by Sean Liscom
“I remember it! It wasn’t me that locked you out of the ARK! It was Jack!”
“It was your mission of mercy that cost us all of our supplies! We’re screwed now and it’s all because of you.”
“You know what? I’ve had a really shitty day and you’d be doing me a favor if you just shot me now! So, go ahead! DO IT!” she shouted. “Put me out of my misery!” the silence that followed was just as enveloping as the blackness had been. Finally, the weapon mounted flashlight lowered to illuminate the ground.
“There’s been enough death for one day. I lost 37 people to a Coalition attack. I’ve lost all of our supplies and I’ve lost our safe haven. You’re not the only one having a bad day.”
“I’m sorry, Nate. If I’d known Jack was going to lock you out, I’d have stopped him. I’d have stopped him or I would have just left it alone and let you do your thing. I’m sorry,” she repeated. Another rumble came from the far end of the tunnel and more concrete dust filled the air.
“We can’t stay here. We need to get moving. C’mon,” he motioned down the tunnel with his light. When he did that, she could see a half dozen men standing on the footpath that ran beside the tracks. All of them had night vision goggles affixed to their helmets. She leaned back and grabbed the laptop from the seat and followed him.
“I have a crazy idea,” she blurted out after walking in dejected silence for half an hour.
“I’m listening....
CHAPTER 30
Tuesday, September 6th, 2017
The Ranch.
As much as I wanted to sit and stare at the black monitor, I had things to do. As much as I wanted to “feel” something about the loss of my father, I couldn’t. At that particular moment, my heart and soul felt as black as the screen was. In fact, the longer I sat in the chair, the madder I got. He apologized for not stopping the missiles and yet, he’d managed to pass the blame off as his alter ego, Jack Kenshaw. Yet again, he’d left someone else holding the bag for his actions and yet again, I was the one left cleaning up after him.
“Son-of-a-bitch! I growled and slammed my fist on the desk. I pushed my chair back and stood, taking one last look at the monitor.
“It’s not your fault,” Bill said from behind me.
“I know that now,” I said without turning around.
“You couldn’t have stopped him, even if you’d tried. If he were a logical, sane person, you might have had a chance. He was too mentally and emotionally damaged. It’s almost as if this outcome had been predetermined by some higher power and he was simply the tool....”
“Oh, he was a tool alright!” I said sharply. “It doesn’t matter if this was fate or kismet or whatever the hell you want to call it, it’s here and it’s up to us to own it. He did get one thing right,” I turned and locked eyes with Bill. “The strong will survive. What he got wrong was he didn’t expect us to bring as many of the weak along as we could,” I started to move for the open door and stopped just short of stepping through it.
“He wanted the strong to make it, he wanted the weak to pass into history and I’ll be damned if I’m going to grant him that final wish. We are going to do everything in our power to see that as many as possible survive. We and people like us will protect those that we can. If we don’t, well, we’re no better than him or the people he worked with. I’ll also be damned if this is the last chapter in the book of humanity. Jack Sterling, AKA Jack Kenshaw will not decide how this ends. We will!” I glanced at my watch and strode out of the room, head held high.
I went back upstairs, all the while playing out in my head how I was going to tell Tara and Luke. I mean, how do you tell a six and twelve-year-old the world had ended, again. When I found them playing in the living room, I watched them for a moment. They were so carefree, and I didn’t want to destroy what was left of their innocence. In that moment, I elected to tell them the truth. It was the only way.
I spent nearly an hour on the couch with them explaining in the simplest of terms, what had happened. Tara, being the oldest, was the most inquisitive. Her questions were difficult to answer but many times she would turn from me to her little brother and simplify the answers in terms he could understand. She was more or less my translator. I was just about to wrap up the conversation when Jill and Doc Williams, the younger one, Samantha came into the room. Sam was carrying a small, stainless steel tray with four syringes on it.
“Time for you guys to get your shots,” she said and set it on the table. She picked up an amber filled vile and looked at me. I started to roll up my sleeve when Tara stepped between us.
“Me first!” she proclaimed.
“You sure about that?” Sam questioned.
“Yeah, er…. Yes ma’am. I don’t want Luke to be scared so I’ll get my shot first.”
“Okay,” Sam said and administered the shot. After a slight grimace, Tara winked at me.
“That ain’t so bad! Kinda like a mosquito bite!” she pushed her sleeve down.
Sam continued to give the shots and when she was done with me, she took the last syringe and headed downstairs. Jill sat next to me on the couch. She didn’t say anything as we watched the kids return to their coloring books. We just sat and watched the two of them for the next half hour, content with a few moments of peace. Sensing it was time to get back to work, Jill leaned close and whispered in my ear.
“Doc said our baby will be born immune. We won’t have to worry about storing any of the vaccine. We can use it all.”
“That’s probably the best news I’ve heard all day.”
“He also said that if only one parent has had the vaccine, a child would have better than even odds of being immune. Even then, any child born to one vaccinated parent would be much less likely to get the disease. He said it’s like a built-in failsafe to make sure the human race can repopulate over time.”
“Also, good news,” I commented and smiled at her.
