Survival Rules Series (Book 4): Rules of Engagement

by Hunt, Jack

  “Hey! Hold up.” The soldier’s hand lifted.

  “Shit. Don’t look his way. Keep moving,” Nate said under his breath as he held an M4 to the back of them while leading them up the alley behind the Craggy Range Bar & Grill. At the rear was a fenced patio for those who wanted to eat and drink outside. It had a dozen tables, chairs and an open bar enclosed by dark wood trellises and covered by a shade arbor. Danny knew if they could just sidle up behind that, they would have enough cover from the buildings either side just in case the situation got out of control. Nate was carrying his grandfather’s rifle over his left shoulder and had the M4 pointed at them. Erika was packing a Glock but had been told not to go for it no matter what happened. It was a thinly veiled attempt at looking as if Nate was escorting locals or prisoners through town. They were about to find out if it would work.

  It didn’t take the soldier long to cross the parking lot which contained no more than six cars and trucks. Not far from them was a large 18-wheel trailer unhooked from the front end of a truck. It was being used as advertising space for companies in town.

  Danny was counting every step he took. Five more and you’ll be at the rear of the bar. Nope. They weren’t going to make it. “Sanders? Is that you?”

  Danny’s heart sank. Of course they would have known each other and certainly would have been able to recognize a new face. Nate kept his head low, slightly turned towards the west as the soldier approached from the east. Danny’s hand slid down to the bowie knife tucked into the front of his waistband. His sweater was over the top to cover it. Using his left hand he unclipped it.

  The soldier grabbed hold of Nate. “Sanders. What’s up with you?”

  As soon as he saw Nate’s face, he took a few steps back. “You’re not Sanders. Who the hell are you? And what are you doing with these people?”

  Expecting to use his knife, he pulled up his top and gripped it. Erika saw him and shook her head.

  Nate replied, “What do you think it looks like? They tried to escape. I’m bringing them back to continue building the north wall.”

  The soldier didn’t look convinced. “You new?”

  “Around here, no, but I’ve got seven years of military experience and so I was offered the position. Who the hell are you?” Nate posed, turning the conversation away from him. It was smart, Danny thought.

  “Didn’t you hear the radio about some guy on a bike?”

  “I lost mine chasing these assholes.”

  The soldier glanced at them. “You need any assistance?”

  Danny couldn’t believe it. Either this guy was dumb or new himself as he was falling for Nate’s little spiel, hook, line and sinker. He released his grip on the knife and covered it with his top.

  “No, I’m good. You should get going.”

  The soldier nodded but still looked skeptical. Sure enough, as they began walking away Danny heard him get on the radio. “Hey Gary, we take on a new recruit?”

  “A few. Why?”

  “Got a guy escorting four civvies over by the Craggy Range Bar.”

  “What’s his name?”

  Keep walking. Keep walking, Danny thought. Then the guy hollered, “Hey. I didn’t get your name.” Nate turned and mumbled something as he approached him.

  “What?”

  “I said it’s…” Before he finished what he was saying, Nate jammed a knife into the soldier’s gut, once, twice, three times and let his body slump against his shoulder. The radio dropped. Nate turned. “A little help?”

  Danny hurried over and began dragging his body to the back of the bar. Erika opened the gate that led into the patio and they put the man’s body into a chair, covered his face with his beret and slipped back out into the alley.

  Had that been the only challenge they would face on the way to Helen’s parents, it wouldn’t have been too bad, but Danny knew the town was riddled with more militia and now with another soldier out of action, they’d soon become the hunted.

  A short distance away, the sound of the soldier’s superior came over the radio. “Janson. You there? Janson!”

  “You want me to do what?” Jude asked staring back at Tyler in shock. Tyler knew it wasn’t going to be easy. He had figured if they survived the initial meeting without being killed, he still had to get through Jude’s reluctance. The only saving grace was knowing that his mother might understand and side with him. It was a long shot but worth a try. He’d spent the past half hour trying to convince both of them that uniting was the only way to win.

