“I don’t know what to tell ya,” Johnny admitted.
Megan was getting off her shift as well and ran to catch up with them.
“I heard the shots this afternoon. What happened?” she wondered, pushing her blond wavy hair out of her face.
“A coyote attacked a homesteader’s kid,” Dexter said.
“Did you kill it?” she asked.
“Of course, I did,” Dexter admitted. “Now I have to go explain it to LtCol Jackson.”
“Do you want me to wait for you to go to dinner?” she wondered.
“No, go with my grandma and grandpa. I’ll just grab some chow with Johnny when we’re done. I don’t know how long this will take,” Dexter admitted, touching her hand for a moment before she turned to go.
“Don’t worry, everything will be fine,” she told him. “We’ll catch up later.”
“See you, then,” he said longingly.
“Bye, Johnny. See you guys later,” she said melting into the throng of people.
Dexter stood quietly, watching her go.
“Dude, Dexter, snap out of it, man,” Johnny said, clapping his hands in front of Dexter’s face. “You got to be on your game to meet LtCol Jackson.”
“I know, Johnny, I am!” Dexter snapped at him.
The two young men entered the training facility with Trucker in tow. They saluted superior officers as they made their way to the LtCol’s office. They waited outside the office until the door finally opened and LtCol Jackson directed them to enter.
Dexter noticed another dark-haired man standing to the side of the desk as he followed Johnny into the room with Trucker.
“Cpl Johnson and Pvt Kase,” he said looking at the files on his desk. His square head had eyes that could burn through their target. “But that’s not who you boys really are, is it?”
“No, sir,” Johnny replied.
“I recognize you,” the LtCol commented, running his fingers through his short brown hair. “You’re General McClintock’s boy, aren’t you?”
“Yes, sir,” Johnny replied again.
“First of all, let me tell you how sorry I am to hear about your father,” he began.
Standing from his desk, he came over and shook Johnny’s hand. He stood taller and his large frame was intimidating.
“Thank you, sir,” Johnny replied.
“But . . . we still have a job to do here, don’t we, Corporal?” he asked.
“Yes sir, we do,” Johnny replied.
“Your team fired shots today?” he stated as a question.
“Yes, sir, Pvt Kase spotted a hostile animal and for the sake of the child, he decided to discharge his weapon,” Johnny explained.
“Pvt Kase, you fired the shots?” Jackson asked.
“Yes, sir,” Dexter replied.
“You have a closed file,” he commented, as if to himself, as he shifted his body to stand in front of Dexter. “Were you authorized to shoot into a homestead property, son?”
“No, sir, I was not,” Dexter answered.
“Did you discharge your weapon before or after the animal attacked the child?” Jackson wondered.
“Sir, I saw the animal leave the wood line headed for the child. I took one shot then, but it was long, about eight hundred and seventy-five yards. I missed, and the animal took the child. I fired another shot and missed, received corrections from my spotter, and took the kill shot,” Dexter explained.
“Even though it was against orders, you didn’t hesitate to fire?” Jackson questioned.
“No, sir,” Dexter replied.
Jackson went around and sat back down at his desk.
“What would you do if you were in my shoes, son?” Jackson asked, to Dexter’s surprise.
“Sir, I would understand that the life of a child was at risk and offer the private a steak dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy,” Dexter replied straightforwardly.
The man standing next to the desk smiled, but Jackson looked blankly at Dexter.
“Son, I don’t know what I can do about the steak, but I couldn’t agree more,” he replied with the same blank look.
Dexter almost thought he had misheard the words.
“We don’t only need soldiers that can follow orders, we need men who can think as well. Let me introduce you to Mr. James Creed. His father is Larse Creed, the owner of the ten thousand acres that make up the homesteader’s compound. His son, Frederick, is the boy whose life you saved today,” Jackson explained.
The man stepped forward. Dexter thought maybe he was Latino, but when he spoke there was no sign of an accent.
“Very nice to meet you, Pvt Kase,” the man said, extending his hand.
