Chapter 19

"How many?"

"At least twenty." Harris lowered the binoculars and rested them on the mound of dirt he was perched on. He glanced at Logan who was peering at the convoy. "Think they can pull it off?"

Logan peered through his binoculars. He looked at the line of vehicles and the soldiers marching. It looked like they were transporting something and towards what could be a supply convoy. It certainly looked like one but he had an off feeling about it. He glanced at the checkpoints that had been set up for El Libertad and replied, "They can. If they are anything like what we encountered at Maracaibo then it should be good."

"And what about helping them find what they want?" Harris looked at Logan. He had cooled off his temper. He was still miffed that they were even in this situation since he was loyal to his old squad leader.

"Same person we're looking for," Logan replied looking at Harris to make sure that he wasn't being an ass. "If we find them… we'll just make it so that it is more to our advantage. Especially if it is Hawk."

"You sure about that?"

"No but… the rumors sound like her." Logan turned to look back at the convoy. He had apprehensions about what they were going to do but since it is kicking a good one to the Federation that didn't make it so bad. The problem was the fact they were working with people they didn't know. "And if Hesh is out there… he would have found her."

Harris merely murmured something unintelligible and went back to looking at the convoy. They were coming to the check point. "They're almost there."

Logan looked through his binoculars and then called on his radio, "You in position Eagle? Target is coming on your station." His eyes twitch to take in the whole scene, glad that Harris was actually cooperating.

Copy that. We're in position.

On your go American.

Logan rolled his eyes at being called an American. True he was but the manner in which it was delivered irked him. He heard Harris sigh and muttered something about kicking his ass on the go or something like that. Logan gave a slight pat of agreement on Harris' shoulder. While he was grateful for Harris' help, he wasn't too willing to forgive his goading of Hesh and quite possibly making him suffer another spasm out there alone.

Harris looked at Logan and saw the look. Maybe he did overstep by goading Hesh but he was angry at what they did. Mostly it was towards Hesh since he was no idiot in guessing that Hesh had a thing for his old commander. He thought it was shitty of him. That was pushed aside. He would stand by Logan so they could get out of this. He nodded and said, "On your go."

Logan looked through his binoculars and said, "You're good to go Skye. Begin the ambush."

Roger that.

Logan tapped Harris and they made their way down to where they were going to go after the rear guard. They were joined by a small group of El Libertad. Logan tried not to wince at the fact that the guns they had belonged in museums or were badly maintained ones that it was a wonder they didn't blow up in their hands. More likely they were farmers or country people and the most violent they got was going after vermin eating their crops.

He couldn't deny that they had been successful. They certainly succeeded in pissing off the Federation. It seemed that the years of war grew old on the people. He wasn't about to throw out their help since they knew the jungles better than he did and there was that saying 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' though that could cut both ways. It was a risk he was taking but it was the best he could do. Looking at the group he signaled them to be ready.

The convoy came to a stop and it was right next to them. The only thing that separated them was the brush. The last time Logan could recall being that close and sneaking up and making the kill was well with Riley when he synced up with the dog. His muscles were tense as he held up his hand while peering through. He was really close to a Fed and it looked like they were nervous about stopping. Up ahead was Tomas with his group and their job was to try and make it painless as possible in terms of surrendering.

The rapid Spanish was almost too fast for Logan to keep up but he was getting the feeling that something wasn't right about this. He peered through the brush and watched the vehicles. It was supposed to be a supply convoy but… A shot rang out and it was followed by others. Logan's group started firing before he gave the order. It was then that he saw that they had been set up. He called out, "Ambush!"

The convoy came to life with the soldiers that were playing the role of supplies and they took up position and fired. El Libertad started firing back but their element of surprise was broken. Logan saw that because they didn't really have a good back up plan, they were going to be cut to ribbons. He called through his radio, "Skye, you there?"

I'm here. We've been set up.

"I know." Logan dove behind a dirt mound to get some covered and was followed by Harris covering his flank. He fired a few shots to take out the guy firing at them. "Listen, these guys don't know what to do. They are used to laying the ambush and having the upper hand. We need to give an edge."

"And how do you propose that?" Harris popped off a few rounds as a Fed that ran past them. "There's three of us that know tactics. We need more."

Not if we use what we have. I still have my shooters.

Logan peered over towards the small ridge where Skye had been camped out. He ducked when a round came too close for comfort. He said, "Skye, look for the officers and technical. Take those out first."

Copy that.

Logan put his radio aside and tapped Harris, "Hey, we need to provide cover for the guys closest to the convoy to pull back."

