It had been over two weeks since the attack on the naval base in San Diego and they'd sure kicked the ants’ nest over. It had been a miracle they'd escaped from the city in the aftermath as the Sino-NK troops had begun tightening the noose around it far quicker than he'd expected. It became obvious that the enemy had a satellite communication system that meant they could coordinate the search for their attackers and, many times over those days, Nathan had been certain they'd be captured.
But somehow they'd escaped, though it seemed that their attack had stung the Chinese and NK forces into immediate action. As they ran eastward, the enemy followed. War was coming.
He didn't have the energy to raise his head, so he only realized they had nearly reached the base when its external lights fell on the sand and grit at his feet. A call went up and Nathan Woods went down.
He came around in a bed under a bright light. Nathan grabbed the hand that floated in front of his vision and forced it downwards.
"Relax, Sergeant!"
Like a switch, full consciousness snapped into place and he let go, pulled himself up and looked around. He was in a hospital bed, but the man in the room with him wore fatigues beneath his white coat.
"Thank you," the doctor said, rubbing his wrist. "I'm glad to see you awake again, Sergeant Woods. You were severely dehydrated, malnourished and suffering from sunstroke."
"Where's Su-Mi?" he croaked.
"She recovered before you and has been moved to the main wing. You've been through quite the trauma, Woods, and you need a little rest before you resume duty. I'll order some food for you and notify the colonel that you're conscious."
Woods was finishing a bowl of chicken soup when Colonel Martinez swept in through the curtain.
"Please, finish your meal," he said as Nathan held his chunk of bread ready to soak up the last of the liquid.
"I'm glad to see you're recovering," Martinez continued, giving Nathan time to finish. "Corporal Pak has briefed me on your activities since leaving here and you are to be commended on your conduct. Both of you."
Nathan swallowed the last delicious mouthful and washed it down with a glass of water. "Thank you, sir," he said. "Would you like my full report now?"
"No need, Pak has been quite thorough. The doctor says you will be sufficiently recovered tomorrow and you can fill in the details then."
"They're coming, Colonel. The Chinese and North Koreans. They'll be here any day. Phoenix has fallen."
The colonel nodded. "I know. My scouts have been tracking them for the past week."
"Are you evacuating?" Nathan asked, before remembering to add, "Sir."
He could see the colonel's expression harden. "No. Our orders are to hold the line."
"What? That's insane!"
"I am going to excuse that outburst, Sergeant Woods, both on account of your recent conduct and because you are clearly still suffering the aftereffects of your mission. But I will obey the chain of command, Sergeant, as I am bound by my oath to do. For as long as John Murphy is the president of this country, I will continue to follow his orders."
Nathan slumped back onto the bed as he felt the adrenaline spike expire and the tendrils of sleep impinge on his conscious mind. He thought he heard the colonel speak again.
"And my orders include sending you to deliver your report personally to the president."
He might even have heard the words, "Sorry, son."
Nathan sat in the back of the sedan as it headed east. Next to him, Su-Mi was looking out the window at the arid terrain. Well, at least the TLX wasn't going to be caught with its pants down, Nathan thought. They passed military vehicles and personnel moving in the opposite direction. He hoped they were intended to reinforce the small garrison at Las Cruces, but feared they would be too late to do any good.
He was being taken to meet with President Murphy at Fort Stockton, a small town on 10. Su-Mi, though she hadn't been included in the original mission orders, was also going. Officially, they were to brief the president on what they'd seen in San Diego and during their journey back, but Nathan detected a sub-plot at work. Murphy didn't like anyone to know more than he did, nor did he like heroes other than himself. Nathan had seen it in the man's eyes—jealousy of an earned reputation.
At least Jake was with them. He sat next to the driver and it occurred to Nathan more than once that, between the three of them, they could overpower their guard and make a break for it. But he wasn't entirely confident that he could rely on Jake to take his side if he attempted it and, after all, where would they go? Because, at least in part, of their actions in San Diego, military forces on both sides had been stirred up into a frenzy of activity and it would be very difficult to go against the westward flow without raising suspicion.
