The Army Comes Calling

by Darrell Maloney

  “Pretty nice,” Marty said. Do you play? Monopoly, that is.”

  “Oh, yes, indeed. No one around here will play me anymore. Because I’m ruthless, and no one can beat me.”

  “That’s only because you’ve never played me.”

  “Well, then, Marty dear, perhaps we’ll play sometime. But fair warning, you’ll leave here crying like a newborn baby. And you’ll swear you’ll never play me again.”

  “I’m looking forward to the challenge. Maybe it’s high time somebody knocked you off your pedestal.”

  “Maybe. But you’re not the man to do it.”

  He laughed. “We shall see, my dear. We shall see.”

  “Okay,” she said. “Now that the gauntlet has been thrown down, let’s get down to business. What was it you wanted to talk to me about?”

  “I want you and Mark to consider getting little Markie a dog.”

  He saw a flash of something in her eyes. A hint of nostalgia, perhaps? Of longing, or hope? Whatever it was, it was fleeting, and gone as quickly as it appeared.

  “Marty, that would be so wonderful. But you know as well as I do that none of the dogs survived the freeze.”

  His eyes sparkled and he smiled.

  “Wrong. At least some of them have.”

  Hannah’s mouth dropped. Literally.

  Mark chose that very moment to walk up, and said, “Well, that’s a good look for you. Want me to get you a napkin before you start drooling all over the table?”

  “Baby, Marty just told me there are dogs out there.”

  “Yeah, right. And Santa Claus and Bigfoot too.”

  Marty said, “Seriously. I’ve seen them. German shepherds. And they’re available for a certain price. Not very many people can pay that price. But you guys can.”

  He had their attention. Hannah said, “Go on…”

  “Let me start from the beginning. About a month ago a lady came into the Trucker’s Paradise to fill up with fuel. She caused quite a stir when she released a full grown German shepherd from the back seat to do his business against my fuel pumps. But I didn’t mind that. I was so excited to see a real live dog that he could have pissed on my leg and I wouldn’t have cared.”

  “Her name was Sue. Sue Gallup. She was the manager of a Sam’s Club in San Antonio. She said that a week before Saris 7 hit the earth, they barricaded themselves within the store. She and her husband and their two teenaged boys, and a couple of her favorite employees. And two German shepherds.

  She said for the first few months, it was hell. People kept trying to break in to steal food or water. They barricaded the front of the store with stacks and stacks of pallets and other bulky items, and anytime somebody tried to dismantle their wall they fired a few warning shots to scare them away.

  She said about three or four months after the meteorite crashed, everything went eerily silent. People were running south, looking for warmer climates. Or they were committing suicide in droves. But they stopped coming around and trying to break into the Sam’s Club.

  She said there was plenty of food to keep them fed, plenty of wood to burn for heat. Even plenty of dry dog food for the dogs.

  “Long story short, she and her husband bred the dogs. They were inbred, of course. She said that occasionally a couple of the puppies were stillborn, and they had to put a couple of them down because they were just vicious. But now there are enough of them to allow them to pick and choose who they breed the dogs with. And she says that seems to help.”

  Mark was as excited as Hannah.

  “Do they sell them? How can we get one?”

  “That’s just it, Mark. She’s got the corner on the market, and she can pick and choose who she deals with and what she gets.”

  “Okay. So?”

  “As I said a minute ago, there aren’t many people who are able to pay her price. But you guys can.”

  “How much does she want?”

  “She doesn’t want money. She says money is worthless. So are gold and jewelry and every other thing most people consider valuable.

  “But… there is something more valuable than silver or gold. And you guys have it.

  “She’s willing to share one young male and one young female, both healthy and proven breeders. For a rooster and a hen.”

  Chapter 27

  Mark wanted to make a decision on the spot.

  “Heck, yeah! Let’s go for it. It’ll be nice to have dogs again.”

  But Hannah took a more reasoned approach.

  “But this is something that will affect everybody. It should be brought before the council and voted on.”

  “But why, honey? I mean, not to sound crass or anything. But after all, they’re technically our chickens. I mean, we’re the ones who bought all the livestock for the mine before Saris 7 hit. Including all the chickens.”

  “No. Maybe that once was the case, but when we created this little society of ours we told everybody that there was no more ‘ours.’ We said that everyone who came in with us, and all of their offspring, would be an equal partner in everything that was in the mine. And that carried over into the compound after we broke free from the mine. Remember?”

  Mark gave her a sheepish look, but didn’t say anything.

  “And we also told everyone that anything which affected others would be debated and voted upon. There may be people in the group who are allergic to dogs, or some of the kids may be afraid of them. It wouldn’t be fair to them to make such a decision without letting everyone voice their concerns.”

  “We had a couple of dogs and cats when we entered the mine, remember? Nobody was allergic to them then.”

  “Nobody said they were. But remember in the early days many of our guests were too timid to make waves, or were in semi-shock because of the meteorite. Maybe they were allergic but didn’t want to voice it.”

  “Well, I guess you might be right.”

  “Ain’t no guessing about it, sailor. And I’m always right. When are you going to learn that?

