Louis Collins: A Post-American Odyssey

The convoy drove south through the park, past geysers and hot springs. Louis could see the steam rising from the ground.

“Look! A bison!” Cherish said, pointing at a large animal grazing by the road.

“He looks like a good steak,” Gladice said. “Just like the one we had in Horse Bite Grill.”

“I’m glad we’re not eating him,” Donya said. “He has a family.”

“He has a family in the freezer,” Gladice said. “And he’s delicious.”

Willa turned her laptop toward the others. “I’m in the woman’s phone. Her name is Jessica. She’s a tourist from Seattle. She’s on a road trip with her boyfriend. They’re staying in West Yellowstone. But they had a fight this morning, so she was driving alone.”

“Does she like our government or the First Family?” Angelique asked.

“Let’s see,” Willa said, scrolling through Jessica’s social media. “Okay, she follows the Ministry of Culture. She also liked the post about our public announcement and our restaurant opening.”

“Contact her boyfriend now and tell them we’re going to deliver her phone back after this mission is over,” Louis said. “Plus ten thousand dollars for the inconvenience.” He paused. “And a coupon for a free dinner at Horse Bite Grill.”

Willa looked at him. “Seriously, Louis?”

“Yes,” Louis said. “She didn’t do anything wrong. But she saw Maeve. We need her to be happy and quiet.”

Willa nodded and called a number. She turned on the speaker. A man’s voice answered. “Hello?”

“My name is Willa Locke. I am with Louis Collins. I’m calling about your girlfriend, Jessica.”

“Wait, the Collins Eight?” the man asked, sounding shocked.

“That’s right,” Willa said.

“She’s here. In the hotel. She said she saw a truck explode on the road and a woman pointing a gun at her. We’re going to call the police.”

“You don’t need to do that, sir,” Willa said. “We were handling a security situation. And we have Jessica’s phone. She left it behind. We will deliver it to you when we are done with our business. We will also give you ten thousand dollars, and a coupon for a free dinner at our new restaurant in Idaho Falls, Horse Bite Grill.”

The man was quiet for a moment. “That’s very generous, ma’am. But what’s going on? Are we in danger?”

“No,” Willa said. “Everything is fine. We just need your discretion.”

“Of course, ma’am,” the man said. “We won’t say a word. Thank you.”

Louis spoke to the phone. “This is Louis. Can I have a word with your girlfriend? I’m sure she’s scared.”

“Sure,” the man said. “Hold on.”

A woman’s voice came on the line. “Hello?”

“Jessica, this is Louis Collins. I’m sorry you had to see that. We were dealing with a dangerous situation. And we didn’t want to hurt you.”

“It’s… it’s okay,” she said, her voice shaking. “I was just scared.”

“I understand,” Louis said. “We will return your phone when we finish our business here. And we will compensate you for the inconvenience. I hope you will enjoy the rest of your vacation in the Central Union and the dinner at our restaurant.”

“I will,” she said. “Thank you, Mr. Collins.”

“You’re welcome, Jessica,” Louis said, and Willa hung up.

“That was a nice thing to do, Louis,” Donya said.

“She’s a Dominion citizen,” Louis said. “It’s the least I can do.”

Yamamoto’s voice came over the comms. “Sir, we’re approaching the general area. The drone is in the air.”

“Show us the feed,” Louis said.

Willa turned the laptop screen toward the others. The drone’s camera showed a green, mountainous landscape. There was a river and a forest. Their convoy drove along a two-lane road. The drone zoomed in on a faint dirt road that branched off to the left.

Yamamoto’s voice came over the comms. “Sir, Mr. Turner says this is the road.”

“Follow it,” Louis said.

The convoy turned onto the dirt road. The RV’s suspension absorbed the bumps. Louis looked at the screen. The drone’s camera followed the dirt road as it wound through the forest. After a few miles, the road reached a fork.

Louis looked at the screen. “Which one, Dave?”

Dave’s voice came over the comms. “The one on the left.”

The drone followed the left branch. After another mile, the road ended at a clearing. A high wooden fence with barbed wire on top surrounded a large compound. Inside the fence were several log cabins, a barn, a watchtower, and a small lake. Guards with rifles patrolled the perimeter. A flag with a strange symbol flew from the watchtower. The drone’s camera zoomed in on the barn. It was the exact barn on the porn website. A few vans and pickups were parked nearby. People were loading them with boxes. Girls in white dresses stood nearby, watching.

“Looks like we found them,” Louis said.

“I think so too,” Angelique said.

“Now what?” Savannah asked. “We go in and kill them all?”

“No,” Louis said. “We need a plan. We need to get the girls out safely. And we need to capture Brother John.”

“How many guards are there?” Willa asked, counting the figures on the screen.

“I see at least ten of them,” Angelique said. “There could be more inside the cabins.”

