He looked over at his friend, tried to get it set in his head the right way to approach what he needed to talk to him about. Two days prior to the planning of this trip, he talked the others into bringing Eric and Rose into the alliance. John was extremely protective of his niece. Jackson's repeated argument, however, stating that with the growing threat the pair were more in danger not knowing about the activities, finally convinced his fellow spies. None of them had any doubt about where the couple's loyalties would lie. After Bud had discussed their inclusion with the Colonel, it was agreed that they would be recruited and briefed. Jackson had requested to talk to Eric first. Rose completely trusted Eric and her uncle John. The two men could explain things to her later.
The Colonel had requested that Jackson and Eric come to the bunker to meet with her. Explaining to Bud, “These men are young, I don't know that either one of them has had any real experience with combat type situations. We need young able men, I would like to see them get a bit of training. I also want to hear for myself that they understand the gravity of the situation that is developing and their commitment to eliminating the Network.”
Bud had answered, “I understand. I do know that Jackson came from a small community where his great grandfather made a stand with his family. The true battles for survival were much more common in the first two decades following the disaster. You're right, the young man probably was not alive when the worst of things occurred. Same for Eric, he grew up on more or less a family farm compound.” He looked at her and smiled, “Unlike, us older folks, who lived through those times.”
“I fear these wars with the Network will bring all that back to us in full force. We need everyone we can get on our side.” Her smile was faint. “Get the young men out here, so I can meet them. I've already asked the driver to find a secure place in the Villages that he thinks we could all meet and discuss some strategies. Seems it would be safer than all of you trying to come here at one time. He will let you know when and where.”
That is how Jackson and Eric came to be exiting the bus on this morning. Eric thinking they were on a buying trip for the mayor and his friend looking nervously over his shoulder. The two friends stayed seated and let several of the passengers pass by, the thug was one of them. Jackson rose and watched him step down from the bus, take a sharp turn right and walk purposefully away. He and Eric were the last to exit, three riders entered the bus and it pulled away. They stood for a while, he couldn't see the thug anywhere around. Maybe, the man had a reason to be here and I'm just paranoid.
Eric twisted, stretched his back and straightened, “Damn! What a bone crusher that thing is. I've ridden bucking horses that were easier to sit on.” He shaded his eyes from the dull glare and looked around, “Hey man, I don't see any corn around here. Are you sure you know where you're going?”
“Yeah, I got it.” He started walking and Eric fell in step. Jackson looked back over his shoulder one more time, still no sign of the thug. “We'll walk for a little ways and meet a ride.”
They had walked for about twenty minutes. Before they reached the landmark and the driver picked them up, he wanted to stop and talk to Eric. “Let's stop here for a minute,” said Jackson. He looked behind them along the grown up highway. Was that a glimpse of someone? He got a bottle of water from his pack, took a drink and handed it to his friend. “Wait here. I need to take a little trip into the woods.”
The tall lean man leaned back on his elbows and waited. It was quiet, sparsely populated out here away from even the communities that spotted around the metro Villages. Then he heard noises coming from the trees behind him. He got up, his long legs took wide strides through the grass, he entered the woods where he had watched Jackson step into the brush. The sounds of curses and scuffling became louder. With his hand on his gun, he hurried toward the racket. In a small clearing amidst the trees, he burst onto the scene of his friend and the street thug rolling on the ground. A cigarette smouldered in the dry leaves, he stomped it out and tried to get to a position of assisting his pal.
Jackson stood up, grabbed the thug and slammed him against the tree. “Why are you following me, you slime?” he beat the man's head against the rough bark again. Blood dripped from the man's mouth and nose, he just laughed and snatched a knife from his waist. In one quick movement he brought up the knife, slashed across the young mans stomach. An instant streak of blood stained Jackson's split shirt and he moved back a step. The thug raised the knife and lunged forward. The loud pistol shot echoed through the thick trees, with a surprised look on his face the thug thudded to the ground. Eric moved closer, kicked his target aside, holstered his pistol and looked to his injured friend.
“Damn, Jack---how bad are you hurt?”
Jackson looked at his friend and at the man on the ground, a hole in his knitted cap and head. “I think it's not deep, not bad. Thanks bud, I'm afraid the thug's injury is terminal.” He actually smiled at Eric. “Let's get away from here.”
They moved out of the woods. Eric said, “Hey, we got to get you some help. It may not be bad, you still need some aid.”
“Look in my pack and get some antiseptic out.” He sat down and leaned against a rock.
While Eric was busy pouring the stinging liquid across his belly, he said, “Did you know that guy? He looked like that scum the Sheriff ran off on the street. Why was he lurking around?”
“He was that same guy,” said Jackson when he got his breath back from the firey splash of medicine. “I'll explain. I've got a lot of things to explain to you. First, we have to get about ten more minutes down the road. There's going to be someone waiting for us.”
Eric looked confused but helped him up and they started back down the road. Before they reached the rock outcropping, they spotted the old green car idling on the side of the deserted highway, the smoky exhaust fumes trailing into the air. He leaned down into the open window, “I'm Jackson and this is Eric.”
