for the sake of Jupiter. Tonya hoping the two guys were oblivious as most guys were. She checked a quick glance at the two and they were both just heading into the Atrium, at first glance none the wiser. Phil thought, not another one, Cupid should be out of arrows by now. Hopefully, if I let it go, she will too.
Joe was meeting with the Sergeant and telling him about the decipher of the message by Megan. The First Sergeant said, “Yeah, that little lady is a quick study, would have ended up in intelligence if she joined the service. If she stayed in five years she would have been working for the CIA or NSA probably.”
Joe said, “Yeah, she is way too smart for Army Intelligence the two words in the dictionary most used as an example for Oxymoron,” and both of the old warriors got a laugh at an old joke that was always true and most of the time funny.
“Yeah, it means we are to expect company at around 1800 hours tonight. We need to get with Twos and the Major and let them know about the message. If I am guessing right Twos will want to move up supper or have a late lunch and lock the Lease down by 1600- 1700 hours, going to our highest level of defense status,” said the Sergeant.
“I am sure you are right let’s get over to the Lodge and find Twos,” said Joe. Then walked to the loft ladder and hollered for the two sleepy heads to get out of bed. He had indeed pulled another all-night shift and let the ladies sleep. Megan was voicing her displeasure with Joe as she came down the ladder from the loft, not nearly dressed and ready for work. But still looking like a real catch to any man that had eyes. She was a natural beauty that didn’t require makeup and fine clothes to make her a looker.
Megan said, “Joe you and I will have a serious talk when you get back from meeting with Twos, and don’t try to dodge me either, you hear what I am saying, old man.” Joe shook his head at the firebrand and kept on walking, knowing that would get her goat more than anything he could say or do in reply.
As Joe and the Sergeant made their way towards the Lodge to see Twos and or the Major, inside the Jacob’s bedroom the good Doctor was reading Twos the riot act. Dr. Phillips said, “I cut you some slack last night in front of Ruth and Phil. The truth is both you and I know that you are doing too much and the ribs are not healing as fast as you thought they would, now are they. You don’t even have to answer because I know, buster.”
Twos head kind of slumped to his chest and he answered, “I get to feeling a little better and I go to hard. The next thing I know I am really hurting, to the point where I can hardly function sometimes. I can usually make it okay till about supper time, anything after that I am done and it gets worse, I can’t sleep because of the pain. Last night the pain medicine you gave me knocked me out for almost eleven hours. I have to admit I feel a lot better this morning. Just the rest has helped a lot, thanks Doc for not saying anything in front of Ruth, she worries too much.”
Dr. Phillips said, “The Percocet that I have given you is stronger than what you had before, take them. I will see if we have any muscle relaxers to help you sleep at night. Take one right now and another in about two hours or quicker if the pain comes back, I want you to be pain free. Now I want you to get dressed and set up right here at your table till I return. I am going to find Sarah and put her in charge of your schedule and your rest periods. Till lunch today for every forty-five minutes of talking and doing fifteen full minutes flat of your back in bed preferably asleep. I will be back and we will go to lunch and a quick walk around the facilities to meet and greet the Clan members and then back to bed for one hour of sleep.”
Twos looked at the Doctor and said, “Doctor I have things that I need to do, we are going to start building the new additions to the Outdoor kitchen today and I need to help Woods and Blake.”
She fired back, “Did you even listen to anything I just said? You are absolutely the hardest headed patient; I have ever seen. You have two choices, the way I just explained or I will have you put in the hospital and we will keep you sedated for the next forty-eight hours, how about them apples. Don’t try me Twos, I am losing my patience with you,” and she stormed out of the bedroom door running into Sarah coming down the hall to the bedroom. She continued, “You are just the person I was looking far, if he tries to get up out of this chair to go anywhere but to bed shoot him in the leg. Don’t hit anything vital.”
Sarah thought the Doctor had lost her mind until she explained the reason for the orders. Sarah said, “I owe him everything Doctor he will be here when you get back or he will be in the hospital with a flesh wound and you can deal with Ruth.”
Ruth coming into her bedroom said, “Who can deal with Ruth, Sarah?”
Dr. Phillips said, “I can, I was trying to keep it quiet, your husband has over done it again and his healing has taken a step back. We are going to have to limit his work load, as he doesn’t seem smart enough to do it himself.”
Ruth said, “I guess if that is the only problem, you have my blessings and my help and if anyone is going to shoot my husband, I want it to be Sarah or maybe Candace she is pretty good with that rifle,” and she busted out laughing and Sarah started breathing again.
“Thanks for the support,” said Dr. Phillips and continued, “Don’t you have a salvage run to go on.”
Ruth said, “Yes I do,” and reached over and kissed her husband and patted Sarah on the shoulder winked at the Doctor and left like a whirlwind.
As she was leaving, she met the Sergeant and Joe fixing to walk into her front door with the Major in tow. She said, “He is off limits, you are going to have to talk with his boss, me.”
They all started talking at once. Ruth held up her hands to quiet the group and said, “Let’s go get a table looks like this is going to take a minute.”
They all turned around and headed out towards the tables. The trio sat down on one side of the table and Ruth on the other, in a us versus them kind of situation. Ruth said, “Look here, we will get through this, Twos is having a small set back. It is mostly he just needs a lot more rest than he has been getting on his own. So, what is it we need to decide about?”
Joe said, “We have received a communique from the Sergeant’s Command structure. It seems they are hard pressed while trying to re-establish and protect the Command structure of the nation after a couple of coup attempts. They sent us a strange message we couldn’t understand, until Megan broke the second code. Bottom line something is showing up here at 1800 hours tonight we think and something at midnight. Here again that is based on our interpreting the message correctly.”
The Major said, “I have read the message and I would have to agree with Megan’s breaking of the code.”
First Sergeant Hammond joined in saying, “The good news is we are probably getting some of the things that Twos had us request if not all. We will just have to wait and see.”
Ruth thought for a minute and said, “Okay, let’s think about this we really need to get some more supplies from the Industrial Complex especially the stuff for the kitchen and the solar. This is what we need to do. Major add another truck with Blake as the driver and Candace as the shooter with PFC Dennis and move Robert from the F-250 that had five people. This way we have more protection and more hands and some extra room for stuff. We saddle up in fifteen and we are back here inside the Lease by mid-day. We button up everything by 1300 hours. Then we will have a late lunch early supper at 1500 hours. At that time, we will go to one hundred percent readiness for the next twelve hours. Secondly, nobody tells Twos anything until we have the early supper.”
The Sergeant said, “Now we make it happen.”
Joe said, “Some of my people will help cover the OPs till then if need be myself included. We can handle it and need to carry our weight.”
Ruth said, “Thanks Joe, you and Megan work it out but one of the two of you is in the Communications Center all the time. Comprende?” Giving both men the stink eye.
Joe said, “Ma’am, yes Ma’am. One of us in the Communications Center at all times.” They all jumped up and stared making things happen. The group had orders and things to do and they were burning daylight as Twos liked to say.
As Phil was walking into the Atrium to get his Camel-Bak and canteen filled, Ruth said, “Go get the other Toyota and the small trailer it can pull and if you see Blake tell him he is back in the saddle and we need him to drive and Candace to get her rifle.”
Tonya heard the conversation and said, “Blake was over by the barn earlier gathering metal and getting ready to do some welding it looked like. I will run and get him.”
“Thanks Tonya,” said Ruth. As Tonya and Phil took off back out of the Atrium handing canteens and CamelBak’s to Jennings as they left. The message implied Jennings your it, make yourself useful and have these filled when we get back.
While Phil and Tonya were on their quest, Megan was noticing a drastic rise in the amount of Arabic traffic on the radio and the CB. She wished they had someone who could interpret the signals that they could intercept. James and Thomas had tried to use a phone app to interpret some of the radio messages that they intercepted. The boys had a little success but not enough to understand really anything. Their reasoning something about a phone signal versus radio and the algorithm not being right.
The two boys thought that given enough time that they could re-write the program to make it work. Time was a luxury her or the boys didn’t have, or anyone at the Clan for that matter. She thought even Ms. Jasmine and Joe, she didn’t know which were the oldest, pulled their weight and then some. Joe with his pulling all-nighters on the radio to give the young ones as he would say it, more rest and Jasmine up at 0300 hours or before every morning to help start breakfast.
Megan thought, there seems to be something about this place and the Jacob’s family that just brings the best out of people. She added to herself, at least most, not Dale’s wife, what was her name, she couldn’t remember. She was going to ask Silvia and remembered that Silvia was not even part of the Clan when Dale’s wife had shot him. Without malice the Clan had replied in kind, taking her life.
Dr. Phillips and Sarah were softly talking and Twos was gently sleeping the medicines calming the beast, his fifteen-minute nap had already turned into more and the Doctor was pleased. She said, “I am going now, make sure he takes his medicine when he awakens. I know him and he will not want to take it, call me if he doesn’t and I will give him another injection.”
As the Doctor was leaving the convoy was mounting up with Candace coming at a run, she had been showering and had to get out and dressed in a hurry. When she went to get in the F-250, Blake said, “Not today, you are riding with Phil on this ride little bit, don’t make me jealous.”
Blake winked at his young admirer as she turned to go to the third truck in line. The Major reached over and punched the monster of a man driving the F-250 and said, “She is getting to old for you to play with her emotions and besides you are already taken, so stop it.”
Blake visibly alarmed, and chastised said, “Won’t happen again, old habits die hard, did not mean her harm, would never...”
The Major reached over and gave the big guy a kiss on the cheek and said, “That’s why no one has ever questioned your gentle affections for Candace. Twos, Ruth, Phil and all your friends know you wouldn’t and more than that, they know you would tear the limbs from anyone who would think about it,” she finished as the big truck started to roll away from the Lodge.
As they pulled to the first gate it was almost startling for Becky to be there opening and unlocking the gate for the convoy. Melton and Robert had become the icons of the gate, ‘the gate keepers’ as it were of the Lease. A badge of honor they wore with pride, today though they wore a different set of badges. The badge being that of grown men warriors leaving the safety of the Lease and going out to face and slay the Legions of the enemy. The twins hoped they would carry the torch of the Clan and make their parents and the other leaders of the Clan proud. Becky waved her Aunt Amy in the last Toyota as she closed and locked the gate Then she hurried back to the confines of the OP1 observation bunker. She slid into the back entrance of the bunker just as Billie was telling Megan in the Communications Center that Elvis had left the building and was flying away for his next show at the Dunes in Vegas.
