CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
The grizzled man still had his gun aimed at Collin. His shoulders were burning from holding his hands up for so long. It was like the men didn’t know what to do with them now that they’d taken Collin’s group by surprise. A couple of them kept glancing nervously toward the battle down in the city.
“So, what’s the next move here, guys?” Collin asked.
“Stuff a sock in it. You only speak when spoken to,” said the man. He must have been the one in charge, but he didn’t seem interested in doing anything other than making him hold his damn hands up.
Collin lowered his arms slowly.
“What do you think you’re doing, man? Hands up!”
“Look, sir, my arms are tired. We’ve ridden all morning, carried heavy stuff, and we’ve been standing here for ages holding our hands up. I’m not going to do anything; I just need a rest,” Collin said.
“Keep your hands where I can see them and no fast moves. My trigger finger is itchy, and it only takes about seven pounds of pressure to scratch it,” the man threatened.
“Fair enough. What’s your name?” Collin asked.
“Never you mind what my name is.”
Collin looked at the man beside the old timer. He held a gun aimed at Brady. “What’s your name, son?”
“I ain’t your son, mister.”
“Stop talking. You’re giving me a headache with all your jibber jabber,” the man said, shaking the rifle barrel at him.
“Why aren’t you fighting HAGS with your friends?” Tiny asked.
“That is a great question. It seems like a waste of time, you holding us up while your buddies fight,” Collin said.
The old man shifted his weight from foot to foot.
“I mean, if you’re scared, I get it. Those choppers are pretty intimidating.”
“Ain’t nobody scared, mister,” said the younger man aiming at Brady.
“So you say, but you’re here and they’re down there, dying.” Collin held his hands out and moved them up and down, like a weight scale. “That doesn’t wash.”
The old man stepped forward and poked Collin with his rifle barrel. It took every ounce of self-control for Collin not to snatch the gun away and beat the man senseless. But he had a feeling these guys could be persuaded to let them go.
“We don’t have a fight to pick with you guys,” Collin said, raising his hands again. “We’re against HAGS, just like you.”
“We hate those guys,” Tiny said, sneering.
A pair of men stepped out of the forest and approached the circle.
The old man stepped back from Collin and shot an annoyed look at the men. “It’s about damn time. This one likes to talk. Have fun with that.”
“Frank?” Hannah said.
One of the newcomers looked at Hannah and gasped. “My God. Hannah, is that you?”
Hannah smiled and began to cry at the same time. She lowered her hands, ran to Frank, and they embraced.
“What in tarnation is going on here?” the old man sputtered.
“Settle down, Jeb. She’s a friend,” Frank said, pulling back.
Hannah slapped his chest. “Friend?”
Frank smiled at her. “Family. She’s basically family.”
“Yeah Jeb, we’re family,” Collin said with sarcasm. He spread his arms wide and glanced at the people around him and the battle still raging in town. “Can you get these guns out of our faces and discuss what the hell is going on?”
“Lower your guns, guys. If they’re with Hannah then they’re also with us,” Frank said. “That down there is payback.”
The tension in the air dissipated and they all relaxed their postures. Gun barrels lowered, but no one moved from their positions for a moment.
“Excuse me. Payback for what?” Tiny asked, leaning forward.
“Damn you’re big. Um, sorry. It’s payback for all the women HAGS stole. They came in and took all the women with the promise of returning them, but they never followed through,” Frank said, rubbing his chin as he looked toward the battle.
Brady and Collin looked at each other. Collin glanced at Julie and she frowned at the news. Tiny glowered at the battle and cracked his knuckles.
“That’s quite the revelation for us, but maybe we should start at the beginning,” Collin said. He stepped forward and offered his hand. “My name is Collin War. Who are you?”
“Apt family name, Collin,” Frank said with a grin, taking Collin’s hand in a firm, but friendly handshake.