  “All you have to do is swallow some humble pie,” Tyler said. “Hell, I did it returning to Whitefish. I think you can.”

  “I won’t do it. I would rather die than give that man any help,” Jude replied.

  Tyler scowled. “This isn’t about helping him. It’s about helping you, and those people out there. The longer you stay here at this camp, the greater the chance they will discover it and attack.”

  “If they do, they better kill us as we’ll—”

  “Put up one hell of a fight? Yeah, yeah. Yada, yada,” Tyler said. “All that macho bullshit isn’t going to get you anywhere except two feet under, pushing up daisies. You are as bad as him.”

  Jude couldn’t believe it. “I’m nothing like him.”

  “No, you’re worse,” Tyler replied.

  That got a chuckle out of his mother. Jude glared at her.

  “Oh, come on, Jude, he’s right. You and Andy are like two peas in a pod. Why do you think I was even interested in you?”

  That got his attention.

  Jude shook his head. “He took everything from me.”

  “And he believes you took everything from him,” Tyler replied. “So it seems you’re even.”

  “We’ll never be even,” Jude replied crossing the cabin and looking out. Both of them looked antsy, as if expecting to be attacked at any minute. He poured himself another stiff drink, two fingers of bourbon, and set the bottle on the counter. He tossed it back, draining the cup in one go. Gripping the counter with both hands he looked out.

  “Then you’ll probably die,” Tyler said. He thought he would use some reverse psychology. “I hope you achieved everything you wanted in life. Take care,” Tyler said heading towards the door. He had placed his hand on the knob when Dianna told him to wait. Tyler looked back and saw her walk over to Jude and place a hand on his shoulder.

  “This could be exactly what we need. If you show up at Camp Olney on behalf of this settlement, it has the potential to change the hearts and minds of those who probably think you’re against them.”

  “I am. They turned their back on me.”

  “They were never with you,” Tyler said. “You just assumed they would give their loyalty to you when Andy was the one that brought them into a better place. Now he’s back they are doing what they wanted to do all along.”

  “What, follow him?” Jude asked.

  Tyler chuckled and shook his head. “You see, that’s your problem. You see this from only one angle. It’s about followers. How many he has. Who he has. But this isn’t about you or him, it’s about Whitefish. It’s about the people out there who deserve a chance to live.”

  “By waging war against the militia?” Jude asked.

  “By attacking before we are attacked,” Tyler said. “Right now we have the element of surprise. They don’t know how many people they are up against. We use that to our advantage. We can attack, draw them out and ambush them if we have the support of Camp O’Brien, but if we are left to defend ourselves alone, we won’t win. Because by ourselves we are outnumbered both in people and firepower. But together, we stand a chance of running these assholes back to whatever rock they crawled out from under.” He paused. “And then maybe, just maybe, after that we can lay aside our differences and work together towards a common cause.”

  Jude stared at him. “Which is?”

  “Thriving, not just surviving.”

  Dianna observed Tyler from across the cabin. She hadn’t taken her eyes of
f him as he spoke. It made him feel uneasy. She was a hard woman to gauge and from her involvement with the raiders he was unsure if she wasn’t planning her own coup, one that didn’t involve either settlement.

  Jude took a deep breath and looked at Dianna. “I’m getting too old for this. What do you think?”

  “I think my son has grown into a fine man. I just wish I’d been there to see it.”

  Tyler wanted to drop a sarcastic remark but refrained, realizing there was too much at stake. They’d already pissed off enough people. “I say go with him. Take a few of ours and speak with Andy. I’ll wait here and ensure things don’t get out of control.”

  Jude nodded, then shook his head. “I can’t believe I’m doing this. What happens if he throws it back in my face?”

  “It will be the last time,” Dianna said.

  “And if he decides to imprison me?”

