“I don’t want to risk our troops,” Bruce said. “Son, I don’t think many will leave, if any of them will.”
“I would like to give them the choice. They are breaking our laws and therefore can be labeled a gang. The women aren’t treated equal and others are denied the right to arm themselves. I could continue, but you made the laws so you know,” he said.
“Very well, tell us how you want to do this,” Bruce said.
***
With dawn breaking, Jake led his company along with Danny and his Dad, down the road leading into the swamp. Seeing the roadblock ahead, Jake ducked down in the cupola. “Why not just mow their asses down?” Mary asked, sitting in the back. She had made it very clear, she wasn’t missing this.
“If they don’t open up, we will,” Jake said, grabbing the microphone for the bullhorn he’d mounted on the cupola. Looking through the front window, Jake saw six figures standing on top of a bus that was pulled across the road.
Three of the figures raised rifles to their shoulders as another brought his hand to his mouth. “They have radios and you haven’t been listening,” Mary said beside him.
“They’re short-range radios and I don’t care what they say,” Jake huffed as his driver stopped twenty yards from the moat.
“You have ten seconds to lower your weapons or I’ll kill you,” Jake called over the bullhorn.
All but one of the men lowered his weapon, and Jake pressed his radio switch. “Kill the one aiming his weapon,” he said over the radio.
The head of the one aiming at them disappeared in a mist. The others turned, hearing the impact and witnessed the body drop. Bringing the bullhorn microphone to his mouth, “Hey, I warned you,” Jake called out. “I should tell you, my men are behind you and already in your compound. We want to talk, but anymore pointing weapons at us and we will kill you. This is your last warning.”
As one, the others dropped their rifles. “Very good,” Jake called out and stood up in the cupola. “Move your little bus and put out your bridge, so we can talk and be on our way.”
“We’re set up inside,” Matt called over the radio. “There is some guy with long hair and a beard, yelling at everyone to be calm. From what those girls described, he looks like the leader.”
“Moses,” Jake offered as the group of men jumped off and the bus moved.
“Dude, I’m not calling the fucker Moses. From now on, he’s dickless,” Matt snapped.
“Keep dickless covered, they are letting us in,” Jake laughed as a big forklift moved up with a steel bridge. When the forklift moved out of the way, Jake told his driver to pull up.
He looked out at the five men. “Get in your truck and lead us to your compound. Once we verify you aren’t a gang that wants to attack us, we’ll be on our way,” he shouted down to them. All the men visibly relaxed hearing that.
Running over to a nice pickup truck, two jumped in the front as the others piled in the back. Jake dropped down inside and flipped another radio on. “Follow them,” he told the driver.
“Moses, its Omega and it’s just like they say on the TV, ‘If you aren’t a threat to them they leave you alone’. They killed Johnny, but he didn’t lower his rifle. We are leading them back in the truck,” a voice said over the radio.
“You, asshole,” Mary spat and punched Jake in the arm.
“I told you, brother. We have nothing to fear. Bring them here, so I may talk with them,” a calm voice said. “I will protect us all and tell them I will allow them to pass through our area with our approval.”
“Moses, they have a convoy of military vehicles with them, not counting all the helicopters we’ve been hearing,” the man in the truck said.
“My son, they could’ve attacked us, but want to talk. They know my power, given to me by God,” Moses said in a soothing voice. “Attacking us only leads to their destruction.”
Rubbing his arm where Mary had punched him, Jake shook his head. “Man, I’ve heard of delusions, but this guy takes the cake,” he mumbled.
“We will bring them to you, Moses,” the man in the truck said.
“I am waiting, my son.”
“Moses, in case I forgot to tell you,” the man paused. “They really don’t like guns pointed at them.”
“I have told all the disciples to sling their weapons. You will see in time, we will rule this place called Hope,” Moses said.
Yanking out her pistol, Mary racked the slide. “I’m killing the granny panty sniffer,” she snapped.
“Babe,” Jake sighed. “Please, just go along with my plan.”
Putting her pistol up, Mary nodded as the truck led them to a wooden log gate. Coming to a stop till the gate opened, the truck drove inside and they followed. “I see you,” Matt called over the radio.
