Adrian's Eagles: Book Four (Life After War) (75 page)
Read Adrian's Eagles: Book Four (Life After War) Online
Authors: Angela White
Tags: #war of 2012, #magic and fantasy, #battle for survival, #action adventure, #a love story, #female hero, #horror story
Adrian sighed at the current of hatred. He had earned every ounce of pain this boy wanted to hand him. “You get our guns, we get the ammo, and there will be seven of us.”
Conner agreed right away and Adrian keyed his belt. “Eagles 2, 4, & 5 pick a partner and prepare for a recon mission.”
The men snapped salutes and Adrian went to Doug, while Angela waited with the slightly shivering teenager.
“Slip a few of those homing devices into a knapsack while they get ready and give it to Kenn. When the rain lets up, follow us. If you can’t get through on the radio, try Angie. She’ll hear you.”
Doug’s voice was firm. “We’ll be there when you need us.”
“Keep your eyes open. They may attack, may think with a few less, they’ll have a better chance.”
Clearly unhappy, Doug grimaced. “We’ll manage, and when it happens, you’ll be in charge where you belong.”
Angela turned to the twitchy boy. “I have to get my things. Come with me?”
Conner hesitated, feeling all the adult attention on him and he shook his head, already fighting the urge to run that had been drilled into him during the long months they’d been hiding here.
Angela pulled out her gun, making him flinch and then surprising him when she held it out butt first. “You’re holding our weapons right?”
He blushed, finally feeling like a teenager for an instant. “Not yours.”
Angela gave him a smile that drew nods from the Eagles. Clearly, she was using what she’d been given.
“Walk with me, Conner,” she instructed, ignoring his start at her knowing his name. “Come feel in the center again. Remember how it is to be cared for, because we will give you that above all else. Look at Adrian’s Eagles and see if maybe you and the others could become his too.”
Conner was unable to resist her beauty, or the smell of vanilla teasing his hardened nose. He nodded, turning away and as he met the eyes of those closest, he noticed a softening. Realizing it was because he hadn’t taken her weapon, Conner understood she was loved by these men.
Adrian was pleased with the way Angela was taking over, handling things like she did this all the time, but he was also worried by it.
She was being reckless
, he thought.
“Knows she’s coming out of it,” he muttered to himself, watching her move toward his rig. “Will I?”
Angela got her things quickly and when she saw the teen’s eyes linger on the radio, she waved a hand at it. “Is there someone listening on your end?”
He nodded. “Jason is probably on seven.”
She handed him the mic, seeing Adrian already had one of the systems on that channel.
“I can step away if you want,” she offered, surprising him again.
“That’s okay. Jason, this is Conner. You on the radio?” Nothing, but static and he tried again.
“There’s no gun to my head. I’m on the way back with a small group. Tell Howie not to shoot us, will ya?”
He sounded so much like Adrian that Angela stared at him, mind racing.
“Sorry, Conner. I’ll tell him, but he won’t like it.”
“Then he should have come, too. Out.”
Conner grinned at her in desperate hope, needing that bond of human closeness with someone other than those he was responsible for… just like Adrian.
“Come on. Let’s not keep my Dad waiting. From what I remember, he doesn’t usually have to do much of that.”
Book Five: From The Ashes
Adrian’s Eagles
“What’s going on?”
Seth shrugged at her question. “We’re not sure. Kenn hasn’t checked in.”
Angela immediately sent the witch out to look. When she stopped, so did her guard. “We need to…”
“It’s all right.” Adrian came through the fog and the man stepped back.
“They’re hiding in a cornfield off a highway. Bikes, gunshots… screams.”
The Witch’s voice sounded ominous in the thick fog and Adrian’s hand slid to his gun for comfort.
“They’re headed this way.”
“Can you send a message? Tell him there’s a distraction coming, to dig in.”
She closed her eyes as Adrian turned to Seth and gave instructions. The guard was gone an instant later.
“The Slavers found their vehicles, but with all the darkness and fog they can’t find…”
Adrian frowned, waiting.
“They’re too close, too loud. Kenn’s pinned down.”
“It’s a go, Boss.”
Adrian keyed his mic in response to the radio call. “Now.”
Seconds later, there was a shrieking whistle and a dull thud, a rocket launching out of camp, barreling east. It exploded over the dark landscape and a huge shower of purple stars lit up behind the fog like a magic show.
“Another. Two more after that, thirty seconds apart.”
The shriek came again, whistling though the night before showering the sky in gold and blue showers of light.
“They’ve seen, changed directions. The Eagles are circling back here.”
“Tell them to meet us on the road.”
Fireworks exploded again, drawing more people and Rick crouched lower, keying the mic.
“It’s a trick. You’ll see why if you’re looking hard enough.”
There was a double click in response. Rick quickly put the channel back and got out of the unmanned Com truck. He faded into the fog a second later.
