split into smaller squads that were typically led by longer term and more trustworthy individuals of the organization. Then they would conduct the same sort of operation as Jake and Ava had in the initial forays into the Miami area. These small squads of four or five men each would spread out, casing the area, getting a feel for things, killing people who needed to be killed, and generally letting people know who was in charge. Then they’d make their final show of force at the local market or similar symbolic neighborhood center where they could threaten or cajole the remaining populace into subservience and crush any remaining resistance.
Ava was in charge of her own platoon of men, as well as overseeing Kill King and Johnny Switchblade who led similar platoons. Jake of course had his own men as well in addition to overseeing Mad Dog and Rambo’s units. Ava wanted it this way since she could trust Mad Dog and Rambo and they needed very little supervision to conduct their operations the way she wanted them to. Meanwhile, she could keep an eye on Kill King and Johnny Switchblade who were more loyal to Jake and had a few of his more irresponsible tendencies. This left Ava – in actuality – controlling all their forces except for those directly under Jake as well as those under the Fallback Man who was assigned to oversee the neighborhood occupying forces. The Fallback Man harnessed his organizational capabilities to ensure that these occupying forces kept things running the way Jake and Ava wanted among the area businessmen and residents after the “big dogs” had moved on.
Things were coming together just the way Ava wanted, but Jake had no idea that this was the case.
Not everything was smooth sailing though. Several Miami neighborhoods proved tougher nuts to crack than Ava had expected. But again, in moves that were straight out of a war strategy textbook, Ava decided to skip these areas of greatest resistance, cutting them off from any supply lines or reinforcements simply by moving past them and surrounding them. This “island hopping” campaign through the city allowed her to control everything moving into or out of these cut off sections by overrunning the outlying areas. She understood that while this might leave these strongholds in place temporarily, after a week or so of being cut off from food, water, ammunition, and other supplies, some of the resistance would just give up, some of it would be killed while scavenging for supplies, and those who remained would likely be so demoralized, exhausted, and hungry after holding out against the elements without any relief that they’d eventually just surrender.
Her plan worked perfectly. And a month after their arrival, all of the outlined areas on Ava’s map except one – a particularly strong enclave in Little Havana – were under their control.
CHAPTER 6
Ray and I waited until we met the rest of Gordon’s crew before going back to get the pickup truck and the rest of our group. I wanted to make sure that what he’d told us was true regarding how many men he had with him and whether they were indeed injured before putting our family members at risk.
Once they were on the scene though, we worked quickly. I was concerned that whoever had reaped such destruction upon Gordon and his men could return and do the same thing to us. Whoever they were, they certainly had some serious firepower if they were able to take out a convoy the size of Gordon’s and leave it so completely devastated.
In addition to Gordon and Jeff, we were hurriedly introduced to Gordon’s youngest son, Barry, who’d been shot in the arm, as well as his nephews Andrew and Ian. Ian had been grazed by a bullet fragment or piece of shrapnel across his right temple, as well as being shot through the right leg. The bullet had passed clean through his thigh. The wound was pretty nasty looking and I wasn’t
Ava was in charge of her own platoon of men, as well as overseeing Kill King and Johnny Switchblade who led similar platoons. Jake of course had his own men as well in addition to overseeing Mad Dog and Rambo’s units. Ava wanted it this way since she could trust Mad Dog and Rambo and they needed very little supervision to conduct their operations the way she wanted them to. Meanwhile, she could keep an eye on Kill King and Johnny Switchblade who were more loyal to Jake and had a few of his more irresponsible tendencies. This left Ava – in actuality – controlling all their forces except for those directly under Jake as well as those under the Fallback Man who was assigned to oversee the neighborhood occupying forces. The Fallback Man harnessed his organizational capabilities to ensure that these occupying forces kept things running the way Jake and Ava wanted among the area businessmen and residents after the “big dogs” had moved on.
Things were coming together just the way Ava wanted, but Jake had no idea that this was the case.
Not everything was smooth sailing though. Several Miami neighborhoods proved tougher nuts to crack than Ava had expected. But again, in moves that were straight out of a war strategy textbook, Ava decided to skip these areas of greatest resistance, cutting them off from any supply lines or reinforcements simply by moving past them and surrounding them. This “island hopping” campaign through the city allowed her to control everything moving into or out of these cut off sections by overrunning the outlying areas. She understood that while this might leave these strongholds in place temporarily, after a week or so of being cut off from food, water, ammunition, and other supplies, some of the resistance would just give up, some of it would be killed while scavenging for supplies, and those who remained would likely be so demoralized, exhausted, and hungry after holding out against the elements without any relief that they’d eventually just surrender.
Her plan worked perfectly. And a month after their arrival, all of the outlined areas on Ava’s map except one – a particularly strong enclave in Little Havana – were under their control.
CHAPTER 6
Ray and I waited until we met the rest of Gordon’s crew before going back to get the pickup truck and the rest of our group. I wanted to make sure that what he’d told us was true regarding how many men he had with him and whether they were indeed injured before putting our family members at risk.
Once they were on the scene though, we worked quickly. I was concerned that whoever had reaped such destruction upon Gordon and his men could return and do the same thing to us. Whoever they were, they certainly had some serious firepower if they were able to take out a convoy the size of Gordon’s and leave it so completely devastated.
In addition to Gordon and Jeff, we were hurriedly introduced to Gordon’s youngest son, Barry, who’d been shot in the arm, as well as his nephews Andrew and Ian. Ian had been grazed by a bullet fragment or piece of shrapnel across his right temple, as well as being shot through the right leg. The bullet had passed clean through his thigh. The wound was pretty nasty looking and I wasn’t
Similar Books
