Kindle Alexander - Up In Arms (12 page)

Pulling his pack forward, Trevor dropped to one knee to rummage through his heavy backpack, pulling the few necessary items he needed to stay alive. Trevor had been instructed to lighten his load, and after twenty one miles of running through an overgrown jungle in the dead of night, the idea of lightening his load sounded very appealing. Rylie, his newly appointed team lead, wanted to get back home to his new bride, which turned out to be a good thing for all of them.

Sweat trickled down the side of Trevor’s face. The jungle temperatures were hot, and Trevor wore full combat gear. Being completely armed, most of his weapons were strapped to his body. The backpack provided mostly luxury items to help in a long term stay in the jungle. Trevor had no desire to make this a long term trip, and tossed the pack hard into the dark, dense foliage of the jungle. He watched it disappear as it spiraled through the air a few feet away from him.

Flipping his head forward, Trevor touched the side of his high-tech, next generation helmet. The shield connected with his right eye, and the night vision scanned the area, pulling a grid forward for Trevor to see. The run had been difficult, but the helmet ensured he knew of jutting logs, or pending quick sand patches while he ran full out. The helmet also noted the large anaconda, hanging like a vine, about fifty feet to his right. Damn, he hated snakes.

Taking off again, Trevor focused on the layout of the jungle, jumping and turning as he saw through his shield. Trevor relied completely on the face mask. The tangle of vines in the tropical jungle was pitch black. He would be unable to see his hand in front of his face without the device.

Trevor was roughly thirty hours into this mission. Thirty one hours since they left the wedding, and he’d left Reed Kensington. Each member of his team vowed to have Rylie back home and in his bride’s waiting arms as soon as humanly possible, but all Trevor could think about was getting back to Rylie’s older brother. Reed would have to wait: right now he needed to clear all the thoughts of the sexy man from his head and concentrate on his assignment.

This mission consisted of bringing in ‘Birdseye’, a Columbian drug lord who stayed on the United State’s most wanted list for the last twelve years. The target had now moved to the number one most wanted spot after recent terrorist attacks throughout the United Kingdom and the discovery of plans targeting the United States. Birdseye’s crimes also included wide, sweeping acts of genocide throughout his country and several others. Reportedly, communist leaders paid and hid this guy well, always keeping him just out of reach every time United States got too close. Trevor understood the target was now located on the border between Thailand and China, which probably meant Trevor ran deep inside the Chinese border now.

None of it really mattered though. Trevor’s team was sent to bring Birdseye in, dead or alive, and if it was a true sighting, he knew they would achieve their mission. They always did. The only complicating factor was the reports of women and children in Birdseye’s compound. It was suspected they were being held against their will. Each of Trevor’s teammates had a problem with abuse to women and children. This Birdseye coward was known for both.

Staying low, Trevor ran in the direction his screen indicated. Checking his wrist compass, he calculated approximately three more miles to reach the compound. Trevor’s entire team was in this jungle, but they were spread apart over several miles, completely circling the compound. Only eight of the thirty or so men were breeching the walls tonight. Brody was Trevor’s partner like normal, but their relationship stayed strained since the moment Brody watched him walk off with Reed.

“West, two point four miles east, southeast,” Rylie said into the headphones of his helmet. “It’s recalculating the coordinates on your screen now. Birdseye’s currently located on the second floor, North East corner. It’s your corner, Trevor. The gate will be secure, two guard post. I’ll give you the heads up on entry. West, you’ll take the second guard post. You and Daniels will enter together. We know of six females held in the room, eleven children ranging in age of three to thirteen are also present. The older children are suspected to be armed, but no visual on that. Still no sign they know of the pending strike.”

Trevor picked up the pace, following the coordinates. It took less than twelve minutes to reach the first stop point. Trevor stayed hidden, awaiting further instruction. It didn’t take but a minute for the signal to come from a small guard shack taken over by one his men. Rylie gave the command and Trevor raced forward with his weapon palmed, staying out of the moonlight. A second small guard shack in the back of the compound held one occupant. Trevor dropped behind the first post, took a knee, and aimed. The shot was quiet and simple. The guard never saw it coming. He dropped like a sack of potatoes. Brody came from the South, disarming the gate, allowing several others, including Trevor, to come forward and enter the compound. The team raced to their designated areas before the next sweep of the flood lights.