“We have twenty-four people and a lot of guns,” Gladice said. “We can take them.”

“It’s not that simple, Glads,” Savannah said. “They have hostages. And they might have explosives.”

“We should find a place to hide the RV and the SUVs,” Angelique said. “Then we use the drone to get more intel.”

“I agree,” Louis said. “Captain, find a spot out of sight. A good distance away.”

“The recon team has already found a spot, sir,” Yamamoto said. “We’re heading there now.”

“Good,” Louis said.

He looked at the screen. “We should live feed Robin the drone’s footage. I want his analysis.”

Willa nodded and connected the laptop to Robin’s line. “It’s sending.”

Robin’s face appeared on the screen. “Louis. I see you’ve found the farm. I’m connecting your father too.”

Constantine’s face appeared next to Robin’s. “Louis. Well done. What’s the situation?”

“Looks like a private compound, Dad,” Louis said. “With a wooden fence, guards, and hostages. They’re loading vans and pickups. It seems they’re planning to move.”

“Then we need to act fast,” Constantine said. “Before they get away.”

Angelique leaned into the camera. “I should remind you that we detonated a civilian truck on a public road, took a driver captive, and obstructed a UIS agent on foreign soil. This is already a diplomatic incident.”

Constantine looked at her. “Your concerns are noted, Angelique. But this is a terrorist organization that targeted my son and you. We will handle the diplomatic fallout later.”

“Still, we need to be careful,” Angelique said. “We don’t want to start a war with the Central Union.”

“We won’t,” Constantine said. “As long as we’re decisive and clean. Robin, what’s your assessment of the compound?”

Robin’s face was serious. “The fence is twelve feet high. Barbed wire on top. I see motion sensors along the perimeter. The watchtower has a searchlight and a sniper. The guards are well-armed. They look like ex-military. They’re moving fast.”

Louis looked at his father. “Can we have air support, Dad?”

“I can’t authorize a strike in the Central Union, Louis. Not without their consent,” Constantine said. “And we don’t have the time to get it.”

“Then we do it ourselves,” Louis said. “Ground assault.”

“It’s risky, Louis,” Robin said. “They have the high ground. And they’re expecting trouble. They’re packing up for a reason.”

“We have surprise on our side,” Louis said. “They don’t know we’re here. Besides, we have more firepower and better training.”

“We need to get the girls out,” Donya said. “Without harming them.”

“And capture Brother John alive, if possible,” Angelique added. “He knows things.”

“That’s the priority,” Constantine said. “Get Brother John. And bring him to me.” He looked at Louis. “This is your operation, son. I trust your judgment.”

“Thank you, Dad,” Louis said. “I won’t let you down.”

“I know,” Constantine said. “Now, I have to make a call to President White to smooth things over. Keep me updated.” His face disappeared from the screen.

Robin’s face remained. “I’ll stay on the line, Louis. I’ll provide tactical support. But I can’t help you on the ground. Captain Yamamoto and his men are your best asset. Use them well.”

“I will,” Louis said. “Let’s set up a command center with the RV.”

The convoy pulled into a small clearing several miles from the farm. The guards set up a perimeter and camouflage netting over the RV and the SUVs. Yamamoto and Petrov came into the RV’s lounge with two other guards. Willa connected the drone feed to the large screen on the wall, displaying the compound from above.

“Staff Sergeant Kevin Zhang reporting, sir,” a guard with sharp features said to Louis.

“Staff Sergeant Leonardo García reporting, sir,” a stocky guard with a tattoo on his neck said.

“At ease, gentlemen,” Louis said. “Status report, Captain. How much firepower do we have?”

“We have sixteen guards,” Yamamoto said. “All of us are equipped with SAU-30 assault rifles.”

“Wait!” Gladice leaned forward. “The Stabilized Assault Unit Type 30?”

“The same, ma’am,” Yamamoto said. “With active stabilization and recoil compensation. They cancel the shooter’s movement in real time and suppress muzzle rise after every shot.”

Gladice’s eyes lit up. “I’ve always wanted to fire one.”

“You heard her, Captain,” Louis said. “I hope you brought extra.”

Yamamoto nodded. “We have eight extra SAU-30s for your family.”

“I call them Sausages,” Petrov said. “I still prefer a good rifle that you control yourself.”

“You’re old-school, Sergeant,” Willa said.

“Old-school is reliable,” Petrov said. “And I want a good rifle for this mission.”

“I like the name,” Gladice said. “I’ll take the Sausage.”

Yamamoto cleared his throat. “In addition to the rifles and personal sidearms, we have mini-guns on each SUV, six drones for surveillance, two combat drones armed with 40mm grenade launchers, and a mortar tube with high-explosive, smoke, and illumination shells. We also brought two portable jamming devices for their communications.”

Angelique raised an eyebrow. “How did you pass their border checkpoints with all that?”

