by Maxey, Phil
“How’s it looking? Jacks. Over,” said Zach.
“Nothing over here that I can see. Over.”
“As soon as we are over the bridge, detonate. Over.”
“Will do. Over.”
The procession continued with Michael’s pickup crossing, then came the bus. Rob slowly edged the front wheels onto the planks, which immediately gave way a few inches causing some yelps from the people on board, but they held. Inching forward the whole of the bus moved onto the old bridge, which protested by making creaking and cracking noises.
When Zach’s truck was clear of the barn, he looked back and saw the Calgorians yards from the front entrance. Taking the gasoline soaked newspaper, and lighter he jumped down from the truck and ran to the back of it. He could hear the snarls of the creature’s entering the barn, and in one movement lit the paper and threw it onto a heap of hay. He then pushed all his weight on the barn doors closing them quickly. He jumped back into the truck, reversing it and jamming them closed. As soon as he did, a solid angry object slammed up against the barn doors, on the other side.
The bus was almost clear of the bridge, when its right rear wheels dropped a foot, causing it to sink to the right. A few pieces of wood fell to the river below and the bus’s wheel spun freely as Rob revved the engine.
“Keep calm everyone,” said Alex to the frightened passengers behind. Rob kept trying to accelerate but the bus refused to move. “Everyone move to the left side,” said Alex and the bus’s inhabitants shifted positions. “Floor it Rob!” The bus lurched forward throwing some people to the floor, and quickly moved up the bank, stopping with a slight skid just before Michael’s pickup.
Fiona and Cal’s pickup drove onto the bridge just as a Calgorian appeared on top of the barn above the truck. Cal spotted it first in the side mirror and informed Zach.
“We need to get across this bridge quickly Fiona! Zach and Abbey are running out of time,” said Cal.
“I know! This damn bridge is falling apart around us, look!” said Fiona. Cal looked ahead, and the hole that was made by the bus, had now grown to include a few planks. Suddenly the bridge behind Fiona and Cal dropped a few feet, causing the other side of the bridge to become dislodged from the bank.
“Go, Fiona! Get across!” shouted Cal as Fiona hit the accelerator.
“This is going to be close, I don’t know if we have enough room.” Fiona moved the pickup to the left as much as she could. As they passed the gaping hole, the pickup’s right wheels skirted the edge but managed to stay on. The whole bridge was now slowly but constantly sliding to the right and a gap was opening up between it and the forest side bank. Fiona floored the gas and the pickup flew across the two-foot opening, hitting the bank and bouncing then gaining traction again as its wheels pulled it up the trail, finally stopping behind the bus.
Zach and Abbey watched in horror, and then relief as the pickup made it across. The bridge kept sliding to the right, and with one almighty cracking sound a large part of it came loose and crashed down into the river.
“No…” Abbeys words faded as she put her hand to mouth. She then looked at Zach, as she did a large thump landed on the truck’s cabin roof and the sound of claws scratched across the smooth metallic surface. Zach raised his gun pointing it upwards. Smoke and flames were now bellowing from the barn’s roof behind them. Zach and Abbey sat there, in silence listening to the Calgorian above them when Zach’s radio came to life.
“Leave the truck, swim across, we will cover you from this side!” said Cal on the radio. A stream of bullets flew across the river and the Calgorian dropped with a heavy clump on the hood of the truck, then sliding off to the ground. A loud snapping sound came from behind them and part of the barn’s roof fell in, sending sparks and cinders flying upwards into the early evening sky. More red streaks came from the other side of the river aimed above the truck.
Zach looked at Abbey. “We can do this, make sure your backpack is secure on your back, take your boots off and throw them across when we get to the bank. You ready?” Abbey took a deep breath, then nodded. Making sure their backpacks were secure, they then quickly took off their boots and jumped down from the truck. The noise of the burning barn and constant automatic fire hit both of their senses making them pause for a second before they ran for the riverbank. Not looking back, not looking back Thought Abbey as she arrived at the muddy slope and threw her boots to the other side.
