Mercy ignored the pain in her shoulder and stood up, looking back at the water. “Flynn? Flynn?” she yelled into the wind.
A few seconds later a familiar figure staggered out of the surf and slumped to the sand. Adrenaline surged through Mercy.
“Flynn, Flynn—” Mercy climbed out of the RIB and rushed over to the prostrate figure.
Flynn gasped and rolled over, “I lost my rifle, goddammit.”
“It’s OK, Flynn. You’re OK, that’s all that matters,” Mercy said, embracing Flynn. She looked around, Rose was running towards them.
“Can you get up? How are your legs?” Mercy asked.
“I’m OK, just soaked through is all. I’ll be fine,” Flynn replied.
“You could stay back here and guard the RIB… for our exfil,” Rose said. “It’s got a fixed machine gun—”
Flynn shook his head and stood up, “No, I’m good. I’ve got my pistol and grenades. Come on, let’s go, the others have moved on—”
Mercy nodded, “OK then.”
They ran up the beach and came to a boulder wall stretching from left to right. Barnes and Rivera were at the top, peering over the edge. Barnes turned and beckoned to the others. They clambered up the boulders and arrived, breathless, at the top. A wide expanse of wasteland stretched out from the sea defences towards a group of low buildings and a huge container park. Warehouses loomed in the distance.
Barnes spoke in a clear voice, “The perimeter fence has been breached in this sector. The outer defences seem to be overrun. All the fire is incoming, nothing’s coming out. There’s three Humvees in that container park. One’s got a radio antenna, we need to knock it out, disrupt their comms. There’s an LAPD SWAT truck in there too, over beside the warehouse unit on the left. We know the Missionaries are using old LAPD kit. So right now our two targets are the Humvee with the aerial, and the SWAT truck. We’ll split into two attack groups. Me and the coastguard guys will take the SWAT truck. Mercy, Rose, Flynn… are you good to take out the Humvee with the radio?”
Mercy nodded, “Sure, we’re on it.”
Barnes looked at the faces around him, “Good, let’s dish out some pain. Once you’re done, look for more targets. If you’re out of ammo or run out of targets meet back at the RIB. Here, take this—” Barnes pressed a radio into Mercy’s hand. “It’s preset, so I’ll be at the other end.”
Mercy took the radio.
“We all good?” Barnes asked.
Grim faces returned his stare. Barnes nodded.
“Let’s go fuck them up,” Barnes said. He crouched low and headed out across the wasteland towards the shredded perimeter fence.
Mercy turned to Rose and Flynn, “You heard the man, let’s go—”
Mercy pocketed the radio, unslung the Remington M870P 12-gauge shotgun she had taken from the cutter’s armory, and started to jog across the moonlit wasteland.
This feels unreal… like a war—
Chapter 37
Broken
A hundred yards—
Mercy jogged towards the Humvee, Flynn on her right, Rose on her left. Her muscles sang, her breathing was regular, her mind calm.
This feels… serene—
The Humvee grew nearer.
Fifty yards. Why don’t they see us? They should have eyes facing out, not just eyes in. Is it arrogance, complacency, or stupidity? Hey guys we’re here—
They pressed on.
Twenty yards and I’ll wake you up—
A helmeted man emerged from the Humvee’s roof hatch. He started adjusting his night vision goggles.
OK, there you are… at last. But you’re facing away from us—
Mercy lifted her M4. Rose fired first, six of her rounds hit the Humvee’s roof just behind the man. Her last round ricocheted up at an angle and penetrated the base of the man’s skull. He slumped forwards, his body twitching. Shouts came from inside the Humvee and its engine started.
Mercy ran forwards, her hand reaching for a grenade on her webbing. She jumped onto the Humvee’s rear mounted, spare wheel and sprawled forwards across the roof. She reached the open hatch, pulled the pin on the grenade, and dropped it inside. The Humvee jerked forwards, gathered speed, and threw Mercy off. She landed on the ground, the impact stunning her.
Three seconds later an explosion ripped through the Humvee, stopping it in its tracks. A heartbeat later a secondary explosion, deeper and louder, lifted the Humvee off the ground.
Oh—
Mercy flattened herself, her hands over her head. Debris hit the tarmac around her, some smaller pieces landed on her legs and boots. She blinked and took a breath. Waves of heat washed over her, acrid smoke filled her nostrils. A coughing spasm wracked her body.
OK—
A hand shook Mercy’s shoulder. “You don’t mess around, do you?” Rose said, from behind. “You sure toasted that bastard’s nuts. You OK girl?”
Mercy pushed herself up, “Yeah, no, yeah… I think so. Wasn’t expecting that second detonation. They must’ve being carrying extra ammo in there.”
“Dumfucks, I reckon,” Rose said. “Come on, gotta leave the scene of the crime before their buddies get wise to us.”
“Over here,” Flynn shouted, on the right flank. “I’ve got something.”
The rattle of small arms fire then an explosion, two hundred yards away.
Barnes’s operation—
Mercy rolled over and got to her feet. She ran to Flynn who was sheltering beside a rusting shipping container. Rose followed, close on Mercy’s heels. Flynn was looking out towards the port in the distance.
