LAW Box Set: Books 4-6 (Life After War Book 0)

by Angela White

  Marc keyed his mike. “Update in ten minutes. I’ll come to you.”

  Marc felt the wave of nervous activity following his call. It meant he would be inspecting areas to be confident security was handling things correctly. He’d been down in the cave once tonight to check in with each Eagle on duty, and he’d found a tranquil herd that was grateful to be in a warmer environment. For the evenings, he’d put Kyle in charge of cave security and kept Zack topside. Both men were good and Marc had spent the evening planning defenses between handling the new arrivals.

  “Many of those?” Angela asked, joining him.

  “Two groups. One went into Zone A for you to sort through. The other had slaves. I said no.”

  “And sent the message?” Angela asked.

  “Yes,” Marc confirmed tonelessly. “I expect a response shortly.”

  “Good,” Angela said. “We can’t let them go, no matter what the camp thinks.”

  “I agree. We do it now, so we don’t have to do it later.”

  Angela knew he considered it to be like the sniper work he’d done before the war, but Marc had chosen the targets and sent out their killer himself this time. Was that bothering him? Angela didn’t want him to be ruined the way that she was.

  “You’re not ruined,” Marc stated quickly. “Unless you do it again.”

  Before she could respond, Marc said, “I don’t feel guilty over the call. They had slaves on actual chains. America doesn’t need that in any form.”

  Angela winced. Hilda and Peggy were currently alone in the medical supply truck discussing that very possibility.

  “Angie?”

  She looked at him regretfully. “I’m sorry. I am, but it may go that way and I’m not going to interfere if it does. Women deserve the same chance that men have squandered.”

  “Do you blame men for the war?” he asked suddenly, still not sure how he felt about that.

  “For all wars,” Angela’s witch intoned. “Battles over women were fought by the men who wanted them. Women would choose to have multiple partners, were they given the choice that men flaunt. Men are driven to claim, to own, and it has destroyed society time after time, throughout history. Man cannot change.”

  “I don’t believe that!” Angela snapped, angry that the witch would interrupt her answer. “All men are not evil. Go away!”

  Marc was more concerned than he let on as he asked, “Rough night?”

  “She’s bitter over being fooled by Adrian.”

  “Aren’t we all?” Marc muttered, thinking of his own short-lived fondness for the leader. It did make him feel a little better that the witch had missed it completely. Angie’s demon had fallen hard.

  “More new arrivals,” radios crackled with Kenn’s tired voice.

  Marc keyed his to show that he had heard, and then kissed Angie’s cold cheek. “Call if you need me.”

  Her shadows (it was still dark) stayed close as Angela went to the mess truck that was now so deserted it appeared to be just another relic of the war. Angela was a little sad when she compared it to her memories of first joining Safe Haven. The well-lit mess, with great smells and strong company, had been one of the best areas.

  Angela entered the truck, latching the door, and found Li Sing and Doug playing Hob Jong.

  She grinned at the men. “Good morning so far?”

  “Not until I get my knife back,” Doug grumbled, laying down a faded card.

  Angela helped herself to one of the plates marked for leadership, enjoying the biscuits and gravy while watching them play. The plate was quickly emptied.

  “Have more.” Li gestured without glancing away from the cards. “We had flour come in. I made extra.”

  Angela happily took a second plate and a mug of coffee, starting to feel awake. Her stomach was settled now and she finished the meal in peace, staying until the hand was over. She finally left when Doug’s grumbles became shouts and Li’s cute laughter echoed. The two men were becoming fast friends. Angela was glad Doug had initiated it. “Wish he’d do that with Peggy,” she muttered.

  Angela pulled her coat tighter, buttoning the top one as she went to the gate to determine which refugees would be allowed in today. They would have to rotate the zones. All medical people would pull doubles. And it still won’t be enough. Angela sighed, shutting down her grumpy morning side. They would do the best they could. Fate would cover the rest.

