Vigilante: The Pale Horse: Post Apocalyptic Justice

by Cliff Deane

  Both Kevin and Kate agreed to the plan and moved off to their flanking positions. Nothing was found until Kevin came upon a tin can hanging from a white nylon rope. He immediately stopped and raised his right hand.

  Levi readily spotted the stop sign from Kevin and relayed it to Kate. They knelt down to wait for Kevin’s next signal.

  Kevin could not believe Bull’s Boys had used a white nylon rope with suspended cans, he thought; what idiots; white, at night and a sagging nylon rope? There was one absolute that Tim knew; education was expensive, and these igmo’s were going pay, big time.

  He peered into the cans and saw that they were full of rocks, rather than just a few. Even if he ran into the rope the rocks wouldn’t make much noise, yep, tonight these boys were going to pay “out of state tuition.”

  Tim then quietly made his way to Levi, who recalled Kate to his position. Upon arrival, Tim explained what he had found. He recommended they proceed, but to be watchful for LPs.

  The three returned to their stations and again began making the final approach to the Murphey’s Mill Outpost. There was one LP, but he was on the opposite side of the perimeter and looking in the wrong direction. He was out of position.

  The two guards on watch were sound asleep. Levi was pleased to know that discipline was not yet important to Bull’s Boys.

  Both men were dispatched with crossbows at close range. Tim dropped a banded grenade into the trucks fuel tank, and the attackers approached the tent holding the sleeping guards. As they approached one of the off duty guards had been relieving himself, and as he returned, he saw Wolverine and shouted, “Attack!”

  He was quickly dispatched, but the damage was done as the remaining five men quickly exited their tent from the rear and began firing wildly. Two of the sleepy men were dropped, but the three remaining guards took up covered positions and began to return fire. One round grazed Levi’s left upper arm. It stung like fire but was not serious.

  Wolverine broke contact and made their way back to safety and finally to camp.

  At the Outpost camp the commander, a man, known as Scarface was euphoric that his men had driven off the attackers. He ordered the recall of the LP and told him to help load the bodies onto the truck bed and then take the truck back to HQ and make a report of the attack.

  As the truck driver sped to Hq, he unknowingly passed Wolverine. Levi looked to his followers and said, “Man, I sure hope that rubber band doesn’t dissolve before he gets to Bull’s Headquarters.

  ◎

  25 April 0600

  Bull’s HQ

  Suffolk

  Bull was awakened shortly after the driver from Murphey’s Fork Road arrived with word of the attack. He hurriedly dressed and made his way to the office. Once inside and seated he summoned the driver.

  Bull did not offer a seat to the man as he believed that he could better tell if someone was lying if he was a bit uncomfortable.

  “All right, Shaft,” said Bull, “tell me everything as you remember it.”

  “Yes, sir, well, let me see, it was like 2:30 when Grinder went into the trees to take a dump, and when he come out he musta’ seen these guys wearing uniforms and goggles and shit. I ain’t positive, but it looked like their rifles had silencers on them. Well, I seen ‘em take out Grinder just after he like screamed to us other guys that we was under attack, you know? Well, the guys run out the back of the tent; but three of the guys was cut down right away. Bull, when these guys fired their rifles, you couldn’t hardly hear nuthin, you know? Anyways, me and Scarface and Toby; we made it to a covered position and started return fire. That was when they just started to run off.

  Oh, yeah, the two guards on duty was killed by arrows, like Cowboys and Indians, know what I’m sayin’?”

  “Arrows, very inventive of them; all right, Shaft, how many attackers did you see?”

  “Well, sir, it was like, you know, really dark and shit. But me and Scarface figured they was around maybe fifteen or twenty.”

  “I see, now please explain how the three of you, with no night vision equipment, managed to cause twenty men to turn and run? I’m having trouble understanding how you managed this feat, seeing as how you were outnumbered five to one.”

  Shaft was becoming nervous now but kept to his story about the number of attackers. He said, “Bull, it happened just like I told ya’, as soon as we started firing back, they just split.”

