A Damned Reunion

Chapter 2

Tears of rage spilled from my eyes, my teeth clenched. Blood leaked from the bullet wound in my chest, but I couldn’t feel it. Rorke was smiling, his own blood dripping onto the rough ground leaving a red trail, but I couldn’t follow it. Inch by inch, Logan was pulled away, but I couldn’t move. His eyes pleaded for help, but I couldn’t help…

“Hesh!”

 I started, my attention drawn back to the present. “What?” I asked.

Across from me, Merrick frowned and I shifted in my seat, glancing at Keegan leaning against the doorframe. We were in an abandoned office building, made of crumbling clay bricks and bordered up windows. It was located near the rear of a small town which had recently been transformed into a military base, since the Federation sank the last one. After the successful attack on the LOKI satellite, the Federation was in retreat and we endlessly pushed forward. For a whole month, battles were fought and each time, we gained ground. So now we’re here, on the border of Mexico, the last line of defence for the Federation before South America. Another month was spent in planning the next phase of attack to get us into the country and into the heart of the enemy. And to my brother. That was why Merrick, Keegan and I were in the room today. They were planning a rescue attempt and I was finally ready to help them.

“Are you even listening Hesh?” Merrick sighed, rubbing his face. I shrugged sheepishly. “Sorry. What did you say?”

 “I said; we have received a lead on Logan’s location. He’s in Brazil”.

Keegan left his position at the door and placed a map on the table, the words Rio de Janeiro: Holiday Tours in bold letters across the top. I raised a brow, “Looking for a vacation Keegan?”

 “We believe he is located somewhere near Alto da Boa Vista” Merrick continued, pointing at a large, dark green region. I leant forward, “it’s a national park. Well, it used to be.”

 Merrick nodded, “it’s also a forest and a mountain range, and the Vista is surrounded on all sides’’. He pointed to the east, “and here is Rio.”

 “The country is not only swarming with Feds, but also civilians, so we have to be extra cautious to avoid a fight. You remember what happened last time, eh?” Keegan added with a wink. I rolled my eyes, of course I remembered; a building almost fell on our heads!

“Okay focus, boys.” Merrick commanded, leaning in. Keegan and I followed suite. “So, options; if we enter here we could easily blend with the crowd. The slums of Rio are full of people and more are entering every day. Four more wouldn’t cause trouble.”

“Except they’re checked at the border. We got word last week that those without identification or a good reason were shot”, Keegan countered.

 “What the hell counts as a ‘good reason’?” I asked. He shrugged.

 “There was another idea. If we infiltrate at these cliffs then they will provide cover as we make landfall” Merrick proposed, indicating the coastline left of the park.

 “Maybe. However they give anyone above a clear shot. Also, wouldn’t it be hard docking a boat there in the first place?” I pointed out.

 Keegan grinned, “Who said we were taking a boat?”

I observed at them both and shook my head. “Okay... What are you planning?”

Merrick lent back in his chair, “first things first. Are you in or not, Hesh? Because until now you’ve done nothing to assist us”. I opened my mouth to object and he raised a hand. “Let me finish. I understand why you’ve been taking time off, and I understand your hurt. And now, the time to grieve is over. Now, we fight back. So, you in?”

 I nodded, “hell yeah”. I didn’t care what Keegan and Merrick had arranged; I would do anything to get my brother back.

 “I’ll give you a full briefing on the plan later. For now, get some rest. And have a shower, you smell like shit.” He waved a calloused hand at the entrance, dismissing me.  I stood and walked to the door. This was it. We were going to get him back.

 “Hesh”, Merrick called. I glanced back and he smiled at me, “welcome back”.

And for the first time in months, I smiled too.