Putting his finger to his mouth Bruce went, “Shh.”
The woman looked at the body lying on the bed then at Bruce taking a breath to scream as Bruce shot her in the head. As the woman’s body hit the bed another woman sat up in bed and Bruce just shot her in the head. ‘These women don’t listen,’ Bruce thought as he zip tied the one on the floor.
Bruce and Buffy met up with Danny, David and Mindy in the hall. Bruce keyed his radio. “Jake, how are you and squad two doing?” Bruce asked.
“Just finished, the first floor is clear. They were in the den watching movies,” Jake replied as Willie broke in.
“Bruce, on the west side of the house there is a picnic table with several sleeping on it,” Willie told them.
“Jake, join back with me at the front door and squad two hold the house,” Bruce called over the radio.
Meeting Jake at the door they eased back out to the west side of the house. When they cleared the corner of the house Bruce pointed at the tables and pulled his finger across his throat telling the others to kill them. Bruce would like to take them alive but with them outside it was too risky.
The five formed a wedge with Bruce at the rear moving to the tables. When they were ten feet away Buffy squeezed the trigger followed by everyone else killing four men and three women. Bruce turned back to the house and froze seeing a cellar door.
“Down,” he whispered and the five knelt down with him. Bruce keyed his radio, “Squad two this house has a cellar. Find the entrance but don’t go in, squad one is heading down,” Bruce said as Jake came over to him.
“The oak trees hid it Dad,” he whispered pointing up. Looking up Bruce nodded.
Bruce pointed to Jake and Buffy then the door. Buffy led followed by Jake, Bruce, Danny, Mindy and David stopping at the cellar door. Buffy reached out easing the door open and eased inside followed by the rest and David eased the door shut. When they reached the bottom Bruce saw a lot of people sleeping on cots and several on the floor.
With hand signals Bruce told Buffy and Jake to cover and if any woke up kill everyone. Turning he motioned Danny and David to take the right and Mindy to cover the door. Looking at the room making a quick count Bruce counted twenty-six.
Moving to the left side of the room, Bruce started at the corner that had two men and a woman sleeping on the floor. Lifting his right foot Bruce quickly stomped all three in the head knocking them out. Bruce moved over to a cot hitting the occupant in the temple with his pistol. Just as he hit the occupant of the third cot, Bruce heard something in front of him. Looking up Bruce saw a figure sitting up on a cot.
Jake shot the figure as Buffy opened up on the other side. Bruce lifted up his pistol and started shooting figures in cots as they stirred from the suppressed gunfire. When his slide locked back Bruce slammed in a new magazine looking around the room and didn’t see anything moving. Bruce motioned for Jake and Buffy to check the bodies and for Danny and David to zip tie the ones they knocked out.
After Bruce was finished with his six he heard a suppressed shot and looked up seeing Buffy shooting at a cot. Motioning the others to him, Bruce asked, “What was that about?”
“He was still breathing,” Buffy told him shrugging her shoulders.
Bruce smiled and looked at Danny, “How many did you two capture?” Bruce asked.
“Eight, how about you,” Danny said.
“Six,” Bruce replied.
“Oh yeah, we’re good,” Danny whispered nodding her head smiling.
“There were two of you,” Bruce reminded her.
“Whatever, you are the kick ass king and if we beat you that’s an accomplishment, Dad,” Danny told him.
“Okay y’all won,” Bruce told her as he keyed his radio. “Squad two, basement is clear we’re coming up so don’t shoot. That would really piss me off,” Bruce called over the radio.
“Come on up, boss,” Ted replied.
Leading them up the stairs into the kitchen, Bruce found Ted and Matt waiting on them. Bruce moved to a window and called Willie on the radio. “Willie, how is the party coming?” Bruce asked.
“All buildings but one cleared boss and that’s the mess hall. Squad three is moving into position now,” Willie said.
“Sounds good, keep me updated and I’m sending out first squad to check the area. Let the teams know they’ll have on their wolf tails,” Bruce said and looked at Jake.
