by Chris Hechtl
Chapter 11
The next morning Bill woke him near dawn. He groaned softly but got up. He stretched and noted Jayne was up and moving off. “Coffee,” he muttered, scratching. He itched all over. He hated sleeping in his clothes. Especially sweaty clothes.
“Got it covered boss,” Bill said quietly, handing him a cup. Someone nearby groaned. They looked down and then tip toed around the sleeping people and out into the main hall.
It wasn't much better there; there were dozens of groups all over the place. He looked around as he took a sip. “Sitrep?” he asked.
“As good as it gets. Its four thirty if you’re wondering,” Bill asked. He stretched. “I'm for bed. I'm getting a whopping three hours of sleep.”
“Make it four,” Shane said turning as Bill left.
“Oh how generous,” Jayne said as Bill mockingly saluted and walked off to the security room.
“How's it going Jayne?” he asked. She shrugged. “Can you get me a list of what you need sometime today?” he asked. “And did you get any rest yourself?”
“I'll try,” she said sighing and rubbing the small of her back. He snorted and set the cup down to give her a back rub. She groaned. “Now I know why Jen married you,” she teased. He chuckled softly.
“Did you get any rest?” he asked softly.
“Couple of hours,” she muttered. “I've got to get a breakfast crew going soon. You're going to have everyone up and at 'em at the crack of dawn right?” she asked.
“Some, not all. We need to get into shifts, so some people can stay on watch at night. We'll start waking the team leaders in a few minutes though.”
“Got it,” she said. She turned and flashed him a smile. “Thanks. I'll go see if I can get breakfast going,” she said. He nodded. She turned and tossed him a bar. He caught it.
“I know you; you'll get too busy and forget. Eat that. Jen'll have my ass if you don't. Or better yet yours,” she said. He nodded ripping at the wrapper as he walked to the security room. Time to get to work he thought, trying to ignore the bumps and stiff muscles.
...*...*...*...*...
After seeing that the perimeter was all quiet and the guards on duty were awake he went into Sears. He brought along some cups and a coffee pot. He nodded to Walt who was already up, rousting Dave and the others.
“How'd it go over there yesterday,” he asked, handing out cups of coffee. Art gratefully took one and smiled as he cradled it. He smelled its fragrant steam and sighed.
“We're doing okay. I think we'll get more out today boss,” he said after he took a sip.
“There a lot left?” Walt asked.
Art looked at him in disbelief and then laughed. Granted it was a shaky laugh, but a laugh. “Seriously?” he asked. “Tip of the iceberg man. What we took was the stuff in the back rooms and the food and critical items on Jayne's lists. There are tons more. Literally hundreds of tons more. Are we seriously going to clean out Lowes? Hell all the stores? Where are we going to put it all?” he asked.
“We should think about forting those stores up boss,” Walt said. Shane looked at him, crossing his arms and relaxing. “Seriously man, we can hold them better than here. Its got a couple of doors; the worst was the greenhouse, which we can put to good use down the road. Something tells me we're going to need to think that route soon.”
“He's right,” Art said nodding. “Plus its on a hill too. The entire complex. Harder to fort up, but I think we can do it.”
“Okay,” Shane said with a nod. “Get the criticals over here now. I'll have Jayne and her crew sort out what's needed while they wait on the first load. Wayne,” he turned to see Wayne and Torres coming. Both stretched as they approached. Torres grunted as Bob handed her a cup and then sat on a nearby washing machine.
“We need a Laundromat man,” Bob muttered. The others looked at him. He held up his hands. “Not me, honest. Tamara got on my case about it a little yesterday.”
“Priorities. Food and weapons, shelter. Just tell her we'll get it worked out. Its going to take time,” Shane sighed rubbing his back. “Get someone to hook up the floor models we've got in here for now. Wayne are you and Torres going to go look for more survivors?” he asked. Wayne nodded.
