The officer explained how the invaders called in, saying their commercial jet was attempting an emergency landing. A quick check verified the flight. Nothing seemed suspicious until it landed, and before anyone was aware, more than a hundred armed men were running across the runway firing automatic weapons. A few pilots attempted to reach their aircraft but most failed. Those who succeeded were killed in their planes or shot from the sky. Swarms of enemy aircraft, flying low to elude American radar, successfully filled the air around Lackland. The officer and his men managed to commandeer the vehicles and a few weapons and escape. The attack was executed swiftly and surely, completely surprising the Americans. Enemy aircraft landed virtually unopposed.
Beau nodded his understanding, knowing the attack had been excellently synchronized, since the story was exactly what he and Ruben experienced. Beau went on to tell the officer a similar tale of his own personal account in Corpus Christi.
The officer shook his head in disbelief. “If they hit all the bases, where do we go?”
Beau had no answer. “I don’t know.”
The soldiers told of their intentions to move into the hills. At night they would start northward where they believed they would eventually reach America’s remaining forces, or die trying. They invited Beau and his brothers but they declined, explaining their situation and the importance of their return to warn the others.
The men departed under the safety of darkness. Beau and his brothers found cover and bedded down for the night.
The previous night had been rough for the group. They caught sporadic accounts of the attack on the short wave radio. Speculation did more for their fear than what they heard. Sleep was slow in coming and for some it failed to come at all.
When Ruben took his shift watching, he found it hard to fathom the United States had actually been invaded. Mullholland and Blackman protected them through the night because they understood this type of war.
For the others, it was different. It was more like watching a movie. All they knew was what they heard on the radio. They had not experienced war for themselves or seen it yet.
The new morning brought an uneasy tension within the small group. Garrett tried to maintain control over the nervous and impatient men. Schmitt didn’t help, pacing nervously about the temporary campsite. The only relief for Garrett came from the two women who were busily preparing breakfast. Luckily for the small group, Sunday had packed groceries for their arrival in Del Rio. She knew they would be too tired to shop, so she had bought supplies the day before. The food and coffee seemed to keep the group’s spirits high along with the dwindling drinks from the two large ice chests.
Early morning coffee made all eager to resume their journey. The makeshift camp was along the Hondo. The peaceful creek and crisp cool air helped buoy the spirits of all in the little camp.
The new day made the previous day’s events seem unreal and so far away. The fact they had not continued on their trip was not the only reminder that something was terribly wrong. The sight of two jets resting on the side of the highway not far from where they camped was still fresh in everyone’s mind. Everything had happened and it was real.
Ruben brought a cup of coffee to Ted, and again Ted asked him to detail the attack in Corpus Christi. BJ and Sully approached as Ruben finished telling him about the attack.
Warren spoke. “Ted, we’re not stupid. It’s evident things are really bad. We know what Beau has been saying is true. I think it’s time to tell us everything. We’re not camping here for our health.”
Warren knew they were in trouble when Beau and Ruben had landed. He clung to a remote hope that what he saw and felt might be wrong. In reality they already knew the answers to their questions — all but Justin who had no concept of war and death.
Garrett frowned and heavy lines formed in his forehead. “The truth is, they hit Corpus Christi, but I don’t know any more than you do. Hopefully, Beau will return with information as to the extent of this thing so we can move on. Until then we stay put.”
As though in answer to his words, the sound of the two buggies could be heard approaching. They roared into camp and stopped. Everyone gathered around, but the sullen faces of all the brothers boded ill. Beau recanted his story while they listened in stunned silence. He finished with, “This is it.” The words were simple and clear, and he uttered them with contempt for the men who had been warned and failed to listen.
“You’re bloody crazy,” snapped Marix. “You and your bloody delusions. It must be something else.”
Garrett interrupted the two. “Right now there is no reason for alarm. Robby will continue to monitor with the short wave radio. Hopefully this attack will be squelched and we can get back to normal. Right now, it would be foolish to charge forward without knowing what might lie ahead for us. We need to know what has happened and who is in control.”
Schmitt sat on the ground, his whole body shaking. “We’ve been invaded! Those bastards actually did it.”
“Get up, soldier. Get control of yourself,” ordered Garrett. “I want you to set up some type of communications with the short wave. Understand?”
Schmitt jumped smartly to his feet. “Yes sir. Pardon me, Ted, but we’re in some bad shit, aren’t we?”
“Maybe. It’s up to you to verify the extent of the invasion. We need to find a base still under our control,” said Garrett.
Beau suggested hiding in the hills until they could learn the extent of the invasion. Just because Corpus Christi and San Antonio were overrun it didn’t mean the others had been taken. All surmised the United States had countered with a powerful offensive of their own and even now moved against the invaders. How big and how successful the offensive was still unknown. Patience and caution would be their approach to the situation. To charge helplessly into the unknown would be foolish.
Some wanted to return to Corpus Christi until Garrett reminded them of the futility and danger. The two bases in their path of escape were confirmed hits. To advance to the south was foolish since that was the direction of the attack. After all, they had failed in their attempt to contact Laughlin. Wait and see would be their approach until they could contact a base in American control.
Marix thought it cowardly to hide but the others agreed with the cautious approach.
Barking instructions to his brothers, Beau helped prepare the buggies for yet another trip.
“What are you doing?” asked Garrett.
“I’m gonna get Tracy and her husband. We can use John.”
“You can’t—”
“I have no choice. She’s in danger and you know it. She can’t handle something like this. Besides, it will give us a chance to see how bad things are in Corpus. Maybe we pushed them back. If so, I’ll be back for everyone. If the invaders are there, we need to get Tracy while they’re disorganized. We won’t have long before the city is cut off.”
As he spoke, most of the others gathered near. Both women listened intently.
“You and your brothers have been out here all your lives,” Garrett said. “What do you suggest?”
For a moment, Beau paused in thought. “I’ve read the men’s service reports. Kipp and Blackman are best qualified to make the decision as to what should be done. Head to Hondo and get what you need. You need rifles, guns, and knives. Non-perishable food, water, and containers for water. Find some four-wheel drive vehicles, and leave the others behind; they will be useless. Set up a camp on one of the bigger rivers, Frio or Sabinal, and close to spring water if possible — then hide! I’ll find you.”