Into the Darkness (Book 1): Vigilante

by Deane, Cliff

  Then recognition began to set in, and he said, “Gus, Gus Murtaugh! Is it really you?

  Guard, open the gate.”

  Gus said, “Yes, it’s me, Levi. May we come in?”

  Levi grabbed Gus in a huge bear hug, lifting him off the ground and said, “Of course, and who is this young man?”

  “Levi, this is my son, Darren. Darren, this is the man I’ve told you so much about, Colonel Levi Levins.”

  Levi asked one of the guards to take the horses to Bruce, the Ferrier to have the horses checked out and fed.

  As they passed the gate Katie appeared beside Levi and took his hand. “And this,” said Levi, “is my daughter Katie Levins.

  Gus held out his hand to shake hands with Katie who looked at the hand for several seconds before accepting the offer of friendship.

  Gus introduced Darren to Katie, and both blushed.

  Levi led them to his office and directed the SGM to find Ralph, Lt. Colonel Eldridge and Major Smith to request they drop by to say hello to an old friend.

  Levi asked Kate to show Darren our little town while he and Gus caught up.

  Kate was not at all thrilled, as she still harbored some level of distrust of males, but in an effort to please her Dad, she agreed and off they went.

  Just as that moment Ralph and Scott came in to say hello. Gus hugged them both and then looked closely at Scott seeing the silver eagles of a Full. Colonel, turned to Levi and asked, “Wasn’t Scott a Staff Sergeant when we last met?”

  “Yep, he sure was, and now he is slated to assume command of the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment. I know, we didn’t have enough men to drive the trucks back from Lejeune, but now we have nearly four hundred troopers from all over America in our ranks.”

  Gus sat down and said, “All over America, but Levi, it’s crazy outside of your borders, and I mean crazy.”

  “Wait a sec there, Gus, we have named our new nation America and it consists of those forty miles. Everyone seemed to like it and the vote was carried by a huge margin.”

  They continued to chat for several minutes before sensing that Levi and Gus would like some privacy, and excused themselves.

  When they were again alone Levi gave Gus the story of the meteoric rise of Scott Eldridge. He also told him that Ben did not feel prepared for that level of command and really loved his job as XO. He made it clear to us that he wanted to remain in his job. Levi noted that he was very relieved at Ben’s decision because Ben could not be replaced. He was that good.

  Gus then asked, “Levi, I had no idea you had children, I thought you were alone.”

  Levi explained how he came to adopt Katie, and how he found her.

  Gus said, “Yeah that would explain the hesitation on the handshake thing and the intro to Darren.”

  Levi then asked what had happened to Gus back in Kentucky.

  Gus related that he made it home in only three weeks, but that was two weeks too late. His wife and two daughters were raped and murdered. The girls were ten and twelve.

  Neighbors opened their home to Darren in the hope that I would find my way back. Fortunately, Darren had not been home when the assault happened. The family that took him in burned the house down to the foundation after finding Colleen and the girls. They told me that they were sorry about the fire, but they did not want me to see the family or the inside of the home.

  Darren and I hung around for a few days while I rested up and did some scrounging for the family. The only thing in the house that survived the fire was my gun safe in the basement. It did take a bit of work to get to it, but it was worth the effort. I didn’t have much in the way of weapons, but was able to give Darren’s saviors a 9 mil and one hundred rounds of hollow point.

  Darren and I took the two long rifles, both ARs and a couple of 9 mil HiPoints along with a thousand rounds of ammo. I still have my issue Beretta, too.

  Darren’s fifteen now and those summer camps are paying off. He camps well and is an excellent shot and spotter.”

  Levi asked if they would like to stay in Defiance. Gus declined saying that he had other plans. He would ask Darren is he wanted to stay if that was all right with the Mayor.

  “If Darren chooses to stay then I guarantee he will be welcome. Do you have a destination in mind for your travels?”

  Gus said that he intended to move on south for the winter, beyond that he would take it one day at a time.

