Everyone moved out at an easy jog following in the wake of the sixty-ton steam-powered battering ram from hell that led the charge like a proud warhorse. They went around a bend and jogged a quarter mile or so. There was a loud clang that must have been the engine plowing through the meager fence line. It took them few minutes reach it.
The Grizzly Creek soldiers swarmed through the gap in the fence like yellow jackets defending their hive, while HAGS soldiers wasted lead shooting at the ancient steam engine. Of course the rounds did nothing as it barreled into the refinery complex. Dillon and Frank stood atop a small rise watching it all play out. As designed and planned, once their weapon had charged in among the buildings, winding fuel pipes and personnel, a loud boom echoed off the mountains. A massive fireball shot into the air with black smoke curling up. The shock wave crumpled steel, destroyed bodies, and flung dirt and debris into the air as a dark mushroom shaped cloud loomed over the dead.
Hannah took in the devastation in awe of the explosive’s destructive power. Future historians would likely debate whether or not this was the first major turning point in the war against HAGS. If nothing else, it’s an impressive first salvo.
One Humvee raced toward them firing wildly. Hannah and the others dove for cover. Within seconds, they returned concentrated fire. The windows quickly spider-webbed with cracks. Hannah took aim at the machine gunner in the turret and squeezed. She couldn’t be sure she hit him, but his head dropped from view as the machine gun chatter stopped.
The Humvee peeled out in the field and spun away.
Dillon stood and waved them forward. “Follow me!” He turned and ran after the vehicle, popping off rounds.
Part of the structure collapsed, screeching loudly as the metal twisted and snapped, falling into the fire below. Hannah saw a beam slice into a large holding tank. Liquid gushed out and ignited when it splashed near flames. There was a massive whoosh sound followed by a chest-thumping boom that nearly knocked her to the ground. Silo after silo erupted into thundering fireballs in a daisy chain of secondary explosions that rocked the complex. None of the major structures remained standing.
Cheers rang out from the Grizzly Creek soldiers as they pushed forward.
HAGS soldiers looked stunned, but the few who had survived began to form a response. Several Humvees rolled forward from the motor pool so the machine gunners could lay down covering fire. Ronnie’s team took the right flank, while Dillon took one team to the left. Hannah and Frank lead team three straight up the middle. The rough V formation maneuvered to cover under the machine guns’ relentless firing.
Hannah’s heart raced faster than she thought possible. She fought to keep her fear in check and focused on returning fire.
The remnants of a tower damaged by the explosions shuttered and fell, crushing one of the three Humvees. Two HAGS soldiers crawled out of the burning vehicle. Hannah watched as their bodies jerked and collapsed. She heard two sharp cracks of rifle fire a split second later.
Hannah glanced back. On top of the hill where Dillon and Frank had stood earlier were two forms that could only be snipers. The forest colored ghillie suits stood out against the pale gray of the rocky slope.
One of the remaining vehicles drove toward the front of the complex, probably to harass Dillon. Hannah turned to a soldier near her.
“The gunner,” she shouted, pointing at the retreating vehicle.
The turrets weren’t armored versions so the gunner was quite exposed. She knelt next to the soldier, and they both aimed. Hannah fired just after he did.
She saw the gunner jerk to the side. He slumped down into the vehicle. Just like that, another machine gun fell silent.
They reached the refinery and took cover behind the burning remains of a building. More soldiers could be lurking about, so they regrouped before continuing the sweep.
“You good?” Frank asked her.
Hannah nodded. Nervous energy flowed through her, but she was uninjured and ready to kick some more ass. “Keep going.”
“We’re in the danger zone. Keep your head moving, look high and low. This place is a cluster-fuck.” Frank met the gaze of Hannah and the other team members. They nodded in return. “Let’s do this.”
Hannah followed Frank around the corner of the building. The others followed behind them. He took them past the crushed Humvee.
“Grab the 240,” Frank said, gesturing at one of the soldiers. The soldier looked back at him, confused.
“Sir, what’s a 240?”
Frank pointed at the Humvee. “The gun.”
The guy still looked confused for some reason. His buddy standing next to him nudged him and nodded at the Humvee.
These Grizzly Creek guys are dumb as shit.
“The big fucking machine gun!” Hannah snapped, ending the absurd exchange.
“Well done,” Frank said.
Hannah just smiled and nodded.
Looking at the rest of them he said, “Take cover.”
Hannah knelt near the corner of the building. She watched their back while the soldier rushed to disconnect the machine gun and grab the ammo.
A pair of guards emerged from the smoke near the rear of the refinery. She fired three times. The first guy fell, gripping his leg. The second ducked behind a metal support.
“Contact,” Hannah said. “Two on our rear.”
The soldier that helped her take out the gunner plopped down on the ground near her. He sighted at the guard on the ground and put him down for good. It was a good shot, if a bit ruthless.
“What’s your name?” she asked.
“John.” He didn’t lift his face from his rifle. “Where’s the other guy?”
“He took cover.” She glanced where he’d gone but couldn’t see anything. The smoke was crazy, and the smell of burning gas was thick in the air.
