The Mother Warrior

by Marilyn Donnellan

  The enthusiastic and hopeful murmurs had now turned into worried frowns.

  After Jose’s murder, Henry was appointed head of the security team. He now stood at the back of the council meeting.

  “Henry, will you please work with your security detail to develop strategies to prepare for trouble when we get to Ontario?”

  “Yes, Mother. We will be ready.”

  Brogan decided to adjourn the meeting, so everyone could prepare for departure the next day.

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Mac’s Journey

  There were no glitches in Mac’s final flight to get supplies to Vista Point. The Portland BL rebels were a great help in loading the supplies on and off the drones. He wished he could just take the synergy jet back to Portland and meet the clan at Vista Point, but Papa Marco needed the jet for transporting medical supplies across the Texas Province.

  By May 1st Mac was ready to leave Tegucigalpa to try and catch up with the clan. Although he originally planned to take the train part of the way, with a robo-cart stored on the train for the rest of the journey, word came from the BL rebels in Mexico City that the imperial troops had destroyed several sections of the rails to disrupt produce delivery to citizens.

  It wasn’t enough for citizens to be starving but for the king and queen to add to the problems by disrupting the badly needed rail service was just horrific, in Mac’s estimation. Fortunately, for many of the citizens in Mexico City and south, the climate allowed for year-round produce growth.

  Many refugees from the north, now living in the former countries of Mexico and Central America, learned how to grow their own food on small patches of land, cleared in the jungle and away from the imperial troops’ view. As a result, starvation was less of a problem the further south escaping refugees traveled.

  Mac was in the process of loading a large robo-car (more of a robo-truck) with supplies for his trip north to meet the clan, when word was received of the successful attack by the rebels on the jets in San Antonio. It boded well for the rebels’ future. He was glad for them. But all he could think about was getting to Brogan and the clan. No one had heard anything from them since they left Las Vegas, and he was worried.

  Professor Schneider tapped him on the shoulder as he was loading a large container of supplies into the trunk.

  “Mac, just wanted to say ‘good-bye,’ and hope you have a great trip. Wish I was going with you.”

  Mac straightened up and then picked up his little buddy and squeezed him hard.

  “Hey, put me down, big lug!”

  Mac laughed. “Just wanted to let you know what you will be missing when I’m gone, buddy.”

  The professor rubbed his ribs and grumbled, “Won’t miss that!”

  “Ah, just funnin’ with you. You be careful with all that lethal stuff you tinker with. Wouldn’t want to hear you blew yourself up.”

  Professor Schneider looked indignant. “I don’t make those kinds of mistakes, thank you very much. And you be careful traveling north. You don’t know who or what you might run into.”

  “Yes, sir!” Mac said emphatically, as he gave the professor a big grin and a salute after he tightened the load and then swung himself up into the driver’s seat of the robo-truck. “I’ll try to send you word when I get to Vista Point. Take care of yourself.”

  The professor handed him a large wrapped package.

  “Here is something I’ve been working on. It’s a new kind of weapon. The instructions on how to use it are inside. Be careful with it. It is very lethal. Thought you might like to try it out if you get into trouble.”

  With thanks and a wave, Mac programed the robo-truck to head north. With a rumble, the big vehicle took off, leaving the professor literally in the dust, who shook his head sadly and returned to his lab.

  Mac sat back in the body-molding seat and tried to relax. He estimated it would take him a couple of days hard driving to get to Las Vegas. He looked around the cabin of the vehicle. He had arranged a nest among all the supplies crammed into the interior. Everything was within easy reach: food, water, laser guns. The professor gave him a miniature AI as a navigation tool and to help deal with any problems which he might run into. Due to the limited supply of the mini-AI’s, he was flattered the general and professor insisted he take one with him on the trip.

  Now, as he picked up the AI, he asked it if there was any way to connect with the AI Brogan was using. The AI was silent for a few seconds. “Negative.”

  “Do you see any sign of imperial troops between here and Las Vegas?”

  “There appears to be a group of marines stationed at the old Luke Air Force Base outside of Phoenix.”

  “Program the robo-truck’s route to avoid the marines. Advise me of any imperial troops in the vicinity or any other dangers. I’m going to take a nap.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The robo-truck was solar-powered, with auxiliary power units, allowing it to run without recharging for almost twenty-four hours. Mac was so exhausted from the two trips back and forth to Vista Point with supplies, and then loading up the robo-truck, he slept almost the entire trip to Phoenix. He was awakened by a loud chime from the AI.

  “Sir, we are on the outskirts of Phoenix. I have programmed the robo-truck to circumvent the city on the east side. It is now 9 am. It is necessary to unfold the solar panels on top of the vehicle to recharge the solar cells. Do you want to stop for the recharge or continue traveling while the recharge occurs?”

  “Take us away from the city to avoid population areas and then find an area to recharge. I need to get out and stretch my legs a bit.”

  “Yes, sir. There is a trail we can take to the east. About twenty miles outside of the city there is a blind canyon where we could stop to recharge the cells.”

  The cells were recharged in four hours. Mac had time to reconstitute something to eat, take a walk to stretch his legs, and admire the colors and formations of the desert.

