The Day After Never - Nemesis (Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Thriller - Book 9)

by Russell Blake

  “Then why do you need me?” Snake asked, sensing a trap.

  “You’ve proven to be more than resourceful,” Elijah said. “I want to ensure we’ve got our best minds on it when we get to the tunnel. There may be obstacles we haven’t foreseen, and I need people who can think on their feet.”

  Snake digested the flattery but displayed no emotion. “Sounds straightforward. You hide the canister in the tunnel, wire it however you need to, and then set it off when they’re all in. What am I missing?”

  Elijah steepled his fingers. “It should be that simple. If it is, we hit the jackpot. But if it isn’t, you’ll be on site to help.” He paused. “We’re leaving shortly. The tunnel’s about sixty miles from here. The army’s a little over a hundred, but isn’t moving out until tomorrow. If we push it, we can get there before they do and rig everything. But we’ll have to ride hard.”

  Benjamin sat forward. “It’ll be tough on the animals. The tunnel’s at over eleven thousand feet, so the air’s going to be thin there, and on the approach. We’ll need to cover thirty miles a day to be safe, but it’ll be just as hard for the army to reach it. They’ll be lucky if they manage fifteen a day.”

  “Sounds close.”

  “It will be. But we can do it,” Elijah said.

  “How big a force you figure you’ll need?” Snake asked.

  “Size won’t be as important as having the right men and being able to move fast. We’re thinking no more than a hundred.”

  “What about the huge army you were going to raise?” Snake asked, his tone neutral.

  Elijah waved the question away. “Unnecessary. Between the canister and the tunnel, we won’t need a massive force.”

  “How do you plan to create the avalanche? Won’t they hear the explosives if they’re nearby?”

  “Not if they’re over twenty miles away. Which is why we have to hurry. I’ve already put out word to gather everything and be ready to ride within the hour.”

  Snake tried to think of a way out, but couldn’t.

  “Then I’d better get my horse prepped,” he said.

  Benjamin nodded. “That’s the idea. We’ll bring some extra animals in case some don’t make it. The altitude can be a killer if we push them too hard. Everyone will have a spare.”

  Snake stood. “Anything special I need to bring?”

  Elijah shook his head. “Just yourself and whatever you’d use on the trail. We’ll take care of the rest.”

  Snake returned to his room to pack, his thoughts racing. It was equally possible that Elijah planned to kill him at the tunnel, or that he simply wanted to keep an eye on him while he and Benjamin were gone. The preacher was paranoid, so either might make sense from his perspective.

  Whatever the case, Snake would be on guard. Since he didn’t know anything about explosives, he could beg off anything he felt would endanger him. And if Elijah did try anything, Snake would be prepared – and he would repay the favor in spades. He’d survived too much to allow some amateur megalomaniac to take him down. Benjamin, though, was a different threat altogether. He radiated the sort of calm confidence that would be dangerous if it came down to a fight, and he would be the first target Snake would have to neutralize if things went sideways.

  Although he and Elijah were natural adversaries, the bright spot was that they both wanted the same thing: Lucas and his army destroyed, with nothing left but charred bones. If that could be accomplished, Snake would figure out how to make his exit. He could come up with a workable plan once he saw the terrain and understood the scenario better.

  That Elijah would eventually try to double-cross him was a given. Snake had never doubted it would happen since they’d agreed to work together. But Elijah was overconfident and had become more so once back in Denver surrounded by his acolytes – a character weakness that Snake could use against him.

  He fished a vial from his pocket and tapped out the last of his meth into the glass pipe he kept in his saddlebag, lit it, and inhaled the fumes. The drug’s surge constricted his veins until they felt like they would explode, and his entire body hummed like a vibrating engine. He gasped as the top of his head seemed ready to blow off, and then the initial rush diminished, leaving him tingling and full of energy, capable of doing anything, an unstoppable force to be reckoned with.

