“Well? What the hell?” Ken chided. “Are you going to answer the dude or not?”
Alan gripped the mic. “Foxtrot-alpha-nineteen, this is mike-zero-one. We read you as well, and yes, we do have a medical emergency…a gunshot wound to the upper leg. Tourniquet has been applied and the bleeding has stopped, but we need medical assistance. Over.” He unkeyed. “If you have it.”
The other station came back instantly. “Mike-zero-one, this is foxtrot-alpha-nineteen. Full copy. We can offer assistance. Please advise your location…direction of travel, also, if germane. Over.”
“Where are we, Jade?” Alan asked.
“Wait, slow down. We don’t know who that is,” Jade warned. “What if it’s those assholes looking to finish us off?”
“On the same frequency?”
“Why not?”
Alan sighed. “Do you ever go with gut feeling over instinct?”
Jade whipped the wheel, pulling onto the highway and fishtailing in the snow. “Not often.”
“Well, I’m getting a feeling in my gut about this,” Alan said. “And it’s not motion sickness. I don’t think this person means us harm. I think we should pursue it.”
Jade sent him an odd look, then rotated quickly to gauge Ken’s expression.
Ken threw his hands in the air. “Like I give a shit, look at me. Walt’s already in a goddamn wheelchair and I’m headed for one, not like it can get much worse.”
Jade pursed her lips. “I’m against it. But you guys went along with my plan and look where it left us. Make the call.”
Alan looked away and gave the returning station their estimated location as best he knew how, using road signs and environmental landmarks.
Jade tapped her fingers on the Katlinit’s touchscreen for a time and pointed to it. “Give those to him.”
After conveying their latitude, longitude and heading, an extended pause went by before the station came back.
“Mike-zero-one, I’ve got you. We’ll put together a response team and rendezvous with you. You should change course and bear due west. Road directions to follow. Break.”
Alan stared hard at the map, and his jaw slackened as he took notice of the directions the friendly station had provided.
Jade veered over the median and sent the APC the wrong way up an entrance ramp, took a left and motored to the first intersection. “Right or left?”
“Right,” Alan said, his tone denoting total disbelief. “Jade…you’re not going to believe this.”
“Try me.”
“The directions he just gave us…” Alan hesitated. “They take us right where we were planning to go.”
Chapter 25
Trout Run Valley
Thursday, January 6th. Present day
Lauren arose early her first morning after returning home, her body tender and plagued with aches from the previous days’ exertion. She was well-rested but still felt distraught over the manner in which she and John had seemingly ended things. For the first time in years, she was officially single, but the status bore little significance in the world she knew now.
Upon entering the kitchen for a drink, she found Grace was up, and the two took seats at the table and spent the predawn morning hours immersed in a heart-to-heart. Grace filled Lauren in on everything that had happened in the valley since she’d been gone, and Lauren reciprocated, revealing bits and pieces of what had happened during her time away.
An hour or so into it, Grace felt tired and expressed her need for a nap, and disappeared soon after to her room, leaving Lauren alone with the atypical stillness of the cabin, a place that at one time had been the rowdy epicenter of so many lives crammed together.
Michelle strode in and placed a kiss on Lauren’s head, expressing once again with loving eyes how much she’d missed her daughter in the time she’d been gone. They made small talk while Michelle assembled the items needed for breakfast, and something about seeing her mother’s smile and hearing her voice again after so long began to lift Lauren’s spirits. Being back home with her family was calming; it warmed her soul and brought her peace. It had always been a place of sanctity, unconditional love, compassion and affection, even in the toughest of times. And until now, Lauren hadn’t realized how much she’d longed for this feeling.
Still, after the week she’d endured, she felt the need to elevate her spirits even higher. Lauren was in need of some therapy: physical, mental and emotional. She knew of one specific pastime with a reputation for sanctioning all of the above, one that would even help alleviate the soreness in her muscles and the stiffness in her joints.
