Grunt Traitor Read Online Free PDF Page B

temperature and the addition of alien flora definitely suggested something happening. This mission could mean a lot more than it seemed. But with only two of us—scratch that; one of us capable of using weapons—it was going to be sketchy at best. “What do we know about possible enemy forces in the area?”
    “The twin hives of Los Angeles still hold a complement of Cray, but they don’t stray far from their queens. Unless you get close, you won’t have to worry about them. As far as civilians go, we’ve reports that more than half of the population was killed during the first attack and ensuing months. Of those who remain, I’d expect organized defenses, roving gangs, paramilitary groups.” Ohirra smiled. “You know, the usual.”
    To Dupree I said, “Ever carry a gun?”
    “I spent four years in the Marine Corps.”
    “Thank God. Then I expect you know your way around an M4.”
    “Make that an M16.”
    “Think of an M4 as an M16 that actually works.”
    He grinned. “Probably some scientist figured out what was wrong with it.”
    “Or enough grunts got killed for Congress to allocate the money for a new rifle.”
    Dupree kept smiling. “That’s one thing we don’t have to worry about anymore: Congress.”
    “You smile a lot, don’t you?”
    “Why not? This is a great time to be a scientist. I mean, aliens are invading and trying to take over our planet. What’s not to love?”
    I shook my head. “That’s a whole lot of lemonade you’re making.”
    He just kept smiling.

 
Once we have a war there is only one thing to do. It must be won. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war.
Ernest Hemingway
     
     
    CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
    I T’D BEEN MORE than six months since I’d had to get ready for a mission. Back then, Olivares and I were preparing to climb down the mouth of an extinct volcano and the packing list was completely different. This was to be more of a reconnaissance. I was planning for three days max, then exfil, so I spent the rest of the day going over maps and checking my equipment. I chose to wear military fatigues, even though it would set me apart from the civilians I’d encounter; I figured they might see me as a friend rather than an immediate foe. I checked out two sets of Night Vision Devices, as well as two extra batteries for the AN\PRC-77, or prick-77 as we called it. For weapons I chose a P226, which I wore in a chest rig on my body armor. I selected a smaller P238, which I concealed in the small of my back. For my long rifle I was elated to find an HK416. It fired the same 5.56 mm rounds that the M4 fired, but was easier to clean and cold metal forged. I’d never fired one before. The closest I’d gotten to one was back in Africa when the infantry platoon used them in backing up my recon squad. But back then I’d worn an EXO suit and had little need for a mere rifle.
    I also checked out a 416 and P226 for Dupree, along with 300 rounds of ammo for both of us. I’d have liked to have had more, but we could only carry so much. Then I packed a first aid kit with some quick clot gauze along with some super glue. Finally I found some MREs and broke them down. I prepared two canteens and had a two-quart shoulder sling canteen ready for Dupree.
    Then I spent a few hours going over maps¸ planning several routes and concentrating on open spaces and safe areas in the event we were chased or had to go to ground, which I could almost guarantee was going to happen. Based on the desperation of the man I’d seen in Mr. Pink’s office, it was a high probability that any encounter would be a violent one, which was why I intended to travel at night as much as possible.
    I’d arranged for Dupree to come by at 1400 hours for a mission brief and weapons familiarization. Then I spent the rest of the day sitting in intel spaces beside the analysts keeping track of population movements outside the wire. Without satellite coverage, we were limited to UAVs for IMINT