Blue Plague: War (Blue Plague Book 6) (19 page)

“The rest of the wounded?” Bruce asked.

Pulling Bruce tight, Mike closed his eyes. “They’re working on them now. The medics and docs that surrendered with the military are in here helping. I’m fixing to suit up and lend a hand with Angela and Stephanie. Nancy’s already back there. We have four operating rooms running, and it looks like they will be running for some time,” Mike said as he let Bruce go.

“Gene is on the way in; I will have the rest of his medical staff over here and get set up,” Bruce said.

Feeling bad, Mike looked down at his boots. “Bruce, I shouldn’t have yelled at him like that.”

Bruce scoffed. “Mike, if Gene would’ve been here, I would’ve capped his ass. I know we play with death every time we go out, but we were trying to help them, and it bit us in the ass. I’m sorry I can’t see our kids as just regular troops. I would make them stay here, but they have a right to fight like we do.”

“I know, Bruce, but I still owe Gene an apology,” Mike replied.

“That’s up to you. I don’t. He’ll be lucky if I only punch him in the face,” Bruce said, looking up as the doors at the end of the room opened, and two stretchers rolled in. Bruce smiled upon seeing the two girls awake but with stoned looks on their faces. Swallowing hard, Bruce hugged all the kids and went outside to the morgue. Walking in, he saw the rows of bodies and groups of people weeping around some and others cleaning the bodies.

Walking around the room, Bruce stopped at each body and talked to the ones left behind. He was shocked at the sight of so many young men and women who had paid in blood trying to save some of mankind. At each body, Bruce would lay a hand on the forehead and say a prayer, giving thanks to them and their families. Father Thomas walked in, saw Bruce, and joined him. When Bruce left the last table, he knelt on the floor and said a last prayer.

When he finished, he stood and noticed Father Thomas standing up with him. Father Thomas looked at him and put a hand on his shoulder. “Go lead us. I will help those here.”

“Thank you, Father,” Bruce said, wiping tears off his face and turned around to see Ted and Carl. “What are you two doing here?” Bruce asked.

“Our platoons are in garrison, so we’re just following you,” Carl said.

“Guys, I’m sure you can be more useful somewhere else. I don’t need bodyguards.”

“If you want, we can call Angela and Stephanie,” Ted offered.

Letting out a moan, Bruce slumped his shoulders. “Fine, what’s going on now?” Bruce asked.

“We put the military in the area set up for them. Gene has all his medical staff working with ours. All the military wounded have been put in with ours. They are setting up the mobile hospitals now. Gene is gathering up his troops to head out tonight to get the refugees. Boss, we went over there to lead them in, and our artillery did a number on them,” Carl said.

Shrugging, Bruce said, “I really don’t care.”

“Boss, what Carl is saying is most of their wounded are really messed up. Remember, boss, you told us we needed them for this war coming, so don’t hold any grudges. The troops coming in don’t. Gene announced to all of them what his plan was and how the general and his staff fucked it up. We had to take over guarding the general and his staff. Gene didn’t trust his troops to do it when they found out. They want to join us, boss, and feel bad about the fight after Gene filled them in. By the way, he’s outside,” Ted said.

“Why didn’t he come in?” Bruce asked, still not feeling bad.

“He did, and you were busy talking to a family. He’s outside in his command Stryker, directing his troops till you come out,” Carl said.

Cracking his knuckles, Bruce said, “Let’s go see him.” He walked past them, heading outside. When he was outside, he saw a Stryker in the middle of the parking lot, so he headed over. When he got close, he saw a platoon of troops snap to attention and a sergeant salute him. “At ease, gentlemen,” Bruce said, walking up and looking at the man’s name tag. “Martin, the offer still stands for you and your boys,” Bruce said, holding out his hand.

Shock spread across Martin’s face as he shook Bruce’s hand. “Sir, the colonel really tried to keep the general under control, but like most desk jockeys, he fucked it up big time, sir. Don’t hold it against us, sir,” Martin said.

“I know, Martin, but I’m not apologizing about hitting your elements. Your troops are lucky the air wing got called back,” Bruce said as Gene walked out of the track.

