He looked at Thoruk. "You about ready to hear what the Texans have in store for Angrokt and her Skalags?"
Fifteen Minutes Later
While the smaller children played outside under the watchful care of the teenagers, Thoruk and the other grown-ups chatted around Mercy's large dining room table. He looked at Drew.
"I was shocked that you were back already. We weren't expecting you for another week or so."
"I got lucky. I remembered Intellulka mentioning that Amelia and her husband had refueled their fighter jets at Old Bismarck, North Dakota before the big battle, so I planned a stop there."
Storm and Wolfuk wandered over and listened as Drew continued. "The fueling hub now works with Texas, and they've set up communications and flights between the two territories. I sold my horse and wagon and bought a one-way ticket. Then I wired the Texas Freedom Defenders with our request, and that I was on my way to meet them."
"That was smart. It's a good thing we sent you instead of you know who." Thoruk turned toward Storm and grinned.
"Oh, what do you know? I still would have beat him on horseback."
Thoruk chuckled. "In your dreams."
Mercy's husband joined in with a touch of the southern drawl he renewed during his short trip. "Y'all couldn't have kept up with us by horse. We rotated drivers traveling day and night in a couple of armored vehicles."
Storm smirked. "Ooowee, Texas sure rubbed off on you as quick as a lizard's tongue. You can't keep that accent hidden, can you?"
"Why would I? I'm proud of it! Besides, it's not the only thing I brought back." Lifting his pant legs, he showed off his shiny, black cowhide boots, embroidered with elaborate red and white designs.
Like always, Storm couldn't contain himself. "Blazes, don't those things look sharp. Does that mean we'll be seeing you in a cowboy hat at church on Sunday?"
"As a matter of fact..." he pointed to a couple of round boxes sitting on top of the ice box, "...I bought two of 'em so I wouldn't wear 'em out so fast — same for the boots. I also brought back plenty of the dried peppers and salsa I've been dying for."
Overhearing the discussion, one of the visitors piped up. "Yep, by the time Drew here loaded up the vehicles with all of his stuff, there was barely enough room for us and our gear. One more jar of hot sauce, and we would've had to tow a trailer."
As those around him laughed, Thoruk noticed Mercy talking to a taller man with thinning hair on the other side of the room. After hearing how the other visitors addressed the guest, it didn’t take long to surmise that he was their commanding officer.
Thoruk strolled up next to his sister and shook hands with the gentleman. "Looks like you two are having an interesting conversation."
Mercy smiled. "Colonel Sultenfuss and I were talking about Intellulka and the time we lived in Texas. I met the colonel at Amelia's memorial. He's her nephew!"
"You're kidding?"
The officer looked at him. "Nope, it's true. Amelia's the one that inspired me to join the Defenders. She used to take me up in her plane to watch sunsets when I was a kid."
His eyes lit up. "I miss her a lot."
"I do too." Mercy's eyes filled with tears. "I only knew her for a few days, but she touched my heart."
She sniffled. "If it wasn't for her and her husband, I'm not sure Ukkiville would be standing today."
Thoruk nodded. "That's for sure. We were significantly outnumbered. It's just a shame..." Noticing the room had grown silent, he lifted a finger. "Excuse me a second."
He walked over to the long table. "Alright everybody, it's probably time to get started with our meeting." After witnessing the sheer power of what the Defenders brought to the last battle, Thoruk stood eager to hear what weapons they offered this time.
While the others settled into their seats, he kicked off the discussion. "First, I want to thank our friends from Texas for coming to help us. Your timing couldn't be better."
Thoruk tilted his head toward Drew. "I'm sure our resident Texan filled you in on what's been going on here at Ukkiville. It's only gotten worse since he left. I'm really curious to find out what you've got."
The commander of the three other Freedom Defenders stood. "I'm Colonel Sultenfuss. You can call me 'Salty.'"
He glanced around the table. "Thank you for your hospitality."
The neatly uniformed officer with five shiny medals across the front of his shirt nodded at Mercy, and she smiled. "We're excited to be here to assist you any way we can. From what Drew told us, you've got some serious challenges ahead, and we're going to tackle them head on!"
