Checking for keys also meant looking for money. Not a lot of money on these assholes. The bartender was the richest man in the place. No surprise there. The guy talking to the woman was the second wealthiest. Another unsurprise. Love is never cheap -- even in Indiana it seems.
Zane came back and told me "I did it Gardener. What else you want me to do?"
I considered it, he was basically worthless for I needed him to do. He couldn't drive and he couldn't carry a lot of weight but I knew I needed to keep him busy. I wanted to get the hell out of here. My mental alarm was going off and I decided just to haul ass. Looking for loot thing was when I had people I could trust watching my back. I didn't have that now.
"C'mon. Lets go see what we are driving."
We went outside and lit up the vehicles. I wanted another truck but I ended up with a Ford Focus. It was the only one with more than a half a tank and if I didn't bust an axle we could make some miles on that much gas.
I dumped the box of food and guns in the back and laughed when I saw the size of the back seat. Woof wasn't going to have enough room to scratch let alone move around. I was still pissed at him for kicking me to the curb so easily. I thought our relationship was better than that.
"Zane. You ever set anything on fire?"
"No...not really."
"Your dad loves setting stuff on fire."
"Really! What are we going to burn?
"The building in front of us."
I liked watching his eyes get all big.
"Okay! Wait. My Mom said I shouldn't play with matches."
"I bet she told you that awhile ago."
"Yes...before everything..." He didn't finish it. He didn't need to.
"Okay. I don't think she would mind. Plus you have adult supervision."
That convinced him not that he really needed any. I told him "Follow me."
We went back inside, Zane had done a good job, the air stunk of high test alcohol. I looked behind the bar and found a sawed off shotgun. I grabbed it, did a quick search for money but didn't find any. I fished a box of matches out, backed up us a bit, and showed him how to strike one. He broke the first one. The second one lit and he tossed it in a puddle of homemade booze which lit up with a nice blue flame. We stared at it longer than we probably should of but it burned with such a beautiful blue color. Woof barking at us got us moving. We hustled out, got in our new car, and slowly drove away watching the bar burn. Fire is beautiful.
Showing posts with label american apocalypse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label american apocalypse. Show all posts
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 16a - by Nova
Our waitress was what I expected. Bleach blond hair with the dark roots reclaiming half her head. Bad teeth and a worse attitude. Dressed in clothes that would have set her off nicely twenty years ago. She was hot. Not. Her first words were "I'm not serving you if you don't muzzle that dog."
I didn't say anything. I just reached into my pocket, opened my money pouch, and slapped a silver dollar on the table. Then I pulled out four more and said "This enough to buy the house drinks?"
Her attitude changed. She smiled. It wasn't pretty. "Why yes. I think that will work. What do you boys want?"
I indicated the bouncer and told her "He gets a drink too."
She had already scooped up the silver. Woof had watched and started growling but Zane put his hand on his shoulder and said "No Woof." She didn't waste any time backing up either.
"What you got?"
She pursed her lips, looked off to the right, and read the invisible menu for awhile. I was getting ready to say "Hello?" when she tuned back in and told us "Bean chili. Hamburger, but that really sucks, then she smiled again "That's it!"
I told her "Three chilies"
She smiled again and left. I noticed she headed straight to the bar first. As she walked away I noticed Zane checking her ass out. At least I thought it was her ass until he asked me "Why does she have a tattoo above her butt G?"
"It's her PIN number."
He looked at me blankly. "Just decoration kid."
"Yuck."
Zane talked to me about what he was going to tell his Mom while I listened and felt the surface flow of the room change. It was still ugly but the ugly was biding its time. That was what I wanted. We needed time to refuel.
I didn't say anything. I just reached into my pocket, opened my money pouch, and slapped a silver dollar on the table. Then I pulled out four more and said "This enough to buy the house drinks?"
Her attitude changed. She smiled. It wasn't pretty. "Why yes. I think that will work. What do you boys want?"
I indicated the bouncer and told her "He gets a drink too."
She had already scooped up the silver. Woof had watched and started growling but Zane put his hand on his shoulder and said "No Woof." She didn't waste any time backing up either.
"What you got?"
She pursed her lips, looked off to the right, and read the invisible menu for awhile. I was getting ready to say "Hello?" when she tuned back in and told us "Bean chili. Hamburger, but that really sucks, then she smiled again "That's it!"
I told her "Three chilies"
She smiled again and left. I noticed she headed straight to the bar first. As she walked away I noticed Zane checking her ass out. At least I thought it was her ass until he asked me "Why does she have a tattoo above her butt G?"
"It's her PIN number."
He looked at me blankly. "Just decoration kid."
"Yuck."
Zane talked to me about what he was going to tell his Mom while I listened and felt the surface flow of the room change. It was still ugly but the ugly was biding its time. That was what I wanted. We needed time to refuel.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 15b - by Nova
"We came here because we heard they were going to restart the turkey plant near here and might be hiring workers."
"We being you and Jesus?"
"Yes sir. Me and Jesus. I loved him." Then he started crying. I let him cry for about fifteen beats and then told him "That's nice. Keep going." He wiped his nose on his hand and continued with his story but I had to cuff him upside the head first.
"Okay. Okay. We ended up in a place...others like us who were waiting for the plant to open. We moved into some houses that were empty by the dump. A couple of men come by and ask questions...they tell us it was for the hiring. We were happy." He stopped, looked at me, and held up his hand saying "I know. I know. I come to the part you want." Woof cracked another bone and he stopped to take a quick sob break. I heard the truck door quietly open and knew Zane had decided to get out so he could listen in. That was fine. Maybe he wouldn't ask so many questions later.
"Me and Jesus. One day we slip off. It was getting warmer and, well, we wanted privacy." He looked at me, looking for understanding I suppose, so I nodded. "We hear noises of trucks. Jesus wanted to run back right away. He thought it might be trucks coming to take people to the plant." He paused, once again the sign of the cross, "We go back but it takes time. Time enough for us to hear shooting. So we hide and watch." He took a deep breath. "They kill everyone. Little ninos, my friends dog, everyone. They shoot them. Then they throw the bodies into the trucks and drive to the dump."
"Why?" I asked him.
He stood up a little straighter and I actually heard some anger in his voice for the first time. He spread his palms out in the universal gesture of cluelessness and said "Because they could. Because we are not Anglo. Maybe they think we are agents of Aztlan."
"Maybe all of the above" is what I thought. What I said was "Go sit down over there." I pointed to where there was. "We'll leave you some phones you can sell, clothes, and whatever else we can spare."
"We being you and Jesus?"
"Yes sir. Me and Jesus. I loved him." Then he started crying. I let him cry for about fifteen beats and then told him "That's nice. Keep going." He wiped his nose on his hand and continued with his story but I had to cuff him upside the head first.
"Okay. Okay. We ended up in a place...others like us who were waiting for the plant to open. We moved into some houses that were empty by the dump. A couple of men come by and ask questions...they tell us it was for the hiring. We were happy." He stopped, looked at me, and held up his hand saying "I know. I know. I come to the part you want." Woof cracked another bone and he stopped to take a quick sob break. I heard the truck door quietly open and knew Zane had decided to get out so he could listen in. That was fine. Maybe he wouldn't ask so many questions later.
"Me and Jesus. One day we slip off. It was getting warmer and, well, we wanted privacy." He looked at me, looking for understanding I suppose, so I nodded. "We hear noises of trucks. Jesus wanted to run back right away. He thought it might be trucks coming to take people to the plant." He paused, once again the sign of the cross, "We go back but it takes time. Time enough for us to hear shooting. So we hide and watch." He took a deep breath. "They kill everyone. Little ninos, my friends dog, everyone. They shoot them. Then they throw the bodies into the trucks and drive to the dump."
"Why?" I asked him.
He stood up a little straighter and I actually heard some anger in his voice for the first time. He spread his palms out in the universal gesture of cluelessness and said "Because they could. Because we are not Anglo. Maybe they think we are agents of Aztlan."
"Maybe all of the above" is what I thought. What I said was "Go sit down over there." I pointed to where there was. "We'll leave you some phones you can sell, clothes, and whatever else we can spare."
Monday, January 10, 2011
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 14c - by Nova
I got in the truck. Much to my amusement Zane had the 16 out and across his lap. Woof was standing up in the back watching. My guess it was more out of boredom then any desire to leap to my rescue. That was fine with me. When I got to the point where I was expecting anyone to back me up I was on my way to Valhalla or Hell. Well, that might be a little grandiose. Most definitely a hole in the ground somewhere.
We drove over to the other side and I did the paperwork. Then they brought my guys out to me. Two more pathetic looking terrorists would be hard to find. I had a kid, maybe sixteen, and a old guy. He was probably in his forties. Both had been beat on and didn't look up much. They had been cuffed with plastic ties and when they asked me I told them to leave them on. I decided not to mention that I didn't own any cuffs, plastic restraints, or even a ball and chain. They didn't have any cookies for me. I was told to pull around to the back for my gas.
"C'mon." I told my two guys. We walked out and I had them each take a lean on the truck so I could search them. Max had told me way back when never to trust someone elses word when came to knowing if someone was clean or not. Woof leaned over from the truck and sniffed them. He seemed unimpressed. I had Zane come out and watch while I did each search. I explained to him why I was doing it and what I was looking for. I would have pulled off their boots but they were wearing homemade thongs which made it easier to see they needed to trim their nails. The old man had toenails like claws.
I had looked at the paper work. The one I thought was sixteen was really twenty and the one I thought was in his late forties was in his late thirties. So much for my ability to gauge ages accurately.
When I got done I stepped back and told them to turn around. They both understood English which was going to make my life easier.
I looked at them and pointed at the younger one. "You're Jesus?"
"Yes sir."
"And you're Juan?"
"Si. Yes sir."
