Wasteland Rules: A New Dawn (The World After Book 3) (5 page)

   “Shoot back!”  Rora
screamed at the two men in the back.

   She could see them share a
glance and then turn and open fire out the rear window. The sudden gunfire
caused one of the vehicles to lose control slightly and strike a stone
monument. The monument shattered but the vehicle still stopped dead, its front
end caved in. The other two were still hanging with them. If she didn’t lose
them soon, more would join them and they would be done for. They had to get out
of the cemetery.

   Rora altered course and
headed for the edge of the cemetery. Veteran Avenue was just on the other side
of the fence and ran parallel to Sepulveda. She knew it joined up with Wilshire
and she could take it under the 405 and towards Santa Monica. Then a thought
hit her.

   “Does every airport have
the communication system?” She called back to the commander.

   “Every major airport,
why?” He replied.

   “What about Santa Monica
Airport?” She asked.

   “It doesn’t, but it does
or did have a collection of vintage planes.” The commander answered. “Colonel,
could you fly one of those?”

   “I could, but we all
couldn’t fit into one.” Colonel Brandt informed them.

   “We could if they have a
working Douglas TBD Devastator.” Commander Khodorov argued.

   “What are the odds on
that?” The colonel asked doubtfully.

   “Pretty good actually.
It’s a Douglas Aircraft Company themed museum. Last time I was there they had a
working version, but it was sixteen years ago.” The commander insisted.

   “How do you know that?”
Rora yelled back.

   “I was a huge fan of
vintage aircraft before the Collapse.” The commander said bashfully.

   “Nice.” The colonel said.
“If it is there and it works I can prep it and fly it.”

   “The security is sure to
be less than LAX and it is a lot closer.” The commander mused.

   “And we could fly out
rather than hope for a pickup.” Colonel Brandt added hopefully.

   “What if they have their
own aircraft?” Rora asked.

   “I can outfly them.” The colonel
said confidently.

   “It’s decided then, we’re
heading for the Santa Monica airport.” Rora told them.

   The two men smiled and the
colonel actually seemed excited for the possibility of flying the vintage
plane. The smiles disappeared as Rora hit the fence surrounding the cemetery
and they crashed out onto Veteran Avenue. The crash landing and hard turn sent
both men sprawling and cursing. A portion of the fence caught on the car and
was dragged for a little while creating a glow from the metal grinding on the
pavement. It finally popped loose in a shower of sparks.

   The two remaining pursuers
followed them out of the cemetery and Rora finally got a good look at them. It
was two armored SUVs with machine guns mounted on top. Both screeched to halt
before managing to turn and follow the fleeing car. The gunners resumed firing
as soon as they turned, but the car was just out of range.

    Rora swiftly turned down
a side road and then wove through an abandoned mall parking lot trying to lose
their pursuers. These two were more persistent and closed in quickly. The lot
was enclosed by what had once been concrete planters, but now just acted as
barriers. The planters prevented anyone from entering or exiting except through
the entrance and had provided some greenery before the virus. She estimated
they were just slightly below the bumper of their car but higher than their
pursuers.

  In desperation, and with
bullets tearing their car apart, she aimed the car straight at one. The front
wheels struck the planter and the car reared up into the air. The rear wheel
drive propelled the car forward even though the front tires were airborne. The
rear wheels struck the planter and almost climbed up it. The car suddenly
dropped forward with a crash, the undercarriage sparking on the planter but
continuing to grind forward. The car shot forward as the rear tires cleared the
planter and they spun out onto Wilshire Boulevard.

   The two technicals behind
them tried to stop in time but couldn’t, and they struck the concrete planters
with a loud smash. The planters exploded from the force of the collisions but
both vehicles slid to a stop just outside the parking lot. Both of their front
ends were mangled by the collisions and steam and smoke vented from their hoods.
The stunned gunners managed to get in a few parting shots, but the fugitives
pulled away quickly.

June 27, 2029

Santa Monica, California

   Amazingly they made it to
the Santa Monica airport without any further trouble. Rora wove in and out of
the city streets dodging any pursuers. They saw many sets of headlights, but
the maze of streets provided excellent cover until they arrived at the airport.
The entrance was guarded by five gang members and one pickup technical with a
machine gun mounted in the back. Rora wanted to shoot their way in, but the colonel
persuaded her that attacking them would draw too much attention.

   Instead, they snuck in
through a drainage pipe that connected to the airport’s fire prevention pond.
Once it held thousands of gallons of water to be pumped in case of a fire, but
the California coast had been dry as a bone since the Aftermath. The pond had
long since dried out and no one had bothered to block the overflow pipe. It was
a tight fit, and a challenge dragging Anna through; but they made it out. Dirty
and scraped, all of them were relieved to be inside the airport without being
spotted.

