Five Roads To Texas (Book 10): Salvation Read online

  “Yeah.” Ram nodded as he set the Beretta down on the seat next to him. He was starting to think about his family and their whereabouts. Duckett had told him they were in a camp but anymore things were fluid. All Ram could focus on was the worst. He needed to not think so much, that always took him to a dark place. “You need me to reload your weapons?”

  “Sounds great.” She pulled the Glock 43X out of her holster with her right hand and slid it across the seat. Ram grabbed the black canvas bag that was at his feet and dropped it across his lap. The bag was full of loaded magazines for their handguns and rifles. The Corrections officer rummaged around in the pack until he found four of the loaded magazines that fit Jessie’s Glock. He checked to make sure they had a full load then exchanged the near empty mag in her pistol for a full one.

  “You’re good.” He handed her back the Glock, which she quickly holstered. “Three more mags.” “Thanks.” Jessie used her free hand to shove the magazines into her tac vest.

  “Sucks getting caught empty handed.” He found a couple of loaded mags for his Beretta and jammed them into the pouches on his harness. “I remember a SERT buddy of mine used to have this saying ‘Fight to win.’ Simple but makes sense.”

  “Well, nobody fights to lose.” She chuckled. “Have you ever watched those prison show documentaries? They’d show SERT teams come in and save the day. You know, super cops for cops. Made it look like line officers couldn’t handle the job. I hated that.”

  “Line cops do handle the job.” Ram smiled reassuringly. “‘That’s just some television bullshit.” He shook his head. “God, I miss TV. Except Judge Judy.”

  They heard the impact of the rounds before the whine of the helicopter's engine. The aircraft’s mini guns unloaded on the road ahead of the moving van, careful not to strike the vehicle's cab. “Ram!” Jessie swerved out of the path of the storm of bullets that churned the asphalt ahead of them. Chunks of the road peppered the van’s hood and cracked the windshield.

  “Fuck!” Ram grabbed up his handgun and aimed it out his window in a futile attempt to shoot down the attacking helicopter. More rounds impacted in front of them, this time some of the deadly rounds smashed through the hood and into the engine block.

  “They hit the engine!” Jessie shouted as steam and smoke poured from the fresh holes in the hood. The power steering suddenly went dead as Jessie made a futile attempt for control of the moving van. Unable to regain steering, the vehicle slowly rolled to a hard stop against an abandoned Jeep Laredo.

  “Out!” Ram shouted as he grabbed his rifle, ammo bag and pack. He shoved his door open and jumped out into the street. Ram could hear the helicopter hovering behind them, trying to find a landing zone.

  “Over here!” Jessie yelled as she quickly rounded the front of the van and pointed to an alleyway across the street. “Come on!”

  “Shit!” Ram looked back to see the helicopter start to set down as the UN troop carriers pulled up nearby. “Shit!”

  “Come on, Pops!” Jessie shouted as she made a sprint for the alley. “Get off your ass and quit dicking around!”

  “Yeah, yeah!” Ram grumbled as he shrugged on his pack and bolted after her. Behind him, he could hear the helicopter power down followed by angry shouts in Korean. “Fuck us.”

  Chapter Forty-Four

  AMERICAN GUINEA PIG

  Salton City, AZ

  “Get them! Get the fucking Americans!” Lieutenant Kang barked at his soldiers as he quickly stepped out of the small helicopter, it's engine quickly powering down. The Young Officer scanned the empty street ahead of the two big troop carriers. The Lieutenant’s soldiers were scrambling out of the trucks trying not to draw any more of their commanding officers ire. “Sergeant Hahn, take your squad and pursue. The rest of you fan out and secure the streets. We don’t need any of those unclean bastards flanking us!” Kang looked over to see four of his soldiers in white motorcycle helmets, unloading four Black KTM 500 dirt bikes off the back of one of their trucks.

  “Sergeant Li, take your bikes and search the east side. You may be able to cut them off.” “Sir!” The motorcycle soldier said, giving the Lieutenant a quick bow. “They can’t outrun the motorcycles.”

  “Good.” Kang nodded, hoping the motor bikes would give them a little edge. “Sir!” Hahn nodded as he immediately waved his squad forward. “Lieutenant, what about me, sir?” Sergeant Woo-Jinn asked.

