“Excellent. It’s about time. I hate waiting on this octane boost refinement process. Takes so damn long.” Colonel Starkes stood in the center of the heliport office headquarters, sifting though papers scattered about the floor. She picked up a crumbled, yellowed paper displaying an itinerary for an EMS transport. She looked up when the major continued the discussion.
“Yeah, but waiting for this is better than the alternative. We’d be screwed without it.”
“For sure. Thanks, major.”
“No problem.”
“Don’t let GT know how damn proud I am of him just yet.”
“Ah, he knows already, ma’am. No big deal for him.”
“Yeah, maybe you’re right, but just the same.”
“I’ll keep it to myself. Hey, next subject. We’re still targeting a return to that town, Perryopolis, correct?”
“Yeah, Perryopolis is the only signs of civilized life on Route 51 since we caught sight of Phoenix. We have some time to spare. Maybe they can help us out. That is, unless you and Shamus think our guys didn’t pass that way and are somewhere else.”
“No, ma’am, Route 51 would be the best direct route for the meet at the Uniontown hospital.”
Colonel Starkes held her index finger to her lips, gently tapping in thought. “Hey, what about your thoughts on Captain Daubney’s hook up with the colonel? You still think it took place?”
“Sure. It must have. I have faith in the captain to carry out a successful search. Besides, Seal Team Six never fails so Daubney won’t let that happen. Obviously, none of the other are slouches either. None of them, ma’am, none of them have ever let me down. I’m certain that if they can be found then they found them. Despite Phoenix’s army being in the area.”
“I love the confidence, major. But, they could all be dead and we’re chasing ghosts.”
“No, ma’am. Too many positive variables support their progress.”
“Okay, I’ll admit I’m lacking confidence in that right now, major. I need some perspective and reassurance. Give me your take before we head out.”
“Sure, no problem, ma’am. We’ve seen Colonel MacMillen’s military record, correct?”
“Go on.”
“The guy does not die. No way. Consider all those missions. All successes. In fact, I’d say that Colonel MacMillen shines when the shit comes down.”
“Well, let’s assume his military record has some real life merit.”
“That’s a given. And, Amanda believes completely and wholeheartedly in him. Especially if Marty’s still around to help out.”
“Female confidence in her man, I get it. Go on.”
“No, ma’am, this is a sense of confidence fully distilled from time spent with the man. This is a certainty based on witnessed competence. She scoffs at the mere concept that Phoenix, and whatever army he attempts to bring onto the same playing field, could hope to kill Colonel MacMillen, or Marty for that matter. It’s deep in her bones on this one.”
“Okay, let’s assume her assumption carries some weight.”
“And, Nicole, simply nods at Amanda’s comments as if it’s a given.”
“She does?”
“Yeah, he has that affect on the people around him, apparently.”
“Yeah, yeah, go on. But, give me some hard, usable data.”
“Okay. How ’bout the explosion on Brownsville Road? That speaks volumes that it was our guys.”
“Okay. I like that piece of evidence.”
“And how ’bout the fact that Phoenix was at our rendezvous at about the same time we’re trying to pick up our men?”
“Yeah?”
“That fact suggests we just missed ’em. That it was due to Phoenix and his disruption.”
“Point taken. Go on—”
“Alright… tell me those riders heading south on Route 51 that were in hot pursuit don’t mean anything? They weren’t simply advance scouts. And, we wouldn’t have wasted a Hellfire otherwise. Your gut said so. You went for the launch. You know they were tracking for our men. And, they were moving with purpose in the same direction of our team if that same team, now combined, were trying to hook up at the second established extraction.”
“True. But why have we not heard from them? Huh? My projections, as well as yours and Shamus put them in or around Perryopolis. Yet we heard nothing.”
“A few hours of time matter on the ground. Pardon my saying so, ma’am, but you know that. It matters a great deal. Those few hours can make a big difference. And our radio contact is sketchy at best from the bird. But, we’ll clear that up real quick when we return back there.”
“Major, you know Phoenix will probably have already burned that town to the ground by the time we get there.”
“Possibly.”
“Probably.”
“Okay, probably, like we discussed. But, if Phoenix does pass through Perryopolis, again with purpose, it only suggests our team remains in the game.”
The colonel stood and paced, thinking hard. “True. Good point. In fact, we can assess the potential progress of our men by the progress of his army. Hey, I like that!”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Go on.”
“Alright. If there’s a firefight going down in Perryopolis and our men have stuck around to help, we’ll be able to pitch in. And, if it’s none of the above, we still have the second rendezvous point to check in on at the hospital tomorrow.”
“Okay. I do feel better, major. Thank you. Let’s begin preparation to leave.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’ll gather up the ladies and CJ.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Colonel Starkes tossed the papers onto the floor, walking toward Amanda and Nicole. Both were chatting in the next room. Major O’Malley joined up with Ren and Stimpy, each rinsing out spare clothing in a barrel filled with rainwater.
“C’mon, guys. We’re headin’ out.”
“I hear that, sir,” said Stimpy.
A banging door across the weed-infested tarmac caught their attention. Bursting from the heliport control tower doors twenty feet away, Tim McDonald came running. He started pointing and talking from ten feet away. “Major, a coordinated team is coming down the road on horseback, about a mile away. They’re coming from that main road. They have drop offs hanging back on horses staggered up to that mountain pass. Radio stringers I think. I saw one radio.”
“Hmm, I see. Good job, Lieutenant. How many? Anything else?”
“I counted eight riders, well-armed. I think they’re the advance team moving forward.”
“They spotted us you think?”
“I’m thinking yeah, in a general sense. Probably from some distance based on the time it took ’em to round up men and come hunting. I figure they saw the bird and came—”
“Why’d you not call it in on the radio, lieutenant?”
“Tried, sir.”
“What?” Major O’Malley checked his radio. Pushing the talk button, he received no response. “Shit!”
“Ren!”
“Here, sir.” Ren handed over his radio. Major O’Malley switched over to channel nine, speaking into it. He heard his voice coming out of Tim’s radio.
“Dammit. Find me a fresh battery, lieutenant.”
“Yes, sir,” said Ren.
“We have some time before they arrive in our area, major.”
“Alright, Tim. Back to the tower and keep an eye on ’em.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Stay on channel nine as an active command com.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll alert the team.”
Tim McDonald dashed back to his tower post, sniper rifle held tight.
In a rush, Major O’Malley returned to the office. “Ma’am!” He nearly collided with the three women. CJ smiled at the sight of him. Major O’Malley smiled back, but turned serious.