Wasteland Rules: A New Dawn (The World After Book 3) (25 page)

September 8, 2029

Outskirts of Kansas City, Missouri

   Kansas City seemed deserted as Derek, Rora, and the
hacker entered the outskirts of the city. But they knew there was a small
garrison there and they were bound to encounter a patrol shortly. The fake
radio message giving Derek’s supposed location had worked like a charm. The
Voice had plugged into the comm system and sent the fake message without any
difficulty. The android had showed up as predicted and engaged the pursuing
forces. They hadn’t seen the actual battle, but the explosions and smoke had
been visible as they drove away.

  They couldn’t cross the border in the dune buggy. They
didn’t have another way past the fences and they were going to run out of gas
soon. So they needed another plan. They needed another ride. The only place to
get that was the garrison, so they would make a run at the troops there and see
if they couldn’t snatch a helicopter.

   “Is your plan to just go in shooting and then take a
helicopter?” The hacker suddenly asked.

   “It is.” Derek admitted. “We are in a U.S.T.G. vehicle,
we should be able to get close before they figure out we aren’t soldiers.”

   “What if we tried a different, less violent approach?”
The hacker suggested.

   “Like what?” Derek snapped.

   “Like we have your gizmo there report that two GIA field
agents are bringing in a prisoner to be transported back to HQ.” The hacker
explained patiently. “We tell them have a helicopter ready and keep everybody
out of the way because of national security.”

   “Will that work?” Rora interjected.

   “It might.” Derek agreed begrudgingly. “Field agents
don’t wear uniforms and the soldiers are trained to obey orders.”

   “They are also afraid of crossing the GIA and will
probably go along with it, especially if we order them to maintain radio silence
even after we leave.” The hacker continued.

  “Okay, that should work.” Derek replied. “Voice, can you
send the message to the local garrison commander?”

   “Colonel Richardson is the commander.” The hacker added.
“Have the message come from General McCoy.”

   “How do you know that?” Derek asked in amazement.

   “It’s my job to know things.” The hacker said slyly.

   Shaking his head Derek checked with the Voice. “Did you
get that?”

   “I got it Major.” The Voice responded. “Sending the
message now.”

   “We won’t know if it works until we get to the garrison,
so be prepared to fight if we have to.” Derek instructed Rora.

   The hacker merely sat there with a satisfied smile. He
seemed utterly convinced that it would work. And it did. They rolled up to the local
garrison base and were waved in without an inspection. The hacker guided them
to the landing pads where they found a UH-72 Lakota helicopter rigged with
extra fuel pods waiting for them. Any soldier they encountered along the way
turned their head or averted their gaze. Apparently the threat of GIA
punishment was enough to make them jump through any hoop.

   The landing pad was abandoned and the helicopter was
empty, but it was fully fueled. Derek quickly dragged the hacker into the
chopper and then got into the pilot’s seat. They needed to maintain the
illusion, even if no one seemed to be watching. Rora jumped in after them and
strapped in. Derek wasted no time in firing up the engines and lifting off.

   He headed directly south exiting U.S.T.G. territory and
skirted along their border before turning east. He flew along the no man’s land
between the N.R.T. and the U.S.T.G. carefully staying just outside the
engagement zone for the N.R.T. They were probably on high alert after the
invasion of the C.C.A. and he didn’t want to entice one of their fighter
patrols to attack them. It was odd that they hadn’t entered the war on the
C.C.A.s side, Derek was pretty sure they had a mutual defense treaty.

   Speaking of the C.C.A., at some point they were going to
have to cross C.C.A. territory; even if it was only briefly. They would be on
high alert to and given that the chopper had U.S.T.G. marking, they would
probably just shoot it down. The only way to avoid that was to fly south over
Order territory and then east across the Gulf. But they might not have enough
fuel for that, and the Order could possibly have air defenses or even fighters.
After their encounter there, he wasn’t sure they were as backwards as everyone
thought.

   As if reading his mind the hacker spoke up. “You can fly
across the C.C.A. as long as you stay away from the major cities.”

   “What are you basing that on?” Derek asked out of
curiosity.

   “All of the Confederation’s planes are engaged in an air
battle over Bowling Green. One they are losing I might add.” The hacker
explained. “And all of their air defenses are concentrated around the major
cities.”

   “Anything else you would like to share?” Derek asked
sarcastically.

   “Would you like an update on the war?”

   “Yes, actually I would.” Derek replied.