“Sir, if that would’ve been my kids, I would’ve wiped us off the Earth,” Martin replied.

“The thought crossed my mind, but it would have served no purpose. The troops were just doing what they were told,” Bruce said as Gene walked up. Bruce looked at Gene, and a smile spread across his face. All the years and hardships they suffered together flashed through his mind. Walking toward Gene, Bruce wrapped his arms around him. “My brother,” Bruce said, hugging Gene, and the desire to punch Gene in the face slowly faded away.

“Bruce, I would’ve died before I would let harm come to your family. I hope you know that,” Gene said, returning the bear hug.

“I know, Gene, but I had to stop the attack to save my kids.”

“Bruce, like Martin, I would have laid waste to everything for my kids. I’m glad they’re okay,” Gene said as Bruce released him.

“Come on; let’s go see them,” Bruce said, turning and walking away. Gene followed him as the others fell in behind them. The guard stood, blocking the door seeing the group heading toward him. Ted ran ahead and talked to him, and the guard opened the door.
Having bodyguards might not be so bad,
Bruce thought.

Walking over to the kids, Bruce saw Carroll standing at the foot of the beds with a switch in her hand. All the kids were staring at her then noticed Bruce walk up. “Daddy, tell her I don’t want to drink this nasty tea,” Danny said.

Having no intention of doing any such thing, Bruce just smiled. “Danny, it will help you get better,” Bruce said, not wanting a switch on his ass any more than the kids did.

Looking down in the cup of tea, she said, “I don’t care. It taste like rotten sludge from a gator’s ass.”

Trying not to laugh Bruce looked at Carroll. “Is that the tea I drank?” he asked.

“Yep, and they’s gonna drink it,” she announced. “They can be drinkin’ it or I pours it down ‘em.”

Knowing he would help hold them down, Bruce looked at Danny and said, “Guys drink up.”

“Daddy, I got blown up and now I have to drink this?” Buffy whined.

“If you don’t, I’ll hold you down and pour it down you,” Bruce threatened.

Huffing, Buffy looked at Gene with a hard face. “Mr. Gene, I can forgive you about getting blown up, but this is pushing it. I think I’m going to punch you in the mouth when I can get up,” Buffy said.

Jake said, “Dad, I’m sorry, but when I get to Heaven I’m telling Mom you had an affair.”

Bruce jumped back. “What?” Bruce spouted.

“Dad, there is no way Buffy is not blood related to us; it’s impossible. She acts too much like you.”

Ted shook his head. “Shit, she acts like this whole damn family,” he mumbled.

Laughing, Bruce introduced Gene to the family, and Gene looked at Buffy. “Buffy, if I could, I’d drink that for you, but it wouldn’t do you any good,” he said.

“You haven’t tasted it,” Buffy said, and he stepped over and took a drink. Gene never gasped or made a face as he took a gulp and set her glass down.

“It’s a little tart, but you can handle it,” Gene said. The kids looked at him in amazement.

Shaking her head, Danny looked over at Buffy. “I think he’s going to be a bad influence on Dad,” she said, picking up her glass and draining it. Buffy saw that and drained her own, as did the others.

Gene laughed and went over to Danny. “Danny, your mother told me Bruce was the bad influence on me,” he informed her, and he kissed her on the head. Moving to Buffy, Gene did the same to her and the rest of the kids.

When he was finished, he stood beside Bruce as Buffy was trying to focus her eyes on him. “What the hell is going on?” she slurred out.

“Buffy, you’s mouth is getting way out of line fo a girl. I knows you fights, but you watch your mouth, young’un,” Carroll warned.

Buffy made a funny face, trying to look at her mouth. “I can’t see my mouth, and I feel like I’m floating,” she slurred as she laid her head back and started snoring.

“Wow,” Bruce laughed and noticed the other kids already asleep. “Thank you, Carroll,” Bruce said, hugging her.

“They’s my kids too, Bruce; now, go do what you have ta. I’ll be with ‘em,” Carroll said, moving over and covering them up.

