Day 17
Everything was quiet the next morning. Too quiet for my taste, I thought as we made our way back toward the ridge—again! I wasn't exactly sure what we were actually looking for this time. But it seemed up here you could never be certain what you might come across.
Cut snickered behind me, and I looked back, knowing immediately what was so funny. Being honest, I have to admit it wasn't humorous at all. Just tough to decide which one of the two, Jimmy or Buck, was limping prettier.
I turned forward again, shaking my head. What a team!
Apparently Cut was thinking along the same line. "Hey, Chase," he grinned as he pulled up next to me, "them two make a beautiful couple, don't they?"
"Yeah!" I chuckled, feeling a little guilty though, knowing Chief couldn't make out from behind us what we said.
"Look," Cut continued, suddenly very serious, "I know you didn't want me to bring Jimmy back up, but thanks for saying nothin'."
"You're welcome. But to be honest, I'm kinda glad you did."
"You are?" he sounded surprised. "I thought you's still pissed, 'cause he..."
A low growl from Buck interrupted him, and we spun around.
Shit! We damn sure can't afford to get careless now.
Chief had stopped as well, but shrugged when I gave him a questioning look.
"Chase," Cut whispered, "somethin's different this time."
"Know what you mean," I answered low, straining my eyes in the direction Buck was growling at. I bent to a knee beside him. "What's the matter, boy?"
He quieted and sat on his haunches, panting.
"Great," Cut hissed indignantly. "Now what's going on?"
"No idea, Cut, but apparently whatever it was is gone now." I cautiously straightened.
Chief was still looking back. I touched his shoulder and he turned, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Man, I think all four of us startin' to get paranoid," Cut sneered.
"Seems like we're just waiting for somethin' to happen."
"Seems like! Jimmy, did you notice anything?" Cut questioned, but Chief merely shook his head and shrugged.
"Well, I guess we'll go on then," I suggested frustrated.
"Stupid shit! Don't know what's worse, something happening or something not happening," Cut grumbled irritated. "C'me on, Buck!"
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Seeing that the dog followed, I went to walking on, but had no sooner turned when Cut's warning scream mixed with the sound of a gun. I whirled back around, just in time to see Jimmy snatch a hold as Cut's knees buckled. Shit! The three of us hit the ground, and another shot tore into a tree behind us. This time I was able to make out the direction, and the MPK was ready when Buck suddenly took off, right into the line of fire.
"Chase!" Cut turned my attention. "That son-of-a-bitch almost got you," he hissed low.
"Shit, man!" I moved next to him. "Where are you hit?"
He was laying on his back, and I couldn't see any blood on him.
"Back of my right shoulder...don't worry," he added as I flinched, "had much worse'n that before. Just go get that bastard for me."
I laid a hand on Chief's arm, and he looked up. "Jimmy, can you get him back to the camp by yourself?"
"Damn it, I'll be just fine," Cut snapped instead. "Go on and get the son-of-a-bitch."
I cast Chief a repeated look nevertheless, and he gave me a reassuring nod. "Watch out for the wires," I cautioned hastily and pushed to my feet, braced beside a tree.
Another bullet threw splinters of wood into my face. I sent a short reply of 9mm rounds into the general direction.
"Go! I cover you!"
I didn't turn at Jimmy's words, but ducked and took off with the first round from the SIG. Hitting the dirt at the count of twelve, I brought the MPK back up, waiting.
Nothing this time. Where are you, son-of-a-bitch? I squinted, raising my head up slightly. Still no response.
I crawled forward to the next larger tree and straightened carefully. Everything remained quiet. You ain't gonna fool me that easy, asshole. Waiting. Where the hell is he? Damn fog, just what I didn't need. I gotta get this bastard, before he picks us off, one by one. Didn't think they'd be up here so soon. Damn, Cut took that bullet for me. My thoughts were racing as I squinted through the thickening mist. Shit, I've had it with this fuckin' game! I jumped forward and raced ahead full speed, expecting an answer of gunfire at any second. Nothing.
I made it all the way to a large rock, halfway uphill. Crouched behind the stone, I halted to catch my breath. Chase, you ain't as young as you used to be. Won't get much older either, if this bastard gets away. An angry bark from further up broke my thought. Buck! I was instantly back on my feet and hustled up the slope.
The next bullet missed my head by a fraction of an inch. I dropped like a felled tree, intentionally giving the appearance of having been hit. Okay, you son-of-a-bitch, just come on over now. I waited patiently, not moving a muscle but holding the MPK ready. Then a hardly noticeable rustle and I breathed as shallow as possible. A low whimper and Buck's wet nose against my face made it even harder to remain still. But I had to if this plan should have any kind of success. Damn, dog! Get the hell out of here!
Another sound to my right and Buck jumped up, snarling. No time to think. I rolled clear, pushed the dog out of the way, and pulled the trigger on the MPK all at the same time. Three rounds, throwing up the ground beside me, and a burning sensation along my ribs followed a cut off scream. Then it was quiet, dead quiet. I exhaled a sharp breath, getting to my knees, and Buck nuzzled my arm.
"Got 'im, didn't we!" I rubbed the dog's wet back. "Damn, boy, you gotta learn to stay out of the way when people's tryin' to shoot. That could have gone pretty fuckin' wrong."
I pushed to my feet, the MPK still ready, ignoring the sting in my side. I knew it was just a scratch. Well worth it though, considering my little scheme had been successful.
