“Sorry I dragged you into all of this. I should have known the RRZ would do this.”
“No need to apologize. I knew exactly what I was getting into.”
“Still,” he said, glancing behind them. “They seem pretty pissed.”
“They had hoped this would turn out very differently. We took a vote after you came to visit me the first time. The decision to partner up with a government entity was far from unanimous. I gave everyone the option to decline participation and remain in good standing within the brigade. Nobody took me up on the offer.”
“The York County Readiness Brigade isn’t out of the fight yet,” said Alex. “I need your help searching for Eli.”
“Doesn’t the RRZ have several thousand soldiers and dozens of helicopters in southern Maine?”
“Most of the battalion’s assets have been re-tasked with protecting the area immediately surrounding Sanford. 4th Brigade Combat Team units are off-limits unless it has something to do with the border.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me. They’re just holing up at the airport and hoping for the best?”
“Pretty much. I still have the Marines stationed at the Limerick FOB, but Grady’s not sure how long that will last. The more teams we have searching for Eli, the better. Grady authorized me to refuel any vehicles used in the search effort.”
“I’ll bring this up a little later today and get back to you,” said Campbell. “What’s your plan if Grady recalls the Marines from your property?”
Alex shook his head. “I’d have to leave.”
“Well, you’re always welcome here. Plenty of room in the barn, and it has a nice fireplace. Not a bad place to spend the winter.”
“That’s a generous offer, Harrison. In light of what I put you through—put your wife through—very generous. Thank you.”
“My wife isn’t angry with you or any of the folks dug in at the airport.”
“Eli Russell,” stated Alex.
“And Kevin McCulver. He wasn’t a bad guy when he was part of the brigade. Just couldn’t stop playing with things that go boom. Hard to believe Eli twisted him that far. Then again, I never suspected Eli was warped enough to murder his way across the county. Did your people figure out what happened with the second bomb?”
“Hard to say. State police are sending an evidence team to work with the Sanford department. From what I could tell, the bomb detonated inside the rear stairwell on the second floor. Big hole in the brick wall facing the parking lot.”
“Accidental detonation?” said Campbell.
“Once again, hard to tell. Timing suggests the bomber might have been on his way down to detonate a secondary device among the arriving Marines.”
“Suicide bombing? Doesn’t sound like Eli’s people. We’re not talking brainwashed Jihadis.”
“My thoughts exactly, but witnesses report a man with a backpack walking into the recruiting station seconds before the bomb detonated,” said Alex.
“Bizarre. They could have thrown the backpack through the door and remotely triggered the explosive with the same result,” said Campbell.
“Unless they have something bigger in the works, and they’re not taking chances with a slipup,” said Alex.
“You think the second explosion was deliberate?”
“We’ll probably never know. There wasn’t much left to examine. How are you set for security? Eli might have a sizeable group.”
“We’re good. Most of the chapter members have brought their families over until this Eli thing blows over. Not taking any chances that he might remember some names.”
“Smart move. We’ll monitor the HAM radio 24/7 in case you run into a problem. You know our station ID, so don’t hesitate to call,” said Alex.
“Be a lot easier with one of these,” he said, holding out a translucent shopping bag containing the ROTAC handhelds.
“Trust me, these are more trouble for you than they’re worth. The RRZ can track these,” said Alex. “I didn’t want to tell you when I called, because I suspect they can listen to our transmissions.”
“Shit. I put a tracking device in the hands of every chapter.”
“Take this as a good sign. If they wanted to keep a close eye on the brigade, they wouldn’t have asked me to collect them.”
Campbell barely smirked.
“I’m trying to find anything positive about the RRZ.”
“Good luck with that,” said Campbell. “I’ll get back to you later about a possible joint search effort.”
“You know where to find me.”