Bruce and Gene headed back outside as Gene stopped and grabbed on to Bruce’s shoulder, steadying himself. “Holy hell, what was in that?” Gene asked, shaking his head.

“Have no idea, but it will knock you on your ass if you drink a glass of it,” Bruce said.

“I was fixing to until it touched my tongue. I felt my balls pull up inside my skull,” Gene acknowledged.

“Only a sip shouldn’t knock you down, but don’t drive,” Bruce warned him.

Shaking his head, Gene looked at Bruce. “I have the field hospitals set up behind the hospital. We now have four more operating rooms. A man named Paul came over and told me where to put our troops. I have talked over my game plan with my staff, and we will leave tonight.”

“They have UAVs overhead, Gene,” Bruce reminded him.

“Paul and another man named Marcus told me the ‘minions of Oz’ would take care of them before we got close,” Gene said.

Putting a hand on Gene’s shoulder, Bruce said, “I hope you don’t get in a firefight with them. I think they have caused enough troops to die.”

“Oh, we won’t. I’m taking everyone out during the night to load them up and head home. I talked to the major I left in charge. He’s getting the people ready to leave now at dark to meet us away from the camp. Then, you need to lay waste to the area.”

Wanting to see if Gene understood what was needed, Bruce offered, “We could just let them starve to death.”

“No Bruce, you were right; they know too much. Locations of storage sites, weapons, and a lot more. We can’t let them get control of a large gang and come after us. They have to die. I wish we could save the families, but they made their choice staying in the Homeland compound.”

Relieved, Bruce smiled. “I know, Gene; I just wanted to hear you say it. How many of your boys are you taking?”

“I’m only taking one regiment: Fredrick’s. Don’t worry; your drivers will be protected at all cost. You go back to your family, and I’ll be back soon,” Gene said.

“Take care, and hurry back. I’m going to check on the troops.”

“I’ve already told my troops about what happened, and you are now in charge.”

“Yeah, I was told that, but where’s the general?” Bruce asked.

“Marcus put the general and his staff somewhere. I don’t know. Will you wait till I get back before you deal with them?” Gene asked.

“Certainly,” Bruce said, holding out his hand. “I’ll make sure Cook brings the bags.”

Gene gripped his hand, shaking it. “Bruce, I’m sorry. I just wanted to save them all. I have watched them live under total fear. I should’ve known better, and I lost a lot of troops for it and a lot of yours. I won’t make that mistake again.”

Bruce chuckled. “Gene, to be honest, I didn’t think it would work, but I was really hoping we could pull it off,” he said then became serious. “I’m getting real tired of this war, and it’s only the beginning of it. I will never see my kids just get to live a life without war. They along with everyone here is in for a war that will last years. Even if we win it, we can never let our guard down. I’m under no illusion that the blues will just go away or we can kill all of them.”

“It’s the only choice we have, Bruce. We can fight it or just lay down and die. If we don’t take the war to the blues and other gangs out there, they will get stronger and become a serious threat to us.”

“Hurry back, Gene, and be careful,” Bruce said, patting Gene on the back. Gene smiled as Bruce walked away with Ted and Carl in tow.

Martin came over to stand beside Gene as Bruce left. “Sir, that is a good man there,” he said.

“Yes, it is, and that is just what we need to rebuild this nation,” Gene said and turned, walking to his Stryker to get his troops ready.

Chapter 15

The President was sitting in his reception area, talking to his staff, waiting on breakfast when one of the Homeland guards came running in. “Mr. President, they’re gone!” he shouted.

“Who’s gone?” the President asked.

“The refugees and the military, sir.”

“Where did they go?” an aide asked.

“We don’t know, sir. We were getting ready to make morning rounds through the camp and didn’t find anyone. The military barracks and command center are empty. We found tracks in the snow leading south. We tried to follow, but snipers took out five of my men, sir,” the guard said.

“Get a UAV up, and start shooting at them,” the President said. “I will not have anyone else just decide they don’t want to be part of America.”

“Ah, sir, the UAVs are still grounded; the flight computers have been wiped out,” the director of Homeland said.

