Dux Bellorum (Future History of America Book 3) by Marcus Richardson

her.
    He stared out the tiny window.   His wife had changed so much since the Russians had taken them to that godforsaken prison camp.   He clenched his fists.   Whatever they did to her in that place…it made her angry at him .   She flinched when he touched her—even by accident.   She snapped at him.   She didn't talk to him.   It was like the Russians had already killed his wife.
    Lost in his thoughts, Erik abruptly realized the M-ATV had rolled to a stop.   He blinked and looked out the windshield.   "What is it?"   He asked, reaching for his M4 leaning against the dashboard.
    Ted sat in silence for a moment.   "You believe in coincidence?"
    Erik wrinkled his brow.   "Why?"
    Ted didn't say anything, but he pointed out the grimy windshield.   In the distance, at the far end of the next field, surrounded by tall Georgia pines sat a small car dealership.
    Erik looked at Ted, who stared at the neat rows of new cars.   He glanced over his shoulder at Brin.   A half smile played on her lips.   It warmed Erik's heart better than hot soup on a cold winter night.  
    "You ready to go shopping for a new car?"

Chapter 7
    Shopping

    "A NYTHING ?"
    E RIK SCANNED THROUGH the binoculars until his eyes watered.   "Nothing.   I see the main building—looks like fire damage…a couple of cars look pretty smashed up at the main entrance, only a few along the road look vandalized…”   He lowered the binoculars and blinked.   “Everything looks like it's been sitting untouched for the last six months."
    "That's not surprising," replied Brin from the back.   "Without electricity, there's been no operating gas stations.   Without gas stations, what’s the point of having a new car?"
    “Or any car…” added Erik.
    "I don't see anything with these, either," said Ted, tapping the night vision goggles strapped to his forehead.   "No movement, no light…no nothing."
    "Well, should we go check it out?" asked Erik.
    Ted removed his goggles.   "We only have about a quarter tank left.”   He looked up from the dash.   "If nothing else, maybe we can find us some gas."
    "Let's do it then," said Erik.
    "Agreed," whispered Brin.
    "Alrighty then, here we go…" said Ted.   He shifted the big vehicle into drive and winced as the transmission groaned in protest.   "We might not have much of a choice, anyway.   She’s in sore need of some TLC."
    The M-ATV crept forward.   Dawn was just creeping over the tops of the pines on the back side of the dealership.   Everything around them still lay in the dark shadows of twilight.
    "If we do this quick, we might be able to get in and out before full daylight."
    Erik glanced at Ted.   "You really think so?"
    Ted shrugged, pushing the M-ATV just a little faster.   "The road's smoother here, we’ll be there in another minute or so.   Just be ready."
    Erik pulled his rifle to his lap and ejected the magazine.   It was mostly full.   He slammed it home then checked the straps on his vest.   "I got one in the gun and two spare."
    Ted eased the M-ATV up to the car dealership’s driveway and let the big vehicle coast to a stop.   He methodically scanned the surroundings on both sides of their vehicle for movement.   "Still looks quiet."
    Erik snatched one of the hand-held radios off the charger they'd taped to the dashboard.   He   clipped one to his tactical vest as he looked over his shoulder at Brin.  
    "I'll be on two."  
    She accepted the other radio from his hand, fiddling with the buttons without making eye contact.
    Erik looked at Ted, who still peered out the armored window.   "Particular color you like?"
    Ted grinned, a strange sight with the night vision goggles back on his forehead.   "You’re going to want something big so we can carry the remaining supplies and all of us."
    "What about two ?" asked Brin.
    Ted thought for a moment.   "That's a possibility, but it brings all kinds of complications with it.   Two drivers means one less person to shoot