Feral Nation - Defiance (Feral Nation Series Book 8) Read online

  FERAL NATION

  Defiance

  Feral Nation Series

  Book 8

  Scott B. Williams

  www.scottbwilliams.com

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters and events are all products of the author’s imagination and should not be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2020 by Scott B. Williams

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

  Cover design © Scott B. Williams

  Editor: Michelle Cleveland

  09.24.20

  Series Order:

  This series is an ongoing serial. Each book is an immediate continuation of the earlier story, so for the best reading experience the books should be read in order, starting with Book 1.

  Here are the links to the current books in the series:

  Feral Nation - Infiltration: Book 1

  Feral Nation - Insurrection: Book 2

  Feral Nation - Tribulation: Book 3

  Feral Nation - The Divide: Book 4

  Feral Nation - Perseverance: Book 5

  Feral Nation - Convergence: Book 6

  Feral Nation - Sabotage: Book 7

  Feral Nation - Defiance: Book 8

  Feral Nation - Alliances: Book 9 (Preorder Now)

  These links will be updated as new books are added to the series. Be the first to know what’s coming next in this series as well as my other books by signing up for my New Release Updates

  One

  DANIEL HARTFIELD BELIEVED WITHOUT a doubt that he was doing the right thing. Why Shauna and the others couldn’t see it just as clearly was beyond his comprehension. As he drove west along the deserted lanes of Interstate 10 in Greg Hebert’s sheriff’s patrol truck, Daniel’s only misgiving was that Andrew wasn’t with him. Things would be easier if he already had his son, but Daniel had been forced to seize the opportunity to go when it presented itself, and unfortunately, Andrew wasn’t there at the time. Daniel doubted he would have come along willingly anyway though, as the boy had been influenced for far too long by Bart Branson’s ridiculous ideas. He hadn’t gotten anywhere when he tried to convince him otherwise, so Daniel had given up on it for the time being, knowing that in the end, Andrew would be joining him in Texas whether he liked it or not. All of them would be better off there, even if they couldn’t see that now. Daniel had simply realized it first because he was smart enough to understand the situation. Even Shauna would figure it out shortly, but it was too late for the two of them now. Daniel knew she’d betrayed their marriage, and he had no intentions of giving her a second chance. She had made her choice to go away with her ex, and as far as he was concerned, they deserved each other and the consequences that came with it. As long as he got Andrew back, they could have at it, and Megan could go with them too. She was too old for Daniel to influence one way or the other, and though he’d given the girl everything she ever wanted and was more of a father to her than her real dad ever was, it simply hadn’t mattered. She had taken sides with Eric Branson no matter how little she’d seen of him over the years or how little he’d done for her in that time.

  Megan and Shauna had both abandoned him for Eric, and the three of them appeared to be a happy little family again, but Daniel doubted it would last long. For one thing, they wouldn’t be sailing away to the islands Eric had promised them, because Daniel had made sure of it. He couldn’t help but smile when he thought of the big schooner submerged under the muddy waters of that bayou he’d grown so sick of looking at. He tried to imagine the look on Eric’s face when he discovered it and thinking of the rage that would consume his nemesis transformed Daniel’s smile into a wide grin. Dreamtime, indeed! Well, he’d brought that dream to a rude awakening, and revenge was sweet!

  He knew Eric would probably kill him for what he’d done if he could find him, but Daniel wasn’t worried about that happening now. He’d put miles of empty highway behind him, and he’d made sure Eric and his brother had no available means of pursuit by shooting out the tires of the only running vehicle on Keith’s property. And now he was nearing the Texas state line, where he knew he would be safe even if those two managed to find another means to come after him. He had the name of the man in charge of the command post where Shauna and the others had been dropped off recently, and all he had to do was tell that Reyes fellow that he needed refuge for himself and his son and explain why. Eric Branson wouldn’t have a chance in hell of getting to him after that.

  Daniel had a lot more information he thought the commander would appreciate too. Eric Branson had spoken of what happened out in New Mexico, but Daniel doubted he was telling the whole truth. What he did know, however, was that Eric admitted he and one of his friends had turned on their C.R.I. teammates and killed them all. Word of the missing team may or may not have reached Commander Reyes, but Daniel was certain that it would be of interest to him, and if so, information on Eric’s exact whereabouts would interest him even more. And if the commander doubted the story, Daniel figured he could easily verify it by contacting his associates in the western part of the state. Daniel would explain that he’d come here alone seeking help because Eric had prevented his minor son from coming with him. All they wanted was refuge in Texas, and Daniel was certain that Reyes would gladly welcome them after hearing his story.

