Aftermath Apocalypse

Aftermath Apocalypse

A. Horman

3

Aftermath Apocalypse

Copyright © 2012 A. Horman

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 1480047244

ISBN-13: 978-1480047242

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Aftermath Apocalypse

DEDICATION

To my family and friends who have supported me.

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Aftermath Apocalypse

3

Aftermath Apocalypse

Prolog

On December 21, 2012 the world changed.  But, it didn't change as predicted, instead war broke out and devastated the world.  The U.S., North Korea and China fired their nuclear arsenals at each other causing the world to go into a nuclear winter and leaving millions dead.  Survivors went underground or took to sealed off buildings that were still intact to avoid the blistering cold.  Now, five years later the sun is shining through again and the cold is finally leaving, and the survivors have started coming out again...

1

Mike "Phantom" Johnson trudged his bulky frame over the barren wasteland that at one time was San Antonio.  Breathing heavily he stopped and reached for his canteen and pulled it up to his cracked, dry lips.  He took only a single sip before putting it back and sighed.  Food and water had become scarce after the war, anything that had not been destroyed in the initial attack had become contaminated from the fallout.  He and his Platoon had survived narrowly by getting to a fallout shelter near Fort Sam Houston where they had been stationed and had taken their families with them.  After the sun had started to show a month prior the group had emerged and decided to go their own ways.

Mike looked up to the sky through his mirrored sunglasses and ran a hand over the top of his head before pulling his boonie hat back on, "damn UV," he grumbled to himself then readjusted his pack and started forward again.

The former Army Captains plan was to make it to either the Naval Base or the Naval Air Station on Corpus Harbor to try and find some way to get off the main land.  He had decided to try and get to Washington to check out the shelters there and find out if there were any semblance of government still.  His Platoon had thought it an insane idea, but, he had to at least try.  A loud crash pulled him from his thoughts and he instinctively dropped to one knee and pulled his carbine and sight up, looking out along the horizon in the direction of the sound slowly.

It was something that was ingrained in him, but, the sounds were usually just crumbling buildings.  However, this time he spotted two men raggedly dressed and a woman tossing cans and rocks at them as they approached.  Mike chewed the inside of his lip, he knew he should just move on.  The situation in front of him could be worse than it looked on the surface, at worse getting him killed because the two ox's had friends and at best leaving him with an extra mouth to feed when he could barely feed himself.  He let his lip go and slowed his breathing as his oath as a Soldier ran through his head.  As he slowed his breathing he felt his heart start to slow as well.  Slowly he squeezed the trigger, timing the squeeze to fire between his heartbeat.

The carbine kicked into his shoulder and sent a loud crack through the air.  One of the men called out and grabbed his back pocket, leaving Johnson with a grin as he stood and quickly covered the distance between them, keeping the carbine at his shoulder, "leave now or the next shot won't just keep you from being able to sit," he ordered from just out of the two men's sight. 

"We'll kill you," the one Johnson shot growled and spun around looking for the voice angrily.

"You’re welcome to try, but you have to find me first, bub," Phantom said then pulled out his pistol, an M1911, and fired into a dirt mound near the two, "now you two have ten seconds to get the hell out of here or the last thing on your minds is going to be my .45 round."

The one who had made the threat just gritted his teeth, "this isn't over, Tara," he said, pointing to the woman standing in the corner before he and the other man headed off.

Tara took a step forward as they left but Mike stayed hidden, "stay where you are, Tara," he called out sternly then pulled his M4 back up so he could watch the two assailants go.

Once they were out of sight he stepped around the post he had been hiding behind and let the carbine hang across his chest, muzzle pointing at the ground and to the side, "are you alright?" he asked.

The blond woman slowly nodded as she looked over the man’s ACU'S, Army Combat Uniform, "are you really a soldier?" she finally asked, suspicion in her dry, cracking voice.

Johnson nodded, "I used to be," he replied simply, "my names Mike," he added softly, looking around every so often to keep watch for any would be attackers, "we should go before they come back, do you have a place to go to?"

Tara shook her head, "I lived with them, I was the........way to pass the time," she said with a shiver and let her head fall forward in shame.

Mike held back a sigh and looked away for a second, his jaw muscles flexing as he thought, the last the he wanted was a prostitute tagging along.  He looked back and studied her for another moment, "by choice?" he finally asked and let his hands come to rest on the top of butt and shaft of the carbine.

She kept her head down and shook it slowly as tears started to sting her eyes, "no...I was....taken," she said.

Johnson nodded as he spotted the bruises on her arms, wrists and ankles, "alright, I'll get you to some place safe," he said finally and held out his hand.

Tara looked at his outstretched hand through her hair and tears then took his hand before the stress finally flowed out and she fell into him, crying uncontrollably into his chest.

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Aftermath Apocalypse

2

Night had finally fallen and Tara along with Mike sat around a small fire quietly watching each other.  Mike had taken out MRE's, meals ready to eat, and was poking at his spaghetti as he looked into the pouch that contained it.  His thoughts weren't on the food but on the memories that plaques him every night, the screams and explosions from the attack.    He sighed and dropped the MRE pouch next to the MRE heater.

"What's....what's wrong?" Tara asked nervously as her muscles tensed under what was left of her white, Cotton dress.

Johnson looked up and shook his head, "it's nothing, just bad memories," he replied tiredly and put his hands out, palms up, so she saw he wouldn't hurt her.

The blond woman nodded and relaxed slightly, though she stayed ready to run, "I can relate to that," Tara sighed and set her MRE down then drew her knees up to her chest, wrapped her arms around them and stared into the dancing flame of the fire.

Mike nodded and pulled off his tactical vest, exposing his frayed uniform, then leaned forward, putting his elbows on his knees and interlacing his fingers.  He watched the fire for a moment before his hazel eyes moved to the woman he had rescued, "Tara, how old are you?" he asked quietly.

Tara sighed again and ran her hand over her blistered forearm, "twenty five," she replied then winced as a piece of skin tore away in her hand.

The Army officer nodded and Mikes heart went out when he saw tears start to fill Tara’s eyes as she looked at the layer of skin in her hand, "it's the UV radiation," he explained in a soft tone then pulled his pack over, "you were out in the sun to long and with the ozone having taken the beating it has we aren't as protected against all the radiation out there," he added then pulled out a half used tube of ointment and moved forward, rolling onto his knees, "this will help, okay?"

Tara regarded him for a second, looking from his hands to his eyes before nodding, "okay," she replied with a held back sob then let her legs down again.

Mike put some of the burn ointment on her arm over one of the burns then took her hand as he rubbed it into her skin as gently as he could, "I'm thirty," he offered and gave her a small smile then moved onto the next burn, "do you have a last name, Tara?" he asked, not only curious, but wanting to keep her mind off of her injuries while he dressed them.

Tara nodded and used her free hand to brush her matted hair behind her ear, "Simmons," she replied and winced as his hand went over another burn, "did you learn this in the Army?"

"Yup," Johnson replied and gave her a smile, glancing up from her arm to meet her eyes then looking back down, "when we started having to close off the cities they gave us a quick first aid course in how to deal with these burns then our basic training teaches us basic first aid," he explained then motioned to her leg, seeing burns on her ankles.

Simmons nodded slowly, her cheeks flushing as she did, "what....was your job?" she asked, looking embarrassed.

Johnson gave her a reassuring smile then pulled his leg up and sat her foot on his knee, "I was a Ranger and lead a Platoon over at Fort Sam here in San Antonio," he explained as he started treating the burns on her feet, "we were moved out there when martial law was declared to help out getting the city squared."

"So you...killed people?" Tara asked, tensing again and pulling her leg away as fear crept into her eyes and onto her face.

"Yes," Johnson replied honestly then looked up, looking kindly into her eyes, "I was in Iraq and Afghanistan among other places.  But, I only killed when I had to, I do not kill for fun or play," he added sternly.

Tara recoiled again, pressing back into a nearby wall, "I'm sorry, please...." she sputtered and shielded her face and head with her arms and hands.

Johnson watched and held back a sigh as he rested his hands on his thighs, "I'm not going to hurt you, Tara, you have my word," he said softly but didn't move forward as he watched the terrified woman.  Mike had seen it more than once before in his tours out of country and it always made him angry and now was no different, the anger welled up in him from deep in his chest.  He had never been able to figure out what could drive any person to abuse someone so totally and violently, no matter what they had done.

Tara looked up slowly, her fear filled eyes looked him over, searching for the whip or fist that always followed the sweet words.  She furrowed her brow in surprise when he didn't move and take a swing at her or worse, "but...I made you.....angry," she said as she relaxed again, but didn't move off the wall.

"No, you didn't make me angry," Mike replied and extended his hand to her, "I just was trying to explain, Soldiers are not murderers or killers, we are...." he paused and shook his head, "we were Soldiers because we believe in defending those who can't defend themselves and in defending our family, friends....even each other," he added, trying not to sound nearly as cliché as he knew he did.

"I've heard that before, you aren't the first soldier I've met," she snapped back then covered her mouth as she realized what she'd said.

Mike nodded and rolled back to sitting on the bench he'd been on before, "well," he started and leaned forward with his arms on his knees, "we are still people, very well trained people, but people.  Just like everyone else we have breaking points, bad apples and the like," he started and drew in a breath before looking at the ground and intertwining his fingers again, "unfortunately after the attack some became as bad as those we left country to fight."

Tara watched him, still weary that he may be lying, but she could also see the pained look he had as he talked about the Soldiers who had left those principals behind that he still seemed to cling to.  She carefully stood up and moved over, sitting so the fire was between them, "I'm sorry," she said softly.

Mike looked up with a raised brow, "there's nothing to be sorry for, I can only imagine what you've gone through,"  he said sympathetically, "you don't have to go back."

Simmons let out a breath and shook her head as she once again got lost in the dancing flames, "I don't have anywhere else to go, my family were killed just after the attack," she said, leaving out that it had been a group of people identifying themselves as Soldiers who had killed them and sent her into slavery, "after you go they'll catch me and they'll........" she added, letting the unsaid words hang in the air between them.

Mike nodded, "fucking bastards," he hissed, unable to contain himself anymore, then looked back up, "look, you’re going to come with me to Corpus and I'll get you away from here and set you up some place safe," he said, his tone not leaving room for her to argue.

