Mike asked, “Did you see any evidence of guards changing at any of the houses?”
“No, we didn’t. But if I was trying to secure that little town, I wouldn’t be focusing my security inward.”
“That’s because you have a Marine Corps mentality rather than a biker mentality. With their mind-set, the threats are from law enforcement, or possibly other gangs. In either case they’d come in by road. Under the current circumstances that security mentality is outdated. The threats now are from people like us, on foot, playing ‘Batman in the Boondocks.’ They just haven’t realized it yet.” Mike continued with his questioning. “What was your impression about their skill at arms?”
“From what I could observe, and I think Lisa and Kevin would agree, they don’t seem to be particularly well-trained or disciplined. They do have enough discipline, however, to mount a regular guard shift. I guess if I had to sum it up, I’d say that what they lacked in skills and organization, they make up for by being vicious. These guys, and their women for that matter, are some of the most ruthless thugs I’ve ever heard of. I saw a lot, and heard a lot, when I was in the Corps, but I have never heard of anybody taking target practice at dead bodies. These guys are utterly Godless and obviously don’t have a single moral or scruple left to guide them. I think they’d use force in a heartbeat.”
After a considerable pause, Mike asked, “Okay, my key question is, do you think that with the help of the Templars, that we can take these hombres on—with a reasonable chance of success?”
“Dang straight we can, but we got to hit ’em hard and make them play by our ground rules.”
Mike asked, “What do you suggest we do if we lose the element of surprise?”
“There would be only one good option, and that would be for everyone to beat feet out of there and link up later at a good defendable rally point a couple of clicks out of town. If we were to make a frontal assault with them prepared and expecting us, we wouldn’t have a chance in hell. If, however, we catch them with their pants down, we’ll wax most of them before they even realize what’s happening.”
Mike nodded his head. “Okay. Those were the only questions that I had. Anyone else?” Not one raised their hands.
Todd, who had been listening quietly to the debriefing, clucked his tongue and said, “Jeff, I’d like to congratulate you on leading such a professional and lucrative recon. I’d like you and Mike to come with me when I have my meeting with Roger Dunlap later this morning. At this point, I’d like to open the floor to suggestions on how we might go about cleaning house in Princeton.”
Immediately, Dan Fong suggested that an ambush be set up outside of town. That idea was shot down for two reasons: First, the gang didn’t show any signs of leaving anytime soon. Second, they could leave in two different directions.
Mary suggested that two teams be used to conduct an assault. The first team, or “support” team, would set up ambushes on the road in each direction out of town, as well as any other likely avenues of escape. The second team would sweep through the town, cleaning the looters out house to house. If any of the gang managed to escape, they could be shot or captured at the ambush sites. If the assault team had to withdraw from the town, the support team would provide covering fire.
It was Mary’s plan that got the most votes. This set of tactics was later generically called a “stealth blitz with support.”
Dan suggested that they bring along the six hand grenades captured from the pair of looters that were killed by T.K. Kennedy liked this suggestion, saying, “I think that it’s only fitting that we utilize weapons that we captured from one bunch of looters in eradicating another. Sort of ‘Dulce et decorum est,’ don’t you think?”
“Pardon?” Lon asked.
T.K. replied, “That’s Latin for ‘It is sweet and fitting.’”
A unanimous vote approved Dan’s suggestion on the grenades.
Next, Todd had Mike brief Jeff, Lisa, and Kevin on the recent construction of the “bread pan Claymores.” Jeff broke into a devilish grin as he heard Mike describe his new toys. He chuckled, “Those sound ideal for ambushes by a support team.”
Later that morning Todd, Mike, and Jeff drove to their meeting with Roger Dunlap. Jeff slept most of the way there. With them they took an example of each of their grenades and homemade Claymore mines. Dunlap, along with his “Com 2,” was waiting in a camouflage painted Jeep CJ-5 at the cemetery when they arrived.
After hearing a repeat of Jeff’s briefing and a suggested plan of attack from Todd, Dunlap answered, “Well, it sounds like you’re giving the Templars the less difficult and dangerous task. Under the circumstances, and given the terms of our treaty, I cannot refuse. In fact, I’m sort of excited about the prospect.”
The five men spent the next two hours working out the details. When everyone was satisfied that they understood what was expected of them, Todd commented, “Now all we have to do is get our ducks in a row and do it.”
Dunlap asked Mike if he could return with him to the Templars’ retreat to give a class on how to safely set up and detonate the Claymore mines. Mike agreed instantly.
Dunlap then suggested to Todd, “After his class, we’ll bring Mister Nelson back to Bovill in one of our vehicles.”
“Great. Sounds good, Roger. Bring along whoever is going to be leading your part of the operation. By then we’ll have a complete operations order written, and provide them a briefing and a copy of the op. order. At that time we will also issue you your Claymores, wire, batteries, and blasting caps. As it stands now, it looks like we’ll be able to move out tonight, and have everybody in position and ready to make the assault at dawn tomorrow.”
At six in the evening, Dunlap, three other Templars, and Mike pulled up to the front gate. Mike gave an exaggerated wave as he stepped out to unlock the front gate. As he did so, he pronounced, “I want our people to get a good look at me. The last time some unidentified vehicles came roaring in here, the gal at our observation post shot first and asked questions later. As it turned out, she did the right thing. Wouldn’t want a repeat performance tonight, now would we?”
Working out the details of the plan for the raid took nearly two hours. Dunlap and Ted Wallach took copious notes. When they were finished, Dunlap collected the Claymores and accessories. Taking no chances, Dunlap wired the small padded box of blasting caps to the front bumper of his Jeep to keep them well away from the mines and passengers while in transit. The militia members waved as Dunlap and Wallach drove away.
Todd turned to Mary and declared grimly, “I sure hope this works.”
CHAPTER 15
The Raid
“You have never lived, ’till you have almost died. And for those who fight for it, life has a flavor that the protected will never know.”
After prayers and yet another briefing, the militia conducted their final inspections and rehearsals. With their web gear and camouflage face paint on, the militia looked fearsome. Mike, Lisa, Todd, T.K., and Rose wore bulletproof vests and helmets. Mike walked up and down the line of raiders, shooting questions. “What is the running password? What would a red star cluster flare or six short whistle blasts indicate? What is your en route panic azimuth? On which CB channel will we coordinate with the Templars? What is the alternate channel? What is our call sign? What is their call sign? Can you list the chain of command?”
Next he had each member of the patrol jump up and down to check for items that might be excessively noisy. The last item of business was a final check of each patrol member’s personal camouflage. Finally satisfied, Mike ordered, “Aw-right pilgrims, let’s saddle up. Lock and load.”With a few hoots and hollers, they filed out the door to two waiting pickups.