by Robert Boren
“That’s a good idea,” Stanton Hunt said, “and I’m just seeing another option.”
“What’s that?” Jason asked. Stanton Hunt approached, holding his phone up to him.
“See this road here?”
Jason squinted as he looked. “Highway 63? Oh shit, I see what you’re saying. We could take that from Pie Town to Highway 36, then onto Highway 117. That would take us right up to I-40 through this wilderness area.”
“How good are those roads?” Don asked.
“Looking at them now,” Junior said. “Not the best, but passable.”
“I-40 goes over the San Jose Rio river a ways east of Highway 117,” Eric said.
“Doesn’t look like much of a river,” Junior said. “Might just be a dry wash.”
“It’s still gonna have a bridge,” Kelly said.
“I know,” Junior said, “but a dry wash might be something they can put a temporary road on.”
“Until the rainy season,” Stanton Hunt said.
“Which is when?” Chloe asked.
“Not soon enough, I’m afraid,” Don said.
Jason was looking closely at his phone. “I say we take Junior’s advice. We’ll know more by the time we get to Pie Town. Looking at I-40 near the Arizona border, I don’t see any better places to blow than this dry wash.”
“I agree,” Stanton Hunt said. “Let’s go.”
“We’re packed up,” Alyssa said. “I’ll bring the cart over here.”
“Okay, off we go,” Jason said.
Alyssa and Chloe rushed out together to pick up the car, and the others left, Sydney and Don staying behind, still packaging equipment.
“This is scary as hell,” Sydney said under her breath.
“I know,” Don said. “Don’t see a way around it, though. What about the folks we recruited?”
“Don’t tell them anything beyond what we already have,” Sydney said. “Better to let the enemy think we’re still going into Arizona.”
“You think the enemy knew, or were they just watching their backs?”
“Both, probably,” Don said. “The last person I chatted with in St. Johns said that townspeople were being tortured for information. They might have gotten the whole rundown on our recruitment drive.”
“Oh, God,” Sydney said. “All those people.”
“I know, it’s horrible, but it might work to our side’s advantage in the long run. If they aren’t defending the area we want to blow up on I-40 because they think we’re going west of there, that could be a big win for us.”
“We’d better tell Chloe and Alyssa not to tell anybody about our new plans, then,” Sydney said.
Don nodded, stopping a moment to send a text. “Just told them, and asked them to pass it around. Top priority.”
“Good,” Sydney said. “This is the last of it.”
Chloe and Alyssa came in with the cart and their friends, and they loaded the equipment and pushed it out the door to the rigs. Don and Sydney took one last look at the Parks and Rec hall, then left, Sydney switching off the lights.
“So, are we going to go radio silent on those people?” Sydney asked.
“No,” Don said. “Been thinking about that. We need to round up the team for a minute.”
“What’s your plan?”
“Tell them we’re running a little late, but we’re still coming,” Don said.
“This is gonna get some people killed,” Sydney said.
“I know, honey, but it’ll protect the basic mission,” Don said. “War is war.”
“Maybe people won’t trust us anymore,” Sydney said. “We won’t be able to recruit like we’ve been doing.”
“We’ll put out our reasons when this is over,” Don said. “Our people are smart. They’ll understand. Most of them will agree.”
Chapter 19 - Burgers
“I can’t believe we’re back here,” Lita said, watching Richardson as he drove. The high-rises of San Antonio loomed ahead, on nearly deserted I-37.
“We don’t have to stay,” Richardson said.
“How do you know where Wallis is going to place us?”
“He wants to do a phone call when we can stop and get the others together,” Richardson said. “Got a text an hour ago, when you were sleeping.”
“How’s our gas?”
“We’ll need to stop pretty soon. We should find a place with a restaurant nearby. We can try the call then.”
Lita took her phone off the center console. “I’ll check it out.”
“Good. Check for enemy fighters too. I haven’t checked for a while.”