  “Gus, I have arranged to turn over command to Scott on 1 Sep. I also plan to leave. You see, on the first day of light’s out my wife Sarah was also raped and murdered. As I killed her attacker I swore to Sarah that I would become an avenging Vigilante and make it my life’s work to send as many villains as possible straight to hell…with prejudice.

  It seems we are, at least planning on moving in the same direction. Are you willing to give up the horse thing? You’re welcome to come with me in my luxurious 1965 Jeep.”

  Gus was stunned at my revelation. He said he had no idea of my tragedy, and though he didn’t really want to say so, he had the same goal in mind. Kill killers until one killed him. Therefore, yeah, he was more than willing to go with Levi except for one thing. “Levi, I don’t see how we could go for long distances with three or four passengers in a Jeep.”

  “Yes, I guess you are right, my thinking was still focused on one. All right giddy-up cowboy. When were you thinking of leaving?”

  Gus said that he thought he’d like to stay four or five days to rest up and maybe find a razor. The told Levi that the beard thing was getting a little old.

  “Say, Levi, what was in that heavy assed box the General gave you?”

  Levi told him all about the box and the trip to Sunny Point. He also told Gus about the return to Lejeune and finding the General’s body. “He is still in his chair, forever on duty.”

  “I had a suspicion that he would take that route. His options were really few. I remember that just before I locked the gate I turned toward his office and sent a final salute to him and then to the colors.

  He was a good man and honorable man; I miss him.”

  “Tell me, is it possible for you to be able to depart on 1 Sep?” asked Levi.

  Gus liked the idea and said he would speak to Darren when he returned.

  *

  25 Aug 00, 1300

  Levi’s Quarters

  Defiance, America

  “Katie, we need to talk…”

  Kate interrupted saying, “Dad, don’t worry about it, it’s fine. I don’t care what the destination is, all that matters is that we are together. So, when do we leave?”

  “Sweetie, you are staying here. I have things I have to do, and I do not want you to be a part of it.”

  Trying hard to keep her cool, Kate said, “What I am going to say right now is not going to feel good to you, Dad, but it has to be said.

  Do you think that other than dying your Sarah suffered anymore than I did with more than three months of being brutally used in every way you can imagine, or maybe you can’t, but I can because those things did happen to me. I’m sorry, Dad, I love you, but I trust no one else, and I will go with you.

  Don’t you think I have a right to some pay back for what those animals did to me? Did you think I was just feeding you a fucking line of bullshit?”

  “Kate,” said Levi harshly, “do you eat with that mouth! You will speak like a young lady, are we clear?”

  “No, Levi, we are not clear. If you leave me here, I owe you nothing. Leave me here and I will follow, I mean it. You can have Ralph lock me up for as long as you want, but as soon as he lets me out, I am gone.

  If you go, I go, maybe I never find you, and maybe I die of a broken heart.” Katie began to sob and threw herself into Levi’s arms. “Dad, I’ve become a really good shot, and spotter. I can fight now, and win. Look, you need a spotter and someone to cover your six while we do what we both have to do. Did you notice I’m even learning Army talk…covering your six?”

  Both had tears now and Levi sa
id, “Sweetie, you’re killing me, here, you know that?”

  Through her deep sobs she managed to say, “and you are killing me if I can’t find you when Ralph lets me out.”

  “Kate, I’ll make you a deal, give me one year and I’ll come back for you and then we’ll go. It will give you time to grow and hone your skills. By then you might even be able to kick my butt.”

  “Oh, please, I can kick your butt now, and no, but how about you take me with you for one year and then we’ll see what happens?”

  “Sweetie, how about we go out for a week as a trial?”

  “Daddykins, how about we go out for three months as a trial?”

  “This, young lady is my final offer, accept it or you don’t go at all. Two months, and we’ll see.”

  She hugged him so tight he couldn’t breathe for a few seconds. “Deal, Dad, I love you and you’ll see. We will make the perfect team. You’ll see.”

  “Dear God in Heaven, I must some kind of natural born fool to go down this road, but yeah, we’ll see. I love you Kate.”

