“I doubt it, sir.”
Connor laughed and turned to the captain. “I’m real glad to see you guys, Captain Daubney.”
“You too, sir. I agree with Top—it’s an honor to meet you.”
“Thanks,” said Connor. “John, I need you to bring our team up to speed.”
“Okay, Mac,” said John, turning toward the KFC.
“Colonel, can we hold on a second?” asked Captain Daubney. “Is John your second in command, sir?” The captain pointed briefly at John McLeod who had turned to face them.
“That’s right, captain. John’s my second in command. I’m sorry that wasn’t clear, but we weren’t a hundred per cent sure who you were.”
“I understand, colonel.”
Connor turned to John McLeod. “Major! Please properly introduce yourself to these men.”
This was the first time Connor had used the formal designation of major to address John McLeod and the new major was a bit embarrassed by the attention he was garnering. Despite that, he smiled and said, “I’m Major John McLeod.” He sensed Connor was establishing a baseline and thought it best not to say anything more.
“It’s nice to meet you, major,” said Captain Daubney. “What branch, sir? We didn’t find any information about you. Amanda mentioned you, but never said you were a major.”
“He was a civilian before the Sickness, captain,” explained Connor.
“Yes, sir,” said the captain. “But, then—”
“Helluva resume in his pocket. He safely traveled across the United States all the way to Colorado and back from DC. He was responsible for the safety of his team and he performed admirably. I’ve assigned him the rank of major under my direct command. I trust him with my life, captain, and the lives of my men.”
During Connor’s explanation, McLeod became increasingly uncomfortable and his emotions threatened to overwhelm him, but he hid his emotions well.
The captain debated saluting both men, but decided against it for the time being—neither was in his chain of command.
“Colonel,” said John McLeod, “I need to bring the men up to speed, sir.”
“Yes, of course, major. See to it.” Connor watched McLeod disappear inside the KFC and turned to Captain Daubney. “I need a sit-rep now, captain. Both barrels.”
“Yes, sir.” The captain began to fill in the blanks for Connor—all the events that had occurred since the Hall of Fame. When the captain mentioned the name Phoenix Justice, Connor growled.
“Phoenix! You’re sure he’s the fucker on our ass right now?”
“Yes, sir,” answered the captain. “He’s maybe an hour away, if that. I believe he’s probably quite pissed at you, colonel.”
“That’s a two-way street, captain. We managed to thin his unit and slow him down when he tried to cross the West End Bridge. Mostly because of Surf Boy’s shooting.”
“Surf Boy?” asked the captain.
“The colonel gotta be talkin’ about Marty, captain,” offered Mickey.
“That’s right, Top,” said Connor. He noticed the cautious approach of a group of men. “Those, of course, are your men, captain?”
Captain Daubney glanced behind him. “Yes, sir, they’re mine.” He faced Connor again. “We took a shot at Phoenix’s convoy a few hours ago on the south side of the river. We took out their lead vehicles.”
“With the Hellfire?”
“Yes, sir, that’s right.”
“He’s the little panty waist who tried to take you guys down and nearly killed Amanda?”
“Yes, sir. His force is at least 600 men strong with plenty of horses and pickups. They moved as if they’re well-trained.”
“Well-trained, my ass. We’ll see how damn ‘well-trained’ they are when they come up against us. Top, I must say, I got a new reason for living, don’t I?”
The first sergeant smiled—he was taking a strong liking to Colonel Connor MacMillen. “Yes, sir,” replied Mickey. “Would you like a piece of Phoenix, colonel?”
“Count on it, Top. I’ll take little slices of his flesh inch by inch until he begs to die.” He took a moment to calm his breathing. He glanced at the radio in his hands and the white-knuckle grip he had on it. “Major, do you copy?” asked Connor into his radio.
“Yes, sir. I’m here. Over.”
“I want BB running overwatch, in case there’s any players around we don’t know about. Bring the rest of our team over here with weapons neutral.”
“Copy that, Mac.”
Connor faced the captain. “BB’s running near the Kroger’s. He’ll be well armed. He’s six-four and wearing a brown duster. But your men will never see him, captain. You should let your men know that he’s out there.”
The captain nodded. “Top, let the men know. Provide the description as well.”
“Yes, sir,” said Mickey. He spoke into his radio and Connor heard him say, “Yeah, it’s him… and his team.”
Connor’s team began to emerge from the KFC. The captain turned to assess the progress of his own team and was surprised to find that the first five men arriving had stopped about ten feet away, presumably not wanting to interrupt a conversation that might not be for their ears. The remainder of the team was on the way and about sixty yards behind, as they were instructed, to keep a safe distance apart upon approach. Daubney reached a decision
“Colonel?”
“Yes, captain.”
“President Starkes provided me some latitude on several items, sir.”
“Such as?”
“Well, sir, if I determined that everything is on the up-and-up with your command, I’m authorized to offer you complete control of my team.”
“Complete military control?”
“Yes, sir.”
“In your opinion, is everything on the up-and-up, captain?”
“Yes, sir, I believe so.”
“What about you, Top? Whatta you think?”
Mickey almost stiffened at attention. “Sir, the captain’s always had my full support. I trust him with my life, sir and he knows it.”
Connor studied the two men, considering the risk that the captain had taken in his approach. By extension, it had ultimately been the risk of President Starkes.
“I’m honored, captain, at your assessment of my value. I think you’re a man who can make fast and accurate decisions when it’s necessary. You’re DEVGRU, I’m sure of it. Your training’s showing. What team were you attached to?”
“Seal Team Six, sir,” answered the captain proudly.
“Excellent,” said Connor. “It’ll be a pleasure working with you and your men.”
“Yes, sir,” said the captain. He was satisfied with the transfer of command and would do as the colonel ordered.
Connor assumed command easily. “Top, my first order is for you to set four men to run a tight fifty yard perimeter around the KFC. Pick your best and, in the meantime, my men will acquaint themselves with yours.”
“Got it, sir,” answered Mickey. He turned and issued orders into his radio and Connor observed four men split away from a group further back on Brownsville Road. These men disappeared in pairs down side streets on opposite sides of the road while the rest of the group continued walking toward the KFC.
“Captain, I want a brief report on each man in your unit. President Starkes was confident about you handing off your team to a stranger?”
“You’re not a stranger, sir. She’s read your file. And, she told me that if you’re alive and competent, you outrank her by two months.”
“I see,” said Connor. “She’s a colonel? POTUS is a colonel?”
“Yes, sir. The current acting President of the United States is Colonel Hannah Starkes.”
“And she says that I outrank her?”
“Yes, sir. By two months and four days, sir.”