“There’s something going on over there. Looks like these bastards are trying to break through the inner defences. See how the defenders have built a wall out of containers to protect the port? I can’t make it out exactly but there’s bad guys unloading a truck, looks like they’re setting something up,” Flynn said, pointing at a group of figures in the distance.
“We’ve not got night vision, but it could be a mortar or RPG crew. That’s our next target,” Mercy said.
More explosions came from the warehouses on the left.
“Looks like Barnes is getting some. Do you want to check on his status?” Rose said, pointing at Mercy’s radio.
Mercy stood up, “There’s no time. That truck crew looks almost ready to fire. We need to go in hard and fast, no time to be subtle. Wait till we’re up close before opening up if possible. We’ve got to make every round count. Ready?”
Rose nodded. Flynn stood up.
“Let’s go,” Mercy stepped out from cover and jogged across the asphalt towards the truck.
Breathe, run, breathe—
Mercy focused on the group of men huddled around a stack of crates beside the truck.
They’re assembling something. It’s gotta be bad news for our friends inside the base—
Mercy counted her steps. Seconds passed, the truck grew nearer. Her eyes widened.
It’s a missile. Missiles—
The group of men broke up, five stepped away from two others. The remaining two knelt down, each lifting a squat tube to their shoulders.
Shit, they’re just out of range for me. Fuck it—
Mercy brought up her shotgun and fired at the missile crew. Her buckshot fell short but her shots had the desired effect, scattering the rest of the men. Rose and Flynn opened up with their M4 carbines on full automatic, spraying the area with rounds.
Mercy watched as one of the missile operators aimed his weapon at the defenders’ container wall. She heard a scream and realised a second later it was her. Her legs carried her forwards, she levelled her shotgun at the missile man and squeezed her trigger repeatedly. The man lurched forwards, sprawling onto the tarmac, the missile launcher falling to the ground beside him.
Mercy’s cry of triumph was cut short by a searing pain in her right shoulder. The bullet spun her around, she dropped her shotgun, and fell to the ground. She stared up at the night sky, her eyes focusing on the stars above. S
houts surrounded her. A shadow passed over her, briefly obscuring the sky. An explosion tore through the air nearby. More gunfire and shouts followed.
My legs, they’re cold. Why are they cold? Has someone taken my boots?
Mercy shivered. She started to count the brightest stars above her.
Mom? Dad? Are you up there? Amy, Carrie, are you there? Leo, Jude, Vince, Crimson, Blaze, Dakota? Is this what it’s like? I’m ready, you can take me now. It’s not so bad. I know it’s not a dream—
A scream. Words, unintelligible. The voice… familiar.
Flynn? Where are—?
Mercy wrenched her gaze away from the stars and looked down at her legs.
My boots, they’re still there—
Warmth stirred in her stomach.
I know you, you’ve returned. You won’t let me go… fucking parasite—
Gunfire. Different. Heavy rounds. Something large. A dark shadow pulled up beside Mercy’s inert form. The smell of electronics and oil permeated the air. Mercy’s eyes followed the thing’s cat-like movements, as the huge mech passed her. Recognition flooded through her.
You don’t see me… do you?
The mech stepped towards the unmoving bodies on the tarmac beside the truck, its weapon systems humming. A slight movement caught Mercy’s eye on the right. She glanced at the three slumped figures lying beside the two unused missile launchers.
Three bodies? There were only two there before—
One of the figures jumped up and grabbed a missile launcher. Mercy’s eyes widened in recognition.
Oh—
Mercy reached down to her webbing pouch and pulled out an EMP grenade. She pulled the pin and threw it at the towering mech, twenty feet away. The mech swung around, its gun arm spraying a sixty round burst into the missile-wielding figure. The figure was shredded in a heartbeat, flesh and bone no match for the two second burst of steel rain. A metallic clap followed as the magnets in Mercy’s EMP grenade activated on contact with the mech’s body.
Two, three—
The mech turned, its optical array flashing, searching for the new threat. Mercy rolled over and closed her eyes.
Four—
Light burst across the area. Energy crackled through the air. The hair on Mercy’s head fizzed.
At last. It’s over. I’m coming home—
Cold darkness smothered Mercy.
Chapter 38
The Searing
Voices. Light. Pain.
Am I—?
Mercy’s eyelids fluttered.
No, I don’t want to go back there. No, I won’t go back there—
Darkness.
Cold. Light. Hunger. Pain.
Why—? Just… leave me alone. No—
Mercy’s hand twitched. Something soft brushed her fingertips.
I don’t want to—
A drumbeat in her ears.
That’s me. My heart. Oh god no, I’m still alive. Please, no. Not without—
Mercy’s eyelids flickered. A machine beeped nearby. An electronic alarm sounded. Mercy opened her eyes. Soft light seeped in. Blurred images rushed at her through the gloom.
Door. Bed. Chair. Drip stand. Machines. I’m in hospital. I’m… alive. Was it all a bad dream? Please, any moment now. Walk through that door—
Mercy moved her head. A curtained window came into view.
