by Kyle Pratt
The windshield of the truck had been shattered. Looking through binoculars, Caden saw several bullet holes in the remaining glass. The body of the driver was slumped against the door. About half-a-dozen refugees with rifles were behind the dump truck firing on the soldiers. Caden shook his head. We’re engaged in a fire fight with our own people.
Hundreds of refugees remained on the far side of the river, huddled behind cars and trees, trying not to get shot. “We’ve got good firing angles on the shooters, better cover and more men.” The guys on the bridge aren’t going to break through the barricade; they’re going to get themselves killed. Caden said, “I need to talk to the First Sergeant.”
Brooks led the way down the dirt lane to the main road. Staying low and following the gully he led Caden toward the fight. Bullets flew past them hitting the embankment and trees a few feet above where they stood in the ditch.
Caden leaned to the left to get a better view of the soldiers ahead.
Brooks turned. Their eyes met for a moment, and then he slammed to the ground at Caden’s feet.
“Brooks…David, are you okay?” Caden dragged the lieutenant to the lowest point of the ditch then dropped beside him as blood flowed down his face. Caden struggled to get the helmet off the wounded man, afraid of what he might see. Finally tossing it aside he looked for the wound, but all he could see was blood. He struggled to wipe away the flow with his hand and sleeve. Where is the wound? “David can you hear me?”
His eyes popped open. “What happened?”
“You’ve been hit. Stay still while I find the wound.”
“Shot...in the head?” He reached up to the wound and then pulled back with a moan as he gazed at his bloody fingertips.
“Stay still.” Caden moved closer. He pulled a gauze bandage from his ACUs and gently wiped some more. “Oh.”
“What do you see?”
“You know head wounds bleed a lot, right?”
“Yes.”
“Well, you have a two inch cut in your scalp. It just sliced the skin, but otherwise it looks okay.” He took a clean bandage from David’s ACUs, and placing it on his head, said, “Hold this right here.” He took a roll of gauze and wrapped it around his head and tied it. “All the blood makes it look like some horrid wound, but you’ll live.”
Caden picked up the discarded helmet and examined the bloodstained gash along one side. Handing it to David he grinned, “It has character now. Are you able to walk?”
Brooks nodded.
Staying lower than earlier, they moved toward the barricade with Caden in the lead. The First Sergeant fired from a prone position as the two crawled up. Tapping the soldier on the back Caden said, “Hold your fire.”
The First Sergeant looked at him and then Brooks. “You okay sir?”
“Yes, just a cut. Major Westmore is the new commanding officer. Do as he says.”
“Hold your fire,” the First Sergeant yelled. “Hold your fire.”
Within a few seconds the soldiers ceased firing.
“Have any of the soldiers been wounded?” Caden asked.
The First Sergeant smiled at Brooks, “Just the lieutenant.”
It was a long half-minute before the civilians stopped firing.
When there was silence on the bridge Caden called out. “Your position is hopeless. Retreat off the bridge and you will not be harmed.”
A voice called out. “How do we know we can trust you?”
“You’re just going to have to.”
Another deeper voice said, “We’ve got women and children over here, but no food. There hasn’t been any for days.”
Caden rubbed his forehead in despair.
“We have pregnant women and sick children here. We’re all starving. What have we got to lose?” the deep voice declared.
Caden turned to Brooks, “Get a medic and a deuce and a half down here…and fifty MREs.” Then he shouted, “Don’t shoot I want to talk.”
Both Brooks and the First Sergeant started to object, but Caden shook his head. Eyes fixed forward he rose slowly, spread his hands apart, and stepped over a line of sandbags. “My name is Major…ah, Caden. You, with the deep voice, what’s your name?”
“Neil…Neil Young.”
“Please, come forward and talk to me.”
Seconds later, a big bull of a man with a scraggly beard stepped from behind the dump truck.
Caden held out his hand as the big man neared. “Hi Neil. I arrived here yesterday to find out what is needed and try to organize help.”
