They quietly approached another smaller building where thirty women were sleeping. As before, they went in and overpowered the occupants and bound and gagged them. Three men who were rounding up the weapons from the two buildings began putting the rifles, shotguns, pistols and knives into a pile outside the entry of the second building. So, far, it was a good haul.
The turncoat lawyer walked toward the next target of opportunity. “This way now.”
Slasher and his men followed close behind. They had parked their motorcycles behind the first building and they walked, unchallenged, to the second entrance of the town. The barrier here was formidable. There were several pickup trucks and a large bulldozer blocking the road. Six men with rifles were standing guard.
“This and one other group is all that stands between you and ownership of the town.”
Slasher pointed to his men. “You ten… follow this man to the other group and when you’re done, get back here. If you can avoid it, don’t shoot anyone. We want live captives, so get it done silently.”
The lawyer and the ten slavers headed off into the darkness to secure the final position. Slasher looked at the rest of the thugs. “Let’s do this quickly and quietly.”
The bikers and Slasher moved on their position at the blockade. A man was leaning against a truck. He was the first to go down, unseen by the others. Then another man was overpowered and bound. Slasher stepped out of the shadows in front of the remaining guards. “Drop your weapons or die!”
One man raised his rifle and was killed instantly with a volley from the bikers. Off in the distance several more shots rang out and then it was quiet. The remaining guards dropped their weapons to the ground. From beginning to end, the ambush took less than a half hour. The town was theirs. They moved their captives from the remaining two positions to the two buildings where the earlier captives were restrained. Slasher was elated. This was easier than he imagined. He thought about the spies they had in the various towns and realized those towns would probably be just as easy to overtake.
The lawyer was also very happy as he approached Slasher. “Now that it’s done, I want to show you the woman I want for my own.”
Slasher drew his weapon from his belt holster and fired one shot into the lawyer’s head. He was dead before his body hit the dirt with a look of shock frozen on his face. A muffled thump resounded from the walls of the buildings and a small puff of dust sprang up from the spot where the lawyer hit the ground and didn’t move. A large, oozing red puddle flowed from what was left of the back pf his head.
Slasher was pleased. “Enjoy your just reward, asshole! The only thing I hate more than traitors… is lawyers!”
The next morning, several men went in search of five trucks with ample gas to transport the townspeople. Twenty bikers were left behind to secure the town and the rest of the slavers headed for the main camp to take their find to Bone Breaker.
News of the attack on Nugget Town spread quickly back to Fitch and Avalon. Mike was amazed at the skill and speed of the slavers in overpowering the townspeople. Steps had to be taken immediately to prevent more of these sneak attacks on the smaller communities.
The Sheriff, General Stone, Lieutenant Bell and Doctor Dan met at Avalon to create a plan to defeat the scum bags once and for all. Mike found it difficult to understand how the slavers were able to continue preying on the weak and almost helpless people, after the slaughter that the slavers had previously been dealt. They needed a plan to eradicate this group and they were running out of time.
They talked for several hours on the first day. They eventually took a lunch break, and were right back at it until supper time when they broke again to eat. They met well into the evening hours and still had no viable solution, so they called it a day. Some went to the bar to continue talking while others simply turned in for the night.
The next day, after breakfast, they were back in the conference room. They made a list of things they were going to need if they were going to make the first strike at the slavers:
• About five hundred men to get the job done.
• Weapons and ammo to carry off a successful attack.
• Adequate transportation to get the troops to and from the war zone.
• A temporary hospital to care for the wounded.
• Intelligence reports to formulate a plan of attack and withdrawal.
• A field kitchen and an adequate amount of food and water to feed people in shifts.
• At least six field radios to communicate with the fighting forces, the rear units, and anyone else necessary to coordinate the attacks.
• Fuel for transport vehicles.
• Support equipment for the actual battle: gyro copters, aerial bombs, other aircraft for aerial reconnaissance.
• Strong leaders to command the various squads and platoons.
The overall and detailed planning was based on the Marine Corps’ five paragraph planning tool, which was easily remembered with the acronym SMEAC: Situation, Mission, Execution, Administration & logistics, and Command & signal.
Though it was a good plan, they knew they would continue to refine it as they went along. Every plan was a simple starting point that rarely lasted past the first encounter with the enemy. It did, however, provide a framework from which to work.
The overwhelming and dominant train of thought that worked through everything was to limit the losses on the Avalon and Fitch forces. They couldn’t spare many people and they projected potential losses that might leave the two towns vulnerable while the attacks were taking place.
Now that the armed troops of Sergeant Bell and Lieutenant Bell were a part of the groundwork, it greatly improved their chances of success. They would continue to revise the preparations until they were solid. After the second day of planning, the Sheriff and the General were delivered back to Fitch. Meanwhile, another small town was taken over by the bikers.
It became apparent that the Avalon and Fitch groups would have to make their move. The loss of lives, resources and territory was becoming a very large problem. People in these small communities were looking for leadership and meaningful help from people they considered the experts. A plan was finalized and their time-frame was established.
