The Blastlands Saga by DK Williamson

Author:DK Williamson
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Dead Eye Fiction
Published: 2016-01-21T05:00:00+00:00

Jack rode to the south gate, already depressed about his mission. He came upon Corporal Sierra as he led the trainees out of the south gate for an exercise. Jim Pyle and Carson’s mules waited near the gate alongside a wagon belonging to the farmer hauling produce to the railhead at Humboldt. He waved at them.

“Heading out?” Art said as he walked toward him.

Jack nodded.

“You be careful, Jack.”

“I will. I’ll likely be solo unless they can spare some help. The worst that can happen is I’ll get one Ranger killed instead of five like the last time I was out,” Jack said referencing the five Rangers who died in the fight that broke the raiders grip on Kings Town.

Art gave him a stern look. “Nip that in the bud right now. You didn’t kill those Rangers. Raiders did. Did you play a part in everything that happened? Sure you did, but their deaths aren’t on you. How many Rangers didn’t trust you or your plan? How many Rangers walked away before that fight?”

Jack opened his mouth to reply, but Art cut him off. “None. That’s how many. You know it, I know it. You feel responsible because you give a damn. I’m of the opinion you can’t be a good leader if you don’t. Rangers won’t follow a leader that doesn’t give a shit, at least not very far.”

“What about the Ranger Commander?”

“I’m guessing he gave you his speech about how you should get over it. They’re dead and gone, all that crap?”

Jack nodded.

“I’ve heard his spiel more time than I can count. He says that as a cover. Been doing it for as long as I’ve known the bastard. He acts like he doesn’t care because he doesn’t know how to deal with it. He bottles it up and keeps it inside. He puts up a front and thinks everyone buys it. It’s pride and arrogance that leads him to ride roughshod over people, but underneath all that, he cares. He just doesn’t handle it like he should and he does a lot of rubbing in the wrong way in the process.”

“How do you handle it?”

“The same way you will.”

Jack gave Art an irritated look.

Art laughed, then placed a hand on Jack’s leg. “You will remember every single person you lost. Every Freelander, every merchant, every Ranger you had under your care that died. Each one of them has a weight, but you’ll bear it. You’ll use it to make decisions in the future and hope they’re the right ones, better ones. This is a tough job, Jack, and Straily piled a lot on your shoulders. You’re up to it, you proved that. He was right to do it, even if some of his reasons were wrong. Maybe he hoped you would walk away. Maybe he did it to cover his own ass. It doesn’t matter now. Do the best you can, learn from other’s mistakes, and don’t be afraid to seek advice from those you respect.”

“So you’re saying I should just go to you?”

Art laughed.

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