Dexter shook it.
“Thank you for taking the shot. I’m in your debt,” he told Dexter, looking into his eyes.
Dexter knew this man was sincere, but there was something in his eyes that concerned him. This man was not one to be trifled with and Dexter could feel it.
“You’re welcome, sir. I grew up watching out for my little brother. I wouldn’t have let anything happen to your son, if I could help it,” Dexter told him.
“It’s nice to know you are up there, Private,” Mr. Creed replied.
“You two are dismissed. Go get some chow,” Jackson told them.
Johnny and Dex left with Trucker into the hallway. Johnny smiled at Dexter, but they stayed quiet until they were outside the building.
“See, dude, I told you,” Johnny elated, smiling widely at him. “Sometimes it pays to do the right thing.”
“Pvt Kase!” Mr. Creed yelled, coming out the door. “I’m glad I caught you.” He jogged up to them. “I may be able to help you out with that steak and you too, Corporal.”
“Thanks, sir. I appreciate that, but I should really go check in with my parents,” Dexter replied humbly.
“Nonsense, a man of your age should be free to decide where he’s gonna eat, and I’d be offended if you turned down my hospitality to go eat in the mess,” James declared.
Dexter acquiesced and followed James to his home with Johnny and Trucker.
Chapter 6
After Erika walked Vince home, she and Victoria headed back to the training compound.
“Karen, I heard you were at the Las Vegas Facility for nine years. How did you dodge the adoption process?” Victoria wondered.
“It wasn’t too hard. We’d been a thorn in their side since day one. Useful, but not compliant. None of the landowners wanted people who made it clear they didn’t have an interest in leaving. You missed a lot,” Erika admitted to Victoria. “What happened to you?”
“It’s a time of my life I don’t like to talk about. I have two beautiful boys from the experience, I found a wonderful man and I fight against the system that gave me those memories.” Victoria’s voice quivered with mixed emotions. “I cheered for you when word went around about the riot in the Las Vegas camp. I knew it was my old friends raising hell.”
“Yeah,” Erika admitted, chuckling. “We waited as long as we could but when the Infertility Law was passed, that was the last straw. They were coming to perform the procedure on Star. Daniel was old enough to survive without me, so I fought alongside with Vince, Greg, and the whole crew. The rebellion was utterly squashed. I ended up in a metal prison facility that they created to house unruly refugees.”
“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to, Karen. I don’t.”
“One day, you should,” Erika told her. “It helps. You want to know the most ironic part?”
“What’s that,”
“When I was in that box there was a soldier that talked to me every day. It’s the same soldier that we are going to train with now,” Erika informed her.
“What? Seriously?” She wondered how Erika could look him in the eyes.
“Yes, indeed. The Lord works in mysterious ways, Victoria. Long story short, he changed me, and I changed him. He’s been looking out for me and my family for a long time,” Erika explained.
The clou
ds rolled in and the first few drops of rain started hitting the ground as Erika and Victoria entered the main building. They headed towards the weight room in the back. Bennet was already there, waiting for her.
“How’s it going, hopscotch?” he beamed, watching her enter.
“What’s up, Sgt Bennet? I didn’t think you could use nicknames with a superior officer,” she boasted.
“We’re not on duty, short stack, and you just got that rank to keep your butt safe,” he defended. Changing the subject, he asked, “Who’s your friend?”
“This is SSgt Victoria Gleeson, my own personal bodyguard,” Erika replied.
“Nice to meet you, Staff Sergeant,” Bennet greeted her.
“Nice to meet you as well, Sergeant,” Victoria returned the gesture.
“So, let me get this straight, cupcake,” Bennet said, turning to face Erika. “You let LtGen Merkley give you an escort? Just like that? How long did I try to tell you that you needed an escort?”
“He made sense, Bennet. We’re on the same side,” Erika told him.
“Hmmm…” Bennet remarked. “Never thought I’d see the day.”
“What?” Erika wondered. “I need to be safe,” she replied, making quotation marks in the air.
