Dave’s lips curled into a scowl. “Number of friendly targets?”
“There were four aimpoints in total.”
“Ballpark quantity of bandits?”
“One, presumably, on a single avenue of approach.”
Dave grunted. “So, presumably, we’re talking a Pred Charlie Gray Eagle…or a Reaper.”
“Presumably,” Woo Tang parroted, nodding accord.
“Fucked by the fickle finger,” Dave huffed. “This bears all the ingredients of a hostile act. Someone’s got a real burr up their butt for these folks, don’t they?”
“It would appear.”
Dave took in the view of the mountains to the east, his grimace gaining fervor. “Hard to believe how bad it’s gotten. Safety and security are at an all-time premium, good people are hard to come by, becoming fewer and far between, and what’s left of them are now being exterminated by God knows who over who knows what for who the hell knows.”
“Though we have been shorthanded since the assault, we have been working the problem…developing theories pertaining to the latter portion of that statement.”
“I’d anticipate nothing less. Who’s we?”
“A group comprised of Sergeant Major Mason, myself, and two significantly well-informed individuals whom you have yet to meet, but soon will. Ken Winters and Jade Hensley, both formerly of the Diplomatic Security Service.”
“State Department?”
“Affirmative. And Mr. Winters is former Lima Company.”
Dave cleared his throat. “Which Lima Company? Never mind, cancel that. Doesn’t matter. If you’ve seen one jarhead, you’ve smelled them all.”
“Olfactory matters aside, his input on the effects of high-explosive munitions has been obliging,” Woo Tang stated. “But then again, he is no Santa.”
“Roger the hell out of that. There can be only one,” Dave chanted.
Woo Tang cracked a smile. “Miss Hensley has been an asset as well, very supportive and insistently involved since the onset. I believe her to be prior military as well, though she has not exactly been forthcoming concerning the origins of her expertise.”
“Giving her no distinction from present company. She’ll fit in just fine with this gallery of rogues.” He sighed. “I presumed Fred would be all-in on this, he’s too gung-ho to play second fiddle, but the other two aren’t ringing any familiarity bells. Are they residents?”
“Yes, in a manner of speaking, but there is more to it than that.” Woo Tang paused, his look gaining expectance. “They arrived just over two months ago…together with and as protection detail for a certain previously unaccounted for Alan Russell.”
Dave jerked his head around at the unexpected mention of a memorable name. Surprise merged with the momentousness in his expression. “Sorry, Tang. That about took the wind out of my sails.”
“Your reaction is a shared one. It was an unexpected event for many.”
“Indeed it was,” Dave agreed. “The last time Janey spoke of him, it seemed as though she’d given up hoping for a decent outcome. But Dad beat the odds and came home anyway? Damn. That’s good to hear. I’m looking forward to getting reacquainted.”
“Before doing so, I must apprise you of a caveat.”
Dave sighed. “As usual.”
“Alan Russell made his return devoid of a large portion of his memory.”
Dave tilted his head in concern. “What happened to him? Head injury?”
“A traumatic one. From what we have learned, he spent several months in a coma. He has since recovered physically, but is not yet himself mentally…or rather, his old self.”
Dave sighed and looked away, opting not to say anything.
Woo Tang gave him a moment before digressing. “Have you determined a course of action?”
“That’s a negative, ghostrider,” Dave said, exhaling. “I’m still processing. For now, we deploy, secure the perimeter, gather as much info and intel as possible about what happened, what can happen, and what we prefer to happen. Then evac any and all extraneous parties. What’s the headcount?”
Woo Tang looked away. “Six families consisting of fourteen adults and approximately fifteen children, some of whom remain gone astray.”
“Yeah, Richie mentioned that, too. Damn shame. We’ll dig into that mess once we get set up.”
“There are other families living in nearby outlying areas that have been brought to our attention. If the proposed plan is to evac, we should consider extending the offer to them as well.”
Dave nodded. “Agreed. We brought along a full complement, so you know. Left a skeleton crew at the center with instructions to run a tight ship. I brought some of our best boys and girls with me and a few active air-defense piece-of-mind goodies.”
“I am certain that will be reassuring to those living here, especially to those refusing to leave.”
“Do you presume that number will be higher than average?”
Woo Tang tilted his head. “Presumptions aside, LT, you know who lives here. I believe some would welcome the idea, while others, not so much.”
“Suppose we’ll see what comes of it, then. There’s a ton of gear to offload, a base camp of general-purpose tents to set up, and a profusion of that shitsack camo netting to suspend in the trees—and you know how much I hate that crap. Schedule a meeting of the minds for later this evening, and we’ll chat the possibilities up. Until then, let’s deploy and obtain a better view of this damned sky.”
“I’ll see to it.”
“Negative, we’ll both see to it.”
Chapter 33
George Washington National Forest
Monday, March 14th
After John’s interment, Lauren made a pledge to herself to maintain focus and contemplate nothing other than the journey on which she was about to embark. Thus, she’d erected some mental boundaries and endeavored not to stray beyond them. It was crucial for her to concentrate, maintain clarity, dispel uncertainties, and eradicate doubt. The time for losing and dwelling on those losses had come and gone, and the time for righting all the wrongs had arrived.
If she sensed herself wavering, deviating, or losing focus, Lauren had tried talking to John. She didn’t know if he was actually listening or responding to her, but she could feel his spirit nearby. He was gone from this earth, but somehow hadn’t left her, and though she couldn’t explain it had she tried, she maintained faith in
