Government Z (Book 1): The Beginning

by Reid, Bryan D.

  Once we got to the top Rus took full command of all movements we made taking over full command from the shared role him and Bryan had before the missile blew up the boat. Alright Don you get to work on the radio and see if you can get it working Rus said. Bruce and I will start scouting out the White House area while Jon and Mike you check out the southeast and southwest corners. As soon as it starts getting light out head back so we don’t get seen and we will make our move in six days Rus said. The first three days were all the same we would rest during the daytime with scouting only being done from behind the peak walls to the north, northeast, northwest, and scouting the south and east side during the cover of night time. It also took those three days for Don to finally get the radio working. Don had to completely disassemble the radio and put it back together using pieces of the walkie talkies since Bryan had the other one, Don’s served no purpose anymore. As the sun rose on the fourth day everyone returned to the peak and laid down for some rest. Everyone was up by one in the afternoon. Don was listening to the radio trying to find any station that would come in when suddenly a voice came over the radio.

  “Welcome back everyone this is Kevin Robertson with your twenty four hour news broadcast. Just to keep you updated on what’s been going on. It was seven months ago when several militia groups branched out against the United States forming small communities in every state and declaring a new civil war. They have been working on toxic chemicals that seem to mutate the human body into mindless flesh eating zombies and also have used E.M.P.’s to cut off all electronic devices. But don’t worry citizens your capitals in each state are protected by ACT 75DDNPP signed by the President at the beginning on May giving the FBI full jurisdiction and the aide of the United States Army. Every state capital has a large radius of army personnel blocking all major roads and water ways leading into each city. Most bridges were destroyed leading into each city making any advance across the water met with minimal survival rate. Just four days ago this news journalist was informed that the leader of these militia groups was headed for our own Washington D.C. where he attempted to cross the Potomac River but was quickly disposed of by our United States Army. A missile launched at the leader met his boat to a fiery explosion. There were no survivors. Also this statement from the director of the FBI Arnold Skinner: This was a major blow to this militia terror group. We believe this group shall slowly start to unfold and we shall restore order to this great country by the start of the New Year. So it will be a new year for the New United States of America. That was a strong message from the director. We will be back at the top of every hour to bring you this repeated message and any new news there is to report. This is Kevin Robertson signing off for now.”

  Wow it looks like we have been declared public enemy number one Rus added. Well we need to prove our innocents and we defiantly need to get into Washington as soon as possible Rus said. How has the scouting been going for everyone? Rus asked. So far everything seems to be normal and exactly as the radio host was talking about Jon reported. We will need to find other clothes to help us blend in more and a place to stay Don said. So in the next three days we need to find a clothing store and a place to stay at Bruce said. Let’s get back to work we move into Washington in three days Rus said. While scouting one night thru his binoculars Don noticed a hotel that looked vacant so over the next two days he kept watch on just this one building. I think I found us a place Don announced. There was an abandoned hotel Don had scouted just across the harbor. The hotel was 10 stories in height with the top two floors were entire full executive suites as well as a roof top that could see a majority of the city including the White House and a large neon looking sign on the roof . I think that will work nicely to set up a base until we can infiltrate FBI headquarters Don said. I have seen several black sedans heading down that main road away from the White House heading toward the river so maybe if we can get a better city map showing all the buildings and landmarks maybe we will have a starting point Rus said. Well let’s get some rest and tomorrow night we will pack up and make our way to that hotel Rus announced. Since it’s such a large hotel I think we can search room by room and see if any suitcases or hotel staff clothing was left over and that can help us get into the city to find more clothes Bruce suggested. Alright get some sleep and when you wake up start packing your gear we will head for the hotel in fourteen hours Rus said. The guys fell asleep around ten in the morning unaware of the black sedan that was driving around the Jefferson Memorial.

