The End Time Saga (Book 5): The Holding by Greene Daniel

Author:Greene, Daniel [Greene, Daniel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Infected
Publisher: Rune Publishing LLC
Published: 2019-12-16T16:00:00+00:00

Hours later, Van and Major Ludlow stood in the parlor. Steele sat behind his desk and leaned back in his chair. Major Ludlow’s arms were folded across his chest. His bug eyes observed Van with interest.

“I just don’t know Captain Steele.” Van sighed. Crow’s-feet wrinkled around his eyes, and his formerly blond hair had retreated before the onslaught of gray. He had cold blue eyes. “I don’t want to leave my family.”

“We need men like you to lead in our militia. John recommended you, and that means he trusts you. Your résumé is good. You acted as a drill instructor at Fort Benning. You served in Persian Gulf.”

“Everything you say is true.” He set his jaw. “But I’m not leaving my family no matter how bad you need me. Not in a time like this.” His mouth formed a flat line of resistance.

Steele scratched at his beard. “I have no objections to you taking them with you.”

With a strong shake of his head, Van said, “I won’t force them into an area that isn’t secure and a place that ain’t home.”

“Well, what about here at Camp Forge? I can promise them a place to stay. It’s secure. The walls are up. We got plenty of fighters. We need you. Your country needs you to serve again. This is our one and only line of defense. Your farm will disappear beneath the feet of the dead if it doesn’t hold.”

Van let out a deep sigh. He understood the request. They were asking a lot of him. But like all good men, he knew when to stand. “I’ll bring them in, but you have to promise me their safety.”

“As safe as my own.”

Steele shook hands with the man. “I’ll expect you in the morning to depart south.” He addressed Major Ludlow. “I’d like to send a squad of your men with him.” A look of relief settled on Van’s face.

“I have a sergeant willing to go. Sergeant Campos. I’ll make sure his squad is ready in the morning.”

“Thank you, Major.”

Ludlow dipped his chin and left the room.

“We are sending our best with you. Plenty of ex-military in that company. We’re going to have you set up in a steel factory north of town. John says it’s a good spot. It’s gated, fenced, strong concrete walls.”

“Victory Steel Castings. I know it.”

“Collect everyone still alive there. You’re call sign is Outpost Victory. I want you clearing out Keokuk, collecting survivors, and setting us up for success in the region. In three months, we will rotate a new company down south, and your militia will go on call as needed.”

“We’ll do our best.” Van nodded.

“We can do this.”

“You’re asking a lot.”

“I’d ask more if I could.”

Van stood in silence for a moment. “All right.”

“I’ll see you in the morning.”

“See you in the morning, Captain.”

Van left the room, and Steele stretched. He spread the fingers in his right hand as far as they could go and then clenched them in a fist. He glanced at the fieldstone fireplace for a moment.

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