by Robert Boren
“Why do you say that?” Nelson asked.
“Even with all the evidence, they don’t believe that the UN and the Islamists are working together,” Hendrix said. “It’s really pretty funny when you think about it.”
“This Ivan?” Nelson asked.
“Yeah,” he said. “Let me back it up a tad. You need to see the whole thing. I’ll quit gabbing.”
Maria came in with the ice creams and spoons. “Oh, good, you’re past the bad part.”
“Yeah, we were about to watch Ivan the Butcher.”
“How’d he get on TV like that?” Nelson asked.
“He crashed his way in somehow, took over all of the local TV stations,” Hendrix said. “Here we go.”
The picture showed a dim room, with a desk and overstuffed chair behind it. A man sauntered in, wearing an expensive suit and a fedora.
“That guy looks like a frigging gangster from the 1920s,” Nelson said.
“Apparently that’s how he fancies himself,” Maria said.
“Good evening. My name is Ivan. Some of you know me as Ivan the Butcher. That’s a decent name for me, as you can see here.”
The screen changed to video of the checkpoints in LA County, on Redondo Beach Boulevard, showing several dead UN Peacekeepers hanging from the traffic lights on the east side of Hawthorne Boulevard.
“Shoot, forgot,” Maria said. “They show it again. I’m out of here.”
“Only a quick shot,” Hendrix said. “It’ll be over in a second.”
“I’ll just look the other way, then,” she said as she opened her ice cream.
The screen went back to Ivan, still sitting behind his desk.
“We will attack you, UN thugs, and the filthy Islamists you are aligned with. We will kill you where you stand and slip away into the night. You don’t own LA County. We will destroy you.”
Ivan got out from behind his desk and got closer to the camera, his face filling the screen.
“We ask for the people’s help. The UN is not legitimate, nor is the Government of California. They wish to subjugate the people of this great land. It will not stand. This is only the beginning. Tell your friends. Take back your country. Stand up. Become a terror to the oppressors.”
The screen went black.
“Holy shit,” Nelson said. “He’s a scary guy. Wonder if he’s still operating?”
“Don’t know,” Hendrix said. “This has been removed from YouTube many times. Somebody keeps putting it back. We’re lucky we got it.”
“Things must be pretty bad there,” Nelson said.
“Sounds like it,” Hendrix said.
They sat silently for a few moments, eating their ice cream and thinking.
“Kip, you haven’t heard from Holly, have you?” Nelson asked.
“Nope,” he said. “Same with Jerry Sutton.”
“We should start actively looking for them,” Nelson said.
“I agree,” Hendrix said. “It’s possible one or both of them might have been turned.”
“That thought has crossed our minds,” Nelson said.
“Our minds?” Hendrix asked.
“Commissioner Wallis and I talked a few minutes ago, right before I came back in here. He was asking about them.”
“He was probably asking about me too,” Hendrix said.
“Why you?” Maria asked.
“Because I was a strong political adversary of the Governor’s,” Hendrix said, “and very close to Holly. Jerry Sutton actually worked for me.”
“I know you’re okay,” Nelson said. “Holly or Sutton say anything to you about joining the Administration?”
“No,” Hendrix said, “but I know neither of them were happy with the secession. They didn’t agree with me on that. I tried to convince them.”
“If they did turn, they might give it away,” Nelson said. “The phones.”
“Yeah, assuming that everybody working with the Administration has those phone apps.”
“You’re right, there might be Administration allies who don’t have updated phones,” Nelson said. “Damn, this tastes good. I almost finished it already.”
“There’s more,” Maria said.
“No, no, my wife would kill me if she knew I was eating any of this,” Nelson said.
“So what’s next?” Hendrix asked.
“Wallis told Landry we’re going to move air cover to the cities. Landry gave Carlson the detailed orders in the meeting,” Nelson said.
Hendrix chuckled. “Exactly where they won’t be.”