  “He won’t,” Tyler said. “Corey and I will have your back.”

  “Will you?” he asked. He looked out the window. “It’s hard to believe that at one time Andy and I used to hunt in these woods. Camp out and look up at the stars, dreaming of what the future would look like. I never imagined we would be at odds.”

  “I never imagined I would see my mother,” Tyler said. “So I guess we’re all a little shocked at how things turned out. But now it’s not about how things got derailed but only how we choose to move forward.”

  Jude walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. He smiled and looked as he if wanted to say something important but instead he nodded. “Let’s go.”

  Minutes later, Bennington and the others were released to the disgust of Thomas who spat at Jude as he passed his cell. Jude didn’t react. He simply wiped his face and glanced at him as Thomas ranted.

  “You’ve poisoned her mind. Before you came along, we had this town. We had this county in the palm of our hand. Then you got in there. I should have known this would end badly. When I get out of here, I’m going to do what I should have done all along — kill you.”

  Jude got close to the bars and smiled as he continued wiping his face. “Then I guess it’s good you’ll be staying in there.” He turned and walked out as Thomas cursed him.

  Outside, as they climbed onto ATVs, Maddox emerged from an RV. “Father. Father! Where are you going?”

  “Stay with your mother. Protect this camp. I’ll return soon.”

  “You’re going with them? But what if it’s a trap?”

  “Speak with your mother. There is much more than my life at stake.”

  With that said, the ATVs growled to life and Tyler caught Maddox staring at him. There had always been a tangible dislike between them, but in that moment, it felt even more real. They tore out of the camp, leaving a cloud of dirt and grit in their wake.

  Maddox was enraged. He berated himself inwardly. I should have killed him in Eureka. But he wanted to make him look bad in front of his father. He wanted Tyler to suffer humiliation for what he’d done to him. Ever since that day outside of the camp, his father hadn’t looked at him the same way. It was as if Tyler had emasculated him and now his father no longer saw him as a man.

  Maddox stood there watching them ride off into the distance. He kicked some loose stones out of the dirt and looked up towards the cabin on the rise where his mother was. He didn’t want to speak to her. She would only try to get him to see it from her point of view and he didn’t agree with her or his father. They had changed. Got weaker. He glanced at the cell block and strolled over. He twisted the lock and pushed inside. As soon as the door opened Thomas started. “Oh, come to gloat, have we? Well you’re a little too late. Your father has already done it.”

  Maddox entered. “I don’t care what he’s done.”

  “Oh, really? Sounds like you have a chip on your shoulder.”

  He stepped inside and kept his distance. Thomas leaned against the bars, gripping them tightly. “You know there is another way this all ends, right?”

  “How?”

  “Let me out and I’ll explain.”

  “No.”

  Thomas laughed. “Smart kid. Look, I don’t hold what you did against you. You protected yourself. I admire that. I would have done the same,” he said. “But you know as I do that as long as the Fords are alive, you are always going to take a backseat. Do you want that?”

  Maddox dipped his chin then looked at him.

  Thomas continued, “No, I didn’t think so. Do you want to kill them?”

  “More than you know.”

  “I can help you. But I can’t do it from behind bars.” He tried shaking them but they wouldn’t budge. Maddox took the keys off a nail in the wall and closed the door before walking over to the jail cell. He hesitated for a second, then inserted the key into the cell lock.

