Aftermath of Disaster: Books 1, 2, and 3 Bundle + Bonus Book: When Jack Met Diane

by Kevin Barry Maguire

  “Very well, I trust you two will get it done.”

  Without being told, the two generals knew it was time to leave. They stood, nodded to their president, and left the room.

  Firefight

  Ranger Thomas sat at his desk, filling out paperwork about his injured ranger. He should be returning to service by the end of the week and John wanted everything ready. Without electricity, it was actual paper he had to work with and he was running out of stock.

  “Why do I even bother with this?”

  His frustration jolted him back in his chair, as another flashback hit him…

  He saw the ranger go down and fired at the shooter. Two shots, center mass. Solid hits. He lunged for the injured ranger but before he could start first aid, another man picked up the handgun. John had no choice but to fire again.

  Pop pop!

  The man fell.

  Now his only thought was to cover and protect his fallen comrade. The crowd didn’t disperse at the gunfire, they got angrier. Where is my backup! John wondered. The crowd got closer. Closer. More shots fired. John doesn’t know where the shots came from. He can’t shoot what he can’t see. Bodies fell. The backup had arrived, and John began first aid. He found two wounds...

  The door opened and slammed shut and John was startled back to the present. A state trooper stood in front of his desk. He was an older man, around fifty. He looked tired, overworked, and John thought he saw a sadness in the man’s eyes.

  The trooper forced a smile and said “Congratulations, Ranger-Trooper! Or is it Trooper-Ranger?”

  John laughed, something he hadn’t done in weeks. “I haven’t really thought about it, to tell the truth. But thank-you.”

  “I bring good news and bad news, so I’ll start with the good. You’re getting another food drop, but it will be the last one. Nobody planned for a disaster of this magnitude, certainly not for months on end.”

  John went from elation to desperation in a matter of seconds. He let out a soft sigh and the trooper continued.

  “The National Guard will fly in with two Chinooks full of food and soldiers. The troops will protect the shipment and disperse the food. Each person will get one box of food and they must be present.”

  John looked straight at the trooper, writing down the information as he listened.

  “When will they get here?”

  “They’ll be here in five days, scheduled for 1 pm. That should give you enough time to clear an area and deliver the news to your residents. I think the lot on the corner will do, next to the museum. But you’re going to have to move some cars.”

  “How much space will you need?”

  “They told me about 60 square yards.”

  “Well, at this point, they’re considered abandoned,” John said. “If we can’t get people to move them, I’m sure we’ll get enough help from starving ‘residents’ to get the job done.”

  “Good to hear, I’ve gotta get back. Take care.”

  “You too, trooper. Get some rest, you look like you haven’t slept.”

  The trooper forced another smile, shook his head, and walked out the door.

  John put his papers away and went outside. He had hung a small brass bell outside to signal the rangers when needed. He gave five tolls of the bell, meaning he needed all rangers as soon as possible. Of course, it always brought nosey civilians to the office as well. Today would be no different.

  John went back inside and ignored his “residents,” they’d hear the information soon enough.

  ∆ ∆ ∆

  John disclosed to the gathered rangers - and nosey residents - everything the trooper told him. Almost everything. He didn’t say anything about it being the last food drop. Not in earshot of civilians. That would cause a riot for sure. No, he would save that tidbit for later. He wouldn’t even tell the rangers until the helicopters left. The last thing he wanted was more shooting.

  John dismissed the rangers to their new task and told the civilians they could spread the message too. Keeping it a secret wouldn’t do them any good. Each person was only getting one box. Period.

  “You can tell everyone that if anyone tries to pull a Stewie, they’ll be arrested on the spot and they will forfeit their box of food.” He added emphasis at the end.

  Just then a slightly chubby man with short brown hair pushed to the front. What has he been eating? John wondered. “I can help dispense the food, ranger.”

  “Who are you?”

  “I’m Joel. Joel Rafino. I was a supervisor at TSA before all this went down. I know how to control crowds.”

  As he got closer, John noticed Joel’s face and neck were covered in skin tags and he tried not to stare, but it wasn’t easy.

  “Well Joel Rafino, the National Guard will be taking care of those duties and I’m sure they’re better practiced for it. But if you want to help move cars, you’re more than welcome.”

  At the sound of actual work, Rafino scurried away. All John could think was, “Why me?”

  A few days later, the rangers gathered the nearby civilians for a meeting. Gathered in front of the Ranger Station, John spoke.

  “Alright, I need everyone with their cars in the parking lot to be here in two days, at noon. If you aren’t here, you don’t get food.”

  Everyone muttered with excitement.

  “We need to clear an area for the helicopters to land and if you don’t move your cars, we will move them for you. We don’t have a tow truck and can’t afford to be gentle with abandoned cars.”

  Some of the sketchier civilians grinned, while everyone else nodded.