The man said, “Get in, I'm Driver.” When Jackson eased into the seat, the injury was obvious, “Are you injured, what happened?” Eric pulled open the back sedan door and plopped into the seat, the car remained still.
“It was that piece of s--t thug, the one that works for the Sheriff. You know him? The one that burned Anissa. He was following us,” said Jackson.
Eric said, “Wait---wait, what the frick is going on? What are you talking about? Who is Anissa?” He was leaning over the front bench seat and shooting questions out at them.
Driver looked around and said, “Where is he? Where did this happen?”
Jackson leaned his head back on the seat, “It happened about a half mile back. Trust me, the man is dead. Thanks to Eric. He must've been alone.” He looked at his friend's baffled face, “I'm sorry. I stopped so that I could fill you in about all this.”
The driver pulled up the slashed shirt and looked, “I think we better get on to the base and get that looked at. You can brief him as we go. I'll let the Colonel know we'll be a little late.”
“The base?” said Eric.
Before he started to try to explain the events of the last few weeks to his friend, he said to Driver, “Thing that bothers me is, was the thug just following me or did he know where I was going? Do they know about the bunker?”
“I'm betting not,” said Driver. “The rat's job was to slink around and find out information. Glad you spotted him and he is eliminated.”
“Wha-a-t bunker? Man, you've got to tell me what's going on.” Eric said in frustration.
As the car crawled along toward the military base, Eric still hung over the seat and Jackson started to tell his friend about the Network, about their mutual friends and about Anissa. Driver added his collaborative information. By the time they had reached the old barracks and hidden entrance to the bunker, Eric was amazed and nearly up to date. Driver slid the bookcase away and opened the door. The new ally said, “God, wish I had known all of this. He burned her? Glad I shot the som-bitch.” He stopped before entering the hall and stuc
k his hand out to the driver, “I'm in and Rose will be, too. You just tell me what to do.”
“For the moment, let's just keep your friends guts from spilling out.” He grinned but Eric looked worried. They helped Jackson to the clinic. While he was being treated, Driver went to let the Colonel know and arrange a later meeting. The cut had slashed across Jackson's lean stomach, it wasn't deep, as he thought. It would be extremely sore, not life threatening.
Later, the two young men sat in front of the Colonel. “How are you, son?”
“It's not serious, mam,” said Jackson.
“Want you to know that I appreciate your service. And Eric---was it? I hope you'll join us. This threat we're facing is strong and it's growing.”
“I hope I can help, mam,” said Eric.
Sharon wanted to say not mam, just Sharon. She didn't. These men were young and she needed to command their respect. “It's obvious that you are capable and willing. You have relieved any concern on that count. I would like for you both to get some combat training. This incident has also made it clear that it's risky to have you coming here, it will be a necessity, however. It would be wise to not come together in the future. I will count on your ingenuity to get away and come here with extreme caution. Eric, I will expect you to fully inform your partner and be looking for your contribution of information.”
Both men had questions and the meeting continued for about thirty more minutes. Sharon stood and offered her hand. “We will meet in the Villages, as soon as Bud and Driver can determine a safe place. You will be informed. Thanks again.”
On the trip back to the bus stop, Jackson created his lie as to why the corn trip was not successful---corn not healthy, price not cheap like he had heard, was not going to be a good purchase to make the quality bourbon that the Mayor prized. He made sure Eric knew the story. He was still full of questions, Driver and Jackson told him to get them asked and not be talking about anything but corn or the weather on the bus. Wrapped up tight and wearing a clean shirt, the rough ride back to the Villages was quite painful. Jackson was glad to finally be back in his room that evening.
The lean young man lay across his bed, a slight burning still trailed across his stomach. He thought of Anissa, not unusual to feel the longing for her. Would he ever really be able to have her, to make her safe and would the world let them be together? He couldn't feel one speck of remorse for the man that lay in the woods with the hole in his head. The man that hurt her and today, him. He hoped the bugs and animals feasted on his body.
His memory drifted back to being a boy, always full of questions. Once when he stood out in the yard with a group of the men of the compound, he asked about someone that was missing from the manly gathering. “Where is he?” he said.
One of the men raised his eyebrows and looked straight at him, “Well, boy, he went to s—t and the hogs ate him.” This caused a huge outburst of laughter but he had to admit, it didn't seem funny to him, just scary. Tonight, he found himself hoping the wild hogs rooted in the woods.
As sleep found him, the vengeful thoughts were replaced with a moment of thankfulness for his friend and also sympathy for him, having to tell his Rose of all the frightening possibilities on the horizon.
***
The toxic ingredients which would infect the country with war were incubating in Dallas and in other big cities of America. In a land still disjointed and weak, two opposing forces formed their plans to be the dominant rule.
The Network was following the strategy they had determined brought them increasing success. In the metro Villages of Dallas and in other large cities, they were slowly taking over the commerce and bringing as many of the population as possible into their various pernicious and lucrative activities. The leaders of the Network believed that if they continued to grow, by the time they made their move to establish rule, they would face a weak resistance. Doctor Pendelton's super soldiers would enable them to gain control of the resources of the country. With their army, through force and intimidation, they would use the population, just as they had at the farm to take full advantage of the wealth of the land. Only the Network would choose who would be the privileged citizens of the new society. The weak spot in the Network's armor, however, was their lack of true knowledge of the growing strength of their opponent.