Her blue eyes blinked and she stared at him blankly as she processed what he had said, "I......will.....?" she finally asked then nodded, "okay," she added after a second then looked around before looking back to him and pulling her strap slowly off her shoulder.

Johnson stood up and gently grabbed her hand, stopping her before to much was exposed, "you don't have to," he said in almost a whisper, "I'm not doing this just to get you into my sleeping bag," he added then pulled the strap back up and sat next to her.

She nodded, a grateful look filling her eyes before she broke down and buried her face in his chest, all the stress, fear and worry finally coming out as she cried the way she had when h chased away her captures.  Mike put his arms protectively around her and held her, "shhhh," he cooed, "I'll take care of you, I promise you that, you don’t ever have to go back," he added softly and kissed the top of her head before leaning back on the wall, just continuing to hold her until they both drifted off.

7

Aftermath Apocalypse

3

December 21, 2012, 0900

There was enough tension in the air that it was almost suffocating as newly minted Army Captain Mike Johnson's truck carrying him and his Platoon moved quickly through the gates from Fort Sam Houston.  He and his Ranger Platoon had been brought in to support local law enforcement as the Army sealed up the city.  It was a regulation that had been in place for more than a few years, in case of a nuclear attack all major cities would be sealed up by barriers and no one from the outside would be allowed in.  The government had thought that by 2015 most of the population would be in the cities anyway, due to the economic climate of the previous few years.

"Hey, Cap, we're here, better snap out of it, you’re still here until they give you your Company next week, don't skip out on us early," First Sergeant Sal Mendora said in his this Italian accent and gave Johnson a smirk.

"Ooah, Sarge," he replied with a nod, knowing that Mendora was right, "so, do you think there will even be a next week?" he asked over the roar of the diesel engine.

The Sergeant shook his head, "don't buy into that horse shit," he replied as a few chuckles went through the others, "the world won't end and all this," he said, spreading his arms to take everything in as they moved through downtown, "will all be here for a long time to co-"

"All units, return to base with as many civilians as you can bring, repeat, return to base!" a frantic voice cut in over the radios.

Johnson and Mendora exchanged glances for a moment then pulled their helmets on, "alright, Cooper, signal the CP we are in bound in ten, there's a residential we can hit on the way back and evac some people," Sal ordered then pulled his rifles sling over his head.

Outside sirens sounded as the truck started its turn into a residential street so they could double back.  His heart starting to race he motioned for one of the Grenadiers that were near the cap to smack the glass and get the truck to stop.  As he did so all color drained from Coopers face, "dear god, they launched......" he choked out then looked to Johnson as everyone suddenly went quiet.

Mike didn't know what to say, or what he could say as he felt all eyes on him.  The breaks of the truck squeaked as it came to a stop and he drew in a steadying breath, "we have a job to do, Rangers.  We knew what we signed up for when we took on the Ranger tab and this is it.  If they really have launched then we have a duty to these people, ooah?"

There was a brief pause before the Platoon called out in unison, "OOAH, RANGERS LEAD THE WAY."

"ALL THE WAY, MOVE OUT," Johnson replied with a grin as he jumped off the truck, "Cooper, your time keeper, keep your ears on and give us a heads up when we have to move.  Squad Leaders, coordinate through Mendora and go door to door.  We get the children and women loaded for evac first, MOVE OUT."

The four Squad Leaders nodded and ran off with their Squads and breaking into teams.  He looked at Sal again who was  already helping families who had spotted them into the truck.  Mike chew the inside of his cheek as he watched then reached down and pulled his cell phone out as frantic cries and scared screams started to fill the otherwise sunny and bright morning.  He hit the speed dial on his phone as he scooped up a child that had been left in a nearby yard crying.  He ran back over, keeping the young girl cradled in one arm while the other end of the line rang, "shhh, we'll find your mommy, I promise," he said as he got back to the truck.

"H...hello?" a frightened voice said on his cell phone as he handed off the child to Cooper.

"Mary, it's daddy, where’s mommy?" he asked, doing the best to keep the choking worry and fear that was in his throat and stomach out of his voice.

There was a shuffle on the other end and Johnson opened and closed his fist as he kept an eye on the evacuation, "Mike, where are you?  What’s going on?" the woman who came on the line asked.

Mike took in a deep breath, the fear in his wife's voice cutting through him like a hot knife, "Sierra, you have to get to the base, now," he said, ignoring her questions as he hurried over to a woman that had fallen and been stepped on, "Andrews, get her to the truck," he called to the closest of his Soldiers.

"Captain, we have three minutes until the birds hit," Cooper called over the radio.

Mike clinched his teeth as smoke trails appeared off in the distance, "Sierra, you have to move NOW!" he added as he heard someone call out the missile defense system had been activated.

"Okay, Fort Sam, I'm on my way.  I just need to pac-"

"No, Sierra, screw everything else, get Mary and get on base!" he called frustratedly, pointing a gloved finger at the ground to make his point even though she couldn't see.

There was a silence and he knew she had heard the fear in his voice then, "okay, Mike, we're leaving now."

"Good, call me when you get there, I need to go," he replied as he felt his eyes tear, "I love you both, I'll see you soon," he said then hung up the cell phone, his stomach starting to feel like a black hole, "Cooper, give me a play by play for the MDS."

"MDS was activated, intercepts from both the Navy and land bases are on target," Cooper called, the voices of the families filtering through his radio.

"Captain, we can't fit anymore in, we're going to have a hard time as it is getting in there," Sal called as Johnson moved back over.

"Fit everyone you can, Sergeant, we'll get alternate travel," Mike said without pause, they couldn't save everyone but he'd be damned if they left any of the people on the street they were clearing behind.

He looked around quickly, his eyes picking out any vehicle that may be able to take the twelve Soldiers.  He spotted an old van then looked to the truck, "LADIES AND GENTLMEN, WHO VAN IS THAT OVER THERE?" he yelled over the other voices.

"M...mine," a man who was holding a toddler called then tried to move over to Mike.

The Captain jumped up into the truck and met him half way, "I need your keys, my men and I need it for transport," he explained hurriedly.

"Intercepts making contact," Cooper chimed in then paused, pressing his ear piece into his ear as far as he could, "impact, intercepts have impacted.......missiles are still inbound, they didn't get them all.  Intercepts bought us three more minutes."

"Here, Captain," the man said and handed Mike a set of keys, "she's old but I just rebuilt the engine, she'll get you back," he added, a grateful look on his face.

Johnson nodded and grabbed the keys, "thank you," he replied then turned and jumped from the truck, "Sergeant, report," he called as he started to grab those still waiting and pushing them into the back of the truck.

"This' the last group," Mendora reported, "all squad leaders report they're clearing the last house."

Mike nodded, "go get that van, it's our ride," he replied and tossed the keys over, "Fort Sams to far, we're heading for the shelter near BAMC."

Mendora nodded and headed off and Mike moved around to the driver, "Specialist, get out of here, head for BAMC on my authorization, and make this heap move faster then it's moved before."

Cooper chimed up with the two minute warning and Mike felt his stomach tighten and his calves flex as he tried to will the truck to move faster.  Once it was out of site he ran for the van and jumped in the passenger side, "get us the hell out of here, quick."

The First Sergeant didn't even waste time nodding, instead slamming the gas pedal to the floor board even before the back doors were closed.  As they raced through the streets Mike gritted his teeth, seeing hundreds still trying to get to the base or out of the city.  He gritted his teeth and knew his Soldiers were doing the same, their first instinct was to stop and pick up as many as they could.  Their training brought the grim truth to the front of their minds, however, even if they stopped they wouldn't be able to fit everyone and that would end up causing a riot.  Not only would those people still die, but, so would the soldiers, and his first duty now was to his Soldiers.  He looked in the rear view and saw the others faces, even knowing that it was futile to stop that did not make any one any less sick at passing.

As the van barreled into the staging area where the shelter was they all jumped out and Johnson's phone rang.  He grabbed it from his pocket as they raced to the shelter, "Sierra, tell me you made it."

"We did, we're waiting to get into the shelter, there are so many people....." Sierra replied, her once betraying the tears that were running down her face as desperation set in.

Mike stopped and turned in time to see the incoming white smoke trails.  Sal grabbed his vest and drug him into the shelter as the doors started to close, "NO!" he called and tried in vein to struggle.

"Mike, we love you," Sierra said, fear filling her shaky voice, "please remember that.  MIIIKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEE-"

****

Present

Johnson shot strait up in his sleeping bag, his chest pumping as he tried to catch his breath and sweat pouring down his face.  He looked around and saw the burnt out room, shooting back to reality, "Mike, help, please, Mike," Tara screamed.

He went to jump up and rush to her only to have his face meet the sole of a combat boot.  He fell back hard, "you can't steal our merchandise, Cap, sorry.  Hope you had fun," a deep voice said calmly before there was another thud and the room went dark again.

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Aftermath Apocalypse

4

Tara hit the bed of the Ford half ton with a thud after she was ripped out of the blown out office building.  She scrambled to sit up and pressed her back to the cab of the truck, "Levi, I'm sorry, I-"

She was cut ours by the back of the man’s hand meeting her cheek, "shut the hell up," Levi growled in his baritone voice then sat down on the wheel well as the truck roared forward, "you think you can run and play house with some Soldier wannabe, Tara?" he asked and glared at her through mirrored sun glasses, his face burned and blistering from to much time in direct sunlight, "you’re lucky your worth so much, I may have killed lover boy but I need you obedient," he growled.

She looked through the cracked glass of the cab and saw Mike slumped over in the seat against the door.  Another wave of fear hit her, not fear for herself but fear for him.  Then a pang of remorse and she turned back to Levi, teeth grit, "fine," she said simply then watched as the dust kicked up behind the truck.

The landscape had changed so much since the bombs.  She had spent her childhood in the small town of Sierra Falls that was just outside of San Antonio city limits, played in the lush green parks and swam in the nearby Calaveras Lake.  Now there was only rubble where homes and businesses had stood, the roads had all but been eroded and the lake had been nearly evaporated.  The farm fields that used to stretch into the horizon were now barren desserts with hard clay replacing the once fertile soil.  It almost seemed as if this new landscape was linked to the once bright and outgoing woman who now sat in the back of the truck, beaten, broken and withdrawn.