   “The U.S.T.G. has pushed the C.C.A.s forces back to
Bowling Green, Kentucky. They have dug in around the city and are defending it
furiously. Losses are heavy on both sides and it has become a war of attrition.
And even though U.S.T.G. is suffering greater casualties they have mobilized
more troops to send into the battle. They will eventually overwhelm the
defenders of Bowling Green and strike south towards Nashville.” The man told
them. “The C.C.A. has attacked and is now besieging Huntsville and Pensacola.
The U.S.T.G. units defending those holdings have been told to defend them to
the last man, and they probably will. The longer they keep those forces from
moving to defend Nashville, the more progress the main offensive will have. Given
the current orders of battle and the disparity in manpower, materiel, and
resources; the U.S.T.G. will likely prevail in about a year unless the N.R.T.
sides with the C.C.A. and actively commits troops.”

   Derek and Rora were stunned into silence. The situation
was much worse than they had realized. Once the C.C.A. fell, it would be like
dominoes tipping over and the rest of the country would fall under the sway of
the U.S.T.G. The only remaining threat would be the Collective and they had not
shown any interest in expanding much further than the West Coast. They needed
to recover the ARK and then use it to either broker a peace, or bribe the
N.R.T. into joining the C.C.A.

   They flew the rest of the way in silence as Derek and
Rora digested what they had been told. Derek also wondered who this guy was. He
knew an awful lot for a simple thief. And he had incredible hacking skills, as
well as excellent field craft. The man had escaped those chains in an instant.
He could have escaped all along, but he hadn’t. He wanted to be with Derek and
Rora. What game was he playing?

   The helicopter touched down on the landing pad at NASA running
on fumes and Derek spun down the blades. They exited the chopper to find Augie
and Dr. Banek waiting for them accompanied by a squad of troopers. The two
leaders of the Society escorted them into the secure conference room as quickly
as possible. The troops escorted them the entire way and took up posts in the
hallway outside. Derek also noticed that all the guard posts had been enhanced
with sandbags and heavy weapons.

   “What’s with the heavy security?” He asked Augie.

   “We have a credible threat that we may come under
attack?” Augie replied solemnly.

  “From who?” Rora asked.

   “U.S.T.G. Special Forces.” Augie informed her seriously.
“We were told to give your prisoner back or face a direct assault.”

   “I’m not a prisoner.” The hacker piped up. “I am here
voluntarily.”

   “Then why did Derek and Rora have to chase you down?”
Augie demanded of the hacker.

   “I was waiting for them, but they were too slow to come
meet me before the Red Berets showed up.” He explained.

   “Is he always like this?” Augie muttered to Derek.

   “Yes.” Derek replied with a sigh.

   “Do we even know who he really is?” Augie asked aloud.

   “Frank Shilling at your service.” The hacker introduced
himself cheerfully and stuck his hand out towards Augie.

   “Not your real name I assume?” Augie snapped.

   “It’s as good as any,
General Killian
.” Shilling
replied with an emphasis on the name Augie had used in L.A.

   Augie chuckled and relaxed a little. “Point taken.”

   “What did you take from my father’s box?” Rora suddenly
demanded, getting the meeting back on track.

   “This.” Shilling stated simply and produced a silver
cylinder.

   “Where were you hiding that?” Derek asked in surprise.
“I’m sure the Red Berets searched you.”

   “Do you really want to know?” Shilling quipped.

   “I guess not.” Derek replied with a disgusted look on his
face.

   “Why not?” Rora asked in confusion.

   The others all laughed. “Trust me, Rora, you don’t want
to know.” Dr. Banek whispered to her.

   The hacker put the silver cylinder on the table and they
all moved in for a closer look. It was exactly six inches long and divided into
three, two inch segments. The segments rotated smoothly around, but could not
be separated. One end had a recess with what looked like a cable plug inside
and the other had a plunger that was slightly raised above the end of the
cylinder. The surface of it was covered in engravings that had no discernible
pattern or message.

   Rora picked it up and examined it. The cylinder was heavy
and was made of some unknown metal. Pushing the plunger didn’t seem to do
anything and the plug was so recessed there was no way it would attack to a
cable jack. Rotating the cylinder’s segments didn’t seem to accomplish anything
either.

   “This is it?” She asked the hacker. “There wasn’t
anything else inside the box?”

   “I’m afraid not.” He said regretfully.

   “What is it?” Derek asked.

   “I think it is a key.” Rora replied. “But to what or how
it works I have no idea.”

