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

  Zach hurried upstairs to his room with the bag.

  Fletcher followed.

  As they entered the penthouse, Vicki’s eyes grew wide. “Has there been a change of plans?”

  “Yeah, there sure has Sis. I leave tonight.” Zach continued to his bedroom.

  A door slammed in the main room.

  “Your sister just ran out of the apartment.” Fletcher stood in the bedroom doorway. “I hope that isn’t a bad sign.”

  Zach had no idea why Vicki ran, or why DeLynn or Mrs. Hollister had dashed from him earlier. “I guess I should be used to women running away from me.” He shook his head and grabbed more underwear. A couple minutes later the few things he needed were in the ruck sack. He wanted to say goodbye to everyone, but didn’t know if he should try to find them. Perhaps he would see Mr. Hollister on the way out.

  The door to the penthouse opened as Zach stepped into the living room. Vicki entered, followed by DeLynn and her father.

  Fletcher turned to Zach. “I’ll wait in the hall.”

  Zach hugged his sister and shook hands with Mr. Hollister. “I don’t know where we’re going or when I’ll be back, but I’ll try and write to you—if the mail works wherever I end up.”

  “The military is good about getting letters in and out of war zones,” Mr. Hollister said squeezing his shoulder. “Write when you can.”

  “Yeah, you’d better send me letters.” DeLynn smiled at him, but tears filled her eyes.

  “I didn’t know how you felt, or even if you wanted to see me before I left.” Zach reached out to her.

  DeLynn threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. “Of course I do. Just promise me you’ll come back.”

  He had seen enough combat to know that wasn’t a pledge he could make, but every part of him wanted to return to her and she needed his assurance.

  For the first time in front of her father, they kissed. He didn’t want that moment to end, but he had to reassure her before he left. “Nothing could keep me from coming back to you.”

  They kissed again and then held each other in a lingering embrace.

  Fletcher led the way as they all headed for the lobby. On the sidewalk beside the Humvee, each embraced Zach and he kissed DeLynn again before saying goodbye.

  Silence dominated the short ride to the armory. Fletcher pulled up to the main building and stopped. “Go to the office. Major Westmore wants to see you. Then find me, and I’ll get you uniforms and a weapon.”

  Zach climbed the stairs two at a time. He wanted answers. A dozen soldiers hurried along the hall. Seeing the major just outside the office, Zach hurried to him. “I was told you wanted to see me, sir.”

  “Yes, but I wish the circumstances were better.” Caden motioned for him to follow and together they strode through the office to the conference room. “Shut the door.”

  Zach did and then stood near the table.

  “The First Sergeant may have told you that I had your orders changed.” Caden sat. “You’ll be inducted into the army in just a minute.”

  “He didn’t tell me it was you that changed the orders.” Zach stepped closer. “Why would you want to change them? Why would you need me?”

  “It’s not so much a case of need.” Caden took a deep breath and stood. “I can’t keep you out of the war, but I’m hoping to save you from the bloodbath that’s coming in the Pacific.”

  “Bloodbath?”

  Caden held up a laminated sheet from his desk. “We don’t have much time. Raise your right hand, and repeat after me. I, Zachery Brennon, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies….”

  * * *

  Westmore Farm, Rural Lewis County, Monday, October 19th

  Caden pulled into the driveway just before 11:00pm. He had called Maria and told her he found a pastor willing to do the service. He hadn’t told her that a convoy was already preparing to leave the area with him, and that a flight to the war front would take off with him in nine hours. He anticipated little sleep tonight. As he parked the pickup near the porch, Maria hurried out the front door.

  Caden stepped from the car and she rushed into his arms.

  “I was just upset yesterday.” She kissed him on the cheek. “When I asked if we would ever get married I certainly didn’t expect you to go out the next day and arrange a wedding.”

  “Well, I hope you still want to marry me?”

  She kissed him. “Of course I do.” She relaxed her grip and turned to go inside.