  The sedan stopped at the entrance to the memorial and the driver side door opened. Rus awoke to the noise of the car door closing and rushed to wake everyone up by covering their mouths when he did so they wouldn’t make the agents aware they were there. Out came only one agent black suit, black sunglasses, shoulder length hair pulled in a ponytail, and a scar that spread three just above his left eye that went downward and ended even with his mouth. The guys observed quietly watching the agent walk around the memorial and once the agent took two laps around the inside and outside of the building he got into the sedan and drove off. Damn that was to close Don said. Screw it get the gear ready now and we will be leaving as soon as the sun starts going down Rus said. As soon as the sun set over the horizon the guys climbed down the scaffold and they made their way east toward the bridge leading to the hotel. Heading for the bridge they were looking to see if there was a blockade but it looked like they caught the army in the middle of shift change so they sprinted all the way to the hotel taking the alleyways once they crossed the bridge. After they arrived in the back alley they checked through the doors and windows to see if the hotel was empty as Don had been viewing. After searching the rooms that they could see and knowing that the hotel was empty they started to pry open one of the windows. As they were working on prying open the window for ten minutes Bruce shouted did anyone try the door? No why? Don asked. Because it is open Bruce said. They opened the back door that led to a kitchen area. All right Mike you make sure all these windows and doors are locked here on the first floor and avoid being seen in the main lobby when you check the doors Rus said. Rus and Don headed over to the main desk looking for keys to the hotel. Rus looked in the drawers for any keys to the rooms while Don checked the manager’s office that was directly located behind the main desk. Damn I don’t see any keys out here. Did you find anything? Rus asked. When Rus turned around toward the door Don was standing there jingling a set of keys. Rus, Jon, Bruce, and Don headed for the stairs and toward the second floor. When they approached the door leading to the second floor Rus spoke softly and said Jon will watch the staircase Don will take the rooms on the left side, Bruce you check the rooms on the right, and I will watch the hallway plus open the doors for the two of you. What are we searching for? Don asked. Right now all we are doing is searching to make sure the hotel is abandoned Rus answered. After searching room by room and floor by floor the guys headed back to the kitchen to meet up with Mike, but as they were coming down the fourth floor stairs Mike was running up to them. What’s going on Mike? Rus asked. Panting out of breathe Mike said I had just finished up checking the first floor over when suddenly I heard car doors. When I looked outside I saw four sedans and at least sixteen agents and they started kicking the front door in. I ran up the stairs before they saw me but I think they are sweeping the building. Suddenly they heard the door open leading to the stairwell. Quickly to the top suite maybe we can hide there Rus said as he turned and starting running up the stairs with the other guys. They arrived in the top floors suite and all took cover in different rooms and closets. About ten minutes after taking cover the door to the suite opened. What do you see? Don whispered to Rus. It looks like that agent we saw at the memorial he’s got that same scar going down the left side if his face. Rus watched as the agent only took a couple steps into the room when several other agents arrived at the door. He turned around toward the other agents and said this room is clear return to the lobby. The agent took one more glance around the room he was in, turned and walked o
ut the room. The guys exited there hiding places and looked out the windows where they saw the agents unloading something off a flatbed truck. Once counting the agents getting back in to their cars and driving off the guys headed back down to the lobby. When they got down to the lobby the front windows and doors were now blocked and the guys couldn’t see outside anymore.

  Alright Don, see if that back door is still accessible so we know what is on the front of the building now and be careful Rus said. Don came back after about ten minutes and explained to us what was going on. I had to be slow when I went outside the FBI was just a little ways away at the other hotel less than two blocks away. All the windows and doors are blocked off with several sheets of plywood and written on the wood is “building is clear do not enter by order of the FBI”. So I think we should be in the clear as long as we don’t turn the lights on in the rooms with a view and the rooms with a view we can scout from in the dark Don said. Let’s get started then Rus said. They headed for the second floor and started searching for anything useful like suitcases left behind. I going to head the eighth floor to start setting up rooms for us and if you find anything bring it to the eighth floor Rus said. Everyone take a floor to speed up the search Don said. After searching the first four floors they had found fifteen suitcases and stored them in rooms on the eighth floor. Rus went to the eighth floor and starting cutting holes between the rooms so they would all be connected as one. Using his machetes Rus cut door size holes in the six connected rooms in the center of the eighth floor connecting them all. After he had finished he made sure all the rooms were supplied with extra sheets, pillows, and bathroom supplies. When the suitcases started arriving they got stored in one room and then everyone headed to different floors to finish off search. Once all the rooms in the hotel had been searched they headed to see if there was any food in the kitchen. They opened up the walk-in refrigerator to find tons of fresh fruit, vegetables, milk, and in the freezer there was frozen beef, chicken, seafood, lamb, and breads. Wow Don said this hotel must have been closed or abandoned recently. They pulled out several items to cook a very large feast and stuffed their bellies full. Afterwards they headed for the rooms, barricaded the stairwell, and slept in a comfortable bed for the first time in last ten days everyone slept for over twenty four hours. Everyone slowly woke up after some very much needed sleep. Once awake and breakfast made the question was what to do first?

