by Robert Boren
Garrett lifted his cell phone up to his face. “I’ll do it now.”
They rode along silently for a few minutes, the road on either side becoming denser with structures as they neared Dulzura.
“Nobody close by,” Garrett said. “Still bad in Julian. Wonder where the slugs that hit us came from?”
“Probably Julian,” Sam said. “Wish we had some historical data we could look at.”
“Historical data?”
“Yeah, like enemy troop counts by area and by date,” Sam said.
“Oh,” Garrett said. “That would be a good thing. Maybe we ought to put some of the kids on it. Didn’t Seth have some experience with that sort of thing?”
“Yeah, come to think of it. I’ll talk to him when we get to Dodge City. After that last batch gets there, of course.”
“That will be faster than you think,” Garrett said. “Just got a text. One of my guys had a good idea. Rent trucks, and take them down there. We cleaned out the two rental places we have nearby. We ought to be seeing trucks go by any minute.”
“What about escorts?”
“We’re still using the 75 vehicles we have,” Garrett said. “They’ll drop off their load of souls and high-tail it back there. Look! There’s some of the rental trucks.”
Several large bobtail trucks raced by, honking their horns. Many of the caravan honked back at them.
“How about the cavalry? When will they make it back?”
“They should be getting close as we speak,” Garrett said. “I let them go a little earlier.”
“Good.”
“Here’s the town,” Garrett said. “Still deadsville.”
“At least it didn’t get overrun like Julian and Descanso.”
“Don’t say that too loud,” Sam whispered. “Mia gets scared when Descanso is even mentioned.”
“Oh, sorry,” Garrett said. “I’ll keep that in mind. She’s a nice little girl.”
“She is,” Sam said.
“You guys want a soft drink or anything?” Erica asked.
“Not here,” Sam said. “Thanks.”
“We’ll be on the dirt road into Dodge City in less than ten minutes,” Garrett said. “It’ll get a little bouncy to drink soda.”
“Oh, didn’t think about that,” Erica said. “I’ll hold off.”
Garrett watched her walk back into the salon, then turned to Sam. “You two are gonna get hitched pretty soon, right?”
“I’m pushing for it,” Sam said. “Mia is helping my argument.”
“Erica doesn’t want that?”
“She does now, I think,” Sam said. “How about you?”
Garrett chuckled. “I’m pretty fond of Anna. Doubt I’ll be able to talk her into it, though. At least not near term. It’s too early in our relationship.”
Sam chuckled. “Yeah, I’ve known Erica a couple days longer than you’ve known Anna.”
Both men cracked up.
“What a crazy world we’re living in,” Garrett said. He lifted his phone back up and checked the apps.
“You see something?” Sam asked, watching Garrett’s expression change.
“Some hits coming south from Julian,” Garrett said.
“A lot of hits?”
“Thirty or so,” Garrett said. “Well spaced out. On Highway 79.”
“We’ll have to watch them,” Sam said. “Dammit. Hope we get time to prepare before we’re in the thick of it again.”
“They’re a long way away.”
“I know, Garrett, but we can’t see the UN guys.”
{12}
Treasure
J ules and Shelly came out of their rig, helping their passengers. Then they joined the others, who were milling around in front of the row of six battle wagons. The armed off-roaders and Jeeps were still coming in, parking where they could find spaces.
“Is this a short-term base or a long-term base?” Sparky asked, coming out of the rig with Dana.
“Depend on what you mean by short term and long term,” Jules said.
“Anything more than a few days is long term now,” Dana said.
“Where’s everybody going to sleep?” Shelly asked.
“See building over to far right?” Jules asked. “Ivan bring in cots, food, other stuff.”
“Looks like the flow of off-roaders is about done,” Sparky said.
“There a few placed outside facility to keep watch,” Jules said. “Just in case. Early warning.”
“I can’t believe they don’t know where we are,” Shelly said under her breath.
