Apocalypse Empire (Book 1): Apocalypse Origins (34 page)

"Does he do anything? I'm wondering if you need him to
run the city."

"Our bylaws required us to vote on certain things and
he was there for that. He had a lot of influence over what happened but he
isn't essential for anything."

Greg nodded, "I thought as much. How much influence
does he have over the people?"

"Everyone knew he was the reason our town was staying afloat.
He'd always be sure to point that out if someone disagreed with him over
something. No one actually likes him though."

"Good," Greg replied. "I'll be removing him
from office. I won't have someone like that making decisions solely for their
own profit. I'll get rid of all the trustees actually. You won't have to worry
about votes to get things done. If you need something we'll make it
happen."

Brian nodded, "I think this is gonna work out just
fine," he said as he extended his hand.

Greg took it in a firm grasp. "It will. We're gonna
build something great here. I'm glad you're gonna be a part of it."

That evening, Brian called a town meeting. He wanted to make
sure everyone was there so he'd had David and his deputies go door to door of
the remaining citizens to make sure no one was left behind. To his surprise,
the people took the announcement well. Brian wondered if it was the promised
feast which implied that there could be food like that on a regular basis.
 He also thought it might be the idea of security, someone that was
willing to tell them what to do. Everything had been so uncertain when the
infected showed up. They'd only seen one or two but there were just so many
questions. Most of their town hadn't come home from work that night and there
wasn't any news from the government. They'd just been surviving, hoping that
their loved ones were alright and that someone would tell them what was going
on.

During the dinner last night Brian had learned the extent of
the destruction unleashed by the infected. Greg called it the Collapse for good
reason. Brian couldn't even wrap his mind around how many people had been
killed. And to think, all this had been unleashed by the twisted ambition of
one man. Greg had his loyalty. The government had failed them. It was either
unable to help or had abandoned them entirely. He had no problem giving him his
oath. 

***

Greg watched silently as the next group of guards came to
stand before them. "I pledge my loyalty to Gregoria and her people,"
they began in unison. "I will serve with honor and integrity."

They had already taken the oath Lakeside would be performing
in the morning. James had thought that the guards should have
a separate oath so here they were. It was after midnight and he
wanted nothing more to be in his bed but they decided to get all the guards
sworn in before the ceremony.

"I will uphold her laws," they continued. Greg was
amazed that they had come so far. To think, they started out as nothing more
than a desperate group of survivors and now they were their own people.
Lakeside was just the first step. In a day or two, he'd send out the scouts to
look for more survivors. He'd unite whoever remained so they could stand
against Dray's plans for conquest.

"Though it cost me my life, I will defend her from her
enemies." Greg smiled as the men continued their oath. They'd started out
so small, no they had an army.

"I will not falter, I will not fear, her enemies will
fear my roar."

***

Reed looked out the window as they sped through the
Wisconsin countryside. They were just a few hours out from his new city. One of
Dray's men had contacted him with the coordinates early this morning. Dray was
a fool for giving him a new base of operations. Reed would rebuild his forces
and take the tower from him. Emerald Falls was the true center of power and he
had no doubt this had been part of Dray's plan. The man had probably hoped that
he would have been killed by the unchecked spread of the infected but Reed
would show him. He'd come out on top and rule from the Emerald Tower himself.

His suv pulled to a stop and Reed exited the vehicle. There
caravan was a sight to see. There were nearly forty identical suvs, each of
them filled with loyal men. He was handed a pair of binoculars and brought them
to his eyes. His new home sprang into view and he had to admit he was
disappointed. He'd been expecting a moderately sized town at least, not some
backwater. Yet further insult by Dray but that was alright. He'd make this
work.

"How's it look?" he asked the man standing next to
him.

"We're not seeing a lot of movement at the moment. I'd
guess that most of them are holed up in the town. We did notice some
tents to the south though. We should probably do some recon to make sure we
have an accurate count of their numbers."

