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Nice long one so I expect plenty of reviews. If you read it, let me know what you are thinking.

Fin was whistling as he drove his truck towards home, they should be arriving at the compound by midday. It was still early though, only 0630 so they had a long way to go. He was looking forward to a nice hearty meal in the Mess before offloading the trucks. Actually he was looking forward to a decent meal instead of rations. They weren't bringing as many trucks this time, only half the number. They had concentrated on military supply, guns and ammunition. A couple of trucks held flight simulators for the helicopters. He had also solved Olivia's problems of rough roads with graders and rollers.

Speaking of the choppers, it was another reason why they didn't have the amount of drivers. They had 2 Apache Helicopters fully fitted and 2 Blackhawks. The Apache's had a pilot and co pilot each so that took up 4 personnel. The Blackhawks had Pilot, co-pilot, navigator and two gunners on either side. It was able to carry several troops at once or equipment and supplies. They had loaded them with ammunition, bearing in mind their maximum weight.

That left the trucks and hummers they were deployed in. As well as a couple of semi's full of food they had scavenged and some more flour from the family who owned the working mill. They promised to have some ready whenever they wanted to return. He would have to talk to Liv about it, maybe set up some barter system.

As they rounded a blind corner heading into War Lord territory his brows rose in surprise at the sight in front of him, seconds before his instincts told him something wasn't right and he ordered Nikholai to get down.

Grabbing the radio he ordered the procession to a halt the same time he brought his truck to a stop. He requested a couple of Hummers to come to the front then tried to get onto Munch who was behind with the Helicopters. The convoy had left an hour ago after a long cold, wet night huddled in vehicles trying to sleep. Munch was taking his time.

The night conditions were better than LA though. The daily tremors and quakes wore on ones nerves. Nothing major happened while they were there but the possibility of one was endless and he understood why people were too scared to live there.

The Hummers came flying up beside his truck the same time he realised getting in contact with Munch was futile. He took in the scene in front of him, assessing his risk before ordering Nikholai to stay in the truck and slowly opening his door. He had his ever present M-4 at the ready and slapped on his helmet before he climbed down.

He walked slowly behind the first Hummer and around so he was standing between both of them which were side by side, positioned in front of his truck. He was carrying a bed full of mortar rounds he had to protect, very explosive.

"What's going on Major General?" one soldier asked as he looked at the group of people in front of him.

"Not sure Corporal, but I don't like it. They are blocking our passage and it seems they mean business" he watched carefully taking in the scene.

There had to be around 100 men in shabby clothes and ill fitting armour which hardly constituted wearing. The men had swords strapped to their waist and also carried bows and arrows. They stood behind large trees and boulders which had been dragged across the road. Another 10 men were well dressed, had full length body armour and seemed to be shouting orders at the other men.

Fin had a sneaking suspicion that these men were regular soldiers and the other men were probably peasants or farmers that were being bullied into service. His scowl deepened as one of the soldiers grabbed a peasant and yelled at him before throwing him in their direction. Yelling more as he fell to the ground with the force.

There was some more yelling and arm waving before the peasant turned in their direction and with arms raised in a classical surrender mode walked the couple of hundred meters towards them. He looked terrified. Fin new immediately he wouldn't let him return to his group.

"Train your weapons onto those 10 main soldiers. Try not to harm the others, if my suspicions are right they are being forced into this. Aim carefully, no indiscriminate firing"

"Yes sir" the Corporal nodded and passed the message on to the other soldiers.

Fin walked back to his truck and called up to Nikholai who scrambled across the seat, remaining low.

"Nik, get on the radio, keep trying Munch, he should be airborne by now. Tell him we have a situation and to get back to the compound asap but to be careful"

"Yes Fin" Nikholai disappeared and he could hear him on the radio a short time later trying to get Munch. Fin returned to stand between the two Hummers, the peasant was close now and Fin was enraged to see it was a young boy, no more than 15.

