Braving The Storms (Strengthen What Remains Book 3) Read online

  As he hiked from town he considered his exact destination. In the past he had noticed that hunters seemed to prefer downhill treks. He would proceed uphill in the general direction of the armory. To avoid getting shot by inexperienced hunters, he put on the hunting vest as he entered the forest. Vicki, DeLynn, and even some guys he knew, would be nervous walking in the woods before dawn, but it never bothered him.

  A twig snapped to his right.

  He stopped and listened for a moment, but heard nothing. He recalled coming across a pack of wild dogs nearby. Okay, I almost never get nervous. Certain the twig had not been a dog pack, he continued.

  Fifteen minutes later, Zach came out of the woods into chest high grass along a muddy path. A stream splashed a few yards ahead, but in the predawn darkness, he couldn’t see it.

  Something rustled against the nearby grass.

  The breeze was gentle and in Zach’s direction. He kneeled, slid the rifle from his shoulder, and breathed slowly.

  Thirty yards ahead a large buck lifted its head from the grass.

  Since the animal foraged in his general direction, Zach waited for a closer shot.

  The buck ambled back and forth along the path, casually eating.

  Visions of venison steaks filled Zach’s head.

  The buck’s head jumped into the air and looked back, the way it came. Ears twitched. The animal galloped forward.

  Startled Zach fell backwards.

  A yard from him, the animal reared up.

  Hoofs danced inches from Zach’s head.

  Then the animal spun and raced into the trees.

  What in the name of heaven just happened? Why did the buck charge? Was that a rut behavior?

  He sat there for a moment, trying to figure it out, when he heard more rustling in the grass. Cautiously he lifted his head.

  A squad of camouflaged soldiers crept toward him.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Hansen Armory, Sunday, September 27th

  David Weston opened his eyes and reached for the phone that vibrated and hummed on the nightstand beside him. “Weston here.”

  “The individual has been identified.”

  Weston recognized the voice and sat up in bed. From the cryptic phrase he knew they had identified the spy. “Who is it?”

  “They’re not yet in custody, so I’d rather not say.”

  “Okay. When can I return to Olympia?”

  “Not right now. Operation Hellhound is in full swing. The Chinese are near the strait and, we believe, a special ops unit has deployed to kill the governor.”

  Weston rubbed his face. He knew that any unit out to kill Governor Monroe would actually be on his trail and, if they found him, most likely kill him. “I understand.” He grabbed his pants and shirt from the back of the chair, and went to find Caden.

  * * *

  Near the Hansen Armory, Sunday, September 27th

  For just a moment Zach thought he should announce his presence, but he didn’t and slid down into the grass while he considered what to do. The pre-dawn glow did not provide enough light to identify the soldiers, but they were in standard army ACUs—they had to be from the armory. He must have stumbled into some sort of exercise. No. He quit two days ago and there hadn’t been any maneuvers planned.

  Zach knelt and stretched until he could see through the tops of the grass. The soldiers weren’t following the path. He dropped his head down below the stalks. Perhaps they didn’t know about the trail. Their course would take them a few yards south of him. Using the trail, he moved away.

  When he reached the cover of rocks and trees, Zach lay between two boulders and watched. Eight soldiers moved through the grass almost without a sound. The only squad scheduled to be at the armory this weekend was Sixth Squad, a bunch of recruits. The men Zach watched didn’t move like newbies. Except for the rustle of grass and an occasional snap of a twig they crept forward with stealth.

  Whoever these soldiers were, they advanced ever closer to the armory, less than a mile away.

  Zach’s stomach churned so much that he worried the soldiers might hear. He needed to do something, but what?

  In the distance he spotted more soldiers crossing the meadow, and counted a total of sixteen, but doubted he saw them all.

  This had to be an exercise.

  He continued to watch when someone stepped from the tree line several hundred yards downstream. In the soft morning light Zach could only be certain the person had a rifle and wore civilian clothes.

  Two soldiers moved toward the hunter with rifles at the ready.

