The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  “Fuck!” Ellen screamed and opened the door. “Let’s go. The team should be in the living section. If Gemma doesn’t get her below, they will. Let’s go.”

  “Should we stop and check anyhow,” Josh suggested.

  “You know what? I’ll check while you head below.” Ellen hurried them from the house.

  “Take your positions! Snipers, hit the roof,” Elliott ordered as he made his rush about the buzzing center of town. The sirens slowed down to a silence. Soldiers moved by him, escorting resident to Containment and patients from the Clinic. “Dan, how’s my time on those drops?”

  “Good.” Dan came over the radio. “They should be in the air in minutes. They’re loaded up plenty of threes.”

  “I want you south and Jess, I need you to head toward the back gate. That’s where are masses are moving.”

  “Got it,” Jess answered.

  “Watch, I repeat, watch how close you drop to home. They may be small missiles but this is a small area. Give us warning.”

  “Got it.”

  “Henry, you in Tracking yet.”

  “I’m here.”

  “How are we looking?” Elliott asked.

  “They are moving steady. The back gate is where my concern lies. I have a number of three hundred. The rest pretty evenly distributed. We have a small group headed toward the field area but the killer babies should take them out.”

  “I’ll move a second team up there as back up. Keep me posted.” In his stride across to the Clinic, Elliott moved around a patient cart to Dean who was running to the Clinic. “Dean.”

  “I’ll have the pellets ready. Do I have three minutes? I had to get the patients out.”

  “You got it. I need you for something else. Is there any chance I can get you to hang around town? Our drop and roll man, Danny, is in New Bowman.”

  “Yeah, I’ll do it.” Dean raced inside. “Three minutes,” he called as he did.

  With motorcycle engine noise and static, Frank’s voice emerged. “Ryder, Come in. What’s the situation?”

  “We’re locking down. The town’s looking good. We got them coming in at all direction. The bulk of them are headed to the back gate. I think they feel that’s the best perimeter to charge.”

  “And they will. Can we cut them off?”

  “Dan and Jess should be in the air momentarily. I have Jess heading to that region loaded with Dean tip-threes. This has the makings of a very well thought out attack.”

  “What’s the ETA to Beginnings border?”

  “Henry?” Elliott called in question.

  “Direct gate at their speed, ETA 12 minutes,” Henry answered.

  “I’ll be there in four., Frank stated.

  “We need the other two pilots,” Elliott said.

  Robbie’s voice came through. “We’re right behind Frank.”

  Frank continued. “I should see the tunnel entrance shortly. I’m on the strait now.”

  “Watch your backs,” Henry interjected. “We have movement headed toward the front tunnel.”

  “Got it,” Frank commented. “Robbie?”

  “I’m watching, but we better let Hal know. He’s coming down this road with his men.”

  “Hal,” Frank called out.

  “I hear,” Hal said. “I’ll watch.”

  “Ryder, Danny’s in Bowman. Who’d you get?” Frank asked.

  “Dean. He’ll do it.”

  “Good, his wiry little ass shouldn’t have a problem. All teams?”

  “Positioned, but doubled at the back.”

  “Good, the small group we can take out by air. Keep the reigns Ryder.” Frank grinned. “Tunnel’s coming into scope. I’m on my way.”

  “Back gate?” Joe questioned as he stood with Hal at New Bowman’s border.

  “We’ll ride in as close to the tunnels as we can.” Hal placed on his gloves and secured his gear as he spoke. “Hopefully take that perimeter all the way in and cut the incoming off from the front. If not, we’ll sideswipe them.”

  “I’ll keep your men positioned here. Be careful.”

  “Without a doubt.” Hal stepped back and saluted his father. He pivoted and mounted his horse. Holding the reigns and controlling the animal, Hal counted out. “Flag!”

  “Here.” It was raised.

  “Battle horn!”

  “Here.”

  “Sound off!” Hal ordered

  The trumpets blared.

  The cry of imminent triumph came in the form of a roaring unison cheer. Hal raised a high fisted hand and with a tight pull of the reigns, his horse lifted to its hind legs, then Hal led the way before his army of two hundred men, in their full speed, UWA-style charge to Beginnings.

