Blue Plague: War (Blue Plague Book 6) (16 page)

“How do you know he did it?” the aunt asked again.

“Stephanie, play the victim’s and Oscar’s video,” Bruce said, and she did. At least the aunt jumped back at seeing the video of Bonnie, which gave Bruce some semblance of hope. When it was over, they looked at Bruce.

The man stepped toward the table, and Ted and Carl jumped up. Danny just pulled her pistol. Seeing that, the man froze as a laser shot from across the room right between the man’s eyes. Looking up, he spotted a smiling Buffy. “You are basing judgment of her testimony while she is under the influence of drugs and severe trauma. My nephew has confessed only because of intimidation,” he snapped.

A rumble rattled in Bruce’s chest as he closed his eyes and started rubbing his temples hard. Everyone on that side of the table between him and the aunt and uncle moved to the other side, not wanting to get caught in the hellfire and brimstone. The man moved back beside his wife seeing everyone leave. “Command group, I’m introducing a new clan law. Lawyers are not allowed to hold any position of authority on any committee, office, or position of authority. They may run crews no larger than five but in no position to pass any type of decree,” Bruce said, and everyone replied, “Aye,” passing the law.

The man started stuttering.

“Don’t; I’m fighting a headache. She was under the influence because of Oscar’s actions. His confession will be viewed as a positive in his sentencing,” Bruce said.

“When was the trial?” he inquired.

“After his questioning, he was found guilty, and his clan status was revoked from time of arrest,” Bruce said. The man raised his hand, pointing at Bruce. “Mister, I’m getting pissed. If you say anything stupid, you get a collar, and it’s shit detail,” Bruce said, and the man lowered his arm.

The aunt stepped up. “It was his first offense,” she said.

Jumping up, Bruce asked, “What, you want us to let him perfect his technique for the next time and kill the girl and get rid of her body?”

“You don’t know he would do that? Can’t he go on shit detail and prove himself?” she asked.

“Ma’am, the people on shit detail are there for actions like this that happened outside of here and only for that. It didn’t happen here. That is crime against humanity, and only those that start to prove themselves will get off. We’ve had six success stories, but none of them, with the exception of a judge, were charged with murder. But she got put there for trying to incite a revolt and threatening my family. The others, well, you can find out. I’m tired,” Bruce said, sitting back down.

“Can’t we say anything?” she asked.

“Yes, tomorrow during sentencing,” Bruce replied. “Now, please leave. I think I have been kind considering what Oscar has done. I have honor, as do most here at Base Hope. Don’t push it. I have a long war ahead and a battle in weeks.”

“Sir—” she started as Carroll stood.

“Lady, he done told ya to get. If that was my nephew, they’d just hand him over ta me, and I’d kill ‘em myself. He’s disrespected you, and you be too stupid ta see it. Keep on and I’ll call for collars for both of ya. Bruce has gone above showin’ yous some respect. I’m gettin’ tired of hearin’ y’alls’ voice,” Carroll told them and turned to Marcus. “Marcus, they not out of here in five seconds, shoot ‘em in the leg,” she said, and the two took off running up the stairs.

When they were gone, Carroll turned to Bruce. “You says somethin’, and I’m gettin’ a switch. I can’t believe them two,” she said, sitting back down as everyone did.

“Jake, announce that all clan members not on guard duty must be in a center or a mess hall at 0900 hours tomorrow for the sentencing phase. Everyone, get some sleep,” Bruce said, standing up. He looked at Angela and Stephanie. “You two go to bed. I’ll be there later,” Bruce said, kissing each one.

Heading up the stairs, Bruce walked outside and stopped on the patio, taking a deep breath. Pushing the wave down inside him, he headed to the back of the property. When he reached the barn, he noticed two people following him, so he stopped and waited for them to catch up and saw it was Carl and Ted. “Where are you two going?” Bruce asked.

“Just following ya, boss,” Ted replied.

“I won’t get lost,” Bruce said.

Slinging his rifle, Carl said, “We know, Bruce, but we are just going to stay close.”

Bruce shook his head. “I can take care of myself.”

“It’s for our own piece of mind,” Ted stated.

Spinning around, “Guys, get some sleep. I need space,” Bruce told them heading to the pond, and they fell in behind them. “You’re still following me,” Bruce said over his shoulder.

“Yeah, seems that way. We’re just worried. We should’ve been doing this a long time ago,” Carl said.

