"Out there, on the mountains, can you see them?"
Over the long dry hills we traveled, a distant white smoke followed us. It was the dust of the sindicato de carga. We ran out will, and found an old outpost. We are twenty seven strong but five hundred when we started. The sindicato de carga were thousands. Never did we expect them to follow us so far, but Lt. Michael assured us this wouldn't happen - he was wrong.
"What?"
"If you'd quit writin in that book you'd see it."
Of course in the day, only their reflections gave their positions. Michael's pocket scope was good at seeing them miles out.
"Yeah, must be hundreds of them on that ridge."
"And hundreds more in the pass next to it."
"They moving?"
"No. They know we're here. They'll make their move by sunrise. Too hot to launch an assault uphill."
We dug through much of what we could of the fort's reserve but we were too weak. Most of Michael's men, those that were left of course, although the best, sat down on the rubble behind the wall. We ate and slept the rest of the afternoon. No order or attack could stop our rest. Not even Joel, the commander of sindicato could muster an attack anyhow. His men were as weary as ours. The dry desert air nearly choked us all out of combat.
Michael was schooled man, but he was battle hardened. No one complained of his leadership. It was the assholes back home who were to blame. He wore a grey vest, grey jeans and a white hat. He kept clean shaven as most of us were not. That's how you could tell it was him.
"What time is it?"
"16:24."
"Can you get up?"
"No sir my legs are killing me."
The front of the fort was a concrete wall. It was thick. The roof had caved into the center sometime ago, likely from a rain storm or a mortar shell. Around us were old rooms. Michael and I got a decent view of the southern ridge, now visible with campfires dotting the entire skyline.
"You know, I never meant for us to die here."
"I never said you did."
"I know that. It's just.."
"Your men aren't going to die here Michael. We're only 30 miles from the checkpoint. From there you'll get yourself a good broad, another shave and then the fuck out of here on the train."
"Yeah. I'm going to kill Palmetto when I see him."
"We all are Michael. Soon as we cross into town it's going to be his problem anyway, Sheriff Daniel is gonna know who sent this shit up his way."
"You think he knows?"
"Hell, he could be sending his men down here right now, to help us out."
"Shit, I'd like a few more boxes of ammo and some medicine."
"Yeah wouldn't we all?"
We lit no fires that night. Most if not all of us were out cold.
07:30
"Is there a Lt. Michael Alan?"
"Who the hell are you?"
"Just a messenger from Diresville, up north. I have a letter from Felix Daniels."
"Yeah that's me what is?"
"If you don't mind reading it yourself sir, I have to go."
I was able to remember some of what was said to Michael in that letter. It went something like Dear Mr. Alan, we apologize but Derrick has closed the checkpoint and has asked that you wait for his assistance by sunrise, Tuesday. Michael was so angry he read the paper out loud then tossed it to the ground stamping it into the rubble. Most of us were too dazed to show any emotion but we could tell this hit Michael home. He wanted us out, away from this place so badly. Sometimes I think he forgot we were all paid to be here in the first place. I don't think he cared about the mission anymore. Most of us were pulled out of jail, farming, building the railroads and we all just wanted the pay. He was a man came from the shithole that employed us, and I, we could tell this was his final straw with them. I too kind of wanted to see this man Palmetto. Was he really as evil as Michael made him out to be?
09:40
"Listen, I need at three of you to haul our reserve ammunition behind the wall."
"What for?"
"Soon as they break through you blow it with fuse."
The middle wall was the weakest so we assumed they'd be coming through there. Michael's idea was that the last of us would press the button as they entered flattening the rest of the fort. The wall was about 3 feet thick but the middle section was crumbling under erosion. Most of us could stick our rifles out small windows and at least half of us positioned ourselves on the roof.
I stayed with Michael in the Eastern most room. It had a window that overlooked the entire valley. We were on a hill and the enemy was to make its way up from a pass 5 miles away from the South. On either side of the pass were the ridges that the enemy now seemed to be stacking with artillery. It was light artillery but enough to harass us for weeks if they wanted to. I had at least fifty .537 rounds and twenty 12 gauge shells. Most of the men - Tommy, Buckley, Korey, John, all had Brush guns or Hunting Carbines. It was Dexter I think that brought his Anti-Material rifle.
15:30
It seems we were spared another day. Paula was able to drag most of the explosives to the middle section of the wall and fuse them on a wire all the way to the back to a trench he dug. The idea was the last man standing would pull the lever. The ammunition was buried but not too far down. So was the wire.
19:05
It began to rain. Thank god. The valley river bed began to flood which in turn started the shelling. The fort held as the shells were too weak to penetrate the concrete but it was still a danger. Any one of those shells could tear anyone of us to shreds if we exposed ourselves.
"Their camp lights are barely flickering."
"Are they trying to make their way up the river?"
"No. The water is too fast."
"Seems like god is on our side."
"For now."
"Did you get anything to Eat?"
"Nah. Not hungry."
"Say, what was it that brought you out here, if I may ask?"
"I wanted to plunder. Palmetto told us we'd be able to easily. Besides him I never liked it in New Reno. Every thing is always under new management and well.."
