Part 12 (2/2)

Emil grinned. ”Sure. And at the same time, I'll expect to see a herd of elephants flying by.”

”It was a good scam, Emil. Even though the majority of your followers knew all along that you were full of s.h.i.+t.”

Emil shrugged. ”Sure they did. I knew that.

Oh, well, I'll think of something else. I always have.”

”Why not play it straight?” Therm suggested. ”Who knows, you might like it.”

”Why don't you cut your hair?” Emil countered.

”Who knows, you might like it.”

Thermopolis chuckled. ”Touch'e, little friend.”

”Am I?”

Thermopolis frowned and looked at the man. ”Are you what?”

”Your friend?”

”Of course, you're my friend. There really isn't a mean bone in your body, Emil. You're kind to animals, don't harm the environment, you're nice to anybody who treats you the same, and whileyou might argue it, the truth is you work harder at getting out of work than you would if you held a regular nine-to-five job. If such a thing even exists anywhere in the world anymore.”

”I like to con people,” the little man admitted, as he adjusted his turban. ”I've been doing it all my life and I'm pretty good at it. But I'll tell you something, Therm. I like what I'm doing now even better.”

”The fighting?”

”Well, to be honest, yes, that's part of it. I'll admit that there is a certain type of high to be had in combat. But no, it's the fact that for the first time in a long, long time I'm really contributing something toward the good of all. Ben Raines is human; he has faults just like all the rest of us. But he's trying to do what he believes is right for all the good people of the United States ... h.e.l.l, the world!

I don't agree with everything he does; no Rebel does, is my belief. But he's on the right track, and they know it, I know it and you know it too, Therm. There have been too many excuses made for criminals for too many years. Look around you, pal. There is every race and every religion represented in the Rebels. And yet, I haven't heard the terms n.i.g.g.e.r, spic, wop, greaser, kike, or slope spoken since I've been a part of this movement. And that's what it is, Therm, a movement. It's a great gathering of like-minded people all willing to put their lives on the line to make this world a better place for those who are willing to follow just a few simple rules.”

Therm looked at the man as Emil wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.

”I get emotional just thinking about it.” Emil walked away, humming ”G.o.d Bless America.”

Ben Raines has another convert, Therm thought.

Another basically good soul willing to lay down his life for the cause. Ben Raines is the d.a.m.nedest man I have ever encountered in my life. He always has to be in charge, whether or not he really wants the job. He is cruel and compa.s.sionate, benevolent and ruthless, farsighted and shortsighted, opinionated, yet with the intelligence to admit when he's wrong ... although not often, Therm noted.

Sort of like someone else Therm knew.

It startled him when he realized he was thinking about himself.

Chapter Nine.

”Everything on delayed scramble.” Ben gave the order from Hollister. He rolled another cigarette.

”You're smoking too much,” Lamar chided him.

”Shut up,” Ben said.

Lamar walked away. He knew when to push Ben and when to leave him alone. He joined Ike, lounging against the fender of a Hummer, drinking a cup of coffee.

Lamar pointed at Ben. ”That man can be as surlyas a wolverine.”

Ike grinned. ”Why do you think I'm over here?”

0600. The morning of the chemical drop on the city of San Francisco.

”The wind is beginning to s.h.i.+ft,” Corrie told Ben, lifting one earphone to hear his response.

”Weather people say it will continue in that direction at least until mid-morning. Conditions will be most favorable for a drop in fifteen minutes.”

”All right,” Ben said. He was reflective for a moment. Then he sighed and said, ”Tell Dan and his people to bug out. Advise the pilots there has been a change in scheduling and to get the birds up right now.

Tell Dan to monitor the pilots.”

Ben began pacing the area around the communications van.

n.o.body said anything to him except Corrie.

”Bugging out, General,” she advised. ”The winds have settled and are now blowing directly toward the west at ten to twelve knots.”

Ben stopped his pacing. ”Have Dan and his people used the vaccine?”

”That's ten-four, sir. They have injected and are all safe.”

”What's Dan's twenty?”

”Colonel Gray is just south of the town of Montara. He ordered West and Tina out an hour ago. They are both well south of the drop area and are moving toward this staging area.”

”Buddy, the bikers, the Scouts?”

”All standing clear and injected, sir.”

Striganov, Rebet, and Danjou were at the staging area.

”Order all personnel to inject, Corrie.”

She clicked on a loudspeaker and gave the order.

Ben broke the seal on a syringe and popped himself in the leg. He looked around him. All Rebels in sight were injecting themselves.

”Tell the pilots to drop their payloads as soon as they are over the target,” Ben said quietly.

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