  The man held up his hands with the rifle in one.

  Another soldier came up behind him, whipped out a large knife, and slit his throat.

  Zach struggled to breathe as he slid backwards, and around bramble and brush, until the forest bush surrounded him. He wanted to run in panic, but that would get him killed. As he fought to control both his breath and emotions, he recalled a nearby gully. With slow, steady movements he removed his backpack and orange hunting vest. Then he stuffed the vest in the backpack. He planned to crouch low, reach the gully, and head away from the soldiers.

  No.

  These killers were the enemy and his friends at the armory were, almost certainly, their target. He had to warn them.

  But how?

  As he watched, the soldiers reached the tree line. The closest would soon pass ten yards from him and he still had no idea what to do.

  Then he recalled the phone DeLynn had passed to him. Holding his breath he slid the backpack from his shoulders and pulled out the phone inch but slow inch. Breathing quietly he stared at the device unable to do anything. He never owned a cell phone, and rarely used one. They didn’t even have a landline at the trailer. He didn’t know any phone numbers. Panic rose within him again.

  He did know one number, DeLynn’s. He rolled into a ball and punched the numbers.

  “Zach? Is that you? I didn’t expect you to call so early?”

  “What’s the number for the armory?” He could barely hear himself.

  “Why are you whispering? I can’t hear you.”

  He tried again, but she still couldn’t hear and he dared talk no louder.

  A text box appeared on the screen with a click. He immediately turned the sound off. “R U OK? What do u need?”

  He started typing his reply but changed his mind. “Need # 4 Caden Westmore.”

  “Why?”

  “Tell u later. Pls hurry.”

  His stomach churned and every sound of the forest caused his heart to race. Finally, the number appeared on the screen. Then another box, “What’s going on? UR scaring me.”

  “Later. Got to go.” Zach hung up and texted Caden.

  * * *

  Hansen Armory, Sunday, September 27th

  Caden sat on the bunk in his office, wiped an eye with one hand, and squinted at the message with the other. Word that the base would soon be under attack didn’t surprise him, but that the news came from a Karen Hollister somewhere in the nearby forest, did. Using his thumbs he typed out a quick reply. “Who R U?”

  “FM Zach. Borrowed a phone. I’m 1/2m WNW of Armory. 16 soldiers moving ESE toward base. They killed a hunter.”

  “RG. Stay on phone & both u and Karen get out of there.”

  Weston burst into the room, still buttoning his shirt. He looked pale and disheveled, not at all like the man Caden had seen so often before. “Operation Hellhound … they’re coming.”

  “Actually, they’re here.” Caden said flatly.

  Weston moaned.

  Caden stood, arched his back, and wished for coffee. “Sergeant!”

  Rubbing his eyes, the soldier stepped into the doorway. “Yes, sir.”

  “Get everyone awake and ready for combat. Do it quick but quiet. The armory is going to be attacked. This is not a drill.”

  The sergeant closed his mouth and swallowed. “Yes, sir.” He turned and ran down the hall.

  * * *

  Near the Han
sen Armory, Sunday, September 27th

  Zach needed no further encouragement than Caden’s order to leave. Staying as low as possible he crept to the gully and moved north, away from both the soldiers and the armory. When several hundred yards separated him from the threatening soldiers, Zach turned in the direction of a nearby road.

  His stomach churned less now and breathing came easier. He pulled out the phone DeLynn gave him.

  Caden had left several messages asking his location and if he were okay.

  Zach started to type out a reply, but stopped. He couldn’t leave. His friends were in danger and he could provide valuable intel about the enemy position and strength. He would use a wide arch route to reach a rock outcrop that would serve as a good observation post.

  He typed a new reply. “Heading toward rock outcrop NW of armory. Will signal when close. The moment he sent it he knew it was a foolish plan. The soldiers in the forest would kill to keep their presence unknown and, if the armory soldiers spotted him, they might shoot. Friendly fire was rarely friendly.

