“I understand, sir,” Bennet responded. He disagreed, but didn’t want to argue with the lieutenant general publicly.
With the rank and order established and the plans to defeat the Federal Forces laid out, the attendees were dismissed. 1st Sgt Bennet had a feeling he just couldn’t shake. He knew Erika and it wouldn’t take her long to get into trouble. He had already made Lt. Col. Virgis overextend himself for Erika’s benefit too many times in the past. The responsibility for this excursion had to lie solely on his shoulders.
“You coming?” Virgis asked Bennet as everyone was leaving the room.
“I’ll catch up,” Bennet responded. He went and approached Lieutenant General Merkley. “Sir, permission to speak freely?”
“Granted,” Merkley replied, poring over his maps.
“Sir, I know the Moores left on their own accord, but I had a hand in them leaving and…” Bennet tried to explain.
“The Moores left in direct violation of their probationary restrictions.” Merkley shut him down quickly.
“Sir, if Erika Moore was the kind of person that followed orders instead of her heart, we never would have swayed so many citizens to want their freedom back,” Bennet explained.
“What are you after, 1st Sgt?” Merkley wondered, looking up from his work.
“A truck and a few soldiers so we can go get them and bring them back,” Bennet requested.
“They are fighting with the Militia. What makes you think they’ll want to come back?” Merkley wondered.
“I’ve spent a lot of years with them. They’re after their family and friends in Las Vegas. They want to get them out before the next quake,” Bennet responded. “Vegas is swarming with nervous feds right now. If they go in there, we’ve lost them. I can find them, sir. If I could have done a little investigating after getting out of Dallas, I would have them now.”
Merkley thought on his words for a moment. The couple had a huge influence in getting Constitutionalist Party members into office before the takeover.
“All right, 1st Sgt. Your request is granted. Take a truck loaded with fuel and three soldiers. I’ll tell Lt. Col. Virgis that I authorized this excursion personally.”
Bennet charged out of the office. He was a man on a mission. The feeling he couldn’t shake was still rattling around in his mind.
“Get what you wanted?” Virgis asked.
“Yes, sir,” Bennet responded.
“Seriously, Patrick, you could let them go now. They made a choice. They’re on their own,” Virgis urged him.
“I just can’t shake this feeling, Cole. This feeling that they’re going to be in over their heads. They need me. Erika needs me,” Bennet articulated.
“Well, you do what you gotta do, bud,” Virgis responded, shaking his head. “But you need rest before you go, and some chow. You ready to eat?” Virgis asked.
“Hell yes, and I can’t wait for a hot shower,” Bennet laughed.
Chapter 24
Erika’s body absolutely ached when she awoke in her tent the next morning. Vince was already up, and she tested her body carefully to see if she could even move. Her arm throbbed from her recent injury and the stress she had put on it the day before. Stretching every other body part, she babied her arm, fearful of tearing the stitches.
Today, she was excited to get up and mingle with the Militia members. They delighted in meeting the legendary “Lone Survivor of Sacramento” and Erika thought the least she could do was get to know them and make them smile. The recent victory had made that easy, but she knew there would be pressing times ahead.
Cassidy had worried about a response from the White Sands Base and numerous other Federal Outposts in New Mexico, but the Federal Forces had already moved most of the war machines out to Colorado and their new bases in the central region. The feds left small squads behind to give the image of a larger force, but even those forces were fractured. Half of the soldiers turned and joined the Militia to remove the remaining Federal Forces left there.
The Militia had won the day in the south, but everyone had heard about the devastation the Federal Forces had levied upon the North. Erika had to hope and not worry. Worrying without information would do no good. There was no way to get the information either. The Militiamen and Mercenaries established contact, but it was decided that personal details would not be shared because it was difficult to ensure that the feds weren’t intercepting the communications. Erika had begged for the information, but the officers had forbidden it, convincing her that the Federal Forces would just love to arrest her children to draw her out.
Taking a deep breath, Erika rose and dressed. Her bladder was full, and she couldn’t take the pressure any longer. She walked swiftly to the outhouse. After relieving herself, she headed toward the chow line. It took her a while to get over there. She stopped to talk to a couple of young men who had fled the farms in Colorado.
“I didn’t think you were going to make it,” Vince said, approaching her. He was returning an empty plate to the wash station.
“Rough morning,” Erika admitted, stretching her body.
“I hear ya’,” Vince agreed. “I ran into Eli. He said there’s a caravan headed to meet up with the Militia in Albuquerque. Some of those squads will be dispatched to join with the mercs and take Vegas. Once we meet up with the mercs we can at least get news about our family.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’d be surprised if Dexter hasn’t found us before that,” Erika told him.
“I’ve been thinking about that too. He found us when we were in Austin but where did he go?” Vince wondered.
“With McClintock taken and the North being invaded, the mercs must have initiated a regroup plan,” Erika speculated. “Bennet always said there was a plan B, but they wanted diplomacy and pressure from the citizens to bring the rule of the people back.”
“You’ve got a point,” Vince admitted.
Erika received a breakfast of rehydrated eggs and bacon powder.