As the boy got closer Fin watched as his minimum composure started to break and the boy started to cry.

"Please don't kill me" he begged "I am unarmed and I don't want to fight"

"I'm not going to shoot you boy" Fin told him and ushered him in closer "It's alright you're safe I won't send you back to them"

"Thankyou" the boy cried then sobbed even harder "I have 2 brothers and my father"

"They back there?" Fin asked

"No they are at different locations" he informed "Several days ago our Lord and several others made a co-ordinated strike on the woman General. They had been planning it for a while"

"What of the treaty?" Fin asked surprised

"You mean the one between your General and the War Lord from the East Coast? That's real? I thought they said it to get us to fight, that and they have threatened to kill our women folk if we don't" the boy was startled.

"Boy I have no idea what you are talking about" Fin shook his head, disgusted at the magnitude of what was going on, these War Lords sickened him. Holding their own people hostage and forcing boys to go to war. "The General offered your Lord a treaty, she'd defend you against the invasion from the East as long as your Lord gave up their weapons and improved living conditions in their territories"

"We were not told that." The boy cried "After the first attack was crushed within hours and many of the Lords soldiers were killed they came for us. Telling us lies, that General Benson would invade us and kill us all, just like she did that other War Lord"

"When did this happen?" Fin asked, clearly confused. Olivia hadn't attacked anyone in years, and only in retaliation.

"A couple of nights ago sir"

Fin nodded and looked at his troops who seemed equally surprised. A lot had happened while they had been away. He turned back to the boy hoping to get more information

"Tell me son, how many armies are out there and how strong?"

"Many sir, some small like ours, others 500 strong. Mainly people forced into it by our Lord and the other War Lords. We have no experience in fighting, if the regular armies couldn't beat you what hope do we have? We'll get slaughtered by your army or tortured and killed for not participating" the boy started crying again "We decided your army would be more humane in the killing sir"

"Listen son, you aren't going to die, not if I or the General has anything to say about it." Fin assured the young boy "What about the War Lords themselves? Where are they?"

"Holed up in their compounds under heavy protection" the boy shook his head disbelievingly. Fin, unfortunately, could believe it.

" I need to get a message to the General, can you wait here?"

"I guess" the boy sobbed "Though I was supposed to tell you to surrender your weapons and hand yourselves in then return to my ranks"

"You let me worry about that" Fin smiled assuring him again before turning to the Corporal. "Talk to the boy, get as much information as you can. If you get fired upon take out the soldiers only, leave the villagers alone"

"Yes sir" the Corporal nodded and turned to the boy as Fin hurried to the truck and pulled himself up, hearing Mikhail telling Munch to head straight for the compound.

"Is it Munch Nik?" he asked and the young boy nodded.

"It is scratchy but you can hear" Nik told him so he took the radio

"Munch?" Fin called over the radio and there was a short pause before there was static noise

"Fin, I copy. What's going on?" came Munch's reply. Scratchy yes but you could clearly understand. Fin spent the next several minutes explaining things to him, answering what questions he could then told him to get back to the Compound by the most direct route. He was to radio contact anyone who could hear once he thought he was in range. Munch agreed and they signed off.

Fin told Nik to monitor the radio and call him if there was anything of interest. Nik assured him he would before Fin climbed down again and headed back to where the boy was waiting. The boy had no other real information, was just able to elaborate a bit through rumours he heard and what they had been told.

The enemy soldiers were getting restless, knowing it didn't take this long to instruct them to hand themselves over. The lead soldier turned back to the villagers and yelled something at them. They all seemed to be quite reluctant to do anything. All the soldiers drew their swords and raised them threateningly. Shit, Fin swore silently as arrows were fixed to bows and the villagers seemed resigned to their fate.

"Soldiers ready" he called and the boy started to cry

"No please, they are innocent" he grabbed Fin's arm and Fin pushed him gently away before giving an imploring look.

