"You've been here. Where do we start?" Rodger asked.

Pointing to the back at the cabin with the small shed and the other sheds, "There, that is where the guns and ammo are. Later I will point out the food stocks." Nathan said, looking at the cotton trailer still connected to the tractor. "Rodger, you think we can hook that trailer to one of the trucks that doesn't have one?" he asked hopefully.

"Of course! All these trucks are used for that, hauling lots to the gin," Rodger said moving over to the tractor.

"There are some small tanker trailers back there by the fields. Think we can take them too?" Nathan asked.

Rodger thought about it. "One or two for sure but I don't know if we can tandem haul with the loads we're taking." Nathan guided the trucks in as Rodger walked back over. "Won't be a problem taking that trailer. Wish we could take the tractor as well," Rodger said with longing.

"Supplies first. Bob has tractors," Nathan said as the trucks shut down.

"Yeah, two small fifty horses. There is a reason he bought the big ones. That operation was wearing the little ones out," Rodger said as Nathan looked around. "What?" Rodger said, focusing his attention on the eye with the NVG.

"It took us over five days to walk from here. We just drove it in less than two hours," Nathan spat in disgust. "I miss cars," he said, reaching for his can of snuff.

Rodger patted him on the back. "I'm surprised you made it that fast." Men were already emptying out the sheds. They had eighteen including Nathan, but two were always going to be on watch. The group turned off the NVGs and broke out chemlights.

Nathan smiled, as he seen several men hauling out guns from the cabin. "Glad I moved everything," Nathan said, walking over to the old deuce. It was parked just past the cabin, almost to the field of pot.

"Moved what?" John asked, grinning.

Nathan looked at John with his ear-to-ear grin. "What you and I are collecting. Once we are done we will load up other stuff. That was the deal. What I put on this truck was for my group. What we can't take we will leave for them." Nathan said and slowly smiled looking at the grin on John's face.

"Okay, let's get to it," John said, standing straighter and poking out his chest. Nathan patted him on the shoulder and led John over to the same cart he used to hide the contraband. Leading John into the woods Nathan uncovered all the boxes and a few suitcases. John shook his head at all the boxes and bent down to pick one up. "What's in this?" He grunted and strained to lift just one up.

"I'll show you later, it's a surprise," Nathan said as John struggled to carry the box over to the cart. There were two dozen boxes laid out in the gully, and each weighed over a hundred pounds. Slowly they moved all the boxes to the truck. John was tried but he'd be d.a.m.ned if he was saying anything. They went back for the suitcases, which were just as heavy.

When they finished they moved on to a pile and Nathan pointed out what needed to be loaded. Nathan pulled out an MRE and handed it to John. "Eat fast, we have a lot to do." Nathan pulled out one for himself as well.

"Thank you," John said, not so much hungry as tired. "You going to tell the others to eat?"

Glancing over, Nathan saw two trucks and trailers fully loaded and the men still working hard. "Yeah, I guess I should," Nathan said walking over. Ares joined him and was looking up at Nathan with a pleading look. "Well you didn't chase the c.o.o.ns," Nathan said handing Ares some food.

Nathan found Rodger carrying a large box that he handed to some men on a trailer. Nathan noticed how tightly packed and organized the trailer was and was impressed. "You might want to stop and get a quick bite," Nathan said when Rodger turned around.

Rodger nodded. "Everyone take fifteen. Get some food and water," he called out softly. Looking back at Nathan, he said, "You got want you wanted."

"Not all of it. Don't worry, we can't carry all of it and you and your brothers will get the rest."

"h.e.l.l, keep it. This is worth more than anything," Rodger said, leaning back on the trailer and opening an MRE. "I've talked to Bob about what you said, moving some of my deputies out to the farm. He agrees it's a good idea. We'll make it a substation for the southern half of the county. I'm betting with what we get here I'll be able to feed most of my force at least for some time," Rodger said then started to devour the meal.

"Yeah, and the farm will supplement what we get so your deputies will be fed. But we'll talk more later," Nathan said. He returned to John to find him moving stuff into the back of the truck.

