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Post by texican on Aug 13, 2020 14:32:38 GMT -6
“SHIT, ALI!” Brian shouted. “That guy aiming his rifle at us, I think he’s Chin—”
Infiltrators led by Captain Chin?
More kliffs Bret.
Is there a 30 cal or 50 cal or maduce on the humvee?
You definitely know how to keep the moar hounds guessing and wondering and asking for moar.
Thanks for the chapter.
Texican....
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Post by udwe on Aug 14, 2020 6:33:30 GMT -6
You sure know how to leave us on a cliff! Thanks!
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Post by 9idrr on Aug 14, 2020 20:14:47 GMT -6
You sure know how to leave us on a cliff! Thanks! I think our boy Bret sometimes likes to see how long my arms'll stretch as I'm hangin' on the edge of the cliff, feet flailin' to find purchase in the slope below the edge, watchin' as the tiny bush to which I'm barely clingin' gets slowly pulled out by the roots... But the next chapter, story or letter is always well worth the torment.
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Post by bretf on Aug 19, 2020 8:47:07 GMT -6
Thanks all. Hope your arms are okay and haven’t stretched out too far. Maybe this will help.
Chapter 17
Dark clouds hung low over the region as Mat, Brooke, and Joe peered into the lazy rain. They split their attention between the dark water of Puget Sound and the road approaching their position.
“Damn it, I wish we could see better. Those troops will be on us before we know it in this crap,” Mat grumbled. “And where the hell are Alison and Brian?”
“They’ll be here. Just be patient,” Brooke said.
“Can you say that for sure or is it just wishful thinking? If we can’t take out the Chinese choppers, we’re done before we even get started.”
Brooke said, “They’ll get here in time. Just leave it at that.”
Mat studied her, looking for reassurance. His sisters had some kind of strange connection but could she really know for sure? He wished he could be as certain. Instead, he felt …
“Mat, it’s the truck. They’re back.” Joe said, excited.
“Thank God,” Mat murmured. “Now if they only have what we need.”
“Oh, they do,” Brooke reassured him.
He stared at her, silently praying she was right as the truck rolled to a stop beside their position.
Alison climbed out of the driver’s seat, a broad smile on her face.
“You got what we need?” Mat asked.
“We sure did. All that and more. We got a load of some kind of weapons or something. It’s not like anything I’ve seen before. We have a couple of guys who know how to use them, too.”
Mat breathed a sigh of relief.
“And we got some other gifts you’re sure to find useful,” Brian added.
“And, we brought something, rather someone else, too,” Alison said.
Captain Chen emerged from the truck.
“Oh, we picked this guy up, too. He’s lucky the guys with him stopped me or he’d looking out of a black eye now. He will have one, or worse for sure, if he ever points a gun at me again. But he’s not who I mean,” Alison said.
Mat stared at Chen and said, “Aren’t you supposed to be in charge in the mountains?”
“Camp knows those people and they know him. He knows what to do and they won’t listen to me anyway.”
Mat shook his head, certain Crocker wouldn’t be thrilled with the change. He looked at Brooke questioningly and asked, “The guys with him?”
She didn’t speak, just turned back to the Humvee. Mat dismissed Chen from his thoughts as Chad, Howie, and Nick emerged. Cooper followed them.
Mat closed his eyes and took a deep breath, muttering to himself. Opening them, he focused on the trio. “The three amigos, or in the case the three stooges. What the hell are you doing here? You’re supposed to be on the other side of the mountain.”
Chad grinned and said, “Nice to see you too, bro.”
“Damn it, Chad! The shit’s about to get deep here!”
“I suppose it is. So, who better to watch your backside than us? Russ didn’t need us on the mountain but you will.”
“Damn it, Chad!” Mat stated again. He pulled his boonie hat off and ran his fingers through his hair. “I really wish you weren’t here!”
