Life After War: Books 1-3

by Angela White

  Marc's scowled. It bothered him that people were already starting to notice her strangeness. How would he ever protect her here if things went bad?

  Neil felt his new friend’s sudden worry and caught his eye. "She's safe. He's very careful with the females, and he hasn't picked a final destination yet because we haven't found one that he thinks we can live in. It's only one of the many things he's got us constantly on the lookout for. He's building a future for us where one doesn’t exist, but he can't do it alone. He needs strong help who will back him up even when the unpopular choices are made."

  "You mean like going underground."

  Neil blinked. There was that razor again. "Yes. He loathes the idea the same as the rest of these men, but there will be winter this year, whether it comes in August or January. If we can't find a place and get it ready, we won't see spring, no matter how well he cares for us. The first winter will be hard, probably longer than we're used to. We have to prepare and he's teaching us as fast as he can, but there are still nights he doesn't sleep. Can't, I think. He just wanders, thinks and looks."

  Marc didn't meet Neil's eye as they stopped by his dark tent. "I can help. I have ideas. Things I've noticed since I came in." He paused, reluctant. "Should I give them to Kenn and keep proving I can follow the chain-of-command?"

  Neil motioned him to follow as he ducked inside, heading for the lantern. "Give it to Kenn if it’s small shit you can't believe he missed, otherwise, always Adrian. Have a seat."

  The state cop’s tent was a close copy of their fearless leader, but for some reason Marc was glad to see jeans on the floor and papers scattered about. Adrian's perfectly neat tent made him think of a library and that bothered him, especially the lined-up change. Who would spend the time doing it when money was no good now?

  "So why not give them to you?"

  Neil handed him a wet beer from the cooler and a paper towel. "Because I'm not trying to move up those ranks anymore. I can't fill Kenn's shoes, and Adrian knows it. I suspect you could, though."

  Marc shook his head, and the trooper waved it off. "You don't now, but that's because your mind’s already taken. Our understanding had to come quick. The things we loved the way you do Angie were gone, and he was exactly what we needed, always full of hope to balance our grief. Once he helps you find happiness, the need to repay him, to serve him, will overwhelm you the same as it did the rest of us. "

  5

  Kenn had ditched his pals and spent Mess in his tent, breaking in a new punching bag he'd put up, but hadn't used yet. He didn't bother with the gloves or tape, though he had both in his duffel bag, and he cast fast, furious shadows on the canvas walls as he let out the humiliation, anger, and guilt.

  If only he hadn't hit her! That's what had his own people turning on him. He shouldn't have corrected her physically no matter how much she needed it. His old temperament fought with the new man he was becoming. When Kenn finally headed for the showers, his breathing was hard and he was dripping sweat, face bright red.

  Kenn saw the two new tents up on the women's side, one of them directly across from where Brady's had been set up, and fresh rage churned into his gut. People would suspect she had done it because she was scared. Would they be right? Was she? Then how could she keep resisting? She had avoided him for the two days she'd been here, and even now, the whispers around him were awful, the waves sloshing over the sides of his rocking boat.

  Kenn sighed, nodding to friends and those who wanted to offer condolences and support, ignoring the questions and hard stares. He had roughly five days before Angela confirmed what everyone was thinking. Five days to keep it all from blowing up in his face. How? What would it take to keep her mouth shut and get her to return to his side?

  “Nothing,” his mind insisted flatly. “She might not tell them, but in return, you'd have to give her Brady.” Kenn flinched at even the thought, letting the cool water beat on him. He couldn't do that. He had to find a way to get her to come back.

  His icy heart spoke up. “Lie. Tell her that she's free and try to win her back. Use her boy. She owes you.” The voice was ruthless. “Release her and then beg her not to split up the only family you have. Don't actually say she owes you for looking after the boy, but think it so she'll hear.”

