Kyle saw his Aunt, Cousin and Grandmother walk in with another woman. He turned to the guests his group had brought. “Hey, everyone. This is Jessica, with whom I work. This is Erica, a friend of Adam’s. And, of course, you all know Adam.” Then he presented his family to the group he had come with. “This is my Uncle Ted, Aunt Kayla, Grandmother Beth, Cousin Maxine, and?” Kyle looked to his family.
Aunt Kayla responded, “Oh, I am so sorry. This is Rich, a pastor from down the street. And, this is Kim, umm, a neighbor.”
Ted put his arm around Adam’s shoulder. “Guys, we have a lot to talk about.”
Cal looked at him and said, “We certainly do.”
They all walked into the residence and took various seats around the living room. Ted asked, “Should the kids go into Max’s room?” This was just about to get a massive angry response from Kyle’s sister, when his Dad cut in.
“No. I can’t speak for your beautiful daughter, of course,” he tousled Max’s hair and she smiled at him with a huge toothy grin, “but, I think everyone has a right to know whatever we know. And I think we can only do ourselves a favor by hearing from everyone.”
Ted looked up at his wife, and Kayla gave him a little nod. “Okay, what is going on out there, have you guys seen anything?”
Cal started, telling them about the restaurant, the beating the cop took, the nurses at the hospital, the loss of Ellen, and the night at the High School. As he rounded to the morning after, he looked at Kyle and nodded.
“Umm, yeah. In the middle of the night, I saw something. I saw light come from nowhere. No one else saw it, but I knew where each person was.” Kyle said to the group. “Maybe my eyes adjusted, maybe I was hallucinating, I don’t know. But, it didn’t feel like either, it felt like a flash on a camera had gone off. I just got a snapshot of everyone.”
His Dad took over again and went on. “Then, frankly, what I saw with Nat when we came up to the window. Something more than a power outing is happening.”
“That is not the half of it,” Ted started, “Max has, an ESP thing with the dogs.” He pointed to the patio. Everyone looked at the ten-year-old.
“They are my pack,” She said rather matter-of-fact.
“So, is it only our family?” Kyle asked, looking around the room. His Dad was shaking his head.
“No, I doubt it, bud. There certainly is some reason why the youngest seem to be experiencing it.”
“I am the same age as Kyle,” Jess spoke up, “I am not experiencing it.”
Cal looked at her thoughtfully. “I don’t know, Jessica, but I think you will begin to exhibit something. This has to do with some event, not with our genetic makeup as Wards and Cravens.”
The pastor then put in his two cents. “So, are you saying that you think some change happened? Something in the world as a whole?” Initially, Kyle thought the pastor doubted Cal, which was never a good plan, but it seemed that he was willing to accept this idea. How could they all not accept it, with what they had already seen? It wasn’t definitive as to what had changed, but something certainly had.
Kim followed that, “Is it Armageddon?”
Only because he knew his Dad could Kyle see that the man was doing everything in his power not to respond to that negatively. Cal, Ted and Adam had served in an area where they had to deal with people who valued their own religion, to the exclusion of all others. When they had returned home, they had all had less tolerance for religious judgment when they encountered it. As Kyle looked around at the other former soldiers, he saw the shadows cross their faces.
Cal was thinking carefully about his response, “I am not one to speak about such things, I will leave that to Rich. But, if we change the question a little, is our existence different today than it was two days ago? To that, I would have to respond in the affirmative.”
It was Erica who broke the silence next, “You said you would tell us why you thought the power wasn’t coming back soon.”
Cal nodded, “So, let me preface this with a reservation. I don’t know what is going on, I am only guessing…”
Adam cut in, “Do not discount the guesses of Calvin Ward.”
