Unfortunately he didn’t have time to worry about that. “Do you have everything covered at the refuge?” he asked. “I want to get my defenders out patrolling in case we see a ground attack up here, too.”
“Probably a good idea. We’ll drive the remaining truck over to you so you’ve got the M2 in case you need it. Although it would be nice if you could find a hiding spot for it in case the chopper comes back.”
The only good hiding spot was in the canyon itself, but that was probably okay. “Thanks, Chauncey.” He paused briefly before continuing in a brisk tone. “All night sentries, what do you see? Are the blockheads down below doing anything?”
His people hiding in the trees had begun to gather around him now that they couldn’t hear the noise of the chopper anymore. With the danger past Lewis felt a brief moment of embarrassment about being in just his boxers and a combat vest. He probably looked ridiculous.
There was a crackle and Martin Colton responded. “It all looks quiet down there, although it’s a bit hard to tell for sure even with night vision.”
“Do your best.” Lewis turned to his people. “Ten minutes to get dressed and sorted out,” he said, crouching to pick up his rifle and the missile launcher. Once he had them he started limping back through the trees in the direction of camp. “Then we’re all out there on the slopes watching.”
Nobody so much as uttered a single word of complaint as they followed.
Chapter Five
Blind Man’s Buff
“I can’t believe I missed again,” Gutierrez grumbled for what seemed like the tenth time.
Matt ignored the former soldier and kept shouting orders. His first priority was to get all his people gathered together and make sure everyone was accounted for. Once they’d done that they could focus on putting out fires and finding and tending to wounded. Whatever they were able to do.
From the looks of it Trev had managed to get quite a few people out just before the attack. His friend had wisely decided to bolt immediately with anyone willing to follow, rather than gather as many people as possible only ten or so feet from their camp, then try to organize things there like Matt had done. Matt sent Scott out to get that group and bring them back.
In the meantime he wanted everyone to get their night vision gear. The flickering light of the burning tents was already starting to die, and once it was gone they’d be fumbling around in the dark without the gear. It was also a good opportunity for those who’d run out in their underwear, or even in the altogether, to put on some clothes and more importantly shoes so they didn’t injure their feet.
The confusion ratcheted up a notch as Trev and the people he’d been leading arrived. Matt nodded at his friend as he came over to stand beside him. “The chopper went north,” Trev said quietly.
“I know.”
Before Matt could say more Davis trotted up to them, rifle slung over one shoulder and bullhorn tucked under one arm. “Good, you’re getting your people together,” he barked. “The sooner the better. You’re one of the few groups not running around like chickens with their heads cut off, and I’m going to need your help sorting out this mess.” His eyes narrowed as he looked over the group. “Anyone hurt here?”
“No,” Matt replied. He saw that the sergeant was wearing his radio’s earbuds. Matt’s own were tucked in a pocket; he knew he should probably be wearing them, but the chaos was overwhelming enough without the jumble of voices clogging the airwaves. He’d taken them off a few minutes ago just so he could hear himself think.
Still, Davis was probably on top of that mess. “The chopper was headed north, towards our people,” Matt said, half a question.
The sergeant nodded, a bit impatiently. “One of the first things I did once it left, even before it left, was radio out to everyone in the area. If any of your friend Halsson’s people were awake they got the warning.”
That was one weight off his shoulders, although he wouldn’t be perfectly at ease until he heard directly from Chauncey that Sam and the rest of his family were safe. “What about our supplies?”
“Most were in the trucks,” Davis replied, spitting off to the side. Matt felt his heart momentarily stop, since the chopper would’ve definitely targeted the vehicles first, until the sergeant continued. “The moment I got warning of the attack I sent the night sentries hauling butt up Highway 31 in them. The chopper missed them when it headed north and they’re completely intact.”
His shoulders loosened. “That’s a relief. So if most people managed to evacuate the camp in time, that means we just lost the tents?”
“They still had plenty of stuff in them, and you saw what the machine gun did to people too slow to get out in time.” Davis glared at the smoldering tents as if they were a personal insult. “What a mess. Our antitank missiles just aren’t cutting it. I should’ve asked for some Stingers after this chopper buzzed us the first time.”
Matt blinked. “Stingers?”
“SAMs.” At his blank look the sergeant made an impatient noise. “Surface-to-air missiles. MANPADS that use heat sensors. Our current two launchers shoot antitank missiles using a wire-guided system. Did you seriously not know what kind of missiles you brought with you?”
“I knew they were TOWs,” Matt said, hunching his shoulders in slight embarrassment.
Davis sighed. “Well that’s something. Anyway Command thought we’d get more use out of what they gave us, since the blockheads don’t have many aircraft. You saw the tanks rolling into Huntington, and I’m guessing our missiles are the only reason they’re not shelling us day and night. But it looks like this chopper’s got our number, and no offense to your man Gutierrez but he needs to stop wasting missiles if he can’t hit the broad side of a barn.” The Marine shook his head and swore. “Either way we’re going to have to move our camp into cover, under the trees or in cave systems if any are handy.”
“I don’t know of any caves nearby,” Trev said.
The sergeant curtly waved for him to be quiet, cocking his head as if listening. To his radio, Matt realized. The Marine abruptly stiffened and speared them with an urgent glare. “Forget the chopper for now, and even helping out in camp. You’ve got your people organized so you need to get them to the emplacements guarding the canyon.”
Matt felt his blood run cold. “Are you saying—”
Davis nodded. “The helicopter was just the first strike. The blockheads have been gathering up hundreds of soldiers in the valley nearby, and they just started coming our way. They’ll be here within minutes… not only up the canyon but up the surrounding slopes too.”
“We’re on our way.” Matt turned to the gathered crowd, not just the two Aspen Hill squads but dozens of volunteers. “Everyone who doesn’t have your weapons, go get them! We’re about to come under attack. You’ve got one minute and then we’re moving!”
A dozen or so people bolted away. Matt turned to Trev. “Get your squad and half these volunteers to the emplacements on the canyon’s northern slope. I’ll get the southern slope.”
His friend nodded. “What about Davis’s Marines and the rest of the volunteers?”
The sergeant answered for Matt. “Dividing this group like that should work well. I’ll radio in and let the sentries already in the emplacements know you’re coming, and to be ready for more reinforcements coming behind. Mostly volunteers, I’d say; I want to have my Marines on the slopes picking off any blockheads trying to sneak up and flank us.”