A shot rings out from the bunker, accompanied by a fresh scream of agony from Melody's hood ornament. A plethora of red dots appear on all of the Night Riders...laser sights.
"I'd like to thank you for apprehending this man, but my question is, what are you expecting in exchange?" The gravely voice of command came from a stern looking man in his BDUs. The only signs of his rank were barely visible on his shoulders: two dark plastic stars. He stood just outside the entrance of the bunker.
"Supplies would be nice...MREs and medical supplies if you can spare them," Melody responded. "You must be the general I've heard about. We were all set to rescue you...what happened to the rest of the gang?"
"His ghastly screams freaked them out," he said, pointing at the bleeding figure strapped to the hood of the battle wagon. "It was enough of a distraction to retake the base. I don't suppose you've seen three kids around, have you?"
"We found the boy and the girl still alive. We patched them up as best we could, and they're recovering back at our base. The oldest boy...my condolences, but he died defending the other two from the gang." Melody clenched her fist at the memory. "We killed the rest of the gang. You can have what's left."
The General waved his hand, and a majority of the red dots on the Night Riders disappeared and congregated on the disfigured gang boss. "I hope you don't mind, but I'm accompanying you back to your base to get my kids back. Not alone, of course."
As if on cue, an M1 Abrams roared out of the bunker, stopping just to the side of the General. "Lead the way."
Melody looked questioningly towards the other Night Riders.