“Will do,” she said, eyes focused on the screen. “No big groups in San Antonio, but lots of small groups in the suburbs surrounding it.”
“Dammit. Gonna take a long time to clean that up.”
“You aren’t kidding,” Lita said. “They’re gonna send us to the Rio Grande again, aren’t they?”
“I’m guessing Big Bend, given what we’re seeing there,” Richardson said. “It’s gonna be dangerous.”
“Don’t get the idea that you’re leaving me behind,” Lita said.
“I won’t. You can handle yourself.”
“Get off on Donop Road, then take the I-37 frontage road north. There’s a gas station with a burger joint next to it there. It’s only four miles from here.”
“Good, text the others,” Richardson said.
She nodded as she sent the text. “Hope our training facility is not close to the action this time.”
“That would be nice,” Richardson said.
The off-ramp came up quickly, all three pickup trucks getting off, heading for the gas pumps.
“So, what’s up, boss?” Brendan asked from the other side of the fuel island. He started the gasoline flowing into his tank, then walked over to Richardson.
“We need to chat with Wallis. We’ll get a bite to eat at that joint over there and call him.”
“Sounds good - I’m pretty hungry, dude,” Juan Carlos said, walking over from the far island.
“Likewise,” Richardson said.
“We aren’t touring the Riverwalk while we’re here?” Brendan asked, a sly grin on his face.
“I don’t think our women would go for that,” Richardson said.
“You got that right,” Juan Carlos said. He heard a clunk from the pump he was using. “Think I’m full already, man. Should I park over there?”
“Yeah, around the back if there’s places.”
“Got it,” Juan Carlos said. Lita, Madison, and Hannah were walking back from the store with bags.
“What’d you get?” Brendan asked.
“Just some snacks for later,” Hannah said. “We are just passing through San Antonio, right?”
“See, told you,” Richardson said.
“What, no leisurely meal at the Riverwalk?” Lita asked, watching Madison cringe.
“I don’t think I’ll feel comfortable there for years,” she said. “I’m going to our truck. We’re eating at that place over there, right?”
“Yep,” Richardson said.
“Hope Wallis is available,” Lita said. “It’d be nice to have an idea what happens next.”
“Mine’s full,” Brendan said, going to the nozzle and pulling it out.
“We aren’t staying in San Antonio, are we?” Lita whispered after Hannah walked away.
“I doubt it,” Richardson said, putting the gas nozzle back on the pump. “Hopefully we’ll find out in a few minutes.”
The restaurant was empty. Richardson picked a round table towards the back of the room. The waitress walked over, smiling at them, and took their orders.
Richardson got out his phone and tried Wallis. It rang three times, and Wallis picked up.
“Richardson, how are you?”
“Hello, Director,” Richardson said. “We’re sitting at a table in the back of a burger joint. There’s nobody else in here. Can I put it on speaker?”
“Sure,” Wallis said. “Just ke
ep an eye out, and let me know if somebody gets within earshot, okay?”
“You got it.” Richardson put the phone in the middle of the table and hit the speaker button. “Guys, we need to stop if somebody gets within earshot. Got it?”
“Yeah, dude,” Juan Carlos said.
“Hello, all,” Wallis said. “Glad you’ve made it safely out of Corpus Christi.”
“What happened there?” Lita asked.
“There’s still a battle going on, but the citizens have had enough. They came out to aid the police and the few National Guard folks we had there. The tide appears to be turning.”
“That’s good news,” Richardson said. “Why didn’t you want us to stay and fight? We probably could’ve helped.”
“We’ve got a real problem along the Rio Grande, and we’ve got no other trained boat crews left. You’re going to be training for a while.”
“Where?” Brendan asked.
“You know where Canyon Lake is, right?”
“Yes, just to the northeast of San Antonio,” Juan Carlos said. “Nice lake. I went there a lot as a kid.”
