“Nothing, what else?” Wetzel shouted.
Zach got on his hands and knees and looked at the front of the engine behind the bumper and grill. He grabbed the positive cable to the battery and tried to slide it a little, before it came off the battery. “I need a Phillips head screwdriver.” Danny was the first one to find one, and a minute later Zach shouted, “Try it now!” The RV started easily while Zach rolled back and accepted help to stand up. “That was fun, now does anyone have any food? I don’t know how long it’s been since I ate, or for that matter, what I ate last.”
“There’s an unopened case of MREs in the RV. I’ll let you have first pick, I’m starving too.” Caleb replied.
“That’s my house!” Zach shouted and then bolted for the rickety wood fence along the road and easily vaulted it before disappearing around a house.
“I’ll follow him, you guys find a way into the development and catch up.” Caleb shouted, and then took off after him. Well, at least I’m getting my exercise, Caleb thought as he vaulted the fence then ran all out to try and catch up. He looked down the street and saw one house where the door was still moving. A minivan sat in the driveway. The rear window adorned with a stick family of two parents, five children, and two dogs. He heard the scream just as he made it to the door. He followed the screams until he was in the garage. Zach’s entire family and a couple of extra infected were looking at Zach, confused, from a nest of blankets and rags. On the concrete floor were the remains of two dogs, mainly skeletal as they had been picked over. Zach was on his hands and knees sobbing when Caleb came up behind him.
“Time to go Zach, you can come back later. They’re working on a cure, so don’t give up hope. Look at you, it’s been a week and now you’re cured somehow. Come with me.”
“Get the hell away from me, you freak! This is my family in here! I have to stay and take care of them.”
“Zach, the doctors need to see you to find out why you’re cured. You have to do it for your family. Do you want to stay here and have them stay like that forever?” Zach shoulders drooped as he stood back up.
“Get me out of here, now!” Zach began to sob uncontrollably as Caleb half pulled, half carried him out, the infected watching them leave, uncomprehending.
Sitting on the curb, Zach continued to cry while Caleb tried to get further through to him. “Zach, try to empty your mind, make it black, nothing else.”
“I can feel my family, and the others, they’re worried about me and confused. There’s strong fear, too.” Zach exclaimed in surprise.
“Their fear is the sun, if they go out in it, they’re dead Zs. That’s why the guys with me are out only during the daylight, at night the infected try to infect all the norms they can. When they hear gunfire, it drives them crazy and they tear apart whoever is shooting.”
“You know, most of your fairy tale sounds like vampires.” Zach said sarcastically through his tears. Caleb rose and walked to the trucks parked in the driveway of the next house. Reaching into the open window he pressed the garage door opener. Shrieks and sobs burst out from the garage as infected tried to escape into the house and away from the deadly rays of sunlight. One lay still, unmoving, a trickle of urine released from the dead infected’s bladder.
“Is that enough proof, or should I find a few more Zs and drag them into the sunlight until you believe me?” Caleb shouted, refusing to look at the body.
“That was Cecilia, my neighbors’ daughter, they’d just found out she pregnant with their first grandbaby. She was an honor student, and babysat my kids. She…”
“She’s dead!” Caleb interrupted. “Should we do that a few more times, or do you get the idea? I don’t think you get the idea yet, let’s open all the doors on the block and you can say good bye to them all.” Caleb walked to the next house as Zach finally reacted.
“No! I believe you! For the love of God, please don’t.” Zach sat, not wanting to move.
“Okay Zach, I have one more lesson for you.” Caleb pulled out his 9 mil and fired three times into the air. Shrieks could be heard from all the surrounding houses.
“Do you feel them, Zach? Remember it, especially if you’re helping norms. When they’re like that they want to tear norms apart.” Both looked to the end of the street as they heard tires squeal as an armored truck bore down on them. Caleb lifted his right hand and gave a thumbs up as it neared.
