One Man's War

by Thomas J. Wolfenden

  “What about the others, the ones who want to travel out?”

  “They’re going to have to be able to keep their mouths shut,” Tim said, looking at Jimenez gravely.

  “I hope so, if you’re right,” Jimenez said as they drove into the post. “What is this place?”

  “It’s Camp Navajo, or more correctly, Navajo Army Depot. It was built back during World War Two, I think.”

  “I never knew this place was here.”

  “There are places like this all over the country. Most were training and maintenance facilities,” Tim replied. He steered by the main buildings and headed down another road. “Ah, here we go, the motor pool.”

  Tim pulled the Hum-Vee up to the front of a building that had huge garage doors, and to the left were rows of the deuce-and-a-half trucks they were after, and two more rows of Hum-Vees. After shutting off their vehicle, both men retrieved their weapons and got out. “Looks deserted,” Jimenez remarked.

  “I’d think so, Taco. I found this place right after Robyn and I found our place over in Williams. It’s got a lot of stuff that we can use stored here,” Tim said, pointing over at a row of bunkers, eerily similar to the ones they’d found on Volivoli, grass-covered mounds with a thick concrete façade and steel blast doors in the front. “There are hundreds of bunkers, spread out over a few thousand acres. I’ve only explored some of them.”

  “I’d like to go scrounging around and see what I can find,” Jimenez said.

  “You can, later, when we get settled. This place isn’t going anywhere. First things first, let’s get a few of these trucks running.”

  “Sure thing, Sar’ Major!” Jimenez said enthusiastically, and they got right to work breaking into the building to find the tools they’d need.

  It took the better part of three hours, but the two men were able to get two of the trucks running. They hitched the Hum-Vee to the rear of one of the trucks and headed back out onto the highway, and back to Tusayan.

  Tim used the handheld Motorola military radio to call Holly and let her know they were on their way back with the transportation. They made good time getting back to the airport, where they found everyone waiting in the terminal building. Holly came up to Tim when he alighted from the lead truck and she wrapped her arms around him in a great bear hug

  “I was beginning to worry,” she said.

  “I’d have called if there had been a problem, babe.”

  “I’m just glad you’re back. Now what?”

  “We get the Hum-Vee unhitched, get everyone and everything loaded, and we head for home!” Tim said, putting his arm around her and walking towards the rear of the truck where Jimenez was already unhooking the tow bar.

  Tim went into the terminal to let everyone know they were ready to start loading up. Everyone helped, and even April did her part, helping to put the chicken cages into the back of the rear truck.

  When everyone was in the trucks, Jimenez took the wheel of one, one of the Aussie men in the other, and Tim, Robyn, Holly, and Izzy climbed into the Hum-Vee, and they headed back south on Route 64 towards Williams.

  The weather was still clear and sunny, but the temperature was only in the upper ‘50s, and there were some clouds starting to form over the distant, snow-capped peaks of the San Francisco Mountains north of Flagstaff, visible in the distance. Tim wondered if it might snow that evening. If so, they’d have to get everyone into shelter as soon as they arrived, because it would take a few hours to get the power on in all the homes in the survival compound, as Tim had long ago shut off and isolated all the solar panels to feed power to his house alone.

  They pulled off of the highway into town, and a feeling of sadness washed over Tim. It did every time he had driven through town. He couldn’t help but still think of all the people, long gone, who used to call this place home. He reckoned he’d never stop feeling that way, and shoved the thoughts back into the recesses of his mind.

  Driving through town on Main Street, Tim made a right hand turn onto the road that led out of town, heading south, towards Coleman Lake, where the compound was located. They passed a reservoir that was filled to the top with water, and that was a good sign. If it was full, there should still be plenty of water in the aquifer and the communal well that fed all the homes. This part of Arizona was a hit or miss chance when it came to water, and if there was no water to sustain everyone, they’d have to find it someplace else. Just the thought of moving yet again gave him a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

  The road continued on and upwards, and through a cut in some ancient basalt, the road curved and then proceeded through a copse of Aspen trees, flattening out to a vast Ponderosa pine forest, broken only occasionally by meadows of tall brown grass, that Tim knew would be filled with vast herds of mule deer and elk grazing come sundown, which elated him. He looked into the rear-view mirror to see if their tiny convoy was still intact, and seeing that it was, slowed and signaled that he was turning left, off the paved road and onto a narrow red dirt road that led through another stand of pine.

