Chapter 24: The New Plan
Max had already issued the order for the explosives to be placed right in front of the town wall. The two men who were using the turrets were in place. Groups B and D had all their weapons and were ready for action. Group A was prepared to attack and to take out the leaders of the Red Death. Lastly Group C had all of the medical supplies and water ready for the soldiers.
Max addressed group A and about their plans, "I'm going to be the bait. There will be no arguing or debating on this subject is that clear?" "Yes sir!" they yelled.
"Good, I want Clay and a couple other snipers to be ready as soon as they start to attack. Be on the lookout for the things in black, and make sure you aim for the heart or head. If you hit any other part of them they will not go down." As Max finished with his directions, he saw George and Rock approach him. "Mayor Max, we need to talk as soon as possible," Rock announced.
The three of them walked over a quiet spot, and George began, "Rock told me you’re going to be the bait Max. Are you sure you want do this? Because if you die we’re sure to lose." "Maybe,” said Max, “But Rock will be the one with the detonator. He'll get them all and if somehow I do die Rock will be in charge. I've also been thinking about something else George, what if Katherine helped me be the bait. Then we wouldn't have to open or close the gate, we could kill them all without me risking death or them breaking in." "No Max!” George quickly responded, “she will not be any part of this, she's already been through too much as it is."
"He's right George, I need to help," Katherine interrupted as she suddenly stood among them. Rock and George jumped back after seeing her appear right next to Max. "Who the hell is that?" Rock yelled as he pulled out his pistol. "Put it down Rock, she's with me," Max said with authority.
"Is this true George, do you know about this?" Rock asked. "I'm afraid so Rock,” George said, “I'm the one who actually found her. Her people were also killed by the Red Death, and one day she teleported right into the town. No one knew where she came from so she told me what had happened. I made it my duty to never put her in any sort of danger ever again, and if she's fighting against the Red Death she could die at any moment for being so special."
"I'm sorry sir, but if we don't win we’re all dead and if I somehow died it would be worth it," Katherine said emphatically. George knew he couldn’t stop her, so he stopped arguing. Even Rock knew Katherine had won this battle. “Alright so what’s the new game plan now?" Rock asked. "Well,” outlined Max, “the plan will stay the same. I'll bait the Red Death to the front of the town wall. As they approach and get closer to me, Katherine will teleport out and grab me and instantly we will be right back inside. Then Rock can blow them all to hell."
"But what if something goes wrong? What if Katherine is shot? Remember you told me the Red Death have weapons now and she can't teleport when she's hurt," George challenged.
"Wait, what? The Red Death can use weapons now?" Rock asked bewildered. "Nothing will go wrong George, she'll teleport behind me so I can shield us both. And Rock unfortunately they can now use weapons, that’s what the four men in white told me." "Those crazy guys you found in the canyon told you that? How do you know that for sure Max?" "Everything they have said has happened so far, and they were murdered."
Rock quieted down, and Max looked away. He tried not to seem sad, but inside he really cared about the four men. They gave him the white cross and told him everything he knew. "So Max, when are you going to tell the people that the Red Death can use weapons? They'll go into complete panic, and lose faith." "I'll tell them right before the battle Rock, I'll rally them up and then tell them as I'm walking out of the guard walls. Around eleven I'll go outside the town wall, Rock you'll need to be ready to detonate the explosives.”
"And I'll be ready to save you," Katherine added. They all stood still, anticipating with excitement the battle to come.
"Mayor Max!” Clay shouted, “the explosives are buried in front of the town walls, the food, water, and supplies are ready. The soldiers are prepared and ready to fight for the town, and excuse me, but who is that girl your with, I've never seen her?”
Katherine teleported away, and then instantly reappeared right next to Clay.
"I'm Katherine, what's your name?"
"Ahhhhhhh!" Clay yelled as he started to run away, but Max called him back. "Wow, she's just like Max," Rock said sarcastically. Clay slowly walked back next to Max, his gun in his hand. "Clay put your gun down, this is Katherine. If you haven't already noticed she can teleport,” Max said by way of introduction. Clay almost fainted, but Max caught him falling. "So wait just a second, you can't die and she can teleport," Clay said, his head spinning in circles. "Yes Clay, but you’re the twelve year old who will lead us to victory so you’re pretty special too."
Clay finally stood up on his own two feet and looked at George and Rock. "So what about them, are they special?" Max burst out in laughter as Rock stared at the boy. "Oh there's nothing like a good laugh before the most important thing in your life is about to happen."
George decided to take control, "Rock, Katherine, Clay and Max, I think we should get everyone together and go over our plans one more time. We should also tell them about Katherine, and that the Red Death have weapons to protect them."