  She joined Marc at the gate and they stared together in surprise at the sight of two Amish buggies struggling through the snow toward them.

  The buggies were overloaded with people in long plain coats and plain hats. They waved frantically at the guards when the gate spotlight flashed on from Marc’s motion sensors being activated.

  The small buggies slipped and slid on the icy hill. Lanterns guided the straining horses and Angela studied families deeply. It only took a moment to discern that they were simply desperate. She signaled for the guards to put them in the empty Zone B that Brittani’s people would occupy later.

  “Wake everyone up.”

  The call would get the rest of their medical people going early, hopefully resulting in the Amish group being cleared for the inside zone by the time Brittani’s group got here. If not, Shane would explain why they had to wait for an hour or two. Angela didn’t think it would be an issue. Marc already liked Brittani and Angela was looking forward to actually meeting her.

  “Come along?” Marc inquired, holding an arm out.

  “You know it,” she gushed, sending a lusty leer his way.

  Marc snickered.

  Angela slid under his arm as they went to the widened cave entrance that had been temporarily covered with multiple layers of thick plastic. Crates sat outside, holding down the ends while a tarp protected the piles of gear in the center. Before they could go inside, fast steps crunched in the snow, drawing attention from those already coming and going.

  Samantha stopped in front of Angela and leaned in to whisper. Around them, cold people went still and quiet–instantly worried.

  “We’re ready,” Angela told her calmly. “Have Kenn announce it as soon as you’re certain of the time.”

  “Four days,” Sam blurted. “I’m positive of it.”

  Angela patted Samantha’s arm soothingly. “We’re ready. Go to sleep now.”

  Samantha scowled at her and stormed to the medical bay, not sure why she was angry at Angela. She did need to rest, but each time she let the darkness pull her under, David’s screams were waiting. The guilt over his injury was devastating.

  “Is she okay?” Marc asked, waving curious people along, including Tara. The new man–Jayson–coughed and followed her.

  Angela sighed. “She will be, in time.”

  “Hormones making things worse?” Marc guessed.

  “Oh, yeah,” Angela confirmed, entering the cave that still had a slight odor of bleach. “She’s coming out of it, though.”

  Marc held the plastic covers aside layer by layer, hoping that was true. They needed all the warning systems they could get, but Samantha was also a strong fighter and a good hunter. All of her skills would be missed if she flipped out. Not to mention what it would do to the Eagles, through Neil and Jeremy and her team.

  Nearby, the parking area was already alive with activity. Marc didn’t scan it, positive that Angela had. He didn’t need to see Kendle mooning over him.

  Kendle now has more important things on her mind, Angela thought happily. She snuggled closer to Marc as he got started on rounds.

  2

  Bundled against the cold wind, Kendle skimmed the list again.

  Two vehicles will be delivered.

  Collect:

  2 weeks rations.

  1500 rounds mixed ammunition.

  A winter gear crate.

  There was more, but Kendle was still on the first few items. The tired parking lot sentry–Logan–had directed her to the assigned vehicles and she was very happy with the identical, gray Tahoes. Now, she needed to find out
how much room the crate would take. She already had a list of her own to gather along the way, including sailing manuals. She had no idea how to captain a ship and she doubted any of these people did either. Paddling a canoe down a river wasn’t the same as taking a ship across an ocean.

  Assuming she should go to the supply trucks to gather the rations, Kendle trotted there briskly, trying to keep warm. The covering of snow was already sinking into her boots as the icy wind chilled her exposed skin. This environment was the exact opposite of Pitcairn.

  “Hi!”

  Tommy was already at the trucks, along with a small group of people who all waved, smiled, or echoed his greeting.

  Kendle stopped, not expecting the friendliness. Even the camp members had learned to avoid her. “Uh, hi.”

  He came forward with his hand out. “I’m Tommy. The boss said you’re my XO.”

  Kendle shook hands in surprise. She hadn’t expected Angela to give her authority of any kind.