  “I’ll also need volunteers to help us move cars. If they aren’t moved, the Chinooks don’t land, and you don’t get the food. Spread the word to those who aren’t here.”

  Algeria

  Algiers isn’t the hottest of Africa’s cities, if you ask the locals. However, today was still hot enough to make Lt. Zhurov sweat at his desk. The men were installing computers, modems, firewalls, and everything else needed to launch a cyber-attack against the power grid of the United Kingdom.

  Why must we always set up in countries with unbearable heat? He wondered. I need to request the North Pole next time. The computers need a cooler temperature and the men operating them will slow down in this heat. The computers will overheat. Zhurov needed the air-conditioners delivered immediately.

  The sound of a squad of marching feet alerted Zhurov to incoming guests. General Fedin entered the room with a detail of special forces bodyguards. Zhurov stood immediately but Fedin waved him off. He hated the formalities. He looked around the room to gauge the progress. The room was bigger than they needed for their team but that would work to their favor. The men wouldn’t be crunched together.

  The windows were boarded up to keep prying eyes away. All the equipment seemed to be in place, except it was too damn hot. He said, “Where are the air conditioners?”

  Lt. Zhurov said, “Sir, they’re late. I asked the translator to call and he was told they’d get here when they get here. No estimate.”

  “And you accepted that answer? Do you not know the art of the deal?”

  “But this isn’t…”

  “Shush. I will teach you how to handle incompetence.”

  He pointed to one of his bodyguards, “Lt. Ivanoff, you’re in charge until we return.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Lt. Zhurov, bring the translator and come with me.”

  The three left with the general’s team of bodyguards and got in a rented Mercedes van. The general told the translator to give the address to the driver and they drove off.

  Algiers is an ancient city. The narrow streets are difficult to navigate with a larger vehicle. The slow pace was getting on the general’s nerves.

  “Faster!”

  The drive took about 30 minutes, the driver managed to shave a few minutes off the trip, “motivated” by the general. The van stopped in front of a warehouse building. It was old and constructed of stone and cement. The
general couldn’t read the sign and asked the translator if they were at the correct location.

  “Yes, sir” he replied.

  Fedin nodded and marched for the door. He was followed by an intimidating group of men - and one translator. He slammed the door open and entered. The three men inside were startled out of their lackadaisical thoughts and turned to see the man who caused the noise.

  They went from angry to frightened in a flash as the rest of the group entered. Fedin kept quiet for a few moments, staring down each man in turn. They knew he was sizing them up and did their best not to look weak. He finally spoke and asked, “Who is in charge.” He talked in a quiet voice, much to the surprise of Lt. Zhurov.

  Zhurov thought the quiet voice was more intimidating than an angry voice and took note. The translator mimicked the tone and a man standing next to the counter raised a hand. Fedin walked up to him and punched him square in the jaw.

  “Get up,” he said.

  The man looked up at the general and stood to face him. The general punched him again.

  “Stavai!”

  “Stand up,” the translator said.

  This time the man took his time. He stumbled in the attempt and his vision was blurred. Fedin knew the man couldn’t take another hit. Again in his quiet tone, he asked, “Where are my air-conditioners?”

  The man pointed to a stack of boxes to his right, or hoped he did. He was pretty sure he was pointing to the right stack.

  “Why aren’t they delivered?”

  “We were busy. The truck just got back.”

  “You were busy doing nothing. You have thirty-five minutes to deliver them. If you are not there, imagine what I just did to your face and multiply it by twenty! I suggest you start moving.”

  Before the man could answer, the general turned and walked out the door. They waited in the van to see the truck being loaded before leaving.

  ∆ ∆ ∆

  Fedin sat at a desk and watched as the men carried in the boxes. The man with the bruised face avoided eye contact. When the three boxes were in, the men looked at each other and started for the door.

  “Nobody rests until those units are working.” He could see the hate in the men’s eyes, even the one who wouldn’t look at him.

  Fedin also knew the men might attempt retaliation. Let them, he thought. We won’t be here long. They made sure to tell everyone they had contact with that they would be here for two months. They paid for two month’s rent for this office, the power, and the Internet. They knew this was a dangerous place and made sure everyone thought they had time to plan an attack against them.

  Fedin knew it wouldn’t take that long. In a few days, they’d complete their mission, remove the hard drives from their computers, and leave.

  Rumors

  Nikki was sitting in her library reading an old, worn copy of The Hobbit when Robin walked in carrying a tray with a fancy teapot and two matching cups. The teapot was white with pink roses and light green leaves. It was covered in a gloss that made the light shine on the round edges.

  Nikki smiled and said, “Well thank-you. You seem to know exactly what I’m thinking.”

  “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I have noticed your tea times. I need to feel useful.”