"Well alright Mayor George, we’ll get right on it!" Max said smiling. George looked him right in the eyes, "Just because you’re the mayor now doesn't mean I still can't boss you around, and don't ever forget it either." "That makes perfect sense sir I'll also make sure to address the people on that matter as well."
After they had all had their laughs, the five of them went back to the training fields. Rock and Clay rounded up all the soldiers and made sure they were in separate groups. When everyone was accounted for, the crowd became very quiet and Max announced, “Hello citizens! I bet you’re all happy and excited on this beautiful seventh day!" they laughed nervously and agreed. "It is now about four o' clock and were going to be getting ready around eleven so we have a few more hours for our final preparation. And as we do that, I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that the Red Death will be using weapons, and we don't know what kind of weapons. They could have machine guns, pistols, or maybe even explosives of their own." The people looked uneasy, but they continued to listen to Max as he went on. "Now the good news is even better. Instead of opening the gate to let me back in after I bait the Red Death, we will have someone else get me back in secretly. Some of you will be amazed about how we do this, but I can assure you this person is on our side. I present to you Katherine!"
Katherine teleported right next to Max, and the crowd went ballistic. "How the hell did she do that?" some yelled, but Max calmed them all back down. "She is also from another race of people, and her special gift is that she can teleport anywhere!" The crowd clapped and was now filled with excitement.
Katherine stepped forward and shouted, "The Red Death won't stand a chance now! Once Max lures them all to the town wall I'll teleport and grab him and then teleport right back into the town. At that very moment, with the Red Death confused, Rock will blow most of them to pieces!" The crowd cheered again and was now even more pumped then before. "They have no chance now!" Rock, Clay, and George shouted.
It took a few minutes for the crowd to settle down, but as they got quiet, Max began talking again. "After the explosives are detonated, we will immediately open the gate. At that exact moment group B will run forward and shoot as many Red Death as they can, with group D following. Remember do not allow any Red Death to touch you, so if they get close retreat as soon as you can. Group A will be on the wall or in hiding spots sniping and taking out the Red Death leaders and strong soldiers. Group C will have ammo, and anything else you need right behind the town wall. As you already know, George will be in charge of group C, Rock is in charge of groups B and C, Clay is in charge of group A, and I'll be giving all of the group leaders orders. Is that understood soldiers?" "Yes sir,
Mayor Max!" The citizens yelled.
"Now that we’ve gone over everything, I want everyone to enjoy themselves for a few hours. Be back right here before nine, and have all of your gear." The people applauded and then quickly left the fields.
"That was smart Max, let them relax for a little bit and then they come back fresh," Rock said. "That's what I was going for, I wanted you guys to do the same as well,” Max added. They all shook hands and left, him and Katherine alone.
"God I didn’t know you were so good at motivating people," Katherine said smiling.
"Well you know, I am the chosen one."
She grabbed his hand and they instantly teleported. "Where the hell are we?" Max asked as he looked around. Katherine still held his hand and replied, “We’re at my old home Max." He looked around and saw the remains of burnt down houses, trees, and scattered tombstones all over the place. "Did you bury all these people Katherine?" "Yes Max, in my culture it’s said that if you’re buried, you will have good luck in the after life." "I'm so sorry,” Max said as he surveyed the bleak landscape, “I can't believe this happened to you."
"I was only six, when they came to our place. It was the dead of night and we were all asleep. They came in and slaughtered everyone in their sleep, I was the only one who was able to escape. About three hundred of us used to live here. I lived with my parents in that big house across the street." She and Max walked in front of the ruined house, still beautiful in an eerie sort of way. On what was left of the outside walls, there was blood splattered all around it, just like on the remains of every other house. They walked in cautiously as the door slowly creaked behind them. Wind blew through, but the structure of the house still stood. They walked up the stairs and went to Katherine's old room. All that was left was a bed in the room, and from a distance, they could see a note on the bed.
"Do you see that note?" Max asked her.
"That wasn't here the last time I was at my house," she quickly answered.
They both went over to the bed and opened up the note. It read, “Katherine and Max we know of your plans. We know your every move and your idea to stop us. You thought our race was inferior to yours, but it is actually the other way around. We will see you soon and this time we will kill you both and all of your people."
Max flipped over the note and on the back were the initials R.D. engraved in blood.
"How do they know our names?” Max asked.
“They know I can teleport Max and the Red Death seem to know all of our plans," Katherine said nervously.
"Trust me Katherine, they may be on to some of our plans, but our strategy will work.”