“Looks delightful,” Erika jested.
“It’s not too bad,” Vince assured her.
“Yeah, but you eat baby food,” Erika teased him.
“That stuff’s not bad either,” Vince admitted.
“My point exactly.” Erika smiled at him.
“You’re so darn cute,” Vince said, leaning over to kiss her.
“Get out of here,” Erika teased.
“I’m going to break down our gear,” Vince told her, kissing her again and discreetly squeezing her breast.
Erika was joined by a group of young people eager to hear her stories as Vince left. She gave them a dramatic version as she ate her breakfast. She asked them about their stories as well, and what their future goals were. Their dreams were moderate. One wanted to own a bakery, and another had plans for a clothing store. One young woman talked about the books she had read about space travel. She went on and on about how she wished she could have lived before the Great Quake when you could still grow up to be an astronaut. Erika assured her that she shouldn’t give up. It could still be possible one day.
Feeling uplifted, Erika left them all smiling and dreaming as she went to join Vince. He was finishing loading the packs. Lifting their heavy weight to their shoulders, the couple headed to the staging area for the troops. Eli was there with Cassidy.
“Hello, Erika, Vince,” Cassidy greeted them as they approached. “Looks like I made the right choice when I asked you to accompany us,” she said, eyeballing Eli as if she was rubbing it in his face.
Eli stepped forward. “I heard how you two took out the embankment, so the train could unload. Good job,” he declared, extending his hand in a gesture of goodwill.
Vince and Erika shook his hand in turn and thanked him, smiling widely.
“I also heard about the tech you were using. Would you mind letting our guys take a look at it when you get to Albuquerque?” Eli wondered.
“No, we don’t have a problem with that. If it can help keep more of these soldiers alive
, then I’m in,” Erika said cheerfully.
“You two are contagious,” Eli said, cracking a small smile. “I can understand why now. Take care, you two.” He turned and walked away.
Erika was confused, but glad that Eli was proud of what they had done.
“Let’s go, guys,” Kyle said driving a jeep up.
“You’re still tagging along,” Vince teased him.
“Yup,” he replied, loading Erika’s pack.
It took them all day to travel north to Albuquerque. When they got there Erika’s body felt petrified from inactivity.
“I know I don’t usually, but I could go for a drink. What do you think, baby?” Erika leaned forward from the back to ask Vince as they entered town.
“Sure,” Vince agreed, thinking he would probably end up getting lucky tonight.
They pulled up to the building they would be camped in until the troops moved out in two days.
“I can unload the gear and get everything set up if you want,” Kyle volunteered, trying to be helpful.
“Really?” Erika asked. “That would be awesome.”
They dragged their battered bodies out of the jeep, leaving hand in hand and headed toward a neon sign on the other side of a dusty street. Walking into the dimly lit bar, the smell of cigarette smoke was thick in the air.
“It’s been a long time since I had one of those,” Erika commented about her former habit.
“Seriously, I’ll pass on that. You never know when disaster will strike, and you’ll be forced to quit all over again,” he chuckled.
They sat down at a table in the corner with two rickety chairs. The waitress approached and brought them both a shot.
“We haven’t ordered yet,” Erika corrected the waitress.
“They’re from the gentleman at the bar,” she commented.
Vince and Erika looked to the bar and saw a man standing there with his arm up in a wave.
“Do we know that guy?” Erika asked as he approached.
The man had curly hair and a very full beard. He was good sized and very thick, but she recognized his eyes. His eyes were those of a teenager she had known in her youth.
“Burt…Burt Nostrum? Erika asked loudly.
He smiled widely, but his hands signaled for her to keep her voice down.
“Burt Green now,” he informed her. “I was hoping I might find you guys here. Do you know what happened to my dad and brother?”
“We saw your dad in Cool right after the Great Quake but there was a big fire…he didn’t survive it, Burt, I’m sorry,” Erika explained. “We never saw your brother. What happened to you? How did you end up here? Did you marry a landowner?” she wondered.
“Long story. I’ll explain it to you sometime, but for now, how about a toast to old friends,” he said, holding up his glass. They all clanked their shot glasses together and drank. “How the hell have you guys been?”
“Good,” Erika replied a little confused. She figured Burt would have known their story, like everyone else did. Had she been in his place she probably would have paid even closer attention, having known them from the past. She could tell Vince was having the same confusion and eyeballed him carefully.
“Where have you been, Burt? In a cave?” Vince questioned sarcastically.
Erika rarely drank, and the shot had gone down hot in her throat. She felt weird and the talking of the two men started to slow down in her mind. Just as she was saying to herself, I can’t be feeling the effects already, her world went black.
Kyle was approaching the bar after unloading the gear when he stopped. He watched four men carry Erika’s and Vince’s limp bodies out of the bar and load them into a truck. He frantically ran to get the jeep. He thought he had lost them but just as he turned down the main street, he spotted the truck leaving town. He discreetly followed them many miles north to a large estate that was heavily guarded. I have to get help, he said to himself as he drove by nonchalantly. He took round-about path, so he would not pass back by the estate and headed south at top speed. He never realized the gas light had been on for miles until he sputtered to a stop on the deserted highway.
