Wasteland Rules: Die Fighting (The World After Book 4) by J.G. Martin Page A

else knew the location.”
       “I suppose a scavenger could have seen it fall and
recovered it.” Derek pointed out. “It is only one set of tire tracks.”
       “Maybe we can get it back before they sell it.”
Rora suggested anxiously.
       “What’s in the direction those tracks are heading?”
Derek asked Lieutenant Daniels.
       “The only thing out that way is the town of
Deming.” He responded. “It’s not technically within the N.R.T. so we don’t go
there often.”
       “Who does it belong to?” Derek asked.
       “No one really. It has a small population of old
timers and scavengers, but it doesn’t have any value tactically. Neither the
N.R.T. or Aztlan claim it.” Lieutenant Daniels explained. “We have sort of a
tacit agreement to stay out.”
       “Let’s go check it out.” Derek suggested.
       “All right.” The lieutenant agreed. “Mount up.”
      Everyone jumped back into the Ranger technicals and
off they roared in a cloud of dust. They headed northwest towards Deming,
picking up a small highway that led north into the town. The Rangers were very
professional, Derek noted, the gunners kept a watchful eye and they each were
rotated towards a different 120 degree arc so they had full coverage of their
surroundings. According to the Ranger lieutenant the town had once been the
county seat and had a sizeable population, but now was virtually abandoned.
       It was right off Interstate 10 but hardly anyone
traveled that route anymore since Aztlan controlled the territory to the West.
No one in North America shipped anything to or from Aztlan so not even the
Haulers came down the interstate anymore. Derek had also heard the N.R.T. had
blown up all the overpasses between Tucson and El Paso to prevent an invasion
force from using that to head straight into the heart of the N.R.T. The town
essentially occupied a dead zone with little value.
       They traveled up Route 11 until they reached the
edge of town and it was worse than Derek had expected. It started where the
agricultural fields that had surrounded the town were overtaken by the ever
encroaching desert sands. The buildings were coming apart and falling down. A
combination of sand, wind, and neglect had ravaged the small town. Rusting
remains of buildings thrust like fingers out of the ever encroaching sand.
There was no sign of any inhabitants or any sign that anyone was even living
there.
       “This is odd.” Lieutenant Daniels said as they
reached the edge of town.” There should be someone around. It’s been awhile
since I was here, but reports said at least fifty people still lived here.”
       “Could they be hiding from us?” Rora asked.
       “Unlikely.” The lieutenant answered slowly. “They
have no reason to fear us.”
       “This smells like a trap to me.” Derek insisted.
       “There are no reports of anyone else operating in
the area and no sign of hostiles.” The lieutenant pointed out. “We have a duty
to check on the inhabitants, maybe they need medical attention.”
       “Okay, but we need to be cautious.” Derek grumbled.
“Can we get a satellite view of the area?”
       “We don’t have anything like that available to us.”
The lieutenant said in a slightly annoyed tone. “We have to do everything the
old fashioned way. Just like the Rangers always have.”
       “You weren’t talking to him were you?” The Voice
spoke in Derek’s ear.
       “No.” Derek subvocalized, the roar of the engine
covering it up.
       “I have a commercial satellite but the resolution
isn’t great. It’s such a remote area that there isn’t any good coverage. Much
of what I used to use has been retasked by the U.S.T.G. to cover their war
effort.” The Voice explained. “But, I see no movement or vehicles at all in any
part of town.”
       The three Ranger SUVs slowly turned right and pulled
onto the main street that ran through town. The traffic light that had