The big guy looked at his torn and bandaged leg and then at his bloody hands and sleeve. “I guess it’s been a rough couple of days.” He shook Caden’s hand. “What did you want to say?”
“Conditions are desperate everywhere, but if there is a way to help I’d like to try. How many pregnant women are in your camp?”
“About twenty and maybe twice that many really sick kids. The doc says its dysentery and typhoid.”
“You have a doctor? That’s good to know.” Caden sighed. “I’m trying to get food, fuel and even steady electricity, but I can’t promise much. If nothing changes in a week, maybe two, the town will be out of food.”
“We’re a week or two ahead of you. When you run out of food, we’ll already be dying of starvation and disease.”
“Here is what I can do right now. If someone needs to be hospitalized, we’ll do it. I’ll get a medic down here to work with your doctor. I’ll get a tent and supplies so we can set up a rudimentary field hospital. We’ll transport the seriously ill to the Hansen hospital. I’ve ordered food to be brought here, not much, but I will try to get more. That is the best I can do.”
Neil’s eyes grew tired. “I believe you, but I’m not sure everyone will.” He sighed. “I’ll get the doctor, the pregnant women and the sickest kids to the bridge.”
The two men shook hands again and parted.
Caden told the First Sergeant to have the medic work with the camp doctor, get the sickest to the hospital and distribute the fifty MREs to those who needed it most.
As the two walked back toward the pickup Brooks held out his keys. “I think you should drive.”
The lieutenant’s complexion was pale, in stark contrast to the dried blood that still covered part of his face.
Caden took the keys. “Yeah, let’s get back to the armory and get some coffee.”
Looking off in the distance Brooks said, “I noticed the combat badge on your uniform. Were you in Afghanistan?”
“Yeah. Two tours.”
“Was it bad? Did you….”
Caden stopped.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No. It’s okay, David.” He sighed deeply. “I was in combat multiple times on both tours and yes, I’ve killed people.”
“Does it get easier? Do you forget their faces?”
“Combat is never easy, but yes, I think it gets easier.” He slowly shook his head. “About the other thing…I’ve never forgotten the faces of those I’ve killed or my friends who have been killed.”
Brooks took a deep breath. “Thanks. I thought it was just me.”
Caden opened the truck door and then paused. “You know, Churchill once said, ‘There's nothing quite as exhilarating as being shot at and missed.’ Maybe you should look at it that way. You’re alive and that is a good thing.”
“Today isn’t the problem.”
“Oh? The looters at the hospital?”
Brooks nodded.
So it was you that killed them. “Let’s get that coffee.”
The generator was running by the time they got back to the armory. Brooks opted for a long shower before getting coffee. When he returned to the office his complexion had improved. Except for the bandage on his head, he looked like a typical young soldier.
Taking the last sip of his coffee Caden said, “I want one of us here at night.”
“I’ve been living at the armory since the Atlanta bombing.”
“Well then
I guess you need a night off?”
“I’m fine. I’ll stay. I think I need an early night anyway.”
Caden wrote down his phone number and then added his address and a simple map to his house and handed it to Brooks. “If anything happens, call me or come get me. Otherwise I’ll see you in the morning.”
With the electricity still off, and the sun setting early that time of year, the roads were dark and lonely. As he drove down the main street he shared the road with a single sheriff’s car. Candlelight shining in the window and the smell of wood fires greeted him as he passed by homes on his way out of town. Snow flitted in the air. It would have been pretty, almost Christmas like, if he didn’t know the tragedy, hunger and cold that caused it.
Candles and lanterns shone through the windows, casting the living room and kitchen in a soft, yellow glow as he stepped from the car in front of his family home. Waving his arm he announced, “It’s me, Caden.” Don’t need any more shooting tonight.
Maria stepped out the door with a wide smile.
Caden sighed. Totally forgot about Valentine’s Day.
As he limped into the light her smile changed to fright. “Are you okay? Where are you hurt?”