“Video viral on internet,” Jules said.
“The attack?” Shelly asked.
“Yes,” Jules said. “Heard from Ivan. People begin to self-organize. He thinks game changes now.”
“Well, I hope he’s right,” Sparky said. “When’s the next attack?”
“We have meeting later tonight,” Jules said. “Soon.”
“Are we coming back here afterwards?” Shelly asked.
“If possible, yes,” Jules said. “Depend on outcome and what citizens do. Alternate site available, as good as this.”
“What are we expecting from the citizens?” Sparky asked.
“Ben Dover started social media blitz after battle footage hit internet. Ivan say response greater than expected. Much greater.”
“Well, maybe we should get the sleeping area ready,” Dana said. “The hostages have got to be tired. They could use showers, too. Are there facilities for that here?”
“Should be,” Jules said. He looked at Shelly. “Should we go help?”
“No,” Shelly said. “I want to talk to you about something. In the coach, okay?”
“No problem,” Sparky said. “I’ll go with Dana. We can get things set up.”
“Thanks,” Jules said. He watched Sparky and Dana walk away hand in hand, then followed Shelly into their coach.
“Shut the door, sweetie, and lock it.”
“Lock?” Jules asked.
“Yes,” she said from the back.
“Okay,” Jules said. “Where you go?”
“Back here.” He walked back there, pausing to take off his shoes, his feet hot and tired from the action and the drive. He froze when he got into the bedroom. Shelly was sitting on the bed naked, watching him with serious eyes.
“Oh,” he said. “You need?”
“I’m scared,” she said. “Get your clothes off.”
He nodded, not sure if he should be happy or worried, his heart beating hard in his chest.
“Good, it’s not just me,” she said, looking at his lack of arousal.
“You worry me,” he said, “but desire still strong, believe me. You?”
“Telling my story,” she said, starting to cry. “I didn’t think it would get to me. Listening to the others was even harder. We don’t discuss it together. That was the first time most of us spoke about it since you saved us.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t. Let’s just cuddle for a while. Rest and comfort each other.”
“No, I want you to take me hard. Make me feel it. Break through this. I can’t let it sit. It’ll become a thing.”
“You sure?”
“Yes. I need to feel that I’m yours, and that you cherish me above everything.” She stood, taking him into her arms. The feeling was enough to get Jules excited.
“Finally,” he whispered to himself.
“I feel it,” she said, backing away to look at him. “I meant it. Hard. Take your woman.”
He picked her up and set her on the bed, taking his time with her as she writhed below him.
“Now,” she said. “C’mon.”
“No, I take the way I want, woman,” he said, keeping up the slow, tantalizing foreplay with her. By the time they joined she was fever hot, screaming with passion as he let himself go, moving her from one position to another, but not getting enough of her. Eye contact was what he craved, so he rolled on top of her, his face inches from hers as he moved, watching her eyes
as she gave in totally, as passionate as he’d ever seen her.
“Jules,” she whispered.
“Yes,” he panted.
“This is a bad time.”
“What mean?” he asked, still on the ragged edge of self-control, slowing slightly.
“Baby,” she whispered.
“Oh, then I be careful,” he said, speeding up again.
“Jules?”
He looked at her, almost at his peak, feeling the control leaving him.
“Be careful,” she whispered, looking at him, her eyes a mixture of fear and… naughtiness, which drove him over the top. He tried to pull away, but her legs locked him against her, keeping him there as the passion consumed both of them.
“Uh oh,” Jules whispered, looking at her, worry in his eyes. She pushed him up so she could look at his whole face.
“You probably just got me pregnant,” she said, half a smile on her face.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“It’s what I wanted.”
“We talk about, you said no,” Jules said, searching her eyes.
“You’re my man, and I needed what I needed,” she said. “I didn’t want to discuss it. Now get off me and grab one of those pillows.”
