Seeing his son’s hesitation. Lucas stepped in and gave a brief description of the raid. He also answered the inevitable questions and waited good-naturedly through the cheers and bold talk from Davis’s people. The camp had been on edge since the first attack, waiting for the other shoe to drop, and everyone seemed almost desperate for this sort of morale boost.
Or as one Marine put it, “If a bunch of hayseeds up north can pull off that kind of win, we’ll tear the blockheads apart.”
His boast didn’t get quite the reaction he’d hoped for. People might’ve been on board with the sentiment, but nobody wanted to downplay what Lewis’s team had accomplished that morning. Especially among the volunteers. The soldier flushed slightly, but made a small apologetic gesture before going back to his drink.
A few gallons of high proof alcohol were among the other supplies Lewis had brought in. Davis had set them aside for medicinal purposes, as an antiseptic or in extreme cases anesthetic, but somehow one of the jugs had “gone missing” and was now being passed around among the Marines.
Trev wasn’t sure whether the sergeant would go on the warpath for the theft, or given the celebration would let it slide. For all he knew the man might’ve handed off the bottle to his men himself, or given a broad wink as he turned his back. If so he hadn’t shared his generosity with the volunteers, and the Marines weren’t either. Trev heard a few mutters of resentment about it, but for the most part people weren’t in the mood to let it rain on their parade.
As the celebration wore on everyone from Aspen Hill sort of naturally gathered off to one side for their own more private conversations. With the big news out of the way the discussion had shifted to passing along news and messages from loved ones back home, and giving the Aspen Hill visitors letters and other messages to take home with them.
Matt had pulled Lewis aside to talk about his duties leading the defenders, and Jane had come along to listen in. With Trev’s dad, uncle, and Ed Larson talking with a few of the older men among the volunteers Trev felt a bit out of the loop, so he headed over to where Rick sat leaning against the mess tent’s cloth wall. His friend also looked a bit out of the loop, alone amidst all their friends, although he looked up and nodded as Trev approached.
“You seem strangely depressed about hearing that our town just scored a huge win,” Trev said, plopping down next to his friend.
Rick smiled faintly. “That’s not it. I was just thinking that if I’d been up there Lewis would’ve asked me to go along for sure. I could’ve been part of something useful. Here?” He waved towards the volunteers on the other side of the tent, many of whom were new recruits. “I’m stuck on babysitting duty.”
Trev did his best to hide his annoyance. “Training the new volunteers is important. It’s literally a matter of life and death. Not just for them but for us, since we’ll probably be working with them in the future.”
“I know that.” His friend looked a bit annoyed himself. “Still, man. Lewis’s team took out like fifty blockheads. They stole five trucks and a bunch of weapons and supplies. Then I look at what we’re doing and it just, well, doesn’t seem like much.”
“Maybe not.” Trev gestured vaguely in the direction of the canyon mouth. “At least you were part of that first attack.” Rick grunted but didn’t respond, so he kept going. “Come on, you’re complaining about not going into life or death situations. If it makes you feel better there’s still over ten thousand blockheads along this stretch of mountains. You’ll get more chances to fight them than you ever wanted.”
“Yeah.” Rick looked down at his hands, still morose. “If we ever get these recruits trained to the point they’re worth anything in a fight, so we’re free to get back to something useful ourselves.”
Trev’s annoyance was creeping back. “You’re the one who volunteered to join my squad. You could be out with Matt right now.”
“What, picking my way over deadfall up to my knees, trying to find deer and waiting for the enemy to attack the least likely spot ever?” His friend abruptly laughed and pushed to his feet. “I know, I know, I’m being a tool. I’ve got nothing to complain about, especially during a celebration.” He clapped Trev on the shoulder. “Speaking of which, should we get back to it?”
“Yeah.” Trev fell into step beside his friend as he headed towards Matt, Lewis, and Jane. “Let’s enjoy being out of the fight while we’re here, okay? I know Lewis, and what happened on that raid is tearing him up a bit. We might be in that same situation soon.”
“Sure.” Rick abruptly paused and turned to him. “You know I’m happy to be part of the squad, right? I never meant to complain about that.”
“I get it. I’m doing the best job I can here because I know it’s important, but it’s easy to feel like I’m not contributing much. I just don’t let that get in the way of doing what’s in front of me.”
His friend grinned. “I won’t either. We’ll get these guys whipped into shape so they’re ready when the time comes.”
When they joined the others that seemed to be a signal for a few of their squad mates to close in and pester Lewis for more details. Gutierrez in particular wanted to know what techniques they’d used sneaking up on the shelter, and all the details about the blockhead sentries and patrols they’d evaded. Things like how the enemy organized their emplacements and routes, what sort of night vision and other gear they had, how vigilant they were, etc.
Trev listened in with the others. He had a bit of practice with moving quietly in the night, but it was definitely something he could stand to improve on. Just in case he ever needed it. And if he found time the recruits could benefit from the knowledge as well.
Nighttime combat was still something he hadn’t covered with them, but they’d probably face it at some point.
The party wound down after another hour or so, well before sundown. As much as the Aspen Hill visitors enjoyed catching up with everyone, not to mention being the heroes of the hour, Lewis wasn’t the only one antsy about getting back to their duties protecting the town. Especially after kicking the proverbial hornet’s nest.
Trev, Matt, and the other volunteers from Aspen Hill came out to see them on their way, as they reclaimed the truck they’d be taking back with them from the pair of Marines guarding it. There were handshakes and hugs all around, especially where Matt and Trev were concerned, then the small group piled into the vehicle.
The engine roared to life, Lucas behind the wheel honked a couple times in farewell, and with a few last waves the vehicle rumbled its way back up Highway 31 headed for home.
From the looks on the faces around him, Trev had a feeling he wasn’t the only one wishing he could’ve gone with them. Not permanently, maybe, since he wasn’t about to abandon his duties here, but just for a visit. And there were volunteers who had a lot more pulling them back home than he did.
He moved a step closer to Matt, who was still waving. “I’m sure I would’ve heard if there was news, but you got a good chance to talk to your dad about your family. How is everyone?”
His friend gave him a tight smile. “Under the circumstances? Terry’s swamped with minor illnesses, people with the sniffles from the stress of abandoning their homes and living up in the mountains in inadequate shelter. April and Sam have been helping as much as they can, while Mom watches the kids and keeps an eye on the animals.”
“And Sam?”
“She’s reporting a bit of discomfort. Nothing out of the ordinary for a woman almost five months pregnant, but I think it’s scaring her a bit.” Matt looked a bit scared himself. “It’s her first child, and we don’t have the luxury of modern medical care. Not to mention four more months could put us smack dab in the middle of a nuclear winter.”