A Cult in Paradise; Episode 30, Plan B

This is episode thirty of the fifth book in the Trace Troy Adventures in  Paradise series. The Title is A Cult in Paradise. It will be featured in episodes over the next few months. It will eventually be published in full on Amazon. All of the Trace Troy books, as well as my other novels, can be purchased on Amazon by clicking the Bookstore tab above. I hope you enjoy. And thanks for stopping by. 

Plan B

Trace disappeared into the bushes, palms and the night heading toward the compound. He low-walked until about thirty yards from the compound’s clearing. Then he low-crawled in the undergrowth until arriving at the edge of the compound. Guards dressed in green military clothing milled around in every direction. Each walked as if they had a real purpose. He backed away from the edge. He stood but hunched down and walked around to the other side of the compound; the stockade was there.

On the other side of the compound, he lay down in the undergrowth. He had a clear view of the stockade with four guards near the front door. 

“They have them,” Trace whispered. Then he thought, ‘If they knew who they had, they should triple the guards.”

Then he thought, ‘There’s no way I can leave them here. If I leave now, I don’t know what will happen to them and also, if I leave and come back there is no guarantee they will be here or that I can get back on the island.’

Trace removed his backpack. He covered it and his rifle with the underbrush. He rushed back to where Adam, Pete, and the rubber boat were.

“It’s Trace,” he whispered as he approached them.

“Do they have them?” Adam asked.

“Yes,” Trace said, “they’re in the stockade.”

“Is it too dangerous to break them out?” Pete asked.

“It’s well guarded,” Trace said, “and the compound is crawling with guards. It looks to me like they are in panic mode. No boats and no airplanes. None of them ever figured on this.”

“I have an idea,” Trace said. “I need you two to go back to The Tramp Islander and get another rubber boat. Bring it back to this spot tomorrow night.”

“I don’t want to leave you here,” Adam said. 

“I don’t want to leave me here,” Adam said.

 “I’m not alone. I have Sage and Coyote,” Trace grinned. “But I think I can break Sage and Coyote out.”

“Shh,” Pete said and placed his finger on his lips. He whispered, “Three guards walking on the beach, coming this way.”

They hunkered down peeking through the bushes as they passed. They listened.

“They took Nick with them.”

“I knew if he got a chance, he’d leave.”

“Lucky dog.”

“If I’d caught them, I’d beg them to take me with ‘em.”

“Me too.”

“Dem is in a frenzy. I’ve never seen him like this.”

“A seaplane came for them.”

“Whoever did this was well organized. They damaged everything that could have been used against ‘em.”

“I heard one of the guards in the tower broke his leg and another one has some cracked ribs.”

They moved on further and their words turned to mumbling.

“That may be a ploy,” Adam said. “Meant to attract one of us or one or their own.”

“It did sound overly brazen,” Trace said.

“Yeah,” Pete said, “they were talking a little too loud.”

“Broken leg and cracked ribs,” Adam said, “sounds like a typical night down at Sneaky Pete’s in the old days.”

“I’m glad to see those days over,” Pete said and looked to the sky. “I wonder what the weather will be like tomorrow night.”

“Before leaving, I checked the weather for the next three days,” Pete said. “Cloudy tomorrow. Perfect for your return.” 

“Let’s give this a couple of minutes to stew,” Adam said. “We got a couple of hours of daylight remaining.”

“We have to give ourselves time limits,” Trace said.

“And we have to establish some sort of communication,” Adam suggested.

“We can’t break radio silence,” Trace said.

“If we leave at midnight, we should be here at 1:00, “ Adam said. “But I sure wish we could do it all in the time we have left, tonight.”

“There’s just no way I can do all I have to do,” Trace said. “Yes, if some things fall in my lap. On the other hand, you might not be able to make it back before sunup. This gives us all a chance to rest a bit. It’s been an exhausting night.”

“Come on,” Pete smiled, “let’s not waste any more of your son’s time.”

“Dad,” Trace said, “I’m taking your weapons and gear. When I break them out, I want to make sure they’re armed.”

Adam handed Trace a pistol, a rife, and tossed his backpack at Trace’s feet.

Adam gripped Trace’s shoulder. “Take care, and we’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“If we’re here, I’ll flash the light in intervals of four,” Trace said.

Pete shook Trace’s hand. “If your dad was only ten years younger, I’d say he’s the best man for the job.” Pete grinned, “But you’ll do.”

Adam and Pete grabbed each side of the rubber boat. They waded into the surf, hopped into the boat, and paddled toward the open sea. Trace watched until he heard the faint sound of the motor between the breaking waves.