  “I was told to keep you busy,” Tommy stated. “Do you mind?”

  “No, I like that.”

  “Good,” Tommy praised cheerfully. He intended to follow Angela’s orders to the letter. If there was a person worth saving inside all those scars, he would find it. “I have a list for you.”

  Kendle took the sheet and got on it before her bad side could come forward. She didn’t make eye contact with the rest of the people gathered by the trucks. It looked like there were a dozen coming, counting her and Tommy. It gave Kendle hope. Twelve was ten more than she had guessed would show up for a trip like this.

  Kendle spotted Kenn and Tonya switching shifts on radio duty, kissing and joking cheerfully. It was sickeningly sweet. Kendle kept track of the Marine and noticed the anger of the gate guards when Kenn pointed to the latch. He exited without insults, but the disapproval was clear.

  Adrian won’t have anyone left soon, Kendle thought. That should make Marc happy, but I wonder how Angela will counteract it.

  Tommy watched her march away, wondering if Angela was reading it right. Kendle was supposed to be a killer if it was needed, but she wasn’t very threatening. Her scars made her seem vulnerable, instead of like a monster.

  Hope we don’t need to test her, he thought, turning to the others. “Okay. Let’s get rolling on those lists!”

  Next to the parking area, other crews were also preparing for their trips out. One large team was going down to strip the mall Samantha had tried to explore. Another crew was going north for more rock salt. A third team was set to finish collecting the gasoline from the refinery.

  “This is Safe Haven refugee camp,” the radios crackled with Tonya’s calm voice. “Good morning! We have a weather alert for everyone in the eastern half of the United States. There is a massive snowstorm coming. Take precautions now. Moving southeast, the storm will hit Georgia in four days. I repeat. This is a winter weather alert. A massive…”

  Kendle tuned it out, instead watching the days’ first fuel load come through the gate near the cave entrance. Kendle shuddered. She had carried updates to the guards there, but she hadn’t gone inside and she wouldn’t. Ethan had convinced her that hell was indeed belowground.

  According to the mess board, the workers would be filling equipment and devices today, meaning bathrooms would have full water, as would the mess and animal areas. Generators would also be stocked, stoves and all the hanging lamps could be used, and the fire team would act like cats in a room full of rocking chairs as they waited for something to spark or overheat. Kendle approved of having a fire team and she liked Ray, the team leader. She suspected that Teddy, another member of the fire crew, had left the bouquet of wildflowers in her tent yesterday. She remembered him being on duty at that time. The way these people patrolled this place, there was no way anyone had been able to sneak by security. She’d thought about asking if he had, but hadn’t followed through. She didn’t care about gifts, flowers, romance. If she couldn’t have Luke or Marc, Adrian’s roughly knowing hands would fill the void until she could go home.

  Crash!

  Bang! Bang!

  Kendle spun toward the main entrance as the Eagles there opened fire. The sound of a vehicle coming echoed and then the ground shuddered as something big crashed into the gate.

  Kendle was knocked to the slushy ground and she watched in blurry pain as men flew from the rafters and landed around her, screaming. The gate held–barely–and Eagles rushed toward them from every direction as the occupants of the truck began to climb the gate. The barbed wire wasn’t a deterrent and the small group dropped into Safe Haven with grins and guns. The six men were from Zone C. They’d gone out last night to find a ramming device, and now they admired the inside of the camp eagerly, running off in different directions.

  “Breach!” radios blared. “We have a breach at the front gate!”

  The nearest sentries were dazed, injured, or dead. Only the lack of speed had prevented a complete slaughter. Debris and bloody snow sprinkled the ground as Kendle ran forward.

  More refugees from Zone C followed the men from the truck, climbing over the semi’s smoking cab. Some of those from B also entered illegally, hoping to be overlooked as one of previous day’s cleared new arrivals.