As the convoy was leaving the grounds, James and Thomas was talking with Gretchen as Dr. Phillips walked up to the trio on the porch of the Hospital. Gretchen said, “Hi, Anne the boys have great news. They are going to put the twelve thousand watts’ unit on the hospital instead of the ten thousand and it will give us and extra twenty percent power.”
James said, “Yes, we are. However, you cannot and I repeat cannot run the autoclave and any of the big drain instruments at the same time. It will blow the fuses and shut everything down, okay. As a safety, we are going to put a disconnect on the autoclave that has to be engaged before its use and an automatic disengage when the instrument is not running. Also, the power will be shut down to other parts of the building when it is running, mostly non-essential stuff.”
Thomas came into the conversation seamlessly with, “Since you have no patients, we are going to set up a generator for the refrigerator and shut down everything while we take down and change out the system.”
James looked to Raj and Lane and said, “Time to go to Work as my Dad would say.”
The team started the job racing against time to finish by the time the convoy got back into camp. Dr. Phillips had offered to help with the install and she would turn out to be a God send as she wasn’t only a good Doctor. It turned out working in those third world countries had made her pretty handy with power tools. The four guys were amazed actually at how handy the Doctor and Gretchen were at something they had never actually attempted before. The benefits of genius level IQ showing in the form of actual hands on problem solving instead of just paper equations and theorems.
Sarah was cleaning her new rifle when Twos awoke from his nap and sat up in his bed. He looked straight at Sarah and said, “Where is everybody? I don't hear the normal hustle and bustle of things happening here at the Lease.”
Sarah said, “Out and about, I guess. Ruth went on a trip to the Industrial Complex to retrieve some more salvage that we know is there and we need. My guess is the others are either with the team doing salvage or working on some important thing like re-wiring the new Solar system over at the Hospital or on guard duty and stuff like that.”
Twos looked at his watch and said, “You let me sleep for almost two hours. I told you to wake me in fifteen minutes.”
Sarah calmly stood up from her place at the desk, walked over to Twos handing him one of the Percocet tablets the Doctor had told her to have him take and a cup of cold water and said, “The Doctor gave strict orders to let you sleep as long as you would and as soon as you awoke to give you this.”
“She also said, if you wouldn’t take it to have someone come and get her. Promising that she would be right over with one of those shots that you love so much and you would be out for twelve more hours. Drink up Twos and take the meds. I need to put my new rifle back together.” Then she went and sat back down at the table and finished the assembly of the POF rifle. She replaced the magazine and loaded a round into the chamber and made safe the weapon, all in one smooth motion.
Sarah said, “Do you have anything to read except manuals around this joint.”
Twos reached over and opened the bed stand drawer and pulled his personal worn copy of Sun Tzu's ‘The Art of War’ handed the warn version to her. Telling her to enlighten yourself, lots of good information. Sarah took the book and said, “Thanks, a couple of my hand gun teachers have recommended this book. I guess it must be good by the looks of this one. Why haven’t you just bought a new one?”
Twos smiled as if amused by her question and answered, “Annie Oakley, I have had that book about thirty years, I guess and I have bought its replacement probably as many times. The problem is I always end up giving the replacement to someone to read and I don’t seem to ever get them back. I guess people enjoy them as much as I do and it’s like Lay’s potato chips you can’t just eat one.”
Sarah ask, “Does that mean this one is not mine to keep?”
Twos said, “Nah, you can have it, I think there is another copy somewhere in my stuff. I just don’t know where. It will show up eventually. Can I go to the restroom?”
Sarah pointed to the rolling potty chair that was in the room. Then got up and walked out the door saying, “I will be right outside. Would you like a glass of ice Tea? I am going to see if Jasmine will bring me some. Watching you sleep and use the potty is hard work,” and her melodious laugh irritated Twos to no end at that moment.
On arrival at the Industrial Complex the Clan teams stopped at the two manufacturing facilities. Dropping off their teams a short team with Woods to remove the kitchen supplies. The second team with more help was to get the two solar setups and any other extras that the team had been asked about by Woods, James and Thomas. The Clan were hoping that somewhere in the warehouse was some wind turbines to augment the few 600-watt systems that they had for winter was approaching. Woods knowing that even in the sunny south there was going to be some days without enough sun to keep up with the Clan’s electrical demand.
Candace was on the roof of the building that Woods team was salvaging. Emily had set up on the second teams’ roof with Amy watching her six and if need be spotting for the shooter. The angle that the first building sat and the close proximity to the wood line Candace had said, she wouldn’t be able to hold her position long enough for a spotter she was more of a lookout than a shooter.
Blake was standing guard on the F-250 with the trailer and Ruth was acting as a floor boss on the load out. She was making quick runs through the plant trying to find any of the items that were on the wish list. Jennings had the MRAP backed into a group of ornamental trees. The large truck setting on a slight rise in a very nicely manicured natural area. One that the landscaping company had did a very nice job creating and he had ruined in minutes. It gave him some great concealment and adequate cover and best of all the high ground. Tonya was watching the other exit and entrance to his right and Amy was on the Ma Deuce ready to rock and roll if needed. Tonya normally just sat in the truck during these events and kept the truck running. Staying diligent and ready to move at a moment’s notice with her rifle laying across her lap.
Today, her inner Spidey senses were going crazy and she said, “Amy be toasty and go ahead and chamber that big boy and make ready.” As she stood behind her open door and loaded a HE round into her M-203 attached to the barrel of her M-4. She didn’t much care for the way she was feeling and was ready to defend her friends to the bitter end. She had already decided she would never be a prisoner of the Swords of Allah again.
As she was thinking these thoughts, she was subconsciously rubbing the one V-40 mini- frag grenade she had talked the First Sergeant out of, when she found out he had a few. It would be the last thing her and any of Allah’s boys would see if they tried to take her alive. She also had a very scary looking smile across her face as she was thinking these thoughts about how you didn’t get even, you had to win. Her score card definitely needed some points by her way of thinking.
Woods was making great time in the kitchen of the plant and the place had everything they needed to complete the outdoor kitchen. As he was waiting on the truck to pull over to his pile of awaiting stuff, he made another walk through of the plant with the Major who had come with him to help with the salvage efforts. As Samantha had taken up a shooting position in the front office of the building behind a large alcove desk that made an ideal shooting platform. Woods asked, “Does anything feel different this time Sis?”
The Major said, “No, I don’t have any sense we are being watched or anything like that. If I did, I would surely say so. I learned a long time ago to listen to the voices, instinct, subconscious or whatever. It has saved my life and others many times.”
“Good, I guess I am just jumpy or something, to many times to the well or something like that,” said Woods.
The Major spoke into her mike and said, “Ruth, get a move on we may have spooks in the wire. I want you here for pickup in five mikes if at all possible.”
Ruth answered, “We have felt it, also. We will be there if three minutes ready to load.”
The Major replied, “Ten-four, Boss lady over and out.”
Blake said, “Tonya and Jennings did you read that? Yawl got eyes on anything your way?”
Jennings answered, “I got no joy. I do feel them though.”
Tonya added in her two cents and said, “Same her Mountain Man, no joy, just because I am paranoid doesn’t mean they are not out to get me, though.”
Blake said, “You know that’s right Ms. Tonya, you know that’s right. Everybody keep your eyes open and your powder dry and be ready to rumble or fly on Boss Ladies call.”
Ruth came over the headpieces, “Wait five, found wind, found wind, need help here on me now.”
Blake went running into the building and ran to where Ruth was pointing. He saw what she was pointing at ten, four foot by six foot by nine-inch boxes. He put his gun over his back and grabbed a box by the handle in each large hand and took off running for the trailer. Phil showed up a few ticks after his big buddy and followed suit with a box under each arm.
Trooper Holtz and Lieutenant Smith showed up in time to see the men take off with the boxes being carried like luggage. The Trooper tried to grab one of the boxes and all he succeeded in doing was dropping the box and breaking the contents and hurting his back somewhat. He and The Lieutenant were able to get one of the boxes between the two of them and take it to the truck. By that time Blake was back and grabbed two more of the wind packages and hollered at Phil that there was one more as he met him on the way back to the truck.
Phil answered, “Got it big fellow be ready to roll when I get back, we are not locking the trailer just putting the ramp up. Tell them we are on the way.”
Blake loaded the wind turbines onto the trailer and raced to the front of the truck and jumped into the driver’s seat in record time. Completing his mount in time to see Ruth and Phil come out the door at a dead run towards the back of the trailer in his side view mirror. As Ruth was getting her seat belt fastened Phil came running by the front of the truck waving his arm in a circle, the universal sign of move’em out. Continuing to run towards his Toyota as the big Fords diesel roar to life and headed towards Woods and the kitchen equipment.
All Woods and his Sis had found on their walk about in the plant was a case of one-liter bottles of Gentleman’s Jack and another of Single Barrel. It seems someone in upper management liked his Jack Daniels. They also found a box of long sleeve dri-fit charcoal gray Nike shirts with the red logo of the company in XL and XXL that Woods grabbed for him and Twos and the rest of the gang as they all loved this type of shirt, someone else could enjoy the liquor.
As they were coming out of the building Robert and Melton were helping load the kitchen equipment onto the trailer. Tonya was hollering over the radio that she was going back to pick up Emily and cutting a U-turn through the grass of the building and heading back to get the shooter.
As she made her way back to pick up her lost luggage. Emily was heading in the direction of the other Industry building as fast as her short legs would take her. For some reason, she felt like she needed to be somewhere else right now and she was trying her best to do just that. Tonya came to a stop almost making a complete three hundred and sixty degree turn in the process, as Emily grabbed the back-door handle and slung it open and jumped into the truck saying, “Hit it Sister I am in the house, now is the time to un-ass this place and ride,” and that is exactly what Tonya did, the Toyota spinning the tires on the pavement as they left.
As the caravan left the Industrial Complex headed back to the Lease, Captain Tai (Big Kahuna) Martinez 3rd Special Forces Group, 2nd Battalion Charlie Company looked over at his second Warrant Officer 2 Justin Smoak from Dothan, AL and said, “I told you this group was good, they never saw us yet over half of them felt our eyes on them and reacted.”
“Yeah, you are right, it seems they over reacted maybe even panicked,” said Smoak.
“I didn’t say they panicked, said they reacted. I didn’t see any overreaction or panic at all. I saw them up their level of readiness and put their operations in overdrive. Then complete the mission and get out of a possible hot AO without any injuries or random events or discharges of their weapons. They maintained their perimeter and completed the task,” said Big Kahuna.
“How about the shooter they left behind,” questioned Smoak?