  Chapter 16

  So what do you think we need to do first? Mike asked. Well I think Rus and I will go shower put on the suits and try to blend in to a group of FBI agents to see if they notice us Don said. But before that I think we will set up a scouting area in the top floors suite and since some of the rooms are blocked off from windows we can set up the satellite in one of those rooms Don added. Well let’s get moving then Rus said. Don you go install that satellite dish and get it hooked up while the rest of us go and search threw the suitcases looking for clothes Rus said. Don grabbed the satellite and headed two additional floors up to the second suite and everyone else headed to the extra room with the twenty four suitcases and fourteen backpacks to sort. Don installed the satellite in the back of the hotel near the alley so it wouldn’t be as noticeable since the FBI already swept the building hoping they wouldn’t return. Don then lined the wire under some rugs so no one would trip and set up the CB in the master bedroom. Meanwhile searching the suitcases and backpacks turned out to be a great idea. They had found lots of clothes that fit everyone, bathing supplies, and jewelry mostly watches in the suitcases. Then they started searching the backpacks where they found some CD’s, headphones, batteries, flashlight, but the weirdest find was in one of the backpacks. The backpack was all black with a couple of zippers while searching the bag they found four small ear devices that looked similar to the ones the FBI agents were wearing, six clips full of ammo, two Smith & Wesson model SW1911 .45 ACP handguns, two pairs of sunglasses, and two FBI security clearance cards. Does anyone remember where this backpack came from? Rus asked. I think in came from the seventh floor Bruce said. Why do you ask? Because I think there was FBI agents in the hotel before it was abandoned since all the supplies in this backpack are FBI supplies Rus said. We need to go search hard room to room again and notify everyone once it’s located Don said. The guys each took a floor again searching hard room to room trying to locate any sign of the FBI being there. After around forty five minutes of searching Don starting rounding up all the guys and took them to the sixth floor where he believed he located the FBI room. Why do you think it’s this room Don? Bruce asked. Well since I found two black suits hanging on the back on the door and an envelope with a letter inside signed by Arnold Skinner I thought that may be a good indication Don answered. Everyone tried the suit jackets on but only fit Rus and Don the best. All right let’s get the clothes we found separated among each other, put them away, and then let’s head down to the kitchen to eat as well as discuss what we need to do Rus said. Be downstairs in twenty minutes.

  After making a somewhat healthy breakfast of mixed fruit and yogurt Rus discussed what he had it mind. Well since the suits fit Don and I best we will be the ones to infiltrate the FBI Rus said. Don will be working on wiring the ear pieces we found so you can hear what they hear and say Rus said. Don will also wire the ear pieces we have to the walkie talkie so you can communicate to us from here Rus added. Then once he is done we will get dressed and head to the J. Edgar Building. We are going to try and just walk in and use those security passes and start getting information Rus said. While we are gone just continue scouting and monitor any FBI movement around the city from what you can see from the rooftop Rus said. Maybe you should scout in twelve hour shift one at daytime and the other at night Don added. After I work on the ear pieces I will make something to help give the binoculars and scopes on the guns no glare so we don’t give away our position Don said. I think once night time falls again we should scout the roof and see what cover is up there or if we need to build something undetectable Bruce said. I am just not sure until we get up there if the sign will work or not Bruce added. Well the opening to the roof is in the center of the rooftop so we can go after breakfast and start looking around Rus said. They finished up there breakfast and made their way back to the eighth floor where Don went to work on his projects while Rus, Mike, Jon, and Bruce continued to head for the roof. At the top of the staircase was a ladder leading to a latch in the roof. They opened the latch and climbed out on to the roof. It was a flat surface with a few vents sticking out in different spots on the roof. On all four sides of the roof was a little cover by the giant neon sign displaying the hotels name to be seen by the entire city. Maybe we can get some chairs from the lobby and set them up behind the O in the Harbor of the sign since the Heights part hangs down into the suite on the tenth floor? Bruce suggested. Well since the neon lights still turn on let’s wait until night fall to pick the best spot and make sure the sign doesn’t get to hot over the time frame you may have to sit up there Rus said. Don worked for eight hours on the ear pieces but managed to rig them so on a different frequency the guys would be able to communicate with them while they were in the city. Don also added covers over top of the binoculars and scopes of the sniper rifles to stop the glare of the sun sending a reflective shine out using leather off a briefcase they had found.