  17

  Scouts were essential to their survival. Hopkins had avoided countless ambushes in the city of Helena by posting men around their base. He liked to think of it like an onion. They operated at the core, then had different layers that expanded out, performing different duties. Mostly it was staying ahead of the curve. A scout’s job was simple. First they were to provide intel via radio on potential threats heading their way so they could cut the head off the snake before it had a chance to bite. Second, they were to survey for new supply centers, and changes in delivery routes. City officials were smart and after numerous attacks they would change up vans, routes and teams to protect their resources. Third, they were to provide protection to the inner layers. It had worked effectively and now that they were in Flathead County it wasn’t any different. To those inside Whitefish, it would look like all of his men were in town, but that was what he wanted them to see. Before entering the town perimeter he’d sent scouts up to ten miles out to observe and assess. There were two scouts for each direction to the north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west and northwest. Sixteen soldiers would cover those locations ten miles out, another eight would cover five miles out, and another eight two miles out. Every forty-eight hours they would rotate shifts to prevent burnout and provide variation. It had worked effectively and allowed them to stay on top of anyone trying to escape as well as those looking to infiltrate their group. In years gone by when they were operating out of a small camp and performing training exercises, they would have used cellular capable trail cameras to feed back a livestream but that was before the power grid went out. It also had its disadvantages; cameras could catch people approaching but by then their group could be boxed in. With the layered onion approach, those attacking wouldn’t know until it was too late.

  They’d only been back in Whitefish a few hours when Hopkins got word of a lone man heading their way on horseback. The radio crackled.

  “Hopkins, we got a situation. An armed guy on horseback is heading towards the roadblock on 93. How do you want us to proceed?”

  “You notified Keith?”

  “Yep.”

  “Let him handle it. Unless he attacks, don’t kill him. Once you find out what he wants, get back in touch. Over,” Hopkins replied before setting the radio down. He turned to Calvin Baxter, his third in command, and asked him what the update was on finding those responsible for the death of his two men.

  “Nothing so far. However, earlier today we had an incident in the downtown. A rider on a dirt bike took our men on a crazy chase through the streets.”

  “You get him?”

  He dipped his chin and Hopkins shook his head. “How many hours have our men done target practice?”

  “They were new guys.”

  “Typical,” he said. That was the downside to recruiting in Helena. So many of the recruits were office workers, just run-of-the-mill folks who had barely held a gun let alone shot one. But with the power grid down he couldn’t be picky. They were another set of eyes and it was all about numbers. The more men and women he had operating under him, the greater the odds were in their favor. “Well, what’s the update then?”

  Baxter grimaced. “Two more of our me
n have gone missing, presumed dead.”

  Hopkins nearly spat out his coffee as he shot upright in his chair.

  “Tell me you have got better news than this?”

  “The last guy — Janson. He was in communication with Gary when the line went dead. He said one of our guys was escorting four civvies over by Craggy Range Bar.”

  “Well, have you checked it out?”

  “We have guys heading over there now.”

  Hopkins nodded as he rose. “I want to know who was escorting them. Find these people and Baxter — don’t let me down.”

  “I’ll try not to.”

  Hopkins exited his office and stepped into the corridor where Nathaniel was chatting with another soldier. They both shot him a glance. Hopkins adjusted his ballistic vest and motioned for Nathaniel to follow him.

  “We’ll talk later,” Hopkins heard him say as Nathaniel jogged to catch up with him.

  “What was that about?”

  “Oh, he was just updating me on the roadblocks.”

  “You know, Nathaniel, I’ve known you a long time. I’d like to think that you’d have my back if push came to shove. Do you have my back?”

  He frowned, looking confused. “Do I even need to answer that?”

  Hopkins shot him a sideways glance. “I’m not a stupid man. Do you take me for someone who is stupid?”

  Nathaniel shook his head. “Of course not.”

  “So do you have something to share with me?”

  “No. Why? What is this all about?”

  Hopkins sighed. “It would greatly sadden me if it came to my attention that you were going behind my back to try and get the men to side with you on the way things are being run around here.”

  “Wyatt. C’mon. You know I wouldn’t do that.”

  “I’m sure those closest to Julius Caesar said the same thing before they knifed him to death.” He stopped walking and faced him. “I consider myself a reasonable man. I might have my own ideas about the way things should be done but I’m open to discussing alternatives. However, what I cannot stomach is people who say nothing but then sneak around behind my back and question my decisions.”