He looked at her for a moment, eyes questioning, then got up. She grabbed her legs, pulling them up against her torso, elevating her lower body.
“What you do?” he asked as he got a pillow out from under the bedspread.
“Put it under my butt,” she said. “I want to help things along.”
Jules smiled, doing as she requested, then lying on the bed next to her. “This not expected.”
“War and terror aren’t the important things in life,” she said, turning her head towards him. “This is. I’ll never leave you. I want at least three children. You gonna be able to handle that?”
He chuckled. “I wanted to start later, but if you need now, you need.” He looked at her, and a mischievous grin came over his face.
“What?” she asked.
“Why only three?”
***
Sam was sitting on the coach in his battle wagon. Erica walked out from the back.
“She asleep?”
Erica nodded yes. “I think she feels safer here.”
“How could she know?”
Erica sat next to him. “She’s very sensitive. She probably picks up on our feelings.”
“Oh,” Sam said. “That makes sense. How are you doing?”
“I’m having a hard time coming down from that last battle,” she said, leaning against him. “When I saw those UN Peacekeepers all over the clearing in front of the house, I just about went crazy.”
“You did,” Sam said, putting his arm on her shoulders and pulling her closer. “I had the same thing going on inside.”
“I know,” she whispered. “If anything happened to Mia I’d never recover.”
“Yes, you would,” Sam said. “Look what she went through before we got her. Americans have been lucky. There hasn’t been a situation like this since the Civil War. I used to wonder how the citizens would be if we were thrust into a wartime situation, like the Europeans were during the world wars. Our people are strong, with a tradition of liberty that’s ingrained. This is horrible to live through, but we’ll win.”
“That wasn’t your attitude a few days ago,” Erica said. “What changed your mind? Can’t be the last battle. We almost lost that.”
“Garrett and I had a talk while I was driving. It was when you and Anna were talking with the others in back.”
“What’d he say?”
Sam chuckled. “He reminded me that we have over forty million people in this state, and most of them are on our side. Our people will never be subjugated, but there will be awful battles ahead.”
“Oh,” Erica said. “I get it. That’s big-picture, though. We’re in the thick of things, being hunted because of the damage we’ve done. The people might never lose the state, but we might not live to see the victory.”
“That’s true,” Sam said, “but we’re pretty fast on our feet, and we’ve got good leadership. Our people are brave, and we stick together. Most of us will probably survive this.”
“I hope you’re right,” Erica said.
There was a knock at the door.
“I got it,” Sam said, getting up. Garrett and Ed were standing outside with Tyler, Seth, and Angel.
“Hey, guys,” Sam said, standing aside.
“Why don’t you guys go talk elsewhere,” Erica said. “Mia needs a good night’s sleep.”
“Then you can’t listen,” Sam said
“No problem, you’ll tell me all about it later. Go. Plan well. I’ll keep guard over our little girl.”
Sam nodded, coming over to kiss her forehead, then grabbing his gun and coming out. He closed the door quietly. “Well, where too?”
“Saloon,” Garrett said. “Ryan and Sid are gonna show up, and a few others.”
“The saloon it is,” Sam said. “They got any whiskey left?”
“Yeah,” Garrett said. “We’ve actually been making our own. Never mentioned that. It’s not exactly legal.”
“We aren’t drinking much, though, right?” Sid asked.
“Oh, a slug or two won’t hurt,” Garrett said. “There’s still some of that old stuff left.”
The men walked towards the western street, getting onto the wood sidewalk.
“This is something,” Tyler said as he looked around.
“Oh, it’s silliness, but we like it,” Garrett said. “We’ve been trying to immerse ourselves in more romantic times.”
Ed chuckled. “We’re in romantic times now.”
“Historic times too,” Seth said.
Ji-Ho saw them coming. He was leaning against the front of the Saloon, smiling at them. Ryan was next to him, and Trevor. Clem walked over after a minute.
“Where are all the women?” Sam asked. “Is this boy’s night out?”
