Hong jolted back to consciousness, his chest sticky where his chin had rested against it, and he brought the luminous dial of his watch close to his face so he could see the time. He’d been out for twenty minutes. Not good. Not good at all.
He held the radio to his lips and repeated his earlier distress call, but when he released the transmit button, nobody answered. The channel hummed a soothing white noise to his ear, relaxing, reassuring, like a warm blanket of comfort descending over his suffering frame. Perhaps this could all wait until morning, he thought, and closed his eyes only for a moment, waiting for the transmission that would explain everything, the coursing of his life blood from his nose and mouth an embarrassment and an irritant, nothing more, even as he coughed to clear his airway, the atmosphere in the tent suddenly confining. He would take a drink of water in a second for his parched throat, but first, just a moment of welcome rest as he listened for the voice of his masters, waiting for a call that would never come.
Chapter 47
The morning air was crisp as Elliot led the gathering in morning prayer at their new home. The hot springs were in good shape, the few settlers living there having welcomed the company and the help so many new hands would bring to the little berg. They’d arrived three days before and had already begun transforming the area, felling trees and clearing land to build cabins, the existing homes scattered in the valley inadequate to house everyone in anything but a temporary manner. There had been a spirit of anticipation to the endeavor, whole families pitching in with eagerness to create something from nothing and to make their new abode wholly their own.
Elliot and his inner circle had been happy with what they’d seen – the valley was easily defensible and hidden away from the world, far from any major arteries that might bring unwelcome scrutiny. It was perfect for their smaller number yet could grow with time, and the steam from the hot springs would provide suitable power via the turbine that would be fully operational again within a week, according to the engineer.
“The Lord has seen fit to guide us to our new home and has blessed us with abundance; the woods are thick with deer and rabbit, the streams full of fish. And so we raise our voices in gratitude, our thanks heartfelt and lasting. We are unworthy of His beneficence, and we shall live according to His word every day, that our existence honors Him.”
Elliot finished the prayer and the assembly offered an amen before dispersing to the day’s numerous chores, the business of establishing a new town a busy one that required everyone’s contribution.
Duke offered Sierra a smile and tousled Eve’s hair with a callused hand. Tim gave him a shy look that conveyed his lack of enthusiasm for the trader’s touch, and Duke chuckled.
“You have to admit, it could be worse,” he said.
Sierra dipped her head. “True. I just wish Lucas was here. Elliot hasn’t heard from him since the warning. I hope he’s all right.”
“Knowing him, I’m sure he is. We’ll hear from him shortly,” Duke said, his tone reassuring.
“I miss him.”
“I’m sure he feels the same way, Sierra. He’ll be back before you know it.”
“I don’t know, Duke. I can’t explain it, but this time…it feels different.”
Eve looked up at the trader and then Sierra, her expression placid. “He’ll be back. He promised. He never breaks his promise,” she said with complete certainty.
Sierra smiled. “That’s true. I forgot that he promised. Eve’s right.”
The little girl looked away. “Of course I am. I remember everything.”
Sierra laughed nervously. “She’s like a little recorder. Never seen anything like it.”
Duke studied Eve. “That’s a very special gift. You’re lucky.”
Eve met his gaze with even intensity, her eyes so vividly blue his breath caught in his throat. “Sometimes I wish I could forget.”
Duke nodded in understanding. “Sometimes we all do.”
“So how long are you thinking you’ll stay?” Sierra asked him.
“At least a couple weeks. There’s no rush to set up a new trading post on my end. Maybe I’ll wait for Lucas to get back, see if I can convince him to go in with me this time. With us,” he corrected.
“You and Luis,” she said.
“The man’s a hard worker, and a straight shooter for a reformed gang leader.”
“If you say so,” Sierra said, her tone making it clear she didn’t like him. “You think we’re finally safe? From…them?”
“Maybe. I hope so.” He looked around. “This place has a lot of charm. I think we left them a dead end in Pagosa, and I can’t see ’em investing too much effort in tracking us down after we just up and vanished. Then again, you never know. I’d still keep a bugout bag by the door. Just in case.”
“That’s what I think, too.”
“Let’s hope for the best,” Duke started, “…but plan for the worst,” they exclaimed in unison, and both laughed at the familiar expression that now defined their lives, even in their new home.
Elliot went in search of his men to discuss excavating a suitable area for his lab, and Duke excused himself to head to the hot springs for a morning soak. Sierra took Eve’s and Tim’s hands and guided them along a path to where their tent was pitched beside a cleared area with freshly split timber collected in a pile beside it.
“How long will the cabin take to build?” Tim asked.
“Once everyone pitches in, they said no more than a week. The outside walls go up in a day once they’re nailed together – they just lean them up and attach them to each other, and that’s it. It won’t be big, but it will be cozy. Three little bedrooms and a big room to eat and cook in. It should be nice.”
Eve nodded. “It will be. I know it will. And we’ll be really happy here. All of us – even Lucas.”
“Of course we will, sweetheart. As long as we have each other, we have everything we could ask for.”
“Maybe not everything,” Eve responded. “But we’ll have enough.”
