Where We Stand

by Angela White

  Brady smothered his own leer of intense need. He hadn’t done this since before the War, and never under these completely free circumstances. The things he and the demon had come up with were awful.

  “Three minutes,” Marc reminded. “Set alarms.”

  Wrists were brandished momentarily for each of them to hit the button on alarms that were already set. As the numbers began spinning, Marc pulled up his hood and fastened it to the collar. “Justice will be served.”

  Those words were a mental switch that Marc was installing. When hit, concentration on only one goal became easier, survival and success more likely. And against this enemy, he and his team needed any edge they could find. Marc motioned them down as the dust cloud that preceded the government thickened on the nearest rise.

  The ghosts in black and gray observed in silence as the clouds thinned and the danger came into view.

  The front line made it to the canyon mouth and started to funnel in, thickening the lines into a blur of marching men. Slight crumbles of rock on their sides and above them made some of the soldiers react in concern, but most were uncaring. They’d already come a good distance and there was a lot longer to go. Few of them liked this duty, but when the command orders came down, you followed them or a bullet followed you. The rules had changed.

  More rock crumbling drew attention upward in nervous glances that shifted the line into occasional disorder and quick shoves. It sent a faint burst of excitement through the Point men, and allowed grins and joking. Other missions they’d performed had been almost fun, but this one–going to wipe out the only known camp of survivors trying to rebuild–had been weighing heavily on them.

  “Maybe we won’t have to kill them,” one of the men on the right point commented, awkwardly avoiding a tangle of weeds. “Maybe they’ll surrender.”

  “Their women, showers, and food–in that order,” one of the others responded.

  Chuckles floated through the canyon.

  “Hey, watch out!”

  A large rock tumbled down the canyon wall and slammed into the base of fallen stones lining the narrowing path. Men jumped out of the way, swearing as they hit a tangled mess of tripwire and triggers hidden under the debris.

  The last of the razor wire from the Slaver battle jerked up between the haphazard rows of front line men.

  “Ahh!”

  “Trap!”

  “Go back!”

  Another trigger was hit as the men turned, snapping a second sharp wire up to do the same damage it had wreaked at the rest stop. Blood coated the narrow canyon mouth and stones lining it.

  The rear of the platoon began issuing orders that had to be relayed and in that time, two more rows of men vanished in a glinting snap of wire and guts.

  Panic ensued from those closest, wildly firing upward as they fled into the safety of the halting troops. A quick barricade went up and the order to open fire upon sight was sent out.

  Wind-driven dust spun across the rocks and valley in front of them, small animals scurrying under the cover of the sand.

  Nothing else moved.

  Now needing to clear the area, the entire platoon was stopped for an hour while the men in charge made their choice to either continue this way, clearing as they went, or to find another route through the mountains. When they decided to keep going, the shadow riders were delighted. They’d secured all areas of travel, but this was the fastest route to Safe Haven and they’d laid things on the thickest here. The platoon would spend a lot of time searching and clearing to make it through, which would buy Angela more time to get the camp ready to fight the soldiers who did survive Marc’s horrible fun-land. This would be the longest journey that any of them had ever undertaken, he would make sure of that.

  Dusk found the platoon in the same place, settling in for the night as small teams continued to clear their path. As these men took up the more obvious decoys, the ghosts went behind and replaced the minor ambushes with something more lethal. They also traveled the rocks above the platoon, getting into position. Phase Four of Brady’s plan had begun.

  15

  A rough hand shook Quinn awake.

  “Brady called from Denver on the coded channel. The soldiers are coming down 25.”

  A chill of doom flooded the base, snapping men awake with weapons in hand and fear in their hearts.

  Quinn instantly went into authority-mode, issuing orders and keeping things calm, but inside, he was as upset as they were. Each of them had hoped Marc would say there was nothing coming, that they could all go home.

  “Not happening now,” Quinn muttered, unrolling the map Marc had given them.

  “Where are we on the avenues of approach?”

  “Almost finished,” Shane reported. “Still working on the reservoirs. Little over half way.”

  “All work on the AAs are suspended until we get those reservoirs wired. Set a skeleton crew here, the rest of us get over there come dawn.”

  Shane went to tell the others. The reservoirs were a powerful defense that stood between them and the enemy. It had to be ready.

  “Brady said to expect riders that will help.”

  Quinn was glad to hear it. They would get the reservoirs done and then the avenues of approach would have to be completed or the enemy would be able to go around their other traps.

  “Send a rider to Safe Haven, let them know.”

  “Can we call?”

  “No,” Quinn chose. “Brady’s smart enough to be able to contact us without getting caught. We aren’t. Go quiet.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Tishomingo State park, MS

  1

  Back to the heavily protected flap, Angela knew who had entered the training tent and ignored him as she went on with her own workout. The canvas was deserted except for them, dawn’s dim light still an hour away. The only shadows moving were Eagles.

  Tishomingo park was almost as ugly as the city she’d avoided to bring them here. The leaves under their feet were old, decaying and treacherous. The ground was shifty, like a sinkhole might be waiting, and everyone was glad they weren’t staying long. The derelict buildings and sheds were eerie and Angela camped them in the family area, but put a 24-hour detail on the bridge that some of the camp had been crazy enough to ask about.