“Good to know,” he said nodding. He turned as a man approached. He was a new arrival. “Welcome,” he said with a nod. Bob turned to him and smiled. The man had a close crop hair cut, obviously military. He was dressed in shorts and a worn bloody torn T shirt. “Up and about?” he asked.
“Fine man, just got scratched,” the man said holding a bandaged arm up. He turned to Shane. “Hernandez, Private Mateo Hernandez US army reserve,” he said coming to attention. “We in contact with higher?” he asked.
“Not yet,” Shane said shaking his head. The man looked a little deflated. “March isn't responding to hails. They've forted up tighter than Fort Knox and we didn't make it that far. Or did we?” he asked looking at Wayne. The deputy shook his head. He went back to gazing at the private.
“I'd like to try sir. I need to get back with my unit. I think there are about a dozen or so other military people with families here,” he said.
“We'll get you a truck and you can make contact today son,” Shane said before anyone else could say anything. He didn't want to lose the man, but he knew better than to stand in his way.
“Most of the major cross streets are blocked,” Wayne said. “Alessandro is one great big parking lot. I'm not comfortable going out on foot that distance,” he said.
“Try the....” Hernandez frowned when they all shook their heads. “Both freeways?” he asked. They nodded.
“Old 215 isn't completely blocked. We moved some stuff. We got as far as Bay I think. You could try that way, the ramps are nuts though,” Wayne said with a grimace.
Shane turned to Bob. “Bob get a couple people with cherry pickers to screen the lights.”
“What; all of them?” Bob asked surprised.
“Yeah,” he said taking a sip of his own coffee and looking up.
“Why? Don't we have enough to do?”
“A kid showed me a video last night, did any of you see it?” he asked looking at them. They shook their heads. “Get Jayne or Jen to show it to you. It... Look this kid Wes used his camera to film a Gremlin. It didn't like the light. Really didn't like the street light and spotlights. The damn thing used a rock as a tool. It climbed the light pole and smashed the light out. Right after they landed.”
“Oh shit,” Bob said eyes wide.
“Yeah. The worst thing is apparently others saw it and followed suit. And it laughed when it was done. He also showed me that the damn thing had learned to throw rocks at spotlights. Not a good sign,” he said.
“I'll get someone on it,” Bob said. Bob didn't look happy. He looked over his shoulder to see Bill coming with a few more people.
“Electrify them if you can. Razor wire or something,” Leon said. Bob nodded. “We'll have to do the same for the cameras probably,” Leon said darkly. Bob grimaced over that.
“Jayne said the food court is maxed out now that just about everyone is up and about,” Bill said. He handed out meals he and the others were carrying. “Sheila sent these for us here,” he said. Bob smiled as he hefted an egg McMuffin. “Eat em while they're hot folks,” he said.
“Okay, Bob, Walt, Dave,” he waited as they each took a bite then looked at him. “I want you and the drivers who can get shipping containers to transfer as many as you can here. Bob you said something about laying out where you want them with paint?” he asked. Bob nodded, not looking up as he took another bite and chewed.
“Okay, Bob sketched a map of what we want to work on today. Pick someone or several someone’s to coordinate with them if you are busy elsewhere. We're going to pick a section or two and fort it up the best we can then move onto the next. You four and your crews are in charge of that. If you've got too many people on one job, shift them to another section but don't get overwhelmed or run too far ahead of supply.
Don't let anyone dick around and drag their feet either. Jayne's letting people know and they'll be here after breakfast,” Shane said glancing at his tablet.
“What can I do?” Hernandez asked raising a hand. “If I can't make contact I mean,” he said.
Shane turned to him, glad the young man was thinking ahead. “Get with Wayne to help him. Or if he's out of contact come back here and regroup then I'll set you to clearing that out,” he pointed South towards the nearby condos. They looked in the indicated direction but only saw stock.
“Um...”
“I'm talking about the condos and stuff there. Also Towngate. We can clear out the movie theater there. At least the concession stand and any food storage.”
“Ah,” Hernandez nodded. He looked dubious though.