Simmons let out a sigh as the truck turned hard after twenty minutes into a parking lot of the factory Levi and his goons had set up their base in.  She looked up at the sky one last time, taking in the reddish tint that it had taken after the attacks and filled her lungs with all the fresh air she could know this may be the last time she was able to have either for a very long time.  As the trucks engine cut she braced herself for what was next.  Levi stood up and grabbed her hard by her upper arm and tossed her from the tailgate of the truck.  Tara hit the ground with a yelp and was immediately yanked up by the man Mike had shot in the behind the day before, "I told you it wasn't over, hot stuff," he said with a laugh, his ripe breath making her gag and his fat, beefy hands making her want to recoil just from the touch, "and after I'm done with you I'm going to gut and stuff Soldier boy over there," he added and jutted what used to be where his chin was, before the fat overtook it, towards Mike whom had been drug from the truck and tossed to the ground while his pack was rummaged through.

Tara kept quiet and silently prayed Levi still had some honor left and wouldn't hurt Johnson.  As she was drug inside the factor she swallowed hard and drew in a deep breath, the air thick with the smell of oil and metal, "Mark, if you leave keep Levi from killing him I'll......" she paused and swallowed hard, pushing back the vomit that threatened to erupt from her mouth at the thought of what she was about to say, "I'll do things to you that will make your head spin," she finally got out.

Mark raised an eyebrow and stopped, turning to face her, deciding if the loud clanking and noise around them had distorted what she had said.  After a moment he pulled a small walkie talkie from his pocket, "'ey Levi," he called.

"What do you want, I'm busy," the baritone called back, making the plastic face of the walkie talkie vibrate.

"Hey, I want a shot a that son of a bitch who shot me before you kill him.  Maybe use that .45 of his to blow off some body parts," Mark explained with a toothy grin, exposing yellowish-green teeth.

Tara again had to fight back the vomit as they waited for the reply.  It seemed to take years before the voice came back, "alright.  We'll toss him in Tara's cell, the two of them can play house until nightfall then we'll have some meat for dinner tonight."

"Copy that," Mark replied then yanked her arm so hard she stumbled, "it better be the best I've ever gotten or I'll make sure you get served his head," he said then drug her into a side room.

"At least this won't take long," the blond woman snapped back under her breath as the door slammed shut.

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Aftermath Apocalypse

5

Phantom groaned as he pulled in a breath them immediately choked, the dust and other partials filling his lungs and throat.  He rolled onto his back and tried to open his eyes as the room spun around him.  He waited until the vertigo stopped then pushed himself up on his elbows and slid back across the cold, hard concrete floor to prop himself up on the even colder steel wall.  He blinked his eyes and rubbed them with the heels of his hands, his vision blurry and out of focus from the hits he had taken combined with whatever had been on the floor, I don't even want to imagine..... he thought to himself then winced and jerked back when his hand found his swollen cheek bone.

Mike groaned, trying to keep his voice down, as the pain shot up through his head and all the way down his left side.  He reached up and felt up his arm, ribs and leg looking for anything that felt like a break but didn't feel anything.  With a nod he hefted himself to his feet, using the wall for support, and looked around.  It was totally dark save for the small amount of light coming through the steel door at the front of the room.  Johnson reached at and his hand brushed against chains hanging from the ceiling, the noise from them clanking together at that moment sounded like it may as well have been screening that he was awake.  He pressed his back against the wall in a darkly shadowed corner and had a flash back to being a teenager and hiding as he snuck back into the house, hoping his parents didn't see him.

He shook it off and took a breath to calm the tightening he felt in his stomach from not knowing if he had been heard or not.  Once he was sure that no one was coming he stepped forward again, his senses feeling like they were on overload now.  As he walked around, taking inventory of what was in the room and getting an idea of its size, he could hear dull screams from somewhere in the building and voices everywhere.  His heart sank as he recognized Tara as the one screaming and calling out, "damn them," he whispered and sighed, more determined to find a way out now.

He couldn't see very well, but, his fingers were acting in concert with his limited vision was giving him a nearly complete picture.  The room was not more than eight by seven, which was not any bigger than a jail cell, with what seemed like a small mattress in one corner and a tin bucket with a set of shelves in the other.  Mike crinkled his nose when he found the bucket, the fowl  stench telling him all he needed to know about it.  He moved to the shelves, which were rough to the touch.  He tapped one of the shelves lightly and heard the dull plunk of plastic.  Johnson nodded to himself and ran his fingertips slowly and deliberately over the tops of the shelves, dust and dirt starting to cake his fingertips. 

He found soft, wadded up pieces of tissue scattered about on one of the shelves and his stomach lurched as he stuck his finger in one to find something sticky.  As gross as it was the tissue and shelves presented him with a way to make a weapon or crude tools.  Mike stood and counted the shelves, four high with about a foot between each.  He nodded to himself and was about to pull it down when he heard footsteps and scuffing along the floor outside the room.  He quickly laid back down and put his face in the shadow so he could keep his eyes open and still look to be unconscious.  The door swung open with an ear piercing squeal and Tara with the man Mike had originally shot appeared, "get in there," the man growled and shoved Tara hard enough to send her to the ground and sliding across the floor, "your new boyfriend will be safe tonight, but, I'll need another payment in the morning," he said with a cheeky grin and tug at his belt buckle then slammed the door with a head rattling clang.

As soon as the door closed Mike got up and move to Tara, crouching down and helping her sit up, "are you alright?" he asked softly and rested her back on his thigh with his arm supporting her shoulders.

The blond woman just nodded as she looked at the ground, trying to will it to open and swallow her up, "they....they were going to kill you, I....had to be with Mark....to stop them," she replied, her voice barely audible, "I gave myself-" she started then scrambled to her feet and hurried to the nearby bucket, the gut wrenching sounds filling the room.

A pang of regret and sadness hit Johnson as he realized what she had done, for him.  Mike moved over to her and gently pulled her hair back as she got sick in the bucket, "Tara, that was brave to do," he said softly and ran his hands in gentle circles between her shoulder blades like he'd done during his wife's pregnancy, "thank you," he added and pushed the thought of his wife back in his mind.

Tara turned her head, her blue eyes searching his face as if she expected him to be lying and blurt out how she was  nothing but a whore.  When that didn't come and Johnson's gaze remained soft she just nodded, "I couldn't let them do it.  You saved me, I had to try-" she started then turned her head back to the bucket, her body lurching with each gag followed by the stomach turning splash.

"Shhhh," Mike replied simply and just continued to hold her hair back and rub her back, he had to find a way to get them both out, this group didn't strike him as the forgiving kind.

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Aftermath Apocalypse

6

Levi tossed his sunglasses onto the table in the living room he had set up in one of the factory offices.  He let out a sigh and ran a hand over his aging face.  It was not a sigh of pain or regret, however, it was one of inpatients because it had been so log since they had fresh meat.  That was the only he had not killed Tara when he had found her snuggled up to her soldier boy.  Levi folded his arms across his broad chest and moved his feet to fall in line with his shoulders as he looked out over the courtyard and the piling of wood.

"We're gonna have us a damn good Barbecue, Sarge," Mark called as he came bounding into the room with the grace of a child taking its first steps.

Levi shook his head but didn't turn to look back, "I may not let you eat, you make Santa Clause look thin," the older man said calmly then turned and locked his eyes with Marks then sniffed at the air, "so, what did she promise you this time you gross bastard?" noticing the musk hanging in the air, mixed with the normal garbage and ripe meat smell that usually announced Mark from down the hall.

Mark instinctively tugged his belt buckle from under his growing gut and tried to pull his pants up over his gut, "nothin' Levi, she gave it up willingly," he responded nervously and looked to the other man’s salt and pepper hair line in an attempt to keep from looking down.

Levi shook his head again, "it's your dick that let her get away in the first place," he growled and let his arms drop to his sides, "if you weren't anything but complete blubber I would throw you on the Bon fire with the good Captain," he added then slowly walked over to a window and opened it as his stomach turned, "what did your gross ass promise her?" he asked pointedly.

Mark cleared his throat and fidgeted as he tried to think up a response, "I told her we wouldn't cook up lover boy tonight," he said nervously, "I'm sor-"

"Oh, just shut up you fat fuck," Levi said angrily then turned, "much do you know about the Ottoman Empire?" he asked then pulled out a combat knife and spun it slowly in his hand as he walked toward Mark and started to slowly circle the man.

Mark swallowed hard, feeling like a fish being watched by a great white, "n...nothing," he sputtered and tensed up as Levi sliced through the back of Marks belt.

Levi nodded, not surprised, "well, when they would take or capture slaves they would use them to guard the Harem's, but, how do you keep a guard from soiling the Harem?" he asked as Marks jeans dropped and the room filled with ungodly smells, causing Levi to nearly fall back and his nose to wrinkle in disgust.

Mark froze, "Levi, please," he begged, tears starting to well up in his eyes as he figured out where the conversation was going.

Levi pulled on a pair of gloves then moved around to face the man, "that's right, Mark, they used eunuchs," he replied then quickly moved his arm out and gave his wrist a quick snap.

Mark heard the thump on the floor before he felt the pain.  Looking down at his genitals laying on the floor and blood pooling he let out a blood curtailing scream.  He looked at Levi wide eyed as the elder man held up a piece of bamboo that had come from a nearby plant then jammed it in where Marks genitals had been.

"Now, the Ottoman only had a ten percent recovery rate after burying the new eunuch up to their neck in the sand, to cauterize the wound.  Let's see how you fare Mark," Levi said calmly then motioned to two men who were standing outside the door, having run up when they heard the scream, "take him and burry him up to his neck in the pit, if he lives through the week he can come back...and feed this gross crap to the dogs," Levi added and kicked the genitals to the two men.

The two men swallowed hard and nodded, one grabbing Mark and the other grabbing Marks leftovers from the floor with a dirty cloth from his pocket.  Levi nodded and moved back over to the window, his heavy boots making a dull clack on the wooden floor as he moved.  That should deal with any further problems with Mark or anyone else Tara could try to influence, he thought to himself as he looked out at the pen where the dogs jumped at their treat and Mark falling to his knees as the animals shredded and devoured his manhood.