"Great. This is how it is. Behave and catch some rays. Try and run or something equally stupid and I feed you to the dog. We on the same page?"
Both of them let me know that we were all together on this. I dropped the tailgate and told them to climb in. They looked at Woof, looked at each other, looked at me, and the older one shrugged. He went first and since he had his hands tied behind his back the best he could do was lay down partially on the gate, then try and twist his body while throwing his legs up on the gate. He had just started to do it when Woof let us all know that he wasn't going to share. Juan literally rolled off the gate and hit the ground with a thud when Woof start growling and barking at him.
"Shit." I shook my head. I didn't have time for this. We were on Day 6 and I should be outside Cincinnati by now. "Zane. Go around to the other side and let your dog in back." Once he did that I grabbed Juan, or was it Jesus, by the collar and stood him up in front of the gate. "Okay. Try again." Once I got them both loaded I slammed the gate shut and pulled around to fuel. I did the paperwork required for that and spun out of there. It was time to roll some miles under my wheels.
We drove over to the other side and I did the paperwork. Then they brought my guys out to me. Two more pathetic looking terrorists would be hard to find. I had a kid, maybe sixteen, and a old guy. He was probably in his forties. Both had been beat on and didn't look up much. They had been cuffed with plastic ties and when they asked me I told them to leave them on. I decided not to mention that I didn't own any cuffs, plastic restraints, or even a ball and chain. They didn't have any cookies for me. I was told to pull around to the back for my gas.
"C'mon." I told my two guys. We walked out and I had them each take a lean on the truck so I could search them. Max had told me way back when never to trust someone elses word when came to knowing if someone was clean or not. Woof leaned over from the truck and sniffed them. He seemed unimpressed. I had Zane come out and watch while I did each search. I explained to him why I was doing it and what I was looking for. I would have pulled off their boots but they were wearing homemade thongs which made it easier to see they needed to trim their nails. The old man had toenails like claws.
I had looked at the paper work. The one I thought was sixteen was really twenty and the one I thought was in his late forties was in his late thirties. So much for my ability to gauge ages accurately.
When I got done I stepped back and told them to turn around. They both understood English which was going to make my life easier.
I looked at them and pointed at the younger one. "You're Jesus?"
"Yes sir."
"And you're Juan?"
"Si. Yes sir."
"Great. This is how it is. Behave and catch some rays. Try and run or something equally stupid and I feed you to the dog. We on the same page?"
Both of them let me know that we were all together on this. I dropped the tailgate and told them to climb in. They looked at Woof, looked at each other, looked at me, and the older one shrugged. He went first and since he had his hands tied behind his back the best he could do was lay down partially on the gate, then try and twist his body while throwing his legs up on the gate. He had just started to do it when Woof let us all know that he wasn't going to share. Juan literally rolled off the gate and hit the ground with a thud when Woof start growling and barking at him.
"Shit." I shook my head. I didn't have time for this. We were on Day 6 and I should be outside Cincinnati by now. "Zane. Go around to the other side and let your dog in back." Once he did that I grabbed Juan, or was it Jesus, by the collar and stood him up in front of the gate. "Okay. Try again." Once I got them both loaded I slammed the gate shut and pulled around to fuel. I did the paperwork required for that and spun out of there. It was time to roll some miles under my wheels.
Monday, January 3, 2011
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 13c - by Nova
We rolled pretty good for about forty five minutes. Then traffic, which had been light but steady, came to a gradual halt.
"What's up G?"
"Roadblock is my guess. Maybe something else." I slid one of the Rugers out of it's holster and dropped it between the door and the seat with the barrel jammed between the seat belt holder and the seat.
"Lets find out."
I hit the lights, pulled over to the side and ran along the stalled traffic grinning.
"I love this shit." I told Zane. He was grinning too and Woof was barking in the back. That's when I eased up on the gas. Why? An Abrams tank with it's main gun moving in your direction will do that. The soldier in the orange safety vest holding up his arm for me to halt made the decision even easier.
"Damn Zane. We got a problem."
"What's that G?" He wasn't grinning anymore.
"We got a Nazi deer hunter up ahead."
I didn't have to look at him to see the blank expression on his face.
A couple more soldiers popped up including one from inside the tank. I hit the brake and came to a stop about fifty paces in front of the guy in orange. I stuck my head out the window and yelled "US Marshall. How the hell do I get through this shit!"
One of the soldiers behind the deer hunter spoke into a radio, then told him to wave me through. I stuck my head back in, hit the gas, and rolled on up while I powered Zane's window down. When I pulled abreast of the Nazi deer hunter I yelled "Just roll around the tank?"
"Yes sir. Pull up by the Highway Patrol vehicles. They'll process you through."
"Right."
The trucks had blocked my view of the actual roadblock. It wasn't a quickly thrown up affair. This had been here for awhile. Then Ohio had been the first state to charge a toll to out of staters just to drive down their roads back when states were trying to fill the holes in their balance sheets. I hadn't seen a Ohio state police vehicle yet. I wasn't surprised to see they were white. Otherwise the troopers, or what ever they called them here, looked like the Virginia ones we had worked with once. Same gray uniforms, that dumb ass Smokey the Bear hat, and big guys who looked like someone broke a shovel off in their ass. Yeah, I didn't like them. Some of them were okay once you got to know them but I had found that they often got a bit of an attitude with small town cops like I had been once. Oh well. That was then and this was now.
They had one of those mobile home/offices that construction sites had with a bunch of antennas and a generator truck next to it. There was two Highway Patrol cars, a HUMVEE with no gun on the mount, and a couple of trucks pulled in front. I told Zane "Betcha desert they call that the command center."
"Hah! No way. No bet G. That's what it is."
The choke point had the civilians set up on the side I was on. In the middle of the Interstate the military had setup, they had their own spiffy trailers, and another Abrams. I could see a gunship coming in low about two miles away and maybe a mile off the Interstate. That was interesting. The far side had more prefab buildings but these had bars on the windows and more soldiers who looked alert . This was more than a stop and stare. It was a processing center of some sort and it was far more fancier than anything I had seen even in DC. The American flag was run up and flanked by what had to be the Ohio state flag and another flag that I had never seen before.
"What's up G?"
"Roadblock is my guess. Maybe something else." I slid one of the Rugers out of it's holster and dropped it between the door and the seat with the barrel jammed between the seat belt holder and the seat.
"Lets find out."
I hit the lights, pulled over to the side and ran along the stalled traffic grinning.
"I love this shit." I told Zane. He was grinning too and Woof was barking in the back. That's when I eased up on the gas. Why? An Abrams tank with it's main gun moving in your direction will do that. The soldier in the orange safety vest holding up his arm for me to halt made the decision even easier.
"Damn Zane. We got a problem."
"What's that G?" He wasn't grinning anymore.
"We got a Nazi deer hunter up ahead."
I didn't have to look at him to see the blank expression on his face.
A couple more soldiers popped up including one from inside the tank. I hit the brake and came to a stop about fifty paces in front of the guy in orange. I stuck my head out the window and yelled "US Marshall. How the hell do I get through this shit!"
One of the soldiers behind the deer hunter spoke into a radio, then told him to wave me through. I stuck my head back in, hit the gas, and rolled on up while I powered Zane's window down. When I pulled abreast of the Nazi deer hunter I yelled "Just roll around the tank?"
"Yes sir. Pull up by the Highway Patrol vehicles. They'll process you through."
"Right."
The trucks had blocked my view of the actual roadblock. It wasn't a quickly thrown up affair. This had been here for awhile. Then Ohio had been the first state to charge a toll to out of staters just to drive down their roads back when states were trying to fill the holes in their balance sheets. I hadn't seen a Ohio state police vehicle yet. I wasn't surprised to see they were white. Otherwise the troopers, or what ever they called them here, looked like the Virginia ones we had worked with once. Same gray uniforms, that dumb ass Smokey the Bear hat, and big guys who looked like someone broke a shovel off in their ass. Yeah, I didn't like them. Some of them were okay once you got to know them but I had found that they often got a bit of an attitude with small town cops like I had been once. Oh well. That was then and this was now.
They had one of those mobile home/offices that construction sites had with a bunch of antennas and a generator truck next to it. There was two Highway Patrol cars, a HUMVEE with no gun on the mount, and a couple of trucks pulled in front. I told Zane "Betcha desert they call that the command center."
"Hah! No way. No bet G. That's what it is."
The choke point had the civilians set up on the side I was on. In the middle of the Interstate the military had setup, they had their own spiffy trailers, and another Abrams. I could see a gunship coming in low about two miles away and maybe a mile off the Interstate. That was interesting. The far side had more prefab buildings but these had bars on the windows and more soldiers who looked alert . This was more than a stop and stare. It was a processing center of some sort and it was far more fancier than anything I had seen even in DC. The American flag was run up and flanked by what had to be the Ohio state flag and another flag that I had never seen before.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 13 - by Nova
Listening to the radio was always interesting. Once upon a time I had music being pumped directly into my ear for most of my waking hours. Now, each time I heard it I found it was like running into a beautiful woman in the street. Why? Because it was startling, it took my breath away, and it was just as quickly gone. I rarely had the time to listen, let alone find a station that played anything I liked. I sure as hell couldn't plug a pair of pair of buds in my ears and lose my awareness of the world around me.
This was something different. It sounded classical, which I had next to no knowledge of, but it fit with the day so far and I liked it. A woman's voice, very tasteful sounding, like she used to sell Mercedes Benz's or timeshares said "That was the Theme of the Fast Carriers from the Victory at Sea soundtrack. From a time, not all that long ago, when the US Navy ruled the Pacific, and a reminder to all my listeners that what once was will be again. Your sacrifices will not be in vain and your children will speak in awe of what we will accomplish together. Now for the news. Internationally the United States of America regrets the action of the Chinese government in recognizing the Peoples Republic of Aztlan. The federal government has authorized the building of the first of a new class of multi-use drone platforms for deployment in the Pacific. This platform was designed by the citizens of Zone 35NW in the great State of Washington. A State were ninety percent of the population has returned to the Homeland and is reaping the benefits in an increased standard of living, security, and the freedoms granted to our citizens by the Constitution of the United States of America.