  “Go and assist Sergeant Hahn, Woo-Jinn. Maybe this day will work out in your favor after all.” “Sir.” The sergeant nodded as he gritted his teeth. Woo-Jinn tried not to display his anger and do what he was ordered. After all, Woo-Jinn was a good and dutiful soldier. “I will do my best Lieutenant Kang.”

  “Of course, Woo-Jinn. Fail us and you’ll never see the outside of this Godforsaken town. My men will burn your corpse along with the others.” The officer scoffed as he turned his back on the sergeant, dismissing him. “Guen” Kang said to the aircraft’s pilot. “Call Command and tell them we will shortly have the American Guinea pig in custody. Let us take the helicopter up for another search.”

  “Yes, Lieutenant Kang.” The pilot turned and climbed back into the helicopter’s cockpit. “This is a good day.” The Officer said to his troops as they quickly dispersed, moving into defensive positions around the aircraft and street.

  Sergeant Woo-Jinn angrily gripped his rifle tightly to his chest as he fell in behind Sergeant Hahn’s squad. The soldiers moved swiftly down the street with the sole purpose of capturing the American, Ramacher.

  “This is a good day!” The Lieutenant once again shouted to his men, causing Woo-Jinn to wince. Ramacher had been his to claim. His to capture. Not this fresh-faced officer who was still shitting in his pants while Woo-Jinn was going through basic training. Kang had been disrespectful and had humiliated him in front of the other soldiers. This was something Woo-Jinn wouldn’t forgive or forget, regardless of Kang being an officer. Maybe the sergeant could turn this around. Maybe it would be a bad day for Lieutenant Kang.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  DON'T WANT NO SKANKS OR SECOND COUSINS

  Near Peach Springs, AZ

  “What’s your take on this?” Hobbs asked Dutch from behind the wheel of the big Ford pick-up truck. The mercenary was bored watching the rear end of the U-Haul that carried most of their pilfered goods. Hobbs stifled a yawn then glanced back over at the medic, who was busy studying an old gas station map. “Dutch?”

  “Huh?” The bearded ex-soldier looked up from the archaic means of locating destinations. “What’s your take on all this?” He took his hands off the wheel and made a WTF gesture with them.

  “You know how to read one of these?” Dutch asked.

  “Sure. Learned to in the Suck.” Hobbs said, almost insulted at the question. “You?”

  “Yeah.” Dutch nodded. “Uncle Sam made sure I did. Just cracks me up that we have all these folks running around, faces buried in their phones, using them to tell them where to go. Hell, they’d trip over their destinations if Google didn’t tell them so.”

  “Not anymore.” Hobbs chuckled. “True.”

  “Anyway, most of those folks are probably among the infected. Gotta admit it did make life easier.” Hobbs grinned. “Hell, saved me and the ex-wife a lot of fights. Didn’t save our marriage though.” He chuckled. “Nothing could have saved that train wreck.”

  “Yeah.” The bearded man nodded almost thoughtfully. “True. Not your marriage, that whole Google thing.” Dutch just let out another chuckle then crossed his muscled arms, letting the map fall into his lap. “So, what do you think about this mission we’re on?”

  “If it were me I’d scrap it. Head to the hills and hunt and fish. Relax until this all blows over.” Dutch said as he reached down and began folding up the old map. “We’ve already lost three of our team. Seems like a fool’s errand to me.”

  “Reese says we would be wealthy as fuck if we pull this off.”

  “If. That’s a big if, Hobbs.” Dutch
reached into his pack that was stuffed in the boot of the truck and removed a water bottle from inside. As he unscrewed the top he said, “This is a long shot. Needle in a haystack. I mean we’re headed to an enemy outpost where this guy may or may not be still hiding out at. The only reason I’m going along is my loyalty to Reese. Guy saved my ass in the sand. I don’t need to be wealthy. I mean look around. The world has changed.” The older man took a swig from the warm water.

  “Pussy hasn’t.”

  Dutch spit out the water. “What?”

  “Pussy, man. Don’t you miss it? Shit, the way Reese is talking I could have me a fucking harem. Shit.” Hobbs slapped the wheel. “To me that’s all you have to say and I’m in.”

