Re: Mountain Home
Chapter 23
Realizing they were being shot at, Jack and Eric dove for the ground, while Mike brought the M-249 off his shoulder and started firing randomly in the direction the shot had come from. He had no idea where the shooter might be, and wouldn’t until he fired again. As Mike was returning fire Jack made his way to the other side of the aircraft. Getting up he climbed into the door and went to the cockpit, getting the engines started so they could get out of there quick.
Finally, the shooter took another shot, and Mike had seen where it came from. The guy was on top of a hangar a couple of hundred yards away. He had no idea why the guy had chosen to shoot at them, but it didn’t matter. Lining the weapon’s sights on the area, he proceeded to empty the rest of his two hundred round magazine into it. As he started shooting, the planes’ engines turned over, and by the time he was done they were up to speed and the shooter had disappeared. Looking around for Eric, he saw a sight that made his heart skip a beat. The boy was laying face down in a pool of blood, and he wasn’t moving. Still watching out for the shooter, Mike made his way over to the boy and checked for a pulse. Finding none he rolled him over and saw the bullet hole in Eric’s forehead. Knowing there wasn’t anything anyone could do for him now, he picked up the boy’s body as best he could, backing towards the plane and calling out for Jack to come help him.
Seeing Mike carrying Eric, Jack jumped out of the plane and went to help. When they’d gotten the boy inside, he too saw the damage and realized there was no helping him now. Overcome with grief at the loss of his friend, he fell back against a seat, feeling as if the whole world was closing in on him. Just then they heard another rifle shot, and he knew he had to get them into the air or they’d all be dead. Returning to the cockpit, he pushed the throttles all the way forward and took off across the ramp, not even bothering with the runway.
After getting them into the air and climbing to two thousand feet, he programmed the auto-pilot to circle the area and went back into the cabin. Mike had moved Eric’s body into a seat to get him out of the floor, and was trying to clean some of the blood off him. He knew that Robin would be heart broken no matter what they did, but figured that every little bit they could do might help. Taking a seat across from the boy, Jack was at a loss as to where to go from here. Finally deciding that they needed to go back home, he told Mike he was turning around right now and heading back.
“Jack, I know how hard this is for you, but think for a minute about those kids in Australia. They’re counting on us coming for them tonight, if we don’t show up they may not make it.”
Looking at him as if he’d lost his mind, Jack said “Mike, are you crazy? How the h*ll could we continue after something like this? No, we have to get Eric back home now, those kids are just going to have to wait for another time.”
Mike looked pained, but went on regardless. “Think about this for a minute, ok Jack? If we turn back now, we may never be able to make another trip. What if some of those kids died because we turned back now, would Eric have wanted that? Look, I know this is hard, but as I see it, if we turn back now, he died for nothing. But if we continue, it won’t change a thing as far as his body is concerned, but it will honor his memory if we’re able to save the lives of others. What do you think he’d want you to do?”
Thinking about it for a minute, Jack realized Mike was right. Going on wouldn’t cause Eric any harm now, but going back could very well result in more deaths. Finally coming to grips with the situation, he told Mike he was right, and returned to the cockpit to try and find another airport where they could get fuel before going on. Sitting in the pilot’s seat, Jack cried quietly for a few moments. Then after a bit he pulled himself together and started looking for somewhere else to land.
After half an hour of looking, he spotted an airfield with military aircraft. Circling, he landed quickly, and taxied over to the closest fuel truck. This time when the men emerged, they acted like they were under fire already. Mike went first to cover them with the machine gun, then Jack came out also, H&K at the ready. The nearest building was at least a quarter mile away from where they’d parked, and after a minute they decided they were safe enough. While Mike kept them covered, Jack checked the fuel and found it to be in good condition. Getting out the portable pump, he had them refueled in under twenty minutes. Stowing the pump, he went to the cockpit and cranked the plane, then signaled to Mike to get in also. Finally in the air again, they turned toward American Samoa.