Two men dressed in forest camo had emerged from the Humvee and joined the group. Mat didn’t introduce himself or ask their names. It might not matter by the end of the day and he’d found it easier to look on a corpse he didn’t associate a name to.
“Where’s the Colonel?” Chen asked.
Mat ignored him.
“As Brian told you, we got something else the guys with the convoy said you and Crocker would like,” Alison said. She dug a pack out of the truck and handed it to Mat.
He looked in the pack and smiled as he recognized the group link communicators.
“So, do you like?” Alison asked, beaming.
“Like isn’t a strong enough word.”
He refocused on the task at hand, scanning the group, wondering if any would live to see the sunrise. “What about weapons for our fighters?”
“Two loaded trucks came with us. We also picked up a lot more guys on the way in. They’re all down with our forces, equipping everyone as well as they can.”
It would help, every little bit would help, but he still wondered how many wouldn’t survive the day. Squelching the thoughts, he explained to the newcomers about all the defenses that’d been prepared for the invading troops.
He concluded by addressing the men he didn’t know. “You know your weapons better than I do and what they’re capable of. You better get in position. The enemy can’t be far off.” He tossed them each a radio set.
“Got it. Now if we could get some help lugging our gear, we’ll set up.”
“Brooke, Brian, you’re with them. Make sure they don’t go where they shouldn’t.” He shook his head again as he looked at Chad. “Alison, Joe, take the new recruits where they’ll do the most good. And another thing, I don’t know, but I’d imagine those choppers will have FLIR, forward-looking infrared. They can pick up heat signatures, so look for places where you won’t be detected.”
Pinching his eyes closed as if his head hurt, he opened them again and focused his attention inside the pack. Keeping one radio for Crocker and another for himself, he held the pack out to Joe. “Hand these out where you think they’re needed.”
“I could use one of those,” Chen said.
Again, Mat ignored him. Too much was happening too fast. Crocker could decide what to do with his officer.
“Sure, but before we go, we’ve got something else for you,” Brian said.
He and Alison went to the back of the Humvee. She pulled out a long rifle case while he picked up an ammo can. Alison smiled as she handed the case to Mat. Brian placed the can near his feet.
Mat opened the case, registered what it held, then turned and squinted into the rain at the distant water of Puget Sound. He looked back at the sniper rifle in his hands, letting out a small whistle. “Yeah, I might find a use for this if I could only see farther.”
Looking back at the group watching him, he focused on Chad, Nick, and Howie. Shaking his head, he said, “Damn, I wish you were on the other side of that mountain. Now everyone move!”
In short order, they emptied the Humvee of gear and the groups moved off in separate directions.
“Ali,” Chad said, “I’m not sure where you’re taking us but I want to be somewhere close to you guys.”
“You got it.”
Mat watched them go, grumbling under his breath. Turning, he started towards the demolished building that served as the defender’s headquarters. “Well, come on,” he snapped at Chen.
Crocker had a link and had been communicating with someone far away. His face darkened when he saw Captain Chen.
“Captain,” he snarled. “If you’re here, who the hell is watching the mountains?”
“Camp is a very capable leader. We found a place that’ll be easy to defend once we set some charges off. And with all these people heading here, you need experienced officers here, not there.”
Crocker grumbled under his breath, not agreeing – his orders had been disobeyed – but seeing merit in Chen’s actions.
Mat brought Crocker up to speed with Alison and Brian’s return, then motioned to the computer. “Anything good there?”
Crocker snorted. “Very little. The troops won’t make it here for a few more days. However, they’ll send—”
Mat threw a hand up to cut him off. “Listen!”
Crocker did as he was told, tilting his head towards an opening in the rubble. His grim features darkened and he turned back to the laptop, talking fast.
Mat raised the binoculars that hung from a strap around his neck and looked out a hole in the rubble. The unmistakable sound of a helicopter grew louder.
