Paul Kirk - Devastation Point

“Yeah, we’ll need to wait at least an hour on this batch to let my concoction take hold completely,” said GT.

“Good job, guys.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“I’ll grab the solar pump in prep,” said GT.

“Have Ren and Stimpy help out in the hook up, GT.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“How many we lose, Kaiden?” asked Phoenix. He was surprisingly calm. The eight hours of sleep he had at the McDonald’s had served him well.

“Thirty men, sir.”

“How many are seriously wounded?”

“Three, sir. They can be moved with care.”

“Horses?”

“Thirty-six dead.”

Kaiden clicked off the numbers with dread. Each statement was a testament to his failure as a commander. Distracted for a second, he brushed the sweat from his forehead and, out of nervous habit, stroked his thick blonde Mohawk before dropping his hand to his side. He knew he did not have long to live.

“I’ll tell you, Kaiden, those Hellfires can kick some ass.”

“Yes, sir.”

Kaiden risked a glance at Phoenix’s face. He was confused by the absence of Phoenix’s characteristic fury when things did not go well.

“Well, that’s one less left that the Bitch has to do any damage.”

Kaiden was not sure how to respond to this sudden calm acceptance of his failure. “Yes, sir. She sent it smack dab into the advance team.”

“That’s what I heard, Kaiden. Your rider told us a few miles back.”

“Yes, sir.”

“How long you been stopped here waiting?”

Kaiden checked his watch, a beautiful, solar-powered Longine-Whittenauer given to him upon promotion to Brigade Commander. It was the most enviable piece of equipment in all the army based on the rank and privilege it bestowed. The men all spoke of the benefits of owning such a watch, especially the unlimited access to whiskey and the beautiful women in the Pound. Supposedly, there were only ten of them known to exist. Rumor said Phoenix had four more watches to dish out and then there were no more. One of the remaining four watches was supposed to go to Luke Killington after this expedition, though that appeared in doubt at the rate things were going. “We’ve been here regrouping for three hours and forty-two minutes, sir.”

“Damn. That delay is unacceptable.”

Kaiden stood stiff at attention, several patched shrapnel wounds on arms and legs starting to show signs of ongoing blood loss. Resigned at facing Phoenix after this abysmal failure, he was mentally prepared to die, wondering what a 9mm bullet from an M&P would feel like entering his brain. Idly, he wondered if it would feel any different than the .45 caliber bullet of the Judge that Phoenix had lost to Renaldo.

Staring into the distance, Phoenix gave him little attention and shifted to study the easing chaos of men and horses around him. Larry Reed and Tippy Cup stood beside him, gauging his mood. Phoenix turned to his uncle. “Assign shovel detail immediately, uncle. Help bury these men. They’re our men. Assign four teams to preserve and pack the horsemeat for travel. Too bad about the leather, but if they have time, tell ’em to strip what they can. Get the Log-Sups to assess and assign surplus supplies to the trucks. Tell everyone they have three hours to do it.”

“Yes, sir.” Larry Reed and Tippy Cup left Kaiden to stand alone in the middle of the cracked blacktop, facing Phoenix.

Phoenix turned further away from Kaiden, staring at the impact crater produced by the Hellfire. During his scan of the surroundings, he noticed many men were surreptitiously watching the exchange between him and Kaiden. He knew Kaiden was one of the most respected leaders in the entire army and much-loved by the cavalry riders, in particular. What he also saw made him proud, since the men had recovered and were mostly “ride-ready” and at his command.

“Kaiden,” said Phoenix, voice raised. Always a quick learner in controlling his men, he knew they were waiting to see what his next move would be with Kaiden. Smiling to himself, Phoenix admitted that he had learned quite a bit over the past few days. With a sharp spin, he faced Kaiden. Purposefully, he did not look happy. “This was my failure, Commander Kaiden. Not yours.”

“Sir?”

“Due to a brief lapse in field tactics and overall strategy… I won’t make excuses, I neglected to establish a sequential manned radio link with my advance team. I had the capability to do so yet I did not.” Phoenix studied Kaiden, recognizing the tentative return of hope in the face of a certain death.

The hope in Kaiden’s eyes disappeared as quickly as it came. A sense of resignation returned. “I should’ve given that order, sir. It was basic tactics, but only crossed my mind about two miles before the Bitch hit us. No excuses, sir. It was my brigades to command and I lost nearly a third of my men.”

Phoenix moved up and into the face of Kaiden. “Commander, how soon you forget… these are my men,” The growl from Phoenix could’ve chilled ice to shatter.

“Yes, sir.”

“And when, in those rare instances, that I’m at fault, it’s my error that costs the lives of my men.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And you!”

“Sir?”

“You’re one of the best warriors I’ve ever seen since the Cuckoo Flu knocked us back to medieval times. That much is true, commander. There are few things you can ever do to disappoint me, Kaiden.”

“Thank you, sir.” A flicker of hope returned to Kaiden’s eyes.

“That being said, I need you to reenergize these men to the point that they’ll drink the blood of that Bitch using a tiny red straw. You will also bring me that Rat Pack. And I mean now!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Am I clear?” The low, sharp edge sent a chill up Kaiden’s spine and if possible, he stood straighter.

“Yes, sir!”

Phoenix let him remain braced at attention for five seconds before relenting. “At ease, commander.”

“Sir.”

“What other information can you give me about my pesky little Rat Pack?” Phoenix waited for an answer, casually sneaking glances at the men. Pleased, he noticed many had relaxed in the saddle or began tending to other business rather than watching their exchange.

“They’re moving fast on foot with five, maybe six horses.”

“The same bastards? Heading straight up Route 51? No attempt to break off the road?”

“No, sir.”

“Hmm, wonder why? It would be an obvious choice of mine getting off this road, at least for awhile.”

“Yes, sir. And, they’re not that careful about it, either. They were making good time, traveled all night based on their progress. Hard to tell how many, but I think we’re talking about twenty, maybe twenty-five men at most.”

“Are there…”

Kaiden sensed Phoenix’s hesitation and immediately recognized the lust flashing across Phoenix’s face.

“Yes, sir. Wally’s sure three kids and a woman are traveling with them based on footprints.”

“Three kids and a woman in the mix?”

“Yes, sir.”

“How far ahead do you estimate they are?”

“No more than ten miles. They hafta be exhausted, sir.”

“Don’t sell ’em short.”

“No, sir. You think that Bitch’ll come back for another shot?”

“I dunno, Kaiden. I’ve not yet figured out the full connection between her and the Rat Pack. There is one. Of that, I’m sure. But, things are kinda screwy, you know?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What’re your thoughts on her coming back?”

Rather shocked at having his opinion asked, Kaiden recovered quickly. “I think she’s looking for them as much as we are.”