Chapter 5
The Long Road
Slamming the brakes of the Hammer, Flint watched in horror as the front right side of the VAMP was lifted into the air by a ball of fire, dust and smoke. The small, sleek jeep rolled across the road until it crashed over the edge of the southern side. Shrapnel and dust began peltering the hood and roof of the massive jeep under Flint's command.
"Dammit all to hell!" screamed the Joe warrant officer. Rock'n'Roll dropped to his knees into the Hammer, attempting to avoid debirs fliying through the air from the explosion. Screeches from the APC and even the Mauler could be distinctly heard from behind.
In less than fifteen seconds, machine gun fire, no doubt from AK-47s, began rapping against the armored doors of the Hammer. Windows began to crack and the Joes ducked even farther down.
Flint screamed into the microphone he still held in his right hand, "Thunder! Do something about that fire, now!"
In mere moments, a mechanical hum could be heard as the APC's 50mm cannon rotated into a firing position. As it fired, the Hammer shook even more. The dust barrier that protected the terrorists during their ambush exploded in a large puff of dirt. Although helpful, the APC's fire only reduced the machine-gun fire from the northern side. The southern fire seemed to increase. Windows began to break apart, and bullets flew through the Hammer.
Firing again, the APC caused another brutal smash against the northern pack of terrorists, who began running for their lives. Machine-gun fire from the rear of the Joe troop carrier could be heard as team members disembarked and opened fire on the southern group of ambushing terrorists.
With the enemy now locked in panicked sprints for their lives, the battle was over. After fighting with the handle, Spirit swung open the Hammer's front left door. "Is everyone okay?"
Flint sat back up, and analyzed the situation. "Yeah, I think so. Are you all okay?"
Lady Jaye sat up, nodding. "Yes…yes I think so."
Dusty spoke for both he and Scimitar, who looked a little too shook up to speak. "We're okay, Flint."
"Good." Flint jumped out of the jeep and was quickly followed by Lady Jaye and Dusty. The mission leader raced for the VAMP, where Tunnel Rat and Stalker were pulling Clutch and Pathfinder's bodies away from the burning wreckage.
"Oh, no." gasped Lady Jaye.
"Are they alive?" asked Flint.
"Yes." Replied Stalker. "But they aren't going to make it unless they're airlifted back to Baghdad immediately.
Flint turned to Dusty and pointed at the Hammer, "Get on the radio and call in a MEDEVAC."
Without even giving a reply, Dusty sprinted back to the jeep.
"Sons-of-." Growled Rock'n'Roll.
"There is no time for that, now," said Spirit, "We must prepare our friends for their flight back."
While Clutch and Pathfinder were carried to the APC, Flint dropped to one knee and stared in silence at the VAMP.
1.
As the wind from the departing medical helicopters ruffled his cowl and blew sand in his eyes, Dusty couldn't keep his eyes off of Flint. Their experiences were totally different, but just as devastating. Ronald Tadur no longer felt alone.
Footloose broke Dusty's concentration by pointing to the Hammer. "What's with Scimitar? He's just standing over there, all by himself."
Figuring that he should just leave Flint alone, Dusty walked over to the Hammer. "What's up, newbie?"
"Huh? Oh, hi Dusty."
"Hi Dusty? That's a pretty weak greeting." Scimitar got a light punch in the shoulder. He seemed to have trouble thinking of anything to say, so Dusty continued. "These battles bothering you?"
A touch of panic spread across Scimitar's face, but he risked talking, "Yeah. I…I didn't think this is how it would be."
Frowning, Dusty asked, "How being a Joe would be?"
Before Scimitar could answer, Flint called out, "All right everybody, let's get back into our vehicles. Thunder says the Hammer is working again, so we're still going to use it. It's going to be night-time very soon, now, but we're running way behind, so we're truckin' it until morning."
A few Joes groaned. "Don't worry," assured Flint, "We'll sleep in shifts. Okay, let's go."
As the team loaded up, Dusty made it a point to talk to Scimitar later.
2.
The next few hours were refreshingly peaceful. Only an occasional eighteen wheeler or an oil tanker-truck passed the G.I. Joe convoy. Cold night-time winds blew into the Hammer as the windowless jeep rolled down the lonely desert highway.