“Can I ask you a serious question?”
“Sure.”
“Have you decided what you’re going to do with the men that are hogtied in the driveway?”
“Yeah, yeah I have,” I rose from the couch and stuck out my hand to help her up. “C’mon, let’s go deal with them right now,” at first, she looked at me apprehensively but took the offered hand. When I opened the front door, I came face to face with Isabella.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“Yes, fine. I just need to eat.”
“Could you do me a favor first?”
“Of course,” she replied. I motioned her closer and leaned in to whisper in her ear. When I was done and leaned back, she had the same look on her face that my wife had had a few moments earlier.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Please see that it gets done. Also, if you see Kari before I do, let her know I need to speak to her, I need to speak to both of you.”
“I will,” she turned and walked back down the stairs. Jill and I were walking through the organized chaos that was taking place in the parking area. We were heading for the front gate, but I had to take a moment to admire what was going on. Four teams from the ranch were assembled in the parking area and the line of vehicles extended nearly halfway down the drive. They were hurriedly cramming supplies into the rigs. Those that were leaving family behind were saying their goodbyes, many times tearfully.
Specter and Wolf teams were the only teams that had no plans of returning anytime soon. Their mission to Ambrose would more than likely keep them away for months, years even. Badger and Mustang teams were looking to return within a month, but their mission also held the most uncertainty. There was a real risk of them running into the last bastions of Coalition forces. They were the ones I was worried about the most.
Jill and I continued to walk past the frenzy and before I knew it, we’d arrived at the gate. On the hard-packed gravel driveway, 11 men were still tied up in their underwear. Four men from Wraith team had been tasked with guarding the prisoners. As we passed the firs
t man on the ground, I released Jill’s hand and continued to walk. Every man I walked past attempted to lift his head but all they could get a good look at was my boots. I stopped when I came to the last man. Cowboy/Francis managed to hold his head up the longest. I turned to the guard at the end of the line.
“Any problems?”
“No, sir. They didn’t even twitch.”
“Good,” I drew my K-bar knife from its sheath and knelt next to Cowboy’s head. He turned so he could watch me with his right eye. “How’s it goin?” I asked.
“Been better,” he mumbled. “You gonna kill us?”
“Nah, I got something a little better in mind.”
“Look, Mr. Sterling. I think I can speak for all of us, we’re mighty sorry about everything.”
“As well you should be,” I moved to cut the rope that bound his legs and hands together behind him. He recoiled with fear. “Don’t move unless you want to get cut,” I ordered. He complied as I slipped the blade between his wrists and cut the rope. He slowly rolled onto his side and rubbed both wrists vigorously. He did the same with his ankles after I cut them loose.
“What was it?” I asked standing up again.
“What?”
“What was it that got you in prison?”
“Armed robbery. First strike.”
“Did you kill or injure anyone in the commission of your crimes?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Why didn’t I kill nobody?” he questioned. I answered with a nod. “Cuz I didn’t want to. That ain’t what I was about.”
“What were you about?”
“The money, man. It was all about the money so me an this other dude held up the guy that put money in the ATM machines. We didn’t even have us a gun till we took his.”
“And all because you didn’t feel the need to work for the money, you ended up here. Maybe that was a poor career decision?” I asked.
“Yeah. I wasn’t a good thief and I wasn’t a very good thug either,” he admitted.
“Get up,” I reached my hand out. He eyed it suspiciously before he took it. I helped him to his feet. “You’re their leader now, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Cut ‘em loose,” I flipped the K-bar around and held it out for him. He started to reach for it but stopped when I withdrew it slightly. “If anyone gets stupid, they’re gonna get dead in a hurry. You get me?”
“Yeah, I get you,” he took the knife and began to cut each man’s ropes. When he had freed all of them, he returned to stand in front of me. One by one, his men formed up loosely behind him. “Now what?” he handed the knife back. I took it and slipped it back in its sheath
“I’m not gonna lie, I wanted to end you, all of you. I’m sick and tired of all the crap you and your kind have been dealing out and I’ve had enough. Here’s the rub though; the game has changed. At 2pm this afternoon, several hundred missiles with a biological agent were launched at targets all around the world. Everyone who has not been vaccinated or does not have a natural immunity runs the risk of dying. Every one of my people have been vaccinated, we’re safe. You, on the other hand are not,” I watched the men exchange glances. I could tell some of them weren’t sure if I was telling the truth or just trying to scare them. I switched gears and changed the course of the conversation.
“I’ve always said this ranch is about second chances. I’ll also go on record as saying that, provided a second chance, most people will take it and do something with it. There will always be those who squander it but seriously, what can you do,” I shrugged my shoulders. “That said, by a show of hands, who here would like a second chance?” every man raised a hand.
“I’ll give you the chance, but I’ll also give you fair warning; you may not like the terms of the agreement. The only thing I’ll ask right now is that you hear me out. If you decide my terms are not for you, you will be allowed to walk away from here. You will walk away with nothing but your shorts, but you will be allowed to leave,” Cowboy looked over his shoulder at his men and then he looked back at me.
