The Nameless Survivor (Valkyrie) (34 page)

             
“We would be so grateful.” Heather exclaimed, without looking to me for consent.

             
“It's settled then,” Masters accepted, “Marines, lock and load, let's move out!” He shouted. “NOT DEAD!”

             
In Unison, the others responded with a deep and loud roar.

             
“BLAST THE HEAD!”

Continuance;

              We followed the soldiers back to their base, a run-down warehouse, secured with a maze of blockades, and the windows and doors welded up with steel plating. There was but one way in, a sliding bay door to the rear. Inside was the remnants of old-world commerce. Pallets upon pallets of assorted electronics. Everything from DVD players, stereos, laptops and television sets. Now, nothing more than useless paperweights.

             
“You can leave your supplies and weapons here.” Masters ordered to us, “I bet you all could use a hot shower? Follow Me.” He said as he made his way through the maze of pallets.

             
Reluctantly I dropped my packs, and weapons, trusting in Heathers intuition. We followed the Lieutenant, as the other soldiers stayed behind and proudly told the story of the day's assault. Boasting kill counts with gory details. Eventually we made it to the other side of the building and entered what was once an employee break-room. To the back was another doorway, a dusty sign disclosing the entrance to a bathroom. We followed Masters in to find a row stalls to one side and urinals to the other, and to the far end a wide-open shower room. Multiple shower-heads lined its mildew stained walls.

             
“We've managed to stock up on propane, so enjoy it.” He said with a smile, winking at Mia as she shuffled in behind me. “No rush, we will prepare dinner, join us when you’re ready.” He said as he headed back for the door.

             
“Thank you.” Mia whimpered.

             
The Lieutenant nodded with a smile, and then he was gone. Instantly we all began to strip and rush together for the warm and inviting spray that awaited us. The shower heads spurted to life with a hot and relaxing flow, and the dirt and stank quickly dribbled down our bodies and created a muddy pool on the shower floor. Even I became joyful at this long-lost indulgence, allowing the water to spray over my face, taking in mouthfuls and squirting them out in satisfaction.

             
Eventually our excitement could not be contained any further, and we soon began splashing and chasing each other around. There was no awkwardness with our nudity, no modesty whatsoever. Mia's gorgeous motherly figure, glistening in the water, aroused me none. Even Heather's attractive form, her natural yet perky breasts and tight and toned backside enticed no surge of hormones. We were content once again, and enjoying a frivolous moment of much-needed horseplay.

             
As the moment subsided, Heather took Little Marky to the other side of the shower room and began to assist him with scrubbing his vital areas. It has been so long since he was last clean that he had developed a nasty rash all over his genitals and buttocks. It was apparent that the soap stung his raw skin, as Heather washed him down as gentle as she could.

             
Mia and I partook in our own cleansing ritual. Scrubbing each other down gently, while being sure to caress various body parts. Not entirely sexual in nature, but more of a sensual tease. Eventually she turn and leaned her back against my chest, her head nestling comfortably into the nape of my neck. Slowly I embraced her as we swayed tenderly in the warm spray. The suds slowly rinsed down her body and over her protruding tummy, which still glistened in the dim light.

             
Nova however remained just outside the shower room, laying quietly upon the floor with her head resting depressingly upon her paws. I am not sure how long we held each other before I realized Mia's sway had diminished, and she now stared apprehensively at the doorway, assumingly at her neglected pup. But the look in her eyes was enough for me to be concerned. Glancing over, I found nothing, just an empty passage into a dimly lit bathroom. My gaze remained directed at the entrance, waiting to see what had spooked my love, but still there was nothing... no one. Gently I kissed the crown of Mia's head, slowly drawing in the wet clean scent of her hair.

             
“What is it, Mia?” I whispered. She didn't respond immediately, then she turned her glowing eyes up into mine, a look of gall smeared across her angelic face.

             
“Sawyer.” She whispered before looking back at the doorway.

             
Fury coursed through my veins, my temperature rose swiftly, and I am sure Mia could feel the heightened pulse of my heart. I knew following these men was a mistake, they could not be trusted, at least not Sawyer. Failing to subdue my rage, I gently pushed Mia away and walked with purpose into the bathroom. Like ancient man, I disregarded any modesty, and boasted my large yet flaccid package dangling unobstructed.  My chest puffed out with enraged testosterone, and I could feel my nostrils flaring with every breath.  I approached Sawyer as he nonchalantly relieved himself in a urinal, being sure to stand uncomfortably close with my shaft only slightly pressing against his side. Slowly I eased my face into his, staring into those malicious eyes.

             
“Unless you are here to assist, I suggest you back the fuck off.” He muttered with insolence, enraging my temper further.

             
With infuriating lack of decency he turned towards me, letting his own package brush against mine as he smacked his lips with an oafish gaze in his eyes. He heard the crack, before feeling the sting in his nose as it shattered beneath the blow from my forehead. Instantly he lurched back as a river of blood poured down his face. I readied my fists, as he regained his balance and turned his menacing stare back to me.

             
“Mother fucker!” He cursed before charging.

             
“SAWYER, STAND AT ATTENTION!” Masters called out, and like a well-trained mutt, the soldier obeyed. The lieutenant entered and approached his subordinate with a dramatic flair of command. “What is the meaning of this, soldier?”

             
“He broke my fucking nose, sir!” The grunt hollered back.