They'd said little to each other on the journey. Jake had been relieved and delighted to see Nathan alive and, more or less, well, but it quickly became obvious that he was, if anything, even more fanatically loyal to the president than he had been before Nathan's mission. He saw it as a stroke of genius on Murphy's part to send Woods to spy on the enemy and a testament to Nathan that he'd succeeded.
They'd seen little sign of civilians either on the roads or in the settlements they passed and Nathan guessed Murphy had ordered them to move eastwards so his forces could fight unencumbered by fears of collateral damage. Every now and again, however, they would see a reminder of the strict military discipline now in force. Hanging from gibbets by the side of the road and twisting gently in the desert breeze, they saw bodies in fatigues. Some wore the uniforms of the enemy, others were TLX fighters. Signs hung from around broken necks with the single word "Deserter."
Nathan noticed that Jake looked away when they approached such grisly evidence of the regime's brutality. He so wanted to believe in the greatness of his president that he willfully ignored the evidence of his idol's psychosis.
It was dark by the time they rolled into Fort Stockton. The president, they learned, was using the historic fort as his base and they were to be taken there.
Jake brushed his uniform down as he got out of the car and adjusted his kepi to the regulation angle. Nathan watched as Jake preened himself with a teenager's naive enthusiasm and said a silent prayer that this adoration would at least keep the lad safe.
"Ah, Sergeant Woods."
Nathan snapped a salute as President John Murphy approached him, hand held out. They were in the former officers' quarters in the historic fort, though there was little enough to see as the main illumination came from gas lanterns scattered around the room. Nathan didn't doubt that the president could simply flick a switch to turn on the electric lights, but the man liked theater.
"You've returned a hero, again," he said, his heavy features contriving to smile. "Your intelligence has proven invaluable in preparing us for the attack of our enemies. You also seem to have provoked them into a hasty stroke against us. Perhaps that will give us an advantage."
"Yes, Mr. President," Nathan said.
"At ease, Sergeant," Murphy sighed. "And this is Corporal Pak, I presume."
Su-Mi saluted. "Yes sir, Mr. President."
"You also have given invaluable service to the TLX," he said, pausing in front of her. "By betraying your own people not once but twice, you helped gain crucial intelligence, so I suppose we must be grateful."
Nathan could sense Su-Mi tensing even further at these words.
"And you must be Private Masters," he said, returning Jake's salute. "Who is the perfect embodiment of how we mustn't use our past history or, indeed, family relationships as an excuse to betray our country when it needs us. Well done, son."
The president stepped back and Nathan waited, barely breathing, for the hammer to fall.
"And, since we're talking of families, and of sons," Murphy said. "I think you might be interested to meet someone."
Two armed goons lurked in the shadows and one leaned sideways to turn a door knob.
Murphy moved towards the door. Nathan and Jake followed h
im, but Su-Mi was ordered to stay where she was, under the baleful gaze of the other guard.
The room beyond was even more dimly lit than the main room. In the corner lay a figure whose feet and hands were chained to a ring in the wall. It was a young man wearing dirty jeans and a filthy T-shirt.
"This boy is soon to discover what happens to those who betray their family. Not only did he disobey the direct order of his father, but he then tried to harm the man he owes absolute loyalty to."
Murphy stepped across and pulled the tape from the figure's mouth. "This is my son, Lucas. He was ordered to wed your sister, Private Masters, but instead chose to abduct her and flee from justice."
Ice poured through Nathan's veins, and he noticed Jake go rigid.
"What happened to her?" Jake said before noticing the anger on Murphy's face. He added, "Sorry, Mr. President."
Murphy relaxed. "Quite alright, Masters. Loyalty to your family is to your credit, and I value your service to your country given the conflict this must cause."