"Do you trust me?" he asked the boy and the boy gave it little thought. This man had treated him kindly and had not let him return to his abusers. He nodded tentatively. "Good" Fin turned to see 100 bows and arrows aimed in his direction.

"FIRE" he called when he noticed the soldiers giving the villagers orders to fire. Several loud retorts rang out making the boy scream and duck down alongside the Hummer, covering his ears while he trembled in fear. A body slammed into his and he was shoved under the strange vehicle. He realised in shock that the big dark man was protecting him physically as arrows landed all around them.

He trembled uncontrollably for long moments until he was dragged unceremoniously out from under the vehicle

"Get up boy, it's over" he heard and turned around in utter amazement to see several of the General's soldiers racing for their blockade. He could no longer see the abusive soldier's that had made his life a misery but most startling of all his friends and fellow villagers seemed to be safe.

"Oh God, is it over?" he asked, truly disbelieving

"For here and now." Fin nodded and took in the boys relief "We have several more armies to deal with, hopefully before it's too late" he stated then cocked his head to the side as he could hear the distant sound of the helicopters flying somewhere to the North, following the river he hoped, it would be the quickest route.

Next he ordered his men who had come running alerted by the gunfire to clear the road and to round up the villagers and their weapons. For now they would be accompanying them back to base until they could guarantee their safety. Any spare seats in vehicles were to be taken or they were to ride on the back of the trucks that carried the earthmoving equipment. It would be cold on the flatbeds but it was better than walking. Fin grabbed the boy gently by the shoulder and guided him back to his truck.


Jeffries and Cassidy were down inspecting the enemy camp in the early morning light when she was alerted by a soldier calling for her as he hurried sown the path. Jeffries had been puzzled by what she had seen. It appeared a group of heavily armed soldiers were ordering around a large number of unarmed men to set up the camp and weapons. She growled when the soldiers handed out punishment to those they perceived weren't working hard enough while the fat lards did nothing but stand around and yell.

To say she wasn't happy by the weaponry was an understatement. She had seen the usual bows and crossbows but what had her worried were machines that looked like industrial size crossbows and giant sized slingshots. Those two could do a lot of damage to their camp let alone other camps which didn't have their rock protection.

"Chief you need to come listen to the radio. It's Colonel Munch, he's trying to get in contact with the compound" the red faced private stated.

Jeffries spared a glance at Cassidy before turning to look at a Sergeant who was the highest ranked soldier in the trench.

"Do not fire unless they do or look set to fire those large weapons. Aim for the big fat soldiers who seem to be in charge" she instructed before racing off back up the path to the communications tent.

A Corporal sat at the radio table, headphones on as he concentrated to what was being said

"Colonel Sir, Chief Jeffries is here, I will put her on" he said an ripped off the headphones and handed them over "You gotta hear this Chief, he is too far out to raise the compound"

Jeffries sat down in the chair and pulled on the headphones and picked up a pen and pulled a pad of paper closer to take instructions. Mindful she was speaking to a superior officer she spoke calmly

"This is Chief Warrant Officer Jeffries"

"Jeffries, Colonel Munch, do you have contact with the compound?" he asked

"Yes sir"

"Then you need to get this urgent message to them. Do not, repeat, do not engage the enemies. They are villagers controlled by a few soldiers and the threat that their women folk will be killed if they do not fight. If you MUST engage kill the armed soldiers controlling the villagers only"

Jeffries scribbled the message down horrified by what she was learning, also a little please that she had sensed what had been going on and had already given similar orders to her troops.

"I will convey the message to base, standby" she informed and flicking a switch opened up the mike so everyone listening to radios in her vicinity could hear. "Chief Jeffries to base, Chief Jeffries to base. Urgent message from Colonel Munch."


Elliot stared in horror at the note he had just been given. He stared up at the Master Sergeant who had interrupted his meeting with his wife, Casey, Serena and other high ranking officials.

"You are certain this is authentic?" he enquired and received a nod in return.

