Chapter 12
Unto the breech...
Our reunion stretches into the night. It is early the next morning before we get done telling each other our stories. I learn a lot from Dodger. Where she gets her information from, she hedges at saying, but I've learned to trust her. They drove here in the truck, going North of Dobroe, since Dodger found out about the chemical weapon spill. How she knew, she doesn't say, but the smile she gives when I ask, tells me I am not likely to ever find out.
So she tells me they left Sanctuary after she accomplished her mission, and Banksy was able to get up and around safely. Apparently they made it here a few days ago and paid the Mountain Rescue Regiment to start a search for me, figuring I would continue to head in this direction. As usual, she makes it sound like pure luck, but Dodger doesn't deal with luck. I have no idea what she promised the MRR, but whatever it was, Lt. Waters seems very satisfied.
The next couple days for me are easy going. My ankle is a bit twisty, but I will live. Ideally I should be off it for a few more days, but we need to push. The Summer is drawing to a close, with more storms. It will be harder to travel in a few weeks, as the Fall storms start, and we want to be farther South, ideally. We discuss the plan for the trip to the military base just to our West. The MRR will escort us to the edge of their operational area, then they will turn back, and we will be mostly on our own. We met two other people that are headed in our general area. One is a guy named Tony, and another guy that goes by the name Crom. Both seem very capable, and Dodger seems to trust them. If Dodger trusts someone, then I trust them, though Banksy is a bit less trusting. The last member of our team, is a cowboy that came wandering into town, his name is Grey. He seems the no nonsense type. We will be moving fast to the edge of MRR territory, then we may have to abandon the truck. Dodger says there is at least two units of ORMO occupying the military base. She believes there may be a squad of Spetsnaz as well, so the entry will be contested.
We leave as soon as my ankle is better. Banksy is looking a bit stiff in his back, but insists that it is just the cold, since the weather has turned. The truck Banksy is driving will be followed by this crazy looking sedan, painted flat black with some odd looking metal pieces welded all over it. The sedan is jacked up with odd road tyres on it, and what looks like a machine gun mounted on top. The driver, a very spirited young guy, calls it the BatCar. I try to talk to him, but I don't get the chance, so I just call him BatCar. He has an infectious smile and I immediately find myself liking him. The people that do know him all seem to be very fond of him, and I can see why. The truck behind us will be driven by Lt. Waters. He is talking to someone dressed all in black with one of those flat caps I remember seeing the Gents of Novo wearing. He goes by the name Mister Blackout. Dodger vouches for him, so I feel confident with this group. In all, we should be powerful enough to handle anything we meet. Dodger thinks we might need some additional help, which worries me, but she also says we should be able to handle what we find. How she knows this, I don't know, but again... Dodger.
The trip to the military base is quiet. Banksy keeps holding my hand, asking me if I'm SURE I'm OK for this trip. I keep assuring him I will be fine, as we drive all that morning, well into the evening, before stopping for the night. We discuss the assault plans in detail. The base is actually fairly spread out for having so few buildings. The buildings to the North, closest to us, will be the insertion point. Mister Blackout and Lt. Waters, who decided to stay with us for this assault, will lead five volunteers to assault the buildings to the South of us, to draw fire. BatCar will support them, providing some heavy weapons support.
My job will be to stay back a bit, helping with communications, because I am not trained for combat like them. I accept that, since Banksy will be beside me, guarding me. I am not sure why he is so protective of me, I mean I know we are close, but I just get the sense there is more to it than our very close friendship. I would like to say it is love, but he is always just a bit distant, so I can only wonder.
The night passes quietly, most of the guys are checking weapons, discussing plans, and preparing for the battle. That night Banksy comes over to where I'm laying, we don't say a lot, nothing needing to be said. We make love and spend the night together and I lay awake wishing the morning would just never come.
It does come. The mist is heavy, covering the ground like a thin layer of cotton. The sun seems reluctant to shine bright, giving meager light in the morning sky. The glow is ethereal, lending itself to the surreal imagery I witness. The line of trucks kicks up dust, adding to the mist, making it impossible to see behind us. I take it as a sign to not look back. This mission, crazy as it is, is taking us into harms way.
We drive most of the early morning, arriving at the edge of the woods that surrounds the base just after noon. We disembark from the trucks, only keeping the BatCar with us because its very quiet. Even he stops farther into the woods. We go over the plan one last time in a group, then split up and wait for the bottom of the hour, to start our infiltration.
The first shots come close to the bottom of the hour. They are high power rifle shots, so we assume Mr Blackout is starting us of with his Mosin. I count five shots, slow, one then a pause, another then a pause. I look over that direction but see nothing, just hear shots going back and forth.
I follow Banksy under the fence, then over to a watch tower. The guard is hanging out of it. I assume Mr Blackout took care of him. I climb the tower, pulling up my binoculars and see the assault to our South is really raging. I see two guys in Green, which Dodger tells me would be Spetsnaz, the guys in the blue cammies, like I used to wear, are ORMO. They are former Military Police, Dodger told me.
