Eagle People (31 page)

Amon was excited and felt he'd do fine, but was surprised to hear his name called first, “Amon, you're first.”

He moved forward, fired from different positions and then they checked the target.

“Fine shooting. All twenty-five of your bullets hit the target with twenty-one placed in a kill zone.” Dooley said.

On and on the afternoon went, with all of the warriors placing fair to excellent shots.  

After the last man fired, the Sergeant said, “Always keep your rifles with you, even when going to take a leak. At all times keep it within reach. It will do you no good if you don't have it and need a rifle.”

Over the next few months, the warriors taught the soldiers sign language, and they went scouting together, so each would learn from the other. Friendships were developed and in a few isolated cases love blossomed between men and women, but as a unit they all grew closer.

They were taught how to strip and clean pistols, reassemble them and finally how to fire them.  Again, Amon demonstrated better than average ability to shoot well.

Finally, Sergeant Dooley said, “Today, I will teach each of you how to throw a grenade.” He went on to discuss burst radius, delay fuses, and then demonstrated how to toss them. He warned of the importance of throwing the explosive, once the spoon flew from the grenade. “If not, it will blow and tear you apart when it does.”

Then, like other training, each warrior was allowed to throw one live grenade. Amon was shaking so badly when his turn came, he almost dropped his grenade once the spoon flew through the air. He didn't do as well with the grenade as he did the firearms, but figured he'd be fine, once he overcame his fear. He'd conquer his fear with time and usage.

With weapon and grenade training behind them, Dooley started teaching compass and map reading sessions. The warriors all learned to locate their positions, read a map, explain the contour lines, triangulate, and to complete the course they had walk to distant positions the Sergeant gave them. When they arrived, he was waiting for them with a big smile. Overall, Sergeant Dooley was deeply impressed with the skills of the Eagle People.
They are a great addition to our tribe,
he thought.

Finally, Colonel and Mongoose called all of her warriors for a meeting.

The Eagle warriors stood at attention and in columns as did the soldiers. They'd learned to march, form into formations, and some of basic military movements.  

Colonel said, “Effective this date, all of you have been awarded military ranks. Mongoose has declined a military title, but her rank is Colonel, as is mine. When one of us speaks, it is as if we're both speaking. In other words, an order from her, is an order from me. Now, we will pass your rank and files, and present some of you with well deserved rank.”

A Corporal walked behind the Colonel, holding a tray of small stripes, bars, and other small rank made of metal. He handed out stripes, until he reached Amon. Once in front of him, the Colonel said, “Amon, as the second in command of the Eagle Clan, your rank is Lieutenant Colonel. You have demonstrated in battle and training that you are a leader, and it makes me proud to promote you.” The Colonel saluted Amon, who did the same, and then they shook hands.

Down the rows of men and women he went, promoting many more to positions of leadership and trust. When he reached Ada, he smiled and said, “Ada, I am impressed with you and your training.  However, it's with pride I promote you to the rank of Major, and the leader of all warriors of the Eagle People. Your leadership is to be shared with my Major, and each of you will command the men and women under you. The two of you are only outranked by Amon, Mongoose and myself.  Congratulations.”

Once they saluted and shook hands, he continued down the rows awarding promotions.

Finally, his promotions complete, he moved to the front of the group and stood beside Mongoose. Suddenly turning stern, he said, “Dismissed.”

As the group broke up, Colonel said, “I want to see all officers and Senior Sergeants in my lodge immediately.”

“Tests on all the women in your group show no disease at all. We especially paid attention to the group of captives that might have been exposed to syphilis. All are clean and have been released into the general population.”

Mongoose said, “But, your women is not the main reason we called all of you to this meeting.  A trader came through yesterday and claimed the Snake People now have guns, lots of guns.  According to him, they traded slaves, gold and copper to the Japanese for the weapons.”

“Also,” Colonel said, “we want Major Ada's warriors to continue to act as Dog Soldiers and roam the mountains and trails. I and Mongoose feel our best defense are these special warriors, who act as our eyes in all places. I feel it's only a matter of time before they come for us again, but they'll have guns this time.”

The man called Major stood, and then said, “I'm Major Cole, but before I was address simply as Major, because I was the only one. Now with Ada a Major as well, call me Major Cole. I think, sir, it'd be smart for us to remove and start training on flamethrowers, LAW, and Claymore mines.”

“That's an excellent idea, Major Cole, so see to it immediately. Most are crated or boxed and will require cleaning. After being in storage for years, many may no longer work. See our village is ringed with mines, both anti-personnel and Claymores. I want you to map each mine and make five copies of the map. Leave clear trails through some areas so folks can go out, collect food and then return safely. Make damned sure the clear zones are marked on your maps.”

