by Robert Boren
“How you guys doing?” Frank asked.
“Good to stretch our legs a little bit,” Gabe said.
“I’ll bet,” he replied. “Quite the road you took us on.”
“Yeah, it gets a little hairy at times. Sorry about that. I didn’t want to take us too close to Leadville. They haven’t fixed that bridge back there, for one thing.”
“Gotcha,” Frank said. Jerry walked up with his portable bug detector.
“Ah, I was thinking about that,” Gabe said. “Didn’t have time before we flew the coop.”
“I thought I’d better check everybody out. Some of the coaches that left early aren’t here, though.”
“Noticed,” Frank said. “Need any help?”
“Naw, this is easy. It’ll take about two minutes per vehicle.” He walked off, checking each of them.
Soon all of the vehicles were finished fueling up, and they assembled next to Gabe’s Suburban. Jerry walked over.
“All the vehicles clean?” Charlie asked.
“Yep, all clean,” Jerry said. “There are some folks missing, though.”
“Not in the inner circle,” Jane said.
“No, all of the inner circle are still here,” Jerry said. He looked over and saw Jasmine coming from the store with a brown paper bag in her hands. He grinned at her. She nodded, then opened the door of their rig, tossed in the bag, and came over.
“Looks like we’re all here,” Charlie said. “Let’s chat.”
“We need to figure out how far we go tonight,” Frank said.
“Maybe we should spend the night here,” Gabe said.
“I think we could all use the rest,” Jeb said, “but is it safe enough?”
“I’m not seeing anybody on the app that Frank gave us,” the Sheriff said. “One thing to consider, though. We’ve got to go through Colorado Springs. You guys should look at the map and see where that is relative to Denver.”
“We’re not on the big roads, here, folks,” Jake said. “We’re on highway 82 for a while, and then 24, and then 285, and then back on 24. You know how long that drive is?”
“No, how long?” Jane asked.
“Over six hours…probably worse in the dark,” he said.
“Oh,” Hilda said. “That’s not a good idea. Not tonight.”
“What are the downsides if we stay here?” the Mary asked.
“The way I see it, there are two risks,” Frank said. “First, we have the concern that the Sheriff brought up. It’s a straight shot from Denver to Colorado Springs. Some enemy fighters could barrel down I-25 and be waiting for us.”
“They’re on the northwest side of Denver,” Jerry said. “I know Denver. No way could a decent sized group of these guys make it through the suburbs and down that road without being caught.”
“They might be able to sneak a truck or two down there,” Jeb said.
“Maybe, but they’ve got their hands full in Denver,” Jerry said. “I just don’t see them taking the chance.”
“What’s the other risk?” the Sheriff asked.
“The Long Range app showed about three hundred cretins massing by the ravine where the bridge used to be. If they can fix that bridge, they could come after us.”
Gabe shook his head. “No way, and even if they did, they probably don’t know the back way into Aspen. There are stretches of that road we were just on that aren’t even on the map.”
“Yeah, like the stretch where I almost went over the side,” Mary said. “I love our big pusher, but a 44 foot rig isn’t a great choice on that road.”
“Realistically, what are the chances that they could get past that ravine?” Charlie asked.
“The only way they can get that bridge repaired is with a couple of dual rotor choppers, or a couple of cranes. Big cranes,” Jerry said, “and even then, we aren’t talking hours, even with a military bridge set. We’re talking days, maybe even weeks. I had a good look at that ravine, and I have some experience with temporary military bridges. They don’t work that well in a spot like that. I think we’re safe.”
“What if they climb across on foot?” Jasmine asked.
“They’re going to be walking for a while,” Jackson said. “I knocked the draw bridge down into that moat right before we left.”
“Hell, there’s only one vehicle there anyway,” Gabe said. “That old pickup truck, and it’s got a bad radiator. They wouldn’t get five miles in that sucker before it overheated.”
“You got neighbors nearby with vehicles to hijack?” the Sheriff asked.
“The nearest is about forty miles,” Gabe said,” and I called the guy. I told him to look out for people coming around looking for us. He’s an ex-Army Ranger. I kinda hope they do try something with him.” He started laughing.
“Okay, so it’s sounding like we could probably stay here the night,” Charlie said. “I suggest we get some shut-eye, and get moving early in the morning…six am or earlier.”
“Anybody object?” Frank asked. Nobody said anything.
“We’ve got extra space for those of you who aren’t in an RV,” Hilda said.
“Us too,” Frank said.
“Me too,” the Sheriff said.
“Well, thanks, but I think I’m going to check into that place right there,” Gabe said, pointing to the small motel across the street. “I need a shower big time.”
“I’m with you, Gabe,” Jake said.
“Alright, then,” Charlie said. “Let’s all get some shut-eye, and be ready to move out early tomorrow.”
Everybody nodded. Gabe and Dobie walked over to their vehicles and drove across the street to the motel. There was a good sheltered place to park Dobie’s truck. He tended to his dogs when Gabe was in the office getting rooms for them. Jake walked over from across the street.
“You leaving your truck over there?” Dobie asked as he approached.