“Yep,” Nelson said. “Now we wait a little and watch. They might try to hit the Gulf again, or even Fort Stockton. We’ll be ready for them.”
“What if that other mole stops it and they manage to hit Fort Stockton?” Maria asked.
“They won’t,” Nelson said. “We’ll make sure of that.”
Chapter 16 – Pick Up
Madison woke up, her foot throbbing with dull pain. She turned to look at Juan Carlos.
“You’re still sitting there?” she asked.
“Where did you expect me to be?” he said, smiling at her.
“There, I guess,” she said. “I feel a lot less groggy now.”
“How’s the pain?”
“Not terrible,” she said. “I’d rather not ramp the pain meds back up so high.”
“You were pretty funny earlier,” Juan Carlos said.
“I can imagine,” she said. “I don’t remember much. Did I make a fool of myself?”
“I don’t think so,” Juan Carlos said. “I enjoyed it.”
She studied his face, then turned red as a beet. “Dammit.”
Juan Carlos chuckled. “What? You remembering now?”
“Yes, and don’t you dare,” she said.
“Don’t I dare what?” he asked.
“You know,” she said.
“You were telling me what you really want,” Juan Carlos said, getting up. He kissed her tenderly. “It is what you want, isn’t it?”
“No,” she said. He kissed her again, more passionately.
“I don’t believe that for a moment,” Juan Carlos said.
“Better stop it or the nurse will come in and make you knock it off,” Madison whispered.
“I heard that,” the nurse said from outside the curtains. “Either of you undressed?”
Juan Carlos laughed.
“No, of course not,” Madison said.
“Good, then I have no problem,” she said.
“You sure you aren’t still feeling those meds too much?” Juan Carlos asked.
“Shut up,” she said. “Did the others find a place?”
“Yep, already got us a room,” Juan Carlos said, still standing next to her. He kissed her again.
“Sit down,” she said softly.
“Okay,” he said, returning to his chair.
“Where?” she asked.
“I’d rather not say out in the open,” Juan Carlos said.
“Oh,” she said. “You don’t think we’re being watched, do you?”
“Probably not, but I don’t want you in danger.”
“Oh,” she said.
The nurse came back in. “You can get dressed now, if you’d like. We’re going to release you in about half an hour.”
“Already?” she asked.
“Do you feel ready?” the nurse asked.
Madison thought about it for a moment. “Yeah, I’m ready. Somebody going to talk to me about the crutches and aftercare?”
“Yes, the doctor will be back after you’re dressed, so chop chop,” she said. “Juan Carlos can stay in there and help you.”
“With pleasure,” Juan Carlos said.
“Don’t sound too enthusiastic or I’ll bring in some staff to do it,” she said.
Madison giggled. “No, it’s okay. He’s just teasing me.”
“Uh huh,” the nurse said.
Juan Carlos helped her get dressed slowly, Madison wincing as she moved.
“My p
ants have blood on the cuff,” she said. “Shit, and my other clothes got blown up.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll get you new clothes,” Juan Carlos said. “I’m in the same boat.”
“We all are, I guess,” Madison said.
“You decent?” the nurse asked.
“Yes,” Madison said.
“Good, then I’ll go tell the doctor.”
They heard her walk away.
“She heard me earlier, didn’t she?” Madison whispered.
Juan Carlos smiled and shook his head yes. “She even joined in the conversation.”
“Oh, God,” Madison said, face red again. “What exactly did I say?”
“I thought you remembered,” Juan Carlos said.
“I remember what I was thinking, but I’m a little hazy about what I shared with you. Don’t remember the nurse saying anything.”
Juan Carlos chuckled. “Sure you want to go there?”
“Yes,” she said, looking away from him in embarrassment.
“The nurse let me know that I can’t hold you to anything you said while under that kind of sedation,” Juan Carlos said.
“Oh, geez,” she said. “What did I say?”
“Let’s just forget about it,” Juan Carlos said.
“No, tell me,” she said.
Juan Carlos sighed. “It was about Lita and Richardson’s wedding.”
