Families First: A Post-Apocalyptic Next-World Series Volume 6 Battle Grounds by Lance Ewing (ereader for comics .txt) 📕

“Okay,” they all replied without question.

Bill, being a former Forward Observer in Vietnam, was asked by John to take the lead and tell him and Samuel what to look for. Vlad kept an eye on the sky for his friend, hoping they would be here in time, if at all.

“They are up!” called out Mac over the radio, talking about Hanson and the two Shetland twins in one of Baker’s former helicopters and two biplanes. “Fly high!” said Mac into the radio, knowing full well the pilots couldn’t hear him.

The three aircraft flew across the valley, gaining speed and height before disappearing over the far ridge. Everyone saw it, even Willie with his wife and Whitney sitting out on the front porch, waiting nervously to see what happened today, and Whitney saying, “I’m with you, Drake. Come home safe,” out loud, to the surprise of her grandfather.

* * * *

Each pilot knew to stay out of rifle firing range and knew any likely shoulder-fired missile would be fairly easy to dodge from a distance. They were to gain intel only, for now, hoping to locate Ronna’s group and get eyes on the other one the Colonel had eluded to. Baker’s pilots were doing the same but didn’t have any restrictions on engaging either other aircraft or civilians. A total of 8 aircraft zigzagged across both valleys, all looking for an advantage.

* * * *

After 30 minutes, the pilots on our side landed safely and radioed Mac with the report.

Hanson started. “We have news. I’m not sure what’s good or bad, but there is a whole lot of movement within five miles of here. You can see Baker’s people clearly enough, and there’s nothing more to report there.

“Three miles to the south is a large group…not as big as Baker’s, but still a large group of people with trucks and other vehicles mixed in that are walking this way. From the pace, I guess they will be here in an hour at the most.”

“Okay,” replied Mac. “That should be Ronna’s group.”

“And to the north,” said Hanson, “just above my place in the big open field across from the Masonville General Store, there is another group—but all are in the air, it looks like.”

“Okay,” replied Mac. “That must be the Colonel; he said they were close.”

“I don’t think so,” replied Hanson.

“What do you mean?” asked Mac, confused.

“They are flying flags…and not ours,” Hanson replied soberly.

“What flags are they flying?” asked John, jumping in on his radio.

“Well, sir…the UN…and uh, well I’m...”

“Let’s hear it,” said John.

“China, sir. They are flying the Communist flag of China.”

“Are you sure?” asked Bill, borrowing John’s radio.

“I’ve seen it before in Beijing. Yes, I’m sure.”

* * * *

I overheard every word, and my knees felt like they could buckle at any moment.

“The UN and China…the UN and China!” I said again, out loud to nobody.

For the first time since the day, I was alone, with nobody to talk to—just me and my radio. The first time we met some of Baker’s men, I still had a hole mate, at least for a bit. Now I felt utterly alone and couldn’t see anyone or anything but the graveyard I stood just outside of. Crazy thoughts flew through my mind—like grabbing Joy, the kids, my mom, dad and brother, and anyone else who would listen, and just running into the hills.

“No, no, no, no, no!” I shouted, surprised at how my voice echoed across the Valley.

“Shhh,” I heard from a large bush nearby, to my right, sending me out of my skin. Who, when they are already on edge, wants to hear voices in a graveyard?

I instinctively raised my AR but kept my finger off the trigger.

“Hey, buddy. It’s okay,” said the familiar voice. Lowering my rifle, I was glad to see my old new friend.

“Remember what I said,” Jake spoke, coming out from behind the bush. “We started this together, and it ends together, but not today, tomorrow or next week. We still have too much life to live.”

He had been positioned on the end of the Valley but traded spots three times to get closer to me.

“If this is it,” he said, “I’m not dying out here alone,” as if he had read my mind.

“Me neither, brother…me neither.”

We both turned behind us to see Bert headed straight our way, stopping a minute later right in front of us. Vlad popped his head out moments later.

“Hey guys, why the sad faces?” he asked, as if he had just been cruising around in Bert for the fun of it, like the Mayor of Breckenridge used to do. I guessed everyone knew but told him the news we had just heard.

“Oh, that’s not good,” he agreed, hearing it for the first time. “Even in my own country, we were leery of those two flags, in particular. So, you think they are really here for our resources—China, I mean?”

“Yes, and with the UN behind them they can sneak in like a thief in the night and take over this beautiful country,” I replied.

“How many aircraft are at Masonville?” I asked over the radio.

“More than fifteen, less than thirty. They were removing camouflage tarps as we flew over,” replied Hanson.

“Fifteen to thirty,” I said, shaking my head. “Plus Baker’s—the ones he has left.”

“Baker’s front line is advancing now,” we heard Mac say. “They are coming straight over the Rimrock. Heads up, northern border. You have at least eight trucks headed your way. Southern border, you look okay for now; hold your position.”

The minutes dragged on before another announcement.

“What do you think is going on?” Jake asked me.

“I don’t know, but something is about to start, because once Baker’s boys get to