  Aware that she was putting off the vibes of a frustrated woman, Adrian stayed on the opposite side of the tent. After his nightmare, he needed the workout.

  Angela tried to concentrate on herself, needing the calm that came from physical action, but her eyes kept straying to the beautifully built blond who had stripped his shirt and begun doing one-arm pushups in rapid succession.

  Tan skin and rippling muscles glowing in the darkness grabbed her again and again, and Angela shoved the bar up with a grunt that was half effort, half annoyance with herself. It was just another Eagle without a shirt. During the days they camped, this tent was full of them.

  But it wasn’t any man. It was Adrian.

  Sure he was distracting her, Adrian switched to the small hayroom with a tight face. She was an exotic mix of woman and warrior, and it was easy for him to let his thoughts run wild. Pushing her was hard on his control. If not for the coming battle, none of this would be happening. He appeared to have lost control and he needed them to all think that. The truth was that he was still herding her, like he had been all along.

  Adrian spun, ducked, kicked and punched, dipping to swing wide. Was there more he could do to make her hate him?

  “Are you asking me?”

  Adrian grinned bitterly. “Wasn’t sure if you might lie. You look… upset.”

  Angela shrugged, aware of the ice around her heart at the thought of Brady. “Same shit, different dogs.”

  Adrian knew she didn’t need to hear the right choice again. She knew it well.

  “Yes, I do.”

  Adrian returned to his kicks and spins, wondering why she was here.

  She went into the small room, careful to stay away from his hard, sweaty bod
y, but his smells were thick in the air and she didn’t try to stop herself from scenting him.

  Angela inhaled deeply, lids fluttering closed. Unaware that he’d moved, Angela blinked when he appeared inches from her face.

  “If you’d know me, then know me!”

  The urgency in his voice was impossible to ignore.

  Angela nodded nervously. “I’d know you well.”

  Adrian’s eyes lit up a blinding red and he dropped his lips to hers.

  Angela jerked awake, gasping. She looked around, arm going to her mouth to keep the ragged breathing from her guards. What the hell was that?

  2

  “I’d like to go.”

  Still wearing a bit of that outsider shell, Tracy’s needs were rarely ever asked for and Angela immediately agreed as the males at the table began to protest.

  “Sure. Kenn would be happy to have an extra pair of hands. Tonya will go along as XO.”

  Angela was aware of the tension at her table. They would get over it. “Double the guards and you two wear the new vests. Got it?”

  Angela closed her notebook as the men fought to keep from arguing.

  “I’ll be at the medical area for a while, then the QZ, then showers. Unless there’s anything else?”

  They were having her tell where she’d be now, on top of the other new protections, and Angela wasn’t protesting. It had taken a long time to come up from the drugs and she’d been alone in the dark all that time.

  No one spoke and Angela went on her way, satisfied. The rookie females had been a wreck for Kenn on their first mission, but this would be different. Her team was better now, more able to think and then react. Not that there wouldn’t be dangerous moments, but Angela thought the women could finally be more of a help than hindrance. These runs would tell her if she was right. If so, then the team could branch out more, try new, harder things. Angela couldn’t wait.

  “We’ve got company. A lot of it.”

  Those words sent Safe Have into minor panic until Angela answered the call.

  “You didn’t sound the alarm. I assume they’re friendly.”

  “Some type of traveling store, like the one we saw in the midwest.”

  Angela grinned cheerfully at those around her. “Maybe they’ll have some chocolate to trade!”

  Calm flashed overhead and Angela waved a few Eagles along. It wasn’t for her protection, but their peace of mind. She had a full team now anytime she met with new arrivals or left the perimeter for any reason. Another assassin had gotten through yesterday and was killed by Dog as he tried to slit her throat. The attacks were becoming more and more brazen, and her protection had her in sight even while she showered. Angela didn’t argue about that either. She liked breathing.

  The group of travelers were in a variety of dusty, dented vehicles and Angela took in the personal quarters with interest. She and Adrian had talked briefly about converting Safe Haven’s vehicles to accommodate living, but had chosen to still make the switch to campers.

  “We’ll check them out first,” Kevin stated. “Wait for the call.”

  Angela observed eagerly as Kyle’s team went out the gate. This was the first group that had come to Safe Haven for anything other than trouble or sanctuary. There was an even mix of men and women driving, and all of them were smiling and waving, appearing as stunned as Safe Haven was to find out that another large group had survived.

  “We aren’t the only ones,” Cynthia breathed on her left. “I was so sure.”

  “Fate must like them,” Adrian commented, joining the females. He, too, was encouraged by the healthy-looking drivers that were turning off engines and climbing from their seats.

  “Clear.”

  Angela strolled out to talk with the two men who came toward her and the Eagles followed, all scowling when she didn’t hesitate to go right up to them without her gun drawn.

  Adrian only tried not to smirk.

  “I’m Angela. Welcome to Safe Haven.”

