Free Wasteland Rules: Kill or Be Killed (The World After Book 1) by J.G. Martin Page B

still catch up to him and grab them.”
      “I think not. He is too much for you to handle
with the number you have left.”
      The leader grabbed at the gun slung over his
shoulder and moved forward threateningly, “Are you questioning our abilities?”
      “No, again merely stating a fact. The man is
obviously well trained and well-armed. He has also proven to be very
resourceful. That makes him very dangerous.”
      “We can handle anyone.” The leader postured.
      “Do not worry; I have another task for you. Send
one of your men to the location on this envelope and have them deliver this
message. Return to me with their answer.” Maximillian stepped forward and held
out an envelope.
      “What is the message?”
      “Not your concern. But it is important it gets
there as fast as possible. You are the fastest in the wasteland so I know I can
count on you for that.”
      The burners preened a little at the compliment.
The leader gestured to one of his men and that biker took the message and sped
off. Maximillian watched him leave and waited until he was out of sight. Then
he sent a mental command to his drones. They caught the lounging burners off
guard when they pulled plasma pistols from under their jackets and cut them
down. A look of surprise was frozen on the leaders face as he slumped lifeless
to the ground a gaping hole in his chest.
      Maximillian viewed the bodies dispassionately. The
weakness of humanity never failed to amaze him. How had un-evolved humans
managed to conquer the world and sit atop it for so long? They fought amongst
themselves to the point of destroying the world and would betray each other for
material possessions. Father was right in his crusade to cleanse the world and
remake it into a paradise for the Collective.
       Maximillian stopped philosophizing and ordered
the drones to move the bodies and bikes off the street and burn them. He tried
to never leave any evidence of his passing. If the U.S.T.G. or any of the other
factions knew where he was and what he was up to they would send overwhelming
force to stop him. Nothing could be allowed to stop his mission. Whomever this
man was, he would need to be dealt with quickly. They must get the device.

Chapter 10
     June 10, 2029
     Near Greensburg, KS
      Derek and Rora made their way back to main road.
Time was running out. That detour had cost them the better part of a day.
Fortunately they had escaped almost unscathed and had found another vehicle.
One probably better suited to long distance travel in the wasteland. The truck
ran smoothly, it was obviously well cared for despite its outer appearance. The
only problem they had was that it was low on gas. He had seen the signs start
about twenty miles back advertising an Express Station about fifty miles up
ahead.
      “We are going to stop for gas at the Texas
Republic Express Station up ahead.” Derek informed the girl.
      “What is an express station?”
      Derek laughed. “You didn’t get out much did you?”
      Rora just pouted at him in response. “It’s not my
fault we didn’t go running all over the wasteland. Daddy wanted a simple life.”
      “Well, an Express Station is a fortified gas
station and convenience store.”
      When she continued to look at him blankly, he
explained further. “You can get gasoline for the truck as well as food and
supplies at the store. They usually have a wall or barbed wire fences
surrounding the station and armed guards to protect it from raiders. They
popped up about five years ago when gasoline refining got going again. Many of
them are independents who took over abandoned stations. But Texas Republic Oil
started opening their own stations in the last few years.”
      “How do you pay?”
      “It depends. Texas Republic stations take New
Republic dollars and gold or barter. Independents usually just take gold or
barter, but if they are close enough to the U.S.T.G. they take U.S.T.G. dollars
as well. Some in the south