Green Fields (Book 4): Extinction

by Adrienne Lecter

  I felt like rolling my eyes at the appreciative murmurs that tidbit gained, but who was I to harp at the guys? I was sure that the Ice Queen would do the job for me, if Aurora had been any indication.

  When no one spoke up, Candy resumed her talk after reaching into her pocket and getting out a bunch of what looked like poker chips. “Pass that around, will you?” she told Andrej, who was standing closest to her. “These are tokens for the hot water showers. We have running water in the command center complex, but everywhere else, you’re down to heaters and buckets. But for every five-day period that you stay here, you get one token for a ten-minute long hot shower. You can exchange it for something else, but really, you shouldn’t. Food is free here and I’m sure that you have your booze stores on the road with you, so get cleaned up good once in a while. The girls appreciate it, too, if you don’t reek of zombie ass. Which reminds me of something else. I’m sure you know how to behave yourselves. We don’t have a police force here, but we do try to keep the peace. We don’t tolerate theft, and if you attack someone unprovoked, don’t expect not to be kicked out on the spot. As long as everyone behaves themselves, things are better for all of us. You know who your troublemakers are. Keep an eye on them, and it should all be good.”

  More murmuring and nodding commenced. It was obvious that all of them wanted this pep talk to be over so they could do whatever they wanted—and I didn’t think for a second that browsing for new gear was on anyone’s mind.

  “What about trading?” I asked when it became obvious that no one else would.

  Candy shrugged. “If you have anything you want to get rid of, I’m sure you can find someone to trade with at the bazaar. If it’s something for the settlements, we have a drop-off at the market, by the post office. If you plan on heading to one of the settlements next, go there and they’ll hand over pre-packaged boxes for the towns, and their mailbags. But you don’t need to contribute anything, and you don’t need to do the drop-offs, either. Just if it’s convenient for you. They have to let you in if you’re delivering their goods, right?”

  That comment made me guess that we hadn’t been the only ones who had met with reluctance where entry was concerned.

  “We don’t know yet where we’re heading next,” I replied.

  I got another bright grin for that. “Sure you don’t. Go explore our little dig here. Get drunk, use the amenities, relax. In a day or two you can drop by the blackboard where we have all the open jobs pinned up. Maybe something strikes your fancy. Or you do a random delivery to one of the settlements, and in a week or so you’re back for some more R&R. Whatever floats your boat. You’re welcome here for five days, but if you want to stay longer, just talk to Command. I’m sure that, with your track record, they’ll make an exception. But most of the better equipped groups are out of here in under a week. You guys wouldn’t be out there all the time if you wanted to settle down.” Her smile grew as she watched Santos fidget. “But I see, I’m starting to bore you. As I said, don’t be stupid, take care of your group, and most of all, have a great time here! You’ve earned it.”

  She hopped back onto the ATV and tapped the driver on the shoulder, making him rev the engine and take off across the tarmac, easily going three times the speed I would have dared use in such a crowded place. I looked after them until Martinez handed me my token, making me eye it with curiosity before I pocketed it. A hot shower sounded really good.

  “Do you need anything from the car?” Nate asked, pulling me back to the here and now. When I just looked at him, he grunted. “The damage from our little chase action needs to be looked at, and Andrej’s been working on some plans for how to add more armor plating. We’re driving the smaller three cars over to the garage now to see what we can do. Do you need any of your crap until we have it back?”

  Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who was in desperate need of some time alone.

  I gave Nate the toothy grin he deserved. “If you are referring to my shotguns as ‘crap’ again, I’m going to punch you.”

  “You can try,” he taunted, but shook his head. “Handguns and knife should do for now. Don’t think you’ll need anything else in the meantime. And we still have the caches in the other cars.” He checked his watch. It was just before noon, the sun beating down on us hot enough that I wondered if I could ditch my pants and just wear shorts—but I couldn’t help but feel like that would have been pushing it. Just feeling the warmth on my bare arms and face was divine.

  “I think I’ll get some chow in the meantime, and take a look around.”

