Wasteland Rules: Die Fighting (The World After Book 4) by J.G. Martin Page A

right. Derek had
definitely pissed them off.
       But, Zona’s comment about the core had been
interesting. It implied there was a core and that the U.S.T.G. knew they wanted
it. But it also implied the U.S.T.G. didn’t have it. Maybe Augie’s “sources”
could figure out where it was. They needed to head back to NASA and regroup. He
rushed to catch up with Rora.
       “Hey, I think the core exists. We just need to find
out where.” He told her.
       “And how do we do that?” She snapped.
       “Don’t take your frustration out on me.” He warned
her. “I didn’t send us on a wild goose chase, Augie did. Maybe he can make it
up to us.”
       “Maybe. I’m just disappointed that we came all this
way and all those men died for nothing.” She grumbled.
       “It’s not a total loss.” Derek pointed out. “The
N.R.T. will probably join the war against the U.S.T.G. now. That was part of
your goal wasn’t it?”
       “Yeah, but it doesn’t help complete my father’s
vision.” Rora said defeatedly.
       “You have to take wins when you can get them.”
Derek told her sagely. “Come on, let’s get out of here and get back to the
plane. Maybe Augie will have something for us.”

Chapter 8
    In the air, East of El Paso, Texas
    September 14, 2029
       The Rangers had given them a ride back to the
airport and they had taken off shortly after arrival. The Rangers had left a
small contingent to secure the town and build a small outpost. It would serve
as an early warning station should Aztlan decide to attack along the
interstate. The rest of the Rangers had returned with them to the airport.
Derek had wanted to stay for the funerals of the dead Rangers, but Rora had
insisted they didn’t have the time.
       Now they were flying at top speed across the
southern states for NASA. Augie had been disturbed to find out his intelligence
had led them into a trap. It indicated that either his sources had been
compromised or there was still a traitor within NASA, or both. He had insisted
they meet in person to discuss the next steps. He thought he had a promising
lead for them, but wouldn’t share it over the radio.
       While they were flying back, Derek reviewed the
latest brief Augie had sent them on the war between the U.S.T.G. and the C.C.A.
The news wasn’t good. The U.S.T.G. had taken Bowling Green in a bloody
offensive. They had thrown waves of troops against the C.C.A.’s positions until
the defenders had literally run out of ammo. The casualties had been
ridiculously high, but the government forces had broken through and overwhelmed
the C.C.A. troops. There were reports of atrocities and the massacre of
surrendered prisoners of war.
       The U.S.T.G. forces were now moving down towards
Nashville. Every citizen who could pick up a gun was being mobilized into citizen
militia brigades to help defend the city. The troops previously needed to
contain the Reapers had been sent to Nashville, the threat diminished by Derek
and Rora’s actions in North Carolina. But they wouldn’t be enough. The U.S.T.G.
was reported to have a new supply of armored vehicles and a seemingly never
ending supply of fresh troops. Nashville might hold out for a while; but unless
they got some assistance, they were going to be defeated.
       Once the C.C.A. was out of the way there wouldn’t
be anyone capable of stopping the U.S.T.G. According to Augie’s update the
Collective was in the middle of some sort of civil war. Their units had stopped
any advances on new territory and were fighting amongst themselves. Details
were sketchy because the Collective prevented satellite coverage of their
territory. By the time they finished tearing themselves apart, the U.S.T.G.
would be in control of the rest of the country.
       They wouldn’t repeat the mistakes of the past
invasion of the Collective. This time they would be prepared and would come
with overwhelming force. Even the tech advantage of the Collective