   “It is a key to the vault your father stored the ARK in.”
Shilling said with confidence.

   “How do you know that?” Augie asked him.

   “Because her father’s last message to me told me what it
was and where to find it.” The hacker replied as if it was no big deal.

   “You communicated with my father?” Rora asked in stunned
amazement.

   “Yes. Quite regularly, in fact.”

   “He never mentioned you.”

   “Of course not. Our communications were highly secret and
any disclosure of them would have placed both of us at great risk.” Shilling
explained.

   “What was the nature of your relationship?” Derek asked
forcefully.

   “Derek, Derek, Derek. I can’t tell you that. Let us just
say that we were partners in a greater venture, one that you are now a part
of.” Shilling said playfully.

   Rora grabbed for Derek but missed as he lunged at the
hacker. Faster than anyone could react, Derek had the man by the throat and
pinned him against the wall with a thud. Shilling’s feet were actually off the
ground as Derek held him there.

   “I’ve had enough of your games.” Derek spat angrily.
“Tell us what we need to know.”

   “Put me down Major, I’m not your enemy.” The hacker
cajoled Derek. “I am merely honoring promises I made a long time ago, and
protecting others who wish to remain anonymous. Let me just say that you have
allies, whether you know it or not.”

  “Derek, put him down.” Rora requested softly.

   With a growl of frustration, Derek set the man down and
released his grip. The hacker massaged his neck as he slowly backed away from
Derek. Rora got him a glass of water and helped him sit down, all while keeping
a watchful eye on her partner. He seemed even more on edge than usual.

   “As I was saying.” The hacker began. “Dr. Carter and I
were in communication about Project New Dawn. I was not privy to all the
details, but I do know that he wanted you to recover the ARK and use it to
renew the Earth. Thereby ushering in a new Age of Enlightenment.”

   “But we don’t know where the ARK is.” Rora pointed out.
“The key is useless if we don’t know where to go to use it.”

   “The key itself will tell us.” Shilling informed her.
“The engravings on the outside are some form of map and if we decode it we will
know where to go.”

   “How does that work?” Augie asked as he examined the
cylinder.

   “That’s what I need you for.” Shilling informed them. “I
was looking for a clue on decrypting it in the lab before you arrived, but I
didn’t find anything.”

   “It kind of looks like an old phonograph cylinder.” Dr.
Banek offered as he took it from Augie. “If we rotate the segments, the
engravings line up to reproduce waveforms.”

   “You don’t happen to have a phonograph lying around that
we could use to listen to it, do you?” Derek asked slightly mockingly.

   “No, but we could use a laser and sound recognition
software to replicate the effect.” Dr. Banek said excitedly. “We need to go to
my lab.”

September 9, 2029

NASA Complex, Cape Canaveral, Florida

   Once in his lab, Dr. Banek had quickly rigged up a
makeshift phonograph using a laser as the reader and hooking it up to his work
station. They all waited with bated breath as the cylinder began to spin and
the program began to interpret the waveforms. The piercing shriek that exploded
out of the speakers caused all of them to cover their ears and sent Dr. Banek
frantically seeking the mute button.

   “What was that?” Augie demanded.

   “I’m not sure.” Dr. Banek responded as he examined the
wave forms on the computer screen. “It’s not an audio recording in the
traditional sense. It isn’t a voice or music recording.”

   “Could it be a code of some sort?” Shilling interjected.

   “Yes…” Dr. Banek replied slowly and began typing
furiously. “Let me try something.”

   He typed furiously, apparently writing a decryption
program. After a few minutes, the wave forms changed and the screen began to
display a series of numbers instead. The same set of six numbers repeating over
and over again.

   “GPS coordinates.” Derek said immediately. “Your father
loved GPS coordinates.”

   “Where is that?” Augie asked.

   “Give me a minute.” Dr. Banek replied snippily.

   He clicked on a couple of icons and a map displayed on
the screen. He entered the coordinates and the map moved over Kentucky before
zooming in. It focused on a patch of mountains just northeast of Bowling Green.
Everyone moved closer to look at the satellite view.

   “It’s in Mammoth Cave.” Augie announced disappointedly.

   “How can you tell?” Rora asked.

   “I know that area very well, and the coordinates have a
negative component that indicates the location is below ground.” Augie
explained.

  “Don’t you think someone would have noticed a vault in
there by now?” Derek asked.

 “Not if it was well hidden.” Augie replied. “The cave
system is not fully explored. It is just too massive, the largest in the world
in fact. It is very possible your father found an unexplored area and built the
vault there.”

