“I’ll get straight to the point. Your brothers murdered two of my men in cold blood. Unarmed men awaiting a fair trial. That happened because we agreed to leave them in your care instead of taking them back to our camp. They’re dead because of our compromise. So now we have a situation where the killer and his accomplices will need to face justice in our military tribunal–”
Art was interrupted by a coughing fit, which ended with a wheezing exhalation. Glenn waited until it was over before responding, but his expression telegraphed his answer well before his words.
“First off, they weren’t ‘our brothers.’ They don’t even live in the city limits. That said, we’re deeply sorry the two rapists were killed by the Olsons. I won’t belabor the fact that your men wouldn’t have been in jail if they hadn’t committed the most horrible crime we’ve ever seen in our community.”
Art hacked again and was in visible pain as he answered. “They were innocent until proven guilty, and if proven so would have been executed today – but according to martial law, not a lynch mob. We left them with you because you promised to keep them safe, which your people failed to do.” He coughed again, and the bout went on for nearly thirty seconds before he sat down, gasping for breath.
Lucas stood and faced Glenn. “Regardless of how you feel about what it’s claimed those men did, Art’s right. We had a deal. We can’t allow people to attack our troops over whatever they think they might have done – that won’t stand, just as you wouldn’t want your residents to be attacked by ours. So Art’s demand that the brothers be dealt with by our military tribunal is a fair one.”
Glenn’s face darkened. “Look. You showed up here uninvited, and you’ve taken over all the land outside our gates. You’re using resources like there’s no tomorrow – resources that are finite, like the lake water and the fish in it. We’ve been courteous and willing to wait for you to leave without making trouble, but enough is enough. The brothers violated our law within the city. That puts them in our jurisdiction.”
Lucas’s smile was as grim as a mortician’s. “Right. And I’m sure they’ll get a fair trial for murdering what everyone will see as a couple of rapists – only they never got their chance to be proven as such. And now we’ll never know what happened.”
“This isn’t about whether those bastards were guilty or had it coming–” Art managed, but was cut off by a gurgling coughing fit that left him incapable of standing.
Elliot cleared his throat. “Perhaps it would be best to sleep on this for a couple of nights, and redouble the guard around the jail in the meantime? Art here is obviously not in any shape to be framing an argument to the council only hours after being shot, and it’s not as though this is an urgent matter that requires an immediate decision, is it?” Elliot shot a pointed glance at Lucas, who shrugged acquiescence. “Let’s allow the mood to cool down before discussing it any further. I feel partially responsible for the army being here – they came to our defense, after all. But even so, it’s obvious that this is complex for both the council and Art’s people, and nothing should be decided hastily or when one of the parties is at a disadvantage.”
Glenn hastily conferred with his council and, when he turned back to Art and Lucas, nodded agreement. “That’s fine. They won’t be going anywhere, and we’ll double the guard. You have my word that there won’t be any more incidents.” He looked to Art. “Take some time to mend. We appreciate you coming here to share your concerns.”
The council filed out, leaving Elliot and Lucas alone with Art, who was wheezing in his chair and appeared ready to pass out.
Elliot cleared his throat and leaned in to speak gently to Art. “It’s time to tell him, Art. You can’t do this alone.”
“Tell me what?” Lucas snapped.
Art nodded and waved a hand. “You’re right. Lucas, we need to talk.”
Elliot rose. “I’ll just go get some fresh air and leave you two to yourselves.”
Lucas watched the older man leave and sat in the seat next to Art. “Well?”
Art drew in a shallow breath. “I’m dying, Lucas.”
Lucas’s expression didn’t change. “Doc said you’ll recover. Be good as new within a few weeks, tops.”
“That’s not what’s killing me. It’s cancer.” Art gave him a dry rundown of his prognosis. When he finished, he appeared exhausted. “That’s why you need to lead the army, Lucas. I wanted you to make the choice without this playing into your decision, but now I don’t have that luxury.”