The colonel motioned toward a young man and woman in their mid-twenties sitting across the table. Their shirts contained a few embroidered patches on the sleeves but only one metal each.
"This is Corporal Hastings. We call her 'Tiger' because you don't want to cross her when she gets a certain look in her eye." Nodding, she flashed her patented glare for good measure.
Salty laughed. "See what I mean? Tiger is really one of the sweetest young ladies you'll ever meet — away from the battlefield."
Storm slid his chair back. "I'll keep my distance if it's just the same to you." He grinned.
The commander looked at the man sitting next to her. "This here is Captain Acosta, better known as 'Ambush.' Most times he's so quiet you haven't a clue he's within a whisper of your backside 'til he smacks you with one of his pranks."
The thin, curly-haired man stuck his arms out. "Who? Me?"
Storm shook his hand. "My kind of man!"
Salty turned to the last of the Defenders, fitted in green and brown camouflage attire. "Gunnery Sergeant Santo will address the weaponry we've brought. We call him 'Speedy.' You'll understand why in a short clip."
His teammates chuckled. "Go ahead, tell them what we've got."
Hopping to his feet, Speedy saluted. "Yes, Sir!" Hurrying to the living room window, he whisked the drapes to the side and spoke with a heavy accent. "See these here vehicles!"
Similar to those pictured in battles before the World Annihilation Period, two huge, squarish machines — each covered with beige, metallic panels — sat in Mercy's backyard. With a big, round hump near the center of their tops, each sported eight large, knobby wheels.
Thoruk sighed with a sliver of disappointment. He had hoped the Defenders would bring fighter jets for the battle.
Motorized wagons are like bringing pitchforks to a war of advanced weapons like our swords, bows, and firearms. How will rolling machines handle Angrokt's larger creatures?
Apparently noticing Thoruk's disappointment, Speedy smiled.
"You must have been expecting aircraft but don't worry — y'all will be amazed at what these babies can do. They're shielded by a special, state-of-the-art alloy and impervious to just about any kind of attack we'd expect from this territory. What sets them apart is the variety of tactical sensors, computers, and best of all — lasers — the key to our defense."
The rate at which words flew from his mouth and his thick Texas accent made it nearly impossible to understand. Thoruk edged closer.
Speedy pointed. "That there one on the left is mine. I call it 'Terminator' after the movie!"
Staring at each other, Thoruk, Storm, and Mercy shook their heads.
"Y'all remember Arnold, right? No problemo?"
Drew chuckled. "They don't have a clue what you're talking about. They've never seen a movie."
"Oh yeah. I forgot."
Wolfuk raised his palms. "Hey, could you talk a tad slower. I'm having trouble picking the English words out of your Texan language."
Laughing, Speedy slowed the pace. "You bet. I know I talk too fast. Is this better?"
The master of arms nodded. "That'll work."
"I was saying, Terminator here is our most powerful vehicle. Your enemy — what do you call them?"
Thoruk spoke up. "Skalags. Their ruler is Angrokt."
Speedy's southern drawl continued. "Once them there Skalags get a taste of Terminator,
they're gonna run for the hills, burrows, or whatever holes they came from."
He motioned toward the commander. "Colonel Sultenfuss navigates the vehicle on the right."
Speedy nodded at the muscular officer. "It's a bad a..."
Noticing Mercy, he paused. "Sorry, ma'am. Sometimes my manners escape me."
Mercy smiled. "You're doing fine. Keep going."
The hyped commando nodded. "Now 'Slayer' is almost as powerful as Terminator. Between the two of them, you got your seekers, some clippers, hollowers..."
Growing more confused, Thoruk looked at the others and shrugged. Drew waved his arms.
"Whoa there, cowboy! These folks don't understand what you're talking about. They've never seen such technology. Y'all need to explain your capabilities in simpler terms."
"I can do that."
Storm cupped his hands behind his head and chortled. "I'm sure you can. You could talk the warts off a witch."
