Paul Kirk - Devastation Point

“Thank you again, Hannah.”

The colonel waved a hand without looking back. Returning to the task and gripping the filet knife firmly, Amanda returned to cutting the last remnants of dog meat off the carcass. Finished, she wiped the bloody blade with a rag and used a sterile wipe to finalize the process. Nicole finished stuffing the meat slices into the plastic bags and packing containers and tossed in salt.

“Where in the heck did you learn to use a knife like that?” asked Nicole.

“My grandpa. I cut all his kills. He started teaching me when I was five. We’re done here. Let’s get moving… for the real reason we’re together right now,” said Amanda. She dipped her hands into the wash bucket and wiped her hands on the blood-spattered towel. She tossed the towel on the table and used a second sterile wipe on her hands. She cringed and stared at the ancient crud smeared into the towel. Her frustration boiled over.

“Where’s my damn dish towel? Dammit! Mac!”

Amanda left and the energy in her walk pulsed with each step. Nicole watched her leave for a moment. Then, she followed.

“I know this might seem like I repeat myself, uncle, but can you tell me what the fuck just happened?” Back at his truck, Phoenix hovered at the passenger door with the Judge held white-knuckled in his hand. Angry, he waved the gun around at no one in particular, but clearly sought a target to help with his frustration.

“Snipers had us nailed down.”

“Wow! Snipers? Around here? I hadn’t noticed. Now there’s a thought!” Phoenix stared across the pickup hood. Snatching binoculars handed to him by Titmouse, he took his time to carefully seek out any new movement or potential sniper nests beyond the bridge.

“No. I’m serious, Phoenix. They took Luke’s team and us on as well. Both bridges. We each took some serious casualties. It had to be planned.”

“Planned you say? As in, they knew we were comin’?” Phoenix scanned the high ridgeline known on his maps as Mount Washington. He continued to search for movement. He was certain the Rat Pack he was hunting was up there.

“Sure. It had to be planned, how else? They hadda know we were coming.”

“They?”

“That Connor MacMillen guy. There had to be at least two or three of ’em snipers takin’ shots at us. Top-of-the-line snipers, I’d say. Probably up in one of those buildings. No question.”

“With top of the line sniper rifles no less?” suggested Phoenix, getting angrier.

“Uh, yeah.”

“Uncle…” Phoenix forced himself to calm, realizing that the worst of today’s events was probably over. Deep down, he knew killing Larry wouldn’t solve anything.

“Yeah?” Larry Reed sensed the anger building against his theory.

“There was only one sniper, uncle—and I think the shots were nothing more than delay tactics of a desperate enemy on the run. Or, better yet, an enemy who’d just realized that they are now the hunted. I wonder—”

“Wonder what, Phoenix?”

“Shut the hell up, I’m thinkin’.”

The loss of his men on both bridges became more acceptable in the big scheme of things. Phoenix realized his prey had some tooth and claw and this pleased him. He smiled and climbed into the passenger seat. Turning toward his uncle, he had fire in his eyes.

“Have the men finish clearing the forward edge of this bridge. They have thirty fucking minutes.”

“Phoenix?”

“You heard me now, Uncle. I’ll let Luke and the brigades know to run in full pursuit as we speak.”

“Those snipers are still out there.”

“No, Larry. No they’re not .”

“But—”

“Another negative word and I think I just might… move it. My orders are clear.”

“Yes, sir.”

Phoenix studied the frantic energy of his men mobilizing to clear the bridge. Though hesitant at first, when no additional shots sounded, they increased their movements to complete the debris and vehicle removal. Phoenix held the radio to his lips.

“Luke? You copy me?”

“I’m here. Go ahead, Phoenix.”

“Run full ahead. Delay tactics is all it was. You’re clear to progress. Though, I admit there’s a low percentage you might take a few more shots in your general direction, so be careful. Over.”

“Okay. Movin’ now. You know, we’re leaving behind some bodies. Over.”

“Yeah, well, can’t be helped. Over.”

“I think they’re on that lookout platform up on that ridge. Over.”

“I know. Head that direction as fast as you can. I’m sure it was only one sniper based on my estimates. They’re probably cleared out by now. Over.”

“Only one? No way it was only one. Over.”

“Luke? Do you copy?”

“Yeah, go ahead.’

“This is my domain. I do the math. I do the strategy.”

“Right. Heading out. Over.”

“Good. Over and out.”

“Sir?”

“Go ahead, Luke.”

“How ’bout we enter the tunnels in front of us? We’ll reach the other side faster? Catch ’em off guard. Over.”

“Think about it, Luke. The team that just took shots at us elected not to go into those tunnels for a reason. There’s probably experienced trappers in that tunnel, who’ve now woken up with all the shootin’. And the team we’re huntin’ will likely have a plan B that won’t connect with your exit of those tunnels. Over.”

“I see.”

“They’ll follow the ridgeline to wherever they’re heading. Over”

“Understood.” Hidden beneath the Liberty bridge onramp, Luke considered his current situation. Quickly, he grasped that Phoenix was seeing a larger picture than he, himself, was accustomed to viewing. Rarely impressed, he favored Phoenix with a question.

“What do you need me to do? Over.”

Phoenix heard the question slide over the radio and smiled. It appeared Luke had his limits, indeed. “Take that ridge road into this Mount Washington and hunt those fuckers down until we can strap ’em to a tree and get some answers, am I clear?”

“Yes, sir. Movin’ out.”

“That’s ’bout the best we can do, Mac.”

“Some very nice shootin’ Surf Boy. Very nice.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“As intended. Too bad you missed your first shot on the West End Bridge.”

“Hey, can I help it if that poor bastard stepped in front of my killshot?”

“Nah, I guess you can’t. But, it sure did send a nice message to those bastards. Should slow any progress substantially.”

Marty glanced at Connor only to see him staring off at the city and thinking hard. “They’re gonna be comin’ hard for us now, Mac.”

“Oh, yeah.”

“We still on track?”

“Yep. Only thing is…”

Connor hesitated and quickly studied the Liberty Bridge with his binoculars. The men that cowered near the downtown onramp were becoming bolder, perhaps a bit too early for his tastes.

“Only thing what?” asked Marty.

“Only thing is, I want you to retarget the Liberty Bridge and set them bastards back a few more men, if you don’t mind. I think they might’ve just got orders to push forward. I want them to rethink that for awhile.”

Marty shifted the scope onto the Liberty Bridge, catching new movement. Clearly, they were sneaking across making good use of the discarded cars and trucks as cover. Smiling, he settled back into a comfortable position.

“I see ’em. Targets acquired.”

“Wind’s west at maybe five mph. Range unchanged,” said BB, “take the blue shirt near the tank.”

“Target acquired. Firing…”