“Yeah, it’ll stick out like a sore thumb over here.”
“Trish staying with you?”
“I’ll leave that up to her. Terry’s going to stay with the Sheriff. I told her she can stay there too, if she wants.”
“Well, I guess he’s as good of a chaperone as anybody,” Dobie said, laughing.
“I don’t care about that,” Jake said. “Marriage ain’t important to me.”
“Yeah, I figured,” he replied. “Wish I had an RV.”
“When we get past Colorado Springs I’ll probably try to buy one. At least a cheap one.”
“Me too. See you in the morning, my friend.”
“Alright. Pleasant dreams, Dobie.”
Jerry and Jasmine made their way back to the rig. They climbed up.
“Rosie with Jeb tonight?” Jerry asked.
“Yeah,” she said. “I think they’re really enjoying each other.”
“Good. What’s in the bag? Is it what I think it is?”
“I told you what I was going to buy.”
“I was hoping. You gonna use one tonight?”
“No, not tonight,” she said. “I’m kinda tired. I don’t feel like reading instructions.”
“Okay,” Jerry said. “Let’s hit the sack.”
Trish and Terry walked over to the Sheriff’s rig.
“Wait here, so I can make sure, okay?” Terry asked.
“Okay.” She watched as Terry went up the steps.
“Hey, uncle, you mind if Trish and I sleep here tonight?”
“No problem here,” he said. “Jake alright with that?”
“He suggested it.”
“Oh. Then sure, no problem. You know where the bedding is. The dinette bed is pretty comfortable. I’m beat…talk to you in the morning.” He went into his bedroom and started to slide the door shut.
“Okay, thanks, uncle,” he said, stepping back outside. He reached his hand down to Trish and helped her up.
“Sure it’s okay?” Trish whispered.
“Yeah, he just wanted to make sure your dad was alright with it.”
“Okay,” she s
aid, looking around. “Where?”
“He said the dinette bed was comfortable.”
“Only one space, huh,” she said, a sly smile on her face. “How convenient.”
“I could sleep on that couch,” he said, pointing at it.
“No way,” she said. “You can behave, can’t you?”
“Of course,” Terry said. He went to closet in the hall and pulled out the bedding. Then he set it down and starting working on the dinette. He pulled off the cushions, lowered the table, and then put the cushions back on.
“Wow, that was easy,” Trish said. She brought over the bedding and they put it on together.
“Sorry, all we have is throw pillows,” Terry said, picking them up off of the couch.
“No problem…we’ll be out in no time anyway.”
Terry nodded. “Shoot, you need your PJs.”
“I’ll just sleep in my underwear,” she said.
Terry swallowed heard, feeling embarrassed all of a sudden.
“You okay with that?” she said, giving him that sly smile of hers. “I think you are. Quit staring at me.”
“Sorry,” he said. “You’re so beautiful.”
“Get in and turn around,” she whispered. “I’m not going to put on a strip show for you.”
“Okay,” he said, sheepishly. He kicked off his shoes, pulled off his shirt, and then his jeans, climbing into bed in a hurry, and turning towards the wall. He heard the rustle of clothes as Trish got undressed. His heart was pounding. Then he felt her get under the covers and move next to him.
“Okay, you can turn around now,” she said. He turned, facing her, looking into her pretty face. She smiled at him, and gave him a quick peck on the lips. Then she turned on her back and sighed.
“Your dad and I had a good talk when we were driving,” Terry said.
“Oh, really? When I was asleep?”
“Yes.”
“About me, I suppose,” she whispered. “Typical.”
“Oh, it wasn’t bad at all.”
She turned back towards him and smiled. “I wasn’t asleep.”
Terry was dumbfounded. She giggled at him.
“You weren’t? You were snoring.”
She started making the snoring noise, and then giggled again.
“So you heard everything?” he whispered.
“Yes,” she whispered, “and I love you too.” She moved closer to him and gave him a passionate kiss. Then she laid back down on her back. “Now, go to sleep.”
Frank and Jane were sitting in the dinette of their coach, having a bite to eat before bed.
“You’re going to wear the battery out on that thing,” she said, watching him working with the iPad. He was zooming in on one area after another, and checking back at the ravine every so often.
“I’ll put it on the charger when we go to bed,” he said.
“You’re really worried, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Anybody getting closer to us?”
“No, not that I can see, and there’s only about ten people at the ravine now.”
“Then what are you worried about?”
“The constant stream of bad guys going east on I-70. They’re going in small groups. I wonder if the Army knows.”
“You want to turn on the radio and see what’s going on in Denver?”
Frank closed the iPad’s cover and set it down on the dinette table. “No. Let’s go to bed. We’re going to have a long day tomorrow.”
“Alright, Frank.” They got up and went into the bedroom.
Chapter 16 – Aspen Morning
Frank woke up, startled. He was in a cold sweat. It was a bad nightmare. The enemy had Jane, and they were about to start torturing her right in front of him. His heart was still pounding. He quietly got out of bed and looked at his cellphone. It was 4:45. He wasn’t tired, but then they were in bed before 10:00 last night. He got dressed as quietly as he could, and slipped out of the bedroom, as Jane snored softly. Lucy was on him as soon as he got through the door, her nails clicking on the floor, her tail wagging.