An evil grin formed on Levi's lips as he watched then looked back over to the fire pit, "bring me the soldier," he called finally.

23

Aftermath Apocalypse

7

Tara had finally fallen asleep after throwing up everything she had in her stomach.  Johnson was stroking her hair gently while she lay her head on his thigh, shivering every now and then.  He knew those shivers well, she was having nightmares and reliving something terrible from her past.  Mike could only guess what that was after what she had told him, and all he could do was attempt to comfort her here in the cell.  He drew in a deep breath then let it out slowly and looked around the dark room for the hundredth time.

A plan was forming, but, it was far from complete.  The Army Captain was sure he could get out of the cell and take out the wholly untrained guards, however, Tara was not in a state to run and he was not about to leave her behind to serve as a slave to these people, "people," he spat quietly then shook his head.

Tara stirred slightly but did not open her eyes, her body and mind finally too exhausted to stir completely.  Mike sat still momentarily so as not to wake he her then went back to stroking her hair.  A clang from the door caught his attention and pulled him from his thoughts.  Tara snapped awake and her eyes shot open as she sat up and pressed into Johnson's shoulder.

"Soldier, boss wants to see you," the dark silhouette said from the door.

Mike squinted against the bright sunlight filtering through the open door, his eyes slow to adjust to the sudden burst, "only if the girl comes with me," he finally replied with a stern edge to his voice.

There was the familiar sound of a sidearms slide being pulled back, "you come or I'll relieve you of your baggage then you'll come anyway," the voice said evenly, nearly devoid of any emotion.

"Mike, go, I'll be alright for now," Tara said quietly and gave his shoulder a soft push without taking her eyes off of the silhouette.

Johnson just nodded and stood up with a groan, "I will be back," he promised then moved toward the door, "alright, bakayaro," Mike said and motioned to the hallway, using the little bit of Japanese he had picked up on overseas tours.

If the guard was caught off guard by the insult he didn't show it, instead just shoving Mike forward then slamming the door shut, "move."

Mike did as instructed, intentionally moving slow as he took in the route they were taking.  The short hallway from the cell led into an open area full of machinery.  Johnson looked around slowly, taking in the position of the various equipment.  There were rollers, conveyers and other equipment he recognized as possibly for being used in steel manufacturing.  The guard slammed a palm into Mikes back, between his shoulder blades, causing him to stumble.  Johnson only sped up slightly, faking a limp so he could keep a relaxed pace.

After moving through what looked like a furnace room and an open courtyard the duo arrived at a small office and Johnson was ushered inside.

"Ah, Captain, thank you for accepting my invitation," Levi said smugly with his back to Johnson and his hands clasp behind his back.

Johnson looked from the blood puddle on the wood floor to the man facing the window, "your boy here didn't leave me much choice," the Army officer spat and let his hands hang at his sides, letting his muscles stay relaxed in case he needed to react quickly.

Levi turned slowly and nodded, waving the guard away, "indeed, Sam takes his work very seriously," the older man replied, "I am Levi, Captain, the leader of this group.  What is your name?  Captain sounds so formal."

"Captain Johnson," Mike replied defiantly, not giving anything that could not already be attained by looking at his ACU's.

Levi sighed and walked over, shaking his head, then pulled out Johnson's dog tags, "Mike," he read then tossed the tags back against the soldiers chest, "Mike, we do not have to be adversaries, I was in uniform too before the end.  I was a SWAT Sergeant with Dallas PD."

Johnson raised an eye brow, "you seem to have forgotten about protect and serve," he observed, studying Levi's aging face and taking note of a long scar around the man’s throat.

"Ah, but we do protect and serve," Levi replied, holding up a finger then facing Mike again, "these people are under my protection, much like Ms. Simmons and yourself are."

Mike scoffed at the reply, "right, and I really wear a red cape, blue tights, like to wear my underwear on the outside and am faster than a speeding bullet."

Levi raised an eyebrow then used the back of his hand to hit Johnson across the face, "don't get smart, Mike," he growled then tugged at the bottom of his uniforms tunic, "I brought you up here to make you an offer."

Johnson fought the urge to reach up and rub his burning cheek, "and what is that, Sergeant?"

Levi narrowed his eyes and looked at the blood puddle then back up, "I have had an opening free up with my Lieutenants," the former SWAT officer started and started circling the Army officer, "I want you to take the job and teach these fat morons what discipline is."

Johnson folded his arms over his chest and studied the other man’s face, his eyes finally resting on Levi's, "and if I say no?" he asked finally.

Levi grinned toothily and motioned out into the courtyard, "then we have a barbecue tonight," he replied smugly and mirrored Johnson's posture.

Mike looked out the window and nodded slowly as he saw the others from the group start soaking the pyramid of wood in gasoline, "and what of Tara?"

Levi shrugged, "she has become like the sole of an old shoe, consider her a gift if you accept," he replied with a shrug and watched the soldier, "I'll give you until sun down to decide, after that if you deny me.....well......" Levi added with another shrug and let that hang in the air as he nodded to the guard outside.

Johnson opened his mouth to reply when he felt a firm hand on his upper arm that drug him back out the door.  The soldiers mind whirled, he wasn't about to join this group but he didn't want to leave Tara either.  As he was shoved down the metal staircase he made a decision and brought his elbow back, connecting firmly with the guards nose and laying him on his back.  Mike quickly broke into a run and headed towards the equipment he had seen earlier.  As he had hoped there was an emergency exit.  He stopped and looked back as he heard yelling then the sound of quick paced footsteps coming toward him, "I'll be back Tara, I promise," he growled then turned and kicked the door open before running out and heading for the fence.

27

Aftermath Apocalypse

8

Shots rang out from both pistols and automatic rifles as Johnson dashed for the fence, zig zagging as he did so.  The shots that hit the ground did so near his feet and sent puffs of dirt in the air while other shots whirled past his head.  Mike felt his heart racing, his stomach turning as his body shut off the blood flow and redirected it to his muscles so he could react faster and felt like his eyes were about to pop out of his head.  He had to try hard to keep the adrenalin from knocking the wind from his lungs.

As he hit the fence and started to hoist himself up as quickly as he could time seemed to slow to an ungodly pace.  The voices and shots behind him were getting closer and he could feel the anticipation of being caught as he willed himself to climb faster.  As the soldier got to the top of the chain link fence he swung a leg over and looked back just in time to see a group of ten people running at him with automatic rifles.  He gritted his teeth and jumped to the ground, having to tuck and roll after hitting unbalanced when a shot hit just before he did.  Quickly he scrambled to his feet, keeping low, and ran forward into the wasteland.

Mike looked over his shoulder and saw the group trying to get over the fence, however, they did not seem as practiced as he was.  His eyes darted around the barren landscape, looking for places where he could take cover.  Within a minute he had spotted at least three places that he could use, his military training kicking in and allowing him to size them up without thinking.  He opted for a trench that had been overgrown by dry brush, giving just close enough colors to his t-shirt as to allow him to hide.

The Army officer dropped to one knee and slid forward as if he was sliding into home base in a baseball diamond.  The dust that he kicked up doing so hid him from view as he reached the edge of the trench and spun to land on his stomach against the side.  His breathing was coming nearly in gasps as he heard footsteps hitting the ground and hurrying toward his position.  Mike closed his eyes and kept his cheek pressed to the ground, the brush scratching his face and bare arms.  He focused on controlling his breathing, the quick gasps quickly becoming long, silent breaths.

"Where is he?" a deep voice called as the clank of a canteen and handgun on a belt slowed and the footsteps stopped.

"I don't know, he couldn't have gotten far," another, higher pitched voice called.

Johnson kept his eyes closed and kept still, but, he changed his concentration from his breathing to hearing now.  He listened as the two men spread apart then as more joined.  As the search party moved Mike listened for the differences in footsteps, each persons weight and what they were carrying dictating how heavy their footfalls were and how they stepped to stay low and balanced.  Mike turned his head slowly, keeping his face on the ground as he did.  Two of the group were standing in the trench less then a foot from him.  He gritted his teeth as he watched the two, emaciated men look around.  The group was focusing their attention out to the horizon, so, even if it should have been easy to see him the group just overlooked him.

"Alright, head back," the leader grumbled darkly, continuing to scan the horizon.

"I wouldn't want to be you, Pat," another voice said.

Mike felt a grin tug at the corners of his mouth as he heard the crunch of rocks and dead shrubs under the barrage of boots.  The man they had called Pat stood at his full height, towering over any of the others Johnson had seen in the compound.  When the man turned Mike could see his bulky build, added to by the weapons the man carried.  Pat hesitated as he turned to face Mikes position and looked out over the desolate area.  Johnsons heart stopped for a second and he tensed, ready to pounce the other man.

Pat kicked the ground then turned and walked off, "mother fucker!!" he called out in frustration.

Mike fraught the urge to tell Pat he had better find a cup before returning.  The men disappeared out of his Lin of sight but the soldier kept his head on the ground until the footsteps faded in the ground.  Johnson poked his head up just enough for his eyes to com up over the edge of the trench.  Not seeing anyone close enough to see him he slid down the rest of the way.  The trench was just deep enough for him to stand and not be seen.  He looked around, looking for trash, car parts or any other discarded material that may be able to used as a weapon.  As his eyes searched invisible quadrants and worked their way down the length of th trench Mike spotted an aluminum tube dug into the ground, "sewers," he whispered to himself the moved forward quietly.

He grabbed a couple of rocks, a piece of rebar and a few scraps of cloth as he went.  Johnson paused as he heard what sounded like wood dropping from a shredded shirt.  His heart sank when he saw the bones laying there, blackened and with what looked like knife marks.  His mind momentarily went back to the highway he and his Platoon had driven down, leaving hundreds of people to die.  He gritted his teeth and looked at the building where Tara was being held, "I won't leave you behind," he vowed then moved forward, wrapping the cloth around the rebar and hoping at least one of the rocks would spark against the tube.

9

The stench of the sewer filled Mikes nose and lungs, causing him to gag and fight back the urge to vomit every breath he took.  He had not been able to create a spark from the tube and did not want to try with all the gasses still trapped in the sewer system.  So he had spent what felt like days in the dark, feeling along the concrete walls and slowly sliding his foot forward so as not to end up in the remaining sludge.  He finally got to what felt like a ladder and looked up to see pinpoints of light coming through the manhole cover.  Johnson took a breath and willed his aching and burning muscles to pull him up, run by rung.  When he finally got to the cover he pushed it up only enough to see out.