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Post by cutter on Aug 19, 2020 13:18:49 GMT -6
And they say I am bad about cliffhangers! You're killing me! Good story and I'm enjoying it very much
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Post by gipsy on Aug 19, 2020 15:41:00 GMT -6
Cliff hanging is good exercise in these tough times that keep us at home.
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Post by 9idrr on Aug 19, 2020 21:15:53 GMT -6
Cliff hanging is good exercise in these tough times that keep us at home. Yeah, gipsy, except I'm still still goin' to work six days a week. Barely have the strength to turn on the 'puter. Settle in to relax and I find that Bret, Cutter, Accountant or another of our fine wordsmiths has me danglin' above the abyss, again. Not complainin' by any stretch of the imagination. Appreciate all the fine writin' our folks do.
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Post by texican on Aug 21, 2020 16:11:28 GMT -6
Brett,
Thanks, I think, for inserting Chen into the coming fight. Need to watch him like a hawk and eliminate the threat quickly.
Is Chen part of the enemy? Probably so or not?
Brett will tell us hopefully soon.
Texican....
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Post by bretf on Aug 27, 2020 13:41:39 GMT -6
Cutter, Thank you very much.
Gipsy: Glad I can help, thanks.
9idrr: Goodness, that brought a tear to my eye. Hang in there, buddy.
Texican: Yeah, Chen needed to be on hand. But is he part of the enemy or not? Definitely one or the other.
Chapter 18
“Son of a …!” Mat muttered as he peered out of the rubble. He tossed his radio to Chen. “Alert everyone, two attack choppers are coming in. Tell them to get under cover. Now!”
Chen looked taken aback, receiving orders from a civilian.
“Do it!” Crocker barked.
Chen hesitated another moment before doing as he was told.
The choppers slowed as they approached land and made a slow pass over the surrounding area. They returned, hovering in a space facing the area where the group from Kennewick had been setting up their welcome surprises.
“They’ve made us!” Mat snapped as a rocket flared from one of the choppers. “Take them out. TAKE THEM OUT!”
Chen barked the order into his radio as an explosion rocked the ground between the command center and the water. It was echoed by a second blast.
Twin streams answered as surface-to-air missiles streaked into the sky. The first scored a direct hit. The chopper exploded in a blinding ball of fire. It plummeted, a mass of flame and black smoke, and slammed into the earth.
The second pilot reacted quicker, veering away after firing. The missile passed by harmlessly.
Mat’s cursing filled the command center.
A third missile flew, nearly on the tail of the first two. It found its target, though with less precision than the first.
Heavy smoke billowed from the chopper and its engine emitted an ear-piercing whine. The tail section no longer remained stationary to the cabin. It began to turn, the entire craft rotating, gaining momentum with each revolution.
Mat watched in horror as the pilot forced the damaged aircraft in his direction. “Go down you son of a …”
The chopper spun out of control and disappeared behind a pile of rubble that’d been an office building. A ball of fire erupted into the sky.
Chen stared out the gap in the wall at the pillar of smoke and fire. “Damn!”
“Report!” Crocker said into his radio. “What’d they hit?”
To Mat and Chen he said, “And there goes any chance at surprise.”
The radio crackled with a voice no one in the command post recognized. “Both choppers destroyed. They hit two of your trebuchets and ten to twenty men. I can’t tell for sure how many.”
One of the twins spoke next. “All clear here. Everyone was under cover.”
Crocker stared ahead, thinking. After several moments he barked, “Mat, check out where those missiles hit and get some aid to anyone who needs it. Captain, get to that ragtag army we’ve gathered.”
“Sir, I’ve gone over everything with our forces. I should go to them,” Mat said. Unsaid, he didn’t want Chen changing tactics at such a late stage and causing people to get killed needlessly. He’d seen too many young, gung-ho officers thinking they could face a force head-on and have the enemy buckle under their will. More often than not, such tactics ended in disaster. Chen appeared to be that type of officer.
Crocker pursed his lips. “Do it.”
