Tasmanian SFG: Book III, Of One Mind, page 9
"Yes, Commander Wallace. Our last assignment was rather boring," I said, only half in jest. My boys would consider it boring as they didn't see much action, I mused.
"Good. The assignment is on Delphi," he paused, probably because of our shocked looks. "A group claiming to represent the Primordial Church have been demanding recognition as a religious organization, the Black Forest be recognized as a province, and a man named Owded who is the head of the church, be recognized as the leader of the proposed local government. Until now, it has been mostly annoying incidents, but recently, he and his troops have been enforcing laws enacted by him. The government wants him arrested along with anyone who actively supports him. He has been charged with multiple crimes, including murder. They are sending Tasmanians as the terrain is rough, and Owded apparently has a well-equipped army supporting him and his edicts—extortion to be more accurate." He paused, awaiting questions. When no one said anything, he continued, "Simon, Tang, and Gonzales will each have three ten-men squads, and Luan the Ghost Platoon. You have twenty-four hours to get ready. Shuttles will be here at…" he paused to look at his TCom, "one hundred hours to deliver us to our base camp, where there are currently army and Rangers. They have been chasing Owded for several weeks. The Rangers did have one encounter with his troops but got beat up pretty badly since Owded caught them by surprise. Owded's army uses a variety of off-road vehicles and is very mobile and the reason the army hasn't been able to catch them. The other reason is that the forest is old, the trees tall providing a thick canopy to hide under, and most of the locals are on their side or too afraid to aid the government. Enough, one hundred hours tomorrow." Wallace turned and disappeared into the headquarters building.
"I would imagine you have your team assembled and ready to go," Simon said with an envying smile.
"Yes, Chief, although I am a little disappointed with my second in command. He usually knows about the assignment before I do and has the team notified. This time, I think I knew before he did, or he is in the hospital."
"No," Smitty said as he approached at a double time. "Wallace is a bit too senior for my sources. Everyone has been notified. You just need to give us the time we are leaving. They are all at the mess hall having coffee."
They were all smiling when I entered, looking like greyhounds waiting for the rabbit to be released. "One hundred hours tomorrow," I said to ear-to-ear grins. "This time, the rabbits have off-road vehicles and live here on Delphi in the Black Forest. In fact, they believe it should be a province with them in charge."
"That sounds like they are going to be hard to catch and have the advantage," Jafar said, frowning in thought.
"The army and the Rangers agree with you. The army has been unable to pin them down for a fight, and the Rangers got surprised when chasing them."
"Surprise parties are only fun when it's your surprise, not theirs," Carl said.
"Not to worry," Cedric said. "We have the Fox." That was met with a round of stomping and hoots. I hoped they were right. I didn't like the idea of Delphi-educated men with modern weapons on off-road vehicles who had been planning for years.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Planet Delphi: The Primordial Church
When Owded entered the circle of men, the group fell silent. Although he wasn't more than average height, his body was as hard as stone, and his face cold and without expression. He stood surveying the group before sitting on the trunk of an old fallen tree. Fourteen men were gathered in the small clearing: Colonel Modest, a tall, rugged man with a full beard, hard-looking eyes, and slightly overweight, stood leaning against a tree studying the ten lieutenants sitting on the ground. Modest was in charge of operations and the group's second in command. Major Kirill sat with his back against a tree, appearing to be disinterested. He was average-looking at first glance, but his eyes were without emotion. He was the group's spymaster. Major Ilari sat sharpening a long thin dagger. He was a tall, lean but muscular man with an angular face and dangerous looking. He was in charge of supplies, equipment, weapons, and training. Major Rurik was a thin man of average height, a scarred face, and intense looking. Rurik was the group's electronics and communications officer.
Kirill was first to speak. "I hear that the army is bringing in one hundred Tasmanians."
"So what?" Modest asked. "They are men, they bleed, and bullets kill them just like the rest of us."
"They are a legendary elite special forces group," Kirill said.
"Legends are based on old stories that have been embellished over the generations," Modest said. "The men the legends speak of may have been exceptionally brave and talented, but they are dead. The current unit is composed of members from a different generation. A soft generation with more book learning than real experience."
"I heard they have a woman member," Ilari sneered. "How fucking elite can a group be if a woman can qualify?"
Kirill's lips curled into a look of amusement. "Her bullets will kill you just as fast as her male comrades."
"If she can find me, if she can survive the Black Forest, and if she can hit me when she does find me." Kirill laughed. "Actually, something for the troops to look forward. The group that catches her gets to keep her for entertainment."
"Enough," Owded's granite-hard voice cut through the laughing and side conversations. "If you let your group get sidetracked trying to capture her and compromise your mission, I will have you shot. We have women who are a match for any man here. Don't forget that. The Rangers you trapped had women, and even though you greatly outnumbered them, they killed four, wounded six, and got away. These Tasmanians may not be the equivalent of the original Tasmanians, but you would be fools to dismiss them." He paused for a drink from a canteen. "Bringing in Tasmanians concedes that the Delphi army is incapable of bringing us to heel. If we defeat their elite Special Forces Group, Delphi will be forced to negotiate with us or concede the Black Forest to us. That makes defeating the Tasmanians our number one priority. Modest, find them, then track them, and then develop a plan to destroy them."
