Coming this Spring, Summer, or Autumn (Fall for you Americans) . . . or maybe Winter.
A new story from my FORSAKEN universe . . .
V.I.G.I.L.A.N.T.E
F.A.L.L.O.U.T
Tagline: Failure is not an option.
Synopsis: The countdown to ultimate terror has begun. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons has been breached on an unimaginable level. The world is moving towards a nuclear Armageddon. Hit Girl and her European allies fight separate battles as they each begin a worldwide race against a ticking nuclear clock. Failure is not an option. Failure will see the end of the human race. A story from my Forsaken universe.
Experience intense chapters of non-stop Fusion fun, Hit Girl fury, Kick-Ass action, and cruel Vengeance.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
As a team, known only as Fusion One, attempts a dangerous rescue . . .
"Okay, Lieutenant," Mindy said as she offered the identity card back. "What can I do for you?"
"Commander Lawrence is in a spot of bother, somewhere on the other side of the world . . . so I came to you for help."
"Me?"
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . they visit Asia . . .
The team stepped out of the large Boeing and into the oppressive heat of Singapore Airport.
. . .+. . .
There, in the well-dock of HMS Bulwark was a very well-worn landing craft which stood out against the pristine and much more modern Royal Navy LCVP Mk5s.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . for the moment, they are alone . . .
Yes, Mindy had asked the question: "What about Vengeance?", and she had not liked the response.
"Apparently, the powers that be have other plans for the British arm of Fusion. In fact, they have been forbidden from taking part – a direct order, if you will."
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . and they enjoy a pleasant cruise, east of Suez . . .
They were her friends and she feared for their safety. The young officer knew how much was at stake, and she knew how
important the mission was. She picked up the secure radio handset and she keyed the transmit switch.
"Fusion One, this is Alpha November – Godspeed. Alpha November out."
. . .+. . .
"Tally ho!" Joshua said simply as Dave reached for his assault rifle.
. . .+. . .
"That was fun – anyone for a mug of tea?" Joshua asked once the last body had been jettisoned over the side.
. . .+. . .
"One of the reasons I accepted Mindy's offer was the professionalism that you all show when you are in your combat suits.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever expect to be on a mission with Hit Girl, Kick-Ass, Shadow, and Jackal."
. . .+. . .
The mangrove forest grew right up to the water, leaving very few places to go ashore, however, it also prevented others from attacking them, too.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . followed by a stroll through nature . . .
It had taken almost half an hour to cover just over 400 metres and they still had seventeen kilometres to go.
They found the route climbing steeply and that put extra strain on their legs and muscles.
. . .+. . .
It had taken them a little over three hours to reach their first high point, which was 196 metres above sea level.
There should have been a pleasant view, but all they could see was trees, trees, and more trees.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . however, things turn against the team, very rapidly . . .
All five dived into the mud and quickly rolled out of sight.
. . .+. . .
Chloe ran ahead to confirm that the man was indeed dead, only to find out that the
guard was not alone as a giant Doberman appeared at the corner of the central hut.
. . .+. . .
There was a dull whoosh in the distance, behind them, and a few moments later,
a red flare burst into life above them with a loud crack, descending slowly.
. . .+. . .
Jennifer did not argue, instead, she swapped out the magazine on her MPX-SD
and she grabbed hold of the commander, dragging him off into the jungle.
. . .+. . .
Dave pulled out a small metal box and he flipped up a safety cover before
twisting the switch beneath and slapping the safety cover back down again.
. . .+. . .
The trusty landing craft which had brought them so far, along with the four men
who were instantly vaporised, leapt out of the river about ten feet.
. . .+. . .
"Some guy dropped it?" Mindy repeated dubiously.
"Thought we might need some more firepower," he quipped.
. . .+. . .
There came the crump of mortars followed by the whistle of inbound munitions,
then explosions as clouds of wet mud exploded into the air.
. . .+. . .
With a roar, the .50-calibre Browning M3M heavy machine guns mounted on the Merlin Mk3
helicopter opened fire, green tracer ripping through the rain.
. . .+. . .
The gunfire from the Merlin helicopter was beginning to make the enemy troops think twice,
but suddenly, there came the ripsaw sound of a heavy airborne cannon.
. . .+. . .
Dave and Joshua were providing covering fire so that Jennifer and Craig could make it up the hill and towards the jungle on the far side.
. . .+. . .
