by Robert Boren
“We blow cover, shoot thugs, then we take off in Volvos. Many Volvos. Hit 405 and meet again in Santa Clarita. Understanding?”
“Yeah, Jules, we got it,” Tex said, picking up an RPG. He pointed it towards the van in the center and fired, the van leaping into the air, Islamists and UN Peacekeepers running for cover as the people downstairs opened up with automatic fire. Robbie picked up an RPG and hit another of the vehicles, Sparky doing the same. Tex brought up his BAR and wailed away at the fleeing enemy fighters.
“They too stupid to live,” Jules yelled, laughing hard as he fired an RPG into a vehicle trying to do a K-turn. It was hit broadside and rolled into a large group of enemy fighters.
“Look at that,” Sparky said, pointing to a police vehicle with a battering ram on the front. It was speeding towards the front of the dealership.
“Stop that,” Jules yelled.
Tex picked up his RPG and fired, but missed. “It’s moving too fast. I can’t hit it from here. Better go downstairs.”
“No, stand back,” Jules said, getting into one of the Volvos, just above the front where the battering ram was headed. He backed up, then floored the vehicle, rolling out of the driver’s seat as the car broke through the façade and fell down the front of the building. It landed on the battering ram vehicle just as it was punching through the wall. Both vehicles burst into flames.
Sparky laughed. “You crazy son of a bitch.”
“Hey, it work,” Jules shouted, laughing with glee. “Come, drive down ramp. Take weapons. We leave before more come.” He called Ted.
“Was that you, you crazy old devil?” Ted asked.
“Yeah. Round up girls. Get them into vehicles. Take Volvos in lot. Keys in. Meet in Santa Clarita.”
“What about the under aged girls?”
“Take for now. No choice. Go. We taking vehicles off roof. Meet by gate. Be ready to shoot our way out.”
They all got into vehicles and started them, rolling down the ramp one after another as the gunfire stopped.
“Morgan!” Robbie called as he got onto the back lot. She saw him and ran over, getting into the car with her M-16. Gil and Karen joined them, Justin and Katie getting into their own car and following. The rest of the group were in cars now, flying out the driveway and onto the street littered with bodies and broken vehicles.
“Go down to Sepulveda and make a right, then another right,” Morgan said. “There’s a ramp to the northbound 405 right there.”
“Got it,” Robbie said, flying onto the street. Some gunfire erupted. Gil pointed his rifle out the window and fired, hitting the man shooting at them, then cocking his 30-30 and hitting another who was next to him.
“Nice shooting,” Robbie shouted.
“There were only two of them,” Gil shouted as they careened onto Culver Boulevard and raced up the on-ramp, Justin and Katie following, then Dana and three of the under-aged girls. Sparky, Tex, Jules, Ted, Jordan, and the rest followed them in more new Volvos.
“Think we’ll get stopped?” Karen asked, breath coming fast, finger still on the trigger of her M-16.
“It’s gonna be hard for them to do it,” Robbie said.
“They might have put up a roadblock,” Morgan said.
“Then we’ll blow through it,” Robbie said. “I tossed one of the RPGs in the back. See it, Gil?”
“Yeah,” he said. “Maybe I’m sick, but that was kinda fun.”
“Well get used to it,” Robbie said. “You should have been with us at the Torrance City Hall attack. Holy shit.”
The line of Volvos flew down the freeway, weaving in and out of the mid-day traffic.
“What’s going to happen to those girls?” Karen asked.
“We’ll have to deal with that in Santa Clarita, I guess.” Robbie said.
“They all wanted to join,” Morgan said. “Maybe they get their wish.”
“God, I hope not,” Karen said. “They’re so young.”
“None of us are ready for this,” Morgan said. “We do what we have to do.”
“We lose anybody?” Gil asked.
“Not that I saw,” Karen said. “At least downstairs. Lose anybody on the roof?”
“Nope,” Robbie said. “I couldn’t believe when Jules ran that car off the roof. He’s got balls.”