“We did not, ma’am,” Yamamoto said. “Some equipment like the mortar was delivered by the Ministry of Culture plane last night. They hid them very well.”

“Ministry of Culture plane?” Donya asked. “Your mother used her plane to smuggle weapons, Louis?”

“I told you she’d love this plan,” Louis said, grinning.

Gladice laughed. “Your mom is a gangster queen. I love it.”

Savannah leaned back. “So, what’s the plan, Louis? Are we going to blast them with the mortar and the combat drones?”

“Captain, Robin, what are your thoughts?” Louis asked.

“The mortar is a double-edged sword,” Robin said from the screen. “It can create chaos and provide cover, but it could also harm the hostages. I’d hold off on the high-explosive shells. Smoke and illumination are good options.”

“The combat drones can take out the sniper in the tower and the patrols,” Yamamoto said. “And the mini-guns can suppress the guards at the main gate. But once they hear the shooting, they will either fight or run. And they might use the girls as human shields.”

“They’re already loading the vans,” Angelique said, pointing at the screen. “I wonder where they’re taking them.”

“Maybe they have another hideout,” Willa said. “Or they’re selling them to someone else.”

“Or they’re killing them,” Savannah said, her face grim.

“We can’t let that happen,” Donya said, her voice tight.

“Okay, this is what we’ll do,” Louis said. “First, we will divide into six teams. The Captain already has four four-man teams. Then we will have our own two teams, one led by me and one led by Angi.” He looked around the room. “Any questions?”

“Who’s in your team, Louis?” Gladice asked.

“You, Savvy, and Mae-Mae” Louis said. “Angi’s team will have Willa, Donya, and Cherish.” He looked at Angelique. “Is that okay with you, Angi?”

Angelique nodded. “It is.” She paused. “But we are not combatants. Not in the same way as the guards.”

“I know,” Louis said. “We will stay behind and provide support. And we will only engage if we have to.”

“I want to fight, Louis,” Maeve said. “I want to kill them.”

“You will, Mae-Mae,” Louis said. “But not yet. The guards are more experienced. Let them handle the main assault.”

“Wise choice, sir,” Yamamoto said. “My men are trained for this kind of operation.”

“Good,” Louis said. “Now, let’s go over the plan in detail.”

He looked at the screen. “First, we have Alpha Team, led by Sergeant Petrov. Your team will find a position on high ground with a clear line of sight to the watchtower and the main gate. Does that sound good?”

Petrov nodded. “Good, sir. My team will take out every guard we can see. We will provide overwatch for the whole operation.”

“Second, we have Bravo Team, led by Staff Sergeant Zhang. You will operate the drones, disrupt their communications, and keep our communications secure,” Louis said. “Can you do that?”

“Yes, sir,” Zhang said. “I will keep our networks running and jam their radios. We can operate the mortar as well.”

“Good. Then we have Charlie Team and Delta Team,” Louis said, looking at Yamamoto and García. “You will provide the main assault. I’ll leave the tactical details to you, Captain.”

Yamamoto and García nodded.

“Now, we have Echo Team, my team,” Louis said, looking at Gladice, Savannah, and Maeve. “We will be the mobile reserve when Charlie Team and Delta Team engage. Our priority is to secure the girls and protect them. And to find Brother John.”

“Understood,” Gladice said, her eyes gleaming.

“Finally, we have Foxtrot Team, Angi’s team,” Louis said, looking at Angelique. “You will stay here, guard our vehicles and our prisoner, monitor the operation, and prepare medical supplies. We can’t have any surprises behind our lines.”

“Understood,” Angelique said. “We will take care of our own.” She smiled. “And I get to keep an eye on you from the comfort of our RV.”

Louis smiled. “Exactly.” He looked at the screen. “Questions?”

“I have one, Louis,” Donya said. “What if Brother John is not there? What if he’s already left?”

“Then let’s hope we can get some answers from the guards,” Louis said. “Or from the girls.”

“I have another one,” Willa said. “What if the girls don’t want to be rescued? What if they’re brainwashed?”

“We don’t care, Willa,” Savannah said. “We’re getting them out of there. Whether they like it or not.”

“She’s right,” Angelique said. “They can adjust later. We have to get them away from those men.”

“What about the UIS?” Cherish asked, her face pale. “What if they show up and try to stop us?”

“If they can’t find the farm, then they can’t find us here. We should be fine,” Louis said.

“Alright,” Yamamoto said. “Let’s gear up. We have a lot of work to do.”

“One last thing,” Louis said. “Rule of engagement. I want Brother John and Dan Turner alive. You should have their photos by now. As for the rest, if you see anyone with a weapon, you are free to engage. Am I clear?”

“Crystal, sir,” Yamamoto said. “We will not hesitate.”

“Good,” Louis said. “Now, let’s move. We don’t have all day.”