The 23-millimetre shells from the GSh-23V cannon tore into the lightly armoured Merlin at 3,400 rounds-per-minute.
. . .+. . .
Chloe hesitated, as did Joshua, but then with a stern nod at Mindy,
Joshua grabbed Chloe's arm and he almost threw her towards the nearest jungle.
. . .+. . .
The Merlin could be seen with flames billowing from an engine just before it vanished over the jungle.
. . .+. . .
Mindy threw down her pistol and she glowered at the Russians. She was so angry.
She felt tears in her eyes with the utter frustration of what was happening.
. . .+. . .
To Mindy, it was not a surrender, it was merely a minor complication to completing their mission.
. . .+. . .
"Not the girls. Not Dave and Josh."
"Mindy, Dave, Chloe, and Joshua . . . they have all been taken prisoner."
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . the team suffers . . .
The man wore standard Russian Army fatigues which bore the three stars denoting a Colonel of the Russian Army.
. . .+. . .
Mindy had made it six feet before her whole body tensed up and she felt the familiar assault of a Taser pulsing current through her body and freezing her muscles.
. . .+. . .
"Возьмите ее одежду!"
Mindy grimaced as she translated the Russian in her mind – the humiliation part of the interrogation was about to begin, she thought.
Four strong men appeared, and they began to rip off her clothing, not stopping until she lay on the plush carpet completely naked.
. . .+. . .
As his eyes became more accustomed to the light, he found himself facing a grid of bamboo, and as he looked around, he found bamboo
on five sides with the one to his right having hinges on one vertical side and a chain with a padlock on the other vertical side.
. . .+. . .
They were all but thrown out of the back of the track, falling most of the way to the dirt track.
Chloe staggered as she was pulled to her feet and thrust forwards, her hands bound before her with thick ropes.
As for Joshua, his hands had been tied to each end of a long wooden pole which had been pushed under his armpits.
. . .+. . .
Things turned nasty as Dave lost sight of Joshua and then Chloe. However, he began to hear Chloe's screams and Joshua's yells.
. . .+. . .
Without warning, hands grabbed the shoulders of Chloe's jacket and she was thrown across the room, landing against a large bookshelf.
Chloe yelled out in pain and she tried to move, but a soldier had appeared, and he aimed his AK-105 assault rifle at her head.
. . .+. . .
As the device rose upwards into the air, Chloe was appalled to see that the ropes were tied around a pair of wrists.
The wrists and hands were those of a woman – a young woman. As the body rose, Chloe was sickened to see that the woman was stark naked.
. . .+. . .
Dave moved within his cage as he heard feet approaching.
He immediately recognised his wife as she was carried like a side of beef by the two soldiers.
. . .+. . .
"We're together and that is what matters right now," Joshua pointed out.
"Yes, we are. We will get out of this, I promise."
"I know."
"You know?"
"I don't see you hanging around for long," Joshua explained. "You'll go stir crazy in here and bust out, killing everybody in twenty miles."
Mindy actually found herself laughing.
"I'll see what I can do."
. . .+. . .
"What are you doing to my people?" Mindy demanded.
"You came here without invitation – you and your 'people' are now mine to do with as I see fit."
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . badly . . .
The strike caused what felt like fire to course through her thighs and it took a moment for Mindy to blink away the tears of pain and humiliation.
. . .+. . .
The punches came fast and regular, left side, right side, stomach, left thigh, right thigh, chest, left cheek, right cheek, stomach, left side.
It was a steady rhythm and for the Russian, it appeared to be a simple workout, only Dave was the punchbag.
. . .+. . .
"Bull fucking shit, commander!" Jennifer exclaimed, angrily. "We put our fucking lives on the line
to rescue your sorry ass, and now my friends are all fucking prisoners – or fucking dead!"
. . .+. . .
"They make you giant Russian bitches in a factory, or something?" Mindy growled.
. . .+. . .
Mindy spat the foul-tasting liquid out of her mouth, and she squeezed her eyes closed to protect them.
. . .+. . .
The senior sergeant's fist struck Joshua's stomach causing all the air to explode out of his
lungs in one blast, leaving him gasping for air as he sagged as far as his chains would allow him.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . but nothing keeps a slightly battered Hit Girl down . . .
Mindy grabbed the Type 56-2 assault rifle from the man's grip, and she made for the prison cages.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . however, for a well-worn Shadow, things take a nasty turn . . .
