Law of the Jungle, Part One
Disclaimer: Same as before…
Sherman Annex, G.I. Joe Jungle Base
6.5 kilometers North of Colon, Panama
Flint and Leatherneck
09 March 2002, 1406
Gunnery Sergeant Wendell "Leatherneck" Metzger walked into the Sherman Annex Command bunker hearing the voice of a radio operator advising callsign Delta Six Eight that it would be a half hour before help would arrive.
He saw Flint standing behind another radio operator as the man turned and said, "I can't raise Roadblock at all."
"I see we've got a fine mess on our hands," Leatherneck growled, "QRF is getting ready, and I've got the Frenchies wanting to join the fight."
"They're from the Foreign Legion," Flint replied, referring to a contingent from the French Guiana based 3rd Foreign Infantry Regiment that had arrived earlier in the day for a live fire training exercise, "Of course they want to fight."
"Orders, sir?" Leatherneck asked.
"Let 'em join," Flint nodded before turning back to the radio operator, "Keep trying to get a hold of Roadblock if you can. If not, let us know."
The man nodded as he returned to his radio, trying in vain to contact Roadblock and Toad. Flint followed Leatherneck out of the bunker and to the open field where both the Quick Reaction Force now backed by the French Foreign Legion contingent were finishing their preparations, checking on magazines, equipment and final radio checks.
"Capitaine Roselles," Flint began, as he approached the wiry mustachioed French officer, "We'd be happy to have your unit fighting by our side."
The man nodded before turning to the assembled legionnaires and shouted, "A moi Legion!"
And with that the legionnaires scrambled to waiting helicopters alongside several G.I. Joe soldiers...
"I'll go with the team heading for the Roadblock's campsite, you go with the team heading for Recondo's." Flint ordered.
"Got it, boss," Leatherneck replied before pulling the charging handle on his M4A1 to the rear and letting go, chambering a round.
Panamanian Jungle
22 k.m. West of Sherman Annex
Todd "Toad" Tolansky
09 March 2002, 1415
As the panther charged towards him, Todd leapt upward and to the right, landing atop a branch. The big cat easily changed direction and followed him. Todd hopped to the left, and as he did so felt the air current of the panther's near miss.
Leaping from tree to tree, seeing the blur of branches and leaves. Faster and faster. Feeling the beast's breath on his back as it rapidly closed the distance. He felt the swipe of the panther's claws just millimeters from his neck.
With a gasp of desperation, Todd backflipped, managing to land behind the animal. With ease, the panther turned around and pounced again. Todd leaped away, narrowly avoiding being struck by the predator.
Todd gasped for air before leaping towards another tree, the panther in hot pursuit. He glanced behind him only to jerk his head forward as the panther's meaty paw swung millimeters from his head.
No matter how far he leaped, how fast he fled the panther remained on his tail. What is this thing on? Probably on steroids or something? Todd's mind raced frantically as he barely dodged yet another swipe of the panther's paw.
He glanced behind him as the panther turned after a failed lunge. He could see the panther's rear legs were made of metal. Great, out of all the panthers in the world I get chased by the feline version of the Terminator.
Todd leaped forward to yet another branch as the panther lunged again. Without skipping a beat the panther leaped at Todd once again, landing inches away.
CRACK! Todd felt everything tumble around him as the branch gave way under the combined weight of him and the panther…
Second Campsite
6 kilometers West of Sherman Annex
Kate, Conrad, Recondo, and Sedgwick
09 March 2002, 1437
Conrad lobbed a grenade towards a strand of bushes as two Cobra Jungle Vipers charged from the foliage. The boom was followed by a truncated scream and a burst of fire from Conrad's AMD-65.
Kate fired her own shotgun, and a Cobra Jungle Viper ducked behind a tree. Over one shoulder she could see Recondo and Sedgwick moving to establish another position. Then she heard more shots.
