“You know a lot of stuff,” Natalie confessed.
“Hopefully enough,” Nathan admitted.
“Nathan, will we try to cross I-135 tonight?” Jasmine asked, moving a sleeping Chip around so she could get more comfortable.
“No, that little run took a lot out of the horses. We will stay at the first rally point,” he said, guiding Smoke back to the road. Ares and Athena jumped out of the creek and stayed a few yards in the lead.
It was almost four a.m. when Nathan led them into a small cluster of trees along the Smokey Hill River. When the group was in the middle of the trees they climbed off their horses and started setting up camp. John found Nathan, who was spreading out his woobie and laying Emma on it.
“This stand of trees is barely a hundred yards across,” John said looking around. “Let’s move down some more to the bigger stand.”
“No, it’s too close to a park,” Nathan said. “If we stay in the middle we can’t be seen in this oxbow. That field behind us can’t be spotted unless someone comes down there.” Nathan said moving to take Smoke’s saddle off.
To the north they heard a helicopter. John looked up to find that the tree canopy blocked the night sky even with his NVGs on. “I’m just saying—” John started. After a few minutes Nathan turned to see John looking around holding his M-4 in a death grip. “They are going after regular people here, not chasing down soldiers,” John finally said.
Nathan patted John on the back. “They have always been looking for people. We’ve just stayed off the radar.”
Reluctantly, John nodded and moved over to his horse taking off its saddle. Nathan and Amanda led the horses out to the secluded field to graze. As they watched the horses graze, Amanda leaned her head on Nathan’s arm. “I’m scared,” she confessed.
Nathan gave a short laugh. “I’m petrified,” he admitted. Amanda jumped. “What, you think I can’t be scared?” he asked.
“Yeah, I guess,” Amanda said.
Putting his arm around her, he said, “I’m not scared for me, I’m scared for you guys. Everyone is forgetting what I have taught. You kept bunching up and didn’t keep an eye out where you’re supposed to be watching. It’s okay to be scared, but don’t let it rule you.”
Reaching up, Amanda pushed her boonie hat back. Nathan fought the urge to laugh, seeing the little girl beside him with an NVG and an M-4 across her chest. “That’s easy for you to say, you’re a badass,” Amanda said.
“You have a machine gun and a pistol and have learned how to fight,” Nathan replied.
Amanda looked back out at the horses. “My punches don’t hurt,” she stated.
“I’ve taught you where to hit to make them hurt. If that doesn’t work, you have at least two knives,” Nathan said. Amanda smiled and reached down to pet Athena.
“Am I doing okay?” she asked timidly.
“You’re doing great,” Nathan answered.
The two sat with the horses till the sun eased over the horizon. When they brought the horses back to the group they found everyone awake, eating. “Guys, why aren’t some of you asleep?” Nathan asked.
“Not really that sleepy,” Jasmine admitted as she fed Chip.
“We can’t make many mistakes. If you’re tired you’re not sharp,” Nathan said.
“You go to sleep first and two of us will stay on watch,” John offered.
Without hesitation, Nathan walked over to his woobie and lay down beside Emma. He was soon asleep. Jasmine stood up and motioned everyone over to her. “Three of us will stay up at all times. Two to keep watch and the other to keep an eye on Chip and Emma,” she said. Everyone liked this idea, and soon just Jasmine, Tom, and Natalie were positioned around the group as the rest bedded down.
In a lax sleep, Nathan felt someone grab his arm tightly. Opening his eyes he found John leaning over him, looking off through the trees. “What?” Nathan asked quietly then heard Ares giving off a soft growl.
“Someone’s coming,” John replied quietly as Nathan dropped his hands to his M-4. Slowly sitting up Nathan realized John and Ares were looking south. Not seeing anyone or hearing anyone he glanced at his watch and saw that it was just after one in the afternoon. Looking around the camp he noticed Casey and Amanda waking the others.
“When did Ares start growling?” Nathan asked, getting up slowly.