“He’s also got to replace some inventory,” Gil said. Everybody in the car cracked up. Karen looked over at him. “I’m glad I’m here.”
“Me too,” Gil said.
“Look, there’s Sparky,” Morgan said, pointing at the car next to them. Dana was driving, Sparky in the passenger seat holding an M60. “I think Dana likes him.”
“Yeah, I picked that up too,” Karen said. “She flirts a lot with Tex, though.”
Robbie laughed. “Everybody flirts with Tex.”
“There’s Jules,” Gil said. “He has a huge grin on his face.”
“Who’s with him?” Robbie asked.
“About five women,” Morgan said. “No wonder he’s grinning.”
“Some of the older ones didn’t want to join up,” Karen said. “Wonder how they’re taking this?”
“Good question,” Robbie said. “We’ll see. Jules isn’t going to kidnap them.”
“You trust him now, don’t you?” Morgan asked.
“Yeah,” Robbie said. “I’d trust him with my life. I’ve seen enough of his actions now. He’s a rogue with a good heart. Sparky and Tex too.”
“Ted is scary,” Karen said.
Robbie laughed. “I know him better than any of those guys.”
“I know, he was your boss,” Karen said. “His eyes are so intense.”
“He’s okay,” Robbie said. “He didn’t want to join up at first. Sparky kinda tricked him into it.”
“He doesn’t mind it now,” Morgan said. “I can tell that. He’s loving this.”
“I think he’s scared of himself,” Gil said. “Noticed that in the meeting. Wonder if he gets too crazy in battle?”
“We’ll see,” Robbie said. The traffic thinned out when they started the climb into the Sepulveda Pass. Morgan studied Robbie’s face as he drove, his eyes darting from the road to the rearview mirror and back again every minute.
“See anybody back there?” she asked.
“Nope, but we’re not out of the woods yet.”
“We won’t be out of the woods until this whole thing is over,” Karen said.
Chapter 5 – Dark Vengeance
“She’s gone,” Sam said, his body convulsing with sobs as he came out into the waiting room. The early morning sun was shining through the windows.
“Oh no,” Yvonne said, rushing to him, hugging him tight. Sid looked on, crying hard. John looked on helplessly, unable to cry, holding Sarah, who was sobbing.
“Why did it have to be her?” Sid wailed.
Nurse Grace came in, eyes tearing up. “I have some papers for you to sign. Where would you like her taken?”
Sam tried to calm himself. “She wanted to be cremated,” he said. “Is there a place nearby?”
“Yes,” she said. “I know the owner. Small town, you know. You want them to do it and hold her for a while? I know what you’re going through right now.”
“Thanks,” Sam said, signing the papers. “Let’s take her there, then. I’ll have to come back at a later date and do the memorial. Give me their number and I’ll call them with a credit card.” He broke down again.
“Understand,” the nurse said, taking the paperwork from him. She wrote out the phone number on a slip of paper and handed it to him.
They sat down on the waiting room couches, the tears fading away, the harsh reality setting in.
“We probably shouldn’t stay here too long,” Sid said. “The enemy will figure out where we are.”
“I know,” Sam said. “We can go any time. What vehicles do we have here?”
“Our truck,” John said.
“And our Jeep,” Yvonne said.
“What happened to the others?”
Sam asked.
“They had to fight more on the way back to camp,” Sid said. “Planned to leave at first light. Too easy for the enemy to follow their tracks.”
“I want to get back to them as soon as we can,” Sam said. “I want back into the fight.”
“Shouldn’t you take it easy for a while?” Sarah asked.
“No.”
Yvonne shot a worried look at Sid. He nodded, then his phone rang. “James. I’ll put it on speaker.”
“Hi, Sid,” James said. “Everybody okay?”
“Connie just died,” Sid said.
“Oh no,” he said. “I’m so sorry.”
“Where are you headed?” John asked.
“Hank and Jason contacted their friends and family in Julian. The people there finished the job you guys started and took out the rest of the UN Peacekeepers and Islamists. Turned the place into an armed camp. Then they chased the enemy out of Banner, Wynola, and Santa Ysabel. Cut off one of their most important supply lines.”
