Paul Kirk - Devastation Point

“Can it, Phoenix!” yelled Colonel Starkes. “Major O’Malley will handle any future diplomacy sometime tonight. Right now, I’m going to get some shut-eye. Major, wake me a half an hour before ops review.”

“Yes, ma’am,” answered the major. Colonel Starkes turned her back on Phoenix and Larry and walked calmly behind the protective cover of her men toward the stairwell. Her pace was slow, expecting to be delayed by Phoenix. She was not disappointed.

“Hey lady,” said Phoenix, “you’re in no position to tell the governor of Ohio what to do.” The frustration in his voice conveyed his building anger. The colonel continued her slow walk to the stairwell. Blood boiling, Phoenix yelled at her retreating figure. “You’ll speak to me directly, right now , or we’ll resolve this with the bloodshed!”

Colonel Starkes turned to face the two men, unwilling to ignore the direct threat to herself and her men. “Phoenix? Do you have any formal military training?”

“What the hell’s that got to do with anything?

“Please answer the question.”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Mr. Reed, aside from your prior duties as a marine MP, do you have any in-depth training in tactics and strategy?”

“How’d you know I was an MP?”

“I know quite a bit about you, sergeant. And right now, a superior officer asked you a question. Answer me, soldier.”

Years of answering superior officers were too ingrained to ignore the colonel’s commanding tone. “No… ah, ma’am. I don’t have any formal military training in tactics or strategy.”

“Then, Mr. Reed, for your safety and the safety of the men under your control, I suggest you take your boss and leave this area immediately. You can return when invited.”

Phoenix gritted his teeth. “Or what?” he asked scornfully. “Your little Superhawk and the men you carried in here will take over? You better have a bigger army than that.” He laughed, the sound bordering on maniacal and, though he didn’t see the concerned expression on Larry Reed’s face, Hannah Starkes did.

She smiled. “You’re out of your league, Phoenix. Do as you’re ordered. We can speak of your duties as governor of Ohio at a later date.”

“And if I don’t comply with your request?”

“Be prepared to suffer the consequences of your inflated ego, Phoenix.”

“It works for me, lady.” Phoenix turned and strolled toward the concrete barriers behind him. Colonel Starkes watched him go, not yet willing to bring her full military might into play. Larry Reed followed Phoenix, turning twice to glance at Colonel Starkes, as if her image might give him a clue about what was wrong. Her face and body offered nothing but resolve.

“Like I said, Phoenix, you’re outta your league. And Mr. Reed? You should know better.” The two men had nearly reached the cover of the concrete barriers. “Phoenix,” she called.

“I’m done talkin’, lady!”

“What’s coming is a small demonstration of superior operational control and command.”

“What?”

Deliberately, Colonel Starkes ran both her hands through her hair; she did it a second time. Nearby, Major O’Malley issued orders into his microphone.

“Phoenix, You’re in no position to negotiate with the President of the United States,” said Colonel Starkes.

“Oh, shit!” said Larry Reed. “Phoenix, I told you it was not stolen.”

A single shot rang out. “One of your snipers just had his rifle stripped from his hands, Phoenix. Take note that it was damn gracious of me not killing your man.” Colonel Starkes turned and disappeared into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Gunfire erupted and everyone exposed sought cover.

“Clue me in on who’s coming up the driveway, Snuff,” said Connor, nibbling at her neck just below her earlobe. “Don’t stare—keep your attention focused on me. Kiss me for real, woman. C’mon .” Amanda grabbed Connor’s face and forced his lips to hers. Their tongues met as they had often before, but this time with more urgency than she remembered.

“There’s nothing yet, Mac,” she said, gasping. He broke their kiss to nuzzle her neck again while cupping her breast with a gentle hand. She pulled his face back to hers, frustrated under these circumstances with his ability to increase her libido. “Oh, Mac! There’s two men. They’re coming down the driveway on horseback.”

“Stay calm, Snuff. That’s an order. Remember, we’re impassioned lovers, you and me. Let’s go through that same sequence—that was nice.”

“Mac, I can’t! Impassioned lovers is an understatement. Damn, I’m gonna have to change my panties before we leave here.”

Amanda moaned at his touch. Connor slowed his hands, sliding them to her shoulders.

“Okay, you’re doing great. But now, I want you to start laughing as if I’m tickling you and we’re gonna spin around on the swing so I can gain a visual. I’ll dump you on the floor when I discover their presence, okay?”

“Yeah, Mac, I’m ready,” she said. She giggled, shifting in his arms as if he were hitting a particularly ticklish spot.

Connor turned both of them on the swing, slowly gaining a visual on the approaching strangers. “You’re doing great, Snuff. Don’t move your head—I got a good visual.”

A deep voice from the driveway broke the silence, after an obvious throat clearing.

“Excuse me, sir… ma’am?”

Connor moved with the sudden speed of one surprised, but was still careful when he lowered Amanda to the porch floor, easing her down as much as possible while still maintaining the ruse of surprise. He snatched the M-4 from the swing and kept it horizontal, essentially hidden by the thickness of the top porch rail. Amanda gained her feet quickly and slid safely behind him, closer to the house’s entrance.

“What the hell are you doing, creeping up on us like that?” yelled Connor.

The stranger was surprised at Connor’s reaction. “I’m sorry, mister. We didn’t mean to startle… to disturb… your… ah… you.”

“Well, you did. What the hell you want?”

“May we visit for a moment?” asked the man as if that were the most natural thing in the world. “My name’s John McLeod and this is my son, Jason,” he said calmly, almost as if invited to a picnic and asked to bring a guest. “Is it okay if I come forward?” His voice was crisp, but in a soothing way. Both men held the horse reins casually, hands on the saddle pommel.

“What for? Like I asked before, what the hell do you want?”

McLeod licked his lips and brushed his hand across his mouth. He swallowed deeply, his Adam’s apple evident. He cleared his throat. “I have some ammo and a few other interesting items. I thought you might be up for a trade.”

“For what?” asked Connor.

“Well, maybe some food for starters.”

“Food?”

“Yeah, mister. Our cook died from snakebite about a week ago. We caught the smell of whatever’s in that pot for the last mile.”

“Is it just you two guys?”

“How many do you have on me?” asked McLeod.

Connor whispered to Amanda, “I’m gonna tell you to go inside. Slip out back and behind these guys.”

“Yep.”

Connor slowly lifted his M-4 to chest level and both men tensed at the sight of the automatic weapon now in his hands. Nervous, Jason tightened his grip on the pommel while the elder McLeod gently waved his hand toward his son, took his hat off and wiped sweat from his brow with his shirtsleeve. Neither spoke.

“Go inside, love, and let the men talk,” said Connor. He gave her a rough push toward the door and Amanda disappeared inside the house. “McLeod? That’s your name?”