“Smoak don’t tell me you haven’t ever left anybody behind that wasn’t in the heat of battle. Remember First Sergeant Stock last summer at the training exercise at Pope. You left Joanne high and dry and didn’t even notice it for two hours. They addressed their omission on the run and fixed the problem, pronto,” said Big Kahuna.
“How long, Captain, how long,” pleaded Smoak?
“Round up the team Smoak and get back to the hide, we have to make radio contact and report in and get a little shuteye. We have a big night ahead of us,” said Captain Martinez.
“I’m on it Captain, back in ten with your merry band of pirates, sir,” responded Smoak.
Easing his body back down into the storm drain channel they were using to mask their movements and conceal their presence and moved out to recover the team. They were using hand signals and voice commands as their leader thought their radio Communications might be hacked by the Swords of Allah or someone in their Command structure.
The A-team met back at their vehicles a pair of Ground Mobility Vehicles (GMV) they had a GMV-R and a GMV -S units for the eight-man team that was four men short of a normal team. The GMV’s were loaded for bear the R variant had a MK-19 40mm grenade launcher mounted in a cupola on the front and a M-240 machine gun on the back. The S variant GMV had a M-2 Ma Deuce fifty-caliber machine gun in the front and a M-240 on the back a lot of firepower in a small package. The team had been sent out light from Ft Bragg because time was of the essence in getting the soldiers on the scene. Four of their team members had not arrived from leave when they went hot on the mission and were left behind.
The Special Forces team had been working this area since, four days after the start of the war. They had landed at a commercial field owned and operated by Lockheed/Martin in the upstate of South Carolina about forty-five miles or so the way the crow flies from their present AO. It was the nearest and safest working facility big enough to land the C-130 cargo plane and the team, courtesy of the NSA.
Their Command Intelligence Division had intercepted and confirmed by second and third source that a large group of the Swords of Allah would be assembling in this area. Their team was sent to confirm, track and call in air strikes on the assembly of the Swords of Allah. The EMP attacks and the internal attacks had diminished their ability to call in airstrikes. It however had not been able to keep them from observing and reporting. That and doing a little wet work when the need or opportunity availed itself to the team.
The convoy raised Megan on their radio and informed her that the convoy was coming into the Lease in four mikes and to have the doors open. Megan was instantly on the horn to Billie and Jed in the two OPs to let them know of the Convoys arrival early to the Lease and for them to be prepared. Becky made her way out of the back entrance to the OP and eased down to the gate area staying in cover and concealment to the best of her abilities as Melton had shown her. He was a good teacher to be so young, she thought.
Becky chastised herself and thought, I wouldn’t like it if they ask me to do a man's job and then said Becky you do that well for a young girl. Why should the shoe not fit for Melton? Especially if I want it to fit for me. What am I Cinderella or something? Laughing to herself at her own joke. No one would think of me as Cinderella with my big feet. Sixteen years old and a Ladies size eleven, no glass slipper here. Her train of thought was broken by the distinctive sound of the F-250 and the HUMVEE making the turn at the junction and coming down the lane to the turn off to the Lease. She checked her AR and eased the safety off; she had been told by Melton that he always worked the gate with his safety off. Telling her he kept his finger resting on the rifle ready to drop it down and return fire if the need arose.
Blake saw Becky ease into position to open the gate and realized that the leaves were falling off the trees and the underbrush. Making a mental note to speak to Twos and Woods about maybe putting up some camouflage netting or something to shield the gates. Better to be safe than sorry, he thought and pulled the F-250 with the trailer of salvage up to the gate on his way into the Lease. Blake pulled the F-250 up to the gate just as Becky opened the gate and said, “Glad you all are back everyone in one piece I hope and all team members accounted.”
Blake looked at the young lady and said, “We all here and all good, thanks for asking little one.”
As the convoy pulled through the gate and the wood line into the field, across from them the Lodge was alive with activities. The boys were trying to get the hospitals Solar power system changed out the ladies were preparing the noon meal. Twos and Dr. Phillips were just starting out of the Atrium for the walk, she had promised him with his ever-faithful bodyguard Sarah in step.
Twos said, “We need to wait for the convoy to pull up and I can speak to them as they are back early. Do we know why? Was there trouble or someone hurt?”
Sarah spoke up, she had been made aware of their imminent return by her good friend Megan on her ear bud and Twos and the Doctor were none the wiser. Sarah said, “There have been no reports of injuries arriving to the Lease and no signs of struggle have been reported from the front gate.”
Twos looked at his bodyguard and said, “Are you wearing communications devices young lady, that I am not aware.”
Sarah smiled at her mentor and said, “What the Clan leader is aware of is above my pay grade, as you know. I am in fact wearing the latest addition to the Clan’s ability to communicate with its operatives,” and burst out laughing at the expression on Twos face.
“Young lady if you will not respect your elders as John Wayne said in the movie Mc Clintock I think, I will have to teach you to respect your betters,” and reached as if to maul Sarah.
The Doctor stepped between the two not knowing or getting that the two were just funing with each other. Their mutual respect for each other as people and now as fellow warriors of the gun would not allow them to come to blows. The outcome was a given, it would end ugly, they both knew and lived with this firmly in their grasp and besides they were of a like mind, in most thoughts. Always Sarah tried her best to make him happy with her performance, knowing that emulation is a great form of respect. Besides the match may end in a draw and that would mean they were both dead, as neither were likely to miss and they both were fast.
Blake pulled up in front of Twos, Samantha, the Major getting out of the truck. Ruth jumped down out of the back of the truck after making safe the Ma Deuce and walked directly to the group and said, “You must have been a good boy, I see Sarah hasn’t shot you,”
Then she reached up and gave Twos a big hug and kiss and then hugs for the Ladies and a big thank you for taking care of her husband while she was gone. Blake and the Major were the first to arrive at the group hug and Blake said in his own silly way of humor, “What does a man have to do to get one of these hugs from all these beautiful women?” The Major turned and gave him a hug and a kiss that made all men all over the world wish they were getting the kiss and then she asked, “Is that good enough for you big guy, all you have to do is ask?”
Blake shyly said, “May I have another, fine Lady of mine,” and everyone within hearing range laughed with the big guy.
Twos said, “Now that I know everyone is alright from the expedition, I want to make my rounds and check on the Solar install at the Hospital. Then check on Sarah’s Mother. After which it will be lunch time and after that I want the Council to meet. At that time, you all can tell me what the big secret is you are trying to keep from me,” and walked away leaving everyone with their jaws hanging down around their ankles.
As Twos walked away Woods was over talking with James and Thomas about the Solar install at the Hospital. Explaining how he wanted them to grab two of the wind systems and add the capacity to the install, but not part of the regular drain from usage, only as an energy maker.
Chapter 65
Woods explanation made perfect sense to the boys, Raj and Lane both just told the boys to point at whatever needed done. They had both already agreed between their selves that these two young men, would probably win some kind of prize one day like the Nobel Prize for Science or Engineering.
Raj said, “I don’t know what they feed these lads that makes them so smart and able. They sure didn’t have any of it in India. If they did nobody, I knew was fed any.”
Lane said, “I was born and raised around here and it sure isn’t in the water. I am guessing that being raised by Ruth and Twos didn’t hurt them much though. You know they could be arrogant or cocky. If they weren’t both hurt, I guarantee you they would have been the first ones on the roof this morning.”
“I think your assessment is most correct, my friend, most correct. We were one lucky group of survivors that the Clan showed up to my Mall and your wife’s Pharmacy the day they did. Then asked us to be part of the Clan,” said Raj with a big expressive gesture of his hands.
“My wife and I thank the good Lord for that blessing every morning and night with our prayers. Everyday my friend, every day,” said Lane and shook his head in acknowledgement of the magnificent ways of the Lord.
The First Sergeant was talking with Joe at the Communications Center about the events to come in the next twelve to fourteen hours. The two old warhorses trying to narrow down all the information from the messages. Megan listened to the guys and said, “Look guys for sure we know something is happening twenty-four hours from the point of the message so 1800 hours tonight. We also know about the EBT cards being midnight on the first of the month which is tonight at 0000 hours or midnight to me. We have a window that is from say 1800 hours tonight till sometime 0800 tomorrow or so when the banks and grocery stores would open.”
Joe said, “I think it would be tonight at midnight instead of in the morning just make more sense especially if a big Hercules C-130 is coming through. Lots of noise and in daylight you literally can see and hear those big slow rascals twenty miles away.”
The Sergeant agreed with both of the analyst and their answers, he couldn’t figure out for the life of him why there would be two different times, or if they were over analyzing and it was just midnight the way the message ended. The Sergeant said, “Let’s get ready for Lunch and the Council meeting afterwards.”
Joe asked, “Silvia will you hold down the fort while we are gone.”
Silvia replied, “Sure thing, can I run over and get me a plate of food before you all go to eat and bring it back.”
Megan said, “Yeah go ahead and eat over at the Atrium and take your time, I will hold the fort till you get back.”
Silvia said, “Thanks, you are just waiting for the Lover Boys Thomas and James to come and get you for Lunch. You need to tell James, you are taken girl, it isn’t fair and besides have you seen how Becky looks at James you got competition.”
Megan said, “It’s not like that between, James and I. Thomas and me, yes, James no.”
Silvia said, “Thomas and you might know that but James doesn’t. Girl, have you ever looked at how that boy looks at you Megan, you need to tell him? Because James thinks he has a chance. If you all weren’t such good friends, he would have already made a play.”
Joe said, “Silvia’s darn right Megan, he thinks he has a chance. He knows it is you and Thomas, he thinks that you and he are more than friends though.”
“Dang it man, I don’t need that, because I do Love them both, just not the same, you know. I would not hurt James for nothing,” Megan said.
Silvia said, “Megs you need to tell him and get him and Becky together pronto. Help him out and he will be thankful, she is a pretty girl also.”
Joe with a lot of pride and a little mischief said, “Yeah, she is takes after her Grandpa.” Silvia was killing herself laughing at Joe following him as she walked out the door towards the Lodge and some chow.
Twos was on his way to see Sarah’s Mom after having a talk with Woods, James and Thomas along with the whole work gang about the progress at the hospital. He made sure he had spoken with the Ladies at the Hospital while he was there. As he walked with Sarah and the Doctor towards the lady’s cabin, he asked Dr. Phillips if there were any chances of him going over the line before and was it a good idea to continue the trip to see Pam.
Dr. Phillips replied, “What do you think Sarah, has your Mom ever had any physiological problems? Any that you know of at least.”
Sarah said, “I think she took anti-depressants, Zoloft and Valium maybe. I don’t know exactly why she took them. I do know she has been taking them for years, as long as I can remember really.”
