The Vampire Earth - Way Of The Wolf Part 32

A distant, challenging wail reached Valentine's ears as he pulled Alpin along the ditch, seeking to put the gatehouse between them and the rifleman. Stafford had the platoon attacking the northern fence. Valentine heard a shot and the sound of breaking gla.s.s. His other gunman was shooting at G.o.d knows what in the guardhouse.

Valentine found the wound in Alpin's arm and pressed hard to stop the bleeding.

Thankfully, the sticky flow welled up underneath his palm in a steady stream rather than short arterial bursts. He called the other Wolf over.

"McFerrin! Alpin's. .h.i.t!"

"Someone came to a window there-I missed," McFerrin gabbled.

"Keep your head down. C'mere and put a tourniquet on Alpin right now," Valentine barked.

McFerrin scuttled over, but seemed at a loss as soon as he looked at Alpin. First-aid training always took place in a quiet meadow with plenty of s.p.a.ce, not stretched out in a wet ditch with no elbow room. Valentine blew out an exasperated breath. "Never mind. Just put pressure right here," Valentine said, placing McFerrin's hand on the underside of. Alpin's arm jus; below the armpit. "Press hard. Don't worry, he's in shock; he doesn't feel anything."

Valentine ripped material from the flimsy poncho and used the revolver's barrel to wind the tourniquet tight. Valentine popped his head up again-still no sign of the other Wolves, although no more shots came from the direction of the northern tower. The guard had either run or been shot. McFerrin seemed to catch on and took control of keeping tension on the tourniquet.

"Mister, mister," someone yelled from the guardhouse. "We surrender-I surrender, I mean. I'm coming out, no gun. I got a woman with me."

"I'm just a housekeeper. I ain't one of the Territorials!" a woman's voice added.

He cautiously looked out of the ditch. "Come on out, then!" Valentine called. "Hands up in the air!"

The "Welcome" door opened, and a young man in camouflage fatigues emerged, followed by a woman in a simple smock. Valentine aimed the pistol at the Territorial. "You in the uniform-face down on the ground. Now!"

The Territorial complied. No more shots came from the other side of the compound, but Valentine could see Oklahomans running from the barracks toward the north fence. The Wolves must have reached the compound.

"Open the gate, please," Valentine said to the woman, who rushed to comply. The unlocked gate swung easily on its hinges, and Valentine entered the camp. He walked up to the Territorial, still on the ground, face turned sideways and fearfully eyeing Valentine.

"Okay, Terri, unless you want to p.i.s.s off the man holding the gun, you better tell me who's in the house with the big porch."

"Mister, it's four Skulls and some administrator guy out of Tulsa. And I ain't really a Territorial, I just wear the uniform because I'm in the transports. I drive trucks. I just drive trucks, I swear."

"Did you drive a tanker in here today?"

"Yes, sir-that was me. They got a pump for the road vehicles and the tractors. I'm s'posed to spend the night here at the Rigyard, then-"

"I found the lieutenant," called a Wolf pointing his gun around the corner of the guardhouse.

"Sarge, Lieutenant Valentine's here. He's okay," another Wolf added.

"Keep an eye on these two," Valentine ordered. "Sanchez, help McFerrin carry Alpin in."

McFerrin's head and shoulders popped up like those of a curious prairie dog. Wolves rushed to help McFerrin with their wounded comrade.