“Enemy territory son,” Shane explained. “Urban combat. We don't know if the building is safe or not. We've run into animals inside buildings. We need them secured and safe so our people who aren't armed can operate. If the animals are nesting inside we need to clean them out. The more we kill by day when they are vulnerable the better.”
“Ah, gotcha,” the soldier said with a sudden nod and tight lipped smile. “Now you're talking my language,” he said.
“I thought so,” he said. “We'll also need your people to check out the perimeter and fill in any holes you spot, and work on training our people. We're going to need to work out a clear system of killing these things. Preferably at range. Then pass that onto as many people as we can as quickly as we can.”
“Okay,” Hernandez said nodding.
“Jayne's got a couple of newbie’s. We'll route the trucks the best we can,” Walt said. “Dave here is going to head East into Towngate and Sunnymead. I've got Wesley and we're sticking to the club houses.”
“Okay,” Shane said with a nod.
“We still focusing on food and stuff?”
“Food, ammo, weapons, drinks, construction material, and stuff to fort up this place,” Shane said with a nod. “Comfort stuff later.”
“Jayne said we need to hit Anna's linens, Bed bath and beyond, and the other furniture places. We're out of bedding and stuff,” Walt said.
“Do it after you've got the food shifted,” Shane said.
“Ah, gotcha,” Walt said with another nod. “Priorities,” he said.
“Right, we can always share blankets or hot bunk bedding or whatever. The food's going to spoil soon,” Bob said.
“Yeah I know,” Walt said waving. “We got the shipping containers at Wal-Mart, Sams, Winco, and Costco, any idea where we can pick up more?” he asked.
Wayne raised a hand. “I know a couple of places. I'll let you know when we're done here,” he said. He looked to the doors.
“Want to get out there?” Bob asked. The deputies both nodded. Their duty was to serve and protect the public, something they couldn't do very well with the damn aliens running around outside.
“Its...” Shane tapped his phone. “Ah, sunup in five minutes or so. Let's go get our people moving,” he said as Bob hastily finished his sandwich and brushed his hands together.
“Thanks man,” he said to Bill who nodded.
...*...*...*...*...
Jen smiled as the girls woke up. She had decided to stick around in case the kids had another case of nightmares. The quiet time had given her time to think, to organize her thoughts. She smiled tenderly down at them.
Tori stretched and yawned. She hid a fond smile as her sister sat up fast and then flopped back down with a huff of annoyance. Apparently the yawn had startled her.
“Awake huh?” she asked, sitting on a stool. Nick looked at her, getting dressed he nodded. She frowned as he armed himself.
“Its not getting up that's the problem anymore mom, its going to sleep knowing those things are outside. That's the problem,” he said.
“Yeah,” Tori said sleepily as she rubbed at her eyes. She stretched again. “The good thing is mom doesn't have to use her joy buzzer to get you out of bed Nick,” she said smirking.
“You used a joy buzzer?” another mother asked, straightening the bedding her family had used. Jen turned a wicked smile on her.
“Worked didn't it?” she asked, turning the smile on her son. “I didn't have to use it again after that. One time and getting up for school was no longer a problem.” The other mother laughed, shaking her head as she looked away.
“Evil mom, pure and simple,” the kid said. She ruffled his hair as he straightened. He gave her a quick brief hug. “But I'll forgive you. Eventually,” he said.
“Mom did warn you Nick,” Trina said, getting up and twitching her clothes. “Are we going to get fresh clothes?” she asked. Her mother pointed to a duffel. She turned and pounced on it.
Nick rolled his eyes. “Clothes? Food is more important,” he grumbled. His stomach growled right on cue. His mother and the other adults around snorted.
“Bottomless pit,” his mother teased as he put his baseball hat on. She pulled the brim down and he sighed and pulled it back up.
“You're Jen right? Jen O’Neill? The wife of the guy in charge?” the mother next to them asked.
