Guardian Angel (5 page)

“The invaders continue to try their luck at the Norfolk Naval Compound. Just as surely as this transmission is being broadcast to our surviving brothers and sisters abroad, the invaders continue to be turned away. Time and time again. Yesterday our birds executed a tactical strike near the Old Baltimore settlement, and sources on the ground are confirming massive Ancient casualties. Stay strong fellow Humans, and together we will drive the invaders away and rebuild our civilization.” a man's voice slowly said.

“Serves the bastards right.”  Calypso said proudly as the radio transmission began to loop. “Oh, sorry.” he added apologetically to Certes.

“Don't be,” the Ancient said, taking both Calypso and Alicia by surprise, hearing him speak for the first time. “It does serve them right. The murdering bastards,” he added in a deep and concentrated voice as he continued looking out of the buggy at the wastelands around them. “Not all of us believe as they do. We should not kill simply because we possess the ability to do so,” he added, turning back to look at the group. “Some of us wanted a peaceful return to Earth...not the murder and slavery that has taken place.”

“There's something that has always escaped me, if you don't mind?” Alica asked with seriousness.

“Ask. By all means.” Certes replied.

“From what I understand, the Ancients were here during the rise of the Egyptian empires,” Alicia said as she looked to the Resistance-sworn demon, the tint of his eyes enough to frighten most to their bones. “But then you left, and after all this time...you return?”

“We have been gone for quite some time according to your standards, that much is true,” Certes replied. “But according to ours, it has not been so long.”

“But why return now? Why at all?”

“Earth is only one of many planets which we harvest from, the force which arrived here only a fraction of our species.” Certes answered.

“Have you told the Germans this? Would it make any sense to even attempt a fight against the Ancient mothership if this is the case? Wouldn't your race just send more?” Alicia asked.

“No.” Certes replied.

“No?” she asked.

“My race, much like your very own, is divided in its beliefs,” Certes said. “Division breeds weakness,” he added before turning back to face the landscape outside of the window. “The very faction which slaughters innocent Humans in Germany has had many wars with the Ancients at your own doorstep.”

“And so your race is waiting. Figuring the strongest of the two factions has earned its right to control Earth?” Alicia asked.

“Exactly,” Certes replied. “The plan was to invade Earth and quickly control its inhabitants, at which point the real war was to begin.”

“And if Humanity was to somehow prevail?” Alicia asked.

“It was decided long ago by our governing body that should Humanity somehow defeat us, that they would be allowed to live in peace.”
             

“Maybe I misjudged you. Maybe you can be trusted.” Alicia said jokingly to try and lighten the mood, thick tension running amok throughout the cabin area of the buggy.

“A lot more so than many of your own people.” Certes replied, immediately getting an icy stare from Nadia.

“What do you mean by that?” Alicia asked.

“We got company!” Preacher yelled back to the group as he pulled the horses back with the attached leather straps. Alicia, like the rest of the passengers, immediately broke away from the conversation to pull her weapons into play.

Two men on horseback approached, both wearing crimson red overcoats with gold sashes hanging from their waists. They each had a long barrel shotgun, but the weapons were holstered onto the sides of their horses.

“Nomads. Their sashes are a giveaway.” Alicia said in a soft voice.

“Should we be concerned?” Nadia asked.

“It depends on whether or not they are the aggressive type,” Alicia replied, turning to look at the woman of complete beauty. “If so, your concern should be for them.” she added with a smile as Calypso placed a hand onto the shotgun which remained holstered to his thigh.             

The buggy came to a complete stop, both of the horsemen barely visible in front of it as dust clouded around the group for a moment.

“Can we help you?” one of the horsemen yelled in a friendly but probing tone.

 
             “Just passing through the wastelands, trying to make our way to Old Mexico. Looking for a place to lay low for the night and perhaps do a little trading.” Preacher responded, looking innocent enough as he awaited a reply.

The group inside of the stagecoach listened quietly, each awaiting the fate of what was to come. Either a fight for survival would ensue, or they would be allowed to pass. Alicia's crew hoped the latter was the case, as they made a living killing Ancients, not their own race.

Though they had done so on many occasions, in fact, any member of her team could more than likely kill both riders with nothing more than a rock in hand. They were that good. Still, as they sat in an unmarked stagecoach and looked the part of simple travelers, they each hoped for peace, having no idea how many more Nomads resided nearby.

“What are you transporting?” one of the horsemen asked abruptly.

“Well, here we go.” Alicia said softly, pulling one of her pistols to the ready and waiting for official word of the fight to come.

“Only the supplies we have for trade. Which way?” Preacher replied loudly, serving warning to the men that he and his crew were prepared to defend what was theirs.

A stare-off began to take place. Many Nomads were like the schoolyard bully, at least to a degree. If they thought you would allow them to take your belongings, they would. But Nomads were survivors, just like any other Human. And if they felt you would be a threat to their survival, in some cases they would allow a live and let live attitude. Unless, of course, they needed whatever you were carrying badly enough to kill you for it.

“Beyond that ridge,” the horseman replied, turning to point into the direction of a small line of mountains. “A couple of hours ride to New Kinneston. Plenty of trading and lodging there.” he added.

“Ancients?” G asked, still holding an unseen pistol across his lap, one of filth and questionable firing ability.

“Not very often. Usually only see them blazing through the air.” the horseman replied.

“Much obliged friend.” Preacher said loudly, both horsemen nodding and riding away quickly.