Dray's man had told them they had a fighting force of
approximately one hundred men. He had twice that plus his men were some of the
best the world had to offer. "We're dealing with a group of survivors, not
a trained military force. I sincerely doubt they're any match for us."

"Of course sir," the man replied. 

Reed nodded, "Let's move, we've got a town to
take."

***

Greg walked down the street at the head of his Gregorian
Guard. Directly behind him walked James and Jackson. Behind them, the Gregorian
Guard walked three abreast. Greg was sure they had to cut a dashing image, each
of them in the colors of the guard. He saw that many of Lakeside's citizens
were on either side of the street and was pleased that Brian had done his part.
Fathers held children on their shoulders who waved enthusiastically and even
the adults seemed to be pleased. Greg chuckled to himself. Maybe they were just
happy about the promised feast. They reached the center of town and the
procession came to a halt.

Greg stepped forward and moved to stand in front of Brian.
He'd officially hand over the town now and they'd then start preparations for
the feast. At this moment his hunters were out scouring the woods for game. He
had no doubt Byron would at least be successful but hope the other hunters
would be as well. After all, he had promised everyone fresh meat.

"Sir! Sir!" Greg looked towards the source of the
shout and saw a guard running full speed towards them. The guard came to a stop
and bent over as he pulled in lungfuls of air. 

"What happened?" Greg asked.

"Big...group...coming...this...way," he managed to
gasp out between breaths.

Greg frowned, "Why didn't you use the walkie? James
asked.  "We could have already been on our way."

"Tyler thought...they might...hear us."

Greg glanced at James, "New recruit," he replied.
"Pretty talented."

Greg nodded, "Where are they coming from?"

"From the west. Tyler and...the others are trying to
slow them down." The guard stood up straight, recovered enough that his
breathing was no longer affected.

He'd have to meet this Tyler. Greg looked at the guard they
had assembled. They were about one hundred and fifty according to James. The
rest were either on patrol or guarding the camp. 

"Did you manage to get a head count?" he asked.

"Tyler said there looked to be about two hundred."

"Should I call in the other patrols?" James asked.

Greg thought for a moment. He'd have to leave some men here
to guard the town. That would put them down even further but it couldn't be
helped. He also doubted there was enough time to call in the other patrols.
There was also the possibility that they just weren't being attacked from one
direction. No, it was too risky to call in the other patrols.

"No, there might be others. We'll have to make this
work. Brian!"

"Yes?" Brian asked.

"Let's get everyone inside. Down into basements if you
have them. Jackson, pick some men to remain behind, just in case."

Jackson nodded and walked down the line, pulling a man here
and there. "You're going?" Brian asked.

"Of course," Greg replied. "I won't stay
behind while my men go to fight."

In that moment he won Brian's loyalty. This man wasn't some
bandit looking to gain power. He genuinely cared about his people. "Be
careful, sir," Brian said. "We'll hold it down here."

Greg nodded and turned back towards the messenger. "Can
you make the run back?"

The man nodded vigorously, "Wouldn't miss it,
sir."

Greg nodded, "Good man. James, let's go."

James nodded, "Alright! Someone's attacking our new
home. Let's show 'em what we can do. Remember your training. Lion Guard, form
up!"

Greg glanced towards James with a raised eyebrow. "It
seemed appropriate," he replied with a grin.

Greg chuckled as a dozen men broke from the line and moved
to surround him. "Alright, let's move!"

They took off and set a hard pace. Fortunately, a
significant portion of their krav maga training was conditioning. Otherwise,
they would've arrived winded and been of no use to anyone. They covered
distance quickly and a few minutes later they entered a forested area. Greg
called a halt and looked around. It looked like the trees would provide
adequate cover here. This was probably the best that they could hope for given
that they were outnumbered. 

"Alright, let's set up here." he said.

