Ian: I’ve got more. Paul Shanks, Papa Team leader, said his squad re-interviewed four victims. Two reported they were taken deep into the live fire range. I called the major general in charge. There used to be a comm center—deactivated in 2013. They didn’t destroy the building. And when it was in use, it was blue. I already sent the pilot the coordinates. They’re in the middle of a live fire exercise. The general is trying to shut it down and get us airspace access. Without it, you’ll be blown out of the sky.
Troy: I’ll proceed as planned. Greece out.
“Damn it.” His gloved fist connected to the area beside the monitor. He hit his commlink and briefed the team.
* * *
Tuesday,June 5th
In the darkness of night, the desert temperature dropped. Kip pulled Gwen behind a pair of trees. “We can catch our breath. From what I can figure, they’re horrendous humans and lousy soldiers. We killed one; that leaves eleven plus Billings and Desmond. How much ammo do you have?”
Gwen dropped the clip in the M9 and checked. “None of them can distinguish easily between the two trigger pulls. I have nine rounds,” she panted.
“Did they get you?” Kip worried.
“I took one in my side,” she huffed. “I don’t have time to worry.”
A loud explosion erupted to their east. “We’re in the middle of their live fire exercise. Let me see where you were hit.”
“You have x-ray vision? It’s pitch black out here,” she whispered.
“You were never a Boy Scout.” He pulled out his keys. “Like I said, they’re lousy soldiers.” Another shell exploded a little closer. Kip pulled her close and, using her body as a block, he turned a little green Kermit light at her. Where?”
“Left side.” She bit her lip, stifling a groan as he pressed on the wound. “Kermit?”
“I said you were never a Boy Scout. Julian’s daughter, Sadie, gave it to me.” Kip removed his jacket and tore out the silk lining. “I’ll tell the tailor the extra money for the suit paid off. “Sweetheart, this is going to hurt. Big breath.” She gritted her teeth while he tied a wrap around her wound.
“How bad?” she asked.
“No exit wound. Are you up to moving? I want to get us over the ridge. We’ll have a little better cover there.”
The whistle alerted them. “No choice. Move,” she yelled. The pair took off as the area where they’d been exploded, and rock and tree bark shrapnel rained down on them.
* * *
The Chinook toucheddown on the helipad at Twentynine Palms Air Ground Combat Center. Zach took point. Troy, flanked by Julian and Wes, were next, and Trask and Tim followed as they ducked and disembarked. Four men in uniform greeted them. As they came into clearer view, Troy recognized by rank and uniform the three men in charge of Twentynine Palms and Brody Garrett.
“Greece.” The commanding general extended his hand to Troy. “It’s been a long time since we worked that little clusterfuck in El Salvador. Saw that interview; I’d think you were a Marine instead of a Navy guy the way you fought. Proud of you, son.”
“Thank you, sir,” Troy said.
“Ian Chase called me. I’m waiting on the confirmation of the ceasefire and the FAA clearance. You’re sure your people are out there?” the sergeant major asked.
“Yes, sir. We believe they’re inside or in the area of that retired comm center. From victim interviews, most gave similar descriptions of a blue building built inside of the mountain,” Troy spoke succinctly.
“As soon as we get the all clear, I’ve got a platoon on standby to assist in the search. It’s unforgivable, and it is my command failure. I trusted the people below me. I’ve got two men attacking trainees. Do you have any idea who they are?” General Jacobs asked.
“Yes, sir. They are a group of men who graduated the Samuel P. Carter Military Academy in 2001. We’ve identified thirteen possible, but we are culling for more.” Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Colonel Hurst, Chief of Staff, flinch.
“And how they are choosing victims?” the commanding general asked.
“Sir, I’m Julian Dupart. We’re starting to put it together. Part has to do with women who are smart, some with rank, and all having domestic incidences at home. The one clue about the men is they try to help women either directly or indirectly,” Julian said.
Troy made eye contact with Captain Garrett, hoping to assure him that he wouldn’t out him. “Captain Garrett is here because he’s treated some of the victims. I was hoping he may shed some light on the whys. Victims sometimes disclose in the first minutes after an attack.”
“The women were all frightened of retaliation for speaking to anyone. And the men were devastated. I suspect the men with fewer serious injuries did not report at all,” Garrett said. “But the one commonality was they were glad it happened to them rather than any woman in their life.”
The commanding general huffed out a breath. “When these men are arrested and prosecuted, Greece, I’d like to sit down with your people and put together a program. The culture has to change somewhere. You said this has been going on for years. How did they get away with it?”