“Oh, my goodness. I should have thought of that. It is going to be a big problem soon,” the Doctor said as much to herself as Twos and Sarah.
Twos said, “What should you have thought of and what is going to be a big problem soon?”
Dr. Phillips said, “It is the end of the month, all the people in America that are on maintenance drugs, like anti-depressants, or blood pressure, seizure medicines, heart medicine or especially like Insulin are running out of their medicines and they will have no way to get any. It might explain why Mrs. Garrett acted so out of it and was asking for room service. She is off her meds and her brain is not dealing with it well.”
Twos said, “You think that may be why she acted like she was the Queen of Egypt.”
Dr. Phillips laughed at Twos analogy and said, “Could be, not sure though. We need to go see her and ask her some questions and give her a checkup. I don’t know where we can find those drugs might be some in the stuff from the Pharmacy. That would only be a temporary fix, people are going to die from this alone. Heart patients and Diabetics will all be gone in a year probably.”
Twos said, “That is a problem. How did people deal with this a hundred years ago or in third world countries before?”
Dr. Phillips looked him in the eye and said, “They didn’t live to be seventy and eighty years old a hundred years ago. They got heart problems and diabetes or kidney problems their life expectancy went way down. Same in third world countries they just died.”
Twos said, “This has been an eye-opening conversation, to say the least. I think we will need to cover this at the Council meeting. We also probably need to get everyone to the Hospital so we will have a file on them and any possible medicines or problems they have before today.”
Sarah said, “Yeah, I think my Mom takes medicine for a Thyroid problem also, is that one of those things?” Dr. Phillips just looked away and nodded her head as they walked towards the cabin.
As the Twos entourage as Ruth called them arrived at the Lodge after a long and revealing conversation with Mrs. Pam Garrett. One that answered many questions about her erroneous behavior from the day before. The discussions showed some real week spots in the medical capabilities of the Clan. Twos had made the statement, if we have possibly this many thing lacking or missing here at the Lease with our great staff of Doctor’s and medical people, what are other people around America going to experience?
It was a good question, no one of the group had even a decent answer. Some members of the Clan were already seated and quietly eating. Their conversing about all types of things germane to the problems of living and surviving at the Lease. Talking about soap operas, the ball game or someone’s hobbies just didn’t come up in casual conversation anymore. Unless your hobbies were weapons, solar installs, guard rotations, or cooking. Cooking and eating had gotten a whole new respect from people who had eaten out or used the microwave to warm up pre-cooked cuisine, before the Swords of Allah.
Another thing that didn’t come up was what is the latest fad diet or what you were going to wear or were wearing to work or school. A lot of functional clothes and shoes / boots were back in vogue. There were some that bemoaned that they wished they had some of the Duluth’s firehose pants, Carhartt’s Double knee FR, the Dickie’s workwear and double knee pants in denims and heavy khaki or real Wranglers the ones with the patch on the pocket. Clothing that Twos and his family and the Amigos seemed to always be wearing. Those or the same type heavy duty clothes made in camouflage by Mossy Oak, Real Tree or some other less known camo company. Any company that made just as good or better clothing or in the Carhartt, Duluth or Dickies work colors that seemed to blend into the woods almost as well as the camo.
Twos like to say that if people who worked outside for a living could wear it out in one year it wasn’t worth wasting your money. He had bought the cheap stuff early in his career, for the last twenty years he had been paying a little more and getting the stuff that worked. Course even the high-end pants like Duluth and LL Bean wouldn’t set a working man back like a pair of designer jeans. Yet what self-respecting man that worked for a living would wear a pair of skinny jeans. The same applied to underwear, socks, shirts, shoes, boots, hats and overcoats.
Twos sat down at the table and didn’t even bother getting in line. He knew Jasmine would just fuss at him then guide him over to the table and bring him a plate that she had fixed personally. Saying, “The chief no stand in line.” Ruth walked up with her plate in hand with Candace and Sarah who Jasmine had fixed a plate for also and said, “How many girlfriends do you have? I turn my back one minute and now Jasmine is cozying up to my fellow like the rest of the Twos following. I don’t know what I am going to have to do, to mark my territory.”
Twos smiled at his wife and said, “Just face it Ruth some men are just too much for one woman and all other women can sense it when it's true,” and ducked when Ruth made as if to slap him on the head.
Twos said, “I give up, I have already been slapped enough this week. I really don’t like it. I promise I will turn down my animal magnetism immediately,” and laughed hard at the killing look Ruth gave him.
Ruth said, “Shoot him Sarah, I like him better when he is off his feet.”
Twos couldn’t help himself, he said, “That’s when I do my best work.”
All the Ladies gasped and turned red, except Ruth she just had to laugh, her husband and Lover had gotten the best of her in a verbal exchange again. Sometimes, like right now, she didn’t know why, but oh, did she Love that man so. She walked over and grabbed him and gave him a big kiss and while starting to sit down she said, “Lot of big talk, we will see about backing it up tonight, big boy.” Twos just sat there thinking, just when I thought I had won, and not saying a word.
Supper finished, Twos got up and called on everyone to settle down they had a lot to cover and a little time in which to do it. Starting, “Thanks all for the great job everyone has been doing around the Lease. Everyone is pulling together and getting the jobs done and helping out wherever and whenever it is needed. First up is Joe and the Sergeant with the communique from his Command group.”
Joe and the Sergeant stood up and Joe said, “First off, Ms. Megan is to be commended and thanked for breaking the secondary code on the message. Here is the problem, it is not an exact code and we think that was done deliberately. There are some down south phrases and partial words and two words to mean one thing. The message is what is called a hodgepodge code in some circles. To make a long story short we think we are getting supplies and maybe some people here to the Lease. They or it will either be arriving at 1800 hours tonight, 0000 hours’ midnight or 0800 hours tomorrow morning. Best bet is it is two deliveries with one at 1800 hours and one at midnight. That is the report from the Communications and Intel section. Any questions, comments, or concerns?”
Twos said, “Why 1800 hours and 0000 hours?”
The Sergeant answer, “There is a reference to twenty-four hours after the message which is 1800 hours tonight and a second-time reference that is about EBT cards. The consensus is that the money for them goes in on the first of the month which is tomorrow. It goes in at midnight according to Megan and that is when you don’t want to be at Wal-Mart midnight on the first of the month. Best guess is midnight or opening of business in the morning is the two modes of thought. I am going with midnight now myself.”
Twos thought for a minute and said, “We will prepare for 1800 hours and midnight and if it is opening of business or daylight tomorrow, we will be ready for that also. Maybe what happens at 1800 hours will give us more information.”
Twos took a look around at the group and said, “We will need to go on fifty percent ready status at 1500 hours and ramp up to hundred percent at 1600 hours. We need the Woods twins on the OP for the duration or at least from 1500 hours till 0100 hours in the morning.”
“Sergeant we need PFC Jennings and PFC Dennis in the second OP and give them the only M-240 that we don’t have mounted. Then we need to make sure they have their ear protection and that goes for everyone. I want the four trucks that we have the machine guns mounted and the trucks to be in their pits and ready to go at 1500 hours. We man them at 1600 hours for the duration with three people, two active and one resting in the truck. Sergeant you are on the machine gun here at the Lodge and Amy on the one at the Hospital with Phil and his truck beside the hospital.”
Woods broke in, “We can probably have a pit for it before 1500 hours, if we can get right on it after the meeting.”
Twos said, “That is what I am talking about everybody stepping up. Mackenzie and crew, can you have some sandwiches and tea made up and MRE’s handed out to the people before 1500 hours.”
Mackenzie answered, “Already on it, we have fresh bacon and peanut butter or PB and J.”
Twos said, “I want bacon for lots of reasons,” and laughed at his own joke.
Mackenzie said, “Already made by Ms. Jasmine with extra bacon if I had to guess.”
Twos began to speak slowly and deliberately, “I hate to make a hard day even harder, folks. It has come to my attention that we need to do medical surveys on everyone here at the Lease.”
“Two-fold reason, it will help our fine medical staff with having passed medical records. The second thing is some people here and all out in our great nation are going to start running out of maintenance medicines. Part of the problem yesterday with Mrs. Garrett is she is out of her Thyroid medicine. Hopefully none of us here are taking these types of medications. I myself am on a low dose medicine for triglycerides, that I have just refilled a six-month supply that the Doc says, I can cut the pill in half and extend it for a year and give up red meat. I am guessing that no more red meat than we are eating. I can probably give up the pills…,” and laughed. “Because no red meat is not an option for Twos.”
Dr. Phillips stood up and said, “The Major has volunteered to help and so has Phil. We would like to start our surveys right after the meeting, at the hospital and in the tent. Our staff will try to get you in and out as fast as possible, please don’t withhold any information it will not be made public. I promise you that on my shingle. Billie is going to start an inventory of everything in medicines that she brought from the Pharmacy and I would like to ask Jane if she could help. Thanks for your time and help with this medical computation,” and she sat back down at the table and nodded to Twos.
Twos stood back up and said, “In closing, we just keep doing what we have been doing and looking out after our fellow Clan members. Everyone knows the drills and where they need to be and when. If you have any questions see one of the Council and they will get you to the right place at the right time. Remember full combat loads and your GOOD go packs.”
Everyone got up and started doing something, getting ready for the Lease lockdown in less than a couple of hours’ time. Twos and Ruth went into their side of the Lodge for Twos to lie back down. The calm before the storm. Sarah said, “I am going to get my GOOD pack and pick up my new long gun and check on Mom.” She looked to Twos and Ruth and continued, “Can I bring her to the Lodge for the lock down? She hasn’t been assigned a spot and I figure she doesn’t have a long gun or a pack.”
Ruth said, “I will put her a pack together. I am sure we have enough stuff to put one together pretty easily, right here.” Twos said, “Pick her up one of the rifles that came from your Father’s stuff or give her your old one. Does she have a pistol,” he asked?
Sarah said, “I don't know, she used to carry a Kahr in all stainless steel, the big 9mm one for CCW with two extra magazines.”
Twos said, “That is probably a T9 or K9, good guns but only eight rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber. Not many rounds with those twenty-two round magazines from Suarez International I have for my Glock long slides I have twenty-three rounds in the gun almost as much as her three magazines which hold twenty-four all together.” Both Ladies left to run their errands and Twos took his medicine like a good little boy and laid down and went directly to sleep.