  Caden’s reply vibrated the phone. “No! Get out of area. That’s an order!”

  “Not in the military and, XO shud have told u, I quit job on Fri. Will tell u when I’m in position.” Then he hastily added. “Pls don’t shoot me.” Zach stuffed the phone in his right trouser pocket and stepped up the hill.

  Loose gravel gave way and he fell hard, scraping his right arm and leg.

  Great start to my heroic plan. He held his breath for several seconds as he listened to the world around him. Only the breeze rustled in his ears.

  Carefully, Zach stood and climbed the hill toward the rocks and trees that he knew would hide him. Still, every twig or mat of fir needles would shout his presence if he stepped wrong.

  He wasn’t a military strategist, but as the light grew Zach wondered if the soldiers were behind schedule. In every war movie he’d ever seen, the sneak attack came at night, not after dawn. He continued up the hill aware that, as dawn drew near, the cover of darkness faded for both the soldiers and him. Even when the granite boulders and ancient fir trees came into view, he worried the morning light might reveal him.

  Between his own steps a twig snapped. The sound came from the east, not from the west as Zach expected. He dismissed it as an animal, but then another twig broke and another. Creeping to the top of a nearby knoll he peered over. Five soldiers stood in a group just ten yards away. They appeared to be consulting a map. Zach grinned at the thought of them being lost, but then they turned and headed in the direction of the armory.

  As he slid below the top of the knoll, he spotted another soldier advancing west. Panic surged within him. Like a vise, one group of at least five soldiers advanced from the east, another group of sixteen came from the west. If he didn’t get to cover, he would be caught and killed as the vise grip of soldiers grew ever tighter.

  He took several deep drafts of air and moved with all the stealth he could muster toward the rocky cover.

  * * *

  Hansen Armory, Sunday, September 27th

  Caden studied the topographical map of the area spread out on the conference room table. He looked up when David Weston returned with Lieutenant Brooks.

  The XO studied the map. “What’s the situation?”

  “Zach reported sixteen soldiers advancing on our position from the northwest. About here.” He tapped the chart.

  Weston looked at the map. “Are you sure they’re out there?”

  “Yes.” Caden nodded and returned his gaze to the map. “The boy is reliable. I just hope he’s safe.”

  “What is he doing out there?” Brooks sat at the table. “He quit on Friday. Sorry, with this Operation Hellhound situation, I forgot to tell you.”

  “Yes, he mentioned that he quit, but apparently that’s a difficult concept for him. He’s acting as a spotter.”

  “Where exactly?” Brooks leaned in closer to the map.

  “I don’t know.” Caden shook his head. “He said he was going to a rock outcrop northwest of the base, but I’ve never explored these woods. I don’t know where that would be and the call ended several minutes ago. We’ve had no word since.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Hansen Armory, Sunday, September 27th

  “You could call him,” Weston suggested.

  “And risk his phone ringing, beeping, or whatever?” Caden shook his head. “We’ll have to wait for his call.” He turned to Brooks. “How are we doing for manpower?”

  “We have everyone back except the first sergeant and his men.” He looked at his watch. “They should be here soon. I just hope it’s before the shooting starts.”

  “Does everyone have their gear? Are they in position?”

  Brooks nodded. “Yes to both, sir.”

  “Good.” He wanted to inspect the defenses, but that would reveal many of them to those outside the fence. Caden sighed. “I can’t figure out their plan.”

  Weston peeked through the blinds of a window. “I’m no military man, but isn’t the idea to attack this place, kill the governor and, since I’m pretending to be him—kill me?”

  “Attacking the armory anytime would be difficult, but they should have done it an hour or more earlier, not this late. The best way to do it would be when we were traveling down here or when we leave. Unless they have mortars and RPGs to force us out of the buildings and defensive positions, we can hold this base for a long time with the soldiers and supplies available.”

  Brooks rubbed his chin. “Maybe they do have mortars and RPGs.”

