“Jackson will be riding as well. Each of you men are under my orders and you will follow me without question. You will not regret it. I have never failed in a mission and I don’t intend to start now. We will climb that mountain. We will set up our defenses. We will defeat this piece of shit following us. On my terms.”
“Hoorah,” said Mickey softly but with conviction.
“If everything goes as planned, we’ll have some help at the top of that mountain.”
The men looked confused at Connor’s last comment, Captain Daubney in particular, but nobody asked Connor what he meant and Connor didn’t feel the need to shed any more light on the matter.
He hoped that his long ago plans with Mark Harmon were put in place, at least at a basic level. If they were to succeed, he would need the help of his old friend.
CHAPTER 11.5-Sharing Big Momma’s Ale
“Colonel, this is Commander Italo Del Re—he’s the leader of about two hundred people who live in this town. Commander, this is Colonel Hannah Starkes, President of the United States.” Major O’Malley made the introductions and took a step back to let the two take stock of one another.
“Colonel, it’s a real pleasure meeting you,” said Del Re. He shook hands with excitement.
The commander’s enthusiasm was contagious, but Colonel Starkes needed to determine what the man knew. “Where are all your people, commander?”
“In a small cave, colonel. It’s northeast of the city,” he said, pointing back into the field he had run through.
“A cave?” she questioned.
“Yes, ma’am. It’s where we keep our ale and our cheese—nice and cool there. We’ve also had practice drills to use it as a hideaway and it worked—at least it worked today. It’s a little cramped in there, but it kept us outta harm’s way.”
“Did you say ‘ale’?” asked Major O’Malley.
“Major, please stay on task,” said Colonel Starkes.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Commander Del Re faced the major. “It’s a very strong ale, major—ABV of 6.9 or so. Sometimes it’s even higher.”
The colonel’s radio came to life. “Colonel, this is Shamus. Two men are coming from the same direction as the commander. They’re a hundred yards out, ma’am, but their weapons are neutral. They’re carrying rifles and they both have holstered handguns. Over.”
“Copy that, Professor. Stand by.” She turned to Del Re.
“They’re probably mine, colonel. Josh and Russ,” he said, shading his eyes from the rising sun. “Can I code them in?”
She used her binoculars to assess the two men. There were walking at an easy pace and everything about them appeared to be non-threatening. “Major O’Malley?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Take a few men and meet ’em halfway. If they relinquish their weapons and submit to being searched, they can join their commander.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Major?” interrupted Commander Del Re.
“Yes, commander?”
“Use the word ‘mongoose’. It’s our code word for the day and it will put those men more at ease.”
“Okay, commander, I will.”
“Colonel,” said the commander, as the major left to meet the two men, “my town and its people are at your disposal.”
“How many people in your town are alive? How many survived the attack?”
“All of us survived, colonel.”
“That means you knew they were coming. Was it Connor MacMillen who told you?”
“Yeah, colonel. Connor Mac showed up a few hours before that army came through and warned us in time to evacuate. He admitted that the army was following him and he apologized for it, but he convinced us to hide instead of fighting it out.”
“You saw Colonel MacMillen? He was alive and well?”
“Yes, ma’am. He mentioned that he’s taken command of the men previously under your command. He knows you’re looking for him, colonel.”
Colonel Starkes’ face lit up with a bright smile. “Please, commander, go on.”
“Okay. But do you mind if we go into my command post and assess the fire damage? This story might take some time, colonel.”
“I’m not sure, commander. Your town’s not secure yet.”
“The army that passed through here did just that, colonel—they passed through here. I’m certain there aren’t any stragglers. Besides, there’s some ale at my command post and I’m sure your men could use some refreshment. I know I’m feeling a bit parched.”
“You didn’t engage the enemy at all, commander?” she asked.
“No, ma’am. The army was huge—I’m sure we would’ve gotten our asses handed to us. I’m glad Connor Mac talked me outta trying to defend. Connor Mac and I had a few surprises for ’em when they came through.” Del Re began a slow walk toward the town’s northern gate and Hannah Starkes reluctantly followed.
“GT, take Scott, Daniels, and Amanda ahead to secure the area.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered and the four began a quick trot into the town.
The colonel glanced behind her and saw Major McLoy and Lieutenant Wahlberg covering their six. She hesitated near the gates, reluctant to expose herself to the multitude of potential dangers. She gently touched the commander’s shoulder. “Let’s wait here, commander. I want my team to have some time verifying the threat level.”
“Of course, colonel,” he answered amiably.
She noticed that the four-man team she had sent inside the town moved together very smoothly. The ease with which Amanda moved among the three others was impressive and the colonel recognized Amanda’s confidence and expertise in covering her sector. The men had accepted her into their clearing efforts and the knowledge vindicated her decision to include Amanda.
Major O’Malley and the two newcomers joined Del Re and Colonel Starkes. “Major, follow the advance team and take these men with you,” she ordered, indicating Josh and Russ. “Have them identify the command center and set a perimeter around it.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Colonel Starkes and Commander Del Re followed the men at a slower pace and the colonel caught the commander looking at her. “What’s wrong, commander?” she asked.
“I find it hard to believe that you gave Connor Mac control of half your men—but you’ve never met him. Is that right?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Can I ask why?”
“Did Colonel MacMillen tell you that?” she asked.
“No, it was Captain Daubney who mentioned it.”
“I see.”
“But you authorized it, colonel?”
“Yes, I did.”
“But why?”
Hannah Starkes smiled, excited about the prospect of meeting Connor MacMillen. She was pleased with her decision to relinquish control of her men to him without benefit of meeting him directly. Her decision and Connor MacMillen’s ability to convince Del Re to hide had likely saved over two hundred lives. “His military record speaks volumes, commander. As I found out more about him, I discovered that he outranks me, not only in position, but also in service time. By all accounts, he’s my ranking commanding officer. We bring him in, he’d be president, not me.”
“But—“
“In addition, he’s a national asset, commander. He’s in a position to ask for—and get—whatever he wants.”
“Does he know that, colonel?”
“I’m sure the captain briefed him. I can’t think there’s any possible way he doesn’t know it.” She noticed Major O’Malley signaling “all-clear” and increased her pace.
They walked quickly to a dark blue building and one of the men held the door open for them. Inside was a long table. On the wall at one end of the table hung a chalkboard and there were at least a dozen chairs around the table, no three alike. Major O’Malley and Amanda stood inside the doors.