  Just as King Bull was about to speak, there was a monstrous explosion that blew out the Walmart storefront on the right side. The windows in Bull’s office shattered throwing glass shrapnel over everyone in the room. One of Bull’s Lieutenants was nearly decapitated by a large shard of glass. Shaft shielded Bull as he was standing directly in the path of the shrapnel, taking several shards of glass from his lower back to the piece which severed his brain stem; death came quickly.

  No one in the room was unscathed, but only the two killed received serious wounds, probably because of the man standing in front of one of the two windows in Bull’s office.

  Outside of the building, there were twenty dead and another thirty-two wounded. Of the wounded seven would die before dawn from severe third-degree burns. None of those waiting for news outside the building went away uninjured.

  Around 0800 a second explosion was heard from the direction of the Portsmouth Rd Outpost. Dogg was sent out with a group of seven, in two trucks. They returned with news that all nine men were found dead, and of that number three were hanged, along with one truck blown up.

  There was a sign found at the Portsmouth location promising that death lay ahead for all of Bull’s Boys.

  Later that day Bull realized that since the first Vigilante attack his army had been reduced by nearly 40%. Before the arrival of the Vigilantes, Bull had commanded over two hundred troops; now eighty were dead or were unable to fight. A drop of cold sweat ran down Bull’s spine as he contemplated his possible fate.

  In an effort to cut his losses, Bull recalled the outposts to HQ. They would create a fortress that no vigilante could penetrate. By 1100 the slaves had begun work on Fortress Bull, by moving cars they were creating a wall around Bull’s Walmart. Had Bull been a student of history he might have read about the battle of Dien Bien Phu, where the French created their last redoubt in French Indo-China which was renamed Viet Nam in 1957 following the French defeat.

  ◎

  25 April 1030

  Camp Levi

  NW of Suffolk

  Kevin approached Tim and said, “Boss, I have to go back to the ambush site, right now. Scarface is there. As the truck flew by I looked closely and I know that he was not in the truck, so I gotta’ go back.

  If you have no objections, I’ll go ask Gus for permission, but permission or not, I’m going.”

  Tim knew that Scarface had been heavily on Kevin’s mind for days, and he also knew that Kevin was serious; he was going.

  “Okay, let’s go to Gus together, because I’m going along to cover your six. Hey, we’ve been a team since we recruited the two Docs and their Clinic. Kevin, I know how important this is for you, and yeah, we’re going. C’mon, let’s go see Gus.”

  The two Scouts found Gus discussing the events of the ambush; they asked if they might have a word with Gus and Levi.

  “Of course, men, what can we do for our two night-fighters?” asked Gus.

  Tim spoke up and explained about Kevin’s obsession with Scarface, and how he had seen him at the Outpost. He also told his two leaders that he and Kevin needed to return to the ambush site before Scarface could get away.

  He said, “Sir, I hope you understand how important this is.”

  Levi and Gus looked directly into each other’s eyes; Tim thought they were discussing the request subliminally.

  In fact, both Levi and Gus knew exactly how these men felt. Kevin felt the same rage that their leaders felt, and Tim was displaying commendable loyalty to his friend. Even though they would have liked to deny the request for safety reasons, they could not.<
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  “Permission granted,” said Levi, “please be careful and try to be back no later than (NLT) 0900; Roger?”

  Both men snapped to attention and said, Yes sir, we’ll be back by then.”

  ◎

  26 April 0600

  Murphey's Mill Rd and Suffolk Northern Bypass

  NW of Suffolk

  Time became a serious factor as the pre-dawn light would soon begin to push aside the night. As they approached the site of the ambush, they could see Scarface and another man preparing coffee and breakfast over a dimly lit camp stove.

  Tim said he would take out the second man and leave Scarface to Kevin. At the count of three, two shots rang out. Tim took out his target with a shot to the torso directly through the heart. Kevin’s round took his man in the fleshy part of the right calf; dropping his prey to the ground. Kevin cautiously approached and ordered Scarface not to reach for a weapon.