Ruth and Sarah were trying to decide whether to let him sleep or wake him for the 1600 hours’ deadline for one hundred percent watch. They had let him sleep through the first one at 1500 hours. He made the decision for the Ladies by setting up in the bed and putting his feet of the side and started lacing up his Danner’s. After completing the task, he said, “I need to get to the little boy’s room and then we can make our rounds and check on the Clan. I wanted to call them troops, Clan sounds better to me. What do you all think?” Ruth and Sarah unanimously agreed with the term Clan over troops.
Twos had completed his rounds of the Clan members and consulted with the First Sergeant and the Major about anything that they may be missing. The only thing anyone could come up with was a roving patrol. Imogene and Tonya with Raj, who as it turns out had went to a military school in India before moving to the states had completed the mandatory two years of service that went along with the education. Seems his family had a rich history of service; it just wasn’t his thing as Jasmine had so delicately put it. He was actually pretty good at it, top of class and all, hated every minute of the time he served she pined. The trio started making rounds on foot and then moved to the Kubota.
Everyone was in their place and seemed to be as prepared as the Clan could be. James and Thomas had one of the drones up at all times. The boys were asking for bigger and better equipment and they knew just where it could be found. At least a few weeks ago it could be found there. Twos had put it down in his ever-present little notebook he carried in his back pants pocket along with one of the last cans of Kodiak that he had. Twos was going to try and just have a dip now and then, to make it last. He hoped his defense of the Lease strategy was a more workable plan. At four dips to the can, it was almost empty, the fresh dip he had just put in had a soothing quality all of its own. He didn’t know, that like the Diet Dews, Ruth had bought all the Kodiak at the Sam’s when she went and had put it in the refrigerator.
Ruth had decided that she would go get him and Woods a can each, as the DT’s were setting in on Woods too from Kodiak withdrawal. As they approached the Comm Center, Megan walked out on the porch not carrying her rifle and then he saw her PPS-43 leaning against the door jam. She saw him looking and said, “Better to have it and not need it.” Twos finished with exclamation, “Than to need it and not have it, good girl!”
Sarah said, “He is easily amused, and sometimes he even amuses himself.” Then laughed with her friend Megan at the big guy they all were learning to love and respect.
Twos had eased into the chair he had built to use for the big M-107 Barrett from the sand bagged area in front of the Atrium, with the eating table as his platform. He had all the magazines but one loaded with Raufoss and that one was match grade loads. Twos had a box of twenty of those setting on the shooting pad he had spread out on the table. Everyone had wondered why this table was different from the other three. Blake and Twos had custom built this one and put some extra heavy metal bracing and this one was concreted into the ground for stability. As she was now Twos bodyguard, he had her set up her long-distance rifle on the table and had given Mrs. Garrett the spotting scope. She had said, “I don’t have any idea what to do,” and her voice had been a pleading squeal before the sentence ended.
Twos said, “Well, we have an hour or so to kill, no time like the present to learn how to spot.” Twos then preceded to give Sarah and Pam the Twos one-hour tutorial on spotting in general and specifically for a sniper.
Sarah after the tutorial was over said, “I thought that was going to be the most boring hour of my life. I have studied with so called experts for week long seminars that Dad paid big money for me to attend and I now understand. The key being understanding why you do things and how they work. Before I just knew how to do it and could repeat the action. Now I can really use the scope and do the things to correct the shot. Like reading the trace and the wind and all they were just rote learning. The instructors didn’t teach the why and the how come like you did. Thanks for the lesson, Twos.”
Twos said, “Well it is getting dark and it will be 1800 hours or show time in just a few minutes. Let’s start talking to Megan and Joe and see if anything is happening. Then have them wake up everyone in and bring in the roving patrol.” Twos called Megan and got the ball rolling.
As he was talking to Megan over his shoulder behind the jutted-out section of the second container on the inside sat Jasmine, Claire and Mackenzie with the youngest of Joe’s grandsons and the orphans were also huddled. He looked the oldest boy Luke right in the eye and motioned with his head for him to come to him.
Twos said, “You are going to be my runner. How old are you son, and what is your name, again?” Luke sucked in his breath a little in awe at the pure size of the individual with whom he was speaking and said, “Be sixteen in about three months and names Luke.”
“Well, Luke, you are off to a good start in life you helped your friends and you stood up straight like a man and gave me a good answer, well done young man. The truth is it is time to earn your keep, you are going to be my runner for the next few hours. Tomorrow you will be put in the roster for OP duty, you are actually a month or so older than the two young men who lead our efforts on the OP and they could use some help and I think you will do well. We will get you an AR of some type, that AK is a fine rifle, we need to all have the same ammo though and that is 5.56 X 45mm. Now your first job is to get Sarah, Pam and I a glass of Tea from Ms. Jasmine and do it quickly.” Before the sentence was finished, he was gone and the boy was fast if nothing else.
As Twos was thinking about Luke, Megan came over his ear saying, Melton wants to talk with you and possibly the Sergeant. Twos said, “Well put him on the net.”
Melton said, “Twos we have a situation at the gate.”
“Send your report, Melton, over,” said Twos.
“Sir, we have two, I repeat two HUMVEEs at the first gate, with a man standing without any weapon, that we can see holding a white flag and waving it around. What should I do sir,” pleaded Melton?
Twos said, “You did good Melton, don’t do anything. Help is on the way and will be your location in two, I repeat two minutes.”
Twos changed channels and said, “Megan I need Imogene and Tonya both packing and the Kubota at the Lodge in forty-five seconds. He covered his mike and said, “Sergeant we have company at the gate maybe some friends of yours. We are going for a ride in thirty seconds.”
Going back to the net, “Ruth, you and the Major got the football, love ya baby.”
The Major couldn’t help herself, “Love you, Twos.”
“Always one in every crowd,” was all Twos said. He started walking and looked over his shoulder and said, “Some bodyguard you are…, you coming?” Looking inquisitively at Sarah.
Just as he got to the front of the Atrium and over the bermed wall, Imogene with Tonya wheeling the Kubota pulled up and Tonya said, “You call a Taxi, sir.”
“Why yes, I did, young Lady,” he said and him and the Sergeant jumped in the back. Sarah grabbed on the ledge in the back and said, “Hit it.”
As they raced towards the front gate, Twos was shouting orders. “Sarah, you are on my left hand as you shoot better left to right and I am just the opposite. Imogene fifteen yards on the right Tonya fifteen yards on the left. Sergeant you are on the opposite side from Sarah and none of you at the same depth.” He continued over his radio, “Melton can you hear me, we will be there in twenty seconds bring me the right-hand side controller for the mines and get back to the OP and be ready to fight.”
“I will have it ready for you when you get here,” answered Melton settling down from a few moments earlier.
When they arrived at the second gate, Twos said, “Park it here Tonya, we walk,” and they all got out and started walking towards the first gate as Melton ghosted out of the woods in front of Twos announcing his presence in a low yet clearly audible voice. Melton handed the controller to Twos and he noticed that the first set of lights were already lit, all he had to do was flip the safety off and click the top button to fire the Claymores mounted on the right side of the pathway in the trees pointed down at the HUMVEEs.
Twos said, “Slow and easy and we need to give Melton a second, we got nowhere to be or any medicine to take.”
Melton said over the radio, “Already in the OP sir, ready and waiting.”
Twos started walking and when he was about twenty feet from the gate. He said, “Be ready and shoot straight, if this goes bad.”
Twos stepped out of the trees and in a loud commanding voice asked, “And who may I say is at my castle door. State your business and be easy and we may all see another morning.”
The man with the flag said, “Captain Ray Martinez 3rd Special Forces Group 2nd Battalion Charlie Company Recon squad on assignment to this sector. By order reassigned as of yesterday to this organization. Code Name: Twos Clan.
Assignment: Join Clan and report to Clan Commander George Brady Jacobs II or Twos that would-be you sir, if my intelligence gathering abilities are as good as advertised. My Bonafide’s are Warrant Officer 2 - Justin Smoak he is some kin to one First Sergeant Roger Hammond who is on your left if I am not mistaken.”
Twos said, “Sergeant you know any WO2’s by the name of Smoak.”
“That would be my Mother’s half-sister’s boy, one Justin, or as we knew him, ‘trouble’. Yes, I know him, sir. Would it be too much trouble maybe to take a look at Justin, their Captain,” asked the Sergeant?
The Captain said, “Justin could you show yourself real slow and gentle like to these fine folks.”
Out of the second HUMVEE on the passenger side front door came one long tall South Carolinian drink of water from the low state by the name of Justin ‘Trouble’ Smoak. He walked up and said, “They will let anybody in the National Guard these days if Roger can make First. Heck he couldn’t even read the last time I heard, much less do math.”
The First Sergeant said, “That's him, for sure, looks just like his Granny, real tall and ugly. Twos you want to take them in or do we need to dance some more?”
Twos said, “One more question, why only two HUMVEEs standard would be twelve solders and three HUMVEEs.”
“We left in a hurry only eight of us made it to base before we went feet hot. Hopefully our four brothers will be coming around midnight with an extra rifle squad of nine men. Supposed to be bringing a two man add on Mortar team just for giggles and some new toys, grub and all the other goodies they can cram on a couple of C-130’s,” answered the Captain.
Twos said, “Melton, you got your ears on, dude.”
Melton said, “Am right over here sir, would you like me to safe the Claymore’s and put the controller back into the OP.”
The Captain said, “That boy and his brother are like ghost, it took us five nights to find them and we knew they were there.”
Twos said, “You been watching us, Captain and be really careful in how you answer. I really don’t people that lie or threaten the Clan in any way.”
Justin said, “That would be an understatement. We witnessed what you did to the bikers and the policeman, we thought you were the bad guys for a while. That was until we seen what you did over at the encampment and rescued the women and attacked the ones at the river and saved the Guardsman. We now know the score and the only thing I can say sir; is I would like to join the Clan like my kinfolk and I am not pulling your leg or blowing smoke. Our Command sent us here to help you and to make sure everyone didn’t get killed in the government in fighting at the mountain. Can we get on in get some Tea sir, I have heard about it for a few days and I am having withdrawal? We are here to help and not take over. That is my word as a Southern Gentleman and redneck and my word is my bond, you know what I am talking about, sir. I can tell by the way you take care of you people.”
Twos handed the controller to Melton and said, “Open the gate son, what are you waiting on we got prospective Clan members coming onto the Lease. Megan, you hear me, get the kitchen running and move to fifty percent on and fifty percent off for the next three hours.”
Megan said, “On it, sir.”
Captain Ray ‘Big Kahuna’ Martinez said, “Is that the sixteen-year-old head of the Communications and Intelligence Center that figured out the code.”
