A/N: Merry Christmas to all. It's been nearly 9 months since I posted and I have really no excuse. At the end of March I started going to school again and I got a temporary promotion at work that effectively made me part of management thus working a lot more hours on stop of business increasing past pre-pandemic levels. I simply ran out of hours in the day and energy to write. We are I am happy to say very close to the end however and I am already half done with Chapter 40 after starting it yesterday. My thanks to those who keep sticking around to see how this all ends.
Far Cry 5: The Collapse
Chapter 37: Forest Fires
It took the rest of the afternoon and well into the evening to reach the quiet encampment of the Park Rangers. Rattlesnake Lake which laid beside a rarely used hiking trail of the same name was not unlike Snowshoe Lake in many respects save for the fact that it's shore was now covered in dozens of well camouflaged tents. A few fires dotted the encampment but they were all 'Dakota Fire Pits', small subsurface fire pits with an additional tunnel dug to provide air for the fire. This kept their fires from being seen from anything but practically directly above.
To that end their fire pits had woven grass mats that were propped about three feet above the fire pits. This blocked the lights of the fires from being seen from aircraft or even the Oracle satellites and helped disperse the smoke that much more.
"Have to say Clark you guys really know your stuff. Hidden fires, light and noise discipline, camo jobs taken to eleven... I mean even in my line of work we don't have to often take it quite this far." Roger complimented.
The old park ranger laughed. "Yeah well we have had time to build this up and a pressing need to do so. Earlier in the war we had daily fly overs from Jacob's fixed wing air patrols. Then when those eventually slowed down we had more foot patrols based out of the Grand View Lodge pass by the trail and slowly through the surrounding area. Reminded me too much of my time in the Rangers."
Foley's attention was grabbed by the last part of his sentence. "Rangers as in Army Rangers?"
Clark's jaw clinched slightly but he nodded. "Yeah... back in Vietnam. Bird I was in got shot down in '67 and I was a POW for a month before I escaped. Spent the next two weeks evading Cong patrols using the survival skills my grandfather and father taught me here in Hope County with some of my own adaptations for the jungle, got back to friendly lines and the brass sent me back to Ranger School to teach this stuff for guys heading in country. After the war I eventually came back in '80, became a Park Ranger, and started teaching again. I... I try not to think too much about those days." He said pausing to look at the stormy skies as they threatened to open up with another wave of rain. "Still Jacob and his boys are hellbent on making me remember those days if only to give weight to my lessons."
He led them to a tent that was pitched over a small tunnel that was naturally made but reinforced with rough hewn logs. It was short ceilinged to the point that Roger and Joey were crouch walking and Foley and his guys were stooping considerably.
Eventually they came to a more open space with earthened tables covered in tarps. Here small camp lamps were powered by solar battery packs providing for the residents some light to eat and work by without restriction.
At the back of this small cavern a cleaned bear skull watched over everything in the room, most prominently a map table right in front of it. Here Clark had the Deputies and Delta's gather soon joined by Kornel.
"Ok gentlemen and ladies." He opened with a nod to Joey and Grace. "We don't have much in the ways of weapons beyond issued AR's and some big bore hunting rifles, but what we do have is a working drone and the information it has provided us."
He had Kornel hand him a carefully rolled map of the national park and surrounding region and laid it out before the group before taking a large hunting knife in hand.
"Now Jacob's overall numbers have been massively depleted recently by something big like a pitched battle. I take it that is your guys work?" He asked and received nods from Roger and Joey. "Ok then that makes me feel even better. Since then there as been a steady stream of bodies being mounted outside of the silo and the old veteran's hospital in the cult's usual manner of showing off those who have disobeyed. We are talking about at least 200 total bodies in the last four days. We have also seen a increase in the number of pure foot patrols usually 3 to as many as 24 men dispatching from either our Ranger Station or at least for the larger patrols especially Grand View."
"What about his animal recovery place? The F.A.N.G Center I believe." Foley inquired pointing to the labeled place on the map.
Kornel answered. "That post is right at the edge of my drones range unless I physically get closer which is easier said than done. However they seem to be exclusively until very recently as in the last day or so for the housing and training of their Judges and War Bears. Last time I got a clear look though they have a lot more foot soldiers maybe 50 to 100. On that note the station is housing currently 150 or so almost all in tents in both outposts cases."
The younger ranger nodded to his superior to continue. "At the Ranger Station they still have a fleet of pickups but these seem to be their dregs. Every time we've look they are working on repairs so I think that not all of them are running, F.A.N.G has a single truck but it hasn't moved a inch in all this time so for all we know its disabled save for that .50 cal on the back." He pointed at the Grand View Lodge.
"This place however is a oddity. Jacob himself several times has been seen here and it seems to be a training camp of some kind until recent events, now its like... a separate convent of the cult." He paused to drink from a water canteen. "At the lodge there are now a dozen of these cult Preacher's with another 50 or so Chosen, but let me tell you right now these guys are not Jacob's Chosen. We've seen them praying and conducting bible study at all hours day and night likely in shifts, when they aren't acting like zealots they are either patrolling the surrounding mountains including closing on this place or digging in around the lodge. To top it all off they have the entire perimeter mined... heavily, in fact I would say to the most outrageous degree I have ever seen."
Ramirez now perked up being the teams go to demoman. "Any idea what they are using? Homemade? Russian? American?"
Clark growled. "Claymores. Lots of Claymores. What's even stranger is that they aren't concealing anything it looks like, so now there are only two approaches to the building either the main driveway which I still think has to have something hidden and the exit near the back that their foot patrols leave through to start up the mountainsides."
Roger looked at the map and carefully sighed internally. They now had a clear second hostile force that may or may not be under Jacob's control thus could be operating under a radically different doctrine then what Jacob was. The mines were another wrinkle never before seen, it meant that they wanted to absolutely hold that structure and make approaching difficult outside of their approved approaches.
'So are these guys going run blindly into our guns or dig deep and wait for us to lay siege? If they try to attack we can honestly deal with that at this point unless they are hiding a bunch of Hardboys which would en mass be enough to overwhelm our current garrisons. If they dig in then I will have no qualms dropping at least mortars if not artillery on top of them, if collateral damage becomes a concern we have more than a few 120mm canister rounds for Drubman's tank we can use instead.' He wondered as the sound of thunder close by was enough to even make the cavern shake from its power.
"Storms picking up." Clark commented to no one in particular as he looked back at Roger. "So Deputy how can we help you?"