Harris looked at Logan, "What do you have in mind?"

The gunfire got thicker and a peek had them see Tomas leading a few of his men to cover. Logan gave a shrug and said, "Well looks like he got that covered."

"We need to pull back Logan. The Federation has the high ground. Best bet is to draw them into the jungle," Harris replied as he looked at the situation. If they stayed there much longer they would be cut down and that was something that he would rather avoid. "Tell Tomas he needs to pull back; make for the jungle."

Logan nodded, "Right." His Spanish was better and since he was the leader of their group, Tomas was more likely to be receptive to his suggestions. He keyed his radio and called to Tomas in Spanish, relaying what they needed to do.

I will not be accused of being a coward!

"Don't be stupid," Logan countered, well aware that he might be overstepping his boundaries. Still he knew when to fight and when to retreat. He had learned from Hesh and that man was terrible when it came to pride on the line… at least the old Hesh. "If you don't pull back to where you have an advantage, your guys will be cut down."

What is your plan?

"Pull back into the jungle. If the Feds aren't that good at moving through, you can pick them off," Logan replied giving a slight roll of his eyes.

And who's to say that you won't take the opportunity to run?

Harris shot Logan a look stating that this guy was good and annoying. In all fairness he did have a right to be concerned. Logan, Skye and Harris were Tomas' leverage if there were any problem s of getting La Fantasma Muerta to cooperate. Logan didn't like that tactic since if they were wrong, then there was no reason for them to be alive. It was one of the many things that Logan had considered when he made his bargain.

Logan knew that if they were going to make any headway, one of them had to give a little. Then the rest followed. He replied, "We're here aren't we? We'll help provide cover."

"We will?" Harris looked at Logan like he was crazy. Yeah he would follow the younger Walker's lead and if Hesh got his act together, he would follow him since he was the senior officer. "Are you…"

Logan cut Harris off and repeated, "We'll provide cover."

There was a pause. It was enough to have Logan wonder if Tomas had been taken out. Finally they heard, Get my men out and I will let you go.

The response they heard was baffling but it was something. Logan confirmed what he heard and then relayed what the plan was to Skye. Looking Harris, they shared a look and came out of their cover and started relaying orders to whoever they came across in El Libertad to pull back and wait for the Federation to make it to the jungle. It was a wonder how they were ever able to do it since there were some that were scared and others were trying to get out and there was gunfire all over the place.

Logan and Harris ended up separated and Logan found himself on a swell facing the Feds that were trying to advance. He took aim with his gun and popped off a few rounds, taking out a few of the soldiers while some of El Libertad was running past him. Some actually stopped and did what he was doing. Talk about inspiration he figured.

He couldn't stay long though since he was too exposed and urged some of the men to move further into the jungle. He was stuck with a guy who looked like he was twelve, and that was being sarcastic since he looked younger than what he probably was. The kid had fallen and Logan grabbed the back of his shirt and hauled him to his feet just as the ground exploded with debris. It was followed by an explosion from an RPG and bits of tree flew up. Logan looked back, "Fuck, they have RPGs."

The kid was scared and putting on a brave face. "We can still get them," he said.

To Logan it sounded like when he and Hesh were kids and they would make statements like that. Then they tried their 'brilliant' idea and it usually crashed and burned. They had been lucky so many times over then. He shook his head, "You need to make sure El Libertad falls back. If you are going to have a chance you need to get into the jungle and use that. Go." He pushed the kid to move.

They pulled back with Logan and Harris turning around to return fire. It seemed to work but the surprise waiting for them in the jungle was unexpected. Logan was still with the kid when he came across a seven man squad that was coming up their flank. Logan recognized him from the camp and they were pointing guns at them!

"What are you doing Jorge?" The kid looked bewildered too. He didn't even bring up his rifle and it was a good thing too since they probably would have shot them.

"We finally isolated the one that the boss wants," Jorge said as he cast a mean look at Logan.

Logan ignored the sputtering from the kid. He knew what Jorge meant. This guy was a mole or Tomas played them or something. This guy specifically was working for Rorke… and they were there to get him. He wasn't going to show fear though even though the thing he dreaded the most was there waiting to devour him. He narrowed his eyes and said, "You can tell Rorke to fuck himself. I'm not going."

"You will if you don't want an innocent's blood on your hands," Jorge said as he pointed his gun at the kid. "And it would be a shame if El Libertad dies a painful death… not really."

Logan knew he wasn't going to let the kid be killed for something he wasn't involved in. But he wasn't going to go willingly either. His best friend had to be incapacitated before being taken from him. Thinking about it made him pissed. Rorke killed his Dad, took his best friend and nearly shattered his brother. He was not going to be taken so easily. "Leave the kid alone."

