The Blastlands Saga

by DK Williamson

  She looked around at the other Rangers. “Anybody else hurt?” she asked.

  “I scraped the crap out of my elbow on the embankment,” Sean said, rolling up his left sleeve.

  “Let me see,” Jennifer said.

  “Okay, Ranger Daley,” said Corporal Braden, “Put together a detail and check the bodies that are nearby for any kind of useful gear or intel. The rest of us will get our shit together here and be ready to move when you return.”

  . . . . .

  The Rangers cautiously made their way back to the settlement, encountering and escorting a small merchant caravan along their way. One of their wagons provided a more comfortable trip than Ranger West was expecting.

  As they neared the gate into Geneva, the group could see most of the Ranger contingent from headquarters waiting for them.

  Jennifer had been staying near Brian West during the short journey south, but as they neared town she moved to the rear of the column where Jack was walking.

  “I’m glad you’re okay, but I want you to know I’m pretty angry with you,” she said to Jack.

  “Angry with me, why?”

  “I told you to be careful. Fighting with raiders is not being careful, Jack Traipse.”

  Jack smiled. “I seem to recall I told you to be careful too. Charging into the fray, guns-a-blazing is not being careful either, Miss Lewis.”

  “You were there ‘guns-a-blazing’ long before I was.”

  “I see your point,” he said raising his hands, “I will endeavor to exercise more caution in the future,” Jack said in a conciliatory tone.

  Jennifer smiled and replied, “Well, see that you do. One of these days when we have some time, we need to have a serious talk.”

  “Should I be happy to hear you say that, or afraid?”

  “A little bit of both I should think, Jack Traipse,” she said as she trotted away, laughing quietly.

  Jack let out a loud breath as he watched her. “You are in way over your thick head, Jack,” he muttered to himself.

  “Hey, what did she want, Jack?” asked Sean as the Rangers and merchants entered Geneva.

  “Oh, she said she was glad we were okay.”

  “That’s nice. She did a great job on my elbow, hardly hurts at all. Nice girl.”

  Jack smiled, “Yeah... nice girl.”

  . . . . .

  Lieutenant Geiger, along with Sergeant Tucker and Corporal Sierra, spent the rest of the day and a fair part of the next, questioning the Rangers and trainees about the fight with the raiders. Based on the information they gathered Geiger filed a report with Ranger HQ In Heaven, and a follow-up report with recommendations.

  To: Ranger Commander Straily, Ranger HQ - Heaven, Freelands

  From: LT Geiger, SGT Tucker, CPL Sierra

  Follow-Up Report of incident involving Rangers and Trainees on OP training mission 2-3 June 2025

  Ranger 1: CPL Braden, Ranger Daley, Trainees Barstow, Lewis, and Young.

  Ranger 2: Ranger West, Trainees Hays, Sikes, Trahearn, and Traipse.

  Leroy OP: Rangers Pitts and Stark.

  Raiders: Intel indicates members were Cornhusks, based on red kerchiefs worn around necks or arms, 16-18 in number (estimate).

  Rads: Unknown.

  As you are already aware of the mission and incident details we will not repeat them.

  Ranger 1- Team performed very well. Responded swiftly to call for aid by Ranger 2, attacking raider flank. CPL Braden took control of situation upon reaching Ranger 2’s position and led orderly withdrawal to Geneva Settlement. Trainee Lewis ably performed aid on wounded(West, Trahearn).

  Ranger 2- Exemplary performance by entire team. Ranger West made sound decisions and performed bravely despite painful wound. Trainee Hays handled communications ably and engaged raiders when not on radio. Trainee Sikes was heavily engaged by raiders while on embankment staying calm under fire. Trainee Trahearn was calm and performed very well in numerous tasks. Trainee Traipse took command when Ranger West was briefly disabled providing sound leadership, was very effective in combat.

  Leroy OP- Typical performance from Rangers Pitts and Stark, excellent. Upon hearing call for assistance rushed to embankment and added firepower to Ranger 2.