"The girls."
"Yeah that. Owed a lot of money to Sky."
"And?.."
"And her Dad is one of the New Reno bosses. Didn't like how some low life crook could swindle his doll out of a few caps. Decided to let me go on account I'd do a couple jobs for him. After a while that's when I met Palmetto. He told Lexor that if I worked for him instead he'd get even a bigger cut from the jobs. So here I am now."
"All because of a couple caps missing after a BJ?"
"Nah. It was always about that girl of his. Whether it was 10 caps or 1000 caps, a swindler's a swindler when it comes to his doll."
"Was she fine at least?"
"Oh yeah. Finest in the city. But instead of havin her sing at the Onyx Club they went ahead and started havin her do whatever. Figures. You'd never know she was the boss's doll just by lookin at her. Hangin outside or at the bar is not a wise choice by them."
"So this is all to pay these New Reno chumps off?"
"That was the idea. Now after loosing this much men to a lie, it's time I pay them back with lead. That's if I get out of here alive and damned me, I will. What about you?"
"Shit, I got my ass hauled out of Del Norte."
"How long were you there?"
"Damn must of been three years."
"I won't ask."
Many of us slept through the shelling. We knew Joel was only making it worse for his sindicato de carga by shelling muddy sediment. This was Joel venting his anger for what we did to him in Cuitaca. Had we had been informed by our bosses that he and his people were there we would have hit another city.
Michael fell asleep and I limped into the main quarters. The gate into the fort was sealed shut with chains and locks. Some even managed to move rubble in fro..
"Is that all you do is write?"
"Someone's got to."
"Soon as they get close you drop that book and pick up your gun and fight you hear?"
"I know."
"What are you doing in here is Michael asleep?"
"Yeah, got tired of having someone write his biography."
"Haha funny guy. Hey why don't you write mine while you're at it?"
"Okay let's see, 35, no wife.."
"Whoa hey now gotta stretch the truth a little in there ya hear? Haha!"
Korey was from New Vegas but moved to Tennessee later in his life. He was an older, stoic man with a white handlebar mustache. He spoke softly but could drop you a mile away.
"Now that's better."
"You're welcome."
There were at least 15 of us in the main hall lying down against the wall, looking out tiny windows at the enemy. The rest were somewhere on the roof, taking cover from the shelling of course. We hoisted a ladder up the hole in the ceiling to get up there. I made my way to the Western part of the fort and into a room that had a bunch of old beds.
"I need medicine for my leg."
"Yeah sure thing, just lie down. Say you haven't seen Lewis have you?"
"No, he must be topside why? Ah fuck!"
"Didn't say it wouldn't hurt. Don't know how you kept up with us gettin here. Stimpack should ease the swelling. You should be good in a couple days."
"In a couple days we'll be dead."
"Well send my regards. Don't have the medicine for that now do I?"
"You got any food, Yuri?"
"Yeah, in fact here. Eggs, beans, bacon. Just made it not but an hour ago."
"Best doc ever."
"Don't mention it. Seriously though, I don't want a whole line of people over here askin if I got any breakfast. This ain't a kitchen. Careful on that leg, here's a crutch."
Best damned food I've had in days. I wanted to leave and try my luck up North I felt that much better. I limped my way back to the officers quarters and sat back down on my chair next to the window. Michael was still asleep sitting up. I checked the time. 22:46.
Outside was quiet as the only noise was now the rain. The artillery had stopped as I think Joel has caught on to the terrain damage he was causing, or just pure tiredness. Either way, it was calm before the storm.
01:30
I awoke to someone shaking me.
"Hey look, outside! Wake up!"
"What is it? I can't see anything.."
"Look closely. Hey Michael! It's Robby wake up man look outside!"
"Huh? What oh fuck sorry. Yeah I'll look are they coming yet?"
There must have been 100 approaching us. They were slow climbing as you could see their shadows sway in the dark as they stepped in and over muddy impact holes in the dirt.
"Shit have the men open fire."
"Yes sir I'll give the signal."
Robert fired a flare down the hill from the roof. We could now see the first wave. These poor infantería all soaked and drenched in mud from the rain.
We all opened fire and the infantería dropped like flies, either dead or dropped into cover in the mud. Very few shot back, for all intensive purposes they couldn't see us. The fort was well defended. The most they could do is starve us out until morning.
Michael rushed into the main hall.
"Hold your fire!"
"Why?!"
"Where'd they go?"
"There!"
More columns of infantry were approaching - slowly. Bullets popped off the concrete.
"Fuck we got one wounded!"
"Bring him down here to Yuri!"
"Where's he hit?"
"Right thigh!"
Michael and two others carefully hoisted Lewis down the ladder and walked him into the makeshift med bay.
02:45
A whole battalion of sindicato infantería appeared with ladders. At least 20-30 ladders were just barely visible, swaying as the men tripped over the mud. We were ordered to conserve our ammunition mostly but now we were taking shots at the ghostly figures. Robert was running out of flares and the night did not cease. Two more of our men on the roof were wounded.