  “Dad, you keep calling me Kate instead of Katie. I like it, buy why?”

  “Sweetheart, Kate sounds more grown up that Katie, and I got a feelin’ you are thirteen goin’ on thirty, and just for the record I was not looking forward to leaving you behind. I guess I just have to face it, you are a part of me now, and you know what? I’m glad.

  Now, tell me all about Darren.”

  “Dad, you need to learn when to just shut up.”

  WAIT! THERE’S STILL MORE.

  THE FIRST CHAPTER OF:

  VIRUS: STRAIN OF ISLAM

  IS ON THE NEXT PAGE.

  IT IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN MYSELF

  AND MY MENTOR MR. A J NEWMAN.

  IF YOU LIKE BIO-TERRORISM THRILLERS

  THEN YOU ARE GONNA’ LOVE

  VIRUS: STRAIN OF ISLAM

  Please read the reviews on:

  www.amazon.com

  ☣

  Chapter 1

  April 1st 0942 hours

  John F Kennedy International Airport

  New Your City

  A wraithlike figure shrouded in a black Hijab had deliberately walked past numerous A/C intake vents releasing an invisible vapor into each one.

  She needed to make frequent stops to rest as her strength began to fail. Her bowels had become uncontrollable as the morning wore on. Finally, she made her way to a long TSA inspection line. She appeared to be somewhat unsteady on her feet.

  She was trying to push through her pain and loss of bodily functions. She thought I must stay on my feet until Omar returns to give me the antidote. Where can he be?

  At that point, Omar was exiting the Holland Tunnel and getting as far from New York City as he could, though it would do him no good…

  She had arrived at JFK at 6:30 a.m. and immediately began releasing a fine aerosol mist into the air and into several A/C intake ducts located along her way to the TSA baggage inspection. In just a few minutes, she had released a new weaponized airborne version of Ebola. She then returned to the TSA inspection line while waiting for her husband, Omar.

  She had no idea that what she was really waiting for was no antidote, but rather she unwittingly waited for the meth-amphetamines, and anti-diarrhea medications, which had kept her going to wear off.

  As the woman reached the line, several nearby passengers, also waiting in the TSA line, became highly offended by the horrible smell usually associated with diarrhea, which was now emanating from this woman in black.

  One angry man went to the nearest Security Officer and complained about the smell. The Officer made a call on his radio, and as he turned to look at the woman in the Hijab, he saw her fall to her knees vomiting in painful cramping heaves. Those passengers around her scrambled back, except for a few good Samaritans who tried to help her.

  The Security Officer called for the EMTs to come running, but before they could get to her, she fell onto her face…dead.

  Several passengers began to kneel beside her to remove her head covering but quickly retreated when the Security Officers ordered everyone to back away so the EMTs could get to her. The smell was beyond description and began spreading down the corridor, as was an invisibly fine mist that continued to emanate from the A/C ducts.

  Airport Security moved the crowd back well away from the scene as three EMTs wearing masks and gloves completely removed her head covering and discovered blood seeping from the woman’s eyes. A closer examination revealed that additional blood had escaped from every orifice of her head.

  While the EMTs were tending to the woman, a security officer opened the victim’s bag he found two stainless steel containers each about the size of a whipped cream spray can. Each cylinder was three inches wide with a two-inch cylinder sticking out that had perforated sides. Both were covered with a dull white powder.

  He immediately took one of the canisters to the Head of EMT/Medical Operations at JFK, Dr. Emile Dawkins, and said, “Doctor, you have to see this.”

  “Kinda busy here Hoss, is it important?”

  “Oh yes sir,” and he presented the can to Doctor Dawkins.”

  “Yes sir, we found two of these canisters in her carry on luggage, and they are empty. We immediately began searching trashcans and have found several others all over the terminal. We have Airport Security checking trash cans in every public area.”

  “What the… aerosol canisters? All right let’s get the residue on these cans tested, now!”

