Paul Kirk - Devastation Point

“Well, hello new guys!”

Her energy, innocence at seeing the new men washed a surreal sense of strangeness into the mix. But, it also seemed to immediately lessen the tension of his men and the president’s men surrounding them. Keenan noticed the impact, making a mental note to find out more about this fine-looking woman.

“What we got, ma’am?” asked Scott.

Colonel Starkes turned, smiling at the men behind her. She turned back to him and nodded. “We’re good here, Scott.”

Scott and GT glanced at Major O’Malley who gave them a raised eyebrow and shrug.

“Okay, ma’am,” said Scott.

Colonel Starkes turned to her new acquaintances. “We’ll make more formal introductions later. You guys hungry? We can prepare some decent food.”

“Um, yes, ma’am. That might be nice.”

“Good. C’mon, Keenan. Major, secure the area and join us.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

The retinue entered the hangar and entered the main office. Keenan and his men tried their best not to stare too hard at the three beautiful women walking in front of them. They knew one was apparently the President of the United States and the two others were simply striking in their beauty and charisma. One had her raven-black hair shaved on one side with a bandage showing, but this did little to detract from her beauty. Knowing his men, Keenan gave a few, one in particular, a stern look that spoke of them receiving incredible pain if anything stupid was said. He gave Lieutenant Wahlberg an especially long stare. Colonel Starkes smiled after catching his efforts to control his men. She moved toward Keenan and stood. Turning, she sought out Ren.

“Break out the good stuff, lieutenant.”

Ren nodded and scrambled over to the helicopter. He spoke quickly with Shamus who stood guard with Daniels, protecting he bird. “We’re feeding these guests, Shamus.”

“So I see, Ren. Would you be so kind as to update Tim in the tower? It’s possible our guys over there forget to include him.”

“Sure, I guess he’s probably wondering.”

“Could be.”

“Okay.”

“Tell GT or Scotty to give me a sit-rep on your way in, would ya?”

“Sure, Shamus.”

“Thank you, son.”

Ren grabbed a large, green container from the helicopter bay, hauling it back to the hangar. Struggling with the weight, he made it back as the people inside the building started to settle in. He sat the box on the desk.

“Here you go, ma’am.”

Colonel Starkes broke from talking to Keenan and the major, walking to his side. “Thanks, Ren.” Opening the lid, the colonel dug deep to the bottom. “Tell me it’s in here somewhere, dammit!” she mumbled.

Shifting items around, she pulled out a bottle of Grey Goose vodka. The new men tracked every movement, waiting to see what else would be added to an already very interesting day.

“Here it is,” she said, “Keenan, I’d like to offer you and your men a bit of a toast to a good conversation. Major? Can we find some cups?”

The Grey Goose in her hands was held up for all to see.

“Hold on, ma’am,” said Nicole. She ran to the other office after pushing off CJ to Amanda. Unable to resist, all men watched her move, anticipating her return. In short order, she came back with a clumped batch of Dixie cups from the old water cooler. Gently flirting with each, she handed cups all around before returning to Amanda and regaining her son.

“Thank you, Nicole,” said the colonel.

“I’ll do it, ma’am.”

“No, major, I’ll do it,” said the colonel, “Relax, I do know what I’m doing here, Mike.”

The major relaxed some. Still, his dissatisfaction with her recent reckless behavior prevailed. He leaned close to her ear. “Sorry, ma’am. But you can’t keep doing that kinda shit—”

“No, you’re right. I know.” Seeing the irritation and concern on his face, Hannah lowered her voice to a whisper. You’ve been great, truly. Sorry to drop that on you out there, major. But, it felt right, you know? I owe you one. In the meantime, try to chill and keep your eyes and ears open.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Hope those tripwires actually work.”

“They will, Surf Boy,” said BB. He slipped up next to Marty who was lying prone near a tractor. They focused on Perryopolis and studied Phoenix’s army with binoculars. “That’s one huge army forming up on our ass out there, Mac.”

Connor smiled. “I know, BB. But remember, they’re still only amateurs playing in our sandbox.”

“Phoenix has some smarts, colonel,” said Captain Daubney. Lying next to Connor, they both were tucked in low behind the wheels of a hay bailer.

“Oh, I know captain,” said Connor, “never said he didn’t. But, it’s pretty hard to control that many men effectively without years of true combat leadership experience. I’m talkin’ years. Keeping them under wraps through a few minor skirmishes like that Erie excursion you told me about is nothing like this. Right now, they’ve met up with the best.”

“Hoorah,” said Marty.

“Fuckin’ hoorah,” said Mickey, obviously listening in a few yards away to their left and hidden in a small depression. He stared at the massed army converging at the northern gates, “Wish I had me a fifty cal—”

“Why, so you can try to hit somethin’ worthwhile every third shot?” interrupted Marty, smiling.

Connor laughed. Captain Daubney joined in and BB grinned.

Mickey glared before grinning. “I’d show you a few things, sniper.”

“Oh, yeah. I’m sure. Like a ‘swing and a miss’ and then another the first two rounds.”

“Yeah, we’d see.”

Marty smiled before both he and Mickey refocused on glassing the northern gates.

Connor refocused toward the town. “We need to leave this wheat field soon, guys. The town people are buttoned up in the cave and good to go. We can’t stay much longer. I don’t think we can watch the fireworks, not that I wouldn’t like to myself.”

“I’d love to see that army break rank and enter the bar, Mac. Like you say. At least let’s watch that first explosion.”

“John, we should get movin’.” Connor was torn. He was just as interested in seeing the results of their explosive traps.

“Let’s watch some shit blow up, Mac,” suggested Jude. He and the remainder of the unit were all hidden amongst the hay bales fifteen feet behind them.

Jackson agreed along with Jason. Well hidden, the entire unit waited outside the southern gate beyond the last wheat field yet to be fully harvested. A few hundred yards from town, their elevation and view from the southwestern edge gave them an easy view of both gates and most of the buildings closest to the southern entrance. It also gave them a decent escape route away from the city and towards Uniontown once they decided to move.

“Here they come,” said Jackson. He gestured toward the massive army.

Phoenix’s army was an impressive sight. Men, horses and white trucks jostled about for position as the army stormed through the northern gates, which they’d taken only moments ago. A few scattered quads and bikes contributed to the mix.

“Not sure we should risk it, men. We need to go.”

“From a purely psychological perspective, I’d love to see if your assessment of human nature will prevail, Mac,” said John McLeod.

“Oh, it will. They’ll walk right into that bar.”

Cody and Renaldo, along with Gabriella and Rhonda were off to the side listening to last minute instructions from Roger. It was obvious Cody wanted nothing more than to use his binoculars to scope the gates and the army bearing down.

“Okay, there they go,” said Connor, “Well, I guess we might as well watch the first round of our little creation. It is definitely a bit of a risk.”