“I trust you heard dickless,” Jake called back.
“Yeah, almost shot his ass,” Matt spat.
The truck pulled up to a mass of people and a lone figure stood in front of them. Jake tried not to laugh at Moses, who was wearing a tan robe.
As his rig stopped, Jake looked to his left and right as the other vehicles flanked his. Bringing the bullhorn microphone up, “You men with rifles slung need to move to your left. I have snipers already inside your compound and can drop all of you at once,” Jake called out.
Jake saw a look of irritation cross Moses’ face as he looked over his shoulder at the group behind him.
All the men carrying weapons moved off to the side and Jake called over the radio for all engines to shut off. He looked at Mary, “Remember the plan,” he said then moved to the backdoor as the radio operator climbed up in the cupola.
“Plans go to shit when the first shot is fired,” Mary snapped, following Jake out.
Jake walked to the front of his rig with Mary and saw Danny and Buffy moving up with them. “We mean you no harm,” Moses said with a smile. “You are welcome here.”
“Nice place,” Jake said, not looking around.
“My flock built the walls, but God has granted me protection from the spawn of hell that were sent to cleanse the wicked,” Moses said, clasping his hands in front of him.
“No,” Jake said, shaking his head. “I think it’s the water around you that keeps the blues away, they don’t like water.”
“If that is what you believe,” Moses said, dropping the smile.
Shrugging, Jake glanced back at the group of people behind Moses. “Then why do you have the road blocked off and a moat dug if you can call on God’s power?” he asked looking back at Moses.
“My flock did that at the beginning, but I allow it to remain in place for other marauding spawn that would attempt to defile this new Eden,” Moses said with an irritated tone.
“So, do I classify you as a gang or just survivors?” Jake asked.
“We are God’s children and I’m his chosen. You may classify us as you wish.”
“Very well,” Jake nodded then looked at the group. “Do any here wish to leave with us?” he yelled out and none moved. “Are you being held against your will?”
Moses glanced over his shoulder smiling and none of the group moved. “See, they are here because they believe. We are about to have service, perhaps you and your group could attend.”
“Nah, busy saving America and all,” Jake said and Moses bowed his head slightly.
“You should consider joining and I will bring down God’s power to assist you,” Moses said, stepping toward Jake.
“Dude, my God doesn’t need anyone to bring down power. He can do it all on his own,” Jake snorted.
Seeing none of Omega had moved when he’d stepped forward, Moses spread his hands apart, taking another step. “My son, I can call on God’s power,” Moses said, raising his voice and looking at the sky. “I don’t have to wait for it.”
“Um, okay, make all the blues drop dead and we’ll stay for service,” Jake offered.
Moses jerked back at the request. “My son, God only acts through us,” Moses said, clasp
ing his hands again and stepping closer. “You cost me a dear disciple and I demand tribute,” Moses said and waved his right hand at Jake’s RG. “One of your vehicles and fuel will compensate us for that loss.”
“Dude, you can’t suck my dick good enough for me to give you a ride in my rig,” Jake said, narrowing his eyes.
The muscles in Moses’ face twitched as he looked at Jake then turned to the others and Moses gasped, looking at Buffy. “My child,” he said, stepping closer. “You, like the others feel my power, for not one of you dare threaten me. The beauty God has bestowed upon you is truly breathtaking.”
“Sorry, dickless. That’s my order not yours,” Jake said, but Moses never looked at him.
Stepping up to Buffy, Moses smiled. “I shall take her into my flock for the loss of my disciple,” he said, reaching out and stroking Buffy’s long curly hair. “You shall be my newest bride. The first, above all others.”
“You are so fucked,” Jake mumbled as Moses reached out to stroke Buffy’s hair.
Buffy’s right arm shot up, flipping Herman open and she slashed out hard. The blade sliced through Moses’ forearm, striking the bone. Stumbling back as blood shot out, Moses grabbed his right forearm, finding his right hand wouldn’t close.
The group behind gasped as troops stood up on the MRAPs aiming weapons at them and none moved as Moses fell to his knees. “You little bitch, I’ll make you scream when I breed you!” Moses shouted, turning to Buffy.