  The man on the left, an ugly mole over his brow, laughed and shook her hand vigorously. “I can’t believe it. You’re real.”

  Angela chuckled, and shook with the smaller, less friendly of the two. “You must have heard our calls.”

  “Yes, ma’am, but we were sure it was a trick.”

  Angela viewed them curiously. “A trick?”

  The cheerful mood fell to the ground.

  “They’re calling to them in the East, trying to get refugees to come in. We went west, hoping to find more people for our convoy.”

  The man gestured at the fifteen or so vehicles neatly lined up behind his. “We did, too, but your group, well, now that’s the most people any of us have seen since leaving New York.”

  Angela was surprised to find there had been survivors from that doomed region, but didn’t say so. “You plan to stay on the road or maybe join up with another group?”

  The man frowned slightly. “If you’re real, then the coming fight is, too.”

  Angela pointed at the walls of her camp, too aware of Adrian standing on her right. The bullet-proof canopies they’d been building had been put aside under Marc’s new plan. They were being used to strengthen their existing defenses.

  “We’re a little short on hands. If you decide it is your fight, you’d be welcome.”

  “We don’t want any part in fighting the government!” the harder man spat.

  Angela’s lips pursed in disapproval. “That’s your choice to make, but I won’t invite you inside unless you’re staying.”

  “We’ve got items for trade,” mean man protested lightly. He didn’t want any part of the battle.

  “I’ll shop for a minute, then maybe we’ll see if a few of the others want to come out. Show me your stuff.”

  The men directed her to the first vehicles, where the driver was busy setting up shelves and stands to display his merchandise.

  “What’s your currency?”

  “Food and water are golden, but we’ll work with about anything we don’t have. Same as you?”

  “Yes.”

  Kevin watched Cynthia take Angela’s right as she and Adrian went to meet the group, and thought of her words.

  “I get to be her XO for the next runs. Among other things.”

  Kevin did a fast sweep of the areas that weren’t getting much attention now, not flinching at the sight of Ray and Dale taking the opportunity to exchange an instant of affection. Those two were becoming popular with the camp and with the vet, who was walking over to them with a semblance of a smile. The two firefighters were riding with the vet when they traveled and Dale was even helping in the animal area that was slowly growing again.

  Maybe the vet is gay, Kevin thought, turning to sweep another area. That would explain some of his reclusive behavior. No one wanted to expose themselves and receive the treatment Ray and Dale had gotten.

  The doctor was doing house calls, his group of interns trailing close behind, and Kevin had a flash of John and Anne moving from the camper. They’d been arm-in-arm, smiling and happy. What right did the government have to take that away?

  Kevin pushed the heavy thoughts aside and turned his attention to the new people outside the fence. If something went hinky, he would be in the thick of it.

  3

  Angela compared the values to the prices she was quoted, using the time to scan each and every one of the people. She found things she didn’t like, but none of them were assassins and that was the best she could hope for these days.

  As she returned to Safe Haven’s side of the fencing and the Eagles started breathing again, Angela waved a few of them over. “They’ve got things the camp will want. Figure out a way to let them spend time shopping.”

  “We can’t secure it out there,” Daryl protested firmly. “Have them come inside.”

  “No,” Angela insisted. “The camp needs to know they can come and go. The walls and fences are making people more nervous than they need to be at this point.”

  Zack agree
d. “I’ll handle it.”

  “Water crew checked in. Should catch up with us in a few hours. Full load. We’re all set to start cleaning it, too. Plenty of bleach.”

  “That’s great.” Angela was relieved. Samantha and Kenn’s teams were out there without Safe Haven’s protection and she wouldn’t relax until they returned.

  “Extend lunch by two hours, but let everyone know we’ll travel longer tonight to make up for it. We can’t get off schedule. That would be a dangerous mistake.”

  4

  “So what happens now that Adrian’s well enough to take over?”

  Kenn’s cup paused at his mouth, but Tracy read nothing on his face when he answered.

  “Everything goes back to normal, I hope.”

  Tracy stared at him, wondering how he honestly felt about everything that had happened. Unlike the others, Tracy hadn’t been here when Angela was afraid to even look at a man.

  Kenn grunted. “Some things will go back to normal. Some of it will be… different.”

  “Like Kevin and Kyle.”

  “Yeah.” Kenn sipped his coffee.

  Those two had done a great job, had that perceptive connection with Angela that Kenn shared with Adrian, and the chances of the former leader letting them go unused was slim to none.

  “Will he have two XOs now?”

  “Adrian won’t split them up. That trio works too well together.”

  “What then?”

  Kenn dumped out the last of his cold coffee. “Have a feeling we’ll know when we get back.”

  “They’re switching over while…”

  “Yes, while I’m out of camp. It’s another punishment that I earned.”

  Tracy was quiet for a long moment, considering how badly she wanted an answer.

  “Spit it out before you choke.”

  Tracy flushed. “Does he love her?”

  Kenn knew who she was talk about. “It’s more than that with her. She… completes a man somehow, even when she doesn’t want to. It’s…”

  “Complicated.”