Chapter twenty-seven

They approached the first town after only a half hour of driving. It looked to be in much better condition than the last one.
"That's Tairus. They had flocks up in the hills before the attack. Any survivors are probably up there."
"Enge, once we've cleared town take a company of men into the hills for a few days and check for survivors."
"Will do."

There was no encampment here, and no mansion either. That would make defense rather dificult. The big problem would be the flocks. If they were still here the survivors would insist on bringing them along.
"Enge, take two companies of men. You'll need to escort their flocks too."
"Sheep? We're defending sheep now?"
"Goats actually, Tairus is the leading producer of goats milk on the planet."
"Captain?"
"Do as she says. Worst case scenario goats have nice warm fur."

"Enge, we're not going to stop here. You and your men will just break off of the convoy and take care of town. If their are flocks I'm guessing the Ga-Vok will be up in the hills hunting. You shouldn't have any problems picking them off. Be back at base by the end of the week with whatever, and whoever, you find."
"What about you all?"
"There's another three towns to check. We'll meet you back at base."

The convoy started driving off. Daniel's truck stopped next to Enge.
"No looting. I'll be checking gear and equipment when you get back."
"Thanks for the support captain."
"Hey, if I didn't trust you I'd have left you back at base with the kid."

Enge watched the convoy leaving town. He turned arround to inspect his command. A couple hundred men, and a dozen trucks, about two companies total; it wasn't much but the town was small and the Ga-Vok hadn't even bothered setting up a camp.

"Alright, clear the town. I'll set up in the guard station in the center of town; bring the survivors there. We'll start work on the hills tomorrow."
What he wouldn't give to have been allowed to stay with the captain. Who knew what sort of trouble he'd get himself into out there.