Nathan Jones - Determination

Trev and his squad made their way back to where they’d left their packs, near where Matt’s squad had left theirs. The Aspen Hill volunteers took a moment to shake hands all around, since it would probably be a while since they saw each other again.

For a second watching Pete and Alice whisper to each other, Trev was worried the young man would try to pull something. Like just bringing his gear and following along, refusing to leave and forcing Trev to do something about him. But then the couple hugged for an uncomfortably long time, and Pete broke away and headed over to where the civilians were cleaning up after breakfast. It had been cooked under the open sky and eaten wherever people could find a handy rock or patch of grass, so the mess was similarly haphazard.

After trading backslaps with Matt, Trev called his squad into line and his friend did the same. The two walked in opposite directions towards the areas they’d been assigned to guard, and Trev didn’t look back. He hoped his friends to the south would be okay, but worrying about them wouldn’t help much.

Instead, he raised his voice to speak to the people following him. “One quick thing, guys. We’re going to be patrolling near Fred Vernon and his men. I don’t know if you’ve heard, but things aren’t exactly friendly between us.” That drew a few chuckles; they’d heard everything about the situation, either through rumors or from Trev himself. “But friendly or not, none of us are going to be the cause of trouble. And if anyone on their side tries to start anything I hope you’ll avoid rising to the bait. Understood?”

There were a few murmurs of assent, and Trev glanced back to see his squad mates nodding. They started up the path to Cedar Creek Canyon, and on the subject of the former sheriff Trev radioed ahead to let Vernon know they were coming. “We’ll be taking the cut just north of your canyon to get down to the foothills and start our patrol,” he finished.

There was a brief pause before Vernon replied. His warm, almost fatherly tone set Trev’s teeth on edge. “There’s a much faster and easier way to get to where you’re going through the canyon itself.” His tone became a wry drawl. “That is, if you’ll accept our hospitality.”

Against his better judgment Trev responded. “Thanks, but I learned my lesson from last time.”

The former sheriff chuckled. If he was offended it didn’t come over on the radio. “Fair enough. I’ve got a man watching the cut. I’ll let him know you’re on your way.”

Vernon’s voice cut off, and Trev sped up a little on the upward slope, stomping a bit more than necessary.

After only a few steps Rick caught up to him and walked to one side of the path, speaking in a low voice. “Listen, Trev, can we talk?”

At hearing his friend’s serious tone Trev nodded and motioned for the rest of the squad to slow down a bit for some privacy. “What’s up?”

“Vernon. You told us to avoid trouble, but I’m wondering how well you’ll be able to keep your own advice.”

Trev gave the younger man an annoyed look. “Why wouldn’t I?”

Rick shrugged. “Well you did get in that scuffle with some of his men a week ago. I think you have a bit of a blind spot with him… you’re striking sparks whenever the two of you come in contact.”

Trev stiffened. “Are you saying any of the trouble he and his men have caused is my fault?”

Rick hastily raised his hands. “Hey, I get that the three guys who jumped you and Matt were in the wrong. And it was a BS thing to do and doesn’t say much about him as a leader.” His friend shifted uncomfortably. “At the same time, he and his guys really know what they’re doing. Everyone who’s worked with him has nothing but good things to say.”

“Is this a “You should get along for the good of the unit” speech?” Trev asked sarcastically. “Because you know I just got done making one of those.”

“Which is why you snapped at him over the radio?” his friend replied, Trev stayed stubbornly silent, and Rick sighed. “I’m not saying you need to invite him to the next family barbeque. Just, you know, don’t make trouble if there is none, and if they try to start something be the bigger man. Our focus should be on patrolling our route, and that’s going to be hard if you keep tossing barbs every time you talk to the nearest group of volunteers.”

Trev nodded grudgingly. “I know, I shouldn’t have said that to him. I’ll try to be more civil. Thanks for the advice.” He clapped Rick on the shoulder and sped up again to get ahead with his thoughts.

The younger man hurried to catch up. “I know you’ve got good reason to be pissed at him. I just thought I should say something.”

“I get it.”

To his relief he recognized the man Vernon had guarding the cut. It was Trent Lincoln, who he’d met with the rest of the Lincoln family on the road to Michigan, heading the other way. The man waved as they approached.

“Looks like you’re going to get some exercise with your new job,” he said. He sounded slightly jealous, and Trev wasn’t sure he blamed him; even considering the risk of enemy attacks, sitting around guarding a treacherous path up a steep, rocky slope wasn’t exactly exciting.

“Wouldn’t be the first time I’ve gone long distances day after day,” Trev replied, offering his hand.

Trent chuckled as he shook it. “I hear you. It’s kind of crazy, but when my family was trekking across the Great Plains I just wanted it to be over. Now that it is I kind of miss putting ground under my feet.”

“I guess enjoy sitting around while you can. No telling what we’ll be doing in the future.”

“True.” The man hesitated, then leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice. “Why didn’t you tell me you and Fred had a problem?”

Trev bit back a sigh. He should’ve expected his new friend would hear about that, all things considered. “I didn’t want to drag you into the middle of it.”

“Okay. Only…” Trent frowned uncomfortably. “The guys are saying you accused him of stealing your truck. That you arrested him at gunpoint and made a huge deal about it when they first came into camp. They’re saying a lot of other stuff about you, too. I just wanted to get your side of it.”

“What sort of other stuff?” Trev asked sharply. So not only had Vernon robbed him, but now he was bad mouthing him behind his back?

His friend shrugged. “Just stuff. I, um, I’d rather not say.” He squared his shoulders. “So what’s your side of things?”

Trev shook his head. He should’ve warned Trent about Vernon that first morning after all. Only he hadn’t expected something like this. No time like the present to correct a mistake, but unfortunately he didn’t have time at the moment. “I’ll be happy to tell you everything, but we’ve got ground to cover. How about I visit you next time I’m off duty and we can talk it though?”

“Sure.” Trent grimaced. “I’m on mornings watching this deer trail for now, so you know where to find me.”

They met two squads of Army reinforcements heading back the other way not far from the cut. Their superiors had radioed ahead that Trev’s squad was relieving them, and aside from a couple lookouts they were heading back to 31. Although the soldiers were clearly eager to get some rest, Trev managed to convince them to stop for a second and fill him in on what they’d observed from the area.

Most of the details about the terrain he already knew, but he was interested to hear the routes the blockheads had taken to break through during last night’s attack. That would be a good place to start with establishing a good patrol route and preparing better defenses for the area.

He was also relieved to hear that when the enemy pulled out after their attack, they’d abandoned the foothills entirely. And in spite of their moderate success breaking through here, they didn’t seem to have left many soldiers in the immediate area in the valley below. Maybe they didn’t expect to get lucky a second time, and this stretch wasn’t important enough to devote more than a token force to.