Paul Kirk - Devastation Point

“It’s a gift from your team, ma’am. The rest of the stuff in there’s for us men—and Nicole and Amanda and CJ.”

Tears forming, Colonel Starkes sat the bag on the table, snatching up her coffee to walk a few feet away. With her back turned, she took a deep sip, burning her mouth. She tried her best to compose herself. Not surprisingly, Nicole and the men waited. After a few more seconds, Colonel Starkes turned back and smiled, quickly wiping her eyes.

“Thank you. Thank you all.”

“Our pleasure, ma’am,” said Stimpy. His look of satisfaction nearly made her cry all over again.

Brushing emotions aside, Colonel Starkes walked up to Ren and Stimpy and stared, as if angry. Seeing their confusion, she smiled. “These aren’t the easy-open lids. Tell me one of you has a damn can opener.”

“Right here, Hannah.” Nicole pulled the can opener from her back pocket.

“Thanks.” Brazenly, Colonel Starkes grabbed another Vienna sausage from the box and motioned toward the door. “Grab some food everyone and let’s head over to the bird for breakfast. Bring something for the major, that son-of-a-bitch. We’re going to eat like kings and queens this morning! Ren, go wake up Amanda. Here, hold this, Nicole,” said Colonel Starkes, handing over her coffee.

The colonel’s hands shook in anticipation, as she slipped the opener onto the small can. She walked toward the door and opened it with the team following close behind. Tossing the lid away, she held the can to her nose and stopped. The team stopped with her. “Oh. My. Wow!” Reaching in delicate fingers, she pulled a small, pale sausage and slipped it into her mouth. Unable to move after the burst of raw flavor, she simply moaned, uncaring if the men saw her as less than their commanding officer.

“It’s good, huh?” asked Nicole. She smiled, studying the evident pleasure.

“You don’t know the half of it, Nicole. This is one of my absolute favorites.”

“Yeah, so Mike’s told me.”

“Oh, my—”

“Did you see the four pounds of coffee in Ren’s box? Mike said to make sure I told you he found some new coffee for you.”

Colonel Starkes laughed as she pulled another sausage out of the can. “Yeah, I hafta be sure to thank him on that.”

“You’re safe now, Renaldo Miguel. Over.”

“Says who?”

“I’m Colonel Connor MacMillen. We’re sittin’ about one hundred yards from you, at the KFC. Have the sergeant bring you here.”

“And if I don’t want to?”

“Well, in that case, I’ll have ’em give up an automatic weapon and a few magazines to send you on your way, better equipped than that handgun. I’ll even have him pass along some supplies and water so you can go on your way with your friend. Over.”

“She’s my sister. Can I have his binoculars?”

“I guess, sure. Okay. Your call. But you’d do better to fall in with us than take your chances. From what you mentioned, there’s menace afoot. Have you happened to meet up with anyone interesting today? Over.”

“Maybe. Ahh… yeah, a puta named Phoenix. Over.”

“You catch on quick with radio protocol, kid. Phoenix you say? A puta no less? Love it! C’mon in and we’ll talk. Bring your handgun, loaded if you must. Bring your sister. Over.”

“I might. Over.”

Renaldo stared at the radio and then at the men surrounding him. As if in a dream, he raised the radio to his lips. “Are you for real?”

“That I am, Renaldo. Remember, My name’s Connor Mac. Over.”

“How can I trust you? Over.”

“Well, think of it from my perspective. You’d be dead already if I didn’t think you’d add value to my team. Over.”

Renaldo studied the men staring at him. He was sure that they were not about to kill him and appeared genuinely interested in taking him to this Colonel MacMillen—to discuss what he might know and possibly trade for. Reaching a decision, he waved Gabriella to come in.

“I see what you mean but I’m taking a big chance, colonel. Over.”

“And I’m not? Over?”

Renaldo considered the situation from the viewpoint of this Colonel MacMillen. The fact that this colonel was devoting this amount of time talking to him made him realize that the colonel was a rather smart man, seeking to gain advantage by having current and updated local tactical data at his fingertips. His confidence that he’d made a good choice continued to climb. Gabriella came near, studying the fierce men around her, clutching the bag in her left hand. The men were concerned at the large handgun floating in Gabriella’s right hand, though, so far, she had not waved it in a dangerous way.

“Nully? It’s okay?”

“I think so, Gabby. Hey, put that on safe and in the bag for now.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, I think it’s gonna be okay.”

Gabriella safed the weapon and slipped the Colt into the bag, staring at the big men around her. They visibly relaxed at the gesture. Cautiously, she came to stand by Renaldo’s side. Protectively, he wrapped his arm around her, holding the radio to his lips.

“I hope I’ve done good, colonel. My dad would kill me if I’m wrong. Over.”

“Bring him in too, Renaldo. Where’s your dad? Bring your mom. Over.”

“They’re dead, colonel. Over.”

There was a hesitation in Connor responding to the revelation.

“I see. I’m thinking he’s taught you well. What’s your sister’s name? Over.”

“Gabriella. Over.”

“Gabriella, okay. You and Gabriella come in and see what’s up. You can become part of our team or leave us better than you came after a quick discussion. Your call, Renaldo. Over.”

“Right now—I think you’re the real deal. Over.”

“I am, Renaldo. Come on in and tell me what you know about this Phoenix before we get the hell outta here. Over.”

“Yeah, well colonel, we better move quick—he’s probably right around the corner—from where I dropped him off. Over.”

“Figured as much. This, I gotta hear. Get in here. Over and out.”

“Hi there, Renaldo.”

“You Colonel MacMillen?”

“No, I’m Major John. Come on this way.”

Renaldo followed John McLeod. Stopping, John caught the attention of the men behind the boy. Stretch waited.

“Sir?”

“Stretch, Mac says to run on in and grab some food, you and your team.”

“I hear that.”

“He’s sent out a team for rear guard near your last position.

“Yes, sir. Good.”

“I’ll take him from here.”

“Sure, sir?”

“Yeah, I got them now.

“Okay,” said Stretch, “Thank you, sir.”

John McLeod squatted in front of Gabriella.

“You must be Gabriella. Hi there.”

“Hi,” said Gabriella, bashful.

“C’mon, you two, let’s go over to meet the colonel.”

Renaldo followed behind John McLeod with Gabby, close behind. Observation and analysis training by his father kicked into overdrive and Renaldo saw many men clustered in batches, talking. All were armed, giving him barely a glance. He walked behind John McLeod to the entrance of the KFC, seeing many more people inside. Upon his entrance, everyone turned.

“Renaldo Miguel, nice to meet you,” said Connor. He walked toward the entrance.

Renaldo had pegged the brown-eyed man with the small scar above his eye as the clear leader. At the man’s approach, Renaldo sensed his energy and charismatic command presence. Several other men followed behind to stand near.

“I see you still have that gun in your hand, a Taurus Judge I see.”

Renaldo glanced at the weapon. Feeling a bit silly, he hit the safety, tucking the gun in the front of his pants.