  He returned to the robo-truck when the AI notified him the cells were charged. Within another nineteen hours he made it to Pendleton, Oregon, but still no sign of Brogan and the clan.

  “Any signs of the clan?” he asked the AI when they stopped for a break.

  “Yes, sir. I can tell from the tracks on the trail a large caravan passed this way recently. There appear to be a group of the larger robo-carts in the center, with the smaller, faster robo-carts on the outer fringes of the caravan, apparently serving as security.”

  “Good. Can you reach Brogan’s AI yet?”

  “I will try, Sir.”

  Suddenly, Mac could hear laser guns firing. Startled, he looked up as the AI projected a magnifying hologram in the air in front of him. He could see the clan was under attack by a gang on motorcycles. It looked like the clan had formed a protective circle and were returning laser fire.

  “How far away are there?” Mac asked urgently as he scrambled back into the robo-truck.

  “About ten miles west.”

  “Let’s go. Get the lead out.”

  “Pardon me, sir?”

  “That means, get going as fast as we can!”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Mac was suddenly thrown back in the seat as the AI reprogrammed the robo-truck to a much faster speed than it had traveled so far. Since there was no paved road, it was a rough ride, but the body-molding seats and the automatic seatbelts across his torso and lap held him firmly in place. The large tires allowed the truck to easily travel over ruts and large rocks. He reached over to grab the proto-type of the new gamma-ray rifle the professor gave him as a going-away present. He had already reviewed the instructions

  Within minutes, Mac could see the dust ahead from the motorcycles racing around the outside of the clan’s caravan. It looked like the clan was taking quite a beating. The motorcyclists appeared to be ridden by hobos, dressed in a hodge-podge of outfits and carrying old-fashioned rifles, as well as more modern laser rifles. Undoubtedly, the hobos were hoping to rob the caravan.

&n
bsp; “Open the sunroof,” Mac commanded the robo-truck.

  He unfastened his seatbelts, stood up and brought the gamma-ray rifle up, resting it on the roof. Not bothering to use a sight, he pointed it at the largest bunch of cyclists and pushed a button.

  Without a sound, the cyclists were obliterated. His eyes widened as he saw the impact of the professor’s latest toy. A big grin split his face and he again pointed it at a group of cyclists, with the same results. Within minutes the other hobos realized their numbers were quickly being decimated by the weapon and sped away.

  “AI, notify Brogan of who I am before her security forces decide to blow me away.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He heard someone yell, “Cease fire.” And there she was, the woman he loved, her white hair blowing in the wind, at the edge of the caravan. A lump formed in his throat at the sight of Brogan. He swallowed the lump and stepped out of the truck, leaving the rifle behind.

  Surrounded by her security detail, she limped toward him, shielding her eyes from the sun. As she got closer, she realized who it was, and a beautiful smile crossed her face and she began to move faster toward him.

  He broke into a run, but before he reached her, the security team stepped in front of her.

  “It’s okay. This is a friend; a very, very good friend.”

  And then Brogan fell into his arms. He couldn’t believe it. She was in his arms at last. Right where he had wanted her to be for so long.

  “Oh, Mac, I’ve missed you so much.”

  Brogan pulled back and looked up at him, tears in her eyes. She reached up and touched his face.

  Without a word, he gently kissed her. Wonder of wonders, she kissed him back. Had he died and gone to heaven? If so, he didn’t want to come back to earth.

  Vaguely, he heard cheering in the background, but he ignored it for just a little bit longer. Finally, he had to come up for a breath. He looked into her eyes and saw in her eyes the love he so long felt for her.

  “Looks like we have a lot to talk about, my love.”

  “I guess we do,” Brogan said. For some reason she seemed short of breath and was blushing.

  Mac grinned. It was the first time he had seen Brogan blush. And to think he was the cause.

  Then he was almost knocked off his feet when Emily bowled into him.

  “Mac! How are you? And what are you doing kissing my mother? Are you going to be my new daddy?”

  Everyone started laughing. It was exactly the right thing to say.

  Brogan took his hand and led him into the circle of robo-cars, where Mac was greeted as a hero. People were slapping him on the back and telling him thanks for saving their lives. Apparently, the hobo attack had been going on for several hours. Several people had been killed and they weren’t sure how much longer they were going to be able to hold on.

  Mac had, without a doubt, saved the clan. Now it was time to finish the journey the Mother Warrior had started; the journey to build a peaceful rebellion to save the empire.

  Chapter Forty

  The Clan Begins the Peaceful Fight

  It was the middle of winter at Vista Point. The clan had settled into the warren of caves and even managed to clear some forest area behind the Point for a lodge and crops. Fortunately, the mild weather allowed the clan to plant late season crops and harvest them before the first snow flurries in November.

  As she expected, the clan did not take long to establish a council form of government, appointing representatives and a set of flexible laws by which they agreed to be governed.

  Now, almost six months after their arrival, the clan members were busy building a small village and everything that entailed: infrastructure, security, a school, recreation, and even a small cultural group.

  Brogan and Mac explored their newly revealed love and were planning a Spring wedding. It would be the first for the clan.