“Sorry, Collin. This is Frank. He’s Ketan’s older brother,” Hannah said, her smile dimming a little at the mention of Ketan.
“Yep, I’m Frank. Nice to meet you, Collin.”
“You too, Frank. So, what are you guys doing up here instead of joining in the battle down there?”
“We spotted you coming into town and kept tabs on you as you came back. Initially we thought you might be part of a HAGS ground force or something, so we shadowed you into town. When you only went to the hospital and then took off once the sirens went off, the likelihood of you being HAGS diminished,” Frank said. “But we’re a curious bunch. Hence the ambush.”
“HAGS recently visited our town and threatened to take all the women there. What are they doing with them? And why are they attacking you now if they’ve already taken the women? Seems like the company is just wasting resources,” Collin said.
“Well, they’ve been supplying us with BT76. Last time they made a delivery, we told them they were overdue on their promises regarding the women. I have a lot of angry husbands, sons, brothers, and fathers down there. Hell, the last time Jeb saw his daughter she was seventeen years old. She would be full grown woman now. We don’t want our ladies to serve as slaves for whatever the company is doing.” Frank let out a heavy sigh. “They didn’t follow through on their promises. Now they’re paying the price.”
“Why are they here at all? You’d think they’d just ignore you guys altogether,” Brady said.
“Have you had the displeasure of meeting Doctor Denard?” Frank asked.
They all nodded.
“He said they have plans for us. They couldn’t ignore us because they need us alive, all of us who have survived. I think they’re doing some big social experiment,” Frank said. “I know it sounds crazy, but this is the company that destroyed our society. We don’t believe their intentions are as pure as Denard would have us believe.”
“I agree with you there. We’re also getting ready to fight HAGS,” Collin said.
The group shuddered as another round of rockets slammed into a parking garage near the hospital talking out the stairwell. Looking back, the group could clearly see from their vantage point a small group of fighters on the top floor who now had no way down. The rooftop fighters fired their small arms at the next approaching chopper in a failed attempt to sustain their own chances of survival. The HAGS mini guns spun up making quick work of them as Collin and Frank’s groups both watched in horror.
“Enough talking. Either let us go or ask us to fight for you!” Collin yelled at Jeb, making the old man feel like the choice was actually his.
Before Jeb provided an answer to Collin’s demand, they again turned to watch two more rockets find their targets in another building, this time near the ground level. The chopper pulled up and evasively flew through the center of town heading right toward the group on the outside hill of the city.
Every member of both crews fled to cover and hid as the warships passed overhead at low altitude. Collin was confident they had not spotted them as they passed, figuring more rockets would have been fired their way.
“Well, that was close,” Frank said, standing up and brushing the dirt off of his chest.
“That’s it?” Tiny asked. “They just swoop in, cause a bunch of hell, and leave?”
Jeb grunted. Pulling himself up off the ground was a task that was evidently harder at his advanced age and condition. “Pretty much. Rat bastards don’t have the balls
to fight us on the ground.”
“It is more than that I think,” Frank continued. “We don’t know how far they have to fly to get here. Every time they come, they don’t stay long. It has to be about fuel. Either they are close by and have little fuel, or they are far away and burn it all getting here and back.”
“I like the way you think. The man has a good point,” said Tiny.
Collin nodded in agreement. “You could be right. You as smart as your brother was?”
Collin realized what he had said. As it rolled out of his mouth, the regret was instant. Also instant was the reaction on Frank’s face.
“Was?”
Franked looked at Hannah and pulled her close, hugging her tight. Not a single tear fell from his cheek. “How?” Frank asked.
Hannah wiped her own tears from her eyes as she answered. “There was a fire, and he was trying to save innocent people. He was ... he is a hero.”
Frank nodded and again pulled Hannah in for an embrace.
Again Jeb grunted. “We all should be so lucky to have had a brother like him. Now let’s figure out how we kill these monsters ... together.” His last word was partnered with a gesture to Collin as if he decided to pass along an olive branch of peace.
