He chuffs and moves my foot closer to the water. He’s got a point. “You’re probably right. I’ll drop my coat and pocket shit over there.” I stuff the little shit in my jacket pockets. Even the inside pocket is bulging.
Hopping over to Havoc is pretty easy. I know if I get closer to the water I’m not hopping easily anywhere. Using my hands and good foot, I sort of crabwalk into the water holding the cement lip sticking out about a foot lower than the top of the dam and slide in. The water is cold and current isn’t too bad since this section isn’t lowered. From here, I can see the sections lowered allowing the water to flow over the top as I’m moving closer to the yellow spot. The current gets stronger so I use my foot and knee to hold my body away from this panel. Before the current pushes me harder, I flip the glasses up not seeing whatever is hot. Flipping them back down, I note distance since I’m not seeing it from six to eight feet away.
Inching my way across the cement panel isn’t as hard as I thought it would be. The lip of the cement on top and bottom fits the breath of my finger and thumb span comfortably and the water lowers the closer I get; that’s by inches but it’s lower.
My next handhold slide shows me the cable holding the device. The next panel starts with nylon rope snagged in the panel track with old ice block tongs holding what looks like an old cash box.
Me: “Nylon rope is snagged in the panel track. Ice block tongs holding a box. No wire running to the box.”
Ops Control: “Brother, I’m putting you through to Graywolf, he knows bomb.”
Me: “I won’t need him until I get the box away from the dam and I can open it. No wires are run down the rope.”
Ops Control: “Roger. Cooper is taking over Graywolf’s Op so it will be a minute.”
Me: “Roger.” I’ve got more than a minute here. I wrap one hand around the rope and pull it closer. Relief floods through me when the box comes with it easily. Holding the rope with my teeth, I reach for my knife and cut the rope, then make my way back slowly so those tongs don’t drop my box. There’s a spring to the tongs so it shouldn’t happen but life isn’t always so accommodating. When I get to the edge, I let my line of protruding bricks go and cut through the current using my arms to pull to the fence.
Havoc meets me so I give him the rope. He’s faster than me and smart enough to stop when the box hits sand. Crab walking back I cut the rope again, this time just inches so I can carry the box back to our place in the tall grass.
Havoc waits for me to get my foot on and tools out of my jacket pocket.
Me: “Ops. I have the box, a pen cam and my foot back on so I can run.” Havoc chuffs. He likes my try for humor.
Ops Control: “Brekan on, Hud. You’ve done this before?”
Me: “I have, Colonel. I’m not sure what’s in it is for real. The current was strong and the box was against the next panel.”
OPs Control: “Just Brekan, Brother. I watched the retrieval while you were getting your foot on. We’ll treat it as real because it’s still signaling as high draw tech. You got the cam, watch for trip and let me know when you want a consult. Phoenix said he’s got your pen cam from Light.”
Me: I like the President. “Roger.” I lay out my possible tools and put the box on my jacket so it’s angled toward the light. “Havoc, open your board so I can see what shows on the cam.”
He chuffs and is ready. With a deep breath I flip the clasp. Pen cam shows the tiny sliver of light, then that light expands. A smaller box is wrapped with foam.
Me: “Boss, I’m closing it back up and getting away from the dam.”
Ops Control. “Roger. I’ll be here when you’re ready.”
I love no pressure, I’ve got a possible bomb so, no pressure feels good right about now. “We’re moving out, Havoc.”
His board goes away and I collect my tools, coat and bomb.
Ops: “He’s running with the bomb?”
I don’t know who that is but I’m not answering right now. I’m running.
Ops: “If one panel on that dam goes, the pressure to the rest will have it all falling like dominoes. He doesn’t have a choice, Boss.” That’s the colonel, or Brekan he said. There’s only three above him.
Ops: “Why isn’t Security higher on the dam? Isn’t this one almost as big as Hoover?”
OPs Control: “It is, Pres. Can you switch us over to the room so Hud and Havoc aren’t listening to all this? They’re running with a bomb right now and we don’t know if it’s tracked.” Brekan has me smiling. I don’t care but I don’t want to talk. I need to get away from the dam and open the box. It’s too small to do more than blow a hole in anything but some chemicals can use water or what’s in it to multiply.
They’re quiet so I settle in for a thirteen-minute run. “We make the little clearing we passed and see what we’re dealing with.”
Havoc chuffs running ahead of me.
“Hot dog.” I laugh when he looks over his shoulder at me pulling his tongue in for a chuff. He didn’t slow down; he’s a show off and knows it. I like him more for it.
§*§*§
