Most other outposts had stopped taking in refugees because there had been only so much in the way of supplies, but not Wade. He’d kept the broadcast going and people had still come, but had soon found out they’d been better off outside with the infected. Wade ruled like an emperor and wanted subjects to rule. Wade was still the biggest supplier of stock to the Trading Post. The Trading Post had one thing Wade didn’t, food stores.
Only Captain Mendoza in Jabez still took in nearly all refugees he found, but didn’t take in all. Those who were brought in had to work and if they didn’t, they were thrown out. Mendoza was over the only military unit that still functioned as they’d been ordered, protecting the population. Even now, Mendoza still sent troops out to look for survivors, but Mendoza didn’t broadcast for people to find him and Bren didn’t know why.
Mendoza wasn’t even the highest ranking officer in Jabez. There was a one star brigadier general, but the troops and people there only followed Mendoza. And Mendoza had over two thousand troops and fifteen thousand people. Unlike other camps, Mendoza didn’t take weapons away from those who came in. He had some of his troops make sure the person knew how to use the gun and then put that person on the wall to help keep the infected back. Before he’d been forced out of Corbin, Bren had gotten reports that Mendoza had all FEMA and Homeland agents in his camp shot because they kept trying to take the civilians’ weapons away. Bren had to admit, it was smart thinking on Mendoza’s part to arm those who came in because it gave him more bodies to fight the infected and later, the gangs.
Mendoza had helicopters and still had armor. He had only ever been over a single company of a hundred troops, running a FEMA camp near Columbia, Kentucky. Bren didn’t know how, but Mendoza had kept most of his troops alive, fighting the masses and most of those in the camp at Columbia before they were forced out at the end of April. Mendoza had led his collection of people to Lake Cumberland in Jabez and like everyone, had sealed off a peninsula. Unlike any group in the area, Jabez was more like the old America. There were no slaves. Rape was punishable by death, and everyone had a gun.
Hearing of a safe haven, other units had started coming into Jabez. A lieutenant colonel had tried to take over the camp because he’d been the senior officer but as soon as he’d ordered all citizens to hand over weapons, Mendoza had shot him personally. After that, Mendoza hadn’t let any take control and had many officers of higher rank serving the captain.
Having only met the captain once, Bren didn’t like Mendoza but respected him. None from Jabez dealt with the Trading Post, nor did they affiliate with any who did. In September, Bren had arranged a meeting with Mendoza because Jabez was a force that could hurt them, and Bren had wanted Jabez neutral at the very least. There was no meeting per se. Bren had arrived at the arranged spot near Poplarville for the meeting, only to have Mendoza tell him, ‘Any of your troops come past here, they won’t live to report back’. With that said, Mendoza had loaded up and left.
The only reason Bren knew anything about Jabez was a major and a few troops had left and joined up with the Trading Post in July. Even now, Bren had no idea of the number of people or troops who were there in Jabez. One thing he did know, out of every base or camp, Jabez was the best. The peninsula that had been blocked off encompassed over fourteen thousand acres, and the wall blocking it off was only two miles long. Like they had done at the Trading Post, Mendoza had gathered shipping containers to stack them three high, end to end, forming a steel wall.
One thing Mendoza had done that they hadn’t was the bottom two containers had been filled with dirt and then a berm had been built up behind the wall. When he’d heard that, Bren had the same started on their walls on both peninsulas. But what really pissed Bren off, Mendoza had helicopters and knew how to use them and how to fight the infected.
The major who’d defected said Mendoza had sent all the Blackhawks off with troops and had secured an ammunition depot two hundred miles away in Tennessee. Then over the next three days, choppers had hauled ammo and supplies back to Jabez while the troops held off the infected around the stockpile. Bren would’ve given a lot to have Mendoza as an ally, but Mendoza followed no one and was staying true to the oath he’d given when he’d enlisted.
“Bren,” Victor said, and Bren brought his mind back to the here and now. “So, you think the Wild Ones are just going to let Wade starve?”