  “Alex!” Ellen called out through the moans and worried cries that filled the tunnels along with the residents of Beginnings. “Alex!” She felt frantic. Nick wailed loudly in her ear as she held him up. “Please.” She moved with haste down the tunnel. “Alex!”

  “El.” Josh ran to her.

  “Did you find her?”

  “No. She’s not in the Communications room or that tunnel.”

  “Oh my God . . . Gemma.” Finally Ellen spotted Gemma and ran her way. “Gemma, tell me you know where Alex is.”

  “No.” Gemma shook her head. “She was supposed to come over but she didn’t.”

  “Fuck.” Ellen spun and handed the baby to Josh. “Stay here. Watch Billy and Joey.”

  “El, where you going?”

  Ellen called her answer as she bolted. “I have to find Alex.”

  “The lioness is now airborne,” Dan called out over his chopper noise.

  The switches flipped up all in a row.

  Flip. Flip. Flip. Flip. Engines started and the chopper bladed spun. Jess adjusted the stick, maneuvered the pedals, and the helicopter lifted. “The Big DT is airborne as well. Frank, come in.”

  The bright sun hit against Frank’s face as he sped through the end of the tunnels. “I hear you, Jess. Get it going. Robbie will be joining you shortly.”

  “Roger on that.”

  “Robbie,” Frank called out. “I’m nearing town. Where are you?”

  “I just entered the tunnel. We’re heading up to the hanger. Our chopper partners are waiting and getting the bird ready.”

  “Good. You join Jess behind the back gate. Lay fire. Make it safe for Hal and his men. Johnny, you go north.”

  Robbie had to question. “What about east? We have nothing east.”

  “That’s underdeveloped, little brother. It’s our biggest open area and we can safely gas the fuck out of them if they breach.”

  “And I’ll do the honors.”

  “They’re all yours.” The town was ahead of Frank and he saw the movement. All check points were in. All they had to do was divert, attack, and wait.

  Elliott secured the gas mask on Dean’s head. “You know what to do.”

  “Absolutely. If they hit town, I aim for the packs,” Dean said.

  “Full speed ahead, dive for the ground, drop the pellet and roll on out.”

  “What about you?” Dean asked. “Where’s your mask?”

  “Ah, Dr. Hayes, I’ll try to make it out, but . . . if I don’t.” Elliott grinned. “This is the way I wanna go.” He winked.

  Ellen heaved a loud worried breath upon her blasting entrance into the abandoned school. The only movement in there was the dust particles that floated in the beams of sun. “Oh, God” She held back her hair and spun. Her heart beat so fast she literally couldn’t breathe. Her legs shook and her chest burned. Ellen was frightened but she couldn’t stop. She had to find Alex.

  “Oh yeah.” Frank grinned when he dismounted his bike and looked around the ghost town. Elliott and Dean were the only ones standing there. “All ready in town. Henry, what’s our ETA?”

  “Three minutes and moving into the last mile.”

  “Frank,” Robbie’s voice came over the radio. “We’re at the hanger, loading up.”

  “Excellent, get
it up in the air, lil brother.” Frank moved to Elliott and Dean.

  “Frank, come in. This is Jess.”

  ‘Go head.”

  “I see them. There are a ton.”

  “Can you hit them?”

  “Hard to say. The trees are thick. I’ll make the first small drop then lay fire ahead of them and try to set them back.”

  “Good. That will buy us time until Hal gets here.”

  “I’m not that far, big brother,” Hal called out over the radio.

  “Jess, do it. Robbie, get on up there. Tower One do you spot the UWA?”

  “This is Tower One. That’s a negative.”

  “Let me know when you got them so Security can shut down the slice and dice beam.” He arrived at Dean and Elliott. “Ready, Dean? This could be you big hero . . .”

  “Eagle One is in the air,” Robbie stated.

  “Prodigy One joins you,” Johnny added.

  “Yes.” Frank clenched his fist.

  “This is Tower One. I got the cavalry in my scope.”

  “Get ready to down the beams,” Frank ordered. “Hal, make the call when you’re near.”

  “Got it, Frank.”