“Uh oh,” she said.
“You told me that I’d better try to marry you there,” Juan Carlos said. “You also said you’d say yes.”
“Geez, I was afraid of that,” she said. “That was nonsense.”
“Maybe,” Juan Carlos said.
“You’d better not,” she said. “I see that look in your eyes again.”
“Excuse me,” the doctor said. “Are you dressed, Madison?”
“Yes,” she said. He came in, looking at her face.
“Do you feel dizzy? Your face is flushed.”
“I was just teasing her a little bit, doc,” Juan Carlos said. “She’s fine.”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Okay, I’ll work with you on the crutches, and tell you how to care for your cut. Young man, why don’t you go out into the waiting room. I hear your friends are out there.”
“No problem,” he said. “See you in a few minutes, Madison.”
“Okay, honey,” she said.
Juan Carlos went into the waiting room. Richardson and Lita were sitting out there.
“How’s she doing?” Lita asked.
“Good,” Juan Carlos said. “She’s getting training on the crutches and care of the wound.”
“Good,” Lita said.
“How’s the place?” Juan Carlos asked.
“Perfect,” Richardson said. “Hannah and Brendan stayed there. They’re both beat.”
“So are you, I’ll bet,” Juan Carlos said. “Anything else happen while I’ve been here?”
“No,” Richardson said.
“You hear that?” Lita asked, eyes widening.
“Son of a bitch, is that choppers?” Juan Carlos asked. He bolted to the window and looked out. “Dammit. Four, coming right this way. They ain’t ours, dude.”
“Oh no!” cried Lita.
Juan Carlos and Richardson ran to the emergency room desk.
“We’re about to get attacked,” Richardson said. “There a basement in here?”
“Oh my God,” the receptionist said. “Yes, there’s a basement, past the emergency room.”
“Madison,” Juan Carlos shouted. “Madison!”
The nurse opened the door to the emergency room. “Quit yelling, young man,” she said.
Juan Carlos rushed past, followed by Lita and Richardson.
“Choppers on the way to attack,” Juan Carlos shouted. “Everybody into the basement!” He saw a wheelchair, pushed it over to Madison, pulling back the curtains as the doctor and Madison looked at him in shock. Juan Carlos picked her up and put her in the chair. “Where’s the basement?”
“Elevator’s right over there,” the doctor said, looking like he was in a daze.
“Stop!” the nurse shouted.
Machine gun fire erupted outside, along with the sound of screams and breaking glass in the waiting room.
Juan Carlos pushed Madison to the elevator and hit the button. It opened and he pushed her inside, Lita following. Richardson made sure that they were inside, then pushed the button to the basement floor and leapt back out.
“Richardson!” Lita cried as the door shut.
He ran out towards the window.
“What are you doing?” the nurse asked.
“Get downstairs,” he yelled. “Now!”
Machine gun fire continued, and small explosions. Richardson ducked out the emergency exit, the alarm going off. He saw the choppers circling, getting ready for another run. Get the SMAW out of the car. He made a run for it, getting to the car before the choppers got finished with their wide banking turn. He pulled the SMAW out of the back of the SUV and then ran for cover as the chopper’s mini-guns opened up on the building again.
“What’s happening?” yelled somebody.
“Go get in the basement,” Richardson yelled as he aimed the SMAW. He pulled the trigger, the grenade flying out, hitting one of the choppers, causing a huge midair explosion. He fumbled with reloading the SMAW as he saw it fall, the other choppers heading towards him.
“Dammit, the shell is stuck again,” he muttered to himself as he tried to pull it out. Then there was a loud roar, and two of the choppers blew up, hit by missiles. Three fighter jets zoomed by, with Texas Air National Guard insignia.
“Yes!” Richardson yelled. “About time.” He watched as the last chopper tried to escape. It didn’t get far, blowing up in the sky, debris raining down on the far side of the parking lot. Richardson rushed back into the hospital and sprinted down the stairs into the basement, now thick with trembling people.