“To be honest, I don’t know,” Bren confessed. “It’s the smart call, but taking in how they’ve acted in the past and are acting now, I really wouldn’t be surprised if they did attack Buckhorn.”
“I hope you don’t suggest we attack the Wild Ones if they do attack Buckhorn,” Blake scoffed.
Turning to Blake with a glare, “I wouldn’t attack their location even if we had three times the trigger pullers we do,” Bren snapped.
“I know we told Trent and Linda to lay low, but have they sent anything?” Blake wondered, really just changing the subject because Bren scared the shit out of him.
Taking a deep breath to calm down, “You could say that,” Bren nodded. “I’ve kept the team out watching the drop house we use near Woodbine. This morning they noticed the mailbox flag was up, which meant a message was there.”
Knowing how the drop worked and where it was, “And?!” Victor cried out.
“Trent and Linda said they aren’t relaying or reporting anything else,” Bren replied. “They reported the first chance they get, they’re taking off, and it damn sure won’t be to head back here. Trent did offer two pieces of advice. He said, ‘if the Wild Ones want something, give it’ and ‘if they take an interest in our area, leave’.”
“They’re just going to leave?! After what we promised to give them for this job?!” Blake gasped in shock, and Bren nodded.
“Oh, I don’t like that,” Victor said.
“That’s why I’m leaning toward the Wild Ones attacking, but it doesn’t make sense. They’ve won. Buckhorn is cut off,” Bren stated.
Throwing up his hands, “Why in the hell did Wade even send troops there?!” Victor screamed. “We told him to avoid the area! For fuck’s sake, the Borg Queen told him to avoid the area! It’s not like he had to go there!”
Relaxing in his chair, “Oh, they wanted a battle bot and to get information on the others,” Bren answered, and Victor dropped his arms in shock. “The soldiers Wade sent were set up on a road that had a battle bot patrolling. They were trying to figure out a way to get it to shut down and not destroy it so they could get closer and study it. Don’t know how, but Wade ordered the team to attempt to bring a battle bot back.”
Hearing that declaration, Victor and Blake both just blinked. “Yeah, the group patrolled in on foot, but were tasked to bring back a machine that’s over eight feet wide and over twelve feet long. Using our battle bot in comparison, the Wild Ones’ bot has to weigh in at around three tons, at the very least,” Bren told them, and they still just blinked. “I’m telling you now, if that team of eight had completed their mission by hand, carrying that battle bot back, I would’ve done anything to have them in my command.”
“But all the equipment the Wild Ones put out has counter measures,” Blake pointed out.
“I know, and so do those in Buckhorn, but Wade told everyone if they could get the machine to shut down, the countermeasures would turn off,” Bren told them, shaking his head. “Wade can’t even program his own watch, but thinks he understands the technology the Wild Ones are putting out.”
Jabbing a finger at the door, “I say, we kill those dumbasses and throw their bodies out so the Wild Ones know we weren’t part of it,” Victor stated again.
“Victor, I would advise against even that. They could view our team as trying to attack them,” Bren offered, and Victor sighed. “But, I would like you to back me on a plan I have.”
Flopping back in his chair, “If you say attack the Wild Ones, I’m throwing shit at you,” Victor warned.
Chuckling, “No, but I want to tell Wade we will assist him,�
�� Bren replied, and all color drained from Victor’s face. “We aren’t going to, but listen,” Bren assured him. “We are going to bring those four officers in here and refuse to offer anything. We let them keep on and finally, I’ll agree to an attack but I will lead it and it will be done my way.”
Hearing deceit, Victor perked up as Bren continued. “I’ll tell them when the Wild Ones start for Buckhorn, we’ll launch an attack from here. I’m telling Wade I want his choppers and two hundred troops from him for the attack.” When Victor started grinning, Bren knew he understood. “When I offer that, Victor, you will demand three hundred prime stock and four tons of ammunition, and you will want it delivered up front.”
“Um,” Blake mumbled. “Wade could just say he’ll launch the choppers from Buckhorn.”
“No, half his troops are going in on the ground because the ground assault is going to be the most costly,” Bren replied. “Like I’m going to tell them before long, the Wild Ones are going to move in whatever they used to take out those helicopters. Wade needs to get them out now while he still can.”