  Nate nodded and walked around the car, grumbling under his breath as he adjusted not just my seat, but also all three mirrors. I felt like griping at him that he only did that to spite me, but swallowed the remark. It so wasn’t worth it. Andrej was already taking off, with Taylor quickly following behind. Nate stopped after reversing the car, going as far as letting his window down as he squinted at me. “Meet me at the whorehouse at three.” And then, he was gone, leaving me staring after him with my mouth half open, not sure if I should have railed at him with indignity, or whether it was a lost cause to begin with.

  Martinez joined me, chuckling softly, clearly having heard that last part loud and clear. I silently dared him to say something, but he wisely kept his mouth shut. “Do I even want to ask?” I offered.

  I got a shrug for that. “Likely not. But, as they say, you’ll find out sooner or later.”

  Shaking my head in annoyance, I looked around, realizing that we were actually the last two remaining, except for Burns where he was chatting with Jason. From what I could see of the Chargers’ camp, it was as abandoned as ours. Sauntering over to them, I got twin grins that let me know that Nate’s holler had carried over to them, too. Jason at least had the tact to avert his eyes. Burns winked at me.

  I chose to ignore them. “So what’s worth checking out in this town, or whatever it is?”

  Jason shrugged. “How about we grab some lunch first. I can introduce you to a few people. Show you where the important business is done. And there’s the Wall.” The way he stressed the word, it was clearly capitalized.

  “The Wall?”

  “You’ll see,” he replied.

  The four of us set out toward the main buildings, keeping to the side of the tarmac. There were huddles of cars evenly spaced along the side of the runway, just like ours. Most were temporarily abandoned, their owners engaged elsewhere, or sleeping their hangover off under tarps spanned between the vehicles. The closer we got to the base proper, the more ATVs and dirt bikes zoomed to and fro, weaving effortlessly between the people standing and walking around everywhere. I knew that it was stupid, but I couldn’t quite quench the unease creeping up my spine. It must have been quite obvious from the way Jason smirked at me, but he kept his tone jovial as he spoke up.

  “Not used to being among people anymore, eh?”

  I shrugged. “People, yes. But not hundreds of them.”

  “More like thousands,” he explained. “Last time we were here, estimates were that there are about fifteen hundred permanent residents in Dispatch, with up to two times that many just dropping by for a couple days. And that’s not counting what’s going on over there, on the other side of the fence.” He nodded at the tent town we’d driven around as we’d come in.

  Burns frowned at the mass of multi-colored tents. He didn’t have to voice his thoughts. They were a real liability, even if zombies didn’t make it through the perimeter. No running water, likely no strict latrine digging detail; it was a recipe for disaster, of the disease kind. “Yeah? What’s up with that anyway?” he asked.

  Jason gave a noncommittal grunt. “Still enough idiots out there who believe they’re better off not throwing their lot in with us.” His gaze briefly flitted over to Martinez and me before it returned to Burns. “Not everyone’s as unconcerned about you as your folks.”

  Burns flashed him a bright grin. “And rightly so. I can easily bench-press the lot of them.”

&n
bsp; Martinez chuckled while I shook my head. At Jason’s frown I offered a succinct, “He literally can. And did. If you count doing push-ups with Martinez and me sitting on his back. Don’t ask. It was a long year.”

  We reached the part of the runway that opened up to the tarmac leading to the hangar doors, where we encountered a peculiar sight. Three women were sitting in lawn chairs at the side of the road, complete with sun glasses and flip-flops, next to what looked like a rather hefty machine gun mounted on a tripod. They looked straight out of a “Girls with Guns” commercial. Two of them were waving and shouting to people passing by. More than a few men stopped to chat for a few moments, but usually moved on after getting a snarky comeback from the ladies.

  As we drew closer, the middle one—a blonde bombshell with skin just a tad lighter than Burns’s—stuck her fingers between her lips and whistled, making Jason chuckle.

  “Thought I recognized your car, Pretty Boy,” she called, blinking coquettishly behind her heart-shaped sunglasses. The name made me smile. “Pretty” was not an attribute I’d have assigned to the grizzly ex-militia man next to me.