“The girls put you up to this?” Bruce asked.

“No, we asked them if they would mind, and they loved the idea. They said if you had a problem, you could talk with them about it,” Ted informed him.

Not wanting to have the duo pissed off, Bruce just sighed and shook his head, continuing to the pond. Reaching the pond, he walked out on the pier and knelt, sitting on his heels. Then, he started controlling his breathing and eased into mediation.

At 0300 hours, Angela went down to mission control and saw Bruce still meditating on the pier with Ted and Carl keeping an eye out for him.

Chapter 12

After breakfast, the main Center was rearranged with a row of tables next to the wall with the projection screen over the tables. This was where the command group started sitting down. Monitors were on the command table, showing the command group views of the other mess halls.

At 0900 hours, Bruce stood up and called the clan to order. Then, he announced the charges against the two and the verdict of guilty. He showed the evidence, and many in the clan started crying, and several people attempted to charge the two convicted men that were sitting in front of the command group. But the fifteen members of Omega dressed for battle had the deterrent Bruce wanted.

When quiet returned, Bruce looked at the two. “If any member of the clan has something we need to take into account for the guilty before punishment is passed, asked to be recognized for your statement,” Bruce said. Monitors sat on the command table showing the other mess halls and hundreds had their hands raised at the other Centers. Even in front of him, he had several hundred. “Ah, shit,” Bruce mumbled. Bruce pointed at an elderly man in the front row.

The man moved up to the podium. “Yes sir, Bruce, I just want to say when I was a kid, I got hot tar over my leg, and I never felt pain like that then or since. If you want, I can go find some for these two,” he offered.

Liking that, Bruce chuckled. “Thank you, sir; I’ll keep that in mind,” he said. He pointed at some others to his front and in the other Centers, and all gave him their ideas on how to deliver pain. The two started crying, and after forty people, Bruce stood.

“Clan, I’m sorry, but what I want to know—does anyone have something positive to say about these two? Describe an act of honor, how hard they worked, saved a puppy, helped a member of the clan in some way before punishment is passed. Honor for self and clan is how we are now judged, and that is the only thing that can sway the punishment,” Bruce said, and all the hands went down.

“Sir, we have a hand here in mess hall two,” a guard told him over the monitor.

“Let her speak,” Bruce said looking at his monitor. The projection screen behind the command group showed a woman in her sixties walking up to the podium.

“Yes, Bruce. I don’t have nothing good ta say about ‘em, but Bonnie lives beside me in barracks nineteen, and nobody will tell me how she’s doing. I’m really worried about her. She’s a sweet girl who works and tries hard. Please, Bruce, they won’t let me in the hospital, and her roommate hasn’t come home. I was with Bonnie and Bill at that refugee center, and I’m worried about her, and all I’ve heard about is these two pieces of human garbage,” she said with tears in her eyes.

Letting out a sigh, Bruce bowed his head and raised the microphone to his bowed face. “Ma’am, I’m sorry. I should’ve informed the clan how she was doing, but we focused on the criminals and not our fallen member. That is my fault, and I’m sorry. Bonnie has a long road to travel before she is better. She was hurt bad and by all rights should’ve died but didn’t. She fought to live,” Bruce said and read off her injures.

When he was finished, the lady leaned to the microphone. “Bruce, can you please let me see little Bonnie? I know they are working hard on her, but I’ll do extra work in the kitchen for gettin’ in their way, but please,” she begged.

Lifting his head up, Bruce asked, “Ma’am, may I have your name?”

“Ida Winters.”

“Ms. Ida, I can guarantee you after this meeting, you’ll be beside her. Bill will drive you himself, and you will be given time off of work. That is honor, Ida: willing to do what it takes for your friend and family.”

Bill stood up. “Ida, I’ll take you there when this is done,” he said.

“Bill, there is this female doctor there that can yell really loud,” Ida said, and several people laughed.

“Carroll, go with Bill, and put Stance in her place,” Bruce said, satisfied. Then, he looked at Oscar’s aunt and uncle. “Manny and Patrice Stinson, do you want to speak on Oscar’s behalf of his honor?” Bruce asked, and they moved over to the podium.

Patrice moved to the microphone. “Oscar has never done anything like this before or anything to break the law. He has always been a good boy and watched his mother killed in the camp we were at. His father was killed by blues along with his sister. We need to give him another chance. He has gone through a tough time,” she said.

