Children of the Apocalypse

From Chapter 1. “Everyone,” said Major Casey, “we have a mission. It's been double checked, authenticated and validated by both of us.” He paused for a moment as the immense plane went into a wide turn onto its new course, South East. His voice got lower and more serious. “If we don't get recalled, or get another mission change,” he said, “We should be penetrating enemy air space in about thirty minutes.” He heaved a deep sigh, and got even more serious. “I'll make this short and sweet,” he said. “I fully expect the very best from all of you. You're all good at what you do and I know you can all do the job. In case you're wondering, I fully intend to deliver these weapons, without the slightest hesitation. After that I fully intend to do whatever is necessary to survive, without the slightest hesitation.” Lieutenant Dane keyed the intercom and said, “Kaliningrad.” After a short silence, Muncie replied, “Say again?” and as Dane repeated himself, Major Casey mumbled along with him, “Kaliningrad.” Muncie looked up and saw the major staring blankly. “What's Kaliningrad?” he asked. Casey turned slowly and replied, “A million people, home of the Baltic Fleet, two naval air stations, and it's not in Russia.” “Not in Russia?” asked Muncie. “Who are we going to war with?” “Dane keyed the intercom again and said, “That's not in Russia, sir. It's Between Latvia and Germany.” “Yes,” replied Casey. “Apparently everyone has chosen up sides, and I'm betting that Russia has gone with the Muslim half of the world.” Williams keyed in to the conversation and said, “And I guess we went with NATO and the friends of Israel?” “Looks that way,” replied the Major. “I always wondered if it would start in the Mid-East.” From Chapter 3 Dwayne threw the plastic bag into the back of his truck as he leaped off the dock, and opened the driver's side door. Linda was getting into the front seat and Suzi was getting into the back. Dwayne handed his pistol to Linda, started the engine, and grabbed the gear shifter. At the same instant, he saw a young man step out from behind the back of the blue SUV with a pistol in his hands aimed right at them. He pointed and shouted, “Linda.” She looked in the direction Dwayne was pointing and quickly turned the pistols at the young man and fired both of them repeatedly. She hit him, multiple times, in the upper chest and he shook with the impact, stared back at her for an instant, and collapsed. Dwayne gunned the engine and pulled away from the dock with the tires spinning. Linda stared out the passenger window. He hit the Cadillac half way through his turn and pushed it out of the way, giving him enough room to go around the pickup truck. Linda jerked herself back from the open window to avoid the flames. As he accelerated, a figure completely engulfed in flames staggered out from behind the pickup truck into their path. He caught Linda's gaze and she looked straight at him as they hit him without swerving or hesitating. He flew up over the hood in a ball of flames and landed face first in the windshield, where he remained frozen for a moment, then rolled off the hood to the right and back into the road. Dwayne saw a couple more people in the drive that led out to the street and steered at them still accelerating to keep them running, just in case any of them wanted to take another shot at them. Linda sat staring out the windshield with a pistol in each hand, making an ominous silhouette. Dwayne slowed slightly as they reached the street and turned out into it and left the shopping center. As they did, Suzi turned around to look and could see thick, black smoke rising from behind the crumbled building. They drove in silence for a moment, as Dwayne tried to steady his trembling hands on the steering wheel. He shook his head, spoke up and said, “Wow,” then hesitated for a moment and said it again, “Wow. From Chapter 16. The next morning everyone was up before dawn and out on the deck of the Tennessee, ready to head for the airport. The newly appointed Admiral Davis and General Marley were still reviewing their plans, as bags were being loaded into the landing craft. As Linda stepped down the short ladder, Mark reached up and took her hand to help her down. When she got her feet into the boat, she didn't let go of his hand, but instead firmly pulled him down into the seat next to her. He was quite taken by surprise. She turned to him and said, “Sit still for a minute and be quiet,” while looking around to see if anyone had noticed. When everyone continued with what they were doing, she turned back to him and said, “Listen, you're really starting to embarrass me.” Marks expression fell off the bottom of his face, and his breath left him, as if he'd been punched in the stomach. “You're a very nice guy and I like you, really,” she said, “but you've got to stop treating me like your prom date.” Mark started to breathe again, but was far from being able to talk. “I'm trying to be a soldier and an officer,” she continued, “and you're flirting and flattery isn't helping, so could you please treat me like one of the guys, OK?” She paused and he could see a wave of emotion sweep across her face. “I'm not a teenage girl anymore,” she continued. “They all died on Dooms Day.” She looked deep into his eyes for a long moment and said, “The world has changed more than you can ever imagine.” Mark sat there staring into her dark eyes, beguiled and bewildered. Linda looked around one more time, then leaned over and kissed him. Her warm lips were urgent at first, then soft, and slowly lifted from his, but not far away. “When we start dancing,” she whispered, still close enough that he could feel her breath across his mouth, “then you can treat me like a lady, I promise.” Suddenly, the feminine charm and coyness were gone from her eyes, replaced with a cold look of hard-learned lessons and experience. He began to wonder what kind of horrors and atrocities this young girl had experienced and even overcome in order to survive. Dave Kuen's words thundered in his head. “Hand to hand combat with terrorists? Notches on her nine millimeter? Firebombs?” Suddenly a wave of apprehension swept over him, and a cold chill crept up his spine. He suppressed a shiver, and took a moment to regain control over his emotions. He gently squeezed her hand and said, “Until the music starts, I'll be your 'battle buddy', but remember, I'm the first name on your dance card.” “I could use a battle buddy much more than a boyfriend,” she replied, “But you can be the only name on my dance card.”