  “Miss Lola,” Jason greeted her, tipping his imaginary hat, a bright grin splitting his face in two. “Jaymie, Nikki, may I present my friends. This is Bree, Burns, and Martinez. I presume the guys have first names, too, but I’ve yet to hear anyone use ‘em. Folks, this is our very own cheer squad.”

  Lola’s smile widened, now encompassing us, too. “We prefer the monicker ‘The Girls,’ plain and simple. Don’t let Pretty Boy here tell you otherwise.”

  “Or we’ll shoot you,” the pale, dark-haired woman to her left said, nodding at the paint-stained paintball gun leaning against her leg.

  “We might just do it even if you don’t,” the third added, her smile brightening as her eyes skipped from the guys to me. “First time here?”

  I nodded, unable not to grin right back at her. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Her smile turned lopsided. “You better stop that right there or I’ll put you over my knee and spank you, missy.”

  Burns gave a sound that was too close to a strangled laugh for his own good while I just kept grinning at her. “Meow.”

  Lola smacked her lips, accompanied by a theatrical eye-roll. “Oh, you two get a room! Shouldn’t be too hard this time of the day. Lorrie’s doesn’t fill up until later in the afternoon, usually.”

  The minx next to her laughed. “I have my own cozy little house, thanks, bitch.” Her eyes skipped back to me. “Wanna see? I’m Jaymie, by the way. Pretty Boy does shitty introductions.”

  I didn’t think she was serious with her offer, and I couldn’t help but laugh at just how awkward flirting with her made me feel.

  Before I could answer—and mortally embarrass myself—Burns took over.

  “Sorry to burst your bubble, but that one’s practically married.”

  Jaymie drew a brief pout but already her smile was breaking through again, while Nikki, the girl with the paintball gun, asked, “Any of you fine gentlemen looking for a fun time? Not you, Pretty Boy. We know that you’re itching to see your sweetheart again.”

  Jason laughed as he turned to me, explaining. “She means Ruth. She’s in charge of the bunkers. Old hatchet of a woman, but better not tell her I said so. I’ll have to introduce you later. She’s quite something. If you need any weapon mods, she's the woman to see.”

  Behind Jason, I could see that Burns was definitely considering whether Nikki’s offer was a genuine one. He clapped Martinez on the shoulder, hard enough to make our medic stagger. “This fine fellow here’s batting for the other team, but I’m all yours, babe.”

  Martinez chuckled at my groan, but cheesy as it was, the line seemed to work, judging from the once-over Nikki gave Burns. “Why don’t you take me for a beer first, tall fella? Then we’ll see if I can show you a good time.” As far as their wisecracks went, those two were a match made in heaven.

  As she got up, Burns gave me a look that was awfully close to asking for permission, making me wonder if Nate had ordered him and Martinez to keep an eye on me. I gave him a deadpan stare before I couldn’t help but crack a smile. “Go! I’m sure I can get lost all on my own, without you trudging behind me all the time. The base isn’t that large. I’ll find my way back to the cars eventually.”

  “Sure thing,” Burns chuffed, then offered Nikki his arm, making the rest of us howl with laughter. With her flip-flops, her head barely reached up to his shoulder, making them quite the odd pair as they marched off toward what Candy had described as the mess hall tents.

  A nudge on my thigh made me look back to Jaymie, where her neon purple painted toes splayed against my cargo pants. The polish was the exact shade of her purple halter-neck top and the headband that held her brown hair back. With the dark shades and the high-waisted hotpants, she was the epitome of a sixties glam doll. “‘Practically married’ isn’t quite hitched, you know?” she said, pitching her already throaty alto deeper. “After months on the road, doesn’t a little variety sound like a pleasant change from the ever same monotony?”

  I felt my cheeks heat up just a little, but that could have been the sun. Sure, it certainly was the sun. Martinez chuckled again, earning himself a glare from me that he ignored.