  “Pussy?”

  “Yup.”

  “Have you ever even had any?” Dutch grinned as he wiped the water from his face. “What?”

  “Pussy.”

  “C’mon buddy. Look at me. I’ve scored more than a fat DiCaprio does on a slow week. You know?”

  “Then why do you need to be rich to score?” Dutch took another swig as Hobbs scratched his head in thought. After a few seconds the other man replied.

  “Skanks. Don’t want no skanks or second cousins. You know.” Hobbs told him with a straight face. Dutch did another spit take and decided not to drink while engaging the driver in this conversation.

  “You okay there, Dutch?”

  “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine.” The soldier again wiped his bearded mouth. “I’m really glad you’re riding with me brother.”

  “Yeah?” Dutch was going to take another drink but decided not to risk it.

  “Yup. Zap, he was driving me crazy. Constantly talking about when he got his share of the payday he was gonna use it to customize his old Impala. You know solid gold rims, full leather interior. You know, crazy shit like that. If his Impala had a pussy I think he’d fuck it. You know what I mean?”

  “Yeah.” Dutch thought that if Hobbs said ‘you know’ one more time he’d choke him out. “Crazy.” Dutch nodded as he tried to suppress a shit eating grin.

  “Just nonstop. Blah, blah, blah. You know, my car this, my car that. You know? Jeeze. I don’t think that boy ever had him some pussy, let alone seen one. Or better yet, seen one in the wild. Guy was driving me crazy. Any longer and I’d a had to put a steering wheel on my dick cause he was driving me nuts, you know.”

  “Yeah.” Dutch nodded as he grabbed back up the map and unfolded it, wanting to be anywhere but here. “I know.”

  Chapter Forty-Six

  NO BUENO

  Outside Salton City, AZ

  “I saw something moving up ahead.” Tech Sergeant Anthony ‘Wez’ Wezinski, said to Senior Airman Colin ‘FNG’ Harris. “Pull over next to that truck.”

  FNG just nodded as he quickly pulled the four-seater, desert camouflage Can Am Maverick as close as he could against the side of a long disabled semi-truck. Both vehicles were stopped on a hill that overlooked the town of Salton City.

  “Nothing but desert out here Sarge.” The Senior Airman said as he shut off the Maverick’s engine.

  “It was hovering over that town down there.” Wez pushed his goggles up onto his backwards ball cap and grabbed his suppressed M4 from between the seat and climbed out over and out through the front of the Can Am. He gingerly took a few steps across the short hood and jumped down to the road. “Candy, grab the commo gear and follow me.”

  “Gotcha amigo.” Sergeant Luis ‘Candy’ Canderlerio, nodded as he dropped his goggles to his chest and then grabbed his pack and rifle, quickly climbing out of the rear of the ATV.

  “FNG, watch our backs. We don’t need any infected mutherfuckers squirting past you and dribbling their nasty shit all over us. Ye feel me essay?” Candy said patting him on the shoulder as he strode passed the front of the suped up ATV.

  “Roger that Sergeant.” The young airman said as he unfolded his six-foot five frame from out of the front seat of the Maverick and removed his suppressed M4 from its custom carrier on the inside of the roll cage.

  FNG was an Air Force security policeman assigned to Tech Sergeant Wezinski’s Combat Control Team (CCT) as some extra security and firepower. Since Harris hadn’t been through the intensive special warfare classes the other two airmen had, Wez decided to bless the security policeman with the nickname FNG, or fucking new guy. Harris hated it at first, but after three months of working with the two special forces airmen, he wore it as a badge of honor. FNG checked his rifle then double timed it toward the rear of the semi’s trailer.

  Wez hurried over to the cover of a guard rail and knelt down behind it. Candy followed carefully, setting the commo pack between them. The Tech sergeant set his rifle against the aluminum rail and quickly pulled off his pack, dropping it next to his left leg. Candy glanced behind them, M4 at the ready and made sure they were still clear of any of the infected. Seeing FNG was on it, he relaxed a little. The thought of any of those flesh-eating fucks lurking about always put him on edge.

  “What did you see?” The junior sergeant asked, returning his gaze to the town below. “Looked like a chopper.” Wez said as he removed his Steiner binoculars from his pack. “Not good being this far out.”