"That is a good question..." He said before tailing off. The Rangers here weren't likely cut to be straight up fighters, but their level of bushcraft was advanced to say the least and Kornel's drone offered an amazing recon capability that could fill in the blanks that even the Oracle would have difficultly doing. "I want to move you guys down south to the visitors center at least until we can reclaim your office." He said then looked at Kornel. "Kornel I want you to have free roam of the front line, if you think you can find a secure place to launch your drone then by all means take five guys with you to watch your back while you go poke around."
Clark and the other Rangers listening in nodded in agreement. "Sounds good but there is one downside, who is going to watch the folks at the Lodge?" Clark asked.
"I'll work with my father to increase the patrols in the area and post additional guards in the area near the entrance to PIN-K0... in fact I might think about posting Drubman's tank there. I don't want to move on the area without a lot more information with a minefield in the equation. Not with so few trained sappers on hand." He answered seeing a small smile break across the older man's face.
"Well good to know that you haven't forgotten about the lives of the people doing the fighting. Now what's this about a tank?" Clark asked.
"And its Drubman's tank?" Kornel added. The answer though was cut short by a runner entering the cavern soaking wet.
"Sir! We got incoming peggies! I think they are lost in the storm but unless they fall off the trail they will be here in five minutes." The guard got out in between deep breaths.
"How many?" Foley asked.
He held up six fingers before getting enough air in him to speak."Six sir. Two are preacher's so I guess its a patrol from the lodge that was late trying to get back before the storm opened up again. I saw them when the lighting flashed."
Roger nodded and Foley turned to him for orders. "Foley get your team and nods out there. You guys got the most suppressed weapons so you get to quietly take down the normal cultists. Joey, you and I are going see if we can't each flank a Preacher and get a knife into the base of their skull. Even if things go to shit we are the best chances of rapidly taking them down."
"Clark stay put with your people, we'll handle the heavy lifting now." He said turning to Clark who nodded in agreement.
The soldiers filed out behind Foley and he split them off into their teams forming a staggered line crouching low in the knee high grass facing the trail entrance. The wind was violent here in the mountains and the rain was not only soaking but cold as well. Grace went wide on the left flank towards the cliff edge minding that she didn't get too close before peaking over it toward the trail below.
A flash of lightening confirmed the patrol walking by the light of a single lantern held by one of the Preacher's. "Confirm six hostiles, two VIPs up front. Mind the lantern." She called over the radio.
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"BROTHER'S! ONCE WE ARE OVER THIS RISE WE SHOULD BE ON THE PATH BACK HOME!" The Preacher yelled over the rain and wind. It was supposed to be a endurance training exercise and a opportunity to patrol the less traveled parts of the trail but the storm hitting and the wind carrying off their only map had slowed them down and now their endurance as bolstered as it was by the strength of their faith was on the edge of faltering. No hymn or prayer could be heard over this storm, and the light coming from their lone battery powered lantern was ever dimming unless it was firmly tapped and the batteries within would find a bit more life in them.
He knew that there was a part of the trail that peaked around this point, normally you would follow the trail back down eventually reaching the lodge or could turn off the trail at the rise and find a mountain lake. Considering the lodge was on a lake that was teaming with fish and game they had no reason to explore what was likely a isolated and lifeless mountain lake.
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Ramirez looked down his sight ignoring the rain soaking him it seemed like to his very soul as he knelt low in the knee high grass. Knowing where the first man was easy when a figure holding a cheap ass lantern came up over the trail and the dim light source was amplified by his night vision. His first instinct was to aim for the man but he held out and aimed at the first grunt that appeared off of the trail.
He was clearly shivering and if he wasn't in the opening stages of hypothermia then he was well on his way. Add to that his generally miserable disposition given his face it was a miracle he wasn't lashing out at the two Preacher's.
The lantern man then stopped as he slapped the lantern to make it brighter again as it seemed like he was looking around for the trail now that he was near the lake entrance.
Behind him another 'Preacher' approached and they were pointing at the ground in various spots again trying to locate their trail again as the rest of the group stopped nearby, huddled together for warmth and to use each other to shelter against the wind.
"Ramirez we fire on your shot, Grace if one of the Preacher's reacts try to down him best as you can and we'll let the Major or Hudson deal the final blow." Foley ordered as he too took aim at one of the shivering figures.
"Copy, Lead... firing in 3... 2... 1..." He replied as with a dozen puffs the four cultists were throughly ventilated and the Preacher's none the wiser as they spread out further a field towards them looking for their trail.
He now aimed at the Preacher without the lantern as he could see Joey creep around with a large knife in hand slowly working her way behind the man. For a cop he had to admit the woman was clearly a lot more practiced at stalking than he would have given her credit before and her knife work was textbook when she reached the man.
Clamp mouth, whip head back, and thrust knife into the base of the skull. She even went so far as to guide the body down gently so as to not make a sound though the effort was a bit a wasted given how loud the damn storm was.
Roger was now closing as well in the same manner but now the last man with the lantern had realized that he had gotten too far away from his friends and started whipping around with the lantern held high looking for them.
Even from where he was he could see a unusual look of fear start to take hold over the tattooed man's face as his calls for his brothers were unanswered in the storm. His lantern dimmed noticeably for a moment causing him to slap it so hard that it fell out of his hand and into the deep grass.
A flash of lightening turned night into day and all the man could see was the massive deputy leaping at him giving the terrified Preacher only a moment to scream before the Major shoved his Ka-Bar through the mans open mouth and into the base of his skull instantly killing him.
"Clear!" Roger shouted over the storm as he pulled out his knife and started heading back to the cave.
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They reentered the caves central room and took back their spots around the room, wetter but in good spirits.
"Now those nutjobs know how it feels to be the ones being ambushed." Ramirez said as they settled back in.
Ranger Clark looked as he was about ask about being ambushed when Joey answered for him.
"On the trip up to Bo's Cave to meet with you guys we ran into a large hunting party two dozen men, relatively lightly armed save for a pair of machine gunners who we guess were there to fight off any Resistance members or any Bliss enhanced wildlife. Right after we finished the last of them off it turned out that three Preacher's had been playing possum and rushed us. For these guys..." She gestured to the soldiers. "It was the first time they had to fight those guys up close."
"Yeah we're honestly used to fighting people who tend to stay down after you drill them in the head." Martin commented.
The old Ranger nodded in understanding before turning to Roger. "Well Deputy looks like we have all the more reason to get out of here ourselves. We'll pack up at dawn, pile into your truck, and you can take us down to the visitors center."
"Works for me Ranger, works for me." He replied his mind already chewing on what to do tomorrow.
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"So that is the plan as it stands. Any questions?" Jacob said firmly looking at his remaining officers.