After making sure the street was clear he moved the cover aside and pulled himself onto the street with a low growl.  The sunlight felt good on his skin, but, felt like a sledge hammer against his head as his eyes tried to adjust to the overwhelming light.  Mike lay on his back, leaving one leg dangling ing the manhole and drawing his other foot to the back of his thigh with his knee up and keeping his eyes closed as he gulped in the fresh air.  The time spent in the sewer  had left him light headed, dizzy and sick due to the accumulation of ammonia and other toxic gasses that had been trapped since the nukes had hit.

"Have to stay awake," the soldier growled to himself and fought the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, feeling almost like a bad hangover.

He drew himself shakily to his feet and looked around for a Police station or anywhere that might have a radio.  Not seeing any his next objective was sun glasses, which led him to a nearby Walgreens that was near falling in on itself.  Mike walked slowly through a broken window, the sound of glass, plaster and rocks echoing through the building as he did so.  His eyes adjusted quicker to the darkness then the light and he was able to take a quick inventory of the small store.

There wasn't much left, it looked like the store had been raided more the a few times in recent months.  Then he spotted a pink bottle on the broken tile floor.  As his stomach lurched and he forced back what his stomach tied to eject he scooped the bottle up and opened the cap, hoping the Pepto was still good.  He chugged down a few swallows of the pink, chalky liquid then pulled the bottle from his lips and exhaled more loudly then he meant.  As the think liquid hit his stomach he felt his insides tighten before releasing.  He put the back of his hand against his lips as his stomach tried one last time to eject its contents before finally giving into the Pepto-Bismol.

Johnson kept the back of his hand over his mouth and kept his eyes locked on a spot on the floor for a few seconds longer, to make sure the queasiness had subsided before moving deeper into the store.  Mike stopped as he rounded a counter then crouched own.  On the floor were three skeletons, two adults and one child, all huddled in a corner together.  He let out a deep sigh and bowed his head, saying a silent prayer over the family before looking up and pulling the tattered blanket laying at their feet up over their heads.

He took a deep breath then stood back up and looked into the darkness, debating whether or not to go deeper into the building.  Then something caught his attention from the depths of the darkness, "Ghost one seven......actual......re....."

Mike jumped back over the countertop and hurried towards the sound.  He felt his adrenalin kick in and his heart jump as he recognized the voice of  his Platoon Sergeant and friend Sal Mendora.  Mike burst through an office door and found an old radio flickering as it tried to push the signal through.  Johnson looked it over and found it rigged to power from a group of large batteries, but it sounded like power was dying  fast.  He looked around and found another set in a line and taped together with duct tape.  Quickly, Mike scooped up the batteries and replaced the old ones then sat down and started slowly turning the tuning dial, "this is Ghost actual, say again Ghost one seven, over."

There was a pause that seemed to last longer then the few seconds it did before the silence broke, "copy Ghost actual, it's damn good to hear you voice, over," Mendora called.

"You too, Ghost one seven," the Captain replied with a sigh of relief, "what's your twenty and sirep, Ghost one seven?  Over," he asked, asking for the Sergeants location and situation.

There was a pause that stirred a mild panic in Johnson's stomach, afraid the radio gave out, before Sals voice broke the silence again, "we are about thirty klicks outside San Antonio, sierra-whiskey bound," the Sergeant replied, causing Johnson to grab a nearby map book as Mendora continued, "I have picked up two squads and we traveling heavy, over."

Mike drew a line going south west from San Antonio and stopping at about the equivalent of eighteen miles.  Mike tapped a finger on the spot then ground his teeth as he moved the book closer to the radio light.  There was a faded blue circle around a town about two miles from where Sal had said he was, "copy, I am about three point one klicks from you, adjust your heading ten degrees south and you'll run into a small town, come in quiet, I'll find you then, over."

"Wilco, Ghost actual, talk to you soon, out," Mendora replied then the radio returned to silence.

Mike let out another sigh and leaned back against the wall.  The soldiers were about five minutes from him and from what the Sergeant had said they were carrying full gear, which meant weapons and, more importantly, food and water.    With that Johnson took a final swallow of the pepto then hurried to the front of the store to find a concealed place to watch the street from and wait for his unit.

31

Aftermath Apocalypse

10

The wind had picked up to a low howl as Johnson made his way to the back of the store through the storage room.  He had recognized Sals voice but he wanted to be sure the soldiers were not followed or that Tara's captors had not overheard the unsecured radio conversation.  To do that Phantom needed a higher vintage point and the roof of the dilapidated Walgreens building provided the best vantage point.  Even without binoculars he would be able to see to the horizon.  At least, that was what he thought until he finished climbing the ladder and pushed open the aluminum cover. 

The air was thick with reddish dust stirred up by the increasing wind storm.  Mike coughed as he got lung fills of the dust, causing his chest to burn.  Johnson pulled himself onto the black tar roof and kept low, trying to stay below the half wall around the roof.  He untucked his shirt and pulled the pea green crew neck up over his nose and tied the back of it to make sure it held on his face.  After h was sure it was secure he moved forward, towards the front of the building, trying to ignore the various smells his cloths had picked up over the past few days.

It didn't take long before the former Captain heard the roar of a Humvee engine.  Humvees, at least the military grade, had engines that were insulated against EMP, or electromagnetic pulse, which shorts out any electrical devices.  He grinned as he peaked out over the wall, making sure to only expose as far as his eyes.  In the distance he could see the white of headlights burning through the dust storm and they were growing fast.  Mike had to fight the urge to call out, he knew that Levi's troops had at least some working vehicles, but did not know the makes of them.

The soldiers fears were alleviated as he saw the familiar tan color on the five approaching Humvees, that nearly blended it into the storm, save for the headlights.  The two vehicles came to a stop just up the street and Sal followed by  twenty five other soldiers.  They quickly moved away from the vehicles, taking up positions under cover in the doorways of the various buildings.  In under a minute the two squads of soldiers had hidden in places where they had a clear view of every angle on the street.  Mikes grin widened as he gave an approving nod then hurried back down the ladder, the soldiers had not lost any of their effectiveness.

As he got to the font of the store Phantom crouched down and pulled the shirt down, "EAGLE," he called out.

"AIRBORNE," Sal called back then stepped out from behind a green trash can that was cemented to the sidewalk.

Mike stood and walked out, meeting Sal near the lead Humvee then extended his hand, "Sergeant, am I happy to see you."

"You and me both, Cap," Mendora replied, gripping Mikes hand tightly and giving a firm shake, "where's your gear?"

"Long story, round 'em up and come inside, we have allot to discuss....." Johnson said then tuned and headed ack into the Walgreens.

35

Aftermath Apocalypse

11

"Alright people, listen up," Sal called and motioned everyone over to the card table with crude drawing of the wear house Mike and Tara had been held in.

The soldiers gathered around the table in a small circle and Mike, now clad in combat gear, nodded, "ladies and gentlemen, first off, thank you for responding to my call, I have an issue and after I brief you everyone will have the option to volunteer or opt out, oooah?" he asked.

"Ooah, Captain," they replied in unison.

Phantom gave a nod then folded his arms on top of his rifle and spread his feet to shoulder width, "about two days ago or so I met up with a woman who had been chased down by two criminal survivors.  The day before yesterday we were captured and held in a factory," he said then reached out and tapped the paper to clarify, "they brought me up to be questioned after they finished raping her.  I saw an opportunity to get out and took it but I will not leave her.  I need volunteers for a rescue mission.  Step back if you do not want to participate."

Mike looked around and watched the soldiers before him.  Some exchanged glances or a nod but none moved.  Mendora looked around then looked back to Johnson, "Captain, I think I speak for everyone here when I say let's get this show on the road, we're Rangers, we leave no one behind."

Everyone nodded and stepped in to the table and the Captain smiled, "ooah.  Let's get this show on the road," he said then reached out, "from what I saw this looks like an old foundry.  There is an entrance here at the front but nowhere else," Mike started then pointed and tapped the funnel shaped entrance, "this is your standard chain link fence but they have patrols along each side.  The group is untrained but they have automatic weapons and they will spray and pray.  Their leader, however, is known as Levi and an ex-SWAT cop.  He is highly trained and ruthless."

They nodded and Sal looked over, "what are the numbers, Cap?"

"I counted about twenty including those who chased me but I know there are at least a dozen more I didn't see," Mike replied then tapped a spot on the paper, "our cell was here, in building number three at the back.  It is a two story building and these cells had hooks with chains, so, possibly a meat locker, which means thick steel door and bulkhead.  Now, I need two recon teams to get me patrol times and frequency throughout tonight," Johnson said.

The Sergeant First Class nodded then looked up, "Tomlinson, Senna, your team one.  You position yourselves here in this ditch the Captain used for evac," he said then tapped on a double line to the west of the complex, "dead brush and dirt is about all you have for cover but from this position you should have a fairly decent view of this perimeter and at least part of the court yard.  Andrews and Alverez, your team two, you'll be up here in the north.  This looks like train tracks but we have no intel about what's there but it should give you the best views of the rear and side of the building." he said.

Mike nodded, "be careful, these are not trained soldiers but that lack of training makes them far more dangerous.  Report back at zero eight hundred, ooah?"

"Ooah," the four replied calmly and nodded as they started talking with themselves about the best route to take in.

"Everyone else is dismissed, get gear stowed and do a weapons check.  I want to move out as soon as we have the intel," Johnson added.

"Sir, isn't this a bit to condensed of a timeline?  I mean if we rush this we are going to add danger we don't need to this," a Specialist said.

"It is but we can't leave her there or we'll be pulling out a corpse rather than a person.  These people abused her for the entire five years underground and Levi has already hinted at killing her, my leaving can't have helped that," Mike said, "this will be designated operation dakota.  Recon teams, synchronize.  It will be seventeen hundred in.....five...four....three....two.....one.....mark," Johnson said.

The two teams clicked the set on their watches to match time with Johnson's then grabbed their M-24 sniper rifles and scopes then hurried out of the makeshift command post.  As everyone else moved off to check and clean their carbines Phantom sat on the table lightly, "so, where were you going, Sergeant?  When we broke off you were going home to California and everyone else were going to find their family too."