Chloe simply sobbed as she sank to her knees in the murky waters of the mangrove.
She looked up at the grinning senior sergeant as the bastard rammed the butt of his assault rifle into the side of her head.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . but the team can still show their resolve . . .
All Joshua was able to do was slowly lift his right hand and then his middle finger before he collapsed onto the table top.
. . .+. . .
His life was ended in a microsecond as Dave snapped his neck like it was dried kindling.
. . .+. . .
"Go ahead, make my day!" Mindy growled as she stuck the muzzle of the assault rifle into the man's face.
. . .+. . .
"For goodness sake!" Mindy blurted out when she could take no more. "You are driving like an old woman, Dave . . . let me drive!"
"Don't you fucking dare!" Chloe growled as she pinned Mindy with her right elbow. "I want to get out of here in one piece, thank you very much!"
. . .+. . .
. . . despite the problems . . .
Dave, Joshua, and Mindy simply looked on in horror as the two girls vanished – there was simply nothing that any of them could do.
. . .+. . .
They had been found.
They counted four . . . eight . . . twelve . . . sixteen . . . twenty-four . . . they gave up counting.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . but success is within reach . . .
With intense relief, everybody took a moment to look back at Cambodia,
glad to see the back of the place which represented only misery.
. . .+. . .
"What's our ammo situation?"
"Don't ask," Mindy growled unhappily as she studied the remaining rounds in the magazine of her Chinese assault rifle.
"Anybody got an anti-ship missile in their pack?" Joshua asked hopefully.
. . .+. . .
All eight of the now larger Fusion One ran for the parade ground, shooting as they went.
. . .+. . .
"We're safe – all of us," Mindy said quickly. "I can't say where we are, but we are on our way home . . . are the kids okay?"
. . .+. . .
Mindy felt her knees go weak and she sank to the deck, relief spilling over her as she knew that they might just survive.
. . .+. . .
Mindy saw the disturbance in the water, beyond the gunboat, but all attention was on the four of them, so none of the Russians had
noticed anything out of the ordinary. Mindy struggled to control her astonishment as first one and then two poles poked out
of the water about six feet and then they continued to rise as something very black thrust itself out of the water.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . meanwhile, in Los Angeles . . .
"What is it?" Erika demanded impatiently. "Why is it so fucking special?"
"Polonium. Number eighty-four on the Periodic Table – radioactive and very poisonous."
"What does it do?"
"People have been poisoned. It can also be used as part of an initiator."
"For a bomb?"
"Yeah – a big bomb."
"How big?"
"Hiroshima for a start."
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . they call in a little help from their friends . . .
"Got a call from Team L.A., Guinny!"
"Pipe it through to the Command Centre."
"Senior Operator Lilith, how can I help you?"
"We have a minor problem," Erika responded with a chuckle.
"Speak."
"We think the components for a device may be inbound to San Diego."
"Define 'device'?"
"Thermonuclear."
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . things soon go bad in the United States . . .
The car went straight through the side of the panel van, smashing into several packages,
one of which came apart scattering the two halves of the 4-inch diameter, 10-kilogramme, plutonium-239 sphere.
They both fell to the road where one was engulfed in a rapidly spreading fire.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . and events head north . . .
Phosphor collapsed onto the mat, breathing heavily.
She had never run so hard in all her life. Her chest heaved as she forced herself to control her breathing. It was a good few minutes before
she had finally calmed down enough to reach up and pull off her dark green mask with the vivid fluorescent green eyes. A pair of trainer-
clad feet approached and stopped beside the unmasked Carrie Milligan. Carrie looked up into the dark brown eyes of Dylan Page, AKA Coyote.
"You broke your ride again?" the fourteen-year-old boy asked.
"Mechanical problems..."
"Bullshit!" Dylan responded. "You just can't fucking ride!"
. . .+. . .
"What was all the excitement about?" Carrie asked.
"I've got several hi-def images which appear to be of some packaging – here," Jay said. "They appear to be of some form of packaging.
Apparently, whatever was inside that packaging was something very dangerous. We have been tasked with tracking down the source of that package."
"Why us?" Dylan asked.
"That might be because the package came from Vancouver, dickhead!" Ella proclaimed.
. . .+. . .
"I don't think so, fucker!" Blackout growled in his electronically distorted voice which struck
fear deep into Wilson's psyche, even worse than the sight of the two vigilantes in his apartment.
