Paul Kirk - Devastation Point

“They will be. The necessary integration has already begun.”

“Wow, starting with the psycho-babble bullshit on me already, are you?”

McLeod laughed, choosing to ignore the gentle insult and continued. “Connor Mac, as you might imagine, I can get pretty hyped up meeting new people who might be worth a damn… given the current demographics.”

“Psycho-babble and ten-dollar vocabulary! Well then, I think I’ll take that as a compliment, McLeod. I too, enjoy when events become both viable and provocative. Find it keeps me sharp, know what I mean?”

“I do. Oh, I seriously do.”

A noise off the porch near the shed made the six men turn toward the sound. Marty stood at the open shed door, the sniper rifle held at port arms. At the sound, Connor noticed that BB’s hand slipped inside his duster to the small of his back, presumably for a weapon. Quickly, Connor moved to the porch railing to intervene.

“Hold on, guys! He’s with me. He’s part of my crew,” said Connor. BB relaxed slightly. “He’s with me, guys. Marty, stand down.”

“Copy that, Mac.”

“Marty?” asked BB, stunned.

“Come on up here and meet these guys, Marty.”

The sniper shouldered his weapon, confident in Connor’s ability to assess the absence of an imminent threat, and walked to the porch steps. BB straightened his coat, convinced that the moment of danger had passed.

“Hello, Marty,” said John McLeod, walking to the top of the porch steps with his hand outstretched. “My name’s John McLeod.” The older man had expertly attempted to ease the tension from the situation.

“How ya doin’,” answered Marty as he reached the top step and shook the man’s hand. “My name’s Marty McCullough. Pleased to meet you.”

Standing just behind McLeod, BB took note of the beautiful sniper rifle and the easy way Marty carried himself. His shock and surprise was apparent.

“I don’t fucking believe it,” said BB. He brushed past McLeod toward Marty. “I come half way around the world to avoid your ugly mug and you turn up here?”

“No fucking way,” said Marty, incredulously. “BB! Where ya been hiding all these years, you recon pussy?” The two men crashed together in a fierce embrace like two rams colliding in battle.

Any remaining tension in the air evaporated and Connor smiled at the unpredictable reunion. “Obviously—you two know each other. Where’d you guys meet?”

“Iraq,” answered Marty, his hand resting on BB’s shoulder. Both men wore silly grins as if their chance meeting, so far from their last one, bespoke of some great achievement.

During the excitement of the reunion, Connor waved Amanda in from the trees. Knowing her training had allowed him to anticipate her approximate location and he had caught her movements at the tree line. She shouldered her weapon and walked brazenly toward the porch.

The McLeod contingent noticed her approach, but relaxed when they recognized her. The sense of danger did not equal that of the appearance of Marty—the men had seen her briefly during the porch ruse.

“I wondered where she disappeared to,” said McLeod. “I figured she was still in the house. Who is that lovely lady, Connor Mac?”

“That’s Amanda. But, I call her Snuff for good reason. She’s my primary backup since finding her in Kansas four months ago.”

“That’s your Snuff? A woman? I’m ashamed to admit that I find that surprising. I guess I have some stereotypes I need to work on—it’s good to see I can still be fooled.”

“Uh, huh.”

“So, she went in the house earlier and slipped around behind us?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Nicely done.”

“Thanks. She’s worth having on your side.”

“Here they come,” said Major O’Malley. “Stay sharp.”

“Yes, sir,” they answered. Chad and Burroughs stood at attention outside the command post watching Captain Daubney escort the two visitors their way. Edgars and Rice trailed behind the guests, keeping pace with Larry Reed and Phoenix Justice.

Captain Daubney stopped a few feet from the major and the entourage followed suit. “Sir!” he said. “I’d like to introduce, Mr. Phoenix Justice and Mr. Larry Reed. Gentlemen, this is Major Michael T. O’Malley, United States Army.” The captain took one large step to the side of the three men, assuming a position of parade rest.

Major O’Malley and Phoenix shook hands, nodding amicably to one another. Phoenix was dressed in a beautiful blue Armani suit that, despite its pre-Sickness creation, was well kept and expertly tailored to fit his large shoulders and heavily muscled frame. He looked the part of a man accustomed to control, even while unconsciously brushing back a strand of his curly red hair. It was combed straight back from his forehead and he was clean-shaven.

“It’s nice to be meeting under better circumstances, major,” offered Phoenix. His handshake was firm and well practiced. His smile was perfect.

“Yes, Mr. Justice. Let’s not have a repeat of our earlier meeting.”

“Of course not, major,” Phoenix agreed. “Major, I’d like to introduce my right hand man in all matters, Mr. Larry Reed.” Larry was dressed in a dark brown suit that hung uncomfortably from his broad-shouldered frame. Formal wear was a new experience for the man. He held out his hand in greeting.

“Hello, major.”

“Mr. Reed.” The major turned to Captain Daubney. “Captain, you and your men are dismissed, thank you.” The three men walked briskly away.

“Mr. Justice, Mr. Reed,” said the major, “follow me, please.” He turned and opened the door to the command post, entering the large room with Larry Reed and Phoenix Justice close behind. “Mr. Justice, Mr. Reed. I’d like to introduce you to Colonel Hannah Starkes, President of the United States.”

Hannah Starkes was concentrating on a detailed, hand-drawn map of the new Cleveland area with Shamus, GT, and Scott. Shamus was patiently pointing out key reference points to the colonel. The four pointedly ignored the approach of the guests, continuing their discussion of the maps.

“Madam President?” prompted the major.

Colonel Starkes pulled her attention from the map and waited for further introductions.

“Madam President, let me introduce you to Mr. Phoenix Justice and Mr. Larry Reed.”

The colonel smiled and extended her hand. She was pleased with Phoenix’s gentle, but confident handshake.

“Madam President. I would like to apologize for my earlier indiscretion and for any inconvenience I may have caused you. Please, call me Phoenix.”

“It’s nice to meet you under more civilized circumstances, Phoenix.”

“Yes, Madam President. I want you to know that me and the entire city of Cleveland are at your complete disposal.”

“That’s good to know, Phoenix. Thank you.”

Phoenix laid a hand on Larry Reed’s shoulder. “Madam President, you seem to know quite a bit about my right-hand man. This is Larry Reed.”

“It’s good to meet you, Sergeant Reed.”

“Yes, ma’am, thank you. I’m retired now, Madam President—I gave up that designation a long time ago.”

“Not anymore, sergeant. I’ve reinstated your military service, effective immediately. The president is capable of doing that.”

“Yes, ma’am. But, umm, why Madam President?”

“Well, if we’re going to get this country back on its feet, we need men like you and Phoenix in an official capacity, don’t you think?”

The two men smiled at the colonel’s statement.

“What exactly does that mean, Madam President?” asked Sergeant Reed.

“It means that, over the next few weeks, we’ll be talking about how we can help rebuild the United States of America.” The men exchanged another glance. “I like the sound of that, Madam President,” said Phoenix. “I’m sure my uncle, Sergeant Reed, agrees.”