“About a minute before I woke you,” John replied. “Amanda was on that side watching the woods and said she heard some people walking through the woods slowly but talking normal.”
Nathan stood up and motioned everyone close. “Casey, get the two little ones and move over by that big tree,” Nathan said pointing at a tree ten yards away. “Jasmine and Tom, get on the right side behind cover. John and Amanda, get on the left. Natalie, you go with Casey but watch behind us.”
The group moved to their positions. Now the horses were acting jittery as the people crouched down behind trees. Nathan moved away from where the horses were tied up. If this came to gunplay he didn’t want a horse wounded. Ares and Athena sat beside Nathan. Both dogs looked south through the woods with intense gazes.
Nathan looked to the south through the thermal on his M-4 but didn’t see anything moving between the trees. He crept forward fifty yards from camp, then heard something. He looked again and spotted four people walking toward them. Slowly Nathan slithered back to camp and stood beside a big oak tree. Now he could clearly hear them moving, thankful again for the hunter’s ear as he motioned for Ares and Athena to lie down.
It didn’t take long before the group began moving toward them. They stopped and pointed at the horses. Nathan saw two men and two women as they kept pointing at the horses and talking to each other. Finally one of the men spoke harshly, and pointed at the horses, and walked toward the camp. The other three unenthusiastically followed him.
The group moved toward them looking around but didn’t see Nathan or his group. Nathan’s camo blended in with the forest and the others were hidden. When the group was at the edge of camp Nathan stood up, aiming his rifle at them. “That’s far enough,” he said in a normal voice.
The group jumped back and spun their heads, looking for him. When they spotted him they raised their hands. “We spotted y’all coming in here last night and wanted to see if we could get some food,” one of the men said.
Looking the group over, Nathan didn’t see any guns. The speaker held a machete and the other man was holding a bat. Both women were carrying large kitchen knives. Nathan slowly lowered his rifle, pointing it at the ground in front of the group. “We don’t have any extra food,” Nathan replied. All four were filthy and had a haggard appearance.
Machete looked at the group, then back to Nathan. “How about giving us some of your pack animals so we can get out of here?” he offered.
“Sorry, we need ’em,” Nathan replied.
One of the women moved closer. “Please, you have so much,” she begged.
“Sara, I’m handling this,” machete said, and Sara stepped behind him. Machete turned back to Nathan. “Where’s the rest of your group?”
“Hiding and aiming rifles at your heads,” Nathan replied as Ares stood up growling at the four. Machete involuntarily stepped back, bumping into Sara.
“Call off the dog,” he said, looking warily at Ares. The other three searched for the rest of the group.
“You don’t tell me to do anything,” Nathan informed machete.
“Mister, we just want to get away from here,” Machete said.
“Understandable, but you aren’t taking our shit. I’ve passed several farms with horses. Go get them,” Nathan said.
Machete shook his head. “We can’t. The Army is searching those farms,” he replied.
“Not my problem. We had to move through them so I’m sure you can as well,” Nathan said staring at the four.
Sara stepped around machete. “Sir, they are collecting everyone taking them to some camp in Salina. We live in Assaria and just made it out as they came in coll
ecting everyone up. We’ve been living out here for two weeks,” she said.
“Like I said, you can go get your own horses, these are spoken for,” Nathan said.
The man with the baseball bat stepped up beside Sara. “Mister, you have more than you need. You have to help us,” he said with a commanding tone.
“No, I don’t,” Nathan answered.
Baseball bat looked behind him at the others then turned to Nathan. “If you don’t help us, we’ll tell the soldiers where you are,” he threatened.
“They will arrest you and by that time we’ll be gone,” Nathan replied.
Machete let out a laugh. “Only one of us will go, while the others will watch where you go. When they get here we can tell them and they will give us special treatment,” he said.
A grin split Nathan’s face. “I’ve seen their special treatment: hanging people from trees by their necks.”
“You have to help us!” machete shouted. Ares and Athena hunkered down, baring their teeth.