Lucas swallowed hard. “How long do you have?”
“Could be weeks, could be days. They can’t say for sure without imaging equipment, but not long. Put it this way – Elliot seems surprised every time he sees me alive.”
Lucas nodded, the pain obvious in his eyes. “Luck’s the damnedest thing, isn’t it?”
“Oh, hell, Lucas, I’ve had a good run of it. Better than most. I survived when everyone was dropping. Got to assemble a fine fighting force and lead it. A man could spend ten lifetimes and never get to do everything I have. I’ve got no regrets. Other than smoking. And I’d even probably do that all over again.” Another coughing fit seized him, and Lucas waited for it to run its course.
“I promised Sierra I would stay here with her, Art.”
Art nodded. “I figured as much. But you’re going to have to unpromise, Lucas. Or at least delay staying. This is bigger than you or me or her. This is our chance to reclaim the country and make it a decent place to live again. A chance to build a real future for everyone.” He sighed. “I won’t be around to see it. But you can make it happen. Which means you have to. Don’t see much choice in the matter.”
“Pretty sure Sierra won’t agree.”
“You’re probably right about that. But you’ve never struck me as the kind who lets anyone else do their thinking for them.” He hesitated. “I thought I could last another six months or so, Lucas. Doesn’t look like that’s the way this will play. I hate to pressure you, but you’re the natural leader. There’s nobody else to fill my shoes.”
Lucas studied Art for a long beat. “You’ve got bigger things to worry about, Art,” he said gently.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Lucas. I spent years hiding out, watching the world burn around me, and I didn’t do anything. Friends and family died, the bad guys took over, and I kept my head down and let it happen – I convinced myself that one man couldn’t change anything, so why bother trying?” He coughed up bright red blood and spit into a soiled rag before continuing. “I was wrong. One man can make the difference. I watched it happen with you. And watching you shamed me into throwing my hat into the ring. For which I’m forever grateful. It would have been horrible to die feeling like my life had been a waste.”
“I just did what I had to do.”
“Maybe. But now you have a choice, and I’m asking you as your friend, and as the leader of the army – take this battle to the miscreants behind most of our suffering. We’re in a unique position with a bunch of victories under our belt, and this will only build from here. But it needs a strong vision…and someone to follow.” Art closed his eyes. When he opened them again, they were pleading. “You’re that man, Lucas, like it or not. I hate to play the last request card if I can avoid it, but I will if I have to.”
“Art, it breaks my heart to see you like this, but you’re backing me into a corner, which I don’t appreciate. When I give my word…”
“You gave it before you had all the information. That’s a pretty good out. Look, I’m dying. The condition of the country after I pass shouldn’t matter to me. But it does. And I know you too well for you to pretend you don’t care. My death gives you the excuse you need to do the right thing. I’m asking that you do it as my dying wish.”
“You’re setting me up for failure, Art. My heart isn’t in this. It’s not my fight.”
“The hell it isn’t. It’s everyone’s. The bottom line is that if you don’t fight it, your family is going to have to, and your kids
are going to grow up in a kind of hell. Which we both know.” He gave an exasperated sigh. “I can’t believe we’re even having this discussion, Lucas. You understand this better than I do. And you’re in the unique position of being able to do something about it.” Art wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and regarded Lucas sternly. “I know you don’t want to have to go back on the trail again. Nobody in their right mind would. But you have to put that aside and do this so Sierra and Eve and those like them have a future. That’s why you need to make the sacrifice. If I could, I’d be at the front of the line. But we both know that won’t happen. Which leaves you, Lucas. There isn’t anyone else.”
Lucas helped Art to his feet and they walked back to the medical clinic with painfully slow steps, Art steadying himself with Lucas’s arm as if he’d aged thirty years in as many days.
After Lucas left him in the care of the doctor, his face was etched with a deep frown and his gaze was hard. He made his way back to his home, winding between the rusting hulks of cars on the side streets, where he knew he would be facing the most difficult discussion of his life.