  Just as Frank started to continued with his instructions to Dean, another radio interruption occurred.

  “Laid fire, Frank. They’re backing up,” Jess said. “Dean tip three took out about seventy.”

  “Did you hear that, Hal?” Frank asked. “We’re making it easier for you.”

  “Ha.” Hal chuckled. “I’m nearing. Get ready on that beam.”

  “Security, get ready on that beam,” Frank reiterated.

  “Down it,” Hal called out.

  “Beam is down,” Paul from Security assured.

  “This is Tower One. The UWA has veered off.”

  “Henry,” Frank called out, “how far are they?”

  “If they keep a steady course, in about a mile we’re gonna have a major interception at hand. God speed, Hal.”

  “We’re ready,” Hal came back.

  Frank lowered his microphone. “Elliott, you stay here and man town. Where the fuck is your mask? I’m going to . . .”

  “This is Tower Two. I have fire in the sky. I repeat. From the west, I have fire in the sky,”

  Frank curled a lip in confusion. “What the fuck is fire in the . . .” A hiss of static blared in Frank’s ear almost making him fling off his headset.

  “Fuck!” Henry screamed. “We lost power. I’m getting nothing from the east. Absolutely nothing. They must have taken out solar panel three.”

  “Divert to reserve pool,” Frank instructed. “Birds, we have no power to the east perimeter. Get ready to make a field drop if necessary. Henry, how far were they last check?”

  “A good two miles and moving slow. I’m heading down to the reserve pol. There’s a ten minute delay before power transferred.”

  “Get it going now, Henry,” Frank instructed then jumped when he heard the loud ‘Whew-who’ blast in his ear. “Hal, was that you?”

  Hal grinned widely in his speed filled ride, ducking the branches that smacked out at him. “We see them, Frank. They aren’t expecting up. Man, big brother, you should get your ass up here. It’s gonna be one hell of a battle.” Hal drew his sword.

  “You know what? I’m heading up to the back gate with my men. Maybe I will . . .” Frank’s eyes widened when he spotted Josh walking aimlessly around town. “What the . . .”

  “This is Tower One. The second UWA group just entered on horseback full speed through the front tunnel entrance.”

  “Second group?” Frank questioned “Hal, did you bring a second group.”

  “No Frank, I have two hundred plus now.”

  “Shit.”

  Elliott looked up. “Savages.”

  “Down the gate!” Frank ordered as he rushed to Josh. “What the hell are you doing up here?”

  “This is Tower One, the gate is going, no . . .”

  “Don’t tell me.” Frank closed his eyes.

  “They’re in, about fifty of them.”

  “Fuck!” Frank’s hand cut through the air. “All men in town be prepared. They’ll head our way. Elliott, get in position. Dean, you too. Josh, get the hell below.”

  “I can’t, Frank. I have to find Ellen,” Josh sounded so panicked.

  Frank whined loudly as he tossed his head back. “Can she never be where she’s supposed to be when there’s fuckin danger? Fuck!”

  Elliott began to back up. “I’ll find her.”

  “Where did she go?” Frank asked.

  “To look for Alex. I think she headed back home. I’m not sure.”

  “Alex?” Frank asked.

  “Oh my God. My daughter.” Dean reached for his mask.

  Frank stopped him. “Stay put. I’ll find her. Like mother, like fuckin daughter.” Just as Frank dropped his hand with a frustration growl, he turned slowly and zoomed into the oncoming stampede sound that was accompanied by screaming Savages. “Hal? How’s it looking up there for you?”

  A clank of a sword precluded Hal’s response. “Good. Why?”

  “Oh, nothing.” Frank kept his eyes on the Savages. “Robbie, we may need you to hover near town. Jess and Johnny stay put. Back gate send me half your men, double time. We are under attack. Secure the gas masks down below.” Frank swung around his M-16 and pumped the chamber. “Dean, get ready. Josh, get below. Elliott?”

  “I’m right behind you.”

  “Let’s go.” At top speed with guns in hand, Frank and Elliott sped off toward the living section.

  Dean backed up to where he was supposed to hide. His mind wasn’t where it was supposed to be. It was with Frank and Elliott and he prayed they would find his family.

