GhostWalkers 10 - Samurai Game

take the blast.
    Kadan, you’re on point
.
    Kadan was a ghost, drifting in and out of shadows, up and down rocks, trees, any kind of terrain, never making a sound. He would be ten meters ahead, which would give the rest of them a chance if he came across the enemy. If he found anything, he would signal the rest of them to stop, move up on line quietly, or send Ryland up to investigate and make the decision which way to proceed.
    The smell of rotting vegetation and mildew grew as they went deeper into the jungle. The jungle could be as deadly as—or even deadlier than—the enemy they were hunting. Everything seemed to want to kill them—bugs, snakes, crocs, and caiman, as well as larger animals and even the trees and vines. Monkeys had a nasty habit of giving away position with their screams.
    The team kept their movements slow and deliberate, not wanting to stir up trouble while they slipped single file through miles of jungle. Kadan signaled Ryland when he found a good defensible position, and Ryland moved forward to consult.
    We regroup here
, Ryland decided.
We’ll put phase two into operation from here
.
    The men set up the base, took stock of supplies left, set their claymores, and posted guards while Sam made the call home.
    “Valhalla … Valhalla, Reaper One, do you copy?”
    “This is Valhalla . . .”
    Sam gave his report as succinctly as possible. They were deeper into the rebel territory, and the chance of anyone listening was greater.
    “Phase one complete, Reapers One and Two standing.” He informed them of their remaining supplies and what took place during the first part of the operation.
    “Copy that, Reaper Two. Phase two is a go.”
    “Phase two is a go, Reaper Two out.”
    Use hand signals or telepathy from here on out
, Ryland commanded.
We’re deep in their territory now
.
    Sam let out his breath and turned to look at the men he’d spent so much time with doing this exact same thing. They were a long way from home and had a long way to go before they were finished.
    Tucker winked at him.
Hell of a way to make a living and you with all those brains. Never know it, would you?
    Sam couldn’t argue with Tucker’s assessment. Hunting bloodthirsty rebels in the middle of their territory didn’t seem like a genius idea right then.
    Tucker snickered and took a swallow of water.
Getting shot at is thirsty work
.
    They rested for a few minutes and then Ryland gathered them close again.
The rebel camp is here
. He tapped the map.
The compound is set in rows. Troop barracks are the first three on the north side of AO—area of operation. The command building with coms
—
communications
—
and the leaders’ quarters is in the center. Vehicles and maintenance buildings are on the south side of the compound. Armine’s house is thirteen klicks to the west
.
    Ryland turned to Nico and Kadan.
I want you to set up shop up here on this hill a hundred and fifty meters to the east side of Armine’s house and take him out
.
    Nico just looked at Ryland. He was a man of very few words, but his reputation was renowned. Kadan gave a short nod.
    Simultaneously, the rest of us will work in two man teams. Kyle, you and Jonas will make your way here to the munitions dump. Keep in mind that we need to use their mortar shells and explosives to our advantage
.
    Gator nudged Sam.
Kyle’s all happy now. You know he likes to blow things up
.
    Hell yeah
, Kyle agreed.
Doesn’t everybody?
    As usual Ryland ignored the byplay.
Sam, you’re going to blow this shit up here. I want all enemy coms down. Take out the entire building. Use your ability to teleport, and get all the equipment in that building, I want the building gone completely along with everything in it. Get on the roof and wire their equipment if possible
.
    Sam nodded, his stomach tightening. He was good at moving fast, but he would have to stay in one place to set explosives, and he’d be exposed on the roof.
    Gator, you’ve got this small group of vehicles. Tucker and I will take this group here
. He waited for all of them to nod understanding before continuing.
While pulling off the objective, we will place thermite grenades in the muzzle of each mortar tube. Any vehicles we don’t have enough demo for we will place thermite on the engines
.
    The term they used for demolitions was demo, and Ryland had fallen into the familiar pattern of speaking when working.
    Kyle looked pleased.
Those things will burn straight through the whole