They went and sat down at the table. When Bruce sat in his chair the twins piled in his lap followed by Cade. Seeing that, PJ held out his hands yelling, “Da-Da!” Taking PJ out of the chair, Bruce wrapped his arms around all of them and still couldn’t cry; making the fire of rage burn inside him hotter. He wanted to hurt something bad.
Bruce looked at Debbie’s empty seat and fought off the urge to get the power tools out on Warren and them. Turning to look at Stephanie and Angela, Bruce saw they both had tears on their face. “Know this, I do love you. You two aren’t her replacement because she brought y’all in months ago. She loved you two so much she brought you into our marriage. Like a dumb ass, I fought her. At first I thought I loved you because Debbie did, now I see I love you for the same reason she did. You two are a lot like Debbie and I. And you made us both, a lot happier. I have to do something and it may take months or a year or two. I’ll love you in that time but I will not be able to give you the undivided attention that you deserve until I’m done. If you two want to find someone else to make you happy, I’ll understand but I will always love you and be here for you,” Bruce told them.
They looked at each other then ran over to Bruce hugging him and the kids crying. Stephanie leaned back and looked at Bruce, “Bruce, we will be here for you always. We aren’t going anywhere unless you throw us out. Then we’re going to sneak back in,” Stephanie promised him.
Angela burrowed her head in Bruce’s neck, “I love you and can’t lose anymore. Please be careful but I understand, just kill some for us too,” she cried out.
Bruce hugged and kissed both of them and the kids. Then he moved them off his lap. Millie handed Bruce a sandwich as he stood up, Bruce noticed Millie with tears in her eyes. Marcus got up to follow and Bruce held his hand out, “No Marcus, your ride has ended. I’m holding onto mine. I have things I need to do. You have accomplished your goal. I know I can get off, I don’t want to. Mike and the command group are going to need help. You know as well as I, the longer you stay on, the harder the fall. Only one of us needs that fall,” Bruce told him.
With tears in his eyes Marcus said, “Bruce, I’d have rode with ya as long as I could’ve. I’d give anything to take this off of ya.”
Bruce hugged Marcus, “I know brother,” he told him then Bruce hugged Carroll. Letting her go, Bruce walked over to Joe and Harry. Seeing him come over they stood up. “Joe, Harry I need to ask a big favor,” Bruce told them.
“Name it,” Joe said.
“I need you to build a cremator and a regular urn by tomorrow. In three days I will need another urn, a big urn and eighteen capsules that can hold a small amount of ashes that can be worn on a necklace,” Bruce asked.
“Done,” Harry said as the both moved to the door.
Following them to the door Bruce paused by Mike, “Keep them busy and prepare for another attack until I tell you otherwise. Get the runway cleared ASAP. Tonya can tell you where Warren’s hunting camp is at. If you see them leave, launch the Apaches and kill them but only if they leave. I don’t want to be cheated. I have one more brother to add to my collection,” Bruce told Mike and left for the shop.
Walking into the shop, Bruce threw his boonie hat off and noticed the micro cam. Picking up the hat he noticed it was still recording. Removing the card, Bruce almost broke it knowing it held the most painful part of his life but decided not to in case for some reason one of the kids wanted to see it. Going to his vest he put it in his small plastic container and put a new one in. This one he would want to watch later. Taking Debbie’s mini recorder out of his pocket he replaced the card not wanting to erase anything. Bruce sat it in a good vantage point. “Gentleman it’s time for me to introduce you to some sisters I know. They are good friends of mine. The bitches names are ‘pain’ and her sister ‘fear’. You will know them well,” Bruce said, picking up a handheld grinder and the screams started.
After several hours of playtime with Scott, Bruce left for the house to shower when he came back outside he heard screams coming from the shop. ‘Damn, they scream when they know I’m coming,’ Bruce thought, loving the idea. Walking in Bruce saw Stephanie and Angela holding a torch to Warren’s feet.
“Does that hurt? It looks like it hurts to me,” Angela taunted as Warren screamed.
Angela removed the torch and Stephanie held up a power drill and drilled into Warren’s foot making him scream louder. Stephanie pulled the drill out and walked up to Warren, “Did I do that right? Do you think it would hurt more going down through the toe into the foot? Why won’t you talk to me? You’re the commander,” Stephanie asked as she moved back down.
