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Wynd was shocked. She immediately looked down at Twig and said, “What did you say?”

  Twig smiled, pointed, and said, “That’s Con Con.”

  Connor was still speechless and not saying anything. Marcus stepped over to Twig and knelt down.

  “Do you know Connor?” he asked.

  Twig gave an emphatic nod then brought her hand to her mouth and giggled. Marcus turned to Connor and said, “Connor, do you know this girl?”

  Connor nodded his head up and down. Marcus could see the tears well up in his eyes and start running down his face. He stuck his arms out and Twig ran into them. He squeezed her tight and the tears poured off his face. Marcus looked over to Wynd and she shrugged her shoulders totally baffled.

  Finally Connor regained his composure enough to speak.

  “This is my sister. Her name is Madison. It’s been almost a year and a half since I saw her last. We looked for her for weeks. I thought that a t-rex had gotten her or maybe the same guys that attacked us,” he said.

  Connor brought a rough picture out of his pocket and handed it to Wynd. She was shocked. The picture was of Connor, Twig, and their family. It looked to have been taken a couple of years ago. Curious about the picture, Wynd asked about how they got it. Connor said someone where they were staying had a working camera and printer.

  “Con Con, no scary t-wex got me,” she said. “I wunned away an he cudn’t get me.”

  “Twig, is Madison your name?” asked Wynd.

  “Maddie is my name but I like Twig betta,” she said smiling again.

  Everyone was in shock and totally thrilled that the two had found each other again. Connor couldn’t contain himself. He laughed, cried, and played with Twig for over twenty minutes. After they were finished playing and getting reacquainted, Kim took the boys and Twig on a tour of the compound and the rest started working on setting them up some cots in the basement. These would have to do until Marcus was able to set them up something more permanent. After they finished their tour, everyone sat down and ate supper. Once again, Virginia outdid herself. The meal was wonderful.

  After supper Marcus and Kim sat down with Wynd and watched the footage the drone had recorded. Rom and the twins took the boys upstairs and showed them their video games. After dark, Marcus decided to send the drone out again and had it keep a safe distance from the Jackals so he could get a better look at their camp and what kind of weapons they had. He watched and studied the Jackals camp for about an hour. After he finished, Kim and Wynd came in and they discussed his strategy. After going into the details with them, they all decided that, while it was risky, it would work. They made a decision to put the plan in motion tomorrow.

  The five vehicles Marcus requested drove into the compound around midnight. Early the next morning Marcus ate and then checked them out. Jocelyn brought in five excellent vehicles and one was almost identical to the MAV. He made sure that the three that were armed were loaded up and ready for action. Wynd had been watching the Jackals on the screen and came outside to report to Marcus that they were on the move searching again and headed this way. She also let him know that they had reinforcements arrive in the middle of the night and that their numbers were almost double. They were in the southern Tiftonia area. Marcus went over and kissed Wynd goodbye. Then Marcus and Kim got in the MAV and took off. The Jocelyn-controlled little convoy turned and followed the MAV out of the compound.

  Chapter 9

  On the way off the mountain, Marcus asked Jocelyn if she could hack into the control units of the vehicles that the Jackals were driving. Jocelyn said she could.

  “I want you to hack into their control units and broadcast this message to them. ‘I would like to meet with the leader of your group and discuss terms of surrender.’ Give them the coordinates for the parking lot at the shopping center in Tiftonia and instruct them that I will only talk to one person. If I see anyone else, I won’t stay and there will be a major fight,” said Marcus.

  Marcus finalized his plans with Jocelyn and Kim. They stopped a few miles before they got to Tiftonia. Kim got out of the MAV and took a sniper rifle and a big silencer from the back. She attached the silencer and got back in the MAV. Marcus left the MAV and got into one of the SUVs. Kim took the MAV and went on ahead. Marcus led out and the other four vehicles followed him. Besides the cars that had been abandoned at the outbreak, Marcus could tell that he was the only one there. Marcus sent the other four vehicles to the far exit of the parking lot. He took his SUV and parked directly in the middle of the parking lot. He got out of the SUV and leaned against the front and waited. Still going over the plan in his head, he still felt that this was risky. Although he thought it was risky, Marcus still thought that it was a good plan and had a great chance of working.

