The truck engine roared as July pressed the accelerator and spun the wheel around in a pre-emptive move to the only reasonable place where Alister could be. He spoke into the radio. “Charlie, over the east wall, on the platform – see anyone?”
There was a moment’s delay before she replied. “Yes. Two Royalists and a prisoner. They’re about to hang him.”
July gripped the steering wheel and his knuckles whitened, his heart pounded, eyes focused. He whispered, “You’re not going to die.”
The truck smashed through the smaller eastern gate, swivelling on the loose gravel road. The platform was not far ahead but Alister had already fallen and July feared he was too late. Instead of stopping, however, he snatched up the radio. “Charlie, can you make the shot?”
She understood. “I got this.”
July slammed on the brake and turned sharply to the right while aiming his pistol out the window. He shot three bullets into the executioner’s chest. The rest was a blur; Alister miraculously thudded to the ground with the snap of the rope coming loose, and the final guard fell backwards in a spurt of blood and toppled off the platform. Amidst Alister heaving for breath Charlie’s voice sounded over the radio. “I told you I could do it.”
A massive burden seemed to have lifted from July’s shoulders and he grinned as old brawly General Alister climbed to his feet.
“Thank you, Charlie. Now get out of there and rendezvous with the others. We’re done here.”
Though his leg was beginning to hurt again July stepped out of the car and ran to Alister’s side. It was obvious by the freshly healed wounds, the ragged clothes and tired eyes, not to mention the horrid purple bruise that now formed around his neck, that Alister had seen better days.
Seeing Alister now served as a strong reminder of just how long July had been gone. The man had aged, either due to his service at war, or his time in prison, July wasn’t sure. Alister’s long greasy hair was marked with streaks of grey, as was his beared and eyebrows, and the corners of his eyes were creased with crow’s feet. His skin was as tough as leather and riddled with old scars, his nose was twisted, hands calloused, and his powerful shoulders were hunched.
For a second July wondered if Alister still had it in him to lead an army against the Royalists, but then he caught a glimpse of fire in those familiar eyes, and an astounded look of recognition.
“Who are…? No… July? What the bloody hell are you doing here?”
“It’s a long story.” July rubbed the back of his neck. “Good to see you Alister. Are you alright?”
Alister groaned and touched the bruise on his neck. “Not really but no doubt I’ve had worse. Jesus Christ, your leg…?”
“Another long story.” July climbed into the truck. “Everyone’s waiting at the main gate.”
“They’ll have reinforcements waiting at the bottom of the road.” Alister sat in the passenger seat and closed the door.
“Don’t worry, I thought it all through. Tom stole their light tank from the armoury.”
Alister seemed to gaze at him in awe. “Tom? Ha! I can’t believe you and that rascal are really here. Alright boy, let’s see what you can do.”
Tom and one of the prisoner’s drove the tank through the main gate, any vehicles left in the prison were commandeered by the prisoners and added to the convoy, everyone else sat in the bus, and the convoy departed the wretched prison just as July’s truck arrived and fell in behind the bus. Tom contacted them over the radio. “July, how is Alister? Is he hurt?”
With a grin Alister yelled back. “It’ll take more than a bloody noose to kill me, boy.”
Tom chuckled. “That’s good to hear.”
The journey down the mountain was one of relative ease and July couldn’t help but feel smug about the perfect success of his plan, of course he knew there were still things that could go wrong. For instance, everyone was thrown on edge by the lack of Royalists waiting at the bottom of the road. July was sure they’d try and meet the convoy head on. Was this an ambush? It was too risky to believe that the enemy simply couldn’t spare the forces to stop a small band of prisoners, or that perhaps their communications had failed.
“Don’t let your guard down, kid,” Allister told him. “Any second now…” A sudden explosion cut him off and nearly obliterated the truck, forcing it to swerve away from the dirt and smoke. The whirring of a helicopter emerged from the north, bearing down on them like a bird of prey.”
“This part of the plan?” Alister gazed up as the helicopter rained down machinegun fire.
“I anticipated reinforcements but not an attack helicopter. What do we do?”
Up ahead to the east were a series of rock formations like spires made of sand, the terrain there wasn’t exactly suitable for driving however it was better than being in the open. “Over there!” Alister pointed and shouted his command over the radio. “Use those formations for cover. Don’t drive too fast or you’ll lose control. Tom, use that gun of yours to shoot down the bird.” He set the radio down, turned to July and gestured to the back of the truck. “What’s in the back?”
“Weapons,” July answered. “Minigun.”
Another dangerous grin touched Alister’s ragged face. Without warning he opened the door.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“It’s been too long since I’ve killed a Royalist.” Alister hoisted himself onto the back of the truck and lifted the minigun from its case. “Just keep her steady,” he bellowed.
“When we get out of this you should meet a friend of mine. You have a lot in common.”
Then to July’s amusement Charlie’s voice crackled over the radio. “You know, for an old man, this general of yours is a real badass.”
“More like batshit crazy,” said Jodie.
“I feel like July’s plan gives a new meaning to that expression,” Alice added.
As the deafening whir of the minigun blasted from the back of the truck, firing thousands of 7.62 calibre rounds at the unsuspecting attack helicopter, it became clear that Alister intended for Tom’s light tank to be a distraction, urging the chopper forward for a better shot while the truck lined it up from behind. In a fit of manic laughter Alister tore the helicopter right out of the sky and the entire convoy watched as it spiralled out of control and broke apart over the desert sands.
Along with the fallen chopper were destroyed any doubts in July’s mind that Alister was the right man to lead his new army.
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