Strengthen What Remains (Book 2): A Time to Endure (18 page)

“What’s
the brief, First Sergeant?”

“The
gunfire is from the south but distant. None of the lookouts have seen any
flashes. One drone is headed toward the convoy. I’ve order the launch of the
second one to recon this area.”

Caden
relaxed a bit and sat at the table. His stomach rumbled loudly.

“Did
you miss chow, Sir?” Fletcher asked.

He
smiled. “Perhaps I should get some food.” Caden headed for the door when a
voice near panic came across the radio.
 

“Golf
181, this is army convoy south of your position at Fourth and Evergreen. We’re
blocked and taking fire from all sides.
Request immediate
assistance.
Over.”

Before
the man stopped talking, Caden found their location on the map.

“Shall
I head out with the ready squad?” Fletcher asked.

“We
don’t know what you’re heading into. Take two squads and get the sergeants to
ready all the men, including the new arrivals. I’ll tell the convoy you’re
coming.”

Fletcher
hurried from the room as Caden radioed the unit under attack. His stomach
grumbled again.

Caden
went up to the roof and watched as four Humvees with M2s mounted on top rumbled
across the parking lot and down the dark street. He turned as a whirl came from
the other side of the building and watched the second drone climb into the
night sky.

Observing
the defenses, Caden walked along the edge of the roof. Below a squad with M4s
trotted toward the perimeter.
 

Holding
his radio he said, “Sentries, this is Westmore, report.”

One
after another they informed him of distant gunfire, but otherwise all was
quiet.

Why would a gang attack
an army convoy? Something isn’t right here.
Troubled, he returned to the command
post.

The
drone was still en route, but Caden was drawn to the video screen. The thermal
black and white image displayed buildings in ghostly gray. The unused roads
appeared black.

When
the craft was over the battle, fighters showed as white figures moving across a
black and gray background. Gunfire appeared as flashes on the screen.

Rarely
had Caden viewed battle from this perspective and never with his own soldiers.

The
radio crackled as the Humvees approached.

“Convoy
this is Golf 181 coming in from the north.”

“Golf
181 this is Convoy. Roger. We have shooters south of you in the two buildings
on the north corner of Evergreen and Fourth Avenue.”

“I
sure wish this drone was armed.” Caden leaned over the shoulder of the pilot.
“Swing around so we can see those buildings.”

“Base
and Convoy this is Golf 181. We have engaged the enemy.”

As
the drone maneuvered toward the south side of the buildings, Caden relayed the
positions of every shooter he spotted.

For
the next ten minutes gunfire rattled across the radio from both the convoy and
his men.

Breathe, remember to
breathe. Listening to my people in combat is worse than actually being there.

“Convoy
this is Golf 181. Route is clear ahead. Go!”

“Base
this is Convoy. Need medics upon arrival.”

Using
his handheld radio, Caden informed the medics of incoming wounded, and then
returned his concentration to the video display. When Fletcher reported that
they had disengaged and were providing a rear guard, Caden sighed deeply. He
stayed in the command post until the units were near and then ran to the
elevator, punched the button and, when the doors didn’t immediately open,
hurried down the stairs.

Medics
stood ready at the front of the building as Caden paced along the curb. Finally
he heard Fletcher respond to the sentry’s radio challenge.

Caden
stood nearly at attention as the headlights appeared at the edge of the base.

Five
trucks and two Humvees rumbled to a stop near him. Soldiers poured out. A young
lieutenant followed several soldiers as they carried stretchers. The medics
examined the wounded and ushered them inside. The remaining soldiers collected
around the vehicles.
  

Walking
among the people and trucks, Caden looked for the first sergeant. Then he heard
approaching vehicles and counted four Humvees racing across the lot. As they
pulled up and men climbed out, he saw familiar faces. “Good job! Well done.”

Fletcher
appeared from between two trucks with a cluster of soldiers behind. Several
were bandaged, but walking. As soon as the first sergeant was in earshot Caden
asked, “Did we lose anyone?”

The
first sergeant shook his head. “The convoy had a few causalities, but we didn’t
lose any. Three injured, but they’ll live.” Fletcher retrieved a rifle from one
of the men. “I got something for you, sir.”

After
looking over it closely, Caden nodded. “Type 56 variant of the AK-47.”