The last day had been spent trying to organize and equip the men that would be literally marching for the radar station. This was a mistake on his part as once equipped he had to stop several times to order some of the overzealous units from moving out right in the middle of the storm without hearing about the attack plan beyond 'Retake the radar station.'.
He had for the sake of those who were going to be executing the plan kept things very simple and slow. First day would be marching to the Grand View Lodge which even given the muddy conditions and the fact that probably none of these men were used to walking miles and miles shouldn't be too unrealistic.
Once they had a night to rest they would march at dawn up the mountain road and assault the radar station. On that same day they would take what working trucks they had at the Ranger Station and move them west to hopefully block any reinforcements by ground while some volunteers took two choppers to land on the radar site once it was fully under attack.
Simple, brutal, and easy to obey. Even these zealots had to be capable of pulling this off.
"My Herald, it is about time that you found the strength needed to actually attack the sinner in the open. You have held us back for far too long." A Preacher called out as he entered the room they had marked out as a map and planning room when they had taken over the veteran's hospital.
Brother Preacher Winstead was even among the cult a part of 'The Old Guard', a member since the earliest days when they met in a abandoned slaughter house. He had eventually become one of John's and later Joseph's best Preacher's with sermons that approached John or even Joseph's level of spirituality, members would scramble to hear him spin his words as he had a gift at bringing 'The Father's' teachings to life like no other.
Him showing up after the fall of John had greatly amplified the under current of issues within Jacob's membership and now with their numbers becoming more radicalized he was getting bold to say the least.
"Last I checked this meeting is for unit commanders." Jacob growled mentally reminding himself to at least try to be civil with the man in the vain hope that maybe he would simply go away.
Winstead ran a hand through his long rapidly greying hair before daring to approach the map table. "My Herald, I must say that I do believe your lack of aggression and thus success is because you have all but turned away from the faith and even God himself. While this maybe a meeting for you and your commanders someone such as I must remind you all of what The Father's will is."
His temper was building rapidly especially seeing the mixed body language amongst his unit commanders. Some looked awe struck even relieved that Winstead had come to the table when he did, others were more visibly confused as they were pulled between the two men. Only his senior most commanders, all two of them left were offended at the preacher's presence.
"Brother Winstead you seem to not understand our situation as it actually is." He gestured widely toward the map before him. "Since the blind rush at Baron Lumber Mill consumed so many resources including the bulk of our vehicles our ability to move around and engage the enemy..."
"Sinners." Winstead interrupted.
Jacob rolled his eyes so hard that it almost hurt but pressed on instead of addressing the matter. "...with any form of rapidity. Now even more concerning is now that they hold the radar station their ability track what movements we can do is greatly increased. We have to march, retake, and refortify that outpost."
"That much we can agree on at least but what of retaking the Lumber Mill? If we don't hold that outpost we can not support The Father..." Winstead started saying.
"Any hope of retaking the Mill is folly! We no longer have the manpower, firepower, or mobility to take back the Mill without suffering even more losses that we can't replace! Faith doesn't bring dead men back, put ammo in magazines, or make wrecked vehicles run. The enemy has the advantage and the only good we are to Joseph now is that we keep their attention on us instead of him! That means we have to attack the outposts that they haven't probably fully manned yet!" Jacob said sternly.
It was the first time that anyone had openly spoken of how grim their situation looked and over Winstead's shoulder Jacob could see a few members cautiously peek inside the room at the outburst before seeing his gaze in their general direction and moving rapidly away from the area.
Winstead was wide eyed as well from the bluntness of his words but recovered quickly. "You forget we have the Hardened and you underestimate the strength of our men greatly. We will fight even with bare fists if we must and push back these godless sinners."
It was his turn to scoff. "You put your hopes on a handful of barely controllable uparmored zombies and the 'warrior's spirit' of our men. Imperial Japan tried the later during WWII, as did the German's, and the Italians. They all withered in the face of better supplied and supported forces in the end."
The Preacher smiled as if he was waiting for the reference. "It worked for the Soviet's though..."
"A child might think that but the truth was they had a massive war industry to support said zeal and replenish their losses." One of the commanders who answered to Jacob commented, even letting his native accent slip as if to try and lend himself some additional level of authority on the matter. If Winstead would have even cared to learn he would have realized that the man was once a Major in the Soviet Army.
The hazy eyed man instantly pivoted on the subject and brushed it off. "No matter, the point stands my Herald. You vastly underestimate our power beyond what your numbers may say. Pray and contemplate on this, I also would assign you to read chapter six through nine of the Book of Joseph to remind you of these points." The Preacher said firmly before turning to leave. The reading assignment was a measured insult towards Jacob. Under normal times such a thing was often used as a low level punishment for minor infractions. No one would normally dare suggest that a Herald would need a reading assignment forced upon them especially such a early set of chapters which covered the most basic tenants of Joseph's dogma.
When the man had left Jacob had ended the meeting as well. However when his two loyal commanders moved to leave he handed both folded sheets of paper and waved them wordlessly away.
They both simply nodded and hurried along towards their offices. The papers included supplemental orders that were basically to make sure that they were to pull back at the first sign of trouble instead of staying and duking it out with the Resistance. The way things were looking if they could convince enough of the more undecided men under them to work with Jacob in case Winstead finally decided that he wasn't being 'faithful' enough to lead.
That was the true reason for his little 'reading assignment'. A proverbial shot across the bow letting him know that he should change his ways. Winstead was probably making his own plans of course but if it was a fight he wanted then that was something he could provide.
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With the storm on going and the peggie patrol taken care of Ranger Clark had declared that tonight they would feast so as to have less food to have to haul down the mountain. Cuts of deer and elk were hauled out, roasted, and handed out to the tired soldiers and other Rangers.
Roger was finishing his second hunk of deer leg when Martin spoke up in between bites of his dinner. "Hey Major if you don't mind me asking why you did you bring that Kord anyway? I know you are strong enough to use it obviously but it seems a bit overkill even by your standards."
"Well when Joey and I set out for the radar site I was honestly expecting more of Jacob's Hardboys. Longinus will put them down for sure but I can carry even less ammo for that than this thing and its still a eight foot long rifle so quick maneuvering isn't practical. So I swapped my HCAR for this thing so I can rapidly take any Hardboys down quickly and easily make sure that anything less durable is killed as well."
"Even through cover if the bullet holes around the windows of the radar tower were any indication." The younger man replied.
Roger nodded. "Correct not to mention if I had choppers, vehicles, or even those fighter planes to deal with and nothing else available then I have a better chance of downing them at all with this." He then added with a touch of pride. "Also I have been looking for one of these export model Kords for a while and I now have an good excuse to test it under combat conditions."
