The Event (Book 1): Survival

by Lee Thomas

  "Aye sir. Ethan, it was a pleasure. You're in good hands now. Have a good day." Jack said, taking his leave of us and heading back to his ship.

  "So you really are an admiral? Does that mean there is some form of government left?" Ethan asked. He motioned back up the path, and we all started walking back up towards the patio.

  "No, it's a long story. Let's go inside and I'll explain it. Tony here is my chief of security, I brought him along with these men to help secure your perimeter, so if you don't mind, and if someone will show them around, they can check out your fences, see if there is anything that can be done to make you safer." I said.

  "That sounds good. Allen, please show them the fence. I would like to know if anything can be done." Ethan said, looking to Allen. Allen just nodded, and motioned for Tony to follow him. Tony nodded at me, and he and his men followed Allen around the corner through a gate in the patio fence. Ethan and I went inside, and he led me to what was apparently a manager's office at one time.

  "Please, have a seat. We don't have anything to drink but water, I'm afraid, but it is filtered." Ethan said, pointing to the fridge in the corner. I shook my head, and we both sat.

  "Thank you, but not now. Looks like you guys have a pretty nice set up here." I said.

  "Well, it's kept us alive, barely. We have a small garden, so we have a few vegetables, and we have several that are good at hunting, so we get meat fairly regularly. But we have had many mishaps, lost lots of people. There is only about fifteen of us now." Ethan sighed. I could tell the stress was heavy on him.

  "I see you have a little power, but I'm guessing you have no radio?" I asked.

  "No, we don’t. We have music players, but no radios. Why?" Ethan asked.

  "Because we have a recording that has been playing on several radio frequencies for quite a while now. We have actually been set up for almost two years now. We just haven't made it up north yet. I brought a group from Oklahoma, found the naval base intact, and set up in the carrier U.S.S. Nimitz. We've dropped the USS part now though. We have the entire base secure, plus various ships, and vehicles. Most of our buildings are on solar power now, and we have small farms and even some livestock. It's a nice little colony." I explained.

  "Wow. I had no idea we had such a large group so close to us. How many of you are there?"

  "I think last count is about 2,000 people total. I started with about two hundred, but we have run across several survivors in one's, or two's, or small groups here and there. Some have stayed with us and helped us grow, some have decided to keep going on their own. In fact, we recently acquired about 36 more people with a group that found us."

  "Impressive. So what do you want with us? We don't have anything to offer you." Ethan said.

  "Actually, we found you because of a plan I just put into motion. Let me explain. Do you have any maps by any chance?" I asked.

  "No, I don't think so. But let me have someone check in the storage room. There may have been some when we arrived." Ethan said. He left the office for a minute, and I heard him talking to someone in the lobby. He came back in and grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge. After looking at me for confirmation, he grabbed me one too.

  "Ok, let's hear this plan while we're waiting. Unless you need the maps to explain?" he said.

  "No, I can get started." I then started explaining my plan, just as I had with John earlier. Ethan just listened, and nodded here and there. When the maps showed up, I pointed things out to him too. Once I finished, he just stared off into space for a few minutes.

  "So, what exactly does that mean for us, are we supposed to just lie down and become part of your group?" Ethan asked, a hint of derision in his tone.

  "Not if you don't want to. They call me admiral because there were a lot of sailors left on the ships. Since they didn't want to be in charge of anything, and I had a plan, they voted me in charge. Since I put people in charge of individual ships, and the base itself, all the sailors started calling me admiral since I was in charge of the whole thing. It worked to get it streamlined, and everyone knew what needed to be done to survive, so it stuck, and I live with it. I have never made anyone stay with us that didn't want to stay. I do plan on taking this peninsula, but you are more than welcome to either join us, or maintain your group as separate. If you join us, you can still stay here if you like; this is yours, you can keep it. I'm not trying to take anything from anyone. I have a ship on its way with equipment for solar power, so you can have more power than you have now, as well as food and medical supplies. There should also be some weapons and ammo for your use too. It's all yours even if you choose not to officially join us." I told him. While I would like this group to join us and allow us to use this area as a forward base, I wasn’t going to push them to it either.