Lauren hustled to her room and changed into a cold-weather running outfit, complete with trail running shoes, gloves, and a custom fleece cap for ear protection that had a unique posterior opening for arranging her ponytail. She donned clothing and accessories adequate to protect her skin from the morning chill, then told her mother she’d try to make it back by the time breakfast was ready.
Michelle looked upon her daughter merrily. “Be careful and watch the traffic. And don’t get frostbite.”
Lauren hadn’t run in a while, and it had been some time since she’d done so atop a slick, wintry surface. It was taking a bit of getting used to. Soon though, she found a comfortable stride, and once warmed up, she sprinted hard southward along Trout Run Road, with no particular destination in mind.
The air was dry, frigid, and callous and surged by in gusty crosswinds, knocking snow and ice from tree limbs and stirring up loose powder beneath her feet. Lauren could feel it chap her lips, sting her nostrils and parch the insides of her mouth on contact with each inhale. She arranged the fabric of her neck gaiter above her nose, pulled her cap to her eyebrows and pressed on, each nuisance only fueling her to run harder.
So much had changed since the last time she had seen this place. She’d left here during a time of panic, worry, pressure, and desperation, when numerous lives were hanging in the balance. Now, all of that had since passed, and most of their difficulties had been rectified. Security had ranked foremost among the list of concerns for those living here, but it didn’t seem nearly so critical now. Twenty well-trained, well-outfitted soldiers from Dave Graham’s unit were on the job, and their presence provided peace of mind and room to breathe. No one seemed to feel endangered anymore, not even Lauren. In fact, this was the first time in recent memory that she’d consciously left her house without bringing a gun along.
Just before the notorious straightaway where Lauren and her neighbors had put down a band of malicious invaders, she noticed a familiar four-wheel-drive headed her way. It was the Suburban her family had brought here, the one her father had purchased long ago on the off chance something extraordinary were to take place that would levy irreparable damage to modern automobiles.
As the vehicle got closer to her, Lauren slowed her pace and waved when she recognized the driver.
Norman pulled to a stop alongside her and worked to roll down his window. “Good morning, sweetums. Don’t you think it’s a little cold for a run?”
Lauren blew out a breath of humid air. “Not for me.”
“Must be nice having them young bones,” he said. “It’s real good to see you. I heard you were back around…you’ve been sorely missed.”
Lauren panted. “Who told you I was here?”
“Eh, my youngest spilled the beans…he mentioned a falling-out he had with you last evening. I assumed it must’ve happened after you got in.”
Lauren rolled her eyes. “What else did he mention?”
Norman pursed his lips. “Really not much at all. He mostly sulked, but that’s all he’s done now for going on a month. He hasn’t been thrilled having to wait for you. Can’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Lauren didn’t say anything.
“Hey, I’m not in it,” Norman continued. “So take what I say at face value, or flush it. It’s none of my business. I do want you to know that I’m real sorry about you two. It’s a pity.”
“A p
ity, huh.” Lauren chortled. “News travels fast.”
“Yeah, in a world as small as this one, it does,” Norman said. “Speaking of which, not sure if anyone’s told you yet, so stop me if you’ve already heard. I’m…moving out of the cabin. Kristen and I are…well, I’m not exactly sure what we’re doing, but being together is making us both real happy. So we’re looking to make a go of it.”
“Guess that explains why you’re driving our truck,” Lauren surmised.
“I probably should’ve said something about that, huh? I bet it looked a little strange seeing it on the road with me behind the wheel.” Norman laughed at himself. “I’m leaving on good terms, by the way. No hard feelings between your mom and me; all of us still consider all of you good friends, etcetera. She told me I could borrow the truck and use it as long as I need it. Truth be told, it felt a little weird asking, like I was stepping on toes.”
