by N. C. Reed
Roland assigned watches to the most dependable and able-bodied remaining people, two hour Shifts, max. Everyone needed rest. Needed time. He decided at the spur of the moment that the following day would be a down day. No work other than what was absolutely needed to keep things running, and minimum security. After weeks on edge, long days and nights of waiting for the attack, and then the brutality of the actual attack itself, everyone needed rest, and any relaxation they could get.
Including Roland himself.
-
The next morning dawned clear and a little cool, a gentle breeze blowing across the land.
Roland, as was his practice, was awake early. He very carefully extracted himself from Maria, rising from the bed the two had shared. She had always slept in her own bed, since the two of them had. . .well, since they’d admitted to liking each other. Couldn’t really say they were dating, could he?
Last night she had come to his room, and was there waiting when he arrived from the shower.
They hadn’t said much, beyond establishing that Deena was with Melissa Andrews and Jennifer Kingston, and she didn’t want to be alone. Didn’t think she could be alone.
Roland had nodded his understanding, taking her in his arms. Less than a minute later Maria had broken down completely. Roland patiently held her until at last she had cried herself to sleep.
It had taken him longer, but he’d finally drifted off.
Looking down now at her peacefully sleeping form, he smiled gently. She worked so hard, worried so much, and now it was starting to tell. She was exhausted.
He gathered his things quietly and left, closing the door behind him. He hoped she’d sleep for a while, knowing she needed it.
Dressed, he walked around the school in the approaching daylight. The bodies were gone but the damage was still there. He would ask Ralph to make an assessment of the building later, maybe tomorrow, and see what they had to do.
He wandered around front where Mack and Angela were standing, well, sitting, guard duty at the front door.
“Morning,” he said gently. The two broke apart, startled.
“Morning, Roland,” Mack smiled, realizing who it was.
“Hi,” Angela smiled.
“You guys okay?” Roland asked. Both nodded.
“Ain’t nothin’ we ain’t did before,” Mack replied.
“Not anything we haven’t done before,” Angela corrected him, scowling.
“What I said,” Mack nodded.
“How long you guys been out?” Roland asked, grinning.
“Just got here,” Mack informed him. “Maybe twenty minutes. Relieved James, and Susan.”
“Good deal,” Roland nodded. “We’re down, today. Nothing but absolutely essential work gets done today. I want everyone to have a good, long, easy day, hopefully free of. . .complications.”
“That sounds like a gift from heaven,” Angela smiled. “From your lips to God’s ears.”
“Doubt He’d listen to me,” Roland said simply. “Certainly ain’t no reason to.”
“God loves soldiers, too, Roland,” Angela said firmly.
“You guys take care,” Roland said, and moved on.
-
He was sitting out front again, enjoying the sun, when Maria found him.
“Why did you leave me asleep?” she asked, sitting down beside him.
“You needed it,” he said simply as she took his hand.
“You do, too,” she said softly.
“I’m getting what I need,” Roland told her. “I’m relaxing. Resting. Just like everyone else is.
Only the most necessary work is getting done today. We’re all taking a much needed, much deserved, day off.”
“I like this idea,” Maria smiled. She lay down beside him on the blanket he’d spread across the grass.
Soon, both were dozing lightly.
-
The next morning Turnbow and a dozen townspeople showed up, arriving by eight.
Announcing that they were there to help, they went to work repairing as much of the damage to the building as they could. Broken windows were boarded, debris swept up and shoveled into buckets.
The work went quickly with so many willing hands. Roland tried to thank Turnbow, but the older man shook his head.
“If that bunch had hit us like they did you, we’d be done for,” the preacher said. “As it is, I’m sorry you lost so many good people, son. I wish we’d been here to help you, even knowing some of us
would probably have met our maker in the doing.”
“No way you could help us, sir,” Roland shrugged. “They might just as easily have hit you.
We’ll work together to form a defense of some kind later on though, if you’d like. In case something like this happens again.”
