Wasteland Rules: Die Fighting (The World After Book 4) by J.G. Martin Read Free Book Online Page B

Tactical Vest
body armor over them and desert camouflage combat boots. None of them carried
rifles, but they had pistols in tactical holsters on their hips. Everyone in Texas
went armed at all times; it had become a thing after armed citizens had stopped
a Reconquistador attack. Three technical SUVs painted tan with .50 caliber machine
guns on top were parked behind the Rangers.
       On closer inspection the SUV technicals seemed to
be purpose built with the armor being part of the frame. The rear axle had
double sets of wheels and based on the lack of sag in the oversized tires, they
were solid rubber. The machine guns were mounted onto a ring turret that
allowed a full three hundred and sixty degree range of motion and a metal
shield framed the gun itself, providing some protection the gunner. A large
steel brush guard, also painted tan, covered the entire front of the vehicle.
       Derek knew that a GM plant in Arlington, Texas once
manufactured extended size SUVs. It was likely that the N.R.T. had converted
that plant to make these technicals. In the desert and semi-desert terrain in
and around the N.R.T. these smaller and more maneuverable vehicle made more
sense than the heavy gas guzzling MRAPs or Strykers. Not to mention that the
N.R.T. didn’t have the capability to manufacture new AFVs, and they wouldn’t
want to risk a precious combat vehicle getting stuck in the desert somewhere.
       Derek pulled on his gear and weapons and followed
Rora out of the plane once the pilot had parked it and the steps lowered. He
grabbed an M4 carbine with an underslung 40mm grenade launcher and a bandolier
of grenades from the onboard armory. Rora had already snagged a carbine and
some clips for herself. One of the Rangers, wearing a silver star in a wheel
badge, stepped forward to greet them. Derek flinched a little internally. The
last time he had encountered Texas Rangers it hadn’t ended well for him.
       He had been pursuing a bounty in New Mexico when he
had encountered a small band of Texas Rangers. They were out of their
jurisdiction but they had apparently been pursuing the same man. Derek had
caught the bounty, but the Rangers had showed up seconds later to demand he
turn the man over to them. Derek had refused and things had become heated.
Ultimately he had challenged the Ranger Sergeant to a fist fight. Derek had
been handily winning the fight when the others had jumped in and clubbed him
down with their rifle butts. When he had regained consciousness the Rangers and
his bounty were gone. They had never gotten his name so it was unlikely these
Rangers would connect him, but you never knew.
       “Lieutenant Daniels, Texas Rangers, Company L.” The
Ranger said in a thick Texas drawl as he stuck his hand out. “Welcome to
Texas.”
       Rora introduced herself and Derek as she shook his
hand. Derek shook the man’s hand and breathed an internal sigh of relief when
the Rangers didn’t react to his name. Derek gave the lieutenant a quick once
over. The man was tall and fit with blue eyes peering out from a browned face. Some
of that was due to the burned in tan a man gets from spending a lot of time
outdoors. His uniform, like all the others, was neatly ironed but had signs of
wear.
       He was also surprisingly young to be a lieutenant,
but the constant state of war had necessitated the rapid expansion of the
Rangers and the military. That meant that a lot of younger people had been able
to rise quickly in the ranks based on talent and not having to wait for the
“appropriate” time to pass. Derek liked his look though. He and his men all
looked like they were squared away, but routinely saw action and were not desk
jockeys sent to make a good impression. If this was a trap, they would need
good men fighting beside them.
       “Have you been briefed on the mission?” Rora asked
him.
        “Yes and we are ready to go as soon as you are.”
The lieutenant informed them.
        “We are ready right