“Damn it, this is a conspiracy. Load up, and go after them. I want half of them shot on sight to teach the others what happens when you disobey my orders,” the President shouted, standing up.

All of a sudden, the large screen on the wall came to life. The group gasped, seeing Bruce look at them. They along with many others in America had watched the new satellite broadcast. “Hello guys,” Bruce said.

Looking over his shoulder, the President asked his staff, “How did he do that?”

Bruce laughed. “Oh, I can do a lot more.”

“I’m waiting?” the President said, looking at his staff, who were looking at the monitor. The President still hadn’t registered Bruce was talking to him.

“Shit for brains that thinks he’s the President, I can hear you,” Bruce said.

The President spun around, looking at the monitor. “I’m the President, and you will address me with respect!” he screamed.

“Sorry, douche, respect is earned. I just wanted to let you know the people are safe and headed here,” Bruce said.

Charging the monitor, the President shouted, “Those are my people!”

“No, they aren’t. When they get here, they will be given the choice like all the others. They can stay here or leave.”

“I’m loading up what I have and heading to you. I know you couldn’t have wiped out all my troops. They will follow me into battle!” the President bellowed.

“Of course I didn’t kill the troops; they joined us.”

The President stumbled back. “That’s impossible. I’m the President, everyone must do what I say.”

“Sorry, dude, but you’re a dweeb with a little dick. I don’t think many would follow you willingly into a whorehouse,” Bruce told him.

The President heard laughter from the monitor as others around Bruce laughed. “You must obey me; I’m the ruler here, not you!” he shouted.

“In three more minutes, you won’t be anything. I’m erasing another mistake,” Bruce said with a smile.

One of the staff members jumped up. “Our families are here!” he yelled.

“That’s on you, not me. You followed the orders of that shitwad, disrespecting everything that America was built on,” Bruce said, looking at his watch.

“We had no choice,” another one shouted.

“Oh, you had a choice, but you took the easy, boot-licking way out. You could’ve fought. We have fought here and will continue to rebuild America. Just to let you know, we’ve had your base’s computers and monitors for a while and recorded a lot of stuff. I will make sure future generations know just what you did to Americans.”

The President became pale. “Please let us leave. I don’t want to die.”

“Sorry, you have killed too many, and judgment has been passed,” Bruce said as some of the aides ran for the door.

Dropping to his knees, the President pleaded, “I want to join you.”

“No you don’t; you want to try to rule. If you would’ve been even half decent, I would’ve spared you, but your actions dictated you must die and all those with you,” Bruce said, looking off the screen.

“There are women and kids here,” one of the aides who stayed shouted.

“For that, I’m sorry, but this group has cost a lot of lives. I was not willing to risk trying to save them risking anymore from here,” Bruce informed him.

“Let us get them out,” the President pleaded.

“Sorry, dude. You have twenty, two-thousand-pound bombs already falling. I figure about thirty more seconds,” Bruce said, and the President fainted. When he hit the floor, the first explosion ripped through the compound.

When his monitor went blank, Bruce turned, dropping the fake smile, and watched on another screen from a UAV as the explosions went off in a tight-packed circle. A tear ran down his cheek as the explosions stopped. The UAV widened the field of view, and he could see the huge cloud hanging over the area.

“Sir, the Buff is reporting target destroyed and is returning home,” one of the controllers said.

“Tell Mack to hurry home; we have more work to do,” Bruce said, getting up and walking out of the command area.

When Bruce was outside, he bent over, dropped to his knees, and threw up. Looking behind him, he saw Ted and Carl. “Don’t tell anyone what you saw,” Bruce said, struggling to stand up, wiping his mouth.

Glancing around, Ted said, “I saw you tie your boot, boss. I’m sure everyone here knows you can do that.”

“That includes the wives,” Bruce said, walking away, and they followed.

Feeling a hundred years older, Bruce walked up to the berm looking out over the west field and stopped watching the airport. Ted moved by his side. “Bruce, can I tell you something?” Ted asked.