“Go! I got you covered,” shouted Zach, as Abbey plunged into the icy cold water. Kneeling and firing upwards, Zach’s aim darted left and right as more and more Calgorians appeared on top of the wall, some slipping and falling into the burning barn. Shit, the church Thought Zach, realizing the church’s explosives had not been detonated yet. “Jacks, now! Detonate!” A second passed and then with an almighty defining roar the explosives tore the church apart sending pieces of wood and creatures soaring into the sky. Some of the Calgorians were caught in shock by the sound and scrambled to stay on the wall, the ones that fell landing with a squeal and were quickly taken care of.
Abbey scrambled up the other side of the river shouting for Zach to swim. He threw his gun on his back and his boots to the other side then jumped into the water. The icy coldness took his breath away but he stretched out and pushed his arms down swimming best he could and avoiding pieces of the bridge that drifted past. Gunfire still clattered around him as he felt the presence of creature’s just yards from him on the side of the river he had just left. After what seemed like minutes he was grabbing at reeds on the other side and Robs hand pulled him onto the bank. Zach tried saying the words thanks, but instead just breathlessness came out. He looked back towards the barn, it had almost completely collapsed. The light was now fading, but the shadowy blurs of the Calgorians could still be seen beyond the smoke and flames.
CHAPTER NINE
Zach and Abbey had joined Michael’s pickup, with Zach in the front passenger seat and Abbey in the seats behind, wrapped in a blanket. The trail through the forest was rough going for a few hundred yards with the bus breaking branches and bumping over rocks, but they managed to get through it and over the top of Carters Hill. There had been no more signs of Calgorians since the barn. By time they had joined Folsom’s road the sun was disappearing over the horizon, and the convoys headlights were illuminating their journey.
“Shame about the truck,” said Michael, as Zach looked at the remaining lights blues of the daytime sky.
“If we make it back to Bravo with just the loss of the truck, I’ll take it,” said Zach, his words ending quieter, realizing that Abbey was asleep on the back seats. Michael caught him smiling.
“So you and Abbey are pretty close.” This had been the first time any of the group had asked about him and Abbey and he wasn’t sure how to respond. Are we in a relationship? He thought, before answering.
“Yeah,” Zach replied.
“We all kind of knew,” said Michael, glancing over to Zach smiling. “It’s cool, brother, you are good for each other.”
Zach looked down. “I hope so.”
The convoy sped through Brownstone taking a western route out of the town. Soon the roads were wide and the sky was dark.
Fiona concentrated on the bus in front of her. Every now and again she would catch glimpses of the people behind the steamed up windows and would feel good about how the past few hours went. We rescued people, Stephanie would be proud she thought.
Cal looked out into the night sky watching the dark forms of unknown buildings pass by. Shooting those things felt right. He lost count after a few minutes but he must have dropped dozens. They were quick but not quick enough. He felt his forehead and he was sweating. Lowering the window slightly he let the night air cool him.
The people on the bus quietly talked to each other, most not having the energy to raise their voices above a whisper. Alex sat at the front just behind Rob and as he did his thoughts went to his wife, who only a year ago was with him on these same roads, singing along to a
popular eighties rock anthem. He smiled as he thought of her, his fingers playing with his wedding ring, which he still hadn’t taken off. He wondered how much need there would be for priests in this new world, perhaps the animals changing was Gods will, and it would also be Gods will for him to find his daughter again.
Rob watched the road ahead like a hawk, even though his eyes were heavy. He missed his sister, but thinking of her filled him with too much pain so he tried not too. But now as he drove along these forgotten roads her laugh and smile kept intruding amongst his other thoughts. If only she listened to me and stayed inside when I told her too, he thought, but then continued the world is full of, if only’s. He glanced to his left and saw Earl asleep on the floor, and looking in the rear mirror Tyler asleep a few rows back, his head leaning on Aileen’s shoulder who was also asleep. The only thing that meant anything to him now in this world was his family and he was determined to keep them safe.