  Extra notes- CPL Braden continues to grow into good CPL. CPL Sierra’s example a great help.

  Trainee Lewis shows real skill as medic. Probably should receive higher level of training. It may cost us a Ranger, but gains the Freelands a doctor.

  Ranger West’s injuries are not life threatening. Apparently a bullet hit him side on, possibly a ricochet from a stray round. Should be fully recovered in a few weeks. Ranger West felt his performance was poor. It may take awhile for him to realize nobody could have done better under circumstances. Will make solid CPL when he gains experience.

  Trainee Hays possesses extraordinary technical skills. Ranger Barbara Louis feels she would be outstanding in commo and intel.

  Trainee Sikes continues to impress. Missing hand does not seem much of a detriment.

  Trainee Trahearn continues to exceed expectations. It gets said a lot, but he is a lot like CPL Braden. Not the smartest Ranger you’ll meet but tenacious and gets the job done.

  Trainee Traipse felt his actions may have involved Ranger 2 in the fight earlier than was prudent by directing Sikes and Trahearn to fire. We disagree, by engaging when they did, Ranger 2 was able to keep the raiders at a distance, utilize superior accuracy and fire discipline, and inflict casualties while minimizing risk to the Ranger team. Traipse is very bright, but sometimes overthinks things. A natural leader with very good instincts.

  . . . . .

  Over the next weeks the trainees would spend most of their time on field exercises, learning and practicing skills that would serve them when they took on the role of Ranger.

  A grueling pace of training ensued, including more observation post missions, patrols, caravan escorts, first aid drills, TROG practice, land navigation courses, rifle practice, and more, all part of trying to cram two months worth of training into one.

  The accelerated pace was stressful, but the trainees and their instructors had meshed into a solid and supportive unit. They learned to count on one another, and understood they could lean on each other when needed.

  With a few days to go before the trainees were due to don the Ranger star, Corporal Braden approached Lieutenant Geiger with an idea. A land navigation course that would be a competition between trainees as a way to provide an enjoyable, but still instructive break from the grinding pace they were enduring.

  The training schedule for the morning said simply, Land Navigation Course 0700-to be determined. When they gathered at seven o’clock, they found it was to be a timed event, run individually.

  “Corporal Braden set this up,” said Lieutenant Geiger, “to be similar to other land nav courses you have done. The difference is you will run the course simultaneously and you will be timed. Fastest finisher wins.”

  “What do I win?” asked a grinning Thomas Young.

  “The admiration of your fellow trainees,” the lieutenant replied with a laugh. “You will each have a unique order of checkpoints on a list with an azimuth for each point that will get you to the next point. When you reach a checkpoint, you will write down the number and move on to the next one on your list. You’ll each cover about the same amount of distance. Corporal Braden adjusted each list to compensate for terrain, so they should be pretty well balanced. The best combination of speed and accuracy will win. You will use a compass as your nav device. If you hit all your points without having to backtrack you can do the course in three hours.

  “If you need motivation, you’ll get the rest of the day off once the last trainee makes it back to South Geneva gate, which will be our starting point.” Hearing this made the trainees clap, smile, and generated a few happy shouts. “Everybody get some breakfast, check your gear, and we’ll head for the gate in twenty-five minutes.”

  . . . . .

  The course
was south of Geneva Settlement and covered an area a bit over five square miles with points placed throughout the area. Every trainee had their compass, rifle, and water, plus any other gear they felt necessary.

  “I take it everybody is ready to go?” asked Lieutenant Geiger. When everybody indicated they were ready he continued, “Corporal Braden will have you draw a checkpoint list from the stack, except Jim Barstow. Corporal Braden has a course set up just for you so you don’t further damage the knee you injured last week.”

  “You don’t have to make any special arrangements for me, Lieutenant,” Barstow said.

  “We can’t have you falling out because of an injury this late in the game, Jim.”

  “All right, LT. As long as nobody objects. I ain’t looking to ruffle no feathers.”

  “Anyone have a problem with this?” The lieutenant asked. Most of the trainees shook their heads while a few mouthed, “no.”