  The drive west was Daniel’s first excursion on the roadways of the area since he’d arrived in Louisiana aboard the sailboat. To hear Keith tell it, driving anywhere was an act of extreme risk, yet he and Bart and Jonathan had recently traveled this same route to Texas to pick up Shauna and the others and had returned without incident. Like most things Keith and his brother claimed, Daniel figured the danger was probably exaggerated. The fact that organized armed forces were now at the state line was proof that order would soon be restored and that things would again return to normal. Daniel didn’t doubt that those same security forces would be moving into Louisiana and even his home state of Florida eventually, and he welcomed the idea because it would bring an end to this nightmare. But in the meantime, he didn’t feel he could afford to wait for that to happen, especially considering Eric’s determination to get all of them out of the country on that schooner. He could have refused to get on board and go with them, of course, but that would mean being left alone and defenseless in a swamp he’d grown to hate. It wasn’t an acceptable outcome, so he’d taken the opportunity to do what he had to do while he still could. Now, no one would be sailing away, and once he reached the proper authorities and gave his report, he and Andrew would be reunited and could get on with their lives. As he drove west, Daniel breathed easy, knowing that the hellish ordeal he’d been forced to endure was finally drawing to a close.

  Despite his conviction they would do so soon, it never occurred to Daniel that the forces occupying Texas may have already begun advancing east into Louisiana. He fully expected to have to drive all the way to the state line, and with most of the highway signs blown down or destroyed by the hurricane, he didn’t know exactly how many more miles to that border remained after he passed the last Lafayette exit. The terrain here was flat and featureless, not unlike much of his home state of Florida, though far less developed and more sparsely populated, especially now that most of those who’d lived here had left to escape the hurricane or the violence that came after. Daniel assumed a lot of them were in Texas, as going there was the only sensible thing
for anyone in the region to do at this point. Thoughts of what he would find there filled his mind as he drove along, the empty highway requiring little of his attention until the glare of sunlight reflecting off the glass of a cluster of vehicles in the far distance snapped him back to the present moment.

  Daniel slowed instinctively, yet continued driving west, as he couldn’t tell for sure what he was seeing without getting closer. It soon became obvious that the road was blocked by the vehicles, and as he drew nearer, he could see that it wasn’t just the two westbound lanes that were closed, but also the entire median and both eastbound lanes as well. Semi-trucks, SUVs and full-sized pickups were parked across the roadway in a way that no highway users could pass. And now that he was close enough to discern that fact, Daniel could also see a considerable number of people milling about among them. What did this mean? Were they affiliated with the forces in Texas that were there to restore law and order, or were they part of some other militia faction or band of outlaws? Daniel had no idea, but since he’d seen them in time to stop before he was too close to change his mind, he did exactly that. Pulling the pickup over onto the wide paved shoulder of the interstate, he studied the vehicles and the people among them to see if he could discern any clues as to who they were. Without binoculars he couldn’t see the finer details, but it appeared that all of them were men, and that most of them were carrying rifles. He also noted the absence of uniforms or official-looking insignia or other markings on the vehicles, and both of these things caused Daniel to have his doubts.

  He had to get to Texas, but it was obvious that no one was getting through that blockade without permission. If those men manning it were the good guys, Daniel knew they would allow him to pass after he told them his purpose, but what if they weren’t? What if they didn’t give him a chance to talk? He was driving a stolen sheriff’s department truck and had a police rifle in the cab with him. Would that alone give them reason to arrest him or shoot him on sight even if they were the good guys? The more he thought it through, the more nervous Daniel became, until he decided it wasn’t worth finding out. There had to be another way into Texas either north or south of Interstate 10, and Daniel decided his best option was to turn around right there and go back to the last exit he’d passed. Maybe the interstate, being the main east-west corridor here, was the only road these people were barricading. Surely, they didn’t have the manpower to set up along every little county road crossing the state line.

  Daniel cut the wheels hard to the left and pulled back into the lane to make a sharp U-turn, only to see that two vehicles from the roadblock had already broken rank from the rest and were speeding towards him, driving the wrong way in the two westbound lanes. He’d waited too late, or approached too close; perhaps even both, but either way, Daniel knew instinctively that attempting to flee was hopeless. The last thing he wanted was to get involved in a high-speed chase with armed pursuers. Daniel stopped the truck mid-turn and got out immediately, holding his hands high and waving them to show that they were empty as the two gray pickups roared up to within a few car lengths and skidded to a stop. Doors opened on both sides of each truck and men stepped out with rifles in hand, which they promptly shouldered and pointed directly at him.

  “STEP AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE AND SIT DOWN!” One of the men yelled.

  Daniel knew they meant business, so he did as he was told, making sure to keep his hands visible as he knelt and then eased back into a seated position.

  Two of the men were advancing now, keeping their weapons on him while the other two stayed back to cover them.

  “Who are you and what is your business on this highway?” One of the gunmen demanded.

  “My name is Daniel Hartfield. I’m on the highway because I’m on my way to Texas, seeking refuge. Why do you have the lanes blocked?”

  The man ignored his question, staring at Daniel with an accusing glare. “That sticker on the door of that pickup you’re driving says St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Department. You don’t look like a law enforcement officer to me. Did you steal it?”