“Great, we get to train while we’re not in a war zone,” Brendan said. “Assuming it’s not a war zone. Haven’t used the app for that area.”
“I’d start keeping an eye on it now,” Wallis said. “We’ve got houses for you there, in the middle of a residential area. You’ll be hiding in plain sight. Hopefully it will be safer than the places you’ve been in the past.”
“Who knows about them?” Richardson asked, brow furrowed. “I remember what happened last time.”
“Gallagher’s sister is a real estate agent in the area,” Wallis said. “She helped us buy three houses. Nobody knows outside our inner circle this time. There will be barracks for the recruits right near the water.”
“Can we continue to participate?” Madison asked.
“I’ll leave that up to you guys,” Wallis said. “Just be sure that what you do doesn’t hurt the mission, though, okay?”
“Where are we going after the training is done?”
“Big Bend,” Wallis said.
“I was afraid of that,” Hannah said.
“We’re putting more boats there, and the Texas Army National Guard is already on scene, clearing out encampments on both sides of the river.”
“I thought you needed them for Dallas,” Richardson said.
“We’re taking somewhat of a gamble,” Wallis said. “We’re using the service folks out there, and will use the Fort Stockton group with their extra recruits to shore up Dallas.”
“Those guys are out of the state, aren’t they?” Richardson asked. “Hold it. The waitress is bringing our food.”
“Okay,” Wallis said.
“Here you go,” the waitress said, setting a large round tray covered with plates down on a table next to them. She doled out the food and left.
“Okay, she’s gone,” Richardson said.
“Thanks,” Wallis said. “The core group is still outside the state, but they’ll be back soon.”
“Good,” Richardson said.
“We’ll be using outboards again, right?” Juan Carlos asked. “The Rio Grande isn’t deep enough for the inboards in a lot of places.”
“Yes, but they’ll be the latest versions, with armor behind the power heads and the improved guns.”
“That sounds great,” Brendan said. “What’s going to happen in the gulf?”
“We’re working that,” Wallis said. “I’m sorry about what happened to you there. Losing the cover from the US Navy was not expected.”
“I gathered that,” Richardson said.
“How many boats will we be getting ready?”
“Twenty in the first wave,” Wallis said. “Then another twenty after that. Probably several more groups.”
“Does that mean we’ll be training the other groups in the battle zone?” Lita asked.
“No,” Wallis said. “You folks will be at Canyon Lake until all of the training is finished. They’ll be going there without you, so you’ll need to develop leaders as well as crew members.”
“Big job,” Richardson said.
“Do you feel up to it?” Wallis asked.
“Yes sir,” Richardson replied.
“Good, then I’ll let you guys go. You’ll get texts with the locations where you’ll settle. Go ahead and grab hotel rooms for the first week or so. We’ll contact you with instructions soon.”
“Thanks,” Richardson said.
“Enjoy your lunch,” Wallis said. The call ended.
“Canyon Lake, huh,” Juan Carlos said. “That’s bitchen.”
Brendan looked at his phone, running the apps around the area. “There are a few hits between Canyon Lake and the northern outskirts of San Antonio.”
“Dammit,” Madison said.
“It’s only a few,” Brendan said. “There’s a similar population near just about every city in the damn state.”
“Let’s eat and get out of here,” Lita said.
“Yeah, dig in,” Juan Carlos said. He took a bite out of his burger. “Damn, this is good, bro.”
“How can you eat that with all the peppers on it?” Madison asked.
“I like my food hot, like my women.”
Hannah laughed out loud. Madison looked at her and giggled.
“Behave, children,” Lita said.
They finished the meal, paid the check, and left the building, getting into their trucks.
“Where are we going, boss?” Juan Carlos asked.
“That’s a pretty big lake,” Lita said. “Wonder what side the training facility is on?”
“I’ll text that question to Wallis,” Richardson said. “We’ll get back to you.”