  “Remember, you do not have any commo, so if you get in trouble, fire three rounds to signal. You remember the drill.”

  Geiger looked at his watch. “Okay, good luck everyone. You may start when ready. See you in a few hours.”

  At that, the trainees looked at their lists, shot an azimuth with their compasses to determine their course, and stepped out.

  As Jack started to leave Jennifer spoke to him quietly, “This afternoon might be a good time for us to have that talk, don’t you think?”

  “Yes I do,” he replied, “This is the ‘serious’ talk you are referring to, correct?”

  Jennifer smiled, “Yes, that’s the one. You be careful out there, Jack Traipse.”

  “I shall do my best, Miss Lewis. Unless raiders decide to get involved again, I think I can pull it off,” he joked. “You be careful too.”

  “I will endeavor to exercise caution,” she said with a smile.

  . . . . .

  Jack’s first point was a few degrees west of due south, taking him to a stake driven into the ground near a highway bridge, slightly over a mile from the starting point. He noted the number ‘29’ stamped in the stake onto his list and shot an azimuth to his next point, which was southeast.

  After traveling a little over a quarter mile, he saw Thomas Young kneeling next to a large tree. He’s watching something, thought Jack.

  Jack quietly approached Thomas and when he was near he whispered, “Tom, what do you have?” which made Thomas start a bit.

  “You scared me, Jack. I saw someone over there, heading south. Then I heard voices. I thought it might be Ralph at first. He was headed this way when I last saw him, but it wasn’t him.”

  “The river is south of here. Maybe they were headed there.”

  “We ought to check. You lead the way,” Tom replied.

  The two trainees slowly made their way south. After a few minutes they heard footfalls behind and to their left, coming toward them. “I think that’s one of us,” Jack said. “We need to tell them what’s going on.”

  “I’m on it,” Thomas said as he quietly slipped through the brush toward the noise.

  A short time later Thomas returned, with Jim Barstow.

  “We’re with you, Jack,” Thomas said. “Lead the way.”

  Jack led out in a low crouch, moving slowly south. A few minutes later they heard voices again. Jack went prone, Thomas and Jim following suit. Jack slithered forward to a tree trunk and slowly peeked around through a hole in the brush.

  Near the bank of the Nosho he could see two raiders—Cornhusks if the red kerchiefs were any indication—talking and laughing about something. They turned and walked down the bank away from the trainees.

  “Raiders,” Jack said quietly, “Cornhusks again. Headed down river.”

  “Shit, what do we do?” Thomas asked.

  “You guys follow, we need to know what they’re up to. I’ll head back to Geneva and let them know. I can’t keep up with you on my bum knee,” Jim replied.

  “Good thinking, Jim. I think they may be following the Nosho to Oldiola, avoiding the roads,” Jack said.

  Jim nodded. “I’ll tell them that when I get back. Be careful, guys,” he said as he ducked through the brush and headed north.

  “I guess none of us three is winning the nav competition, Tom.”

  “Shit Jack, I hadn’t thought of that. Shit. Ah, let’s go.”

  “Follow me,” Jack said. Jennifer. Way to go, Jack. Stepped in it again.

  Thomas and Jack trailed the pair of raiders as they traveled the river bank. The river curved to the southwest at the junction with a small creek which ran to the southeast, in the direction of Oldiola.

  Oldiola was once a decent-sized city before the Calamity. When settlers moved into the area about fifteen years before, they elected to establish a settlement to the north and west a few miles, which would become Geneva. Oldiola had seen hard times after the Calamity, the razed and looted buildings and the mass graves to the northeast of town were a testament to that. The ruined city did have some assets left intact though.

  A popular candy-maker ran a factory near town, which had large stores of sugar and cocoa powder, which if stored correctly last almost indefinitely. There was a power generation plant on the banks of the Nosho, which the settlers were able to restore, and once power lines were repaired provided at least some of the electricity used by nearby communities.