  “With the perimeter defenses we’ve set up, we could still hold the armory for a couple of hours. Remember we have the SINCGARS radio and now the KY-68 phone. We can get reinforcements from Olympia.”

  Brooks rubbed his chin. “But it would take at least an hour.”

  “Perhaps they don’t plan on attacking,” Weston said with a hopeful grin.

  “Then why are they here?” Caden stood, intending to inspect the positions inside the buildings and on the rooftops, when his phone beeped.

  * * *

  Observation Post WNW of Armory, Sunday, September 27th

  Encircled by boulders, giant fir trees, and bramble, Zach collapsed at the top of the knoll, let out the air in his lungs, and tried to breathe normally. After several moments, he eased his head above the nearby rock and vegetation. About ten feet above the surrounding forest, his position was good. He couldn’t see the armory through the brush and trees, but the soldiers were moving into a line only thirty yards ahead.

  He reached into his pocket and cut his finger. Biting his lip, he eased the phone from his pocket. Blood dripped on a maze of cracked glass across the screen.

  Zach sighed inwardly. He must have broken the screen when he fell. For several seconds he poked the device trying to launch the text app. When it appeared he turned and looked over the positions of the enemy. As he counted the men before him he noticed something unusual off to the right. The soldiers had a tripod and a weird contraption. He didn’t understand what they were doing, but knew it must be important.

  Tapping his thumbs on the cracked glass Zach struggled to compose a message. Because of the damage, he turned the phone on the side to type some of the letters. As he sent the message he realized he’d been holding his breath. Silently he forced himself to breathe in and out.

  * * *

  Hansen Armory, Sunday, September 27th

  Caden grabbed the phone from the table and read the message.

  “Zach here. 10 Soldiers 100yds WNW of armory. Set up a tripod. Pointing something at u. Doesn’t look like rifle or mortar. Squareish, more like camera.”

  “Is it Zach?” Brooks asked.

  Caden nodded and read the message aloud.

  Brook’s eyes shot wide. “What are we going to do?”

  “Huh?” Weston’s looked confused. “What is that thing the kid saw?”

  “It’s a laser targeting device. They’re guiding a missile to this building.”

&
nbsp; Weston stepped toward the door. “Ah … shouldn’t we get out of here?”

  Caden slammed his fist on the table. “That’s what the other soldiers are here for. It only takes a couple to set up the laser. They want to kill all of us. If we try to leave they’ll use suppressive fire to keep us bottled up until the missile strikes.” He rubbed his chin as he thought. “Phone the lookout on the roof. Ask them if they can spot the laser.”

  After conferring, Brooks shook his head. “They don’t see soldiers or anything unusual.”

  A soldier ran into the room. “The first sergeant is five minutes away.”

  Caden rubbed his chin even harder. He sent a message on his phone and smiled at the reply. “I have a plan.”

  * * *

  Observation Post WNW of Armory, Sunday, September 27th

  “If we provide cover fire can you shoot the laser?”

  Zach tapped out his reply. “Yes.”

  “Get ready. In 1m we fire. After u shoot-leave.”

  He took a deep breath, rose slowly and rested his rifle on the rock. With the laser off to his right, he had a good angle for the shot. For the next several moments he focused on sighting in the device and waited.

  A branch snapped.

  He looked down and to his left, into the eyes of a soldier about his age.

  * * *

  Hansen Armory, Sunday, September 27th

  Caden stood in the hall by the main entrance dressed in combat gear. The doors faced east toward the parking lot and main gate. He looked to Brooks and the sergeant. “We only get one chance to do this right. Does everyone understand what they have to do?”

  Heads nodded.

  Caden patted the pistol on his side and gave his M4 a quick inspection. Behind him were twenty young soldiers with nervous and worried faces. Caden’s stomach churned. Good men would die today. Anxious, he glanced at his watch.

  Gunfire erupted from the roof of the building.

  “Go!” Caden burst through the doors.

  Immediately they came under fire from the forest to the east.