The dead sniper laid less than twenty yards away. Buck limped over with me, still whining a little. I flinched at the frozen eyes staring up at us, thinking, that's one thing I'll probably never get used to. I retrieved the M14 from beside the guy. Won't need that anymore, you bastard. Now it just remains to be seen if you's alone. Doubtful. I better check around real good. Hope Chief gets Cut back to the cabin alright.
"Come on, Buck," I said, slinging the sniper's rifle over my shoulder.
He looked up at me and hesitated.
"It's okay, boy. He ain't gonna hurt nobody anymore. We just gotta find his buddies, before they find us. Come on," I repeated, patting my leg, and this time he followed.
Retracing the footprints of the sniper, it didn't take long to locate where he had been set up. Thank God for trees! This area was definitely unfavorable if you tried to pick someone off at a greater distance. Way too much growth. I knew this from hunting up here before. Not even the best scope could help, and a hit from any more than two-hundred yards out was a virtual impossibility. But in our case this could actually work for us, at least now that it was clear what we were dealing with. Our—or better say my—only mistake had been to underestimate these guys. Won't happen again.
I scanned the area through the scope of the sniper-rifle. Everything appeared to be clear, as far as I could make out. Catching a glimpse of Cut and Jimmy, I flinched. But at least Cut was up and walking, a good sign. Better head back, too. I can take the shortcut across the ridge and have some hot water on by the time they come in, so we'n take care of that shoulder. Damn! The thought of my best friend taking a hit for me bothered me more than I liked to admit.
"Let's go, Buck!" I slid from my vantage-point, suddenly feeling a strange kind of urgency. Watching carefully for any alarming behavior from the dog, I hurried along the mountainside, back toward the cabin.
It was somewhat of a relief to find the trip-wires undisturbed as we passed them. Good! We'n set up in here just fine for several days. Food and water is no problem, and if the fire-wood runs out, so what? It ain't that cold.
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Buck and I reached the camp without incident. He was acting perfectly normal, which told me everything was clear. I put on a pot of water to boil, and got the medical-kit ready for when Jimmy and Cut would return. Shouldn't be too long. 'Bout half an hour maybe, if Cut can keep up the pace he'd put on when I watched 'em through the scope. I opened a can of beer and a MRE, settling down in a chair beside Buck to wait.
Funny, a thought suddenly hit me, I didn't find any kind of ID on that sniper, and that M14 is just standard issue, nothin' special. Actually you would expect a little better from a Government Agent, assuming that's what he was. More than likely, considering the situation. Besides, he's wearing a black jumpsuit instead of the Military camouflage colors. Guess they really don't want any loose ends on this.
My thoughts were interrupted when the game-tracker signal went off.
"Gees, Cut oughta know by now it's there," I grinned to Buck, getting up. The dog's short bark and low growl stopped me. Cursing under my breath I reached for the MPK and ducked beside the window. The dim light outside told me that actually way too much time had passed, and a glance at my watch confirmed that fact.
"Fifty-eight minutes. Damn, Buck, I fucked up again, didn't I?"
He agreed with a snarl, directed at the door.
I squinted through the glass, unable to make out anything. No movement outside, everything looked quiet. I wasn't fooled by it though. Buck's reaction was too clear.
If they caught Cut and Jimmy... Damn, there's nothing I can do right now. It's getting dark way too fast. I gritted my teeth in frustration and stared into the advancing night.
Nothing!
The beam of the game-tracker was set up in a way, where only something at least four foot in height could set it off.
Buck suddenly turned away from the door and moved toward the back wall of the hut, growling harder. They couldn't be coming in that way. I put up the PYRO out there, I thought, knowing that I definitely would have heard something, should anyone come across the trip-wire for the artillery simulator.
"Damn, Buck, what's going on? No one could even get close here in the dark."
Buck whimpered, then came over to lick my hand.
"Are they out there, boy?" I asked low. "Must be. Just wonder how many of 'em. Guess Cut and Jimmy didn't make it. Hope they'll be okay till we'n go bust 'em out. What you think?" I rubbed his head, and he gave me a growl of understanding. I relaxed somewhat since he had quieted and there was still no indication of anything unusual outside. "Looks like this is gonna be a long night, boy," I went on. "Figure you and I won't..."
Another beep from the game-tracker cut me off. Then two more, followed by the boom of a small explosion. Got one! Welcome gentlemen, I thought sullenly, tightening my grip on the MPK. A snapping sound mixed with a painful scream. That's two. Well, learn anything yet? Just keep on coming, there's a lot more surprises for you.
But there was nothing else—to my disappointment I might add.
"Wised up pretty quick, didn't they?" I grinned ruefully at Buck. "Guess they'll stay clear, at least till in the morning."
Apparently Buck agreed, because he climbed up on Jimmy's bunk and stretched comfortably, gazing over at me with big, sad eyes.
"Yeah, I know, boy," I sighed, thinking along the same line. "Don't worry, we'll figure a way to get 'em out. Just don't lay a guilt trip on me. I feel bad enough as it is."
He cocked his head sideways and whined low.
"Appreciate the show of confidence," I muttered in return. "Go get me a beer."
A look, like he thought I wasn't all the way 'there', and he curled up to go to sleep.
"Thanks!" I laughed, walking over to get it myself. "That's definitely one thing I'll teach you some day,"...if we get outa here in one piece. Well, might as well stretch out for a while too. They ain't gonna be stupid enough to try again tonight. At least I hope not. Following the thought, I leaned back against the wall behind my bunk, the MPK ready beside me—just in case.