"No conflict, Mr. President. I fight for the TLX and its leader."
Murphy slapped his shoulder. "If only I had a son like you. But, sadly, I produced the scum that cowers on the floor. Assuming he is my son, of course. I have sometimes wondered if perhaps his mother sought elsewhere for comfort while I was away."
"Don't talk about Mom like that!" Luke spat.
"Congratulations, Mr. Masters," Murphy said with a smile, "those are the first words he has spoken in my presence."
"Your sister, mother and grandfather were safe when I left them," Luke said, looking up at Jake who, despite himself, seemed to relax a little at the news.
"Where are they?" Jake asked.
Luke shook his head. "Believe me, you don't want that monster to know."
With a sickening thud, Murphy's boot connected with the side of his son's head and Luke slumped to the floor.
It was all Nathan could do to stop himself retaliating on Luke's behalf and he could see the shock on Jake's face as he witnessed this brutality.
Murphy saw it too. The rage vanished in an instant and he smiled. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Masters, but some sins are unforgivable. My son here has been following my movements for days now with the aim of harming his father. But he isn't nearly as clever as I am, and I was ready for his move. He will hang in the morning."
"No!" Jake said. "He's your son!"
Nathan saw anger flash across Murphy's face again, but the president mastered himself quickly and shook his head at the guard who'd stepped forward as if to restrain Jake. "You are young, Private Masters, and I hope you never have to endure the pain of betrayal. But let me ask you this, if you were a farmer and one cow became ill with a communicable disease, would you hesitate to destroy it for the sake of the herd? Even if it was your favorite?"
He's talking about people as if they're cattle, Nathan thought. Has Jake noticed?
"I would destroy it, Mr. President," Jake said, glancing at Luke as he lay sprawled on the floor.
Murphy slapped him on the shoulder again. "There, and now you see how it must be. I am sorry for it, but, as president, I must think of the greater good."
"But sir," Jake said. "What disease would your son spread if he lived?"
Murphy's face darkened and Nathan tried desperately to send a telepathic command to Jake to stop talking. But, again, the moment passed quickly and the president smiled. "Insurrection. A contagion that can bring down a country quicker than a pandemic."
Jake seemed to consider this before giving a brief nod. "Very well, sir. I understand."
"Good man," Murphy said, before aiming a final kick at Luke and heading for the door.
Su-Mi stood exactly where she had been, engaged in a staring match with the guard who had moved to within a few feet of her.
"What's happening here?" Murphy said as the door to Luke's makeshift cell closed behind him.
"She's giving me attitude, Mr. President," the guard said.
Murphy grunted. "Typical of her kind," he said. "Can't be trusted. You have my permission to deal with her."
The guard stepped towards Su-Mi, drawing a baton from his waist. She stepped back, raising her fists.
"Mr. President!" Nathan said.
"Silence!" Murphy responded, flashing a glance at the other guard who moved towards Nathan and grabbed his arm.
Su-Mi had been backed into a corner but, as the guard raised his baton, she thrust her fist into his rib cage and he roared in pain and anger, falling away from her and drawing his sidearm.
"Mr. President!" Nathan called again.
"I said silence!" Murphy yelled before turning briefly to the guard restraining Nathan. "If he says another word, shoot him. Hero of the republic or no, I will not have insubordination!"
The guard went for his sidearm and then spun around.
"Put down your weapons."
The voice was calm and assured and the gun was leveled at the president.
"Jake!" Nathan said.
Murphy's face burned red with wrath. "You traitor! You'll die at my hands for this."
"Drop your weapon or the president dies," Jake said to Su-Mi's attacker.
At a nod from Murphy, the gun fell to the floor with a metallic thud.
Jacob Masters held the sidearm he'd pulled from the guard's holster. "Enough is enough," he said. "Nathan, will you deal with the guards and bring Luke out? The president is going to show us the way out."