  Clearing my throat, I looked back to Jaymie, who was still waiting for my answer. “Not saying I’m not tempted, particularly after the stunt my other half just pulled, but I have to spend every day sitting right next to that ungrateful bastard. I don’t need to exacerbate our constant bitching by actually giving him something to bitch about.” Her pout returned, making me laugh. Shit, it felt good to just goof around like this again. “But I might take you up on that offer if he keeps behaving like an asshole. Just saying.”

  That got me a dazzling smile from her. “My evening’s all free. Come and find me if you change your mind.” Reaching down, she picked up her long drink glass—complete with a fru-fru cocktail umbrella—and took a drag from the straw that was bordering on pornographic. And damn my fucking hormones for responding to that, even if I didn’t want to. Not entirely, at least. Okay, maybe a little. Her smile brightened, clearly realizing what effect she had on me, but her tone returned to the jovial drawl from before. “Oh, by the way, you should say hi to my sister. She keeps chattering about how awesome you are and how much she loves your conversations. I’m sure she’ll bust an ovary if she gets to meet you face to face.”

  “Your sister?” I asked, confused.

  “Tamara,” Jaymie replied, nodding toward what used to be the base tower. “Daytime operator on the radio. She has a mean girl crush on you, which makes no sense whatsoever, seeing as she doesn’t appreciate the ladies as I do. Well, for you she might make an exception.”

  I couldn’t help but look down at what I was wearing, every single piece of equipment chosen for utility, and somewhat stained and scuffed after months of use.

  “Yeah, I’m quite the looker,” I hedged, laughing when she gave me a little leer. “As I said, I’ll let you know. Later.”

  My stomach growled as if on command, giving me a very good reason to beat it. Jason tried to hide the grin that seemed to want to take over his face, but Martinez didn’t bother.

  “See you later, ladies,” he called to them as we turned away.

  “You bet, sweet cheeks!” Lola replied, adding another cat-call whistle as she sent us on our way.

  Jason continued to eye me as we went on, until I sighed and asked, somewhat exasperated, “What?”

  He shrugged. “Nothing. Just sayin’, first time I saw Jaymie go after anyone like that. She’s usually all taunts only, flaunting what no one can ever have. Seems like she’s ready to make an exception for you.”

  I didn’t know what to make of that, so I left it at a shrug. “She’s got good taste. Can’t fault her for that.”

  Jason’s laugh was loud enough that I was sure the girls still caught it. When I glanced back over my shoulder, I got a bright smile from Lola, and Jaymie blew me a k
iss. Ah well.

  Chapter 14

  Jason didn’t seem to have any problems with playing tour guide for Martinez and me. We dropped by the mess hall first, treating ourselves to some veggie stir fry that was handed out on cardboard plates with plastic forks. At my curious look Jason explained that earlier in the spring, one scavenger group had plundered a catering business depot, loading the trucks full and lugging an insane heap of disposable plates over to Dispatch. With running, hot water still a commodity, it was a good short-term solution, and quite the luxury after a year of using our aluminum field equipment. While last fall the guys had been happy to go carnivorous for a few weeks when hunting got feasible with our bunker base, over the winter we’d slowly run out of what little preserves we’d managed to accumulate, making vegetables a new treat. As well-organized as Dispatch seemed, even with chaos reigning everywhere, they likely had their own fields, or else people who supplied the food from elsewhere. Cooking on the road was possible but often not something we did, for various reasons, making hot, fresh food even more of a delicacy than before. And here we didn’t even have scared settlers brandishing their pitchforks at us.

  I could so get used to this.

  After we’d filled ourselves to the gills, we walked over to the markets and the open stalls of what Candy had referred to as the bazaar. I couldn’t see much of a difference between the two, but Jason insisted that it existed. Every single table and stall was overbrimming with goods, ranging from clothes to food, weapons, batteries, tools, and a lot of handmade stuff. In a world where everything was free for the taking it might have seemed peculiar to have a trade system in place, but as I walked from stall to stall, idly browsing the wares, I soon realized that even we, after already raiding a mall and countless small towns, were lacking a lot of things that Before would have been considered bare essentials.