  As night time fell on the capital again the guys carried four chairs up the stairs where they carefully moved them up the ladder and onto the rooftop. The giant red glare off the neon lights will give great cover at night time and a little heat since the snow was soon to start falling and the air was brisk since it was the middle of the third week in November. The heat was not as intense as Rus had expected. I think you were right Bruce we can set these chairs up right behind the sign and scout from there Rus said. I will take the night watch, Mike you can take the morning watch, and Jon can take the afternoon watch Bruce said. I think it would work best if we did it in eight hour shifts like when we drove here especially with the cold weather coming
Bruce said. You guys work out whatever is best for you and Don and I will keep you all posted on what we find or bring back to the hotel Rus said. So are you leaving in the morning? Mike asked. No I think we will leave Thanksgiving Day in hope agents are with their families and it may be easier for us to get in and established within the building. Bruce, Mike, and Jon started there scouting rotation the next morning with Mike heading to the roof around eight in the morning. Rus got on the CB and was attempting to reach the outpost. Come in outpost this is Rus. After several attempts finally a response came back. This is the outpost Rus we reach you loud and clear this is Chris. Hey Chris, we have made it to Washington D.C. but not without a loss Rus said. Did you get that project done? Rus asked. Yes I did. I dug four small trenches from the gas tanks that spread into other connectors and open up into five drain spots in the pit we dug Chris said. I need to talk to Christi, Bev, and Abby if she’s out of the hospital please. Rus asked. Ok let me go and round them up Chris said. About twenty minutes went by when Bev called over the CB. Is Christi there yet? Rus asked. No not yet why? Bev answered. You will need to be her rock we have bad news Rus said. Ok we are all here Bev said. Rus proceeded to tell them the journey they had all the way to Roosevelt Island. “Once we got to the island we found a boat and waited for nightfall to paddle down the river. We thought we were in the clear until a patrol started firing missiles at us. Bryan told us to get our gear and fired the motors on the pontoon boat and flew across the river toward the patrol and screamed for us to jump off the back of the boat and swim for shore. Mike, Jon, Bruce, Don, and I jumped into the river and Bryan got closer to the patrol and headed down river. Once we swam to shore we got up on the bridge and looked downriver for Bryan. We watched as a missile was shot up into the air and came crashing down on to the boat and it exploded. Bryan had sacrificed himself for us to continue on this mission.” Christi hearing this information collapsed to the floor crying and saying he can’t be gone, I haven’t had a feeling he was gone, he promised to come back. I am so sorry Christi, Bryan was an amazing man and cared deeply for you and the kids Rus said. His last words to me were to tell you he loves you and to find a cure for the kids and that’s exactly what I am going to do Rus said. Abby took Christi to the hospital to see maybe if there was something to help her calm down. Rus continued to explain to Bev what they had done so far in Washington and when they were going to make their move. Be safe and hurry up I miss you Bev said. I will and I miss you too Rus answered. Rus ended his CB call and wiped his eyes. Don walked in and asked what’s wrong? Rus looked at Don and said I told Christi about Bryan. Oh Don said bowing his head. I was coming to see if you wanted to test the ear pieces and see if they are in working order? Don asked. Yeah and I think we need to see if we can find a car also Rus said. I think we are going to have to head out into the city Rus said. Let’s test these ear pieces and as soon as nightfall hits we will head out into the city and see if we can find either a black sedan or SUV Rus said.