The original plan outlined during their briefing had all gates opening simultaneously. Based on the lack of noise, or notification, Trevor assumed it worked. The compound looked like a three story fortress. Reports came in of a possible basement, but no visual to confirm. The structure looked to be constructed of concrete and steel, making one giant square with six windows on each floor, eighteen total per side. Reaching the back of the building, Trevor counted off the windows, finding the one flashing in his helmet. Command post gave him the green light to move into place. Brody stayed beside him. They were now both pressed against the compound wall. Trevor reached out, tossing a thin micro fiber rope into the air. His aim was perfect. The small metal clasp connected securely to the ledge. Trevor gave a quick tug on the rope, satisfied it could hold his body weight, relieved he made it on the first try. Attaching his rope to his chest amour harness, Trevor stood ready to reel himself up.

Touching his earpiece, Trevor gave a silent code that he and Brody were there and waiting. Brody stayed focused on surveillance, and when gunshots sounded, plan B came into effect with force. Command center no longer dictated their moves; they were now in survival mode. Brody rounded the corner where the gunfire originated, firing off dozens of rounds. Trevor moved forward, scaling the building within seconds. The small concrete ledge held, allowing him to swing, and he landed easily on the side on the small ledge. He was hidden by a thin wisp of a curtain. Pulling a pen-like device from his jacket, his helmet’s electronics automatically connected with it. Trevor pulled the pen out, extending its size by about a foot. The tip held a lens, showing the images of the room across the mask of his helmet.

Trevor tuned out all the gunfire going on around him, while quickly surveying the room. Birdseye stood, backed against a far wall, away from all the windows. Women and children were positioned at every opening, making it a harder shot to hit just the intended target. Counting the heads, there was double the number of children than indicated. The small lens caught the soldier on the other ledge, just caddy corner to where he stood. Trevor touched his ear piece, giving them a silent signal he was ready, knowing Rylie and his commanders could see through his helmet. Carefully placing his lens on the ledge, Trevor angled it to still see most of the room. He pulled his weapon from his vest and positioned himself. Birdseye grabbed a very pregnant girl, using her as a human shield. She screamed out in fear, and Birdseye gathered his fist, punching her in the side of the head. She fell to the floor, and then he kicked her hard in the stomach, pushing her away. Trevor caught the whole action through his helmet and, boy, didn’t that just completely piss him off.

Trevor didn’t hesitate. He knew the reason they picked him for this job. This guy was going down by his hand. Trevor took aim. When he fired off his shot, Grisby, the soldier on the other side fired just seconds later. Birdseye was hit with perfect accuracy in the middle of his forehead, dropping immediately to his knees. The sounds of gunfire filled the small room. Trevor’s helmet showed an unidentified insurgent charged forward after seeing his leader lying lifeless on the floor. Instinct told Trevor this wouldn’t be good for those inside, and he ripped the rope from his chest harness while trying to take aim. The insurgent screamed. He began firing on the women and children. Mass chaos ensued. Trevor didn’t hesitate. Unable to get a good shot, he barreled through the window, landing on his feet. He took a bullet in his shoulder meant for the small girl under his window. Trevor spun around, weapon in one hand; he freed another pen lens from his chest armor, and for the second time in a matter of moments, Trevor was thoroughly pissed off.

Running backward, the insurgent grabbed a child to his body before ducking away from the door. Trevor followed, dodging screaming women and children, not letting himself be distracted by the injured. He knew the other soldiers would begin the care they needed. Hitting the door, Trevor fired off several rounds, using his lens to gage distance. There were several cover points along a narrow hall. The sounds below indicated more fighting, but Trevor wanted the little fucker who opened fire on these children. Firing his rounds again, Trevor stepped out of the room. Across the stairs, several shots were fired back at him. Trevor didn’t slow down, but fired in their direction while sliding behind a banister. Slowly he picked off everyone he could find hidden.

The floor was quiet again. He ran in the direction the cowardly insurgent had. Coming to a door, Trevor kicked it open, jumping aside. Several bullets flew past him, missing him completely. Trevor continued to ignore the bullet wound in his shoulder, but the dripping blood now made it down to his hand. The weapon slipped in his grip. After another moment of quiet, Trevor used his lens to find the insurgent. The man stood ready to fire. Trevor knew he would be faster, hopefully able to grab the child crying just a few feet away. Quickly turning the corner, Trevor fired, hitting the insurgent square in the chest. Trevor dove for the child, grabbing the little one to him as he saw the live grenade lying in the man’s hand. Rylie yelled in his helmet, and Trevor took off running, but only made it a step or two before the grenade detonated and the floor flew out from underneath him.