"A moi Legion!" A shouted command and still more shooting.
"Friendlies!" Recondo shouted, waving his non-firing hand.
From the brush came several legionnaires in their dapple patterned camouflages with rifles at the ready. The sounds of footsteps, gunfire and the occasional grenade explosion rose to a crescendo before fading into the distance as the Cobra Jungle Vipers retreated.
Kate glanced over to her right to see a French Foreign Legion sergeant approach their position, his FAMAS rifle hanging from a sling with his right hand on the pistol grip. Red hair poked out from the brim of the man's helmet.
"Thank you. You saved our lives," Kate exclaimed as the Legion sergeant approached.
The reply came in German-accented English, "You're most welcome. Sergent Holck, French Foreign Legion."
"Holck, wait a minute, Conrad's mentioned you a few times," Kate replied as recognition struck home.
"I trust they were good mentions, fraulein?" Holck asked.
"He mentioned your nickname of Count Holck and your fondness for cognac."
Holck laughed briefly at the remark before glancing ahead as the legionnaires set their perimeter. Conrad turned around to see the red-haired sergeant talking to Kate just as the man laughed. With a grin, he approached the man.
"Good to see you old friend," Conrad began.
"Likewise," Holck smirked, before shaking hands with his old comrade, "The fraulein said you put in a good word for me?"
Kate smirked, "The fraulein is already taken."
"That's got to be some sort of record, Count," Conrad grinned right after shaking Holck's hand, "getting shot down within two minutes of meeting a woman."
"Certainly a devil of a place to see an old friend again," Holck replied.
"True, but it's better than at Fiddler's Green." Conrad solemnly replied.
"What's that?" Holck asked.
"Long story," Conrad replied.
"Tell me some other time then, old friend," Holck said before walking over to the radio operator nearby and letting him know to report their contact with Recondo's team.
Toad and Roadblock's Campsite
20 km West of Sherman Annex
Leatherneck and Flint
09 March 2002, 1502
"Looks like Todd and Roadblock got hit with a sudden ambush," Leatherneck said, as he picked up a few 5.56mm shell casings from Roadblock's M-16.
"It had to have happened shortly after they landed." Flint commented as he pointed out the upturned basket and scattered supplies.
Both men followed the footprints deeper into the jungle. "Looks like Roadblock and Toad tried to run away from a large enemy force," Leatherneck observed before dropping to one knee.
"Then they got stopped right here," Flint replied. He indicated several casings and what looked to be a splatter of blood. A cloud of flies scattered away from it.
"I think it was Roadblock," Leatherneck replied, "See those shell casings. And Toad got away."
"How do you know?" Flint asked.
"See these hand and foot imprints in the mud?" Leatherneck pointed a few feet away, "Just like that kid's hopping gait. These tracks go further...further into the jungle."
"Alright," Flint replied, before reaching for the radio handset on his webbing to listen to a report.
"What's up?" Leatherneck asked.
"Our French friends found Delta Six Eight, everyone's alright," Flint replied. All around him he could see the QRF, a mix of French Foreign Legion and American soldiers from Sherman Annex, driving off the Cobra forces they'd encountered on Roadblock and Toad's campsite. The sound of shooting faded into the distance.
Roselles approached Flint and Leatherneck, "The Cobras are on the run."
"We need to consolidate everyone here at this campsite and find Roadblock and Toad," Flint replied before getting on the radio to make that exact call.
Second Campsite
6 kilometers West of Sherman Annex
Kate, Conrad, Recondo, and Sedgwick
09 March 2002, 1606
"Sergent!" came a heavily accented call from a radio operator.
Holck headed over to the man and took the proffered radio handset, "Roger, we will be there."
"What's going on?" Kate asked.
Sedgwick turned, clipping his own radio handset to his webbing, "Flint wants us to regroup at Roadblock and Todd's campsite."