Lowering the suitcase he was carrying to the ground, John stopped and looked at Nathan with his ever-present smile. "How much can this truck carry?" he asked.

"A lot. Why?"

John pointed to the stack of boxes behind the cab, filling half the bed. "I don't know how much that is but it's got to be a lot."

"Hm, didn't think about that," Nathan said, raising his eyebrows. "You're right, those boxes are around half a ton alone. Let's load the rest of the bed and see how the truck is setting on its springs before we load other stuff," Nathan offered and grabbed a box.

The two worked in silence till the bed was full. Seeing the truck was starting to squat' Nathan told John that was good. The two saw the others pull over small fuel trailers using the '57 Chevy. Nathan noticed two of the trucks had fuel trailers hooked up in double towing. "What about the other trailer?" Nathan asked, pointing at the cotton trailer still hooked up to the old tractor.

Rodger wiped his forehead. "I just thought we'd hook it to yours. Didn't really think you wanted to be hauling fuel, with you being in the lead and all," Rodger said as a man handed him a bottle of water.

"Well you do have a point there," Nathan said glad someone was thinking ahead besides him.

"We will be done here in a few minutes. Let's get that trailer moved over to your truck and load it. We need to go in the next hour or so," Rodger said, looking at his watch.

"No, we need to leave in less than an hour. We won't be able to go much faster than forty-five even if we want to," Nathan said, pointing at the loaded trucks. "I prefer to use the cover of darkness."

"Let's get that thing loaded then," Rodger said, and called some men over.

In forty minutes the group was pulling out. Even the Chevy was towing a fuel trailer. They stayed in the same file, with Nathan in the lead. Nathan found out quickly there wouldn't be a fast getaway. It took him almost half a mile to get up to fifty. "Need to slow down, over," Nathan heard on the radio. He looked in the rear-view mirror.

The group was spread out as the trucks struggled to pick up speed. "Can everyone do forty-five, over?" Nathan asked.

"Just barely, over," came a reply followed by one more.

"Okay, let's keep it at forty, over," Nathan called out. "s.h.i.t," Nathan said to himself, slapping the steering wheel.

Ares and John looked at him. John chuckled, "Nathan, at least we have the trucks. We couldn't carry this much in years by hand."

"Yep, I guess you're right. Keep a sharp eye out. We are making noise but aren't going fast so people will have a chance to get to the road."

With the barrel of his rifle out the side window, John looked out the front window and patted Ares on the head. "Nathan, why did you let me come?"

"Easy: you listen. Those that listen are less likely to die or get me killed," Nathan replied.

John smiled bigger. "Thank you. Can I tell you something and you won't get mad?"

"Sure," Nathan said, trying to will the trucks to go faster.

John looked down. "You're my best friend," he said, embarra.s.sed.

Nathan reached over and squeezed John's shoulder. "You're one of mine too. My best buddies will be yours too," Nathan told him. John looked up shocked.

"You mean, they'll like me?" John asked flabbergasted.

"John, you're a good guy. I don't know what kind of people you've been around but I'm guessing they sucked," Nathan said as the truck slowed as it struggled up a hill, pulling the sixty-foot trailer.

"They always made fun of me," John mumbled.

Fighting the urge to rock back and forth in the seat to help the truck up the hill, Nathan glanced over at John. "I don't know if you've looked in the mirror lately, but you have lost a lot of weight," Nathan said.

John looked up, smiling. "Sixty pounds," he said proudly. "Even though I'm not losing much anymore."

"You're getting to where you're supposed to be. I've noticed you are starting to put on muscle." Nathan grinned at him.

"I wish my mom could see me," John said with a longing look.

"She can," Nathan said quietly as the truck crept up to the top of the hill. "s.h.i.t we're going to be coming in during daylight," Nathan said grabbing the radio.

"Boss, we are going to be coming in during waking hours, over," Nathan called out to Rodger. They didn't want to use names.