  Marcus smiled when he saw the lone military jeep pull into the parking lot. He knew that the leader couldn’t resist. As the jeep made its way across the lot, Marcus was careful to make sure that he kept the SUV between him and the buildings. He knew that the leader wouldn’t willingly meet him face to face without some assurances that he was covered.

  The jeep pulled up to within a few yards of Marcus. The arrogant leader hopped out of his jeep and swaggered over to him. They stood a few feet apart.

  “So are you the one that is here to discuss the terms of surrender?” asked the leader.

  “I am. My name is Marcus. To whom am I speaking?” asked Marcus.

  “You can call me Brutus and as far as the terms of surrender are concerned... They aren’t any. It’s unconditional. We want the girl and the rest of your little group over there in the vehicles. Failure to comply will bring immediate death. Am I understood?” Brutus asked with his most arrogant smirk.

  “Apparently, you’re the one that misunderstood. This surrender was not for me and my group. The surrender was for you and any other pieces of garbage that call themselves ‘Jackals’. I’m here to give you the terms,” said Marcus.

  Brutus started laughing hysterically.

  “Did I say something funny?” asked Marcus.

  “Hilarious. You know what? I’m tired of this. I don’t know why I wasted my time,” said Brutus while turning his head to look toward the buildings of the shopping center. “Rocky. Take him out. I’m tired of looking at his face.”

  “Who’s Rocky?” asked Marcus.

  Brutus scanned the roof area again. “Rocky, I said now,” said Brutus louder this time.

  “If you are talking about your little sniper that you set up in the far corner there, then you are definitely wasting your time. Because I know for a fact that he won’t be answering anyone again,” said Marcus.

  Brutus’s face turned blood red. He started for Marcus. About that time, a bullet ricocheted off the pavement in front of him.

  “Don’t move or she will put one between your eyes,” said Marcus. “I came here to ask you to leave us alone. In fact, you should leave everyone alone. You’ve killed and butchered countless numbers of people over the last couple of years. I tried to not get involved but you forced me into it. I’m giving you one chance to give this up and go live your life. What do you say?”

  Still blood red, Brutus said, “I’ll tell you…” He didn’t finish. He tapped his ear, jumped back, and yelled, “Come get’em guys.”

  Seemingly out of nowhere, twenty or thirty military vehicles shot into the parking lot. Brutus must have had them waiting for his command. Marcus jumped into the SUV and took off. Jocelyn started up the armed vehicles and provided cover with the mounted guns for him as he got in front of his little convoy. They took off and were out of sight in a few seconds. The Jackals were hot on their trail. Marcus was glad the Jackals didn’t get out the heavy artillery. Apparently they were afraid that they might kill the girl. He still wondered why they would want Savannah. He needed to talk to her when all this was over. Only the gunfire kept the Jackals at a decent distance as they travelled. Marcus knew it was going to be a long day. He hoped that the ammunition would hold out long enough to keep the Jac
kals from overtaking them.

  After a while it was obvious that the Jackals weren’t making any moves to try and catch up with Marcus and his convoy. Marcus had a sneaking suspicion that he was being herded into an ambush. Of course, that was exactly what he had planned. In fact, he was extremely happy that up until now everything was going exactly as he had planned. The convoy continued travelling at a high rate of speed to give the semblance of fear.

  “Marcus, there is a larger group of Jackals coming in from the west. By my calculations they are trying to corner you over the next hill and block your exit. Are you ready to proceed with your plan?” asked Jocelyn.

  “I’m ready. Is Kim and the MAV set up and ready?” he asked.

  “Affirmative. She is waiting on you,” said Jocelyn.

  “Ok. Are you positive that it will hold my weight?” asked Marcus.

  “The large drone is rated to handle up to three hundred pounds. I can’t verify that outside influences may affect its performance but if everything is functioning properly there shouldn’t be a problem,” said Jocelyn.