“Jake, take first squad with Matt and Mary and walk the perimeter. Have your wolf tails out,” Bruce told him. A wolf tail was just an IR (infrared) chemlite taped to a length of cord with a weight attached. Then above the chemlite, two nine volt batteries were pushed together. The chemlite put out IR signature and the batteries put out heat that would let the snipers know that it was a friendly.
Jake nodded checking everyone’s wolf tail then headed outside. Bruce followed but stopped on the porch looking across the compound lifting his arm up to look at his watch. Glancing down, Bruce heard a burst of automatic fire. Dropping down and turning to the noise, Bruce realized he was aiming his XDM. Rolling to the wall Bruce holstered the pistol bringing up his SCAR. Granted he loved his pistol but for a real firefight Bruce wanted to sling serious hate at his opponent.
Easing back to the center of the porch, Bruce heard several flash bangs go off. Fixing to get off the porch Bruce stopped to make sure his wolf tail was out then moved to the fighting. As he moved Bruce realized the shooting had come from the mess hall which was just a three car garage sitting away from the house. Through his monocular, Bruce could see members of Omega coming out. He knew it was his troops because of the wolf tails. Slowing his pace Willie came over the radio.
“Hey boss, they tried to storm the mess hall but got shot at. Carl had them throw flash bangs in and they rushed,” Willie told him.
“Copy, hold your over watch until squad one finishes then man the watch towers,” Bruce told Willie as he walked up to Carl. “Did we lose any?” Bruce asked.
“No, I have two wounded but both are minor. One is a bullet graze and the other is from glass both will need stitches,” Carl told him.
“Okay secure the area so we can call in our rides,” Bruce told him when he heard a pistol shot to the north. Both he and Carl dropped down.
“Squad one SIT REP (situation report),” Bruce said over the radio.
Jake replied back, “We found another group and are securing the area.”
“Is the team okay? Do you need back up and what do you mean ‘another group’?” Bruce asked in an irritated voice.
“We’re good and don’t need back up. This is the third group we found on the perimeter. All the hostiles will be down shortly,” Jake replied.
“What do you mean shortly? Just kill the fuckers!” Bruce snapped.
“Well you should talk to your daughter then. She is beating the shit out of the one that shot at her,” Jake replied. “Oh wait, she pulled her knife, it won’t be long now,” Jake added.
Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose trying to stop his headache. Carl looked at Bruce, “Your kids give a whole new meaning to ‘wild teens’,” he said.
“If they don’t start letting me know what they’re doing, I’m going to get pissed,” Bruce told him.
“Bruce, you can’t be too mad at them, they get it honest from you. If you yell at them, go find a mirror and yell at yourself too,” Carl told him as one of his squad came over reporting the area secure.
Jake came back over the radio, “Okay our sweep is over and Dad you need to talk to both of your daughters. She won’t quit cussing at me for telling her to hurry up,” Jake replied.
“That cocksucker shot at me!” Danny snapped over the radio.
“His aim was nowhere near you,” Jake snapped at her.
“That doesn’t matter,” Danny told him.
“Well is everyone alright?” Bruce asked feeling a little worried.
“No, Matt has a busted nose,” Jake called back.
Bruce yelled into the radio, “Da
nny, you hit your teammate and husband in a battle?”
“No!” Danny yelled at him over the radio.
“I’m at the mess hall and I want all of you to double time it to me now!” Bruce yelled.
When the seven stopped they stood in a line looking at Bruce. Bruce looked at them and could see that Danny was still pissed and Matt’s nose was bloody. Shaking his head looking at them Bruce looked down. Jake stepped forward, “Dad, Matt got hurt because of me. Matt ran at the man Danny had down on the ground. When I saw how Danny was beating that man, I knew she would hit Matt at least once or twice before she realized it was him. I tackled him making him hit his face on the ground. Matt just kept crawling trying to help Danny. Mary helped me hold him down when Buffy comes over hitting us yelling ‘Just let him go!’ I told her to be quiet and what does she do? She runs over and starts beating on the man with Danny. Oh Dad, Matt got pissed about that so I just let him go. He ran over joining them and that was when you called. Danny finally realized that the other two were there and she pulled her knife telling them to back off. I never knew Danny could stab someone that many times,” Jake finished.
