Chapter 18

The next day we gathered around the table again for lunch time. I led this one with a quick explanation. “This is going to be a debate, one that I’m not sure each of you are going to like.” I let out a breath considering how to word this before just going for it. “We have tactical advantages against the Prez and his cronies. It would be a shame to not use those seeing as how we are outnumbered probably ten to one. Knowing how guard shifts usually break down if they’re having four on the roof and one at ground level at any time, we should probably count on them having enough people to have three shifts, eight hours each. Add in people for food and supply runs, cooking, the “bitches” he’s talked about. I think my first estimate of around forty or so is probably a low number.”

Here I looked each person over. As a SpecOps combat vet I had pretty much assumed I would have the support of Gonzo and the nodding of his head gave actual confirmation. Lindsey gave first a frown before another nod. Brandi took a moment before she started to realize fully what I was talking about. “You’re talking about using the sniper rifles, aren’t you? Take them out from a distance and trim their numbers at least, right?”

“That’s right. I figure if we position ourselves on the freeway it gives us a firing position. We can take at least most of the guards if not all before the alarm is raised. I know it’s not a sexy style of warfare, but it’s effective. Plus we know they’re not friendly and we know where they are. With the 50 cal rifles we can most likely take out any vehicles they use to try and pursue us, if not the personnel themselves. At least three maybe more eliminated before they’ve really had a chance to counter. More if we wait for them to start to pursue and attack those they send after us.” I watched her face as I spoke. Before all this she had been a simple person, never one who would have even thought of having a discussion like this.

She looked down for a moment before looking back up. “I’m not against the idea. They’re basically evil people who already tried to kidnap Lindsey at least and probably more women. But I’m not sure I can shoot someone from ambush in cold blood. How about I go as the driver if we all go? If we start taking fire I think I could defend myself and us, but I don’t want to be counted on for firing the first volley.”

I would give her a smile first to let her know there were no ill feelings at her words. “That takes a lot of self awareness to think that through. You never know how someone will act when faced with a combat situation, even those with a lot more training. That’s part of why I think we shouldn’t include Mike’s crew with this as of yet. Gonzo and I can shoot quick enough if we time it right to have rounds going for the third and fourth guys before they realize where the fire is coming from. AR-15s with night scope instead of sniper rifles should be fine. The distance isn’t that far and it gives us a quicker second shot than the bolt action sniper rifles. We’ll need to be ready for post-shot action. They’ll probably try to scramble after us with vehicles. If we’re spotted before we get into position we should probably abort and handle defending our retreat.”

Brandi spoke up now. “We’ve talked about getting some things for our backup location. I think before we go on the offensive we should have that at least picked out and food, drinks, and ammo there. Wired for workable electricity would be nice as well. If the attack should go wrong we’d want to have somewhere to go if we can’t make it back here to the complex.”

Her idea definitely made sense. While I would like to think that with proper timing and execution the plan would work, nothing was fool proof. Plus, it wasn’t like we could call in for backup or a helicopter evacuation of things went wrong. We would be completely on our own after all. “That’s a very good idea. Plus it gives us more time to actually plan out how the attack should go and preparing for it. I hate to say it, but I think we should clean out as much of the prepper food warehouse as we can. We can use it for us and any allies willing to cooperate or at least showing similar standards and practices. We don’t want the Prez and his crew getting to it, for example.”

Lindsey nodded her understanding of the thought there. “Like the old style castle sieges. Trap someone where a lack of food and water are what drives a person to surrender. We stockpile to be able to last longer in the case of a siege. Or at least preparing for the longer term and having a backup in case we have hard times with crops or hunting.”