World War III (30 page)

“We’re spread out pretty thin,” answered the Lieutenant. “The truth is we needed their help.”

“I’ve never heard of them,” said Lex. “Are they dangerous?”

“I’ve heard of them mate,” said Cleo. “They’re a bunch of hired thugs who’ll kill or do anything for a paycheck.”

“And the government sent them to protect the people?” asked Lex, anger rising within him.

“I’m afraid so,” answered Sawyer. “Just be careful in case you run into any of them.”

“Thanks for the warning.”

Break Out

World War III – Day Fifteen

FEMA Camp #569, California

Thanks to the information provided by Lt. Sasha Razin, Lex and Cleo now knew the exact location of several FEMA camps. But what they didn’t know was which camp was home to Mrs. Mancini. After an intense study of the map, they agreed that the most logical location was the camp closest to San Diego and set off in that direction.

Several days after leaving Major Conrad and his convoy of Marines behind, Lex and Cleo arrived on the outskirts of FAMA Camp # 569. It was late in the day when they arrived and what little light there was would soon be gone. They quickly took up observation positions on opposite ends of the camp, searching for Mrs. Mancini and acquiring intelligence on the enemy’s strength.

Peering through the lens of his binoculars, Lex estimated the number of prisoners to be a little over ten thousand. He counted fifty soldiers wearing Russian uniforms, but only fifteen were on duty at any given time. The rest of them lounged around in their barracks, sleeping, eating and from the sounds of the commotion, playing cards and drinking heavily. On the far side of the camp, Lex could see Cleo hiding behind a cluster or boulders, watching the camp below.

Lex and Cleo were surprised to find such a small contingent of guards. But after a full day of scouting the camp and observing the daily activity, they realized why so few were needed. The prisoners seldom left their barracks and when they did only a few emerged at a time. Those who did venture outside appeared weak and sick. Their eyes were yellow, their skin was pale, and their frail bodies were withered and worn. Every morning the remains of dead prisoners who’d die during the night were carried from the barracks and dumped onto a pile of dead bodies at the far end of the camp, where they remained until the end of the day when the guards burned them.

Lex studied the pile of bodies closely, searching for his mother, but found nothing that resembled her delicate and graceful form. If she was here in this camp, she was still alive. There were several other FEMA camps that the Russian prisoner had mentioned, but none were as close to his mother’s house in San Diego.

A couple of hours after the sun set, Lex folded the binoculars in half and slid them into the pocket of his coat. Everyone in camp had already settled down for the night and there wasn’t much to see. His mind formulated a plan, as he quietly slipped away into the night. When he finally arrived at their predetermined campsite, Cleo had already started a small fire and was in the process of preparing a meal.

Standing in the shadows for a brief moment, Lex watched as Cleo bent over the fire, stirring what smelled like a pot of beans and onions. The firelight dancing on her face illuminated her soft skin and enchanting brown eyes. Lex stood there in the darkness, wondering what he could have possibly done to deserve such a woman.

Cleo glanced up when Lex entered the small encampment, “Hello love,” she said with a smile. “I hope your bloody hungry mate because I prepared a feast.”

“Sounds great,” said Lex, returning her smile. He seemed distracted.

“What’s the matter?”

“I didn’t see my mom down there, did you?” When they’d arrived at the camp Lex had given Cleo a photograph of his mom so that she could identify her.

“No, I didn’t, but that doesn’t mean she’s not there.”

“No I suppose it doesn’t,” agreed Lex. “Did you see the pile of dead bodies?”

“I bloody well did, but I didn’t see your mum among them. I’m sure she’s alright, if she’s even down there. If you wanna be sure before making our move we could go scout the other camps the Russian mentioned first,” suggested Cleo.

“Those camps are too far away,” answered Lex. “I thought for sure she’d be here. And what if she is here and we leave without knowing?”

“The only way we’re gonna know for sure is if we go down there and take a closer look. However, once we bust into this camp the others will probably be notified within the hour and begin fortifying their security. Trust me love, this is what I do for a living. We’re only gonna get one bloody chance at this, so we’ve gotta make it count.”