“Let’s go, Zach. Maybe the doctors will make a discovery from you that will help produce a cure for the infected. Just your existence will give hope to everyone.”
Maybe I’ll just borrow your gun and go cure my family and myself right now. Damn me for being the coward that I am, Zach thought.
The second truck and RV finally showed up and Caleb did his best not to chew everyone out. “Okay guys, we’re in the last stretch so lets go balls out for home. I’ll try to bring Zach up to date on world affairs.”
“Do you still want the partition up between the driver’s seat and the rest of the compartment, Lieutenant?” Wetzel asked.
“Best to play it safe, Wetzel. If she breaks out of the bedroom, that could be enough sunlight coming in to hurt or kill her.” Caleb answered.
“You, you’re moving one of the infected?” Zach asked, exasperated at the thought with his family being left behind.
“That infected is the mother to those two boys driving the trucks. The infected woman is Elora Peters, ex-wife of the current commanding general of all forces in the US. Some pigs are more equal than others, as my dad used to say.”
“If we hadn’t been here, what do you think would have happened to you? Maybe when you were with that mob of Zs, one hit you just right or something that stopped the infection? In a few hours, the doc will be looking you over. Make him swear that when he finds the cure, your family will be treated first!” Zach seemed to perk up at that suggestion. He even happily tore into an MRE and ate everything cold without complaint. Caleb watched him, amused, while also keeping an ear out for Elora to show signs of life. Just keep sleeping. I’m out of booze and I don’t want to amuse you, again. Just stay sleeping, please! He thought to himself.
The RV turning off the road brought Caleb back to life as he wondered how he’d transfer the woman from the RV to her new home. When he heard the driver’s door open, he quickly jumped out to evaluate what Wetzel had considered a good place to keep Elora.
The gravel road continued to a huge house that could easily be called a mansion. A dozen different buildings were scattered around the property. A huge steel building made Caleb think of a hangar, and he immediately started to walk towards it. A regular-sized door was part of a huge sliding door. Caleb entered and realized there were no other doors or windows inside. He tried to slide the door and was unsuccessful until he discovered the door control and opened it wide enough for the RV to drive in. Thank you, Lord! I owe you one, he thought fervently in a rush of spiritual joy.
“Wetzel, drive that monster in here and we’ll lock it up. You did an outstanding job thinking of this place. Boys, when we pulled in your mom was still out cold, my money goes she’ll wake up when it get dark. Wetzel, you can show the place off to the boys. I want to get Zach to a doctor right away to see if he has a cure for the infection. I’ll take our truck and you can take the general’s. Report back to me so I know everything went okay. I expect the general will be back here as soon as he can.”
Caleb started pulling his half of the loot out of the back as he’d promised Wetzel, when they’d stopped at the gas station. “Hop in, Zach, we have an appointment at the hospital for you.” Caleb said happily now that everything was almost over with. “Uh, Wetzel, exactly where the hell are we?”
“Sir, just follow the driveway about a half mile and it’ll hit Highway 59. We’re a couple miles or so north of the airport.” Caleb left a rooster tail of gravel flying behind him as he punched the gas, feeling like a free man.
Chapter 31
Surprise, Arizona, April 8, 2029
“This is r
idiculous!” Spradling shouted as he popped the hatch above him, then swore at his artificial legs before turning to use the side hatch of the Guardian. “Gunner, keep those targets in your sites. If they fire first, make them hurt!” Spradling made his way to the lieutenant’s truck and swore again for it being jacked up two feet off the ground. The urge to shoot the speaker off the truck’s roll bar was strong as the ‘mellow jazz’ sounded louder than a Ma Deuce. It took ten slams into the side of the driver’s door before it opened and he found himself looking into the barrel of the lieutenant’s 9 mil.
“LT, we have possible hostiles coming up from the south. What are your orders?” Spradling shouted over the jazz. Gloria shut off the music and took a look at the small convoy. The second truck appeared to have a half dozen radio antennas sprouting from it. Two heavy military transports also had radio antenna and .50 cal machine guns.