"Yeah, I was just talking about that with my guys. We might need to take alternate route, over," Rodger replied.

The alternate route was the bridge to the south of Amory. They had a.s.sured Nathan it didn't have a roadblock, since it sat outside of town. "Boss, that's close to trouble, over," Nathan replied.

"You have a better idea? Over," Rodger called back.

"We could hold up somewhere till dark, over," Nathan offered.

It was a few minutes before Rodger answered. "Negative, we are expected and I don't want the others to come looking for us. I'll lead since I know the back roads to the bridge, over," Rodger said.

"Negative on you leading. You are too small and have hot stuff behind you. I know the route, so don't worry. But everyone be ready to play', over," Nathan said.

"You can bet on that. I'm going to have to rebuild the transmission after this, over," Rodger called back.

Glancing over, Nathan instructed John, "Get ready. If someone shoots, just aim and squeeze." He motioned for Ares to lie down. John nodded and the smile eased off his face as he checked his weapon.

Fifteen minutes later Nathan turned off their route, heading for Amory, then turned off onto a small dirt road. He had to slow down to a crawl as he turned onto another dirt road and looked in his mirror to see the trucks pulling double almost dive into the ditch so the trailers would stay on the road.

Seeing everyone had made the turn, Nathan started to pick up speed slowly. As he drove down the dirt road, Nathan got out his map and checked his position. The sky was getting brighter and the NVG was starting to white out. Reaching up he turned down the intensity and gripped the steering wheel tighter.

Several miles later he spotted the highway that ran to the bridge only a mile up the road. "John, keep alert," Nathan said, as he barely slowed making his turn. Up ahead he spotted Amory in the distance and the roadblock at the edge of town.

"I see them," John said, bringing his rifle up and following the roadblock as they turned. When they straightened out, John lost sight of the roadblock and looked forward. "The bridge is clear!" he said with joy.

Sighing with relief, Nathan said a silent prayer, glancing in his mirror to watch the trucks behind him make the turn fast. Seeing the Chevy, make the turn Nathan pushed the pedal down, building speed as fast as he could. "They're shooting at us!" Rodger called out.

"Don't stop! Let's get the h.e.l.l out of here, over!" Nathan yelled as he crossed the bridge over the Tombigbee.

"It looks like a truck just pulled out from the roadblock after us!" Rodger yelled.

"s.h.i.t!" Nathan yelled as he pulled to the side of the road. "Everyone keep going, we'll catch up, over," Nathan shouted into the radio as he guided his truck to a stop on the side of the road. The other trucks drove past as Nathan turned to John. "If something happens to me, get back to the farm on foot, understand?"

With his heart pounding, John nodded as Nathan jumped out of the truck and shut the door before Ares could get out. As Nathan's feet hit the asphalt, he brought up his M-4 just as Rodger pa.s.sed by him. Looking through his scope, he saw a truck crossing the bridge. He could see several people in the back of the truck shooting at him. Since they were a mile away, Nathan paid them no mind as he kneeled down in the road, sighting on the grill of the truck. Raising the crosshairs up till the bottom mil mark on the reticle was on the grille.

He slowly squeezed the trigger when the truck was six hundred yards away, and the rifle bucked in his hands. Watching closely, Nathan saw the impact on the b.u.mper. Smiling, he flipped the weapon to burst and lowered his aim since the truck was coming at him. Squeezing the trigger the rifle shuddered. He saw all three hit the grille and steam erupted out of the engine block. Not stopping, Nathan emptied the magazine and loaded another.

This time he aimed at the windshield. It took two bursts till he saw the windshield spider web out. The truck was only three hundred yards away as it coasted off the highway into the ditch. Shifting his aim, Nathan put the rest of the clip into the side of the bed and cab. Feeling his bolt lock back, Nathan jumped up and grabbed the door, jumping in. He threw his rifle at John. "Load it quick! If they weren't p.i.s.sed off before they are now!" Nathan shouted slamming the shifter into first gear.