“Don’t shout, they don’t like it,” Nathan warned.
Machete smiled. “Give us what we want and we’ll leave. If you don’t we will continue to shout and one of us will run and get the army,” he threatened.
“You’re forgetting, I’m the one holding the gun,” Nathan replied.
Baseball bat snickered. “You wouldn’t shoot an unarmed person. We saw kids in your group last night.”
Snapping up his rifle, Nathan squeezed the trigger. Baseball bat’s head snapped back and he fell as his skull exploded. The woman behind him screamed and Nathan shot her twice in the chest, then aimed at Sara and machete. “I warned you. Now if you so much as breathe too loud you join them.” Nathan aimed at machete. They stood still as Nathan aimed at them.
“We weren’t really going to do it,” Sara claimed as tears ran down her face.
“You threatened me and my group, so you paid for it,” Nathan replied. “Now drop your weapons and anything you have on you, then put your hands on your head.” The two did as instructed.
“John, Jasmine, and Amanda come here,” Nathan said over his shoulder. When the three were beside him, he said, “Jasmine and Amanda, cover Sara. I’ll cover machete. John, tie them up.” Nathan addressed his targets. “Move and you die.” John tied them both up.
“Please don’t kill us,” Sara begged.
“I won’t if you keep quiet,” Nathan said, changing magazines in his rifle. “After we leave you can free yourself.” They both sighed with relief. “How many troops have you seen around here?”
“A bunch,” machete said.
“What about cops?” Nathan asked.
Sara looked up at him. “Most of them were killed. The sheriff wouldn’t do what the Homeland officer said and was shot, along with most of the deputies.”
“What branch are those soldiers?” Nathan asked.
Machete shrugged. “I’ve seen a few Army, but the others are foreigners.”
“Any fighting around here?”
Machete nodded. “Yes sir, several National Guard units and regular army units with some locals.”
“Why didn’t you join them?” Nathan asked.
“Shit, I’m an accountant, what do I know about fighting?” machete said.
“You can learn,” Amanda popped off.
“Little girl, I’ve watched them march thirty people out in a field and shoot ’em just because they didn’t voluntarily go to the camp in Salina,” machete said.
“So you would put us at risk so you can be a spineless bitch?” Amanda accused.
“I don’t want to die,” he snapped.
“But you’re willing to kill us and we never did anything to you,” Amanda said.
“You didn’t help us and killed Jim and Macy,” machete cried out.
“Damn right we didn’t! You can’t even take care of yourself so why should we weaken our group? Shit, you don’t even have a gun,” Amanda stated.
Nathan put his hand on Amanda’s shoulder. “When did they start rounding up people?”
“Two weeks ago,” Sara said.
“What else have you heard?” Nathan asked.
Machete looked up at him, “Tell the little girl they knew every person that had a gun, that’s who they went for first,” machete said. “Jim’s dad had a bunch and he was one of the first to get taken in. The army starts on one road and moves down, emptying out each house, hitting the ones they know that have weapons first. We ran into a man a week ago who said they had the names of people who were members of the NRA, Oath Keepers, the Tea Party, and anyone who didn’t believe what they were saying.”
Amanda turned to Nathan. “You think everyone at home is okay?”
“Shit, that’s everyone back home,” Nathan replied. He looked down at machete. “You know how far out they are rounding up?”
“They said everywhere,” machete answered.
“Friend, you aren’t helping your situation,” Nathan warned.
“Fuck you, you killed my friend and his wife,” machete said.
Nathan shook his head and walked away. When he reached his pack he heard the ‘pfft-pfft’ of two suppressed shots. Spinning around he saw Amanda lower her M-4, both prisoners lying motionless. “Amanda, what the hell are you doing?” he snapped walking over to her.
She casually looked up at him. “When you let people go, they always come back with more,” she said. “At the store you let one go, and those bangers by the car. See where that led us?”
“I wasn’t finished talking to them,” Nathan said.