Modest nodded, turning his attention to the lieutenants. "I will assign each of you a patrol area. You are not to engage the Tasmanians unless you can't avoid the confrontation. When you find them, contact Major Rurik. He will pass on your orders for the next phase. Any questions?" They spent the next several hours determining each unit's current location, then assigned areas of responsibility.
"What do you think?" Owded asked after the lieutenants had left and only his senior staff remained.
"They won't like not being able to engage the Tasmanians, but they will follow orders," Modest said. "I like your plan. Gives us a better opportunity to totally destroy them. A decisive victory will give us a strong negotiating position."
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Planet Delphi: Where oh Where
We arrived at the army's encampment just outside of the town of Northwood, population around twelve thousand. They had one of the four mills that processed the harvested trees into useable lumber. The army had established a small tent city that included a mess hall, barracks, laundry, ammo and weapons armory, hospital, and a depot with an assortment of vehicles. They even had a bus that ran regularly to and from Northwood.
"That tent has been set up for us," Wallace said as he pointed out the various facilities. "Luan, they said you could use the Ranger's barrack, which has facilities for women."
"Not necessary," I said. "My team and I are going to wander the forest. Get to know our playground and the local kids."
"Remember, Fox—"
"Yes, Commander, I'm part of the team and need to stay in touch," I said, with no humor. He nodded. I walked over to the command tent and found Medina. "Hi, Colonel Medina. Can you give me a quick update?"
"You planning on wandering around?" she asked, but her face looked concerned. "Careful, Jolie. They are organized, well-equipped, and ruthless killers. They don't take prisoners. There are approximately two hundred of them, but they operate in smaller groups of around twenty. That is deceptive, as we learned the hard way. They have an excellent communications network and know where each of their units is located. This, combined with their off-road vehicles, means the twenty you encounter can in minutes become forty, then sixty or more."
"What are they using for communications?" I asked.
"They have their own communications network and individual handheld units. As soon as the unit doesn't respond with the right codes, it's cut out of the network. So, capturing a wounded or dead man's device is worthless within an hour or less."
"Can you show me on a map where you have been scouting, where you have seen them, and where you got ambushed?" It probably wouldn't help as the playground was huge and the kids had bikes, but I had to start somewhere.
"Yes," Medina pointed to a large map hanging on a mobile whiteboard with wheels. "We set up here since we know Owded's army extorts money and necessities from the local towns that border the forest. So, this cuts their ties with Northwood, which is one of the larger towns. We patrolled an area four-kilometers square from our camp. West some twenty kilometers is another town, Garret Hole. It has a good-sized lake for floating logs to the Garret mill via the Snake river. We found a group about four klicks east of Garret Hole. We had the high ground and thought we had them trapped until two more of their units appeared. We lost five and had ten wounded before we could disengage, and that was only possible because they knew we had support coming. The fact that they knew support was coming speaks to their organization and communications network."
"Thanks, Cathy. That was helpful," I said, preparing to leave.
"Wandering the forest with ten men is very risky," Medina said. Her forehead wrinkled in concern.
"You forget they have a woman leading them. They will be thinking like men, while I will be thinking like a woman. They don't stand a chance. Besides, my ten men are all Tasmanians, i.e., crazy," I said and laughed, which produced a weak smile from Cathy. It was now midday and the sky clear except for a few clouds. I found my group waiting by the mess tent.
"Where to, Fox?" Smitty asked as I sat after having collected a heaped-up plate of chicken, potatoes, corn, a chicken salad, two brownies, and a glass of milk.
"A better question is whether she will be fit to wander anywhere after eating that," Josh said, pointing to my tray of food.
"You are supposed to figure that out, do all the work, and I'm supposed to take all the credit. So, where to?" I began munching on my salad after pouring a half cup of dressing over it.
"North," Van said.
"East," Art said.
"South," Jafar said.
"West," Isaac said. They all sat looking pleased with themselves. I didn't say a word until I had finished my meal.
"Sounds like a plan," I said to open-mouth stares. "I'll give you six hours to eat, make sure you have everything in case we are out for a week and need to kill a hundred or so of Owded's troops, and a quick nap if you feel inclined. We will meet in the barrack they prepared for us." I met Wallace on the way to the barrack. "Good afternoon, Commander."
"Luan, where are you going to…wander?"
"Don't know. Thought we would get some sleep. Plan to wander at night. Where are you planning to go?" I asked.
"I would normally like the platoon leaders to each search in a different area, but based on what the Rangers encountered, I'm reluctant. So, I thought we would all search in the same direction but maintain a klick separation. Actually, like the Zulu used to do. They went to battle looking like a buffalo's head. One group in front and the other two on either side like horns. Maybe we can tempt Owded to attack the head. Then the two horns can close in and gore the attacking group. Initially, I thought we would go west toward Garret Hole since that is where the Rangers encountered them."
