“We’re holding our own along the border for the moment,” Remington went on. “We’re rerouting the com frequencies and sat-relays to bring all the teams up to speed again. Communications between here and the Pentagon continue to be hit-and-miss. But those troops hunkered down there know we’ve got help on the way from Wasp. I’ve made sure they know it.”
“The air support and the extra troops are going to be a welcome addition, sir,” Goose said. He was interrupted by an explosion at the far end of Glitter City where an overturned sedan burst into flames. “But those pilots are going to be taking their lives in their hands if they attempt landings near the border. The Syrians have got plenty of ack-ack guns to knock them down.”
The number of anti-aircraft guns brought into the area over the last few weeks was impressive. Part of every Ranger’s job was reconnaissance, and Goose and his teams had sent plenty of numbers and stats back for the officers and computers to crunch. Military thinking at the time had been that the AA guns had been brought in due to Wasp’s arrival in the Mediterranean Sea. No one had seen the additional guns as an arms buildup before a sudden strike.
“I’m aware of those gun emplacements, Sergeant,” Remington said. “Those are going to be some of our first targets as we organize our retaliation. Captain Falkirk, Wasp’s commander, has informed me that the Marines plan on putting in just behind our forward line. They will be relatively secure there, then they’ll hump up to join the Rangers along the front line. The Harriers and the Cobras will try to punch holes along the Syrians’ front perimeter and take out enemy ships invading our airspace. The Syrians have air force units on the way as well. They’ve been holding them back.”
The thought of the men he helped command getting pounded by an aerial-based assault falling on the heels of the SCUD launch filled Goose with dread. The enemy air teams were new. The Syrians had held the planes and helos in the rear to keep from tipping their hands. And maybe to keep from losing them to friendly fire. The known unreliability of the SCUDs always made them a question mark in a battle.
“They’re also moving armored cav into the area, Goose,” Remington said. “Tanks and APCs as well as field artillery. We’ve got units in place ourselves, so they’re going to wait to see how their air strikes and the SCUDs do before making that commitment. If our center holds strong along the roads crossing the border, we’ll be able to keep them back.”
“Understood, sir,” Goose said.
“In the meantime, I’ve got a helo en route to pick up you and your team.”
“Sir,” Goose said, looking at the two RSOVs parked near the tallest building left standing in Glitter City, “I’ve got two vehicles here. Leaving them behind—”
“—isn’t going to happen,” Remington interrupted. “That helo is carrying drivers that will get those vehicles back where we can use them most. In the meantime, I want you and your team back to the front line as soon as I can get you there.”
“Yes, sir.”
“The helo pilot is on your team’s frequency,” the captain said. “He’s code-named Leapfrog. He’s maintaining radio silence till you’re ready for him.”
Goose peered through the shifting layers of dust and smoke but couldn’t see anything.
“Is there anything else, Sergeant?” Remington asked.
“What about an escort for these people?” Goose asked.
“They’ll be on their own. They can get to Sanliurfa.”
The idea of the few surviving civilians and media people pushing forward on their own didn’t appeal to Goose. The military situation could change in an eye blink. And those vehicles, especially the deuce-and-a-half, weren’t going to be able to outrun another phalanx of SCUDs.
“You got them out of there, Goose,” Remington said. “That’s more than a lot of them could have accomplished on their own.”
“Yes, sir.” Goose couldn’t argue with that. If the survivors hadn’t been given concrete instruction and direction, far fewer of them would have survived.
“I’ll be in touch, Goose. Just get yourself and those men where I need you as soon as you can.”
“Yes, sir.” Goose clicked the headset back over to the team frequency. “Two.”
“Two,” Bill answered. He stood near the deuce-and-a-half’s cab, turning to face Goose. They could have shouted across the distance, but the headset communications made conversation easier.
“What’s the sit-rep?”
“Convoy’s locked and loaded, Sarge. Ready to roll.”
“Then get them sent out.”
“Who do you want with the deuce-and-a-half?” Bill asked.
“No one,” Goose replied. “We’ve been given orders to await air transport to the front. Courtesy of the captain.”
“Can’t get along without us, huh?” Bill’s tone was light, but Goose knew that the day’s events had worn on him despite his show of calm. But the calm was an essential part of Bill, the result of Bill’s beliefs. No matter how bad things got, Bill always believed that God had a hand in things.
But how could he say that this is part of God’s plan? Goose scanned the war zone that lay in shambles around him. “Can’t get along without us? Evidently not,” he replied in answer to Bill’s jibe. “Who do you have heading up the civilian effort?”
“A guy named Murdock. He and his crew have been working construction in the area.”
Goose vaguely remembered meeting the man. “I’ll talk to him and let him know where he stands.”
“He’s a good guy,” Bill said. “For an ex-jarhead.”
An ex-Marine? Goose took that as a sign that things were going to be better. He jogged toward the deuce-and-a-half. “Phoenix Team, this is Phoenix Leader. Hold perimeter positions until the air unit arrives. And the first person to see it, let me know.”
A chorus of responses echoed over the channel.
“Leapfrog,” Goose called. “Are you there?”
“Affirmative, Phoenix Leader,” a young male voice answered. His confidence seemed unshaken. “Looking for the LZ, Sarge.”
“Put the bird down inside town,” Goose advised. “We’ll come