Runners were sent out to all of the known communities and small groups asking them to send representatives to Fitch right away. The planners made an inventory of all vehicles able to transport fighters and equipment necessary for the upcoming battle.
A large Hercules aircraft from Chicago landed at the Fitch airport loaded with explosives, machine guns, hand grenades, shoulder mounted rockets, medical supplies, sleeping bags, mess equipment, food, battle rifles, handguns and an assorted supply of spare parts.
Meanwhile, Mike, Sam, Roger and Randy took gyro copters to within hiking distance of Fitch to conduct a reconnaissance of their objective. After landing, they hid their machines and walked for about an hour before spotting the slavers. The tough guys had assembled a large body of men and appeared to be preparing for another attack.
The four men wanted to see where the slavers were headed, so they cautiously followed, being careful to remain undetected. The group was traveling east on the main highway, which meant they were most likely going to attack Fitch again.
While en route back home, they radioed both Fitch and Avalon to warn them of the slavers plan and to tell them to prepare for an attack.
Chapter 17
Battle Ready
SHIRLEY STEWART WAS completely frustrated at having to deal with so many deprivations over the many months since the war. It was taking its toll on her and her family. Before they came to Avalon, they had gathered roots, insects and anything else they could find to eat and they were constantly on the lookout for people who would try to kill them or cause them harm.
“I’m so tired of the fighting and doing without!”
Caroline understood, but she silently thought Shirley and her family were very fortunate to have been discovered by Mike and Sam, n
ow that they lived here in Avalon. There were a thousand times when she, herself, had given thanks for having been brought into the concept of this Retreat.
Caroline realized that everything appeared to be so temporary and nothing in the present or the future was guaranteed to any of them. Their food supply was always predicated on a good harvest of fruits and vegetables and they had to constantly ensure the health of the animals to provide what they needed.
Now they were faced with yet another onslaught from the slavers. Caroline was both sympathetic towards Shirley, sitting across the table from her, and she was worried about her own husband and the baby she was carrying inside her.
Her husband Mike was a warrior, always ready to be out on the front line whenever anything happened. This put him in constant danger of being a casualty.
Caroline was brought back from her thoughts as Shirley waved her arms and spoke, pointing her fingers and extending her arms beyond the walls of the building. “I don’t mean that I’m not totally thankful for Avalon and what is here. I’m sorry if I made it sound that way. We are living so much better than we were before we came to this place. We eat well and we’re safe from all the danger out there.” She stared off into space as if she was watching something happening off in the distance.
“I’m sure you’re worried every time there is a crisis,” she looked back at Caroline, whispering, “but don’t you hate it?”
“Yes, I do worry!” Caroline was nodding in agreement. “Sometimes it makes me sick just thinking about what might happen to all of us. Mike, myself, and the original group that formed the core of this place, struggled and did without so much because we all believed in what we were putting together.”
She leaned in closer matching Shirley’s whisper with her own, “Some people told us we were crazy, a bunch of loonies… that nothing was going to happen. But it did, and here we are. I have to suppose those who had all of that negative stuff to say about us are all dead now.”
Caroline leaned back in her chair resting her hand protectively on the top of her belly, nodding and smiling softly at Shirley. “Yes I worry, but if there is one thing I’ve learned through all this, nothing is guaranteed for any of us. Not one more second of life, not one more meal. So our safety depends on all of us watching each other’s backs. For any of us to be safe from what goes on out there, we all have to make sacrifices and we have to accept the consequences of what we put into motion, no matter how terrible the results may be.” Caroline continued, her brow furrowing despite her brave words.
“I have no illusions that some of us will eventually die. We’ve all been very lucky so far, and I pray that we will continue to be, but we are all dependent on each other and all of us must contribute what we can. We all have to stick our necks out in order to survive.”
Shirley reached across the table and placed her hand on Caroline’s. She did understand, and the thought of losing her own son or daughter to this madness was almost too difficult to comprehend. She often thought about how she would feel if anyone in her family died.
Sometimes she found herself dreaming she would see her husband standing in front of a grave. His head was low and she would come to him in the dream. “Who have you buried?” And she would look at the roughly carved cross to find her name.
She woke up shaking from that dream on more than one occasion. She knew it was only a dream, but in these uncertain times she wondered if it was a premonition. She tried to get those images out of her mind, but they plagued her often.
Caroline sensed the woman’s thoughts were dark and was very sympathetic. Discouraging thoughts often haunted her as well, but she had decided long ago that she wouldn’t let them dominate her judgment. She stroked the top of her stomach to connect with the child within before she reached over to squeeze Shirley’s hands and speak softly to her.
“We are living in terrible times, Shirley. You have a beautiful family. Anyone would be proud to have your son or daughter, and Randy is a good man and a good husband.”