  Caden held her. “I know you’d want a perfect wedding and a honeymoon, but that just can’t be right now.”

  “I know that. Your mom has been hemming and stitching her wedding dress all afternoon. Lisa and Sue will be maid and matron of honor … well maybe you can take a few days off? We can spend some time together as a couple.”

  “About those days off.” Caden sighed. “I’m leaving on a mission tomorrow before dawn.”

  “Tomorrow?” He mouth gaped.

  He nodded.

  “When will you be back?”

  “I don’t know for sure.”

  She held his hand and led him toward the house and up the steps in silence. Instead of going inside she went to the porch swing and sat.

  Caden joined her, still holding her hand.

  For several moments Maria looked straight ahead without speaking, and then she nodded. “If tonight is all there is, then we’d better get on with it.”

  “You go in. I’ve got to use the phone.” The call with Hoover took only a moment. “It’s on. Get the pastor.” He then phoned Brooks. “How are preparations going at the armory?”

  “We’re doing well, maybe a bit ahead of schedule.”

  “Good. Pass down what needs to be done to Fletcher and get here ASAP.” After hanging up, he walked through an empty living room, and headed upstairs. The voices of all the women of the house could be heard down the hall. Caden went to his room and changed into his class “A” uniform and then returned to a still empty living room. Exhausted by the events of the day he sat in a recliner. He didn’t have time to sleep and with all that still needed to be done even a nap seemed impossible, but he could rest for a few moments. He exhaled slowly and tried to relax. He eyes grew heavy.

  Caden’s eyes shot open. It seemed like only moments had passed, but Brooks sat across from him on the couch. His mother, now in a nice blue Sunday dress, chatted with Hoover as they walked through the front door. A young man followed behind them. Caden rubbed his eyes and jumped to his feet.

  His mother smiled at him. “Are you ready?”

  With both hands he brushed his uniform. “Yes.”

  “I’ll get the bride.” She darted up the stairs.

  Hoover stepped close to Caden. “You probably know Pastor Ken.”

  “No.” Caden shook his head. “Sorry.”

  “He’s the youth pastor at your church.”

  “I knew your father.” Ken thrust out his hand and they shook. “He was a good man and I was sorry to hear he died. I also know your mom, Lisa, Maria, the whole family really.”

  His mother hurried down the stairs fast enough to cause Caden concern. Lisa and Sue followed, dressed in their best, and stood on either side of the banister.

  Caden felt like the eye of a hurricane as everyone scurried around him.

  The sound of creaking boards and slow steps came from the stairs.

  His mother hurried to an old record player and turned it on. The Bridal Chorus filled the room.

  Caden turned as Maria, dressed in a white sleeveless lace gown, appeared. He had seen pictures of his mother in it, but never seen it worn until now. It had been a horrible year, but Maria had come through everything strong, and beautiful. Her dark hair and olive skin radiated beauty like a diamond in the light.

  As Maria came alongside, Pastor Ken began. “We are gathered here today to join Caden Westmore and Maria Lopez in holy matrimony.”

  After combat, Caden often had trou
ble recalling details. He attributed that to adrenalin and stress. As Pastor Ken finished, Caden’s eyes remained fixed on Maria, but he struggled to remember the ceremony.

  “You may kiss the bride.”

  He willingly obeyed.

  After shaking hands with Hoover and Brooks and kissing the ladies, Caden walked to the porch with his bride. He hugged her tight and once again kissed her, savoring the moment, committing it to memory, for as long as would be necessary. “I’ve got to go.”

  Chapter Thirty Five

  Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, Tuesday, October 20th

  Caden woke as the C-130 transport plane bumped down on the runway at Whiteman. He yawned and looked about. Soldiers were packed into the plane, five seats across the middle and the web jump seats on either side. As the plane rolled to a stop he stood and rubbed his eyes and sore neck.