"I guess even you can't get the Army to let you chose that thing to take on missions." Grace added to which Foley scoffed back. "I don't think so Grace, the Major here normally runs around with a new production suppressed M60 when we are using M4's or SCAR's. If there is anyone who can conveniently take unauthorized weapons on mission and make the brass grind their teeth to dust when he pulls off a text book mission, its him."
He had to smile at the praise coming from the far more 'by the book' Foley. It was why they worked well together, his willingness and ability to come up with unorthodox solutions to problems combined with Foley's ability to gently remind him why some regulations were in place meant they had found a balance that kept their unit effective yet hard to predict.
"Well seeing that I am now too big for a normal parachute if they don't hand me discharge papers they will have to find a way for me to jump out of a plane or put me somewhere in training. Hopefully in weapons maintenance or marksmanship" He finally said as he reached for a bowl of mulberries.
"Don't worry sir, I bet that if you demonstrate to the brass that a cargo parachute can be adapted for your application and show how much firepower you can now bring in on those broad shoulders of yours they will keep you in. Hell I would sign a petition to see it happen." Ramriez to the sound of affirmations from the others.
Loosing Rook wasn't just loosing one experienced operator but the unique skills and abilities he brought with him. That and there was the not so small fact that they enjoyed serving alongside him and you never know who exactly is going to replace him.
The support nearly made him clam up but he managed to over come it. "Thanks guys. Of course all of this is assuming I don't get arrested for crimes against humanity. For some reason publicly impaling ones enemies and waging psychological warfare doesn't poll well."
The comment got a laugh from the soldier's gathered and Joey had to explain to Clark and Kornel what was going on down south. The subject eventually moved on to Roger's account of what he found when he first marched into Fall's End and the horrors the cult had unleashed on the population.
Another Ranger came over as they where speaking clearly agitated but trying to stay in control. "Deputies I have to ask but did any children or elderly survive? My son and my father were camping the night of the attack, I am hoping they might have been able to get away or come back to town after the attack."
Joey looked at the man's uniform and saw the name tag 'Yorkshire' and smiled as her memory was jogged. "Your son's name is Alvin, correct?" The nodded hopefully as she continued. "Yes he and your father are alive. I spoke with Miss Curie, his teacher and confirmed it. I also confirmed at least at the time that he is one of the last 4th graders left in the county, I am hoping that has changed but well like you heard the cult was brutal."
The level of relief on the mans face was clear as all he could manage then was a vigorous nod and a mouthed 'Thank You' before he left the group to be alone.
Clark sighed though. Good as it was to know that his old friend was still alive along with his grandson the note of being the last 4th grader finally hammered home the realization of just how much the cult had taken from Hope County.
"Well folks I am going to get some sleep and I suggest you do the same. We'll strike camp at dawn and clear out of here. If the cultists rush out to the trail they can be here in three hours give or take otherwise we have until noon-ish if they are pacing themselves. Either case I want to be gone by then." Clark commanded as he left the living space for where ever he was bunked down in closely followed by Kornel.
"Well he isn't wrong. Roger what do we have planned for after the Ranger's get moved?" Joey asked as she started looking for a large enough space for her to bed down in.
He shut his eyes and recalled the mental map of their forces and Jacob's forces. Right now his plan was to take back the Ranger Station but he wanted to touch base with Dad first and check for new developments from Yeller and the Oracle satellites.
There was also the slowly increasing need for ammo, weapons maintenance especially in Martin's case, rations, and with the rain and all the marching they had already done personal hygiene was something that needed to handled as well.
Last thing anyone need was a case of trench foot from days of marching through the rain and mud.
This called for a trip back to Fall's End before going back to the front even at the cost of loosing some of their momentum. However unlike the last time he was forced to take a break from the front with Kornel's drone and the Oracle satellite they would be able to react if the cult decided to try and pull and fast one.
"Take a day of R&R in Fall's End. You and I have gone through our rations and fair amount of our ammo, Martin here at bare minimum needs enough time to go through that MG-42 and then tell me what parts he needs, then there is just the fact that we all could use a shower and laundry. Last thing we need is health issues hampering our operations." He rattled off as he join her in bedding down.
Foley chimed in as well. "We should also check in on Dr. Niwa and their work on moving the warheads and checking in with Black Cardinal. Maybe we will get lucky and they will have figured out how to air drop additional forces."
Ramirez harrumphed at the notion. "Why haven't the brass dropped in more forces anyway? This isn't exactly the first time we would have dropped troops in the middle of a AA rich combat zone."
"Its not so much the technical aspects Sargent that are keeping us isolated but the red tape. Even with the nukes more or less off the board the heads in DC need to figure out who is willing to hold the ball when they send in forces. What does the law say about troops fighting on American soil? What about the logistics? Its one thing when its you twelve guys needing room and board but the 101st Airborne is going to need more than what the locals can or really should be asked to provide so that means supply chains need to be set up." He replied with a sigh.
"Then there is the non-sense that the pencil pushers want me to start arresting cultists instead of shooting first." He finished when Joey touched his shoulder to catch his attention with a look of concern.
"Roger what if with the nukes off the board they decide to butt out the military response completely? If that happens there probably won't be a calvary coming right?"
Martin answered before he could think of answer. "Actually ma'am while we can say the nukes are no longer a immediate threat we still have a few dozen illegally produced warheads in Hope County so while what you say is certainly plausible its going to be harder for the DOJ to muscle out the DOD and probably the State Department as well."
Roger laughed and was joined in with a few of the older guys in the unit. "Well now Martin, you are proving that getting that Masters in Political Science wasn't a mistake."
"Thank you sir, figured if I am ever going to make E-8 I might as well put some effort in it." The younger NCO said as he basked in the attention.
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The morning came and went smoothly but already there was a hint that something was brewing in the realm of Jacob. Just to the east of the Grand View Lodge along the main road a pair of cars, both crudely painted white with cult flags attached much like the Preacher's car were pulled to the side of the main road and four men were unloading piles of what appeared to be rolls of cloth, pipes, and sticks.
Grace had been assigned to watch them while everyone else struck camp. The cultists once their cars were empty, began to space out and unroll the items.
From behind her Foley approached as he finished his particular task. "Any idea what they are plotting Grace?" He asked as be brought up his own binoculars.
Not bothering to look away from her spotters scope she answered. "Looks like these guys are setting up a camp site Captain. A big ass one looking at the size of tents and how many they got. Still they picked a hell of a place to setup camp. They got water nearby and they are along the major road but setting up on a steep hillside is a bit odd."
Foley looked around and besides some open space near the lodge the surrounding forest was dense. "So they need a large open space for a camp site. That isn't exactly something easy to find in this area hence why they are there. At least that's my theory."