   The commander guided them
to the hangar that housed the vintage planes. They had to hide once to avoid an
open top jeep with a machine gun mounted on top that was patrolling, but other
than that they saw no one. Surprisingly the hangar was locked with a padlock,
but Rora picked the lock and they rushed inside. Inside the hangar were the
vintage planes, a thick coating of dust indicating they hadn’t been moved in a
while. The tools and just about everything else had been stripped from the
hangar; but the gangbangers hadn’t had much use for the planes, so they just
left them.

   The colonel and the
commander went over and began examining the planes leaving Rora with the still
catatonic Anna. She waited patiently as the two astronauts searched for a
viable ride. Aviation hadn’t been part of Rora’s education so she knew little
about the individual planes. Hopefully they could find a working one and get
out of here. Judging by the two men’s excited reactions they had found one.

   “We just need to find some
fuel.” The commander informed her.

   “Wouldn’t the gangs have
taken any leftover fuel?” She asked.

   “Unlikely. It isn’t usable
for much else besides a plane.” He replied.

   “I wouldn’t be surprised
if one or more of the gang Lords keep a small plane here for personal use.” The
colonel added. “They would need fuel on hand for that.”

   “The fuel tanks aren’t far
from here if I remember correctly.” Commander Khodorov informed them. “Let’s go
over there and see if we can scavenge some fuel.”

   “What about Anna?” Rora
asked.

   “We’ll have to leave her
here.” The colonel stated. “If we find fuel, we will need all three of us to
carry enough back for our return trip.”

   Reluctantly Rora and the
commander agreed and they snuck out of the hangar towards the fuel tanks. Just
like everywhere else, there were no lights on. Darkness blanketed the airport
and nothing moved. The silence was almost deafening. Ever since the Aftermath,
the world had become a much quieter place. Most animals including insects had
died off so the usual nocturnal noises of animals on the move no longer
existed. Few cars and little electricity meant no businesses or nighttime
activities. So it had become almost peaceful at night.

    That peace was shattered
before they got too far from the hangar. Bright floodlights snapped on,
blinding the three of them. Armored cars swiftly rolled out from behind the
hangar and other buildings. Praetorians poured out of the armored cars and
pointed their guns at the trio. Rora and the two astronauts found themselves
surrounded and hopelessly outgunned. They acquiesced to the screamed orders to
drop their weapons and lie face down on the ground.

   The Praetorians quickly
and efficiently secured their hands and feet using plastic cuffs. Unlike the
gang members at Edwards, the professionals secured their hands behind their
backs and were using the more durable police versions of the cuffs instead of
zip ties from Walmart. Rora found herself dragged into one of the armored cars
and watched as they were all put in different cars. Then a black hood was pulled
over her head and she could no longer see what was happening.

   From the sounds and motion
of the vehicles they were being rushed out of the airport. Utilizing her memory
of the map and her recall of the turns and time in between turns, Rora was able
to determine that they were heading into downtown L.A. She assumed they were
being taken to the Castle to be interrogated by the Imperator. The trip ended
with them going downward into what she assumed was an underground garage, which
was rare for L.A.

   The Praetorians dragged
her out of the vehicle and through a series of twisting turns. They came to a
stop briefly and she felt the floor move and realized they were in an elevator.
It moved up swiftly and stopped suddenly. Rora was then dragged out of the
elevator and for another minute or so before being halted and held firmly in
place. She could hear other people moving around and talking including the
commander demanding to know what was going on.

   The hood was suddenly
ripped off her head and the bright lights temporarily blinded her. When she
looked up she could see that she was on the top floor of the Castle. Most of
the floor had been cleared to create a large open space with a large throne on
a raised dais at one end. Heavily armed Praetorians were placed strategically
around the room and were watching her warily. The bright light was being
provided by the windows that filled every wall providing an impressive
panoramic view of the city. She could see the others being held like she was
from the corner of her eye.

   On the dais sat a middle
aged black man dressed in a black uniform similar to the Praetorians. His uniform
however, was much fancier and had epaulets and gold braid on his shoulders. He
wore a simple gold crown on his close cropped head and held a gold scepter in
his left hand. He stared at her with piercing blue eyes as if trying to read
her mind. So this was the Imperator, he looked very impressive despite the over
the top uniform.

  To his left was the big
surprise. The Pope stood slightly behind him and to the right. When he saw Rora
his face turned white and he leaned down to whisper frantically in the
Imperator’s ear. The Imperator waved him away, but the Pope would not be
dissuaded. He continued to whisper animatedly to the Imperator until he was
lightly pushed away.

   “Enough!” The Imperator
commanded. “I don’t care if she is the consort of the True Messenger of God or
whatever gibberish you are spewing. Keep quiet or I will have you removed.”

  The frightened Pope stepped
back and held his tongue. He continued to stare at Rora with terrified eyes and
kept looking around as if expecting Derek to appear by magic. He fidgeted while
the Imperator sighed and stood up. Now that he was standing, Rora could see he
was relatively short at around five foot seven. She had heard that most men in
L.A. were actually very short. Despite his height he exuded an intense aura of
authority and menace.