  They emerged out the other side of the stand of trees where the luxurious log home that Tim and Robyn had called home for so many years was still standing, untouched. There were some patches of snow in the shady areas around the house where sunlight rarely reached this time of year, and the American flag was still flying proudly on the flagpole, albeit slightly tattered, where Tim had left it so many months ago.

  Tim pulled the Hum-Vee up to the front of the house and parked. He turned to Holly and smiled. “Honey, we’re home!”

  Holly beamed. “It’s just as we left it!”

  Robyn and Izzy got out of the back. Tim looked up a little forlornly and the tattered flag and frowned.

  “I’ll have to replace that soon,” he said. He walked over the short flight of steps up to the porch, bent down and lifted a rock, and was pleased to find the keys still there. He picked them up and handed them to Robyn, who’d bounded up to him.

  “Here, go get you guys settled, and I’ll handle this with Taco,” Tim said, handing her the key ring. He walked over to the first truck to see smiling faces from the back.

  “We’re here. I hope the ride wasn’t too bad,” Tim told his passengers.

  “It’s cold!” a small voice in the back piped up. It was Billy, the young ensign’s son.

  “Well, young man, it sure isn’t Hawaii,” Tim said. “It’ll warm up soon enough.”

  “I hope so, I’m freezing!” the boy said, at which everyone laughed.

  Tim explained to them what they needed to do, and with everyone’s help, they all found a house, and began moving their meager belongings they had brought with them. It took the rest of the day for Tim and Jimenez to get everyone settled, the power turned on, and to make some minor repairs to the solar panel arrays near the settlement. It was well after dark when he finally made it back home. He plodded up the steps onto the porch, and saw that someone had lit a fire in the fireplace, which was nice, because the temperature was dropping rapidly as the sun sunk below the western horizon.

  Tim was warmed immediately by the fire as he walked through the front door. He cleared his carbine and placed it by the fireplace. He followed the sounds of noise and a wonderful aroma to the kitchen, where he found Holly, Izzy, Robyn, and Mary fixing supper.

  “Ah, Tim, you’re back,” Izzy said. “The womenfolk are making dinner, why don’t we get a drink and sit out on the porch?” He took Tim by the arm and led him out through the dining room into the living room, where he grabbed a bottle of Scotch and poured them both four fingers of the amber liquid in rocks glasses, and handed Tim one.

  Tim raised the glass to Izzy. “To being home!”

  “Yes, to be at home. Come, let’s go outside and enjoy the night air,” said Izzy, and went out onto the porch, followed by Tim. They sat on the wooden rocking chairs that were set up on either side of a table, sipping companionably for a few moments before Izzy spoke.

  “Is everyone settled?” he a
sked.

  “We’ve gotten everyone into a house, and the animals are in the barn for now, until we can get some secure pens set up.”

  “Holly told the young ensign his group could stay with us for a few days,” Izzy said, “so they can make preparations to head out.”

  “That sounds good. We’ve got plenty of room here.”

  “I’ve taken back my old bedroom, the boy is bunking with Robyn, and Bill and Mary have the other spare room. Mr. Suplee and Nakamura said they could sleep on the couches,” Izzy informed him.

  “I’m glad that’s all settled.”

  “Juan set up a cot in the basement, Tim,” Izzy said. “I’m sure he’d much rather be sleeping somewhere else,” the old doctor told his friend, watching for a reaction from Tim out of the corner of his eye.

  “Taco can stay in the basement, Iz,” Tim said with a finality that to Izzy didn’t seem all that final.

  “I’ll be moving out soon myself, Tim,” Izzy said.

  “Oh?” Tim responded, looking at his friend in the darkness.