“Lita!” Richardson yelled, still carrying the SMAW.
“Back here!” Lita called. He rushed to her, standing by Juan Carlos, Madison in the wheelchair next to them.
“What happened?” Juan Carlos asked.
“I shot down one of the choppers with the SMAW, and then the damn shell extractor screwed up again,” he said. “I’ll have to take a look at this. Probably needs a new part.”
“What happened to the other choppers?” Lita asked. “We heard the explosions.”
“Texas Air National Guard,” Richardson said. “They finally showed up when we needed them.”
“Thank God for that,” Lita said.
“Can we leave now?” Madison asked, eyes red from crying.
“I think we should,” Richardson said. “Hopefully the car didn’t get hit.”
“Let’s go back to the elevator,” Juan Carlos said. They worked their way towards it, slowed by the throng of people. It took them nearly five minutes to get back to the emergency room.
“Oh, no!” Madison said, looking at the nurse. She was lying on the floor, blood all around her, the doctor kneeling, trying to revive her.
“No, not her,” Juan Carlos said, tears running down his cheeks.
The doctor backed away, crying. “She’s gone.”
“No no no,” Madison said, shaking as she sobbed.
“Let’s get out of here,” Lita said.
“Yeah, you guys can go,” the doctor said. “Take care of yourself, Madison.”
“I’ll be okay,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”
Juan Carlos grabbed the crutches and handed them to Madison. Then he pushed her through the door into the waiting room as Richardson held it open.
“Don’t look,” Richardson said as they went through. There were bloodied bodies all over the waiting room. The receptionist they talked too was head down on the front desk, blood all over her. They went out the door.
Juan Carlos looked in the skies. He could see the fighter jets circling around above them. “Good, they’re watching out.”
> “The enemy knew we were here, didn’t they?” Madison asked.
“I doubt if they tracked us here,” Richardson said. “This is the only hospital for miles. Not that hard to figure out where to hit.”
“Bastards,” Lita said. “At least the SUV looks okay.”
Richardson used the key fob to open the tailgate, and tossed the SMAW into the back. Juan Carlos helped Madison into the passenger-side back seat, then put the crutches in the back and raced around to the driver’s side, sliding in close to her. She took his hand. Richardson and Lita got in, and they took off.
“Where are we going?” Madison asked.
“Loyola Beach,” Richardson said. “It’s nice. There’s a cottage waiting for you there, and we get three or four days off.”
“Good,” Madison said. “I’m getting sleepy again.”
“It’s only ten minutes away,” Lita said. “Here.” She handed cellphones to Madison and Juan Carlos.
“Won’t they be able to track these?” Madison asked.
“No, these have been modified,” Lita said. “They’ll buzz you if any phone tries to install the virus. Then they collect data from that phone, and you’ll be able to reverse track them.”
“Oh, really now?” Juan Carlos said. “Nice.”
Lita held up her phone and showed them how to work the tracking app.
“Who came up with this?” Madison asked, sounding a little groggy.
“One of Gallagher’s people,” Richardson said.
“We sure these can’t be tracked?” Juan Carlos asked.
“Yeah, we’re sure,” Richardson said.
They rode along silently for a few minutes, nearing the coastline.
“One other thing,” Richardson said. “No credit cards. We’re using cash only, so the enemy can’t find us.”
“I’ll need clothes,” Madison said.
“Shoot, almost forgot,” Richardson said. He pulled over to the side of the road. “Juan Carlos, there’s a bag behind the seat with a t-shirt and board shorts in it. Change. Now. We don’t want anybody to see us in uniforms near our hiding place.”
“Good idea,” Juan Carlos said. He grabbed the bag and went out the door, peeling off his uniform.
“Eyes front,” Madison said to Lita.
Lita giggled. “Yeah, I forgot. He’s your man.”
“You think that bothers me,” Madison said softly. “It doesn’t. Not even a little bit. Not now.”