While she continued babbling about places I had never been and would never go I went through my wins to see how well I had done. The day had started off well and was just getting better. The money belts, each one of them had been wearing the same type, made me very well off. Night would be delighted. That woman loved gold. I could care less about gold but this was enough that I would be reaping the benefits for many days and nights as a result of filling her hands with it. The sidearms were all 9mm Glocks. Just out of curiosity I checked the serial numbers. They were almost consecutive. Glocks were unusual. Word during dinner was the United States was going to slap tariffs on all foreign gun makers in order to encourage local manufacturing. One of my class had been talking about wanting to work in nextgen weapons design. Apparently the Ohio area was where the government wanted to build the next generation of small arms for light infantry, drug cartels, and Deutsche mark rich countries. The dollar was no longer king, hell, it wasn't even in the ranks of nobility now. Life, being the ironic bitch that she often was, had probably smiled to see the Deutsche Mark, along with a couple of other currencies, fill the role the dollar once held.
This was something different. It sounded classical, which I had next to no knowledge of, but it fit with the day so far and I liked it. A woman's voice, very tasteful sounding, like she used to sell Mercedes Benz's or timeshares said "That was the Theme of the Fast Carriers from the Victory at Sea soundtrack. From a time, not all that long ago, when the US Navy ruled the Pacific, and a reminder to all my listeners that what once was will be again. Your sacrifices will not be in vain and your children will speak in awe of what we will accomplish together. Now for the news. Internationally the United States of America regrets the action of the Chinese government in recognizing the Peoples Republic of Aztlan. The federal government has authorized the building of the first of a new class of multi-use drone platforms for deployment in the Pacific. This platform was designed by the citizens of Zone 35NW in the great State of Washington. A State were ninety percent of the population has returned to the Homeland and is reaping the benefits in an increased standard of living, security, and the freedoms granted to our citizens by the Constitution of the United States of America.
While she continued babbling about places I had never been and would never go I went through my wins to see how well I had done. The day had started off well and was just getting better. The money belts, each one of them had been wearing the same type, made me very well off. Night would be delighted. That woman loved gold. I could care less about gold but this was enough that I would be reaping the benefits for many days and nights as a result of filling her hands with it. The sidearms were all 9mm Glocks. Just out of curiosity I checked the serial numbers. They were almost consecutive. Glocks were unusual. Word during dinner was the United States was going to slap tariffs on all foreign gun makers in order to encourage local manufacturing. One of my class had been talking about wanting to work in nextgen weapons design. Apparently the Ohio area was where the government wanted to build the next generation of small arms for light infantry, drug cartels, and Deutsche mark rich countries. The dollar was no longer king, hell, it wasn't even in the ranks of nobility now. Life, being the ironic bitch that she often was, had probably smiled to see the Deutsche Mark, along with a couple of other currencies, fill the role the dollar once held.
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 12d - by Nova
I had liked how heavy Sledges belt was. The zipper on the other side was a tip off too. I left the body armor and weapons in the back and gathered up the wallets, spare change, knives, cell phones, and swept them into my bag.
"Get in the truck Zane. I'm going to let Woof out."
"He won't hurt me!"
"Yeah. I know. You don't want to be a speed bump for him either. Now get your ass in the truck."
I tossed my bag in the front seat and let Woof out. He didn't bound out or go racing to the back of the truck. He did the bare minimum leap needed to land away from the truck cab, looked at me with doggie disdain, and strolled to the back of the truck. I called after him "Stay classy Woof!" climbed in, started the engine and the a/c, and rolled up the windows. I thought of myself as fairly hard core but listening to Woof dine wasn't something I enjoyed listening to.
I turned on the radio and the GPS. Yeah, I knew I was broadcasting my whereabouts. The vehicle, the sat phone, hell, my underwear may have been tagged. I didn't really care at this point. They knew who I was and I knew who they were. I didn't plan on disappearing until I was a lot closer to my goal. Why get people worried? I needed to make time. If I did this right the last thirty miles would take the longest. I knew they would feel the longest.
"Get in the truck Zane. I'm going to let Woof out."
"He won't hurt me!"
"Yeah. I know. You don't want to be a speed bump for him either. Now get your ass in the truck."
I tossed my bag in the front seat and let Woof out. He didn't bound out or go racing to the back of the truck. He did the bare minimum leap needed to land away from the truck cab, looked at me with doggie disdain, and strolled to the back of the truck. I called after him "Stay classy Woof!" climbed in, started the engine and the a/c, and rolled up the windows. I thought of myself as fairly hard core but listening to Woof dine wasn't something I enjoyed listening to.
I turned on the radio and the GPS. Yeah, I knew I was broadcasting my whereabouts. The vehicle, the sat phone, hell, my underwear may have been tagged. I didn't really care at this point. They knew who I was and I knew who they were. I didn't plan on disappearing until I was a lot closer to my goal. Why get people worried? I needed to make time. If I did this right the last thirty miles would take the longest. I knew they would feel the longest.
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 12c - by Nova
We cruised for about thirty minutes before I pulled over. I wanted to put some distance between us and the base. No use rubbing it in their faces but I was also aware the meat was spoiling. I had at least a couple of hours before rigor mortis set in but I figured Woof, fuzz brain that he was, deserved a fresh meal. Plus the longer you waited the harder and nastier it was to strip a body. I saw a turn off into a field, took it, and then pulled off the road under a clump of mature oak trees. I told Zane "Don't let Woof out yet" and stepped down out of the cab. Zane yelled after me "Can I come?"
"Sure."
I dropped the tailgate, grabbed Sledge by his feet and walked backwards until he dropped. I looked over at Zane and said "Oops." He thought that was funny. I liked that. The kid had a good sense of humor.
"I don't think he felt it G."
"Naw. I don't think so either. Pull his boots off, shake them, and look for hidden treasure."
"Do I have to? I bet his feet stink."
"You like eating?"
"Yes."
"Then do it."
I took off his vest and weapon and set them to one side. I tossed his wallet next to the pile and went through his pockets and found nothing remarkable except for a rabbits foot. "See this?"
"Yes."
"Never carry one" and tossed it over my shoulder.
"Why?"
"There's no such thing as lucky charms. You're good until you aren't.
He didn't say anything after that. I left him with his pants and t-shirt on but I made sure to take his belt.
"You're not going to take all his clothes off are you G?"
"No."
"Good."
I had walked Greasy Ink off the truck and Zane was wrestling with getting his cowboy boots off. I was going to tell him that I thought it was better not to strip a man of his last shreds of dignity but that was bullshit with this bunch and I would have been lying anyway so instead I told him "They're going to be breakfast burritos for Woof and we need to leave some kind of wrapping on to hold the gutsies in for him."
He went a little pale but he didn't stop trying to get the last boot off of Greasy Ink.
Happy New Years All!
"Sure."
I dropped the tailgate, grabbed Sledge by his feet and walked backwards until he dropped. I looked over at Zane and said "Oops." He thought that was funny. I liked that. The kid had a good sense of humor.
"I don't think he felt it G."
"Naw. I don't think so either. Pull his boots off, shake them, and look for hidden treasure."
"Do I have to? I bet his feet stink."
"You like eating?"
"Yes."
"Then do it."
I took off his vest and weapon and set them to one side. I tossed his wallet next to the pile and went through his pockets and found nothing remarkable except for a rabbits foot. "See this?"
"Yes."
"Never carry one" and tossed it over my shoulder.
"Why?"
"There's no such thing as lucky charms. You're good until you aren't.
He didn't say anything after that. I left him with his pants and t-shirt on but I made sure to take his belt.
"You're not going to take all his clothes off are you G?"
"No."
"Good."
I had walked Greasy Ink off the truck and Zane was wrestling with getting his cowboy boots off. I was going to tell him that I thought it was better not to strip a man of his last shreds of dignity but that was bullshit with this bunch and I would have been lying anyway so instead I told him "They're going to be breakfast burritos for Woof and we need to leave some kind of wrapping on to hold the gutsies in for him."
He went a little pale but he didn't stop trying to get the last boot off of Greasy Ink.
Happy New Years All!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
American Apocalypse - Chapter 12b - by Nova
I thought it was interesting seeing, once I had stopped shooting, what my graduating classes reaction was to the sound of gunfire. They did pretty good. Most of them immediately ran for cover and drew their weapons. I was so impressed that I realized it might be smart of me to say something so I didn't get shot. So I yelled "US Marshall! It's over people." I walked over to Sledge just to make sure he was dead. He was. It would have been a miracle if he wasn't but if anyone would have a spark of life left it would have been him. It was weird but I kind of liked him. To bad he went over to the dark side somewhere along the line. I was getting ready to start looking for his truck keys when the security team arrived with weapons drawn and yelling "Drop your weapons now!"
I looked at them and said "Fuck you. US Marshall serving a warrant. Point them muzzles in another direction before I jam them up your asses. Better yet, secure the area and get them people moving." Then I went back to looking for the truck keys. He had them in his front pocket. I hit the emergency button on the clicker and the truck with the light bar and goodies started talking. I shut it up and pocketed them. When I got back on my feet and looked around the security team was moving people on. A couple was complaining about the blood all over the Prius and I saw Sherri and her escort standing not to far away staring at the bodies. I yelled to the security team which had doubled in size to put the bodies in the back of my new truck and walked over to her.
"Hey Sherri"
"Hi Gardener." She had greeted me but she wasn't looking at me. She was totally focused on the dead guys.