From the corner of Trevor’s eye, he saw the soldier from the window rounding the corner. He threw the child in his direction, praying he would be caught. There was no time to know for sure; everything fell out from under him, hurtling him through the three story building. Shots whizzed past him as he fell, several making contact in his leg, shoulder, and arm. The pain slammed into his body with each bullet, but Trevor forced it all out. There was no time to let it register, because he needed to brace himself for the fall.

Trevor fell through two floors. The impact of each floor slammed his body hard, but slowed him down until the floor gave way, sending him flying through another. Finally, Trevor landed hard in a basement room. His back and right leg landed on a mattress, his left leg slammed to the ground. He could hear the break in his foot before he even felt it. Debris came crashing down on top of him. Trevor tried to shove himself away from the gaping hole in the ceiling, but was helpless as flying wood pieces and boards struck him over and over again. He realized his weapon was still palmed in his hand. He lifted it to the gaping hole in the ceiling, trying to protect himself from the insurgents. The house began to shake; the floor underneath Trevor quaked. The entire side of the compound began to crumble around him. Concrete and steel beams fell, burying him in rubble.

Jarring himself awake, Trevor saw several members of his team looming over him. His body hurt like a son of a bitch. Rylie’s face came into his line of vision. For the first time, he realized how much Rylie looked like Reed.

“He’s lost a lot of blood,” someone said. Pain shot through him when he tried to move from the awkward position he lay in.
“It’s going to take too long to get this off of him. The leg’s shattered. We have to move out before the Chinese authorities find us.”
“We aren’t leaving him. Get the medic help now!” Rylie yelled. Turning back down to Trevor, Rylie lowered his voice. “Trevor, we’re going to get you out of here. I promise. I won’t leave you.”
Trevor nodded, but the pain stayed too intense and he felt too light headed. “Did he catch the child?” His voice wasn’t more than a whisper before his eyes involuntarily closed, and he passed out again.

“FUCK! God Damn It! That shit FUCKIN’ hurts!” Trevor woke ready to fight. Brody and Rylie were there, holding him in place. Brody pinned his arms down. Rylie lay across his legs trying to hold him still. “GET THE FUCK OFF ME. MAKE IT STOP! GODDAMN, IT HURTS!”

“Trevor, you have to stop. Don’t move! You’re making it worse.” Tears were streaming down Brody’s face.
“Keep hold of him. We’re almost done.” The sounds of saws and drills going off sent unbelievable agony pulsing through his body, clouding his brain. It was too much. Trevor began to vomit before he passed out again.

“Dad...it’s Trevor.” Tears clogged Rylie’s throat, making it hard for him to talk. Rylie dropped the phone to his thigh, rubbing his hands over his face, wiping his eyes.

“What? Son, are you there?” Concern laced his father’s voice. Rylie could hear his father calling for his mother to pick up the other line. “Tell us what’s happened.”

“Dad, it’s bad. He’s been hurt bad.” Rylie cried openly as he spoke; grief just tore at his heart. Hearing his father was all it took to finally push him over the edge. He could hear Reed asking questions in the background.

“Who’s been hurt? Trevor’s been hurt? What happened? Hold on, your mom’s getting on the phone.”
“Rylie, what’s happened?” his mother asked.
“Trevor’s been shot, multiple times. And he lost his leg. They had to take it in the field. He was awake when they did it.” Rylie cried harder, remembering holding Trevor down, allowing this to happen to his best friend.
“Oh, Rylie,” his mom sobbed.
“Where are you now? Where’s Trevor?”
“Trevor’s in Germany. They got him stable and transported him today. It was the closest place. He’s in surgery now, but he’s lost a lot of blood. They told me I could call his next of kin. He doesn’t have anyone but you two. Mom, Dad, please pray for him.”
“We will. Reed’s here. He wants to talk to you.”
Reed’s voice was intense, anxiety filled, desperate. “What happened?”
Rylie paused to control the memories that threatened to overwhelm him. “He lost so much blood... Trevor’s hurt bad, Reed. They thought he was dead. They made me hold him down.”
“Tell me exactly where Trevor is, Rylie.”
“He’s on base in Germany. They won’t let me go to him yet. It’ll be a day before I can get there.”
“Get me whatever clearance I need. I’m on my way.”