There were only brief slow downs as the team passed through the towns of Ar Ramadi and Muhammadiyah. About twenty miles past Muhammadiyah, Dusty took control of the steering wheel and Flint slept in the back seat. Lady Jaye slept in the seat next to him. Scimitar took the shotgun seat and Tunnel Rat came up to man the turret while Rock'n'Roll caught some Z's in the APC. Dusty would have killed to get some music to listen to, but that would have been just rude to even try.
"So, how long have you been a Joe?" whispered Scimitar.
"More years than I can recall." Anwered Dusty. Realizing the answer was true, he suddenly felt very old.
"Is it what you've always wanted?"
"Most of the time. If G.I. Joe hadn't been formed, Cobra would be ten times the threat that it is today." Dusty started thinking about some favorite memories. Scimitar looked across the desert for a few moments, the turned back.
"But G.I. Joe is just supposed to fight Cobra, right? Not Middle-Eastern insurgents." Scimitar looked a bit spiteful.
Dusty wasn't sure what the answer was to this question. "Well, we're supposed to fight all kinds of terrorism. Sure, our main focus is Cobra, but if anybody tries to suppress the innocent, we should deal with them."
Scimitar shook his head. "I…I didn't join this group to fight anyone but Cobra."
Tunnel Rat, who was standing in between the two, hearing everything, interrupted, "Buddy, if you think this is all just an "Anti-Cobra" operation, you read the application form upside down or something. We're an anti-terrorism operation, but first and foremost, we're an extension of the US Armed Forces. If they say take a dump and eat it, we start licking our lips!"
"That's enough, Tunnel Rat." Growled Dusty. "Look, if you've got problems, go talk to Doc when this mission is over. He's got the best ears and the biggest heart in the whole group."
Still looking a little unsure of himself, Scimitar nodded and gave a thankful smile, "Thanks Dusty. I think maybe I will."
3.
The next three hours were frighteningly quiet. There were no more towns to pass through, and less and less traffic as the night dragged on. Intense heat from earlier in the day surrendered to the sky, leaving only colder and colder desert night air behind.
Keeping track of their progress by using a Global Positioning System, Dusty brought the convoy to a halt exactly ten miles east of Ar Rutbah. Flint woke up, stretched, yawned and asked, " Are we there yet?"
"Yup. Right where you told me to stop." Replied Dusty.
"Good. Damn its cold." Flint scratched himself and opened the Hammer's door. "Let's get out and refuel the vehicles."
Tunnel Rat turned to Lady Jaye. "Is he always this pretty when he wakes up?"
Lady Jaye looked offended, but then decided to play it a step further, "You should smell him in the morning."
Groaning in repulsion, the other Joes quickly exited the Hammer as Lady Jaye laughed, then put her hand on her forehead, regretting her double-edged attempt at humiliating Flint.
Spearhead brought the fuel truck around to the rear of the Mauler, and Heavy Metal hooked up the fuel hose. Moments later, the big brown tank began drinking.
"That thing is gonna use up half of the fuel." Complained Footloose.
"Well, if you'd rather leave it behind, I'm sure Flint would let you stay here and stand guard until we return." Snapped Rock'n'Roll.
"Drink up, big buddy!" cheered the Joe infantryman.
After an hour the three vehicles were fully refueled, and the diesel truck's tank was almost completely depleted. Flint once again called the team together at the rear of the APC.
"Okay, guys, things have changed a little bit. Since the Hammer got chewed up by the terrorist ambush outside Fallujah, I don't feel that it's the best vehicle to lead the strike with. Therefore, the Mauler will now lead the strike, followed by the APC, with the Hammer pulling up the rear. I'm going to join the guys on the big truck, and lead the strike from there. Heavy Metal, remember, we're not just blasting into town; we're there for recon, first.
"Dusty, Spirit: you guys will join Lady Jaye and me on a walk down the main street. Tunnel Rat, Footloose, take the alleys behind the left buildings. Stalker, Hit & Run: you guys take the right side. The rest of you stay with the vehicles and keep your ears open."