The ORMO put up a good fight, reinforced by Spetsnaz, they hold a line using some vehicles as cover. BatCar edges his armored sedan up, using that heavy gun on top to whittle away at the defenses, but the ORMO are not so easily defeated, bringing up a tank of some sort. It also has a gun on it like BatCar's sedan, and it starts firing back. I see Lt. Waters slump over from some strafing fire. He rolls to the side then reaches back, grabbing his AK, which appears to be damaged. He ejects the useless magazine in it, and I can see there is damage to where a fresh magazine would go. Instead of panicking, he just ejects rounds from the drum, inserting them one at a time and taking shots at the ORMO. Mr. Blackout covers his position as ORMO try to close in, but decide to pull back to their cover, under his very accurate fire.
Grey maneuvers to the South of me, his Winchester sounds off three times fairly quickly, as he clears a pocket of ORMO, but he can not actually take the position, and falls back to the tree line under fire from two Spetsnaz, who are using some weapons I do not recognize. Tony provides cover fire for him, spraying a hailstorm of fire with his MP5K, giving Grey the chance to get behind a fallen tree. The assault is not going as well as we had hoped, the Spetsnaz were very good about preparing defensive positions, and the ORMO are trained well enough to not give away their advantage.
Dodger starts to circle to the North, I see two volunteers go with her, but one is cut down as they try to clear the roadway that stretches slightly farther North. About the time I see that, I see the tank moving forward just out of grenade range of our forces to the South. BatCar is keeping it back with his heavy gun, but the tank has succeeded in devastating his sedan, and I fear for him, he is in such grave danger, but that guy is fearless and stays in his armored car, laying down the only effective fire we have at this point, against that tank.
I then see headlights coming through the woods. Figuring it must be more ORMO, I try to signal to Dodger, but she is not in sight of me. The headlights creep up to the edge of the forest, then stop as they come under fire as well. I am terrified that we are trapped, until I see Craig, from the airport, get out of one of the trucks, along with Mr. Jinx and Shovel Guy. A few more guys get out, all wearing those flat caps, and I realize, the Gents have arrived. They immediately take cover, throwing some grenades at the ORMO, which is just enough to make the ORMO duck a bit behind cover.
Crom startles me by coming around the ORMO flank, holding a fire ax, he swings over and over, cleaving the hell out of two startled Spetsnaz. I understand where he gets the name Crom. The disruption is enough to startle the flank of ORMO, who flee their position. The break in the flank allows Mr. Blackout and Lt. Waters to push forward, the Lt. picking up one of those strange little sub-machine guns from the dead Spetsnaz soldiers.
Grey encourages the volunteers to lay down some cover fire as he and Tony push forward trying to get to BatCar. They make it most of the way before being forced to take cover behind a small knoll. Shovel Guy then opens up with his own Winchester, bouncing rounds off the vehicles the ORMO are using for cover. Mr. Jinx joins him, using an AKM to spray the vehicles, finally taking down a couple as they try to return fire.
Craig finally makes it up to Banksy and I at the guard tower. "I heard over the radio, at North East Air Field, that y'all were planning to have a little shindig up here, after they found you. I promised Dodger I would round up some help and be here. Looks like we got here just in time." he says pushing that crazy cowboy hat up a bit like some Western Movie hero. Banksy smiles, showing his approval. Looks like Dodger left nothing to chance.
From my vantage point, I still see the tank is laying down devastating fire on BatCar, though it is ignoring the others, as BatCar fearlessly returns fire. The rounds bouncing off his armored sedan prevent Grey and Tony from getting any closer, but their push does force the ORMO to focus their fire in that direction, giving Mr. Blackout the chance to snipe at them as they expose themselves.
North of us, out of sight, Dodger and her volunteers have arrived at the Northern most buildings, almost unopposed, almost. She pulls up as three ORMO guards take down her volunteers and one hits her in the chest, knocking her back on her butt as her plate carrier vest takes one hell of a hit from a Makarov. As she shakes her head, trying to clear her mind of the fog that comes from being punched by a jackhammer, rounds echo from a very highly modified M-4. Shaun sprints from the treeline to take down the other guards, then kneels down to help Dodger up.
They clear the first building, finding nothing but supplies, however, in the second building, they find an entire research lab, and five scientists inside cowering under their lab tables. The facilities are fairly well stocked, and the scientists seem to have quite a big jump on some research going, if the work written on the white boards is any indication. Dodger ignores that, quickly telling the scientists, in Russian, to have no fear, they are being liberated. One of the scientists recognizes her and tells the others she is to be trusted. Score another one for the Dodger.
To the South, the situation turns when the tank seems to run out of ammunition. The gun silences, and BatCar is able to provide the cover fire that he hoped to provide. His incredible courage at staying at his post pays dividends as he turns that big gun on the unarmored vehicles the ORMO are hiding behind. Those huge rounds cut through the trucks and cars like they are made of paper, and the ORMO collapse. Mr. Blackout fired off several rounds, before sitting back, out of ammo. His Mosin is smoking, and the barrel is so hot he has to put it down and draw his Magnum.