"Can't do it. Unfortunately he followed you when you ran. Can't have a witness." Jorge raised his gun up and aimed to make a kill.

Logan felt his muscles tense. He could make a move for it He risked getting shot and killed or bet upside the head but he wasn't going to let a kid be killed because of him. He couldn't live with that. He looked around trying to find an opening when his face was hit by a spray of blood. Logan blinked and looked to see one of Jorge's men fall and another. Then something burst out of the brush and grabbed Jorge's arm and started wrenching hard. Logan blinked when it was followed by someone jumping down from the trees.

"I thought you were fast."

"I am but this is…"

Sequoia gave a hum of a chuckle as she glanced at Hesh running beside her as they ran through the jungle. She teased him by leaping over a very large root like it was nothing and called him an old man. She chuckled when he growled at that.

The morning greeted them early and for once she wasn't out to see it. Instead she was curled up by Hesh on her pallet where they had fallen asleep the night before. It had been soothing to hear his heartbeat again and she basked in the warmth. He did the same when she shifted and he held her tighter. It really wasn't a dream since he was there.

Eventually they got up and geared up to meet the convoy they were to raid. Ambush points were to be set up to thin the numbers. It was the usual routine for their group. This time though it felt different. She sensed that maybe something was going to happen but she wasn't sure if it was good or bad as she applied her war paint.

Hesh had picked up on it and asked if she was okay. She told him that she had a feeling. She had made it seem like a joke but he saw it as a cover for the apprehension that crossed her features. Time with Rorke may have hardened some things but others not so much. Cezar seemed to as well and relayed to the group that they were to watch each other's backs before they set out. Now they were in the middle of the jungle and Hesh was wondering what her part of the plan was since all Cezar said was that it was whatever she did.

Riley panted happily, eager for the run and seemed to grin even bigger when Ash, the other dog sidled up and gave her own bark. In an overall sense, Hesh felt better than he had in months. He wasn't sure about this whole thing of getting involved with a rebellion or insurrection or whatever Logan would call it but he was certain in standing by Sequoia. He knew that if the other team caught up to them, he would do what it took to keep her with him.

Sequoia looked at Hesh and noted that he looked better than when she found him. It had her wondering how things really had been. She wondered about the others. Was that what it meant when Rorke wanted her to destroy the souls of the Ghosts? It was a nagging thought that she wanted to address but she wasn't sure how that would play out. She squatted on the swell she had stopped on and hid behind the brush but was able to see the road from there.

Ash sidled up to her and gave a low growl. Sequoia rubbed the dog's head, "Yeah I got that feeling too girl."

"Got that feeling Hawk?" Hesh kneeled beside her and Riley was looking alert. "Riley's got something."

Sequoia looked at Riley, her eyes narrowing slightly. She then looked in the direction of Riley's gaze. He was looking at a patch of brush but… "Something's not right here," she muttered. She looked around when an explosion sounded. "That doesn't sound good," she said as she grabbed Ash's collar.

"Where did that come from?" Hesh looked around. They were ahead of the convoy.

A crash through the brush caught Sequoia's attention and she looked up to see one of the boys that liked tagging along. Since that one rainy night, she suggested that they be used as runners. She nodded, "Raul."

"It's El Libertad. They were going to ambush but the Federation…" Raul was panting.

"So they are being ambushed," Hesh ascertained. He looked at Sequoia and saw that she was looking in the direction. "What do you wanna do Hawk?"

"Tell Cezar to lay an ambush for the ambushers," Sequoia replied looking in the direction the shots were being fired. She adjusted her feet and was ready to spring away. "If they are El Libertad… we should make them our guests."

Raul nodded the moment he caught the look in her eye. Everyone knew to obey that look and took off. Sequoia looked back to survey. Hesh asked, "Sequoia?"

"Somehow I get the feeling that this was a trap set for El Libertad or for me. Hard to tell since this El Libertad started up right when I started causing trouble," she replied. She hummed a little bit before looking at Hesh and asked, "Do you still want to help?"

"I'm not leaving you."

It held more meaning that could be said at the moment. Sequoia knew that it would have to take their side throwing him in the brig for him to leave her. And even then he would put up a fight. He was that stubborn and she loved him for it. She gave a nod of acceptance and said, "Then we go. If we are going to get Rorke… we need a prisoner."

That was obvious and Hesh nodded and followed her and they followed the dogs. It definitely was a firefight the moment they got closer. They passed by bodies, men running; there was quite a bit of chaos so they were ignored for the most part. The dogs were helpful but it was Riley that gave them a clue as to what was up ahead.