Gunnery Sergeant Santo carried on and after excitedly describing each weapon, Salty turned to the others. "Hey, if Speedy here jabbers too much, you have my permission to tell him to shut up."
Everybody roared, and Speedy looked at his commander. "Sir, I'll be sensitive to their needs."
He turned to Thoruk and the others. "You think we got what you need to annihilate them muclones that's been pestering you?"
Storm slapped the table with both palms. "It's a great start, for sure! In fact, I've got another area to scout tomorrow. I want you to take me out in ole Terminator and show me what it can do! Any problemo?"
Snickering, Speedy slowly placed a pair of sunglasses across the bridge of his nose and slicked the side of his hair back. "No problemo!"
CHAPTER THIRTY
Something New, Something Blue
Tuesday ~ August 18, 2093 ~ Evening
After eating a hearty meal, Caru and all of the others at Mercy's cabin that day chatted and got to know each other better. Enjoying her talk with Chirp and Snapper's aunt, who joined the dinner party after working at the granary, Caru shared what happened.
"The kids were great today. They spent most of their time playing with Proto, Hoot, and the bears."
Grateful, the hard-working caregiver sighed. "I'm so glad Mercy suggested bringing them over. It's such a relief. Life's been pretty hectic between work and keeping up with the children."
Caru glanced across the long table. Tradulka and Bartuk beamed huge smiles at her. What's with those big grins, and why are they even here? Probably just catching up with Father about the results from the Defenders meeting.
Once the guests appeared to have their fill, Mercy rose. "I want to thank everybody for coming over to welcome our visitors from Texas."
Salty spread his arms. "No ma'am, we should be thanking you. This is the best meal we've had since forever."
He looked at Storm. "You sure have a way with wild hog. It was very tasty!"
Storm nodded and just as his mouth opened to form words, Fox blurted. "What about me? I'm the one that turned the hog over once in a while. That's why it's so tender." The whole room exploded in laughter.
As the buzz dimmed, Mercy looked around the table. "I hope you saved some room; Blessivil and Charilulka brought some delicious pies."
Speedy leaned back in his chair with his hands locked behind his head. "I'm pretty full, but I always leave room for something sweet."
Peering across the table at Fox and her son, Mercy nodded. "While we let your food settle before dessert, a couple of young men have something special they want to do."
They stood and walked to the china cabinet. Reaching behind the finely carved furniture, Proto retrieved a flat package taller than himself and wrapped in a colorful pink and blue cloth with a pretty gold ribbon at one end.
As he beamed at Caru, thoughts flipped through her mind.
Oh no! What are they up to? Was Foxy Boy just trying to distract me on the porch with that sob story about no girlfriend?
Her cousins strolled up to her chair. She cocked her head. "What are you two doing?"
"We've got something for you." Proto smiled and looked around the room.
"Most of us here know how hard you've been working with Mom to improve your archery skills." He paused.
With a half-scowl, Caru stared at him. "Yeees. Sooo?"
Proto's face turned scarlet. "Well, we thought you deserved a special reward for all that hard work."
He and Fox looked at Tradulka. "With a lot of help from our champion archer, here's something we're sure you're really going to like."
Peering into her eyes, Proto extended the not-so-mysterious gift. Without hesitation or even a 'thank you' for that matter, Caru jumped to her feet.
She snapped a glimpse at the wrapping, embroidered 'To the greatest cousin in the world. From your wonderful admirers.'
Caru smiled at her friends. "Awww."
She quickly untied the covering and unveiled the present.
Her eyes glowed as she lifted the treasure with both hands and inspected it as if it were a fine fur. "Wicked!"
She gently rubbed her fingertips across the smooth grooves and rises of the scenery carved into the bow. Near the top of one half of the marvelous weapon, a large, well-defined moon provided the backdrop to a young girl warrior on one knee stretching her bow taut with a reaper positioned.
Across the other span, intricate etchings of a forest in the horizon with a variety of menacing muclones charging toward the archer graced the lovely grained wood. The depths of the smooth lines and curves, stained in luminous hues of blue, heightened the magnificent artwork.
