The Fleet (16 page)

Each would
have their chance to bring total annihilation to the other.

*

“What the
hell?” Cambria asked, walking to the entrance of their cavern and
looking to the sky above.

“What is it?”
Johnny added.

“That's the
cavalry.” Dalton replied with pride.

“Lots of
explosions up there.” Cambria said.

“That's war
dear,” Dalton said. “The price for freedom.”

They nearly
hit the hard soil at the cave's entrance as a loud popping sound
began to string off.

Choppers
incoming and doing anything but easing their way down. After the
first handful, enemy fire began to stream up from the surface.
Large blue tunnels of light, presumably lasers, which serrated
several of the choppers filled with hopeful marines. The alien fire
returned by painful human lead zinging to the surface at alarming
rates. Compliments of the chain guns mounted to the fleet's
choppers.

“It's about to
be on.” Dalton said.

“From the
sounds of it, both sides are sparing no expense.” May'yok
replied.

“Gear up. We
got to get to it.” Dalton said.

“Bad idea.”
Johnny said.

“I agree.”
Cambria added.

“Ain't nobody
taking votes,” Dalton said. “This is combat. Our only goal is to
get down there and help any fleet marines we can. Period.”

“Dalton, it
sounds like the end of the world down there,” Cambria pleaded. “You
can't seriously think that our going down there could be anything
other than bad?”

“It doesn't
matter what I think. It's what soldiers do. They fight. I have to
get down there and protect my brothers in arms because that's the
code.” Dalton said.

His comments
met with universal agreement by the husk.

They had long
been proud warriors. Knowing nothing but the code of gallant.

“I'm not a
soldier,” Johnny said. “And if you care anything about Cambria,
you'd want her to stay put. Out of harm's way.” he added in a
questioning manner.

“Leave her
here with you, right?” Dalton asked.

“What?”
Cambria asked.

“He's been
giving you the sweet eye since we landed. Now tell me I'm wrong,
Johnny boy?” Dalton asked.

“Nope,” Johnny
replied. “You're not. I've always loved Cambria. She can change the
uniform she wears or the man that's hanging off of her arm. But
that won't change how I feel about her. Nothing will. I care enough
about her to not want her to go down there into that shit storm of
bullets.”

Johnny's words
sank into Cambria's deepest of thoughts. Having no idea her
ex-lover still cared for her in such a way. Complicating her own
heart a bit at the worst of times.

“I'm about to
tell you something boy, so listen up and listen close,” Dalton
said. Continuing to pack additional ammunition as he did so.
“Having the fastest revolver hand doesn't mean a damn thing when
you're scared of getting your hands dirty.”

“Scared?”
Johnny asked.

“That's right,
I said scared,” Dalton replied. “Killing a few men in the streets
gun to gun is one thing. I've killed too. Each of them deserved it
and it was done to protect the lives of those fighting around me,
so we could protect the lives of chickenshits like you,” Dalton
added. “Now I'm sure you got some wise-lipped response, but you can
just keep it. Wise lips don't win freedom, it's men like me and
guns like this.” Dalton said, grabbing the under pump of his
shotgun and readying it with a single motion.

For a moment,
the entire group drew quiet. Explosions and gunfire in the near
horizon like audio wildfire.

“So you keep
your ass up here and live in a cave if you want to. It's your life
to waste. I plan on marching my ass on down there and getting into
the fight. Any man that wants to stay here, do it. Fine by me. When
the shit's over, I'll pull back off of this shitting rock and leave
your asses high and dry,” Dalton said. “And Cambria, the same goes
for you. I love you. You know I do. But living in the past and the
present isn't happening with me. I see you deep in thought, so, if
you want to be with me, be with me. If not, the best of luck to the
both of you. Now if you'll excuse me, perfectly good soldiers are
dying down there.”

With that,
Dalton began walking down a steep incline which would eventually
take him to the fight.

Meanwhile,
Cambria remained stunned. Trying to search her soul and doing so as
quickly as possible. Her love for Dalton was undeniable – her
feelings for Johnny still there. Cambria was torn between both men,
knowing only one thing. She needed to make a decision, and
fast.

Dalton James
waited for no one.

About the Author

John M. Davis currently lives in Southwest,
Virginia with his beautiful wife and two spoiled children. As a
huge advocate for Minimalism, John will regularly drop off of the
grid for weeks at a time. Normally making up for lost time by
tweeting too much(
@johndavisbooks
). He has authored the Gunship series, The
Fleet, the Guardian Angel series and is currently working on a
handful of projects that include Zombies, the lost city of Atlantis
and an exotic dancer who sees paranormal spirits.
www.authorjohndavis.com