  “And besides, this is just a formality, and a courtesy to everyone else. I imagine that everyone else will be just as excited as we are to get dogs again.”

  Mark said glumly, “I hope so. Because if you put it up to a vote and it fails, you’ll be sleeping on the couch for a very long time.”

  She looked at Mark like he’d lost his mind.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Oh. I meant to say me. I would be sleeping on the couch for a very long time.”

  “That’s better.”

  “Sheesh…”

  Hannah was right. Everyone else in the group was excited about the prospect of seeing dogs again.

  The only valid concern raised was about the dog food that would be required to feed them.

  “That’s not a problem,” Hannah assured everyone. “Marty said he knows of a trailer that is full of nothing but dry dog food. He said it’ll be enough to last us for at least ten years.

  “And he said he’d deliver it the same time he brought the dogs.”

  The vote, of course, was unanimous. Even David’s dad, Simon, who claimed to hate dogs and who was by far the grumpiest of the mine’s residents, seemed to have a soft spot when it came to German shepherds.

  And little Markie?

  He was happy beyond belief.

  “Oh, boy! A gerbil shepherd! For the reals, Daddy?”

  “Yes, sir. For the reals. A German shepherd.”

  “Wow! Mommy, that’s just like Lassie, on the TV. I can’t wait.”

  Mark interjected.

  “Well, actually, little man, I think Lassie was a…”

  Hannah put a finger to Mark’s lips to shush him.

  Markie went on.

  “And I want a boy puppy, just like Lassie was. And I want to name him Lassie.”

  This time it was Hannah who stepped in to correct her young son.

  “Lassie was a girl doggie, honey.”

  Mark said, “Actually, babe, I think I read somewhere that Lassie was actua
lly a male dog that they presented as a female. The directors said that males were less temperamental and much easier to work with.”

  He looked at Hannah and smirked.

  “No surprise there, huh?”

  Hannah leaned over and whispered in Mark’s ear: “If you don’t hush I’m going to break every bone in your body. And then I’ll break some of them again, just for good measure.”

  She smiled sweetly and blew him a kiss.

  Mark got up from his chair and said, “I’ll see you guys later. I need to go do something.”

  Markie, always wanting to tag along and help, said, “All right! Where are you going, Daddy?”

  “I don’t know yet, son. Somewhere safe.”

  Chapter 28

  On the day Marty was scheduled to bring the two dogs and the trailer of dog food, the compound also had another, unexpected, visitor.

  The United States Army has always been big on spit and polish, dating back to its days on horseback. It’s a tradition that a little thing like a meteorite colliding with the earth could never change. So even in a post apocalyptic world, Army staff cars still had to be washed and shined to perfection.

  It was just the Army way.

  The driver of the spiffy green car pulled apprehensively up to the perimeter fence and sat there, as though he’d never been there before and wasn’t sure he had the right place.

  And that was, in fact, the case.

  The sole occupant, a Staff Sergeant named Smith, was using directions scribbled on a piece of paper he’d obtained from one of the truck drivers who’d carried cattle back to Kelly Air Force Base.

  Sergeant Smith looked sharp in his dress uniform. That’s why he was chosen as Colonel Montgomery’s personal courier. He presented a positive impression of the Army he and Montgomery shared a common love for. Not like so many other non-coms whose slovenly appearance reflected discredit and dishonor upon the military.

  Another reason Montgomery favored the services of Sergeant Smith was that “Smitty” never failed to complete an assigned mission. Today, for example, he’d followed vague instructions directing him to a mysterious place with a black wall, where he was to park outside the wall and wait to be contacted. It was the stuff of James Bond movies, but the kind of mission Smitty relished.

  And even though he’d taken several wrong turns trying to make some sense of the cryptic directions, here he was. He’d finally found his mysterious black wall. As instructed, he would wait until contacted, deliver his message, and be on his way.

  And he’d maintain his reputation as a top-flight courier who always accomplished his mission.

  No matter what the obstacles.

  He sat in the car with the engine idling, wishing that Army vehicles came with entertainment systems. The only radio station currently operating in the area was the Armed Forces Network. And AFN was about twenty percent music and eighty percent propaganda. But it was still better than nothing. He hoped it wouldn’t take long for his contact to show. In the meantime, he contemplated the tall black wall in front of him and pondered what might be on the other side.

  On the inside of the compound, people were scrambling.

  Hannah, on the control desk, had spotted the vehicle fifteen minutes before, as it turned off of Highway 83 onto the wrong road.

  “John, Frank, Mark, there’s something fishy going on here,” she’d said on the radio. “Please come to the control center.”

  When the security team assembled at the control center, Hannah explained to them what she saw.

  “It turned down that dirt road a quarter mile north of us. Anybody know what’s on that road?”

  “It’s a utility service road,” Mark offered. “It leads to a cell tower about two miles in. That’s all. He’s probably looking for us, unless he’s scouting out someplace for the Army to play war games or something. My guess is he’ll realize his mistake and come back out any time now.”

  At that exact moment, the staff car had come back into view and turned back onto Highway 83.