“They look too organized to be garden-variety Nomads, but we should be alright there for the night.” Preacher said, his head turned as he relayed the message to the four passengers of the stagecoach, Alicia approving the plan with a simple nod.

As she turned her attention from him, Alicia quickly picked up the look of Nadia. One of desire. A stare that was quickly returned with one of her own, both of the women looking onto each other as though the world ended tonight and they couldn't be fast enough about exploring the body of the other.

And the ride continued as dusk began to set in over the landscape of powder blue canvas, New Kinneston becoming visible to the group. It looked to be a very small town, though the center did contain a few multistory buildings.

“Certes, it would be best if you remained here,” Alicia said with pause. “Don't want to alarm any of the locals.”

“It's alright. I get it.” the loyal Ancient warrior replied.

“The rest of you try to find us a place to lay low for the night. I'm going to see what kind of authority they have in place here. Possibly find out where the next settlement is located.” Alicia said.

“Need me to come with you?” Calypso asked.

“No thanks, I've got it,” she said with a bit of a smiling. “If I need help, I'll just yell really loud.” Alicia added with a bit of sarcasm.

“You do that.” Calypso replied, knowing good and well that she was presenting him with the facts. She could take care of herself, and in fact, rushed to his aid more times than not.

CHAPTER 2

Nadia, Calypso and G headed off to find a place to lay low for the night. A hard task in a settlement full of people who immediately knew they weren't citizens; seemingly everyone casting stares to them as the group eased their way through the string of small businesses.

“I'm sorry we have to do this.” Preacher said as he waited outside the stagecoach, talking to his Ancient friend through a small window.

“It is to be expected.” Certes replied.

Of course he felt like a burden at times, people either drawing weapons or fearing him before an official introduction.

Sure, he was an Ancient, and as a species they were conscienceless murderers. But he was one of the good guys, one of the Ancients that actually gave a damn about others despite their differences. His team knew it, but felt hindered at times when trying to plead to others for the same type of understanding.

Certes was the first to notice. Maybe it was his superior senses, or just the need to be observant. Either way, he had counted eleven of the sash wearing Nomads in town. And though he was the first to notice, he wasn't alone.

As Alicia walked slowly up the wooden steps which led to a small building marked Sheriff, she paused for a moment to nod at one of the sash bearing men who sat in a wooden chair close to the door.

“Evening.” Alicia said softly, nodding her head to the man for a moment.

Though it came across as good etiquette, she was merely feeling the man out a bit. He carried a primitive styled revolver on his hip, and that was the information she required as she spoke, her gesture answered with a nod of the man's head.

Entering the building slowly, she approached a long desk made of cherry. The smooth wood of such a lavish desk struck her as odd, making Alicia wonder what type of lawman would have furnished his office at such expense. She then noticed a man sitting behind the desk, as well as another sitting in the far corner near the window of the building.

“Evening,” Alicia said to the man sitting behind the desk, her words quickly warded off with a stone glance. “The Sheriff in?”

“He's tied up at the moment, what can I do for you?” the man asked, his rough voice echoing loudly throughout the wooden confines of the building.

She had planned to ask him if there was an Ancient presence expected in New Kinneston, maybe even ask if there was a place to get the best meal home cooking could provide.

Instead, her questions were stopped short as she saw a man's feet through the narrow doorway which led into a back room. Laying down and tied, the man's feet kicked wildly.

A mere moment after realizing what she had walked into, the man behind the desk read Alicia's face well enough to know she understood the situation.

As he stood straight to his feet, pulling a side revolver to the ready, Alicia quickly grabbed his gun hand and fired four shots from the weapon, all four slugs hitting the man in the corner who had jumped up to aid his friend. The scrappy vixen then swung her free arm around for a moment, burying her elbow flush into the shooter's face and rendering him defenseless onto the floor.

Now holding his revolver, Alicia quickly pointed to the door and hit the man rushing in from the porch with one of the last two bullets, immediately aiming down to the floor and firing the last shot into the heart of the only man still breathing.

Three men dead and a hollow chambered revolver falling to the floor, all within the span of ten seconds. It wasn't even close to her own personal record, but damn impressive to say the least.

As Alicia made her way to the rear of the building, using great caution with her own pistols now in hand, she leaned around the corner of the doorway slightly. A man clad in brown leather, shiny silver star on the front of his jacket, lay in the floor with his hands, feet and mouth bound.

“You the Sheriff?” Alicia asked, her military-grade pistols catching his attention. He then glanced down to the star on his chest. A bit less chrome colored than to be expected, but shiny nonetheless.

Alicia began pulling the cloth gag from his mouth as he lay there, overwhelmed by her natural beauty.

“Can I help you?” the Sheriff asked, his extremities still bound tightly.

Alicia answered with a smug look.

“Yea, I get it. The whole bound and gagged thing.” he replied.

“Happen often?” Alicia asked with sarcasm.

“Now and again,” he replied as she stopped, staring at him with disbelief. “It's complicated.” he added.

“There you go Sheriff.” Alicia said, tossing the loosened rope to the corner of the room.

“Much obliged ma'am,” he said, extending his hand. “Name is Austin Garrett.”

“Good to know.” Alicia replied.

“And how about you pretty lady, got a name?” he asked.

“Yes. Are you hitting on me?” she asked.

“No,” Austin said, smiling a bit. “Well maybe, is it working?” he asked.

“Not so much.” she replied with a bit of smiling on her part.

As Austin walked into the main room of his office, finding three Nomads laying dead on the wood grain floors, he adopted a look of disgust.