Joshua (Book 2): Traveler by John S. Wilson Page B

women brought out a large pot and started a fire by the entrance of the north side. A minute later the oldest man came out and replaced the younger one acting as guard on top of the road.
    After a few more minutes, the younger man, armed with a Ruger Mini-14, and the youngest girl, about thirteen, started walking towards the stream taking the large pot with them. By now all three teams turned their radios on.
    Rob was ready to go, “This is Wolf, everybody check in.”
    “Coyote checking in, you’re fine.”
    “Jackal checking in.”
    “Okay Coyote, you’re running this show. When you’ve acquired the targets, call back in.”
    The man and girl crossed the field to the stream as quickly as they could, carefully scanning in every direction as they went. The old man on guard kept a close eye on them.
    Just as they arrived, Alton made his move. He, Rudd, and Cornwell rushed the man and knocked him to the ground. Alton disarmed him while Rudd and Cornwell hauled him back into the woods. At the same time, D’Cruz grabbed the girl while covering her mouth, dragging her kicking back into the shadows of the tree line.
    Gunfire rang out. The old man fired two quick shots from his scoped Browning BAR at Alton and his men.
    Rob was on the radio again, “This is Wolf. Everybody remember, no shooting unless I say. I’m talking to you, McCain. I can’t see what’s happening on the north side of the bunker. Somebody clue me in.”
    “This is Jackal. Why do you have to call me out on the radio? You act like I’m a maniac or something ...”
    “McCain, just shut up and tell me what’s going on.”
    “There are three of them right in the opening, but they’re not coming out. They’re yelling to that guard. I could kill them all right now. Just give the word.”
    “I told you no shooting unless I say. I’m going out to talk to them.”
    “Fine, if you want to do it the hard way.”
    Alton was at last able to get a word in, “Coyote here, we’re okay and we’ve got the targets under control. Standing by.”
    “This is Wolf, good work, Coyote, stand by. Everybody listen up! I’m going out to talk to them and I don’t want any shooting,” Rob paused and thought for a moment, “unless they gun me down, then feel free to kill them.”
    He turned to Peavey, “I’m going. You watch the bunker. If they try to come out this side you can shoot, but just to keep their heads down. If they get clear of the bunker, you have my permission to kill them, but only then.” Rob then addressed the boys, “You two keep behind cover. When you hear me calling, you help Peavey bring the cart up.”
    Both boys nodded as they lay flat on the ground.
    Rob left his guns with Peavey and took off running, keeping his head down. He made a long loop and then approached in the open, right up from the east side of the highway.
    At last the old man saw him approaching and trained his rifle on Rob as he casually walked into earshot. “What do you want?! Where’s my son and granddaughter?!”
    Rob slowed but still approached with his hands in the air. He spun around holding his coat open, making it quite clear he was unarmed. “What do I want? I want all your food. But I didn’t come empty handed. I’ve got something to trade.”
    “What?”
    “The lives of your son and granddaughter.”
    The old man brought his eye back up to the scope and took steady aim, “I should kill you right now, scum!”
    Rob stopped about thirty feet from him and started using his sensible voice, “You could do that. But then you would never see your loved ones alive again. Isn’t your son and grandchild worth some food? You would let them die over some pork and beans, or canned ravioli? We both know you’re not going to do that.”
    “There’s no way we can trust you. You’ll kill us all if you get the chance.”
    “I’ll tell you what ...”
    Suddenly the sharp report of a rifle was heard and everyone instinctively ducked. It was Peavey firing from cover