Bill leaned forward. “Ma’am, lies will not be tolerated here in front of the clan,” he said.

Manny moved to the microphone. “She has told no lie, and you watch your tone with my wife,” he snapped.

“You watch your tone, sir. Oscar was on probation for car theft and breaking and entering. He was under investigation for sexual assault when the infection hit,” Bill said.

Manny took a step back then regained his composure. “That is in his past—”

Standing up, Bill asked, “So you knew and lied about his past?” Manny clamped his mouth shut.

Patrice grabbed the microphone. “He was only under investigation, and the rest was a misunderstanding,” she babbled.

“So you knew also,” Bill said, and she dropped the microphone.

Wanting this day to end, Bruce stood. “By your own admission, you lied to the clan. Your weapons privileges are hereby revoked, and you each will be given one hundred extra hours of work to be completed in one month. The punishment committee will give you the rest.”

“You said we can’t be judged by our past!” Manny yelled.

“Oscar never was. I never cared what he did, but you and your wife lied to the clan to try and sway his punishment—a danger to the clan. Bill went and asked some people that knew him before the plague,” Bruce said.

“This is an outrage. You can’t do this!” he bellowed.

Carroll stood. “Your clan privileges now be revoked. Put a collar on ’im. You’ll have monthly assessments from the punishment committee to see when they recommend to me to see when you can rejoin the clan,” she snapped. Manny’s face drained of color then became red before he opened his mouth. Carroll leveled her finger at him. “Don’t or you getin’ lashes first then every day until you rejoin the clan,” she warned him.

“Let us leave then,” he said as two Omega guards came up.

“You can after your debt is paid to the clan,” Carroll said, sitting down. When the guards hauled Manny out, Patrice looked at Oscar then Bruce.

“Please,” was all she said.

“Noted. Patrice, please retake your seat,” Bruce said, and a guard led Manny away. Bruce passed envelopes down to the entire command group. “There is one for each guilty party. I have requested the punishment. Circle yes or no if you agree with the punishment or cross out points you don’t agree with, then pass them to Nancy,” Bruce said.

The clan watched as the envelopes were passed back to Nancy, and she counted them. Nancy turned to Bruce. “Both punishments passed unanimously as written,” she said.

With no emotion on his face, Bruce never took his eyes off the two guilty men. “Oscar, because you admitted your crime, showing some semblance of honor, your punishment is torture for three hours and to be shot. Gage, your punishment is torture for twelve hours, then a tank will roll over your legs, and you will be left to die in pain with IVs keeping you hydrated for one week or death finds you first. No food. Pain will be all you feel. Sentence to be carried out immediately by myself,” Bruce said, and both prisoners fainted.

It was dark when Bruce finished carrying out the sentences. With Ted and Carl walking beside Bruce as they headed to Oz to have a talk with Gene, Father Thomas ran over to them. “Bruce, can I please talk to you?” he asked as Ted stopped him. Bruce smiled at Ted.

“Make it fast, Father,” Bruce said.

Seeing Bruce was covered in blood, Father Thomas jumped back. “Bruce, this is wrong. We must try to help those that fall from God’s grace. Killing them is vengeance. We need to try and forgive.”

“You’re right, Father; it’s vengeance. Forgiveness comes from the victim. Vengeance comes from society; you hurt one of ours and pose a risk to us, we will kill you to remove you, but we make you face pain to deter anyone else. We will not warehouse people, Father. Don’t want people to die like that, tell them to be good to the clan,” Bruce said as Ted pulled out a handkerchief, wiping blood off Bruce’s face.

“You’re getting ready to fight a battle with the government. Have you offered them sanctuary?” he asked.

“Hell no. Their idea of sanctuary is ruling us as slaves. Well, y’all. Me they want to kill along with my family.”

With pleading eyes, Father Thomas asked, “You can’t try?”

“Father, you’re overstepping your bounds. You save their souls. I have to save their lives. I asked you when you came here if you would fight to save these people, and you said you would. You have seen what they do with your own eyes, and yet you want to risk the clan? Let them kill whole families here?” Bruce asked.

“No, I don’t, Bruce, but can’t we at least ask them?” he begged.

“No, Father, because we will lose a lot of people if they know we are waiting on them. I’m going to tell you this. I’m working on a way to save most of the troops and almost all the civilians. Now that you know this, if you tell anyone, I’m sorry, but you will be banned from here.”