  “And no one noticed?” Derek continued to argue.

   “Money has an amazing way of making people blind.” Augie
pointed out. “Unfortunately, that area is currently behind enemy lines. There
is no way the U.S.T.G. is just going to let us waltz in there and grab whatever
is hidden in the cave.”

   “Perhaps the C.C.A. has partisans in the area that could
help us?” Shilling suggested.

   “Perhaps.” Augie agreed, eyeing Shilling suspiciously.
”What made you suggest that?”

   “It just popped into my head.” The hacker replied
innocently.

   “Really?” Augie growled sarcastically. “You have no prior
knowledge that any partisans might be operating in that area?”

   “I know we won’t know for sure unless you ask your
counterpart in C.C.A. Intelligence.” Shilling responded smartly.

   Dr. Banek and Augie shared a glance. “I’m going to assume
that was a good guess, and you don’t have inside information on our
activities.” Augie said through gritted teeth.

   “It seemed likely.” Shilling replied with a smile. “Shall
we give them a call?”

   Augie grumbled, but activated a button on his remote. A
large television screen dropped from the ceiling. He pressed another button and
told his aide to connect them to General Hall. Several minutes passed before
the screen came to life to reveal a distinguished looking older man in a C.C.A.
uniform. He was in some sort of command center based on the rows of monitors
and work stations in the background. Other people in uniform bustled around
behind him.

   “Augie, I’m busy. What do you want?” The general
demanded.

   “We have discovered something of value may have been
hidden in Mammoth Cave, and we wanted your help to retrieve it.” Augie informed
him casually.

   “I’m listening, but you know that’s occupied territory
right now.”

   “I know you probably have partisans in the area who could
guide us.”

   “Even if I do, what’s in it for us?” General Hall
demanded.

   “You make sure the U.S.T.G. doesn’t get it and use it
against you.” Augie pointed out.

   “If they knew it was there, they would have already taken
it.” General Hall argued. “What’s really in there and why do you want it so
bad?”

   “They may not know it’s there yet, but it’s only a matter
of time.” Augie disagreed. “We need to get it before they do. We can use it to
help everyone, but they will certainly keep it for themselves.”

   “What. Is. It?” General Hall said impatiently.

   “It’s the ARK.” Rora interrupted. “An advanced version of
the Doomsday vault that could bring back all the lost plants and animals and
renew the Earth.”

   “Huh.” General Hall said after a long pause. “What are
your plans for this ark?”

   “We plan to share it with the world as long as they agree
to peace.” Rora said idealistically.

   “What if everyone doesn’t want peace, young lady?” The
General asked pointedly.

   “Then we entice those who do to work together to fight
against those that don’t.” Derek added.

   “I see.” The general said thoughtfully. “I might be able
to help you, but I need help with something first.”

   “Of course, name it.” Augie responded.

   “I need Major Storm to carry out a mission for us.” General
Hall said slowly.

   “Who do I have to kill now?” Derek demanded
sarcastically.

   General Hall smiled. “Now, now. Be proud of the fact that
your skills are always in demand.” He said chidingly to Derek. “It’s when no
one needs your skills that you have a problem.”

   “I don’t think that’s likely any time soon.” Derek
replied, shaking his head.

   “True, very true.” General Hall agreed.

   “What’s the mission?” Rora interjected.

   “We are barely holding the line at Bowling Green and the
U.S.T.G. is adding more and more troops every day. We need every able bodied
soldier there. But we are tied down with the sieges of Huntsville and
Pensacola. We probably won’t be able to wrap those up before Bowling Green
falls, but we have other troops scattered about protecting our borders. If
those troops were freed up, we could use them to cover our eventual retreat to
Nashville. Every day we delay the U.S.T.G. offensive means more soldiers
finishing training and reinforcing Nashville.” General Hall explained. “But currently
our main distraction is the Reapers.”

   “The Reapers?” Derek interrupted. “How are they a threat?
The southern tribes’ numbers were greatly shrunk after the battle outside NASA
and the northern tribes don’t raid anywhere near your territory.”

   “They didn’t, but the U.S.T.G. has convinced them to
start. They sent “advisors” to guide the Reapers and to arm them. They are
trading weapons and ammunition and even light armored vehicles in exchange for
raids against our easternmost towns.” The general explained. “Normally, they
don’t pose too much of a threat. But if the U.S.T.G. ‘advisors’ get them
organized and well-armed, they would pose a serious threat.”