“Yes,” Jen said nodding as she made the beds. She pulled at a sheet Tori was on. The girl got up hastily. She knew her mother was fond of dumping them on the floor if they didn't get up fast enough.
“I'm up, I'm up!” she said hands up and then yawned.
“Better be,” her mother said pursing her lips.
“Fortunately she left the joy buzzer at home,” Nick said heading for the door.
“Don't be too sure of that Nicky my boy,” Jen called, smirking a little. He froze and then turned back to her.
“Crap,” he muttered shaking his head. He got to the door.
“Wait for your sisters Nick,” Jen called.
“I gotta pee mom!” he said plaintively.
“Me too,” Tori said bouncing. Trina did too. She handed Tori a bundle of clothes and then raced after their brother.
“Tie your shoe laces before you trip Trina,” Jen sighed patiently.
“Kids,” the woman said shaking her head and pursing her lips. Some things never changed.
“Yes,” Jen said as she finished folding the mess of blankets up. “There, that's a little better. I think they are going to try to get some beds in here today. Bunk beds. Today or tomorrow,” she said.
“How did your husband end up in charge?” the woman asked. She held up her hands as Jen turned to her. Jen noted a few other people were listening. “If you don't mind my asking I mean,” she said defensively.
She shrugged and returned her attention to the bedding. “He's the commander of security here at the mall. He was also a football star in college, a deputy sheriff, and a marine. He's a fast thinker, trained to think on his feet.”
“Ah,” one woman said nodding.
“It sort of fell into place. He came up with a plan right on the spot and followed through, first saving all our neighbors and then bringing us all here. After all, someone has to be in charge right?” she asked. The others nodded. “He's got some good people like Deputy Wayne and Bill and others to help too.”
“Sounds like they know what they are doing,” the woman said nodding.
“He's good, real good,” Jen said. “Very well organized and domesticated. That took all the fun out of breaking him in when we were first married,” she said grinning. The other women grinned or chuckled softly. She looked thoughtful and then shrugged, deciding to continue. She might as well lay out some of his qualifications now so people would know he's on the ball.
“He was a marine and a hunter. He's a big time camper, or at least he was until we met,” she said smiling a little. “The great outdoors and I don't get along,” she said shaking her head mournfully. One major case of poison ivy did that to you sometimes. She wasn't sure if she'd ever forgive him for bedding down in the damn stuff. The sex had been great but the aftermath had been hell. “So he and Nick go every summer on their own. Sort of a
guy bonding thing.”
“Oh?” Tamara asked a few meters away. “Well, its not for everyone,” she said with a sniff.
“Tell me about it. Poison ivy,” Jen said shaking her head once more. “Nasty,” she admitted as Tamara frowned in sympathy. “First time camping with him before we had the kids. First and last time for me. At least without a camper,” she said. “I did not like spending the weekend in the ER.” Her lips puckered a little in a small smile of remembrance. “He was contrite for weeks though. That made it all worth it.” There was a sputter of knowing giggles from a few quarters.
“I think the days of camping are pretty much over,” another person said.
“Yeah,” Jen said nodding. “Yeah,” she sighed, pushing her bangs back. “Jayne and a couple of people have breakfast on in the food court folks. We're getting things sorted out but if you could lend a hand it would be great.”
“I believe in pulling my own weight,” Tamara said with a nod as she got closer. “Bob and me both,” she said. “Jen and her hubby were the ones who saved us folks. They are all right in my book.”
“Your husband is an incredible asset,” Jen agreed. “I'm sorry we're going to be monopolizing him so much.”
“Its for the community,” Tamara said. “And for our own good,” she said indicating the kids. “Do we have something to do for the kids?” she asked.
Jen cocked her head thinking. “We had a temporary day care set up yesterday. In the toy stores. I think we can do that again,” she said as they moved to the door as a group. “Does anyone know of anyone who did that sort of work? Or is willing to do it?” she asked looking at the group. “I'll take a turn for an hour or two since my kids are in there too. That should free up someone to do some work,” she said.
