The Day After Never - Covenant (Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Thriller - Book 3)

by Russell Blake

  By the time Magnus made it there, all the bodies would be skeletons. One would look the same as the other, and only the clothes would identify which piles of bones were Crew and which were hired hands.

  Luis dragged Ross’s body into the shallows and pushed him into the current, where the body bobbed as it turned over and drifted down the muddy current.

  He collected Ross’s weapons and carried them to his horse, and was riding back to Albuquerque minutes later with Ross’s steed in tow; his animal and ammunition would provide sufficient barter to maintain a high lifestyle until Magnus arrived. Whoever had killed Cano had done Luis a favor – now Luis was once again the head of the Locos and, as far as Magnus was concerned, a valued ally.

  Chapter 39

  Arnold inspected one of the twenty bounding mines his trading team had bartered for in Santa Fe – stolen from an armory, they were complete and appeared to be in good shape. The foray had been a worthwhile exercise, and they had increased their stores of weapons significantly, along with some rare finds like the mines, which were deadly up to a hundred yards.

  “These look like they’ll do the job,” he said, nodding. “What about explosives?”

  “We scored a few hundred pounds of TNT from a mining warehouse. Some of it was useless. We only bought the stuff that had been well taken care of,” Toby said. “It also had thirty kilos of RDX we took for land mines and avalanches.”

  “Good. We’ll deploy those mines in the canyon.” Arnold gave Toby a grim smile. “Wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of one of those.”

  Toby nodded. A bounding mine would launch three to five feet into the air before detonating, spraying shrapnel and ball bearings in all directions.

  “We also bought a gross of blasting caps. Scavengers pulled them out of steering wheels. You know the story.”

  Blasting caps were used to inflate air bags.

  “Sounds like we’re set on that front,” Arnold said.

  “How’s the napalm going?” Toby asked.

  “Good. We figure we can have fifty gallons of it ready. We found some gas that’s still good enough for that and plenty of candle wax. And we finally have a good use for all the milk jugs we were saving for a rainy day.” Arnold paused. “I warned everyone about handling them, of course.”

  “You sure about the Armstrong’s mix for the detonator?” Armstrong’s mixture was a combination of ground match heads and small amounts of the strike faces from match books. It was highly explosive, but unstable. They’d discussed taping pouches of it to the milk cartons – when the containers were dropped from the plane, the pouches would explode and the homemade napalm would catch, showering anyone within range with liquid fire. It was crude, but would be lethal on troops in the open.

  “Sure. It’s a homemade blasting cap that’ll detonate on impact and ignite the napalm. It’s either that or use up some of the caps you got. But I don’t want to waste them if we don’t have to.”

  “Any idea where you want to plant the anti-vehicle mines?”

  “Lucas suggested the approach to the bridge, which we’re going to blow tomorrow. And we’ll string a bunch on the secondary approach to the valley, just in case. We can’t rule out that they’ll try to mount a pincer attack once they see how tough the going is through the canyons.”

  “I gather you have a contingency to move most of the defense force to that area if they do.”

  “Of course, but we’ll see how it works in practice.” Arnold frowned. “Lucas is advocating hitting them fairly far from home so they’ve already taken heavy casualties before they get here for the main show.”

  “Makes sense.”

  “Sure, and with unlimited personnel and ammo, I’d be all over it. But we’ve only got a couple hundred capable adults and, of those, fewer than a hundred that have any real experience. I think it’s a bad idea to risk any – especially the most capable, which is who we’d want to send.”

  “No word yet on how big the attack force actually is?”

  “Nope. We won’t know for sure until they hit Albuquerque. But we have to assume the worst.”

  “You really think a thousand men can make it from Houston?”

  “If they have fuel, sure. At any rate, I’m handling preparations like they will. So’s everyone else.”

  Toby shook his head. “Four to one. Miserable odds.”

  “No question. Our only advantage is it’s our home turf, so we can prep for an ugly welcome.”

  “Ken and Richard going to handle the bridge?”

  “Yeah. We keep going back and forth on that with Michael and Elliot.”

  “What’s to disagree about?”