Chapter 18
Sierra was waiting for Lucas when he arrived. Her body language signaled that she was on guard, with her arms crossed defensively across her chest and her jaw clenched. Lucas walked to the water jug and poured a tumbler full, and then drank deeply before turning toward her, his expression neutral.
“So? How did it go?” she asked.
“A train wreck, of course. Pissing contest over who gets to hang who.” He shook his head and took another pull on the water. “Council wants jurisdiction. Art won’t budge. Classic Mexican standoff.”
“Thank God you’re out of it.”
Lucas moved to the counter and set his glass on it. “We need to talk about that, Sierra.”
Her face seemed to melt in slow motion, the muscles slackening and the skin hanging before his eyes. She inhaled and her nostrils flared angrily.
“There’s nothing to talk about. You gave your word.”
“Things have changed.”
She shook her head. “No. Not this time. Let someone else save the world, Lucas. Nothing’s changed.”
“I wish that were true.” He broke the news about Art, and she stared at him like she didn’t understand the words.
“What does that have to do with us, Lucas?” she demanded. “So he’s sick. People get sick and die every day, in case you haven’t noticed. How does that change our agreement?”
“There’s nobody else to lead the army, Sierra.”
“Then nobody leads it. How is that a tragedy? Who says the army is even a good thing? Seems like we got along fine before it showed up. Let them fend for themselves.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“Of course it is. Stay here like you promised. Let the damned army do whatever it wants. Everyone’s counting the minutes till it leaves, anyway. There won’t be any tears in Provo when they’re gone.”
Lucas took a step toward her and she recoiled. His expression softened as he reached out to her. “Sierra, he’s dying. There’s nobody to take over. His last wish was for me to lead the troops. I can’t say no. He’s a true friend.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You mean he’s more important than I am. Than your family is.” A single tear trickled down her cheek. “You never intended to stay. It was all lies.”
Lucas moved to her and enfolded her in his arms. She sobbed quietly as he held her in silence. When he spoke, his voice was a whisper. “I’ve got to do it, Sierra. It isn’t about you. It’s about making the world safe for Eve and Tim.”
“Bullshit,” she spat into his chest. “It’s about what you want. Nothing else. Just like always. I’m supposed to go along with it and say ‘thank you’ and ‘yes, sir.’ But not this time. This was your last broken promise to me, Lucas. I can’t live like this anymore. I…can’t.”
“Don’t do this, Sierra. Please. It doesn’t have to be like that.”
“You expect me to wait for God knows how long again, wondering if you’re still alive every day, hoping you don’t get yourself killed? While I spend my nights needing a man who isn’t here? Why, Lucas? You keep talking about sacrifice and duty. What about my sacrifice, and your duty to me?”
“I don’t expect you to be happy about this, Sierra. I’m not. But I know what I have to do.”
She pushed away and turned her back to him. “And I know what I need to do. So go. Get out of here. Why delay the inevitable? You’ve shown your true colors. Your little adventures are more important to you than we are. I should have known. Men don’t change.”
Lucas stared at her without expression for several moments and then took five heavy steps to the door. “I need to let the troops know I’m taking over, and then fix things with the council, Sierra. I’ll be back later.”
“Don’t bother. You made your decision. Now I have to pick up the pieces.”
“You’re making this bigger than it has to be.”
She spun, and her eyes blazed as she stared him down. “You think so? You’re leaving, maybe forever, and I have to take care of the kids by myself, provide for them, defend them without help. Just like always. Lucas, you tell yourself you’re a man of honor who lives by his word. But the truth is your promises are as worthless as paper dollars. So go. Go off on your pointless crusade. But don’t expect me to be waiting for you if you manage to make it back. I’m done waiting for any man.”
Lucas hesitated and then nodded slowly and opened the door. He stepped outside and pulled it closed behind him, Sierra’s muffled sobs following him out.