  "Well, we have worked hard making this place as safe as possible, and grow what little food we can. We are proud of it. I will call a group meeting tonight and talk to everyone. If the consensus is we join you, then we will. I'm sure most of us would like to stay here though. We are comfortable here, and it's our home now. Although, I think four or five of us are actually from somewhere near here, so they may want to return to their original homes. Is that an option?" Ethan asked.

  "Of course, once we can assure them the whole area is clear, so no one will have to worry about getting attacked. Like I said, we aren't trying to take any property from anyone. If it's theirs, it will stay theirs. I would ask one thing. If you would allow it, once we are ready to start clearing out the infected, I would like to use this place as a post for my men, a safe haven. In return, they will of course protect you as well, and we will provide food and supplies as needed. Would that be acceptable?" I said. I hoped he didn't just shut us out completely. Things would be easier if we already had a secure facility in place.

  "Let me talk to everyone. I don't make decisions for the group, we talk about everything. This is a democracy here, not a military base. I don't know if we would want to join a group where decisions are made for us." Ethan said. The set of his face said he probably would not endorse the idea to his group. Fifteen more people would help, but I didn't want them if they were going to cause dissention. I would rather have them as allies instead, let them maintain their independence.

  "Ok, fair enough. In the meantime, the stuff the ship is bringing is still gonna be yours. It should make things easier for you. I'll get Tony and the rest of our men gathered to help unload, and then we will get out of your hair." I told him.

  We both stood, and shook hands. I left the office and went to find Tony. I found him near the fence, and told him to gather the men. We all gathered on the patio, and then headed down to the dock. I saw the Gettysburg setting anchor as close in as they could get. Once the transfer boat made it from the ship to the dock, I had the team start lugging it up to the apartments. Ethan's people started coming down too, and they seemed to be amiable at least so maybe this would end up well.

  I had one man run out to the waiting pilot and told him to take the helicopter back to the ship. We finished lugging all the equipment up to the pier, and the engineers went with some of Ethan's people to take the solar equipment upstairs to the machinery area on the top floor. I had some men take the food to the kitchen, and the medical people took their supplies in and got set up in a conference room they had set up as an infirmary of sorts. It took till almost midnight, but we got them all set up. We then took our leave, and headed back to the ship. We loaded back up, and started back south through the bay. There was no moon, so it was difficult to make anything out.

  We made it back to the base about two a.m. I headed back to the ship to change, and see how things had gone during the day. I walked into my quarters and started taking off my armor and blades. I set everything on the couch, and went to take a much needed shower. I then decided to just hit the sack instead of checking with the bridge first. I knew Jeff would have radioed me if anything was wrong. I left a note on the counter, knowing if anyone came in, they would look the
re before waking me.

  Chapter 6

  Sept. 2, 2020

  After waking up a lot earlier than I wanted to, I thought again about finally moving to the house I had set up on the base. I was sure Jeff would like the larger quarters. I got dressed, and headed out. I went to the flight deck to enjoy the wind for a bit. Apparently I was spotted by the bridge crew, as Jeff came out with a cup of coffee.

  "So how did it go with that apartment group? Do you think they'll join us?" Jeff asked.

  "I don't know. Their leader, his name is Ethan, doesn't seem to be the joining type. He said he would put it to a vote with the group, he 'doesn't like to make decisions for the group', or so he says. A fancy way of saying he doesn't want the responsibility. If not, he may at least let us use the location as a safe haven while we clear the land." I told him as I sipped my coffee. We both just stood and enjoyed the breeze, and the distant sounds of the animals. We continued to look out over the base, or the water, glad for a few minutes where we weren't making decisions.