“Yeah, but I can’t promise I won’t pop you for it,” Bruce said, trying to spit the taste out of his mouth.

“It makes me feel better when you act like that taking out noncombatants instead of just blowing it off,” Ted said, and Carl was whispering for Ted to shut up.

Sighing, Bruce closed his eyes and turned slowly then opened his eyes, looking at them. “It makes me feel better also guys. I want to remember that those were people that were just at the wrong place at the wrong time, trying to survive. They were too scared to fight, but I couldn’t risk them laying down again. We need fighters, not pacifists. What I tell you now you will take to the grave,” Bruce said. “I’m scared; the power of what I can order this group to do now scares the shit out of me. I have to always guess if I’m doing what’s right.”

“Boss, that is why we follow you, Bruce. You lead from your heart,” Carl said. “You do wild shit, but you have a reason. I really don’t think we will have another rape here for decades. You expect nothing more than what you’re capable of.”

“Thank you, guys, but don’t tell the girls; it will only make them worry, and their hormones are at least simmering down,” Bruce pleaded.

“Don’t worry, boss,” Ted said, and Carl agreed. As always, the small camera on the side of Bruce’s hat recorded all.

***

Two days after the bombing, the command group was in the bunker with a new addition: Gene. Mike had tried to apologize to Gene, but Gene wouldn’t accept it. Bruce smiled, seeing the kids sitting at the table. Danny still had her arm in a sling, and Buffy was hobbling around with a leg brace and crutches. Bruce’s smile fell off his face upon seeing Gene’s uniform.

Several noticed the reaction and stopped talking. The others noticed it and looked at Bruce, still staring at Gene. “Gene what is that?” Bruce asked, pointing at him.

Confused, thinking he spilled something on his uniform, Gene looked around him then at his shirt. “What?”

Getting up, Bruce walked over and put his finger on the tab on his shoulder that said “Special Forces.” “That,” Bruce said.

“Bruce, I went through the year after you got out,” Gene said.

Stepping back, Bruce gawked, “And you just now tell me?”

“Ah, Bruce, we’ve been busy,” Gene said.

With a longing, Bruce asked, “Was it tough?”

“Tough doesn’t even begin to describe it,” Gene said, leaning back.

“Damn,” Bruce said, staring at the tab with a dreamy expression.

“I would’ve loved to have had your ass there with me,” Gene said, smiling.

Shaking his head and stepping back, Bruce quickly said, “Nah, I would’ve phased out.”

Gene chuckled. “Bruce, you graduated top of the class at Benning. You would’ve completed the course. Granted, I don’t think you would’ve had the smart ass attitude at graduation, but I could be wrong.” Several at the table chuckled.

“I wouldn’t have completed,” Bruce mumbled, still looking at the tab with longing desire.

Hearing the yearning in Bruce’s voice, Gene stopped chuckling and turned to Bruce. “What?” he snapped.

Spinning around and heading back to his spot, Bruce said, “Another time, my friend.”

Angela stood. “Bruce, before we start, Stephanie and I have to do something,” she said.

“Ah, okay,” Bruce said, a little worried.

They both stood and walked over to Gene, and Stephanie took out an envelope from her pocket. “This is from Debbie,” she said, handing him the envelope. The entire room became silent as a tomb. Bruce wobbled on his feet and crashed back into his chair, and no one even looked at him.

Gene looked at the letter then up at them. “I thought y’all were kidding me,” he said, taking the letter.

“We don’t kid about Debbie,” Angela said.

“Y’all didn’t tell me,” Bruce blurted out.

“Debbie said not to, but we had to give it to Gene when the command group was together,” Angela said.

Carroll smiled and stood. “Gene, you can read that later. We has some business ta attend to,” she said, looking at Bruce. His face was pale, and his mouth was hanging open. “Bruce, you knowed she saw what was comin’. Let’s get this meetin’ started,” Carroll said, sitting back down as Angela and Stephanie walked back around the table and sat down.

Bruce was staring at them, and Gene was staring at the envelope like it was a snake. Finally, Bruce spoke. “How many more do you have to hand out?” he asked.

