BLOOD RETRIBUTION

by Blake Hudson

  “God Damn it Ellis, road block?!” Knox yelled in frustration.

  Drive One’s shot riddled Defender punched passed the juggernaut with all its available horse power put to full use. The back door swung open on the Land Rover as it pulled in front of the truck’s grill. Gregory opened fire on the cab of the truck.

  “Jesus Christ, Ellis! Thomas get us closer to the truck,” Knox screamed.

  “But the Cap hasn’t given us the green light,” Thomas said as he held his distance.

  “If she keeps this mental shit up, her lights will be out permanently. Now get us closer!” Knox said as he tapped on the dash telling Thomas to get a move on. Knox unbuckled his seat belt.

  “Okay, what do you want me to do and why are you taking off your belt?” Thomas said as he thought fuck it! Knox outranked him anyway.

  “You just get me closer to that truck.” Knox wound down his window.

  Knox: Drive One, Drive Three, Drive Two engaging target.

  Ellis: Negative Drive Two, Drive Two hold back await orders.

  Left then right, the back end of waggon snaked repeatedly across the two lanes. But this wasn’t just evasive driving like before, to stop anyone passing, the driver must have been injured in the shooting or more of a problem dead. Just what everyone needed was an out of control forty-six tonnes rolling downhill.

  Ellis in Drive One had made good distance between them and the seemingly speeding up mass of rolling metal battering ram. Knox knew that at any moment if the driver was fading or dead the trailer could jack-knife or worse go off the road making the metal barriers look as strong as tape on a finish line, sending the rig hundreds of feet down into the deep reservoir below.

  Ellis: Road block in place stand by.

  “What is the crazy bitch doing?” Knox said in utter disbelief.

  Knox: Drive One pull out, pull out. No go on road block.

  Ellis: Drive Two, Road block in place. Follow orders.

  She is going to get herself and Gregory killed! Thomas get as close as you can to the back end,” Knox shouted as he opened his passenger door and started to climb out, hauling himself up by the tubular roof rack.

  “Rather you than me mate, and you think Ellis is crazy,” Thomas said as he watched Knox make his way to the bonnet on the vehicle steadying himself on the rugged knobbly tyre of the spare wheel that lay flat, fixed to the bonnet. Knox waved for Thomas to speed up and get closer to the tail end. Thomas punched his foot to the floor and dropped a gear just as the trailer swung back from the right to left. Knox was forced back at first but soon righted himself as he leant forward, arm stretched out to grab hold of the container’s large metal pole locking system.

  As Knox took a grip with only two fingers, the trailer aggressively swung back to the right. Thomas let the trailer pull away a little as he slowed too much in the Defender, Knox was forced to let go as he was almost pulled off.

  “Hit it, Thomas! Fucking hit it!" Knox screamed.

  “You, mad bastard! Hold on!” Thomas replied.

  Harris: Drive Two what are you doing?

  Ellis and Gregory, five or six hundred metres further up the road, had parked their vehicle across the middle of the carriageway stood in front with their weapons trained on the target. One that was showing no sign of slowing.

  Harris: Drive Two what are you doing? Copy!

  “Knox, I think the Major is getting nervous," Thomas called out to Knox.

  “Now Thomas, NOW!” Knox shouted again. Thomas saw his opening and floored the pedal, the V8 roared. Almost as if it happened in slow motion Knox put one foot on the spare tyre and hauled himself forward and up. Just grabbing hold of the trailer doors, he was just about holding himself up as his feet struggled to find grip. Finally, they found a lip to purchase on, Knox looked back at Thomas with relief and then he started to make his way up the container doors to the roof. Knox knew time wasn’t on his side.

  Thomas: Drive three… er… yeah… I don’t know. Over.

  As Knox reached the roof and pulled himself up, he crouched down fighting the wind resistance as the truck was rolling downhill at well over 60mph. Knox could see Ellis’ ridiculous road block.

  Knox: Ellis, Gregory get the hell out of the way.

