A Private War (17 page)

Murdock roared into the radio when he was told of the losses so far. And he even heard the two gunshots as Cleaver was reporting to him on the two meter Ham radio transceiver. First they got their ass handed to them at the top of the hill awhile the semi trucks raced back to safety in Redway. His spy totally surprised by the whole affair and had begged for another chance to show themselves. Until finally Murdock had agreed that security had played a major part in Captain Samuels plan. But, he then warned of the beatings and torture that would wait of he was let down again. This threat loosened the spy’s tongue and they gave up the information that Gaylon Masters was living in a cave system not too far from town. They did not know the exact location but had been able to tell them of the river valley that must front it. This pleased Murdock and he had ordered the six 4 man teams to find the cave at all cost. So, on hearing of the team leader’s death and the loss of thirteen other men, Murdock totally lost control. After throwing the microphone across the tent at the radio man’s set, he yelled for his second in command, Taylor Smith, to round up as many men as possible and head to the river valley to take over the search for Gaylon.

“I don’t give a damn how many men you lose, I want that son of a bitch found and found today!!”

“Yes, Boss! I knew that stupid shit might let us down again. But, I thought Cleaver could back him up. Trouble is Cleaver ain’t the brightest pig in the mud.” Taylor replied, “But, we’ll found him for you, along with that new wife of his. She is some fine material I hear. I can’t wait to ride her myself.”

“Just get the fucker, and bring him to me!” Murdock shouted as he turned back toward his own tent and the fine stuff he had waiting for him. Taylor rounded up the men and machines he needed and they shortly made their way out of camp and towards Gaylon’s Valley. They may be able to skunk Cleaver but no way in hell he could skunk Taylor and the fifty men that roared out of camp behind him. In the mean time, Gaylon and Peter’s finally linked up and they discussed what they should do next. The valley, which ran for a number of miles, was starting to peter out, and the location to Granite House was not too much farther. Luckily the snow was continuing to increase in strength along with the winds. And they decided to let Kate and Jill know what was happening and to restock on claymores, homemade booby traps, and to recharge the battery packs on the snowmobiles. The snowmobiles were working very well, but they had some trouble in how steep they could climb and how fast they could go. Matters they could do nothing about. As the totally quiet electric motors had been a great help in their being able to move about without being heard.

So, getting back on their machine, they took a long winding trip back to the cave and hoped they would not be followed or seen. But, not too long after they left, the lead teams of Murdock’s men crested the top of the ridgeline to the north and they could still see the snowmobile tracks in the snow. But, it would take some time before anyone could reach the valley floor as the snow had made traveling difficult with massive snow drifts and blinding snow that was whipped up by the wind.

The warmth of the tunnels after the icy snow had them stripping down to t-shirts while Jill and Kate got the snowmobile batteries hooked up to the charging units. Gaylon walked over to a workbench and started to break down all his guns for cleaning.  The heavy snow has caused melt water to refreeze on his rifle stock and barrel. And it was inside the rifle as well. A jam at the wrong time could quickly get him killed. Peters finished helping Jill with the connections and walked over to clean his weapons as well.

“We got lucky on some of those. Luck we may wish we had later on as well. I figure they will find us sometime around dawn tomorrow. They would be here sooner except for the snow,” he explained.” I thought we could grab some hot chow and head back outside to set up some claymores.”

“Yes, I was thinking about that too. I only used remote detonation claymores around the tunnels and entrances. Too much chance that something could set them off by accident. And that would let everyone know where we were. If need be we can bring down part of the hillside to block the front exit. But, that would only delay them a few days. Anything bigger would damage the cave system itself. If they do break in, there are a few tricks we can use against them. And we could try to get Captain Samuels here to reinforce us. But, that could endanger Redway as short-manned as they are already. I’m afraid we may have to abandon Granite House and destroy it. As leaving it would be too big a prize for Murdock. They’d never get him out again. Let’s just hope it doesn’t come to that.”

John Peters placed the last of the Claymores mines across the front of the main entrance. The single block of C-4 attached to the ceiling should collapse the rock face and block the steel door without damaging the tunnel behind. It would buy them valuable time to stockpile supplies and weapons outside the cave system. Something Kate and Jill had already started while John and Gaylon had delayed things. But, that time was starting to run out.