  “You’re a joy to have around, Robin. Don’t think you need to work your way to a room,” Nikki said with a smile and a wink.

  Nikki bookmarked her page and set the book on the table. “Sit down, Robin. We have some things to discuss.”

  Robin sat and poured two cups of tea. Nikki said it was white tea mixed with a little mint and some jasmine. Robin loved it and always found herself making only this particular tea.

  Nikki sniffed and said, “You’re going to have to ease up on the white tea, save some for special occasions. Once it’s gone…”

  Robin’s cheeks flushed, and she winced. “Oh, I’m sorry. I never thought about that.”

  “Don’t worry, honey. This is a special occasion, but we’ll get to that in a minute. First, business.”

  Robin sat straight up, ready for a lesson.

  Nikki smiled again and said, “You’re such a good pupil! Relax, we’re just going to go over your last lesson. You’re good at a prone position with the AR-15 but that’s easy. We need to get you standing. What do you remember?”

  Robin thought for a moment, eyes moving up to a corner of her head while she brainstormed.

  “I need to control my breathing, just like the handgun.” She replied in a measured tone. “I can use a sling to help keep a steady aim, but I’d do better to find a rest. I can use a tree trunk, the corner of a building, anything solid.”

  “Good. The rest we’ll get to when we visit a friend of mine. He has a larger piece of land and we’ll be able to get you some distance training. I want you proficient up to 300 yards. If you show promise, we can work on longer distances.”

  Robin smiled and relaxed her posture. The hard stuff was over.

  “Now, for the special news. Well, I hope it’s special. I need you to keep a level head. This is only rumored until we confirm, and only you can confirm.”

  Robin didn’t know whether to be excited, scared, or both. She felt a fluttering in her stomach and rubbed her forehead. “Um, okay. I’ll ah, do my best.”

  “We’ve got reports of your husband and son being sighted in Morton. It’s…”

  “Are you sure?” Robin trembled, her pulse quickened, and she felt light-headed.

  “No, Robin. We’re not sure. Nobody but you know exactly what they look like. You’re going to have to travel to Morton for reconnaissance only. If it is them, you’re going to have to leave them there and come back without them, for now. We suspect they’re captives. This won’t be an easy trip.”

  Robin gave a crisp nod and a warmth spread throughout her body. Inwardly, she never thought she’d see her family again. Now there was hope. She got up and hugged her host.

  “Thank you, Nikki. When do we leave?”

  “Oh honey, I’m too old for long road trips. But don’t worry, you’ll be in good hands. Jack and Diane will be with you. A few other friends will make the trip too.”

  “Wow, that’s a big group! Is it needed?”

  “Yes, Robin. You need to know, the people they’ve been seen with…rumor says they aren’t good people. You will not be making contact on this trip. Doing so could endanger you and them.

  If it turns out it is them, you will return in short order with more help. If it’s them, we’ll get them out safely.”

  Robin sat back, relief evident on her face.

  Oh, one more thing,” Nikki said as she started for the door, “You leave in the morning.”

  On The Road

  It was just before 9 am on Wednesday morning and there was a small group of people outside Paul’s unusually large house. Paul Peterson was wealthy and wasn’t afraid to show it. In an area where most people lived in small ramblers, Paul lived in a two-story house.

  It measured about 50 yards wide and long, a perfect square. Each floor had a wrap-around porch, painted white. The house itself was a soft yellow, like the yoke of a hard-boiled egg. He was smart enough to keep the windows small. A house like this begged for bay windows but had none.

  The roof had two chimneys and solar panels lined the front and back sides of the roof. Anyone who looked around back would see two windmills – there to provide extra power. Paul was an extravagant man and enjoyed his comforts. The large driveway was paved with cobblestones, giving the whole scene a Victorian look.

  A man and woman brought horses up to the group and went back for more. Paul still has his staff, people lucky enough to be employed by a prepper with money. Now they’re being paid with food and safety instead of money. Besides the animal caretakers, he had a gardener, maid, and cook.

  Nikki and Robin had just arrived, and Nikki introduced her guest to Paul, Mark, and Jason. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Robin,” Paul said. “I’ve heard a lot about you and am happy t
o help you reunite with your family. If this is them, we’ll get it done.”

  “Thank-you, Paul. I don’t know what I did to deserve such friends, but I’ll do whatever I can to repay your kindness.”

  “Don’t worry about that, we’re all friends and help each other whenever there is a need. I hear you’re pretty good with firearms. Are you sure you were never trained before?”

  Robin flushed and looked at the cobblestones, “No sir. I just have steady hands, I guess.”

  “Well, whatever works! Have you ever ridden a horse?”

  Her face brightened, and she nodded, “Oh yes, I love horses! I rode growing up but haven’t been on a horse in years. I suppose it’s like riding a bike though, you never forget how.”