"Sherri." No response so I said it again softer "Sherri."
"What?" She looked at me and looked away just as quick.
I kept my voice low and soft and ignored her escort who was staring daggers at me "You want to to shoot them before they throw them into the back of the truck? Kick them maybe?"
Now I had her attention. "Why?"
"Might make you feel better?" I was starting to feel like an idiot.
"I'm fine. Nothing happened. Nothing." She was smiling way to brightly at me.
I looked at her escort, back at her, and said "Sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. You take care now." I touched my hat and left. I made it two paces when I heard her say "Thank you" I didn't stop but I did hesitate for a heartbeat.
They were chucking Greasy Ink into the back of the new truck when a lieutenant decided to get in my face, offically rather than personally.
"Marshall"
"Yeah?"
"The base commander would like to see you in his office in exactly one hour. Plus I will need you to fill out an incident report and provide us with a copy of the warrant you were serving."
I looked at him. I wasn't really all that much older than him in years but I felt lifetimes older right then.
"No problem Lieutenant. I'll get right on it."
"Thank you sir" and he was gone but not before yelling at the body loaders "Lets move men. The Marshall has somewhere he has to be!"
He looked back at me for approval and I gave him a lame ass salute that was more of a wave than anything else. He loved it. What a ass kisser I thought.
I walked over to my truck where they had just finished chucking my kills into the back and told the Corporal who was in charge "thanks."
"No problem Marshall." He dropped his voice "Good shooting. We heard what those assholes did. Sorry to draw on you like we did but..you know... it's procedure and people were watching."
I slapped him on the shoulder and told him "Yeah. I know. We're good."
I got in the cab, it was a crew cab, and it stunk of sweat, booze, and reefer. I guess passing the urinalysis test wasn't a job requirement in their line of work. It turned over nicely and I drove out of the parking lot on to the field and headed for the tree line were I had left Zane and Woof. I pulled up so the passenger side door was facing the woods and got out leaving the engine running.
Zane was good. He didn't pop out of the woods when he saw me coming. Instead he stayed back inside the tree line until I called his name.
"I heard shooting."
"Yeah. That was me."
I opened both passenger side doors and told Woof "You're in the back fuzz brain." Woofs nostrils were flaring and as soon as he got in he was looking out the back window.
"C'mon kid. We got to roll."
He didn't see the bodies because he was too short. With the crew cab seating he couldn't see them either. So the first words out of his mouth were "Did you kill Sledge and them others?"
"Yep."
"Good. They were bad people."
"And now they're dead people."
"So do we go find my Mom now?"
"Buckle up and hold on."
The truck had been setup to run law enforcement lights and I hit them. Then I hit the gas, whipped the wheel, leaving some ugly tire marks on the carefully mowed grass of the field and we rolled. I blew through the gate at twice the posted speed limit and flipped the guards off as we went past. Zane and I were laughing our asses off and Woof was slobbering all over the back window. Life was good.
I looked at them and said "Fuck you. US Marshall serving a warrant. Point them muzzles in another direction before I jam them up your asses. Better yet, secure the area and get them people moving." Then I went back to looking for the truck keys. He had them in his front pocket. I hit the emergency button on the clicker and the truck with the light bar and goodies started talking. I shut it up and pocketed them. When I got back on my feet and looked around the security team was moving people on. A couple was complaining about the blood all over the Prius and I saw Sherri and her escort standing not to far away staring at the bodies. I yelled to the security team which had doubled in size to put the bodies in the back of my new truck and walked over to her.
"Hey Sherri"
"Hi Gardener." She had greeted me but she wasn't looking at me. She was totally focused on the dead guys.
"Sherri." No response so I said it again softer "Sherri."
"What?" She looked at me and looked away just as quick.
I kept my voice low and soft and ignored her escort who was staring daggers at me "You want to to shoot them before they throw them into the back of the truck? Kick them maybe?"
Now I had her attention. "Why?"
"Might make you feel better?" I was starting to feel like an idiot.
"I'm fine. Nothing happened. Nothing." She was smiling way to brightly at me.
I looked at her escort, back at her, and said "Sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. You take care now." I touched my hat and left. I made it two paces when I heard her say "Thank you" I didn't stop but I did hesitate for a heartbeat.
They were chucking Greasy Ink into the back of the new truck when a lieutenant decided to get in my face, offically rather than personally.
"Marshall"
"Yeah?"
"The base commander would like to see you in his office in exactly one hour. Plus I will need you to fill out an incident report and provide us with a copy of the warrant you were serving."
I looked at him. I wasn't really all that much older than him in years but I felt lifetimes older right then.
"No problem Lieutenant. I'll get right on it."
"Thank you sir" and he was gone but not before yelling at the body loaders "Lets move men. The Marshall has somewhere he has to be!"
He looked back at me for approval and I gave him a lame ass salute that was more of a wave than anything else. He loved it. What a ass kisser I thought.
I walked over to my truck where they had just finished chucking my kills into the back and told the Corporal who was in charge "thanks."
"No problem Marshall." He dropped his voice "Good shooting. We heard what those assholes did. Sorry to draw on you like we did but..you know... it's procedure and people were watching."
I slapped him on the shoulder and told him "Yeah. I know. We're good."
I got in the cab, it was a crew cab, and it stunk of sweat, booze, and reefer. I guess passing the urinalysis test wasn't a job requirement in their line of work. It turned over nicely and I drove out of the parking lot on to the field and headed for the tree line were I had left Zane and Woof. I pulled up so the passenger side door was facing the woods and got out leaving the engine running.
Zane was good. He didn't pop out of the woods when he saw me coming. Instead he stayed back inside the tree line until I called his name.
"I heard shooting."
"Yeah. That was me."
I opened both passenger side doors and told Woof "You're in the back fuzz brain." Woofs nostrils were flaring and as soon as he got in he was looking out the back window.
"C'mon kid. We got to roll."
He didn't see the bodies because he was too short. With the crew cab seating he couldn't see them either. So the first words out of his mouth were "Did you kill Sledge and them others?"
"Yep."
"Good. They were bad people."
"And now they're dead people."
"So do we go find my Mom now?"
"Buckle up and hold on."
The truck had been setup to run law enforcement lights and I hit them. Then I hit the gas, whipped the wheel, leaving some ugly tire marks on the carefully mowed grass of the field and we rolled. I blew through the gate at twice the posted speed limit and flipped the guards off as we went past. Zane and I were laughing our asses off and Woof was slobbering all over the back window. Life was good.
Monday, December 27, 2010
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 11f - by Nova
We sat outside on the grass and waited for him to come back. I was feeling good still and was just sitting there checking my weapons when Zane asked me "So you are going to kill Sledge and his friends tomorrow?"
"Yep. That's the plan."
"Good. Is Sherri going to be okay now?"
"I don't know Zane." I thought about it for a few beats and added "Probably."
He didn't say anything about that. I had pulled my weapons and dumped each round, looked at it, and then reloaded. Everything felt right but I still had to make sure. I was sitting there spinning the cylinder for the hell of it when Zane told me "The crows came last night."
"Yeah?"
"Your wife is the Asian one right?"
"That she is."
"She hates my mom."
"Yep. She does."
"Why?"
"Not enough time to go there now Zane. How did she look?"
"Mad."
I laughed. Then I heard Lee coming. "Okay. He's on his way back and he's alone. Stand about ten paces from me and off to my left when he gets here.
It took him another two minutes to arrive. I practiced drawing a few times just to make sure everything was flowing right. It was. We were also being watched. I felt it but I couldn't figure out from where yet.
"That you Gardener?"
I bit down the first reply I thought of and went with "Yeah. Just me and Sledge catching the evening breeze.
He stopped dead and I heard him draw his weapon. "Is that so?" He replied flatly.
"No. Put your gun away. Your scaring Woof."
"Woof growled from over by Zane.
"C'mon Lee. Lets do this."
He approached slowly and didn't holster his weapon until was about ten paces away. When he came to a stop in front of me he handed me a manila envelope and said "Anyone ever tell you that you're an asshole Gardener?"
I took the envelope and stuffed it in a pocket. "Actually yeah."
"So whats your plan?"
"I don't know yet Lee. Do you know we're being watched."
"Yes. They run night patrols here. Why?"
"No reason. See ya in the morning deputy."
"One more thing Gardener. He handed me a cell phone that was bigger and bulkier than the normal ones. "Sat phone?" I asked.
"Yes indeed. My number is in the envelope. Stay in touch." Then he walked away. I watched him go. The sonofabitch had out exited me. Damn. I hated that.
"Lets go people." I still loved saying that. I started walking towards the parking lot. "We're going to sleep near the truck tonight."
"Yep. That's the plan."
"Good. Is Sherri going to be okay now?"
"I don't know Zane." I thought about it for a few beats and added "Probably."
He didn't say anything about that. I had pulled my weapons and dumped each round, looked at it, and then reloaded. Everything felt right but I still had to make sure. I was sitting there spinning the cylinder for the hell of it when Zane told me "The crows came last night."
"Yeah?"
"Your wife is the Asian one right?"
"That she is."
"She hates my mom."
"Yep. She does."
"Why?"
"Not enough time to go there now Zane. How did she look?"
"Mad."
I laughed. Then I heard Lee coming. "Okay. He's on his way back and he's alone. Stand about ten paces from me and off to my left when he gets here.
It took him another two minutes to arrive. I practiced drawing a few times just to make sure everything was flowing right. It was. We were also being watched. I felt it but I couldn't figure out from where yet.
"That you Gardener?"
I bit down the first reply I thought of and went with "Yeah. Just me and Sledge catching the evening breeze.
He stopped dead and I heard him draw his weapon. "Is that so?" He replied flatly.
"No. Put your gun away. Your scaring Woof."
"Woof growled from over by Zane.
"C'mon Lee. Lets do this."