  “No, of course not! It belongs to a friend of mine who is a deputy. But I had to use it this morning to get to Texas. I can explain everything,” Daniel said. “I’m looking for a man named Reyes. Commander Reyes, I think, but I don’t know if that’s his correct title. What I do know is that he’s in charge of the C.R.I. post near this interstate on the Texas side of the state line. He already knows my wife and stepdaughter. They were there just recently, before my friend, the deputy that this truck belongs to, went there and picked them up.”

  The men didn’t seem impressed by what he was saying and so Daniel kept talking, repeatedly dropping Reyes’ name, knowing full well that their recognition of it might be his only hope of getting their attention. But if they knew the commander, they didn’t seem to care, and it became clear to Daniel that he was going to be detained when one of the men pulled out a pair of handcuffs that he appeared determined to put to use.

  “Please! Just let me explain!” Daniel said as he scooted back on the asphalt and held up one extended hand, as if it would somehow keep the man at bay. “I’m seeking refuge for myself and for my son, who is being held in a swamp in Louisiana against his will. We heard there are refugee centers in Texas where we can stay in safety until order is restored. That’s the only reason I’m here!”

  “Get up! On your feet!”

  Daniel did, but when he attempted to take a step back, he was stopped short by one of the other men who still had his rifle on him.

  “Stay where you are and put your hands behind your back and turn around! Slowly!”

  Daniel felt the cuffs tighten on his wrists as the other guy locked them in place, and then roughly spun him around to face Greg’s truck. The other two men on the scene were already searching the cab. They found the rifle first, and moments later, Daniel’s bag into which he’d packed the only possessions he had left in the world. Daniel heard an enthusiastic whistle when the one that unzipped it dumped his possessions out onto the pavement and discovered the contents of the small pouch that was stuck in there with his spare clothing. As the man poured Eric Branson’s gold coins into his hand, glinting in the midday sun for all to see, Daniel didn’t have to guess what would happen next. Those Krugerrands represented a small fortune, especially in the present situation, and it was clear that these men weren’t going to simply put them back into the bag and return them to Daniel, whether they released him or not. But without the gold with which to barter after he and Andrew were eventually settled in the refugee center, Daniel knew he essentially had nothing. He had to try to reason with them, even if the price was high.

  “Look!” He yelled. “You have no right to go through my things! I’m an American citizen and I have done nothing illegal! But I understand that times are hard and that you men have a difficult job. You can have a couple of those to split between you if you’ll just help me out. All I ask is that you take me to that outpost so that I can speak with Commander Reyes.”

  Daniel’s proposal was met with mocking laughter. “He’s making us an offer,” the one with the gold in his hand announced. “We can have a couple of these if we meet his demands!”

  This brought another howl from the man’s companions. It was obvious that this was the best entertainment these guys had likely had in a long time, and Daniel knew then and there that any hope of reasoning with them was futile. Still, he wasn’t ready to give up.

  “You have no authority to seize my possessions or restrict my travel on a U.S. highway. This is still the United States, and I am a U.S. citizen!”

  “Are you sure about that?” the one who seemed to be in charge asked.

  “Of course, I’m sure! I’ve lived in Florida my entire life! I was born there; in Ft. Lauderdale!”

  “No, I mean are you sure this is the United States? Because maybe the United States doesn’t exist anymore, at least not the United States you remember. Your citizenship and place of birth means nothing here. And yo
u’re in no position to bargain or cut deals with me or my men. I have full authority to restrict all traffic on this highway and every other road in this sector. I also have full authority to shoot on sight anyone interfering with my mission. But, if I was enforcing the old American laws, I would still have probable cause to suspect you of insurrection and terrorism and shoot you right here simply because you are in possession of a stolen law enforcement vehicle and weapon. That’s more than enough evidence for me to leave your carcass in that ditch over there for the buzzards to fight over. But I’m not done with you yet, because you’ve got questions to answer about what you know of Commander Reyes and how you came about that information. You are going to tell me everything that you were planning to tell him, and then I’ll decide what happens to you next, and whether or not you get to see that refugee camp you’re looking for, or the bottom of a ditch! It’s your choice, but we haven’t seen any gold coins, and if you thought you had some, then you must have been mistaken. Is that understood?”

  There was nothing in this man’s voice to indicate that he was bluffing, and Daniel had no reason to believe he wouldn’t carry out his threat, so he decided he’d better shut up for now. He should have known the gold would be taken by the first person who found it, but in his haste to escape the reach of Eric and Keith, he hadn’t thought to take the time to hide it more carefully. Besides, after seeing the way those men tore through the interior of the truck, he realized they probably would have found it anyway. Now he’d lost it all, along with any chance of pleading his case directly to Commander Reyes. He had to either tell his whole story to these gunmen, who were essentially highway robbers, or risk death then and there by the side of the road. The latter would do him and Andrew no good at all, so Daniel elected to talk, and tell them everything he knew.

  Two