WORLDS END

by Marshall Huffman

  “Copy.”

  A few seconds he notified her that he was ready. Sarah checked all of the instrumentation and made one final adjustment to the wave control box.

  “Discharging,” she said.

  The room lit up and a bolt of electricity started down from the upper ring. Then it was quiet in the room.

  “Shutting down,” she said.

  “Copy. Shutting down.”

  “What went wrong?” Lemmings asked.

  “Absolutely nothing. Look at the blocks,” she said pointing.

  His eyes widened. The cinder blocks were standing exactly like they had been. They were unscathed.

  “It stopped the electrical flow?”

  “Absolutely. The lower ring neutralized the effect of the upper ring's discharge.

  “Unbelievable! Can this be duplicated on a larger scale?”

  “Given the manpower and resources, absolutely,” Sarah replied.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  James was the first one to see the pod in the distance.

  “Sergeant. A pod,” he said pointing off to the west.

  “Take cover,” the Sergeant replied.

  Everyone scrambled to hide. James moved slowly but steady and lay down. Linda was right next to him.

  He whispered, “I think they can hear pretty well and don’t move even if the damn thing hovers right over us. Understand?” he told her.

  She shook her head ‘yes’.

  James watched out the top of his eyes but didn’t lift his head. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a second pod coming in from the northeast. It was just as he suspected; they traveled in pairs.

  He shifted his head no more than an inch and saw that Sergeant Medion was fidgeting and moving from time to time. He wanted to tell his to stop wiggling but the pods had moved far too close for him to speak.

  The first pod came closer and finally started moving toward where the Sergeant lay. He needed to remain totally motionless but suddenly he rolled over on his back and brought his gun up. He never had time to pull the trigger before a bolt shot out of the pod and obliterated him.

  No one else moved, not even Corporal Hollister. The pods stayed around the area, sweeping first one direction and then the other. Once they actually moved off and James could no longer see them he rolled over and sat up. He looked over where the Sergeant had been laying. There was nothing but blood splatter left.

  “See,” James said, his face turning red, “See? Damn it when I say don’t move that’s what I mean. The damn military always think they know more than the civilians. Well look what the hell that got Sergeant Medion. He is frickin’ vapor.”

  James was seething. This was the third time he had seen someone obliterated because they just wouldn’t listen.

  Corporal Hollister came up to him and said, “James I know you are upset but you’re wrong. I listened. I did just like you said.”

  He looked at her for a moment and then sat down on a pile of rocks.

  “It is just so damn frustrating seeing someone get annihilated like that. I wanted to tell him so bad to quit fussing around. Damn it, I just don’t want to see that happen again."

  “You can’t blame yourself. We all had the same warning. I liked the Sergeant but this isn’t on you, it’s on him. It was preventable but only by him. You need to let it go,” she told him softly.

  “If there is any good in this it’s that it is instant and I doubt he felt a thing.”

  “I know this is crude but we don’t have to take the time to bury him,” the Corporal said.

  James just looked at her. It must be military humor or how they fight off death, he thought.

  “We need to get moving. I’ve noticed they often return after an hour or so,” James told her.

  **

  James was laying his things out, trying to get comfortable. Linda had settled in just a few feet from him. So far he had done a pretty good job of keeping her at bay. He finally got comfortable enough to lie down.

  “That was terrible about the man today,” she said.

  “Sergeant Medion,” James replied.

  “He seemed nice enough.”

  “The problem is, he could have gotten us all killed. If others had panicked who knows what those things would do. They could start firing randomly or any number of things,” he told her.

  “You saved us all again. You’re an amazing man, James.”

  “Linda, I’m just a guy. I learned something that others didn’t. It was luck. I know how it works now for sure. Sharing it with you and the others doesn’t make me amazing, or brilliant or even smart. It just makes me a survivor who wants to give others the same opportunity to live. I can’t make people do it and to be truthful, not everyone can do it. It takes courage and trust to stand there with those things sniffing around but those that do stand a hell of a lot better chance than those who move or run.”

  “Say what you want, I happen to think you are amazing.”

  “Well I’m not but thank you for the thought. You need to get to sleep, we have to get going at first light,” James told her.

  “James would you mind if I scooted over by you? It’s cold even with these coats.”

  Shit. This is just what he had been trying to avoid. Why? Was it because of Alice? Was it because he didn’t want to get too attached to anyone until they were safe? Was he afraid that if he liked someone and they got killed he couldn’t take it anymore? Why not? She was attractive and seemed to be interested in him. How could this hurt unless it got him killed in the process?

  “I don’t know how much good it will do but sure, snuggle up if you want,” he told her.

  The next thing he knew, she was in his arms and had laid her head against his chest.

  **

  “If we push hard, we can make DC by nightfall. Lunch will have to be fast and we will definitely have to pick up the pace a little. If not, we will have to spend another night out here. What does everyone want to do?” Corporal Hollister asked.