Bruce covered his face with his hands, “I’m so not talking to y’all now. Go get the ones that are alive out of the house and put them by the picnic table,” Bruce told them. With disappointed looks the kids left.
Carl and Willie, who had come up during the story, walked over to Bruce. “Bruce, you can’t be too hard on them,” Willie told him.
“Oh I’m not, I’m proud as hell of them. I just want them to know when you get in some shit, let others know,” Bruce told him.
“I’m not going there Bruce,” Willie told him.
“Do as I say, not as I do. I’m the boss,” Bruce replied in a smart ass tone.
“Yes you are, so what now, boss?” Willie asked him.
“Call the convoy and I’m going to let the kids walk around with Max to see if we have any hiding,” Bruce told him.
“We have a lot of prisoners,” Willie told him.
“Eww, I like that. Bring them to the picnic tables. When the last sweep is done with Max, I want you to let second platoon sleep. Then I want you to take them on a sweep of the area for blues,” Bruce said.
“Will do, boss,” Willie said walking away.
Carl stepped in front of Bruce, “Bruce, will you be careful, we need you. When you take stupid risk like with the blues this afternoon, we get nervous,” Carl told him.
“Carl, I’m not that important,” Bruce replied in a grunt.
“Bruce, I’ve been in a shit load of battles with you and I fought in the sand box. You can lead and fight a battle like no one I’ve ever seen or heard of. Bruce, we just attacked a force that was several times bigger than us and we did it with only minor casualties,” Carl told him. “The men know you care about them and they know if they die on a mission, it was unavoidable.”
“Carl, I am who I am. Let me do my thing and don’t nag me. I have two wives that do a real good job of that,” Bruce told him, hearing the convoy pull in.
“Sure thing Bruce,” Carl said as Bruce walked to the house. Carl walked over to the convoy that was parking. It was a tight fit but all the vehicles pulled in. Seeing the RV, Carl walked over to it and headed to the back surveillance room.
“Get me a channel to base that’s not on the team frequencies,” Carl told the operator. When the operator handed him the mic Carl keyed it, “Base, this is Double Deuce,” Carl said. Double Deuce was his call sign, second in command of second platoon.
“Double Deuce, this is Big Daddy Two,” Mike called back.
“Did you witness the sword play today?” Carl asked.
“No but I heard about it,” Mike replied.
“Big Daddy One said I couldn’t nag him about it, only his wives could so could you please show that to them?” Carl asked.
“Will do Double Deuce,” Mike called back.
“Thank you Big Daddy Two, Double Deuce out,” Carl replied.
Carl looked at the radio operator, “If you say anything, I’ll tell everyone that you asked me to do that,” he said. The radio operator just nodded as Carl handed the mic back to him. Leaving the RV, Carl headed back to his team.
Bruce was at the picnic table grinning as Omega kept dragging prisoners over dropping them off. Jake found two more men hiding with Max’s help. They had to kill one but caught and tied up the other one. It was dawn by the time all the prisoners were brought over to the picnic area. Bruce grabbed a member of fifth squad and told him to go and bring a hostage over. As he waited, Bruce saw an old fire pit and walked over to it. Seeing some logs lying around Bruce threw some in to start a fire.
“Dad, you’re kidding right? It’s summer in Louisiana and in a few hours we’ll be a hundred degrees plus,” Jake said watching him.
“This is a special fire,” Bruce answered as the hostage was brought over.
Bruce looked the hostage over. She was in her twenties and thin as a rail with bags under her eyes. A look of hopelessness was stamped on her face. Looking in her face Bruce spoke, “We’re not here to hurt you. To the contrary, we’re here to rescue you. If you want, you can join us and live in what could be the last safe place on earth. You’ll have to work to keep it safe. If not, you’re free to go,” Bruce told her. “I just want you to do one thing for me now. There are women here and I know this gang had some female members and I want you to point out the hostages,” Bruce told her.
