“Indeed,” Weindahl said. “We've managed to locate a number of scientists and staff. I’m pleased to report we now have a research location set up in Hawaii.”
“That's impressive. You managed to pull that together in a short amount of time.”
“It was quite fortunate there was a location in Hawaii which met our specifications. We also had a bit of luck.”
“How so?”
“There was a scientist who met our qualifications and happened to be in Hawaii.”
“Vacation?”
“Honeymoon. In order to gain their cooperation, I thought it was best to skip some of the formalities and permit their new spouse to stay in Hawaii with them.”
Vickers smirked. “Probably best under the circumstances. If this scientist is as good as you say they are, then we need them working with us, not against us.”
“Indeed,” Weindahl said. “We managed to secure several dead Reaper bodies for them to begin to study. Their early progress is good, Madam President.”
“Any idea when we’ll hear any of their discoveries?”
“I am being told that we could have an initial report as early as before the end of tomorrow.”
“That’s excellent. Was there anything else, General?”
“Yes. We managed to successfully draw back a number of our Tier-1 operators from overseas operations. We have currently situated them in Hawaii and several offshore locations.”
“What kind of locations are we talking about?”
“Mostly ships, Madam President,” Weindahl answered. “There is one island, a Hope Island, on the East Coast where a platoon of Rangers is already there. It’s been brought to my attention from the base commander, a Lieutenant Abrahams, that he also has a partial SWAT team that they managed to retrieve from Philadelphia.”
“Cops and Rangers,” Vickers quipped. “Are those boys playing nice with each other?”
“It would appear so, under the circumstances.”
“You know I was joking, right?”
“I’m afraid I must have missed your attempted humor, ma’am. My apologies.”
“Geez, lighten up a little, Rasheed. This isn’t a college exam.”
“I shall keep that in mind, Madam President,” Weindahl answered. “As for the Rangers and SWAT officers getting along, I would expect nothing less. Both groups have a well-earned reputation.”
“Indeed. The lieutenant does report that the police officers are helping with island security and maintaining the peace.”
“Has there been any trouble?”
“Only the kind that happens when you stick a bunch of people that don’t know each other very well in a very small space.”
“See if there’s anything else he needs that we can get to them. I realize we’re already stretched pretty thin, but we may need to call on them to help us at some point in the future.”
“Already in the works. It appears the lieutenant may have a lead on some research which could help us.”
“You’re kidding?”
“I’m afraid this isn’t something I would joke about, Madam President.”
“Jesus, lighten up, General. It was a figure of speech. We’re the only people in the room right now.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll make more effort to be lighter in our private talks,” Weindahl said. He paused for a moment before continuing. “Apparently the SWAT Sergeant, a Sergeant Black, is a key player. He knows of another Philadelphia police officer who has a group of survivors somewhere on the East Coast. They have managed through trial and error to figure out ways to kill the Reapers quickly.”
“You mean shooting them in the head, right?”
“Um, not exactly,” Weindahl said. “From what Lieutenant Abrahams has reported, this Officer Foster claims to have discovered other lethal methods of killing the Reapers. They’re awaiting their arrival at Hope Island.”
“When?”
“Hopefully within the next couple of days.”
“Let’s hope they make it. Keep me up to date on that one, will you, Rasheed?”
“Of course,” Weindahl said. “That’s all I have for now.”
“Thanks for the update. I appreciate it.”
“Anytime, Madam President.”
“Hey, Rasheed?”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“You need to go visit the doctor about your leg.”
“I will. But I have a number of other pressing things that need my attention.”
“You can have any urgent calls redirected to you at the med bay,” Vickers pointed out. “Go get your leg looked at. Or do I need to order you to do so?”
“That won’t be necessary, Madam President. I’ll check in with the doctor now.”
Chapter Four
Dwayne Haas moved cautiously into the throne room. His guard was up after receiving word that the leader of all Reapers, Horatio Beeks, wanted to see him. Haas wasn’t going willingly. He was still bitter about having been conquered by Beeks and forced to submit. It seemed like every time he closed his eyes, the image of watching his best friend Giles die flashed through his mind again and again. Haas shook his head and pushed the image back with a low growl. It wasn’t time to mourn. He needed to find out what the hell Beeks wanted with him. Right now it was best to keep a low profile, act like a loyal Reaper soldier, and wait for the right time to get his revenge. Haas moved into the throne room and saw that another Reaper was already kneeling in front of Beeks. He moved to the soldier’s left and dropped to one knee as expected as well.
“Reporting as ordered, my Lord,” Haas said slowly.
“Excellent,” Beeks said smugly. “I have something for both of you.”
“Yes, my Lord,” the soldiers answered simultaneously.
Haas stole a glance to his right and saw the other soldier was Achilles. Haas quickly sized him up and decided if things ever got physical between the two of them, he would easily win. The fact that Haas was a former death row inmate just stacked the odds even more in his favor. He doubted Achilles had ever been involved in any prison yard fights where the loser could easily die at the hands of another inmate.