Chapter 30
EVENT +17 Days
Forward Operating Base “Lakeside”
Regional Recovery Zone 1
Fiery orange rays of late afternoon sunlight crowned the tree canopy surrounding the clearing, distinct from the shadowy forest behind the Marine encampment. Kate peered into the growing dusk, waiting for Alex’s vehicle to emerge. News of the attack in Sanford was unwittingly delivered to the house by Staff Sergeant Taylor, who momentarily forgot that the house Motorola was tuned to the FOB’s security channel.
After sending a Matvee to reinforce the HESCO position guarding the entrance to Gelder Pond Lane, Taylor was bombarded with questions when he delivered one of the Marines to the sandbag position on the back deck. He cracked easily under the pressure of three mothers demanding more information.
This led to a heated daylong debate about the pros and cons of staying at the compound, dominated by Ed’s end-of-the-world predictions and sudden outbursts demanding that the Marines immediately escort them north to the Thorntons’ lake house. Charlie and Linda stayed mostly neutral, but Kate could sense that they wanted out of FOB Lakeside just as much as the Walkers. She understood why. The Limerick property had turned into a mental and physical prison, despite the robust protection delivered by the Marines.
The discovery of Jeffrey Brown’s surveillance post on Old Middle Road had unnerved everyone, rendering the simple pleasure of sitting on the porch impossible. Every glance at the impenetrable forest left you wondering if you’d just taken your last breath. Forget about letting the kids out of the house. Same problem—but worse. Logically, Kate knew the forest was clear of intruders. The Marines patrolled regularly during the day and took up positions in the forest at night. Odds were stacked against anyone slipping through the Marine security perimeter.
Daily, she tried to convince the group that staying here was everyone’s best option, but her faith in the option had waned. Even Alex, who had lobbied heavily against leaving, seemed less enthusiastic about defending his position. They had reached the inevitable crossroads. Should they stay, or should they go? Ed had been ready to go six hours ago, but she asked him to wait until Alex returned before reaching a decision—or leaving. She made sure to reinforce the danger of running into Eli’s men on the road, which seemed to cool him off temporarily.
She heard the Matvee’s deep rumble, then spotted the grayish-tan vehicle racing through the trees. She waited for Corporal Lianez to execute a three-point turn and park the Matvee facing the exit road before jogging across the gravel driveway toward the assembly area. Alex rushed out, hugging her tightly, and the Marines disappeared into the tent.
“I really missed you today,” she said, kissing him.
“It wasn’t a good day to be away. I’m sorry. The shit never stopped rolling in my direction.”
“Same here. Ed’s on the verge of a nervous breakdown. The rest aren’t too far behind.”
“How are you holding up?” he said.
“I’m fine, I guess.”
“You guess?” he said, his eyes shifting to the DRASH tent. “Let’s check out the lake.”
“Uhhh, sure,” she said, taking his arm.
The fact that Alex felt uncomfortable discussing their situation in front of the Marines didn’t boost her confidence. Neither did her reluctance to take a sunset stroll on her own property. Something had to change. He waited until they had put about thirty feet behind t
hem.
“What’s going on?”
“I feel like we’re back on Durham Road during the pandemic. Trapped, just waiting for the inevitable.”
“Yeah,” he said. “I’m feeling the same way, but on a bigger scale.”
“My perspective is confined to the house. I’m afraid to step outside. We’re all afraid.”
“I know we’re safe here, honey. I wouldn’t stay if I didn’t believe that,” he said, hesitating to continue.
“But what?”
“We met with the RRZ Authority today,” he said and shook his head. “If Eli Russell blows up their headquarters compound, along with everyone inside, the RRZ might have a chance.”
“Don’t say that. They left behind families and other responsibilities for this. They’re just like the rest of us,” she said.
“I know. I know,” he mumbled. “But something’s off with the overall picture. Grady said something that really got me thinking. The RRZ Authority arrived thinking all the initial work had been finished, or should be. Seems like one hell of a disconnect from reality.”
“Maybe they weren’t getting reports from the ground units,” said Kate.