The flight took them almost six hours, and by the time they got there both men were emotionally drained. They had prayed for strength to continue with their mission in spite of their loss, but sitting in the same cabin with Eric’s body took a lot out of them.
Finally arriving at the island of Pogo Pogo, they crossed to the south coast and saw an airport almost immediately. The drill was the same as their second landing in Hawaii, they refused to take any more unnecessary risks, and just like then, the place was apparently deserted. Pulling up to a fuel truck they found the fuel fresh enough, and quickly filled the plane, making sure there was enough for the return trip as well. That done, they boarded the craft for the final leg of their outbound journey.
After six more hours, three of which Jack had been able to sleep through as the auto-pilot flew the plane, they finally arrived at the coastal town of Darwin. The sun was just setting, as they’d chased it half way around the world, and he realized they’d be unable to land anywhere in the dark. That meant staying here until at least midnight so they would have daylight for their return trip. Putting the plane on the ground, they first took care of the fuel requirements. Then, taxiing to the agreed upon rendezvous spot, they spotted movement inside a building. Feeling completely exposed, the two men exited the craft quickly, assuming a defensive posture. As they watched the building, first one, then several young people began walking slowly out towards the plane.
As the kids began to emerge, the men relaxed. Approaching within speaking distance, the teen in the lead spoke. “You the blokes from America?”
“I’m Jack and this is Mike. Which one are you?”
“Donald’s my name, good to meet you.” The young man said. Noticing their obvious nervousness, he continued “you can take it easy mate, there’s no one else around here, we made sure of that.”
Relaxing, Jack lowered his rifle. He was well aware that this could be a trap, but didn’t know any way to find out for sure, so he decided to take a chance. Sticking out his hand to the young man, Donald shook it, smiling at him. As the others came up, he introduced them one by one. Shaking hands all around, Jack turned to Donald and said “we need a place to rest before we head back. Someone needs to keep a look out in case anyone else saw us land and is coming to investigate, and we need some help taking care of one of our group.” At this point, he paused. “He was killed when someone attacked us in Hawaii, and we need to do something with his…body.” Jack finished remorsefully.
When the others learned that one of these new people had actually died trying to help them, they were overcome. They were not unfamiliar with death, not after all they’d been through, but to know that somebody actually gave their life to save them made a deep and lasting impression. Removing Eric’s body gently from the plane, the young people carried him inside the building. There they finished the job Mike had started cleaning him up, and then wrapped him in a blanket. When they were done they gathered around, but obviously didn’t know what to do next. Finally, with the two men watching, one of the older of the kids began praying.
“Father God, we thank you for bringing these people to help us, and especially for Eric. We ask you to cradle him in your hands, and comfort him until the day we are all together with you. We also ask that you help each and every one of us to bring honor to him, by living each day in service to you, that we may continue whatever work you had for him and that through us, his memory will live on forever. Lord, we thank you for his sacrifice, and for the sacrifice of all the others who gave of themselves so that we might live. In Jesus name we pray, amen.”
As the prayer ended, the kids drifted off in small groups. Donald told the men that a watch would be posted, and someone would get them up at eleven thirty if they wanted to try and get some rest. Thanking him, they found a place to stretch out, and soon were fast asleep.
Seemingly only a moment later, someone was shaking Jack awake. Opening his eyes, he saw a young girl of not more than ten, kneeling next to him and holding a candle. Thanking her he got up and roused Mike. After a few minutes to rub the sleep out of their eyes, they grabbed some candy bars from a busted vending machine the kids had been eating out of, and got everyone headed to the plane. They placed Eric’s body carefully in the back, out of everyone’s way, and the rest of the group found seats in the cabin.
When everyone was seated, Jack started the engines, and a moment later began to taxi towards the runway. Getting into the air, he set a course for Pogo Pogo, then set the auto-pilot and leaned back, wishing for some coffee to help him wake up.