Buffy ran over, jumping on his back and wrapping her left arm around his neck and her right arm started stabbing. Jake stared in awe as Buffy’s arm moved like a sewing machine needle going full speed, stabbing Moses in his right side.
“Touch me again, motherfucker!” Buffy screamed, driving Herman into his body. Moses tried to move his right arm to block the stabs, but Buffy just stabbed around or through it. Finally tired of that, Buffy reached up and sliced through Moses right deltoid, severing the shoulder muscles and continued stabbing.
“What are you going to do now, except be my bitch!” Buffy screeched, stabbing Moses at blinding speed. Coughing out a mouthful of blood, Moses reached back with his left hand, grabbing Buffy’s helmet.
Barely pausing her stabs, Buffy swiped Herman across Moses' forearm, severing the tendons and Moses’ arm fell down. “Come on, little bitch, suck my dick! I thought you wanted to marry me, cocksucker!” she screamed. “See, you don’t like me touching you, do you bag of monkey ass!”
“He didn’t touch you with a knife,” Jake said but luckily, he said it quietly.
Mary pulled her pistol and walked over to the group of men wearing the red sashes. She stopped at one who was clenching his jaw, staring at Buffy. Raising her pistol, Mary saw the man turn to her as she pulled the trigger with a loud boom. The two men behind him were splattered in blood and brains. “You will all watch her and smile,” Mary growled. The group looked back at Buffy and most forced a smile.
When Moses collapsed face first in the dirt, Buffy stopped stabbing and slowly stood up, panting hard. Covered in blood, she looked at the group and saw one man glaring at her with a forced smile. Lifting her blood-soaked arm and pointing Herman at the man, “You want to touch me, you son of a bitch?” Buffy asked in a trembling voice as adrenaline flooded her system.
“Daddy!” Buffy called out, turning to the line of MRAPs. Jumping to the ground, Bruce calmly walked over to Buffy. She looked up at him with blood covering her face. “Can you come down here, please?” she said in a low voice.
Bruce reached out, rubbing her cheek and smearing the blood. “You can use it but be careful, it’s not Herman,” Bruce said, kneeling down. Reaching over to his back, Buffy pulled out Bruce’s samurai sword.
When Buffy turned around, Ted and Carl jumped off the rig and ran over, running past her. They grabbed Moses’ arms, lifting him off the ground to his knees and leaning him forward. “I don’t need help,” Buffy said.
“We know, but we can’t let you get in trouble if you strike the ground with his sword,” Ted said with a grin. “Besides, he touched our teammate.”
“If you want, I’ll skin him for you. I watched Bruce do it,” Carl said.
“No, but thank you, guys,” Buffy said with a trembling voice and moved beside Moses as frothy pink blood spilled out of his mouth. “I’ve seen your kind, bitch, and now I’m not afraid. I’ve watched you hurt my Mommas and was scared but now, I know. I can kill you on my own,” Buffy growled, swinging the blade down hard.
A swooshing sound filled the quiet morning as the blade hit Moses’ neck. Passing cleanly through with the blade, Buffy watched the head fall off, rolling on the ground looking at her. As Moses’ eyes fluttered, she stood over the head. “I’m not afraid anymore,” she said, glaring at the face as the eyes rolled back. “If I die, it’s not because I’m not fighting or not trying.”
Jets of blood pulsed out the neck hitting Buffy as Ted and Carl flipped the body back and several pulses of blood hit Moses’ flock. Turning to the body, Buffy knelt down, grabbing Moses’ robe and wiped the blade clean.
Jake walked up beside her, looking at the group. “This is only open to you, not the disciples,” he said. “Any that want to leave may do so now. If you don’t want to stay with us, you are welcome to leave.”
A group of a dozen girls, none over eighteen and many pregnant and carrying kids, ran over to Jake. He nodded and pointed behind him. He looked at those left and at the kids with them. None of the kids were older than five and many were babies. “Last chance,” he said and a few women holding babies ran over.
When they’d joined the others, Jake looked at the group. “You will leave here today. If we see you again, you will be shot on sight. We are taking your pictures and will send them to all our outposts. You will head to South America and hope we don’t cross paths again before you reach there.”