Sal shrugged, "we started out heading that way but as we went we saw the destruction," he started then let out a defeated sigh and rubbed his face, "it's bad out there, Mike.  Your pretty missy wasn't the only one, people look to be acting out Darwin and any weak who have survived get preyed on.  We couldn't just ignore so two of us started rounding up anyone we could find, raided Fort Sams motor pool and armory then headed this way to find you."

Mike nodded and set a hand on the Italians shoulder, "well, I'm glad you did, it's been hell my friend, I didn't think I'd make it out of this one," he said, letting out his own sigh.

Sal nodded, "well, if we go at least we'll go together," he replied with an appreciative nod, "so, are you in love her?" he asked then smirked.

Johnson's face went blank as his mind processed the question, "yes," he replied, the voice he heard sounding far off and he had to wonder when that happened, or if it was really love.

Mendora nodded and it was his turn now to offer a supportive shoulder pat, "we'll get her Cap, these .... People won't know what hit them," he said with a grin.

Phantom nodded and smiled, "that they won't, let's get some rest, tomorrow we give them something to remember," he replied then stood back up and moved to go clean his rifle.

39

Aftermath Apocalypse

12

The heat in the air moved over the dirt ground in waves that could be easily seen.  The windstorm that had kicked up had dies down by the time the two teams reached their positions.  Specialist Richard Tomlinson and Marine Corporal Jessica Senna both crawled up to the edge of the drainage ditch they had been shown by Johnson, "Team One in in position," Richard called then looked over to Senna, "I suppose since you were sniper qualified with the engagement teams you want the rifle, eh Marine?" he asked with a smirk.

"Unless you have six confirmed under your belt, yes, I do.  You know Jarheads beat out you G.I.'s any day of the week," the brunette replied with a grin then snatched the sniper rifle away, "here, I'll give you a job even you can do, spot for me."

Tomlinson caught the scope he had gotten tossed then shook his head and smirked, "you know jarheads are just the Armies washouts, right?" he asked in a joking whisper then propped his elbows up on the edge of the ditch.

Jessica chuckled as she extended the bipod on the M24, "keep telling yourself that, boyo, this jarhead will kick your ass with one arm tied behind her back, then you'll really be mad, not only did you lose to a Marine but to a girl," she replied and gave his arm a light punch before putting the rifle stock to her shoulder and pressing her cheek to the middle of the sock.

"Pfft, I'm not afraid, I can just say it was foreplay," the Specialist replied with a grin, "car with a broken windshield, silver, two o'clock, sixty meters."

Senna just grinned, "your lucky we're together, I could get away with shooting you for harassment now," she replied as she turned towards the car and started adjusting her scope dial.

"Yeah, but if you did that who would keep you warm at night," Richard asked with a wink, "red post, eleven o'clock, one hundred fifty meters."

Jessica again turned toward the offered target and adjusted her scope dial, "I still have a stash of batteries, Rrrrroberto can help me all I want there, mmmm," she replied mockingly.

"Team two, in position," Sergeant Andrews called over the radio in a quiet whisper.

Knowing he was bead Richard just shook his head, "twelve o'clock, fire lane on the sidewalk, two hundred ninety meters."

Senna grinned, "and this is why I am on the twenty four," she said teasingly then found the next target, "ok, target one, two clicks, target two, three clicks and target three five," she said after they had finished ranging the street to the fence.

Tomlinson nodded and wrote down each range with corresponding scope setting, "copy.  Fence is three hundred even at twelve," he said then looked over and tilted his head, "and how is Rrrrroberto going to spot for you, all that vibration would just kill your ranges," he said with a grin.

"Oh, shut up," the Corporal said as she bit back a laugh then pointed to the fence, "two Tangos from the north, slow stroll," she said, "three twenty and closing."

Richard nodded and wrote it into the memo pad they had brought, "at least they are inside the fence, I don't want to get into a firefight after what the Captain told us," he said then looked to the south, "two more, moving north, three twenty," he said then started writing.

"It looks like they meet in the middle," Jessica said as the two groups met then turned, "ok, so four tangos on patrol for the west side of the complex," she said as both patrol teams rounded the corners, "I also have what looks like a guard tower, no lights, ten o'clock, four hundred meters," she said.

"Ditto at two o'clock," Richard replied then chewed his lip and tried to zoom in to one of the towers, "I have....two....strike that, three tangos visible at tower two."

"Same on tower one," Jessica replied then moved her rifle back down, "our Tango patrol is coming back around too, time?"

Ricard looked at his watch, "ten minutes since they rounded the corner," he replied then swung his scope back down, "my two are coming back around, looks like a third patrol on the front of the complex."

"Copy that," Senna replied, "alright, let's clock them and get a sketch for the Captain....."

43

Aftermath Apocalypse

13

The next morning came early for the band camping at Walgreens in the nearby town.  Over night Mike had inspected the troops and found that the group came from all of the former services, Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and the Coast Guard.  He was impressed at the comradely that seemed to have developed as the group traveled to him.  Inter service rivalry had been an ongoing thing before the disaster but now any barbs thrown seemed to be only in good natured fun to keep spirits high rather then get under each other’s skin.  The Captain was very impressed with the group.

Mike had gotten up before the others and watched the sun rise in a ritual that had started when he was deployed.  The rising sun almost felt like a shower, washing the previous day and any worries away as it rose.  He had found the only problem was with a new day came new worries, and this day wasn't any different.  He saw the two teams that had been sent out the night before to scout and gather intelligence returning.  It was only then that he even notice that they had been a mix of Army, Marine and Air Force NCO's.  Johnson smiled to himself, not one of them had spoken up when he assigned them together.

"Cap, teams are back," Mendora said as he climbed onto the roof, "sounds like they have an interesting report."

Mike nodded, "I'll bet," he replied then patted his friends shoulder, "you pulled a good unit together, my friend, and your pulling my ass from the fire yet again, thank you."

Sal grinned, "Mike, just remember, three hundred is my limit for rescuing your lazy officer ass and you’re at two ninety nine," he replied then slapped his friend on the back before they both climbed down to the main building.

The unit was gathered around the table with the scout teams at the center, drawing in the patrol units from the foundry.  Mike and Sal came to a stop and waited until they were done before stepping through the group, "ladies and gentlemen, report," Johnson called.

Jessica was the first to speak up, "sir, we counted at least ten tangos on the west side of the property, all within the fence.  There were two patrols," she said and pointed to two boxes with an 'X' representing infantry, "tangos see to patrol up and down this area every fifteen minutes.  Up here we have two guard towers," she said and pointed to two boxes on either end of the line representing the fence, each box surrounding another infantry symbol, "each tower held three tangos with no lights and automatic rifles. "

"We did not see any sniper weapons, but, some of the tangos looked to have low power scopes attached to their weapons," Richard said and stepped forward, "we saw an opportunity at shift change and moved around to the front to get what we could.  They have a fire team guarding the entrance, two on either side of this road.  Inside the fence they had another two man patrol and another tower, no lights, no snipers."

Senna nodded, "in the center area here it was hard to see, but, we counted at least thirty more tangos, armed, and what looked to be another fifty or so civilians, some in chains or getting...abused, others just young children," she said, spatting out the word abused.

Johnson nodded and leaned on the table, that instantly precluded a frontal attack and made their jobs harder, they had to get the innocents out with Tara, "alight, nice job, Sergeant Andrews, you’re up."

Andrews nodded, "sir, we found the same, a guard tower with three here and a set of tangos along this back area with two more sets along the east side of the building," he said, pointing to each, "we could see figures in the second floor windows of building three but could not get a friend or foe I.D. on them."

"Cover?" Mendora asked then looked between the two teams.

"A building here, two story about four hundred yards from this tower, multiple cars and other vehicles here along the street, look to be freshly added, then two vehicles here at the front," the Specialist said, pointing to each.

Jessica nodded, "we rigged some surprises on these front two, we assumed you would want to get the civilians out so this should be a good distraction."

Andrews stepped forward again, "there are box cars at irregular intervals along the tracks, which run down to then away from the east side of the complex.  We had the same idea and rigged up a couple of locomotives we found, should be a nice big boom," he added with a grin.

Mike and Sal both nodded as they looked at the map then Johnson looked up, "alright people, here's the plan.  Sniper team one will have birds eye from this building here, Senna and Tomlinson, this is you.  You'll be responsible for both these towers plus these two patrols.  Andrews and Alverez, sniper team two, you'll set up over here at the east in the box cars.  Take out these two and both of these towers," Mike said then looked between the four as they nodded in understanding.

"From there we will break up into fire teams, two heavy weapons teams, one M two zero three team and two breach teams.  Alpha Heavy will be here, at the end of the drainage ditch, closest to the front of the complex on the west side.  Heavy Bravo will be here, on the front east side.  Two oh three team, you will be Heavy Charlie, I want you here on the east side tracks.  Breach Alpha will be led by me and we'll be going in on the east side, second floor.  Breach Bravo will be led by Mendora and going in on the west side first floor," Phantom explained as he makes the positions on the map drawing.

Everyone nodded, pulling out memo pads and copying the information as Mike went through it, "all heavies will be support after breach, we will need a distraction after we enter.  Charlie, you'll start, I want you to bring the rain on this area here," Johnson said and circled the front east side of the building, "the tango commanders office is in this section somewhere, I want him cut off from giving any orders, so, bring the house down.  Heavy Alpha and Bravo, once the fireworks start I want you to keep your heads, suppressing fire only until Charlie is empty.  Heavy Bravo, chances are good that these guards on the front will move to intercept Charlie, take 'em out when they do.

Snipers, I want you both to move down to the east and west front corners.  Once there your job will be to keep them confused and in a panic, take out any targets of opportunity and watch for the breach teams then cover us.  Heavy Alpha, I haven't forgotten you, when snipers start I want you to move in and secure us transport here, just outside the courtyard.  If everything works how it should all focus should be on the east side away from the vehicles they have stashed in the west side.  This will be both breach teams rally point.  After all teams and evacuees are clear we will rally back here and pick up the humvees.  Ooah?" Mike asked and looked around.

"Ooah, Captain," they all replied, nodding as they studied the assignments.