Riley had picked up the scent of someone dear and familiar. They followed it to find Logan and a kid surrounded by men. Hesh was seized instantly with the desire to charge in and protect his little brother. It was like a switch had been turned on inside and his old behaviors and habits were starting to make themselves be known. He resisted though and murmured, "Easy Riley."

Sequoia had her hand on Ash. The mutt she acquired because it wouldn't leave her alone. It followed and actually defended her from one of the beasts in the jungle and was her protector when in camp. There were a few men who were lechers and tried to get cute with her but they were wary of Ash especially after the first time. Since then it went with her almost everywhere, even on the raids and she proved to be a pretty good dog.

"He's going to shoot them," Hesh said, looking at her.

Sequoia looked at the situation that was losing its window of opportunity. They had to thin the ranks and she had an idea. She looked at Hesh and asked, "Remember Caracas? Our first?"

If anyone else had been listening, they would have thought she was talking about an intimate time together since there was nothing in the question to clarify. Sequoia didn't need to since Hesh knew what she was referring to. He nodded and pulled her tomahawk from his belt and held it out, "You might want this."

Sequoia looked at the weapon that she hadn't seen since that day on the beach when Rorke flung it away. It was not a time to get sappy over it since it triggered the 'how romantic' feelings since it was Hesh that brought it to her; it was more effective than candy or flowers, and neither of those were appealing to 'woo' her. Still it said a lot and she looked him in the eye and found the gentleness in there mixed in with the eagerness to help Logan.

Like greeting an old friend, she took the tomahawk into her hand and twirled it a bit in her hand. It felt like ages since she held it but it was all familiar. She looked at Hesh and said softly, "Thank you."

Hesh nodded even though it was tempting to kiss her. He didn't since they had a fight on their hands and like her, he knew when to work and when to play as the adage went. Instead he put his hand on hers briefly and indicated she was to lead on.

Sequoia nodded and directed Hesh where to set up to take out the enemy with his rifle. She motioned for the dogs to follow and moved through the brush to get closer. She found the root of one of the trees to go high and the dogs would go low. She crept along in a crouch; she was high enough not to be noticed and not too high that she would hurt herself when she got down.

She was over the group and she made a motion behind her. When the first went down, Riley and Ash ran in taking down two. Riley killed his but Ash took down the leader in a grip that could turn deadly. Sequoia leapt down while Hesh was firing and took out the remaining tangos with her tomahawk and pistol. When she was finished, she twirled her tomahawk and put it back on her belt. Turning she gazed at Logan who was looking at her like a wide eyed child. She grinned, saying, "I see you're still a laughing pup, Logan."

Logan stuttered a bit and managed to get out, "Hawk? Is it really you?"

Sequoia was still smiling as Hesh came out of the brush. She walked up to Logan and peered at him, knowing that she looked a sight with the war paint on like how she used. Yeah he looked like he saw a ghost. She smiled and picked up a hand and ruffled Logan's hair since he grew his out like Hesh did. "That real enough for you?"

Hesh was chuckling at the look on his little brother's face. He did manage to ask, "You okay Logan?"

"I'm fine Hesh… after I was stuck in a camp for nearly a week worrying about you," Logan spat. He wasn't angry but everything he had pent up was being released. "Where the hell were you?"

Hesh was well aware that Logan was just venting. He wished his little brother didn't keep it all bottled in so much. Then again he exploded; they were polar opposites. He patted his brother's shoulder in a reassuring manner and Sequoia said, "He was with me. I found him when my friends were raiding the Feds. I looked for you and anyone else but…"

"I'm not mad," Logan countered while trying not to look so petulant and trying not to sound like it. "Just relieved. We weren't sure our hunch would play out but… I'm just glad you're alive. Are you okay Hawk?"

Sequoia was glad to see Logan, the laughing pup as she called him. He had a way of making a dark day brighter. Now that both Walkers were there, a weight was lifted off her shoulders. "I'm okay now," she said. She smiled at the boys.

"Oh very touching," a voice interrupted in thick sarcasm. "Can you get mushy later and get this fucking mutt off of me?"

The three soldiers turned to look at the Fed on the ground being held in place by the two dogs and the grip was tight. A single word and they could tear him apart. There was also the boy who was looking wide eyed mostly at Sequoia as she approached the Fed and kneeled with calm and deliberate movements and stared. She said, "I might. But I want something from you."

A/N: Well looks like there are traitors and Logan is in a position to be captured. Keep watching The Hunt for more...