“They’re getting the grand tour of the place from Garrett’s sister,” Trevor said.
“Good,” Garrett said. “Knowing Susanne, they’ll all get jobs.”
“That should go for us men-folk as well,” Ed said.
“Yes,” Ji-Ho said. “We all do part.”
“Some of those women are scary good warriors,” Seth said. “Mine, for example, and Erica too.”
“Megan’s probably better than I am,” Angel said, “at least at some things.”
They filed into the saloon, the swinging doors flapping as they walked in. Crusty old Willard saw them and grinned ear to ear. He looked down at the floor behind the bar and spit, the wet plug of tobacco hitting the spittoon there with a splat.
“Howdy,” he said, smoothing his beard. “What can I do you for?”
“We still got some of the good stuff?” Garrett asked.
“Hell yeah,” Willard said. “Okay if I join you?”
“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Garrett said. The men picked a large round table, pulling out chairs and sitting. Willard brought over glasses and a couple bottles of whiskey, so old that the labels were disintegrating.
“You were waiting for us,” Sam said to Ji-Ho.
“Yes,” he said, smiling as he watched Willard pour whiskey into his glass. He tossed it back, looking around the western saloon with its 19th century artwork, the ornate shelving behind the bar, and the spittoons every few feet. “This great. Need cowboy hat.”
Garrett laughed. “That can be arranged.”
“You heard from Ivan,” Ed said.
“Yes,” Ji-Ho said, sliding his empty glass towards Willard. “Hit me again, partner.”
Willard and Garrett burst out laughing, the others looking on with smiles. Ji-Ho grinned as Willard poured, and knocked back the drink.
“Video of attack at big UN base go viral,” Ji-Ho said. “Ivan hit with recruitment effort at same time, using technique from Texas group. Street battle in San Francisco and Oakland on now. Authorities
losing. More damaging video coming soon.”
“Which authorities?” Sid asked. “The police?”
Seth chuckled. “No, the police are on our side.”
“You know?” Ji-Ho asked.
“I’ve been on social media for the past few hours. Finally had to plug in my tablet. Ran it out of juice.”
“You didn’t say right off?” Ji-Ho asked.
“Figured I’d let you talk,” Seth said. “I’m seeing something the whole damn population has access to. You, on the other hand, have a direct line into command central.”
“Is Ivan still with Jules, Sparky, and Ted?” Sam asked.
“They split up so Ivan can do new TV broadcast,” Ji-Ho said. “Next mission coming soon, will put California elected officials back in power.”
“For better or for worse,” Clem said.
“Maybe some learn lesson,” Ji-Ho said. “Biggest liberal in state of Texas now best friends with Governor Nelson, who’s far to conservative side. We bury the hatchet and fight together.”
Sam snickered. “Yep, and when the fight is over, we’ll go right back to arguing each other.”
“But with memory of this,” Ji-Ho said. “Wrong on both sides. Wrong to place foreigners above home country. Done by both sides. Chamber of commerce want cheap labor. Left want future voters.”
“We’re gonna have war in Europe again,” Trevor said. “I’m going to sit it out.”
“The kid’s probably right about that,” Sam said. “Ivan’s been sowing the seeds of revolution via social media to his counterparts.”
“Counterparts?” Angel asked.
“Resistance,” Ji-Ho said. “Against globalists.”
“The EU has got problems on a scale that we aren’t even near,” Sam said. “Most of those countries have more foreigners than natives now.”
“From what I’ve been reading, their radical Islam problem has gotten better,” Seth said.
“It has?” Sid asked.
Ji-Ho chuckled. “You know why. They send many Islamist fighters here, and more than half come from Europe, not Middle East.”
“They thought Europeans and Americans are a lot alike,” Garrett said, leaning back in his chair with a grin. “I doubt many of them think that now.”
“Where are they actually winning, anyway?” Trevor asked.