"Yes, sir!" came out in unison, then the Joes climbed back into their vehicles and the convoy shifted into its new formation. Dusty kept control of the Hammer, with only Scimitar and Tunnel Rat as passengers.
Not knowing whether to be happy or nervous about gaining control of the big Joe jeep, Dusty pressed down the accelerator and followed the rest of the team west, even farther into the Syrian Desert.
4.
It only took fifteen minutes to reach the small town of Ar Rutbah. Small, built of brick and concrete, it couldn't brag of many modern features. Power lines, sagging along tilted wooden towers, ran the length of the dirt road that passed through the humble, but vitally important outpost resting out in the middle of nowhere.
The roar of the Mauler no doubt woke up quite a few locals. Vibrations of the gravel on the ground reflected the shaking up of people's homes. A few lights began to turn on in those small homes along the edge of town.
Stopping at the edge of the town center, the convoy sprang to life as G.I. Joe team members jumped down from the APC or climbed out of the Hammer. Flint pointed the groups in their directions and everyone moved quickly. There wasn't far to go, but it would take a little time, since accuracy was an important factor.
As Flint's group charged down the street, they shone flashlights into every window they passed. Windows were few and far between on the brown brick walls, but not absent. The teams walking the backside of the buildings had even fewer windows to look through, and a lot more rubble and garbage to maneuver through. Their progress was slow, but steady.
After a few minutes, a man wearing his long white robe, or dishdasha, and wrapping on his ghutra, or "head-cloth," came storming out into the street to confront Flint. The Joe Warrant Officer was impressed that the Iraqi recognized which soldier had the highest rank. He was even more impressed when he spoke in fairly clean English.
"Why you invade Ar Rutbah this night? We have done no harm!" raged the man.
"Pardon me, sir, but our business is very important." Explained Flint. "Are you the Mayor?"
"Yes! Yes, I am Mayor! American Army leave Ar Rutbah two weeks ago. Why do you now return?" The mayor looked with deep concern at the Mauler.
"We have reports of terrorists smuggling weapons into Iraq through this town. What do you know about this?"
The mayor shook his head violently. "No! No! Nothing I know. Much traffic through Ar Rutbah every day. Cannot know what is in all the trucks. I assure you, smuggling is not my knowledge."
Flint nodded, then looked around. "Is it all right if we look around your town tonight."
The Mayor was obviously a man who had played this game before. He knew that there was really no way that he could get what he wanted out of the deal, so he just conceited. "Yes. Please, be fast, and do not hurt my people."
"Thank you, sir." Flint lifted his beret in a flash of courtesy, then continued down the street. Lady Jaye stepped up to his side.
"I think that this town is clean, Flint."
"Me too. He had nothing to hide. And besides, the road through this town is almost a direct-line between Iraq and Syria. Cobra, even Major Bludd wouldn't be stupid enough to conduct his business here. He would keep it a few miles off the road, then swing it down."
"Like from Ubaylah." Deduced Lady Jaye.
"Bingo." Flint stopped walking then turned around. "Even if this town is clean, it probably has Cobra spies in it, reporting to Major Bludd." Sighing, the Warrant Officer began a brisk walk back to the convoy. "Let's get out of here as quickly as possible."
As he passed the Mayor, he apologized for any inconveniences, but knew that that wouldn't help one bit.
After the team had regrouped at the convoy, Flint once again fed them all a new game plan, "Okay, on to our second plan. It's my opinion that Ar Rutbah is clean, so, we move on to stage two. We're now jumping off of the road and rolling over open desert ground, but for only about five or six miles. Then we'll reach Ubaylah, and I'll be damned if that isn't where Major Bludd isn't hiding."
"Hey, Flint?" interrupted Spearhead.
"What?"
"I don't think this fuel truck will make it over the open desert. All this dirt road it's been traveling over has really broken it down."
Waving it off in disinterest, Flint adapted, "Fine. We've got enough diesel in the vehicles to make it there and back again. Let's just hope no one steals the truck while we're gone. Let's get going, Joes. The road trip is over. No we're getting back to the hard stuff."
Since Flint didn't do it, Rock'n'Roll figured he'd start the battlecry, "Yo Joe!"
As the team cheered in response, a few more lights turned on throughout the town of Ar Rutbah.