“Girls,” Bruce said and they both turned around. “May I ask what you’re doing?” Bruce asked them.
“Playing,” Stephanie told him and Bruce shook his head and motioned them outside.
Stephanie put the drill on the table, “Hold that thought,” Stephanie told Warren as Angela put the torch on the area Stephanie drilled.
Warren screamed as she burnt the wound, “It might’ve got infected. Don’t worry I’m a doctor,” Angela told him cutting the torch off.
When they were outside Bruce closed the door, “Well, what are you two doing?” Bruce asked.
“Making that fucker hurt,” Angela told him and Stephanie agreed.
Bruce hugged them, “You can’t do this. Let me,” Bruce told them.
Angela started crying followed by Stephanie. “Bruce, we loved her so much and we didn’t know her nowhere near as long as you and it hurts so much,” Stephanie wailed as Bruce rubbed her head.
“I can’t let you do this,” Bruce told them.
“It helps knowing he was responsible, seeing him hurt,” Angela said between sobs.
“Why can’t we make them hurt?” Stephanie asked wiping her nose.
“Debbie asked me,” Bruce told them and both jerked back.
“What?” Stephanie said.
“Debbie asked me to love and protect you two and to let you love and protect me. Then she asked me not to let you fall into vengeance, she wanted the smart half to be sane for the family and not wading in blood,” Bruce told her.
“That means Stephanie. Can I go back?” Angela asked. Bruce just looked at her with a blank stare. “Oh alright, I know what she means but it’s not fair. We want to help,” Angela told him.
“Where are the kids?” Bruce asked.
“The twins are with Jake, they wanted to sleep with him. PJ and Buffy are with Danny and Cade wanted to go with Mindy,” Stephanie told him.
“You want to help?” Bruce asked and the both nodded. “Go to mission control and make me a detailed map of their camp. I need distances pretty accurate. Then bring me what you have at 2200 here,” Bruce told them. They kissed Bruce and took off running.
At 2200 they came back to find Bruce holding a radio to Scott’s mouth letting him talk and Bruce took it away. Bruce asked questions for an hour to each one with the two making notes. Then at 2300 Bruce walked over to Angela and Stephanie picking them up. He put them on the bed in the corner then he laid down with them and went to sleep.
No one had any idea there was a UAV above them at forty thousand feet that had watched both battles, flying in a circle pattern over them.
Chapter 3
It was 0500 when Bruce woke up and went to the Center. Bruce saw Carroll sitting at the table with Marcus. Walking over to the kitchen staff, Bruce told them what he needed and went to the table sitting down.
When Bruce sat down Carroll turned to Bruce. “Bruce, Marcus and I prepared Debbie last night. She still be in the den. Tomorrow I’ll clean the couch off after I talks to Stephanie an see how to do it,” Carroll told him.
“Thank you Carroll,” Bruce said, as a cook put a jug in his hand.
“What’s that?” Marcus asked.
“Food for Warren and them, I put a tube in their stomach so I can make sure I get every ounce of pain and fear I can out of them,” Bruce said getting up.
“It won’t bring her back Bruce,�
�� Carroll told him.
“I know Carroll, but it’ll let everyone know what happens when you fuck with something I love,” Bruce replied walking out.
Bruce went to the shop and poured food down the hose of each one, then woke up Stephanie and Angela sending them to the Center. Then Bruce went to the new machine shop. He had heard them working all last night.
Joe and Harry saw him walk in and came over. “We’re done with the crematorium and urn. We just started on the others. They’ll be ready this afternoon,” Joe told him.
“Thank you guys, stop now and get some sleep. I need you two alert. I’m having a private ceremony for Debbie the day after tomorrow for family only. Will you two come?” Bruce asked.
Shock hit both of their faces as Joe said, “Bruce, we’d be honored to.”
Bruce thanked them and headed to the Center. Walking in he saw the entire command group there and they all looked tired.
“Alright listen up. How’s the body removal going?” Bruce asked heading to his chair.
“We should be finished tomorrow morning if we can continue to work around the clock. The south field is clear. The runway was repaired last night along with the fence that was overrun,” Paul answered.