Erika awoke in a dream state. Through blurred vision she saw wooden walls and smelt fresh hay. A man was there talking to her. He was an older version of a young man she had grown up with. His words were distorted in her mind. “After the quake I had no choice. I was in New Mexico visiting my friend on his ranch. California was cut off. The chaos began, and I fought with Dustin to keep his land. When things stabilized I took his name to avoid the refugee system. Now I have a family to protect. I didn’t want to do it, Erika. I’m so sorry,” he pleaded to her.
His words echoed through her mind. Then there was a horrible clanking sound. She flashed back to the cell in Las Vegas. She cowered in the corner and put her hands over her ears. The noise rang through her head like sonic church bells and her vision blurred even more.
“Don’t be sorry, Burt,” a woman’s voice hissed as she entered. “This thing is not worth your time.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Burt replied quietly.
Erika couldn’t tell reality from the drug-induced dream, but she thought she recognized the lady and her voice. She remembered the words this family has been through enough. Could it be that woman, Corinne Tillman, from the regional meeting? The one where the final vote for probation or prison had come down to her, but she had voted against prison.
“That’s right, you know me, don’t you?” the woman seethed standing over her. “I couldn’t make a martyr of you then, but now I’ll have your treasonous heads next to General McClintock’s.”
Erika was infuriated. She tried to will her body into action, but she couldn’t. The drugs were fogging her brain, blurring her vision, and disrupting her motor skills. The woman laughed at Erika’s patheticness, and turned to leave. Erika used all her focus to move her leg out just enough to trip the woman and she fell with a thud, on her face. Burt giggled as her guard came in and punched Erika across her mouth. Erika slumped into the hay. Her mind went into delirium. The man kicked her a few more times, and the metallic flavor of blood almost made her puke in her drug-induced stupor.
“What are you laughing at?” the woman cursed, getting back on her feet. “Give her another dose and keep her well drugged. She’s a spunky little thing.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Burt replied.
“And Burt.” She paused before going out the door. “Don’t screw this up or your whole family will end up in the refugee system. Do you hear me?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied quietly.
“Do you hear me, Burt!” she hissed in his face.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said louder.
Burt returned with a shot and a cotton ball. Erika desperately tried to get away, but her body was crippled, and the fog was heavy.
“I’m sorry,” was the last thing she heard before her world went black again.
Chapter 25
The dust flew as Bennet pulled his truck into Albuquerque, New Mexico. He had heard that the Militiamen were gathering there, and they would send a contingent to meet the mercs to take back Vegas. Bennet knew Vince and Erika would be with this group.
“This is Albuquerque, right?” Dexter yelled from the back of the truck through the little sliding window.
“Sure is,” Bennet replied.
They pulled up to a complex of Militia buildings where they were met by a soldier asking his business.
“You’ll want to talk with Cassidy,” the soldier informed him, telling him where to find her.
They parked the jeep and Corporal Smith jumped out of the back with Dexter and Trucker.
“Man, what do you feed that dog? His butt stinks!” Smith commented.
“Only the best for my Trucker,” Dexter said, petting the animal.
Bennet headed for the building, ordering the men to stay put for now. He ascended three flights of stairs
where he met another soldier and was ushered in to see Cassidy.
“MSgt Bennet!” Cassidy welcomed him as he entered.
“How are you doing, Cassidy?” Bennet responded, pointing to his recently updated rank patch.
“I’m doing well. Got a promotion, did you? What is that now? First Sergeant?” Cassidy replied.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said proudly.
Eli approached and greeted him warmly as well, shaking his hand. Bennet had been instrumental in freeing Cassidy from the Federal Forces when Bennet worked for the Federal Government at the Las Vegas Camp. He had used a rebellion to get Cassidy and the Moores out on the same night. Eli had always been curious why Bennet had left his strategic position in the Federal Forces to support the Moores, but now, after meeting them, he fully understood.
“To what do we owe the honor of your arrival?” Cassidy asked.
“I’m looking for Vince and Erika Moore,” he informed her.
“So are we,” Cassidy commented.
Bennet looked at her confused. “I thought they were with you?” Bennet asked.
“They were. They were instrumental in taking the western wall and headed up here in yesterday’s convoy, but no one has seen them,” Cassidy explained.
Just then a dirtball of a man was ushered into the room by Phillip. Eli recognized him as the young man that had been traveling with Vince and Erika. They gave Kyle some water and listened to his story about Vince and Erika going to the bar, following them out to the estate and then running out of gas on the way home. He had walked all night to get help, but the road was empty and the miles long.
Cassidy knew from Kyle’s description that they had been taken to the Green Estate. It was a very large ranch located in Northern New Mexico almost to the Colorado border.
“It will be heavily guarded,” Eli warned.
“They’ll be transported to the capital. We need to get scouts over there now,” Bennet insisted, worrying that they may have already been moved.
The Changing Earth Series (Book 4): Battle for the South Page 13