Chapter 5
Luke staggered along, leaning on Su-Mi's shoulder as Nathan held his weapon at the base of President Murphy's skull. The sheer lunacy of the situation gave it a dreamlike quality, but he knew that there was nothing to do other than see it through to the end. He wasn't concerned about anything other than the next minutes and getting off the base alive.
The shout went up as they shuffled out of the president's room. Nathan kept so close to Murphy that he could mumble instructions into his ear. The biggest risk was that one of the guards would try to shoot him without hitting the president, so he kept Murphy between him and them as much as possible.
He could feel the man shake as he held on to his jacket with his left hand, though he couldn't tell whether it was with fear or rage or, more likely, both.
"Stand down!" Murphy croaked as guards drew their sidearms.
"Tell them to throw their weapons into the corner," Nathan said.
Murphy gave the order and Jake, who'd given his gun to Nathan, stooped to retrieve one for himself and a second for Su-Mi.
Jake went a few paces ahead and opened the outer door. The sounds of normal life on the base drifted in—people walking to and fro, snatches of conversation and the rumble of vehicles on the road that ran alongside the historic fort. They'd struck lucky with that, at least. The president's sense of the theatrical had led him to choose an unwise location that was far less secure than a modern military base.
Nathan scanned the area outside and pointed at a black SUV. The driver, who sat smoking with the door open, leaped out as the group approached, shadowed by a growing number of base personnel.
"Just give it up," Murphy said over his shoulder. "You can't get away."
"It's too late for that, John," Nathan said.
"Too late for you."
Luke stumbled and Jake ran back to help Su-Mi support him. Revulsion spread across his face as he tried to avoid touching the slick of blood that stained Luke's shirt. He shot a glance at Murphy that was so full of hate that Nathan barely recognized the naive young man he thought he knew. With his spare arm, Jake kept his handgun pointed at the president's head.
They moved toward the SUV, stepping in pools of light created by the construction lamps dotted around the parking lot. The air smelled of diesel and cigarettes and a gentle breeze brought a wet cool from the coast to tickle their skin.
Nathan got into the driver's seat and ordered Murphy into the center seat behind, with Su-Mi on one side and Jake on the other. Luke curled up in the passenger seat. Na
than wound down the window. "Anyone follows us, the first person to die will be the president."
A voice called out of the darkness, "What are you going to do with him?"
"If he behaves himself, we'll let him go."
"You know the commies are comin', don't ya? But maybe you're a commie lover. Maybe you don't care if the reds take over the country."
Nathan turned the key in the car. "Listen, bud, I've seen them upfront and I've killed my fair share. If you want to be a patriot, then send forces to the west. Colonel Martinez needs you."
He rolled the window up and stepped on the gas.
No one spoke for what seemed like hours. Nathan was desperate to discuss where they should go and how they'd get away, but they couldn't do it with Murphy sitting there. And a burning resentment filled the space between him and his son as he sat with his eyes on the back of Luke's head.
"They're following," Su-Mi said, glancing behind. "A long way back, but sometimes I see lights moving."
"It seems they ignored your warning," Murphy said.
"Or maybe they don't really care what happens to you," Nathan responded as he turned onto the interstate. He didn't believe that for a moment—if they truly didn't care, they'd either have left the president to his fate or they'd have driven them off the road already.
No, they were following but at a distance, and that gave Nathan an idea. Quite suddenly, he turned off the headlights and cut left across the road and onto the stony desert sand. With a scraping thud, the car burst through the wire fencing that lined the road here and headed at high speed across the scrubland.
They were thrown around as Nathan engaged the four-wheel drive. Luke moaned in agony as the front right tire hit a rock and he was thrust upwards against his safety belt.
"What are you doing?" Murphy called, unable to hide the fear in his voice.
Betrayed: Book 5 in the Thrilling Post-Apocalyptic Survival series: (The Long Night - Book 5) Page 4