“Together,” Collin nodded.
“Any ideas on exactly how we do that?” Brady asked.
“Ideas? Hell no, I ain’t got no ideas. But I got man power. These are the Maniacs.” Jeb made his point by lifting his arm in the direction of downtown Missoula.
Collin turned his head and looked at the small town cityscape that moments ago had served as a battlefield. Doctor Horner took in a deep breath as she looked over a mass of people collecting in the streets. “There must be four hundred of them.”
Jeb’s characteristic grunt was paired with half of a smile. “Just shy of that, ma’am. And ‘dem boys all have missing wives, mothers, and sisters. You might say they are all sorts of pissed off.”
“Maniacs?” Brady asked.
“Yes, sir. Thanks to Dr. Denard, anyway. He called us that one day and well, it just kind of stuck,” Frank explained.
“The Missoula Maniacs. I like it,” Collin said.
“Maniacs, Eagles, and Vipers oh my,” Julie said with a smile.
Jeb poked Collin in the chest with his finger. “If you promise them a fight with HAGS, you better deliver on that promise.”
“Oh, we have a fight. And with your help, it is a fight we can win. You fight with us, and we will destroy what is left of the corporation that destroyed this great nation,” Collin proposed.
Jeb smiled fully this time. “It would be an honor, Mr. President.”
Collin had no idea how Jeb knew his identity, but one thing was clear.
HAGS was in for a battle.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
The trip back to Goshen was quick. They pushed the horses a little harder so they could return with the good news and prepare for the inevitable battle with HAGS.
Collin, Brady, and Tiny had plenty of time along the way to compare with Jeb and Frank what each town had gone through in regard to life under the rule of HAGS. While the rest of the Maniacs stayed behind to gather weapons and supplies before heading to Goshen, it did not take long for them to realize both towns had much in common. It was clear HAGS had strategically picked them to be survival colonies. The “why” didn’t matter as much anymore and, quite honestly, the how wasn’t very important either. All that mattered was that Collin accomplished his goal. This would mean every woman and female child would stay out of HAGS custody, and if he had to destroy HAGS to make that happen, he was prepared to do so.
Moving off the paved highway and onto the overgrown road and game trails through the valley brought a strange sense of comfort to Collin. He realized just how much he enjoyed the relative quiet and solitude of Goshen. Whereas Missoula was out in the open, Goshen was wrapped in the warm embrace of the mountains and forest.
Scouts in the forest caught sight of the returning convoy and approached them so no one accidentally felt into one of the traps intended for HAGS. As they were led across the field on a straight and narrow path, Collin was surprised and saddened to see what they had to do to their precious crops to prepare for the battle. Planning out the berms and pitfalls was one thing, seeing the harvest field torn up in real life was another.
Collin spotted Sergeant Gibbs standing on the bridge to greet them. He raised his hand and waved at him. It looked like he’d done a splendid job of carrying out his orders.
“Collin, when you and Brady have a few minutes, please come to the hospital,” Julie said behind him. “I want to take a blood sample from each of you.”
Collin turned to glance at her. “Of course you do.”
“I promise it’s the last one,” she said.
“Likely story, doctor.”
“Oooh, hopefully there are juice boxes,” Brady joked.
“We might be able to scrounge some up if your father didn’t manage to finish off the rest of them,” Doctor Horner replied.
Brady invited Jeb and Frank to join him at the school for food and a shower, knowing the trip over would help them get a lay of the land. Collin agreed to see the Doctor later, citing the desire to not be a pin cushion right away.
Once across the field, the group headed their separate ways. Collin climbed down off his horse with a groan.
“Sergeant Gibbs, if I forget how awful riding a horse is, please remind me,” Collin said, grimacing at the pain in his thighs. He bent over clutching his side where a sharp pain made him cringe a little.
“Are you okay, sir?” Gibbs asked, starting forward to help him.