  “They want to wait and blow it when the Crew’s on it; my vote is to do it in advance. We have a meeting later, and I’m going to put my foot down. Michael’s exerting way too much influence over these decisions. He’s going to get a lot of people killed if I don’t rein him in.”

  “I can see the point about blowing it while they’re on it. More casualties, and the psychological effect would be incredible.”

  “No question. It all sounds good. Until something goes wrong. Like a blasting cap doesn’t trigger. Something fizzles out. They spot our men. Then they have unrestricted road all the way to the canyon. If we do it my way, we forego the shock and awe, but we stop them fifteen miles away and force them to schlep in on foot or horseback. And any heavy gear they’ve brought will be stopped at the bridge.”

  Toby’s eyes widened. “You think they’ll have armor or something? Tanks?”

  “Probably not tanks. They’re a bitch to maintain. But I could be wrong.”

  “So what’s the plan?”

  “We’ll meet this evening. I’ve drawn up a map for the minefields so we’ll remember where we planted them once this is over. Now that I know how much explosive we have to work with, I can do some calculations to determine how many anti-vehicle mines we can make, and how much we’ll need for the bridge. That’s going to be harder than it sounds, but the RDX will inflict some damage.”

  “When do we deploy?”

  “Depending on what’s decided tonight, I’ll assemble a crew to mine the roads first. Then we’ll do the closer work – the bridge and the canyons. The mines will be hands off, which I like.” Arnold sighed. “What I wouldn’t give for a half dozen helicopters and some sidewinders. Those would make short work out of a column.”

  “Or some drones. Why not dream big?”

  Arnold smiled ruefully. “Yeah. As it is, we’re better than catapults and swords, but not very. Anyone we don’t stop with the fireworks is where it’s going to get snotty. Then we’re in a straight firefight, and you know as well as I do how unpredictable those can be.”

  Both men had seen their share of combat before the collapse and after. One truism was that no matter how dependable someone was, until they’d been tested under fire, there were no guarantees how they would perform. It was a coin toss how much of their defense force would actually be lethal and how many would be disasters waiting to happen. With limited ammunition and a large attacking force, if many of the defenders panicked or were inept, their paradise would be overrun.

  “Sounds like we need to do most of the damage before they make it through the canyon.”

  “That’s the plan.” Arnold exhaled noisily. “Elliot has a dozen people working on manufacturing a crap ton of black powder, too. I suggested that to keep them busy. We can use it for the secondary approaches.”

  “Good idea.” Toby thought for a moment. “What do you make of Lucas?”

  “He’s dangerous, but quiet. No bluster to him. Unlike Michael, he knows what it’s like to be in the shit, and everything he’s suggested has been practical and valid. I’m warming up to him.”

  “Good. We need every able-bodied man we can get.”

  “No kidding. Here’s hoping this meeting goes well.”

  “Just you, Michael, and the Doc?” Toby asked.

  “And Lucas. Elliot likes him. I don’t m
ind – he’s a good counterbalance to Michael.”

  Toby made a face. “Enjoy yourself. Sounds like a hoot.”

  “Yeah. Thanks.”

  Chapter 40

  Duke heard an approaching roar from the south before he saw anything – the sound of dozens of big engines belching exhaust, the motors deafening after five years of silence. Everyone in the trading post stopped what they were doing. Tucker had dropped by to shoot the breeze, as he did many mornings, and he, Duke, and Aaron swung their heads toward the entrance at the same time. Aaron rose from where he was seated behind the counter, his AR-15 in hand as a deterrent against would-be thieves.

  “What the hell is that?” Tucker exclaimed, moving to the doors.

  They stepped out into the sunlight and watched as a motorcade rolled down the main street, led by a dozen Humvees equipped with .50-caliber machine guns manned by tattooed Crew gunmen. The convoy stopped in front of the trading post, and a powerfully muscled man climbed from the lead vehicle, followed by six gunmen, all armed to the teeth. Duke and Tucker took in the leader’s elaborately inked head and exchanged a quick glance as he approached.

  “You the traders?” Magnus demanded.

  Tucker nodded. “That’s right. What can I do for you fellas?”