“I know,” said Lex, shaking his head. “I just don’t know what to do. Did you notice that the prisoners down there are really sick with something? If my mom is here and we leave to scout other camps she may be dead from the illness by the time we return.”

“That’s true love,” said Cleo, wrapping her arm around Lex’s shoulder in an attempt to console him. “It’s not going to be an easy decision, but it’s one you’re gonna have to make on your own. After all, she’s your mum.”

“My gut tells me that she’s here,” said Lex, after a moment of deep contemplation.

“Well then maybe you should trust it,” suggested Cleo. “Ya know my dad used to say that gut feeling is God’s way of guiding us and helping us to make the right decision. You should always trust your instincts mate.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” said Lex.

“Of course I’m right,” grinned Cleo. “I’m a woman aren’t I? And we’re always right, or didn’t your mum teach you that?”

“Of course,” said Lex, smiling. “After all, Shiloh trusted in God during the battle of Clearview and look what happened there. He single-handedly killed the leaders of the Enlightened Ones, including the giant. Heck,” added Lex, rubbing his wounded shoulder, “he never even got wounded. Despite all of the bullet holes we found in his jacket. And standing out in the open like that, I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“See,” smiled Cleo, “all it takes is a little faith.”

“I suppose you’re a believer now too?” asked Lex.

“I’m not sure what I believe just yet,” answered Cleo. “All I know is that I’ve seen some pretty amazing and unbelievable things during the past few weeks. Things that I never thought could be possible. Whatever you decide regarding your mum just know that I’m with you, for better or worse. But remember, we’re only gonna get one bloody shot at this so we’ve got to make it count.”

“Alright then,” said Lex, “I say we sneak in tonight, enter the prisoner barracks, find my mom and then sneak back out. With any luck we might be able to get in and out with no one the wiser.”

“Sounds like a bloody brilliant plan,” said Cleo. Although she was anxious to rescue Lex’s mom, she was a little nervous and wondered what the older woman would think of her.

After eating their meal, Lex and Cleo slowly began to make their way down the hillside towards the prison camp below. At the bottom of the hill they found four guard towers, one located at each of the camp’s four corners. Each tower was manned by two snipers, with two more sentries guarding the front gate. Another five guards patrolled the inside of the camp, walking in circles around the perimeter. The remaining Russian soldiers were fast asleep in their bunks.

Lex and Cleo quietly approached the eastern fence, located opposite the main entrance. It was the least guarded and had a five minute delay between the guards walking by on patrol. Both Lex and Cleo were dressed in black from head to toe, making them nearly invisible in the cold, dark night. Lying on their stomachs in the tall grass, about twenty yards from the fence, they watched as one of the guards walked by smoking a cigarette. When he’d passed and was out of sight, they began crawling on their bellies towards the fence.

Using wire cutters, Cleo quickly cut an opening in the fence large enough for them to both fit through. Crouched beside her with his rifle held ready, Lex kept watch. From the ground up she cut two parallel lines in the fence, about two feet high and two feet apart. She left the top alone so that no one would notice a large hole in the chain-link fence. When she was finished she pulled up the fence and held it while Lex crawled through and then quickly followed, allowing the fence to swing back down behind her. Unless someone closely inspected the fence they’d never realize it was cut open.

Once on the inside of the camp, they quickly darted to the nearest barrack and slid beneath. From there they watched, while the guard smoking a cigarette walked by again. As he passed by the spot in the fence that had been cut, Lex and Cleo held their breath in anticipation. When he’d passed and was gone from sight, they climbed out from under the barrack and in a crouched run, headed for the barrack’s front door. They were both surprised when they found the door unlocked. The Russians didn’t appear to care much about keeping their prisoners confined.

Once inside the dark barrack, they immediately realized why there was no need to lock the prisoners within. The American prisoners were deathly sick and far too weak to attempt an escape. The putrid smell alone was enough to make Lex gag. Using flashlights to see, Lex and Cleo quietly crept passed the rows of cots, searching for Mrs. Mancini. The barrack was dirty and overcrowded. It smelled more like a public bathroom than sleeping quarters. It wasn’t surprising that everyone was sick and dying, disease and infection thrived under such rancid conditions. Lex was about to give up the search and move on to the next barrack, when he heard the soft sound of a woman’s frail voice calling his name.