  With his horse bouncing up and down and out of control, Hal swung out his leg, kicked back the Savage from him, and pumped once on his rifle then fired the Savage back. He tried to get his aim, but his horse did not remain steady enough. Tossing the gun back, Hal pulled his sword and dismounted from his horse. Almost happily he glared at the Savage before him. He tossed his sword from hand to hand in a teasing manner before quickly giving a full swing and beheading the human beast.

  Biting his bottom lip in arrogance, Hal turned around and began to fight again. He showed his true colors and why he led the UWA, ahead of his soldiers and in the thick of it all. Hal was where he wanted to be, thrived to be, and lived to be. Along side of his men, in all of his glory, Hal battled in true UWA style.

  “El!” Frank called out. “Stop”

  So much relief hit Ellen when she reached for her door, stopped, turned around, and saw Frank racing to her. Elliott was behind him. “Oh God, Frank. I can’t find Alex. I can’t find her anywhere,” Her face was red and tear streaked.

  Frank laid his hands on her arms. “Where did you look?”

  “Everywhere. I screamed up and down the streets. I’m checking here again in case she’s hiding. Frank,” Ellen gasped out.

  “Calm down. I’ll find her. Go with Elliott.”

  “I can’t leave. I have to find her. I have to find . . .”

  “El!” Frank blasted. “Get out of here. Elliott! Grab her.” He charged for the house.

  “Frank!” Ellen screamed out, fighting Elliott’s hold.

  “Get her out of here!” Frank angrily screamed with a heavy point and opened the front door.

  “He’ll find her.” Elliott tucked his arm around Ellen and rushed her toward town. “I promise.” He slowed in his moving.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Briefly Elliott closed his eyes because he could hear the entailing battle in town. He knew the men were trying to keep the Savages from going any further. “Get ready for excitement.”

  “Alex!” Frank bellowed out deeply in his move through the house. “Alex, come out!” He opened every closet and looked under each bed. Ellen’s room was the last he went to. “Alex, are you . . .” Frank stopped. His shoulders dropped in relief and he smiled as he ran to the
window. Had she not been wearing that hideous orange shirt, Frank wouldn’t have seen her, way out in the undeveloped section, sitting alone in her own world, but he did. “Alex,” he whispered. And then horror bestowed him when, coming from the cliff into the underdeveloped section, he saw Savages. There were so many of them and slowly, one by one, they dropped like beads of dew. and ran to the perimeter fence Alexandra sat near. “Oh God! No power.”

  “Elliott.” Ellen clenched her teeth in fright, grabbing onto his back as they reached the edge of town. All she could see were Savages. Gun fire erupted but the Savages eluded it by moving so fast.

  “Stay close.” Elliott held his gun ready.

  “I have no desire to leave . . .”

  Up from the side, springing into view, came a Savage.

  Ellen screamed.

  The Savage screamed.

  With a reflex action, Elliott turned, revved back his elbow, and shot it into the Savage. He lifted his gun, aimed, and fired as the Savage started his charge back. Off went the Savage’s forehead and outward shot his blood. “Let’s go,” Elliott ordered.

  “Where?’

  “We have to get you to Containment.”

  “We’ll never make it.” A building so close seemed so far away when a battle raged around it.

  “Dean,” Elliott called into the radio. “You better do your thing. Soon.”

  Emotional, fear filled gasps were the sounds Frank made with each pounding, charging slam of his boot on the concrete as he raced as fast as his body would move. Alexandra was in sight. She was so oblivious, drawing or something as she sat amidst the high weeds. So unaware that climbing the fence, not fifty feet from her, was a wall of Savages.

  “Robbie,” Frank called out in his run. “Robbie, veer our way. Out to the UD. Hurry. Savages. Do not gas. Do not gas.”

  “Frank?” Robbie had question in his voice. He had never heard Frank sound so upset. “What’s wrong?”

  “Oh God, there has to be fifty of them, Oh God.” Frank ran. “Alex is out here.” Frank grunted out loudly and with a scream to release some of the pain he felt was crushing his chest. Burning, aching, focus on Alex, and when he was close enough to her, Frank called out. “ALEX!”