**** "We'll close in as soon as reinforcements arrive." Beau said looking at the members of Teams Two and Three.
"Remember, they may put the wolves forward first." The Sheriff added. "We don't know exactly how they've been trained, but every one that we've encountered attacked with intent to kill. Don't take chances, put 'em down. If there's any flack from the forestry depth I'll take it."
Just then, Hope ran up to Beau and sat.
"Good girl!" He said softly, rubbing her ears. Not long after, members of Team One led by Rowdy joined them....and the round up began.
* * *
The teams began to move forward and fanned out as they searched for and surrounded the camp.
Rodriguez began to look wild eyed and backed further into the camp thinking he would be better protected. He had come so far and had worked so long for this ranch. Years of diligent effort, arranging Brett Sr's death.
The stupid cowboy had nearly beaten the drug. Had the bull not taken a dislike to his rider Blanton might actually have survived. The whole Blanton family had been nothing but trouble and that included the Kincaid's.
Took a lot of work to become the brokenhearted widow's shoulder to cry on. But he became completely indispensable to her. She didn't make a decision without consulting with him first until she turned all decisions over to him. She even "allowed" her daughters to go riding with him when he wanted, even when they didn't think they wanted to go.
The wolves began bristling, their hackles rising making them look even bigger. They were showing the results of their training, he could see the blood lust in their eyes and carriage. His courage returned, his wolves would win this fight for him.
"Everyone douse yourself in the serum. Don't want any of us being mistakin for them. The rustlers pulled small bottles from their saddle bags and sprayed themselves liberally with the scent the wolves recognized as friend and pack.
"Spread out, stay behind the wolves, let them do the initial work. All you have to do is mow the Sheriff's department and Blanton's people down when my little pets discourage them." He said with a sly smile. He intended to take Blanton down himself after, of course a wolf wore him down. He smiled at the thought of staring a torn and bloody Beau Blanton in the face as he put a bullet between his eyes.
He was so going to enjoy killing him after telling him in detail what he was going to do to his little girls. He would see Blanton beg for the lives of his family before he died.
Rodriguez turned to José and smiled. "Turn them lose, José. I believe they're ready to win this war for us."
All the teams knew the instant the wolves had been unleashed. The sound was unearthly and sent icy intent into the blood of every team member.
"Remember everyone," the Sheriff said into her walkie, "keep alert, watch for the wolves and take down every one you see except Hope."
* * *
The teams began to work their way through the landscape, taking advantage of every bit of cover available. Brett and Angel moved up to Wolf Peak. Angel, as spotter, watched through his spotting scope, giving Brett, as sniper directions of enemy movement according to the map quadrants. He also checked the girl's hiding places, making sure they were not taken unaware by rustlers or wolves.
Brett had heard the teams' orders to move out. He watched Beau and Rowdy in particular and felt such immense pride in them. As every team member went forward, untrained eyes would have seen nothing so little was the grass and brush disturbed.
Angel spoke softly into his mic to the men on the ground, "Movement at 10 and 12 oclock," and then gave Brett the quadrant.
The teams heard a sharp, 'Crack! Crack!' A quick yip and they knew a wolf was down.
He raised the walkie, "Two down at Ten o'clock." He reported to the teams, "9 o'clock, 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock coming fast." He immediately reported the quadrant activity to Brett who immediately located, aimed and fired.
"Aren't these guys ever gonna run outa wolves?" Brett muttered after six had been taken down. He and Angel had both reported sighting a few rustlers. They were obviously thinking the wolves would pave their way to safety.
Gradually, the wolves, ferreted out the team members and it often required two or more of the men to take them down. The close contact made it difficult for small weapons fire without injuring a team member. All were grateful of their hunting knives or K-Bars. Despite the warnings of the size of the animals, coming face to face with a wolf of this magnitude was daunting. The smell of blood was beginning to permeate the air, which undoubtedly excited the pack.
The number of rustlers gradually deminished as the teams surrounded the camp and moved in. A few gave up but most were three time offenders and had nothing to lose.
Rowdy and Beau were moving together as a unit, instinctively sensing what the other thought. Suddenly, Rowdy saw in his peripheral vision a huge brown and black fur monster before it crashed into him. While his arm took the initial bite, he had been prepared with his knife and began to immediately sink the long blade into the mass of solid muscle and fur. Over the sound of the animal's snarling, Beau thought he heard an almost maniacal laugh. While again, he could not fire his weapon he tried to get close enough to assist with his own knife. The wolf was holding Rowdy by the arm and shaking him violently and becoming increasingly more excited at the smell and taste of his prey's blood.
Just then, Hope launched herself onto the other wolf, going for the throat. The larger wolf was caught off balance by the sudden attack and lost his hold momentarily. This gave Rowdy the opportunity to plunge the knife in again and again as Beau sliced with his.
Finally, the wolf snarled, bit at the air and fell. Beau quickly pulled Rowdy out from under his attacker and shot it several times to ensure its death. He began immediate emergency first aide on Rowdy while calling for back up and assistance.
Brett and Angel reported no further sign of wolves and the number of rustlers was greatly deminished. Six had thrown their weapons down when faced with SEALS in full battle dress. Their hands were secured behind their backs with plastic ties and they sat cross legged, guarded by the armed Navy warriors.
Jeff, one of the rustlers looked at a particular rock formation.
"That bas**rd Ramone is hidin' ova' yonda in those rocks." He said motioning with his head.
"Is that so?" A Master Chief Glendale asked and the men were instantly on guard. Two stayed with the prisoners while the other two began working their way toward the rocks.
"Throw out your weapon now and step out." The chief ordered.
"If I was you I wouldn't be givin' him an easy out. He don't deserve it." The same rustler said.
"Really?" The Chief said, getting interested in the information.
"And why is that?" He asked as he and his team member kept their weapons aimed at the rocks.
Jonas, another rustler spoke up.
"Cuz we had to keep watch on him to make sure he didn't get to those little girls. He wanted 'em real bad. An' he didn't keep it a secret what all he wanted ta do to 'em. Disgustin' piece of horse hockey." He sneared and spit toward the rocks.
"Usted rotten perros. Te cortaré los dedos y les doy de comer a usted!" Ramone screamed as he jumped up and shot at the men, hitting Jonas in the shoulder.
'Crack!' Ramone's body jerked as a hole appeared in the middle of his forhead.
"What the heck, Mouse?" Brett asked into his mic. "That guy just shot one of his own men!"
"Thaaat would be affirmative, Brett Ole Buddy. Two of these guys gave up his hiding place and said they had protected your niece's from this no account. Said he made no secret of the things he wanted to do those little girls. You beat me to the punch. Not sure if I'm happy about that."
"Damn!" Brett whispered. "If I'd known that, I would of hurt him real good before I allowed him ta die."
"Ten four." The chief agreed.
