Paul Kirk - Devastation Point

“The colonel sees the wild packs as symbolic.”

“How so?” asked Shamus, intrigued.

“Her whole being is focused on one goal—regaining the control of the country.” He paused, knowing he hadn’t spoken quite correctly. “Wait—I didn’t mean it like she’s power-hungry or anything. I meant that she wants to take control to organize. She wants the country to be efficient—she wants it producing and trading its products. Most of all, she wants the country to be rebuilt safe for its citizens.”

“That’s why we signed on, major,” said GT.

“She’ll take the fucking predators to task. Any and all,” said the major, passionately. “It’s in her nature. She doesn’t know any other way.”

GT, Scott, and Shamus glanced at one another with an unspoken understanding. “With your help, major, she really might do it.”

“Thanks, Shamus.” Blushing, he stared at the bearing in GT’s hand. “See if you guys can fix that bird so we can head outta here on schedule.”

“You got it, major.”

“Larry? You there? Over.”

“Go ahead, Luke. I copy.”

“Phoenix nearby? Over.”

“Yep. Over.”

“Good. How far back are you?”

“On Arlington. Over.”

“How far on Arlington?”

“Probably halfway up the hill behind you and your team. Call it a mile.”

“Still movin’?”

“Taking it slow. The log-sups are locating a spot to settle in for the night. There’s a Pizza Hut that might work as command. Over.”

“Negative. Over.”

“Say again?”

Phoenix stood with Larry outside the lead trucks. They’d exited to better scan the area since, for the past twenty minutes; the log-sups were insisting they stop for the evening.

“Negative on the halt. Over.”

Still pissed from the bridge and aerial assaults earlier, Phoenix continued to assess the impact from the recent loss of men and machines. He grew more determined to press on and find the bastards that took those killing shots on the bridge. Hearing Luke’s voice on the radio telling him how to run his army, Phoenix erupted in fury and grabbed Larry’s arm.

“Tell that fucker to explain what’s happening. Now!”

Larry Reed knew not to question the volatile mood.

“Luke, provide details. What’s going on? Over.”

Shifting focus, Phoenix ignored the radio chatter and felt a sudden predatory calm overtake him. Fresh prey was discovered in his line of sight and he truly relished the immediate distraction. Settling down his mood, he tracked the approach of Reggie, one of his more senior scouts. With purpose, Reggie and his second in command, Cinch, carried two struggling children, a beautiful package tossed before him, bound and gagged. Focused, Phoenix took immediate notice of each child splayed on the ground at his feet. Intrigued, he waited for the new captures to rise. They did so quickly, graceful despite the tight bonds on hands and feet. Once standing, Reggie and Cinch held the children firmly by the shoulders and throat.

“What’s this, Reggie?” Studying the children, one male and the other female, Phoenix took his time considering this sudden turn of events. A pleasurable surge of blood swelled his loins.

“Found ’em hiding in that burnt down Midas Muffler shop, sir. Thought you might like to take a look, sir.”

Dirty, but well fed, both were small and fit. The boy was probably thirteen and the girl somewhere around eleven. The clothes and hiking boots on each were newer, sensible for travel and survival in today’s world, though the girl wore a rather gaudy gold ring and bangle bracelets that caught the eye.

“I see… now,” said Phoenix. He glanced at Reggie and Cinch, before shifting back to devour the beauty of the two children. He imagined them cleaned up with hair combed, appreciating the fact that his scouts had brought them before him, knowing his predilection for the exotic. “What do we got here?”

Stepping close and reaching toward the boy, he went to touch the long, dark hair, before the boy flinched away. Nodding to Reggie that this small act of defiance was fine, Phoenix moved to crouch in front of the girl; he studied her coffee-tanned skin and deep-black eyes. He touched a full head of luxuriant black hair before she pulled away. Clearly, they were brother and sister, the brother older maybe by a year or two. Phoenix stood and backed up a few steps to better see them both. He ignored the sounds of Larry on the radio as his mind began to focus exclusively on the two children. The boy stared hard into Phoenix’s eyes. The small girl tried to do the same. Clearly, they were not used to authority, captivity, or anyone exercising control. That will change, Phoenix thought.

“I want names. You first, boy.”

Reggie pulled out the gag and when no answer was forthcoming, Reggie swatted him in the head. Still no answer.

“Hmm, interesting. I want names. Kill the girl if he doesn’t answer in ten seconds.”

The reply was immediate.

“Renaldo.”

“Good enough for now. And you, my dear?”

Cinch pulled out her gag, perhaps a bit more gently. The young girl gave no response above the intense radio chatter between Larry and Luke.

“The same applies in reverse, you understand, my little beauty? I kill your brother.”

“Gabriella,” she said. She shivered after the admission.

“It’s okay, Gabby,” said Renaldo softly.

“Thank you… Gabby,” said Phoenix.

“Only I can call her that!” said Renaldo. The fury vibrated in his voice.

Phoenix turned to Reggie and Cinch. He had no further need for them and they were now simply in the way. “A good find, Reggie. You made your mark today.”

“Thank you, sir. No problem, sir.”

“Take 300 for you and Cinch for the find. See Murphy.”

“Yes, thank you sir!”

Distracted, Phoenix continued to stare at the children. He had expected both men to leave immediately, but Reggie lingered.

“Um, sir? There’s a few things you should know about—” said Reggie.

“ Dismissed !”

“Yes, sir.”

Reggie left quickly with Cinch to attend to other matters. Walking past Larry, he whispered a clear warning that the children were dangerous. On the other hand, Reggie was relieved at the immediate dismissal, and by the fact that he didn’t have to report that three of his men were killed taking these two youngsters into captivity. Had he been allowed, he would’ve informed Phoenix that the two children took their squad by surprise when they’d entered the Midas shop. The girl made quick use of a nine-inch blade that sliced Krug into bits while her brother took Crisco and Stringman down in less than ten seconds with a shotgun before his men returned fire and subdued. It was only by sheer, brute force and the confinement within the Midas stock room that enabled the remainder of his team to take them down in capture. Seeing the two children move during the brutal takedown, it was obvious they were trained to fight from an early age; the efforts not to bruise or damage either one made the capture especially challenging. Larry Reed nodded, but was intent on listening to Luke on the radio in order to update Phoenix. When Luke’s update was complete, Larry demanded Phoenix’s attention.

“Luke says we got an enemy team of military men up ahead.”

Breaking Phoenix’s reverie, Larry kept a wary eye on the children, gauging their propensity for danger based on Reggie’s comment. But feeling pressed for time, he pushed for full attention.

“Phoenix? They’re ’bout 400 clicks out past Luke on Brownsville Road.”

“Take care of it, uncle. Can’t you see I’m busy?” Phoenix smiled, exposing his perfect white teeth, continuing to gaze at both children. Eventually, the girl began to shake under his gaze. Seeing this, her brother hopped closer in his bindings to stand in front of her, blocking further view.