She turned to look up at him from her prone position. "I'm thinking infantry. Lots of infantry."
"I can see that but why? Could these people be dumb enough to march on foot up the mountain?" He asked looking down at her.
"Foley if there is one thing Peggies are good at besides brutality its being stupid. They don't care how many bodies it takes to do something if they or really Joseph... 'The Father'... wants it they'll do it." She said sarcastically.
"But aren't they cut off from Joseph?" He asked pausing to take a look at his people finishing up their tasks.
"They are but these people if you could even call them that, literally have nothing but their faith in Joseph to guide them in their lives. Hunger, pain, lust, greed... none of that really influences their actions. It's praise 'The Father', kill the sinner, or die trying either of those." She said harshly as she packed up the scope and got back on her feet.
They walked back towards where Clark was gathering everyone and running through the list of things that had been assigned to make sure both that their presence was undetected and that their marks on nature were minimized. As expected of a Park Ranger worth his salt.
Foley spoke once more before they got within ear shot of the others. "Hard to believe you guys lived along side a cult like this. I can't imagine it."
Grace smiled slightly. "Oh you can. It reminded me of Afghanistan everyday. You go into town and you could see the hate in peoples eyes but ROE said you had to wait for them to shoot first and then get approval. Some days I wished I had still stayed enlisted just so I could be away from watching my home get wrecked, but pops was here dealing with it and by God I wasn't going to let my own family deal with something like this alone."
"Well at least we are dealing with the problem now. One bullet at a time." The Captain said as they both reached the group. Roger noted their presence and came over with Joey and the Rangers in tow.
"Ok Grace what did you see?" He asked.
"Looks like a forward party of some kind, they are setting up camp on that hillside east of the lodge. Given how many tents they unpacked they are setting something for a lot of people. I think they are marching here to camp and then probably on to the mountain." The sniper reported smartly.
Roger nodded before he turned to Clark. "If they are moving that many people or at least planning to do so then we need to get eyes on them fast. Ranger we need to get going, get you dropped off, and get back to Fall's End."
The older man only smiled. "Works for me. Hope you can keep up."
.
Roger remembered the same Ranger huffing and puffing behind him when he and Joey were looking for the bear that attacked his people and some local hikers, but now it seemed that the Bliss must have also reached here in some form because he set a punishing pace that everyone save for him and Joey struggled to match.
And that was on the down hill.
Then with his truck loaded to the gills with people sitting on the laps of others or laying on top of backpacks of gear the trip to the visitors center was quiet. At the entrance to the switchbacks from the main road they stopped and let the guards know what they had learned of the local area with the promise of getting additional backup as soon as possible.
Pulling up to the center they found that Mack and his people had joined the garrison after the attack on the radar site as they waited for their next assignment.
"Hey Deputy! Got any news?" Mack called as he approached the truck as it came to a stop.
He smiled warmly at the young man. "Well we might have the cult gearing up for an attack on the radar site but I need to get back to St. Isidore to get some satellite footage to confirm it. We need to drop off the Rangers here to set up shop and it also turns out the cult is dug in at the Lodge up the road, they even setup mines."
"Mines? Like 'click-boom' land mines?" Mack said wide eyed.
"Oh yes, Claymores apparently but those are just the ones that we are told are visible. I don't want to think what they have hidden if anything. So please do make it known to all of your people to stay the fuck out of that area. I haven't decided how or if we will attack the place and if there are mines I am seriously thinking of shelling the place. Next and now this might change but keep your ears open on the radio, if the cult is marching you might be the fastest means of responding to it and unless they have another tank any truck or guy on foot is at the mercy of your 23 mills."
Mack nodded. "Yes sir we'll be ready. Until you call we'll help the Rangers move in."
Truck unloaded of Rangers and words of thanks exchanged they drove further along the main road, soon crossing back into Holland Valley.
.
First stop was at the Rook Gun Shop. In a way he couldn't help but feel like he was showing off to his men as inevitably while he took Martin to where the belt fed machine guns were kept they spread out and started to window shop among the inventory. Joey surprisingly took the lead on filling in any questions they had on this and that as best she could.
"Grace while I am working with Martin here go ahead and find a scope for your rifle don't worry about cost, if the insurance doesn't foot the bill I will personally cover the cost." He told the sniper as she perked up and quickly walked toward the long range section.
Turning to the gunner he brought him to 'The Wall of Belts' as he father had dubbed it. Here on pegs were a rainbow of belt fed machine guns from antique originals to reproductions and finally the latest designs from the world over.
"Now young Sargent... choose your weapon." He gestured at the wall.
Martin quietly muttered to himself as he traced through the air with a finger. "M60... new... M240L... too heavy... G3?"
"HK21E, that particular one is a export model so it has some minor changes over the non export models. Sights, shrouds, magazines, 3 round burst mode... that sort of thing." Marcus said making both men jump.
"Dad!" He exclaimed followed by Martin snapping to attention. "Colonel! Sir!"
His father chuckled. "At ease Martin. I can see that your gun took a hit." He gestured to the wrecked Mk 48 hanging off his back. Handing the weapon over to the old commando and gunsmith he too grumbled at the sight of the receiver.
"Yeah no fixing this realistically at least with the time and material restrictions we are under. Tell me Martin you like that MG-42?" He asked looking between his son and the Sargent who had the gun in question strapped across his chest.
"Uh yes sir I rather do, grew up shooting grandpa Martin's take home 42 but 8mm Mauser isn't exactly what I brought and I don't know if there is enough in the county to keep this thing fed reliably."
Roger decided to call out his father when he saw the suppressed smile when hearing of Martin's preferences. "Dad you're plotting something..."
"Of course I am. Follow me to the back." He said while spinning on his heel. "Saw you guys drive here so I figured I come over and make sure you were still in good shape. Looks like Grace needed a scope and Martin needs a gun right?" He continued.
"Yeah that's the worst of the damage as far as guns go. Besides that we need ammo, food, and a chance to wash and dry ourselves." He answered back. "Joey and I especially have been running a bit hard."
His father chuckled. "Oh boy have you guys been running. Climbing mountains, fighting while outnumbered by cultists, and then on a few hours of sleep you go hiking for the better part of a day to make contact with the Park Rangers." He didn't even stop and look to see the confused look on his son's face. "Ranger Clark called me over the radio and shared their findings. He and some of his guys are coming to the Spread Eagle with Mack and Company to meet with the rest of the Resistance leaders tonight. So I suggest you and Joey make yourselves a bit more presentable."
"The burden of leadership." Martin said sagely.
