Authors: Nathan Combs
That night, Bill and team one arrived at Gateway, left their horses, and slid into the woods. At 0700 the next morning, two shots broke the silence of the April dawn.
Damn,
Bill thought,
that wasn’t more than 100 yards away
.
Moving quickly toward the sound of the shots, Bill saw movement. A man was running through the woods away from Gateway. He silently closed the distance and was almost within striking distance when the man either heard or sensed his presence. Dropping to one knee, he was in the process of turning and drawing his sidearm when two hundred fifty pounds of Bill Scarlett running full speed barreled into him. In an instant, Bill had pummeled him to the ground and was punching him in the head.
Wilkerson also headed in the direction of the shots and came upon the scene just as Bill knocked the man out. Movement to his right caught his attention and he turned to stare down the barrel of glock pointed at his chest. From twenty feet, Wilkerson didn’t have a chance. Theee bullets hit him squarely in the chest.
Bill saw the second sniper just as he fired at Wilkerson and shot the man twice in the head, killing him instantly. Hustling to Wilkerson’s side, Bill looked at his friend gasping for breath, and said, “That must really hurt, Joe. Damn good thing you had your armor on or you’d be pushin’ daisies.” Then he pulled him to his feet.
The two snipers each shot one time killing two people who were leaving Gateway to go fishing. After the shot, they simply turned and blended back into the woods.
“These are atypical guerilla tactics,” said Bill. “They’re in a target rich environment, have abundant cover, the sun at their back, and take one shot each, then leave?”
The sniper Bill knocked out was now a prisoner. He lay trussed like a pig on the ground, and Bill was the butcher. Bill said, “I’m not gonna bullshit you, asshole. After you tell me what I want to know, I’m gonna kill you. But if I like your answers, I’m willing to let you choose how you’ll die. First question: where’s Nina?”
The man stared, but said nothing. “It doesn’t matter if you tell me where she is or not. We’ll find her, and you can bet your worthless cannibal ass we will kill her. Last chance, you piece of shit, where is she?”
The man sneered and said, “Nina is my queen. I am willing to die for her. We all are. Go fuck yourself.”
Bill pulled his knife, slit the man’s throat, and said, “Now you’re a good cannibal.”
The other two members of the team arrived and they pulled the two dead snipers into Gateway.
Joe said, “Let’s get them undressed and see if Wade’s theory was right.”
Other than run of the mill tattoos on millions prior to the collapse, the upper torsos of both men were clean. There was nothing on the lower extremities either.
Bill looked at Joe and said, “I’ll flip you to check out their junk area, Joe.”
“Naw, let’s just get it over with. I’m hungry. And my fuckin’ chest is killing me. You cut off the skivvies, I’ll check ’em out.”
It took less than a minute to locate the one-inch high tattoo on the inner right thigh of both men.
“Bingo,” said Bill.
Team four found nothing. Teams two and three also came up blank, but Randal found evidence they were recently at Neyland Stadium. Approaching the rendezvous location, Wade and Randal sent two men ahead to check it out. They returned with big grins on their faces. “Bill and his team are already there. So is team four. And they’ve got it.”
Bill finished describing the altercation with the two snipers by saying, “They had standard issue M24s with good scopes. As for markings, it’s like you said, Wade. They both had a simple tattoo about one inch high on their inner right thigh. It’s a capital letter T and a capital letter L that intersects midway down the vertical of the T. Kind of reminds me of the Nazi Swastika.” He drew the image in the dirt.
They returned to Fort Hope and Wade instructed Benjamin to have everyone in Fort Hope searched for the tattoo. “Do it subtly, Stuart. Be nice, especially with the women, but everyone is getting searched for that tattoo. That includes every member of the security services. And while we’re at it, my men, you, Little Soldier, and me will also be checked. That way there will never be any doubt in anyone’s mind. I want this completed within the next couple of hours.
“When we’re done here, I want teams sent to Gateway and Zion. I want the same checks performed on everyone there. As soon as the checks are done, no new people will be allowed into Fort Hope, Gateway, or Zion without that tattoo check. We’ll start with ourselves. Everybody strip.”
Chapter Nineteen
End Game
When the returning snipers reported the results to Horst, he was reluctant to inform Nina the mission failed, but knew he had no choice. After the briefing, she told him to take her to the men because she wanted to know exactly what happened, exactly what the SPECOPS men did, how they reacted, and what their response time was. When they were done, she told them they acted properly by not taking shots. “We can’t afford to lose two snipers and their rifles. Don’t worry about it; you’ll get the chance to shoot some of them very soon.”
That evening she called a staff meeting and told them about the failure of the IED mission.
“It would have been nice if they took the bait, but there was never a good chance of them being that stupid. It was worth the effort, though. If nothing else, it gives them something to think about. They’ll be at Fort Hope by now, and I’m sure they’re sending patrols to look for us. Pack everyone up, we’re moving.”
“Where to and how far,” asked Horst.
“Not far,” said Nina, then smiling, she said, “It’s time you heathens went to church.”
The United Methodist Church of Knoxville was not only huge, but had a tall tower that could be used as an observation post. The tower provided an excellent view in all directions, including the area around Neyland Stadium.