Twos laughed and said, “You re about half right, our Leader is really thirty-eight. We have a sixty-year-old retired Warrant Signals guy and a sixteen-year-old high school junior that has an IQ that is way too high. The two of them make some kind of team, them and my boys have gotten us on almost all the bands now. They can even use the internet by stealing it off a satellite somehow about twelve hours a day. Let’s ride and get some of that Tea, I was about to get myself when you all so rudely interrupted my schedule.”
They all mounted up and headed for the Lodge with some new found help in the Clan’s war on Terrorism and the promise of more help, technology, beans and bullets.
Chapter 66
As Twos sat down with the Captain and his second, the Council members that weren’t still on duty came by an introduced themselves. Then they either sat down for a minute or went to talk with someone about something that needed to happen or they wished could happen. That was the way of the Clan and Twos liked the way things ran. He worked on the big picture and the rest of the completely capable Clan teams did the rest. The Captain and his second were quickly getting the idea that they had lucked out with this assignment just like their Lt. Colonel had told them they had gotten lucky. Assuring then this as he did the duty assignment, adding he wished he was going.
The First Sergeant, the Major and Ruth were sitting there with Twos getting the low down on the midnight drop of people and equipment into the Lease. The information delivered, as best the Captain and his men knew. The Communications Sergeant had already gone over to the Clan Communications Center to meet everybody and the others were checking on their specialties around the Lease. The Captain started his explanation and elaboration of the night jump and drop off of supplies into the Lease. He stated that his team had computerized IR beacons that would be set out in a grid of six points at the edges of the tree line. The Army hoping to delineate the drop zone parameters for the two C-130 planes that would be delivering their loads into the property.
The new system had been successfully used a few times into smaller areas than the approximately twenty plus acre opening here at the Lease. Twos asked what about the people who will be parachuting into the Lease. The Captain said, “I got the cart before the horse. Our four people, the two-person mortar team and the nine-member Ranger rifle squad will be making a HALO jump into the property. They will arrive about ten minutes before the first C-130 makes its first of two passes. The teams should touch down at 2350 hours if all is favorable with their jump conditions. The wind and weather are supposed to be just right with winds aloft less than ten miles per hour.”
“Sir, we will clear the jumpers from the field and await the two passes from each Herc. Then after they give us all clear for equipment on the ground, we will start the retrieval process for the dropped equipment. The main package will be three Ranger Special Operations Vehicles (Land Rover SOV) two with rear mounted Mk-19’s as main armaments and one equipped with a Ma Deuce all three also have M-240 machine guns mounted in the front and are equipped to carry and fight seven Rangers.”
“We decided on the two having Mk-19’s because you already have Technicals with Ma Deuces. The load out actually has an extra Mk-19 for your Technicals. The C-130 packages will also have two more Barrett M-107’s with the full bundle including night vision scope and the SureFire suppressor. The drop will include a full pallet of Raufoss. The load out other than the specifics of your and our request is anything and everything they can heap on to the C-130 with the three Defenders. The second Herc has a one-month pre-packaged load out for an FOB for a full company. Gentlemen if we are lucky there will be third C-130 loaded the same way as the second. That was still in question the last time we made radio contact this morning. The only other thing I know was there was some mention of Coasties and Druggies in our last message.”
The Major asked, “What does that mean?”
“Ma’am we assume and you know what assuming does, it means that the Lease and our teams are going to be seconded some Coast Guard Drug Interdiction people. I know that there were some ships and helicopters out on missions that were not affected by the EMP’s they were too far over the horizons. So maybe they will be coming here, Wilmington, Savannah, and Charleston are within reach of here by their birds. Their helicopters could be up fitted to carry machine guns, fairly easily. The truth is Major it could be anything. The guys landing will probably know more. Whatever it, is should be here early tomorrow morning before 0800 hours,” said the Captain.
Twos said, “I want you boys to get a shower and hot food will be ready, in two hours. We can probably find you some clean clothes even. Definitely clean socks and underwear and if you have dirty uniforms pile them by the right front corner of this Atrium. For now, the eight of you have the lean to on the left side of the building ought to be plenty of room for all eight of you and it will be covered overhead and on two sides at least. We will try to work out better accommodations by this time tomorrow night, no promises though. Captain please inform your men of how appreciative the Clan is of your addition to our team. Dismissed, Captain and please take us up on the hot showers, because you all have a bad way about you, if you know what I mean.”
The First Sergeant looked at his cousin and said, “Justin, I know you understand what Twos was gently trying to say. Please tell the Captain with the confused expression that your Team has been out in the field too long without a bath,” and busted out laughing and they all chimed in and it was a good team building moment.
A couple of hours later and exactly two hours before the paratroopers were scheduled to land, the Green Beret team were all sitting in the Atrium eating a hot meal of cornbread, black beans and rice with a side of Pork shoulder. All the soldiers were clean shaven and freshly bathed and felt better to a man. A few like Justin had gotten in line and had their hair buzzed off by Ms. Ruth as Justin called her. Justin had arisen from the chair and said, “Ma’am I am in your and the Clan’s debt and where I am from, we repay in kind. Thank you and yours for taking us in, feeding, clothing and giving us a place to sleep. Like I told your husband I would like to be with my kin and join the Clan.”
Ruth said, “Justin you can become a member of the Clan anytime you wish.”
Justin walked over to the Captain and said, “Sir, I was due out of the Army four days ago. Sir, no one has sent me any re-up papers or recall notices, so as of this moment I am out of the US Army.” Justin walked directly over to Twos and asked, “Where does a soldier join up to be part of the Clan’s fighting force? Your bunch is the only one who seems to know how to deal with the Swords of Allah and has a set of Rules of Engagement that work. In other words, you all seem to be the only one taking the fight to the Arabs. All the politicians and Generals that are left seem to be the non-fighting type of man if you get my drift.”
The Captain said, “Soldier you cannot speak of your superiors in such matter, if I hear such talk again, I will be forced to strip you of rank and pay from you. After these times are over take you directly to a brig. As it is, I will remove your sidearm and rifle till we have spoken in private.”
Twos walked over with his shadow, Sarah and said, “Give me your weapons soldier.”
Justin somewhat dismayed looked to his kin, The First Sergeant just gave a gentle nod and knowing smile to Justin, who handed his webbing and M-4 to Twos. Twos took the equipment and walked it over to the Captain and said, “Sorry, Captain when Justin resigned, he should have given this to you and any other equipment that he owed the government. As he is a non-commissioned officer his clothing is his to keep is my understanding, any and all other equipment is the forces. Is that correct operating procedure sir. If not, would you please inform me of the proper protocol and we will get it handled immediately?” The stunned Captain just stood there holding the equipment that Twos had placed in his hand.
The Major walked up and said, “Justin you may want to walk with me over to our gunsmith building and be issued your new Clan equipment.” She smiled at the Captain as she led Justin away from the Lodge. The spell was finally broken and the Captain said, “What the heck just happened here? I want a full explanation immediately,” and he spit out the word, “Twos,” reaching for his sidearm.
Weapons First Sgt. Mark Gold, eased in between the Captain and Twos and said, “Sir, would you like to re-word your request for the official explanation of tonight proceedings, to this point, sir.” Sgt. Gold reached and took Justin’s equipment from the Captain, while pulling his hand away from his Beretta. The Weapons First Sergeant turned to Twos and said, “If, I may speak for the Captain, sir. He would like a formal briefing on the proceedings that just took place, here tonight, sir.”
Twos said, “Well played, Sergeant.”
Turning towards the Captain, Twos said, “Captain, to the best of my knowledge what just happened was that Warrant Officer 2 Justin Smoak, just formally retired from the US Army. Then I gave you his government issued equipment, for which, I am now officially asking for a receipt for Mr. Smoak.”
He continued, “First Sergeant, with the Major gone, would you give the Captain any other information that would be customary in one of these proceedings. As I do not have the proper training on this issue. Because of that I may have missed some of the rules and or regulations that would be required in this type of formal retirement ceremony.”
The First Sergeant, looked at his counterpoint across from him and made eye contact as only one First Sergeant can with another communicating volumes in just a moment of eye contact. Weapons First Sergeant Gold looked at his Captain and said, “Speaking for the Captain, I think your description of the proceedings were brisk, to the point, and covered all the bases, sir. Also, I will personally see that Warrant Officer 2 Smoak retired US Army with twenty plus years’ service receives his receipt of goods transferred back to the service and all his paperwork is completed as requested, sir. If that pleases the Clan’s Commander, sir.”
“Thank you, Sergeant, just call me Twos though, it fits me a lot better than Commander. Sergeant may I say that you handled yourself with distinction during this engagement and should be commended for your actions,” said Twos as he reached out and grabbed the hand of the Weapons Sergeant.
The Captain finally regaining some modicum of his senses said, “I was warned that this was not a usual duty assignment. My Commander told me that I need to listen to the judgments of the ruling tribe. Explaining to not rely on my service training. I have failed in my first exchange, please excuse my lack of ability to adapt then handle the situation, sir.”
The First Sergeant said, “Sir, if I may. You have good people like Gold here in your Command use them if the situation is different or not to your protocols. Sir, you are a Captain in the United States Army and a Green Beret to boot, lead soldier, lead. Just like Twos does, he leads and we follow.”
Twos stepped up and reached his hand out to the Captain and said, “No hard feelings Captain. We need to remember who the enemy is and it is not me or the Clan. It is the Swords of Allah and they are just a few miles from here across the river, waiting to dance. We plan with your help to make sure they get to dance, just not lead. We need to now plan on the retrieval of the packages from the C-130’s. How will they be packaged? Do we need to set the skid steer up for moving pallets or what?”
The First Sergeant stepped up and said, “Sir, I will set that up with the Sergeant’s while you and the Captain try to get a master plan, started for the attack of the encampment across the river. We need to do that no later than day after tomorrow first light our window of grief for the leader will be over after first prayers on that day.”
Twos commented, “Sounds like a plan Roger, keep up the good work and get Blake and or Woods to help with the logistics of the movement. We only want to move it once.” Twos walked over to the kitchen and asked Jasmine for a big glass of ice tea and he turned and said, “Captain, where are my manners would you like something cold to drink?”
The Captain said, “How about some of that coffee, I smell brewing, Black please.”
Twos came back with a large mug of steaming black coffee and a large mug of ice tea and a pitcher. While retrieving their drinks, he had decided, he didn’t like babysitting the Captain one bit. He turned to his shadow, who had got her own mug of ice tea and said low enough for the Captain not to hear, “I saw that S&W 686 make its appearance tonight, try not to kill any of our new friends before morning Annie Oakley.”
She laughed to herself at Twos and said, “No promises big guy, no promises, the night is still young.”
