Target Utopia by Dale Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

walking along trails. In the three days they’d been out, they had yet to see the enemy.
    Today they had a target to check out—an abandoned mine about three miles from the highway. The Malaysians had been given intelligence claiming the rebels were using it to store weapons. A flyover by the Marine F-35s the day before had failed to find anything. The Seagull circling the area showed no activity now. But the terrain around the target area was the most complicated they’d worked through yet, and there was always a possibility that something was hidden in the foliage.
    Turk followed as Monday continued up the trail, weaving toward a small rise that would letthem see the approach to the mine. Suddenly, Sergeant Intan waved him to the ground; Turk dropped, then turned to signal to the others. Moments later he heard the sound of a truck straining up the hill nearby.
    Turk crawled toward Monday and the sergeant; Captain Deris followed.
    â€œBandits,” the captain told Turk. That was the English word they used to describe the rebels, whom they regarded as criminals. “They must be driving to the mine. We will move back and parallel the road.”
    He gestured with his fingers to make sure Turk understood.
    â€œOK,” said Turk. He clicked the back of his glasses, opening the window on Seagull 2’s feed. The truck was an older pickup. The bed had been pulled off and replaced with a wooden platform surrounded by wide stakes. It was moving through a pass that led to the mine.
    Turk dialed the Marines into his radio circuit.
    â€œBasher One, this is Ground,” he said. “Do you copy?”
    â€œLoud and strong, little guy,” said Cowboy. The Marines worked in two-ship units, with two planes always on alert as the Malaysians patrolled. The length of the patrols and the lack of refueling assets made it impractical for them to stay airborne when there was no contact with the enemy, but the base was close enough to the patrol area that they could be in firing range in under ten minutes.
    â€œWe think we have activity out here,” said Turk. “Request you get onboard.”
    â€œRoger that. We’ll be airborne in zero-two. Check in when you have a definitive word.”
    â€œWe’re moving toward the target now. Check the feed on Seagull 2.”
    â€œLooking at it, Ground. I see the truck.”
    â€œRoger that.”
    After a few minutes of walking, the patrol left the trail and moved into the jungle, intending to sweep around from the east in case anyone had been posted near the road. As they were about to start back toward the hill overlooking the mine, the Seagull spotted another pair of trucks heading in the same direction as the other one. A total of a dozen men sat in the back of the pickups.
    It was a sizable force for the guerrillas. Captain Deris was pleased.
    â€œA good catch. The airplanes will help,” he said confidently. “Bomb them at the mine.”
    â€œWe need to ID them first,” said Turk, citing the rules of engagement.
    â€œWhy? It’s an enemy site.”
    â€œWe need to confirm that they’re enemy, and not Malaysian army,” said Turk. “Or civilians.”
    â€œNo civilians are here. We’re the only army.”
    â€œI didn’t make the rules,” said Turk. “You know them as well as I do. Visual IDs, or we’re under fire. Otherwise the Marines can’t do anything.”
    The captain frowned but didn’t argue. After talking with the NCO for a few moments, he broke the squad into two units. Deris led the first, with Monday, Turk, and another man in a semicircle toward the hill where they could see the mine. The other half of the squad was assignedto hold the ground between them and the road, in case of an attack or reinforcements.
    It took roughly ten minutes for them to reach the position, but it felt like hours. With each step, Turk felt his heart beat a little faster. He checked his