  “I need everything you got. Your entire inventory. Weapons, ammo, explosives, the works. And I’ll also need all the horses you can round up, as well as food and water for my men.”

  Tucker took in the endless column of trucks and buses. “How many men?”

  “A thousand.”

  Tucker nodded as though he received that sort of request every day. “How you paying?”

  “We’re good for it,” Magnus snapped. “I’m the leader of the Crew. Out of Houston. Magnus. You’ve heard of me?”

  Tucker looked Magnus up and down. “Our policy’s no credit. Sorry. Can’t give you my entire inventory based on a bet you’ll pay later. It would clean me out, and I have to eat in the meantime.” Tucker glanced at the Humvees. “Seems to me you must have some barterable goods. Ammo. Guns.”

  Magnus took an intimidating step closer to the trader. “I control three states. Most of Texas. If I say I’m good for it, I am.”

  Tucker didn’t back down. “That may be, but you’re in New Mexico, not Texas. And here it’s cash and carry. Sorry – nothing personal.”

  Duke edged closer to Tucker to warn him not to bait the Crew warlord, but Magnus was too fast. He reached out with both hands, the muscles in his arms bulging, twisted Tucker’s head, and snapped his neck like a twig. Duke looked away, but not before he saw the black of the abyss in Magnus’s eyes.

  Magnus released the trader and he crumpled into a heap. The Crew boss next regarded Duke. “You the number two boy?” he asked.

  “Just one of the traders,” Duke said. “Came to pick up my stuff, that’s all.”

  “You don’t work for this piece of garbage?” Magnus demanded, indicating Tucker’s inert form.

  “No. Just trade.” Duke stepped closer to Magnus as he saw the sheriff approaching from down the sidewalk. “But I can help you get anything you need. I know everyone for five hundred miles.”

  “That right?”

  Duke nodded. Aaron appeared at the door with his rifle, and Duke motioned for him to lower the gun. Aaron complied, and Duke angled his head and lowered his voice further. “Don’t look now, but the local law’s making for you.”

  Magnus slowly turned as the sheriff neared, the lawman’s hand on his pistol. The sheriff stopped a few yards from Magnus and eyed Tucker’s form before speaking.

  “What happened here?”

  “Man went crazy on me. Came at me like a nut, trying for my throat. I defended myself. I think he may have got hurt,” Magnus said.

  The sheriff leaned down and felt Tucker’s neck for a pulse, and then stood, his expression wooden. “He’s dead.”

  “Yeah? Shouldn’ta tried anything.”

  The sheriff looked to Duke. “You see this?”

  Duke shook his head. “Sorry, Sheriff.”

  “I got about a thousand witnesses seen the whole thing,” Magnus said, gesturing at his vehicles.

  The sheriff looked around the area for any other locals, but they’d made themselves scarce at the sight of an army rolling into town. Magnus raised an eyebrow as the sheriff glared holes through him.

  “I don’t believe you. Tucker was a good man. No way he’d do what you said.”

  “Yeah, well, he did.” Magnus paused. “Now, sheriff, here’s how this is gonna work. You’re going to get your ass out of here, or you’re going to keep annoying me, and I’m going to cut you down like a dog, burn the town to the ground and rape all the females, and kill everyone. I’d do it anyway just for fun, but I’m on a schedule. So, you want to die today, along with everyone here, or you going to get out of my way?”

  The sheriff blinked but didn’t show any emotion. “I have a dozen deputies with rifles trained on you, tough guy. You so much as sneeze, you’re dead,” he said.

  “See those guns on the Hummers? .50-caliber Browning M2s. How long you think it would take to gun down everyone in this shithole? About as long as it takes me to fart. I’ve got a dozen of them, cocked and ready. Want me to give the signal so you can see what they can do? Because you’re about three seconds from getting a bird’s-eye view. Final warning.” Magnus grinned. “Never liked cops much, so I’m really hoping you make the wrong choice.”

  The sheriff shook his head. “Did you not get that if you try anything, you’re the first to die?”