Nina told the staff, “I think they’ll come looking for us in Knoxville. But I don’t think they’ll consider looking in a church.”
Oliva laughed, and said, “Yeah, you’re right, Nina. We’re like vampires to them. You’re so much smarter than they are.”
“Maybe, but they’re not morons, Olivia. However, I am definitely more cunning and more vindictive than they could ever imagine. Just make sure everyone gets to the church. And make sure there’s no trail or indication from the outside that we’re there. If there is, they’ll see it and find us. Cougar, I want you to scout ahead and find a place inside the church for the horses. Take your men with you, and set a watch in the tower. I want everyone there within the hour.”
Heather and Olivia entered the church and stood staring at the cavernous nave.
“Wow,” said Heather. “This is something else.”
“Yeah,” said Olivia. “Obviously, they had a lot of money. They damned sure weren’t poor. If the pastor knew his church was taken over by cannibals, he’d turn over in his grave.”
They both laughed, and Heather said, “If he’s even in a grave.”
The next afternoon, Cougar brought Nina the news that the Gateway mission snipers had not returned. “They were supposed to be back no later than noon. Something’s wrong.”
“I told you they’d send patrols to look for us. I’m sure they sent one to Gateway and Zion too. They might have gotten them. But I think they’ll focus the majority of their attention on Knoxville. Keep your eyes open, Cougar.”
Three hours later, Nina was in the church tower watching a two-man patrol in the area of the University of Tennessee. She couldn’t tell for certain, but it looked like they went into Neyland Stadium.
I’m one step ahead of you. I always will be.
They watched the patrol for several more hours and they never came close to the church.
“They hunt at night, Cougar. Double the watch and make sure everyone is silent. No lights.”
The next morning there was no sign of the patrols and Nina sent one of Cougar’s men on a patrol of her own. “I want you to go to Gateway and see what you can find out. If you have to, capture someone and make them talk. Be back here by dark. We’re moving back to the stadium.”
“But what if they come back,” asked Olivia.
Nina said, “They already cleared that area. They won’t check it again. Everyone just has to lay low and be quiet. Pack everyone up.”
The cat and mouse game continued for the next six weeks. The Light assaulted Gateway and Zion on a random schedule using pipe bombs and sniper attacks. They managed to kill thirteen and wound an additional twelve. They took random shots at those traveling between Fort Hope and Fort Terminus, wounding two and killing three horses. During that time they left Fort Hope alone.
At the start of the seventh week, Nina gathered her staff and said, “It’s time we make Fort Hope’s life more challenging. Cougar, I want you to mount a sniper attack against their gate and tower guards. Not more than two shots from each sniper, and then I want them to disappear.”
******
While Nina addressed her staff, Wade was speaking to the Terminators.
“Nina’s version of guerilla warfare is unorthodox, but it’s having the desired effect. Everyone is on edge, and all semblance of normality has gone south. We haven’t even sniffed her. They’ve become very good at what they’re doing. I have to give them that. I’m guessing they move to a new location every day. I’ve been making a serious effort to think like Nina thinks. She’s somewhere close, and I still believe she’s in Knoxville.”
“But, Boss, we’ve cleared the whole damn city. The only place with sign was Neyland Stadium,” said Bill.
Wade nodded. “Let’s assume she had eyes on us while we searched Knoxville. And let’s also assume she saw us clear the stadium. In her mind, I think she thinks Neyland Stadium is the safest place to be because she knows we were there once and doesn’t think we’ll go back for a second look. Bill, take one man with you and check it out. Be back by sunrise.”
Glassing Neyland Stadium, Bill watched two tattooed cannibals enter via the main entrance. “We got the bitch.”
They made it back to Wade’s position in record time. He clapped Wade on the shoulder and said, “You were right again, Boss. They’re in the stadium.”
“About time she screwed up. They just shot six of our guards thirty minutes ago. Three of them were KIA; the other three are in critical condition. Let’s go get her ass. Everyone gear up. Stuart, I need twenty of your men. We leave in fifteen.”
*****
Maybe it was luck, maybe it was instinct, but Nina decided, because of the attack they would soon launch against Fort Hope, that it was time to move again. Her people were told to be packed and ready to go on her command. Fifteen minutes before the attack commenced, they relocated and watched the sun rise from the upper levels of the church.
Nina left one of Cougar’s scouts high up in Neyland Stadium to watch for patrols. If he saw anything, his instructions were to high tail it back to the church with the details, but under no circumstances be seen or followed.
Two hours after they left Fort Hope, the thirty-two-man assault force approached Neyland Stadium. Nina’s lookout saw them coming three miles out and left for the church.
One of their scouts must have found us last night
, she thought. “There’s no way they’re coming here with thirty men to re-check the stadium. This is an assault force. Horst, are the charges planted?”
“Yeah. There’s a ton of debris in front of the entrance. They won’t suspect it this time.”
“Wait until they clear the stadium and make their exit. Get them as they’re leaving. They’ll be more relaxed and in closer proximity to each other.”
*****
The stadium was empty.