  Harris: Drive One, Drive two, Report.

  Knox: Drive Three they’re going to get themselves killed.

  Ellis: Drive Three, everything is under control.

  Knox ran forward making his way to the front of the rig. He watched as the rig seemed to steady up and stop weaving. Knox knew it wasn't going to stop for the block, he frantically waved at Ellis and Gregory to get out of its way but it was fast becoming too late. Ellis opened fire, her bullets hitting around Knox, Gregory’s all hit on target around the truck driver’s cabin.

  “What the fuck!” Knox said as he jumped down to the back of the tractor unit to take cover. Seconds later a thunderous crash as metal bent, glass shattered and rubber squealed. Knox braced himself as the jolt almost sent him off the side. Drive One’s Defender was rammed aside like it was made of card. Knox could just see the signs of Gregory rolling on the floor as he just made it out of the way.

  Gregory: Drive Three Road block failed.

  Harris: Drive Two pick up, Gregory and Ellis. Whatever your plan is Knox do it and fast!

  “What did I get myself into?” Knox said exasperated, before taking a second big leap that sent him around to the driver’s side door of the tractor unit. The truck driver could be seen in the wing mirror he looked riddled with bullets, but just as Knox was about to open the door the driver looked at Knox in the mirror.

  A shotgun barrel appeared out of the driver’s window, Knox ducked, jumped and swung on the wing mirror frame, just as the shotgun fired off, leaving Knox with only the sound of a high-pitched ringing in his ears. Pulling his hand gun from its holster Knox fired three shots over his head and into the open window. Pulling on the door handle the door flew open with Knox’s weight on the wing-mirror frame. Knox held on for dear life as the driver fell out of the open doorway. If he wasn’t dead from Knox’s shots when he fell out, he sure was after falling under the left side’s nine wheels and forty-six tonne of weight.

  The door swung shut as the truck zigzagged, Knox steadied the wheel before crawling through the window. Knox made himself comfortable in the blood-stained bullet drilled seat and carefully put pressure on the air brakes. Knox calmly took control, knowing one wrong move and the back end would jack-knife.

  Knox: Drive Three, Drive Two, I have control of the target.

  Harris: Excellent job Drive Two. Pull in at the next available layby.

  Thomas in Drive Two pulled up alongside the now slower moving truck and trailer.

  “Hell, yeah!” Thomas shouted out of the sunroof at Knox, clenching his fist as he punched the air. Knox smiled as he wiped the sweat from his brow.

  “Down to you brother, top driving!” Knox yelled back, Gregory, looking subdued, was sat next to Thomas and Ellis was nowhere in sight. Sulking in the back seat most likely.

  Air hissed with release as the truck pulled into a secluded layby. Knox killed the engine and made his way out down the steps of the truck. Thomas pulled Drive Two Defender up in front.

  “That’s what I’m talking about!” Thomas said as he got out of the Land Rover first as he cheered, high fived Knox then shook his hand. Gregory got out next and nodded at Knox, walking over and patting him on the shoulder.

  “Knox…!” screamed Ellis, who had got out of the rear with her hand gun trained on Knox.

  “Ellis, what the fuck!” Thomas shouted as Knox lifted his hands.

  “Back off Thomas, and you Gregory!” Ellis pointed the gun to Thomas then Gregory before turning it on Knox.

  “Ellis, this is not cool!” spoke Gregory.

  “You, fucking hero, Knox!” Ellis snarled.

  “You just can’t follow orders, can you?” Ellis said with bitterness in every word.
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  “Orders from a raving lunatic, no I can’t. What you thought you were doing I will never know!” Knox said calmly, just as Harris in the Jaguar with lights on full beam pulled up blinding Ellis for a second. Knox jumped at his chance and ran and jumped into Ellis, taking her down. She fired two shots into the air and as they hit the gravel ground hard, Knox’s weight winded her as it compressed her with force. She let off a third shot and Knox punched into her side. Thomas leapt onto her gun, pulling it from her grasp. Dragging her arse up, Knox walked her over to the trailer and flung her hard, face first into it. He buried the muzzle of his Sig into the back of her head.