  Upon hearing Kevin so close, Scarface reached for his side arm and received a bullet to the right shoulder for his trouble. The weapon fell from his hand.

  Kevin walked up to Scarface and kneeling down in front of him said, “I have spent some sleepless nights planning this moment.”

  Scarface looked through pain filled, and terrified eyes said, “Why; what did I ever do to you?”

  Kev looked at Scarface with hate filled eyes and said, “Aw, fuck it,” and raising his pistol shot Scarface in the center of his forehead.”

  Tim was surprised and asked why he decided not to follow his plan for this man.

  Kevin looked up to Tim and said, “I just realized that my planning sessions were enough. Torturing him wouldn’t make me happy in the end, and seeing the terror in his eyes was enough for me; justice was still served. Come on, let’s head back to camp.”

  Tim’s respect for Kevin jumped by leaps and bounds; he was proud to call Kevin his friend.

  Back at camp, Gus asked, “Mission accomplished?”

  Kevin smiled and answered, “Yes sir, mission accomplished.” He returned to his tent and found the best sleep he’d had in days.”

  ◎◎◎

  Chapter 7

  Surprise!

  27 April 0530

  Bull’s Kingdom

  Suffolk

  During the previous night, the Resistance swarmed into the slave quarters seeking those willing to fight.

  Once Bull had pulled his forces inside a given perimeter he lost the element of freedom of movement. Not realizing his mistake he sent the usual component of his soldiers to gather the slaves for work parties at the usual hour of 5:30 am.

  The desire for revenge was strong among the slave population, causing many to join the Resistance and they received weapons, giving them the ability to fight back. The plan called for one slave to open the door, as usual, dressed only in their underwear, while a second former slave, fully clothed, turned into the door and shot their tormentors. The plan worked to perfection as none survived to report the revolt back to King Bull.

  What Bull and his soldiers saw in the light of dawn were the bodies of those sent to retrieve the slaves, hanging from lamp posts all around Bull’s perimeter; complete with the signature of the ROA; a sign around each neck.

  Bull sent a detail out to cut down one of the bullet-riddled bodies to bring a sign back. Just as the detail was preparing to cut down the first body, three shots rang out, killing the three-man detail.

  Now Bull realized the true depth of his dilemma; he wasn’t secure in his fortress; he was trapped and had no way out. He decided to continue building the redoubt until he sent the first shift of workers out, and discovered that anyone who left the building was immediately shot.

  Bull decided to defend until midnight, when he hoped to slip across the river with his troops and then move on to greener pastures with his remaining force.

  Knowing that tidal flats bordered the eastern and northern escape routes and that the river depth was, well, too deep for non-swimmers, he decided to try to make an escape along the narrow wooded area hugging the river which began just to the rear of the Walmart and made its way around to the north.

  In studying the wall map, Bull knew the chances of success were iffy at best. He decided that a new plan was necessary. Bull decided to send his main force in an attack out the front in an effort to overrun the Vigilante force allowing some of his soldiers to escape.

  Bull, however, had a different plan for himself. While the battle raged at the front, he would slip away out the rear using the wooded area traveling north.

  He had his number two prepare a guard roster and ordered the remainder of his force to rest. He also forbade the use of any drugs or alcohol until they were safely away from Suffolk.

  This did not sit well with the men and women of Bull’s force, as most were alcoholics, drug addicted meth heads, or both. As the day wore on the need for a few drinks, or a drug fix began to weigh heavily upon those trapped in the confines of the Walmart Supercenter. As the need for drugs and alcohol grew, Bull’s force finally cracked and an orgy of drink and drugs spread throughout the store. By 4:00 pm a Den of Cub Scouts could have captured the entire bunch.

  Bull was furious but helpless to do anything to stop the excesses.