  Kenn's mind kept talking, and he began to feel better, putting the words together in his head. He could do that. He'd been playing roles all his life. While he wore her down, he would keep Brady busy with nasty work designed to at least make him complain and be known as a whiner. He could hope that it would run him off too, but deep down, Kenn knew it wouldn't. The only one who could get the wife stealer to leave was Adrian, and that wasn’t happening.

  Kenn sighed, drying off. He would help with the Level tests like he always did, and then he'd spend a couple of hours working on schedules and watching for Angela to hit the showers or bathrooms, which he would be able to see from a dim corner of the Mess. She would expect him to be on duty again, like last night.

  First though, he'd suck it up and do rounds, along with anything else he could think of that might earn points or be expected of him. Adrian was also a wild card, as well as an ace in this deck, and he would have to be careful not to make the boss think about giving his place to Neil or Brady. Both men were definite rivals as far as Kenn was concerned, and while he was glad there would be only one of them for the next two hours, he was still dreading seeing them together in Adrian's tent for the poker game that he wasn't entirely sure he had been invited to.

  6

  "This might get ugly. More men will support him right now, but Adrian has the final say." Neil met Marc’s eye. "There's always chance he'll side with Kenn."

  "Shouldn't you ask him first?"

  Neil shook his head as the two men stood in the darkest shadows just behind the row of semis that hid Adrian's Base. "He likely already knows. He doesn't miss much."

  Marc was unable to keep his mind from comparing all this tension to the nights spent happily around the campfire, alone with the only woman he'd ever loved. "We don't have to keep doing it. I've been a loner all my life. Why should now be any different?"

  Neil rounded on him with a tight voice. "Because of the War! Why else? Our country needs us.”

  Neil studied him, trying to find the right words, “Don't you feel that sense of duty anymore? The one that kept you in the Marines for so long after you could go?"

  Marc didn't answer. He couldn't lie and say he felt nothing.

  "You stayed for the highs and the adventure, but mostly because you believed you were making a difference in the world, that you mattered. You can have that here, but it’s better because he's worthy of that kind of respect and loyalty."

  Marc still said nothing, not wanting to argue with his new friend.

  The trooper sighed. "It really comes down to how badly you want a chance with her."

  That got Marc’s full attention. "I don't see how swearing myself to someone I don't know or trust will give me a chance with Angie."

  "But I do. Would it help to know that she has? Sworn to him, I mean. She's already been... looking."

  Marc wanted to be surprised but couldn't. "This is what she's always longed for. If she's using it, then she's seen something, and she has no doubts. All I can see is an abusive man in a very high place of authority."

  Neil waved a hand. "That's Kenn. Doubt him, like the rest of Adrian's circle, but never Adrian himself. He would give his life for any of us. Kenn hid it well. Adrian will take care of it, but in his own time and way."

  Marc nodded, seeing alert, well-hidden guards coming out for a second of brief contact with Neil that said everything was 5-by.

  "I'll try, I really will, and I appreciate what you're doing for me. God knows I need it, but if she chooses him, I don't know how long I'll stay. You may be doing all this for nothing."

  Neil's green eyes knew better. "You'd leave behind the love of your life and your son?"

  Marc's face didn't betray him, but he kne
w his surprised eyes did. Instead of the lie that sprang to his lips, Marc let the survivor inside handle it like any other hostile situation. "That means Adrian knows. Does Kenn?"

  Neil shook his head, impressed with the Wolfman’s reaction and very pleased with himself for figuring it out. He hadn't been completely sure. Kenn and Charlie really did look alike. "Negative and not one of us would ever tell him."

  That remark caused Marc to frown. "Us?"

  "Adrian's circle. Kenn's the only one who hasn't put it together."

  Marc spent a moment considering, and then shook his head. "The Marine I know would have suspected it by now. My bet is that he does, but thinks it will tip the camp in my favor. He's acting like he doesn't, so it won't come out."

  Neil's mouth was hanging open, and he closed it with a snap. Hadn't he often thought there might be devious things going on inside Kenn’s mind? The way he was always “accidentally” in the right place to earn points with Adrian or the camp. The trooper slowly answered, "You know him better… does he really have that much self-control? Shouldn't he have at least confronted you or her about it?"