  His pupils shrank to pinpoints as he looked around, and he tried to light the blackish residue in the pipe bowl again, but with no success. He resisted the urge to hurl it across the room in frustration and instead busied himself with cleaning it before carefully repacking it in the depth of his bag and hurriedly gathering the rest of his belongings.

  Snake did a final check of the quarters, and when he was sure he’d gotten everything, shouldered his rifle and saddlebags and stepped into the hall, where his escorts were waiting. He gave them a lopsided, manic grin, his eyes glittering from the high, and spoke louder than he’d intended.

  “Well? What are we waiting for? Let’s get this party started!”

  Chapter 33

  Glenwood Springs, Colorado

  A soldier came running from the western camp perimeter and stopped outside Lucas’s command tent, breathing heavily in the thin air.

  “Sir!” he called. “Sir! Are you here? It’s important!”

  Lucas’s voice rang out moments later. “Yes. What is it?”

  “New arrivals.”

  The tent flap flew aside and Lucas stepped into the sunlight, followed by Duke and Sam.

  “What do you mean, new arrivals?”

  “They’ll be here in a minute,” the soldier said.

  Duke glowered at him. “Stop playing ga–”

  The sudden appearance of Sierra and the children, with Elliot by their side, stopped the trader mid-sentence. Lucas’s mouth dropped open before closing into a thin line.

  “What are you doing here?” he asked in astonishment.

  Sierra didn’t slow. When she reached Lucas, she threw her arms around him and kissed him on the lips. He pulled away and stared into her eyes. “Sierra…”

  “I decided that if you’re going to be gone forever, we’ll come with you.”

  “We discussed this–”

  “No. You told me how things were going to be, and I reacted. That’s not the same as a discussion. But I had time to think, and this is what I decided.”

  Lucas looked to Elliot. “You couldn’t talk her out of it?”

  “Dumb question,” Sierra said.

  Elliot nodded. “I explained why it was a bad idea, but she’s got her own mind.”

  Lucas eyed the older man. “And what are you doing with her?”

  Elliot shrugged. “I figured you might need some help.”

  “Help? My family’s now in danger. What kind of help were you thinking?”

  Sierra stared him down. “Lucas, we were already in danger in Provo. Elliot more than explained why. I figured we would be safer surrounded by your army than waiting like sitting ducks if anyone attacked Provo.”

  Lucas took a deep, calming breath. “Sierra, the trail’s no place for children.”

  “That’s funny, considering that most of our time together we’ve been on it. This is no different, Lucas. You’re just making it that way. It doesn’t have to be.”

  “We’re a fighting force, Sierra. We’re going to war.”

  Elliot cleared his throat. “All due respect, Lucas, the whole country’s been at war for years.”

  Lucas glared at the older man. “You’re not helping. This is between Sierra and me.”

  Sierra placed a hand on his arm. “Lucas, we’ve been riding for over a week. This is a done deal. Don’t make it any harder.”

  He shook his head. “No. I’m not going to let you stay. I’ll assign a squad to take you back.”

  “That isn’t going to happen, Lucas. You don’t own me. It’s a free country, and I can go where I want.”

  Lucas glanced at Elliot and then at Duke. “Would you excuse us?”

  Elliot nodded. �
��I’ll watch the children.”

  “And we’ll go inspect something,” Duke said, nudging Sam.

  “Right,” Sam said. “Inspect.”

  Elliot took Eve and Tim by the hands and led them a few yards away, and Sam and Duke hurried off. Lucas glared at Sierra and pointed at the tent. “Inside.”

  Sierra bristled, but thought better of challenging Lucas and instead ducked into the tent. Lucas followed her and stood at the entrance with his hands on his hips.

  “You shouldn’t have come.”

  She rolled her eyes. “We already covered that. We’re here. And we’re not going anywhere. So get used to it, Lucas. Your family needs you whether you like it or not. I didn’t sign up to spending my life waiting on any man, not even you. So better make room in this tent for us.”

  His mouth worked, but no sound came out.

