Page 41 of Almost There
“Orders, sir?” Landon asked. “What type of orders are you expecting me to give?”
The officer lowered his voice, “You know, when is FEMA coming to drop aid? What’s the government’s plan? What do we need to do?”
You’ve got to be kidding. Landon stood up straight, ignoring the ignorant hope on everyone’s faces and tried to remember it wasn’t their fault that they assumed he was here to help. “I’m sorry, officer. But the military has no control over what the government does and no mission here on American soil. Nor would you want us to. You might want to check with the national guard if you need assistance. I’m only here for some information.”
“What information?” the officer hissed, leading Landon away from the gawking crowd and back to the parking lot so they wouldn’t be overheard.
“There’s a gang that terrorized an apartment complex a few blocks down the road. Tear drop tattoos on their faces. I was wondering if you had any intelligence on them and what measures you’ve taken to punish them for the crime.” Landon checked over his shoulder, but the crowd kept a respectful distance.
“You’re here about a gang.” The officer ran a hand through what was left of his balding hair. “I’ve got over three thousand people camped here and we are running out of food. Do you think I have the man power to deal with some street thugs right now?”
Isn’t that your job? Landon tried not to let his frustration show. “Okay. Is there any information you can give me about this gang? Where are they located? Who runs the operation?”
“You’re probably looking for Chucky Luis. They call themselves the Unlucky Seven and they’re set up in a house on the outskirts of the city limits up on Lake Wohlford Road.” The officer shook his head. “A bunch of meth heads. Run of the mill petty crime type stuff.”
“They raped a woman and robbed an entire apartment complex. I wouldn’t call that petty crime.” Landon’s fists clenched at his sides and he touched his ring to calm down.
The officer’s shoulders sagged as he sighed. “Look, my hands are tied. We’re working on triaging needs and services for law abiding citizens. If anyone wants help, send them here and we’ll try to keep them safe.”
“So you’re not going to do anything about this?” Landon asked to make sure.
“It’s out of my jurisdiction.” The officer shrugged. “Besides, you’ve got a tank. Be my guest and take care of them yourselves.”
“A tank?” Landon eyed the old AAV and the .50 caliber machine gun warily.
“Whatever you want to call it. But do me a favor and don’t come back here unless you’re bringing some kind of government support. These people have been through a lot and false hope isn’t going to make things easier.”
“Let me get this straight. You have a violent gang that is terrorizing your city and us taking care of them wouldn’t be providing you with any help?” Landon kept his voice steady even as the frustration began to build. “I’m assuming you’re not going to provide any backup or support either.”
“My tax dollars helped pay for that tank.” The officer started to walk away. “Consider that my support.”
It’s not a tank. Landon took measured breaths as he returned to the AAV. Nothing about this felt right. Vigilante justice. Attacking American citizens. The conflict tore at the very fiber of his being. I just want to see my wife. But one look at GySgt. Fuimaono’s stone face and eyes hardened with a singular focus assured him there was no stopping this now.
“What’d he say?” Sgt. Sierra asked nervously.
Landon touched his ring, feeling the break in it, and swallowed hard. “Get on the radio and contact Sgt. Brittany. See if you can stop him before he gets to base. We’re going to need back up after all.”
Sgt. Sierra licked his dry lips and nodded. “And then what?”
Landon looked to Gunny, but the warrior’s gaze went straight through him as the man sat lost in his own tormented hell.
He fell back against his seat and folded his arms over his chest as he closed his eyes, burying every fear, every desire, everything that made him feel any emotion at all somewhere deep in the recesses of his brain so he could focus on the mission.
“And then we wait.”
