After leaving Reno’s bunker, they had headed to Paris, picked up one of the highways circling south of the city, and continued northeast past Reims and toward Frankfurt. Every day they had stumbled upon a mass of dead Hell Spawn, the bodies already in an advanced state of decay. Most had been Nachzehrer, although occasionally they came upon packs of soul vampires or pus zombies. Not until after the team had crossed the border into Germany had they stopped seeing signs of the Hell Spawn, which delineated the demons’ farthest line of advance. Then they had to face a different kind of nightmare—an industrialized world that had become feudal overnight because of the EMP. The team had traveled through Germany for days without seeing any signs of life. Jason reasoned that everyone in the path of the approaching Hell Spawn had evacuated the area and either never bothered to return or had perished during the harsh winter. It was not until the team reached central Germany that they came across small agrarian communities that had sprung up near the highway, occupied by haggard-looking people who watched them with a wary eye and made no attempt at contact. Jason had reasoned that the farmers’ paranoia came from a series of hand-painted signs they had discovered earlier on the approaches to Frankfurt warning that travelers were not welcome. Outside of Potsdam, a few miles south of Berlin, the team had picked up the E30, which they followed through Poland, passing Poznan and Warsaw, and then switched to a northern route that led them past Bialystok and through more rural areas. Here in the east, the team had encountered pretty much the same as they had experienced in the west—desolated towns and villages, isolated pockets of agrarian societies, and warnings around some cities that outsiders were not welcome. The worst experience had been near Warsaw where the team had come across a mass graveyard. The section closest to the city had consisted of hundreds of makeshift white crosses lined up in rows, followed by a section comprised of mass graves covered with dirt. The section farthest from the city contained corpses stacked like wood in massive piles of the dead. That had been almost a week ago, and morale had been slumping ever since.
The one good thing that had come out of this trip had been the ample opportunity to bring the newcomers up to speed in shooting and hand-to-hand combat. Reinhard had provided forty-five minutes of training every night prior to dinner, and it had paid off. Target practice had been limited to two rounds a day to conserve ammunition. However, Jason noticed that the newcomers handled their weapons more confidently and had significantly improved their fighting skills. Three weeks after leaving the bunker, Jason had the rest of his team join the newcomers’ training as a refresher course, partly to integrate the team better and partly to prevent his people from going insane with boredom.
Jason pulled the map out of his leg pocket and opened it in his lap, not so much to check on their location as for something to do.
“How much farther until we get to Belarus?” Slava asked.
“We’re already there,” said Jason. “We crossed the border three days ago.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Would it have mattered?”
Slava shrugged. “I guess not.”
“Where are we exactly?” Jeanette asked.
Jason studied the map in earnest. “As far as I can tell, we’re near Nalboki State Park, and four or five days from Minsk.”
“How far to Moscow?” Haneef asked.
“Another two weeks beyond Minsk.”
Everyone on the team groaned or sighed. Jason brought them back to reality. “Look on the bright side.”
“What bright side, mate?” Ian asked.
“Based on how far the Hell Spawn traveled from Paris, plus the three months that have passed since we closed the portal, I figure we should be running into our first demons from Moscow any day now.”
The wise ass remark had the desired effect. The team switched from bored and cranky to professional and guarded, even the newcomers.
“What type of demons do you think we’ll encounter?” Vicky asked.
“If we’re lucky, Nachzehrer and soul vampires.”
“’If we’re lucky’?” Vicky glanced at the others seated around her.
“Trust me,” said Antoine. “There is some bad-ass shit that can come out of those portals. Nachzehrer and soul vampires are the least of your concerns.”
For a moment, Jason thought the newbies might wet themselves. Before boredom could morph into fear, he refolded the map, slipped it back into his pocket, and stood up. “Lunch time’s over. Let’s move out.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Jason brought his horse to a stop in the middle of the intersection where the main road veered right and a secondary road continued straight. A rusted sign thirty feet farther down the latter read LIDA 3 KM. Lucifer and Lilith moved in on either side of him, scanning his flanks for danger. As the rest of the team came to a halt, Haneef and Slava joined Jason.