Mat slung the sniper rifle over his shoulder, picked up the ammo can, and trotted away.
“Sir, I think we should –” Chen began.
“Stop thinking and see if anything can be done for our casualties,” Crocker snapped.
Chen’s face twisted as if he would argue, then he steeled his features and did as he was told.
#
Mat surveyed the line of defense they’d chosen. As he approached, he was pleased he didn’t see anyone. Alison materialized from a demolished building to meet him.
“We brought the newbies up to speed on your plan and they’ve all found positions.”
“Good. Do you think they’ll do what they’re told? Despite all of them coming in, we’re sure to still be outmanned and outgunned.”
“You never know. There might be some macho guy who thinks he has to prove himself but they seemed to get it.”
“All right. Let’s get in position. The Chinese can’t be far off.”
They settled into the building, each peering through the remains of windows. Mat scanned the bay through his binoculars. The rain had slackened to a light drizzle, allowing him to see further. He looked and cursed.
“What?” Alison asked.
“They’re nearly here. They have to see the smoke from their choppers and know they were shot down but they aren’t slowing.” He continued to scan and cursed again. “Those idiots!”
“Now what?”
“A big group is heading towards the pier. They went past where those rockets hit, so they aren’t going to help Chen with the injured. Maybe they think they’ll take the Chinese head-on. Give me your radio.”
“Chen, what the hell are those people doing?” he barked into it.
“It appears they’re trying to warn the enemy. They’re waving their arms and yelling that it’s a trap.”
Mat refocused on the group, now able to see them clearly as they went onto the pier. It was the grunge crowd who’d been willing to welcome the Chinese. It appeared they’d watched every move the defenders made and wanted to protect the invaders more than they wanted to protect their homeland. He cursed more as the group reached the end of the pier, intent on selling out the defenders. There’d be no chance of surprise if those idiots weren’t stopped. He cursed louder.
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Post by gipsy on Aug 27, 2020 16:07:58 GMT -6
Grunge now and in the future.
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Post by texican on Aug 27, 2020 19:40:00 GMT -6
It was the grunge crowd who’d been willing to welcome the Chinese.
The reception of the grunge crowd may not be what they thought.
Only Brett knows.
Thanks Brett for the chapter.
Texican....
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Post by cutter on Aug 27, 2020 21:49:10 GMT -6
Forgive the crudeness of my opinion, but I sincerely hope the Chinese blow their traitorous asses all the way to God. I can forgive fear. I can tolerate cowardice, with contempt; but I cannot, cannot abide a traitor. IN Mat's place, I might well open fire on them.
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remembergoliad
Member
if you send friend req on FB, message me too. I won't accept if I don't recognize you.
Posts: 158
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Post by remembergoliad on Aug 28, 2020 6:25:57 GMT -6
...I might well open fire on them. I'm kinda surprised someone(s) hasn't already done that. But maybe they have, and we'll know in the next instalment. Edge-of-seat stuff, Bret. THANKS!!!
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Post by bretf on Sept 7, 2020 6:56:08 GMT -6
Thanks All!!
Cutter, RG, I'm with you.
Chapter 19
Alison and Mat stared in stunned silence at the scene on the pier. Brooke’s voice came shakily from the radio. “M … at. Did you see that?”
“Yeah, we saw,” he said softly.
“I was tempted to shoot at them to turn them back but … wow,” Brooke said.
Alison, wide-eyed as she watched, stated, “Your pal Crocker can go piss up a rope if he thinks Brooke and I are going to try to infiltrate that bunch of cutthroats.”
Mat said, “You’ve got that right.” He lowered the binoculars, unable to watch further. He hadn’t shared the fools’ views and wanted them stopped, even if he had to shoot a few himself. But they were still people. No one deserved what they’d received.
“So, are you going to accept it? If you are, give me that big gun. That is if it shoots that far. That flat-out ticked me off.”