  “You must be hard of hearing, because you’ll be dead before I hit the ground, and then the entire town will be massacred.” Magnus shrugged. “Man’s got to die sometime. Today’s as good as any for me. How about you, sheriff? You want to see sundown, or you ready to meet your maker?”

  Duke cleared his throat. “Sheriff, no disrespect, but I’ve heard of this gentleman. He’ll do exactly as he says, so if you decide to push it, you’re signing my death warrant along with that of everyone in Roswell. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t play fast and loose with my life, even if you don’t much care about yours.”

  The sheriff twisted toward Duke and snarled at him. “Stay out of this.”

  Duke nodded. “Magnus, for the record, I know your reputation, and if this idiot makes the wrong choice, leave me out of the bloodbath. I’d put a bullet in his fool head myself if you wanted me to.”

  Magnus nodded. “Either way he’ll be just as dead.”

  The sheriff saw the intent in the Crew warlord’s eyes and slowly backed away. His small-town bravado had failed, and now that he’d been shamed in front of everyone, he’d lost any authority he’d had. He turned to Duke, hatred radiating from his face.

  “You better be gone by sundown, or I’m coming for you, you scum. Put a bullet in me, will you? I’ll make you eat those words.”

  Duke’s expression didn’t change. “I was just leaving. Aaron, grab our stuff and let’s hit it.”

  The sheriff stormed off, and Magnus grinned. “Looks like you have to find someplace new to trade. I could use someone who can source whatever I need. You want a job?” he asked Duke.

  Duke considered the offer and then glanced at the trading post. “Me and Aaron are a team. You got to take him on, too.”

  “Fine.”

  “What’s the pay?”

  “I’ll make you rich.”

  Duke nodded. “I hear you got quite a spread down Houston way. Be nice to have a place of my own where nobody will bug me.”

  “Consider it done.”

  Duke regarded the buses. “Lot of men there. What’s your final stop?”

  “Los Alamos.”

  Aaron reappeared with Duke’s cash bag and an armful of ammo satchels and assault rifles. Duke eyed them calculatingly. “That everything?”

  “Yeah.”

  Duke nodded to Magnus. “I’ll see if I can round up some horses for you. The locals might not want to let ’em go on just y
our say-so.”

  “Then tell them I’ll kill anyone who resists.”

  “That should do the trick.”

  Aaron and Duke walked off to where their animals were tethered, and Aaron whispered, “You’re seriously going to work for them?”

  “We don’t have a choice. They’re just going to take whatever they want by force, which will leave us broke, and nobody with anything to trade. So we either join the winning team, or we’ll wind up losers.”

  “But Tucker…”

  “Damn shame about the man, but he called that one wrong. So now he’s dead, and there isn’t anything we can do to bring him back. You don’t want to work with these bastards, that’s fine, but I don’t have anything better going, and I don’t want to be in the crosshairs if that psycho decides to kill everyone – do you?”

  Aaron frowned. “Put that way…”

  “Exactly.”

  Chapter 41

  The Crew convoy left Roswell shell-shocked at the confiscation of most of its inhabitants’ valuables – horses, food stores, ammunition, and weapons. Duke had done his best to soften the news that the town was facing an invading army, but some of the more stubborn had resisted. That hadn’t ended well, as the Crew fighters had delighted in destroying all in their path, and Duke had been left to wonder how the town would have fared if Magnus hadn’t been in such a hurry. Duke had heard stories about Dallas and Houston – the satanic rituals, the pedophilia, the wholesale raping and pillaging – but seeing what the Crew was capable of in person shocked even him.

  The highway transitioned into a wide-open stretch and the column picked up the pace, which lasted only a few hours before more mechanical failures grounded it for the night. The Crew fighters bivouacked in tents around the buses. The desert air was still hot even after the sun had set, and their cooking fires glowed along the road as they roasted the animals they’d confiscated from Roswell for food.

  Duke and Aaron kept to themselves. The Crew were hardened criminals to a man, best avoided as far as possible, and neither had much to say to each other as they ate their rations quietly at the periphery of the camp. Aaron was clearly uncomfortable with the circumstances, and most of their hushed discussion involved how best to stay alive by being useful to Magnus.