“Bren, you’re saying ‘if’ we were really assisting, I would only ask for three hundred prime stock and four tons of ammo?” Victor asked like he was insulted, and Bren nodded. “There’s no way in hell I would agree to that with our risk and what we’re putting out when the Wild Ones aren’t even interested in us.”
Thinking that had been a reasonable amount, “What would you ask?” Bren finally asked.
“Double that, at the very least,” Victor scoffed. “But what I would really ask for Wade wouldn’t give, but what you are really after.”
“I knew you would see it,” Bren laughed.
“I have to say, that is a good plan,” Victor admitted. “Do you think the troops that come here will give us any problems?”
“Hell, no,” Bren laughed harder. “Many of the troops up there have requested transfers here.”
“I like it,” Victor smirked. “Blake, tell my guards to let that delegation in.”
By that afternoon helicopters started lifting off at Buckhorn, transferring six hundred women and young children who appeared in good health to be delivered as stock to be sold. Continuing the airlift into the night, the pallets of ammo that Victor had agreed to, plus ammunition and supplies for the battle to come were flown in. Bren had demanded two hundred soldiers from Wade to assist in the attack. Wade had sent four hundred troops, plus the ground crews for the helicopters.
It was early the next morning when a helicopter taking off carrying what few spare parts there were in Buckhorn was shot out of the sky. Those inside the barricade knew where the shots had come from, but couldn’t send anything out with the wall of stinkers around them. The fact something was out there amongst the stinkers just to kill aircraft unnerved those in Buckhorn.
In the end, eighteen Blackhawks were flown to the Trading Post. There had been two more, but one had crashed during the night from engine problems. The other had been shot out of the sky. Bren also got two Kiowas and three Loaches. There were other choppers in Buckhorn but they were all civilian, and Bren didn’t really want them. Victor did want one. A thirty million dollar executive Sikorsky S-79, but there’d been no way they could ask for that without raising some questions.
None in Buckhorn ever considered that Bren wouldn’t keep his word, so everyone felt secure they would have assistance when the Wild Ones came. Standing out in a field where the helicopters were parked, Bren watched as collars were put on the newest stock. Not caring or even looking at the stock, Bren just smiled at the helicopters. Once again, he had air power to call upon.
***
At the build house the next afternoon, Lance was leaning over a drone. Unlike the other fixed wing drone, this one had no engines. The wings were twice as long as the twelve-foot body. What confused many even further was much of the glider drone’s body was made from wood. Just looking at the drone, it looked like a twelve-foot round tube with long wings jutting out each side.
Lance was testing the one and only camera mounted in the nose to the few lithium batteries in the body. Satisfied the camera still worked after the test flight that morning, Lance stood up stretching. Back by the barn, he turned to see David and Patrick building another drone that looked just like the one he was standing next to.
“Good to go?” Ian asked, coming out of the build house.
“Checks out,” Lance nodded, grabbing his power meter and tools and then following Ian over to Phoenix. “You still good with the plan?”
Coming to a stop, “No,” Ian answered bluntly. “I want Wade’s funky, droopy-tit, sandwich ass.”
Spinning to lock eyes with Ian, “Brah, we may be good, but there’s no way in hell we could get inside now and back out with that flood of stinkers there,” Lance reminded him.
“I know,” Ian sighed. “You asked and I answered. That’s the only part I don’t and haven’t liked.”
“Ian, using the welcome wagons was the only way to keep some from escaping!” Lance cried out. The welcome wagons were just two thunder bots with firework mortar tubes on the back. They had wanted to build four but just couldn’t find the time to even get another group to do it.
“Lance,” Ian said calmly because Lance was getting riled up. “I know, and with what we can bring, this is our best attack. But you asked, and I really would like to have Wade as my bitch.”
Glad Ian wasn’t mad because pulling the stinkers there had been his idea, Lance turned around to see others working. Some were working on gun bots and others were working on thunder bots. Denny was near the driveway with Percy and Gail, working on Dragon. There was another tracked bot near Dragon and Lance tilted his head toward it. “You ever come up with a name?” he asked.