“Be sure to your radio is on preset 1. Back up a hundred feet then fire three grenades at max elevation above them. I want them to know we’re dangerous but friendly. I’m going to try and call them from either my military handheld, or the truck’s CB radio. If they return fire, engage. If they engage and get too close, retreat. I’m playing it by ear but don’t want to ever be captured again. Now move.” What have I got myself into for wanting to enjoy a Sunday afternoon with a little sun? Gloria thought as she picked up the radio handset, and waited for the Guardian to get into position. Although she was expecting it the sudden rapid explosions surprised her.
“Attention northbound truck convoy on Dysart Rd. Please respond or I will be forced to open fire.” Dang, I shouldn’t have had so much coffee to drink.
“This is Air Force Major Ronald Wilson. You’re firing on my convoy is a hostile act and I’m prepared to defend my people. What are your intentions?” Damn, he sounds like he just gave the order to put the seat trays in the upright position and prepare for landing. He’s a cool one, Gloria thought.
“Major Wilson, please advance alone and meet with me on the top of the overpass. You are guaranteed safe passage, and after I verify your identity, you can be considered friendly. And if you check out, you can have my job! She thought happily.
“I will advance as requested. I just need to send one quick message.” The road two hundred feet in front of her truck exploded in a huge black cloud and she could hear shrapnel pinging against her truck as it fell to the ground. “Be advised, if you try anything your truck and the Guardian are already targeted. Wilson out.” Gloria picked up her handheld and quickly called the Guardian to let them in on what was happening.
“Guardian 02, this is Stallion 6. Do not fire unless directly targeted, we’re trying to see whose is bigger. One truck advancing on my position is possible friendly. I’m going to have a parley with him. If I take my hat off, fire him up, and then the entire convoy. Don’t be a hero.”
“Guardian 02 copies, stand down unless receiving accurate fire. Parley with potential friendly.” Wait until we are blown to hell as unseen forces close in on us from below, you mean, Spradling thought as he turned on the air conditioning as he felt the back of his shirt start to stick to the seat.
Gloria watched as the pickup drove up the ramp, then turned around and headed towards her, stopping twenty feet short. Here goes nothing, she thought as she got out of the truck. Looking behind her, she wished the armored car was closer. Ahead of her a tall male exited the passenger door. He was wearing a flightsuit with a leather jacket over it. He was wearing a cowboy-style gun belt; he appeared ready for a showdown with the gun hanging low. He didn’t appear surprised to see her in uniform.
“Major Wilson, do you have your dog tags and CAC?” Gloria asked calmly as she felt her heart jumping up in her throat and the urgent need to pee.
“Yes, I do, Ma’am. You have the advantage over me, Lieutenant..”
“I’m Lieutenant Gloria Alban, 56th Operations Support Squadron.” Gloria came to attention and saluted the major. “If I can see your documents please, Major Wilson.” He handed over his CAC and his dog tags and waited for her to look them over.
“Please tell me your age and date of birth”
“35, February first, 1994.”
“And your last four and blood type please?” Gloria was beginning to feel confident he was the real thing.
“O negative and1635.” The Major replied. Gloria could sense he was beginning to get annoyed. She wrote down his information in her small notebook and returned the items to the major.
“What was your last unit and duty position, sir?”
“I was assigned to the 63d Fighter Squadron. I was in transition training from the B-1 to the F-35.” Gloria nodded, trying not to shout for joy.
“Sir, what are your plans and intent now with the current situation?”
“I currently command a small mixed service detachment of volunteers. We are protecting a community that resides at the base of the Estrella Mountains. I have actively sought out any connection to the national command authority without success.
“Sir, I’m the senior ranking officer in charge of a small mixed service detachment, also. We are protecting a small group of survivors west of Surprise near the White Tank Mountains. How would you feel about an alliance, sir?” Please say you’re going to absorb our group into yours. Please, Gloria thought.