“Is everything okay?” Haneef asked.
Unzipping the leg pocket on his flight suit, Jason removed the map and unfolded it. “I want to make sure we’re still going in the right direction.”
“Do you want me to have everyone take five?” Slava asked.
“This will only take a few seconds.”
Jason found the check mark he had made last night and followed the road to this intersection. The small village of Lida was less than two miles ahead of them. The main road that dog-legged east would take them to Minsk and Moscow. He refolded the map, slid it into his pocket, and motioned to the right.
“We need to go in that direction. Tell the—”
Jason detected multiple auras in the vicinity. Lucifer and Lilith felt it at the same time. The fur on both werehounds bristled and their ears cocked forward.
“What’s wrong?” Haneef asked.
“I’m picking up Hell Spawn in the area, probably Nachzehrer because the auras are weak.”
“How many?” Haneef asked.
“It’s hard to tell, but I’m guessing a few hundred.”
“Where are they?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“Shit,” mumbled Slava. He lifted the binoculars and scanned the countryside.
Lilith detected them first. She stepped forward a few feet and stared down the road toward Lida, her ears arched forward and a growl coming from deep in her throat. Slava shifted his gaze in that direction.
“We have company.” He handed the binoculars to Jason. “And plenty of it.”
Jason raised them. Less than a mile down the road between two and three hundred Nachzehrer staggered toward the intersection, moving in one giant horde. The Nachzehrer were aware of Jason’s team, and they were hungry.
Slava leaned closer to Jason. “If we double time, we could be out of the area before they get here.”
“They’ll just follow us and catch up with us tonight while we’re sleeping. I don’t want to take the chance.”
“I’ll have everyone dismount and prepare to engage.”
“Don’t do that either. We passed a crossroads about two miles back that swings around and comes out a few miles ahead of here. Double time the others that way and wait for me.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to lead the Nachzehrer on a wild goose chase.”
“Copy that.”
As Slava and Haneef left, Jason called out, “Have Reinhard and the newbies join me.”
By the time Reinhard and the others reached Jason, the Nachzehrer had approached to within two thousand feet of the intersection. Lilith and Lucifer took up position on Jason’s flanks to protect him. The German brought his horse alongside Jason’s.
“Vat’s up? Are ve going to fight a rear-guard action with the expendables?”
Jason shook his head. “It’s time for Demonology 101. I want the recruits to get up close and personal with what they’re going to be fighting.”
Ian joined them and spotted the approaching horde. “Bloody Hell, what are those things?”
“Nachzehrer,” said Jason loud enough so they
could all hear. “Flesh eaters.”
“You mean zombies?” asked Gaston.
“A bite from a Nachzehrer won’t transform you into one of them, but you’ll get one nasty infection.” Jason’s left shoulder involuntarily twitched from the memory of the bite he had received in St. Mere Eglise.
“Why are they naked and . . . and . . . ” Vicky couldn’t find the right word.
“Cooked,” Werner finished her sentence.
“They’re humans that have been condemned to Hell.”
“Are you serious, mate?” Ian asked.
Jason motioned to Reinhard. The German rode ahead until he was two hundred feet from the horde. He raised his FAMAS, took aim on the nearest Nachzehrer, and fired a three-round burst. One bullet struck the demon between its eyes. The creature’s head exploded. As the corpse dropped to the pavement, a blue eddy of light escaped from the body and spiraled skyward.
“That’s its life force,” said Jason.
“Fascinating.” Ian spurred his horse forward a few feet to get a better view.
“Don’t get too close,” warned Jason. “They’re not strong, fast, or fierce, but if you’re careless they can overwhelm you. We’ve run into thousands of these things since the portals opened. They’re the most common of the Hell Spawn.”