Sierra gazed off into the forest, its pine trees towering along the edge of the valley. A fawn wobbled on unsteady legs near the tree line, and then a doe emerged from the woods and nosed the baby to safety. Sierra felt her heart tighten in her chest at the simple beauty of the tender moment, and when she returned her eyes to Eve’s, they were moist.
“That’s right. We’ll have enough, and that’s all we need.”
Chapter 48
Lucas and Ruby watched the sun rise over the eastern hills, birds already taking to the air to seek out their day’s sustenance. She turned to him and sighed before speaking.
“What’s on the agenda next, Lucas? Back to Shangri-La?”
He rubbed a tired hand over his eyes and licked his lips. “I have no idea, Ruby. Chinese are still holding onto Astoria, but with the radiation increasing, that won’t last forever.”
“What about all the people in the tent city?”
“I had a crazy idea. Maybe if we offer to arm them, they’d be the beginning of a reasonable militia. If you think about it, they have more to lose by thugs or foreigners taking over than anyone. And God knows there are enough of them. If most rallied…”
Ruby elbowed him. “Why, Lucas, if I didn’t know you better, I’d say you were a natural born leader of a resistance army.”
He smiled, his face tight. “I hear the pay sucks.”
“Maybe, but injustice doesn’t seem to sit well with you.”
“It’s not my job to help the world out of its hole. I just want to go home and spend the rest of my life with Sierra and the kids.” He exhaled heavily. “Killing’s getting old, Ruby. I don’t think it suits me.”
Sam approached with Art, who had his left arm bandaged. “Thought we might find you here,” Art said.
“How’s the wing?”
“It takes more than a few rockets and a couple thousand bullets to stop me.”
“Apparently so,” Lucas said.
Sam cleared his thr
oat, and Lucas looked at him.
“My guys are thinking that it’s about time to get rid of the bikers back in Salem once and for all,” Sam began.
Lucas looked thoughtful. “I’ve heard worse ideas. But there aren’t that many of you.”
“When we get back, if enough of the group decides to plan a coordinated attack, they’d be history. With the right gear, we would own them. We’ve been letting them dictate terms for way too long.”
“Sounds like a plan. Let me know how it turns out.”
“We were thinking you might want to help. I mean, it’s on your way home, right?”
Lucas held up his hands in protest. “That’s your battle, not mine. You know what you have to do. You don’t need me.”
“We could use a leader.”
Lucas shook his head. “You don’t need some strong man to follow, Sam. You already have everything to take them on: the desire to win and the willingness to die trying. I’m just a guy. So are you. But get a hundred or a thousand like us, and, well, things can start to happen.” Lucas paused. “Besides, I have to go to Newport and talk to everyone. When the Chinese bug out of Astoria – which they’re going to wind up doing sooner than later – they’re going to come after them. And more ships will show up, with more troops. They need to understand that and figure out what they’re going to do.” He fell silent and considered his boots for a moment, and then faced Art. “The squatters trust you. Somebody’s got to warn the tent city that the Chinese are going to come after them for revenge.”
Art nodded. “I was talking with Ray about that. He’s a smart kid.”
“What did you come up with?”
“He ducked out of here about three hours ago and went to check out the camp. Said he’d be back by daybreak.”
“I don’t see him, do you?”
“I haven’t heard any shooting, so that’s a positive.”
“What do you think we should do?” Ruby asked Art.
The General frowned. “Do? We have two options, way I see it: lie down and wait to die, or fight back.” He spit and grinned. “And I’ve never been very good at waiting, much less dying.” He looked to Lucas. “There are a lot of guys in the camp who, if we gave ’em a gun, would charge the wall.”
Lucas shook his head. “Maybe, but there’s no point. Radiation’s going to drive them out soon enough.”
“I know. But they’d follow you, Lucas. You just blew a Chinese warship to smithereens single-handed. That doesn’t happen every day. People need something to believe in. You just gave them that something.”
Lucas rose stiffly. “Any of them could have done the same. The difference is I did it rather than waiting for someone else. They need to figure that out. They don’t need anything to believe in besides themselves. I can’t be everywhere at once. Sam here wants me to tackle the bikers. I promised Jeb I’d go deliver the bad news to Newport.” Lucas yawned. “Art, you’re the General, not me. You want to lead a revolution, you know where to find the guns.”
Art regarded Lucas with a sad expression and then shook his head. “Destiny, Lucas. You can’t duck it.”
Lucas kicked a rock down the hill. “Watch me.”
Sam gave a humorless laugh. “You were made for this, Lucas.”
“No, Sam, I was forced into this. I did what I had to do to save my friend. Job’s over. I quit.”
“Not sure that’s how it works,” said Art.
“It works the way I say it does. I promised Jeb I’d see his family to safety, and then I’m done. You have your thousand-man army if you can muster them. You know where to find enough weapons to make them dangerous.” Lucas turned to Sam. “And you have at least a hundred fighters who could flatten the bikers whenever you decided to act as a group instead of living in fear, waiting for them to decide the time and place to have it out. Neither of you needs me. You just think you do.” Lucas sighed. “You’re wrong.”