Kate packed the last box as full as possible and placed it where Gaylon could load it on the dollies to move into the back tunnels. She looked up and thought how bare the walls and living area had become. Now that everything was moved into a safer location.  Even the kitchen stove and refrigerator had been removed in a last ditch effort to save what they could for the future. Granite House had many tunnels and not all of them lead to the outside. Whole areas ended with dead ends and they were now being filled with everything that could be moved. These tunnels would then be blasted shut so that only a strong determination could re-open them. Other equipment and supplies were moved to the back tunnel and the snow mobiles.  The electric sleds did not have a long range but were better then nothing. And Peters had used one the night before to cache a number of weapons and supplies in snow caves in case they were needed in an escape. So that now there was only a waiting game that could end in any number of ways. Ways Gaylon still planned to win.

The buzz of a motion detector was the first sign that Murdock’s men had discovered their location. A small remote camera in the entrance showed one, and then two men slowly searching the area for booby traps. One pointed to the block of C4 attached to the ceiling just as John fired it. The blast rocked the cave and a number of blocks of stone fell into the pool of water. As a rumble of sound indicated that the cliff outside was falling down upon the searchers, and Peters smiled at the thought. He had only hoped that the cliff face would fall was icing on the cake. They should have bagged a few from that one blast. Gaylon walked out of the tunnels after a quick check for safety.

“The main tunnels are still open to the Maintenance Bay and the back door. I only had to move a few rocks that blocked the door from opening. So, let’s finish saving what we can and close the tunnels now. In case they start blasting to uncover the door.”

“We are pretty much finished already. Just those last few boxes and our gear, our packs have all the ammo we can carry and then some. So, we will need the sleds to get as far as possible before we have to walk.” Kate explained, “I filled the thermos bottles with hot chocolate and lots of sugar. That should give us a boost when we need it. Jill’s and my rifle are already at the back door. Our two packs are with them. So, you gr….”

A massive blast knocked them to the ground and water geyered everywhere as the water in pool flooded the floor area. Then it all drained away and light could be seen it the depths. Murdock’s men had blasted open the outflow to the cave’s water system. And it left them all open to attack.

“John, hold them as long as possible! Kate, you and Jill head for the sleds and use them to get as far away as possible. I’ll blow the back tunnels and John and I will escape out the back, closing that tunnel behind us. We’ll meet you in Redway!” Gaylon shouted to be heard over the ringing in their ears.

The sound of Peters gun let them know that pirates had entered the cave. Gaylon pushed both women into the tunnel and then grabbed both of the men’s packs and boosted one over each shoulder.

“John, don’t wait long! I’m blowing the side tunnel in 60 seconds. You have to be at the back door before then. I’ll have your pack and reloads waiting for you.”

“Ok, go!! If I’m not there don’t wait for me!” Peters shouted as two more shapes run up the blasted water way.

Gaylon dropped the packs and raced back to the cross tunnel. A number of wires run in different directions. Gaylon grabbed the detonator “clicker” for the stored supply tunnel and clicked it three times. The blast sprayed rock and dust down the tunnel towards him. He quickly clicked the other detonators to the Maintenance Bay and Green house. Shutting them off as well. Then as Peters ran passed him, he clicked the last bomb. This one was deeper into the cave system and it pulsed through the rock walls and ceiling. Gaylon pulled his gun and fired twice before running back down the tunnel. A roar of sound raced him to the back door and Peters fired the tunnel’s ceiling as Gaylon leaped clear. The roar continued to build until it entered the front of the cave. A massive wall of water quickly flooded the area and burst outside into the open air. A vast underground lake had powered Gaylon’s hydroelectric plant. That water had been released by a number of shaped charges John Peters had placed weeks before. Just in case they needed to flood the cave system. So now, any of Murdock’s men who were in the cave were now drowned. The cave system was now totally un-useable to anyone. Only the few sealed tunnels were still dry and above the reach of the water and they lead nowhere. The loss of his home didn’t trouble Gaylon as they were all still alive and free. Such a small price to pay for their very lives. And maybe in the future they could come back and recover the hidden weapons, books, food, and supplies. Or their children could. Gaylon looked at Kate and Jill, still waiting for them with the sleds.

“I told you to go! Why are you still here?!”

