Without Law 18 Eric Vall (reading well TXT) 📖

I assured the SEAL. “I’ll take it from here. There’s been a slight change of plans anyways.”

Hammer’s eyes narrowed with curiosity, but he didn’t respond.

“What are we doing?” Jeff pushed. “What’s our plan?”

“I’m sure Hammer already told you we only have six hours,” I said. “And actually, right now, we’re down to about five.”

The crowd agreed.

“We need to split up to get everything done,” I continued. “Jeff, Ben, gather up some people to help you. Your group will be in charge of setting up the howitzer.”

“Where are we setting it up?” Ben asked quickly.

“There’s a place nearby,” I said. “It’s called the Navy Supply Center.”

“Here,” Paige said, and she pulled out a map from her bag and rushed over to the man so she could point out where they were headed.

“Alright,” Ben said after he glanced down to where Paige pointed.

“You’ll need to set it up so it’s not visible from the road,” I added. “And so that you can take out the first bridge after the NK troops have gone over it.”

“This one right here,” Paige said with another point at the map.

“Got it.” Ben nodded. “We’ll get it done as quickly as humanly possible.”

“I appreciate that,” I told him. “Hammer and the SEALs are going to be blowing I64 northbound, as well as the smaller roads around there while the girls and I go to the Air Force Base. Once we get back, we’ll take out the other bridge at the attack point, and we’ll go over to I64 southbound. If our plan works, the NK troops should arrive just before sundown.”

“What should the rest of us do?” Joe, one of the civilians I’d brought with me, asked.

“We’ll need to set up hideouts by the point of attack,” I said. “You all can work on that.”

“We have some sandbags and supplies for that,” Hammer said.

“Yes, everybody make sure to gather what you need from the supply room,” I agreed. “And make sure you all have a good weapon on you, along with plenty of ammo. I don’t expect you should have to use much with the larger weapons we have, but you might, and you need to be ready.”

The group was quiet as they looked at me and nodded.

“We can do this,” I said, and I lifted my chin into the air slightly. “Every one of you is here for a reason. You can do this. We will win this battle.”

The group was quiet for another second, but then Jeff’s lips broke into a huge smile.

“Fuckin’ A, right!” he yelled, and he threw his hand up in the air. “Let’s take these fuckers down!”

The crowd cheered, and I couldn’t help but laugh at his enthusiasm.

“Alright,” I said. “Everybody get what you need and get going. All group leaders report to Hammer before you leave to get a walkie talkie.”

I turned to head to my jeep then, but Hammer came right up beside me and leaned in slightly.

“You’re going to the Air Force Base?” he asked. “For what?”

“The Captain said there are some M51s on display,” I explained.

“Skysweepers?” Hammer asked with a confused look.

“One and the same.” I nodded.

“Shit,” he breathed. “Those probably would be our best bet. They’re old as dirt, of course, they’ll still work after the EMP.”

“My thoughts exactly,” I told him, and I stopped walking for a second and turned to look at him. “We’re going to try and get this done as quickly as possible, but I don’t know how long it’s going to take.”

“I understand.” Hammer nodded. “We’ll be on standby to get the interstate blown if necessary.”

“Or call someone else to do it,” I said. “Your group already has a lot to do. I don’t want to stretch you all too thin. We’ll try and be back in time to help.”

“Just get those anti aircraft guns,” Hammer told me. “If we can’t take out those MiGs, we’re fucked.”

“Ain’t that the fuckin’ truth,” I said with a shake of my head, then I looked back up at Hammer and clapped him on the shoulder. “Thank you.”

“Go get ‘er done,” he told me with a grin. “I’ll get everybody on the road.”

“I appreciate you,” I told him, and I headed toward where the jeeps were parked.

I quickly grabbed the spare tow hitch supplies we had with us and tossed them in the back of the jeep. It’d been a while since I’d seen an M51, so I didn’t quite remember how big they were, but we’d have to make something work, even if we could only take one.

As much as I’d like to make sure everyone got to their designated positions, I couldn’t wait to do that before we headed to the Air Force Base. We didn’t have a lot of time already, and there was a lot to do. Even more now that we had to go find these damn Skysweepers. Luckily, the base wasn’t too far away.

I maneuvered the jeep back out onto the road, then I took off toward Norfolk as fast I felt comfortable. I didn’t bother looking at the speedometer, but I knew it probably said something over sixty.

“Just keep going until you get past the bridge,” Paige instructed from the back seat.

“So, you really think these super old guns are gonna work?” Tara asked as she looked out the window.

“I do.” I nodded.

“I wouldn’t exactly call them super old.” Paige frowned. “Tav said they were from the 50s.”

“That’s right,” I agreed.

“That’s definitely super old,” Tara laughed. “It’s like a hundred.”

“Not quite,” Paige chuckled.

“It’s okay,” Anna teased, and she flashed Tara a playful smile. “Math is hard.”

“Mah, mah, mah,” Tara mocked with a glare, then she sighed and looked back out the window. “I’m just glad this is all coming to