Mat sighed heavily and said, “Yes, we have to accept it.” He closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind. He had to be calm. Something had needed to be done before those idiots could warn the Chinese. But not like that.
During his time in Afghanistan, and before that in the rough city streets, he’d seen needless death and barbarism many times. But none had been as brutal as what’d just taken place. The grunge crowd, yelling and waving their arms, alerting the enemy, had been mown down by the people they were trying to help.
Their yells were drowned out by the pounding rhythm of large automatic weapon fire from the ships and the sickening splats as the heavy bullets tore bodies apart. Over the heavy pounding, screams and cries of agony could be heard.
Then it stopped. The pounding, the screams, everything. The cacophony had been replaced by deathly silence. Where men and women had stood, all that remained was bloody, dismembered body parts. It was as if the people had been run through a meat grinder.
Not even a gull called, though they’d be certain to raise a ruckus when they discovered the gore on the pier. After what she’d witnessed, Alison wanted the birds to gorge on Chinese food as well as American. “Accept it? Are you nuts? We’ve got to give them some payback. They were dirtbags but they were American dirtbags.”
“Look, I want to take out as many of them as we can but we can’t. Not yet. We have to be calm and not be ruled by emotion.”
“But,” Alison said as Mat held up a hand to stop her.
“No, listen! With luck, the Chinese will think that bunch took down their choppers, that they’ve eliminated the threat. If we start picking them off, they’ll know we’re here and open up with the big guns and shell this whole area. You saw what they’re capable of. They have enough firepower to destroy every living thing within sight. Then they’ll have a free pass to land.”
Alison grumbled under her breath.
Mat spoke into the radio relaying his thoughts.
Crocker responded, urging everyone to hold their fire and remain hidden.
To Alison, Mat said, “We can fight them more effectively on land. We’ve set up to face them that way. And God forbid they open up with the big guns if their men are here. I won’t say they won’t if they get clear targets, but it lessens the chance they use them. I just hope it’s not already too late since we took down their choppers.”
“Arrgh! Can’t we even get one?” Alison picked up the binoculars and studied the nearest ship. “And I see the perfect one. There’s a guy on that raised deck with way too much bling on his coat. Maybe he’s the big mucky-muck in charge. Let’s see what happens if you cut the snake’s head off.”
Mat raised the sniper rifle and found the man through the powerful optics. “I’m not sure I like your metaphor. When you cut off a snake’s head, the body continues to move and crawl for hours.”
“I still think we should start shooting but I get your point,” Alison grumbled.
They watched silently as the ships stopped moving and anchored in place. The decks swarmed with men, looking like an anthill in the distance.
“Now comes the nerve-wracking time,” Mat said. “Waiting.”
“Nothing personal, but I wish Brooke was here.”
Despite the situation, Mat grinned. “And I’d rather be home with Heather and the kids than sitting here with you. Nothing personal.”
They settled in to wait, checking on the invaders from time to time.
After an hour, Alison picked up the binoculars and studied the ships. “Get your rifle and look on the ship where we saw the big mucky-muck.”
After Mat did as requested, Alison said, “Do you see him, the guy on the left of Mister Bling?”
“Yeah, I do. It can’t be, can it? How …”
Mat raised the radio and spoke into it. “Chen, are you there? Chen?”
His question was met with silence.
Mat and Alison looked at each other and Alison took the radio. “Brooke, have you seen Chen?”
“Yeah. When the Chinese slaughtered those people, he went running past where we are. I haven’t seen him since.”
Alison and Mat looked into their optics at the men on the ship.
“Now can we use that big rifle?” Alison asked.
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Post by sniper69 on Sept 7, 2020 7:22:28 GMT -6
Bret - thanks for the latest chapter. Hopefully Mister Bling and Chen will each get a 50 cal lobotomy.
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Post by texican on Sept 7, 2020 23:11:43 GMT -6
Bret - thanks for the latest chapter. Hopefully Mister Bling and Chen will each get a 50 cal lobotomy. ` Yep, time to take out the traitor and the Chinese leaders. Thanks Bret for the chapter. Texican....