  “Knox!” called Harris.

  “What the fuck is your game, you crazy Bitch?” Knox shouted into her ear not giving a damn about the spit from his mouth with it.

  “Knox, cool it, Captain!” Harris said calmly, as he too drew his weapon. Harris waved at Thomas and Gregory to stand back.

  “Things can get a little emotional in operations, how about we drop the guns and we all talk. Come on, the jobs done,” Harris reasoned with Knox.

  “Ellis opened fire on me, Sir, then pulled her weapon on me here,” Knox called back out at Harris.

  “Ask the men, Sir," Knox said as he nodded to Thomas and Gregory.

  “Maybe we have our mole.” Knox patted down Ellis looking for a phone or anything incriminating.

  “Is this true, men?” Harris asked Thomas and Gregory answered without hesitation.

  “Sir, yes Sir”

  “Fucking get your hands off me Knox, Fuck you.” Ellis forced out as hard as she could with her face being pushed into the dusty rust covered container wall.

  “Okay, Knox I have you covered. Let Ellis go and back away.” Harris calmly ordered Knox. Knox removed all weapons he could see from Ellis and took a moment as he contemplated if he could trust Harris.

  “That’s an order, Knox," Harris stated and Knox had no choice, he was going to have to. Knox made eye contact with Thomas, he wasn’t sure if he had an ally but he seemed ready to help if needed.

  “Okay Sir, I’m backing off," Knox called out as he took his gun off Ellis and slowly holstered it, backing away slowly. What happened next, happened in the blink of an eye, Ellis turned, dagger in hand and came at Knox. Bang, bang, bang! Clink, Ching and ring. Shots fired and casings fell to the floor.

  Ellis was flung back onto the trailer, three shots into the chest and she was down. Thomas and Gregory ran to her, as she coughed up blood. Knox looked back at Harris as his cold stern look stared at Ellis as he walked over to her still aiming at her.

  “Who are you working for, tell me or I will put one in your head and leave you here to rot!” Harris said, emotionless soldier mode kicking in.

  “Go fuck yourself…” Ellis said spitting blood as she smirked.

  “This is a right goddamn mess, Christ what is going on here?” Knox said as he dusted himself off. He walked over to the Defender and pulled out a water bottle and took a long drink. Harris continued to question Ellis, but she wasn’t giving up anything.

  “Knox, bring over that Jerry can!” Harris called to over to him and Knox knew where this was going. He unhooked the twenty litre can from the back of the Land Rover’s rear frame ladder and walked over to Harris. Knox knew this was going to be messy, hell he had seen it before enough times to know. Harris took off the camo scarf from around his neck and put it over Ellis’ face.

  “Gregory, Thomas hold her.” Harris barked.

  “Sir?” Thomas said unsure of what was about to happen.

  “You heard me, soldier, do it now,” Harris said as he looked to Knox.

  “Well, the bitch tried to kill you, right? Get stuck in Captain.” Harris held Ellis’ head and the scarf in place. Knox took a breath as he hated the smell of petrol, flipping the cap over on the Jerry can, Knox began to pour the fuel over the scarf covering Ellis’ face.

  Ellis coughed, gagged and wriggled. The sand coloured scarf turned to a pinkish red as the fuel mixed with the blood coming out of Ellis’ mouth. More came up as she gulped futilely to get air that wasn’t there.

  “Talk Ellis and it will stop!" Harris demanded as he signalled to Knox to stop pouring. Harris removed the soaked sodden scarf and Ellis spat and coughed some fuel up, taking in her first gasp of air, even if it was vapour filled.

  “Sc…rew…you!” Ellis defiantly spat each word and Harris, not giving up, put the scarf back over her face and Knox poured once more. They pushed it to the very edge of what Ellis could take, the panic for air distracting her from the sting of the fuel getting into her wounds.

  “Make it easy on yourself, traitor!” Harris called Ellis for what she was.