Haas turned his attention back to Beeks in time to see his boss pull out a red cape with a flourish. He walked over to the still half-kneeling Haas and began to drape it around his shoulders and neck.
“What are you doing?” Haas growled.
“Why, recognizing your rank, Dwayne,” Beeks said, the glee barely contained in his voice. “As one of my army’s elite commanders, you have earned the right for your status to be recognized. And you’ll do so just like your predecessors, Nails and Malice, once did.”
“They’re dead, aren’t they?”
“That’s not important right now,” Beeks answered. He took a step back and studied Haas. “Looks good,” Beeks added with a smirk.
“I feel like a pretend magician,” Haas complained.
“Well, get comfortable with it,” Beeks said. “It's part of your role in my family.”
“So I’m stuck with the cape?”
“Until I tell you otherwise.”
“It’s just going to get in the way.”
“Enough talking, Dwayne,” Beeks said. “I have new orders for you. We need to find the man named Foster. He is becoming a bigger problem for our family.”
“Yes, my Lord,” Achilles said.
Haas saw Beeks staring at him expectantly. He swallowed quickly and then blurted, “Yes, my Lord.”
“I would like the two of you to take some fighters, spread out in the countryside, and hunt for him,” Beeks said. “We do not know where he’s currently hiding. But we will find him. And once we do, bring him to me alive.”
“As you command, Master,” Achilles said.
Haas looked toward the floor instead.
“Is there a problem with my order?” Beeks challenged.
“My Lord, if I may offer a different solution?” Haas offered.
“You have a better idea?” Beeks snickered. “Oh,
this, I have to hear.”
“I don’t need your fighters,” Haas said through gritted teeth, “Giles and I had our own pack of soldiers.”
“Tell me something I don’t know, Dwayne,” Beeks mocked. “And make it quick, before I lose my patience.”
“We had also a group of humans who pledged allegiance to us,” Haas said carefully. He had to be careful not to give too much information away. The last thing he needed was for Beeks to decide he wasn’t needed after all. Then he’d never get the chance to avenge his friend. “They had managed to track Foster and his group to one place in the town. I'm afraid with Giles’ death I lost contact with those humans, but I know where to find them. With your permission, I could reconnect with those humans. I could direct them to find out Foster’s last-known location. I might be able to use them to help us track Foster and his group down.”
“Hmm,” Beeks said. “Your idea has merit, and while I normally don’t approve of others telling me what to do, I find myself agreeing with your line of reasoning. Very well. Haas, you are to reconnect with the human sheep and any of your soldiers still remaining. Begin your search for Foster in that area. I expect you to report in as soon as you get any information on his whereabouts.”
“As you command, my Lord,” Haas said. He stood up slowly and began to move away.
“Wait, where are you going?” Beeks asked.
“To begin my mission,” Haas said. “Isn’t that obvious?”
“I didn’t dismiss you,” Beeks snarled.
“Right, sorry,” Haas said as he carefully knelt back in position.
“Achilles.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“You are to head to the rest stop and work your way back toward Foster’s last-known location at the farmhouse.”
Haas snickered loudly.
“You dare to mock me?” Beeks demanded.
“Not mocking you. Just what you told him to go do,” Haas answered between laughs. “You might as well tell him to chase his own tail.”
“They could have retreated there,” Beeks sputtered. “Or headed in that direction.”
Haas laughed even louder. “And hidden someplace your soldiers found them before? There’s no way Foster would do something that.”
“Shut up, Dwayne,” Beeks snarled. “I will not have you disrespect me in front of my warriors.”
“I will go to the rest stop,” Achilles said, his voice rising with each word. “I will obey your will, my Lord.”
“Excellent,” Beeks said. “Dwayne should learn to do the same.”
Haas stared at the floor silently.
“Achilles,” Beeks continued, “if you find any humans there who may have information on Foster’s whereabouts, use whatever means necessary to compel them to answer.”
“Your word is my command,” Achilles said.
“Wonderful. That's what I like to hear,” Beeks said. “You’re both dismissed.”
Haas saw Achilles stand up quickly, salute Beeks, and turn and leave the room. He couldn't help but think that the other soldier was a complete suck-up. For being an Alpha, Achilles seemed to lack a backbone of his own or the ability to question some of the ridiculous things that Beeks wanted them to do. Of course, it wasn’t like Haas could actually disobey Beeks’ orders, either.
Time. It’s only a matter of time, Haas thought to himself. He needed to wait until an opportunity presented itself. And once it did, Haas would be ready to eliminate Beeks once and for all.
Achilles wasn’t sure if he would actually find Foster, like his master had suggested. There was part of him that thought that this mission was highly unlikely to ever succeed. A phrase popped into his mind from the recesses of his brain.
A wild goose chase.
Yes. This had all the makings of one. Especially since the other Alpha had a better lead on Foster’s whereabouts.
Even so, he couldn’t disappoint his master. If it was important to his master, then Achilles would make it important to himself. He glanced back at Haas and tried not to smirk.
Haas had been wrong when he said that he looked like a magician. The other Alpha looked more like a show dog stuck doing a performance they didn’t want to do. Achilles let out a low rumble of laughter.
