Tyler
Things were suddenly quiet and stayed that way. The second RT4 had gone up with a big bang. The tandem charge rocket had hit near dead center, and there was no movement around the wreckage to suggest survivors.
"Wonder how long they'll wait now," Ethan said. "We seem to have gotten ourselves surrounded."
"Yep," Tyler replied. "Guess they'll get the nerve before long. Got a preferred method of departure?"
"I imagine they'll have a suggestion," Ethan replied. "What say you, Harry?"
Robert 'Harry' Harrison took out a package of cigarillos and offered them. Tyler and Ethan each took one and lit them as Harry lit one of his own. He took his communicator out and opened it. Like an oversized folding phone, it was now their only link to possible help. Possible, if one of their relays was overhead and in range.
"Doesn't look good," he replied. "Don't figure on going with them peaceably. Wonder how many we got so far."
"Least a half dozen in each of APCs," Tyler replied. "A handful of deaders layin' out there. Maybe some are playing, to be safe. But we're ahead, and I figure on runnin' up the score before they get us."
Harry tapped and swiped the screen of his Commpad.
"Well," Ethan said, "we rang the bell. Unless Harry has one more miracle left, we'll give it another whack."
"Yo Redtail," Harry said. "About time you got here. How's your fuel?"
A female voice replied.
"Thirty minutes tops."
"Minerva," Tyler said. "She's on loan from Mantis section. Up there in a Redtail watching us."
"That's plenty," Harry said, "if you can arrange an airstrike in the next ten. That's ten at the outside."
"I'm on it," Minerva replied. "Can you you pop smoke?"
"Say when."
"Stand by."
"We pop smoke it'll give away our position," Tyler said. "I don't think they have any artillery besides grenade launchers, but that strike needs to be close."
"Minerva will let us know when they're a few minutes out," Harry said. "They're most likely from Huntsville. There's an A-3 squadron there. Been wanting some action."
"Come in from almost due south," Tyler said. "That's gonna be close, Minerva on less than twenty minutes."
"They move fast," Harry said. "All she has to do is stay up long enough to get them on the way."
"Roger on the strike," Minerva said. "They'll be airborne in five, here in another fifteen. I can stay here long enough to set it up."
"Thanks. We owe you a big one. Again."
"I wish I could hang around long enough to see the results." Minerva said. "But it's gonna be close."
Tyler moved up to the top of the levee. They could hold off an attack for a while, as the enemy crossed the two hundred yards or so from their cordon. He ejected the magazine from his FAL and inserted a new one. Three fully loaded ones left. And the .40 carbine with a half-dozen mags, in case they got that close.
"They're off," Minerva said. "I'll advise when they're ten out."
"A3s at about 340 on the deck." Harry said. "Figure cluster bombs, good thing we're underground."
"Looks like I've got you about three hundred yards out," Minerva said. "Straight in front of them. That right?"
"Exactly."
"Looks good." Minerva said. "I'll give them your coordinates, so they know where to look."
"Now if they'll just stay where they are for a while," Tyler said. "They're most likely waiting for reinforcements, and equipment."
"They won't take any chances," said Harry. "Not after what we gave them."
"Time for another smoke?" Ethan asked. He extended a package. "Tax-free and organic."
Their tobacco supply came in from the Gulf, completely under the control of the Republic. Tyler rarely smoked cigarettes, but took one. Harry shook his head and kept his eyes on his communicator By now he would have a map with both Minerva and the incoming strike force.
Tyler took a drag on the sweet cigarette. Cinnamon, or something. Flavored cigarettes had been illegal in the country for years, and most people vaped anyway. He had never been addicted to nicotine, but enjoyed the taste of the cigars and natural smoke. Chewing a cigar was half of the enjoyment.
"Blue and yellow." Harry said. "Say when."
"Four minutes." Minerva replied. "I'll count you down."
"Here you go," Harry said, handing Tyler and Ethan the smoke.
Tyler had yellow.
"Three."
Tyler put his finger in the ring, held the canister loosely. All was silent. He hoped the enemy wasn't moving in on them. Not likely, but it was too late go take a look. They were a good ten feet down the levee, and he wanted to be there when the bombs hit.
"Two."
Just stay there. We got a present for you.
Harry looked up.
"They're just about on us. Get ready."
"One."
"OK guys, let's get ready. Toss'em up the slope."
"GO!"
Tyler pulled the ring and tossed the canister up the slope. Yellow smoke poured out. Ethan threw his further along the levee, separating the sources of the smoke.
"OK," Harry said. "Now we wait. Someone take a peek before they get here."
Tyler crawled back up the slope. The sun was setting to his left. The field was clear, but he could see vehicles moving behind the cordon. Reinforcements?
Just stay there. Stay where you are.
He didn't know how large the force was, but probably a couple hundred at least. The only armor they'd brought had been destroyed.
"Good so far," he called down. "There may be some vehicles arriving."
"Ten minutes won't be enough for them," Harry said. "Eight now."
Tyler looked back at the sky behind them. The A3 wasn't much bigger than the old A1 of the Korea and Vietnam era, but smaller than the A-10s the USAF operated in later years. Not that they would be of much use, the Alliance didn't have any tanks.
The A3 had a wingspan of forty-four feet or so. Tyler had seen them at the base in Huntsville. The pusher props on the truncated delta wings flanked a third on the centerline. In front of the wings was a canard of similar shape. An upgrade from the A2, in addition to a third engine it had weapons bays in the wings in addition to the centerline bay.
He saw the dots in the sky, rapidly growing larger. Four, side by side. Another four followed them. Tyler looked across the field.
They've seen the smoke by now. Wonder what they're thinking. If they know anything they'll figure they're about to get hit.
The fist flight passed overhead. Tyler slid down the bank.
"Showtime." Harry said. "Be nice if we could watch."
They heard the detonations, like machine gun fire, but louder.
"Sounds like CB-48s." Harry said. "Sixty four anti-personnel charges in each. They get close there won't be much left."
The second flight went over and they waited for it to be over.
"Still with us?" Harry asked.
"For about another couple of minutes." Minerva replied. "There's gonna be a chopper on top of you in about ten. You should be all right until then."
"Thanks. Grab a beer for us soon as you're off duty. We'll catch up with you tomorrow."
"Will do. Can't wait for the details. Minerva out."
"I'd prefer to forget them." Harry said. "But you gotta do what you gotta do."
It may have been ten minutes, or less, but it seemed like forever. The silence was more complete than it had been. Finally they heard the chopper,