  “I’m for pushing on,” Joe said.

  “Alice?”

  “The sooner we get there the better.”

  “Beatrice?”

  “I’m with Joe. Whatever he says is good with me.”

  “Linda?”

  She looked at James first then said, “I’m for going on.”

  “James.”

  “You know what I want to do. Get the hell out of the open,” he told Hollister.

  “Then let’s take a fifteen minute break and move out,” she said.

  It actually only took nine minutes before they were all ready to move out again. Hollister was on point and moving at a pretty good clip. James kept checking to see if everyone was keeping up. Beatrice seemed to be having the most trouble but Joe was doing all he could to help her along.

  At six o’clock they took another fifteen minute break and ate. Refreshed they started off again.

  “Maybe an hour more,” Hollister told James who was just behind her.

  “That’s good. I don’t know how much longer Beatrice can keep going at this pace. Even with Joe’s help. She is about done in. We may not be able to make it after all. It’s getting darker and someone could fall and get hurt,” he told Hollister.

  “Damn. We are close but you’re right. We don’t need to get anyone hurt this late in the game. Maybe we should stop,” she said looking back at James.

  He had stopped and was standing still.

  “What?”

  “I don’t know. Something. Pods or something. I can feel it. The hair on the back of my neck just stood on end. Something is watching us.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “It’s like sixth sense. I had this in Afghanistan. I always seemed to sense something before all hell broke loose.”

  “I trust your instincts. Let’s get the others here but spread out and have them settle down and not move. I’ll check it out,” she told him.

  “Uh, I think it's best if we all settle down, you included. There is nothin
g you can do with the light fading but get yourself hurt or worse.”

  “Alright. I’ll wait with the rest of you,” she said.

  **

  Everyone was down on the ground and not moving. Joe was holding Beatrice, trying to stop her trembling from exhaustion.

  “Still feel it?” Hollister said, lying next to James looking through binoculars.

  “It’s out there. Something. Watching. I don’t know what or why but I know for damn sure it’s there?”

  “You must have been some soldier,” Hollister said.

  “Why do you say that?”

  “You are so cool under pressure. You have a command presence about you. People want to follow you. When you say something people believe you’re telling the truth. That’s hard to come by,” she said looking over at him.

  “That’s pretty high praise from a soldier.”

  “Can I ask you about your service?”

  “Sure. Why not?”

  “What did you do?”

  “You mean what was my specialty?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Sniper.”

  “Ah,” she said and picked up the binoculars again.

  “Anything?”

  “Not that I can see.”

  “Alright. I want you to stay here. I’m going to slip down and around. I want you to kind of half stand and move to that other pile. Once you get there just stay still. Got it?”

  “Where are you going?”

  “To see who is out there.”

  “You don’t need to do that,” Hollister replied but he was already gone.

  **

  James inched his way forward and placed the barrel against the back of the man’s neck.

  “Don’t move.”

  “Just be cool,” the man said.

  “I am. Very cool. Who are you and why are you watching us through that scope?”

  “I was watching you come in. I was checking for any of those damn pods.”

  “So you are watching us make our way in and just sitting here waiting for them to attack. Is that about it?”

  “No. I was waiting in case I saw one headed your way. This thing can reach out a mile. I was going to shoot at it to warn you and distract it,” the man said.

  “Alright. Finger off the trigger. Just lay it down gently. Roll over and face me,” James said.

  The man did as instructed.

  “You’re a civilian?”

  “So it would seem.”

  “Son of a bitch. We need to get those people in. They have been back every night.”

  “That has night vision right?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Okay. I’m going to go out and lead them in. They are a pretty tired bunch.”

  “Where did you come from?”

  “Virginia.”

  “Holy cow,” he said as James headed out to lead them in.

  It was dark by the time they got to the bunker and were led down and inside but they had made it.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  “Mr. President,” General Preston said, as he hurried into the office.

  The President looked up, waiting.

  “Some survivors just arrived. Not many but at least we know they are out there.”

  Coaler stood up quickly, “How are they?”

  “Tired, dirty, hungry. Everything you might expect.”

  “Do they need medical treatment?”

  “I have the doctor looking them over right now. They are making them warm food and getting them fresh clothes.”

  “Well done general. I want to talk to them.”

  “Sir. They came all the way from Virginia and are filthy. They need a shower and clean clothes.”

  “Yes, yes. You’re right. Okay, as soon as they are ready I would really like to talk to them. By the way, how did they get here?”

  “The Beta team found them. They sent two of their people to lead them back.”

  “Outstanding. There just have to be others.”

  “Yes sir. I’m sure they can tell us more once they get rested.”

  “Great news general,” the President said with a new bounce in his step.

  Survivors. If they survived others must have as well. It gave Coaler new hope for the future.