  Marc scowled, wondering if maybe that had been the rage behind the slaps on the way here. "Maybe he has. You should ask her, so we'll both know."

  Neil repeated his earlier question. "Would you really leave?”

  "Yes. I couldn't stay and see them together. I'd rather die."

  The cop shrugged, not sure he believed the man, but not sure he didn't either. "I'll still take my chances, and in return for all my hard work, I'd ask that you not talk about anything you see or hear tonight, and that you try to read between the lines until you decide what kind of a future you want. Two days is hardly enough time to know."

  "I agree, and thank you. On my own, today would have been very ugly."

  Neil slapped him on the back. "It's not over. Kenn will put up a fight the second he sees you, but just so you know, Adrian won't let him back-shoot you."

  Marc snorted. "You didn't like him on first sight, did you?"

  "Nope. I know a problem when I see it.” The Level Five Eagle waved a hand. “Welcome to Fort Haven."

  Kenn was enduring all the looks and remarks by pretending it was Seth who had won. The ball of anger that had been festering for three days was mostly gone now that he had a plan of action. He didn't expect Angela to give in quickly, not with all the support she now had here, but he had things left to try. Kenn wasn't sure if he could start over with her, but it was momentous that he was even considering it, and his heart thumped painfully in denial when both of his rivals stepped from the trees and into the training area.

  The two men were laughing and talking like they'd been friends for years instead of one day. Probably about me, Kenn thought. It was yet another slap in the face for Neil to bring him here and Kenn cautioned himself to be careful. Adrian's sharp eyes were watching him. He couldn't lose control. He could put up a fight though, and he would. "He's not allowed to be here."

  Every head turned as Neil and Marc stopped by the flickering bonfire.

  Neil's frown was harsh. "Says who?"

  The guards watching murmured in surprise at the direct challenge. The tension was thick, and the three dozen men around them moved closer.

  Kenn tossed his butt into the fire, not looking away. "The rules. He's not one of us."

  "Yet," Neil stated firmly.

  Kenn said nothing, just looked to Adrian.

  Everyone except the trooper was surprised when the leader only shrugged. "You don't need me for this."

  His bored tone made Kenn flush, and Neil nodded. "The rule is no unauthorized personnel. Brady's authorized."

  "By who? You?" Kenn demanded.

  Neil took a step closer, his green eyes like flint in the firelight. "Adrian. The rules he made before you came still exist. The contest winner gets the title, no toilet crew while he's the champ, and he's offered a place with the new rookies." The cop’s voice sharpened. "He's going to be one of us whether you want it or not."

  "I've never heard that." Kenn's voice was as cold as the wind, but inside, he was burning.

  "We have the crews mostly covered now. Back then, we needed warm bodies on guard any way we could get them. Once they were shown and evaluated, they were put to work. All of them are still Eagles. We don't use some of the old rules, but we still need good men. That much hasn't changed."

  There was no note of accusation in his tone, but his eyes screamed, and Kenn hated him for it, knowing he had lost again. "He hasn't been evaluated."

  Neil blew out a frustrated breath at having to drive in his point. He enjoyed drilling people. He didn't like being cruel. "He's as good as Kyle and his boys; you just don't want anyone to know it. Give him the test. He'll pass."

  "Not right now," Adrian interrupted, admiring the Neil’s ambush. "We're busy. He stays. Let's get started."

  The Marine snapped his mouth shut on another complaint, and every guard waiting to be tested suddenly hoped desperately not to draw Kenn's name for the Cage.

  "Who has inside?"

  Doug moved closer at Adrian’s question, swollen face starting to fade into deep shades of purple and green. "Me. Kyle traded."

  "Good. Pick your first sacrifices."

  The big Irishman began pointing at waiting guards, and Marc stayed close to Neil, taking a minute to do as the cop had asked - gather information.