  The loading ramp at the rear dropped, and the soldiers jogged onto the runway. As Fletcher assembled the men, Caden looked over the area. Large portions of the runway had been recently patched. The base of the red brick control tower remained, but most of the building had been blown to rubble. A dozen nearby structures, including several hangars, stood as burnt ruins. Camouflaged netting covered the few remaining hangars. He doubted that would be effective in stopping future attacks. How many times had the base been fought over during the war?

  “All present sir.” Fletcher saluted.

  Again, Caden’s eyes swept the nearby destruction. “Let’s move out, First Sergeant. I’m feeling exposed.” As everyone jogged from the tarmac, Caden thought of his new wife, Maria, and the rest of his family and friends. He hoped they would remain safe and far from the front lines.

  A young lieutenant walked up and saluted as they reached a grassy area. “Are you Major Westmore?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m Lieutenant Rookman and I’ll be assisting you.” He pointed to a building. “Your men can get food at the mess over there. Beside it is an open bay barracks where they can rest until transport is ready.”

  Caden called Fletcher over. “Make sure the men are fed and ready to go. I don’t think we’ll be here long.”

  When Fletcher jogged off the lieutenant said, “If you will come with me Colonel Hutchison will brief you.”

  “Hutchison?” Caden didn’t budge. “From Washington state?”

  “Yes, sir. This way, please.” Rookman gestured toward the bombed control tower. “The colonel arrived a week ago as part of your operation.”

  Caden winced recalling how he had argued with Hutchison regarding the handling of Kern flu patients, and the flow of refugees. At one point, Caden even believed the colonel might be a traitor. He followed, wondering how this reunion with the senior officer might unfold.

  The lieutenant led him to a backdoor of the ruined control tower. Rookman entered and they walked into a room with blown out windows, crumbling walls and a roof with gaping holes. Together they continued through another door, and down two flights of stairs. At the bottom landing he tapped numbers on a keypad and a buzzer sounded. He pulled open the heavy metal door and waited for Caden to enter.

  Just inside Caden paused and surveyed the large concrete room. On the far wall hung several large television and computer monitors. Other computers lined the walls and along a table before the huge screens. Old fashioned paper maps filled most of the remaining wall space and were spread out on a large table near the rear.

  Rookman entered and continued on.

  Caden hurried to catch up.

  “Major Westmore is here to see you,” the Lieutenant announced.

  Forcing a smile to his face, Caden saluted.

  Hutchison returned it and then thrust out his hand. “I was glad to hear that you survived the Kern flu and were coming to join us.”

  “I’m glad I survived too.” Caden gestured toward the room. “This operations center is quite impressive.”

  Hutchison shrugged. “It wouldn’t survive a bunker buster bomb, but the Durant loyalist forces aren’t interested in the ruined building they see from above.”

  “No, I guess not.” Caden glanced as another door opened and three soldiers entered.

  “To maintain the illusion of total rubble most people come here through an old cable shaft from another building about fifty yards away.”

  “How long have you been here?” Caden asked.

  “Over a week.” He walked toward a table with a map laid out on top. “Command is putting every officer with combat experience in the field, but our group has been waiting for you practically since you came down with the Kern flu.”

  “Why am I so important to all of this?”

  “I was hoping you’d tell me.”

  Caden shook his head. “I’ve been told very little and nothing about when, where or why.”

  “Well, I hope someone tells us something soon.” Hutchison shook his head. “At first I thought Command might be planning an offensive.”

  “A winter offensive? With the Kern flu still decimating the ranks?”

  Hutchison shrugged. “Both sides are equally affected. But now, since they told me to wait for you, I’m thinking somehow you are the key.” He shrugged. “Anyway, my orders are to get you, and your men, to the front.” He pointed to a location on the map. “I’m supposed to get you here, just south of Cape Girardeau. There’s a regional airport nearby. That’ll be your staging area.”

  Caden nodded. “Where are your men stationed?”

  “Most of them are in Cape Girardeau.” Hutchison moved his finger along the map.