The man wasn't wrong. As much as he would love to get a early night for once after eating a hot meal no less the Resistance was now large enough that they had to make sure those in charge knew who else was in the area and share their intelligence and available resources. Just because the front lines had moved north didn't mean that there wasn't any reduction in patrols in the southern areas as the threat of survivors and the eternal quest to actually find and kill a Air Warden team meant that the war hadn't ended even here.
Finally they reached the massive safe room that served as one of the storefronts stock rooms as far as firearms were concerned. His father located and opened a black plastic Pelican case branded with the Rhinemetall logo and revealed a jet black decked out MG-3.
"This boys is the latest generation or I should say modernization of the MG-42, The MGKWS or 'Kampfwertsteigerung' which roughly translates as 'Combat value increase' Anyway this has new sling points, adjustable stock, rear monopod, carry handle/vertical foregrip, and of course plenty of picatinny rails. This particular gun I have swapped the bolt out for a lighter 1,500 round bolt so bursting is recommended. That said if you need to relocate a lot of lead very quickly this will do the job." He said as he watched familiar evil grins cross both of the soldier's faces. While Martin took the gun out of the case and started familiarizing himself with it Marcus poked around a bit before finding another long case about the size of a large man's forearm.
"If you like that you'll love this. This is another one of those modified OSS suppressors I tweaked to survive heavy strings of full auto fire out of this thing. Hitler's Buzz Saw now has a muzzle." He said waving the suppressor around before handing them to Martin.
"I probably should go with a more modern design..." The young man started saying before Roger stopped him mid sentence.
"Martin as a mad man who uses a gun design dating from the late 50's mind you with improvements this is no different. If you care for your guns they will care for you and no amount of formal tests will compensate for actual experience on a platform." He said clasping the man on shoulder.
Martin nodded slowly. "I'm going to need a few extra belts and barrels."
.
Walking up to the Spread Eagle felt like coming home almost. Cheeseburger and Boomer were outside enjoying the noon sun but stopped to get quick head pats and scratches before going back to laying in the sun.
Mary May came out of the kitchen drying her arms showing that she had been washing dishes before they came in. "Well hot damn you guys finally came home. Casey is taking his break but if you want I'll see if I can't cook something up for you all." She said with a smile.
"We would be very grateful Mary May if you would." Roger said as He, Joey and his father took a seat at the counter. Around him the other men took to their seats, but not a minute after sitting Martin got back up and peeked into the kitchen.
"Uh Ma'am are you sure you don't need a extra set of hands?" He asked carefully not wanting to dare enter the blond woman's realm unwelcomed.
Mary May didn't even look up from the fridge she was pulling frozen meat from. "Sure, wash your hands and arms, grab a knife, a cutting board, and start slicing onions and tomatoes. Once you are done with that start slicing the pickles. Thick chips please."
"Yes Ma'am." He replied as he went over to the closest hand sink.
Mary May brought a stack of beef patties to the grill before turning to face him with her arms propped on her waist. "By the way please don't call me Ma'am. I am not that old yet."
"Sorry uh... Miss." Martin stammered as he tried to comply... and mostly failing. "Just call me Mary May for the love of God! I swear I am not old enough to be treated with that level of respect."
Martin started his cutting task as he shot back a reply. "Have you considered that your actions make you worthy of such respect?" He said before choosing to press his luck further. "I mean here you are at the drop of a hat making food for a dozen hungry operators by yourself with no complaint. It's a admirable act. Besides that its also an common trait of yours from what I have seen and heard thus it needs to be recognized."
"It's called humility." She said mildly exasperated as she set the first patties on the grill.
"It's called being conditioned to assume that you aren't worthy of praise for being a good person." He shot back.
Outside at the bar Roger and Marcus listened to the two of them go back and forth. "Well now that's something." Marcus said.
"Yeah Martin is a guy with a heart of gold and it shows when not under fire or at least in hostile countries." He replied before changing subjects. "So Dad did we miss anything in the last day or two?"
Joey now leaned in from listening to her friend debate lively with the young soldier.
"Yesterday the Sheriff and I had a meeting with Alvarez, Yeller, and some prick from the DOJ named Winox. They pretty much tried to order the Sheriff to begin to focusing on arresting members of the cult. Yeller of course had already told them why it wasn't a workable plan but they demanded to speak to Earl, I guess they wanted to use their positions to intimidate him." He said as he stopped to drink his Coke.
"Big bad DC types verses some rural small town Sheriff. I don't think they bothered to do much research on the Sheriff if they seriously thought that would work." Joey added.
Marcus nodded in agreement. "Correct. These men are bureaucrats first, any law enforcement experience they have is usually in the increasingly distant past and if you dig enough more often than not they weren't on the bleeding edge of duty. Their position means naturally their egos have expanded and in DC at least they tend to get used to throwing their weight around."
"Unfortunately they never met a battle hardened Sheriff with a .50 cal hand cannon on his hip." He finished.
"Correct again. He told them in no uncertain terms that unless there is a radical change in current order of things he physically can't do what they ask and he refused to discuss the matter further until he can get additional LEO's shipped in from outside and at least some adhoc holding facilities built. Probably FEMA trailers modified for the job or something."
Mary May followed by Martin came out with their burgers and busied themselves with getting drinks for everyone.
"Shit Martin you look like you are at home at a bar and grill." Ramirez commented as Martin refilled his drink.
"Well I did work at the family bar for years before joining the Army so you can say I know what I am doing." He said as Foley joined in. "Was that legal? You a teenager at best working at a bar?"
Martin smiled innocently. "I have no idea sir. I officially just washed dishes including bar glasses and restocked them. Sometimes I had to carry a drink or two to a customer who had already paid or made an arrangement to pay later. It's a family business after all." He paused for effect. "Everyone works. No one quits."
"Yet here you are." The Captain replied.
"I never quit sir, Dad told me if I wanted to go out and see the world and learn stuff to bring back home to the bar then my idea of joining the Army was fine by him. So one day I will come back with tales of all of the shit bars we have found ourselves in around the world." Martin ended when their radios came to life.
"Eagle's Nest to Eagle Lead." Wilkins called. Foley had to take a moment to recenter himself. Wilkins wouldn't be calling if it wasn't important but damn it he wanted to enjoy his burger!
Finally he made a move for his radio before the call was repeated. "Eagle Lead copies what's going on?"
The man on the other end of the line didn't mince words. "Oracle shows massive troop movement from all known major enemy outposts. All infantry, all on foot with no vehicle support that I can see. Looks like they are going along the main roads to some place up north."
Foley looked over to the booth Grace was sitting at. "Well Grace looks like you were right." She nodded as he replied. "Copy Eagle's Nest we will get with the Reapers and local Resistance first before we pull something together. Keep us advised."