The Nachzehrer had approached to within a thousand feet of the intersection. Reinhard rejoined the group.
“We’ve seen enough,” Gaston prodded. “Let’s go.”
“Stay where you are.”
“Are you nuts?” Gaston asked.
Jason maneuvered his horse so he stood in front of the others. “These are the least dangerous Hell Spawn you’re going to encounter. If you can’t handle this test, then you’re useless to me.”
“Test?” Werner asked.
“Each of you has to shoot a Nachzehrer through the head before you fall back.”
The four newcomers stared at him dumbfounded.
Jason maneuvered his horse beside Reinhard’s. Lilith and Lucifer tagged along. “Do you think they’re up to it?” he chided.
“They’d better be, otherwise there’s some major ass kicking in store for them tonight.” The German spun his horse around and backtracked along the road they had just traveled. “I’ll be vaiting at the detour. Hurry up unless you vant to be left behind.”
Werner unslung his FAMAS and positioned his horse so he could get a better shot. He sighted on a Nachzehrer less than five hundred feet distant and slowly squeezed the trigger. The bullet punched into the demon’s throat. Werner aimed again. This time he took a deep breath and held it. The round ripped into the Nachzehrer’s head, dropping the body to the ground and freeing its life force. He spurred his horse and followed Reinhard.
Vicky went next. She aimed at a demon to the right of center. Her first two shots were high, the rounds punching into the horde behind it.
“You’re jerking the trigger,” said Jason. “That’s causing you to pull the weapon up as you fire. Try it again, but this time squeeze with a slow, gentle motion.”
Vicky inhaled and followed his advice. This time she took down the Nachzehrer with a shot to the forehead. She rode off after Reinhard.
The horde was three hundred feet away.
“What are you two waiting for?” Jason asked.
“I’m fascinated by them,” Ian answered. “From a biological aspect, they’re amazing.”
“If you want, I’ll leave you here so you can study them.”
“No thanks.” Ian moved his horse forward a few yards, unslung his FAMAS, and took down a Nachzehrer with a single shot. As he passed by Jason, he offered a mock salute and trotted off after the others.
That left him, Gaston, and a horde of Nachzehrer less than two hundred feet away. Lucifer and Lilith moved nearer to Jason, their eyes begging to retreat.
“Any time now would be helpful,” said Jason.
“I’m scared.” Gaston’s voice trembled.
“If you think you’re scared now, wait until we’re charged by soul vampires.”
“I can’t do this.”
“You can and you will”
The horde was one hundred and fifty feet away. Lilith whined to get her master’s attention.
“I c-can’t. Don’t make me.”
“Fine.”
Jason whistled for the two werehounds and left. Gaston fell in behind him. After they had gone five hundred feet, Jason reached out, grabbed the reins to Gaston’s horse, and stopped.
“Get off,” Jason ordered.
“What?”
“You heard me. If you can’t fight, you’re of no use to me. You can stay here, but the horse and supplies belong to the team.” When Gaston hesitated, Jason yelled. “Now!”
Gaston dismounted. The terror in his eyes bordered on panic. “What’ll happen to me?”
“You’ll either run fast or be eaten.”
“You can’t leave me like this!”
“Then show me I can rely on you in combat, otherwise I’m out of here.”
Gaston alternated his focus between Jason and the Nachzehrer. The Frenchman slid the FAMAS off his shoulder and clasped it in front of him, his eyes fixed on Jason. For a second, Jason thought Gaston might use it on him. Instead, he advanced down the road toward the approaching horde, stopping three hundred feet away. Raising his weapon, he aimed at a Nachzehrer in the front and fired three rounds. The first two punched into its chest and the third overshot its shoulder. Gaston lowered his weapon and stepped back, his body shuddering. Suddenly, the trembling stopped. Gaston aimed again, carefully lining up the shot. He fired a single round that caught a Nachzehrer in the forehead, shattering its skull. With his one kill scored, Jason expected him to retreat. Instead, Gaston stood his ground, taking down several more Nachzehrer, using no more than two bullets per demon until the magazine ran out of ammunition. Gaston replaced it and continued his assault. By the time he emptied his second magazine, he could take down a Nachzehrer with a single shot to the head. The horde had made it to within fifty feet of Gaston. The Frenchman fell back, reloading as he did so. Once he reached Jason, he slung his FAMAS over his shoulder and climbed up onto his horse without saying a word.