  “Okay. Then set everything up. It’s a go,” said Marcus.

  Chapter 10

  The sun was going down as they crossed over the next hill. They were in a low lying area with a forest to their right and their left. Only the single little road travelled through this small valley. There was a small clearing near the lowest part of the valley. As Marcus neared this area, thick, heavy smoke began rolling out from under the hood of the SUV. Marcus drove the SUV off the road into the clearing. After he stopped the rest of the convoy fanned out and stopped behind him.

  “Cover me Joce,” said Marcus as he got out of the SUV and went around to the front of it to open the hood.

  As the smoke billowed out in the dusky dark, Marcus looked around the edge of the hood and saw the Jackals drive over the hill and start creating a huge semicircle around his little convoy. They were careful to stay out about a quarter mile away. He looked back to the other direction and saw an even larger force pour over from the other direction. They met with the other group and formed a full semicircle completely blocking any exit from the valley.

  More and more smoke boiled from his SUV. He stayed around in front, careful to keep the convoy between him and the Jackals.

  ______________________________________________________________

  Brutus stepped out of his jeep and surveyed the situation. They had them trapped. Sure, they could get out and run into the forest but they would be easy to track. Besides they had to worry about the dinosaurs if they were on foot. It was almost dark and Brutus knew there were plenty of dinosaurs that liked to hunt nocturnally.

  He gave the signal to the others to wait on him. Then, Brutus walked out in front of the others, put the bullhorn to his lips, and yelled, “Send out the girl and we will make this painless.”

  He stopped and listened for a minute. The little convoy was almost totally shrouded with smoke. Finally he heard the young man he had met earlier yell back.

  “I told you to leave us alone,” was the reply.

  “I can’t do that. Either you send her out or we are coming to get her. Make this easy on yourself. Send her out now and we will let you take your chances with the dinosaurs,” yelled Brutus.

  The young man said, “I gave you a chance and I’ll give you one more. Walk away! Otherwise, if you want her, come get her.”

  Brutus was almost boiling over with rage. He signaled everyone to advance. The Jackals started moving in closer and there was some brief gunfire from the little convoy but then it was obvious that they were out of ammunition. All the Jackals drove up to the edge of the smoke, got out of their vehicles, and cautiously started making their way into the smoke. They closed in and completely surrounded the vehicles. Brutus could faintly see the vehicles through the smoke. He yelled and told them to get out and get on their knees. There was no reply. Finally he sent in one of his men. The man went to the back of the first big transport and yanked open the rear tarp. There was nobody in there. Then he went around to the front passenger door on the big transport and quickly opened it. It was empty also.

  Brutus was baffled. He thought for a minute and thought that maybe they had made a run for the forest, and then he heard a voice. It was coming from further inside the smoke.

  “I warned you. I told you to leave us alone. You’ve murdered, tortured, and raped countless individuals..."

  Brutus didn't let him finish. "I really don't care what you think. I'm finishing this," yelled Brutus. He started walking into the smoke. As he closed in on the lead vehicle, he stopped when Marcus spoke again. The voice was coming from the speakers in the vehicle.

  "You know... it didn't have to be this way, but you made your choice. I’m sorry but you must pay the price. Jocelyn, light’em up,” said Marcus.

  Marcus watched from another hillside about five miles away standing at the front of the MAV. You could see three separate streams of fire in the sky as the Dragonfire Destroyer missiles streaked into the valley. He felt the concussions as the missiles found their destination. The explosions leveled everything for a mile. Jocelyn had assured Marcus that these were not nuclear but just the same, Marcus had never seen an explosion that large before. He just shook his head with sadness. He realized that it was necessary but it still bothered him. He just never understood why people wouldn’t learn. He looked at Kim. She shook her head and they both climbed into the MAV and headed home.

  Chapter 11

  Jocelyn told them that it would take them a few hours to get home. They had ridden for about thirty minutes when Kim finally broke the silence with a giggle.

  Marcus looked at her and asked, “What are you laughing at?”