“Lieutenant Alban, that idea has great merit. How is your command situated for weapons and ammunition? We are almost Winchester. Every night we find ourselves defending our position because of our proximity to nearby housing developments. We want to hold our position because of our closeness to large farm fields that have already been planted. We have civilian farmers to guide us in cultivating them and then planting new crops, when the time comes.”
“We’re more fortunate, sir. We have walls protecting our community, electricity and water. Currently we’re dozing the nearest houses to create an even larger wall to keep out the infected, and to create a kill zone to improve our security against the infected and any other hostiles. There are numerous farm fields, mainly near Interstate 10.We are working to produce food. Back to your question though, I believe we can provide some 5.56 and 9 mil, sir.”
“Take me to your garrison so I can evaluate it. Perhaps move all our personnel, civilian and military in and have a unified command.” Gloria’s initial joy quickly went to warning bells.
“Sir, our encampment is run by an elected leader. The military has agreed to support the leadership as long as it doesn’t contradict our oaths of enlistment.” Gloria replied nervously.
“Our country is in a state of war. We are under martial law, we are in charge, and responsible for those civilians under our area of control. You are misguided, Lieutenant, but we can remedy that. I’m going to have my driver follow us in my truck, and I’ll ride with you.”
“Yes, Sir. I’ll just bring my security team up to date. They’re a bit jumpy.” Gloria turned and waved the armored car to her and thought of how the world was going to change for her.
“It looks like we have a friendly group here, but exercise caution. I verified that the leader is an Air Force major. He’s going to ride back with me and his driver will follow.”Spradling acknowledged the order, but didn’t feel comfortable.
“Life just got interesting, guys. You all heard what the LT said. Maybe the other group will have more women. Now, stay awake and let’s get home alive.”
Wilson climbed up into the truck and gave a little whistle. “Was this yours before the world turned to shit, or did you requisition it for the needs of the service?” Gloria felt her face warm a bit as she blushed a little, and felt angry with herself for it.
“I needed something better that what I had to haul supplies. The flag wrap on the body has been good for moral.” Gloria replied curtly.
“I’m not judging or accusing. This is a new world we’re living in and things are just different. So how did you find a defendable location with power and clean water?”
“I actually lucked into it. The basi
cs were already done when I got there. Pastor Hilton allowed me to join their community. Then I upset her a little when I took command of the existing military personnel that were already there. I organized them and even made a trip out to Luke and did a fair job of cleaning out military sales. Now they have a reminder they’re still military. That was an adventure, I tell you. I was caught by a group of looters and almost raped before I escaped. I don’t go out without protection anymore.” Gloria didn’t see Wilson’s eyes narrow at that information.
“So what type of place was your new home before the zombie apocalypse?” Gloria could hear his voice was jovial, but she sensed he was angry with her.
“It was a high school. It’s built like a prison. Strong walls and secure gates, makes you wonder if that’s a statement in itself about the school system. It has more than enough solar panels to support us. A couple electricians in the group had to take the school off the grid and setup a huge bank of batteries, but it works great. There’s a water treatment plant about half a mile north of the school and we’re able to tap into that for clean water.”
Thank you, Lieutenant, you sold me. I will be taking over your little operation with or without you, at this point it just doesn’t matter, Wilson thought. Gloria detected the change in his feelings and was just happy the major got over whatever his problem had been.
“And there’s the Home of the Stallions.” Gloria pointed out as they neared the school. Wilson noted all the assorted chain link fences, then the walls near the buildings themselves. People were strolling around the athletic fields like they had no cares in the world. The roofs of the buildings were a different story, he could see the sentries with binoculars keeping vigilant and four projections that were covered up against the elements, he guessed were heavy machine guns. “We’ll have to park outside the wall because there’s only enough parking for GOVs and vehicles making deliveries. I feel pretty safe leaving my truck out here. It’s a good neighborhood with excellent security.”
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