by Justin Sloan
While Valerie might’ve been able to dodge all of the bullets by herself, she knew that Robin wasn’t quite there yet. Instead of protecting herself she ran for Robin and dove, pulling her behind by the bear’s corpse and out of harm’s way.
“I didn’t need your help,” Robin stated, furious.
“Well, you’re going to get it anyway,” Valerie countered. “Cover me.”
“What?”
“Now!” Valerie ran back out, heading for her sword as bullets shot past, narrowly missing her.
Robin returned fire, since she had thankfully picked up one of the enemy’s fallen rifles and figured out quickly what “cover me” meant in this context.
Scooping up the sword, Valerie slid and dug it into the ground so that she had suddenly changed directions. She pulled it free and charged the shooters, smiling with anticipation. Nobody was allowed to march on her city, try to shoot her friends, or stand there trying to kill her.
Not today. Not ever.
As she connected with the first group two bullets hit her side and left arm, but only grazing shots. It hurt, but wasn’t enough to mess up her form. A thrust here, a swipe there, and soon she was stepping through them in an old-world kata, a beautiful martial pattern taught to her by sword masters back in Old France.
A click sounded behind her and she turned, ready to attack, but saw Robin there, having just dropped someone by biting into their neck and drinking. Valerie often forgot that her friend still needed to be replenished when expending this much energy.
“Holding up?” she shouted over the noise of gunshots and more enemies charging them.
Robin nodded, took a deep breath, and then stood at Valerie’s side, ready. “Me? I’m just getting started.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
The attack came and they met it head on, soon creating a spiral of corpses around them that began to form a barrier to further attacks.
***
Cammie was fighting to reach Valerie and Robin, but the closer she got, the more she realized that maybe being too close might be a bad idea. Those two were like forces of nature, tearing through everything in their path.
What if she was the next thing in their path and they didn’t realize it was her?
Espinoza and his team were doing a good job of laying down suppressive fire while most of the enemy was trying to get at the vampires and the Weres on the field. When one of them turned to throw a grenade at the soldiers Cammie moved fast, plowing through him and then using the butt-end of her short-sword to hit the grenade like a baseball. It went flying and exploded over a group of the attacker’s buddies, sending shrapnel down upon them.
She looked around for more grenades to throw their way, eyes wide at the sight of two more on the man’s vest.
“Fuck yeah!” she shouted, though Royland gave her a skeptical glance. “What?”
“Just be careful.”
“Oh, come on.” She took one, pulled the pin, and lobbed it. “What’s the point of playtime if you have to be careful?”
KA-BOOM!
She took the other, smiled wide, and rolled it like a bowling ball into a trio that had just decided she was their point of focus instead of Valerie. The explosion shook the air, followed by body parts raining down on them.
An eye landed on Royland’s shoulder, which he quickly brushed off.
“Dammit, Cammie!”
“For a blood-sucking vampire,” she replied, pulling out her blades again, “you sure can be a prude.”
With a giggle, she ran into the wall of fighters, who were covered in blood and looking her way in disgust. Sure, maybe she was a tad drunk on adrenalin, but this shit was fun. She wasn’t about to let anyone kill her buzz. Anyone except for Valerie, apparently.
Moments after Cammie reached this group and took two out Valerie and Robin appeared, cutting down a few more each. Before Cammie moved past them to attack she stopped, heart sinking at the sight. Everyone who remained was dropping their weapons or running. Lame, she thought as she turned back to find Royland.
***
At the sight of the carnage Valerie was causing among her enemies more of them surrendered, dropping their weapons or turning on those beside them.
Soon there was silence. Valerie stopped, turning to Robin with a look of curiosity. Sure enough, the fighting was over as quickly as that. Many lay dead and others knelt with hands out or behind their heads, staring at them in terror. Some groups were visible in distance running for the hills, and she imagined these were mostly enemies who would regroup with the rest of Lady Woo’s forces.
“The fight isn’t over,” she said to Micky as he and Garcia exited the Pod and approached.
He shook his head.
Turning to one of the men on his knees, Valerie knelt and pushed enough fear to make him talk, though she wasn’t sure it was even necessary.
“The rest of her forces?” Valerie asked.
“Her?” the man asked, voice trembling.
“Lady Woo. Isn’t she in charge?”
He considered that, eyes moving back and forth. “I…suppose? No one is really in charge, not of the whole group. But she and the other group the leaders held back, yes. I think they were hoping we could take the city without them getting their hands dirty.”
“Sounds about right,” Micky replied with a grunt.
“And everyone here, you are ready to switch sides?” Valerie asked.
The man in front of her nodded, others doing the same. But one thing was clear—they were terrified. With a sigh, she walked over to the Pod and hopped on top so she could see them all.
“There’s something I want to make very clear right now,” she stated, loudly enough for all to hear. “Whatever you’ve heard about us, throw it out right now. Our city is thriving because we have gotten rid of prejudice. We’ve cast aside fear and hatred and embraced a world where we will all be able to live in peace.”