Cal grinned at Adam, “Okay, but it is still a guess. The cars crashed into each other, meaning the brakes didn’t work. The guns didn’t work. You can’t restart the cars. Batteries that weren’t in use don’t work. Medicine doesn’t work. The power going out is the least of our worries. It isn’t just that I don’t think it will come back soon, I am not sure it will come back ever.” The look of abject horror on everyone’s face was in stark contrast to the way Kyle felt. This is pretty much what he had assumed also.
Cal continued, “A solar flare or some kind of electromagnetic pulse would have killed the power in technology that was currently in use, but not batteries not in use. And it would have done nothing to many of the other things we have seen. It isn’t just that electricity doesn’t work, it is that chemistry doesn’t work, well bio-chemistry still works or we would all be dead, but general chemistry isn’t working the way it should. Something profound has changed our world, and we most likely won’t get it back. It is time we thought about moving forward and need to plan for a world without the comforts we are used to having.”
DAY SEVEN
“…and what would be the result of such a thing? Groups would join together into larger groups and they would invent cultural differences from which to wage war.”
-Dr. Penelope Hymes, Apocolypsis
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
It was so hard to think they were just going to leave it behind. He had just finished the renovations barely a week ago, they had bought this property and Ted had really grown in that short time to love it. It was crazy how much could change in a week. Cal’s predictions were playing out pretty much just like he said. And Ted knew Cal was right about them not staying in the forest, it was just hard to leave.
Ted was packing the few things he needed to take with him. He looked around, they didn’t want to take a lot of clothes and were lucky enough to have Kayla’s Mom to sew things. She had spent the last couple of days turning everyone’s denim jeans into durable travel clothes that weren’t too constraining. His old BDU’s came in handy now, not only for himself, but fashioned into useful clothing for others. Beth had used the idea of the basic dress uniform of the Army to sew outfits for the group, and they were almost as good, though a little hotter than he liked. He couldn’t take more than one change of clothes (except underclothes) with him anyway. They needed space for food.
Kate and Kayla had been putting all the food they could together, and Ted was in a constant state of hunger now. They had little food at the house with all of the people in their group, and the little restaurant, bar and market up on the corner had been raided by a neighbor back when the rain was still pouring down. That was a blessing, the rain was back to its usual afternoon showers now, though there was more precipitation in them and they lasted slightly longer than they had before. Ted was gathering weapons at the moment, he had three six foot staffs for katas, two wooden Kendo practice swords, and even a pair of nunchaku he had on display. Six weapons were all they had to add to Kyle’s Bow he had brought from his work. Rich had collected a hammer, a hatchet and a large wood-cutting axe from his house, so they were able to arm everyone. Each of them also had knives, either kitchen or some hunting and fishing knives Rich had passed out. Kim, Beth and Max were the only ones who did not carry weapons. The first two objected to carrying them and felt they would be useless with them anyway. Max was too young, and didn’t need them anyway. She had eight dogs now, in her pack, and she was by far the scariest person in their group someone might have to face.
Cal had said no mementos, so he was taking a long last look at his pictures when his wife came in.
“Hon, you about ready?” She asked, lying her hand lightly on his shoulder. He nodded back at her. “Cal is right, you know.”
“I know he is right, babe.” Ted said, “I know. We were just settled, thou
gh. I thought I would get some time from the wars and the stress.”
Kate touched his face and looked into his eyes. “You are the bravest man I know. This will be hard, but I trust that we will settle again. We will be safe. We will find our place.” She smiled at him, and his heart melted.
“God, you are the best,” he said as he pulled his wife in for a big kiss, “I am so lucky to have you around.”
“Right back at you,” she said and turned toward the door. “I think everyone else is ready. It is time to go.” Ted followed her into the living room and through the garage out to the street, where everyone was indeed waiting. He walked up near Cal.
“You doing okay?” His oldest friend asked.
“Yeah. It’s an adventure, right?” They both laughed and Cal turned to the group. It was something they said in the sand when they were asked to go on difficult missions. There were twelve in all now, plus eight dogs.