             
“As would I, you servile lump of shit.” Masters glanced at me for a moment as I stood poised and ready to continue this brawl. “These people have been through enough, and they don't need you breaching their trust.” He paused momentarily. “DO YOU UNDERSTAND, SOLDIER!”

             
“YES, SIR!” Sawyer reluctantly called out.

             
“Report to M.E.D, FALL OUT!” The lieutenant commanded, and Sawyer eagerly complied, exiting the room with haste has he fumbled to zip up his pants. Masters turned back towards me, shaking his head in disapproval. “My apologies, it's been a long time since my men have seen a female. Let alone a nude one. Still, that does not excuse this behavior, I assure you that Sawyer, will be disciplined.”

             
“Disciplined.” I said, still staring with fury, “M.E.D?”

             
“Medical Extraction Duty.” He snickered. “Let's just say, when this is all over, there will be great value in artificial anatomy.”

             
“You remove artificial hearts from the dead?”

             
“Hearts, hips, skull plates, anything non-biodegradable.”

             
“What good will the world be if we fall right back into the corruption of precious metals?”

             
“It's how it has always been. And will always be.” he paused for a moment. “How would you recommend I handle Sawyer?”

             
“String him up and castrate him, then kill him!” I demanded.

             
“String him up, I like that. Unfortunately, as you are aware, I am a bit short on men. His crime does not fit the punishment, and the costs are just too high, so all I can afford is to enforce demoralizing punishment. I am sure a survivor such as yourself can completely understand.”

             
There was moment of silence between us both, we just stared into each other’s eyes, which conveyed much of what we wanted to say. The man's logic may be convincing, but it is his eyes which expose his true villainous. Then, with a quick smile, the lieutenant glance down at my package and casually turned to leave the room. Before exiting, he looked back towards me, still smiling that arrogant smile.

             
“I understand your distrust. I've seen what it's like out there.” He said.

             
And then he was gone, off to enforce his demoralizing punishment. I myself remained in place, urging my hate to subside before facing the others. Heather came out soon after to see what had happened, but I said nothing. Maybe because I was still enraged at them, or even at her. It was her willingness that brought us here, her eagerness to be protected by others would most definitely fail us. I am sure that it already has.

continuance;

              We were surprised when we entered the dining area, what once was just an adjacent storage room, now a beautiful chamber of feasts. The spread was fit for a king, and overly generous of our disciplined hosts. The long table was strewn with an assortment of dry and canned goods, baked beans, pickled beets, creamed corn, and even potatoes. But too my own amazement, in the center lay a large platter, mounded high with steaming red lobsters. My stomach instantly began to grumble with anticipation of cracking one open and sucking out the green sludge from the body.

             
Four of the marines were already seated and piling their plates with an assortment of goodies when Masters stepped in with a pitcher of tea. He glared at us with gentle and harmless eyes, his art of sainthood was all to convincing. Nevertheless, the banquet that he had offered to us was more than we could have asked for. Almost too much, beneath my excitement I knew there would be a hefty price for his hospitality.

             
“My apologies, we were unable to obtain any butter.” Masters announced.

             
“No apologies needed, I'd say you pulled off a miracle already.” Heather praised.

             
“We're quite the distance from the coast.” I noted.

             
Masters casually walked about the table, filling all of our glasses with some tea as the others and myself sat down. There was a queer grin across his face, the others merely saw it as cordial, but I sensed something more sinister. We are facing the dawning of a long and hard winter, supplies will rapidly run low, and the act of his generosity was simply careless. He appeared to be an intelligent man, and definitely too smart to make such an asinine mistake.

             
“About thirty miles, give or take.” Masters said as he finally joined us. “Before each assault, a couple of my men take a few days and head down to New Harbor to set some traps.” His smile grew as he pulled a large crustacean from the pile and plopped it on it his plate. “A presumed victory feast, please, dig in.”

             
Everyone eagerly began to fill their plates, Mia sticking mainly to the canned goods and at all cost avoided the seafood. Back at the cabin I tried to get her to taste crayfish, but she refused then as well. She referred to them as bugs, and yet rarely turned down a grasshopper or even a June-bug when offered. Her random squeamishness is something that I will never understand, but does make me love her even more.

             
Nonchalantly I hauled an enormous bottom-feeder into my plate and immediately twisted the claws and tail away from its body. Subduing my savage tendencies, I resorted to a spoon and scooped out the pea-green tamale from the beasts bowels. The pasty entrails smeared across my tongue with such bliss; succulent, salty, and oh so fishy sweet.  Satisfaction washed over me as I cradled the muddy innards in my mouth, unwilling to swallow, fearing I may never relish that flavor again.

             
“You have cojones, my friend.” Masters chuckled. “I've eaten some rank foods over the years, but I don't think I will ever be that desperate.”

             
“It's the butter of the sea.” I said after I swallowed and looked up at him. “The best part of a lobster.”

             
“I will stick with the meat.” Sawyer stammered in nasally disgust, gauze, soaked with blood still stuffed up his nose.

             
“Your man did say it was I who had the cojones.” I responded with a provoking glare.

             
Sawyer slowly rose from his seat, ready to finish what I had started earlier. But Masters interjected, throwing a commanding hand gesture at his subordinate, and Sawyer obediently planted himself back into his chair. His eyes burned into mine with pure hate, and I simply smiled back, dousing fuel onto the fire. I could also feel Heather's eyes, scolding me for my rude behavior. If she could only see what I do.