Twos just cringed at the answer from Sarah as they sat down at the table with the young Green Beret Captain in hopes of changing his ways of thinking. The Captain and his Jersey accent didn’t make Twos feel all warm and fuzzy about it happening.
Justin said, “Is the big guy, Twos always that decisive and fast in his actions?”
The Major just laughed and said, “Justin if, the Captain knew how close he came to dying tonight, at the hands of our Leader or his bodyguard, he would need another clean uniform.”
“What do you mean, I never saw either make any semblance of a move,” said Justin?
The Major said, “And you wouldn’t have from your view point. Sarah had already cleared leather with her big hand cannon of a revolver. As Twos stepped to you to get the equipment with his large left hand extended his right hand had removed his SOG Pentagon Elite from his right rear pants pocket. To the best of my knowledge that is the first time that knife has left his pocket since this started that someone on the other end hasn’t died.”
Justin said, “I saw him use it on the Policeman, no wasted motion or emotion, just the use of a tool by a professional. What would have happened, if it had gone that far,” he asked?
The Major replied, “I am guessing a lot of good people would have died tonight, if your people tried to stop the event, both Twos and Sarah are like wraiths with those pistols and the rest of us aren’t bad either.”
The Major spoke saying, “Now to more pressing matters we gave you the last of the M-4 variants we have that Twos has personally upgraded and worked on, yours is a POF with ten-inch heavy barrel and his mini suppressor. Here is the finest pair of handguns we have left, a matched pair of P-226X - six with his suppressor and four extra, nineteen round magazines and the shoulder holster to match. Twos said, they were even more accurate than his Glock 17L’s and for Twos to say that they must be real shooters. The rifle has two sixty round Surefire magazines and ten thirty round Magpul magazines.”
Smoak said, “We saw all the nice hardware the Clan carries. Where did it all come from, Ma’am?”
The Major answered, “Most of it came from the people here at the Lease and some, mostly the pistols but a few or the rifles have come from our enemies after they no longer had a need or use for them.”
As Justin was taking apart the P-226 he said, “I think I know why the kin folk joined in here now, this is our kind of place. Pull your weight, do your job, and keep your mouth shut and everything will be fine as Frog hair split three ways,” and he was smiling from ear to ear as he put the second pistol back into his shoulder holster and started disassembling the POF.
As they walked out of the shop the biggest human being that Justin had ever seen came around the corner of the building out of the shadows like Sasquatch and grabbed the Major. Before he could even react, the Major said, “Blake you like to scarred Justin to death, no one your size ought to able to be that quiet and stealthy.”
Justin exclaimed, “You got that right Ma’am, I thought Sasquatch had us for sure.” She laughed and said, “Nah, Justin just my big ole man fellow. This is Blake and Blake this is Justin, the newest edition to the Clan formerly of the Green Beanies out of Ft. Bragg.”
Blake reached out his big hand and said, “Welcome, my friend, welcome to the Clan,” and thus was the beginnings of a long friendship between the two and would grow to all the Amigos and Clan members, Justin Smoak was of a like mind to the Clan.
Blake looked at the Major and said, “You want to help me on the inventory of the equipment and goods coming into the Lease tonight, the First Sergeant wanted our help if possible.”
The Major said, “Yeah we get Becky and James ready on the equipment and I say we move as much as possible to where needs to be. Weapons here to it the shop, medicines to the hospital, food to the pantry and such.”
Justin said, “You all need a hand seems I am free of any and all duties at this time.”
The Major laughed and said, “Justin they didn’t teach you in the Army to never volunteer for anything.”
Justin answered, “Why yes they did, Ma’am. I have already figured out this ain’t the Army.”
A couple of hours later, the Captain and his men had set up the IR beacons and were awaiting confirmation of jumpers out of the plane. Precisely at 2346 hours the Green Beret’s radio operators radio delivered the message, “Sixteen jumpers out the door, Puff 1 making way to follow Puff 2 and Puff 3 for first run at beacons from east to west directions, over and out.”
The radio operator reported to the Captain that they had a problem, “We were expecting fifteen jumpers and the message said, sixteen jumpers, sir. Please tell the Clan Commander we have problems.” Twos standing right beside the Captain said, “Captain, I am right beside you. Please inform me directly what the problem is and do not involve the radio operator unless you do not understand the problem yourself, Captain.”
The Captain looked like a kid at the Principal’s office, he was sure glad it was a pitch-black night with little moonlight if any. He finally answered, “Twos, we were expecting fifteen jumpers, the rest of my team, four, nine-man Ranger rifle squad and two heavy weapons mortar men. That would be fifteen jumpers, they said, sixteen jumpers. They also confirmed the third C-130.”
Twos said, “The more the merrier Captain.” The Captain swallowed hard and said, “Begging your pardon sir, but when the scheduled load out is different it usually means a problem. Usually a change in mission.”
“Well we will deal with the problems as they arise Captain and not before, could be a blessing Captain, like the third plane of goodies,” cajoled Twos. As they were talking one of the Green Berets said, “I have sixteen chutes and IR markers, sir. ETA jumpers thirty to forty seconds on the ground and they all are flying good and clear.”
The Captain turned to Twos to replay the message and Twos said, “I got it,” and continued over his mike, “Clan we have sixteen visitors thirty tics or less make them welcome, stay toasty. Welcome party start gathering them up the second they start landing. I want them all out of the drop zone with sixty tics from feet down.”
Thomas and James said, “We got sixteen on the scope Dad, sixteen, not fifteen.”
Twos replied, “Good work, guys we should have relayed the new numbers. We are going to have three planes.”
James replied, “Three planes, over.”
Megan hearing the exchange, broadcast the sixteen jumpers and three planes to all Clan channels as she did the first jumper was landing near the middle of the pasture. A little organized chaos and three minutes later all sixteen jumpers were standing in front of the Captain, Twos and Ruth. The Green Beanies were all talking with their four team members and congratulating them on being back together. One Communications Sergeant in particular was looking for Warrant Officer Smoak and was told in no uncertain terms that the Warrant officer was no longer with the Team. Communications Sergeant First Class Pearl Johns fell to her knees crying, Twos went to her side to help the distraught Sergeant. Weapons Sergeant Mark Gold beat him to the punch, took her in his arms and said, “He is not dead Pearly, he has optioned out and field retired, joining this nice man beside you and his army or Clan as they call themselves. I don’t know what the Captain has up his bum, but he needs to get it out and I mean quick.”
Standing up at the good news she said, “We filled out the retirement papers at the same time so I want to field retire also First Sergeant.”
Hearing this the Captain lost it and came storming up to Sergeant First Class Johns with his fist balled up and slammed into her with his chest saying, “There will be no more retirements from my team do you hear me Sergeant, am I making myself perfectly clear,” spit flying all over everyone standing there.
Twos stepped in between the Captain and said, “Stand down Captain or you will be put down. Do you understand me?” Punching his large finger into the chest of the Captain to show emphasis to his verbal command.
Sgt. Gold grabbed the Captain before he did something that they all may be sorry for and pulled him away. At that moment, an Air Force Lt. Colonel stepped into the fray and said, “Let me step into this hardy welcoming party and introduce myself. I am US Air Force Lt. Colonel Bingham Farnsworth Combat Control Officer and Forward Air Control Commander. Sent to lend a helping hand on this mission. Joined to this mission just thirty minutes before takeoff and new Commander of the mission. I was told you have an Air Force Major one Anne Woods on staff, is that correct?” The Lt. Colonel had addressed Twos with the last part specifically.
The Captain was about to foam at the mouth and was being detained by no less than four of the Green Berets. This last bit however had pushed a few of Twos buttons also. Twos said, “Lt. Colonel, we do have an Air Force Major here at the Lease, not sure I would say she is on my staff.”
“The Major, she does help out with the running of the place such that it is. I might add that it is very curious that you ask about the Major and they made sure to send a Colonel to lead the mission. What may I ask are you and the governments intentions, cause the last government official that tried to take over this placed is buried about five hundred meters to my west? He died, where he stood when he said he was taking over the Lease. So, if you came to dance Colonel as Val Kilmer playing Doc Holiday once said, ‘I’m your Huckleberry.’”
“No, oh no, nothing like that, your reputation precedes you, Sir. I thought they might have blown you up as more of a Leader than you really were. I underestimated you and yours, as I count at least four weapons on me right now and I am guessing that Pentagon Elite of yours is in your right hand. I was sent specifically to make sure that all the troops that you now have under your Command were just that under your Command. Major Anne Woods is a personal friend and was my insurance policy and the reason I was chosen.”
Ruth stepped forward and said, “I swear he doesn’t threaten to kill every official he sees, just most of them. He has not let his position go to his head. Fact is if you want it, he will gladly give it to you. He does however take the responsibility of the Clan very seriously and you were right he slipped the big SOG back in his pocket while you were explaining. He does still have some manners. I called the Major and Anne will be here in thirty seconds or less, however as much fun as we are having, I hear the C-130 on approach, can we take this up in the Atrium over some ice Tea.”
A couple of hectic hours later the Clan Council and the Lt. Colonel and the Captain from the Green Berets along with the Ranger Captain were sitting in the Atrium having a snack and some liquid replenishment.
Colonel Farnsworth introduced Captain Hoot West of the Airborne Rangers and said, “In the morning approximately 0700 hours two MH-60T Sikorsky JayHawks will be landing here at the Lease. They have been up armored to carry a fifty-caliber Ma Deuce along with the regular M-240 machine gun.”
“The crew will be the normal pilot, co-pilot and two gunners along with the Coast Guard M-107 operator. The Coast Guard doesn’t call them snipers but they train and compete in all the service sniper completions and hold their own and one other crewman, for a total of six team members per Hawk.”
“This is the new Clan Air Force and will be under the Clan’s Command specifically Major Woods and myself. The two extras are an extra pilot for each unit, two is one and all that. We received eight totes of fuel for the helicopters in the third bird. They are bringing load outs for their weapons and all their personal gear. Twos as you may have noticed we are all being seconded to the Clan. The reasons for this are twofold. The first is you are doing a good no let me change that a great job in taking out the Swords. Command thought some help for your efforts from the government would be nice. The second one is the guys in charge don’t know when the next attack from inside will take place, they think soon and they want some of us to live to fight the enemy.”
Twos said, “Are you saying that the people in Command of the US government don’t think they will last.”
