THE DESOLATE SOUTHLAND

CHAPTER 23: HOW TIME FLIES

Riko sat at the position of attention on the trunk in the center of the room,his mind drifting back in time.

"Attention maggot. Right hand, right knee, left hand, left knee, eyes front!" His senior drill instructor would yell.

Riko sat there for an hour not moving. He simply stared straight forward deep in thought. He had done this everyday since he returned stateside. He'd sit and remember his fallen brothers. Sometimes he would even talk to them. It hurt him to know he survived and they didn't, but he could still count on them. Somehow, from the grave they would help him to relax and even show him the way he should proceed, make him stay on course, overcome and adapt. However, this day, he had other things in mind, he had to report to them. His men, the ones under his command, needed to know what was going on and the plan to protect the country they died for, one more time.

"Marines," Riko began to speak, "the world has went to hell in a hand basket, now it is in the USA. it looks like it is up to me to figure out a way to save it. I really need your help. I need you to man those pearly gates and watch over us down here. By us I mean, me and these kids. I have spent the last six months training and teaching them everything I know. They are ready, but I'd feel better if you Marines were watching over us. Oh, and Chief, you'd like to know, that your boy, Minko, is one of them. He has turned out to be a true Marine, you'd be proud of the man he has become and that I have no doubt,your blood flows through his viens. Be with us my brothers. Save me a seat."

Riko stood and exited the room as he thought about the last six months. As he looked out the window into the back yard, he watched each one. There was Drake. Very handy with a rifle at long distances and capable of hand to hand with a bayonet. He is also very handy to have around with his medical knowledge. Especially after we made a run to the college and collected all the medical books we could find. He had insisted on it if we were going to rely on him for medical attention. Now he wants to go to the nearest hospital and load up on medical equipment to stock the one room structure he started building. Little brother,Minko, has become deadly with a bow and arrow. He makes his own arrows as his people, the Choctaw, once did years ago. However, though he has come a long way, he still needs a boost in his confidence when fighting with a hunting knife. His Choctaw ancestry shines through him when it comes to tracking and letting nature guide him. Ange likes the pistols. She has become very accurate when shooting head size targets. She has also master reloading ammo. We have her reload all our ammo. She enjoys the alone time in the little shop underground.
If we ever need her she is either practicing or reloading. However, she needs to build her strength some when fighting with the machete. Hannah, well of the three teens, she is the strongest mentally. She feeds off of her fears and channels then into a fiery aggression. She doesn't like guns,rather, she prefers throwing knives and any other blade she can get her hands on. Thing is, she is deadly with them. Harley is very focused. She is determined to master every weapon she can, whether it is a rifle, shotgun, pistol, knife or stick. She practices and practices. When we go on runs, she carries a pair of kukris on her back and a pair of 9mm on her sides. With the martial arts training she is as dangerous as they come yielding the kukris.

Riko went out on the porch and watched all of them as they exercised. Something he had them do to build their endurance. It was obviously needed based on their last run in town. It was only 7:00 o'clock in the morning and they had been at it since 5:00 o'clock. A simple five mile run and the daily seven. After they had heard what happened to him and listened to reports on the radio, not mention the fact that they had still not found out who had scaled the wall, they all wanted to train. He didn't even have to wake them up in the morning to start. Today, they were all going to put their tracking skills, observation skills to the test. They were all going to check the perimeter. Riko had finally said he felt they were ready. Besides, he didn't want to argue with them again. He had been doing the perimeter check on his own and they all complained, especially Harley. Also, he felt like they needed a little excursion along with him being able to evaluate them. He needed them this time to go to the hospital and get the equipment Drake wanted. In a couple of weeks was when he planned the trip. By then, the "D" clinic, as Drake called it, would be completed. Riko smiled because Drake was proud of that building.

"Guys, we need to eat breakfast and get ready to check out the perimeter." Riko called out.

They all finished their last repetition and filed into the kitchen. Harley, as always, had gotten up early, fried some sausage and bacon with some homemade biscuits. They all fixed their own and met at the table to eat.

"O-kay," Riko began, "today, instead of the ATV's, we are going to take horses. I want those of you who haven't ridden much to gain more experience and it will give us an advantage because it is more stealth. I say that, because, we should have caught these trespassers by now. We will go to where we set the traps and check them first. From there we will head West until we reach the halfway mark at the twin oaks beside the stream. I will turn North and Drake will go South. The rest of you will continue West until you reach the wall. Drake and I will do the same. When we reach the wall, we will wait. When y'all reach the wall, I want Harley and Ange to turn North while Minko and Hannah turn South. Follow the wall until you meet up with Drake and me. Then we will continue following the wall until we meet back at the traps. Now, take your time, watch and listen closely. Make mental notes of everything you see or hear. I have a roll of ribbon for each group. Mark anything you think needs further investigation, so it will be easier to find, that way we can investigate together. No one is to investigate without the entire group. Remember, there is strength in numbers. Also, each will have a com-link. This is so we are in constant contact with each other. If you see someone inside the walls, you take cover and call the rest of us. Do not approach them until I get there. We need to be as cautious as possible, especially since we do not know exactly what we are up against."

"The same goes to you too, Riko." Harley included.

Riko smirked, "yes ma'am."

"O-kay, is everyone ready for this?"

They all nodded.

"Well, gear up and meet me at the stables."

They all quickly went to their quarters. Each were in their own little world as they gathered their gear and prepared for what was coming. Fifteen minutes had passed when they all stood in the stables.

"Everyone ready?"

No one spoke, just nodded.

"O-kay then. Just remember what I have showed you. Rely on your senses. Take it slow and steady. Use your heads and all will be fine."