The two set off after the others, with Lucifer and Lilith following by their master’s side.
***
It took several hours for Jason and Gaston to catch up with the rest of the team. They had maintained a slow pace to make certain the Nachzehrer continued to pursue them. A mile from the crossroads, the two raced ahead out of the horde’s sight and picked up the detour. After pausing at a bend in the road and waiting half an hour to see if any of the creatures followed, which none did, they proceeded to the rendezvous point. The two groups linked up at a second crossroad two miles to the east of the Lida intersection and set out toward Minsk.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The team traveled until half an hour before dusk to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the Nachzehrer before settling in for the night. For their camp, Jason chose a small hill covered in trees that sat in a field half a mile from the main road. The location offered a good defensive position and provided a clear view of the road in case any Hell Spawn caught up with them. Jeanette and Sook-kyoung tied the horses to trees on the opposite slope farthest away from the road while Gaston set up a smokeless fire using dried twigs. Reinhard and Slava agreed to keep watch while the others ate dinner.
As everyone finished eating, but before they could wander off, Jason stood and asked for their attention.
“Running into the Nachzehrer this afternoon means we’re now in Hell Spawn territory, so we’re going to change the sentry shifts. Antoine, Neal, Sook-kyoung, and Gaston will take the first shift until eleven. Jeanette, Haneef, Ian, and I will replace you. Reinhard, Slava, Werner, and Vicky will take the shift from three in the morning until dawn. Be alert for anything, not just Nachzehrer and soul vampires. God knows what new demons we’ll run into out here. Any questions?”
There wer
e none.
“Good. Somebody relieve Slava and Reinhard so they can eat.”
“I will,” answered Antoine.
“Me too,” said Sook-kyoung.
“Thanks.”
Gaston set aside two plates of food as the others wandered off. When Jason passed by, Gaston asked, “Sir, can I talk to you?”
“You can,” said Jason as he approached the campfire. “But only if you stop calling me sir. What’s up?”
“I want to thank you for earlier today.”
“You know I wouldn’t have left you out here.”
“That’s good to know, but I meant thank you for making me confront my fears.”
“You seemed to get over them quick enough.”
“I had to otherwise I would have gotten myself killed.” Gaston sighed.
Jason stepped closer so no one else would hear him. “We were all scared our first time encountering Hell Spawn. I still want to piss myself when we run across them. I’d be more concerned if you weren’t scared.”
“Why?”
“Because it’d mean you’re cocky and overconfident, which is more dangerous.”
Gaston nodded his understanding. “I promise I won’t let you down again.”
“I know.” Jason patted Gaston on the arm. “Now finish cleaning up and get some rest. You have a long night ahead of you.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Sasha faced the stairwell that led to the roof of the Notre Dame bell tower and aimed her minigun at the opening. The first four Nachzehrer exited the stairwell. She sighted in on the lead demon and squeezed the trigger. It blew apart, showering those behind it with chunks of decayed flesh and gore. She lifted her finger off the trigger, switched her aim to another Nachzehrer, and fired again, decimating it. Beside her, the rest of her team lined up their shots before firing. At first, the tactic worked fine, bringing down ten Nachzehrer in the first few seconds. Soon the mass pushing its way up the stairwell became too heavy, and an increasing number of demons made their way onto the roof. Some stumbled over the remains, spoiling the humans’ aim. Others staggered to the sides, spreading out and threatening to swarm the team. Sasha and the others increased their rate of fire. They took down every demon that reached the roof, but were going through ammunition at an alarming rate.
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