“Wouldn’t surprise me given the chaos of assembling the RRZ teams, but that doesn’t ease my worries. How could anyone with any experience in disaster-response planning think that a system of FEMA camps designed to handle hundreds of thousands of displaced New Englanders would be up and running sixteen days after an EMP attack? Not to mention the sheer impossibility of executing a camp structure that enormous. I don’t care how many warehouses they have stocked with dehydrated food and propane heaters. This isn’t going to work.”
“What are they supposed to do? Say fuck it and stay home?”
“At least pretend not to be surprised when an understaffed National Guard engineering battalion can’t build forty camps, each designed to hold several thousand refugees, in sixteen days. That’s all.”
“And that would make you happy?” she asked, hoping his rant was over.
“No. I’d still be wondering if trying to stay here long term was a mistake.”
“Even if you find and kill Eli?”
“Even if we hunt down and kill everyone in his militia. A million-plus people are streaming toward the Maine border. The only thing standing between them and us are about four thousand soldiers and a few easily fordable rivers. Once the refugees start trying to cross en masse, the whole thing will fall apart, leaving us to fend for ourselves.”
“Unless you stay with the Marines. We can move with the battalion.”
“And live where? In a tent next to the battalion’s hangar? Take over someone’s house?”
“I’m just thinking aloud. Trying to make this work,” said Kate.
“I know you are. I’m sorry. We don’t have to make this decision yet. One step at a time. What’s the consensus in the house?”
“The Walkers want out of here pretty badly. I pulled the Eli card to keep them in place until you got back,” said Kate.
“I can’t send any of the Marines north. All of the vehicles and satellite-enabled radios, like this one,” he said, tapping his ROTAC, “can be tracked by the RRZ and Homeland. That’s the other thing that has me skeptical. There’s a disturbing Big Brother aspect to the way Homeland has been running things.”
“They can’t drive up by themselves. Three of the four adults can’t drive. The kids have their licenses. I mean, maybe—”
“I have an idea,” said Alex.
“I don’t want you out there in one of those cars,” said Kate.
“Something different. Tell Dad to get Harrison Campbell on the HAM radio. I’ll be right inside. I need to check on something,” he said, kissing her.
“Wait. What’s the plan?” she said, pulling at his arm.
“Something I should have thought of earlier.”
Chapter 31
EVENT +18 Days
Forward Operating Base “Lakeside”
Regional Recovery Zone 1
Alex opened the door for Harrison Campbell and Gary Powers, motioning for them to step inside. The two men stopped a few feet into Alex’s mudroom, examining the walls. Campbell extended his hand to the doorframe next to Alex, putting his finger through one of the bullet holes.
“Good heavens. I had no idea it was this bad,” he said, shaking his head.
“It gets worse in the kitchen. We killed twenty-nine of Eli’s men, most of them trying to rush the house. He probably escaped with a half dozen.”
“Thirty-six shooters? All with semiautomatics? I don’t see how any of you survived this,” Campbell said, walking into the bathroom to inspect the sandbag position. “Steel reinforced. Clever.”
“Sheet metal. Didn’t stop the .308s.”
“Good thing he never put the thirty-cal into action against you. Would have sawed right through the house, sheet metal and all.”
“We got lucky with that,” said Alex. “It was bad enough with a squad peppering us from the trees behind the house. In a strange sense, Eli’s tactics kept us in the game long enough to repel his final attack. He went for a two-pronged assault. One squad from the eastern tree line, another from the barn. If he’d added one of those squads to the base of fire pouring into the back of the house, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. The volume of fire would have been overwhelming. We could barely move around with twelve men emptying magazines into the house.”
“Looks like you have some work ahead of you,” said Campbell.
“New toilet?” said Powers. “No way the other one survived.”
“Priorities. Grabbed two from the Home Store. Not much demand for plumbing items these days,” said Alex.