"I isn't done nothing!"
"We think otherwise," Phosphor responded darkly.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . they dig up something new . . .
"Okay," Jay began. "Who, or what, the fuck is Eidolon?"
. . .+. . .
"Let's go, guys," Phosphor suggested. "We can call in the body once we're clear."
Two minutes later, a backpack full of shredded paperwork in his hands, Blackout took a last look around as they left the house by the side door. The three vigilantes had barely made it to where the F150 truck was parked at the curb when the house behind them came apart as a vicious explosion ripped through the structure. The concussive force of the explosion overtook the three vigilantes and threw them a dozen yards across the street and into a neighbouring garden.
"Concord, report in! Concord, report in!" Coyote called desperately over the radio, aghast at the scene unfolding on his camera.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . elsewhere in the world, Vengeance has been on a mission . . .
"We have a task for you."
"A task?"
"We need you to recover an item."
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . that is not going too well . . .
"That folder – that's the one they stole the night our parents died!"
"Olivia, I meant to tell you. . ."
"You lied to us!"
"I am going to tell you and Jessica the truth. It will be the facts with nothing left out. It will also be hard for the both of you to hear."
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . however, it is the first time out for some . . .
For Harper, Scarlett, and Diana, it was to be their first time out as combat-ready vigilantes.
At least it was for Diana and Scarlett – for Harper, it was simply a return to action.
. . .+. . .
"We are going to be walking around, an awful lot, Diana – you going to be okay?"
"I think so – I've got these new 'combat legs' from Lucius. They're lighter than
my normal set and the sockets are a lot softer. However, they are loaded with stuff."
The 'combat legs' came fully loaded. In her right lower leg, she had four ceramic knives which could be thrown or used to stab an enemy.
In her other leg which had more space, as well as four more ceramic knives, she carried a small Kel-Tec PF-9 pistol and two 7-round magazines.
. . .+. . .
"Oh, you are kidding me!" Polaris exclaimed.
"What writing is that?" Aegea asked.
"It's Cyrillic," Pyrrha commented.
"Huh?" Aegea responded.
"Russian – this is a goddamn FSB safehouse!"
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . while others have been enjoying some family time . . .
The trip had been in the planning for months.
A pleasant family trip to France and all the fun of Disney.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . which soon comes to an explosive end . . .
Kaitlin just stared as the blossoming orange cloud billowed above her.
"I did not do that!" she announced.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . forcing Vengeance to fight for their lives . . .
"Take the guns, take the guns," Cassie said as she handed out weapons,
ignoring the incoming gunfire which threatened to turn them into swiss cheese.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . as they pursue their mission across Europe . . .
"What the fuck!" Charlotte announced.
"It was all I could find at short notice," Cassie commented
as she floored the accelerator of the Bentley Continental GT Speed.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . meanwhile Fusion go mobile . . .
"Christ!"
The enormous jumbo jet touched down with a multitude of chirps from the even dozen tyres.
"You said the G6 was too small, but . . . Christ!"
. . .+. . .
It was an airborne safehouse, but despite that, the 350-tonne aircraft thundered over three kilometres down the runway
before the nose gear lifted off the tarmac and the giant aircraft became airborne.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . things get decidedly colder . . .
The temperature was approaching minus twenty-five, and the eleven-year-old girl was almost buried in her extra-thick Arctic clothing.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
"I would also point you towards your daughter's fingers – they should get frostbite in a few minutes; but hey, who needs fingers."
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
Mindy was struggling to breathe as she began to shiver.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
She involuntarily screamed out as her body reacted badly to the extreme drop in temperature in her legs and she began to hyperventilate and shiver more violently.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
It was only six feet, but it was through deep snow, and Mindy was stark naked with nothing on her feet.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
As Mindy watched in abject horror, Stephanie dropped through the ice and there was a large splash as the girl hit the Arctic Ocean beneath.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . and some old friends come . . .
"Hello, Vito – care to dance?"
"You dare to tango with me, Hit Girl?"
"Oh, I dare."
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . they fight . . .
The fog was thicker than many sailors had experienced in decades.
Without radar and without visual ability, the three mega yachts were blind. Their greatest risk was colliding with each other at speed, therefore,
each yacht was maintaining little more than steerage way, around three to four knots. Any collision would be little more than a glancing blow.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . they die . . .
Mindy could not believe that a very long chapter in her life was finally closed.