“Let’s hear what you got to say.”
“First, you’ll be taken in and allowed to get cleaned up. You get stupid, you get dead. It’s that easy,” I motioned for the head guard to come over. “Ed, take them to the barracks and let them get showers. Have clean clothes waiting for them when they’re done. After that, please escort them to my house,” I looked back to Cowboy. “Once you’re cleaned up, we will sit at my table and have a civilized conversation about where this goes next. Deal?”
“Deal,” he answered.
Tuesday, September 6th, 2017
Devils Punchbowl, California.
“You want me to trust you?” Nate nearly laughed when he said it. “After everything that happened back there? You’ve lost your fricken mind!”
“I’m serious! Jason and his people are good folks! Even if they don’t have room at the ranch for everyone, they’ll make sure you’re taken care of!” Melissa argued from the conference room table. Captain Boone’s medic had ordered her to lay on the table while he examined her injuries. “Besides, there’s no way you’re going to get all of your people to Ambrose before winter sets in.”
“I’m serious too! We’ll probably wait out the winter down here and then move north in the spring. I’m not about to go begging for a handout from the son of the man that nearly killed all of us. No way!”
“I need to reset the shoulder,” the medic said aloud. She wasn’t sure if he was just making mental notes out loud or actually talking to her. He pulled her so the left side of her body was right on the edge of the table. “Cap, you wanna hold her down?”
“Yeah, where do you want me?”
“Right here,” the medic pointed. “Leave me enough room to get my foot in her armpit,” just having him move her forearm from her chest was enough to cause her to gasp in pain. “Sorry. I’m not gonna bullshit you; this is gonna hurt. We’ll go on three, okay?” he asked her.
“Do what ya gotta do,” she grumbled through clenched teeth.
“Alright.... One.... Two,” he pressed against her side with his foot as he pulled her arm from the wrist. He twisted slightly and pressed her upper arm with his knee. She screamed a blood curdling scream that lasted as long as her breath held out. When he slacked up on her wrist, there was an audible pop as the joint snapped back in place. “Sorry,” he muttered again and laid her forearm across her chest again.
“I think I pissed my pants!” she groaned.
“It happens,” was all he said as he went back to his pack and began rummaging around in it. A moment later he produced a triangular bandage and a roll of vet wrap. “Sit up,” he ordered. With a little help from Nate, she sat on the edge of the table. Sure enough, she’d wet her pants. Fortunately, nobody took notice and if thy did, they didn’t say anything.
“Don’t be a fool, Nate. Come with me to Elko,” she began pleading again.
“No. Once you leave here, we’re going back into the tunnels and I’ll take my people to Edwards Air Force base. It’s our best bet. We can keep those who’ve not been vaccinated safe and we should be able to scrounge up enough shit to begin trading with Vegas. We’re not going with you.”
“Would you at least consider talking to Jason? I know he could help you out.”
“I’ll consider it but don’t expect anything for a little while. I need to make sure my people are safe first,” he tied the knot around her neck for the makeshift sling and then held the end of the vet wrap until the young medic made the first loop around her body. Once the wrap was secure, he stepped back to admire his work.
“I ain’t got nothin left for the pain but your arm should be pretty secure. Once you get where you’re going, have your Doc check it out,” he said, picking up his bag and securing the zippers.
“Thank you. It already feels a lot better,” Melissa offered. Nate gave her a hand getting off the table and started her toward the door. The Jeep she’d ridden in on t
he way here was waiting in the parking lot. Several people were gathered around it she didn’t recognize. Nate began to walk that way and she followed.
“I’m really not happy about what happened here, Melissa. It really sucks ass, in fact. I’m also really unhappy about the way it went down. I warned you that Jack was a sneaky bastard but somehow, I let you talk me into this humanitarian mission of yours. I knew, deep down, I knew it would go down in flames. Yet you still managed to convince me that it was the right thing to do. I guess this proves that right and smart don’t always make the intersection at the same time.”
“It was right of you to try. It was right of you to convince me to go along with it. It probably wasn’t the smartest idea you’ve ever had though, and it wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done, I’d put money on it. You just have to face it; sometimes you can’t save everyone. Sometimes you have to be satisfied with saving your own ass and then worrying about others. That’s just the way it’s gotta be sometimes.”
“I’d also go as far as saying; sometimes the ones you want to save the most are probably the ones who need a bullet in the forehead. Perhaps that is how we save them. Jack had been my friend for a long time, but I always knew what he was. I’d also told myself over and over again that he’d never double cross me. He wouldn’t do that to his friends, or so I thought. He was one of those that needed saving with a bullet and we both know it.”
“In some ways, I hope he and I will cross paths again. In every other way, I’m praying you’re right and he really is dead. For now, though, I’ll be looking over my shoulder and peering into every shadow. Might I suggest you do the same. Until I see his dead, bloated corpse, I’ll always be looking over my shoulder.”
“You still think he made it out?”
“I don’t know and until I see a body, one eye’s open when I sleep. Do yourself a favor and do the same,” he said as they arrived at the Jeep. “You’re all fueled up and ready to go.”