Robin stepped up now too, waiting for a nod from Valerie. When she received it, she turned to the crowd. “When I lived in the Badlands I was taken from my home, forced to do things I didn’t want to do, hurt people who didn’t deserve it. The kind of pain I went through, emotional and physical—none of us should have to experience that. Valerie helped me through it, and we can help all of you.”
Valerie nodded. “But only if you help yourselves. Stand up and throw aside the chains laid on you by others. You might not have felt trapped—hell, maybe you’re here fighting for supposed freedom—but the bonds were what held you to a world where violence is acceptable. The Badlands need to be cleaned up so that every one of you knows you’re safe and secure. Never again should you have to worry about your son, daughter, mother, brother, sister, father… Did I get them all?”
Robin chuckled. “Good enough.”
Valerie took a moment to look over them, stopping to nod at Cammie and the others who had helped and were now watching and listening.
Turning back to the men and women they had been fighting mere moments before, she continued, “None of you should have to ever worry about a loved one being hurt again!” Valerie jumped down and started walking among them. “Stand with us! Stand! Tell Lady Woo and all the rest out there that we don’t accept the status quo. We fight for change! For an evolution of society! Are you with me?”
“We’re with you!” a man said, standing, motioning to those around him to do the same.
“As are we!” a woman shouted from the other side, her people standing too. Soon everyone was standing, and they were clearly into it.
Valerie nodded to each of them in turn.
“They will return, as you know. When that happens, we’ll ask for help to keep them back, to prove that you are trustworthy. When we return, if that has been the case, you may join our city.”
Murmurs of agreement rose from the crowd.
“Good,” Valerie said, moving back to the Pod. “We’re going to go deal with the leaders and anyone else left standing in our way. Welcome, lad
ies and gentlemen, to the winning side.”
“You think they’ll fight with us and not turn tail at the last minute?” Garcia asked.
“After what they just witnessed,” Valerie interjected, “they’ll fight with us. They’d be too scared not to.”
Cammie appeared from her right, having just jogged over. “Nice speech. Here’s the deal: we’ll babysit your new pets.”
“What?”
“These ones,” Cammie said with a smile, motioning to the new fighters with her blade. “I figure I’m out here anyway; might as well make use of the moment. Test them, make sure they know what they’re getting into. And if the others return, we’ll lead this group against them.”
Valerie nodded her approval. “You’re really into this whole taking-charge thing now, huh?”
“Apparently. Just hurry your asses back so you don’t miss the fun.”
“Right. You’d probably call sneaking into the enemy camp to take out their leaders fun.”
Cammie thought about it, then smiled. “Wanna switch?”
“Ha! You wish!” Valerie winked and gave Royland a nod. “Keep them out of trouble, Royland. You’re the old man here.”
“Thanks for the reminder.”
When she reached the Pod and Micky, Valerie asked, “You ready to show us where this Lady Woo’s fortress is?”
He nodded and soon they were in the air, heading for the final showdown.
Valerie glanced at Robin as they flew, the two of them smiling and sharing that moment as if the rest of the world were invisible.
“You made the right choice, you know, coming back,” Valerie said.
“I know.” Robin leaned back and closed her eyes, then opened them and laughed. “I just keep seeing you out there kicking ass. It’s like you’ve gotten better, if that was possible. You were amazing in Toro, but this was like the ultimate Valerie. It was beautiful.”
“It” being the key word there. Not “you.” Valerie’s smile faltered and Robin noticed, but before either could address the issue or even have time to feel awkward, Garcia leaned forward and said, “I thought Micky’s moves were pretty beautiful too. You all see the way his massive finger pulled the trigger? Huh? You see that?”
“Shut up,” Valerie countered as she pushed him back.
Micky laughed and poked Garcia in the chest with that massive finger. “Hey, pal, this finger happens to have been solely responsible for at least ten evil assholes dying so far tonight. It plans on taking down about a bajillion more. So, yeah, you’d better damn well recognize it as a thing of beauty.”
Garcia grabbed the finger and analyzed it. “You know, now that you mention it…” He couldn’t go on, but just cracked up.
“You’re cheery for having just served on the equivalent of a massive firing squad,” Fred noted. “I’m not sure I could do it and smile after.”
“What, take down those pricks?” Garcia asked. “Let me put it this way, buddy. Each of them would’ve happily taken those weapons of theirs and strolled through New York mowing down anyone they saw. Man, woman, child—anyone. You’re telling me it doesn’t bring a smile to your face to stop that from happening?”
Fred just gulped, eyes darting around and finally landing on Valerie.
“Nope, no help from me on this one,” she replied.
“I don’t care if I have to pull their guts out with my bare hands or chomp down on their still-beating hearts,” Garcia continued, “if that’s what it takes to end them, to protect the ones we love and the ones who aren’t able to protect themselves.”
“Damn straight,” Micky added.
“You’re with me on this?”
“Hell yes, I am. I’ve seen too many people who didn’t deserve to die get mowed down to prove someone else’s power. Or, you know what? To show they could. Some of these motherfuckers just shoot people because they can, because that’s the world we live in, especially in the Badlands. Not again. No way. We’re changing it.”