Conrad nodded, hefting his weapon and his rucksack as they prepared to move. Kate turned to face him, "Why don't we look for Todd and Roadblock?"
"We may need more troops, after all, there are an unknown number of Cobras here, mademoiselle." Conrad replied.
"I hope it's not too late for them," Kate gulped.
"We'd best be quick on the march, then," Conrad replied, "Marche ou creve."
"What does that mean?" Kate asked.
"March or die, an old Legion saying," Holck replied.
Toad and Roadblock's Campsite
20 km West of Sherman Annex
Conrad, Kate, and Flint
09 March 2002, 1844
As soon as they arrived at the second campsite Kate took a slug of water from one of her canteens before closing it, sticking it back on her webbing and wiping the sheen of sweat from her forehead.
She dropped to one knee after putting her rucksack down, noticing Conrad doing the same before he casually sipped water, looking unfazed despite having walked 14 kilometers at a rapid pace.
Flint walked over to them, as he tucked the handheld microphone of his radio onto his webbing, "Hey you two, we've found evidence that Cobras are on the run. We're looking for Roadblock and Toad, but that leaves us the question of what to do about you two. I've called in a resupply convoy. They should be here in the next twenty minutes and they'll pick you two up and take you back to base."
"Hey, I'm happy to help," Conrad replied before turning to Kate, "Might be best if you ride back and…"
"Like Hell I will, Conrad," Kate snapped back, "I'm not leaving you out here by yourself."
"It won't be a problem, Kate," Conrad replied, "I won't be alone…"
"Don't dismiss me, Hart," Kate stood up, "I can hold my own out here."
"That was never a question, mademoiselle," Conrad replied.
"Then why…" Kate began before Conrad raised a hand.
"I just assumed that…" Conrad began before Kate cut him off.
"Assuming that because I'm a woman that…" Kate countered.
"Both of you can argue sexism in combat situations later." Flint countered, "Right now I've got a resupply convoy on its way with ammunition, water and food and you two have a choice, be on it when it returns to base, or stay with us."
"You know my answer," Conrad replied.
"And mine," Kate insisted.
Flint nodded, "Alright, you two are with me in the command element."
"With that sorted, let's go find Todd," Conrad replied.
Panamanian Jungle
22 k.m. West of Sherman Annex
Todd "Toad" Tolansky
09 March 2002, 1418
As he tumbled through the air Todd saw the light blotted out by the bulk of the panther. As he hit the ground he felt the air knocked out of him before the panther's weight descended. He felt himself rolling on the ground, hands against the panther's head, smelling the odor of rotted flesh from its mouth. He rolled to the left and then felt the distinct sensation of falling once again, rolling down a hillside.
Thoughts raced through Todd's head. The Law of the Jungle. Kill or Be Killed. Eat or be Eaten.
No! No! I'm not going to be this bad kitty's lunch! Toad thought to himself as the panther fell atop him, fangs nearing his neck. Todd kicked his legs against the creature's abdomen as the panther swiped at him with one paw, striking him across the forehead.
THWACK! Todd shot his tongue out, grabbing the panther around the neck, closing off the airway as he pummeled and kicked with his fist. The panther wasn't giving up, slashing at Todd with his claws, cutting into the youth's forearms and ribs.
SNAP! The bones of the neck gave way and the panther went slack. Todd withdrew his tongue, tasting blood and feeling fur around the tongue.
I broke that thing's neck! Todd thought, shaking as the adrenaline began to wear off. He let out a savage scream-howl from the depths of his throat. I have killed. I am not helpless. I know what I need to do.
He walked around to the front of the dead panther, breaking off one fang and sticking it in his pocket. As the adrenaline continued to course away Todd felt the aches and pains running through him. Dragging himself toward the river bank he dunked his head into the water to wash away the blood before drinking his fill of water.
Gotta rest first. Then make a plan. Todd thought as he dragged himself behind a strand of trees, closing his eyes to sleep…
TBC