“What about stringing razor wire? We have pallets of the stuff, but I'm sure most of it has some rust.”

“Do anything to make our village safer. If you think wire will help, use what you need.”

One of the Learned Ones, who the soldiers called a scientist, stuck his head in the lodge and said, “Sir, during a routing radio check, we just made contact with another military unit.”

Smiling, Colonel said, “That's all we have to discuss at this point, but Major Cole, I expect your work to start today. Dismissed.”

As the officers and Sergeants left the lodge, Colonel motioned the scientist into the room.

Walking to Mongoose and the Colonel, the man said, “We were surprised. It was during a short power up time, which you know we use to check our electronics and gear, that I heard the radio squawk.”

“Who are these people and where are the located?”

“They're like us, descendants of those who were stationed Area 51 when things went to hell. Our computer information shows them to be in a remote part of Lincoln County in Southern Nevada, a little over 800 miles from us. They have fifty-four people in their group.”

“What did they want, or did they say?”

“They didn't say they wanted anything. I think they were as surprised as us to reach someone on the radio.”

“Rough country, southern Nevada is, with little water. Keep me informed.”

“Yes, sir, I'll do that. We had to shut down to save power, but they'll contact us again in the morning.”

Colonel nodded and motioned the scientist to leave.

Mongoose said as soon as the man left, “The distance is great to Area 51.”

“I suspect they'll want to join us, but I'll not send troops to bring them here. Not with the Snakes having guns.”

“I agree, because we need to protect our village, before we can help others.”

Chapter 21

MASHECK, CHIEF OF THE SNAKES,
held the AK-47 in his hands and smiled as he felt the cold metal. Over the last six months he'd traded hundreds of slaves for guns and ammunition. Each man now carried a weapon of some sort and all were rifles. The Japanese were mainly interested in female slaves, but males brought a good price as well. While other tribes were raiding for woman to breed, he was trading for arms, which he felt would allow him to strike any village and almost guarantee him success.

He was a big man, standing closer to seven feet than six, in his mid-forties, and near two hundred and twenty pounds, not an ounce of it fat. He'd assumed control of the Snake People when his father died of a sudden illness, which Masheck had arranged with the shaman. A little tasteless powder in his drink, and the old bastard had died a painful death.

Zedock entered and said, “The men are ready.”

“Good, because I'm looking forward to this. I want this village of the River People wiped out, completely. All women are to be taken captive, males over ten killed, and we can leave the elderly behind. Hell, they'll be dead in a few days anyway, because they'll starve. I see no reason to waste bullets on old people.” Masheck picked up his belt, which held his ammo magazines, knife and other gear and buckled it around his waist.

Zedock nodded and asked, “The last report we had indicated many women and young girls and close to fifty men.”

He waved the man off and said, “Numbers mean little when you have guns. Get the men moving, and I'll be out in minute or two.”

After his second in command left, he walked to his wife and said, “We will return before dark.”

“I will have your food ready.”

“You be ready too, because a good fight always arouses me.”

“I look forward to your return then, husband. Stay safe in the coming battle.”

Masheck leaned forward and cupped her cheek in his hand as he said, “You are the only one in this village I fully trust. You are a good wife.”

Meeting his eyes and giving a big grin, she said, “Tonight, after you eat, I will bring you much happiness.”

Kissing her chin, he said, “And, I will please you as well. Now I must leave.”

Walking from his lodge, which was made of logs, he joined the long column of his men moving south, toward the River People.

The trip to the River People was short, close to three hours, and uneventful. While the main group remained in a thick grove of pines, scouts were sent forward to look the village over. As they waited, Masheck sharpened his knife and cleaned his gear. Soon, the two men returned, both wearing a smile.

“The village looks the same as it did yesterday.” Luther, the chief of scouts reported.  “They're working like most villages, and I see nothing to indicate they aware of any danger.”

“Take a quarter of the men, Zedock, and circle around their camp. Once the battle starts, I want you to hit them from the side. I think between the two of us, along with the guns, this fight will not last long. Make sure all our men have clear targets before the shoot. I have had a change of mind too.  Bring home one old man and woman, because our women need some entertainment.”

Luther grinned and said, “Hell, let the women have them. They're masters at torture and will surprise us all with what they come up with. I'd much rather die by the hands of a warrior than his woman.”

“Just get two prisoners. Now move into position. I will give you an hour, then we'll move forward and start the attack. Tell your men to be quiet as they wait, or I'll remove a few heads when we return. I want these women, because they're worth a fortune in guns and bullets.”

An hour later, the Snake warriors moved quietly into the woods surrounding the village.  Masheck saw nothing out of place, with women drying meat and cooking, while the men worked with arrows and bows. The sun was out and the morning young, so at least the weather would help during the attack.