Disclaimer: I own nothing
Hi all, sorry this will be my last post on this for a little while as I am going on holidays and not taking the laptop with me, going to be too busy (going to see Linkin Park and the Eagles up in Perth), will be gone a couple of weeks but never fear I will be back. I may even post two chapters at once and put in a steamy love scene if I come back to lots of reviews. Bribery gets me everywhere. See you again soon.
They froze to the spot, fear on their faces as they stared at her and her troops who now had their own weapons trained on them.
"My name is General Benson" she called and saw their startled looks, they knew of her. She guessed by the way they were dressed that these were some of the more common people. She also guessed they were malnourished, possibly because the elite had fed themselves first. "You will stop running immediately, you will approach slowly and form a line. Each person will be given water and food, there is plenty more in supply, you don't have to fight for it. Do you understand?"
She paused and watched as they all nodded and slowly, cautiously began walking
"Alex with me" she called to her wife and led her over to the civilian trucks that had food and water. There were a few troops guarding them. Olivia looked over the boxes of bottled water they had. They also had sliced corn bread, dried meat, spreads and some fruit. "They get a bottle, 2 slices of bread, 2 slices of meat and either a bottle of spread or a piece of fruit per person" she told her wife and the troops "If things get out of hand, fire some shots into the air again Alex, I'll come running" Alex set her chin determinedly, trying not to show her unease. Olivia turned back to the group of people that were waiting, more were heading over too "You will receive some water and small rations each, do not argue the amount. Accept it and move on"
They nodded like a group of Zombies and moved forward slowly. She watched a while as Alex handed out the water while other troops handed out the food. Everyone was grateful and took what was offered eagerly and headed off. Olivia rounded up the troops that had finished putting the tents up along with Jorge and Elliott and one medic. She told them to go into the campsite and find anyone that was sick or injured. If they needed expert attention they were to be loaded up with families into the 7 tonners and returned to Dr Warner at the compound. Others could be sent to the outpost here for treatment.
Olivia took Elliott aside and told him he was to bring more troops, it was time to enlist some reengages to protect the compound with recruits while all hands possible were here helping. If Jorje agreed they would set up a small camp here so bring back tents and supplies and some fencing. Elliott nodded and they spoke quickly to Jorje, he agreed to let those who weren't in need of medical attention to stay. If they dropped him at the nearby village he would arrange more food and supplies too. They agreed and they team headed off towards the campsite.
She turned and headed back to help Alex in handing out the food, the crowd was swelling but still in good order. They were chewing their way through their supplies though, she doubted they had enough for everyone and had to keep some for themselves. They were getting low on their provisions when a man stepped up, did double take and asked
"Alex?"
"George?" Alex looked his way with a smile. Olivia took the man in, about 5'7", Asian descent, stocky build, well dressed and friendly.
"Wow, Alex in pants, who would have seen the day?" George chuckled and Alex grinned
"It's good to see you" Alex told him "You look healthier than some" she passed him a bottle which he accepted then stepped out of line to let others pass
"I have some food but little water" he held up the bottle "Thanks" he turned to take in Olivia and Olivia stared back, moving closer to Alex. George looked between the two of them for long moments and smiled "General Benson, nice to meet you, relax, I have no designs on your wife. Congratulations by the way"
"How?" Olivia asked dumbstruck
"George stop shrinking us" Alex growled "George studied psychiatry, he's very good at it and a lot of other things" she told her wife and turned back to George "We're on our honeymoon, be grateful we're here and zip your lips Huang"
"Still bossy" George grinned then turned to Olivia "Can I be of assistance anywhere?" He asked and Olivia blinked and looked around. Seeing a group of injured and sick refugees heading for the medical tent with a trooper she stated
"Head over to the medical tent" she picked up a couple of boxes of water "take these and go help the real Doc"
"Touché" George grinned but headed off. Olivia sighed and turned back to help with the relief effort.
They were getting short on supplies, four 7 tonners had left for the compound, people were still lined up for food and water and Olivia was getting worried. They needed to keep most of what was left for them. She was dreading telling the people this when she heard the approaching horse's and carts. Jorje rode into the field on a large stallion followed by several horse and carts and people on foot. Jorje galloped across the field to them and dismounted like an expert.
"General, I have brought many villagers who wish to assist, they have brought much donated food and water." He told her as the carts pulled up nearby. Olivia was slightly overwhelmed
"Thank you Jorje, we are running low"
"Word is being spread, more assistance will arrive. I brought the town's healers, where is the healing tent" he pointed to 2 women and Olivia looked at their bags they carried and hoped it wasn't full of herbs. Sighing she pointed to the medical tent and they hurried off. Jorje grinned "Men are coming with their tools and supplies. They plan to make a shelter for those who have no caravan" Jorje shrugged "They are very generous"
Olivia stared at Jorje. This guy was a War Lord? Huh, more like softy and big hearted. She shook her head in disbelief and went to the truck to get her wife and some of the supplies for lunch. She told Jorje to help himself as the refugees were now converging on the villagers for food and left them with some supplies to eat. Olivia led Alex to the command tent where a table and chairs were set up.
They sat to eat, Jorje came to the tent but sat outside as if guarding the tent. Wow, she swapped a look with her wife and shrugged. After they ate they relieved others in the medical tent, happy to see the village healers were doing well along with the medics. Some villagers brought food and water in to the sick. Some had the flu or were slightly dehydrated, others had clearly been tortured and had wounds, broken bones or minor burns. She grimaced, if these were the healthier ones she'd hate to see the sicker ones.
Noise permeated outside. She could hear banging, men yelling but not in a startled way and figured the village men had arrived and were putting up the shelter. She was too busy in the medical centre however and didn't get outside until she was relieved at 1530 by more troops arriving from the compound.
Upon exiting the tent she stared in slack jawed shock at the monstrous building that had been erected in front of her. Several meters high, about 5 wide and 10m long. They had made a big A frame out of wood, used wood beams and were now fastening boards to 3 sides of them working in teams. 2 teams at either end starting in the middle and working out and four teams at the back. 2 starting in the middle, two at the sides and meeting up. Another team was attaching canvas tarps to the front so they could either be open or closed. Even more men were on the roof attaching tin.
Olivia scratched her head and looked at Elliott who had returned with more trucks, supplies, troops and tents. Not to mention the fencing which troops were already rolling out to form a perimeter.
Olivia stayed until 1630hrs but knew she, Alex and Elliott had to get back to the compound. The Medic came with them too leaving the healers in charge as they appeared capable. A Major was left in charge of two squads staying over. Jorje also stayed to help. A procession of 1 Stryker, 3 Hummers, 4 7 tonners full of homeless refugees headed back home. It was a long silent trip and upon arrival at 2000hrs in the dark, all sighed with relief. The refugees were taken to the registration tent where their teenage helpers from the other day were on duty. The refugees were left in their capable hands along with some recruits.
Olivia led her weary wife and headed inside the compound. They felt guilty eating a hearty meal, even though it was only toasted sandwiches and soon staggered home to crash into bed. Too tired to share anything other than a deep kiss they fell asleep in each other's arms.