   “You come to my city and
kill my men and destroy my vehicles.” The Imperator stated calmly as he paced
in front of them. “You present a challenge to my authority that I cannot allow.
Yet you present a unique conundrum. You arrived in a space shuttle. A space
shuttle…What knowledge might you have that could benefit me? That you could
trade for your lives?”

   “We work for NASA…”
Commander Khodorov started.

   “I’m not finished.” The
Imperator interrupted. “The gangs will demand blood for the men you killed and
the vehicles you wrecked. If I don’t give it to them I look weak. I cannot look
weak. So some of you will have to be executed publicly to send a message.  I am
giving one of you a chance to save yourself. Whichever one of you talks first
lives, and the others will be executed.”

   The last statement was
delivered with finality and Rora glanced at the others to see their reactions.
Anna of course was still a virtual zombie. The commander looked angry and
didn’t seem inclined to talk. But the colonel, he looked afraid and about to
crack. He was going to talk if she didn’t talk first. She couldn’t let her
mission end here and she prepared to step forward and talk.

   Before she could open her
mouth an aide appeared from behind her and rushed to the Imperator’s side. He
looked irritated but he listened to what the aide had to tell him. The aide
finished and stepped back, a terrified look on his face. It wouldn’t surprise
Rora if the gang leader had a tendency to shoot the messenger. He didn’t do
that and instead got a contemplative look on his face. He returned to his chair
and composed himself.

   “Bring him in.” He ordered
imperiously.

   They all turned instinctively
as another person entered the room.  An older man in a New Republic of Texas
military uniform strode confidently into the room. He winked at Rora as he
passed and she realized with great shock that it was Augie. What the heck was
he doing here in an N.R.T. uniform? He came to a stop a respectful distance
from the dais and bowed at the waist.

   “Imperator.” Augie
intoned.

   “What do you want General
Killian?” The Imperator asked in an irritated tone.

   “I wanted to thank you for
capturing these fugitives for us.” Augie responded calmly.

   “What are you talking
about?” The gang leader snapped.

   “These four are wanted
fugitives from the N.R.T. They stole a space shuttle with the intent to sell it
to a private bidder. Fifteen soldiers were killed during their heist. I will
take them back with me to face a firing squad.” Augie explained.

   “What about my men that
were killed and my damages?” The Imperator asked.

   “As part of our
non-aggression pact you are required to return any fugitives to us unharmed.”
Augie pointed out. “But we understand that you went through some trouble to
capture them for us, so we are prepared to pay you a bounty of five hundred
thousand in gold. How does that sound?”

   “That would be
acceptable.” The gang leader replied, slightly mollified. “Do you have it with
you?”

   “No, but we can have it
shipped over in three days.”

   “Very well. You may take
your fugitives but I want the gold in two days and I want you to throw in a
couple of fully armed MRAPs.”

   “I’m not sure I can do
that.” Augie replied with concern.

   “No MRAPs, no prisoners.”
The Imperator said smugly.

   “Fine.” Augie agreed
reluctantly. “I will have the gold delivered with the MRAPs in two days. Now
let me have my prisoners.”

   “Escort them to the
General’s plane.” The Imperator ordered with a wave. “And General, you are
trying my patience. Next time alert me in advance when someone is going to
intrude on my territory.”

   “Of course Imperator, my
apologies.” Augie replied obsequiously and backed away.

   He turned and walked to
the elevator. As he passed by Rora he gave a slight shake of his head to
forestall the question she was about to ask. The Praetorians grabbed the
astronauts and Rora and dragged them into the elevator after him. They rode
down in silence and then were dragged out of the building and thrown into a
large black Ford Expedition. Augie climbed in after them.

   “Wait until we get to the
plane.” He instructed quietly with a slight nod towards the front seat.

   Two Praetorians drove them
to LAX with an escort of two armored cars. No one spoke, but Rora could tell
the others were very curious at what was going on. She wasn’t sure what to make
of it. Augie was theoretically an ally but seeing him in the N.R.T. uniform and
well known to the Imperator made her suspicious. Was it possible he wasn’t
really a part of the Society, or worse a double agent?

   When they arrived at the
airport, the convoy pulled up to a small jet. It looked like pictures of a
Gulfstream V that Rora had once seen. The steps were down and two more
Praetorians stood guard at the bottom. Augie exited the SUV and entered the
plane without a look back. The rest of them were dragged unceremoniously from
the SUV and up into the plane. The Praetorians dumped them on the floor and
left without a word.

    A crew member retracted
the steps and the plane’s engine started. The four of them lay on the floor and
exchanged confused glances wonder what was going on. The plane had marking for
New Republic of Texas and the flight crew was also wearing N.R.T. uniforms. They
helped Rora and the astronauts into seats and buckled them in, but didn’t say a
word. The plane took off soon after and they were fully airborne before Augie
emerged from the crew cabin.