  **

  “Mr. President, this is Corporal Hollister. She was with the Beta team and brought the survivors back to Washington,” the general said.

  “Nice job soldier. Very well done indeed.”

  “Sir. As much as I would like to take the credit, it was James Flynn we can all thank for getting back here alive. I think if you listen to what he has to say, you will be amazed.”

  “Which of you is James?” the President asked.

  He held up his hand.

  “Is Corporal Hollister correct in her assessment?”

  “I think she is being modest. We couldn’t have gotten here without her help. All I did was pass on what I have learned about the disks and pods.”

  “You have information? Please, all of you sit down,” Coaler said and took his place behind his desk.

  “Mr. President, I know this is going to seem strange but the key to survival, especially in the open is to freeze and not move a muscle. I mean no matter what happens, you just don’t move for any reason.”

  “Wait. Are you telling the President that all we have to do is stand around and they will leave us alone?” the general asked.

  “What I am saying is that if you move or run or even wiggle around much, you are vaporized so fast you never know what hit you. If you freeze and stand or better, lay perfectly still, the things will move right over you and leave you alone. They obviously key in on movement. It only takes a slight amount and they zap you,” James told the general.

  “I find that difficult to believe.”

  “I don’t know who you are,” Linda said, “But I can tell you he saved all of us more than once by doing just that. He would tell us to freeze and if we did, they went away. One of your men, I forget his name, Milton or something like that, didn’t do as he was told and he was blown to bits.”

  “And you all believe it was because he told you to freeze?” the general said.

  “General, it’s true. We were caught out in the open. James had warned us what we needed to do. I was on point and Sergeant Medion was just behind me. We all dropped and froze. The pod came hovering over us and Sergeant Medion rolled over and started to fire on the thing. He never got a shot off before he was blasted into nothing more than boiled blood. We couldn’t even find enough to bury,” Corporal Hollister told him.

  “Is that the assessment of the rest of you?” the President asked after listening to the exchange.

  Every one of them acknowledged that they concurred with what Linda and Hollister just told him.

  “It seems so simple. I mean who would have thought of that as a way to live through an attack like we have suffered.”

  “Mr. President. I think we are jumping to conclusions here. There may be other reasons they escaped. A distraction, malfunction or any number of reasons.”

  “You damn sure can rule out malfunction whoever you are,” Joe spoke up, “We saw people blown to bits the minute they moved. Not once, not twice but on three separate occasions. Anyone who moved was destroyed. The things did not malfunction. They can’t see you if you don’t move. Why do you even doubt that? Is it because he is a civilian and you think only the military has the answers? We traveled all this way. James saved our bacon while you were back here safe and sound in your bunker. I suggest you get off your high horse and listen to him.”

  It was totally quiet in the room. No one moved.

  “Yeah, just like we are doing now,” James said and they all cracked up except for the general.

  The President listened intently as James and the others told them about their travels. He was disappointed that they had seen no other groups. He asked for James to stay and let the others go and get caught up on rest. While James told him how he had initially
survived and about finding Alice, he sent for ‘Gunny’ Baker to join them.

  “Gunny,” this is James Flynn.”

  “Pleasure to meet you. You have quite a dedicated following and well earned from the sound of it even though the general seems a little off his feed about it.”

  “He will just have to get over it,” the President said.

  **

  “Sir, what you’re asking is almost impossible. I mean there is no way for us to get to this DU, whatever you call it. I know it is one of the most advanced laboratories in America and I totally believe it survived but to get there from here? I just don’t see how it can be done.”

  “James, we have limited resources but I’m told that they offer our best hope. I don’t even know if the place still exists or that they didn't take off once the attacks began, but they are some pretty smart folks and I imagine they stayed put waiting for someone to come along and gather them up. I know you have done your share, more than your share but we need to know if they are alive and if we can get them back to see if something can be done about these things. Our world, or what is left of it, depends on it,” the President said.

  James rubbed his ear, deep in thought. The key was how they were going to get there. No way was anyone going to walk that far and make it. It was over 1450 miles. Even if they found a plane still operational the pods would attack them. It was all wishful thinking.

  “Here is all I can say, Mr. President. If you find a way to actually get us there, then yes I will go along. I am still not sure why you think I should go along.”

  “James, you are a survivor. You are smart and you can evaluate the situation and determine the correct course of action. Corporal Hollister said that not only were you smart but you seemed to have a sixth sense about danger and knew how to react. Pretty high praise. I realize you are no longer military and I’m sure the general will disagree but he works for me and I make the calls. I think you are the best person to lead the team.”

  He turned to the Gunnery Sergeant.

  “Gunny, do you have any problem with being second in command to James? I realize it is totally unorthodox but these are unorthodox times. You are regular armed forces but keep in mind that James was once a military may like yourself. Do you think you could live with that?”