The Dallas government alliance had gained two young soldiers. Eric had enlisted the help of Rose's uncle John and Mamie to tell his partner about the events that were stirring in their city and in their country. The four sat in Mamie's room. Mamie served up some coffee with a shot of bourbon in each steaming mug. She and Rose sat at the small table, John perched nearby on the edge of the color splashed bed and Eric paced. Rose took a swig of coffee and coughed, “What the heck is this, Mamie, coffee or a cocktail?”
“Just sip a bit, honey. Eric has something to tell you.”
She looked around at the other three, her large eyes locked with Eric's, questions there. He moved next to Rose's chair and said, “Listen, babe. There's some serious stuff going on. I---we, need you to know all about it.” With the input from John and Mamie, the young woman was brought up to date about the activities of the Network, about the sinister old doctor, the alliance and how Jackson was in contact with Anissa and she had agreed to become part of the alliance. Her uncle explained to her how Anissa's co-operation put her in grave danger and that the threat would hang over her, too, now that she was being brought into the web.
Rose was not some weak kneed girl. Though, she hadn't seen the very worst of the aftermath of the EMP catastrophe, she hadn't had a simple or easy life. After only a moment of absorbing all of this startling information, she said, “Well, I'm most certainly going to need some of that military training. If I can't go to the base, then you're going to have to pass along what you learn to me, Eric.” She was up and pacing now and Eric had plopped into the chair, relieved to have the telling done. He took a big drink of his spiked coffee.
Her uncle just shook his head and laughed at the feisty auburn hair niece that he had raised. She paused and looked at Mamie, “What about you, do you have training? Well,crap! who would've thought that you were a spy.”
Mamie said, “Not real hand to hand type training. I would like to get in on that myself.”
“Well, it seems to me that that Dallas is a dangerous place. If we're going to be American soldiers, then we have to be properly trained. Right, Uncle John?” She put both hands on her hips, “You men will just have to find some place to give us some training.”
“I agree. And, as soon as we find a secure place to have a meeting, we will all get together with the Colonel,” said Mamie.
Placing quick kisses on everybody's cheeks, Rose clapped her hands and said, “Well, gotta go. Time for work soon.” She trotted out of the small room, leaving them all in silence. The young woman's unflustered air of enthusiasm lingered but the people that loved her couldn't ignore the fact that they had just pulled her into a dangerous reality. They parted with no smiles on their faces.
***
The small hut, a frequent haven for Jackson and Anissa was crowded. Two candles flickered on the worn table. The wind whistled through the unlined walls and chilled the room and not one of the nine visitors removed their coats. Jackson discreetly folded the blankets on the small cot in the corner. The blankets that often covered two young lovers, warm in the thrill of a new found passion and in the exploration of getting to know each other. He pulled the cot closer to the table. Mamie, Rose and Anissa sat on the low bed and covered their legs with a couple of the blankets. Colonel Sharon sat in the old upholstered chair, Driver on the rickety stool, Jackson, John and Bud had scrounged up a couple of crates and an old paint bucket.
It had been a little over a year since the cold day that Jackson arrived in Dallas. He looked around at the faces in the dim light, hard to believe everything that had happened in those months. Since the couple had been meeting here for several weeks now, it was determined to be a decently safe place for the all
iance to conspire, as long as caution was observed. With lowered voices, the Colonel was introduced to John and the three women, who she hadn't previously met. Before she could begin to speak, Jackson said “sh-sh---quiet..” He heard the recognized squeak of the back door of the Luciano Village as it opened. The guard's curses at the cold reached them and after a pretty short time, the door slammed shut again. The weather wasn't very conducive to answering the call of nature.
Everyone seemed to be holding their breath but the smoke swirled from their noses and mouths and circled ins the candle light. Anissa whispered, “It's okay. The guard just comes out for a bathroom break sometimes.”
Bud chuckled, “Well, it'll reach the ground solid tonight.” The Colonel grinned and there were some other soft laughs.
“First, I want to tell you all, that I really appreciate the service you're giving and I'm grateful that you have joined our alliance. The information you've been gathering is invaluable to us. I know that you have worked under dangerous conditions and that you have questions about the strength of our armies. I want to assure you that we've been rebuilding, that our numbers and our skills are growing.”
Anissa pulled a notebook from under that blanket across her lap and extended it to the Colonel.
“Jackson thought that it would be useful to have the layout, floor by floor, of the Luciano. These are diagrams of the number and locations of rooms and what they are used for. At least, to the degree that I know.”
The Colonel said, “That will be extremely useful. Any information that you can gather about where they keep their weapons, how well armed they are is what we really need. If we can continue to keep our existence or at least the degree of preparedness we have a secret, then our biggest advantage will be surprise. Our strategy will be to attack the Network in the headquarters, with contingencies for their people throughout the city. We know the Sheriff is in their organization and thanks to Anissa, we know about the lab of Dr. Pendelton.”
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