“Now what we gonna do?”
“What else? We’re going to find the Rat Pack colonel and his little minions.”
“Are they here?”
“Yeah, I think they’re still around here. And, I want to set up a little trap for them.”
“How so?”
“We’re going to act like we’re gonna blow the shit outta this town and hunt down that sniper in retaliation. But, while that’s certainly true, I want you to send Luke and all his trackers to fan out on this south side of the town in a large arc. I want Luke and his team to keep an eye out for the Rat Pack as they try to slip past us in all the confusion. And they will.”
“Help me out, Phoenix, What you talkin’ about?”
“That fantastically accurate sniper we talk about just performed his role rather nicely. Once again. But, to me, that mean’s that fuckin’ Rat Pack stayed to help out a bit too long, don’t it? Hah! Now, the way I see it, the Rat Pack colonel is planning to run the hell away from here to wherever the fuck he’s going. Way I figure it, him and his team are planning to do an end around right now in all the confusion, even as we speak.”
“You mean, they will slip away?”
“He’s made a mistake, the bastard made a mistake trying to help out this piss-ass town!”
“Oh.”
“He never shoulda hung around helping out. Oh, he’ll die for it! Of that, I’m sure. Send Luke and the men out after ’em, now!”
Larry radioed Luke, laying out instructions. After that, he instructed the brigade commanders to level the town.
CHAPTER 10.16-Major McLoy
“Stop right there!”
Keenan McLoy and his men snapped to a stop atop their horses. Guns ready, they faced the voice behind the tree on the side of the road in front of them. Near the Masontown Heliport, traveling the two-lane blacktop, they had been discussing settling down for dinner. The six-hour trip of high vigilance scouting had proved disappointing. But, seeing the five fierce men surrounding them in a semi-circle behind them laid to rest any thoughts of an uneventful evening.
“Shit!”
“State your purpose!” yelled the deep voice behind the tree.
Keenan McLoy nodded to his men to hang tight, not do anything stupid. He decided to answer, if for nothing more than to better gauge the enemy’s strength, position and intent.
“Reconnaissance. We’re here to check things out. But, okay, we can leave the way we came—no problems.”
“Explain your reconnaissance.”
“A report says a helicopter landed somewhere near here. Made sense it was over at the heliport seeking usable fuel.”
“Lower your weapons,” said the deep voice from behind the tree.
Keenan McLoy quipped a small laugh, studying the five men pointing weapons at him and his men. He knew they were in no position to adequately defend themselves, but decided, with some luck, they might pop off a shot or two before dying.
“Not likely—to you hiding behind that tree.”
“We got you covered.”
“Yeah, you sure do. But, we’ll still get our licks in.”
“What’s your name?”
Keenan McLoy shifted in his mount, perplexed at the question. It was strange to be asked his name by the man who was planning to kill him. Recklessly, he decided he and his men would not go down easily. He would demand information.
“What is your name? You always hide behind trees?”
“I’m Major Mike O’Malley, contingent of the United States Army.”
Stunned, Keenan smiled at the implications. “Outstanding! That might mean we don’t have a problem, major. I’m Major Keenan T. McLoy of General Harmon’s army.”
Horses stirred. Keenan waited for an answer. A new voice filled the air but with no less command.
“Major McLoy, do you think we can conduct a civil meeting or should we continue pointing guns at each other?”
Surprised at hearing a strong female voice, Major McLoy was caught off guard. The words came from behind the same tree that’d first alerted him and his team to their predicament. Right as he was thinking this turn of events interesting, a beautiful woman stepped out from behind the tree in fatigues. She stood with her sidearm pointed to the ground.
“Ma’am!” said an insistent voice behind the tree.
The woman glanced at the man behind the tree, smiling and confident. A large man burst in front of her, shielding her, though he too, kept his weapon pointed downward.
“Major O’Malley, these guys are on a hunt to find our helicopter, they aren’t going to shoot me unless you shoot first, isn’t that right, Major Keenan T. McLoy?”
“Ma’am!” yelled Major O’Malley, insistent.
“At ease, major. Let’s cut to the chase here. Major McLoy, please have your men safe their weapons. I’ll have my men do the same.”
“And you are?” asked Keenan McLoy, interested.
“I’m Colonel Hannah Starkes. And, I’m President of the United States.”
At the disclosure, Keenan froze. Slowly, he eased off his horse and stood, keeping his weapon pointed well away from the colonel. And, with care, he switched his safety on, flicking his left hand into a fist with a fast signal for his men to do the same. Stunned, he stared at the bold woman less than twenty feet away.
“Is this for real, colonel? Um, Madam President?”
“For real, major.”
Keenan smiled toward his men. His hand signals a clear effort to calm his men, each glancing around in disbelief. “Wow, didn’t expect that today when I woke up.”
The colonel smiled. “Yeah, the day’s been full of surprises.”
“I’d say so.”
Keenan’s men began whispering to each other trying to figure out what was happening. Prodding the discussion along to keep her and her men safe, Colonel Starkes pointed and smiled once more. “Bring your men along with us, major. We can talk about what’s going on. Can I trust that you have full control of your men?”
Keenan McLoy turned toward his men and their expressions of inquisitive disbelief were priceless. He examined the cold countenances of the team surrounding his men. He knew he had little choice. His team was out of their league. Clearly, these men had the ability to have taken them down without the gracious warning. And, the brazen behavior of the beautiful woman lent some credence to her statements.
“My men can be trusted to follow my orders, Madam President.”
Shockingly, the President of the Untied States simply strolled up to his position, raising her hand in greeting. The huge man with red hair and weapon drawn stayed by her side, obviously angry. Major McLoy did his best to ignore the man beside her for the moment.
“A pleasure to meet you, major.”
Men staring all around him, Keenan McLoy grasped her small hand and shook. “Umm, yes, ma’am.”
“I’m sure you have questions.”
“Oh, yeah.”
“We have questions as well. Please join us for some food and discussion.”
“Okay. Sure. Sounds good. Yeah, sounds real good.”
“This way.”
“’Kay. Men form up.”
“Can they walk their horses for me, major? Those on horseback place my men at a tactical disadvantage.”
“I see. Yeah, sure.” Keenan waved for his men to dismount. Slowly, they all did so and waited.
Colonel Starkes smiled and nodded. “This is all of you, correct? Except for the radio stringers back to base?”
“Stringers? Oh, yeah, this is all. Can I call this in, Madam President?”
“Let’s shift to more informal terms, can we? You’re not yet in my chain of command. Please call me Hannah. Can I call you Keenan?
“Uh, yeah, sure.”