Mike nodded, "good.  Breach Alpha will be going after Tara Simmons.  She is twenty five, blond hair about shoulder length, five foot ten and about ninety pounds.  She has been malnourished and raped at least once since going back if not more and there is a possibility she is pregnant.  I will need a medic or anyone with combat medic training with me, who fits the bill?" he asked then looked around.

Five of the NCOs raised their hands and Mike regarded each one, "Petty Officer Rallo, how long as a corpsman?" he asked the red headed NCO.

"Eight years, sir," the Petty Officer 2nd Class replied, "I was embedded with a Marine unit in Kandahar for three of those as they pushed in," she added, letting him know what experience she had and keeping it short to save time.

"Good enough, your with me," Johnson replied with a nod.  He knew women were not allowed in combat, but, sometimes the lines get blurred a bit, especially when there is a need for well trained people like at the beginning of the Iraqi war, the commanders had probably dubbed the woman a non-combatant and only let her shoot to defend so that she technically wasn't in combat, just in the combat zone, so, he had no reason to doubt her, "the rest of you, I want at least one medic on Breach Bravo then with Heavy Alpha and Heavy Bravo.  Remember ladies and gentlemen, the people we are pulling out are in as and of shape, if not worse, then Tara, but, they are still our priority, get them out, ooah?" he asked.

"Oohah," the group replied, though subdued.

Mendora raised an eyebrow, "the man said OOAH?" he said, raising his voice for the last word ad met each person’s eyes.

"OOAH!" came the reply, this time echoing throughout the building and in unison.

Johnson nodded with a grin, "good.  Sergeant Mendora will assign team leaders, team leaders you have until eleven hundred hours to get your teams together.”

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Aftermath Apocalypse

14

The sun was high overhead as the Sniper team one stepped out onto the roof top of the unnamed, rundown two story building.  It had taken them forty five minutes to cross the barren area between the town they had set up a command post in and their target.  Richard and Jessica both carried the long and light five shot M24 sniper rifle this time.  In order to take down the patrols and the guard towers they both had to shoot and had to be synchronized so as not to alert anyone, "Johnson must think we're related to the Flash," Senna said with a sight as she screwed on a silencer to the end of her weapon then moved to a crumbling half wall around the roof of the building.

Richard shook his head, "hon, he doesn't even have a full Platoon, we're at least a squad short," he said as he screwed his own silencer on then moved over next to the Corporal, "we can do this, if anyone has the skill and synchronicity it's us," he said and put his hand over hers reassuringly, "five minutes until kick off."

Jessica sighed, all the playful from the night before gone as the two snipers prepared for one of the toughest jobs they had faced, "I know, but this one just feels more important than any other."

"I know, but that's because we got to choose the op this time," Tomlinson replied with a smile.

"And because there are children down there," the Marine added, her hand unconsciously going to touch her abdomen.

The Specialist moved his hand over her abdomen as well and smiled, "we'll get them out and we'll get out," he said then kissed her cheek before pulling his rifle up, "get ready, ten seconds," he said, the gentleness in his voice leaving as he lined up his first shot.

***

Mike and Sal exited the underground pipe into the drainage ditch with their teams and pulled off their gas masks.  Quietly the two teams moved to the embankment and looked over.  The heat once again was coming in waves off the ground.  Mike and Sal exchanged glances, knowing in full combat gear it was at least ten degrees more than the outside air and the outside air was already nearing one hundred degrees in the midday sun.

"Go, no go Cap?" Mendora asked, knowing that the added heat may slow down everyone by to much.

Johnson chewed his lip and looked at the Heavy Weapons Team at the other end of the ditch.  The team leader gave a thumbs up, almost like he already knew what Mike was thinking, "go," the Captain replied then pulled back the charging handle which put a round in the chamber.

Mendora cued up his radio, "all teams, go, go, go," he said in whisper then cocked his own weapon.

***

Jessica and Richards breath both momentarily caught as the First Sergeants voce came through their ear pieces.  The moment passed, however, and they both slowed their breathing as they lined up their first shots in the guard towers.  The sniper team did not say anything as the first shots sped off, sending the rifles into their shoulders.  All other sound disappeared and time seemed to, then, in a matter of seconds, they had cleared the west side of the complex.

***

"Team one clear," the voice of Corporal Senna called over Mikes ear piece.

"Team two clear," Sergeant Andrews called less than a second later.

Suddenly the ground shook and fireballs followed by screams and panicked yells came from the west side of the complex, "breach teams, move out, double time," Johnson ordered then hurried out on to the top of the embankment and toward the fence.

As his pack hit his lower back the Captain could already feel the sweat starting to trickle down his face.  The soldier fought his instinct to look back, focusing on the rapidly approaching chain link fence.  He dropped to his knee as soon as he got to the fence and pulled his M4 scope up to his eye as weapons fire rang out.

"Cutters," Sal called then motioned an Air Force Airman Second Class forward. 

The Airman nodded and quickly cut the ties securing the chain link to its pole then cut an opening for them to get through.  Both teams hurried through and Johnson gave Mendora a nod before rounding the corner at the back of the building.  It took longer than expected but the breach team made it to the door on the second building, "breach team one in position."

"Copy, go on your mark," Sal called back.

Mike looked back at the file of soldiers against the wall then pulled out a flash bang and put his hand on the door handle, "GO, GO, GO!" he called, simultaneously pulling the door open and tossing the black canister in the door then slammed it shut and turned away from the door.

There was a loud boom and the pressure pushed the door open.  The Captain grabbed it and hurried inside as smoke billowed out.  The air smelled singed as he moved behind boxes for cover and scanned the hallway through his scope.  Shots rang out from the opposite end of the hallway, "CONTACTS, TWELVE O'CLOCK!" he called, Giving his team warning so they could stay down and return fire.

Johnson squeezed his trigger and time slowed as the rifle slammed into his shoulder with each round that left the barrel.  Voices seemed to come from far off as the rest of the team returned fire.  Through the smoke Johnson tried to fire a the muzzle flashes, but it was taking to much time, "FRAG," he called over his shoulder.

"FRAG OUT!" the Navy Corpsman called as the dark green sphere left her hand and bounced down the hallway.

The floor shook and the corridor filled with smoke and fire as the team ducked down to avoid being hit by debris.

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15

Mike coughed as the acrid black smoke filled his lungs.  The fire and smoke rushed to the open door behind the team and he could feel the heat fill his chest every time he took even a shallow breath.  His ears rung and his looked around, doing a quick head count of his team.  5, Johnson thought to himself then nodded.  As his hearing started to clear the sound of gun fire had ceased.  With another nod to himself he looked out from behind his cover and counted two dead enemy and another four that looked wounded and disabled, "MOVE FORWARD," he called, punctuating the order by holding up his hand with his thumb folded into his palm and his fingers outstretched and pressed together pointing down the corridor.

The breach team stood without hesitation and moved down the corridor two by two.  One person on each side of the corridor would move forward to the closest cover position, followed by another pair who would go to a position in front of that.  This allowed for quick movement without making the entire team a target and allowed each pair to provide cover and warning for the rest of the group.  Even though the team was mixed from the different services the training they received and how close that training was evident.  Mike found himself proud of the men and women whom Sal had brought with him, each in sync with the person next to them.

With a grin the Captain moved forward with the Corpsman and into the lead spot of the formation.  He and the Petty Officer swept the the foyer at the end of the hallway with their scopes, "CLEAR," he called then stood up and looked back, "weapon collection, we move in thirty seconds," he said, pointing to the rifles on the ground.

They were in a hurry, however, Johnson was not going to leave any weapons within arm’s reach of the injured.  As long as they were breathing his training told him they were a threat, but he was not going to murder them either. 

"Breach Two, we are under heavy fire," Sals voice crackled through the radio ear piece, "heavy three, reposition and give us some grenade fire, heavy one, open up on the west building."

Mike put two of his fingers against the ear piece as the sound of gun fire filtered through.  He glanced out of a nearby window and saw the courtyard across the way in the west building erupt in fire and a hail of bullets from the grenade launchers and SAW, "alright, move out, I have point," Mike called then moved forward towards the stairs that would take them down into the foundry area.

Gun fire greeted them and the team hurried behind nearby machinery.  Shots hit the metal and concrete sending sparks and shrapnel from the bullets.  The whizzes almost reminded Mike of a bad movie as he put his M4 out to return fire without putting his head out.  The point was more to try and get the enemy to take cover so he could look out and aim rather than actually hitting anyone.  With the gun fire on both sides Johnson had to keep track of his trigger pulls, firing three round bursts from his thirty round magazine.  It didn't take long before he heard the click, click, click of the firing mechanism on the empty rifle. 

He pulled back and ducked down, "we don't have time for this," he growled as he pulled out a new magazine and slid it into place then hit the release to fire again.

Mike looked around, trying to find either a way out or higher ground, "Rollo, up there, think you can get up there and get in behind them?" Mike asked, pointing the Corpsman to a ladder and catwalk spanning the roof.

The petty Officer looked over then nodded, "Aye, sir," she replied then stood and patted a Marine Lance Corporal and Army Private First Class on the shoulder before motioning for them to follow her.

"COVER FIRE," Mike called and pointed with his head toward the men firing at them. 

The other two enlisted officers with him popped up and opened fire on the enemy.  Mike gritted his teeth as he popped out and fired bursts at the gunmen.  The gunmen ducked down and Rollo took her team up the tall ladder as quick as they could move laden with combat gear.  Mike watched as they moved onto the catwalk then moved quickly across then down the other side.  Shots rang out followed by a few cries then silence.  Johnson looked between the other two with him and they waited silently.

"CLEAR," Rollo called from across the room.

"Damn civilians," one of the Privates grumbled.

This caused Mike to stop and turn mid step, "keep that put away, Private.  They may be shooting at us but we do not know the circumstances, they may give up once their leader isn't there anymore, fear and misery can make people do things they may not want to," he said then turned, "move out," he added, knowing they had to fire back, but, he was not going to let his team go down the road of demonizing people that may not have had any choice but to fight the soldiers coming in.

The man that had gotten his hand verbally slapped grumbled under his breath but didn't say anymore as the team made its way to the cells.  They got to the corridor where the cells were and Mike pulled out a small, parascoping mirror to peer around the corner.  Johnson didn't see anything so he gave a nod to his team and they quickly moved down to the third cell, "Rollo, with me, the rest of you, secure this corridor," he ordered then turned and opened the door.