He approached slowly and didn't holster his weapon until was about ten paces away. When he came to a stop in front of me he handed me a manila envelope and said "Anyone ever tell you that you're an asshole Gardener?"
I took the envelope and stuffed it in a pocket. "Actually yeah."
"So whats your plan?"
"I don't know yet Lee. Do you know we're being watched."
"Yes. They run night patrols here. Why?"
"No reason. See ya in the morning deputy."
"One more thing Gardener. He handed me a cell phone that was bigger and bulkier than the normal ones. "Sat phone?" I asked.
"Yes indeed. My number is in the envelope. Stay in touch." Then he walked away. I watched him go. The sonofabitch had out exited me. Damn. I hated that.
"Lets go people." I still loved saying that. I started walking towards the parking lot. "We're going to sleep near the truck tonight."
Monday, December 20, 2010
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 11 - by Nova
We walked back to our room, slowly. The hallway felt different. People knew. How? I have no idea but they did and always would. What the actual story was that was being whispered I had no idea. I am sure the body count was higher and my role was insignificant. It sure felt that way to me.
We passed Sledge's room. It was silent and I got an empty feel from it. Woof sniffed it then hoisted a leg. I tried not to laugh while Zane thought it was insanely funny. Neither one of us mentioned cleaning it up. Sherri's room had the same feel too when we passed it. Woof knew which one was our room. He stopped in front of the door and waited for us.
We went inside, I shut our pathetic bolt, and slowly stretched out on my bunk. Zane was sitting on his and scratching Woof behind the ear. Woof seemed to like getting it scratched as much as Zane liked doing it. I closed my eyes and had begun to doze off when Zane asked me "Will Sherri be okay?"
"Probably not."
He let me get back to where I was almost asleep before saying "Are we going to find Sledge and the rest and kill them?"
"That's the plan."
"I don't mind if it takes a few days."
"Zane" I told him "Measure it in hours."
I had made it past doze and was actually asleep when I heard the knock on the door. I was up and my feet were on the ground a half a beat ahead of the pain from doing it. Zane had fallen asleep and Woof who had been stretched out on the floor next to him was up as fast as I was.
"Yeah. What do you want." Then I moved a few paces from where I was and waited for the reply.
"Mr. Gardener. Can we speak to you please."
"Who is we?"
"This is Lt. Grayson and Mr. Lee from installation administration. Please open the door."
I slid the bolt back, stepped back, and told them "Come on in."
Woof hadn't moved nor stopped growling. He was in warn mode and not attack, pretty much how I read the situation so far myself. They began to step into the room, saw Woof, and froze. Zane was up and standing next to Woof. I noticed he had his toothbrush clutched in his hand.
"Sir. We have been asked to escort you to the installation commanders office. He would like to speak to you."
I didn't bother to ask about what. Why bother. "Okay." I told Zane and Woof "Stay here. I'll be back." Then I walked out the door and stood in the hallway. Mr Lee was not wearing camo. I had made him for a fed as soon as I saw him. Lt. Grayson was a generic camo officer type who seemed a little stiff for the occasion. Mr Lee was in charge which made it even more interesting. Both were wearing sidearms. Mr Lee had a black leather FBI style holster while the Lt. wore the standard issue drop leg one. I wondered if there was anyone left in the military who wore a belt holster anymore. Probably not.
Mr. Lee gestured in the direction he wanted me to go and once I started moving fell in beside me while Grayson followed behind me. Things were looking up. I may hurt like a son of a bitch but I knew I had two handguns when ever I wanted.
We passed Sledge's room. It was silent and I got an empty feel from it. Woof sniffed it then hoisted a leg. I tried not to laugh while Zane thought it was insanely funny. Neither one of us mentioned cleaning it up. Sherri's room had the same feel too when we passed it. Woof knew which one was our room. He stopped in front of the door and waited for us.
We went inside, I shut our pathetic bolt, and slowly stretched out on my bunk. Zane was sitting on his and scratching Woof behind the ear. Woof seemed to like getting it scratched as much as Zane liked doing it. I closed my eyes and had begun to doze off when Zane asked me "Will Sherri be okay?"
"Probably not."
He let me get back to where I was almost asleep before saying "Are we going to find Sledge and the rest and kill them?"
"That's the plan."
"I don't mind if it takes a few days."
"Zane" I told him "Measure it in hours."
I had made it past doze and was actually asleep when I heard the knock on the door. I was up and my feet were on the ground a half a beat ahead of the pain from doing it. Zane had fallen asleep and Woof who had been stretched out on the floor next to him was up as fast as I was.
"Yeah. What do you want." Then I moved a few paces from where I was and waited for the reply.
"Mr. Gardener. Can we speak to you please."
"Who is we?"
"This is Lt. Grayson and Mr. Lee from installation administration. Please open the door."
I slid the bolt back, stepped back, and told them "Come on in."
Woof hadn't moved nor stopped growling. He was in warn mode and not attack, pretty much how I read the situation so far myself. They began to step into the room, saw Woof, and froze. Zane was up and standing next to Woof. I noticed he had his toothbrush clutched in his hand.
"Sir. We have been asked to escort you to the installation commanders office. He would like to speak to you."
I didn't bother to ask about what. Why bother. "Okay." I told Zane and Woof "Stay here. I'll be back." Then I walked out the door and stood in the hallway. Mr Lee was not wearing camo. I had made him for a fed as soon as I saw him. Lt. Grayson was a generic camo officer type who seemed a little stiff for the occasion. Mr Lee was in charge which made it even more interesting. Both were wearing sidearms. Mr Lee had a black leather FBI style holster while the Lt. wore the standard issue drop leg one. I wondered if there was anyone left in the military who wore a belt holster anymore. Probably not.
Mr. Lee gestured in the direction he wanted me to go and once I started moving fell in beside me while Grayson followed behind me. Things were looking up. I may hurt like a son of a bitch but I knew I had two handguns when ever I wanted.
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 10e by Nova
Left in the dust by Woof but coming on quick was the light patter of Zane's footsteps. Behind him I heard a woman yell "Kid! Get your ass back here!" Then a muttered "Shit!"
"Help me up kid." He was useless for it but it helped motivate me to get up.
"You okay Gardener?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."
Damn. It hurt to breathe. It hurt to walk. Someone had hit me hard in the thigh were a rake had bitten me once. I think the other side hurt too but I permanently numb in places there. Nerve damage or something. My rib cage hurt, especially one rib. Jesus. No wonder you only had to do twenty years in the military before you could retire. At this rate I would be ready to retire next month. That thought made me laugh. That was a mistake.
"Call your dog off before they shoot him." I hobbled as fast as I could over to the door, leaned in, and said "Sherri. When they ask it was just the guy who worked here."
"Go away!"
I heard the same woman who had yelled at Zane to come back yell at me "Freeze! Hands in the air! Now!"
They had not impressed me. Way to cautious coming in. Even a two man team without backup should have pressed harder. Her partner, a white male who was smaller than her, she was a big boned woman, lit me up with a laser dot. She was advancing towards me slowly talking into the mic that hung off her shoulder while she did. She was asking for a medic ASAP. A little late for the dipshit on the floor but good for Sherri.
I was trying to raise my hands in the air but I couldn't. It hurt too much. "Officer" I told them "I am injured an unable to comply. You have another..." Jesus it hurt to talk. "Injured woman" I stressed the "woman" maybe she would pick up on it "inside the room."
"On your knees then!" The female officer started to go around me and then really looked at Woof. He was standing next to Zane and blood was dripping from his muzzle. The guy who was supposed to take care of Woof looked like a chainsaw accident.
"That dog moves kid I'm shooting him"
Zane told her scornfully "Woof only eats bad people." Woof licked his chops then. She looked less than pleased about it but she turned her back to them and went in the room. I heard the sound of boots running from the lobby, their backup was here.
Thirty minutes or so later they let us go after taping my ribs up. Sherri had verified that it was just PFC Stark, he actually had a name, I don't why I was surprised, who did it. If there was anyone else she didn't see them. I said we had come to see the dog, heard her cry for help and did what we could. Nobody believed it but they were letting it ride. My guess was they wanted to spin it that way for their own reasons. It wouldn't do their public relations much good for the place to become known for gang rapes. A wacked out PFC, damaged from prior trauma was a better play.
We took Woof with us. Nobody argued much. They just said to make sure to clean up after him if he took a dump. "That's your job from now on Zane" He didn't argue. "As for you" I told Woof. "I know who's side your on. He just laughed at me. Woof was in a good mood. So was I. I wouldn't have to pay the other half of his kennel fee. I wasn't going to tell Woof anytime soon but he had made the right call.
"Help me up kid." He was useless for it but it helped motivate me to get up.
"You okay Gardener?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."
Damn. It hurt to breathe. It hurt to walk. Someone had hit me hard in the thigh were a rake had bitten me once. I think the other side hurt too but I permanently numb in places there. Nerve damage or something. My rib cage hurt, especially one rib. Jesus. No wonder you only had to do twenty years in the military before you could retire. At this rate I would be ready to retire next month. That thought made me laugh. That was a mistake.
"Call your dog off before they shoot him." I hobbled as fast as I could over to the door, leaned in, and said "Sherri. When they ask it was just the guy who worked here."
"Go away!"
I heard the same woman who had yelled at Zane to come back yell at me "Freeze! Hands in the air! Now!"
They had not impressed me. Way to cautious coming in. Even a two man team without backup should have pressed harder. Her partner, a white male who was smaller than her, she was a big boned woman, lit me up with a laser dot. She was advancing towards me slowly talking into the mic that hung off her shoulder while she did. She was asking for a medic ASAP. A little late for the dipshit on the floor but good for Sherri.
