cart for now and they could trade off later.
The two men quietly pushed the bikes out of the parking lot, mounted them at the road, and headed out. The moon was high in the sky and providing acceptable light for riding on the paved roads. Lee and Jake moved along at a slow pace, not wanting to exhaust themselves any further. The ride was easy on the paved parts of Sandy Valley Road, but soon it gave way to graded gravel road where it met Kingston road. The loose gravel made riding a lot more difficult. Both Lee and Jake were improving their skill at navigating loose dirt and gravel. Neither man crashed as they had done many times the day before.
The road up out of Goodsprings was good, but started climbing steeply. Both men had to dismount the bikes often and push them up steep climbs. It was grueling work. They would continue to ponder dumping the bikes but knew the road would be flat and downhill after they got up and over this pass, so they just kept pushing and moving, resting often.
The setting moon decreased the light and made navigating more difficult. Lee put on his headlamp and rode in front to mark the way. Jake followed along closely behind him.
Around 5:00 a.m., Lee and Jake both felt they were far enough up in the mountains and felt secure. They decided to rest for a bit and wait for daylight. Lee got out his tablet stove and heated some water for coffee. They shared the hot drink. Both men ate a sandwich received from Carl, plus a couple of the remaining snacks from the convince store in Vegas. Wanting to hydrate, both men finished off a bottle of water with added energy-drink powder. They discussed various things while they were eating and drinking. Lee told Jake about his involvement at the training facilities known as “MOUTs” at Irwin. He explained how he had worked with the General’s Chief of Staff, a civilian named Steven Rollinson. Jake knew Steven, and he was still at the base. The talk soon waned as Lee and Jake both relaxed and fell asleep.
Chapter 15
0330, Day 2, Sylmar, California
Dayyan sat with Naseem, Uday, and a new soldier, Arman, who had brought his own small army to join with Dayyan’s force earlier that evening. They sat on the 210 freeway behind a dead flatbed truck. Their position provided them a vantage point overseeing the new Sylmar National Guard base that lie below them. It was just off foothill Boulevard near the Hanson Dam Recreational Area. The base had just opened in spring.
A new target was provided to Dayyan after the successful mission at the armored car factory. The new target was astonishing to him. His handlers were expecting his small force to take on a real military base, which likely would have superior forces equipped with superior weapons. Such a bold attack could result in annihilation of his small force. But as the plan was revealed, he could see potential for a huge victory. A successful mission could strengthen his army and deliver a terrific blow to the infidels and nonbelievers.
Dayyan had kept the force at the armored truck factory until just after sundown. He then split up the convoy, including the new heavy armored Homeland Security and Brinks trucks, into three groups, and they all made their way to the North San Fernando Valley. After getting nine of the Brinks trucks running plus the four Homeland Security trucks, they now had the same number of cars and trucks as men. This meant each man would need to drive alone. His handler had told him there would be more men at the new target to strengthen the army.
One of the three groups of trucks ran into trouble heading to the rendezvous location. There assigned route was up Wentworth Street toward Foothill Boulevard to the north. The lead truck was one of the DHS trucks taken from the Brinks shop. Near Foothill, they met a large group of police and firefighters at a large relief center set up at fire station #24 on the left side of the road. Many civilians most likely rescued from the 210 freeway were milling about. There were also police in the mix of people, who instantly turned toward the large impressive convoy of trucks, probably assuming they were coming to help.
Zohar was driving the lead DHS truck, and at first, he did not know what to do. He slammed on the brakes, and the six trucks behind him did the same. A group of police officers headed down the street toward him. Not being comfortable backing up or trying to turn the big armored truck around, he just floored the gas and headed toward the police officers. At first, they looked shocked, but they all ran and jumped for cover. Zohar sped by, and the other vehicles followed. They roared past the stunned people and police, chasing many out of the street. No shots were fired by the confused police as the convoy sped by and disappeared under the 210 freeway.
The convoy of trucks made the left turn onto Foothill Boulevard and continued to their destination. Zohar had a concern about leading the police to their meeting point, so he radioed Deshawn, a skinny African-American, who was driving one of the original suburban trucks. “Stay at the tail end of the convoy and watch for a response from the police.”
Deshawn remained on the side of Foothill Boulevard for about fifteen minutes. He reported that an old ford sedan came up Foothill and stopped. Two policemen climbed from the car and looked up Foothill Boulevard before getting back into the car and heading back. The police probably did not want another meeting with the hostile force, who tried to run them over. They probably did not feel they had enough men, cars, or firepower for a real shootout.
Dayyan was worried before this latest encounter that reports of meetings with a hostile group and the attacks on the guns stores plus the murder of the Pasadena Swat team was going dangerous. He felt it would start getting broadcast over whatever communication net was working. This incident would add credence to the other sightings and put the authorities on high alert.
Dayyan’s group that had come up Sunland Boulevard had arrived first at the rendezvous location. Zohar’s convoy showed up a few minutes later. The third group led by Arman arrived last, having the longest route up Osborne Street around the west side of Hanson Dam. They scattered the large trucks in numerous locations around the recreational area using heavy brush or trees to hide them. Stealth was paramount to this operation. Dayyan walked on foot to a point overlooking the National Guard Center. His handler had given the location to him, and there he found a single man.
Dayyan approached the man who introduced himself. “Hello, my brother. I am Arman Ridwan Bousaid. I guess we are here for the same purpose.”
“It appears so. How has your success been so far, my friend?” Dayyan answered.
“I have gathered about twenty-five men to add to your army. Unfortunately, we have not had near the success as you with weapons and vehicles. We assembled east of San Bernardino. As directed, I have been here with three men since yesterday watching the National Guard base below. The rest of my men came in a large old school bus a few hours ago. They are waiting at the golf course below the dam.”