“I would, and so would the others,” Turnbow nodded firmly. “I admit, I really thought that things would right themselves. Been too long in the country I guess. I didn’t realize until I talked to that young soldier just how bad things were.”
“We can’t thank you enough for helping out,” Roland told him.
“We’re just returning the favor,” Turnbow told him, “And I’d like to think that maybe we’ve moved beyond trading favors, comes to that.”
“I’d like that myself,” Roland smiled for the first time in several days. “I really would.”
“Well, we’re needed at home,” Turnbow sighed. “Ain’t never enough light, these days.”
“No sir, there ain’t,” Roland extended his hand, and Turnbow took it.
“See you later.”
-
Five days later, things back to normal as they would ever be, Roland and several others stood out front as a small convoy pulled into the front of the school. Two buses, three Army deuce-and-a-halfs, four box trucks, an ambulance, and four Hummers pulling trailers. There was also a semi pulling a mobile home, two RVs, and a fuel truck the size of those that made deliveries to small filling stations and farms. A pair of MRAPs guarded the convoy, fore and aft.
The children were on one of those buses and spilled out running to Maria, Deena, and Ralph as if they were starved to see them.
Jenkins approached Roland with a tired grin.
“Good to see you, Gerald,” Roland returned the smile.
“Same to you, Roland. How are you?”
“We’re. . .gettin’ there,” Roland settled for saying. “Lost a lot of good people.”
“I know, and I’m sorry,” Jenkins grimaced slightly. “It’s that way everywhere right now. You aren’t alone.”
“Looks like you’ve brought more than just children this trip,” Roland nodded to the convoy, wanting to change the subject.
“I have,” the soldier nodded in return. “Let’s go someplace quiet so we can talk.”
-
“I’m sorry,” Jenkins sighed as Roland came to the end of his after-action report. He had written a report for Captain Thomas, which he handed over to Jenkins.
“Nothing for it,” Roland shrugged. “I think the gang is broken,” he went on, “There’s some of them still out there, but the leader is dead, along with a good many of his men. No idea who’ll wind up in charge, but I think they’ll stay clear of us, at least for a while.”
“We’ll try and get the word around to other places,” Jenkins promised.
“So, what’s with all the hardware?” Roland asked, sitting back in his chair.
“Well, we’ve had some changes,” Jenkins leaned back in his own chair. “Thomas is now a light Colonel, in charge of the Middle Tennessee Military District.”
“Interesting,” Roland mused.
“Pentagon has made a move,” Jenkins nodded. “There’s no civilian leadership worthy of the name at the Federal level anymore. At least no one that anyone’s willing to listen to.”
“General Wheeler, the Chairman of the JCS, has issued orders to all military units to assist any local level leaders in their area.”
“To what end?” Roland a
sked, leaning forward.
“Restoration of services as far as practicable, support for local law enforcement officials still on the job, securing infrastructure to ensure free flowing transportation and safe travel, and elimination of the ‘undesirable element’ now spreading terror and violence throughout the nation. End quote.”
“Damn,” Roland whistled lightly, “That’s a tall marching order.”
“Ain’t it though,” Jenkins sighed. “Good news is, a lot of guys are returning to the colors, bringing their families and any ‘borrowed’ equipment with them.”
“No charges?” Roland asked, thinking of himself.
“Nope,” Jenkins grinned, “Oh, and as of now, you’ve been honorably discharged from the Army, and are now a full-fledged member of the Tennessee National Guard,” he announced, handing over an envelope with the Guard’s letterhead on it.
Opening it, Roland read the short note from Captain, or rather Lieutenant Colonel, Thomas, ordering him to maintain his current post as OIC, and commander of the County Military Detachment A. Inside he found the yellow ‘butter bar’ of a 2nd Lieutenant.
“You’re kidding,” he looked as Jenkins, the bars in his hand.
“Nope,” Jenkins grinned evilly.
“He couldn’t have made me a First Sergeant?” Roland complained, “Someone with some real authority?”