“You bet your ass we are,” Valerie interjected. “Tonight, it ends.”
“Bless your heart,” Micky said, nodding. “Shit, if I could go back and tear each of those bastards apart before they had the chance to do what they did, if I had the power to see if someone was evil and act on it, imagine what I’d do!”
“You mean punish them before they’d done anything wrong because you had the power to know they would?” Robin asked.
“That’s right. You would too, wouldn’t you?”
Robin looked puzzled, then shook her head. “I’d always wonder if I was insane, living some delusional fantasy. Here I’d be, killing all these innocents because my messed-up head convinced me it was the right thing to do. In reality, I’d be no better than they had the potential to become.”
“Well, if you think of it that way it’s less fun,” Micky replied with a pout.
“Plus,” Valerie interjected, “what’s to say that isn’t the case now? Maybe you’ve imagined me and I’m just some weird part of your psyche you use to justify everything you’ve done, but all the outsiders just see you, not some crazy bitch?”
“You want to know how I know you’re real?” Robin asked. She turned and punched Valerie in the arm, causing her to yelp and swerve the Pod. “See, I didn’t feel that at all, and it messed with your flying even. I rest my case.”
“Technically, if you were h—”
“Nope.” She folded her arms. “I’m done with that conversation. Point is, we stopped a lot of bad people from doing bad things tonight, and worse in days ahead. For that, I’m glad.”
“Fuckin’ A,” Garcia replied, then let out a loud, “Get some!”
Micky threw his head back, laughing. “I love this son of a bitch right here.”
Fred made a disgusted sound.
“Too much testosterone back there for you?” Robin asked.
“Call it what you want,” he countered. “I’m just not convinced death should ever be surrounded by this attitude.”
“Says the man who was on Lady Woo’s side.” Garcia frowned suddenly. “Or…still is?”
“Shut up. You know that’s not true.”
Garcia nodded. “I believe it’s not true. Can’t rule out the possibility, though.”
“Fine…say I was. You’d just kill me as soon as you saw me on the battlefield, right? And it’s not like I could bring Lady Woo any news other than telling her the people coming for her are insane, right?”
“Good points.”
“If it helps,” Valerie noted, “I can read emotions. It’s not exactly like reading thoughts, but I can generally tell when someone is lying, scared, in love…”
That left a very awkward silence in the Pod.
“Um, your point?” Micky finally asked.
“Right. I mean, I can tell Fred’s legit because I can read his emotions. You all are lucky. Some vampires, or at least one or two that I know of, can actually read thoughts.”
“Yuck! You get in my mind, I’m going to…to…” Garcia scratched his head. “Okay, there’s not much I could do to you, but I would certainly do something. Start gossip about you having bad breath or something. Blood breath, yeah!”
“For the record,” Valerie replied. “It’s been a bit since I drank blood, and I’ve managed to keep my breath quite fresh. You know how your stomachs have all those problems with gas and whatnot, giving you bad breath and farts? Well, not a problem.”
“Bullshit,” Micky countered with a large laugh. “You’re saying you don’t fart?”
She thought about it and shook her head. “Can’t say I remember the last time I did.”
“This is too much,” Robin interrupted, burying her face in her hand. “Can we just get there already so we can start killing?”
“Actually,” Valerie glanced back at Micky and pointed out the window. “That our destination?”
He leaned forward, then pulled back as if they could see him. “Shit, yes. Get her down, get her down.”
She figured they wer
e lucky to have been flying at night without lights, or they would’ve likely been spotted.
Mentally pulling herself together and getting ready for the fight ahead, trying to pretend she hadn’t just been talking about farts with these guys, she maneuvered the Pod toward the ground.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The Fortress
At the point where the hills met in a downward slope, the walls of Lady Woo’s fortress visible just past the tree line, the three Pods touched down.
Valerie turned to Fred in the back. “Are you sure you don’t want any of us to go with you?”
“It would look more suspicious,” he replied. “They would be wary of me approaching with an outsider.”
“Fine. But if you get into any trouble—”
“What? Click my heels together and say your name three times or something?” He chuckled.
“I was going to say run like hell, but you could try that too. Who knows, right?”
“I’ll see you all soon enough,” he said, moving to the Pod they had all decided he would take. This way, as long as he didn’t crash, he could get close to each place he was going, walk in and try to convince them to join, then move on to the next.
Valerie and her companions marched up the hill for a better look at their objective. While Fred was out there seeing who he could persuade to switch sides, they would lead an assault on this place.
It looked like an old hospital, or maybe an insane asylum. Either way, it had barred windows and tall walls. Cement slabs were arranged out front, and it was clear that this building had been attacked at least once in its past.
As the Pod behind them took off Valerie glanced at Micky, Garcia, and Robin.
“That talk earlier about being crazy…think this is the type of place they would’ve thrown you into?”
Robin frowned. “If we walk in there only to find that I’m actually strapped to a chair getting electric-shock therapy and you’re all figments of my imagination out here, representations of my doctors or something… I’m just warning you now, I will kill you all and break out.”