  We stayed there for perhaps twenty minutes, then turned and went back in to the bridge. Duty calls, after all. Stepping onto the bridge, Jeff was handed a report from the OOD.

  "Look at this." he said, handing it to me. I skimmed through it, seeing it was a status report from the Leyte Gulf. They had succeeded in securing or destroying every bridge on the western and northern borders. They had a few run-ins with small groups of infected, and even a small group of humans that attacked them, but reported no injuries to our crew. They were currently headed back south to rendezvous with the Port Royal at the southern bridge to help them fortify it. By the time code on this, they should be almost back to the southern point by now. My plan was going faster than I imagined.

  "Excellent, looks like things are proceeding very well. Once that southern point is secure we can start sending teams to clear the infected out." I said, handing the report back, "Jeff, when was the last time we had any kind of drill? Fire, battle stations, anything?" I then asked.

  "It's been awhile, I'd have to check the logs to be sure." He replied.

  "OOD, signal for repel borders. Radio, please inform Dave on the base we are going to be performing some drills, so disregard any alarms for the next, say two hours or so." I ordered. It was good to keep people on their toes occasionally; if they got too comfortable then it could end in disaster if it really happened.

  The bells started ringing and the OOD made the announcement over the 3MC, the ship's interior intercom system. Jeff and I stepped to the windows to watch people get into place in the catwalk watch stations, and the firing stations on the flight deck. It took about ten minutes, but everyone had a rifle and was in place, searching for a target. A few started looking around at each other when they noticed the pier was clear, wondering if it was a drill or not. After they were in place for about five more minutes, I told the OOD to signal all clear. The announcement went out, and the men visibly relaxed, glad it was just a drill. I'm sure some were annoyed, as I probably interrupted some activity or another.

  "Not bad, looks like they still got it." Jeff said.

  "Looks good to me. Wait about twenty minutes or so, and then call a fire drill. I don't care where." I said to the OOD. Jeff and I then left the bridge and went to play a rare game of pool. We stopped in my quarters on the way and called down to Michelle to have her join us. The three of us hadn't a relaxing time together in a long time.

  We met Michelle in the pool room; luckily no one else was in there this time of day. Besides, if there wasn't an open table, someone usually let me play anyways. One of the unintended benefits of being in charge. We took turns playing, just being us, and having fun as friends. We chatted, laughed, relaxed for a change. After about an hour or so of pool, we decided to switch to poker. Michelle had an advantage here too as she could read both of us fairly well. After losing more than a few hands to her, we noticed it was about lunchtime. We decided to head down to the galley for some lunch.

  All three of us decided on a few simple sandwiches, and ate in the officer's mess, for the quiet. After we finished, I left the two of them and headed towards the radio room to check on the other ships. They should be finished with the bridge mission by now, and hopefully steaming back to port. I didn't get there.

  "Admiral to the bridge, Captain to the bridge." came a voice over the intercom. Crap, this couldn't be good. Jeff and I both took off at a trot.

  "Report." I said as I walked into the bridge to chaos.

  "Sir, we just got an update from Weather. That southern tropical storm has strengthened rapidly and has become a category four hurricane. It is bearing straight towards us, and the leading edge should hit us in about three hours." reported Brandon, the current OOD.

  "What about the two ships? Are they on their way back yet?" I asked.

  "Yes sir. They have finished fortifying the first section on the southern bridge and are both heading back."

  "What happened?" Jeff said, finally entering the bridge.

  "We got a hurricane on the way. Three hours, max." I told him. "OOD, call for Weather Stations. Pass the word."

  "Aye sir."

  "How big is it?" Jeff asked.

  "Category four. Radio, inform the Gettysburg to let Ethan know, and then to hightail it out of there. Reach the hunting parties; tell them to find a safe place. Tell the Gulf and Royal to meet us in open water." I said. The ship would be vulnerable, as well as the hunters, but hopefully the apartments would fare better. I stepped back and watched the organized chaos as people started running to get this city sized ship moving.

