Forager - the Complete Trilogy (A Post Apocalyptic/Dystopian Trilogy) by Stone Peter R

Author:Stone, Peter R [Stone, Peter R]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2014-05-30T04:00:00+00:00

* * *

With Beta Company in the lead, the vehicle column pulled up directly in front of the hospital. I jumped out of the Bushmaster with the captain and helped unload the wounded from the vehicles. And although I'd spent my life resenting the Custodians and their strong-arm tactics – even considered them my enemy – right now my heart went out to them. Many were suffering from fractured bones, burns, crossbow bolt and bullet wounds. Some sobbed or wailed, and others screamed in agony.

A small army of paramedics and doctors, as well as orderlies pushing gurneys, rushed out of the hospital and quickly began tending to the injured. Those seriously hurt were seen to first, the medical personnel stripping off helmets, armour and webbing so that they could properly assess the nature of the wounds. Bandages and compresses were applied, tubes were inserted into veins, and one by one, the injured were lifted onto the gurneys and rushed indoors. Custodians with less serious wounds sat on the curb or milled about, awaiting their turn.

While Captain Smithson went to check on his men, I sat on the edge of the road with my head buried in hands, and tried and failed to get the images of today's atrocities out of my mind. Images of men on fire and shrieking in pain, of men with broken limbs and gunshot wounds, of men burned or hacked to death. And to what end? What had been achieved? Absolutely nothing. If they'd listened to me when I told them that a front assault wouldn't work, none of this would have happened.

I was wondering when I could get to a phone to ring Nanako and tell her I was back safe and sound, when I heard her voice further down the road where Beta Company vehicles were parked.

"Excuse me, sir," I heard her say, "I’m looking for my husband, Ethan Jones?"

"You shouldn’t be out here, woman," a gruff voice snapped back.

It really was Nanako! I immediately set off towards her, threading my way carefully through the milling throng of doctors, orderlies and Custodians. I stepped around gurneys, pushed my way between groups huddled in conversation, and even backtracking a couple of times. As I went, I heard her continue to ask Custodians if they’d seen me. But as it was Beta Company back there, none of them had. She was becoming more frantic each time she asked the question.

I finally caught sight of her, and my heart broke when I saw her walking hesitantly towards those who had been killed in the battle, their bodies laid in a row at the side of the road and covered with black plastic sheets.

"Nanako!" I shouted when I was close enough for her to hear me over the din.

She spun around and with eyes brimming with repressed hope, scanned the crowd until she saw me pushing my way past several Custodians to reach her. She ran towards me as fast as the ankle length, black funeral dress would permit.

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