“That’s good,” John said.
“Well, yes and no,” James said. “The enemy is getting a force ready to attack them. We’re going there to help.”
“Out of the frying pan and into the fire,” Yvonne said.
“What happens after that?” Sarah asked.
“We don’t know yet,” James said. “The elders want to take back the reservation, of course.”
“You don’t?” Yvonne asked.
“There’s nothing I’d like better, but I don’t want us walking into a death trap.”
“Who’s taking over the leadership?” Sid asked.
“Tyler,” James said. “He’s the best choice. He’s the smartest, and he’s got a level head on his shoulders.”
“Glad to hear that,” Sid said. “Had some conversation with him. He’s an old soul.”
“How long are you guys going to stay in La Quinta?” James asked.
“We’re leaving in a few minutes,” Sam said. “Nothing more we can do here, and the enemy is gonna get wise.”
“You’re probably right about that,” James said. “One of the warriors is driving your rig, Sam.”
“Great, thanks for that,” Sam said. He got up and checked out the window, eyes getting wide. “What do we have in the way of guns?”
“Oh, crap, what do you see?” John asked.
“Two UN vans just cruised by,” he said.
“We’ve got a BAR and an M60. A couple hunting rifles and shotguns, and a few grenades,” Sid said. “They’re stashed in the back of the Jeep.”
“I’ve got two hunting rifles and one M-16 behind the seat in the truck,” John said. “I don’t have much ammo for any of them, and the hunting rifles are bolt action.”
“So we can’t stand and fight,” Sam said. “Let’s sneak out of here.”
“Yeah,” Sid said. “Talk to you later, James. I’ll call you. Take care of yourself.”
“You too,” James said. The call ended, so Sid picked up his phone.
“We moved the vehicles in back of the hospital,” John said. “We can go down the hallway by the snack machines.”
“Let’s go now,” Sam said. “Before we get hit.”
Yvonne rushed over to the emergency room door and pounded on it. Nurse Grace opened it. “Something wrong?”
“We’re leaving now,” she said. “We just saw two UN vans cruise down the street. They might come here looking for us.”
“Dammit,” she said. “Don’t tell me where you’re going. I’ll let everybody know to get ready.”
“Good luck, and thanks for everything,” Yvonne said.
“Watch Sam,” she whispered. “He’s got a lot of rage, and it’s gonna come out.”
“I know,” Yvonne said. She joined the group, already walking towards the back door.
“You warn Nurse Grace?” Sid asked.
“Yeah.”
“I suggest we have the guns where we can get to them in a hurry,” Sam said.
“Definitely,” John said.
“Where do you want to ride?” Sarah asked.
“Are there still blankets in the back of the truck?” Sam asked.
“Yeah, but you don’t want to ride back there,” John said.
“Yes, I do, with the M60 or BAR and a shotgun,” Sam said.
“But you were just injured,” Sarah said.
“I’m fine, and I’m the best close shooter we’ve got,” Sam said. “I’m still pretty tired, too, so I can doze off back there.”
“He’s right,” Sid said. “It’s the best choice. I’ll bring over a shotgun and the M60. You’re probably better with the M60 than an old BAR, right?”
“Yeah,” Sam said.
“Let’s take 74 to 371 to 79,” Yvonne said, looking at her phone as she climbed into the passenger side of the Jeep. “Long drive, but it’ll get us there.”
They drove out of the hospital parking lot, the Jeep leading the way.
“Get us to route 111,” Yvonne said, “that’ll get us to 74.”
“Got it,” Sid said.
“You tired?”
“I’m okay,” he said. “Could use some coffee, though. Maybe we ought to stop at a 7-11 on the way.”
“Good idea,” Yvonne said. “I’m worried about Sam.”
“He said he wasn’t injured badly,” Sid said.
“I’m worried about his head, not his ribs,” Yvonne said. “He’s a bundle of seething anger. I hope he doesn’t take risks he shouldn’t.”
“He’ll settle down,” Sid said. “Trust me.”