She hesitated for a moment. “I’m speaking for all the women when I say… most of us would rather die than have anything happen to anyone we love. We don’t want to think about it, but we have to realize that misfortune may well come to some of us. All we can do is enjoy what we have in this moment and be thankful that we are alive. We are here, and we have each other.”
Caroline looked up and saw a very pregnant Dayna standing behind Shirley. She was worried about her man and her unborn child. Sam meant everything to her. Now another battle was looming and they were helpless to do anything more than go along with it and hope for the best. Dayna put her hands on Shirley’s shoulders and squeezed before she spoke.
“It sure would be helpful if these damn men weren’t so anxious to get this coming battle on. Look at them. They’re like little boys just itching for the fight to start.”
Just then Sam and Mike came in and walked toward the women. Sam said, “It’s gearing up to be a humdinger of a fight out there.” The women all looked at each other and began to laugh. Sam looked at Mike, bewildered. “Women - you gotta love ‘em!”
This caused the women to laugh even harder. Mike and Sam considered it just another mystery pertaining to women, those things that men just didn’t understand and perhaps didn’t want to.
They were making plans because the signs pointed to an attack leveled at them. Mike nodded to Sam. “We’re almost ready. Everything is coming together seamlessly. I’m hoping we can move out and get in place soon.”
He paused and looked away toward Caroline. She looked so beautiful… pregnancy became her. There was never a time that he wasn’t grateful that she loved him. Sam poked him with a finger. “And…”
Mike realized he’d been sidetracked by his beautiful wife. “Sorry about that, Sam. It’s just that when I look at her, I sort of lose it.”
Sam smiled and then they all laughed. “I think a meeting with everyone is necessary. Some of the married men will want to have some time alone with their wives and children before we shove off.”
Mike looked at his friend and spoke quietly. “You’re right, Sam. We all need to do that. How about spreading the word? I want to get everyone together and tell them to go home for 48 hours, and then we’ll move out. I already have a few people out scouting and setting some of our plans in motion.”
“The field hospital, kitchen and headquarters need to be finished up then. We’ll plan to attack in another four days.”
“Roger that, Mike.”
“Don’t let anyone who lives farther than Fitch leave. They won’t have enough time to return.”
Sam turned on his heels toward the door, grabbing Dayna on his way out.
Mike came toward Caroline. “We need to talk.”
Caroline turned to Shirley. “Go be with your family, and remember that we’re all in this together.”
She turned and left with her husband.
The activity at Fitch and Avalon increased and became more intense as they prepared for battle. Gyro copters, motorized hang gliders and motorcycles were seemingly in constant motion from sun up to sun down. Supplies of all kinds were loaded into motorcycle sidecars. The horse-drawn ranch wagon, one old pickup, and anything else with wheels, was readied for the coming melee.
As the preparations were underway at Avalon and Fitch, outlying communities were also busy getting ready for combat. Mike sent out a number of messengers to encourage groups and individuals who wanted to be involved in the coming fight to join forces and to alert people to the spies that had been sent out by the slavers to infiltrate their camps.
Two men, Roger and Harlan, traveled in a gyro copter down an old state road and saw about ten or twelve people scamper toward a grove of trees seeking to get out of sight. However, the men saw them scurry and called out to them as they circled above. “Don’t be alarmed. We’re with the Avalon group! We’re going to land. Don’t run away.”
The gyro copter circled and landed in a poppy covered field, turned, a
nd taxied toward the tree line. Roger shut down the engine. He and Harlan unbuckled themselves and climbed out. Two men hiding in the trees came out with hunting rifles pointed at the two men.
Roger called out to the men as they approached, “We don’t mean you any harm. We were sent out by Admiral Mike Reynolds and Sheriff Bob Waters to find as many stragglers as we could and give them some important information. Are you willing to listen?”
The two men stepped forward. “Okay, what’s your story?”
“Well for starters, how about not pointing those rifles at us?”
“We can do that, but don’t try any funny business. There are others back there in the trees and they have you in their sights.”
“That’s fair enough. We can deliver our message and be on our way.”
The two groups talked for several minutes and then Gordon, the man who had originally initiated the conversation, cut them off, “Just a minute…” He waved his arms to those hiding in the trees and motioned for them to come forward. They cautiously emerged from behind several trees forward.
“Any of you ever hear of a town called Fitch?” Two men said they had. “They’re getting ready to have a war with the slavers in a few days and I think we should hear what they have to say. Gather around.”
Everyone gathered around in a group to hear what Roger had to say. He told them about Avalon and Fitch, about the previous battles they had with the slavers and how they liberated the townspeople of Fitch and drove off or killed a great many of the slavers.
They explained the plan the slavers were formulating to take over as many small towns as possible and how Mike had sent them and others out to warn people and to encourage each group to join them in a unified front to defeat the slavers. They were also very interested in finding groups such as this one to offer better arms, ammo, and training, to help them fight off any attackers.
Avalon: Beyond the Retreat (The Avalon Series Book 2) Page 15
