"What are we talking about here, how bad?"
"Most of our people are going with him."
"Load up. It's now or never!" Travers shouted.
"I'm sorry," replied Emma as she and Donny started to walk away.
"What? Why?" Burns demanded.
But she couldn't bear to explain it. Miles was with them, too. He had a smile on his face, but Donny looked as sad as Emma. It was a bitter goodbye.
"Because that asshole played us," replied Ortiz.
"We don't have time for this crap. We have a war to fight, and we just lost almost everyone? What the hell did he say?"
"He's promised them the world."
"And they bought it?"
"Donny and Lee are with him, and a lot of the townsfolk were behind Willis when it came to it."
"Willis? That spineless son of a bitch?"
"One and the same."
"Are we gonna let this asshole drive away with our people?"
"They're not our people, Ortiz. They're free to come and go as they please, same as any of you."
"They're fools," replied Ramos.
"Yes, but we all have a right to be fools."
"Not if it gets you killed, and he will get them killed."
"We can only hope they see that before it's too late."
"So this family, what are we gonna do?"
"We're gonna help them, right?"
"Damn right we are, Jay, and maybe gain some more hands while we're at it. God knows we need 'em."
"And the creature. Did you learn anything else?"
"It's dead, killed by Travers."
"What? How did he even know?"
"It's a long story, but none of that matters now."
"It’s sad to see us broken up," said Kim.
"Yes it is, but there’s nothing we can do about it. We all have to decide for ourselves what we want to do in this shit stain of a situation."
"But he's leading them all astray, and you know that."
"Yeah, but what do you expect me to do about it?"
"Stop him."
"Only way you're gonna stop that man is by killing him," said Payne.
"If that's what it takes. He's leading our friends to their deaths, and you know it. He's a madman," she said, almost weeping as she saw them leaving. Donny gave them a friendly salute as the truck pulled away.
"They'll come back to us in the end," replied Ross.
"If they live long enough," added Ortiz.
Chapter 7
"You think this was the right move?" Lee asked quietly. They were sitting at the back of the anti-craft truck they had manned in the previous operation.
"You were the one all fired up about this."
"Yeah, but so were you."
"I mean, I can see the good in what they're doing here, but I wanted time to think. Time to break it to Ross and get him on side. I didn't want to see it like this. Parting ways."
"That was his choice."
"Not really. Travers forced his hand, and you know it."
"Yeah? Well, maybe he was right. Just because Ross did us some good, doesn't mean we should stick by him forever. We got our asses kicked over and over in the last few weeks. One day with these lads, and we're unstoppable."
"You think we're unstoppable?"
"Aren't we? We went through those Skinnies like they were nothing. We ain't hiding anymore. This is our land and our home, and it's about time we started acting like it is. When someone comes to take your land, you don't run and hide. You give 'em hell."
"That's Travers talking."
"Damn right, it is. He's gonna lead us to victory, and Ross will see that in time. He's just pissed he’s not running the show anymore."
"You think that's what he wanted?"
"Yep, I do. He's been ordering us around since he arrived."
"Without him we'd never have got this far."
"Nope, and without Travers we'd never have taken down that base."
Their new leader was talking into the radio set. He finally came back to talk with them and two others sitting on the far side of the vehicle.
"We’ve got our target, just as I thought. Two hours, and we're gonna be hitting them like you can't imagine. You ready for this?"
He was trying to lift their spirits, but Donny didn’t feel good about what they were doing. He deeply regretted what happened with Ross, yet this seemed like the right place to be.
"Hell, yeah, we are!"
Donny was surprised his brother was quite so confident about the situation, but then all he saw was a strong and capable leader. It was easy to follow him, whether he had their best interests at heart or not.
"Donny? Are you ready to man those guns again? We could sure do with your talents looking out for us."
He looked a little stunned, but nodded in agreement.
"I'll do it, whatever you need," he replied softly.
"Smile boys. We're about to have the time of our lives. This target, it's big. Like nothing we've seen before. It might even be their main staging ground for the county."
"And we can handle that big a thing?" Donny asked.
"Well, I guess we're gonna find out soon enough," he replied with a wicked smile. He seemed to be enjoying it far too much. That’s when Donny realised the one thing that was making him so uncomfortable about their new boss. Ross was always pleased to win a victory, but Travers seemed to enjoy the killing, and more than that. Enjoyed taking them all into the jaws of death. That was unsettling, and he was starting to wonder if he'd made the right choice. It had all happened so fast, and the overwhelming feeling of support for Travers had swept him off his feet.
"Don't look so glum. A few hours’ time we'll be celebrating like goddamn champions!"
* * *
"You sure this was the best idea?" Ramos asked.
Ross was at the wheel of the old truck they were driving. Another similarly battered SUV was in convoy.
"Going to help folks that need it? Why wouldn't it be?"
"You know what I mean. Picking a fight with Travers."
"I didn't go looking for one."