“We’re good. Let’s go,” Frank said.
“Come on, John.” Hannah turned away to follow Frank. John scrambled up and took up the rear, turning around to watch for the second man.
Frank led them into the building they’d been hiding behind. The team immediately started clearing the rooms near the entrance. Hannah kept watch in the hallway with John, who had his rifle aimed at the door they just entered. Shots punched through one of the walls near Hannah. She threw herself on the floor and stayed there until someone shouted, “All clear.”
The small building only had four rooms. Once the team finished, they headed for the main door. John led the way out with Hannah behind him, scanning for the enemy.
No enemy fired at them, and soon the team was moving deeper through the refinery toward the front where Dillon would be with his team. The group tried to process the scene as quickly as possible knowing HAGS would send reinforcements, possibly with air support. They could hear shouts and gunshots almost all around them. Fire roared behind them while thick smoke filled the area reducing their vision.
“I don’t like this,” John shouted at Hannah.
“Same here. I can’t see shit,” she said.
“Lead us out,” Frank said to John.
He took them a different way. Shots came at them from the direction of the building they’d cleared. The man behind Hannah screamed and collapsed. She returned fire before helping the man up. Dark blood soaked his stomach area, suggesting he’d been hit in the liver. The groaning man clenched his belly as they hustled him away. The group continued to move with discipline.
It wasn’t long before they made contact again. The guy with the machine gun stopped behind a pillar and unleashed hell on group of the bad guys, pinning them down.
When John brought them to the edge of the structure away from most of the rubble, the air was slightly cleaner, but a Humvee spotted them and raced toward them.
“Watch out!” Hannah fired at the truck. They pinged off the armored body with little effect.
“Wait, that’s Dillon,” one of the soldiers shouted.
Hannah realized it too and stopped shooting. “Cease fire
.”
Dillon pulled the vehicle up to them. Hannah reached out to pop the door open. The man in the turret turned and fired at the HAGS soldiers. She glanced back and saw Frank kill one man with his pistol.
“Need ammo?” Hannah asked as she pulled out a spare mag.
“Thanks.” Frank slid his pistol back into its holster and loaded his M4.
“Come on, get the injured guy in here!” Dillon shouted.
With the other soldier’s help, Hannah loaded the injured man inside. He groaned and winced in pain but patted her shoulder when he was inside. “Thank you.”
“No problem,” she said with a weak smile.
“You guys follow me!” Dillon shouted.
Frank leaned in and Dillon repeated himself. “Okay.” Frank slapped the metal roof. Turning to his team he said, “Come on.”
The Humvee pulled away while they jogged along behind. John provided rear security along with the machine gunner. No one else was shooting at them. They were either dead or had given up to save their own skin.
Around the refinery was the same wide open area Hannah and Frank had seen the last time they were here. For a moment, she wondered if they would be able to find their old gear. The horses were likely gone, but the HAGS soldiers might not have found their packs.
Near the front was a large gravel parking lot area. Hannah hadn’t noticed that before. They had seen a lot of activity though, so it wasn’t surprising. Several long tractor-trailers were parked there near a short building. Two black SUVs, a pickup truck, and a large van like a moving truck sat in the parking lot.
Dillon stopped the Humvee and shouted for help. A couple of guys with packs ran over, received instructions from Dillon, and then went to get the injured man from the back seat.
Hannah turned to look at the burning structure behind her. A group of soldiers, Ronnie’s team, emerged with several prisoners. That could prove interesting. She wanted to be there when the interrogations happened.
“Frank, Hannah,” Dillon shouted, waiving them over to his position.
They strode up to their friend who had a soldier standing in front of him.
“Tell them what you told me.” Dillon gestured at her and Frank.
“We picked up a strange message repeating on the radio. We think it might be of interest to you guys,” the Grizzly Creek soldier said. “It concerns a location we haven’t heard of before. They claim to have the President of the United States and request aid.”
Hannah and Frank looked at each other. Both had the same thought. Did they mean Collin War?
“Where do they need aid? Missoula?” Frank asked with hope plain in his tone.
“No, it’s about half a day south of where we are now,” the soldier said.
“Can we hear the message?” Hannah asked.
The soldier looked at Dillon who nodded. “Of course.”
“Follow me,” the soldier said.
After hearing the message, Frank and Hannah were both excited and worried. Somehow, Collin or his allies were getting out a message. Its appeal was to remnants of the any friendly government. That suggested someone was still out there.
“My God, if only Brady could hear this,” Hannah said with a grin.
“If Collin is at the location mentioned, then something happened. We were supposed to meet in Missoula, but this is where the coordinates suggest.” Frank pointed to the map that the soldier handed him.
Hannah looked the map and frowned. “It could be a trap, but if he’s still alive then hopefully Julie and Hunter are okay, too. So, what’s next?”
“Now we know our next target,” Frank said as he jabbed at the map. “We’re going to rescue Collin.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Julie lay in her bunk replaying the day in her head. So much was happening so quickly that it made her head spin. With not one, but two murders on her hands, she tried to mentally box each part up and put it in order.