  During the day the Vigilantes constructed defensible firing positions through the wooded areas along the banks of the Nansemond River; the last portal was now closed. Throughout the day Badger and Wolverine continued to fortify their positions in both wooded areas and nearby buildings.

  ◎

  27 April 0700

  Crew Camp

  Suffolk

  “Nomad 6: RV 6: Over.”

  “RV 6: Nomad 6: Over.”

  “Nomad, we have your supply request waiting for you. Is it possible to pick them up today? Over”

  “RV: Nomad: Negative, but the road is mostly clear. Can you bring them on to us? We can take delivery at the junction of Portsmouth Blvd and Suffolk N. Bypass. We’re kinda’ busy here, the bad boys have made a tactical mistake, and we’ve got them bottled up tighter than a Champagne cork. We’re hoping for their destruction tonight: Over.”

  “Nomad: RV: Sure, we’ll have them there within an hour…got a surprise for you old buddy: Out.”

  Levi turned to Gus and said, “Surprise, oh crap, now what?”

  Levi’s crew met the resupply convoy which Levi expected to consist of one deuce and a half. The convoy that arrived consisted of ten five tons, a permanent attachment of four hundred Troopers, made up of unmarried volunteers from A, B, and C Troops. Scott and Ralph came with the convoy to wish Task Force Levins good luck.

  First came hugs and slaps on the back, then Levi said, “No! We don’t need this much, or the army you sent. Take them back.”

  Ralph became somber and said, “Levi we have received some bad news; apparently an Islamic Jihad has taken Washington, and God only knows where else. It is; convert to Islam, or be beheaded. Women are wearing burkas, and the law of the land is now Sharia. The word is that every Church in the DC area has been burned to the ground. Levi, we can’t let this go any further. If we ignore them, this Caliphate will be in the ROA very soon. We could have doubled the force you see here with just the volunteers who were pissed that they weren’t picked to join you.

  Levi and Gus both became very concerned at the prospect of an Islamic Jihad.

  Gus asked, “Ralph, do we have any idea of the size of this Islamist Force?”

  Scott answered, “No, we don’t know a real number, but we do think that if they form a Caliphate clear across the northern part of the continent, the number could be as high as six or seven hundred thousand.”

  “What?” said Levi in a rising voice, “Come on, how did you come to that number? That just can’t be.”

  Ralph held up his hand while Levi ran his own hand through his hair, “We just took the population of known Muslims in North America and took 10% of that number. Add in the Inner-City Black converts, and the number could even be higher.”

  Levi began
shaking his head saying, “Ralph; am I to understand that you want me to defeat seven hundred thousand Muslims with this force? Right away I can see that idea as problematic.”

  Scott said, “No, sir, consider this to be a Recon in Force. Find out what’s out there, deal with what you can, then get the Hell out and we’ll go from there.”

  “Ralph, I don’t like this, but I can’t think of a better course of action. Okay, we’ll do it, now what did Ben put on the trucks?”

  “No, wait one, you called me Colonel, have I been demoted already?”

  Both Ralph and Scott laughed as Ralph said, “No General, I was speaking to Gus who is now a full bird Colonel. There are some other promotions too; Carter to Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) and Simms to SSgt. With Carter’s experience in night combat, I thought you might want him as the Platoon Sgt to honcho the night ops recon platoon with Simms as his assistant.

  We have another surprise for you. Sgt. Major (SGM) Cobb will also be with you to actually run things. He just wasn’t sure you and Gus could manage this entire bunch which we have named Task Force Levins (TFL). First Sgt. Torre has taken the job of SGM.

  Levi was very pleased to hear his friend Bradley Cobb would come along as the SGM.

  Levi told Scott that he surely hoped that Ben had done a good job on his supply list.

  Levi saw Majors Pickett and Guyardo approaching and greeted them both with hugs. He asked, “Okay, what’s your job, Mike?”

  “Sir, I hope you will put me in command of all night ops.”

  “Okay, but wouldn’t that job be more in line for an LT?”