“Hey!” Jenkins looked offended.
“Just sayin’,” Roland muttered. “Thanks, though,” he added, “It’s a relief to know that I’m not -”
“You earned it, brother,” Jenkins replied seriously. “The Colonel made that point rather strongly to your last CO.”
“Please tell him thank you,” Roland said sincerely, “For everything. And what’s Detachment A?”
“Actually, it’s your only detachment,” Jenkins shrugged. “This is a small county, so one’s all you get. I told you we were going to place detachments in places like yours to help locals, right?” Roland nodded.
“Well, that was actually where Wheeler got the idea. Cap’n told him what we were doin’, and he liked it so much he passed it on in his General Order Number One.” You could hear the capital letters.
“You’ve got four men with an armored HUMVEE. Good sergeant leading the team. Their job will be to assist the local sheriff. Wilson still sheriff?” At Roland’s nod, Jenkins nodded and continued, “Good. Sergeant Drake and his crew will assist him with patrol and back him up when needed.
He’ll need to provide local sworn officers to accompany them, though. We’re strictly here to assist.
Locals have to take the lead,” he emphasized.
“Well, he’ll be glad for that,” Roland nodded, thinking what a difference these men might have made less than a week ago.
“Okay, now that that’s taken care of, moving on,” Jenkins went on, “There’s another team along, two engineers and their escorts. Their job is to help get things like water services working again and to help set up some solar power systems. They’re actually building some PV panels. No idea how it works, but it does work. They’ll need manpower, which I will leave to you,” he grinned, “as the local commander.”
“Ass,” Roland snorted.
“Ass, sir,” Jenkins corrected straight-faced. He held the glare for all of five seconds before losing it in a struggle with a belly laugh.
“Anyway, take good care of them. You’re getting them ahead of several larger places just because, well, you’re you.”
“What’s that mean?” Roland asked.
“Hey, man, I don’t think you realize how much you’ve helped us,” Jenkins told him. “Some of your ideas are the reason we were able to start feeding and equipping people. Got the city cleaned out.
We owe you, and we pay our debts.”
“You don’t owe me,” Roland shook his head.
“Anyway,” Jenkins decided to end this before it started. “Give them whatever help they need.
What else?” he asked himself as he looked at his notebook.
“Supplies! Four box trucks full of canned and dry goods. Might be the last,” he looked up, making sure Roland understood, “Use it well. One truck also has a lot of seeds for next year, and more canning equipment and supplies. Also might be the last,” he warned, “Take care of them.”
“Brought you some ammo, and replacement equipment as well. Have to let the Detachment draw supply from there, but there’s a lot of it. There’s several cases of MREs, but there won’t be any more for a while. We’re running low, and saving the rest for patrols. Supposed to be getting some more soon, and the General has already got resupply going out from dumps and plants all over the country. Supposedly the Air Force is even flying stuff home. We’ll see.” He checked his note book again.
“Medicines,” he checked off another entry. “You’ve got a doctor now so we’ve sent everything she should need to set up a clinic. Have to share,” he said pointedly. “She’s not just for you guys, right?”
“No, we’re taking her on her rounds each week.”
“Great! One more thing already done,” he made another check mark. “Let’s see. . .fuel truck is staying, but the security guys will be using it too. There’ll be another, larger truck coming soon, loaded with diesel for the harvest and hopefully enough for planting the next crop. You’ll need to recruit a local leader for that,” he added.
“There’s a couple guys I know that might be able to handle that,” Roland nodded, thinking of both Derrick Turnbow and Tom Mackey.
“Better and better,” Jenkins nodded. “Some clothing on board, no idea what sizes, it’s all just tossed in there, including skivvies,” he added, “Some BDUs too, and some are camo, taken from warehouses. Civilian wear, but suitable for deployment. Web gear, a lot of civilian stuff but it looks pretty good.”