  “Definitely. Almost all civilian aircraft are grounded.” Wez scanned the town with his hi-tech binoculars until he found what he was looking for. The UN Little Bird helicopter was hovering down in the town below. “Shit! Looks like they are lighting up the town too.”

  “Wez?”

  “Little Bird with UN markings. Unloading it’s guns on something in the town.” He quickly handed the binoculars to Candy. “More fucking Norks in our backyard.”

  “Oh, hell no. Mutherfuckers need to stay their asses in Korea.” Candy said as he focused on the aircraft below. “This is no bueno.”

  “Bad news for them.” Wez chuckled as the other sergeant handed the binoculars back. “Call it in Candy. See if we can get some A-10’s out here and fast. Let’s light those fuckers up!” “Roger that Wez.” The sergeant said as he grabbed his commo gear. “Couple of Hogs will show those mutherfuckers what’s what!”

  “What the fuck are they firing at?” Wez mumbled to himself as he continued to watch through the high-powered binoculars. “What the hell is down there besides civies.”

  “Birds are inbound.” Candy said as he replaced his handset. “We lucked out with a sortie nearby.”

  Wez nodded then said. “After they light them up I want to go down and have a look.”

  “You’ve seen one lit up mutherfucker you seen 'em all. Besides, what’s left of those Norks will probably fill a Hefty bag.”

  “Yeah, something seems off, Candy. I feel it in my gut. I want to know why those assholes would be buzzin around some podunk town in the middle of nowhere blowin shit up. There’s no strategic value here.”

  “Fuck, Wez. I was really looking forward to heading home for some hot chow.” “Are you worried about the Norks?”

  “No, essay. Most of them are gonna be shit stains by the time we get down there anyways. I’m just worried ‘bout all that noise bringing those sick fucking infected to the dinner table.” Candy glanced over at Wez. “Us, being the dinner.”

  “I get that, Candy.” Wez pointed back at FNG. “Besides, shit goes south we have John Wick over there to protect us.”

  “Shit.” Candy looked back over toward the town. “I can handle Norks but the infected, no fucking bueno.”

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  WAX ON, WAX OFF

  Salton City, AZ

  Ram found himself in the lead as the two sprinted down a narrow alleyway that separated two rows of abandoned small businesses. Whatever was brewing inside him gave the old guard just a little more boost, more energy, something like a super testosterone shot. Ramacher was never a fan of running except in high school, and that was mainly to meet girls. But now he found himself easily speeding down the alley looking for somewhere to hole up.

  Ram didn’t consider himself a Type A kind of guy,
he was fine being a Type B with someone else leading. Following was so much easier and less stressful. Ram had always just kinda slid through life not doing more than needed, and definitely not the guy who wanted to draw any undue attention to himself. The only time he would ever really put himself out there was for the sake of his family. He’d do almost anything for them. That’s what drove him crazy, he had no idea where Louise and Brit were holed up or if they were even still alive.

  “Wait up, Ram!” Jessie shouted from behind. He stopped and turned to see she was about a hundred feet behind him. While he was lost in his thoughts he didn’t realize how fast he’d been running.

  “Sorry Jessie.”

  “No worries, Ram.” She said stopping a few feet in front of him, breathing heavy. “Whatever they shot you up with, I could sure use some of it.”

  “You can have it.” Ram said under his breath as he scanned the area around them for a place to escape to. Jesse, trying to catch her breath, marveled at how Ram hadn’t broken a sweat. “Not a bad pace Pops.” Jesse said, patting him on the shoulder.

  “Follow me.” Ram ignored her comment as he caught a glimpse of an open door. He raised his rifle and hurried over to the building. The sound of the UN chopper was becoming louder and closer in the distance. Ram and Jessie posted on opposite sides of the open door. The old prison guard peered inside then after a few seconds, gave his partner a thumbs up. Then both of them cautiously stepped inside the dark building carefully sweeping the small store for any hiding infected.

  Seeing it was clear and no trace of the familiar rank smell of the diseased, Ram shut and locked the thin wooden door behind them. In the middle of the door was a narrow drape covered window with the shop's name and hours painted stylishly in cursive across it.