Tales from the Wasteland | The No Leaf Clover

Chapter 13

AS ROD RACES TO THE GARAGE TRUCK

"God, I love the smell of burnt Arachnids in the evening." Alena laughs maniacally as Poppy finishes torching the last arachnid mound. Blowing a large bubble, the hunter looks at her watch. Fifteen minutes have passed since she last spoke to Rod. He is across the bridge pinned down in a building and time is of the essence. She looks back at the three-foot automaton, still engulfing the dune with its flamethrower. The hunter pops a bubble from her gum and whistles at the robot. The humanoid computer ceases fire and looks over to her. Alena throws the sniper rifle over her shoulder while twisting her hand in a counter-clockwise motion high in the air, "Pack it in. Rod needs us."

Poppy acknowledges, spitting out two quick beeps and a long boop. The little automaton unleashes one last fireball at the demonic mound for good measure before heading back to the armored van. Alena jumps into the driver seat while Poppy scampers under the van, climbing in through the trap door. The oval-eyed robot sits down at the miniature command center and starts typing. Poppy knows exactly what Alena is going ask and begins to search for Rod's position through the gauntlet. The young hunter starts the engine then looks at Poppy through the rearview mirror.

"Ready?" Poppy looks over with a thumbs up, signaling that he is ready to go. "Time to finish this shit." Alena slides her goggles over her glasses and shifts the van into gear.

A quick flick of a nob on the center console and "Back in Black" by AC/DC blasts out of the speakers. Both Alena and Poppy bob their heads to the rhythm of the drums as she hits the gas. The armored beast squeals its massive wheels before taking off. It roars through the abandoned town on their way to the bridge.

About halfway across the suspension bridge, Alena makes out the tipped-over garbage truck. The van plows through any debris in the way. The young hunter is on a mission with zero time for finesse. They roll up to the truck and see Rod's bike silently resting. The two climb out and investigate.

"For someone who loves this bike, he sure does leave it unattended a lot."

Poppy agrees with a long beep. "Open the back."

Alena's companion scurries back inside to open the back hatch. She walks the bike to the back of the van. Poppy lowers the ramp by the time she makes it over. The tinker walks it in, and Poppy retracts the ramp and closes the door. Moving back to the driver seat, Alena directs Poppy, "You got a lock on our friend?"

Poppy sends the coordinates to Alena's console. Several windows come onto the screen, but the monitor is too small for Alena to read. Poppy boops and looks at the young hunter, pointing to the left. She retorts with a thumbs up and drives off with the robot's guided direction.

It doesn't take long for the two to follow Rod's trail of death. They find the building Rod and the prisoners took refuge in during the attack. They can't miss it with all the charred bodies lying in the street. Smoke is still traveling skyward from the hole in the corner of the structure.

They turn onto the next street, following the undergrowth-plagued road to the back of the building. The remaining hostages are huddled next to a rusted garbage bin. The women hold and comfort the children while the men keep watch, gripping pieces of rubble as weapons. The men see the armored van rolling to the alley entrance and stand shoulder to shoulder with their weapons at the ready and muscles tightening with fear and anticipation of what will emerge from the vehicle. The van rolls to a stop. The driver's side window descends. The men look on as a young girl with black oval goggles smiles at them. Her hair pulled back in a braid. She grins from ear to ear. "What's up, bitches?"

Each man gives slight glances to one another, not quite sure how to respond to the question. The driver side door opens, and the female hunter climbs out of the steel beast. She grabs the goggles with both hands, pulling it up to her forehead. The men spot the sidearm on her right hip, followed by a dagger nestled on the outer leg of each boot. A compact looking assault rifle hangs down her left hip with the strap firmly sitting on the left shoulder.