  “Lucas, I know you mean well, but this is what’s best for us,” she continued. “To be together. And it isn’t like you don’t have any women with you already. Ruby’s here. So it will be like old times. Only with five thousand guards to keep us safe.”

  “Sierra…you defied my direct order to stay in Provo.”

  Her eyebrows arched. “Order? I wasn’t aware I had to take orders from you, General. Should I call you sir and salute, too? This army thing’s new to me.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “You told me you were going off God knows where, and I had to suck it up whether I liked it or not. I decided not to, and here we are.” Her tone softened and she stepped closer. “How about instead of fighting about something that’s a done deal, we make love, not war?”

  “I…Sierra, think about the kids. Even if you don’t care about risking your own life, what about Tim and Eve?”

  “They’ve lived with constant danger since they were babies, Lucas. This is safer than most of their lives have been. It isn’t an issue. Even Elliot admitted that there was a decent chance the Illuminati would come after us in Provo if he stayed. So what was the point in waiting for them to show up?”

  “That argument doesn’t hold water. He didn’t stay.”

  “He only left after we’d been gone for a couple of days. Ask him. Don’t take my word for it.” She tiptoed and kissed his cheek. “Seriously, Lucas. Is this so terrible?”

  “It isn’t that, and you know it.”

  “I’ll make you a deal. Let’s try this out for a week or two and see how you like it. If it’s a big problem, we can revisit it.”

  His gaze hardened. “I’m sending you back, Sierra. This conversation’s over.”

  “You can try, but we’ll just follow you, which will be way more dangerous than if we’re with you.”

  He stepped away from her and paced. “Why can’t you do as I ask?”

  “Because you’re wrong on this one, Lucas. Don’t feel bad. It happens to everyone. You’re not perfect.”

  That brought a smile to his lips in spite of his mood. “You seem so sure.”

  She closed the distance between them again. “Because I’m right. And if you give it some time, you’ll see I am.” She hesitated. “What’s the worst that can happen? Nobody’s attacking us, are they? I’m not saying I want to drag the kids into battle. I’m not crazy, Lucas. I’ll listen to you when the time comes. But for now there’s no reason we can’t be together.”

  “This is crazy.”

  “Just try it.” It was her turn to smile. “I’ll make it worth your while.”

  He shook his head. “You drive a hard bargain.”

  “The stakes are too high to lose this one.” She looked around. “Now, where’s the bedroll?”

  “This isn’t where I sleep. We use it for meetings when we’re camped.”

  “Where’s ours?”

  “It’s a simple two-man tent, Sierra.”

  “Perfect for a couple. The kids have their own. We’ll figure it out.”

  Lucas led Sierra out and showed her where his shelter was, and she went to get her horse and collect the children. Shortly thereafter, Elliot returned to the command tent and Lucas showed him inside.

  “Why, Elliot? Why the sudden about-face?”

  “I thought about where I could do the most good, and it wasn’t burying my head in the sand in Provo. If you’re going to tackle the Illuminati, you’re going to need my help. It’s fortuitous that I came across Sierra on the trail, but that wasn’t my primary motivation for coming.”

  “How did you envision helping me?”

  “For starters, I can handle anything you don’t want to. Organizational issues. As you’re aware, I’ve got some experience in that regard.”

  “Duke’s already doing that.”

  “Good. If he needs any assistance, two heads are better than one.” Elliot rubbed a hand over his white beard. “And I can provide valuable tactical and strategic council on how the Illuminati are likely to defend themselves, and what the best way of rooting them out and eradicating them will be depending on their moves.”

  “I make all command decisions here, Elliot. This isn’t a democracy.”

  “Of course. I completely understand.”

  Lucas nodded. “As long as you’re clear that all orders come from me, you’re more than welcome. You’ve got a lot more experience with large groups than me. And Duke isn’t the best at logistics, although he’s doing his best.”

  “Feeding an army isn’t easy.”