“Okay,” Cal started, “we have discussed the plan, but let me go over it again. If anyone has any questions, now is the time to ask them. We will head directly west, since the road south of here was already washed out days ago. We go down the road and out of the forest. There is a creek down there that I hope to move along until we can find safe crossing. Then we are in rolling hills after we cross the country highway. We will head to the big church for two reasons, one is that they may have some food, and the other is we may get info if anyone is there. I doubt anyone will be there. We will stay there overnight, then head west in the morning. We will cross the freeway and enter onto the Academy. Hopefully, that will provide us some intel of what is going on also. There are some restaurants on the road west just before the freeway. We will need to forage in those. If anyone still has issues with this, let me know now.”
Cal looked around at the group. Rich and Beth had already spoken their problems with what Cal was calling foraging, it was really looting. Ted thought Kim had a problem with it as well, but she didn’t speak up before, and didn’t speak up now. In fact, no one did. It was a good sign of their group cohesion.
“Excellent,” Cal continued, “we will go slow. We are not in a rush at the moment so let’s save our energy. After we check in at the Academy, we will move toward what I hope to be our final destination, Hillside Restaurant. It is defensible, has limited access and excellent view of the city. I really hope we are able to use it as a home base for a while until things settle. We are going to continue meditative katas and morning training every day, I think we must. As for how we go. Ted and Kyle, you have point...” Natalee interrupted.
“Dad,” she said, “I would like to be on point.” Cal looked over at Ted, who just shrugged. She had certainly proven her ability to fight the last couple of days, and had grown uncommonly good at climbing, jumping and balance.
“Okay, Nat you’re up front with Kyle. I will be right behind, and Ted will take up the rear. Max, sweetie, can you let me know if the dogs see anything?”
Ted’s daughter smiled sweetly, “Sure will, Uncle Cal.” Ted couldn’t help but love her attitude. She was the only one of them that actually seemed to be enjoying this whole thing.
“Thanks, kiddo.” Cal grabbed his backpack and slung it over his shoulder, “Then let’s move out.”
The group took off down the road, keeping their eyes open for anything unusual, but seeing about the same things they had seen for days in this area.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Meyer moved his men down the street. They had been patrolling on Fine’s orders for days now, and he was a little annoyed by it. He hadn’t even heard it from Fine, but from that little weasel, Damiano. It really irked Zane Meyer to take orders from a guy who washed out of the Army a few years back. Meyer had been Damiano’s squad leader in the sand, he was a screw-up of epic proportions, and somehow he was now in charge of things for Fine.
Meyer, on the other hand, was a great soldier. He had led his men to setting up, and clearing, the entire perimeter. It was now at nine square blocks, with the original block in the center. Surely Fine would see this was his, and his men’s doing, not that prick Damiano. Up ahead, his point man held up the sign for halt and everyone took positions more appropriate to squad maneuvers than close combat, but what could he expect, that is how they were trained. Meyer ran to the front.
“What’s up?” he said as he knelt next to Griggs.
Griggs pointed up about a block and Meyer saw the movement. Using hand motions, Zane got them to spread out and move slowly toward the building where they saw movement. He could feel the power in his men, somehow Fine had given them some of the power he had in their morning trainings, and these guys were itching to try it out. Two young men walked out of a small building just ahead of them.
“Halt,” Meyer called out, and the guys turned toward them.
The one closest looked right at Meyer and said, “Man, fuck you. I don’t have to halt for no one.” He turned to his friend and laughed, but his friend wasn’t laughing. Meyer’s men moved forward. His point man grabbed the guy in front and swung him around, the guy suddenly had a knife in his hand and he buried it into the gut of Griggs, who immediately grabbed his stomach and fell down. If Meyer could have stopped his men, he wouldn’t have. In the wars, they had always had rules of engagement, but Fine had taken those away. He told them that if someone attacked, it was their duty to put that person down. His men did just that. The guy was hit by power kicks from the two closest soldiers and then beaten to death by about five others. The rest caught the man’s friend and proceeded to give him much the same. The guy cried out for mercy and Meyer held up his hand to stop them.