  So by the time Smitty had found the correct road and had made it to the black wall, the people in the compound had plenty of time to send out the alarm, get all its noncombatants to shelter, and post its combatants at their battle stations, ready to go to war if things need be.

  Smitty was a great courier. But stealthy he wasn’t.

  “I’ll go out and see what he wants,” John offered.

  Frank said, “I’ll go with you.”

  Smitty was debating about whether to get out and stretch his legs when two figures came around the corner of the black wall and approached him.

  Perfect timing.

  He opened the car door and exited, standing next to it at parade rest. Nestled in his hands, folded neatly behind him, was the sealed message he’d been tasked to deliver.

  “Good afternoon, Sergeant,” John called out as he and Frank drew nearer.

  “Good afternoon, sirs. I’m looking for a man named John, or a man named Frank.”

  “Well, today’s your lucky day, young man. It’s two for one day. You’ve found both of us.”

  “I am Colonel Travis Montgomery’s personal courier. I have been asked to give you this, and to stand by for your response.”

  He handed Frank an official letter, folded in thirds, on light green Army stationary. A thick sheet of Army green paper provided a cover, and the message was stapled on both ends. Colonel Montgomery had signed his name across the seal.

  Frank removed the staples with his thumbnail and opened the communiqué, holding it out slightly so John could read it at the same time.

  John smiled as he read it. Frank showed no emotion at all.

  Frank addressed Smitty.

  “You say you’ve been told to stand by for our response?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Very well. Let us take the colonel’s proposal and consult with the rest of our group. We’ll try not to keep you waiting long. Are you in a hurry to get back?”

  “No, sir. Not at all.”

  “Very well. We’ll be back soon.”

  As they walked back and approached the gate, John called in.

  “We’re coming in. Can someone open the gate for us?”

  Hannah said, “It’s all clear, Brad. Go ahead and let them in.”

  Brad opened the gate and stepped aside as his friends walked past.

  “What’s going on?” he asked.

  “Oh, man. You’re not gonna believe this.”

  Chapter 29

  John and Frank approached the security console.

  “Hannah, would you have everyone stand down, and have Mark and Bryan meet us here?”

  “Sure, John.”

  Hannah got on the radio and gave the orders.

  “Aren’t you going to ask?” John asked her.

  “Ask what?”

  “Aren’t you going to ask what’s in the letter the man gave us?”

  “Nope. I figured you’d share it when the boys got here. And I’m not so curious that I need to know before then.”

  Mark and Bryan walked up at the same time, from opposite directions.

  “What’s up?”

  John answered, “It seems we’ve been invited to take a tour.”

  He unfolded the dispatch and read it again, this time aloud.

  Dear Mr. Jacoby and Mr. Woodard,

  I owe you my humble apologies. I have been remiss in a promise I made to you when you so generously donated half of your livestock to help feed the people of San Antonio and Bexar County.

  On that day I told you I would host you at a later date on a tour of our facilities. It is important that you are able to see the good that your donation has done for this community.

  Your generosity has helped save the lives of many. We’d like for you to tour our facilities, to see what we’ve done with the seeds and the livestock you have shared with us.

  Perhaps you can glean some useful information from our processes to take back with you. In that manner, perha
ps our two groups can continue to work together for our mutual benefit.

  I have cleared my schedule for the morning of 20 April, one week from today. Please select two people from your party who would be interested in taking the tour. I will pick you up in my personal helicopter at 0900 hours on that date.

  Please let my courier know whether you’d like to visit us. That’s all you need to do. We’ll make all necessary arrangements at that point.

  Should you decline this invitation but would like to do it another time, simply tell my courier. I will make a similar offer at some point in the future.

  V/R,

  Travis Montgomery, Colonel, U.S. Army

  Hannah asked, “What’s ‘V/R?’”

  Mark said, “Very respectfully. It’s how military officers end letters when they don’t particularly like whoever they’re writing to. It means the same as ‘up yours’ in the civilian world.”

  “Oh, be nice. I know he came across as rather heavy handed at first, but he did apologize, and we forgave him after we found out he was just trying to help people.”

  “Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

  Sarah walked up with Sami.

  “So, what’s going on?”

  Hannah answered for the bunch.

  “The Army’s sending a helicopter. They’re going to take two of us to San Antonio so we can see what they’re doing with our seeds and animals.”

  “Cool. I wanna go. I love helicopters.”

  John asked, “So, we’re pretty much agreed, then? We should take them up on their offer?”

  He looked around at the small group, and didn’t see any faces that showed any concern.

  “Sure,” Mark said. “Why not?”

  Frank said, “Okay, then. I’ll go back out and tell the courier to tell the colonel to send his chopper. Now all we have to do is figure out who gets to make the trip.”

  Chapter 30

  Frank stood, outside the wall on the east end of the compound, and watched the green staff car disappear in the distance.

  His radio came to life.

  “Hey, Frank, it’s Hannah. You might as well stay out there for a couple minutes. I can see Marty’s truck coming up the highway. He’ll be there shortly if you want to wait and greet him.”