  “As I’ve discovered.” Lucas paused. “Then it’s decided. I’ll get Duke and Sam in here and let them know you’re going to be my right-hand man. I suspect they’ll be relieved.”

  “It’ll all work out for the best. I have no interest in empire building. I just want to see the vermin destroyed once and for all.”

  Lucas smiled grimly. “That makes two of us.”

  Chapter 34

  Silverthorne, Colorado

  Three days had gone by since the army had departed Greenwood, and the going had gotten progressively slower as the route grew steeper. The prior day they had managed twelve miles before calling it quits, and the day before just over fifteen, with the horses and men alike struggling with the effects of the altitude. That morning, after consulting with Elliot, Lucas had called another rest so the army could provision again. Elliot had advised him it was worth taking a break while they had access to Dillon Reservoir and its bounty of fish, and Lucas had agreed.

  The locals in Silverthorne numbered fewer than a hundred, most having relocated to Denver to escape the brutal winters, but there was a trading post and a scout who was willing to advise them on the best areas to fish. Lucas had issued instructions that they would wait until they were completely restocked with food before crossing the summit eight miles away, and after assuring himself that Elliot and Duke had the restocking effort under control, had ridden off to evaluate the tunnels that the scout had told them were the only way to expeditiously make it over the peak. He’d taken to riding ahead of the army to check on route conditions every day, and had announced that morning he intended to do the same as they approached the peak.

  “At least take a few men,” Sam advised. “Just in case.”

  “What, of a bear attack? There’s nothing up here but us.” Lucas shook his head. “It’s only a few hours’ ride each way. I’ll be back well before nightfall.”

  “It’s never a good idea for the commander to light out on his own. I don’t know why you insist on doing this. It’s exposing you to unnecessary risk.”

  “It’s the right of the commander to decide how he spends his day,” Lucas fired back.

  Sam studied Lucas’s face. “Everything okay with Sierra?”

  Lucas turned without answering and recovered his saddle from his tent, and then made for where Tango was corralled beside the rest of the officers’ horses. He whistled for the stallion, who came at a trot, and saddled the big horse up. Lucas checked his M4 and his Kimber before climbing into the saddle, and then they were off, moving swiftly up the highway toward a snowcapped peak that jutted into
the turquoise sky. Tango settled into a comfortable pace, and Lucas let the stallion have his head, staying to the shoulder to make it easier on his hooves than the pavement.

  Cotton clouds hung low over the summit as he rode along the steep grade, rifle in hand, eyes continuously searching the road ahead. The long days of being a glorified administrator had been wearing on him, and it felt good to be on his own, free to point Tango wherever he liked, without being weighed down with endless responsibilities he’d never asked for. Every day that he headed the army on its march across the country, he regretted his decision to command it. But he’d given his word, and he was committed to doing his best, even if the tedium of heading the force wore at him like acid rain.

  He knew that it would get worse once they were on the other side of the Rockies, having made the journey north before and remembering the paucity of resources they would encounter. But there was no other choice – they needed the fuel that Houston was producing if they were going to have a real chance of defeating the Illuminati, and there was only one way to get there. His hope was they could make it halfway across the country without anyone alerting their enemy, but knew the chances were slim, which meant that they’d be facing the most brutal fight of their short existence on the enemy’s home turf.

  Lucas was approaching the final grade that led to the tunnels when Tango snorted and slowed. Lucas leaned forward, eyes probing the trees ahead, and patted the stallion’s neck.

  “What is it, boy?”

  He reined Tango to a halt and dismounted, and then led him into the forest and tied him to a tree before continuing toward the tunnel on foot, M4 at the ready. He stayed in the brush, avoiding the road, and crept slowly forward, taking care to make as little noise as possible.

  He rounded a bend, and only one tunnel came into view. The other had been blocked by a landslide, and there was no evidence of the opening other than a pile of rocks and dirt covering half the road – fresh, by the looks of it, he noted by the absence of foliage.