“Unfortunately, Twos that is exactly what I am conveying,” said the Colonel and continues. “Several of these same types of seconding has happened all over the country. This one here at the Lease seems to have the best toys with the helicopters and the extra HUMVEE we brought and the three Special Operations Vehicles and the three HUMVEEs you already had here at the Lease. Not to mention the slew of Technicals you all either created or stole from the Swords, quite the accomplishment if I do say so myself. Twos I am glad to be part of the fighting arm of the Clan if not a fully-fledged member of the Clan.”
Twos stood up and said, “We would like all of you to be part of the Clan if you choose to be part of the Clan.”
Captain Martinez stood up and said, “My men and I will be no part of the Clan or it’s fighting arm we will leave at sunlight to fight the enemy on our own.”
The Lt. Colonel stood and said, “I am sorry you feel that way sir, you are relieved of your Command as of this minute. Captain please turnover your personal weapon to my new second, First Sergeant Gold. Sergeant the two-man Mortar team is led by a First Lieutenant Sean Miller good man; he will be your new team leader he is a Green Beret officer.”
Sergeant Gold said, “I am sure he will be an honor to serve with sir, we will still be a man shy of a full unit.”
Lt Col. Farnsworth said, “We will talk about that tomorrow we are going to do some splitting up of teams and augment some of the Clan teams with some of our people and vice versa.”
“Outstanding idea, sir. That is the way Green Beret units are supposed to work sir, augmenting the indigenous forces. The Captain never quite got that part of our doctrine, sir,” said Sgt. Gold.
The Lt. Colonel walked up to the Captain and said, “You will be set free, in the morning with your personal sidearm and your pack with as much food and water as you wish to carry.”
The Captain said, “I will come back here with some real soldiers and massacre everyone here in their sleep.”
Ruth stepped between her husband and the Captain and said, “Captain tonight by my good grace you live. Before I stepped between you and my husband, he had every intention of you drawing your last breath at his hands in the immediate future. I am going to take my husband to bed and we are going to sleep late for us that would be we will have to be called for breakfast at 0600 hours.”
“Colonel, and Captain West my advice to you is to keep this man tied up and under guard. Please have him off the property and gone before the big fellow has his first glass of Diet Mountain Dew or ice tea. Because in the morning if he is still here, I will not be able to, nor will I try to keep my husband from taking this man’s life. He threatened my children and my friends, tonight with bodily harm.” Ruth turned and took her husband by the waist with her hand in his back pocket and led him into the Jacob’s side of the Lodge closing the door behind her.
The Colonel turned to the Council members standing there and said, “Do you have a brig at the Lease?”
Phil stepped to the forefront and said, “Never had a use for one, we don’t take prisoners. That and the Clan members all seem to know how to act civilized enough not to get on anybody’s nerves enough for them to take matters into their own hands. So, sir the answer is no we don’t. I would however request you keep him bound, till morning and off the site. I would hate for him to fall and get hurt.”
Sergeant Gold said, “We will take care of the Captain, we wouldn’t want one of our fine Officers tripping and falling either.” Grabbing the Captain roughly he took him around to the other side of the Lodge and hand cuffed the Captain to one of the uprights. He left him with one final thought, if you get mouthy Captain, I will personally put a ball gag in your mouth and hood you like a Camel jockey before interrogation.”
As Sergeant Gold was giving the Captain his final warning for the night the Clan members; their new fighting force additions started finding their way to a place to get a couple hours shut eye before the Calvary in the form of the Coast Guard made their appearance at the Lease to join Twos Clan.
At zero light thirty about 6:00 am EST the sounds of people awakening and helicopters were heard across the Lease. The First Sergeant and Joe were setting on the steps of the Comm Shack having their third cup of coffee before breakfast and solving all the world’s problems. The topic this morning was way too hot for the First Sergeant’s liking. The first question out of Joe’s mouth that morning was, “I consider that woman my daughter you are sparking Sergeant. She may not consider me her Father and that is alright, doesn’t change my point of view. What are your intentions towards Ms. Claire?”
The First Sergeant had almost lost the swallow of coffee he had just taken and as it was some went down the wrong way. When he could quit chocking, without any help from Joe. He answered, “Completely honorable, Joe. Haven’t felt this way in a long time Joe, been married to Uncle Sam. She is a breath of fresh air and had I have known you felt this way I would have spoken to you earlier, not the way a gentleman should act on my part. Please accept my apologies.”
As he was finishing his sentence the old warhorse Joe commented, “Inbound, being a radio man does something to your ears, I can hear choppers minutes before the others.”
Joe stepped into the Communications Center and said, “Rise and shine Ladies we have choppers inbound and it is also time for breakfast.” Joe turned back to the Sergeant and said, “You did good Roger, except for almost swallowing your tongue to begin with. Take good care of her and she will make you a good one, just like she did for my boy.”
Pearl Johns and Justin Smoak came walking up and she said, “I would like to give you my full co-operation and join you Communications Center. I was a radio operator in the teams and I may can be of help.”
Joe hooked a finger and said, “Well at least you aren’t a late sleeper like my other help,” and pointed to the Ladies coming down out of the loft.
Megan said, “Bite me old man and bring us back some breakfast and some ice Tea, now get before I have to hurt you…” and walked over and gave Joe a peck on the cheek. She continued, “That’s the only thing keeping his heart running,” and high fived Silvia and they both went to wash their faces in the sink laughing like school girls which one of them was approximately three weeks or so prior.
With the commotion around the Lease rising to a crescendo, Twos and Ruth came out of their side of the Lodge looking like newlyweds. Jasmine met them at the head of the line handing Twos a Diet Mountain Dew and a large ice Tea for Ruth said, “Sit, sit, sit your breakfast is on its way.”
As they sat down the rotors of the Coast Guard helicopters could be heard changing their pitch to land. Twos was thinking that it sounded like more than two helicopters and as he walked to the front of the Atrium to look out onto the hay field it was evident why it sounded like more than two helicopters it was indeed four. The Coast Guard Helicopters landed in a wedge formation with a small one at twelve o’clock and the two HH-60J JayHawks on the wings with a giant helicopter at the six o’clock position on the field. As they landed all immediately started to spin down their engines and debark their teams.
At that moment, the Major came walking up to Twos and Ruth who had followed him out to watch the landing and she says, “We have a problem Twos, someone killed the Captain while he was hand cuffed up last night. The Green Berets even though they didn’t particular care for him are looking for blood. The Colonel and Sergeant Gold have them settled down for now. What do you want to do?”
Twos said, “Where are the troops?”
She pointed to the other side of the Lodge and Twos started walking in that direction. She, Ruth and Sarah who had just walked up followed at a near run to keep up with Twos. As he was a man on a mission.
Twos rounded the corner of the Lodge and almost ran over First Sergeant Gold, who was trying to keep the team from going around the Lodge to the front. Twos accessed the situation and in his loudest and most authoritative voice hollered, “Colonel go meet our new Air Force and Sergeant Gold you can go and act as his second for right now. Captain West you look like you need to go and help with our new arrivals also.”
The three of them started to say something the look that came from Twos told them they had elsewhere they needed to be at this time. He turned around and said, “Ladies, the two of you need to go and help get our new arrivals setup with a hot meal and get them ready for a debrief in one hour. Sarah, I know you will not go, so keep those little mitts of yours in your pockets.”
“Okay, that gets us to the remaining Green Beanies, the Mortar team that has been seconded to the Green Berets and the Ranger Rifle Team. Did I miss anyone?”
Sarah said, “Sounds about right.”
“Okay, fine First Lieutenant Miller of the mortar team and now of the Green Berets, do you and your other mortar team member have a dog in this fight?”
Miller looked like he didn’t know whether to spit or wind his watch finally said, “No, sir, I don’t have a dog in the fight and neither does Sgt. Lucas.”
Twos said, “Well then, make like a tree and leave.” The two soldiers left in a hurry not looking back.
Twos said, “I am going to say this once and Sarah close your ears. I don’t know which one of you pieces of fecal matter is the instigator. I do know this from dealing with people there is always one. Last night or this morning while I was lying in bed making Love to my wife, under your watch someone killed that whiny small man you all called Captain. I repeat I, was making Love to my wife and did not leave the Lodge to even take a leak until about ten minutes ago and I have been with the ladies that walked up with me that whole time.”
“I don’t know who killed the Captain. I will say this, they did me a big favor, because rest assured if he was still alive and on my property this morning, I would have surely done the same. Only not like a thief in the night, I would have walked him off the Lease or more likely rode him off in the Kubota and told him these exact words. You are surely going to die at my hands for threatening my family and my Clan. I am going to give you two minutes to speak with your God and ask him for forgiveness. I am going to take the time to do the same for my sins and the one I am about to make. I would have given him his time and I would have walked over…”
For dramatic effect Twos pulled the SOG Pentagon Elite form his back pocket. “I would then have pushed all five plus inches of the blade into his brain stem and left him for the Buzzards.”
“If you still think that I or anyone of my people did this, you are mistaken. It is not the way we do things. I am not saying we are better, just different and you have my word that I did not take his life. Do we still have a problem? If we do step right on up and we will deal with it the Clan way man to man or woman to woman and if the five of you want to dance, then we will dance. Give me one minute to get Sarah out from here. It would not be fair if she was here. She would kill the five of you and have her guns back in leather before you fired the first shot, that is no brag, just a fact,” spoke Twos.
Sgt. John Stock a ten-year Special Forces vet, stepped forward and said, “Sir, that was a good enough explanation for me, sir. Can I be dismissed for chow, sir?”
Three of the other four stepped forward and said, basically the same thing. The rifle squad just left following the others. That left Sgt. Joey Paris standing facing Twos with a large mad on.
Twos said, “Excuse us Sarah looks like I have some business here with the Sergeant.”
Sarah looked at him and said, “You sure, bossman.” She had heard Phil call him that and she thought it fit.
Twos said, “I’ll be on in a minute or two, Little Bit, tell Jasmine, I am very hungry.”
The more Twos talked the madder Paris got. Twos finally addressed Sgt. Paris and said, “Why did you kill him and try to blame it on me? Did the Captain have something he was going to put in your jacket? Drugs, I am guessing or a thief.”
The Sergeant charged at Twos throwing a handful of sand at Twos face and drawing his EK number one in his right hand. The exercise was over before the sand had finished hitting the ground. The Sergeant had made the fatal mistake of not noticing that Twos had never replaced the SOG in his back pocket. The Clan leader had only closed the blade and palmed the knife while he was completing the speech. He reached down and cleaned the blade on the clothes of the Sergeant retrieving the EK and its brother a number five and their sheaths. He then dropped to his knees and said, “Father forgive me of my sins. I have fell short of walking in your will today, lead me into the path of righteousness and forgive me. Thank you for all my blessings you bestow on me and my family every day. Amen.”
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