Lita looked at her phone for a moment. “Take I-37 to I-410. Then get on I-35 towards New Braunfels. We should have the final destination before we get there.”
“Sounds good,” Brendan said.
“Got it, dude,” Juan Carlos said.
Lita and Richardson watched them get into their trucks.
“Are we gonna be okay?” Lita asked. “This feels too much like all the other times.”
“I don’t know, honey. We’ll do the best we can.”
They got into their truck and drove back onto I-37.
Chapter 20 – Uncommon Sense
“How are we doing?” Hendrix asked, joining Maria in the supply room.
“We’re getting a little low on some stuff,” she said. “Haven’t had fresh veggies in weeks, for one thing. Now we’re running low on frozen. We’ll be down to canned pretty soon.”
“We can ask for a delivery.”
“Think it’s safe enough to go out now?” Maria asked.
“That’s hard to say,” Hendrix said. “Wish they’d give us those damn apps.”
“Will they do that eventually?” Maria asked.
“It sounds like they’re getting close to release, but we’re at the mercy of General Hogan’s team.”
Maria came out of the pantry area, and took one more look in the walk-in freezer. “Seems so stupid.”
“I know, but I understand it,” Hendrix said.
“The hospital called me about my sister.”
Hendrix looked at her. “She didn’t escape again, did she?”
“No, she’s still in lock-up, but she’s quit eating.”
“They can feed her with an IV, though, right?” Hendrix asked.
“It’s about to come to that,” Maria said. “My mom won’t answer their phone calls anymore.”
“I’m sorry,” Hendrix said, pulling her close.
“My family is a mess,” she said. “We’re lucky we’ve been out of their reach.”
“Your mom isn’t really a problem, is she?”
“She’s a total user,” Maria said. “She’d be wanting to move in and live the high life. That will get harder to deal with when we’re out of this lockup situation.”
“We won’t let her pressure us into anything,” Hend
rix said.
“I know, it’s just harder because I’ll have to confront her.” She backed out of the walk-in and closed the door. “We’ve still got a lot of frozen stuff. It’s just that the stuff everybody likes the most is gone.”
“Make up a list and we’ll get it out via the National Guard guys outside,” Hendrix said. “Might want to check with the others for requests, too.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Maria said. “Sorry I’ve got such a crazy family.”
“Hey, I knew before I got on the bus, remember?”
“Yes, you helped me with Celia,” Maria said. “I remember.”
“And I’ll continue to help you. Your family is my family.”
“She can never come to live with us,” Maria said. “I don’t even want her staying with us temporarily.”
“Why?”
“She’ll try to seduce you, and she’s good at it,” Maria said.
“I’m strong enough to resist, you know.”
Maria looked at him for a moment. “Yes, I know you don’t want to do anything, but I’d rather not put you or her in that situation. I’ll need you to be strong for me, though. I’ll need you to back me up when we get pressured. Think you can do that?”
“Yes, of course,” Hendrix said.
“Same goes for my mom,” Maria said. “If we let her get a foot in the door, it’ll be hard to get rid of her. She’s even better at making me feel guilty than Celia is.”
“I understand,” Hendrix said. “Really. It’s no problem.”
The console beeped in the other room. “Sounds like we’re on duty again.” She walked to the terminal, Hendrix following her.
“We got a call coming in, huh?” Ramsey asked.
“Yep,” Hendrix said. “Think we should wake the governor?”
“Let’s see who it is first,” Dr. Schultz said.
Maria logged on and brought up the session. Gallagher and Wallis were on the other end.
“Hi, Maria,” Wallis said.
“Hello,” she said. “Do we need Governor Nelson for this?”
“Probably a good idea, if he’s not tied up,” Gallagher said.
“He’s sleeping,” Ramsey said, pulling a chair over.
“Let’s start without him, and wake him up if we need to,” Wallis said.
“Sounds good,” Hendrix said. “Go ahead.”