“Any idea yet on how much ammo we used yesterday?” Bruce asked to everyone.
“In both battles we used twenty million rounds or two hundred and fifty tons,” Stephanie answered. Shock spread everywhere as the hall had quieted down to listen what Bruce and the command group had to say.
“Better than I thought,” Bruce admitted to himself which shocked the command group. “Okay, I want Omega ready to roll in one hour for briefing, attack kick off will be 1500. Steve, you’ll be flying an Apache, get you a gunner and a wing man. We need pilots for the Blackhawks, we’re taking six. Make sure that the door guns are on. I will go over the attack in mission control,” Bruce told them looking around getting nods.
“Now change of subject, we will have service for those fallen tomorrow at 1400; all work stops. Get the graves and caskets done. Then at 1800 I want to have a service with the family for Debbie. Family, you can invite who you want just don’t get carried away. Then we will carry her on her last journey,” Bruce told them. Everyone had tears in their eyes and nodded.
Cheryl raised her hand. “Ah, Bruce I have to tell you something,” she started. Bruce nodded at her, “The committees came to me last night because they didn’t want to disturb y’all. They said the clan heard that Debbie was getting cremated and every person responsible for those fallen is requesting the same,” Cheryl told him.
“Someone, ask Joe if they can make another one,” Bruce said but then a thought struck him. “Cheryl, ask them if they’re willing to have some ashes placed in a community urn. We will put a plaque up for all that have fallen protecting us,” Bruce said getting nods from everyone.
“Bruce, can we start using the cremator? Some of these people have been dead for forty-eight hours and the ones the blues got were ripped apart,” Paul asked.
“Okay, tell the family of each fallen and they can have a private service and we will have the group one the next day. Now Omega, get your shit, team leaders mission control 1000. Mike, you’re taking over first platoon. No Nancy, you’re not going and neither are Angela and Stephanie. Now let’s move with a purpose,” Bruce told them.
At 1000 Omega team leaders and the command group, met in mission control as Bruce started the meeting. “Okay, there are over fifty men left with weapons and over three hundred women and a few kids. There are no hostages here. The women are allowed to roam freely so they will be treated as hostile,” Bruce said.
“Are they armed Bruce?” Bill asked.
“No, they aren’t allowed weapons,” Bruce told him.
“Then they are being held,” Bill said.
“No, they are not. They could grab a weapon, they could escape, and they could’ve stopped Warren. They are my enemy and they will die. The only ones there with a reprieve will be the kids,” Bruce replied in a matter-of-fact tone. Bill just held up his hands not going there.
“Omega will fly in on helicopters, land, then kill everything. Myself, Danny, Jake and Buffy will be in the LOACH to grab Ed, the last brother. Apaches will take out primary barracks and guard post just as Omega sets down. Then take targets of opportunity,” Bruce laid out.
“Bruce, that’s too big a risk just to get Ed when we can just level the damn place,” Mike said.
“I want the whole set of brothers ‘alive’ so I can fix that problem over time,” Bruce told him.
“Don’t you think they’ll start shooting when they hear the choppers?” Willie asked.
“No, I had Scott, the ranger friend of Warren, radio them last night telling them all was well. They are expecting Warren to fly down this afternoon. They will all be drunk because I had Scott tell them to start drinking this morning. When Ed hears the choppers, he’s heading to his houseboat for a present Warren promised him,” Bruce informed them.
“Dude, that rocks,” Willie said impressed.
For the next hour Bruce laid out the plan and told everyone to get gear ready. Bruce went upstairs grabbing his heavy bag. Then Bruce pulled his SAW and baby SCAR off the wall and headed to the shop. Angela and Stephanie walked in as Bruce started laying out his equipment. They would be running mission control with Nancy.
“Be careful Bruce,” Angela told him and Stephanie nodding.
“Don’t worry, I will be,” Bruce replied, stripping down and started getting ready.
At 1400 Omega formed up at the choppers each squad getting in one chopper with the last carrying more ammo. The four with Bruce met up at the Loach. Jake looked at his dad and noticed the SAW across his back.