"I will let you know when I figure out where I would like to go," I said, having decided but not wanting to share as it may influence his choices. He nodded and headed toward the command tent where his platoon leaders stood. I entered the barrack, selected a bunk, and went to sleep.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Planet Delphi: Following the Chum
"Well, Fox, which direction and why?" Smitty asked.
"What do you think would be the best way to find Owded's troops?" I asked as I buckled my TCom to my left arm, strapped on my Mfw to my right leg, and inserted my survival knife into my boot sheath. Then I put my three throwing knives into the left boot sheath, ammo pouches to my waist, swung my pack on, tightened the straps, and attached four grenades. Finally, I picked up my CheyTac rifle and laughed. If I fell in a lake, I'd sink like an anchor.
"That's why we have you," Smitty said, giving me a wry smile.
"Owded has a rapid response army, believes offense is the best defense, and is well organized. Conclusion…" I said and waited.
"He will find us," Isaac said, lips pursed in thought. "So, we follow the Tasmanians?"
"Right. When his group strikes, you boys kill them, and I get the credit for saving the boss. Simple." I slapped both hands like I was dusting them off as a sign of having completed the task.
"Boss, there are only ten of us. Medina said Owded had an army of two hundred," Josh said.
"Alright, I'll help." I smiled. "Smitty, how did Wallace configure the platoons?"
"Tang is the head, Simon on the left and Gonzales on the right side," Smitty said after a minute's pause.
"We will follow Gonzales because his platoon is facing into the forest. The direction I would suspect Owded's troops will come from. Any suggestions on how best to scout without being detected. As you pointed out, there are only eleven of us," I emphasized eleven while glaring.
"You and me are never scouts. Besides, if we lose you, they would expect one of us to take over the platoon," Smitty said without any hint of shame.
"I think, one scout to the east of Tang, one scout to the east of Gonzales, and the rest of us a half klick behind Gonzales," Pete said to nodding heads.
"What about two and two?" I asked, knowing it meant more exposure, but it provided more flexibility.
Todd nodded. "More potential exposure but more visibility and options."
"Do it, and remember to check in on the…regularly," I said, not wanting them distracted by watching the time. "Remember, this only works if you are not seen, and whether it works or not may make a significant difference to our brothers in the main force. Be ghosts. That's an order."
"Yes, mother," someone said as four men, Josh with Pete, and Art with Todd, separated and began a double time walk north. I nodded to myself, team one with explosive and sniper specialties and team two with communications and sniper specialties. As I watched them leave, Isaac, who was now in the lead, stopped four hours later and waited for us to collect together. "We are about one-half klick behind Gonzales's platoon. They have made camp for the night."
"I'll take first watch. Two-hour shifts," I said, looking around the group. Jafar raised a hand, indicating he would take the second watch. I nodded and circled our camp, looking for a place where I had good visibility to see anyone approaching from any direction. The land was relatively flat here, but I found a large tree which had a low enough branch that I used to climb up a good twelve meters to several branches that formed a platform to sit. Sometime later, I saw Jafar rise, look around, then headed for my tree. He was up beside me in minutes.
"Good spot," he whispered after looking around. "Get some sleep."
I woke when I heard movement. The grey light of dawn was slowly creeping into the pitch darkness of the forest. I decided Wallace needed an update as I had several from my forward scouts and quickly typed a message.
Wallace, I have decided initially to head north toward Garret Hole. Haven't seen any sign of Owded. Luan.
Luan, you won't with us going in the same direction. Wallace.
I don't think you're sharks, commander; you're chum for the sharks, I mused to myself, hoping I hadn't underestimated the enemy.
We camped when the main group did, not having seen a sign of the enemy. I sent Wallace another message before retiring for the night.
Wallace, you are right. we haven’t seen a thing all day. Luan.
Luan, neither have we. Are you going to stay with us at Garret Hole? Wallace.
Wallace, no idea, but I will let you know if we leave. Luan.
The next morning was also quiet, which made me nervous. I had expected Owded to at least probe the Tasmanian force seeking him. The fact that he didn't meant trouble. So, I was relieved when I received a message from Pete.
Fox, a group of twenty Owded troops have spotted Tang's platoon. They are playing it cautious, staying a klick away. They have sent two scouts to spy on the group. Taipan.
Thirty minutes later, I had a message from Todd.
Fox, another group of twenty Owded troops are a klick away from Gonzales's platoon. They do not look like they are getting ready to attack. Should i notify Gonzales? Mamba.
A thorny question, and if I were wrong, I could be responsible for many of my brothers' deaths. But if Gonzales changed formation, it could alert the Owded forces we know of their presence and preclude us from surprising them. I tried a compromise.
Sage, there is a force of twenty Owded one klick east of Tang's platoon and an equal force one click east of Gonzales's platoon. They do not look like they are getting ready to attack. If you change formation, you may scare them away. Fox.
Fox, so you have been using us as bait. Do you have a plan? Sage.
Sage, no, but it might present an opportunity if we wait and see what they intend to do. Fox.
Fox, I approve. Sage.
I sighed in relief. I had made the right decision. Wallace had not overreacted, and he was aware of the threat. Two hours dragged by before I heard from Pete and Todd.
Fox, my group has moved back another klick but left the two scouts. Taipan.