I was trying to raise my hands in the air but I couldn't. It hurt too much. "Officer" I told them "I am injured an unable to comply. You have another..." Jesus it hurt to talk. "Injured woman" I stressed the "woman" maybe she would pick up on it "inside the room."
"On your knees then!" The female officer started to go around me and then really looked at Woof. He was standing next to Zane and blood was dripping from his muzzle. The guy who was supposed to take care of Woof looked like a chainsaw accident.
"That dog moves kid I'm shooting him"
Zane told her scornfully "Woof only eats bad people." Woof licked his chops then. She looked less than pleased about it but she turned her back to them and went in the room. I heard the sound of boots running from the lobby, their backup was here.
Thirty minutes or so later they let us go after taping my ribs up. Sherri had verified that it was just PFC Stark, he actually had a name, I don't why I was surprised, who did it. If there was anyone else she didn't see them. I said we had come to see the dog, heard her cry for help and did what we could. Nobody believed it but they were letting it ride. My guess was they wanted to spin it that way for their own reasons. It wouldn't do their public relations much good for the place to become known for gang rapes. A wacked out PFC, damaged from prior trauma was a better play.
We took Woof with us. Nobody argued much. They just said to make sure to clean up after him if he took a dump. "That's your job from now on Zane" He didn't argue. "As for you" I told Woof. "I know who's side your on. He just laughed at me. Woof was in a good mood. So was I. I wouldn't have to pay the other half of his kennel fee. I wasn't going to tell Woof anytime soon but he had made the right call.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 10c - by Nova
Where was the robot talking asshole who was supposed to be here? I looked behind the counter hoping for a weapon and found nothing but a cheap pair of scissors. One of these years all the cheap crap will have been flushed out of the American system and I wouldn't have to deal with plastic handled metal with all the edge and strength of a paperclip. I put in my back pocket anyway.
I quietly opened the door to the animal area and crouched down to look around the corner. Nothing in sight but everything I needed was coming in clearly in audio. The dog pens were to my left. Straight ahead led to the big animal pens. Off to my right and down was a storage area. They really should have shut the door.
"Okay Zane. This what I need you to do. You need to haul ass to Woof , let him out, and come back to me. When you get back here I want you to go just as fast to find a security team. If you don't see one when you get back in the main building start yelling Fire! Got it?"
"Got it."
I squeezed his shoulder and said "Go!"
He went like a little rocket.
Well this is going to suck but I had no choice. At least I had a choice in which weapon I was going to use. It was going to be me and a sharp toothbrush or a cheap pair of scissors against Sledge and his fuckwads. I really wanted to wait for backup but Sherri's low scream of pain let me with no options other than one. I really hoped Woof understood my situation and didn't decide to hang with his biggest fan.
I moved at a lope down the hallway with my toothbrush in my hand. When I made the door way I stopped and eased into it. The dumb asses had the counter robot watching the door. He wasn't doing a good job of it due to being distracted I hoped he had done a better job with Woof. What I saw matched up with what I had heard. Sherri was bent over a pallet of feed sacks and was getting raped by Pockmark. Sledge and Greasy Ink were watching. Robot Man was asking Sledge "It's my turn after him. Right?" Sherri's face was turned away from me. I was glad of that.
That's when everything started happening. I reached out with my right arm and grabbed the counter guy, pulled him close, and stuck my tooth brush in his throat. I was going to have to remember to get that back. Practicing proper dental hygiene was important to me. Then I shoved him to one side, grinned at Sledge, and said "I heard they got some sheep here. Isn't that more your..." That was as far as I got. I had hoped we could exchange witty insults for a couple of minutes but Sledge wasn't the type. He let out a roar and bull rushed me. No finesse. I set myself, rode it, and used his forward movement and weight against him. It would have worked, in fact it kind of did, the only problem was Greasy Ink was a half step behind him. Maybe Max or Bruce Lee could have Kung Fu'ed their asses. Instead I went backwards off balance along with Sledge. I let go off him because I knew I was going down and I didn't want him next to me or on me when I landed. He didn't let go. He had done this before.
I quietly opened the door to the animal area and crouched down to look around the corner. Nothing in sight but everything I needed was coming in clearly in audio. The dog pens were to my left. Straight ahead led to the big animal pens. Off to my right and down was a storage area. They really should have shut the door.
"Okay Zane. This what I need you to do. You need to haul ass to Woof , let him out, and come back to me. When you get back here I want you to go just as fast to find a security team. If you don't see one when you get back in the main building start yelling Fire! Got it?"
"Got it."
I squeezed his shoulder and said "Go!"
He went like a little rocket.
Well this is going to suck but I had no choice. At least I had a choice in which weapon I was going to use. It was going to be me and a sharp toothbrush or a cheap pair of scissors against Sledge and his fuckwads. I really wanted to wait for backup but Sherri's low scream of pain let me with no options other than one. I really hoped Woof understood my situation and didn't decide to hang with his biggest fan.
I moved at a lope down the hallway with my toothbrush in my hand. When I made the door way I stopped and eased into it. The dumb asses had the counter robot watching the door. He wasn't doing a good job of it due to being distracted I hoped he had done a better job with Woof. What I saw matched up with what I had heard. Sherri was bent over a pallet of feed sacks and was getting raped by Pockmark. Sledge and Greasy Ink were watching. Robot Man was asking Sledge "It's my turn after him. Right?" Sherri's face was turned away from me. I was glad of that.
That's when everything started happening. I reached out with my right arm and grabbed the counter guy, pulled him close, and stuck my tooth brush in his throat. I was going to have to remember to get that back. Practicing proper dental hygiene was important to me. Then I shoved him to one side, grinned at Sledge, and said "I heard they got some sheep here. Isn't that more your..." That was as far as I got. I had hoped we could exchange witty insults for a couple of minutes but Sledge wasn't the type. He let out a roar and bull rushed me. No finesse. I set myself, rode it, and used his forward movement and weight against him. It would have worked, in fact it kind of did, the only problem was Greasy Ink was a half step behind him. Maybe Max or Bruce Lee could have Kung Fu'ed their asses. Instead I went backwards off balance along with Sledge. I let go off him because I knew I was going down and I didn't want him next to me or on me when I landed. He didn't let go. He had done this before.
Friday, December 17, 2010
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 10b - by Nova
Sherri wanted to know what had been said. I told the table "Nothing much. We were just caring and sharing." I got blank looks when I told them that. "Well, it didn't look like you caring and sharing any love" was Sherri's reply. "Men show affection differently Sherri. Don't worry about it." Sherri was annoying me. Night would have known without me explaining anything. Hell, Night would have filleted them. I missed her.
We went back into the classroom. That might have been awkward for some people. I just sat back in usual spot and grinned at the lads. Sledge looked at me, shook his head, and made "Tsktsktsk" sounds. Greasy Ink stage whispered "You're so fucking dead."
"Excuse me. Do we have a problem back there gentlemen?"
I told our instructor who I had grown very weary of "Nope. Everyone's cool."
He let it slide. I wished I could tilt my chair back. Instead I tilted my hat over my eyes and hoped for another movie.
The movie didn't come. Time dragged on and I let the drone wash over me. Eventually it was time to eat dinner and cruise into our final night here at Camp Happiness. Tomorrow at 10:00 was our graduation and our diplomas were going to be our Zone ID's. I couldn't wait.
We ate dinner with Sherri and the others as usual. She was excited and talking about how she loved animals and couldn't wait to be a vet someday. Sherri had signed up, as had almost every one else for Stage II Integration. That was government provided housing, training, and career direction services. Everyone was amazed that we had passed on it. Someone mentioned that Sledge and his lads had too. Somehow I wasn't surprised to hear that.
When we walked back to the rooms I just kept going past Sherri's door. She was already history to me as was everyone else in this place. Well, almost everyone. Sledge and his boys would have to get shot by someone else. I had places to go and someone to see.
Once we got back to the room Zane reminded me that we were going to go see Woof. "Fine" I told him. "First we take a shower. Then we go see Woof." I wanted to get one last warm shower in before we went back out on the road. I can take a fast shower. I don't think Zane was under the water for more than three seconds before he reappeared and began getting dressed. I didn't say anything. I understood.
We dropped our towels off at the room and started making our way to the Animal Containment Area. It was quiet in the hallways. We passed a few people but nobody said anything to us other than a greeting. We found the door leading out to animal land. Someone had left a sliver of wood between the lock to keep it open. I barely noticed it. It never occurred to me that we could end up locked out. Hell it had been awhile since I had let a locked door stop me. I didn't have my door openers so I carefully replaced it. As we stepped through it I held up my hand to stop Zane and froze. Something was wrong. For the first time since we had arrived I felt it then I heard it. Woof was going nuts. Zane heard it too and took off at a run. I followed him for a few paces and then passed him.
I went through the door into the lobby fast and found it was empty. I stopped, and when Zane shot past me I grabbed him by his collar and jerked his ass back hard. He lost his footing and I pulled him to my eye level and hissed "On me." Then I let him drop. Damn I felt good again. This place had been really fucking boring.
We went back into the classroom. That might have been awkward for some people. I just sat back in usual spot and grinned at the lads. Sledge looked at me, shook his head, and made "Tsktsktsk" sounds. Greasy Ink stage whispered "You're so fucking dead."
"Excuse me. Do we have a problem back there gentlemen?"
I told our instructor who I had grown very weary of "Nope. Everyone's cool."
He let it slide. I wished I could tilt my chair back. Instead I tilted my hat over my eyes and hoped for another movie.
The movie didn't come. Time dragged on and I let the drone wash over me. Eventually it was time to eat dinner and cruise into our final night here at Camp Happiness. Tomorrow at 10:00 was our graduation and our diplomas were going to be our Zone ID's. I couldn't wait.