Curtains drawn. It must be night. Am I alone? Maybe if I call for someone?
“Hello? Hello there. Anyone here?” Mercy croaked, her voice weak.
My throat, so dry—
Voices. Footsteps outside. A flurry of blue and white. Faces. A man and a woman. Mercy focused on the nearest face.
Kind eyes—
“My god, she’s back. Vitals are… stable. Oxygen saturation 98%. ECG; sinus rhythm. We’re good,” the man said. He produced a torch and shone it into Mercy’s eyes, “Pupils equal and reactive. Check cognitive function.”
A woman’s voice, “Hello Mercy. My name is Dr Flores, this is Dr Collins. You’re in Port Hueneme Naval Hospital. You’ve been unconscious for four days. Everything’s OK. Physically you’re on the mend. Do you understand what I’ve said?”
Mercy processed the woman’s words. She lifted her hand slightly. Her throat burned. “Water,” she whispered.
The woman’s features came into focus. Auburn hair, green eyes. A furrowed brow. “Of course… here, take a sip of this.”
Dr Flores held a plastic beaker to Mercy’s lips. Mercy took a drink, then coughed, clearing her throat. “My friends? How are they?”
Dr Flores glanced at Dr Collins. His head moved imperceptibly.
No—
Dr Flores hesitated then seemed to reach a decision. “You’ve got a visitor. You’ve got several visitors in fact. But we’re only allowing one in at a time. Just a minute. Dr Collins would you mind?”
“Of course,” Dr Collins replied, he left the room.
Dr Flores sat on the side of the bed and took Mercy’s hand. Mercy closed her eyes. Her body trembled, her breathing quickened.
No, no, no, no, no—
“You know Mercy, you really kept us on our toes. Your body took a hell of a beating back there. But you pulled through. I’ve never seen anything quite like it—” Dr Flores said.
Footsteps. Dr Flores turned towards the door. Mercy looked away, her eyes focusing on the window.
The curtains are closed—
Dr Flores released Mercy’s hand and stood up, “I’ll leave you two alone now.”
The door closed with a soft click.
“Mercy?” Rose said, her voice cracking.
Rose—?
Mercy’s breath caught in her throat.
It wasn’t a dream, it was real—
“Is he—?” Mercy said, still staring at the curtains.
“Flynn didn’t make it Mercy. I’m… sorry—” Rose replied.
Oh—
Rose sat on the side of the bed and closed her eyes.
Oh my god—
Mercy turned to look at Rose. She reached out. Rose took her hand.
“Rose, did you see—?” Mercy said.
Rose nodded, “Yes, Flynn drew that thing’s fire. Distracted it from me… us. I was able to duck under the truck. You threw the EMP grenade. The mech got Flynn. You got the mech—”
Mercy stared at Rose, “He wouldn’t have felt anything.”
Rose shook her head, “No—”
He’s gone—
“Flynn’s gone Rose, he’s really gone,” Mercy said, blinking.
Where are the tears? I should be crying—
Rose shook her head, “It’ll come Mercy. It’ll come, when you’re ready.”
I know, I know Rose—
Rose squeezed Mercy’s hand and leant forwards to embrace her. Mercy closed her eyes, her mind blank.
Two weeks later:
“So they can do it?” Mercy asked Dr Flores.
“Yes, it’s definitely possible. We were able to repulse the Missionaries before they broke through the inner defences, thanks in part to your intervention. The hospital and clinical staff weren’t injured during the attack. The surgery you all want is not without risk however. The contrast scan shows the biotech parasite is firmly embedded in your liver. The same goes for Annalise, Tawny, and Rose,” Dr Flores said, looking at them in turn.
Silence.
Mercy stood up and went to the clinic window. She glanced at Barnes, “What was that saying Barnes? Never, ever ring the bell?”
Barnes grunted, “Yeah, well, this is kind of… different—”
Mercy shook her head, “No. No, it’s not different. It’s exactly the same. I know what I’m going to do. I’m going to go for it. I’m going to have this NSA parasite removed. I’m tired. I’ve had enough.”
Annalise stood up, “It’s what we came here to do. I’m in, and once it’s done I’m going to go and find Big Bear in San Francisco, and we’re going to sink a cold one together.”
Mercy smiled, “I m
ight come along with you on that trip… for old times’ sake.”
Rose swore, “You can’t go without me. Count me in too.”
Tawny searched Travis’s eyes. He took her hand and smiled. Tawny turned to the others, “I can’t leave you reprobates to do this alone. We’re in this together. Flynn would’ve wanted us to have the surgery. Never look back, always look forwards—”
Mercy beamed at her friends, “For Flynn… for life.”
“For Flynn… for life,” the others echoed in unison.
The End
About the Author
Fergal F. Nally is an outdoors lover often to be found amongst it all in the Scottish Highlands. His passions are hillwalking, music, and reading great stories. He lives in Edinburgh. Final Mercy—The Survival Chronicles VIII is his fourteenth novel.
The Survival Chronicles | Book 8 | Final Mercy Page 26