“Yep, I’ll survive. Thank you.” Collin held up a hand and nodded. “Right now, I hate riding horses. Still, the trip was worth it. Please update me on our situation here.”
“Yes, sir. We’ve made all of the upgrades you recommended on your map. Koby has come up with some innovative countermeasures for the helicopters,” Sergeant Gibbs said with a sly smile. “I think you’ll like them, sir.”
“How is Koby? Have you seen him recently?” Collin asked.
“I just came from there, sir. Word came that you’d been spotted, so I jogged over to the bridge,” he explained.
“How is he doing?”
“Oh yes, my apologies, sir. Koby is fine, except ...” Gibbs looked at the ground as if there was something wrong and he had trouble saying it to Collin.
Collin grew concerned for his friend and could tell by the look on Gibbs’ face that something was amiss. “Out with it.”
“Well, sir, Koby has taken to calling me Gibbsy.”
The wide smile that grew on Collin’s face was only outdone by the guttural laugh that escaped. “Gibbsy, huh?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Kind of has a ring to it don’t you think?”
“I was very much afraid you would say that,” Gibbs admitted.
“Well okay, Gibbsy. Other than that, how is he doing?” Collin asked.
“He’s come up with an interesting solution for his injury, but he made me swear to secrecy.”
“Really?” Collin smiled. “What a nerd.”
“You have no idea, sir.”
“Very good. How is the mood of the people?”
Collin started to walk toward the hospital and Sergeant Gibbs followed him. “I’d say they’re doing well, considering the fire. Everyone is united against HAGS. Most people understand Mac was working for HAGS and since he carried out the theater attack, they’ve transferred their hatred and anger to them. Rightfully so, even if HAGS didn’t specifically order the attack,” he said.
“Good, good. I’m glad to hear that.” Collin grinned. “You’re going to like this bit of news, Sergeant.”
“What’s that, sir?”
“We have a group of nearly four hundred fighters headed our way to help with the ambush on HAGS.”
Sergeant Gibbs’ mouth fell open. “Four hundred?”
“Nearly,” C
ollin said, raising his finger. “They had their women held hostage by HAGS and they’re out for revenge. We saw them battling the company in Missoula, and they have some great tricks up their sleeves.”
“That’s fantastic news, sir.”
Julie’s horse cart was already in front of the hospital. Collin glanced inside just in case there was anything to carry, but it’d already been emptied.
“Yes, it is.” Collin patted Sergeant Gibbs on the back as they started up the steps.
Compared to the hospital in Missoula, theirs was a tiny rundown shack. Collin had never realized just how beat up the building was. They would have to work on renovating the place if they survived the coming battle.
Collin knocked quickly on the door to the emergency room, just two short taps, before entering. Koby was sitting up in bed with his leg dangling off the edge. An adjustable table was in front of him, and he was tinkering with something large and metallic.
“Hey, you crazy bastard! How are you?” Collin said, smiling at his friend.
Koby looked over at him and broke out into a grin. “I’m as good as can be. Gibbsy kept me company. How’d the trip go?”
“Very well. We got the equipment Julie needed and then some. Not to mention hundreds of allies in the fight against HAGS. The entire town was alive and willing to join us in the fight,” Collin said. He walked over and gave Koby a quick man-hug. When he pulled back, he looked at the thing on the table. “What the hell is this?”
“This ...” Koby said with a devilish grin. “Is going to be my new leg.”
To Collin, it didn’t look like much. “Okay. Are you going for a Terminator look?”
“Pretty much.” Koby nodded.
“I told you it was interesting, sir,” Sergeant Gibbs said.
“You weren’t kidding.”
“Tell me about these mysterious allies you speak of,” Koby said in poor imitation of Sean Connery.
Collin took a few minutes to fill in Koby on the situation. His friend had to set his robot leg down to focus and was particularly interested in the fact they’d be showing up for the battle.
Living for War: The Collin War Chronicles Page 18