For several seconds, Father Thomas couldn’t speak but nodded. “Thank you, Bruce. If you’re trying, that’s all that matters,” he finally managed to get out.

“It might seem like a surprise, Father, but I’m tired of this shit. I want people to behave and work together so we can fight the blues. Now, you remember this; I made a promise to save as many as I can during this war, and I will do the best I can. But we are not to have this conversation again,” Bruce said, turning away.

“Thank you, Bruce,” Father Thomas said as he walked away.

Walking inside, Bruce dropped down in a chair inside the Oz Center, waiting on Gene. Gage was still alive, screaming in a trailer with a video camera broadcasting him on the TV. He looked at his two new shadows, Ted and Carl, who were bringing over wet towels.

As Bruce cleaned himself up, he thought about what Ted and Carl had told him. The house now had scanners, and only the command group and family could scan in. Everyone else had to call to mission control and wait to be buzzed in. All areas into the farm were now monitored, and people had to be let in unless they lived there or had business. Willie had informed the clan after the trial they needed to protect Bruce and Mike at all cost. The clan agreed, and since Bruce was busy with the guilty, he never got his input, which was what everyone wanted. Since this was power for the command group, a vote was passed and forwarded to the clan. The clan passed it with over ninety-six percent voting in favor.

Looking at his watch, Bruce went to get a cup of coffee and sat back down, waiting on Gene. He could see him walking around the troops on the monitors. Even the President was out among the troops. Seeing Gene walk toward his building, Bruce smiled. Looking over at Jake, he asked, “Hey, Jake, are those troops still in Gene’s room?”

“Yeah, Dad. They don’t leave the room till he gets there,” he answered.

Smiling, Bruce said, “Turn his computer on for me.”

“Dad, it’s going to be a little while till he’s there.”

“I know. Did you load up that file I gave you to put on there?”

“Well yeah,” Jake said, smiling, and turned on Gene’s computer.

Two Rangers were in Gene’s room, one laying on the bed and the other at the table, slumped in a chair, both reading books. All of a sudden, the computer came on showing a very, very kinky porno. They both sat up, staring at the screen. There were men, women, midgets, and one donkey, and everyone was having sex.

The scene moved around the group orgy when the soldier on the bed said, “Damn, that is some kinky shit.”

“I never even heard of some of the things I’m seeing,” the other said as they just watched the screen.

Gene walked into the room to see the two watching a porno. “Men, what the hell are you doing?” he asked as they both jumped up.

“Ah, sir, it just came on playing a porno,” the one at the table replied.

“Right,” Gene said, smiling.

“It did, sir,” the one sitting up on the bed told him as Gene moved over to look at the screen.

“Son of a bitch. That’s a donkey. And what is—Where did the midget come from?” Gene asked. Watching the screen, all three started tilting their heads to the right side following the action. “That can’t feel that good,” Gene said with his head titled ninety degrees to the right.

“Well, the midget thinks so, and the guy she’s with seems happy. Balloons. What the hell do you do with balloons?” the one at the table said then jumped back. “Damn, look at that. Now, that’s some kinky shit, dude!” he yelled.

“I think that would pull a lot of hair. How do they get it out?” Gene said, watching.

The man that was on the bed looked at Gene. “Colonel, it’s your computer. You act like you’ve never seen this before,” he said.

“Boy, I have so many flicks on here it would take me years to watch ‘em all,” Gene said.

Not taking his eyes off the screen, the man asked, “Ah, sir, you think you can burn me a few?”

“Maybe. Now, get out, and let me work,” Gene said, laughing.

“Yes sir, and we won’t lay on your bed anymore,” he said, laughing and walking out.

Gene turned back to the screen and started watching when the screen suddenly showed Bruce laughing. “Hey, damn it, put the movie back on. I want to know about the midget and the blonde with the balloon,” Gene snapped.

“It’s a good one. Kinda weird, but it’s watchable. Not much of plot,” Bruce said, still laughing.

Feeling somewhat offended by that statement, “Who cares about a plot with a skin flick?” Gene asked.

“Mike,” Bruce answered.

“Damn, Marines can even screw up a skin flick. I don’t care if they’re mute as long as they look good,” Gene said, sitting down.

“How does it look so far up there?” Bruce asked.

Chuckling, Gene said, “You know as much as I do, so why ask?”

“I mean how are your troops acting?” Bruce clarified.

“They don’t want to attack you. Most want to join you. I’ve had several hint they are going to go AWOL,” Gene replied.