“I hope so,” Yvonne said. They traveled down the street as the morning traffic started to pick up.
“There’s a 7-11,” Sid said. “Shall we?”
“Yes,” Yvonne said. “The others will get the message.”
Sid pulled in front of the store, John parking next to him.
“Coffee, huh?” John asked. “Good idea. You want one, Sam?”
“Nah, I’d rather fall asleep for a while when we get on the road.”
“Oh, shit, look,” Sarah whispered. “There’s a UN creep in there, trying to intimidate the clerk.”
Sam sat up, grinning. Sid shot him a sidelong glance. “What are you gonna do?”
“Make a kill,” he whispered. “Cover me.”
Sam slipped out of the back of the truck and walked slowly to the storefront, trying to look like a tired commuter. He pushed open the door. It buzzed, the UN Peacekeeper turning towards him, then back at the clerk.
“Stupid American, you learn your place,” he said in a thick French accent. “I’m not paying for breakfast. I take what I want.”
“My boss told me not to give you guys free food,” the young clerk said.
“Call him up,” the UN Peacekeeper said. “Send him down and I’ll kill his ass.”
Two patrons who were back by the coffee area rushed out the door as Sam got into an aisle and watched.
“Look, American cowards run at first sign of trouble. Nobody help you, stupid punk.”
“Pound sand.” The young clerk was showing anger in his eyes. He was a big Hispanic kid with the look of a football lineman.
“What?” the UN Peacekeeper shouted, stepping back and reaching for his gun. Sam leapt forward, grabbing the man’s head and twisting it violently. His neck cracked and he went limp, Sam letting him drop to the floor as the clerk watched.
“Holy shit!” the kid said, looking down at the crumpled body on the floor.
“Good job resisting this jerk,” Sam said. “He have any friends around?”
“He walked over from their headquarters across the street,” the clerk said. “How’d you learn how to do that?”
“Special Forces,” Sam said. “How many of these creeps over there?”
“Used to be about twenty,” the clerk said. “Most of them took off last night and never came back. The night manager told me.”
Sam looked out the window at the building. “That looks like a real estate office.”
>
“Used to be,” the clerk said. “What are you gonna do?”
“Kill all of them,” Sam said, walking to the door. He turned before he went out. “You armed?”
“Nope,” he said. “Those cretins disarmed all the locals when they rolled in here last month.”
“I wouldn’t push these guys too hard until you are,” Sam said. “That guy might have killed you.”
“What should I do with the body?”
“You got a dumpster out back?” Sam asked, grinning as he walked out the door. He went to the Jeep. “Give me the grenades and a handgun.”
“What are you gonna do?” Sid asked.
“Kill the UN punks in that headquarters over there,” he said.
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Yvonne asked.
“Yeah,” Sam said.
Sid got out the grenades and handed them carefully to Sam, then gave him a .45 auto from the glovebox. “I’m gonna go cover you with the BAR.”
“Sid, no,” Yvonne said.
“You cover us from here,” Sid said. A split-second decision, and she nodded yes, fear still in her eyes.
Sam and Sid rushed across the street, Sam not even slowing down as he entered the office. He backed out quickly as the first grenade went off. There was screaming inside. Sam tossed a second grenade inside and then fired his pistol several times. Sid came up alongside him and opened up with the BAR, blasting through the front windows as Sam tossed the last grenade. Then there was silence, smoke pouring out the broken front windows.
“Our job here is done,” Sam said with a wicked smile.
“You enjoyed that too much,” Sid said, eyeing him.
“Yeah, I did,” he said, “and I’ve only just started. Go get your coffee and let’s blow this burg.”
They rushed back across the street.
***
It was a crisp, clear morning. Trevor and Kaylee were riding together in the Jeep, pulling the off-roader down the long dirt road. There were a multitude of vehicles in front and behind them.
“Hope nobody messed with my uncle’s motor home,” Kaylee said.
“Or mine,” Trevor said. “Although it wouldn’t be anywhere near the loss.”
“When are they gonna tell us where we’re going, I wonder?”