Riding out of the main entrance, Bill said, “They were here last night, Wade. She’s either clairvoyant or she’s one lucky bitch.”
“You may be right, Bill…or maybe she’s just good.”
“I don’t believe that, and I know you don’t either. She’s just lucky. End of…”
The world erupted in a cacophony of noise, heat, and concussion. Knocked from their horses, both Bill and Wade staggered to gather themselves, drew their weapons, and pointed them downrange from behind the wounded animals.
“How many, Randal?” said Wade.
“One of Benjamin’s guys was KIA, five more with significant wounds. Ten have minor injuries. Sixteen, counting you and me, are unscathed except for some scratches and bruises. We also have a total of nine horses out of commission. If we were bunched up it would have been a lot worse.”
“All right, get the wounded back to Fort Hope. The able bodied men will remain here. She’s close by. She might even be watching. Let’s see if we can light up her life.”
Wade decided anyone watching would likely be in the area just east of the stadium where the ground was a bit higher on that side of the highway. He told his men, “We’re going to search to the east, four men to a unit, spaced a hundred feet apart. Look for reflections.”
They just crossed the second creek greenway when Little Soldier radioed, “The tower to the right. Looks like a church.”
“A church,” said Bill. “That’s the last place on earth I would have looked.”
“Yeah,” said Wade. “It’s payback time.” Pointing at his men, he said, “You four, flank left. You four, right. You four, take the rear. The rest of us, up the middle. Let’s go.”
Approaching the church at a full gallop, they were within three hundred feet of the complex when they came under heavy fire. Two horses went down instantly, but their riders reacted quickly and used them as shields to lay down cover fire for the others. The entire firefight lasted eight minutes. When it was over, Wade and his men entered the church and counted nine dead Light. There was no sign of Nina.
“This was just a blocking force so she could get her people out,” said Randal.
******
Nina watched the riders cross the greenway and stop. They all raised binoculars and looked directly at the church tower. “Cougar, they made us. Take all but ten of the family out the back. Leave my horse saddled and ready to go. I’ll be right behind you. You know where to go. Horst, I need you to delay them. Keep them pinned down, or at least slow them down until everyone gets out. Then get out yourself and head for the rendezvous area.”
Nina was furious they’d found the church. She berated Cougar for not having anti-reflective devices attached to the binoculars and scopes. In the past seven weeks, she’d lost a total of twenty-nine men, and although her war of attrition against Olympia was having the desired effect, she was not satisfied with the results. The murderer of her people—Captain Wade, the bastard Coltrane—was still breathing. She decided it was time to unleash her secret weapon, and turned her attention to Heather and Olivia.
“You were both upset when I wouldn’t allow you to have a tattoo. I’m sure you remember.”
“Of course we remember. You said the reason would be clear in the future. But we belong to you, Nina, and we have no mark to prove it,” said Olivia.
“That’s the point. You have no mark. And just for your information, do either of you think you need a stupid tattoo to know you’re mine? Both of you should know by now I would die for you.”
Both girls nodded in submission and smiled, basking in the warmth of belonging..
Nina turned to Heather and said, “You’re going into Fort Hope. You can gain entry precisely because you do
not
have ‘the mark of the beast.’ I didn’t tell you before, because it was irrelevant at the time, but they killed two of our snipers in Gateway and somehow figured out we tattooed everyone. That’s what they look for now when you enter Fort Hope. They make you strip at the gate and look you over for our tattoo. No tattoo, no problem. You can go in.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“When our infiltrators planted their bombs, they hid five in a safe place in case we wanted to use them later. Remember when I told you the way to spread terror was through children?”
Both of them nodded.
“You’re going into Fort Hope and hit them where it will
really
hurt. You’re going to bomb their school and kill their kids. The terror that creates will be off the charts. Olivia, I know you want to do your part too. Be patient.”
*****
In spite of herself, as Heather approached the gates of Fort Hope, she was nervous. She knew she looked like a harmless little waif, and carried nothing to indicate she even knew of The Light’s existence, but adrenaline was coursing through her body and she was apprehensive. Her mind was on hyper-drive and she thought,
What if I smell like a cannibal? What if they won’t let me in? What if…
Then she sucked it up and decided that Nina said she could get in and was counting on her to blow the school. She did not want to let her down.
Getting into Fort Hope was as easy as pretending to be exactly what she looked like: a helpless young woman who managed to survive on her own. They weren’t that concerned about who she was, how she managed to survive, or where she came from; they just made her strip and looked her over from head to toe for the tattoo. Once inside, Nina told her to wait two days in case they assigned someone to bird-dog her and gave her a cover story to position her perfectly for their plan. Heather told them she used to be a teacher’s aide, and just as Nina predicted, they assigned her to work at the school. On the evening of her second day, she placed the bombs in different locations in the school cafeteria and set the timers for the lunch period of the following day.
Heather made certain she was close to the cafeteria when the bombs exploded. When they detonated, there was instant chaos and she played her part. She ran into the cafeteria and started dragging children out, even sustaining several small cuts in the process. When the medical people arrived and took over, she stayed and helped them.