The traitor had heard Angela’s words while roaming under the cover of the weather, and when the teenager watching the radio had stepped away for a better look at the fireworks, Rick had seized the chance to help the Slavers.
Smiling, he moved into the shower camper, nodding to a guard who was already using one of the stalls. He needed that evil man to hurry up before he blew his own cover with Neil’s murder. A few more times having to watch him and Samantha together might be enough to send him into a rage that would only end in blood.
“What’s going on out there?”
Rick pulled off his shirt. “Fireworks to the east. No alarm sounded yet.”
The Eagle went back to his shower and Rick was careful to have a casual conversation that would be remembered later and provide him an alibi.
Age
: 43
Eyes:
Black
Height
: 5'10”
Weight
: 195 lbs
Birthday:
1/4/70
Gold Front Tooth
Kinked, black curls
2 missing fingers- left hand
Before War
: Infamous Mexican Guerilla Captain
After War
: Leader of an invading army.
Quote:
"I will have the Witch! Nothing will stop me when I come for her!"
Cesar was raised by one of Mexico’s most ruthless men. Bred to be a warrior in his father’s army, he is a hardened man, who worked his way up the ranks through violence and manipulation. The number of Americans he's rumored to have killed before the War is over 200. A month after, it was 1000.
Right after the Apocalypse, Cesar took a large group of men and headed to the US border to rescue friends and family in Arizona and New Mexico detention centers. When he encountered no resistance, he seized the opportunity, invading. The vile man intends to keep anyone from rebuilding and hopes to seed the country with as many bastards as he can, leaving America an occupied land.
Age:
28
Height:
5’7”
Weight:
125 lbs
12/24/84
Seattle EPA worker
Doesn’t fear death, only pain
Craves morphine after doing self surgery
Had a pass to a bunker for saving the President’s life
Quote
: “There’s a storm coming.”
FBI Notes
-Marker identified. Subject can predict weather with a 98% accuracy rate. Has been used twice. Should be kept close enough to be useful. No termination orders are expected unless an anti-government attitude develops.
Strengths
-Will do whatever she has to, no matter how ugly it gets.
-Incredibly strong.
Weaknesses
-Too forgiving. She often overlooks flaws most people wouldn’t.
-Had so little contact with the outside world that she always feels like an outcast.
Age:
36
Height
: 6’1”
Weight:
240lbs
5/30/76
Decorated Marine
Wide shoulders
Short tempered
Party clown
9mm
Beefy hands
So why wasn’t Kenn banished for his abuse of Angela before the war?
Because of Adrian’s rules, he can’t be. He has to do something while in Safe Haven and Adrian tried very hard to remind him of all he’s risking.
In book 4, Adrian’s Eagles, Kenn snaps, grabbing her by the throat in front of not only a tent of Eagles, but also Adrian. You’d think that would be the end of it, but the Marine is saved once again by fate.
Interrupted by Mother Nature, Kenn’s next action earns him a pass and a possible way to earn his place back. If he can let Angela go… and sanction her as an Eagle… and Brady’s legal mate. It’s a lot to ask and may not have been possible without the attempts on Adrian’s life - attempts that Kenn suspected Tonya of.
Age
: 26
Height
: 5'6
Weight
: 120lbs
5/20/86
Very reddish skin
Grayish Blue Eyes
Short Black Spikes
FBI Notes
DNA Marker confirmed. Due to public view, careful termination is being considered. Location: California, Beverly Hills.
Back-story
Kendle was an actress before the War came, as were her parents. Star of the Survival Challenge, the reality artist wasn’t afraid of anything. Before, when she was backed up by her crew, and her father's endless money. After the War of 2012, Kendle is alone, everything familiar gone. Adrift on the ocean, and then held captive by Ethan Kraft, the survivalist discovered terror, and it was life-changing. She's no longer sure who she is.
Upon meeting Luke, she began to regain some of her self-confidence, but it's clear she'll never who she once was. Before the war, Kendle's only goal was to be noticed for being as good as her parents. Now, only survival matters.
Because of Ethan Kraft and the mysterious illness now circling the island, she may not get the chance to recover. Even though she somehow wasn’t infected, the rest of the island, including Luke, is in danger.
Age
: 35
Height
: 6’
Weight
: 225 lbs
12/13/77
Broad shoulders
Loner/slightly bitter
Full, pouty lips
Quote
: “It’s okay to be scared, but you have to think, too.”
Strengths
-There are few problems he can’t handle if given the time or materials.
-Once his loyalty is given, it is unshakable.
Weaknesses
-Knows how to be a team player, but his misery often makes him a loner.
-beyond at having another chance with Angie, he has no other goals, no vision for his future.
FBI notes
-DNA marker came back inconclusive. Subject shows no signs of mental abilities; however, termination has been recommended due to above average strategy skills. Considered Dangerous. Location: New Mexico - See case manager for map.