The streets were empty and the sky was gray from storm clouds, the air heavy with moisture and redolent of wet earth and ozone. Lightning crackled in the distance over the mountains and was answered by deafening roars of thunder, announcing the imminent arrival of rain. Lucas hurried to the town gates, pushed past the barricade, and closed the distance to the encampment in minutes in long, measured strides.
When he arrived, he told Art’s lieutenants to summon the troops, and waited with eyes on the broiling clouds as the men assembled. When it appeared there was little time left before the heavens opened and drenched them, he called for silence and began speaking.
“I’ll make this short. Art’s stepping down as commander of the army, and I’m taking over. He’s sick and doesn’t know how much time he has left. I’ll assume all duties. Everyone who reports to him will now report to me. We’ll make ready to move out within the week.” He surveyed the men, whose faces registered shock and surprise. “Any questions?”
“How long does he have?” Sam asked.
“No way of knowing, but not long. He’s got lung cancer, and it’s spread. The wound from the attack was just the last straw.”
“Jesus…”
Lucas nodded. “Yes. But it is what it is. He wanted me to take over for him, and I agreed. So now I’ll be meeting with him to come up with a plan of action. In the meantime, I want everyone to prepare to move out. I don’t want to have to wait days on end when it’s time. Am I clear?”
He paused, waiting for more questions. When none came, he adjusted his hat as the first heavy drops of rain peppered the ground around him. “I don’t want anyone going near town without my authorization for the duration. No exceptions. We’ve worn out our welcome, so now we need to keep our heads down and let everyone get on with their lives. Stick to the camp except for foraging and fishing expeditions. Under no circumstances is anyone to have any contact with the townspeople. You don’t want to test me by violating that order.”
A thunderclap boomed overhead, and the downpour began in earnest. Lucas cupped his hands and yelled, “That’s all. Now take cover and put out some containers to catch what we can of the rain.”
The men scrambled to the tents, and Sam ambled over to Lucas, who seemed unfazed by the rain.
“Let me know what you need from me, Lucas. Sorry to hear about Art. But I kind of suspected something was wrong.
He hasn’t been looking good for a while. Still, what a damn shame. That man seemed like he was indestructible. To be brought down by that…”
“I’ll keep you posted. For now, I want you to get everyone ready. We probably won’t move out until Art’s…until it’s over, but I want them busy and focused on the next leg. Won’t do to give them too much time to think. And we’ll need to scrounge enough supplies to make it for several months of hard marching. That won’t happen overnight.”
“We’ve been doing that already, but we still have a ways to go. Food’s going to be the big hurdle. We’ll probably have to hunt and forage as we go.”
“Fine. We’ll do whatever we have to do. And prepare a tent for me. I’ll be staying in camp from here on out.”
Sam blinked twice but otherwise didn’t react. “You got it.”
Lucas nodded, and a stream of water ran from his hat brim. “I’m headed back into town to let the council know. You’re in charge until I return.”
Lucas’s boots were heavy with mud when he found Glenn at his headquarters. The deluge had slowed to a drizzle, and Lucas’s trail jacket was as slick as eel skin when he entered.
Glenn looked up from his desk with a sour frown. “What now?”
“I want to let you know what we decided and update you on some things.”
Glenn gestured at the walls of his office. “You have the floor.”
“Art’s on his last legs, so I’m taking over the army. Since I’m in charge now, I see no point in making the Olson brothers a big problem. Yes, they attacked our men, and Art’s right that technically that makes them ours to deal with, but I don’t want to rock the boat – and I’m not so sure I wouldn’t have shot that pair myself if put in the same situation. So I’ll let you deal with them instead of us, and recommend you go light on the two brothers who broke Eric out. As for Eric…Art has no truck with him, so it’s up to you how to punish him for shooting the rapists.”
Glenn’s eyes remained locked on Lucas’s as he nodded slowly. “You sure about this? I don’t want any last minute changes once I tell the council.”
The Day After Never - Nemesis (Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Thriller - Book 9) Page 9