In the distance on the ridge the enemy set up generator lights on old trucks. Another battalion emerged from the pass on its way towards us. Joel had his men armed mostly well - 5.56 carbines, light combat armor and some explosives. Their artillery and supplies were mounted on the backs of prewar trucks. Back in Cuitaca we did not expect them until we were in the main city. Our job was to sack the treasury of its gold bars and cash reserve. There were 500 of us. Michael and our company was on the back end when artillery fire blasted most of our main battalion to bits. Then came his infantería. We put up a good fight but Michael had our company withdraw early and that was how we ended up a step ahead of Joel's convoy.
"Holy fuck.."
"Watch out!"
I was pushed out of my chair to keep away from the window. Over their own bodies the sindicato managed to hug the wall. One fighter was inches from my face breathing in the window as I was writing. Robert dragged me to the center hall.
"Shoot them off the ladders, go!"
I had stashed the book away and climbed to the roof. 17 of our men started unloading in the field as the enemy attempted to climb up. Two more of us were shot, one was killed by an enemy hanging off a ladder. We fell back to the back of the forts roof behind some cover.
"Wait until they get on the roof then open fire!" Yelled Michael.
Indeed at least 20 of them were now in front of us. We gunned them down but more began climbing and firing back. 5 more of us were became KIA. We were down to 7 men on the roof and 11 in the main hall.
"Flash grenade out then back down that hole!"
We all jumped back down after Korey tossed a grenade. Michael ordered the rest of us to retreat to the back trench as he and two others got the wounded out. I and Douglas covered the ceiling as the enemy attempted to fire on us from the hole. The trench gave us a good view of the whole inside of the fort. The wall was only about 50 meters away. It was a small fort but it did its job. The enemy tried repelling down the hole but to no avail as we KIA'd five more of them.
"Shit, what if they come round back of us?"
"Don't worry that door's locked. Sealed."
05:09
Day light began to creep through the windows and cracks. For the last two hours was mostly uneasy silence that churned our stomachs. We could hear minor chatter outside but we had no idea what they were planning to do.
"How the hell do we get out of here then? Michael?"
"What day is it?"
"It's uh.. Tuesday. Why?"
"We hold out a little more. Wait until they overrun the hall then blast them."
"If that doesn't stop them?"
"Then we die here gentlemen. Clean your rifles best you can and reload. They'll be coming through that wall soon enough."
06:30
"You hear that?"
An explosion ripped a chunk of the middle wall out. Luckily the buried cache was not affected. We emptied magazine after magazine into the sindicato and stopped firing.
"Now!"
Robert cranked the trigger and more sand, bodies and concrete filled the heavens. When the dust settled we got a clearer view of the front of the fort as most of wall now was crumbling. A lot of Joel's men staggered back and Michael ordered half us back on the roof. Luckily it was cleared. We must of killed 200 men through the night.
In front of the fort were mortar craters, fallen, broken ladders and dead corpses. The companies Joel sent as the first wave were dragging the dead back to their defensive line. In the distance the trucks were now driving down the pass to us. Looks like Joel is on his way to deal with us personally.
"Over there look! That's what I'm talking about!"
To the West of us, a large convoy made its way to us.
"Who are they? More of Joel's men? Michael?"
"No! That's Daniel!"
"Right on time too!"
Daniel's men ambushed Joel in the mid Valley. A huge firefight broke out and we celebrated.
"Alright you five come with me, we need to help Daniel out and have him take our asses home!"
We finished off the wounded and straggler enemies in front of the fort. The desert heat and sunlight was extremely refreshing. We ran low to another trench by the river bed. Joel and Daniel were in a bitter fight, each taking shots off one another.
"We need to take out Joel's artillery! It's on two of those trucks a few hundred meters that way you them?"
"Yeah!"
"Don't want Daniel getting hit."
"Shit, how many men did Joel send after us? There's still a shit ton!"
"Daniel has a shit ton too let's move lowly across the river bed, we can get a good shot from there."
We positioned ourselves very closely to the trucks behind a mound of sand. The air grew loud as the fighting intensified. Joel's men began running to the front line.
"I can't see Joel nowhere unfortunately."
"Let's just take those sindicato out loading the shells."
"Now!"
One shell exploded taking out an entire truck. We downed multiple enemies. Luckily for us they had no one reinforcing their rear so we took advantage and manned the un destroyed artillery piece. Our first target was their front line positions. Tens of bodies exploded into red mist. There wasn't much of the army left.
10:13
Joel surrendered. We surrounded him and Daniel put a bullet in his head.
"You gonna take these prisoners of war or are you going to take us home, Dan?"
"I would be an asshole by saying the prisoners of war. Could fetch a good price for them in Baja."
"Yeah well at least give us some supplies for our walk home."
"Nah I'm not gonna do that Michael of course you can come. Get your wounded on the back of one of my trucks and we'll be on our way."
"What of the fort?"
"I'm having two squads stationed here to scavenge their supplies and report back on any reinforcements that may be looking for Joel. You guys get a hot meal back in Diresville."