In the background Mary May ducked out of the kitchen and up the stairs to the upper floor. Foley looked at Roger. "Well sir what do we do now?"
He thought for a moment before looking to his father. "Dad think you can get the artillery guys gathered up and ready to show these peggies the song of our people? We'll go to the school and get eyes on the formation and figure out the finer details from there, all I know is that if they are going to group up for us then by God I'll drop some very good reasons as why that is a bad idea."
He smiled widely nodded and left the counter before jogging out the door to hunt down the artillery guys. The door hadn't even stopped swinging when Dmitri walked in. "I see your father running so something is brewing, no?"
"Oh yes. How likely do you think it is that the cult would figure marching in massed formations to a camp that we already know about?" He asked the spy.
Dmitri sighed even as he smiled. "Sounds absolutely textbook for them. If it's Jacob ordering the march then its because they have few running vehicles and no faith in his men being able to handle anything more basic than 'March forth in the name of The Father.'. I take it you can use some help?"
"Of course, if we end up as I expect shelling them then I will want some spotters on my flanks. You and Grace are my best choices in that regard." He said as Dmitri nodding in agreement.
He finished off his burger and drink before getting up, elsewhere the other soldiers were all doing the same.
"Well so much for a shower..." Joey muttered when Mary May came up to them both with plastic shopping bags in hand. "Here are changes of clothes and basic toiletries and I asked Casey to grab another two days of MRE's and toss them into the cab of your truck."
The two of them looked at the blond bartender dumbfounded. She rolled her eyes in response. "You guys do remember the school that you are going to still has functioning showers, and unless the Peggies are suddenly sprinting to where ever they are camping out you two can find a moment to take care of yourselves."
Joey hugged the other woman and took the bags from her. "Mary May this is why First Sargent Martin was right about you. You really are a great person no matter how much you try to deny it."
.
The next few hours was a example of a organized chaotic rush. His father gathered not just the artillerymen but also got Nick and his fellow airmen rested, rearmed, and refueled. Out in the field Mack on his own authority got teams of ATV mounted Cougars to race to the base of Rattlesnake Falls across the lake from the peggie encampment, all of them armed with a RPG-7 and loaded down heavily with specialized fragmentation rockets pulled from Rachel's stolen stockpiles.
He lamented that the ATV's couldn't hope to reliably pull off road any of the big 120mm Russian or French made towed mortars to the spot across from the cult encampment but he would make do.
If Jacob wanted to throw bodies at them again like at the lumber mill, or as Rachel had done at the jail, and as John had outside his own silo then they would make sure that it was nothing else than another bloody day for him.
.
'I need to get a scope for this thing.' He thought for the thousandth time since he and Joey had taken their position.
They sat atop a ridge line almost dead north of where the peggie encampment was almost finished being built. A mile to their northeast along the same ridge Dmitri and his father sat watching the back of the McKinley dam and the surrounding roads as the strings and blobs of peggies came out of the nearby silo and crossed the dam towards their muster point.
Grace was with Mack and his Cougars keeping an eye on the Grand View Lodge and making sure that no one crossed the bridge that laid between the Lodge and the camp. Being so close to the lodge and likely to draw attention once the Cougars start lobbing their rockets Foley and his men were dug in nearby so should the Preacher's decide to investigate their backyard they would run into prepared positions laced with explosives to even the playing field.
"It's almost dusk and we have only seen what? 100 guys at best?" Joey said as she looked through the scope of his Barrett.
"I counted 85 guys marching in plus the 4 guys that are still setting up tents." He replied as he brought up his binoculars. "Really should get a scope for this thing already. If for nothing else I want to shoot the guys setting up the tents."
His partner giggled softly. "Yeah you would think they would have figured out after the fifth tent where all the pieces went." She looked over to him with a evil smile. "You want me to kick things off? Deliver some much needed needed retribution?"
He took a casual look at the vast space between them and the camp. He watched the grass at the base of their ridge sway, the waves on the otherwise quiet lake and the smoke of the bondfire the cult had lit at the camp.
"Joey I hate to say it but I have some doubts of you pulling off a hit at oh... 2.15 miles. Maybe with a bit more practice you could but not tonight, that said once we start shelling these guys feel free to prove me wrong." He said now looking at Longinus. "I know I will be seeing what I can do with this thing tonight."
"Got eyes on a large mass of infantry coming from the south. 200... maybe 300 plus. Looks like they have had the shit beat out of them." His father radioed as both deputies got back on their optics.
"There they are... looks like they are loaded down pretty heavy too." Joey observed.
He had to agree. There was a big difference between purely foot born infantry fighting and even partially mechanized fighting. If you at least had a truck then even if the individual soldier had to still walk he could at least carry on his person a fraction of the weight in supplies mostly food and water perhaps even a reduced ammo load.
But pure old school foot marching meant economizing heavily and while these guys had at least someone else to haul the camping gear judging by their stuffed packs they were bringing their own food, ammo, and what personal gear the cult likely allowed. It was hard going for green troops let alone unorganized half starved cultists who likely weren't used to the sheer physicality of such fighting.
That meant assuming they made it to the camp they would be dead tired, sore, and slow to move. A perfect target for artillery.
The mass of cultists marched slowly in clumps and strings but as their numbers swelled he could see increasing numbers of the cults animal handlers marching with their Judges and Judge Bears, to make matters all the better the hunched lumbering forms of Jacob's Hardboys showed that perhaps someone in charge of this force had enough brain cells to bring in soldiers that would be useful in an assault.
"'Ardboy's sighted. Looks like these gitz be bringin' up the rear." His father radioed in with a bit of good humor added.
He smiled as the moment to strike was finally approaching. He reached for his own radio. "Black Reaper to Eagle's Nest. Please confirm that there are no more formations of infantry leaving the cult's holdings."
A few minutes later they radioed back what he was hoping. "Scope is clear Black Reaper. What you see is what you get."
"Copy thank you Eagle's Nest. All other units stand by for now until they have fully assembled and made camp. We only get one shot at this."
"Now we go back to waiting." Joey muttered to which he simply nodded.
It took another two hours for the mass of men to reach the campsite and another hour for them to get themselves mostly sorted out. A number of small campfires were lit and the car that had brought the camping gear was driven with a number of brothers pushing it up the wet grassy hillside so as to give a platform from which a Preacher could conduct what appeared to be either a bible class or sermon of some sort.
In either case it got all the peggies to turn their backs towards them which was all the better.
The rumble of closing thunder signaled that tonight would be another stormy one as dark clouds racing across the night sky could be seen.