  “So, you’ll be covering the north flank. Who’s stationed to the south?”

  Hutchison drew a line across the Mississippi into Tennessee. “Regular army units and elements of the Arkansas and Tennessee guard.”

  “I thought Tennessee was under Durant’s control.”

  “Most of the ground is, but not all. Several military units are fighting with us.”

  Caden examined the map. “Okay, so, neither of us are sure what we’re doing when we get to the staging point.”

  Hutchison shook his head. “Get you there and hold Cape Girardeau while you’re south of me. That’s my orders and all I know.” He stared at Caden. “I sense you have additional information.”

  “Not very much.” General Harwich had told Caden he would be doing some recon and retrieve a package. He shook his head. “I can’t say anything.”

  “Okay then.” Hutchison stepped toward the door. “Let’s make sure the men have some hot chow, a shower and maybe some rest. I doubt they’ll be getting such things in the days ahead.”

  * * *

  Somewhere in southern Missouri, Tuesday, October 20th

  Zach stared out the back of a Deuce-and-a-half as it rumbled along a highway somewhere in Missouri. His platoon from the Hansen armory, along with hundreds of other soldiers, left in a long convoy from Whiteman airbase late in the afternoon. He knew from the position of the sun that they were headed southwest, but this had changed several times. For a while they had journeyed east, then changed roads and gone south. Then they turned again. He had no clue as to the final destination.

  As day turned to dusk, his limited view filled with dark shadows. He hadn’t slept well in the web seat of the C-130, and the hard seat of the truck, combined with the rifle slung on his shoulder, promised little rest in the hours ahead. So, he stared at small towns, farms, and a growing number of stars.

  As the miles bumped by, his eyes slipped shut.

  A roar so loud it hurt, reverberated through Zach’s body. His eyes shot open to near total darkness. Overhead, jets shot past, so low and fast their engines overwhelmed all other sound.

  The Deuce-and-a-half swerved to the side of the road.

  Soldiers jumped from the truck. Someone bumped against Zach, thumping the rifle barrel against his head. He fell to the ground.

  Like a huge Fourth of July display, the sky exploded into fire.

  Zach followed the others into a nearby meadow. He co
uld see officers shouting orders, but jet engines and explosions were all he heard. He trailed the others into the field. Behind him came the boom of another explosion. A wave of heat and wind knocked him to the ground. Lifting his face from the dirt he looked back as the truck he had been in fell to the earth in pieces.

  He crawled along the field away from the fire looking for others. Gradually, he noticed bumps in the dirt. Realizing they were fellow soldiers he scurried toward them on hands and knees.

  The roar of jets continued overhead.

  Nearing the group, he spotted First Sergeant Fletcher.

  “In the future private move faster—if you want to live,” Fletcher shouted.

  Zach nodded and, with the others, waited for the aerial nightmare to stop. More trucks burst into flame and more explosions dotted the sky.

  Then it stopped as the roar of jets faded.

  Zach’s ears rang.

  Fletcher stood and swept his arm forward. “Come on people, back to the convoy.”

  Other voices shouted. “Find a working truck and climb aboard.”

  Zach held back not wanting to be inside the next target.

  A sergeant urged him on with a string of profanity.

  Within minutes the remaining vehicles rolled down the road, this time with Zach in the middle. He struggled to listen for the jets as the convoy continued toward the front.

  The first rays of sun peeked over the horizon as the vehicles pulled off the freeway.

  Zach stared out the back. He noticed most of the other trucks continued on the highway. His Deuce-and-a-half rolled down one street and then turned on to another smaller road. A few minutes later it stopped.

  “Everyone off the trucks,” Fletcher shouted from somewhere outside.

  Just two of the original vehicles had journeyed to this place. Along with Zach, about forty soldiers stood beside rubble that had once been a building. Only a covered entryway remained. Big letters on the side read, “Cape Girardeau Regional Airport.”

  Zach had no idea where that might be.