Lt. Waters is able to get to BatCar and pokes his head inside, turning and giving Grey the thumbs up, as Grey takes down some fleeing ORMO, with his Winchester. He finally also runs out of ammo, taking cover again behind the knoll. The Spetsnaz return fire, unwilling to retreat, but there are only three of them left, and they prove to be less effective.
Crom continues to circle around the defensive line, now unleashing hell on the ORMO that stayed in their positions, with his AKM. Just about everyone now is grabbing whatever gun they can find that still has ammo. As if on cue, however, the forest to the South comes alive with zombies. At least a dozen come from the woods, running at the Spetsnaz, who are too occupied with trying to take out BatCar's gun, to see them coming, and in a horrific moment, it is over for them. With them eliminated, the remaining ORMO stop firing and surrender. Crom eliminates a few of the zombies, then Grey eliminates the rest. Tony has rearmed, after also running low on ammo, and leads the few remaining volunteers, and a few Gents, into the South forest, to provide a defensive line against the zombies.
Mr. Jinx and Shovel Guy start to clean up the wounded, and police the loose weaponry around the dead and dying ORMO and Spetsnaz. Mr. Blackout seems to fade into the shadows a bit, looking for Mosin ammo. He would have no trouble finding any, as the warehouse the Russians were guarding is full of Soviet era weaponry. The payoff for everyone is like a treasure trove of goodies, much of which is so rare anymore, that having access to a supply of pristine equipment is like a gift from the Gods.
Banksy and Craig help me down, and I hug them both. We did it, we secured the military site against a force that was probably the most powerful in Chenarus. It took everyone, doing what they do best, but in the end, we lost a lot, but not nearly as many as the Russian forces did. Those ORMO were damn tough and the Spetsnaz were as good as a dozen men each.
As we are walking towards the now assembled force, Dodger pulls Banksy aside, out of breath, she tells him about the laboratory to the North. He heads off with her, leaving me with Craig, who we both trust with our lives.
The evening is spent with each man taking his turn loot in the storage unit, all delighted with their loot. The night is less celebratory, as the dead are laid to rest. The Gents lost a few, the MRR lost more. However, everyone agrees that this military force was a credible danger to everyone, were they to project force, or to finish whatever research they were doing here. Clearly, they were up to no good, with how they destroyed the town of Dobroe.
The night is spent restlessly, with guards having plenty of opportunity to test their new weapons, on the dozens of zombies that keep stumbling into the base. None of them post a threat, considering the assembly of trained and experienced fighters we have. It seems a shame that such a force is destined to split up, because together, they could bring law and order to Chenarus, and eliminate any zombies that remain. Such a force, however, is just not to be.
I do not see Banksy much, and when he does return, he looks rattled. Dodger gives me a look as I am about to ask, and I shut my mouth. I guess he will tell me whats going on, when he is ready. As for Dodger, she spends some time with Shaun, talking about stuff that only they seem to know about. Lt. Waters and Mr. Jinx trade jokes, and discuss how they can work together to secure the North, and eventually drive the cannibals out. I wish them luck, but I feel left out, so I go off to climb up in the guard tower, to star gaze and try to make this all right in my head. I know that Dodger and Banksy and Shaun have been busy with these scientists, but they don't let me in on whats going on. I feel a bit disappointed, that this incredible journey, this insane mission I decided to take up, ends with me on the sidelines.
The next morning, I see BatCar for the first time since the fight. He and Tony and Grey were busy all night painting the tank, refueling it, and reloading the big gun on it. It is early when I see him climb into it, and start it up. As crazy as it sounds, he drives off in it as soon as its light enough to see, with a fucking Batman logo painted on the sides and front. I can't help but laugh so hard I nearly wet myself. He heads to the West, the direction he intended to go anyhow, before agreeing to this detour. I also see Grey and Craig walking off, cowboy hats on, rifles over their shoulders, like two gunslingers in a Western. I cant help but smile. Mr Blackout walks off on his own, fearless and singing... yea singing. Tony and Lt. Waters gather up the few volunteers left, and head back towards the MRR camp, pleased to have fresh weaponry, and only after I find out Dodger gave the Lieutenant one of the last operational satellite phones in Chenarus. With it, the MRR will have access to intelligence from outside Chenarus. I understand now, why he was willing to provide so much assistance. Between the pristine gear, and that phone, the MRR will be capable of expanding their area of influence. Mr. Jinx and Shovel Guy will appreciate being able to contact him wherever he may be. Which brings us to Shaun, who decides to go with the Gents, having chosen to join them. Once everyone else has departed, the Gents escorting all but one of the Scientists on the way back to Novo, Dodger, Banksy and the scientist sit down in one of the buildings, I'm allowed to attend.
"I still can not believe you are here Banks." the scientist says to Banksy as I enter. I look over, understanding him. Dodger says something, and they continue the conversation in Russian, until finally, Banksy puts his hand up that he has heard enough. The Russian quits, and Dodger leads him away. I walk over and sit down by Banksy, taking his hand as he sits. I see him trying not to cry, and he turns to me and says, "Ellie... its all come back. I know everything." he says to me. I blink, unable to think of what to say. Somehow, I think the answers we were seeking, were with us all the time. The look in his eyes, tells me, I'm right.