  Even though the settlers didn’t initially live in Oldiola, they did guard the power plant and the other usable assets there, eventually leading to a small community being started.

  “The brush is getting mighty thick, Jack. We’re gonna have to get closer or we’ll lose them,” Tom said as the two continued their surveillance.

  “You’re right about the brush. I’m worried if we get too close they’ll make us. I wonder if we ought to cut east to the road, head south to the bridge that’s northwest of the settlement and run the creek bed till we can see the river. If these guys are following the Nosho to Oldiola, we’ll cut them off there.”

  “We’ll be moving a lot faster than them, that’s for sure. Let’s try it, Jack.”

  The pair of trainees cut east through the dense woods and followed the road as planned, covering the roughly two and a half miles in under an hour. As they reached the bridge where they intended to leave the road and head toward the Nosho they saw four armed men heading their way from the east. They were Oldiola militiamen.

  When the men met the trainees on the bridge, the oldest militiaman—and the one presumably in charge—said, “You fellers the Rangers from Geneva?”

  “Not quite, we’re Ranger trainees,” Jack answered. “Did Geneva call you about the raiders?” It seems like Jim Barstow made it back okay, Jack thought.

  “Sure did. Said they had fellers headed south coverin’ the other side of the river and more coming down this side. We came out to meet’em. Figured you might be them,” said the militiaman.

  Jack nodded. “They ought to be here shortly. We intend to head down the creek here and cut the raiders off at the river. If you would, tell the Rangers what we are doing if they come this way.”

  “Will do. Them two Rangers that was in Oldiola went to the river and figured to head upstream and meet the raiders as well,” The militiaman said.

  “Which Rangers?” Tom asked.

  “Pitts and that lady Ranger, what’s her name?” he asked one of the other militiamen.

  “Anders,” was the answer.

  Jack smiled briefly when the militiaman mentioned Ranger Anders.

  “Okay, thanks for the info. We’ll watch for them,” Jack said as he headed down toward the creek, Thomas following.

  The creek bed and banks provided a fairly clear route to the river, the pair covering the distance in less than twenty minutes. When they arrived at the river, they turned right and went up a slight slope that allowed them to see upriver quite a ways from the high ground. The pair hid themselves well in the brush and waited.

  “Let’s keep an ear out for the Rangers coming from downstream,
Jack,” whispered Tom. Jack slowly gave him a thumbs-up.

  Forty-five minutes later, the trainees could hear noise and the sound of indecipherable voices coming from upriver. As the sounds grew closer they could begin to make out what they were saying, “This fucking brush! I’m getting sick of this crap. How much farther is it to the generator thing?” asked one voice.

  “Not far. Keep it down before somebody hears you,” said the other, calmer voice.

  “Fine, but I am getting tired. Ain’t nobody gonna hear anyway.”

  “Okay, we’ll take a rest on the side of that slope up there. Maybe we can see the buildings from there.”

  Jack quietly moved nearer to Tom and whispered, “They’re coming up here. Let’s slide that way,” he said, gesturing north, “and we’ll see if we can listen in on them, maybe find out what they’re up to. I don’t see how we can follow them in this thicket, so let’s try and capture them when they get ready to leave.”

  Tom nodded acknowledgment and moved to find a place of concealment, followed closely by Jack.

  Very shortly, the two raiders made their way up the slope and sat down slightly downhill from the spot Jack and Tom had vacated. From their vantage point twenty-five feet from the raiders they could see they were the same two men they were following upstream earlier in the day. The Ranger trainees listened intently, rifles trained on the men as the raiders swigged from a bottle and chatted.

  “We can’t see jack shit from here. We’ll have to go farther downstream,” the tall raider said.

  “We should have just gone to the other side of the river and looked from there,” said the other, short raider, sounding disgusted.

  “They have security over there, you know that.”

  “Who gives a rat’s ass. We can kill a few militiamen.”

  “Uh-huh, and what if there were more than a few? Besides, this is a recon. Scope out the place and report back to the boss,” replied the calm one.

  “Yeah, yeah. What does he want this info for anyhow?”