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Post by cutter on Sept 8, 2020 11:04:13 GMT -6
Can I play with the big rifle? I just want one shot.
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Post by cutter on Sept 15, 2020 9:01:21 GMT -6
On further reflection, the Chinese commander is a declared enemy by the uniform he wears. If the second man is actually Chen, he is a spy, and is therefore afforded no protections under either the Hague or Geneva conventions. If he is infiltrating the attacking forces and providing misinformation to them, I hope he survives. If he is in fact an enemy agent, I would like Mat to apply a 600 grain .50 BMG AP round to the task of turning Chen's head into a pink mist.
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Post by bluefox2 on Sept 15, 2020 19:46:28 GMT -6
On further reflection, the Chinese commander is a declared enemy by the uniform he wears. If the second man is actually Chen, he is a spy, and is therefore afforded no protections under either the Hague or Geneva conventions. If he is infiltrating the attacking forces and providing misinformation to them, I hope he survives. If he is in fact an enemy agent, I would like Mat to apply a 600 grain .50 BMG AP round to the task of turning Chen's head into a pink mist. "THWAP" done.
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Post by bretf on Sept 18, 2020 6:52:30 GMT -6
Thanks all. I liked those comments and came close to using a few of those phrases in this chapter.
Chapter 20
The landing craft appeared to be in no hurry as they moved from the ships towards their apparent targets; the beach and pier. They advanced at a snail’s pace Mas was certain would put the defenders on edge for a seemingly interminable time.
“Pass the word. I think they’re trying to bait us to reveal ourselves and fire at them. We’ve got to remain concealed and not make a move until they’re on land,” Mat said into his radio. Looking intently at Alison as he said it, she got the hint and slipped out the back of the building to remind their troops.
Several minutes later, she returned, accompanied by Brooke. Mat frowned and shook his head.
“He said he could handle everything on his own,” Brooke said, referring to the soldier she’d accompanied who’d shot down one of the choppers. “Or, he was afraid I’d take his launcher and use it myself. That thing’s cool! And, he said he won’t fire until he’s told to.”
Mat glanced out the remains of the window to check on the Chinese. They were closer but still taking their time. Silently, he sent up a prayer that none of the defenders fired. It would result in disaster if anyone did. They had no defense for the guns on the Chinese ships if they opened up. The enemy had to be drawn onto land.
He looked back at his sister. “It’s just as well you’re here. I wanted to talk to you in person, anyway. Tell me about Chen.”
“Like I said he ran past where I was when the slaughter started. I didn’t see where he went. Then, just before I started this way, I saw him slinking back to where he’d been before.”
“How long ago was that?”
“You know I don’t have a watch, but in your terms, maybe ten minutes.”
“Ten minutes. So the Chinese had been in the water for some time at that point,” Mat said. To Alison, he said, “So, the guy on the boat dropped out of sight with enough time. If it is him, how did he do it? But also, if it is, why haven’t they opened up on us? Our whole defense is based on stealth and surprise.”
“I have no idea. This is more water than I’ve seen in my entire life. I don’t know how one guy can cross it. And who knows, maybe they’ve got their own tricks planned.”
“Guy on the boat? What are you two talking about?” Brooke asked.
Alison explained what they’d seen.
“Do you think there’s any way he could have gotten out to the Chinese ships?” Mat asked Brooke.
She scrunched her forehead in thought. “I don’t know. I was watching those ships and what they were doing. I suppose it’s possible he got out there but I just don’t know. So, you really think you saw Chen and he’s working with the Chinese and not us? I mean, he never gave me the warm and fuzzies, but I wouldn’t have thought he’d do something like that.”
“I don’t know but someone needs to keep a close eye on him. If he is working with the enemy, I’ll deal with him,” Mat said. He patted the rifle for emphasis.