John dropped the empty magazine as Nathan looked into the mirror and saw a man open the truck's door and fall out. Nathan was in third before he saw a muzzle flash behind him, and the old deuce picked up more speed.

"Look out!" John yelled. Nathan took his eyes off the mirror and looked forward to see Rodger's car on the side of the road, picking up speed. Nathan slowed down, keeping Rodger's car and trailer in front of him. He didn't want a lucky shot to hit the fuel trailer. Mythbusters said it couldn't be done, but he'd be d.a.m.ned if he was going to find out if a bullet could ignite a five hundred gallon fuel trailer.

In a few seconds they rounded a curve to see the other trucks moving at a slow crawl. "I'm moving to the pa.s.sing lane. We are going home, over!" Nathan shouted in the radio.

"s.h.i.t, we were waiting on you, over," Nathan heard someone call out. It was false dawn and his NVG was becoming useless so he took it off. Seeing Nathan take his off, John did the same.

"You think you got one?" John asked, pa.s.sing Nathan's M-4 back.

"Have no idea. I just wanted them to leave us alone," Nathan said grabbing his rifle.

"Is it alright to feel a little weird?" John asked looking out the front window.

Nathan laughed, "I think I need to change underwear when we get back."

Shock spread across John's face. "You were scared?" he asked in disbelief.

"s.h.i.t yeah, I was scared," Nathan said. "If getting shot at doesn't make you scared you are insane."

John breathed a sigh of relief. "Well that makes me feel better because I might need to change my undies as well."

Nathan laughed as they continued down the road. After only ten more minutes they were pulling into Bob's long driveway. Before they even got close to the house they could see people pouring out of it running toward them.

John reached over tapping Nathan's arm. "I guess they are glad to see us," he said smiling and sticking his hand out of the window waving at the crowd. Nathan smiled as he pulled over to the barn.

When he stepped out of the truck he was. .h.i.t by Jasmine as she flew at him, knocking him down. They landed in a crash with Jasmine hugging him tight. Nathan winced from the impact as he felt other impacts driving him into the dirt. Opening his eyes, Nathan saw the kids piling on Jasmine's back, crying.

The weight started to get to Nathan, driving the air from his lungs. He really wanted that air. Not meaning to hurt them, Nathan started throwing people back till he could breathe. "John!" he heard Amanda yell. Rolling over to his hands and knees, Nathan watched John get the same treatment. The only difference was that Amanda reached him first, not knocking him down. Jasmine and the others took care of that.

Pulling in air to his lungs never felt so good as Nathan closed his eyes, filling his lungs, and felt small arms wrap around his neck. Opening his eyes, he found Emma latched on his neck. "Miss me?" he asked.

"No," Emma said with her arms around his neck.

"Did you get a job?" Nathan asked, smiling getting up on his knees and hugging her tightly.

"No," Emma said smiling. Then she looked up. "Sky," she said.

Nathan laughed. "Yeah, that's the sky," he said getting up and walking over pulling bodies off of John. By the time he got to John, John's face was red from lack of air.

Jasmine spun around with blazing eyes. "We were telling him we were glad you got back!" she shouted.

Seeing the wild look in her eyes, Nathan took an involuntary step back. "And for that we are much appreciative but he needs air. You guys were crushing the air out of him," Nathan said, pointing at John, whose face was still red.

Jasmine's hands flew to her mouth as she helped John up. "John, we're so sorry!" she cried out, followed by everyone else.

With everyone's help they pulled John up. He had his customary smile. "Oh it's okay, I'm glad to see y'all too," he said, hugging everyone. Ares bounded out of the cab of the truck, barking at the group, telling them, Hey I'm here too.' The kids hugged Ares and Athena joined them.

Jasmine turned to Nathan, who was stretching his back. "What happened? How did you hurt your back?"

Looking at her out of the corner of his eyes, Nathan snapped, "From someone knocking me on my a.s.s."

"You got beat up?" Jasmine cried out.

Nathan stumbled back. "Ah no, when you knocked me on my back knocking the air out of me," he replied.