THE END - Book I - Of THE EVENT SERIES

by Marshall Huffman

  “If we do we’ll be there,” he assured KC.

  They decided it would be best if they didn’t take them up on the offer. After Billy, Eric and Randy had finished eating, they packed their gear so they could get on the road before when daylight came.

  “Anyway, at least we get to sleep in a real bed one more night,” Eric said, stretching his long arms over his head.

  “I think we should head back after this one. If we see any more mines along the way we can stop and investigate. Other than that, we need to get back and see how things are going. We’re telling everyone how well we can handle them but we are totally out of touch and things may have changed.”

  “Hey, no argument here,” Billy said.

  “I’m all for it,” Eric added.

  “Good. We go a bit further south tomorrow and head back in the afternoon tomorrow,” Randy agreed.

  ****

  The three men ambled over to the mess hall. Most of the folks were finished and just sitting around. A few were playing cards and two men were playing chess while several kibitzers offered advice. They appeared not to notice as they studied the pieces in front of them.

  “Here they are,” KC said as they entered the room, “Maybe you can give us an update on the day’s events.”

  “Eric and Bill were able to get six cars and three pickups running. It will be tight if you all come but it isn’t all that far and you won’t be cooped up too long. The hardest part of the trip for the driver is dodging all the cars that are just abandoned along the road. You constantly have to drive around them and even get over on the shoulder to get past. It can be done but it just takes a little longer to go any distance. Gas is no problem. Just take a siphon hose and bucket and you have your own filling station,” Randy told them.

  “When can we go if we want to?”

  “We are heading back tomorrow afternoon. We can swing back here and you are welcome to follow along. If you need more time, we have drawn some maps to help you find the place. They aren’t professional but you can certainly find the mine with them.”

  “Some of us ain’t going,” one man said.

  “Fine. We wish you the best. If you do decide to change your minds, you are always welcome to join us later,” Randy assured him.

  “How many of you are thinking of going?” KC asked. He counted hands as they were held in the air.

  “Nineteen. Twenty, counting me.”

  “You’re leaving here?” Tom said, surprised.

  “Yes Tom, I am. There is nothing for me here. My family is gone and I think Randy is right. The more people that we can get in one place the better our chances of survival.”

  “I never thought you would run out on us. Is Mike going too?”

  “I don’t think so and I am not running out. I am doing what I think is best. You stay if that’s what you think is best for you.”

  “How many cars can we take?” one of the women asked.

  “We will leave one of the pickups here and a car that runs for those that elect to stay. The rest will be used to transport those leaving to the Waynesburg Mine,” KC answered.

  Randy was glad KC made the call. It is what he would have done as well but it would be accepted better coming from one of their own.

  “What can we bring with us?” the same woman asked.

  “Some clothes and a few personal items. We have a lot of people to pack into six vehicles. We have enough food left with us to take care of everyone going until we get back to the Waynesburg Mine. You might want to bring a couple bottles of water. We can probably find some along the way but it would be better to be safe than sorry,” Randy told her.

  “Anything else?” KC asked. No one spoke up. “Okay, that’s it then. What time are you planning on leaving?” KC asked Randy.

  “First light. We want to venture a little further down the road before we head back this way. We should be back here around noon. Once we get everyone settled in, we are out of here.”

  “Alright people. Be at the cars at noon tomorrow. Once we get saddled up, we are gone. Anyone that wants to change their mind let one of us know and we will find a way to fit you in. Keep it light on packing. Not much room for fancy stuff,” KC said.

  “Goodnight KC. We have an early start tomorrow,” Randy added as they headed to the bunkhouse for one more good night’s sleep in a real bed.

  The sun had only been up a few minutes when Randy stumbled out of the bed and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He stretched and walked around to the bathroom and relieved himself before rousting the others out.

  The old Jeep was showing its age. It was covered with dust and the windshield was almost totally gone from the bullet hole. A dent in the right front fender was a reminder of almost falling asleep while driving and bouncing off a guard rail. It was a good thing they couldn’t travel very fast. Soon the others were stirring. As soon as breakfast was over they headed out once again.

  In some ways it had been wasted time on this last jaunt. A small mine they had found resulted in nothing. If anyone survived they were long gone.

  They ate a light lunch and headed back the way they had come. Randy was wondering just what problems they would encounter on the drive back to Pennsylvania.

  Back at the mine KC assumed the role of assigning the various groups to the vehicles. One other person had decided to join them and he made the adjustments. Some of the suitcases had to be abandoned and the clothes stuffed into plastic bags so it would all fit. No one complained. Those staying behind watched as the others piled into the cars.

  By one o’clock, they were ready to go. A few minutes later the Jeep came up the road and KC let out a sigh of relief. He was glad they had made it back safely. Randy pulled up next to him.

  “Is everyone ready to go?” Randy asked.

  “Seems so.”

  Randy turned to those staying and said, “You can join us later if you decide. We left a map on the table in the mess hall. If things get rough here, pile into one of the vehicles and head for where we will be. I hope you all do well and wish you the best of luck.”