“Basic, yet inventive. Not a bad idea for the house and barn,” said Powers, patting the sandbags.
“And most importantly, effective. The only improvement I’d make is to double up on the sheet metal. A few of the positions experienced breakthrough. Step this way, and I’ll introduce you to the walking wounded,” he said, guiding them through the kitchen to the great room.
Charlie tried to stand up as they approached.
“Charlie, save your strength. You’ll need it to deal with Linda during the ride,” he said, winking.
“I have to be in the same car?” said Linda.
“Funny.”
“Everyone, this is Harrison Campbell, founder of the York County Readiness Brigade, and his training officer, Gary Powers. They’ll lead the convoy north, along with yours truly,” said Alex.
The room broke into a disharmony of questions.
“I’ll explain the details in a moment. From left to right, we have Charlie and Linda Thornton, both wounded in the attack. Charlie’s close to walking again, but Linda has a ways to go. She needs surgery, which I don’t see happening any time soon. Need to be careful with her foot.”
“Don’t worry about me, gentlemen. Damn foot can’t get any worse,” she said. “I can still shoot, so don’t count me out of the game.”
“You got an empty trunk?” asked Charlie.
Campbell laughed. “Sorry, sir. We’re packed to the gills. I can put you in separate cars if that would help.”
“Families ride together,” said Ed.
“You’re just trying to keep him out of your car,” Linda groused.
“Is it that obvious?” said Ed, winking at Campbell and Powers.
“After all we’ve been through,” said Charlie.
“Especially after all we’ve been through,” said Ed, and they all laughed.
Alex gestured toward the Walkers. “Ed and Samantha Walker. Ed was wounded saving my hide—again. They have three children, ages fourteen through nineteen. Overall, you’re looking at a highly capable group.”
“I can still shoot out of a window,” stated Linda.
“I want her in my car,” said Gary.
“Sold, to the man in jeans and woodland camouflage jacket!” howled Charlie, receiving a shoulder punch from his wife.
&
nbsp; “Hey, careful,” Charlie said, “I’m injured.”
Alex turned to Campbell. “You sure you want to do this?”
“Too late to turn back now,” he said.
“Let’s get this wrapped up,” Alex said. “The cars are packed and waiting. I’ll ride in the lead vehicle with Harrison. The Walkers will follow in their Jeep. Gary and the Thorntons will be in the third vehicle. The last two cars in the convoy will carry the bulk of the convoy’s supplies.”
“Maybe the Thorntons’ car should be in the rear,” Ed suggested.
“I’m not that loud,” said Charlie. “Jesus.”
“All the more reason,” he said. “No. I’m more concerned with the supplies. Sorry to put this out there, especially since you guys are doing us a huge favor, but that’s a lot of temptation. Especially the truck pulling the utility trailer.”
“No offense taken,” Harrison said. “I’m way ahead of you. I’m breaking up the groups that drove up together from Sanford. I’ll have a good mix of old and new members in each vehicle. I trust everyone implicitly, but we can’t change human nature.”
“Plus, it would be pretty damn hard to make an escape pulling the trailer,” said Powers.
“Sounds good,” said Ed. “I guess we should get rolling.”
“Before we leave, a couple of critical points to remember,” said Alex. “Five cars travelling in a convoy will attract attention. I expect to be stopped. Keep your weapons out of sight at all times. I’m riding in full uniform with my magic badge, but we can’t count on that solving all of our local law enforcement problems. Weapons need to be stowed out of plain sight, but easily accessible. Take some time to work on this once everyone is situated. Safeties engaged at all times. Harrison, I’ll need you to brief your people on this.”
“I’ll take care of it,” said Powers.
“If we’re stopped by law enforcement or the military, I do all of the talking. Everyone stays in their vehicle unless I direct otherwise by hand signal or radio. I don’t expect trouble, but you never know. If we run into any non-authority-based—”
Point of Crisis (The Perseid Collapse Post Apocalyptic Series) Page 24