   “How do you propose we stop that?” Derek asked.

   “We have identified the commander of the ‘advisors’ and
where he is located. We want you to lead a small team to take him out.” General
Hall explained. “Once he is removed, the alliance should fall apart.”

   “Wouldn’t they just replace him?” Rora questioned.

   “Maybe, but he has a unique bond with those cannibals.
His relationship with them would be hard to recreate.” The general replied.

   “If we do this, you will have partisans take us into
Mammoth Cave?” Derek pressed.

   “Absolutely.” General Hall agreed.

   “Okay, what are the details?” Derek said resignedly.

  “Gray, come fill them in.” General Hall said gesturing off
screen.

  The captain who had interrogated them at the roadhouse in
Pelham moved into view. “Major, nice to see you again.”

  “And you Captain.” Derek replied with a smile.

   “It’s Major now.” Gray pointed out, flicking the gold oak
leaves on his uniform.

   “Congratulations.” Derek said with a nod.

   “Thank you. The promotion means I’m now in charge of the
eastern theater, lucky me.” Major Gray said in a slightly sarcastic tone.
“Things were quiet until this man showed up three months ago.”

   A popup on the screen appeared showing an older man
wearing an old style camo jacket over a green sweater. He had several scars on
his face and his expression bordered on maniacal. His dark eyes contrasted with
his long gray hair and beard. The whole effect gave him a serious serial killer
vibe.

   “Jasper Carlton.” Derek said disgustedly.

   “That is correct. At first we didn’t know who he was and
we assumed he was just another scumbag who liked killing and raiding and wanted
to join up with the Reapers. We didn’t really pay much attention to him
unfortunately.” Major Gray informed them. “But he was soon joined by several
others who appeared to take orders from him directly. That small group started
showing up more and more frequently on raids and then in the company of the
tribal chiefs. That was when we began to pay more attention to them. But by
then, it was too late. He had already cemented his relationship with the
chiefs. Going back over reports he apparently did it by becoming worse than any
of them. He was the most brutal on raids and he joined them in their…feasts.”

   “He didn’t become worse than them” Derek interjected. “He
was already a grade A sociopath before he joined the Reapers. He was nearly
court martialed five times for extreme brutality and civilian casualties, but
every time the witnesses against him disappeared. He is an excellent soldier
and a dangerous enemy, especially since he is completely without morals. There
is no line he won’t cross.”

   “He also leads a small group of likeminded men.” Major
Gray added. “These two are his immediate subordinates and the worst of the
bunch. There are four others but we haven’t been able to ID them yet.”

   Two pictures popped onto the screen. Both men were
younger, late twenties or early thirties. Other than that they were like polar
opposites. The man on the left was smaller and black, and very handsome. His
eyes gleamed with intelligence and malice He wore a black jacket over a white
Henley and wore blue jeans tucked into combat boots. The man on the right was
very large and white. His eyes displayed piggish sadisticness and his faced
displayed the marks of a chronic brawler. His nose had been broken numerous
times and he had scarring over his eyes. He wore a desert camo jacket over a
black shirt and had tan cargo pants tucked into combat boots.

   “Lieutenant Aaron Hartnett and Sergeant Rick McKay.”
Major Gray narrated. “Red Berets like Captain Carlton. They have a long service
record, both entering the Army at eighteen. Hartnett is a champion MMA fighter
from Chicago also known to be good with a knife. McKay is a body builder,
alleged steroid abuser, and well known psychopath. He has beaten six men to
death in the last two years alone.”

   “How is he allowed to serve in the military?” Rora asked
in shock.

   “Captain Carlton got him off each time, and McKay is
fanatically loyal to him.” Major Gray explained. “He managed to convince the
U.S.T.G. brass that McKay had valuable skills they needed. This crew had been
assigned some of the worst missions in terms of how far they needed to go to
complete them successfully. They are like rabid dogs held back until needed,
and then unleashed without any hesitation or concern for the collateral damage.
The U.S.T.G. wants to open a second front and they have really riled up the
Reapers to the point that we believe that a major attack is imminent. We need
to end this threat before it can really get going.”

   “The U.S.T.G. has always been about results.” Augie
added. “They don’t care about the little people that might get in their way.”

   “Where do we need to go to get this done?” Derek asked
impatiently. “I think I might actually enjoy this.”

  “Major Gray will send you the location and then meet you
there. Good luck.” General Hall informed them before ending the internet chat.