Tiger scans over the group but doesn’t see the kid from the bar.
Cody sees Tiger and motions for him.
“The President’s car will be here soon. Once he arrives, you’re to take his family and get out. We’re going to blow the tube behind you. You’ll be the last train out of Luna Three.”
“You’re not coming?” Tiger asked. He doesn’t know if he likes this man who fights like the Devil himself, but he definitely has earned his respect.
“I’m not much for running. Especially, if it’s gonna be the rest of my life.” He nods toward the Devils. “You were right about those Southern boys. They’re hell in a fight. Unfortunately, they’re headed for their last one.”
“How long can they hold?” Tiger asks.
“You might have an hour, maybe more, depending on how long their ammo holds out. I’m calling for everyone who can to regroup here. Here … we Alamo. We’ll make our final stand making sure you get this last bunch out.”
“I need that train you just came in on! Even with it, there’s not gonna be enough room for everybody.”
Cody doesn’t hesitate. “Take children first. The women left behind can stand and fight with us.”
A massive explosion rocks the station. It feels like a small earthquake and the power flickers for a moment and then goes off. For a terrifying second, Tiger fears the electricity has been cut. If so, they’re all doomed! But then it comes back up slowly. Still, it’s a clear signal that there’s but a few grains of sand left in the hourglass. Easing away from Cody, he beckons Starr over to his side.
“The President will be here any minute. Once he’s here, I want everyone ready to roll in twenty minutes.” He covers his mouth with the stock of his pulse rifle, just in case someone was reading lips. “So, get everyone we can get on these trains. Pack ‘em tight. Then repack ‘em and pack ‘em tighter. Anybody not on by then, they’re just Ess Oh Ell.”
“Aye aye, Cap!” She salutes.
“I’m serious!” He points a stern finger at her. “We roll in twenty. Not a second later!”
Another single-car tram arrives, this one bearing a conspicuous banner. Tiger’s gut tightens. Bureaucrats always bring the drama!
Cody and his staff salute curtly as President Alvarez and his entourage spill out, but Tiger is too busy for formalities. Besides, the man won’t be president of much in a few more hours. President Joe Alvarez’s shoulders droop, and his clothes hang off of him like a scarecrow. He looks like he hasn’t eaten in days. Cody appears to brief him on the situation, and he accepts it stoically. He nods, shakes the hands of Cody’s men, thanks them for their bravery and service. He then turns to huddle with his wife and family. A few moments later, Tiger hears a woman’s voice, loud and upset.
“Joe! No! You promised! No!”
“It’s ok, Mom!” A young boy says. “I should be staying with Dad!”
“No! You’re my baby!”
Tiger wonders if she realizes how many mother’s babies have died in the last three weeks.
“No, I’m a man now! A lot of friends of mine have already died fighting for the cause!”
“Cause?? What cause? This cause is lost! Goddamnit! Joe, please!”
Alvarez turns back to Cody. “Commander, I’d like to return to the Presidential bunker. I don’t want to be accused of deserting my post.”
“I understand, sir.”
“My wife and daughters are now your responsibility. Joe Junior has decided to stay with me.”
He’s a brave young man, sir.”
“He’d like you to swear him into the militia.”
“It’d be an honor, Mister President.” Cody salutes.
Jesus! Tiger shook his head. Unbelievable!
“You’re going to burn in Hell for this, Cody!” the First Lady tells him. “All of you! You dunno when to quit!”
“I’m going to burn in Hell, but I doubt it’ll be for this.” He’s done with them. He orders his men to take her and her children to the cars. He then proceeds to swear in Joe Junior. Afterwards, the youngster asks if he can have a weapon. Cody hands him his own pistol. President Hall says his final goodbyes to this Commander-In-Chief, climbs back into his car and departs into history.
Cody turns to Tiger. “Nothing to keep you here now, soldier.”
“I reckon this is it, then.” Tiger extends his hand.
“Captain,” Cody takes it, shaking it firmly, “you served us well. Go now. This is no longer your fight.”
Starr walks up and salutes. “Commander, what are my orders now?”
“Commander,” Tiger interjects. “I hereby request Lieutenant Starr remain assigned to me. I need every quality pilot available.”
She immediately sees what he is doing. “Commander! My place is here! This is my home!”
Before Cody can respond to either, a deafening explosion rocks the station. Smoke and debris fill the air, and then from a massive hole in one of the inbound tubes, giant metal-latticed beings emerge.
“Mechas!” Tiger yells as the first one opens fire, spraying the platform with automatic fire from its twin spin guns. The rounds sound like bricks hitting against the side of the tram cars, against wet slabs of meat. They rip through the crowded mass of screaming, hysterical people who have nowhere to run, trapped like cattle in a pen.
Tiger has his rifle unslung and firing within seconds, along with several other surviving militiamen on the platform. The first is riddled with rounds, the operator’s torn body slumps in the seat of the machine. Another is toppled by a rocket fired from down the platform, its left leg taken out, leaving the operator stranded in the wreckage of the skeleton. But the third continues to pour deadly and merciless fire into the piles of bloody dead and dying until a group of Dixie Devils, having heard the ruckus, return and put the lone exo-skeletoned gunner down with rocket and rail fire.
But