Lauren smiled genuinely at him. “That’s ridiculous, Norm. Your family has always been family to us, and this changes nothing. You’ve been here since Dad’s been gone. No one else was around to step up like you did, and we owe you. But you also owe yourself. You deserve a life of your own and to be happy. That’s nothing to feel guilty over.”
“I’m doing my best with it,” Norman said, adjusting his hat. “Just so you’re aware, Lee’s planning on staying. It’s closer to Megan’s place and he likes it there. There wouldn’t be room for him at Kristen’s, anyway. It looks to be a full house. John…asked about going along; I told him he needed to do whatever he felt was best. So he’ll be moving out too, it appears.”
Lauren’s lips stiffened. She nodded and looked away.
“I take it he hasn’t told you.”
Lauren shook her head.
“Well, sorry I had to be the one to convey the message,” Norman said, “but it’s better that you know. I, uh, better get going and grab another load. Got to get in and out without waking Grace up,” Norman said. “Last time I made that mistake, she came out the front door in her pajamas looking like Medusa. It’s…good to see you home, sweetheart. I’ll see you around.”
Lauren tapped the truck door and smiled grimly. “It’s good to be back. And I’ll see you around.” She deliberated the news of John moving out as she watched Norman skid off and away. “Guess that confirms it.”
From there, she dropped the hammer and dashed the length of the straightaway, past the Brady homestead, to and past the northern barricade. The uniformed men stationed there threw verbal reprimands and questioning looks her way for having gone outside the wire. Lauren knew better than to go too far beyond it and began a return trip shortly thereafter at a comparable velocity. The endorphins had already began chipping away at her aches and worries.
Immersed now in a euphoric state, Lauren cleared her mind and was reminded of the myriad reasons she enjoyed exercising. The last time she’d been on a run had been with Grace on Thanksgiving, the day they had learned of a rival entity’s true objectives. She called those events into mind and remembered how she’d felt then: imperiled, besieged, afraid, and provoked. A hostile force had revealed its new goal. No longer did they wish to deprive Lauren’s family, friends and neighbors of their liberty, property and inalienable rights. Their purpose had converted, and they now meant to deprive every last one of them of life itself.
Their actions had been heinous. A percentage of their food supply had been poisoned and was verging on extinction. Their sole water source had been intentionally contaminated with a biological agent. Several of her neighbors had nearly succumbed to illness, including one as young as Liam, Peter and Amy Saunders’ five-year-old son.
Lauren could not overlook that. She couldn’t allow herself to disremember what had happened here or become complacent, even as ancillary defensive layers swathed the valley, offering an air of repose to those living here. She knew who was responsible: the organization that had gone door-to-door posting orange declarations of martial law in her grandparents’ neighborhood. The one that had threatened them with violent repercussions for choosing noncompliance.
Relocating to the valley had added distance between them and had bought crucial time, but the miles were no longer a deterrent, and the time they’d acquired had seemingly run out. Lauren knew it was destined to get worse; upon learning the methods employed hadn’t achieved satisfactory results, they would try again and be certain not to make the same mistakes twice.
The organization that meant to exterminate everyone she knew also had Lauren’s grandparents incarcerated over fabricated, victimless crimes. They’d been sentenced devoid of a jury and without due process. These actions were inexcusable, and Lauren wished she could do something about it, but what could be done? Woo Tang had been right, she was naturally suited for combat, but she knew nothing of war or how to wage one.
Lauren was home again. She and the others had left the valley to search for ways of mitigating the side effects of a problem, leaving the problem itself unsolved. It would remain an extant threat to her family, neighbors and their way of life. At some point, a solution would need to be found, perhaps in the form of a reckoning or even a war. Until then, she resolved to ready herself for when the time came to right all the wrongs.
Lauren flung herself overtop the gate at her driveway’s edge and sprinted fiercely through the yard. She began judging the length for a long jump onto the porch, but a familiar face running nearly as fast as she was stole her attention.