“What
does that mean?” A private asked.

Fletcher
gritted his teeth. “It means it’s made by the Chinese.”

*
              
*
  
            
*

The
morning after the skirmish, Caden awoke to the racket of a helicopter landing
near the building. Within moments Fletcher was at the door of Caden’s lavender
blue office that, with a cot in the corner, also served as his bedroom.

“General
Harwich, two other officers and a civilian bigwig just arrived on the chopper.”

Caden
rubbed his face. “When did you know they were coming?”

“About
two minutes after the helo requested permission to land.”

Caden
dressed quickly and hurried out of the building with Fletcher.

In
the pre-dawn darkness, three men in uniform stood together on the asphalt as
the blades of the helicopter slowed. As salutes were exchanged the fourth man,
in a business suit, turned. “David! The last time I saw you a Chinese soldier
had messed up that pretty face of yours.”

He
cringed. “Yeah, that plan didn’t go exactly the way I thought it would.”

“Why
are you here?”

“Governor
Monroe asked me to accompany General Harwich on an inspection tour of the
units.”

“Well
this is only the second day, but I’d be happy to show you what we’ve
accomplished.”

 
“We will get to that,” The general
interrupted. “I’m sure you’ve done well, but frankly Major, we have other
business to conduct with you.”

 
“Oh?”
 

“Where
can we talk privately?”

“There’s
a conference room we can use.” Caden turned to Fletcher. “Get the rifle you
recovered and join us there.”

The
four men followed Caden into the main building. As soon as the door shut, the
general asked about the fight the evening before.

“First
Sergeant Fletcher led the men. He should provide details. From watching the
drone and hearing his report, I can tell you whoever the attackers were they
stood their ground under fire and fought like professionals. Several died
rather than retreat.”

Everyone
was still talking when Fletcher returned.

“It
appears the Chinese are providing first rate training and equipment.” Caden
passed the rifle to the general. “We took this during the fight.”

One
of the men with the general, an Army captain, shook his head. “The PRC
government denies supplying weapons.”

Caden
gritted his teeth. “How can the Chinese government say that?” He tapped the
rifle. “This was made in their country.”

“That
AK-47 variant has seen action in a dozen wars that I can think of, and is
common in much of the world and the United States,” the captain said. “How
would you prove they supplied that rifle to Jihadists in the United States?”

Caden
struggled to remain calm. “But we both know they did. Ah…did you say
Jihadists?”

“The
captain is merely paraphrasing what the PRC has said about the weapons,” the
general said. “Let’s sit and discuss this over coffee.”

“We
haven’t had any for more than a week.”

The
general nodded to a young lieutenant who pulled a 12 ounce bag of the brew from
his briefcase.

“We’re
going to be here for a while,” Harwich said to Caden. “Could you find a coffee
pot and get some of this perked?”

Caden
grinned. “Yes sir, I think we can do that.”

For
the next several minutes the war was put on hold as the necessary hardware was
found.

While
the junior person in the room made coffee, one of the lieutenants unfolded a
map on the table.

General
Harwich looked at the chart, then at Caden. “Now that this combat support
hospital and logistic center is established, and we know the lawless elements
are nearby, we’re going to move another unit in and put your soldiers in a
forward position.”

“Yes
sir, but if I may ask, why us?”

“Your
people have a reputation for getting the job done.” He placed his finger on the
map. “As you found out last night, this area is active.” He tapped the map.

It
seemed to Caden that the general was trying to decide what to say.

“The
governor wants Major Westmore to know the situation he’s getting in to,” David
said. “I think we should tell him everything.”

The
general looked at Fletcher.

“He’s
my second in command,” Caden said. “I’d like him to be here.”

“Okay.”
General Harwich took a deep breath. “The gangs cooperating with the Chinese are
not reliable. While the Chinese supply them with food, drugs and guns, the
members are criminals, not soldiers. They’re unwilling to take orders or die
for the cause.”

“That
isn’t what we saw during the fight last night,” Fletcher said.

“Do
you really think you were fighting a gang?”

Caden
shook his head slowly.

As
sounds and smells of brewing coffee filled the room the general continued. “We
believe the Chinese aided the Jihadists with planning and materials for the
original terrorist attacks and we have solid
intel
that they are assisting them in areas of the western states not under their
control. They supply the terrorists with weapons and food; even bring them in
from other areas.”