We ate dinner with Sherri and the others as usual. She was excited and talking about how she loved animals and couldn't wait to be a vet someday. Sherri had signed up, as had almost every one else for Stage II Integration. That was government provided housing, training, and career direction services. Everyone was amazed that we had passed on it. Someone mentioned that Sledge and his lads had too. Somehow I wasn't surprised to hear that.
When we walked back to the rooms I just kept going past Sherri's door. She was already history to me as was everyone else in this place. Well, almost everyone. Sledge and his boys would have to get shot by someone else. I had places to go and someone to see.
Once we got back to the room Zane reminded me that we were going to go see Woof. "Fine" I told him. "First we take a shower. Then we go see Woof." I wanted to get one last warm shower in before we went back out on the road. I can take a fast shower. I don't think Zane was under the water for more than three seconds before he reappeared and began getting dressed. I didn't say anything. I understood.
We dropped our towels off at the room and started making our way to the Animal Containment Area. It was quiet in the hallways. We passed a few people but nobody said anything to us other than a greeting. We found the door leading out to animal land. Someone had left a sliver of wood between the lock to keep it open. I barely noticed it. It never occurred to me that we could end up locked out. Hell it had been awhile since I had let a locked door stop me. I didn't have my door openers so I carefully replaced it. As we stepped through it I held up my hand to stop Zane and froze. Something was wrong. For the first time since we had arrived I felt it then I heard it. Woof was going nuts. Zane heard it too and took off at a run. I followed him for a few paces and then passed him.
I went through the door into the lobby fast and found it was empty. I stopped, and when Zane shot past me I grabbed him by his collar and jerked his ass back hard. He lost his footing and I pulled him to my eye level and hissed "On me." Then I let him drop. Damn I felt good again. This place had been really fucking boring.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 10a - by Nova
It blew over as soon as Sledge started talking again. He gave me the big smile, then switched to sincere, even leaning in to show it and dropping his voice to just above a whisper told me "I could use you on my team. We do the wet work, you know what I mean." I nodded and told him "Yeah. I think I do."
"Nothing you wouldn't be uncomfortable with for the most part. It sucks. We spend a lot of time in the field...usually we work with a special police unit but the pay is good. Hell Gardener, after we get done with this bullshit we get paid our wages in Gold!"
Out of the corner of my eye I could see the other two nodding their heads and licking their lips.
"We talking serious gold here?" I asked casually.
"Oh yeah Gardener. That we are." Sledge replied. The ugly twins were grinning. We were all getting on the same page here now. Pockmarked jumped in with "Tell him about the bennies Sledge!"
"Yeah! We get some good pussy" Greasy added. Being a grudge holding dick head he added "If you like woman that is."
I ignored him. For now. Sledge hissed "Shut the fuck up!" Then he held his hands out, palms up, shrugged, gave me a boyish grin, and said "There is always that."
"Yes there is." I slung my feet over the damn bench seat, stood up, and leaned over the table bracing myself on the edge, and told them "If I see any of you when I leave here I will kill you without warning." Then I walked away.
"Nothing you wouldn't be uncomfortable with for the most part. It sucks. We spend a lot of time in the field...usually we work with a special police unit but the pay is good. Hell Gardener, after we get done with this bullshit we get paid our wages in Gold!"
Out of the corner of my eye I could see the other two nodding their heads and licking their lips.
"We talking serious gold here?" I asked casually.
"Oh yeah Gardener. That we are." Sledge replied. The ugly twins were grinning. We were all getting on the same page here now. Pockmarked jumped in with "Tell him about the bennies Sledge!"
"Yeah! We get some good pussy" Greasy added. Being a grudge holding dick head he added "If you like woman that is."
I ignored him. For now. Sledge hissed "Shut the fuck up!" Then he held his hands out, palms up, shrugged, gave me a boyish grin, and said "There is always that."
"Yes there is." I slung my feet over the damn bench seat, stood up, and leaned over the table bracing myself on the edge, and told them "If I see any of you when I leave here I will kill you without warning." Then I walked away.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 9d - by Nova
We went back to class. It was as boring as before. We did have a movie. It had the flag, the General, highlights of what was and what would be if we all just worked together. Of course we had those people who wanted to destroy America. Those people, as best as I could tell, were anyone who didn't accept the authority of the United States as personified by the General and the Zones. That covered a lot of people.
We were shown a map of the USA with the good areas in blue and known bad areas in red. The areas with active Zones were shown with gold stars. I saw that and thought I would have marked the bad area headquarters with black frownie faces. No wonder Night never let me do more than look at her maps. There was a lot more red than I expected. Most of the Northwest, a good chunk of the Southwest, at the top part of the map where Maine or was it Vermont? I was never sure where those states were on a map but that area was red too.
They went from the map to the General telling us America was based on separation of church and state and the US government was not going to put up with anyone or any state seceding because of religious or political beliefs. He told us how we were in this together regardless of religion or color of your skin. Yes, some traditional liberties and parts of the constitution had to be suspended but that was only until the emergency was over. Somehow I doubted it would end in my lifetime. People like him never let go of power. Never. I was surprised. I actually stayed awake through it.
Sledge didn't. He was head down and softly snoring. I looked at him. I decided I was going to sharpen my toothbrush handle and keep that with me. Zane was going to get his sharpened too. I looked at Sledge with his head down and saw the spot in the neck I would bury the toothbrush in given the opportunity. There was always the eyes too. I might be able to pull it back out if I stuck it in an eye. I was going to have to brush up on my toothbrush tactics. I was still laughing to myself when the lights went back on and Sledges head snapped up. I was a pretty funny guy sometimes I thought.
We were shown a map of the USA with the good areas in blue and known bad areas in red. The areas with active Zones were shown with gold stars. I saw that and thought I would have marked the bad area headquarters with black frownie faces. No wonder Night never let me do more than look at her maps. There was a lot more red than I expected. Most of the Northwest, a good chunk of the Southwest, at the top part of the map where Maine or was it Vermont? I was never sure where those states were on a map but that area was red too.
They went from the map to the General telling us America was based on separation of church and state and the US government was not going to put up with anyone or any state seceding because of religious or political beliefs. He told us how we were in this together regardless of religion or color of your skin. Yes, some traditional liberties and parts of the constitution had to be suspended but that was only until the emergency was over. Somehow I doubted it would end in my lifetime. People like him never let go of power. Never. I was surprised. I actually stayed awake through it.
Sledge didn't. He was head down and softly snoring. I looked at him. I decided I was going to sharpen my toothbrush handle and keep that with me. Zane was going to get his sharpened too. I looked at Sledge with his head down and saw the spot in the neck I would bury the toothbrush in given the opportunity. There was always the eyes too. I might be able to pull it back out if I stuck it in an eye. I was going to have to brush up on my toothbrush tactics. I was still laughing to myself when the lights went back on and Sledges head snapped up. I was a pretty funny guy sometimes I thought.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 9b - by Nova
It didn't get better. It got stupefyingly boring. The break for lunch came right on time as far as I was concerned. When we got up to go I noticed Sledge stop Greasy Ink from coming over to talk to me. I was disappointed. I heard Sledge whisper "Later." I shrugged it off. Later, tomorrow, a week from now, it was all the same to me. I needed to go find Zane and get us into the lunch line. Later, after dinner, I wanted to check on Woof. I also needed to find out if anyone had a map of the Zone. Maybe they even had some kind of travel advisory for the roads outside of it.
Lunch wasn't bad. Spaghetti with tomato sauce. Corn was the vegetable. Desert was applesauce. Nobody wasted any which was a good thing. They had a woman posted by the tray drop off to check to see we ate everything. It was eat everything or else. I wasn't sure what "else" might be. Me and Zane would probably never find out for ourselves. We both could pack away the food.
We didn't eat alone. The feisty Latina joined us as did a couple of other people that she had already met. She didn't ask to join us. She just sat down, grinned, and said "I bet you hate meetings."
After slurping a bit of stray spaghettii noodle down I replied "That has been said by others."
"Hi. I'm Sherri."
She reached across the table to shake my hand and I caught the swell of her breasts. Nice. Woman made a point of dressing down now I had noticed. Baggy clothes and short hair. Outside it was hard sometimes to know the gender as some went as far as they could go to hide it. The days of dressing to display what made women delightful was history in the places I traveled to. A woman would have to be a serious badass or traveling with a group of them to want to hang temptation out there for others to notice. No tight leather bodices, cleavage, and long legs in shorts like the video games. It was frump, baggy, and lock down in the new reality.
Except for Sherri. She was modest in dress but she let you know that a woman was wearing those camos. She must have gotten lucky on the draw to get a set that fit so well. I was also going to have to remember to call her "Sherri" instead of Maria which I had mentally expected.
I told her "I'm Gardener and this is Zane."
She shook hands then with Zane who said "Hello" to her. She introduced the two people who tagged along with her. I didn't bother to remember their names.
Lunch wasn't bad. Spaghetti with tomato sauce. Corn was the vegetable. Desert was applesauce. Nobody wasted any which was a good thing. They had a woman posted by the tray drop off to check to see we ate everything. It was eat everything or else. I wasn't sure what "else" might be. Me and Zane would probably never find out for ourselves. We both could pack away the food.
We didn't eat alone. The feisty Latina joined us as did a couple of other people that she had already met. She didn't ask to join us. She just sat down, grinned, and said "I bet you hate meetings."
After slurping a bit of stray spaghettii noodle down I replied "That has been said by others."
"Hi. I'm Sherri."
She reached across the table to shake my hand and I caught the swell of her breasts. Nice. Woman made a point of dressing down now I had noticed. Baggy clothes and short hair. Outside it was hard sometimes to know the gender as some went as far as they could go to hide it. The days of dressing to display what made women delightful was history in the places I traveled to. A woman would have to be a serious badass or traveling with a group of them to want to hang temptation out there for others to notice. No tight leather bodices, cleavage, and long legs in shorts like the video games. It was frump, baggy, and lock down in the new reality.