Alison removed one of the 50 caliber cartridges from the ammo can. “If you do, I don’t want to see the hole you make with one of these.”
“And I wouldn’t want you to, either. So, he knows we’ve got people here and of course he knows about the trebuchets. Did you and Brian tell him anything else about the welcomes we prepared on your way back here?”
Alison snorted. “No, we didn’t tell him crap. And not for lack of effort on his part. He kept asking and then demanding details of what we’d been doing like he’s the extreme, all-high commander. The more demanding he got, the tighter-lipped Brian and I got.”
“Good. Now to monitor him. Do you know where Chad and Cooper are? I want someone I can trust and have faith in shadowing him.”
Alison grinned. “As a matter of fact, I do. Hey guys, come on in,” she called
Chad, Cooper, Nick, and Howie materialized in moments. Mat looked at them flatly.
Chad grinned. “I told Ali I wanted to be close where I could watch you guys backsides. Now it sounds like you’re sending us away.”
“How much did you hear?”
“Pretty much everything. And we were already wondering about him. Something seems off about that guy.”
Mat said, “It seems too convenient he was missing at the perfect time. But if it was him, why aren’t they shelling us?”
“If it was him, all I can guess is they have their own surprises on those landing craft. I think they’re going to go for a shock and awe tactic,” Cooper said. “And if we determine he’s working with the enemy, we’ll do what needs to be done.”
“You guys watch yourselves since we won’t be here to do it for you,” Chad added. “Those boats are getting close.” He nodded to each of his siblings, turned, and slipped out of the building. His three companions followed.
Alison, Brooke, and Mat watched them go, then turned their attention back to the water. The lead craft stopped just off the beach with its concealed punji sticks and cartridge mines.
“Mat, I don’t like the look of those trucks,” Brooke said.
“Yeah, they look a lot tougher than Crocker’s truck,” Alison added.
“They are. And this could get dicey,” Mat said as he looked through the scope at two battle tanks and an armored personnel carrier.
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Post by texican on Sept 18, 2020 16:59:23 GMT -6
Brett,
The intrigue continues.
Could Chen have left a surprises in the ships shell storage?
Thanks for the chapter.
Texican....
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Post by bretf on Sept 28, 2020 6:45:18 GMT -6
Chapter 21
The armored vehicles moved across the beach in a triangular formation. Troops swarmed from the boats and all who could massed in the protective shell they offered. Many more spread out, obliterating the sand from view. Amongst them, several jumped, fell, or writhed in pain from the concealed traps.
The radio issued a hiss of static and a man asked, “Colonel, do we take them out?”
“That’s the guy I was with that has the cool rocket launcher,” Brooke said.
“No,” Crocker answered. “Stand by.”
“What? Why’s he letting them come?” Brooke asked.
“Yeah, we should start blasting,” Alison added.
“No,” Mat said. “they have to come up farther and the timing has to be perfect. We’ll only get one chance at this.”
The girls looked at him crossly.
“What haven’t you told us?”
“You don’t trust us?”
He looked around and then motioned them close. “Of course I trust you. But Crocker felt this next part couldn’t be shared with anyone. Just him and I and a handful of people far from here know the plan. You know the walls have ears. Think about the grunge crowd and how they were ready to welcome the enemy. Think of Chen. Who knows who’s a plant by the Chinese. We couldn’t take a chance of being overheard.” Making certain his voice wouldn’t carry, he filled them in.
“I hope you guys are right,” Alison said.
“Yeah, those trucks look like they can go right through us.”
“Our guys wouldn’t even be a speed bump to them.”
“Technically, they’re not trucks,” Mat said. “They’re two tanks and an armored personnel carrier, an APC. But you’re right. I’m not sure what their fire-power is, but a militia with basic armament won’t stand a chance against them.”
“So what about that?” Alison asked as pops sounded from the beach.
They studied the assault troops, Mat through his scope, Alison and Brooke taking turns with the binoculars.
