“That should help,” she said.
Samuel waved her away. “It’s nothing. Let me hold the shirt.”
“Samuel, you’re in no state…”
He pushed her off with surprising strength, holding the shirt. “I will be fine for the next few minutes. You have to deal with Brux.”
Makara nodded. “You’re right. But, how?”
I was afraid to step out of the cargo bay. Surely, their sights would be trained on the back, the only exit. Stepping out there was sure death.
“I have an idea,” I said.
Both Makara and Samuel looked at me.
“The pressure tank…has it lost all pressure?”
“No,” Samuel said. “There should be some fuel left.”
“Don’t strain yourself, Samuel.” She turned to me. “Alex, what’s your idea?”
“Hydrogen.” I tapped the tank. “There’s still plenty of it in reserve. If we can take the tank and throw it out the back, it will roll down the hill. If one of us shoots it…”
Samuel smiled. “Boom.”
“But how will we get away without our own pressure tank?” Makara asked.
“We can salvage the tank off the other Recon afterward.”
“If it doesn’t blow up in the process,” Makara said.
“That’s a risk we’ll have to take,” I said. “This is our only option.”
Makara nodded. “Let’s do it.”
Getting it out was easy – the pressure tanks were meant to be easily installed and removed. The thing was heavy. It took both me and Makara lifting it to get it to the back of the Recon.
We looked at each other.
“Ready?” I asked.
Makara nodded. “Let’s hope this works.”
We tossed it out, making sure it was horizontal to the slope. We gave a few seconds for the thing to roll down the hill.
“Now,” I said.
Makara stepped out the back, and started to fire. I jumped onto the turret, and didn’t bother with the heavy gun. I aimed my Beretta toward the tank.
They were hiding. We met no resistance as I opened fire.
My bullets connected, and the tank lit up like a torch. A giant mushroom of fire shot upward, forcing the downed Recon backward, causing it to roll on its top.
I jumped down from the turret as Makara joined me. I took out my handgun. It was time to finish the job.
As we wheeled around the vehicle, we found both Brux and his crony lying on the ground. The crony lifted a pistol. I shot him dead before he had the chance to fire. He went limp, and relaxed against the earth.
Brux was a few feet off, his skin cracked and charred. His entire body was shaking. He reached for his gun, just a few feet off. Makara kicked it far away.
“Ma…Makara…” Brux said, lifting an arm in surrender.
Behind us, the fire of our improvised bomb still crackled. It was nowhere near this Recon’s hydrogen tank, so we were safe for now.
Makara walked by his head, pointing her gun down. “Don’t try anything, Brux. You’ve had your time to try.”
“I…I won’t. Please…have mercy on me, Makara. I’m sorry. Take me back to Bluff…I’ll give you money, anything you want.”
Makara scowled as her eyes considered. Surely, she couldn’t be…
Bam.
The bullet went right into Brux’s forehead. His entire body stiffened, then was still. His vacant eyes stared upward.
The wind blew cold as Makara spat on his face.
“Come on,” she said. “We need to rescue that other tank.”
I followed Makara into the upside down Recon. Thankfully, the cargo bay had been left wide open. Together, we removed the tank. Hydrogen gas hissed into the air from the fuel line. It would only be moments before it connected with the flames not too far away.
“Let’s get out of here,” Makara said.
We jumped out of the Recon and ran back uphill, lugging the tank with us. As we reached our own vehicle, the downed Recon ignited, booming off the nearby mountainside. I could feel its heat licking at my back.
We went back into the cargo bay. While Makara installed the new tank and connected it to the fuel line, I made sure Samuel was alright. The bleeding had slowed, but his face was pale. If he did not get medical attention soon, the bullet would eventually take his life.
Makara finished making the connections, and nodded. She put a hand on Samuel’s shoulder.
Samuel forced a smile. “It’s nothing.”
“Humph.” She looked toward me. “Let’s get him up front.”
Makara and I moved him to the passenger’s seat. As Makara slid to the driver’s side, I sat in the middle.
“You’re in charge of watching him,” Makara said. “Let’s hope she starts up.”
Makara turned the key, and the engine roared to life. As soon as I heard the engine idle, and the pressure tank hum, I knew what her name would be.
“Khloe,” I said.
Makara raised an eyebrow. “Khloe? That’s not a tough name for a Recon.”
“You’re wrong. It’s the toughest name I know.”
She looked at me for a moment, and then nodded. “Khloe it is, then.”
Samuel’s eyes closed as Makara drove Khloe east. In the side mirror, I could see the fires of the downed Recon burn brightly.
We sped across the flat Wasteland, Cold Mountain a mass behind us.
On our left, I could see a couple of infected wolves feeding on the body of a fallen antelope. As we passed, they sped after us, oblivious of any danger to themselves. We quickly left them in our dust.
I shook my head. “The first normal animal I see ends up being eaten by some infected wolves. Figures.”
From beside us, Samuel was still.
“Is he alright?” I asked.
Makara watched him for a moment. “Let him rest. He will need it.”
“He needs medical attention.”
“You think I don’t know that? We will be there by tonight.”
“Where?”
“You’re not going to like it.”
“Oh no. Not Oasis.”
“Guess again.”
I thought about it, but nothing came to mind. Surely not L.A.. That was too far. But where else could she…
Then, Samuel spoke, his voice raspy.
“Don’t tell me we’re going to Raider Bluff, little sister.”
Makara smiled grimly. “It’s the homecoming we’ve all been waiting for. I have a favor to call in.”
“What?” I asked. “You’re not serious…”
“It’s the only place I know with a doctor,” Makara said. “I don’t like it, but it’s the only option.”
The cab was quiet for a moment. Finally, Samuel gave a long, tired sigh.
“Lead on, then.”
I thought we were out of the fire, but now, we were going into the furnace. Makara stepped on the gas, as if to defiantly meet that inevitability.
We surged ahead. As I watched the Wasteland pass, even as we made enormous speed, Cheyenne Mountain and Bunker One had never seemed farther away.
About the Author
Kyle West is a science fiction author living in Oklahoma City. He is currently working on The Wasteland Chronicles series, of which there will be seven installments. Books 2 and 3 are already available. Find out immediately when his next book is released by signing up for The Wasteland Chronicles Mailing List.
Contact
kylewestwriter[at]gmail[dot]com