  None of them said a thing. What did he expect them to say? Randy gave them a wave and started the Jeep engine. The others began to start their cars. Several ground and ground but wouldn’t fire.

  “What’s the problem?” Randy said, standing up in the Jeep.

  “Damn things won’t start.”

  Eric and Billy got out of the Jeep and went over to the first car and opened the hood.

  “Ah shit,” Randy heard Eric exclaim.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Someone took the plug wires.”

  “What?”

  “No plug wires,” Eric said exasperated.

  KC climbed out of the car he was in and opened the hood. It was the same thing. All the sparkplug wires were gone. He turned and looked at those standing on the porch.

  “This is stupid. This won’t change a thing. We may leave a little later but it won’t change a thing in the end,” he said.

  No one spoke.

  “Tom. Where are the wires?”

  “Beats the hell out of me. Are they missing?”

  “Don’t pull this shit with me. What did you do with them?”

  “Not sure. I think I heard one of them yell as it fell down the mine shaft.”

  “You asshole,” KC said.

  “Better than a turncoat,” he mumbled.

  “No big deal,” Eric said. “We can get the plug wires from almost any vehicle. As long as they are long enough and have the right plug ends on them. It may take a little while but it won’t keep us from going.”

  He was overly optimistic. It took two long hours to finally get all the plug wires replaced but they were finally able to get the procession on the road.

  Tom stood on the steps, giving them the finger as they drove off. Mike, still sitting in his office, never even bothered to look out the window as they left. He was actually glad they were leaving. He only wished that they had all gone.


  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  NORAD

  Lieutenant Miller saluted as he came into Colonel Webber’s office.

  “Get her settled in?”

  “Yes sir. I think she is going to stay. At least for the time being.”

  “You know, we are going to have to go after those guys. We know for sure others survived and if anyone else happens to come along, those jerks may try to do the same thing only with more success.

  “Yes sir. My feelings exactly.”

  “You think you are up to it?”

  “Sir?”

  “If you had to shoot it out with them? They are, or were, American soldiers. You may have to kill some of them.”

  “I understand. When they killed the General and tried to kill us as well, in my mind they were no longer American soldiers. I have no problem doing what has to be done.”

  “Good. Good. All right then. Take as many as you need but make it just as clear to them that if they have any qualms about this mission, they need to stand down immediately.”

  “I think that would be better coming from you. I’m kind of an outsider.”

  “Good point. Forget that last part. I’ll address them before they saddle up.”

  “Thank you Sir.”

  “No, thank you. I would go myself but I don’t think that is a good example to set. Not in front of them. I have no remorse about doing it, but all in all, I think it is better this way.”

  “I agree,” Miller said.

  “Let me know when you are ready to take off.”

  “Will do.”

  When the Lieutenant left, Colonel Webber leaned back in the chair and closed his eyes. This was crazy. Sending out one group of Americans to seize by force, another group of Americans. It was unthinkable. He opened his eyes and looked around the room. The scars from the earlier firefight were still apparent. It was a grim reminder of Lieutenant Franklin’s senseless death. He clinched his jaw. It was the right thing to do. It was the only thing to do in his mind.

  He went back to the pad of paper where he had been formulating a plan to get the people from the Lost World Cavern back to Cheyenne Mountain. Maybe they could find an old DC-3 around that could be made airworthy. It would be the quickest and most expedient way to move them in mass.

  He pulled out a map of the surrounding area and studied it for a few seconds. Besides the main airport in Colorado Springs, there were three smaller airports and of course the Air Force Academy airport. He decided that once the renegades were taken care of he would send out troops to see what they could scare up.

  Lieutenant Miller stuck his head in the door.

  “We’re ready.”

  “Jeez, that didn’t take long.”

  “The only problem I had was telling them I had too many volunteers. They are just as pissed at what happened as you are. The have a great deal of respect for you and for the Lieutenant. They are very upset about his death and the attempt to take you out as well.”

  “I would be lying if I said I didn’t find that gratifying. Let’s go talk to them.”

  Webber stood on the bumper of one of the Hummers looking around at the men and women that had not joined the so called National Military Force.

  “I want to thank all of you who volunteered for this mission. Someplace out that tunnel entrance is a rogue group that thinks they no longer have to answer to a higher authority. They are wrong. All of you know about what they attempted to do to Ms. Kim DeLaine just yesterday. Obviously they are still a threat, not only to others that happened to have survived, but to the future of America. We will have to be the ones that rebuild this country. We can’t afford to have murderers and rapists running around undoing everything we attempt to do. I for one, by God, am not about to let these morons get in the way of where we are going as a nation.”

  Several of the men clapped and whistled. He held up his hands to quiet them down.

  “Now I know it is a big thing I am asking you to do. Make no mistake about it, we will in all likelihood end up in a firefight at some point. People will be killed. If you don’t think you can pull the trigger on these people, you need to stand down. I won’t bullshit you, it will be hard but they will kill you. They have already proved what they are like. They killed a great soldier when they murdered Lieutenant Franklin. They slaughtered the General. These are not American soldiers. They are not fit to wear the same uniform that you wear. They are an affront to everything you and I stand for. They must be tracked down and eliminated.”

