CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“The drones picked up an explosion last night,” said AJ.
“A pickup truck that was on the property. They’re prepared for us this time.
It looks like landmines have been set on the perimeter.
I’ve marked them on the maps on your devices.
I’ll send in the robotics that are capable of remotely detonating them. ”
“How does that work?” frowned Remington.
“It’s like a bomb robotic but this gets a few dozen yards away and transmits a signal that makes the landmine think it’s being depressed. It blows a dozen, possibly more all at once.
“I’ll take out all of those near the two main entrances, then work my way around the property. They’re going to think it’s hundreds of men coming for them. They’ll be firing everything they can at you.”
“Well, we asked for a distraction,” frowned Rush. “I guess this is as good as any.”
“The terrain is rockier than the Dakotas. Lots of places for others to hide. Everyone should be in their stealth suits. When they see no one, they won’t know what’s happening.
“Striker, Sniff, and Luke. You guys need to get here,” said AJ pointing to a spot on the map. “There’s a cave there with at least three bears inside and we think they’re injured or sick.”
“Oh, goodie,” frowned Striker.
“Not my job to deliver good news, just news. Since you’ll have the scent of the other animals you saved, they might be nice to you. I don’t know. I don’t speak animal.”
“What about the homes? Are the bunkers inside?” asked Remington.
“No.” They all turned to see Jeremiah and Zane.
“Shouldn’t you be resting?” asked Rush.
“Should be, sir. But this is more important. The bunkers are all outside. The doors will look like cellar doors. There is no other way in. They were planning to build entrances from the basements of the houses, but they hadn’t done that yet.
“That truck you showed that exploded, that was George Carvers truck. He must have done something to make them angry. If he was in it, he’s dead.”
“Why kill him? Wasn’t he one of the main people to coordinate the hunts?” asked Remington. The two men looked behind them, as if to ensure someone wasn’t there. “You can say anything here.”
“Yes, sir. Our, um Mike Miller and Maggie Carver were having an affair. Everyone knew about it except George. Or he ignored it. Florence didn’t care as long as they did what she told them to do.”
“Shit,” muttered Remington. “So if he decided to go in a different direction, he was a liability to them.”
“I think so, yes,” nodded Jeremiah.
“What’s their morning routine?” asked Ham. “Early risers, late risers, what?”
“Most sleep until they wake up. There’s not a lot of routine other than when there’s a hunt,” said Zane. “I’ve never known anyone to wake up before seven unless it was us kids being forced to do chores.”
“That’s good,” said Ham. “Sunrise is a little before six. We’ll be there early enough for it to still be dark.”
“I wouldn’t bring the dogs either, sir,” said Jeremiah. “They’d just as soon shoot a dog as have to deal with it. We learned that the hard way.”
“Jesus,” muttered Gator. “You had a dog?”
“We tried,” said Zane. “Brought home a stray we found on the side of the road. We were just kids, twelve, thirteen years old. Mike said we could keep it but Florence walked out of the house with her pistol and shot it. Not two-feet from where we both stood.”
“I wet my pants,” said Jeremiah looking down, ashamed.
“As you should,” said Ham. “A gun fired that close to a man would make you piss yourself. No shame in that.” Jeremiah gave a half smile and nodded.
“Jeremiah can’t go but I can. The boys will listen to me and follow me. Just let me help get my brothers out.”
“Alright,” nodded Ham. “But you listen to every damn word these men say. No matter what. Understood?”
“Yes, sir. Understood.”
“Everyone get your gear. The Ospreys are being loaded with more fire power than you can imagine plus some new things. The animal trucks will be on the outskirts of the property near the closest exit location to each of the cages.
“Luke, Sniff, Gaspar, Striker, and Dex will handle it. Just stay out of their way unless they call for help. The rest of you, finish this issue, all of it. And bring those boys home.”