“They didn’t have anything to add,” she said stepping back. “They could’ve turned us in.”
“We would’ve been gone,” Nathan said.
Amanda shook her head. “They have helicopters and cars. They can search for us, knowing we are on horses.”
Nathan pulled her to him. “Amanda, you don’t kill unless attacked or if I tell you.”
“I’m not going to let you risk yourself letting someone go,” she said.
Nathan held her close, wishing it had been him who pulled the trigger. “Go get some rest,” he said, letting her go. As Amanda walked away Nathan looked at the others and saw understanding on their faces.
John said, “If she hadn’t, I would’ve. They threatened us.”
“I know,” Nathan said, looking down at the bodies. John patted his arm and walked away.
With Chip in her arms, Jasmine walked over and stood beside him. “Like you said, those are the rules for this new world. Kill your threats before they kill you,” she said and walked away.
Nathan turned to watch her walk away as he muttered quietly to himself, “I know, but I really don’t want you guys to have to do it.”
Chapter 9
Day 42
Needless to say, no one went back to sleep. They took care of horses and equipment, and Nathan led them through exercises and their hand-to-hand skills. As dusk fell, they loaded up the horses and moved to the river. Nathan had been across it already, so he led them down onto a sand bar. Ares and Athena splashed in the water as the donkeys had to be pulled in.
The water never rose above their stirrups as they trudged through. When they exited on the opposite bank, Nathan motioned for everyone to come close. “Keep an ear and eye out, we’re moving a little faster,” he said, then kicked Smoke into a trot.
As they followed Nathan, everyone surveyed the flat expanse around them with their NVGs. The sky was clear with a half moon so visibility was excellent. Way off to the north they could hear a lot of gunfire and a few helicopters. Looking at the horizon to the north they could see tracers arcing through the sky.
They covered the two miles to the interstate quickly, and Nathan led them under a bridge. When they exited the other side an explosion sounded in the distance, causing Nathan to look to the north. A flash of light blinked on the horizon and seconds later another explosion rumbled across the ground. “Someone is playing hard,” Nathan mumbled, leading them back into a trot.
They heard a roaring sound from the south and spotted a jet behind them, heading north. “Someone is pissed. We are moving hard,” Nathan said, kicking Smoke into a canter down the dirt road. The interstate was two miles back and slowly disappearing behind them.
Nathan turned off the west road they were on, taking one heading south. Amanda trotted up beside him. “Nathan, I know we’re still close to Salina. Why are we heading south?”
“There is an old bombing range and Army training center here. I don’t know if it’s occupied, but we aren’t taking a chance. We are only going a few miles out of our way,” Nathan said.
“Please tell me we’re going to cross I-70 before sunrise,” she whined as an earth-shaking explosion rolled at them from the northeast.
Nathan chuckled. “Yeah, unless there’s an armored division sitting on it.”
“You really think there is going to be troops at that post?” Amanda asked, bouncing in her saddle. To the northeast a cloud of black smoke rose.
Looking over at her Nathan smiled, watching Amanda bounce in her saddle. “Lean forward a little more. Put more weight on your legs or your butt is going to be really sore,” he warned. “To answer your question, I wouldn’t be surprised to find troops there, but with what we are hearing, I’m sure all fighters are in Salina.” Nathan looked over his shoulder to see the cloud.
“You think the horses can go a little faster?” Amanda asked hopefully. They arrived at a T junction and Nathan guided Smoke west on the dirt road.
“I really don’t want to break into a dead run unless we have to. Remember, if we run into trouble, we want the horses to have enough energy to run away from it,” Nathan said looking back to make sure everyone was behind him.
“Nathan, we can’t fight helicopters and planes,” Amanda said.
“No shit,” Nathan replied. “We can’t take on a well-organized group. That’s why you see me looking through the thermal binoculars so much. I’m scared if we move faster we will run up on someone,” Nathan confided.
Dark Titan Journey: Finally Home Page 10