“Some of the traps worked,” Mat said. “Hopefully, again, they attribute it to the guys they killed.”
“Colonel,” he said into the radio. “Timeline?”
Crocker gave a single word answer. “Ten.”
“Okay,” Mat said to his sisters. “One of you stay with me. The other, get Brian and Joe. Tell them the plan and spread the word. Then get in your firing position. We won’t have a lot of time to inflict as much damage as possible.” He rekeyed the radio’s mike and said, “Chad, Coop, report.”
“In position. All copacetic,” Cooper answered.
As Mat and Cooper engaged in their short conversation, Alison won the game of rock-paper-scissors. “I’ll stay here,” she said. “And maybe Mat will tell me what Coop meant, copacetic?”
“He meant Chen isn’t doing anything suspicious. Now beat feet, Brooke. It’s nearly showtime.”
“So, what are we going to do when the fun starts?” Alison asked.
Mat snorted. “I wouldn’t exactly call it fun. But I’m going to try this rifle out and you’re going to be my spotter. First off, let’s see if Mr. Bling is still around. Maybe we can cut the snake’s head off in a few minutes.”
Mat and Alison got comfortable and searched the ships for targets.
“I don’t see Bling,” Alison said.
“Me neither. So we take out the gunners until we get a chance at him. So, the close ship, the nearest gunner. Give me distance and wind speed and direction.”
“Distance? I don’t know, maybe a little over a half-mile.”
“Not good enough,” Mat said. “In yards, and no maybes. Give me your most accurate guess. When I fire, you’ll have to see where I hit so I can adjust where it’s needed.”
“Geez, no pressure on me, is there?”
“You can get a good guess of the distance from here to the pier, can’t you? And of the pier itself? Take that distance and visualize it to the ships. We didn’t waste our time giving you math lessons, did we?”
“No, but what if I’m totally off?” Alison asked.
“We’ve got a bit of time. Give me your best guess.”
“I should’ve let Brooke stay. This’ll give me a headache.”
“Brooke has her own job to do which could turn out to be harder than doing math problems.”
She scrunched her brow, studied the distance, and did figures in her head. “Okay, I’m going to say nine hundred yards.”
“Not bad. I have it at nine forty. Okay, what about the wind? Give it to me in miles per hour and the direction it’s coming from.”
“Ugh. Miles per hour? That term means squat to me. I don’t know how long an hour is and I wouldn’t know miles without those green signs on the highway.”
“Come on, now. You have a good idea of wind speed. Look at anything you can that’s moving and judge from it.”
“What I see moving are those tanks and soldiers. While we’re sitting here on our butts,” Alison said.
“Yes, they are. But I mean trees, the flags on those ships, the rain.”
“Brooke got off so easy. She’s going to have to make it up to me.”
They were silent while each did their best to estimate the wind speed.
“Okay, maybe three to five miles per hour from the northwest,” Alison said.
“Maybe?”
“Ugh. Four miles an hour from the northwest!”
“Not bad,” Mat said.
They remained silent for a minute before Alison asked, “How much longer?”
“Soon, very soon.”
Mat peered through the scope to make sure the target and the conditions hadn’t changed. His radio emitted three clicks as Crocker tapped the handle of his mike.
“Now it gets real, very real,” Mat said. He gently squeezed the trigger as the air was filled with a roar.
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Post by sniper69 on Sept 28, 2020 8:11:52 GMT -6
Bret thank you for the newest chapter. Now I sit here eagerly awaiting to read the next chapter, and the next chapter, and the next... As Paul Harvey used to say now for the rest of the story...
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Post by cutter on Sept 28, 2020 21:56:17 GMT -6
You're worse about cliffhangers than I ever was. Good chapter. Thanks.
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Post by texican on Sept 29, 2020 20:01:53 GMT -6
You're worse about cliffhangers than I ever was. Good chapter. Thanks. Yep. Brett has made kliffs into an art form. Texican....
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