“And kept under control? I gotta tell you, I just earned an even deeper respect for LtGen Merkley,” he boasted, pointing at her. Then, he turned and started walking away.
“Whatever, just zip it,” Erika told him, shaking her head at his antics. “Where are you going, Bennet? I thought we were going to do legs today?”
“I thought we might get into the ring,” Bennet commented, heading towards a cage in the corner.
“I’m not even warmed up,” Erika countered.
“What are you scared of, hopscotch?” Bennet asked, egging her on. “Get warmed up.”
Victoria smirked a little at Bennet’s comment and wondered how this fight would go. This Sergeant Bennet was a beast of a man, but not so bulky that he lost agility. He looked like he could move quickly and fight intelligently. Erika was only five feet tall, but she was quick and used her opponent’s momentum to her advantage. Erika took off her camouflage jacket. Victoria was surprised by the number of new scars on Erika’s body. She remembered that her skin was melted by toxic water. Now her wrists had deep scars from being tied together. Her tricep displayed a new-looking scar that went straight across it, and her face showed signs of recent healing as well. Erika was an inspiration to Victoria. Her spirit was intoxicating.
Sgt Bennet stood waiting in the ring, bouncing from side to side to stay limber.
“You all set, buttercup?” he teased.
His nicknames always got under Erika’s skin and he knew it.
“I’m gonna kick your butt, Bennet,” Erika stated, stepping into the ring and closing the door. Victoria stood, watching the two square off in the ring.
Erika eyed him carefully, thinking he would be expecting an attack. He smirked at her and swung his hand to punch. She went to block her head, but he kicked out her legs instead. Erika hit the mat with a thump. Bouncing back to her feet, she calmed herself. It was against her normal pattern. Usually her anger would have caused her to lash out. Patiently, she waited. Bennet threw a kick and she bobbed to avoid it, but Bennet waited with a knife hand strike. Erika saw his hand out of the corner of her eye and dodged again. Bennet’s attack left him vulnerable and Erika landed a flying elbow strike across his head.
“Nice, Karen,” he teased, smiling at her. He was trying to take her mind off her game.
Erika wasn’t going for it. She calmed her mind again and bobbed around his punches. As she weaved, he caught her by the back of the neck and spun her around in a bear hug. Erika exhaled the air out of her lungs as he squeezed her tighter. She threw her legs high into the air and rapidly sent them towards the ground, throwing Bennet off balance. When her feet hit the ground, she flipped Bennet over her back. He fell with a crash onto the mat.
“Very nice, woman! You’re on fire today! Let’s just practice counterattacks from the mat for the rest of the afternoon. You head is solid!”
Rarely did Bennet hand out such praise. Erika almost didn’t know what to do with herself.
“Thank you,” she told him sincerely.
“You’re doing good, cupcake. We’ve got a few months to hold out here before we go north. Cole told me Greg and Penni are safe and headed this way. Take time to enjoy your family. Stay sharp, but try to relax a little. Who knows what life’s going to dish out next, but for now, we’re good,” Bennet told her.
Erika felt strangely relieved. They finished their workout, then went out into the evening sun. Erika could see Star’s golden hair as the rays shone through behind her. She was standing at the gate with Vince waiting for Erika.
“You’ll definitely have to finish that story about Bennet later,” Victoria teased Erika.
“I told you he was one of a kind,” Erika chuckled.
“How’d it go, baby?” Vince asked as they approached.
“Ring time,” she responded.
“No bruises?” he questioned.
“Probably on my ankles, but Bennet said I was on point and doing well,” Erika told him.
“Really?” Vince wondered.
“SSgt Kase,” Victoria addressed Erika. “This is my replacement for the evening, Sgt Hensley.”
“Ma’am,” the sergeant addressed her. He looked to be about the same age as Erika. His build was average, but it looked like he had been through some tough battles.
“Sgt Hensley, have you eaten yet?” Erika asked cheerfully.
“Yes, ma’am,” he responded.