  “Tell us who are you working for and it will stop,” Harris said as he pulled the scarf off again. Ellis took longer to cough up all the fuel, some of it now in her lungs.

  “Harris…” Ellis managed to say as a coughing fit took over her.

  “What is it Ellis, who… tell me and it stops,” Harris said as he leant down to Ellis to hear what she had to say.

  “Harris… take your tiny dick and put it in Knox’s ass.” Ellis mocked and followed it by spitting in Harris’ face. Harris stood, wiped the fuel blood mix off his face and drew his gun.

  “Last chance Ellis, talk!” Harris said unbelievably calm.

  “Never!” Ellis smiled.

  “Take cover!” Thomas screamed, as two pickup trucks drove at speed into the layby with men firing off AK 47’s in their direction. Thomas pulled Knox with him as he dived under the trailer, bullets missing him by inches. Gregory ran with Harris, just making cover behind the Defender. The pickups circled around for a second pass. Thomas and Knox let off covering fire from under the trailer, Knox took out one of the gunmen firing from the back of the pickup. Harris took out a second, firing off his hand gun.

  The second pickup brought heavy fire down on Harris and Gregory’s position, turning the Defender into something resembling a colander. Harris got clipped in the shoulder as Gregory called out he was out of ammunition. The pickup was now stationary between Knox’s position and Harris, and all their fire was now focused down on Gregory and Harris.

  “Thomas, cover me!” Knox said as he got up from his cover picking up the Jerry can, fuel still spilling out. Pulling off a grenade from his belt, he pulled the pin out and ran with the Jerry can over to the pickup. Lifting the clip and wedging the grenade in the handle of the can Knox flung it into the back of the pickup as he carried on running. Thomas lit up the pickup with covering fire.

  Boom! The pickup was engulfed in flames like a burning oil rig in the desert. Men covered in burning fuel jumped off the back end and the driver and passenger who threw themselves from the vehicle were shot instantly by Gregory and Knox.

  The other pickup sped towards Knox, Thomas spotted it and ran firing shot after shot at the driver, hitting his target and the pickup veered off to one side and crashed. The pickup planted into the rock face that the layby was cut into, sending the gunmen in the rear over the cab head first to their gruesome death. Thomas held a hand out to Knox who took it and pulled himself up. All four men called clear, as they walked around, weapons trained.

  “Knox, get down!” Thomas yelled, Knox instinctively dropped to the floor. Thomas fired off four rounds, Knox turned to look in the direction Thomas was firing. Ellis fell to her knees, a blank expression as her life drained away.

  Harris: Drive Three to NEST, Target secure. Request medical and back up. Repeat Target secure, medical and back up. NOW!

  Harris slumped down as the pain set in. Gregory and Thomas checked over the vehicle wreckages, checking one hundred percent all threats were neutralised. Knox looked over Ellis, closing her eyes with his fingers. He couldn’t help but feel shit, yes, she was a mole. He knew she tried to kill him, but they’d had a moment. As fake as it may have turned out, in the end, they still had that moment.

  “Thomas, open up the back of
that container," Harris ordered, Thomas headed over and broke the seal off the door lock with the butt of his assault rifle. As the doors opened Knox got a feeling.

  “Thomas, wait!” Knox called out, but it was too late! Thomas swung open the door as he looked over to Knox, his cheerful face turning to confusion at Knox calling out. Then Knox’s guts sank as shots fired and he watched plumes of scarlet mist eject from Thomas as he was riddled with bullets. Falling to the ground Thomas spasmed. The killer jumped from the back of the container, sending rapid fire in Knox’s direction. Knox rolled on the ground pulling his firearm and let out every shot in his magazine as he rolled, keeping the gunman in his sight. He tumbled around and around until all Knox could hear was click, click, click.

  “Fuck! FUCK!” Knox bellowed into the air, before taking a deep breath as he looked up into the sky. Gregory ran over to his fallen comrade but Knox knew he was gone. Thomas was gone.