The young girl had tears running down her face. She had long ago given up hope of leaving this hell and hope had found her. She wrapped her arms around Bruce crying. Bruce just rubbed her head feeling the hate swell in him as the girl cried. Pulling her back Bruce asked her, “Can you do this for me? I don’t want to let the guilty go.” The girl just nodded and walked around then pointed at six women and two boys. Bruce walked behind her and cut them free.
The girl turned around, “I don’t see Nell or Jamie,” she told Bruce.
“If they aren’t here, they’re dead. I’m sorry,” Bruce told her and she walked away with the ones he had cut loose. “Willie, come over here!” Bruce yelled.
Willie ran over to Bruce, “What’s up, boss?” he asked.
“I want you to go and talk to the hostages. Give them my speech and offer the clan deal. Those that want to leave can, those that stay, get them to the kitchen and start feeding ‘em,” Bruce told him.
“On it,” Willie said taking off.
Bruce walked around counting forty-one playmates as goose bumps came up on his arms. Looking up Bruce saw the cook bringing his two bags. “Here are your supplies,” he said setting down the bags.
“What is your name?” Bruce asked.
“Jason, but I prefer ‘Cook’. Jason was a bad man before the infection and you said we started with a clean slate. I helped Millie in the kitchen and I always wanted to be a chef. When they asked for someone to feed the troops as they fought, I volunteered. Now, I’m doing good in this world. I can’t do what you do but I can help you,” Cook told him.
“Well Cook it is then. If you would, please unhook the truck behind the RV and drive it over here for me?” Bruce asked.
“Will do,” Cook said heading to the RV.
Picking the bags up Bruce opened one pulling out lighter fluid and sprayed it over the logs in the fire pit and started a fire. Grabbing four rods, Bruce shoved them in the fire. Turning back to the table Bruce laid out his equipment as Cook drove the truck over. Bruce guided him to a tree and let the cable on the winch on the front bumper out. Throwing it over a limb, Bruce told Cook thank you as he waited on the fire to get hot.
Someone in the RV called and told Bruce, Base wanted to talk to him. Sighing Bruce walked over to the RV. Stepping in the back the operator handed him the mic. “This is Big Daddy One, go ahead,” Bruce said.
“This is Little Red and I wanted to say that was a beautiful attack baby,” Stephanie told him.
Grinning Bruce replied, “Thank you baby.”
“You’re welcome. Now, WHAT, the fuck, were you doing fighting blues with a fucking sword!?” Stephanie shrieked.
Bruce stepped back from the radio not believing what he heard then asked, “You’re getting a little too fond of that word. Do you even know what it means and do y’all just sit around watching me?”
“No, we work and before we go to bed we watch what we missed. You have yourself to blame for the increase of my use of that particular obscenity. But the actions you exhibit and circumstances you put yourself in, I may use it as a noun, verb, adverb or adjective to demonstrate how pissed off your activities make me. It is one of the few words that can take fill all roles of grammar. The diversity of the word is only limited by how pissed you are and this only illustrates how much you have pissed me off!” Stephanie informed him.
“Damn,” Bruce said out loud to himself. “Did you understand that?” he asked the radio operator who just shrugged his shoulders. Keying the radio he tried to cover, “I just wanted to make sure we weren’t heard so I took them out quietly.”
“Baby, you can do better than that,” Stephanie told him with Angela in the background screaming, “That’s bullshit!”
“Shit,” Bruce said lowering the mic thinking. Lifting the mic back up he said, “All right, it was stupid but I had to do it. I also found out blues feel pain and cry.”
“Yes it was stupid and I could’ve told you they show ‘some’ emotions,” Stephanie replied.
“Well you didn’t and if they show emotions they can feel fear,” Bruce said.
“Baby, when you get back, I’ll sit down with you and go over everything I know about blues,” Stephanie told him.
“Ah, no baby, I won’t have that kind of time. When I’m home with y’all, I really don’t want to talk about work,” Bruce told her.
“Aww, that’s sweet Bruce,” Stephanie said as Angela ripped the mic away from her.
“This is Little Foot, if you pull something like that again I swear I’m driving up there and will make you carry me around as I rub my socked feet on your back! Don’t you scare us like that again!” Angela yelled.
Blue Plague: Rage Page 19