“Well, that’s the direction we’re headed,” Erika said, rolling her eyes at Vince and Star. “Hi, Jen, how was your day?” Erika asked, stepping over next to Star and putting one arm around her daughter’s waist.
“You know what, Mom?” Star asked.
“What?” Erika responded.
“It was pretty good. There’s plenty of work to be done and not enough hands to do it. Kept me busy all day,” she explained as they smelt the cool freshness of the river under the bridge. “The gal that’s in charge is a real sweetheart. Her name is Dixie. I guess she’s from the South. Let me tell you, she sure knows a thing or two about hospitality. With the limited supplies they have coming in here, she knows how to put all to use. She can cook too. Taught me some great new tips today.”
“That sounds awesome, hon,” Erika replied.
“Yeah, it might not be so bad here. I wish Roxy would have made it, though. We were planning on making some awesomely hot leather armor before we had to leave,” Star commented.
“Really? You and fashion?” Erika chuckled.
“Roxy said she would make it look tough and sexy,” Star explained.
“You’re going to have to wear a vest during battles. When do you plan on wearing this new getup?” Erika wondered, watching Vince trying to bite his tongue.
“It’s for hunting and when we’re on the move,” Star responded.
“You need to look hot doing that?” Vince wondered.
“I am single again, Dad,” she reminded him, fluffing a clump of hair behind her ear.
“Yeah, I noticed,” Vince mumbled.
“Are you going over to the gym tonight?” Erika asked.
“Yes, Mom. I’ll go get my training in,” Star replied.
Chapter 7
When they got to the mess hall, Erika pointed out Daniel, sitting alone with a notebook. He watched the people and vigorously sketched on the page in front of him. Erika stepped into line with the rest of her family and received a serving of poultry and dumpling soup.
“Hi, Daniel,” Erika greeted him as they approached the table.
“Hi, Mom,” Daniel replied, looking up from his work.
“Wow Danny! You’re getting so good,” Star commented, glancing at his drawing.
Erika smiled when she looked at it. The group at the adjacent table had been turned
into beautifully crafted caricatures. They all looked like football players, digging in after a big game.
She could just barely overhear the conversation at the other table. They were discussing who was the best quarterback of all time. One man was arguing fervently for Joe Montana while another man was loyal to Terry Bradshaw.
“Pretty impressive, Daniel,” Erika told him.
They sat down by him at the table and Erika listened to him tell his dad about some of the drawings he was working on. All she could think of was how talented he was. If he had been born just fifty years ago, he would have had a full-ride scholarship to an art school, she mused. He could have been one of the greats. Here, in this world, where could his talent take him? she wondered.
“Dexter was on watch today and he fired three shots. I don’t know what he was shooting at,” Daniel informed them.
“Is he okay?” Erika wondered.
“I don’t know,” Daniel replied. “He ended his shift and walked back to the training compound, but I haven’t seen him since.”
“Where’s my mom and dad?” Vince wondered.
“I haven’t seen them,” Erika replied.
“Me either,” Star concurred.
“They have to be around somewhere,” Vince said, getting up from his chair. “I’m done anyway. I’m going to see if I can find them.”
“Dang, baby! Did you inhale that bowl?” Erika wondered.
“Guess my strength is coming back,” he said, flexing a little for her.
Erika smiled back with raised eyebrows. “I guess so,” she commented.
“Really, guys,” Daniel teased them.
Star laughed at him. She was used to her parents’ flirtatious antics.
“What’s up with that guy, Mom?” Daniel asked, indicating Sergeant Hensley, who was vigilantly watching Erika and anyone who approached her.
“He’s there to guard me,” Erika informed the boy.
“Why?” Daniel asked.
“Because it makes LtGen Merkley happy,” Erika responded.
Star smiled at her mom’s joke. “You are getting older, Mom, probably not a bad idea,” Star teased.
“Really? You’re going to go there?” Erika asked, laughing at her.
The Changing Earth Series (Book 5): Dark Days in Denver Page 5