Straightening out a stack of papers in front of her, Stephanie said, “That was the last one.”

“You could’ve at least hinted about it,” Bruce barked at them.

“No, Debbie wasn’t sure we would get them here and told us not to,” she said.

Before Bruce could speak, Angela leaned over the table. “Bruce, I used to be a skeptic, but I can say I’m totally convinced. I won’t disappoint Debbie, so don’t try to make me.”

Not sure what he wanted to ask or if he wanted to ask anything at all, Bruce shook his head, clearing the cobwebs, and looked at her. “I wouldn’t do that, Little Foot, but can we at least talk about what she wrote y’all?” he asked.

“We told you that you could read the letters she wrote us after you read the notebook,” Stephanie said. “If you had, you would have read about that letter.”

“We will talk later,” Bruce said, trying to clear his mind. He stood up looking at Jake. “Jake, fill us in on what is going on at the lab in Maryland.”

“Well, the blue did pull the trigger, but it shot itself and won’t touch the gun. They killed it and are starting over.”

Bruce glared at Jake. “Son, I told you I wanted to be notified when it pulled the trigger,” he growled.

“Dad, it shot itself and wouldn’t touch the gun again,” Jake said.

“When?” Bruce asked.

“Yesterday.”

“Son.”

“Dad, come on; they killed it and are starting over,” Jake said.

Bruce threw his hands up in the air. “Okay, but the morning intelligence reports start again tomorrow. If I’m not here, someone get word to me please,” Bruce said, looking around the table. “What is the weather like up there?”

“Cold and lots of snow,” Matt said.

“What’s the population there?” Bruce asked.

Jake looked down at his computer. “One hundred and seventy-three scientists, five medical doctors, nine nurses, a dentist, several dozen assistants, one hundred and six Homeland officers, two hundred and fifty-four military personnel, just over a hundred personnel that run the base. Then you have the families. In total, just over eight hundred,” Jake said then looked up.

“Jake, I want you to fly a UAV from here to there, finding all the open roads. I don’t care about snow; we will plow our way through. We will launch a ground assault in. We will attempt to take them prisoners, but if not, we will just kill them,” Bruce said.

Not in the mood for another coup, Willie said, “Bruce, if that’s the case, let’s just bomb their asses.”

“No, Willie. If we can get those that want to leave, we will. We will take out the guards and rush them fast.” Willie shrugged his shoulders and nodded.

Ted stood up, “Boss, Carl and I are taking over first platoon to cover your ass.”

“I really need you on your platoons and not babysitting me,” Bruce answered.

Stephanie stood up, “I like that idea. At least when you go off on a rampage, you will have a wall of troops around you,” she announced, and Angela grinned in agreement.

Feeling outmaneuvered, Bruce leaned back in his chair, covering his face with his hands. “Ted, Carl, build a fifty-man team to be the headquarters troop. Gene, get a hundred troops to put in Omega for the attack; you are now over Omega.” Everyone jumped up and started yelling at Bruce, who still had his hands over his face.

Lowering his hands, Bruce jerked a finger across his throat. When everyone shut up, he spoke. “I’m over the war, but since everyone here keeps pushing me back behind the line, I have to have a commander on the ground with Omega.” Hearing Bruce say he would stay behind the line, everyone was satisfied and sat down. “Willie, when this attack is over, I want you to build another strike team and command it. It will be beta. Each strike team has until February to get to five thousand strong. We start the war this spring. We will move up the eastern seaboard first. When I’m not leading in the field, Mike is. Steve and Mack, I want the air wing broken down to three units to rotate them out. One here ready to fight, one in the field giving support, and the other in down time,” Bruce announced, and everyone just looked at him.

Seeing the looks, Bruce said, “Guys, it’s time to kick this war into high gear.”

“Bruce, that leaves a lot of leeway in our battle plan,” Gene said.

“That is not our battle plan, just a rough overview. Since everyone here wants to bitch when I say something, I had to tell y’all so you would shut up. Now, can I go back to the laying out the attack on the lab?” Bruce asked.