"I took it myself sir and left a Sgt 1st Class in command"

Elliot didn't think twice he shot to his feet and headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Casey called

"Olivia needs to hear this sick or not" he called "Keep talking while I am gone. Master Sgt with me." They stepped outside the room and Elliot turned to the man "Get back to the communication room, put out an order not to fire unless another order comes through from General Benson or myself"

"I have already given that command sir" the Master Sgt replied "I didn't want innocent people killed. I ordered that they only fire at the ordering guards and only as return fire"

Elliot nodded, pleased with that

"Still, there are higher ranked than you out there, better make sure they know it's from the top. Well done though"

"Thank you sir" the man snapped out a quick salute which Elliot waved away in his pursuit to get to Olivia.

He hurried down the corridor and out into reception/security nodding at the receptionist and guard on duty. He hurried to the elevator and pressed the down button. An elevator arrived in seconds and he stepped in pressing the 4 button and holding his breath as he completed the journey in short seconds. Damn he hated the things.

Stepping out he turned right where the largest of the apartments were. These were where the higher ranked Army officers lived. Two apartments had been reserved for Fin and Munch also as he stopped in front of 401. He checked his watch 0730, he hoped Olivia was up as he pressed the doorbell.


Olivia was enjoying her pancakes sitting at the dining table opposite her wife. She felt a lot better today, if not a little achy. Another day of good eating provided by Mrs Cabot (who'd have thought that a week ago) a good night's sleep and she would be good as new. Almost.

She frowned when the doorbell rang wondering who it would be. Everyone knew she was on sick leave and to leave her alone. She had given the necessary orders in regards to the War Lords and that was all that was required.

With a sigh Alex got up and leaving her own pancakes headed for the door. Olivia heard voices and frowned when he recognised Elliot's, turning to look at him as he hurried in. One look at his face and she knew something was clearly wrong.

"Lt General I am sick leave, this better be good" she let him know she wasn't happy with the intrusion.

"General I think you need to hear this" he said and with a deep breath gave a brief but complete rundown of the recent events. Olivia listened with a scowl, the remaining pancakes forgotten. Thankfully she had eaten most. She was thankful Fin and Munch were coming home, by all accounts LA wasn't safe. She was appalled by the length the other War Lords were going to.

"Fools" she muttered shaking her head and looking at Alex who appeared equally angry. Sighing she sat back to think for a few moments. An idea formed quickly and she turned to Elliot.

"Hold the order not to fire unless fired upon, belay the deadline this afternoon, don't do anything. I want to speak to Munch about these Helicopters and what they can do. If they can fly in and take out the compounds without our ground troops getting involved the better." She sighed and rubbed her forehead "It means the troops are out in the weather longer but so be it. Get them more supplies, more food. The weather is nasty so maybe more tents, clothes, bedding and tarps. Deal with the rest Elliot, you've done well. Just bring me Munch when he gets back"

"Olivia" Alex warned

"Alex I am staying here. Everything is screaming at me to go meet Munch but he is coming to me, it's the best compromise. One more day and I'm going back to work"

Alex sighed resigned, but at the same time truly surprised that Olivia wasn't pushing the issue to go out and meet Munch. She kept quiet wisely.

Elliot bid a hasty retreat, showing himself out and leaving the couple to argue about Olivia's health. He had some orders to attend to.

Back in the apartment Alex was cleaning away their breakfast dishes quietly after placing Olivia's morning pills in front of her. Olivia watched the now tense form of her wife, wishing they could rewind the past ten minutes but that was impossible.

"Alex" she sighed and waited for her wife to turn to her "I promise you that today I will speak quickly to Munch, give a few orders and deal with tomorrow when tomorrow comes. Elliot is doing well"

"Fine" Alex nodded turning back to the dishes which she was washing religiously like they had a build up of scum. Yes she was worried about Olivia overdoing it so soon, she had been so sick. But she was also worried about Olivia wanting to get involved in the war, go out on the front line and that terrified her.