"Roger I think they are about as settled in as they are going to get. Not to mention I would like to see if we can avoid getting rained on again, so in either case killing them now rather than later is advised." Joey said looking through the Barrett's scope.
Looking at the Preacher on top of the car turn stage, even from over two miles away he could make out the wild motions of his arms as he spoke to the gathered crowd. The crowd itself was probably close to 300 plus strong and more if you included animals and Hardboys.
"Nick are you guys in the air?" He called.
"We are up and running Roger. Just give the word and we'll drop the hammer." The happy pilot replied.
While Nick was just happy to fly regular air patrols, the 'King of the Skies' still jumped at a chance to work as close support for his friend.
The man's enthusiasm was infectious as he noted in his own reply. "Nick once the first shells hit I want you to fly in and drop both your bombs while they are likely going to still be clustered together. Just mind the incoming artillery and the Cougars rockets. You have Drubman's chopper up?"
Nick affirmed. "That we do. Loaded for broke."
"Then pass along to them that they are use the rockets to drive the peggies into the lake. If they get on to the bridge to the west then avoid using explosives. I don't want blow a bridge by accident." He ordered.
He didn't even hear Nick's confirmation as he watched the mass of peggies get to their feet in some form of jubilation as the man on the car was swapped for another.
"Black Reaper to Sledgehammer begin fire mission on meeting point Alpha. Ten rounds per a gun. Rapid." He called.
As far as they were it was doubtful they would really be able to hear the sound of the guns but they could hear if only briefly the whistling of the shells a moment or two before they hit.
The first 155mm and 203mm high explosive shells tore massive holes in the crowd. Those at the outer edge of the group instinctively ran away before stopping and trying to analyze what just happened, as those closer to the blast crawled away screaming.
"Nick! Drop your bombs!" He ordered next and watched as the yellow float plane scream down out of the clouds upon the confused crowd his 20mm cannon roaring before stopping for a moment and the whistling of his bombs was heard clearly before he pulled out over the lake.
The pair of thousand pound bombs finally got it through the peggies heads that this wasn't a horrible accident but they were well and truly being attacked. The next pair of shells from the artillery also aided in this realization as men dumped any and all dead weight before running towards the road, in their wake they left or even trampled over their screaming wounded and dead.
.
Joey looked through the scope and had to will herself not to instinctively look away from the scene as she watched cultists clutch their shrapnel filled faces and gouged out eyes screaming in pain and confusion. A Hardboy stumbled around in confusion as if looking for a enemy before noticing that nothing remained of either of his arms but gushing stumps only then forgetting the matter and going back to looking for whoever was attacking them.
One of the Preachers had lost everything below the waist but still crawled down the hill towards the road as best as he could, his faith and the Bliss within him currently allowing him to blot out the pain and rapidly mounting blood loss.
From where Joey was she could feel her jaw clinch as another salvo of shells landed adding more to the gory ordeal. Those cultists that reached the road soon found themselves under rocket attack from the Cougars across the lake the fragmentation rockets raced over their heads before exploding in air.
By now probably over 60 percent of the cultists that were at the campsite were dead or dying. Drubman's chopper swooped low forgoing the rocket pods completely and followed the road west to east letting loose with his twin .50 cal miniguns.
"It's different now..." Joey heard him say as she now finally looked away from the carnage towards him.
He looked at her and smiled darkly. "It's their land now, their blood. Now they are the ones running, being butchered in job lots, and even now their so called 'Father' remains silent as the work is done."
She looked at him for a moment before emitting a tiny laugh. "Uh... Reznov much?"
Even as they heard the other float planes dive on the fleeing survivors, the shells falling, and the rockets screaming they both shared a more hearty laugh.
"Am I wrong Comrade?" He said with a overdone Russian accent recognizing the reference. "We have come so far from the first night of the cult attacking. Now to see them die en mass like this first hand. We will win this war Joey. Jacob is virtually out of ammo so to speak and he will either have to surrender or take to the field personally." He continued.
"Take to the field? Why would he not just hide in his base like John or Rachel?" She asked.
From their place on the mountain they could see the grass and some trees catch fire here and there but the land and plants here were soaked from the days of rain thus limiting their progress greatly.
"Because while that would appease the side of his mind dead set on keeping us as focused on him as possible. I can't shake the feeling that he has to be fighting himself when it comes to keeping the war going. He might start considering surrender especially after this... or he will take things into his own hands once more." He gestured to the killing fields.
"Yeah... I think this is even harder to wrap my head around than the conservatory or last battle at the Jail..." she paused before continuing. "Not to mention the battle at the Mill... and the radar station... Jesus we have had a lot battles by now."
He nodded as the thump of another salvo landed followed by more distant screaming of Mack's rockets. "Yeah the battles are getting so numerous they are blurring together. As for this Joey, the lesson to take from this is that artillery is the 'King of Battle'. Air support is more accurate and can react faster to changes in the enemy lines but nothing has the staying power of a battery of guns able to pound away within a minute or two of getting the call that you need hell delivered on your doorstep immediately."
He turned back to the field as he could now start to see through the fires and smoke that some of the peggies were running or at least limping desperately down the road back eastward towards ultimately Jacob's silo.
"Black Reaper this is Nick. My guys and I are just about out of ammo and the chopper is almost at bingo fuel." Nick cut in clearly proud of the devastation they had managed tonight.
"I copy Nick go ahead and head home. You and your guys have done well tonight." He said when Foley cut in. "Black Reaper this is Eagle Lead. Marbo is out of heavy ammo. We have seen some hostiles at the Lodge but they seem to be bunkering down even more. Please advise."
'So the Lodge isn't moving to aid and they aren't even moving to attack Mack's position which they must have been able to spot by now. You don't rapid fire RPG's without letting everyone know within visual range exactly where you are.' He wondered even as he replied.
"Eagle Lead you and Marbo are to fall back to friendly lines. I think we have carried the day but lets not get greedy or sloppy. Watch that Lodge. Grey Reaper you and Volk too should start falling back as well." He rattled off.
With everyone confirming thus signifying that their pieces were moving he watched the roughly two dozen tiny cult figures try to work their way down the road away from the wreckage. He fought the temptation to throw a couple rounds of 30mm slugs down range to see if he could hit them but he had only worked out the iron sights to 1,500 yards and these guys were now probably closer to 5,000 yards from him.
"Let's go Roger, I know you think you can hit them at this range but even you aren't that good. Not off the cuff and with iron sights at night especially." Joey teased him lightly.
He had to laugh out loud even as they began to pack up. "Joey you forget..." pointing at his Barrett.
"That's what they all said in the beginning."