“Something funny?” Haas challenged.
“No,” Achilles said a bit too quickly. “It must be something I ate not agreeing with me.”
“Huh,” Haas said. “Perhaps you should stick with simpler foods.” He strode away without a further word.
Achilles quickly looked away. It wouldn’t please his master if he were to instigate a fight with Haas. Despite not liking the other Alpha, he would have to take care not to argue with his pack mate.
Chapter Five
After finishing their recon, Walker and Sams returned to the group’s temporary base above the gun shop. Walker looked at the flurry of activity for a moment before letting loose a quick, sharp whistle. Everyone came to a stop and looked towards him unexpectedly.
“Good. Everybody here?” Walker asked. “No offense, but I don’t want to have to repeat our findings twice.”
“I think so.” Foster grinned. “If not, I’ll update any stragglers myself.”
“That works.” Walker grumbled.
“Any luck on finding an escape route?” Foster asked.
“Slim left town on the express train,” Sams replied. “And he did it days ago.”
“Huh?” Foster said.
“What our friend is trying to cleverly say and doing a terrible job of,” Walker answered, “is that there’s no good route for us to take out of here.”
“Are you serious?” Foster said.
“Completely,” Walker replied. “A number of streets have been blocked, barricaded, or blocked off using disabled cars or trucks. There are dedicated checkpoints on the major roadways that appear to be manned by the Guardians.”
“Or they’re setting up new ones,” Sams said. “These guys have been busy beavers.”
“Okay, hold on a minute,” Foster said. “How do you know all of the vehicles are disabled?”
“Easy,” Walker said. “Most of the ones we saw had their tires flattened.”
“And the ones that didn’t were missing their distributor cap or battery,” Sams added. “Nobody is moving them without going through a lot of trouble.”
“You think it was the Guardians?” Foster asked. “Or just some neighbors worried about someone stealing their SUV?”
“Not completely sure,” Walker admitted. “The ones missing a battery could be the owner trying to prevent someone from stealing their ride. But my guess would be all of the vehicles have been disabled by the Guardians. Then nobody gets to go anywhere without their permission.”
“Which goes hand-in-hand with their stranglehold on the marina,” Foster said. “Damn, that’s not good at all. Any idea what kind of weapons they’re carrying?”
“Mostly rifles or handguns,” Walker replied. “Several spots we’ve found are being patrolled by both Guardians and Reapers.”
“A few others had just Reapers. And before you get excited, we’re talking a few dozen Reapers doing guard duty,” Sams pointed out. “Those freaky bastards don’t seem to need to ever take a nap or a break with any regularity.”
“This is not good,” Foster said.
“Damn right. The best time to get out of town was days ago,” Sams said. “Like it or not, we’re looking at a battle to get out of this town.”
“Dammit,” Foster said, “I was hoping to avoid a firefight.”
“Do you lack confidence in our group?” Charles asked. “All of us know how to handle a firearm.”
“The numbers aren’t in our favor,” Foster said. “We don't know how many Guardians we’re dealing with. And the Reapers? There’s probably hundreds, maybe even thousands of them in Rehoboth. We honestly don’t know.”
“Yeah, it's not like you can ask them to line up to be counted,” Sams pointed out. “And as soon the guns start firing,
you can bet they’ll have a shit ton of backup showing up to give them a hand.”
“Maybe we don't have to engage in a firefight,” Walker said softly.
“That would be great,” Foster said. “You got something in mind?”
“Nicholas, do you want to tell him,” Sams said in a badly faked British accent, “or shall I?”
A round of groans sounded in the room.
“Don’t quit the day job, Derrick,” Walker muttered. “Seriously.”
“Fine.” Sams sighed. “You tell them.”
“We saw one lightly trafficked checkpoint,” Walker said. “I think with a little planning, we might be able to sneak past the bad guys.”
“I’m not sure I understand,” Charles said. “Can you elaborate?”
“Uh-huh,” Walker answered. “Right now, they’re probably looking for our current vehicles. But with some different transportation, we should be able to act like some ordinary people trying to leave town and pass through their checkpoints without any trouble. As long as they don’t recognize any of us, then it should work.”
“Oh, it could definitely work,” Sams said. “But not with our current vehicles. They’d probably recognize them on sight.”
“Which means we still need other transportation,” Foster said. “If we can find or repair two new SUVs, then we can definitely go with your plan.”
“Sure, if it’s something simple like swapping in a battery,” Walker said. “Finding the right size tires to replace a bunch of flats could be a lot tougher.”
“So we focus on grabbing two SUVs that already work or just need an easy fix,” Foster said. “Worst case, we take our chances with our current vehicles and try to sneak out of town at night. Great intel work, guys.”
“Thank you, thank you very much,” Sams said in an equally bad Elvis impersonation.
“Seriously, man.” Walker sighed. “You need to drop the impressions and stick with shooting bad guys instead.”
The group dispersed, and Foster saw Walker standing in front of him.
The Wretched Series | Book 4 | Wretched Aftermath Page 3