“Maybe,” Art conceded. “But it would sure help a ton if you pep talked the troops some.”
One of the lookouts called from down the hill, “Riders coming.”
Lucas raised his M4 and looked through the scope, then slowly lowered the rifle. “It’s Ray. He’s got about thirty men with him.”
Art frowned. “What the hell…”
Ray arrived on horseback and jumped from the saddle with a theatrical flourish, landing squarely on both feet, as though he’d practiced the maneuver a hundred times. Lucas regarded the gunmen who’d accompanied him, and recognized Bill, from the Astoria town council meeting in the field. Ray strode to Lucas and Art and indicated the riders.
“Found this bunch at the edge of the camp.”
Bill nudged his horse forward until he was staring down at Lucas. “We rode north the day after you left, but by the time we got here, you’d skedaddled. So we waited a while. Sure glad we did. Never seen anything like last night.”
“Better late than never. How’d that sit with Hayden and the mayor?”
Bill frowned. “Who cares? We got minds of our own.”
“I suppose you do,” Lucas acceded. “Wish I’d known you were here. Could have used you.”
“Ray told us about what you did. That was you who blew up the boat.”
Lucas shrugged. “I got lucky. Lost a bunch of good men trying.”
“But you did it – by yourself.”
Lucas shrugged. “Suppose so. But Sam here made the explosives. And Art kept the Chinese occupied. And we had volunteers from Salem who put their lives on the line. Some of them didn’t make it.” Lucas’s cheek twitched. “So none of it was really by myself.”
“What you said to the mayor was right. We need to think for ourselves. He’s not a bad sort, but he don’t know what’s right for us now that we’re on the road.” Bill turned to Art. “I’m thinking we should finish the job with the Chinese before any more of ’em show up.”
Lucas shook his head. “No point to risking your necks. I’d wait till they’re out in the open if you want to take them on.”
“But the gate’s blown in. They’re sitting ducks.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. All I know is you have to ride through that gate to fight. That makes you vulnerable as you go through, as well as on the approach. A few decent snipers could take out half of you before you made it twenty yards past the gate. And for what? Town’s getting hotter by the day from the river. They’re going to have to leave, just a matter of time. Then you have them – especially after dark.”
Art grinned. “They should call you the General, not me.”
“Just common sense.”
“Not all that common these days.”
Lucas nodded to Bill. “I’m going to ride south with Jeb and the women. You’re welcome to join us if you like. Or Sam could use some help chasing off the bikers that run Salem. Or Art here is thinking about rallying an army and eliminating the Chinese. Take your pick – one, some, or all.”
“Chinese seem like the most immediate threat to Newport.”
“Can’t argue that. Maybe team up with Art and ambush them whenever they poke their heads out of town.” Lucas paused. “But there are more behind them, as well as up in Washington, I’d bet. So this is a problem that isn’t going away any time soon.”
“Think we’ll stick around here and clean this bunch up with Art, then, if it’s all the same to you,” Bill said.
“Not my fight, but it’s how I’d play it. Sam, you join forces and maybe you can convince Bill and Art to march on Salem after.”
Ruby smiled. “And from there…”
Lucas yawned and blinked away fatigue. “Ruby, you up for a three-day ride? Let’s see if we can find Jeb and his family.” He glanced at Ray. “You coming, or want to try your luck with this bunch?”
“I figure might as well stick with Art for a while. Seems like it’ll be pretty boring in Newport, and…kind of had my fill of the council.”
“Can’t say I blame you,” Lucas said. “Come on, Ruby.”
“What about Jax?
” she said. “I can’t just leave him.”
“You won’t have to. The mayor took them to Newport with the rest.” Lucas tipped his hat to the men. “See you boys on the return trip.”
“Better not take too long or you’ll miss all the action,” Art said.
Lucas stared off at the river, the sun spangling the current with gold, and sighed. “So far that’s not how it’s played out, but I’ll risk it. Never know. Might get lucky this time.”
Ruby took Lucas’s hand. “Be a nice first, but I wouldn’t bet on it.”
Lucas grinned. “Never know. About due.”
Ruby returned the smile. “I’d say so.”
Thanks for reading The Day After Never – Perdition,
(Book VI in the Day After Never series.)
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Turn the page to read an excerpt from
A Girl Apart
Excerpt from A Girl Apart
© Russell Blake 2017 – all rights reserved
Chapter 1
Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
Emilia ran tired fingers through her thick ebony hair as she and a pair of co-workers pushed through the iron gates of the factory grounds. They offered waves to a grinning security guard and continued down the cracked sidewalk, the darkness enveloping the street as the spotlights from the compound faded behind them. In the dim light she squinted at her fingers, whose nails were worn to the quick by another twelve-hour shift on an assembly line that never stopped. She sighed. Although barely out of her teens, Emilia had the hands of a middle-aged fishwife, and her joints ached like those of a geriatric, not a slim young woman with a quick smile and a bouncing step.
The Day After Never - Perdition (Book 6) Page 24