They were gone – D'Amico, his son, his brother . . . his entire rotten family.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . the temperature rises . . .
The Lakes of Ounianga, Chad, are unique in Africa.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . and rises . . .
The six-wheeled truck raced up the undulating sand dune before flying into the air and then back down the other side.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . and rises . . .
The flash was brighter than anything any of them had ever encountered.
The blooming fireball erupted outwards and upwards, before forming one of the very few objects which could put the fear of God into any man or woman who saw it.
The mushroom-cloud grew and grew. Nobody moved. Nobody was capable of movement as they all stood transfixed by mankind's most horrific, most incredible, and most destructive technological advance.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . there is intense sadness . . .
"I have to do this, Chloe."
"But . . . you'll die."
"It's for the greater good."
"I don't fucking care!"
"Stay safe, Chloe. Look after Becky."
"NO!"
"I love you."
"NOOOO!"
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . there is heartbreak . . .
He was dead, and there would not even be a body to bury and mourn.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . there is fun . . .
"I can see clearly now, the rain has gone. I can see all obstacles in my way," Marc began.
"Gone are all the dark clouds that had me blind. It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright), Sun-Shiny day."
Megan chipped in with the extra 'bright' words.
"I think I can make it now, the pain is gone," the entire bridge watch joined in.
"All of the bad feelings have disappeared, Here is the rainbow I've been prayin' for,
It's gonna be a bright (bright), bright (bright), Sun-Shiny day."
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . there is a big repair bill . . .
CALEDONIA was decidedly down by the head, by several feet, evidence of the missile strike which had shredded her bow, her stern
much higher out of the water than usual. OCEAN VIGILANTE was still listing to port, but slightly less so as the pumps began
to take control of the water which was still entering the hull aft despite the efforts of the damage-control teams.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . some are pushed to their limits . . .
"Well? Can you fly it?"
Keira stared around the enormous cockpit and she shook her head.
"I have no fucking idea!"
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . as Los Angeles comes apart . . .
Bane was hugging her midriff and grimacing.
"Carnivora slashed her," Venom growled angrily. "She is gonna fucking pay!"
. . .+. . .
"Cara . . . no time to explain but I need your help."
Cara did not recognise the voice which continued on, detailing where she should go
and what she should do once she got there. Cara was confused, very confused.
"Maddie, it's Cara . . . I need your help."
. . .+. . .
. . . the girls find themselves out of their depth . . .
Unbeknownst to the girls, two more people squeezed through the door before it latched shut.
. . .+. . .
"Holy, shit!" Maddie exclaimed. "That's Carnivora!"
. . .+. . .
"Well, hello, little girls . . . do you have time to play?"
"Tornado," Maddie growled as she pulled her pistol.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . before the focus moves above the Arctic Circle . . .
The nuclear-powered hunter-killer forced its way through the icepack, thrusting to full buoyancy
even as it deployed a pair of Royal Marines Recce Troops onto the ice.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . Stephanie gets mad . . .
Stephanie brought back her right arm and she brought it forward at speed, her fist connecting with the boy's face and taking him off his feet.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . and the endgame approaches . . .
"We have the deactivation codes," Marty advised.
"Brilliant!" Dave replied.
"Only, they're encrypted."
"Oh," Dave responded.
. . .+. . .
"We have six codes yet to decrypt – and guess where one of those is for?"
"London?"
"You got it!"
"Crap!"
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . events move to London . . .
"There has been no comment from Downing Street concerning the current unrest in the Capital. Astute observers have noted that there are two large helicopters on the ground within the walls of Buckingham Palace. One is a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 while the other is the Vengeance gunship, NIGHTSHADE. Why these two helicopters are there, is unknown, however, conjecture hints towards a possible evacuation of the Royal Family, but again, no one is sure why that may be a requirement. There have been numerous overflights of London by British and American helicopters, including the giant American Osprey machines. Whether this activity has anything to do with the sonic booms which have been reported across the country, caused by RAF and USAF fighter aircraft, is unknown at this time."
. . .+. . .
Marty sighed with relief, sagging to the floor, his hands shaking.
"Talk about an adrenalin rush," Eric commented as he too sagged to the floor beside Marty.
. . .+. . ._. . .+. . ._. . .+. . .
. . . and then there is time for family . . .
It was not a proper funeral as there was not even a body, however, Chloe had been determined
that the man in her life would have a decent send off, back in the town he used to call home.