  The tent behind them was gigantic, closed on three sides. The outside area was lit by glow sticks and the bonfire, as was the smaller tent to their left. He saw efficient organization and no fear on the young and middle-aged faces. No boredom or signs they were being forced, only a strong determination to succeed that he recognized from the green recruits on the base… and from himself as well. These men wanted to be here.

  "There's a reason we're here." Adrian's voice got everyone's attention.

  "There's a reason we made it this far when so many of those we left behind did not. There's a reason we were spared."

  Aware he would have Marc's ear for the next thirty seconds, the leader used it as much as he could.

  "It wasn't luck or coincidence or even skill that brought us here. It was Fate. We were meant to carry on, chosen to save our country." He met Marc's eye before looking around at his men. “More are coming. We're not complete, probably not even by half yet. Together we’ll be strong enough to start over, to keep America and some of her people alive.”

  Adrian paused. "Now, if that's too much for you, or maybe you just don't want to think about the future, don't care, then you probably shouldn't be here. Doubts are normal, but they don’t belong in my Army. When you're done, want out, it’s okay, with no fights or bad reputation. These are things I tell the rookies at their first test. You'll hear it over and over as you pass through the levels. Because I need you to believe in it as much as I do or this won't work."

  Adrian gave Doug a nod. "They're all yours. Be gentle. It's their first time."

  The other men laughed, and the ten nervous guards followed Doug into the privacy of the tent.

  "I'm out here for a while, and then we'll go in."

  Marc nodded at Neil’s words, watching a large black hat get passed around the remaining men. Each one drew a slip of paper from it, followed by groans and grins.

  Marc hung back as the trooper joined Kyle and Kenn by the smaller tent that sported a number of banners, an American flag, and a simple name. The Cage.

  "Trainers."

  Adrian held out another black hat to Kenn, who drew a paper and passed the hat to Kyle. Neil also drew a slip from the hat.

  "I have… one," Kenn growled for drama.

  Marc saw him grin at the look on Kevin's face. The rookie they'd sat with at Mess had just gone green.

  "I've got Kenn. Shit."

  "I've got Neil." Seth was grinning, full of arrogance and unintentional disrespect. "You'll take it easy on me ‘cause we're buddies, right? You scratch mine, and I'll do yours?"

  Neil’s smile was cool, ta
unting. "Maybe, if you blow me first. I’ll only give special treatment to my bitch!"

  There was loud, mocking laughter from the listening men, and Seth's smile faded, hearing the tone that said the trooper wasn't kidding. "I thought we were friends."

  Neil waved a hand, taking off his gun belt. "We are - the best - but here and now, that means shit. I'm what stands between you and Level Three status. I won't just give it to you or anyone else."

  Neil finished his warning as Kevin and Kenn stepped into the tent, the tarp drawn back for everyone to watch.

  "What we're doing here matters Neil, I know that. I was just running off at the mouth."

  The trooper’s frown didn't change. "Yes, you were."

  He left Seth off balance, unsure what to expect, and Marc saw Adrian's nod of approval and understood that here in Ft. Haven, it was all about the lessons.

  "This is simple. My dog tags are in a back corner of the tent. Return them to me and you pass. The limit is ten minutes."

  Kevin's fight was almost an exact copy of Seth's first test, and Marc, too, felt that moment when the cab driver realized he wanted this bad enough to keep going despite the pain and the odds. When Kevin’s bloody hand finally held up the metal tag, Adrian was there to take them, and Marc joined in the cheer, connected to them in spite of himself.

  "Time?"

  Kyle had the clipboard and stopwatch and looked up from writing. "I forgot to hit the button. Do it again."

  Kenn spun back toward the tent, and Kevin's face fell, making men laugh and Adrian grin.

  "Four minutes, fifteen seconds. No record."

  "Pass. See Doug. Next match."

  7

  True to his word, Neil had no mercy on his friend. Marc was very impressed with the trooper's command of his body, smoothly blocking, tripping, kicking. When Seth finally got mad and started to fight back, Marc saw Adrian give the trooper a subtle nod.