“Gaylon, I’m sorry about Granite House. I know it was your dream,” Kate said.

“That was a dream I built for another life. I’m happy to have you to share this one with. So, let’s get away from here before anything else happens.”

“Amen to that…” Jill said in a soft voice.

Epilogue

(It is now two weeks after the attack on Gaylon Masters’ Granite House and Gaylon, Kathy, Jill, and John Peters are talking with Captain Samuel’s.)

“I’m really sorry to hear about your loss as I wanted so much to see it,” Samuel’s stated, “But, at least you all made it here safe and sound. I guess that blizzard helped cover your tracks after you left.”

“Yes, I just wish the battery pack on the snowmobiles had been strong enough to bring us all the way here. We had some heavy going in some of the valleys and ditches with the drifting snow and we had to go around some spots. I’m just glad to put a real pinch on Murdock’s search for us.” Gaylon said as he looked out the window at the snow, “Thank you for having patrols out looking for us.”

“At least the weather is helping in other regards with the temperature going so low I don’t think Murdock will be able to get into too much trouble for awhile. It would be nice if they’d stay put and rode out the winter wherever they are now. Which last we heard they had moved down into Iowa after the raid on your place.” Samuels explained as he looked at Gaylon’s reflection in the window glass, “So you must have hurt them pretty bad when your last charge brought down the hillside.”

“Well, I’m glad something good came of all that loss, that place took a big chuck of my heart with it. We had a pretty good start on the future there and now we are refugees like everyone else that you shelter here. That’s a pretty bitter pill to swallow but if we all live through this we can go back and recover most of the supplies and equipment there.”

“Well, you are set up in the rooms you had on your last stay here. Consider them home for as long as you want. And once you get rested up, come and see me as I could sure use you and John as part of my organization. We have supplies to survive the winter now, thanks to you guys. And we would like to start planning on increasing security and how we can protect the farmers during the spring planting.”

“Sounds good, Captain Samuels” John Peters piped up, “just need a few days to warm up and rest up after our little jaunt in the woods.”

Everyone who knew them was quiet and respectful of all they had already done for the town. And they were sorry of the loss of their home, which was something they had in common with so many others in the area. Gaylon and Kate dropped their heavy packs on the floor and headed down to the mess hall to see about getting some hot food into them.

Sally met them as they entered the Mess Hall, saying nothing she walked over to Kate and gave her a big hug and a few whispered words of encouragement. She did the same with John and Jill before she walked up to Gaylon and wrapped her arms around him. She talked quietly to him for a number of minutes and then walked back into the kitchen. As they settled themselves at a back table, Sally returned with two loafs of warm fresh bread, a canned butter, and bowls of hot stew. A helper placed a large pitcher of Kool Aid on the table along with glasses. The stew would warm them and the sugar content in the Kool Aid would give a much needed energy boost. Gaylon knew how short they were on sugar in the kitchen, as he had helped load it in the trucks during the run at Bloody Hill. They quickly finished their meal and giving Sally a wave, they headed back up to their rooms for some rest. Some of the people eating asked after the quiet four and were informed on the battles and deeds they had done and of the blood they had spilled. The people gave a moment of silence to honor their deeds.

Kate walked up behind Gaylon and rested her head on his shoulder, her arms went around his waist. Gaylon’s eyes just seemed to stare deep into the vision of snow and he said nothing. They had talked during the struggle to get to the safety of Redway. He had designed and built Granite House for his former wife and there was still pain that he had not yet released over her death. He had survived in comfort within the cave system of Granite House while his wife, he knew, had burned alive in the near miss that took out Marysville, CA during the height of the nuclear exchanges. His ham radio equipment reflected the sounds of the war as he sat and listened and he placed black pins into the maps that covered his radio shack. The pin for Marysville was pressed hard and deep into the wall and trails of tears could still be seen months later. Kate understood all this and gave Gaylon all the love and support that she could provide. They still had each other and the baby still lived within her so she had no fear of losing Gaylon to the past. A thought Gaylon dismissed quickly from her mind as he turned and kissed her deeply and wrapped his strong warm arms about her. They had been adrift in the snow but they had returned to a loving community that they had worked so hard to insure it survived the trials ahead as they all struggled to rebuilt the security and hopes of the future.