Except for Sherri. She was modest in dress but she let you know that a woman was wearing those camos. She must have gotten lucky on the draw to get a set that fit so well. I was also going to have to remember to call her "Sherri" instead of Maria which I had mentally expected.
I told her "I'm Gardener and this is Zane."
She shook hands then with Zane who said "Hello" to her. She introduced the two people who tagged along with her. I didn't bother to remember their names.
Monday, December 13, 2010
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 9a - by Nova
Sledge was going to say something to me but class started. He was a good boy. He didn't talk when the teacher was. Mr Langer assumed the position in front of his podium. I knew that position. It was the "Listen up. I have important shit to say." The problem was I had never heard anyone say anything of importance when they struck that pose. He cleared his throat and told us:
"Welcome back to the world." He paused and did the sweep the room look. "Yes. The world. America." America rolled off his tongue. He liked the taste of it so he said it again. I wanted to raise my hand and say "But they told me this was Canada sir." I didn't. I just wanted to get this over with. "Yes. Together you have taken the first step in helping your country and yourself to get back on your feet and reclaim the greatness that once was America and the standard of living that is your birthright."
This was news to me. I thought we were supposed to work for it. I wish they had thought of this when I was busy getting evicted from my condo.
"Your classes over the next three days..." Here was a pause as papers rustled an everyone took a look at the course outline or agenda or whatever the hell they were calling it. I didn't rustle any paper because I had given mine to Zane and never asked for it back. Sledge and his boys actually had theirs. Well, everyone but Sledge. He reached over and grabbed one his boys paperwork. My lack didn't go unnoticed.
"You. Where is your curriculum?"
I mulled several answers and decided to go with "Lost it." As soon as I said it I saw an image of a once upon a time Carol sitting two rows over, looking at me, and smiling. I hoped the image would stick around. She usually was my go to person for a pen or pencil back then. It faded.
I had been lost in the image. Lost enough that I only caught the end of his lecture on holding on to any material we received. That is was our scared duty not to waste paper and slouch in our chairs. Well, actually he didn't say that in so many words but I ran it through my translator and that was what came out. I took the paperwork that was passed back to me, sighed, and tried to focus on it. Sledges smirk didn't go unnoticed either.
While Langer continued to ramble on about the new nation we were going to build I daydreamed about going back, getting my weapons and killing Sledge, his boys, and maybe Langer. I gave up and actually read the fucking schedule. I might as well since it was how I was going to be spending the next three days. It didn't hold any surprises.We were in orientation now. During Day One we would be talking about exciting stuff. I read:
Orientation
The US Government and your role
Basic Hygine
Lunch
Who is the enemy?
Building community
Dinner
Pretty thin stuff I thought. With a little luck we would watch a movie and I could sleep.
"Welcome back to the world." He paused and did the sweep the room look. "Yes. The world. America." America rolled off his tongue. He liked the taste of it so he said it again. I wanted to raise my hand and say "But they told me this was Canada sir." I didn't. I just wanted to get this over with. "Yes. Together you have taken the first step in helping your country and yourself to get back on your feet and reclaim the greatness that once was America and the standard of living that is your birthright."
This was news to me. I thought we were supposed to work for it. I wish they had thought of this when I was busy getting evicted from my condo.
"Your classes over the next three days..." Here was a pause as papers rustled an everyone took a look at the course outline or agenda or whatever the hell they were calling it. I didn't rustle any paper because I had given mine to Zane and never asked for it back. Sledge and his boys actually had theirs. Well, everyone but Sledge. He reached over and grabbed one his boys paperwork. My lack didn't go unnoticed.
"You. Where is your curriculum?"
I mulled several answers and decided to go with "Lost it." As soon as I said it I saw an image of a once upon a time Carol sitting two rows over, looking at me, and smiling. I hoped the image would stick around. She usually was my go to person for a pen or pencil back then. It faded.
I had been lost in the image. Lost enough that I only caught the end of his lecture on holding on to any material we received. That is was our scared duty not to waste paper and slouch in our chairs. Well, actually he didn't say that in so many words but I ran it through my translator and that was what came out. I took the paperwork that was passed back to me, sighed, and tried to focus on it. Sledges smirk didn't go unnoticed either.
While Langer continued to ramble on about the new nation we were going to build I daydreamed about going back, getting my weapons and killing Sledge, his boys, and maybe Langer. I gave up and actually read the fucking schedule. I might as well since it was how I was going to be spending the next three days. It didn't hold any surprises.We were in orientation now. During Day One we would be talking about exciting stuff. I read:
Orientation
The US Government and your role
Basic Hygine
Lunch
Who is the enemy?
Building community
Dinner
Pretty thin stuff I thought. With a little luck we would watch a movie and I could sleep.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 9 - by nova
I have to tell you it was the strangest experience so far when I walked into my assigned classroom after dropping Zane off at his down the hall. It smelled like high school. It even looked like high school. The feisty Latina was sitting up towards the front. The others, a mix of youngish to middle aged packed up front and fading the closer you got to the back of the classroom. Then the dead zone, a couple rows of empty chairs with the stupid half desk tops that were never big enough but were very good at getting in the way when you wanted to get up. The ages weren't right but the distribution was. We even had a couple of hotties with nice racks clustered together off to one side working on their whispered asides and smirks.
At the back were the bad boys. Sledge and his crew of wild boys. Greasy Ink was even there with a nice wrap on his hand. He was trying to kill me with hateful looks. I had paused at the door before moving towards where I decided on sitting. The teacher, an older white male with close cropped gray hair and a leathery face was writing his name on the whiteboard. He was dressed in the usual woodland camo but he wore it instead of it just being something he was wearing. He noticed me, finished writing his name "Mr. Langer" and told me "Find a seat."
"Shouldn't that have something like US Army, Ret. after it?"
"Yeah. Something like that. You have twenty seconds before class starts. Find a seat."
I decided to sit next to Sledge and the boys. I was a natural born back of the class sitter anyway. Plus it would be fun.
I nodded at Sledge and just before I settled into my seat I told Greasy Ink "Sorry about that. I thought it was a roach. If I knew it was your hand I never would have done something like that." Then I gave him my best fuck you smile. All of Sledges boys were glaring at me. The Sledge? He was looking at me, a faint smile on his face.
At the back were the bad boys. Sledge and his crew of wild boys. Greasy Ink was even there with a nice wrap on his hand. He was trying to kill me with hateful looks. I had paused at the door before moving towards where I decided on sitting. The teacher, an older white male with close cropped gray hair and a leathery face was writing his name on the whiteboard. He was dressed in the usual woodland camo but he wore it instead of it just being something he was wearing. He noticed me, finished writing his name "Mr. Langer" and told me "Find a seat."
"Shouldn't that have something like US Army, Ret. after it?"
"Yeah. Something like that. You have twenty seconds before class starts. Find a seat."
I decided to sit next to Sledge and the boys. I was a natural born back of the class sitter anyway. Plus it would be fun.
I nodded at Sledge and just before I settled into my seat I told Greasy Ink "Sorry about that. I thought it was a roach. If I knew it was your hand I never would have done something like that." Then I gave him my best fuck you smile. All of Sledges boys were glaring at me. The Sledge? He was looking at me, a faint smile on his face.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
American Apocalypse IV - Chapter 8c - by nova
I looked over at Zane. The little shit was eating my doughnut. I sent invisible death rays at him but nothing happened except that he ate faster. The security guard with the shotgun told Sledge "Get your ass over here and take him" He indicated who "him" was by not so gently kicking Greasy Ink who was beginning to stir, "to the clinic. Hell. Take the rest of your buddies and get out of my sight."
"But officer..."
Sledge saw the same look in his eyes that I had. This guy would have no problems pulling the trigger. None what so ever. I kind of liked him. From two tables back the Latino woman yelled "They cut in front of the line too! The pigs!" Yep. She was a feisty one. Sledge flipped her off without looking.
"Fine. Can we finish eating first?"
"No. You don't want to keep testing me Sledge."
"All right." Sledge turned and bowed to the people eating and told them "Sorry folks. Some people have lost their manners during these trying times."
I watched his eyes. He was marking the Latino woman. Shotgun security guy sent his partner with them to make sure they didn't get lost. We watched them file out and the noise of eating and talking filled the vacuum.
Shotgun walked over to me, looked me up and down, and said "You can file a grievance with the base administration."
I looked at him and laughed. It took him a couple seconds but he smiled and said "Yeah. That's about it."
So we can go?"
"Yes sir. You can go."
I went but only as far as where Sledge and the boys had been sitting. I harvested three doughnuts and told Zane "You coming?"
"Yes."
As we walked out of the mess hall I told him "Don't even think of asking for one of my doughnuts."
"But officer..."
Sledge saw the same look in his eyes that I had. This guy would have no problems pulling the trigger. None what so ever. I kind of liked him. From two tables back the Latino woman yelled "They cut in front of the line too! The pigs!" Yep. She was a feisty one. Sledge flipped her off without looking.
"Fine. Can we finish eating first?"
"No. You don't want to keep testing me Sledge."
"All right." Sledge turned and bowed to the people eating and told them "Sorry folks. Some people have lost their manners during these trying times."
I watched his eyes. He was marking the Latino woman. Shotgun security guy sent his partner with them to make sure they didn't get lost. We watched them file out and the noise of eating and talking filled the vacuum.
Shotgun walked over to me, looked me up and down, and said "You can file a grievance with the base administration."
I looked at him and laughed. It took him a couple seconds but he smiled and said "Yeah. That's about it."
So we can go?"
"Yes sir. You can go."
I went but only as far as where Sledge and the boys had been sitting. I harvested three doughnuts and told Zane "You coming?"
"Yes."
As we walked out of the mess hall I told him "Don't even think of asking for one of my doughnuts."
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