Blackness greeted him as the sounds of gun fire from the other buildings greeted him.  There was no movement in the room and fear started to grip him as reached for his flashlight, "Tara," he called and shined the light in, cutting through the black, lightless room like a knife through a perfectly cooked steak.

His heart sank when there was no answer.  Then his light found her and Tara fell forward, collapsing in his arms, "medic," he called without thinking as he laid Tara down and took her hand.

Rollo was already moving in with her medical kit by the time Mike had Tara on the concrete floor.  Tara's eyes were filled with tears as she looked up, "the....they said you left me....that you...were freed and left me..." she said between sobs.

"Shhhh, let the Corpsman look you over," Mike said softly and squeezed her hand and caressed her hair.

Fresh bruises shown on her face in the dim light and Mike felt a surge of anger course through him.  Mike looked at Rollo and tried to push it to the side.

"She's malnourished and has several fractures, sir, we'll need to carry her out of here," the Petty Officer replied to his look without looking up from the bandages she was placing.

"All teams, this is Phantom, we have the primary package, proceed to extract," Mike called through his cued radio. 

No sooner had he called then is team was back to him, "get the stretcher out, we need to carry her," Mike ordered and Rollo handed the Lance Corporal a folded stretcher, "Tara, we'll get you out of here, I promise," Johnson said softly then leaned in and kissed the battered woman's forehead.

"CAPTAIIIINNNNNNNNNNNN," a voiced yelled from down the corridor, echoing all around the team.

Mike gritted his teeth and stood, "Levi," he growled then looked down, "Rollo, take charge and get to the extraction.  If I am not behind you by the time you get there, leave, that's an order," he added, putting his finger up to stop the argument he saw coming.

The Petty Officer just nodded then looked back at the Corporal and Privates, "let's move," she ordered and took point position as the two Privates picked up the stretcher with Tara on it and the Corporal took up the rear.

With that Mike pulled his M4 from behind his back and started down the corridor, "I'm going to kill that sonofabitch," he growled then changed the magazine and slammed his palm angrily into the release for the charging handle and chambering a round.

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16

Levi rounded the corner of the dark corridor with his face and arms covered in streams of blood.  His uniform had been shredded and the tactical vest he wore was now dangling by a single strap at his waist.  The ex-police Sergeant had narrowly gotten out of his office as grenades rained from seemingly nowhere through his window.  He didn't know how but he knew it was the wayward soldier and Levi would be damned if the soldier beat him.  Levi paused as he heard footsteps in the distance.  He squinted to see a dark figure coming towards him, face hidden in the shadow of a helmet, "Johnson, glad you could get back to the party."

Mike just growled in reply and raised his rifle as he thumbed the fire select switch to semi, which would give him single shots rather than bursts, "tell me why I shouldn't deck the halls with your brains right now you stupid fuck!"

Levi just grinned as the muzzle of Mikes rifle pressed flush to Levi's temple, "because your code of honor won't let you kill me in cold blood," Levi replied confidently then grinned, his teeth covered in dark red blood.

"After what you have done to these people, to Tara, why wouldn't I?" Mike asked then grabbed what was left of the front of Levi's uniform and shoved him to the wall, keeping the muzzle pressed on Levi's temple.

"Do it then, Captain," Levi taunted, his grin never fading.

Mikes finger started to squeeze the trigger, the trigger slowly moving back.  He stopped and pulled Levi forward then slammed him hard into the wall again before letting go and stepping back.  The fact that the other man was right made Mikes blood boil.  Levi turned slowly and held up his hands then reached carefully to his belt to produce a serrated hunting knife.

Johnson regarded the man silently, looking him over, before finally nodding.  Mike reached up and pulled off his helmet then pulled his rifle strap over his head and set both on the ground, not taking his eye off Levi.  Then he reached up and pulled out a Kbar one of the Marines had given him, "we do this and I will kill you," Mike warned as he put his left foot back and leaned forward slightly.

Levi just grinned then lunged forward, knife out.  Mike easily side stepped, doing a spin like a football player a voting a tackle.  In the same motion Johnson brought the Kbar down and slashed Levi's back, causing the other man to call out and stumble forward.  Mike stepped back and shook his head.

Levi leaned on the wall with his palm, trying to catch his breath before he turned then lunged again.  Mike went to duplicate the spin but was met with a sharp pain to his lower back.  Mike growled and his momentum carried him into the wall shoulder first.  Mike reached back and under the bottom of the tactical vest and pulled his fingers back with blood.  As he looked to Levi, Mike felt the tingling in his left leg start, meaning Levi missed the kidney but most likely hit a nerve or the muscles were pinching the nerve.

Levi just smirked and stood, watching Mike with a shrug.  Mike just growled and spun the back of Kbar against his wrist with the sharp side out then rushed at Levi.  Just as the Captain reached a surprised Levi both men started to get covered in debris from the ceiling.

***

Sal stood in the enemy motor pool and leaned against a police Hummer.  Most of the civilian force had given up once the two SAWs, grenade launchers and two sniper teams had started focusing on the bulk of the resistance.  Mendora and the others all were smiling cockily as they looked over the courtyard.  As relaxed as they looked each soldier was still keenly aware of everything going on in their surroundings.  The non-combatant civilians were loading up into the various vehicles.  The Sergeant sat forward and stood strait as he saw Petty Officer Rollo followed by the rest of the breach one team carrying a stretcher, "Thomlinson, Richards go help them," he called then hurried over to Rollo, "where's Johnson?" he asked as he looked back through the door.

Rollo just shook her head then looked back, "hunting, sir," she replied simply.

No sooner had the Petty Officer replied then the ground started to shake and loud crashes followed by dark gray dust, "EVERYBODY BACK," Mendora called and instinctively shoved Rollo away ahead of him.

They all made it away from the building as it came down, "Phantom....." he breathed out as he felt his body go cold.

The soldiers all gathered around and helped Mendora and Rollo to their feet then looked at the rubble, struggling to keep the worry off of their faces.  They were turning to leave when an Air Force Technical Sergeant pointed out just beyond the rubble, "THERE!"

Mike was coming up over the top of the rubble dragging an unconscious Levi by the wrist.  Mendora, Rollo and a few oath others hurried over to Mike and Levi, "you had us worried, Mike," the Sergeant First Class said as he grabbed the Captain.

"He's wounded," Rollo said and started to strip his tactical vest away and pulled up the back of his ACU blouse and t-shirt, "it's not bad, shallow stab wound, just need some stitches," the woman reported then sat back on her feet and let out a breath.

"This...is...Levi," Mike said between coughs, "he's alive....leave him a...canteen...and let's get the hell out of here," Johnson breathed then pulled himself fully to his feet and headed for the lead Hummer, leaving Levi where he laid.

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17

Mike had passed out on the way to Corpus Christi and the Navel station there.  When he woke up the sterile air was the first thing he noticed then the white walls around him.  He groaned as he went to sit up and felt the vibrations from the deck up through the bed he was on.

"You had us scared, sir," Rollo said with a smile.

The next thing Mike noticed was the lurch of the deck, which caused his empty stomach to roll, "where....?"

"USS Lexington, sir, you've been out for three days," the Petty Officer replied and gently pushed him back down, "you were exhausted, your body finally gave out on you."

Johnson nodded, up until the attack he had not slept in three days, "where are we now?" he rasped out.

"About half way across the Gulf," Sal replied as he entered the room and smiled, "the swabbies and puddle pirates were able to get the old girl moving again," he added and grinned sweetly when the Petty Officer shot him a look that could kill.

"Better than being a doggie," Rollo said then smiled just as sweetly.

"Nice to see the end of the world and fighting renegade cops hasn't dulled the love any," Mike said with a laugh ten shook his head, "where is Tara, doggie, swabbie?" he asked and looked between Mendora and Rollo with a smirk.

Sal just chuckled and shook his head then motioned to the curtain before looking to Rollo, "C'mon, Petty Officer, let a doggie buy you a cup of coffee."

"Pfft, coffees free here," Rollo scoffed with a grin then followed Mendora out, closing the door behind them.

Mike shook his head wondering if Mendora finally found someone who could dish it out as good as the Sergeant could give it.  After a second the Captain took a breath then shakily stood and pulled back the white curtain dividing the room in half.  On the next bed was Tara asleep and bathed.  Mike smiled as he watched her sleep, some of the water from her bathing still on her skin and hair causing them to glisten in the soft sun light coming through the port hole.  Mike moved over, smiling, and slid his hand in hers.  Cleaned up her hands were soft and, save for the bruises suffered at Levi and his crews hands, her skin was silky white.

Tara's eyes opened slowly and she flinched at first then smiled realizing who he was, "Mike," she whispered and pulled her free hand up to touch his cheek, "you came back for me."

Mike turned his head to kiss her palm gently then nodded, "of course I did, I told you I'd protect you," he replied and smiled, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, "Levi and his minions won't hurt you anymore."

Tara smiled then started to chew her bottom lip and looked out the port hole at the blue sky beyond, "what's wrong?" Mike asked and pulled her hand up to kiss it.

Tara hesitated before looking back, "I....I'm pregnant," she finally spat out, a look of shame on her face.

Mike rested his palm on her belly, "I figured as much, the only times I have seen someone that sick was after CS Gas exposure in basic and when my wife was pregnant with our daughter," he said, the pain that normally showed on his face still there but not as harshly.

"I'm a whore, Mike," Tara said and squeezed his hand.

Mike put a finger to her lips then shook his head, a softness in his eyes, "you are not a whore, Tara," he said softly, "and if you'll let me I will help with the child when he or she is born," he added with a smile.

Tara nodded, "ok," she breathed then grabbed his neck and guided him down, her lips meeting his.  The kiss was chaste, but, packed with everything she was feeling for him.  The both looked to the port hole and out towards the horizon over the seemingly endless water and wondered what they would find once they reached the shore again.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A.      Horman has a degree in computer networking and has an undergraduate degree in Psychology.  A. Horman writes poetry and belongs to a writing group where a plot line is created and several people write from different character perspectives.  He was involved in the Police Explorer program as well as being a security officer for 2 years. 

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