“Great job, GT,” said Shamus.
“Yeah,” said Scott.
Shamus turned to the colonel. “We should be on our way as scheduled, ma’am, as long as the installation goes as planned.”
“Major,” said the colonel.
“Yes, ma’am?”
“Assign a few men to bring in some fresh game. A little celebration is in order for breakfast in honor of the continuing capability of flight.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Let whoever you send know that I’d prefer wolf or dog if that’s possible.” Her face set into a distasteful grimace at her mention of these animals and the major caught the firmness of her voice—this was more of an order than a preference.
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll see to it.”
The colonel turned away from the men, knowing that her orders would bring fresh dog or wolf meat to the table. She headed toward Nicole and Amanda who were talking near the hangar.
Shamus, Scott, and GT studied Major O’Malley who observed the colonel’s retreating figure thoughtfully. The three men suspected they had witnessed an exchange with some type of undercurrent. When the major turned to face them, GT lifted an eyebrow in question.
“She watched that wild dog pack take down half a herd of deer over in the meadow,” said the major in answer to the eyebrow.
“Like she’s never seen a dead deer before?” asked Shamus.
“Of course she has, but it pissed her off,” answered the major.
“I see,” said GT.
“I don’t,” said Shamus. “That’s just nature taking its course.”
Major O’Malley sighed, not sure he wanted to share his thoughts. But then again, these three were different. They had seen and done things many men would never believe possible. They had survived it all and remained intact with such a depth of knowledge and experience that they had become invaluable to Colonel Starkes and her goals as President of the United States. He liked these men and trusted all three. Besides, it wasn’t like his thoughts at the moment were some great national secret.
“The colonel sees the wild packs as symbolic.”
“How so?” asked Shamus, intrigued.
“Her whole being is focused on one goal—regaining the control of the country.” He paused, knowing he hadn’t spoken quite correctly. “Wait—I didn’t mean it like she’s power-hungry or anything. I meant that she wants to take control to organize. She wants the country to be efficient—she wants it producing and trading its products. Most of all, she wants the country to be rebuilt safe for its citizens.”
“That’s why we signed on, major,” said GT.
“She’ll take the fucking predators to task. Any and all,” said the major, passionately. “It’s in her nature. She doesn’t know any other way.”
GT, Scott, and Shamus glanced at one another with an unspoken understanding. “With your help, major, she really might do it.”
“Thanks, Shamus.” Blushing, he stared at the bearing in GT’s hand. “See if you guys can fix that bird so we can head outta here on schedule.”
“You got it, major.”
CHAPTER 8.19-Renaldo and Gabriela
“Larry? You there? Over.”
“Go ahead, Luke. I copy.”
“Phoenix nearby? Over.”
“Yep. Over.”
“Good. How far back are you?”
“On Arlington. Over.”
“How far on Arlington?”
“Probably halfway up the hill behind you and your team. Call it a mile.”
“Still movin’?”
“Taking it slow. The log-sups are locating a spot to settle in for the night. There’s a Pizza Hut that might work as command. Over.”
“Negative. Over.”
“Say again?”
Phoenix stood with Larry outside the lead trucks. They’d exited to better scan the area since, for the past twenty minutes; the log-sups were insisting they stop for the evening.
“Negative on the halt. Over.”
Still pissed from the bridge and aerial assaults earlier, Phoenix continued to assess the impact from the recent loss of men and machines. He grew more determined to press on and find the bastards that took those killing shots on the bridge. Hearing Luke’s voice on the radio telling him how to run his army, Phoenix erupted in fury and grabbed Larry’s arm.
“Tell that fucker to explain what’s happening. Now!”
Larry Reed knew not to question the volatile mood.
“Luke, provide details. What’s going on? Over.”
Shifting focus, Phoenix ignored the radio chatter and felt a sudden predatory calm overtake him. Fresh prey was discovered in his line of sight and he truly relished the immediate distraction. Settling down his mood, he tracked the approach of Reggie, one of his more senior scouts. With purpose, Reggie and his second in command, Cinch, carried two struggling children, a beautiful package tossed before him, bound and gagged. Focused, Phoenix took immediate notice of each child splayed on the ground at his feet. Intrigued, he waited for the new captures to rise. They did so quickly, graceful despite the tight bonds on hands and feet. Once standing, Reggie and Cinch held the children firmly by the shoulders and throat.
“What’s this, Reggie?” Studying the children, one male and the other female, Phoenix took his time considering this sudden turn of events. A pleasurable surge of blood swelled his loins.
“Found ’em hiding in that burnt down Midas Muffler shop, sir. Thought you might like to take a look, sir.”
Dirty, but well fed, both were small and fit. The boy was probably thirteen and the girl somewhere around eleven. The clothes and hiking boots on each were newer, sensible for travel and survival in today’s world, though the girl wore a rather gaudy gold ring and bangle bracelets that caught the eye.
“I see… now,” said Phoenix. He glanced at Reggie and Cinch, before shifting back to devour the beauty of the two children. He imagined them cleaned up with hair combed, appreciating the fact that his scouts had brought them before him, knowing his predilection for the exotic. “What do we got here?”
Stepping close and reaching toward the boy, he went to touch the long, dark hair, before the boy flinched away. Nodding to Reggie that this small act of defiance was fine, Phoenix moved to crouch in front of the girl; he studied her coffee-tanned skin and deep-black eyes. He touched a full head of luxuriant black hair before she pulled away. Clearly, they were brother and sister, the brother older maybe by a year or two. Phoenix stood and backed up a few steps to better see them both. He ignored the sounds of Larry on the radio as his mind began to focus exclusively on the two children. The boy stared hard into Phoenix’s eyes. The small girl tried to do the same. Clearly, they were not used to authority, captivity, or anyone exercising control. That will change, Phoenix thought.
“I want names. You first, boy.”
Reggie pulled out the gag and when no answer was forthcoming, Reggie swatted him in the head. Still no answer.
“Hmm, interesting. I want names. Kill the girl if he doesn’t answer in ten seconds.”
The reply was immediate.
“Renaldo.”
“Good enough for now. And you, my dear?”
Cinch pulled out her gag, perhaps a bit more gently. The young girl gave no response above the intense radio chatter between Larry and Luke.
“The same applies in reverse, you understand, my little beauty? I kill your brother.”