The Winter War

Chapter Twelve

New York City

            Jackie loved bell towers; there was something about the sound, a full ring that reverberated through you like God's love. When they rang every Sunday he knew he should be in church thanking God for all His blessing from the week before. A deeply religious kid, Jack prayed every night and while he respected other people's beliefs he knew the good Lord would bring them around to His light.

            That said, Jack didn't see the Druidth as demons like some of his fellow worshipers. Instead it was as simple as him versus them.

            Which is why he had a young Kantotally, or their equivalent of a Sergeant, in his sights. Normally he wouldn't bother giving up his perfect hiding spot among the bells, situated just right so that the report of his shot would be directed outward in a wide fan shaped area, for such small game. But he hadn't taken a shot in weeks and was falling behind in his duties to his country. As a soldier in the militia Jack knew he had to do what he could, and that meant utilizing his skills that his father and uncle taught him to do what he could.

            Watching a half burnt flag flutter in the wind just over the Kantotally's head Jack waited until the wind died down, then pulled the trigger. Inside the 7 magnum millimeter the firing pin struck the primer which began a series of miniature explosions that propelled the bullet through the barrel and across the street.

            It dropped a few inches on it's downward path before entering the unarmored head of the Kantotally, making her head whip to the side before she fell. The rest of her unit scrambled to get to cover not knowing if the sniper had a rifle large enough to penetrate their armor, Jackie was pleased to say that he did, and tried to find him, their leader lying dead in the street with a pool of Druidth blood spreading around her and soaking into the snow.

            Jackie didn't move, he barely even breathed. Right now they were unsure of where he was and they were searching for him, possibly even calling in one of their aircraft which he was hoping for. Peter and Carlisle were waiting on the roof of an apartment building with a Stinger missile launcher.

            Ten tense moments passed before he felt comfortable enough to crawl out from underneath the largest bell and down the workman scaffolding that was left over when restorations were interrupted. Safely hidden from view, he worked the bolt and propped the empty casing up on top of the scaffolding for the Intelligence Division to find when they combed the area later. Just a way for them to know he was there, a signature if you will.

            Lying right where he left it, the hollowed out four by four beam, cut cleanly on one end and artificially broken on the other, Jackie flipped open the beam and stored his rifle in it before lifting in and a few other pieces from the worksite before making his way down the stairs and into the church common area. Dust covered most of the pews while others were either torn out or simply chopped up for firewood. Nearly eight million people used to live in this city before the war and since winter came anything that burned had become a commodity, so much so that he could name his price for the few pieces he would bring back from the worksite above.

            In fact, the need for supplies had become so dire that a second war was being waged between the inhabitants for it. The Druidth rewarded those that pledged loyalty to their king with food, medical supplies, and firewood. The only problem was that the centers where the goods were handed out were well marked and easy targets for thieves. Naturally the Druidth would protect their new citizens as long as they were near the center but when they were far enough away the thieves would pounce.