"But you sure as hell didn't avoid it either."
"To hell with that asshole. He's dangerous."
"Yeah, and maybe it was on us to keep that danger away from our people."
"Our people?"
"You know what I mean. Donny, Lee, and the others, they’re our people now."
"Bullshit. They chose their side."
"Side? We're on the same side, aren't we?"
"I don't even know anymore. But if folk are too stupid enough to see through Travers' crap, that’s not my problem."
"It will be when we're the ones that have to go and save them."
"What makes you think we would?"
"Come on. We're heading out to help folks we don't even know. You didn't hesitate to come out here. You're telling me you'd let our friends die over this dispute?"
Ross shook his head.
"Exactly. They'll see Travers for what he is, eventually."
"If they live long enough."
"We aren't far now!" Burns shouted through the window in to the cab, "You know, for what it's worth, I'd not have chosen that asshole either."
"Shame most of them did," replied Ross.
"Disappointing, ain't it?"
"We all make mistakes. They're young enough they'll make plenty more before they get far in life," replied Ramos.
They were approaching two vehicles abandoned at the side of the road. They looked badly damaged and shot up. Ross slowed down as they drew nearer.
"Nothing more we can do for those folks," replied Burns.
"You came through this way?"
"Sure did. They were with the group we're heading for and got hit looking for fuel. No survivors, or if there were, they were taken long before I got there."
"These sons of bitches. What the hell do they even want with us? I mean, sure I can understand why they'd want the land, but what do they want with the people?
"
"What good is land without workers to work it?"
"You think they want us to work the land?" asked Ramos in a suspicious tone.
"Of a kind. Costs a whole lot of money to keep a bunch of humans alive. You don't do it unless you have a use or a conscience, and I can't believe for a minute they have any of the latter. Not after I heard them speak."
"So they want to enslave us?"
"Sure looks that way, doesn't it? They're imprisoning our populations. Avoiding killing unless absolutely necessary. They don't fire on those that aren't armed unless they put up a fight," Burns said.
"And if it's worse than that?"
"Worse?"
"If they're rounding us up to just kill us in a more efficient manner. Wouldn't be the first time its happened," Ross replied coldly, imagining the possibility.
"Willis said they were treated all right. He only got beaten up because he tried to fight back."
"So he said."
"Point is, they got fed and kept well. You don't do that unless you want to put people to good use."
"Or you’re looking after livestock," said Burns.
The smile was wiped from Ramos’ face as he realised what he was saying, and the fact it might be true.
"Cannibals?" Ross asked in disbelief.
"They aren't from this world. So it wouldn't be, would it?"
Ross felt a shiver run down his spine. He'd fought all kinds of enemies, but never one that wanted to eat him. "For real, you think that could be it?"
"I mean, I hope not, but it could be, couldn't it?"
"So they didn't just come for the land, they came for food?" Ross asked.
"A few billion people, that's a pretty large food supply."
"But...they're machines."
"The foot soldiers we been fighting, yes. But those other things, the Mastiffs, well they're something completely different now, aren't they?"
"But you think there'd be a race out there who'd want to eat sentient beings?" asked Ramos.
"Sure, why not? They don't seem to give a shit about life. They look down on us, and I get the impression this isn't the first world they've been to."
"So what, they're going from place to place to look for food?"
"Keep us well enough, keep us breeding, and we could be a pretty large source of food," replied Burns.
"What do you think?" Ramos asked Ross.
"The thought disgusts me, but I dunno, I guess you could be right."
"What does this mean?"
"It doesn't mean anything. You're shooting in the dark. Truth is we don't know shit. We were just about starting to get some answers from our prisoner before that dipshit took it away from us."
"But it had a contempt for us, didn't it?" Burns asked.
"Sure, but I’ve got contempt for plenty of people. It doesn't mean I want to eat them, though."
"I sure hope you're wrong about this, Burns," said Ramos.
"So do I."
They were all left unnerved and feeling a little sick. They'd all fought and risked everything on the battlefield, but this fate seemed worse than any they'd ever faced, if it were indeed even close to the truth.
"We aren't far from them now. I hope they've stayed out of trouble."
Burns’ tone was one of sadness and concern, even more so since their latest discussion. It got them all thinking.
"This theory, you keep it between us, okay?" Ross said.
"Why?"
"Because sometimes people aren't ready to hear the truth, as we've seen today."
"So that's the way we're gonna operate now? We're gonna keep things from the others?" replied Ramos.
"We aren't keeping shit from them. This is a wild theory cooked up without evidence. If we have something, some evidence or information, we'll share it."
"You sure you would? You would actually share that if you knew it for certain?"
Ross shook his head at Burns. "My job is to keep as many people alive as possible, and keep us in the fight. If that means holding out on a few things, so be it."
"Those kind of secrets, those are the kind of things that can find their way out, and when they do..."
"What?"
"Let's just say this group was built on trust."