Caden
raised an eyebrow.

“Several
analysts believe China, Jihadists and perhaps Russia are dividing the country
into spheres of influence. What they can’t control they want balkanized. So,
China assists Jihadists here, because we’ve resisted their efforts to control
this region.”

“If
we knew about this, why didn’t someone eliminate the terrorists weeks ago?”
Fletcher asked.

“The
local terrorist cell went into hiding after the blast. They’ve only gradually
re-emerged as they secured weapons and new fighters, but we never know exactly
where they are. However, it appears that last night you found them.”

“How
can we be sure it was them, sir?”

A
broad grin grew across the general’s face. “We had soldiers on scene minutes
after you left. They recovered a body which we identified.” Leaning back in the
chair, he continued. “That is why I’m here. The Chinese are working with
several groups to undermine government and law enforcement until either this
region is within their sphere of influence, Balkanized or a failed state with
Jihadists and gangs fighting for control. Actually, when law and order
collapses the Chinese will probably move in. It’s a high stakes game of
international intrigue and in California and much of the southwest, they’ve
won.”

Caden
rubbed his chin. “We’ve had MS-13 active in the Hansen area. Is that part of
the Chinese effort?”

“I
don’t think so. Those scumbags are working their own plan.”

“Oh.”
Caden thought of Cruz and what might be happening back home.

“We
will restore law and order to all parts of western Washington as part of
Operation Lexington, but first,” the general inhaled deeply, “I think the
coffee is ready.”

Caden
held the warm cup in his hands and breathed in the pleasant aroma as he
returned to the table and sipped the coffee.

“We
have information that the Chinese realize they will not be able to control the
Pacific Northwest without a large scale military intervention and for now they
are unwilling to make that effort.”

“The
new congress didn’t support the treaty,” Caden said. “Any military action would
be illegal and an act of war under international law.”

“Exactly.
That is why they haven’t moved out of the port area they now control.”

Looking
at Weston, Caden recalled the meeting in the parking lot where David stopped
the Chinese expansion in the area and got his nose broken. “If the Chinese
aren’t attempting to expand their sphere of influence, that would normally be
good news, but you’re saying they’ve decided to help the terrorists.”

The
Colonel and Weston both nodded.

“Most
of the available army units are containing the Chinese.” The general made an
arc around the port with his finger. “The remainder are staging here for an attack
on the terrorists.”

“What
do you need from me?”

“We
need you, and your soldiers, in combat.”

*
              
*
              
*

Alone
in the conference room Caden stared at the map. His orders were simple.
Tomorrow they would establish a secure position for an ambush and then wait.

If
all went well an army Stryker battalion would locate the Jihadists and push
them toward Caden and his men. By the time the terrorists knew it was an
ambush, they would be trapped in the crossfire. Death or surrender would be
their only options.

He
pulled the folded sheet of paper Sue had given him from his pocket and studied
it. Looking at the large map on the table, he placed his index finger on the
spot where his unit was ordered to deploy and used his thumb to mark Peter and
Sue’s home. On the map the two points were just inches away from each other.

First
Sergeant Fletcher walked in and stood on the far side of the table.

Reluctantly,
Caden removed his hand.

“Is
that where your brother lived?”

“Yes,”
Caden said annoyed. “How did you know?”

“Lieutenant
Brooks told me he lived in our op area and that you wanted to find out what you
could.”

He
stood silent for a moment. Brooks was trying to be helpful, he was sure of
that, but he was still irritated. Finally he sighed. “We’ve been busy since we
got here and I don’t want to endanger anyone else just because I want answers.”

“If
you could get Brooks to his parent’s home would you do it?”

“Of
course.”

“I
have no idea how my daughters in Florida are doing, but if you could you would
help me find out.”

Caden
nodded.

Fletcher
walked around the table. “Then sir, within our orders, there must be a way to
get you to your brother’s house.”

An
hour later they had a plan.

Caden
looked over the route. “This could go wrong, so I want only volunteers with me
when we head out.”

*
              
*
              
*

The
next morning as the Humvee rumbled past two mangled and burned cars, Caden
pulled the map from his pocket. Progress had been slower than he had hoped
through the looted and littered neighborhoods, but they would still be in
position ahead of time.