  A cheer went up. Webber waited until it died down.

  “I mean it. It won’t be as easy as you think to shoot another American but you must be resolved to that simple fact. No one will think the less of anyone who stands down. Lieutenant Miller was in Iraq during Desert Storm before he was stationed in DC. He has excellent combat skills. He has elected to lead you on this mission. I hope none of you have a problem with that. His orders are to be taken the same as if I issued them. He is my eyes and ears and will dictate the tone of what’s to come. I have total,” he stopped for a second, “Total confidence in his decision making ability and combat expertise. Now, you that are going will leave in ten minutes. Take care of any last minute things and if anyone wants to drop out, just tell Lieutenant Miller and he will pick another replacement. I repeat, no repercussions will come to anyone who changes his or her mind. This is not for everyone and I totally respect that. Now good luck and God bless each and every one of you,” he said.

  A loud cheer came from the men and women standing in front of him. It made him proud that he was fortunate enough to have some of the finest men and women serving under him. With some luck and good planning, they would be able to put the pieces back together that was once America.

  ****

  “We are ready to leave,” Lieutenant Miller said ten minutes later.

  “I want to be at the tunnel entrance and salute you all as you leave.”

  “Sir, I would like to thank you for your words about me out there. It certainly inspired me to live up to your expression of my abilities.”

  “It was the truth and that always works best for me. I have total confidence that you will carry out this mission and do it with dignity.”

  “Thank you. Shall we?” They walked along to the Hummer and Webber kept on going to the mouth of the tunnel.

  “Let’s roll,” Miller said, circling his arm. The Hummers sprang to life and slowly started down to the tunnel entrance. Those not going were lining the way and clapping as they rolled by. When they got to the entrance, Colonel Webber, standing at attention, raised his arm in a salute. Each man saluted as they drove by. They felt good about what they were about to do.

  Miller lay motionless beside six other men. They were all watching with high powered night vision goggles.

  He leaned close to the next man and whispered, “The one house is being lit with candles. I think I can hear a gas engine. The other must have a generator.”

  “Yeah, the one on the right. The light is too strong to be candles and it isn’t flickering like the other one.”

  “With the run of the town you would think they could get more generators,” Miller said.

  “Probably too lazy.”

  He just shook his head in agreement. He started backing down the slight rise they were lying on and the others quickly followed. It was so still that even the rustling of their pants seemed to disturb the night.

  They all assembled back at the Hummers. In a hushed voice he said, “Gather around.”

  He waited until they were all in close. He caught a whiff of someone that had aftershave on. He instantly tightened up but decided it wasn’t worth chewing someone out over. They should have known better but he let it go.

  “There are two houses. They are directly across the street from each other. I guess they did that so they could keep a look out for each other. We don’t know how many are in each house or if there are some in other houses. Rather than attack without knowing what their defenses are, I’m going to
let you all stand down.

  We will have a two hour rotation watch. Two on at a time awake and I do mean awake. Not one up and the other snoozing. When first light comes we will watch to see what’s going on. More than likely they will get together at some point to forage for food or whatever. We can check them out then.

  Be damned careful with the binoculars. Don’t let the light hit them and give us away. Once we have an idea of their readiness we can formulate a plan. According to the Colonel’s count they started out with twenty-seven. Twenty men and seven women. We don’t know if they are holding the women or they went voluntary. Hopefully we can sort that out tomorrow. They lost three to the DeLaine woman so they are down to seventeen men and seven women. We outman them and have more firepower but I don’t want you to think this will be a cakewalk. They have the advantage of knowing how to slip out if we aren’t careful and that will just prolong the chase. I want to swoop in and get them all. Any questions?”

  “Dead or alive?”

  “Whatever it takes,” the Lieutenant replied.

  “Fair enough.”

  They divided up the watch and settled down to wait for morning. At three in the morning they could hear shouts coming from one of the houses. Miller quickly climbed to the slight rise and watched through his binoculars. He could see shadows but couldn’t tell what was really going on. The words were lost as they drifted across the field but it didn’t sound too friendly. Eventually it died down and the light went off. Miller went back down and tried to get comfortable in the front seat of the Hummer.

  Night takes forever when you are tired, cramped and counting the minutes. It seemed like daylight would never come. Every time he glanced at his watch he swore it had stopped but eventually it began to get light. He opened a can of fruit cocktail and ate it. No fires, no smells that could drift down into the valley were allowed. As the sun finally came up, he noticed that it was brighter than normal at this time. The cloud layer was slowly burning off.

  He crawled back to the lookout point and watched. It was almost two hours before he noticed someone coming out of one of the houses. The man had an M-16 slung over his shoulder. He was looking around and Miller thought maybe they had been spotted but there was no way. The sun was to their backs so no glint could have come off the glasses lens. The man finally walked across the street and entered the other house.