clouds develop. It’s been a long while since I’ve done something like this and I’d like a clear night to do it in thank you.
We load the vehicles, fold back into the aircraft and I have Robert and Craig make the short hop back. We’ll all brief later if it’s decided that we’ll go. There is a lot of setup to do with the flight computer for a drop like this and I want to cover how to fly it in detail. Really, it’s not that tough once the setup is complete but I want it to be as precise as possible. I mean, if we get dropped way off target, well, that puts us outside the walls at night — not a pretty thought at all. That would really suck to have our chutes open and find us drifting into downtown Lubbock. Yeah, I’d probably try to climb up the risers in an effort to stay airborne a touch longer.
Robert starts the engines blowing some of the bodies behind the giant props down the ramp a ways. At first the wind pushes at their clothing as the propellers gain speed and then the ones lying across the flow of the hurricane force winds begin to tumble and roll. Dust also blows behind the aircraft behind the engines as we roll out to the runway. The engines rumble louder as Robert pushes the throttles up and we are soon airborne leaving the messy ramp behind.
The flight is a short and unremarkable one. Unremarkable that is until I realize it is my son flying us and that I feel comfortable with that. And will be letting him fly tonight on the drop. I’m not sure that anything has remained the same since the world came crashing down. He sets us down at Kirtland with a pretty good landing and we taxi in to our previous parking spot.
As the propellers wind down, I see several people dressed in ACU’s leave the tower and head our way. We watch as they draw nearer, their long shadows stretching alongside of them to the west. They carry their carbines casually as they approach. I observe them quickly through a set of binoculars and recognize Sergeant Prescott among them. Catching a quick glint of light from the tower, I observe someone on the walkway circling the outside pointing a rifle in our direction. Another flash of light enters my magnified view confirming a scope of some kind is aiming in our direction. Sergeant Prescott is being cautious as well or at least providing himself a backup.
With the aircraft shut down procedures finished, I open the crew door and step outside. I’m not that keen on stepping out where a sniper has a gun trained but with the way Prescott and the others are approaching over the open ramp, I figure he is just being cautious and not planning to ambush us. I have Greg keep an eye on the one on the tower.
Prescott apparently recognizes me and waves after speaking into the mic at his collar. I see a final glint from the upper tower area and Greg informs me that the person has left the perch and retreated inside. With a small sigh of relief, the tension leaves. I think about the time we will still be down here and wish I could get a message back to Lynn. I know she’ll be worrying about our extended absence but there is no way we can communicate with her or the group. As Prescott continues walking to the aircraft, I give a thought hoping they are all doing well.
“I love you and will see you soon,” I whisper to the heavens while staring at the blue sky.
“Sergeant Prescott,” I say extending my hand.
“Um, Jack, sir,” he says taking my hand.
“Yeah, just Jack,” I respond.
“Are you heading back?” Prescott asks.
“Not immediately but soon,” I answer.
“Well, we talked about it and if your offer still stands, we’d like to join you when you do,” he says.
“Of course it does and we’d be glad to have you. We found some others in Lubbock so it’ll be a little crowded but I’m sure we’ll find room,” I say and fill him in on some of the details of our plan.
“You wouldn’t happen to know if there were still PJ’s training here,” I ask finishing. “Specifically any jump equipment.”
“There was a detachment in that building,” he answers pointing to a tan brick building next to a set of hangars. “I’m not sure about equipment though. I know they have, or had, an equipment room inside though.”
“Any night runners?” I ask referring to whether there were any actually inside said building.
“I know they are on base almost every night but who knows where the fuck they hide out,” Prescott answers.
“Alright, let’s get the vehicles off-loaded. Greg, the building looks small enough for one team, let’s take your Echo Team and have a look around,” I say. “Prescott, you’re welcome to join our briefing later if you want.”
“Okay, we aren’t doing any supply runs today so I’d be happy to,” he responds.
He heads off with his group towards the tower as Blue and Red Team unhook and begin backing the first of the Humvees out. Greg and Echo Team see to their gear. I check my mags, radio, and NVG’s as well. I have Robert join me and notify Gonzalez that Red Team will be on back up just outside of the doors.
“Does that mean Bri, sir?” Gonzalez asks.
“Yes, with Bri but make sure she is glued to your side,” I answer. I guess the scales are swinging toward gaining experience today.
The second vehicle is backed out onto the sun-filled ramp. The heat is climbing and I still smell a touch of the slaughter yard of the day prior on my clothes. I think about switching clothes or finding some wood to smoke ourselves in. The smell of dead and rotting flesh is liable to make the night runners start drooling and bring them running if they are inside. I feel so tired and am on the edge of just letting it go but realize that tired leads to shortcuts and shortcuts lead to mistakes; mistakes we can’t afford to make.
Some of the soldiers stand around the second Humvee gulping down water. We are all a tired group far away from home. I wonder if they feel like they are on a tour of duty. It’s similar but we are at least on home soil and not scheduled to be away for a year. I know I’m feeling like being back home in the Northwest. The sanctuary at Cabela’s seems surreal at the moment; like it’s a dream we are trying to get back to. It’s only a four hour flight but it feels like it’s on the other side of the world.
I call Horace over. “Take Blue team and a Humvee to find some dry wood and branches with leaves,” I say.
“Will do, sir,” she answers and strolls away gathering up the rest of Blue Team.
They gather their gear together and, with a slamming of doors which echo across the warming ramp, drive off between two hangars. Horace shouldn’t have far to go as most bases, regardless of where they may be located, like to keep up their appearances with trees and such. The green branches may be hard to come across as the watering systems which kept them that way haven’t worked in some time.
They return after a while with several armloads of both dry and leafy branches. We build a fire on the tarmac well away from the aircraft and any underground fuel locations. The last thing I need right now is to make a huge smoking hole in the ground. With the fire going, I toss on the greenery creating a small amount of smoke which we bathe our clothes in trying to remove the dead cow and sweat smells. Standing next to the fire with the sun beating down in the mid-morning sky brings additional sweat so it may be a moot point trying to cover ourselves with smoke.
We check for rounds in the chamber and pat our gear for assurance before heading over to the building pointed out by Prescott. It’s a smaller building adjacent to the ramp behind a line of MC-130 aircraft. Robert is by my side as we stroll across the ramp and between two of the aircraft. Red and Echo Teams follow behind; their boots striking the hard surface the only sound in the area. A blue Air Force pickup truck is parked in front of the tan single-story building. A single entrance door in set in the middle with a set of double steel doors on the left. A tattered U.S. flag barely hangs on the outside concrete wall to the right.
We walk to the shaded west side of the building and circle up near the set of double doors. I’m thinking these lead to the equipment room as opposed to the single door which may lead to any admin offices that may be inside. At least that’s been my experience; the double doors usually mean crew doors. Of course it could just lead to a large janitor’s closet for all I know. With the door on the side of the structure, it means that we’ll have less angles to cover which makes it easier and I’m all for easier.
“Okay, Echo Team is in. Red Team, be ready to cover whether that is providing fire for a retreat or entering for additional support. Keep in mind we may be retreating and watch your fire. Robert, you’re with me. Greg, your team is first in. Robert and I will follow and back up where needed,” I say.
The tiredness has vanished from the soldiers’; replaced by their game faces. This is a darkened building and no matter how small it might be, it could still house night runners. We are treading into their domain and that will always increase the pucker factor. I reach out for a split second and don’t sense any night runners. That can’t be taken as fact though. If I can shield myself, so can they. There’s no evidence outside that there are any night runners inside but neither is there anything that shows they aren’t.