“Dad, why are you carrying a SAW and why is your face painted tiger stripe? There are only a dozen or so infected anywhere close to their camp and we will not be sneaking in,” Jake asked.
“Comfort, it lets others know I’m on the warpath,” Bruce replied and Jake grinned. Jake wanted to cry so bad for his Mama when he woke up this morning but Dad had forbidden it. Then Jake, like the rest of the family let it turn to hate, blaming the gang for taking their Mom and not letting them grieve for her. Never in his life had he experienced this kind of hate.
When everyone saw Bruce’s face, they pulled out face paint and painted theirs. The Loach they were riding had the benches mounted to the sides so they could ride on the outside over the skids. Bruce made them practice with the buckles as he went over their plan again.
“We land on top of Ed’s houseboat; Jake and Buffy cover from top. Danny and I will storm it. I figure we’ll make it through the door as the rest of Omega starts shooting. Kill everything,” Bruce told them and they all nodded. Ed’s houseboat had a stairway from the roof to the living area.
Those not working came to see them off as Omega climbed in. The choppers started to come to life, then one at a time they lifted off. Sitting on the bench over the skid, Bruce looked out over the farm. Heavy equipment was working everywhere loading bodies and putting them in dump trucks to be hauled off. The only field that was still covered with bodies was the west field. With the fuel tanks stored there Paul didn’t want the bulldozers clearing the field. So twenty little backhoes and tractors would scoop up a bucket full and carry it to a truck.
The helicopters turned south and were soon over Toledo Bend and flying at a hundred feet over the surface. Overhead they had three armed Gray Eagles at ten thousand feet. A UAV they were not controlling was at forty thousand feet tracking them.
The Loach pulled out a mile in front of the Blackhawks. Bruce figured they could be heard at the camp by now. Bruce was the only one in Omega that wasn’t getting the jitters. Looking ahead Bruce saw the boat docks and saw their target. The pilot aimed for it coming over the top and hovered two feet off the roof. Everyone hit the buckles and jumped off as the chopper sped off.
Jake and Buffy dropped down as the Blackhawks came in. Bruce and Danny ran for the stair
s heading down. Reaching the door, Bruce kicked it open hearing two explosions behind him from the Apaches taking out the barracks and guard tower. Ed was sitting at the table and looked up as the door flew open and explosions started outside. Then Ed saw Bruce and immediately knew who he was, as shock, relief, and fear flooded his body, Ed wet his pants.
Bruce ran at Ed and before Ed moved, Bruce kicked him in the face. A naked woman kneeling on the floor lunged at Bruce as he put a burst in her chest dropping her. Seeing one of the girls he was protecting killed, Ed screamed, “No!” as Bruce flipped him over zip-tying his hands and ankles. Danny covered him and they could hear the rest of Omega opening up outside.
With Ed tied up Bruce stood up and moved to the back of the houseboat and Ed yelled out, “Don’t fight girls, they’ll rescue you!”
Bruce swung into the room and saw a group of women looking at him. Flipping to auto, Bruce sprayed them down as Ed screamed out for Bruce to stop. Seeing them down, Bruce came back to Ed lying on the floor. “You didn’t have to kill them. I was protecting them from the others!” Ed cried out.
“They were already dead and didn’t know it. Just like everyone else here. You all died the day you let Warren attack us,” Bruce told him, dragging Ed to the door. “Wait here for me, I’m taking you to your brothers. I’m going to introduce you to some sisters I know,” Bruce told Ed, and then stomped on his head knocking him out.
“Package secured, let’s join in, form up,” Bruce called over the radio.
Jake and Buffy ran down the stairs following Bruce and Danny off the dock into the camp. Seeing a group of hostiles run by them, they formed a line and cut them down as they headed to what Scott said was the main house. There were five buildings minus the one that was blown up by the Apache and nine trailers at the camp and each had been assigned a wipe-out team.
Reaching the side of the building, Bruce heard machine gun fire at the end where the choppers had landed. Moving toward it, Bruce eased around the corner to find a man shooting a SAW at a one of his squads, pinning them down. Letting his SCAR hang down, Bruce pulled his knife out coming up behind the man and shoved it in his back as he grabbed a hand full of hair.
Blue Plague: Rage Page 3