An unknown length of time later he was awakened by the buzzing of the auto-pilot. Realizing he must have gone back to sleep, he looked at the GPS and saw that they were approaching the South Pacific island. He also saw that the sky in the east was lit, and that the sun was moments away from appearing. The land below was still dark, but he knew it wouldn’t be for long. Setting them to circle the area, he waited for enough light to land, wishing Eric was there to see the beautiful sunrise over the island.
Twenty minutes later they were on the ground and the men were able to refuel quickly and get back in the air. Deciding to skip Hawaii, as they had more than enough fuel to get home from here, Jack set course for Idaho and went into the cabin to talk with the others.
Donald had turned out to be twenty-two. He and his girlfriend Wendy, who was twenty, were the oldest in the group and the default leaders up until then. They were weary from the responsibility of keeping the others alive and safe, and were only too glad to turn leadership over to Jack. As they talked, Jack learned that Donald and Wendy were ‘born-again’, and several of the younger ones were Christians as well. There were a couple that weren’t, but he wasn’t worried about that, they had plenty of time to bring them into the fold also, if they were willing. If not, at least they’d be able to help them, and maybe one day they’d change their minds.
After eleven hours in the air, they finally reached the complex. Landing, Jack taxied up to the elevator and saw the others waiting to greet them. Seeing Robin, Jack realized he couldn’t put the news of Eric’s death off any longer. He hadn’t said anything over the radio when he’d called to tell them they were close, but now he had no choice.
Stepping from the plane ahead of the others, he made his way over to his people. Walking up to Robin he said “we were attacked in Hawaii Robin…Eric was shot.” Feeling horrible as he watched the girl’s face register the news and saw the panic emerge, he continued “I’m so sorry…but he didn’t make it.”
“WHAT?!? Where is he!” the girl cried.
“He’s in the plane, we cleaned him up as best we could, but…”
“I WANT TO SEE HIM, NOW!” she demanded.
Looking to Pam and Mel for help, he saw they were also in shock, and slow to respond. Finally Mel stepped forward and took the girl into her arms, trying to comfort her as she cried and demanded to see her husband.
Going back to the plane, Jack asked the others to get out and bring Eric’s body. As they emerged, Robin broke away from Mel and screamed “NOOO!” as she ran to the body of her man and cradled it in her arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
After a long while Mel and Pam were able to get the young girl up and into the shelter, and the others brought Eric’s body inside as well. They hadn’t been able to say anything to comfort the distraught girl, but they all wanted to help her and let her know how much they appreciated his sacrifice. Convincing them that later would be better, they took Eric’s body to the walk in cooler, planning on having the burial service the next day. Getting everyone settled into rooms, Jack went off to see if he could help in any way with Robin.
Going to her apartment, he knocked quietly. Pam opened the door, and Jack saw Mel coming out of the girl’s bedroom.
“I gave her something to help her sleep. I was worried that the stress of what’s happened would hurt the baby. Hopefully she’ll sleep for a few hours, but I don’t think it would be wise to leave her alone for a while. One of us needs to stay here with her tonight,” she said, indicating herself and Pam.
“Ok, whatever you think best.” Jack replied, bone weary from the whole experience.
“What happened?” Pam asked, “How did it happen, I mean?”
Telling them the story, Jack pointed out that he died saving the lives of eleven others. “You may want to emphasize that when you tell Robin, let her know her husband died a hero and that those he saved are here with us now and want to honor his memory in any way they can. Maybe it’ll make this a little easier for her…I don’t know.”
Feeling helpless, he said he was going to his apartment to try to rest. Letting Mel know she’d be down in a few hours to relieve her, Pam joined her husband, hating herself for her selfishness, she was still grateful to have her man home safe.
"Glocks may well work everytime, but they have all the beauty and character of a black rubber doorstop." - Rice Paddy Daddy
Originally Posted by Christian for Israel
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