The Stronghold by Bible Jake

Author:Bible, Jake [Bible, Jake]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Severed Press
Published: 2015-11-19T08:00:00+00:00

***

Sister lets out such a long and loud string of curses that even the battle hardened and foul-mouthed Mates have to wince. After several uncomfortable minutes, Sister finally calms down, her face flushed and her hand at her side, clutching her wound that she insists is not a problem no matter how many people try to tell her to go see Hamish ASAP.

“You said it would be ready,” Sister says, her eyes burning with anger as she turns to Commander Lee. “Why isn’t it ready?”

“I have had my best mechanics and engineers on it,” Commander Lee says. “Structurally it is as sound as it was when it was first built. The engines are proving to be tougher than we thought. They weren’t designed to use hemp oil as a fuel source. My mechanics are afraid we’ll gum up the engines if we keep trying to start them with hemp oil.”

“Well, yeah, you’ll gum up the engines,” Sister says. “That’s why you have to cut the oil with kerosene. I told you that.”

“The kerosene you gave us was at least a hundred years old,” Commander Lee says. “We checked a sample and it won’t ignite properly either. It’s too weak. My mechanics—”

“Your mechanics are idiots that don’t know shit about helicopters!” Sister yells. She presses her hand to her side harder and winces, bending over slightly. “Son of a cocking bitch.”

“This is a real helicopter?” Cole asks, staring at the huge machine before them all. It fills half the warehouse that sits on the edge of the Stronghold. The rest of the warehouse is filled with work tables and a massive array of spare parts, both clean and covered in gunk and grease. “Are we riding in that?”

“Not if we don’t have fuel,” Sister snaps. “Jesus shit.”

“Hamish is on the way,” Val says. “I sent a Runner to get him when I saw you wince on the walk over.”

“You did?” Sister asks, looking at Val. “But I didn’t wince.”

“Yes, you did,” Val says. “We all saw it, but didn’t say anything.”

“Huh,” Sister responds. “I’m losing my touch.”

She points at the helicopter, what was once called a Bell UH-1, or Huey, and stands up straight, a thin sheen of sweat on her forehead.

“Get those drums of kerosene and mix them fifty-fifty with the biodiesel,” Sister orders. “It is not ideal, and may still cause issues, but I can get us down to the Cheyenne Mountain entrance, at least.”

“What about getting us back?” Henshaw asks. “Or are we not coming back?”

“Ideally, you will come back and before we have to close the Stronghold’s doors,” Commander Lee says.

“But the mission is priority and we will do whatever it takes to complete that mission,” Stanford says. “Right, Mother?”

“It’s your job,” Commander Lee replies.

“Yay for gainful employment,” Stanford says.

“Better than latrine duty,” Val says. “Ask my father.”

“Right. Ask your father about how he feels when he’s safe and cozy inside the new Stronghold while we’re getting eaten to death by Zs and cannibals,” Stanford replies. “Oh,

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