"Yeah, and look where it got us. Travers fed them a load of crap, and they ate it right up. So your theory doesn't mean shit."
"I wouldn't presume to know how to command, but I know how to teach, and I know how to inspire. I know you do, too, but there’s always more to learn. Trust is everything."
"When you were in, did you trust those in charge? Did they share everything with you?"
"No, but if they did, maybe I'd still be there."
They all fell silent, reflecting on that all had happened. A sadness hung about their heads which was hard to ignore. The group had been torn apart, and they were all still sore from it. Ross wanted to believe the split wouldn't last long, yet they lived in such turbulent times. It could be the end of them. He'd been used to working with a small team for so long, but the past few weeks it had felt like they had built a new family.
"That's it." Burns pointed to a dirt track descending into the woods.
"You're sure?"
"Positive."
He pulled the wheel over, but barely slowed down. The back of the truck slid across the mud before they gained traction and snapped back into a straight line. Cries of panic rang out from behind as those in the back of the truck held on for dear life.
"What are you trying to do, Ross, kill us?" Kim demanded.
She had to have been listening in on their conversation. Ross knew it, but she had stayed silent throughout. Ross showed no sympathy at all as he focused on the road ahead.
"It's not far now," said Burns, checking all his gear was still in the vehicle.
"How'd you even find this bunch?" Ramos asked.
"One was out there on the road. Went looking for the others we passed a way back."
"And they found them?"
"No, thank God. I'd not wish that on anyone."
"Like it or not, this is their life now, and they can't hide from that."
"Or run from it," said Kim.
He wasn't sure if she was having a dig at him or those that had parted ways with them, although he didn't much care. They went on for a couple of hundred metres before the ground opened up to a clearing. The first thing they saw was the wreckage of a vehicle that had recently been on fire.
"That's not good." Ramos readied his weapon.
"That went up in the fight we had. It’s nothing to worry about."
"Sure," replied Ramos suspiciously.
They passed the vehicle to find two RVs and two more trucks. Two men were waiting with rifles and raised them as they pulled in.
"Hell of a welcome."
Burns leapt from the vehicle before it had even come to a halt, and the first sight of them was enough for them to lower their weapons. Ross kicked his door open and climbed out with an angry look about him. He wasn't angry with the people they'd come to help, or even the weapons that had been aimed at him. He was angry about their whole situation. They'd fought hard and lost a lot to get where they were, and Travers had just pranced on in and ripped it from them. He was furious and eager to find something or someone to exert is anger against. Yet he could see the desperation on the faces of the people before him. They looked distraught.
He rushed forward to help, much of the anger falling away as he finally had a job to do. "I'm Master Sergeant Jack Ross. We're here to help."
They ushered him and Kim to an RV where they could hear moans in pain. They entered to find two wounded being cared for by another man and woman.
"Thank God you came," said the woman.
It felt good to be appreciated, but Ross didn't say it.
"Looks like you've done a pretty good job here."
"They'll be fine, but it's not medical help we need."
The man who let them in climbed in beside them.
&nb
sp; "I'm Mick, that's Jonas and Lucy. We...we've had it tough. We barely made it these past few days."
"We need some place to go. Somewhere safe," said Lucy.
"I don't think such a place even exists anymore," replied Ross.
"What even are these things? Is the whole country like this?"
"Where've you been these past few weeks, Mick?" Kim was astonished they seemed to just have encountered the enemy.
"Camping trip way out there. We do it every year. Get away from everything. Switch off from the world. No phones, no TV. We just enjoy, well, we did," said Lucy.
"My God, you have no idea how bad it is?" Ross asked.
"Can I have a word?" Kim took his arm.
Ross looked confused, but he agreed as she led him out of the RV and to the opening.
"What is it?"
"These folks, they've no idea what is going on. They need to be let down slowly. It's too much to handle all at once."
"I don't see they’ve got a choice. We didn't."
"But we aren't them. We were trained for this, or maybe not quite this. But we expected to go through all kinds of hardship. They're a group of campers just off their holiday, and they've driven into this madness."
"I'd say they've got bigger problems." Ramos quietly stepped up between them.
"What do you mean?"
"Keep your eyes on me, Kim, you hear me?"
She looked confused, yet nodded in agreement.
"Don't react. Don't do anything, just listen."
"Spit it out," said Ross.
"In the treeline behind me, and at three o'clock. We're not alone."
Ross' eyes wandered without turning his head or body. That’s when he spotted it, something in the woods that didn't belong. He could see an enemy soldier, and then another.
"Shit, how did they find us here?"
"How many do you reckon?" Ross asked.
"A couple of dozen at least, maybe more."
"They didn't just get here. We'd have noticed."
"Exactly."
"What are you saying?"
"That they were here all along, Kim."
"What? Why? They don't wait and watch."
"No, so they've changed their game. The question is, why?" Ross asked.
Burns rushed up beside them, angry that they seemed to be ignoring the others.
"What the hell are you doing?"
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