Ian just shook his head. The bot was the only one he had doubts on because he and Lance couldn’t get it to do what they wanted. They had taken the four-inch centrifugal gun they’d designed and had mounted it on a thunder bot body. Only when they’d mounted the gun did they realize the body was too small. Gail, Percy, Alvin, and Julie had built a new body for it. Unlike the other centrifugal guns that had disks, this one had series of cones to run the four-inch ball bearings through before spitting them out. The track body was the same size as the one Dragon was mounted on. The turret for the four-inch gun was just as wide as the body and seven feet tall, making the track look top-heavy. Those two bots were their biggest in size and larger than an M1 tank, but not nearly as heavy.
“I still say we need to test Dragon a few more times. I think we can get the RAIL gun to fire four times a minute,” Ian said.
Turning to Ian, “It might push our attack back,” Lance stated.
Shrugging, “It’s not like the ass munchers are going anywhere,” Ian chuckled.
Lance just nodded and then glanced over at the pavilion where the sandbox was. Allie, Carrie, and Jodi were all laying on boards, setting up the outline of the Buckhorn camp. Off to the side and sprawled out on pillows with his head up watching the Ladybugs, was Dino. Today was the first day Dino had been allowed to go outside. He hadn’t walked to the build house. The Ladybugs had gotten a small trailer, lined it with pillows, and then driven over with one riding on the trailer with Dino.
Lance didn’t really have to ask the Ladybugs to care for Dino because they had already assigned themselves to the task. They had moved more pillows down to the bunker and slept on the floor with Dino, with one always awake. And just like Lilly predicted, Dino really hadn’t liked the liquid diet. Lance was just amazed the Ladybugs hadn’t complained one bit because the liquid went in and came out of Dino looking the same but smelling much worse.
He had helped to clean Dino up the few times he’d been at the cabin, but the Ladybugs never seemed to mind. Lance did have one problem because Dino’s claws were now purple.
On the second day, Lilly had finally let Dino come upstairs, only to lay on the floor. No sooner than Dino was down, two Ladybugs had gone to retrieve their pillows as one staye
d with Dino. Today was the first day Lilly had let Dino have some semi solid food, which was just a paste, and Lance really didn’t want to know what it was going to look like when it came out, but he would help clean up if Dino needed it.
“Hey, guys,” Jennifer called out, walking over with Lilly. Only Ian turned to smile at them as they walked up. Lance was irritated that they’d both taken time off their hospital duty to help out on the equipment for the planned attack. To him, their job was much more important because they were responsible for the care of the coalition and the animals.
“Where did you leave Lori?” Ian joked, noticing Heath and Dwain still working on the other track buggies.
Jerking her thumb over her shoulder toward the barn, “She’s still welding on her gun bot,” Jennifer replied as Lilly went over to stand beside Lance.
It’d been yesterday when Ian and Lance both noticed just how much help the Ladybugs provided when they planned an attack. It was Lilly who’d pointed out, deed, exploit, or war; they were all attacks of varying degrees. But both had finally realized the Ladybugs knew quite a bit and they could both tell when they weren’t there because they’d had to do the things the Ladybugs would’ve done.
Of course, neither understood the fear others still showed the Ladybugs and that did piss Jennifer off.
“What’s next, boo?” Jennifer asked Ian, snuggling up under his arm.
“Adding the bigger tanks to Phoenix,” Ian answered, and Jennifer gave a shiver.
“Hey,” Lilly said softly, leaning her head on Lance’s shoulder. “I’m helping, so drop it,” she told him.
Not in the mood to argue, “How’s your guinea pig?” Lance asked. Despite Lilly saying it wasn’t really necessary, Lance and Ian had hauled a stinker from the research area to the build house. After it had bitten the soldier Lilly had selected, they’d just shot the stinker and then later, hauled it back to toss it in one of the containers they used to harvest the ‘stinker nut juice’.
Forsaken World | Book 6 | Redemption Page 40