She peered at Fox and Proto. "This is so beautiful! I can't believe you guys did this for me!"
Her eyes welled with tears. "This is the greatest gift anybody has ever given me!"
On her tiptoes, she kissed Proto's cheek. "You're so sweet and such a great friend."
She turned and pecked Fox, then gave him a playful slap. "That's for your sorry story earlier. I'll pay you back."
Recognizing the mastery of such handiwork, she whirled toward Tradulka. "Thank you. With all the hunting trips you and Bartuk have been on, how did you find the time?"
Tradulka looked at his buddy and smirked. "Obviously, you haven't sat by a campfire with Bartuk jabbering like he always does? Well, if I didn't find something to keep my mind off of his incessant chatter, I'd go crazy. I was thrilled when Proto and Fox asked me to help!"
"I for one, am glad you found such a distraction. It is absolutely the best!" She hugged him.
Her aunt walked up and squeezed her. "It won't be long before you're faster and better than me, now that you've got such a fancy bow. You should give it a name."
Closing her eyes, Caru thought for a few seconds. "I know! I'll call it 'Blue Reaper'!"
"Good choice." Aunt Mercy held her at arm's length. "I'm proud of how hard you've worked at improving your accuracy and speed. Those muclones better think twice before messing with you."
Caru smiled and hugged her back. "These blisters from pulling back the string so many times will have to heal before anything has to worry about me. I had trouble just holding my fork today."
Chuckling, Caru held her teacher's hand. "Thank you for everything, but I still have a lot to learn to be become nearly as good as what I saw that day with the baboons."
She put her arms around both of her cousins' waist and feigned a scowl. "You two ... I can't believe you did this."
With a warm smile, she looked up into Proto's sky-blue eyes and, once again, kissed his cheek.
She peered at Fox. "I'm not so sure about you..."
Before she could say another word, Fox rushed up and pecked her on the cheek and grinned. "Your welcome."
Half an Hour Later
Once everybody ate their fill of dessert and pitched in to clean up, Storm walked over to Speedy. "Were you serious about taking me out in Terminator in the morning?"
"You bet. I'll bring Ambush along. He can tell you a lot more about the weapon
s. When do you want me to pick you up?"
"We'll have the best chance of finding muclones by the rivers and creeks before it gets too light. Sunrise is around 6:30. Pick me up an hour earlier. We should be able to get to the next scouting area before dawn."
"Sounds good. Where do y'all live?"
"Right around the corner — a couple of minutes away. My cabin was the last one you passed when you came here."
"Yes, I remember seeing it near the big bend in the trail."
"That's the one. We'll take Terminator out and kill us some muclones! See you in the morning."
Near Dawn the Next Day
Thrilled to experience his first ride in any kind of motorized wagon, Storm stuck his head up through the most forward of three top hatches. Terminator tore down the trail as it kicked up dust to the rear.
I can't believe this thing — so smooth and fast. He itched to yell but feared he'd frighten any nearby muclones.
He ducked his head below. "How fast can this thing go?"
Ambush yelled. "Much faster — at least four times the speed of any horse on a smooth trail."
As Storm popped his head up again, a flying insect whacked him in the forehead. Ow, that one hurt!
After sucking in a handful of bugs, Storm sat down to avoid the awful tasting critters. He looked at the display between him and Speedy.
"This thing's unbelievable! I can see everything that's going on outside as if I was up top. How's that possible?"
"It's a camera. Watch." Moving a small lever forward and back, the scene on the screen got bigger then smaller.
"See, I'm zooming in and out. Keep your eye on that tree ahead."
He held the lever forward. The oak's image kept growing until an acorn more than a 100 yards away filled the screen.
"Blazes! How's that possible?"
"That's nothing! Wait 'til I show y'all some of the other stuff. They will rip your face off!"
Certain those last few words meant he'd be amazed, his eyes grew large. "I can't wait!"
The New World: Blue Moon Generatoin Page 17