  He looked at his fellow EMTs and asked, “You don’t think this shit is airborne, do you? I mean, is that even possible?”

  “Holy shit Doc, think about it. The victim wasn’t a victim. She’s a terrorist.”

  The medic looked at his partner and whispered, “Oh shit, this is Ebola, she has Ebola!” Doctor Dawkins stood and walked over to his friend, Captain Eugene Cates, the Deputy Director of Airport Security at the John F. Kennedy International Airport. The Captain was observing the Security Officers who were keeping the passengers away from the possible crime scene.

  Together they walked over to a quiet spot, and the EMT said, “Oh man, this is bad. Now, I want you to keep a straight professional face. You ready?”

  “Oh shit, this is gonna’ be bad, isn’t it, but yeah, no reaction so go ahead.”

  “Captain, she is dead, she has Ebola, and it appears that it might be airborne.”

  Captain Cates was nothing if not professional. He maintained his composure on the outside and said, “Are you sure, absolutely sure? If it is we have to lock the entire airport down.”

  “Yeah Gene, if it’s not Ebola it’s one of the other Hemorrhagic diseases.

  Cates motioned to his deputy to come with him to a spot about twenty feet away and said, “Lockdown this area and don’t let anyone come in or leave. If this really is Ebola, it must be highly contagious. I need to call the Big Guy. This could be terror related.”

  Captain Cates saw the fear in the officer’s eyes and said, “Look, dickhead, I see the panic in your eyes, so don’t you even think about jumpin’ ship. As long as we stay away and wear our masks, we’ll be fine. So, relax and get to work.”

  Dawkins said, “On my authority alone, I am making the call to initiate the Ebola Protocols now, at, let’s see 10:13 a.m.

  I’ll contact the CDC, and you get in touch with Airport Management. They need to get a move on to get this place cordoned off and locked down right now.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know, but if we’re wrong it’s our jobs, and oh man; the lawsuits. You’re really sure?”

  “Damn it, Cates, I’m sure, so get moving.”

  “Yeah, okay, sure, I’m on it.”

  “Good,” said Emile Dawkins, GS-16, the Director of the Emergency Medical Treatment unit at the JFK International Airport as he placed a call to the CDC to request assistance.

  *

  April 1st 1014 hours

  Director’s Office, JFK Int’l Airport

  New York City, NY

  A
nswering his direct line to the Security Branch of JFK the Director saw the call was coming from Captain Cates.

  “Hello, Eugene, your call must be important to use this line.”

  Captain Cates took a deep breath and said, “Yes sir, it is important. At approximately 1005 hours, a woman wearing an Iranian Hijab died at the TSA checkpoint to the European Airline corridor.

  At 1010 hours, the Director of the EMT Unit informed me that a woman had died from either Ebola or one of the other Hemorrhagic Diseases. We also have found convincing evidence that this strain is airborne, so based on this evidence, at 1013 hours he has ordered the lockdown of the entire airport as per the Ebola Protocol manual.”

  The Director slumped down into his chair and said, “Oh Dear God, he had better be right. Okay, on his authority alone begin the procedures. Has he contacted the CDC? Has your boss been notified?”

  “Yes sir, he’s on the line with the CDC now, and as soon as I hang up, I’ll contact the Director.”

  “Good, good, all right contact the NYPD and the FDNY. I’ll get on my portion immediately.”

  The Director then placed calls to Air Traffic Control and ordered that all planes return to the jetways and to hold passengers until further notice. He also ordered all flights that had originated at JFK after 0700 hours to return to JFK and await instructions.

  *

  April 1s 1014 hours

  Office of the Director CDC

  Atlanta, GA.

  “Sir,” said the Director’s Secretary, “I have an emergency call from JFK International Airport. It’s about Ebola. Can you take the call?”

  “Ebola?” asked Director Hardin, “Of course, put them through.

  Hello, this is Director Hardin of the CDC, please identify yourself.”

  “Sir, my names is Emile Dawkins; I am the Director of Emergency Medical Treatment Operations at JFK.