  Kendle ducked behind one of Marc’s new bunkers, where she knew there was ammunition. She took aim on the men who had made it furthest inside their perimeter. If she ran out of bullets, she would use her knife. Moments like this were what she lived for now.

  3

  “Kill them all!” Adrian roared across the chaos.

  Every Eagle who heard the command obeyed. Refugees streamed over the idling, smoking semi, but few of them fired weapons. Until the order came, the Eagles had been reluctant to shoot. Two weeks of relative peace had re-sensitized them.

  Kenn and Adrian stayed in the tree line, with Conner in the branch between them. The trio aimed for those by the gate, but the tide of determined people never looked their way. Adrian wasn’t certain they even realized someone else was shooting at them. Thanks to the timing of the attack, the Zone C gates had been wide open.

  In the other zones, refugees stayed still and low, hoping not to be confused for the enemy.

  More gunfire came from inside Safe Haven, along with a fresh scream–this one female. Adrian grimaced, but didn’t fly toward her. He’d been banished and it would take more than Kendle to get him to break that.

  Kenn kept firing and so did Conner. The wave of invading refugees slowly diminished as the stacks of bodies grew. Down the hill a bit, the ants came to the entrance of their cavern and observed eagerly.

  “Behind the medical bay!” an Eagle shouted.

  “Over here!” another man called.

  Fresh gunfire swept across the mountain, loud enough to finally get the attention of the dozen or so remaining people climbing over the semi. As the shots continued and more screams echoed, many of those chose to drop from the smoking cab and flee.

  Kenn and Adrian didn’t let them escape, hitting retreating forms. These threats wouldn’t be left to haunt them later and the two men didn’t need to speak it, to agree on it. That was how Adrian had taught his army to handle moments like this. Untrained, Conner did what the mentors on either side of him did, enjoying every second of killing.

  Adrian lowered to reload, letting Kenn and Conner finish the chore. His gaze went to the small parts of the camp that he could discern through the damaged gate, staring in longing. It appeared that Angela had implemented all of his suggestions and quite a few more. It was devastating that he would never actually get to walk this new Safe Haven on rounds.

  “She wants the bugout plans,” Kenn muttered without knowing he was going to.

  Adrian wasn’t surprised and didn’t respond.

  “We really can’t stay here?” Kenn asked disappointedly. “We can’t make it work?”

  “I’d like to keep lying, Marine, but I don’t have the strength,” Adrian responded. “Safe Haven’s time here will be brief and harsh.”r />
  Hating fate, Kenn reloaded his gun. “Figures.”

  Kenn trotted to the gate, where the harsh smoke made his nose burn. He climbed into the cab of the truck and got it far enough from the damage that they would be able to work, but he didn’t take the truck any further. It would provide a bit of cover while they repaired the gate, and then Angela would want the fuel it was hauling. Kenn wondered where the fuel team was.

  He hit his radio in the brief instant it cleared from orders and requests for help. “Front gate is clear!”

  The radio returned to silence for an instant and Kenn hit it again. “All teams report in person. Send a man to the front gate!”

  Clicks came in response and the radio stayed clearer as order was slowly restored. Kenn remained on the outside, keeping watch until Angela sent relief. They were very vulnerable to another attack.

  In the tree line, Adrian and Conner did the same. The soldiers with them were still staring in shock at witnessing Kenn and Adrian in action together. For these drafted men, their heroes had just become legends.

  4

  “Please follow the Eagles,” Jennifer directed loudly over the hammering and other noises. She pointed. “They will take you to a larger tent and you will be given full access to the supply trucks and the mess for food. Come along.”

  Jennifer led the twitchy group toward their waiting den mother escorts, glad when Cynthia took over bringing the quiet Amish group inside. The repair on the gate was ongoing, as was the QZ rotation that Angela had insisted on after the attack. Outside the gate, three full teams of Eagles now stood watch. After three of their men being killed, everyone was tense. Jennifer hadn’t known any of them personally, but she still felt their loss.