Neo, Dave Graham’s RTO, exploded from the shed behind the cabin and looked to be headed in her direction, though he wasn’t exactly looking at her. In fact, Lauren wasn’t even sure he could see her. It appeared that he’d forgotten his glasses. She detoured and ran to him, waving a hand in the air to snag his attention.
Neo slowed, squinted and lowered his head. “Who goes there? Sorry, I can’t see you.”
Lauren went to him and put her face inches from his. “How about now? Did you forget something?”
“Oh, hey! Yeah, I forgot my glasses. I was in a hurry—still am—wait—when did you get home?”
“Last night. Where did you leave them? I’ll get them for you.”
“No! I mean, that’s okay. I’m nearsighted, but it’s mostly astigmatism.” Neo’s pupils darted around. “I can’t believe you’re here—there’s something you should know, but you’re going to think I’m crazy.”
“Why would I think that?” Lauren asked.
“After I tell you, you will, trust me.” Neo was incredibly anxious. “I received a Mayday call on the radio—your dad’s radios, the ones you asked me to set up—they work great, by the way. The caller reported a medical emergency—a gunshot wound. And I think—I mean, I know the person I talked to was him.”
“Him?”
“Yeah. Your dad.”
Time slowed to a crawl as Lauren repeated Neo’s words in her mind. She gawked at him. “Wait, slow down—what did you say?”
Neo rolled his eyes franticly. “See? I knew it. You think I’m crazy. I told you.”
“Neo—be straight with me.” Lauren inched closer. “How do you know it was my dad?”
He leaned away and spoke matter-of-factly. “Because I know him and I know his voice.”
“I’m sure you do, but there are probably hundreds of men out there who sound like him.”
Neo rattled his head back and forth. “No, no way. You don’t get it—I know voices. I never forget them. And your dad only sounds like your dad.”
Lauren looked confounded. “Did you ask him his name?”
“No.”
She cringed. “Why not?”
“Because doing so goes against OPSEC, duh.”
Lauren sighed at the edge of her breaking point. “Neo, look at me.”
“I am looking at you,” he said, his eyes wandering.
Lauren maneuvered, attempting to synchronize with him. “This is serious. I really need you to look at me, right now. In my eyes.”
The young soldier tensed and flustered. �
�I can’t. I can’t do that—you know I can’t do that.”
Lauren reached for his forearms, but he jerked away. “You’re right, I’m doing this all wrong. I’m sorry, I just don’t know what to think.”
“You don’t know what to think, other than I’m crazy,” Neo muttered.
“I don’t think you’re crazy, but we’re talking about my dad—I have to know how confident you are. I need something definitive.” Lauren thought a long moment, then it hit her. “Okay…Neo, rate your level of certainty for me on a linear scale.”
Neo’s eyes lit up. “Parameters?”
“One to one hundred,” Lauren said.
“Whole numbers? Natural numbers? Integers?”
“Whole numbers only, no negatives.”
“And do I assign one the least or greatest value?”
Lauren sighed. “Neo…work with me, please? Just a little.”
“Sorry.” He squinted, looked her over and grinned brightly. “One hundred and one.”
Lauren gasped, backstepped and nearly tripped over her foot. Her hand moved to conceal her slackened jaw. “Oh my God. Where is he?”
Neo smiled awkwardly. “According to the coordinates he gave? Not far.”
“Not far? In which direction?”
The young man pointed to the mountain range due east.
“You said it was a Mayday call, a medical emergency. Is he the emergency?”
“I don’t think so,” Neo said, shaking his head. “Most trauma victims don’t call in their own injuries, and he didn’t sound in pain, though he was panicked.”
Lauren’s mind raced. He was close indeed, making Wolf Gap the superlative option of getting to him. The gears in her mind spun into motion. “How far have you gone with this? Who else knows?”
Neo sent a blank look at the handheld radio in his grasp. “Not far, I just left the shed; I have them coming this way. I was going to summon the doctor and get Richie for a transport to meet them; then I saw you.”
Indivisible Page 28