  “The look on your face when the drone come over the tops of the trees and set you down… It was priceless. Since I’ve been back, I don’t think I’ve seen you that scared,” she said laughing.

  He started grinning back at her and said, “Yeah… well it wasn’t you hanging off a drone flying just over the tops of the trees. Besides, Jocelyn had told me that it hold three hundred pounds. I knew I didn’t weigh that much. What she failed to tell me was that heavier weight would severely drain the batteries. In fact, sis…, what you didn’t realize was that on the last few trees we went over, my feet were dragging through the tops. I had to pull my knees to my chest on the last one just so we could make it over.”

  "Oh, I realized it and that made it funnier," she said. Kim started laughing harder then. "And it would have been even funnier if the drone had dropped you in the top of some tree,” she said.

  Then Kim sobered up and said, "I know you are going to let this bother you Marcus and I know it's sad but it was necessary. Like you tried to tell them, they've murdered, tortured, and raped for a while now. It had to stop. There's enough to worry about with just surviving. We didn't need problems on top of that. You've did the world a favor."

  Marcus thought for a minute and then said, “I know in my heart that you are right Kim. It is just going to take me a little while to get over it and I will get over it. Thanks for trying to encourage me."

  They sat quietly for a few more minutes and then Wynd contacted them. Marcus couldn’t help but smile when he saw her.

  “So… did everything go according to plan?” she asked.

  Kim spoke up, “Mostly. With the sun going down and the smoke bombs deployed by Jocelyn, they never saw him get away. They moved into the smoke almost without hesitation. Marcus gave them another opportunity but they were insistent on getting the girl. The missiles completely destroyed the area. I don’t know what we would have done if Jocelyn hadn’t gotten control of those bases from Redstone.”

  “I don’t either,” said Marcus. “Jocelyn, I know you have been monitoring the communications channel. I know we didn’t wipe the Jackals out but what kind of damage did we do to their infrastructure?”

  “Based on what I’ve been hearing, the air strike has cut their numbers by at least over half,” sai
d Jocelyn.

  “Wow. Have you been able to pinpoint their headquarters location?” asked Kim.

  “Yes. I have analyzed all the data and can give you the approximate location with ninety-seven percent accuracy. I confirmed this with Savannah. Basically the intel that she had was the location of their main base. Also, based on the radio chatter, the Jackals are recalling everyone to their home base. All outlying groups are headed toward their base of operations. This includes the prisoners. David is being transported there as we speak,” said Jocelyn.

  Marcus and Kim looked at each other in excitement.

  “That’s great,” said Marcus. “Jocelyn, start gathering intel on everything in the area. When we get back, we are going to start planning our raid on their main base.”

  "Was Savvy knowing the base location the only reason the Jackals wanted her so bad?" asked Kim.

  "No. Her dad had worked at the Quantico base and they were convinced she could help them gain access to other parts of the base. The Quantico base is where they have established their headquarters," said Jocelyn.

  "Could she?" asked Marcus.

  "No. Her dad was only a private," said Jocelyn. "The Jackals have never been known as the brightest bulbs in the pack."

  Chapter 12

  Everyone came out to greet them when they arrived back at Haven. They were all glad that the imminent threat had been eliminated. Marcus talked with everyone for a little while but finally excused himself with the promise that they would start planning the raid on the Jackals home base first thing in the morning. Wynd could tell there was something bothering him and he promised he would talk to her later about it. He just wanted to be alone.

  Going to his room, Marcus didn’t even turn on his light. He sat down on the couch and sat there in the dark. He was pleased that the Jackals weren’t a threat to his home anymore but he was having a rough time dealing with all the lives he had taken. He had killed people before but it was always in the heat of the moment and there was an immediate threat to his life. This time it was a little different. He realized they were a threat but he had essentially escaped and the move to eliminate them was really a preemptive move not a reactionary one. No matter how he played it out in his mind he always came up with same conclusion. It was necessary for his survival and for the people he loved. He realized their intentions, he knew about the atrocities they had committed, and he knew they wouldn’t stop. Still…his parents had taught him that life was precious and no matter how long he lived he was going to treat it that way.