“It’s too early, girl,” he whispered. “Settle down.” He switched on one of the small LED lights, picked up the iPad, and turned it on. The LTE caught quickly, and he loaded his long range app. The only change from the previous night was at the bridge. Now there weren’t any enemy hits there at all. He followed the road back up to Eagle…no hits along the road there, either, but the town had many more hits than the last time he looked. Looked like over a thousand, and there was still a light stream of hits along I-70. Denver had more people on the western outskirts of town. No leakage to the south, in the direction of Colorado Springs. He felt relieved.
Lucy was still on Frank, trying to get his attention. He sighed and got up, putting on her leash. They went out the door as quietly as possible. He locked the door behind him, and they walked towards a grass median near the edge of the parking lot. There was no light coming from any of the coaches, but one of the big rigs on the far side was getting ready to go. It was cold out, but not nearly as bad as he expected. Lucy growled, looking behind him. Frank whirled around, thinking that he should have brought his gun.
“It’s okay,” a voice whispered. Frank tried to make out the face of the approaching man. It was General Hogan. He was alone.
“I was hoping to get to you early,” he said, extending his hand. “Can we talk?”
“You here alone?” Frank asked.
“I’ve got a few men in town. They’re sleeping.”
Frank pulled his cellphone out of his pocket and looked at it. He didn’t feel any buzz, but he wanted to look anyway.
“Going to make a call, Frank?” he asked.
“No, just double checking something.”
“What?” he asked.
“I’ll tell you inside. Let’s go into my coach.”
They walked over to the coach, and Frank unlocked the door. Lucy jumped up the steps, and Frank followed. General Hogan waited until they were all the way in, looked around cautiously outside, and then walked up the steps.
“Want some coffee?” Frank asked.
“Love some, but you don’t want to run your generator now,” he said, looking at the Keurig machine on the counter.
“I’ve got a French press,” he said, getting it down. He filled the tea kettle and put it on the stove, turning on the burner below it. Then he sat down at the dinette, and motioned to the General to sit. He nodded and slid into his seat.
“I’m glad you guys got out of that RV Park,” the General whispered. “We were worried.”
“We were lucky.”
“Whose idea was it to blow that bridge? That was brilliant.”
“Gabe, the park owner.”
“Ah, yes, I remember him. Odd fellow. I loved all of the do-it-yourself stuff he had there. He thinks outside the box. That’s valuable.”
Frank laughed. “You should have seen the moat.”
“Moat? You’re joking.”
“No, I’m serious.”
“Well, Frank, you and I both knew that place was a death trap.”
“Gabe knew as well.”
“He came with you? Great. I was afraid that he’d stick around there.”
“His nephew was there…part of the reason was to make sure that Gabe didn’t decide to stick it out there.”
“Good,” the General said.
“What’s going on? What’re you guys doing…that you can tell me.”
“We’re helping to get citizens ready to defend themselves after the battle of Denver is over,” he said.
“We’re going to win that battle, I hope.”
“Oh, yeah, we’re going to win, but it’s not going to be easy, and a lot of people are going to get killed.”
“Ours?”
“Civilians,” the General said, a grim look on his face.
“You know, there’s a large, slow movement of men into west Denver,” Frank said.
“We know the strength the
y’re at now,” the General said. “We haven’t seen any large movement of troops lately, though.”
“Look at this,” Frank said. He picked up the iPad and showed him the map.
“What are those icons?”
“Enemy chips.”
The General got a big grin on his face. “You cracked them.”
“Partially,” Frank said. “Don’t tell anybody in your command.”
The General focused on the screen. His look became more and more concerned as he realized how many enemy fighters were on the way. “We don’t have enough troops in Denver,” he said.
Frank reached under the table and pulled his laptop out of the backpack that was down there. He set it on the table and got it started. “What kind of phone do you have, General?”
“I’ve got an Android phone. Why?”
“You got the charging cord?”
“No, it’s back at my hotel.”
“What brand?”
“Samsung,” he said.
“Good, that’s what I have. I’ll go get my cable.”
The tea kettle started to whistle. Frank got up and finished making the coffee, pouring a cup for each of them.
“Ah, thanks so much,” the General said as he took a sip.
Frank went into the bedroom and picked up his charging cable.
“Who’s out there, honey?” Jane asked, still half asleep.
“General Hogan,” Frank said. She sat up.
“I’ll get dressed.”
“Good, I just made some French press.”
He went back out and sat down in the dinette. The laptop was ready to go, so he logged on.
“What’re you going to do?” the General asked.
“I’ve got two apps that I’d like to load onto your phone.”
“Apps?”
“Yeah, I wrote them a few days ago. The first one is a short range, peer to peer app that will let you know when you’re close to somebody that has an enemy chip in them. The second app is the one we were just looking at on the iPad. It places the chip icons on a GPS underlay.”