  “I think I’d like to find a little cottage in town and look for a place to set up a clinic. It will keep me occupied, idle minds, and all that.”

  “You’re more than welcome to continue to live here, Iz. You’re family.”

  “I know that, Tim, but your family is expanding and you’ll soon need the room.”

  “The offer is always open. I’ll help you find a place in a few days. I’ll get Taco to help run some electricity down to whatever place you find. This whole compound is grossly overpowered, and we’ll have plenty.”

  “I appreciate that, Tim.”

  “I’m sorry that we haven’t had the chance to talk like we used to, Iz. I miss our talks.”

  “I understand. You’ve been busy,” Izzy said.

  “It’s funny. You’re the closest thing to a father figure I’ve got. Everyone else is always looking to me for the answers, but who do I have to talk to?” Tim said. He looked at the man sitting next to him, and realized Izzy looked like he was ten years younger, while Tim felt like he was ten years older. He guessed that a few months in Hawaii had done the good doctor a world of good. He’d only wished his South Pacific adventure had been as beneficial to him as it had to Izzy.

  “I’m flattered, Tim. And you are like a son to me, also,” Izzy replied kindly.

  Tim took another swallow of his drink, and in spite of the cold, was feeling quite warmed. The clouds that had been brewing over the mountains to the northeast had spread out to a thick gray blanket just before sundown, and there was a definite crispness in the air. Both men could see their breath, which whipped out into little white puffs with each exhale. Tim looked out onto the meadow in front of his house, lit by the lamps burning brightly though the windows, and saw the first few flakes of snow begin to drift lazily down.

  He sighed. “I kind of figured it would snow tonight.”

  “So did I,” said Izzy.

  “Good thing we got everyone settled in nicely. No telling how much it will snow.”

  “It’s late in the winter, Tim. It shouldn’t snow too much. If it does, it won’t stick around too long.”

  “I think we’ll have a good summer, Iz.”

  “So do I, Tim. So do I,” Izzy said and they lapsed into silence for a few moments. After a time, Izzy said, “So tell me Tim, what is troubling you?”

  “Nothing, Iz.”

  “I’ve known you long enough. I can tell when something is bothering you,” Izzy said, leaning over to Tim and whispering conspiratorially, which made Tim smile.

  “I don’t know, Iz. It’s like I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop, ever since Volivoli.”

  “It was really bad, I take it?”

  “Yes, it was bad. You’ve been in combat. You understand.”

  “True. Vietnam was a long time ago, but some things never dim in one’s memories.”

  “And all this ‘president’ bullshit, I’m uncomfortable with that,” Tim said, his voice dripping with frustration.

  Izzy laughed. “I have to agree, it does sound rather insane on the surface, but I think Jerry means well with it.”

  “Yeah, he does. But I’ve got a bad feeling that nothing good will come of it.”

  “Why so?”

  “I don’t know, I just have a feeling.”

  “And you always trust your feelings,” Izzy asked, but it came out like a statement.

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “I’d suggest going with the flow for right now, Tim.”

  “That’s what I’m going to try to do, Iz,” Tim said with a long sigh, setting his almost empty glass on the table. “I’m getting tired of always making the decisions. Ever since the Event, I’ve been the one having to lead. I want to live out the rest of my life here, with my family, in peace.”

  “Tim, I know your feelings on God, and I agree with them. However, I do believe some people were born to be leaders, and you are one of them.”

  “I’m sick of it though,” Tim said. “I never wanted any of this.”

  “I do believe the Army had it right when they kept promoting you. They wouldn’t have made you a sergeant major just for laughs,” Izzy concluded.

  “I have this sinking feeling, like something terrible is going to happen, and quite frankly, I don’t want to have any part of it.”

  “Tim, I trust you’ll do what you need to do, as you’ve always done. You don’t have to like it; I don’t have to tell you that.”

  “I don’t like it, not one little fucking bit.”

