JUNIPER'S DAUGHTER - The Final War NICK ARMBRISTER on amazon

John and Lee came up with a plan that appeared madness at first but after much careful consideration they told Sarah about it, to put it simply: through an act of deception or violence, hijack and steal an English army armoured car after disabling the crew. Then if the vehicle was useable, travel further a field and see what was happening, living in Oldham was like being in a vacuum, if you wanted answers that were reliable, then you had better find the answers that fitted your questions yourself. Whence the plan, the risks were high and speed combined with surprise would be essential to make it work.

   Later at the flat they both told Sarah and waited for her reply, if she wasn’t in then the plan was off, all three go or not at all. Sarah finally answered, “Okay guys, I’m in with you on your mad plan. I think that it holds merit and can be pulled off by using the key elements of speed and surprise. I hope that you weren’t pissed when you thought this up, after my scare the other day with the skids I want some excitement. Lets do it!”

   John embraced first Sarah and then Lee in anticipation, he became very happy saying, “Cheers girl, I had my doubts that you would say no, now I know that you’re the greatest girl in town. Aint that right Lee?”

   “Too fuckin’ right John. Our Sarah is one in a million, she’s with us and that’s what matters. We’ll back you up anytime and anywhere Sarah, you know that. By the way well done with the Paki’s, here’s some ammo clips for your gun. They’re on the house.” Lee complimented Sarah and handed her four 6mm magazines for her Colt, the little weapon was with its weight in gold for close combat, she had proved that in startling clarity.

   “These will be useful in any coming adventure, cheers. I think that we should take more weapons including several rocket launchers and some machine pistols, say one each. That sound okay guys? We’ll pick up what we need from the lock up later.”

   John replied, “Yes we’ll take all we can carry, four should be enough with a dozen warheads. No, fuck it say two dozen in ammo boxes, a machine pistol each and our personal weapon, plus lots of ammo. It will be a bitch to carry but too much is better than too little. I’ll sort the machine pistols out. Lee can you sort the ammo out please?”

   “I’ll get enough magazines and rounds. A hundred each should be enough. I’ll chase up more pistol ammo for John and me. You okay about pistol ammo?” Lee asked.

   “Yes I’m ok. Fine with what I’ve got. Lets get it sorted.”

   “I’ll go over to Red and Gun Barrel’s to borrow some Uzi’s off Red. He should be okay with it, you two can go to the lock up and get what we need in terms of fire power.” With that John went on his way.

 

   Two hours later everyone with everything was ready. They all checked out weapons, ammo, rocket launchers and warheads, then if once wasn’t enough they did it again. As nighttime settled onto St. Mary’s estate Sarah, Lee and John dressed themselves for battle. Each wore black leather combat pants, which John had traded with Arnie, t-shirts, thick jumpers, body armour and winter coats, ammunition were carried in any suitable secure pockets. Each had enough to carry – pistol, ammo, machine pistol, rocket launcher with boxes of warheads. The medium range, all use rocket launcher with its programmable warhead and multirole capability was sent from God, for only three people they carried massive firepower if it came to a fight. But this mission called for stealth, not guns blazing like some old western film from fifty years ago.

   John doubled up and carried two rocket launchers slung over his shoulders along with his Uzi, Lee and Sarah carried a launcher each plus ammo boxes with six warheads in, Uzi’s and other gear. Sarah had told Leah previously that she would be away from her duties for sometime; Leah replied she would get someone to cover no problem. Setting out into the cold night Lee commented, “It looks like we’re the extras in an ancient B movie! We sure look odd!”

   “All of this gear can and will be used if necessary Lee, I wouldn’t go anywhere without a gun at night in Oldham or anywhere else come to mention it,” said with conviction in her voice remembering how fate smiled when she was attacked by Asians.

   “And so went the dogs of war,” from John.

 

   They made their way down back alleys to keep away from the main roads; Lee led with Sarah and John covering from the rear with Uzi’s at the ready. All three watched for moving shadows, movement at dark windows or for a burst of enemy tracer fire. Nothing. Silently over frozen ground, ice crystals like tiny diamonds on black velvet, they made their way to battle. Leaving the alleyways, they headed to Broadway near Royton to lie in wait for the armoured car; these weren’t meant to be random patrols but most used the old Broadway road, as it was easy to speed along at 50mph to Manchester, to the next patrol area. An army base was not too far from the city which was as troubled with murder and crimes like Oldham, except on a massive scale. The English army never stayed patrolling in one place long, they never had enough troops to overwhelm people with guns. The armoured cars used liquid gas as a power source since the rarity of petrol and diesel, the army had its own gas refinery plant to provide fuel for its vehicles. Larger tanks were used to guard what could be classed as strategic installations and those where few and far between, like weapons dumps and the refinery.