***

Tyler Marlin leaned around the tree and squeezed off a few
shots. Turning around he sprinted towards the town and hoped no one would get
off a lucky shot. He weaved in out and the trees hoping they would block any
shots that managed to get close. He slid to a stop behind another tree and
squeezed off a few more shots then took off running again. He doubted that he'd
scored any kills but this was the only way he could think of to slow their
advance. Shots sounded from either side of him and he knew that the fellow
members of his patrol were doing the same. He hoped they all made it through
this. He took a deep breath, time to move again.

***

Greg peeked around the tree and saw a guard running towards
his position. Greg leaned out a bit and made eye contact before returning to
his position. The man slid to a stop next to him and Greg pointed to a nearby
tree. The man nodded his understanding and took position. Greg heard a few more
shots and then silence. 

"Keep an eye out!" someone called. "He
couldn't have gone far."

Greg kept perfectly still and hoped his men were doing the
same. As the sound of their footsteps neared him he quietly moved around the
tree so he wouldn't be seen. He risked a look out and saw a large group of men,
all dressed in military gear. He waited a few moments until the bulk of the
group was in front of him and then opened fire. At his signal, the rest of his
mean leaned out of cover and did the same. Dozens of men dropped in the first
volley and were soon joined by their fellows as Greg and his men continued
firing. Maybe he'd feel bad about this later, it couldn't even be called a
battle. 

Men threw themselves to the ground in hopes of being spared
and just like that, it was over. "We surrender!" one of them called
out. "Don't shoot!"

"Throw us your weapons!" Greg shouted.

The survivors hurriedly complied and a pile of weaponry was
soon formed. Greg looked at the pile from his position and saw rifles,
sidearms, and other items he couldn't quite make out from this distance.

"On your knees, hands behind your head," he
called.

The men complied and Greg and his men left cover, weapons
aimed at their targets.

"Who's in charge?" Greg asked.

"I am," a man replied. Greg looked and saw a man
that appeared to be in his mid-forties. "Ryan Reel," he said.

"Who sent you?"

Reel sighed, "Dray. William Dray sent me."

"Give me a reason why I shouldn't kill you right
now," Greg said. "One of you escaped last time and I find an army on
my doorstep weeks later."

"I've been played," Reel said.

"What?" Greg asked.

"The infection you've seen, it's all over the U.S. All
over the world really. I was in charge of the west. Long story short, it didn't
work out and I had to come here. Dray told me I'd be able to take you out and I
could keep your town for myself."

"That just makes me want to kill you more," Greg
replied.

"I can help you," Reel said.

"Help me how? You would've killed us given the
chance."

"True," Reel replied, "but I'm practical man.
I can clearly see that I've lost and I'm trying to bargain for my life."

"What can you do for me?" Greg asked.

"I can buy you time. You've got a nice sized force here
but Dray has way more. This trick won't work against what he can bring against
you. I can give you time to build up your strength so that when you go against
Dray you'll be ready."

"How?"

"Let me go back. Dray sent me here to keep me out of
the way. I'll go back, tell him that I killed you and that your town wasn't to
my liking."

"We were obviously being followed for you to find us
here. How do we know he just won't send more?" Greg asked.

"He might, that's possible. But if you let me go back
he'll be busy with me. I intend to take the tower from him. If I succeed, I'll
stay in Illinois and leave you alone. If I fail, then I've bought you some
time."

Greg sighed, "James? What do you think?"

"I'd rather finish the lot of them but he's kinda
making sense. If Dray is gonna come at us again we could use some time to
prepare. Not that this is all we've got mind you, but it wouldn't hurt to be
safe."

Greg nodded and thought that was a good move on James' part.
No need to admit this was most of their military strength. Greg didn't trust
this Reel but maybe it wouldn't hurt to have someone distracting Dray.
"Alright," he said. "I suppose that makes sense. You can go but
all your weapons are staying."

Reel nodded, "That's understandable. Thank you."