As Jake talked, Buffy walked over to Bruce, handing him his sword. Taking the sword and putting it on the ground, Bruce kneeled and hugged her. “See? The fear you felt could be conquered, but it could only be beaten by you. You’ve always felt you couldn’t defend yourself and someone would get hurt trying to help you,” he said, holding her tight. “The fear I face is losing my family just like you do now, but now you know; you can fight to protect your family on your own. You don’t have to prove anything to yourself anymore. You’ve always done your best to fight for this family, you just needed to see that.”
Sniffling in his chest, Buffy nodded. “Thank you, Daddy,” she mumbled.
“I’m proud of you, BB,” Bruce said, squeezing her.
“Daddy, I want to take a shower,” she said looking up at him.
“I’ll help you get cleaned up. I’ve had practice at getting blood off,” he said, brushing Buffy’s blood-soaked hair off her face.
She pushed back, “No, I need a hot shower,” she said in a panic. “He touched me!”
Pulling her back into a hug, Bruce kissed her forehead. “Then you shall have a shower,” he said, reaching up and grabbing his radio. “This is Boss, I want my chopper here now to take Buffy to the command area,” he snapped in the radio.
“What’s wrong with Buffy?” Stephanie screamed in panic. Bruce grimaced and pulled his earbud out. Sticking a finger in his ear, he wiggled it around trying to make the ringing stop. “What’s wrong with my baby girl?!” Stephanie bellowed.
“Nothing, just get my chopper here now,” Bruce said and looked over at Jake as he talked to the group, pacing in front of them.
“You had your chance and that chance is gone,” Jake said. “You will stand just where you are until we are gone. I have drones over you and can level this place. After we are gone, load up and haul ass.”
“We aren’t a threat,” a man in the group shouted.
“You don’t live by our laws and only people who live by those laws will be allowed to live here in America,” Jake said as many started crying.
“We will live by them,” a woman shouted, dropping to her kne
es.
“Sorry, you had your chance. Stay here until we leave,” he said and walked off.
As he stopped beside his Dad, a Blackhawk shot in from the north and came to a dead stop fifty yards away and dropped straight down. Everyone turned as two very pregnant figures jumped out with rifles, running at them in a very fast waddle.
“This is all on you,” Jake said, patting his Dad’s chest.
Bruce watched Angela and Stephanie skid to a halt, looking at a blood-soaked Buffy. They both turned to Moses’ group, racking the charging handles of their rifles. As they brought them up, Bruce grabbed their AUGs as the people dropped down to the ground.
“It’s not her blood!” Bruce shouted, lifting the barrels up as both pressed the triggers to mow down the crowd.
Angela and Stephanie released their triggers, turning to Bruce then they turned to Buffy. Letting their rifles go, they ran over and hugged her tight. “I’m okay,” Buffy said, hugging them back.
Stephanie grabbed Buffy’s face, lifting it up, “Who upset you, baby? I’ll kill everyone,” she wailed out then dropped her hands and hugged Buffy again.
“Wrong time of the month to be screwing with this family,” Jake said, walking up.
“Jake, you’re grounded,” Angela shouted, crying as she hugged Buffy tight.
Jake looked at his Dad, “I hope she’s not serious,” he whispered.
“If she is, I’ll enforce it just so she’s not mad at me,” Bruce said, picking up his sword. “Bonnie, bring Buffy’s rucksack!” Bruce bellowed.
Ted and Carl walked up as Bonnie ran over, carrying Buffy’s rucksack. “Carry that to the chopper,” Bruce said.
Angela looked up at Bruce, wiping her face. “We’ll take care of her,” she said and they led Buffy over to the waiting chopper. When it took off, Bruce looked at Jake.
Jake held up his hand. “Dad, will you take those that left, out of here? I’ll keep this group covered until you call.”
“Okay, son,” Bruce said, patting Jake’s arm.
As Bruce climbed in his cupola, the chopper took off and Bonnie jumped in the back with Ted and Carl. “Louis, take us back to the command area,” Bruce called over the intercom. The ten vehicles, loaded with those that had left, following Bruce as the rest of Jake’s company and Danny stayed.
Blue Plague (Book 7): Hope Page 43