Her last work shift had been awkward. Julie had cleaned up first, then treated her scrapes in private to avoid questions. That plan didn’t work so well. She resorted to downplaying the injuries when people asked, saying she slipped in the shower. Her co-workers gave her skeptical looks and only reluctantly accepted the excuse.
The whole time she was nervous guards would rush in and arrest her. How could she have gotten away with it? Her breath caught every time someone entered her ward. No one asked about Susan and nothing unusual happened the rest of the day.
At dinner, Julie informed Collin and Charlie what she had found and done in the morgue. Both men wore shocked expressions when she’d told them what happened with Susan. She grinned, remembering Collin’s expression.
They all agreed to implement the takeover and breakout plan. There was no point waiting. Susan’s death would certainly raise questions. Collin brought up trouble with the folks with real implants. Julie had suggested swapping out the medicine for a fake, like saline solution. Saline was the perfect substitute since it was merely salt water. The implant-refilling machine wouldn’t register the difference in the solution, just whether it was full or not, and saline wouldn’t have negative side effects. Once the drugs wore off, the chaos of non-compliant drones would distract the guards.
Charlie liked it but wasn’t sure he’d be best to make it happen. Julie volunteered and was now waiting for lights out. She’d wait a while for everyone to fall asleep and then slip out to set their plan in motion.
With a sigh, Julie rolled onto her side and looked out at the people around her in the dormitory. All of them were subject to the whims of their captors. She was grateful she’d been spared by Charlie and his allies.
The lights clicked off and a pleasant voice spoke over the intercom system: “Good night. Sleep well.” Julie lay still in her bunk waiting for the implants to ease the drones into slumber. In the morning, when they all went in for device refills, they would be freed.
Given the average age of the people working at the Farm, every one of them would remember life before HAGS. Who could forget liberty when faced with authoritarian rule? She was confident they would rise up and resist the oppression and tyranny of HAGS.
Julie rubbed her hands together and bit her lip. Just getting to that point had been difficult. The sacrifices they’d made, the things they’d done, and they were nowhere near the end. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that their actions—her actions—were necessary. The freedom they had always enjoyed as Americans came with a price, and like the saying went, freedom ain’t free. It had been a rough day, and they were in for a whole lot more. All for a brighter future. Tomorrow would be better. One day closer to a new America.
As she waited, her mind wandered to the others. Frank and Hannah had traveled to Echo Sector to recruit help while Koby, Tiny, and Brady went to Delta for help. Did they find help? Were they still alive?
Julie sat up on her bed. Her feet touched the cool tile while her head brushed the bottom of the top bunk. The room was filled with the steady breathing of dozens of sleeping people.
Each person lay on their back with their arms at their sides. It was unsettling the way they mimicked each other. The way they powered down right away, as if they were robots. Did they drop in a REM cycle right away? She wondered how they induced such behavior. Then Michael’s body flashed into her mind and Julie caught her breath, covering her mouth to stifle the gasp. Everyone lay in bed like bodies in a morgue. She shivered.
Julie slipped her shoes on and stood. She glanced around at the people nearby but none of them moved. Julie padded softly through the large room, passing neat rows of bunks and wall lockers. Collin had joked that his dorm reminded him of boot camp.
The door loomed before her; light lanced in from the hallway through a square window. Julie moved to the side and inched along the wall toward the door. She didn’t know if there was a guard outside; it was her first time trying to sneak out. A nervous flutter grew in her stomach like it had as a teen when she’d snuck out with her friends.
Glancing out the window, Julie saw an empty hallway. Her eyes narrowed. She self-consciously glanced over her shoulder half expecting to see people staring at her. Yet everyone continued sleeping. Charlie had said there were others who were free of the implants control. Although right now, in a room of dozens of people, she had never felt so alone.
Her hand reached out for the door handle. It turned without resistance and slid open as easily as every other time she used it. No locks? Julie frowned for a split-second before comprehension lit up her face and her eyes widened. With such strict control over the drones, why bother locking the doors? Why post guards? Could it really be this easy? Was HAGS really that arrogant?
HAGS focus was likely on external threats. A sly grin crossed her face. This time she was the enemy within. Her cause was righteous though, and she craved the moment when the HAGS leaders realized their mistakes – much like Pastor Pendel did when he’d bled out on the floor of his jail cell back in Goshen.
Julie exited the dorm and eased the door shut behind her. She headed toward the room Charlie showed her earlier that day. Making her way down to the morgue again, she entered without a problem. Nothing looked disturbed. Was Susan was the only one allowed in there? That wouldn’t make much sense. For the type of work she had obviously done, Susan would have needed a team.
Susan’s body was still in cold storage. Julie grimaced at the remnants of the woman’s face. The odor was awful despite the cold suppressing the worst of it. Maybe the death smelled worse when you were the cause of it? Julie wanted Susan’s access badge. She’d been too rattled to grab it before. Having greater access to the facility would give them a tactical advantage that HAGS would not expect. She quickly located the ID badge in the pocket of Susan’s lab coat.
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