  Not only was Emily excited about helping plan the wedding, but Brogan had been keeping her busy learning spy craft. Brilliant, like her mother, she picked up techniques very quickly. Mac was often the brunt of her learning stealth. He would be calmly working on something when she seemed to appear out of nowhere.

  “Good grief, woman,” he yelled after one particularly sudden appearance when he was out on the Vista Point parapet, carving a walking stick for Brogan. Although chilly, the sun had made a rare appearance. He was taking advantage of the light to better see what he was doing.

  “Can’t you at least warn me before you jump out at me? I could have gone over the side!”

  “Hah. You’re six-feet away from the edge. You are just a scare-dee cat. If I let you know I was going to jump at you what would be the point in that?” Emily laughed. “Besides, it’s fun to watch such a big guy jump. I now know six different ways to kill you before you even knew what hit you, so there!”

  Without a word, Mac grabbed her, and none too gently picked her up and threw her over his knees. Emily started to squeal, afraid he was going to spank her rear-end.

  “See, not as fast as you thought you were, huh?”

  “Okay, you’ve proved your point. You can put me down now,” she said, traying to sound indignant.

  Mac knew her well enough by now to recognize the smile trying to break through at the corners of her mouth as he helped her stand up. Then they both started to laugh.

  “How are your studies going?”

  “Good! I love it. Mom says I will probably be ready to take a test spying excursion to Portland on my one in the Spring.”

  “That’s great, Em. Now, where is that wife-to-be of mine?”

  “Not sure, Mac. Last I saw her, she was helping one of the midwives deliver a baby in the southeast cave. Why, what do you need?”

  “Oh, nothin’. I just like to keep my eyes on her, so she doesn’t get into trouble.”

  Just then, Brogan could be seen gingerly moving up the worn steps from the caves to the point. Emily and Mac stood in companionable silence, watching her and knowing how much every step hurt her. The damp climate was not good for her arthritis, but she never complained.

  When she reached the couple, she smiled and glanced at the beautiful carvings Mac was working on.

  “Mac, that’s beautiful. I had no idea you were so talented.”

  “That’s going to be one of the joys of being married to me, woman. I’m just full of surprises,” he said with his big grin as he put his arm around her.

  “What’s it for?”

  “Well, I was going to surprise you, but since it is just about finished, you might as well know. It is a walking stick. I thought with all the steps and hills around here it might be something you could use.”

  “Oh, Mac, it is gorgeous. I really don’t think I need it, but since you made it, I will use it with pride.”

  Mac and Emily looked surreptitiously at each other. They knew she would never admit she needed a walking stick.

  “I should have it finished in another hour or so. You look tired, honey. Why don’t you go rest for a while?”

  “I’m fine, sweetheart,” she said with a smile as she reached up to give him a kiss. “But I think I might go to my cave and work on the agenda for the next council meeting, unless there is something you need.”

  “Why don’t you work on it right here? The sun will do you good and I’d enjoy your company while I finish this.”

  Brogan pulled out her AI pod from the large pocket in her jumpsuit and sat down to work on a large stone bench carved into the side of the wall. She looked up from the pod when Emily spoke.

  “Mom, I’m going to meet some of the White Warriors in the training area and do a work out before dinner. Call me if you need anything.”

  “Ok, Emily.”

  Mac watched Brogan’s face as she followed Emily’s departure with her eyes. He saw such sadness in eyes.

  He walked over and sat beside her.

  “What’s bothering you, my love?”

  Brogan looked up at him and sighed. “You know me so well. She is
growing up so fast; too fast. I really didn’t want to teach her spy craft, but I knew if I didn’t she might join the rebels as a fighter. It wouldn’t have broken my heart to see her have to deal with killing someone.”

  Mac gently took her swollen hand and said nothing. He knew there really wasn’t anything he could say to ease her pain: physical and emotional. She laid her head against his shoulder. He felt a lump form in his throat. He wished he could take her pain away, but this was her journey. All he could do was be with her.

  The couple sat quietly as the sun began to set, watching as the sky turned into brilliant shades of yellow, orange and purple. From high above the Columbia River, they never got enough of the beauty surrounding them. As the last rays of the sun shimmered on the mighty river and the air began to chill, it was a good thing neither of them knew what the future held.

  This was a rare moment of peace for the Mother Warrior and her consort, soldier, best friend, and soon to be husband.

  Don’t Miss the Next Book in The Book Liberators Series!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Marilyn L. Donnellan defines the modern Renaissance woman. An artist, writer, wife and mother, she also has a successful career as a nonprofit Chief Executive Officer, consultant, motivational speaker and trainer. She is the author of the science fiction series: The Book Liberators, and more than 60 books, guides, webinars and training modules on nonprofit management. Her fiction murder mystery, Give ‘til it Hurts, is based on her first-hand knowledge of domestic violence. Two Faces of Me is the story of her odyssey with Sophie Longhoofer, a character she often personifies in her motivational speaking. Donnellan has a BA degree in Human Resources Management and an MS degree in Administration.

  Connect with Marilyn Donnellan

  mldonnellanauthor@gmail. com

  www. mldonnellan.com

  www.amazon.com/author/mldonnellan