She stiffened then relaxed when the long, lean and loving arms of her wife slid around her waist and pulled her back so they were pressed tight together.

"I'll be fine love, I feel so much better today. Another 24 hrs and I will be back to normal" Olivia promised as she buried her face in her wife's neck and lovingly inhaled the fragrance which was all her wife, one she loved deeply.

"What about tomorrow, once you are better? You'll want to get out there, join the fight and be on the front line" Alex whispered and Olivia understood that was the underlining fear. Alex was scared of her joining the war once she was better.

"Alex, the perks of being such a high ranking officer is that I don't get to fight. Actually the other officers and the community elders have forbidden it" she turned her wife around and looked deep into tear filled blue eyes "Alex, Alex, Alex" she sighed "You should have spoken to me about this sooner. I got my fill of fights long ago. I get hands on when it isn't too dangerous but this stuff I leave to my soldiers. I'd only become involved if I really needed to"

Alex sighed and finally returned her wife's embrace, burying her face in Olivia's neck and letting all her fears wash away, fears she hadn't known she was harbouring until she realised Olivia was getting better and heading back into a war. She held Olivia as tight as she dared, letting her tension ease out of her at the body contact.

"I'm sorry" she whispered and Olivia chuckled

"It's fine love. I worry about you too. I'm going to want you beside me every minute of every day"

"Ok" Alex agreed easily and Olivia pulled back and raised a hand to gently caress her face.

"Hardly plausible, but you will be with me during work hours and at night as much as you can. We also have a son to think about" Olivia smiled "That's going to be interesting"

"But you always wanted to be a mother" Alex frowned and Olivia nodded in agreement

"Yes but I thought I'd have 9 months to get used to the idea" Olivia let a hand fall to cover Alex's admin suggestively and Alex blushed "I thought we'd get a baby first"

"Does that mean you won't love Calvin as much as a child I carry?" Alex asked seriously, worried about the response.

"No Alex" Olivia shook her head and stated emphatically "Calvin will be our oldest, he will be loved. Just looking at him, so broken, so innocent, he has already wormed his way into my heart a bit"

"Me too" Alex admitted shyly and Olivia smiled leaning in for a kiss that was sweet and gentle.

"Tell me again" Olivia implored, heart pounding at what she was about to ask, to reveal as she cupped Alex's face and made her look at her "Tell me what you told me last night when you thought I was asleep"

"You heard that?" Alex gulped suddenly very nervous

"Yes Alex, I heard" she smiled "Please say it again, I promise it's alright"

Alex looked up into her wife's beautiful caramel eyes and found them completely open and honest. She saw in that moment everything that Olivia was feeling and realised she reciprocated her feelings.

"I love you Olivia" she whispered "I never expected it, not with a woman, not with you, not ever. You got under my defences very easy and have shown me such love and joy I couldn't help it"

"I love you too Alex. You are my world" Olivia husked, overcome with emotion, scared out of her mind and happy at the same time as she leant in and kissed her tenderly. Soon though mouths were opening wide, tongues were entering the fray and hands were starting to wander.

Olivia shivered, her body coming to life as she realised it had been several days since she had made love to her wife. With gentle pressure she started leading her wife back out of the kitchen and towards their bedroom.

Her plan was working perfectly until she misjudged a corner and bumped Alex into it. Lips separated and when Olivia leant in again Alex gave her a loving smile

"I love you Olivia but you aren't getting sex when Munch could knock on the door to interrupt us and I have a father and son to go check on" she pat a frustrated Olivia's cheek as her wife groaned.

"Aleeeex" sometimes it sucked being a General.

"No" Alex pressed a kiss to her cheek. Her own body was pissed off at her right now but her head told her she was doing the right thing. "You need to make yourself presentable for Munch, think about your war and I promise tonight, all going well, we'll be in bed by 8"

"Naked" Olivia clarified

"Naked" Alex confirmed and Olivia grinned, Bring on 8.00.