She grabbed his hand and they appeared back at the top of the town wall. They stood for some time before she said, “When I was younger I would look off in the distance and imagine what it would be like if my parents were alive." Max squeezed her hand, "I used to come here too Katherine, this is one of the coolest places in the town." She smiled and hugged him. "I believe in you Max, you were destined to do this." "You know what Katherine, I'm starting to believe that too."
They sat on the wall and watched the sun go down. "It’s almost time Max, we better get back to the fields." Max agreed and they instantly reappeared where the groups would soon be making their final preparations. Clay was already at the fields practicing his shot, and when they both materialized right behind him, he didn’t flinch. "Didn't scare you this time Clay?" Max asked, smiling. "No sir! I was ready this time, but I wish I could teleport too. Katherine grabbed his hand and they instantly teleported outside of the town walls. Max laughed and waited for them to come back, and in a couple of seconds they reappeared back to the fields.
"Oh my goodness!" Clay shouted in disbelief. "That was the coolest thing ever! I saw the road and hills and trees outside of the town Max, it was unbelievable! No wonder you wanted to leave, it looks so much better than here."
"Yeah Clay, I just had to see more places than this, one day you'll do the same I guarantee it." As they were talking George and Rock came over, but still no citizens had arrived.
"Well I'll be damned George, Max came early to something," Rock snickered. "Well, yeah when you’re with a girl who can teleport you can be basically anywhere," Max quickly replied. Katherine smiled and he hugged her. "You two keep it under control during this battle, if we win you can get married or whatever you guys want to do. But as of now it’s the real deal," George said in a serious tone.
As people started arriving, they went into their groups. Groups A, B, and D all had their automatic machine guns at hand. The two men who had volunteered for the turret positions had already climbed up on the town wall and were scouting for any signs of the Red Death. Max reminded them to make sure to take cover if they saw the Red Death with any guns.
As the time got nearer, Max looked down at his chest and saw the silver cross he always wore and at that moment, the cross started to light up. "It will bring you power and courage in times of great distress," one of the four men had once told him. "They are close," Max whispered to himself. It was nine o' clock and now everyone was in their place. Max stood before them all again, and took this final time to address them.
"In less than three hours the Red Death will be here. They will be brutal, and they will use weapons. But if we work as one, the Red Death won't stand a chance. Group B, make sure you're ready, you will be the first of us to engage in battle." They all held up their guns to show Max they were prepared. Max continued, “Some of us will probably die, as you already know. I can't say we won't lose men on the battlefield, but I will make it my best effort to save everyone. Still, here are a couple of guidelines. If you are scratched, breathed on, or touched by the Red Death, you could become infected. If you become infected you must leave the town as soon as you can or we will have to take you down. I know this sounds terrible, but we can't risk one person for the entire army." The people murmured, but Max made sure they understood this. “We must not let the Red Death come into the town at any cost. If they break in all hell will break loose. But do not worry, we will win this war! We have the advantage of protection and high ground. We will use this against them!"
As Max was almost done giving his speech he saw a group of people he had never seen before off to the side. Max called George over to him and asked who those people were. "Max, those are the people who didn't want to fight in this battle. We never thought of a place to put them during the actual battle." Max put his hand on his face and replied, “Damn, we have to think of somewhere. How about the town hall? That place is pretty safe, and it’s a good hiding place." "OK, then it's settled, I'll start to lead them over to it." George went over to the people and told them to go hide out in the Town Hall. The group followed them and in just a short walk they were all in the Town Hall with food and water.
Max told all of the groups that the rest of the citizens would be in the Town Hall, with plenty of supplies. He looked at the clock and realized it was past ten. "Alright soldiers, its time to move out!"
The groups divided up and went to their battle posts. Group B was right behind the Town Hall with Rock leading them. Group D was about fifty yards behind them. Group A was with Clay to get in position for all the different sniper spots, and Group C was set up with all the supplies just a few minutes away from the town wall.
Max joined Katherine and they teleported to the Town Hall, the highest building in the town. They looked over the entire place and Max made sure everyone was in position.
"Are you ready Max?" Katherine asked him. "I've never been more ready than I am right now at this very moment." She smiled and gave him a hug. "Katherine, I'm going to need you to teleport me in front of the town wall in about five minutes. That’s where I'll be ready to bait the Red Death to the front of the wall, and then blow them all to pieces." "And I'll be right here waiting to go out and transport you."
Max tied his shoes tight, made sure his plasma ray gun was fully functional, and held his white cross in his ha
nd. "It's time Katherine, take me out to the town wall." She grabbed his hand and stroked it softly, then teleported with him right outside of the town. "Good luck," she told him, and instantly vanished.
Max looked up and nodded in the direction of the two men arming the turrets, and they both gave him a nod back. Max pulled out his plasma ray gun and fired two shots into the air. "For the town!" he shouted in the darkness.