Jacob looked in the rear mirror and saw Jacks with his head back on the headrest making the occasional snoring sound. It was a bumpy ride in the Humvee but Jacks must have been used to it because it never woke him. Jacob followed the route they quickly planned out before leaving and it felt good to be at the front of the convoy. It had been a long time since the possibilities his mind continually sought out were able to stretch and form actions. And he loved taking action. Back at the Core, General Trow informed him that they knew who he was and that they were allowing him to continue with the group, but would keep a close eye on how things progressed. He smiled at the thought of more people “keeping a close eye on him.” Out here, in this new world that was not possible anymore and the idea of the freedom he could have filled him with warmth. He was sure Abbey suspected something though, and that might prove to be troublesome.
After an hour of driving the convoy moved over the crest of a hill and a long gray silver streak appeared on the horizon stretching out for miles to the east.
“Almost home. Over,” said Zach.
Alex had stayed awake for most of the journey, but his memories of his wife were merging with dreams when the radio came to life with Zach’s voice waking him with a start. He blinked and rubbed his eyes, leaning forward to see what some behind him were already gaping at. The unmistakable pale silver line that was keeping millions of people safe loomed ahead of them. Hopefully it would do the same for the people that he had come to think of as his congregation. “It’s really something to behold,” said Alex meaning for his words to be a response to Zach on the radio but realizing he had just said them to himself.
Zach changed to the Cores frequency. “We’re about twenty minutes out. Don’t shoot us. Over.”
“Good to have you back. Captain, but I’ll need to see you as soon as you arrive. Over,” said General Trow. Zach wondered why she sounded anxious, not something he had heard in her voice before.
“Yes, ma’am. Out.”
CHAPTER TEN
The convoy drove through the northern most gate of the Camp around 9 pm. The stars bristled above in the frosty winter sky and guards on the wall, wrapped their arms around themselves and paced back and forth trying to keep warm. Plumes of white smoke drifted into the sky from rows of factories. As the convoy sped through the industrial heartland of Camp Bravo, Zach’s radio came to life.
“This is Op’s, please drive your vehicles to the northeastern quadrant’s security base located at Eldon Street. Over.”
“Will do. Over,” replied Zach, then turned to Michael “Any idea where that is?“
“None.”
Changing frequencies. “Anyone in the Convoy know where Eldon Street is? Over.” A pause of a few seconds was followed by Jacks voice.
“Yeah, I’ll direct Jacob to it. Over.”
After a few minutes of driving through barren streets sided by nondescript brown and gray buildings they arrived at a gate. Off in the distance a building with multiple points of light twinkled. Two guards opened the gate and waved the convoy through and after a few seconds they pulled up in front of a three-story building with small but brightly lit windows. A group of soldiers some with medical armbands and gurneys directed the inhabitants of the bus in different directions into the interior of the building. Major McCain was there to greet them along with the same stout middle-aged woman that Zach had seen in the Core operations room a few days before. Alex waved as he was taken by the arm into the lobby of the building. McCain approached the pickup Zach was in and knocked on the window, indicating to Zach to lower it.
“Tell the rest of your group to get some rest, but you need to get over to Core operations to see General Trow” Zach acknowledged, and told Fiona and Cal to head back to their residence, while Jacob and Jacks climbed in alongside Abbey. After dropping everyone off, Zach was alone driving the brightly colored pickup to the Core. It wasn’t long before he was in the Generals Trow office, a good-sized room just off of the main operations hall.
“Take a seat.” Zach sat heavily, only just realizing how tired he was. “Good work with the group from Brownstone. When you went dark, there were some that were saying we wouldn’t see you again, but you proved them wrong. Coffee? Or maybe something stronger?”
“Coffee’s fine.” General Trow got up, leaned out of her office door said some words and then returned.
“No, intercom here yet, all old school,” she said smiling.