“What did you say?” Meyer asked him.
“Please,” the man gurgled through a busted jaw and missing teeth, the blood flowing freely from his mouth, “I didn’t do anything.”
“Wrong. You came into downtown with this man and robbed our store. You are a criminal and will now meet your just punishment.” Meyer nodded to his nearest soldier, who stomped on the man’s knee with the power of his new found ability. The knee was liquefied in that moment and the guy yelled out before the soldier stomped his boot into the man’s throat, silencing him. The men all laughed and patted that warrior on the back.
“Okay, form up,” Meyer called out, “mark Griggs so the villagers can collect his body, and let’s get back to patrol.”
Griggs wasn’t dead yet, but they had no way to help him with a stomach wound. He was going to die eventually, and there was no reason to waste resources on him. One of the men tagged him with an orange road-worker vest, and the group moved on.
They rarely lost anyone, but Griggs wasn’t the first. Clearing the camp area was grueling. They were attacked by villagers, and occasionally someone who exhibited powers. Most of the time, Fine wanted them to bring him anyone who exhibited powers. Sometimes that wasn’t possible. Corcoran had been power kicked off a fourth floor balcony by a person they took to be a villager, now that person who killed one of his men, was being trained by Fine to be a Tiger. Meyer did not like Fine’s men, they were misfits. They just had more ability with this new energy thing than the rest, but Meyer’s men were better soldiers. He knew that Fine was a US Army Major, so he knew that he recognized this. There must be a reason for his choices. All Meyer knew is that he didn’t want to mess with Fine. That guy’s powers were downright scary, and he had a history of how angry and compulsive the man could be. When they had served in the sand, Fine had been so mad at him for not stopping another squad leader that he nearly killed him. That was before all of these powers started to manifest themselves.
His team covered two more blocks and their duty was almost complete, they just had to patrol back to meet the next squad on duty. On the way back, his new point man dropped and held up his fist.
Meyer ran up to the front whispering, “Let’s not lose another soldier, keep your heads about you.”
When he reached the front, he didn’t have to ask what was up. Off to the south, just beyond a turn he could
not see from where he was, they could see buildings burning, a lot of them. There were also people running around up there, too far away to hear anything, but Meyer could see them. This was a turn of events that he needed to tell Fine.
“Double time,” Meyer told his men, “we are headed back to camp to tell Sensei about this.” He didn’t really like calling Fine Sensei. He much preferred his military rank of major, but most of the men had begun to call him Sensei and it had stuck. Meyer thought it meant teacher but he wasn’t sure.
Meyer and his men ran in the direction of camp, making more of a bee line than the route he had originally planned for his patrol. They slowed when he saw their replacements patrolling. Meyer ran up to their squad leader.
“Looters and burners about a click and a half past the patrol area, south, southeast. I need to run and tell the Major,” Meyer told him, “You guys cover that area to make sure they aren’t heading this way. I will make sure you have reinforcements inbound.”
The other squad leader nodded, “Move, move, move.” His men took off at a run in the direction Meyer had sent them.
See, that is a soldier, he thought and turned his men toward the camp. In less than ten minutes, they entered the perimeter and another five brought him face to face with Fine.
“Major,” he began, “there are looters and burners about a click and a half past the patrol area. It looks like a bunch of villagers running around too.”
“Could you tell if they were headed this way?” Fine asked, seemingly unconcerned.
“Didn’t look like it.” Meyer replied.
Eric Fine nodded, “okay, hold here a second. Miles!” he called out for that sniveling twerp, Damiano. The man came running up and bowed, Meyer always forgot that part.
“Yes, sensei?” Miles said.
“Send a squad of watchers to the south, where Meyer tells you. We do not respond unless we have to. Let the others hurt each other. Double the patrols.”
Age of Mystics (Saga of Mystics Book 1) Page 12