  Line crews ran to the pier and began undoing the lines. I looked out across the pier and saw the other ships we had. With only enough crew to man three at a time, and we had three out already, these other ships were just going to have to sit it out. I hoped we didn't lose any. The only bright side was that we had cleaned them out of supplies.

  One hour after Jeff and I got paged to the bridge, the ship started moving. I was standing on the flight deck, watching the clouds roll in and feeling the wind pick up. I could only hope the storm weakened before it actually got to us.

  Fifteen minutes after we started moving, I watched the tunnel entrances pass by us as we exited the bay, headed for open water. We met the Leyte Gulf, Port Royal, and Gettysburg about three miles offshore, then sailed another three, just to be sure. Hopefully that was far enough to avoid the storm. I checked with the weather station again, the radar said we should be clear. We could still see the hurricane though, and it looked nasty. I hoped the base was prepared. My youngest daughter was on the base, and I was worried. The oldest was on a hunting party. At least the middle one was in sickbay on the ship, so I didn't have to worry about her. All of Jeff's kids were on the base, or a hunting party.

  The storm stayed over the base for over four hours before it finally passed far enough north we could head back to port. I asked the radioman to send a message to both the base and Ethan at the complex and get damage reports. My biggest worry, other than hurt people, was that the fence was damaged. We couldn't afford for those things to get in. A sailor came jogging up to me on the flight deck from the tower.

  "Sir, we have a damage report from the base. Jeff wants you to hear it." I followed the sailor back to the bridge, and Jeff handed me a report, with a grim look. I took the paper and read.

  Norfolk Base to Nimitz Command

  Minor injuries due to flying debris, four guards injured from being blown off tower. No livestock lost. Multiple buildings damaged, many windows blown out. Trees destroyed all over base, vehicles overturned. No reports coming in of fence line damage, but inspection crews have been sent out to confirm. Airfield reports multiple planes damaged or destroyed. Two ships sunk, the Normandy and the Chosin. The John C. Stennis reports damage, but nothing un-repairable. Will send update when inspection crews return.

  "Radio, reach the hunting parties, they were probably out in it too. Find out if they have any injured. How long till we are docked?"
I barked out.

  "Should be no more than 30 minutes, sir" the current watch officer said.

  "Jeff, I'm going out as soon as we dock. Tell Michelle I will send word about the girls as soon as I know." I said as I started out of the bridge. I headed straight for the hangar bay and ordered the elevator down and door open before we had even been tied off.

  As soon as I hit the pier, I grabbed a cart, which thankfully was still in the garage, and headed directly for the base hospital. Seeing the damage done to the base, to all the hard work we had done, it hurt. Debris littered the streets, trees were down all over the place, and the few vehicles we had left either severely damaged or flipped over. I saw a lot of windows blown out, glass scattered all over the place. Loose animals told me that livestock fences were down, but the animals seemed to be uninjured.

  Someone with a radio in their hand flagged me down. I pulled up to him and stopped.

  "Admiral, I was told to find you. I have a report from Capt. Crow. He wanted to inform you that the inspection crews have returned. The fence line is intact. He also wanted me to give you this list." The officer handed me a paper, saluted, then turned and continued on his way.

  I looked at the list, seeing it was an injury report. I scanned the names, looking for some in particular. I did know some of the names on here, but luckily none of my daughter's names were on there. I also noticed that none of Jeff's kid's names were on it either. Most of them seemed to be from flying debris, minor cuts, maybe a few stitches here and there. The guards blown off the towers were another story. Their injuries were apparently severe enough that they were not included in this report. That was not a good sign.

  Folding the list, I put it in my pocket and headed back to the ship. I wanted to give Jeff and Michelle the news that all our kids were safe. Of course, with Nathan, Jeff's second, on the hunting parties, we didn't know about him yet. Hopefully they had news on the ship already.