Generals Trows office looked like a comic book representation of what a 1960s nuclear bunker would look like. Piles of books lay in one corner, with dusty looking paintings resting in the other, and the Generals metal rusty looking desk in the middle. Shelves surrounded him, with various happy looking people in pictures fighting for space with files. And the backdrop to all of it was the smooth looking blue-gray rock that the facility had been hewn out of. “Yes, it could definitely do with a cleanup, truth is I’m hardly ever in here.” Zach smiled. “Right, well the reason you’re here, I hate to do this to you, but I’m going to need you and your team to leave again tomorrow.” Zach wasn’t sure to be pleased or disappointed, either way he was too tired to think too deeply into it.
“What’s the mission?”
A knock came from the door and an elderly woman in civilian clothing appeared with two steaming coffee’s.
“Thank you Ava,” said General Trow as Ava smiled and left. “I don’t know what you know of the other remaining camp…” She reached into her top drawer, pulling out a small bottle of Whiskey and poured some into her coffee.
“Portland? Brad was telling us about it before we left Roswell, he said they were down to twenty thousand people and that their situation was pretty desperate.”
“They’ve lost another two hundred people since then. If things continue as they are those people won’t stand a chance. So about a week ago I started to put a plan together, regarding bringing the remaining people here… What do you think about that?”
“I think those people need our help.”
“I was hoping you would say that,” she then picked up a rolled up map and unraveled it on the desk, putting her coffee mug down on one of the corners to stop it from rolling back up. “It’s roughly a sixteen-hundred miles journey to Portland, through lots of unknown territory.”
“You can’t use planes?”
“We don’t have the fuel, and what fuel we do have I need to keep to help protect the people that are already here. Those drones don’t fly on batteries. No, it has to be a land rescue, and I was hoping you would be in charge of it.”
Zach picked up his coffee and sat back in his chair. “We’re going to need a lot of vehicles. Buses, coaches anything like that, do you have them?”
“Including the one you brought in tonight, ten buses and two coaches, enough to carry roughly six hundred and sixty people. So you’re going to have to find at least twice as many buses or coaches on your way to Portland.”
Zach took a long deep breath. “While being attacked by who knows what?”
“Yes. If we don’t do this, humanity lo
ses another eighteen hundred of its people, and human beings are in short supply these days.”
“How much firepower we taking with us?”
“Four Humvees each one with a turret gun… that’s all I can spare unfortunately, but your men will be packed out with plenty of ammo, including a few AT4’s shoulder fired rocket launchers.”
“And you want my team to leave tomorrow? After what happened in Brownstone?” General Trows expression changed.
“What did happen in Brownstone? I presumed the mission went smoothly.”
“Yes and no, we got out by the skin of our teeth. The compound was surrounded by what your little book called Calgorians, basically a Cheetah on steroids. There was no way we were going to fight our way out so we went for a scorched earth policy and with a bit of luck it worked. But there’s far worse out there.”
General Trow leaned back in her chair. “I know it seems a suicide mission, the council took a lot of convincing it was worth risking the men on.”
“How many will I be commanding?”
“Not including your team, about thirty.”
“Once we have a full compliment of vehicles that’s cutting it bit thin.”
“The council wanted just twenty to be sent. But I got you thirty. You’re going to have to do the journey up and back in stages.” She pointed down to circles that had been drawn onto the map. First stop will be Roswell, where you can pay a trip to Brad and drop off some supplies…”
“How is he?”
Trow smiled. “Sometimes I think the apocalypse was the best thing that ever happened to him, kind of confirmed a lot of the more colorful ideas he had if you know what I mean. If he hadn’t badgered me during those early days I probably wouldn’t be alive now. I knew his wife…” Her voice trailed off. “But that was a long time ago, so after Roswell your next stop will be northern Arizona, near the border with Utah, this part of your journey might be dicey because the amount of forestation in those areas. There are more arid paths, but they would take longer and we don’t have the time. The reason your group survived was because your journey to Roswell was through mostly desert. There are some E.L.F’s that are at home there, but most seemed to have evolved for forest or water dwelling and even our own suburban environments. So it goes without saying those are the areas you stay away from,” she sighed. “All this type of stuff we usually teach people who we contact, but you’re getting a rushed course in it!”