“More hand tools, including some knives this time, and some machetes. Some multi-tools. I’ve got most of the better hardware separated so you can assign it to your operators if you want.” He checked his notes. Looking up, he leaned back again.
“That kid’s water filter works, by the way,” he announced. “For the life of me, I can’t figure out why none of us, no one, thought of it. I brought him a few goodies, too, to say thanks.”
“Nothing that explodes or shoots, I hope,” Roland snorted, only half joking.
“Hey, sounds to me like he’s done right by you,” Jenkins shrugged, “But, no. Some parts and supplies that he should be able to make use of. He was particularly interested in electrical wire, duct and electrical tape, wire connectors, and for some reason, copper tubing?”
“Oh, no,” Roland felt a headache coming, “For his still.”
“Seriously?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Well, that explains the two-hundred-gallon water tank,” Jenkins chuckled.
“How do you know he wanted all this?” Roland asked.
“He gave me a list, last time I was here,” Jenkins replied. “Since the water filter worked, I decided to bring him everything I could find.”
“Now he’s building a network,” Roland groaned.
“I’ve seen supply sergeants who couldn’t do better,” Jenkins agreed. “Keep a tight grip on that kid, Roland. He’s worth his weight in gold these days.”
“You can bet on it.”
“Well, I guess we need to meet your troops,” Jenkins stood.
“One more thing,” Roland said, “I’d like for Jesse to be added to the rolls, as my Sergeant, and second-in-command. He’ll need real authority with soldiers posted here now.”
Jenkins reproduced his notebook, scribbled himself a note, and took Jesse’s information.
“Go ahead and appoint him, on my authority,” Jenkins ordered. “I’ll clear it with the Colonel as soon as I get back.”
“Thanks.”
-
Tom Wilson arrived just as Roland and Jenkins were about to meet the men of the Detachment A.
“Tom,” Roland nodded.
“Roland. Sorry
I’m late.”
“Right on time,” Jenkins smiled. “Sheriff Wilson, may I present Sergeant Kenneth Drake. He will lead the team assigned to your office to help secure your area.”
“Sergeant, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Wilson said sincerely.
“We’re here to help, sir,” Drake promised. “We’ll need a liaison for the team, who will be in charge. Our tasking is to provide support for your office.”
“They’ve been given a crash course in Civil Affairs and Military Policing for Civilians,” Jenkins added, “but they are not civilian peace officers. They are here to provide you with manpower, and, if needed, firepower.”
“I can sure use the help,” Wilson nodded. “Sergeant Drake, what say you and I, tomorrow, make the rounds. I can introduce you to the community leaders in the area, and my own people, and get you acquainted with the area.”
“Sounds like a plan, sir,” Drake nodded.
“Outstanding,” Wilson agreed.
“Gentlemen, this is Lieutenant Roland Stang, late of the One-oh-One, and your new commanding officer,” Jenkins introduced. “He and the people here just fought a major engagement five days or so ago against at least fifty attackers.”
“Sir,” Drake saluted. Roland returned it, feeling fraudulent.
“Sergeant,” he nodded, shaking hand with each. “I’m sure the Sheriff is glad to have your help, and so am I. We took a lot of casualties in our fight. Had we had you and your men with us, I’m sure it would have gone better.”
“Thank you, sir,” Drake replied. “If there’s a next time, we’ll be here.”
“Hopefully there won’t be one as bad as that,” Roland told him, “But I’m sure the Sheriff’s office has its own troubles. You’ll be a great service to him and the people here, I’m sure.”
“Well, now that we’ve all met,” Jenkins declared, “it’s time to start getting some work done.”
-
“Major Albert, and Captain Cristina Carpenter,” Jenkins introduced, “this is Lieutenant Roland Stang, the Area Detachment Commander. Roland, the engineers I was telling you about.”
“Pleasure to meet you folks,” Roland shook hands. “We’re glad to see you.”
“Glad to be here,” Albert smiled. “We’ll see what we can do about getting you some systems restored, L-T.”