  “I know you don’t. I’ll help you as much as I can. I’ve done some things myself, made decisions, that got people killed so many years ago in Vietnam. I hated it. I live with them, though, Tim, and so will you, because you’re a leader.”

  “Let’s just hope everything has calmed down and there’s no trouble from now on.”

  “I hope the same thing,” Izzy agreed, and finished off his drink.

  The front door opened and the two men turned to see Robyn’s head pop out.

  “Dad, Izzy, supper is ready,” she said.

  “Alright, we’ll be right in. What did you guys whip up?”

  “Rabbit! There was plenty in the freezer in the basement,” she said, and disappeared back inside.

  Tim looked at Izzy and smiled. “I’ve always loved rabbit.”

  “So have I, let’s go eat,” Izzy said, standing.

  “You go ahead, Iz. I’ll be in a few minutes,” Tim said. Izzy picked up his glass, leaving Tim to his thoughts.

  Tim walked to the porch railing and peered out into the night. He could see his shadow from the lamplight in the window, stretching out into the blackness of the night, and looked up into the sky. The snow was falling heavier now, big and fluffy flakes, and they were starting to stick on the ground. An involuntary chill swept over him for a minute, and was thankful there was no wind.

  He held his breath for a moment, then exhaled, letting out a cloud of mist that enveloped his head. Off in the distance, he heard a pack of coyotes howl. They always sounded to him like a group of children laughing, and he wondered at that moment if the joke wasn’t really on him.

  He looked to the sky again and wondered how long the storm would last, and then a darker thought crossed his mind. What other storms were brewing, unseen, out over the horizon? He had a deep, sad feeling this wouldn’t be the last one, not by a long shot.

  With that thought weighing on his mind, he turned, picked up his glass, downed the last of the warming liquid in one gulp, and with shoulders sagging, he plodded into the house, doing something he’d never done before here: he shut and bolted the door.

  Chapter 5: A Brave New World

  The snow that fell their first night back in Williams was a heavy, wet snow that lasted longer than Tim would have liked. Two feet of the white stuff had blanketed the entire area, and left everyone marooned in their new homes for several days. With the exception of Tim, Holly, Robyn, and Izzy, all of the reside
nts that had flown over from Hawaii weren’t used to the cold. Using a four wheel drive Hum-Vee, Robyn and Jimenez gathered as much winter clothing they could scrounge in the stores and shops along Main Street, and distributed it to everyone in the community.

  Tim and Robyn had cut and split over ten cords of shaggy bark juniper the previous summer, before their adventure to the South Pacific, and it was still untouched by their home, so everyone had plenty of firewood to keep warm. Tim made a mental note to get a wood cutting party together as soon as the weather cleared, to ensure they’d have enough cut, split, and dried for the next winter.

  Now, two weeks later, the weather was starting to warm noticeably, and the only remaining snow left was in the shadowy places in the forest where the sun’s rays didn’t reach. It was a balmy morning, and the sun felt pleasantly warm on Tim’s back as he walked up the road towards Ian’s house. He was going to help them build pens for the goats and pigs, and set up a coop for the chickens.

  His thoughts went back to Holly, Robyn, and Jimenez, who at this moment were high above the Sierra Nevada Mountains, flying west towards San Francisco. After a long discussion with Ensign Johnson, Holly had offered to fly them there, over Tim’s protests. They figured it would be a few months, not until later in the spring, that they’d be able to drive unhindered across the mountain range that separated Nevada from Northern California, and none of them wanted to wait that long. They had found an old Chevrolet Suburban that Jimenez had converted to run on propane, and they had left earlier that morning, leaving Tim at the house with Izzy.

  He’d miss them, and wished them well. The young boy was a joy to have around the house, always amazed at the new sights and sounds. Tim hoped that the baby developing inside of Holly would be just as healthy. Now, as he approached Ian’s house, tool box in hand, he saw April dancing around in the meadow, laughing and singing some song that amused her to no end, and it made him smile. Maybe everything was going to be alright.

  He stepped up onto the porch of the house that was almost a carbon copy of his, and the front door opened. A smiling Ian came out to greet him.