“Alexander is that you?” Lex spun around towards the sound of the woman’s voice. He peered into the darkness, listening. “Alex?” He quickly darted in and out of cots following the sound, as the woman continued to call is name.

“Mom?” Whispered Lex, kneeling down beside her cot. “It’s me, mom! I’m here!” Cleo rushed over and joined Lex by his mother’s side.

“Oh Alex, I knew you’d come for me,” she said, struggling to rise.

“Of course mom, everything’s going to be alright, just try and relax. We’re gonna get you out of here.”

“Not just me,” whispered Beth, “everyone.”

Cleo bent down and whispered into Lex’s ear, “There’s no bloody way we can take everyone mate. It’s gonna be hard enough getting your mum out of here without being noticed. Most of these people can’t even walk!”

“I know,” said Lex, looking around at all of the sick and weak civilians. “Mom, we can’t take everyone or none of us will make it. Do you understand?”

“We can’t just leave these people here Alex, they’ll surly die,” Beth pleaded.

“Most of them are probably going to die anyway,” whispered Cleo.

“It’s just not possible mom,” said Lex. “Only a fool would try to save everyone.”

“Well,” smiled Beth, “I’d rather be an optimistic fool than a pessimist and be right.”

“She’s got spunk, I’ll give her that,” said Cleo.

“How much C-4 have we got?” asked Lex.

“Enough to blow up five buildings,” replied Cleo. “Why do ya ask? You’re not bloody considering this are ya mate?”

“We can’t just leave them all here to die,” said Lex.

“Aye and we can’t bring them with us either,” argued Cleo. “Otherwise, we might as well pick out a cot and make ourselves comfortable.”

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” replied Lex, already formulating a plan in his head.

“What do you suggest we do?”

“If we plant C-4 explosives under each of the guard towers, as well as under the barracks housing the troops and then detonate them simultaneously, we’ll only have seven guards left to contend with, right?”

“I suppose,” said Cleo. “But it won’t take very long for reinforcements to arrive.”

“True,” agreed Lex, “but if we spring everyone all at once some are bound to get away, maybe not everyone, but at least some of them.”

“How would they get away, most of them can’t even walk?”

“They can use the Russian trucks,” suggested Lex. “If they head west towards the Nevada border some might make it.”

“And those that don’t?”

“Well, they won’t be any worse off than they already are,” replied Lex. “And at least they’d have a fighting chance.”

“Fine,” agreed Cleo. “I hope this bloody works.”

“Me too,” said Lex.

“Here, give me all of the C-4,” said Cleo, reaching into Lex’s bag and withdrawing the small, clay looking blocks of explosives. “I’ll plant the explosives. You get everyone up and ready to move.”

“What about the five guards patrolling the perimeter?”

“No worries mate,” said Cleo, casting a wink at Lex. “It’s not like this is my first rodeo.” She bent down and kissed Lex softly on the lips, before turning and silently slipping out the door.

“I like her,” gasped Beth, after Cleo had disappeared from sight.

“Me too mom,” said Lex, helping his frail mother to her feet. “Okay, it’s time we get moving. Can you help me wake everyone and warn them about what’s about to happen?”

“Of course,” said Beth, balancing her weight on her son’s shoulder. She turned to the woman lying on the cot beside her, bent down and gently shook her shoulder. “Jenae darling, it’s time to go,” she whispered. “Jenae honey, can you hear me?” The young woman laid there motionless, making no sound.

Lex reached down and checked her pulse. “I’m sorry mom, but she’s dead. Was she a friend of yours?”

“Oh no,” Beth began to cry. “She was one of my neighbors. The poor dear, they murdered her husband in front of her and then raped her in the shower room.”

“Who did?” asked Lex. “Was it the Russians?”

“No,” cried Beth, drying her eyes on the sleeve of her shirt. “It was Jasper and his Blackwater mercenaries. They brought us here and they were supposed to protect us. But when they found out that our troops were pulling back away from the coast they fled. Abandoning us just hours before the Russians arrived.”