“Oh,” he said looking at his bloody sleeves. “I’m okay. It’s someone else’s.” He came up the steps and hugged her. “It’s good to be home.”
Lisa came out onto the porch. “Are you….”
“I’m fine. Let me sit down and I’ll tell you all about it.”
An hour later he had told everyone the story of his day and had a dinner of stewed chicken, corn and potatoes. The food was good, but each mouthful brought back images of the desperate people north of town. I hope we can find a solution fast for them.
In the living room, he sat in his father’s recliner and felt the cares of the time drain out of him.
Sitting next to him with Adam, Maria said, “We traded a young rooster and a couple of hens for some rabbits.”
“Dad had some cages, but no rabbits, so we traded for a buck and two does.” His sister added. “Now, in a couple of months we’ll have another source of meat.”
“That’s great. If everyone bartered like that, there would be a lot less hunger than there is.
Light hit the living room curtains casting the room in a colorful glow. Lisa stood, grabbed her shotgun, and peeked out the window. “Someone is coming up the driveway.”
Maria blew out the lantern as his mother smothered the two candles.
Caden came up behind his sister and recognized the red Ford pickup. “He’s a good guy sis, don’t shoot him.”
She elbowed her brother. “I’m never going to hear the end of that am I?”
“Nooo,” Caden said with a big grin, “My grandchildren are going to know all about the day my baby sister shot me.”
Brooks stepped out of the car as the whole Westmore clan filed onto the porch.
At the bottom step the lieutenant came to attention and saluted.
Caden returned the salute, “Is there a problem XO?”
“Hopefully not sir. We received a phone call about 30 minutes ago. The Adjutant General has ordered all commanders back to Olympia for a meeting at 0900 tomorrow.” He handed Caden a sheet of paper with handwritten details.
After reading it over he asked, “Did they say what it was about?”
“No, but on the radio coming here I heard that President Durant has activated the California National Guard to assist Chinese advisors.”
A bewildered look spread across Maria face. “Chinese?”
Chapter Twenty-One
Caden rubbed his chin. “What are the Chinese advising us about?”
“The radio said they want to ensure the fair distribution of their food aid.”
“Why do we need their help to ensure fairness?” Lisa asked.
“We don’t,” Maria replied.
They’re not worried that we will misuse the food aid. I thought they were covering something up with their own involvement when they disarmed the North Koreans. This is just another step in their worldwide chess game—a game I think we might lose. “I guess I’ll let you know when I get home tomorrow.
Lisa looked at Brooks, “You said that all Guard units were activated. What does that mean?”
Caden answered. “It means we are no longer subject to state authority. We’re under federal government command.” And I’m liking this less the more I think about it. “But the only thing I know for sure is that I’m to attend a meeting tomorrow, so let’s not get too worked up.” There will be plenty of time to get upset tomorrow. “So XO, why did you drive down here? The phones are working—I think.”
“They are,” he said heading back to the car, “but I thought you might need this.” He set two, five-gallon gas cans, on the ground. Then he handed Caden a neatly folded uniform, “And you might need this since I got blood on your ACUs,”
“So that was your blood?” Lisa asked. “He told us what happened. That was you? Are you okay?”
He gently touched the side of his head “Ah…yes, yes and yes ma’am. The medic sewed me up.”
Lisa invited him inside, but he declined. “I better get back to the armory. I’ll have four soldiers and a Humvee here at 0730 to accompany you.”
Thinking the Humvee was excessive he started to object, but then reconsidered. If I’m not well protected Maria might insist on riding shotgun and I don’t want that. The safest place for her is right here on the farm. “Have the soldiers bring four MREs with them in the morning. Thanks.”
As Brooks drove away and the family filed back into the house, Lisa turned to him. “So, what’s his first name?”
“David. Why?”
She smiled. “He looks good in a uniform.”
* * *
The soft glow of the oncoming sunrise heralded a new day as a Humvee pulled up in front of the farmhouse. One young soldier in a flak jacket and carrying an M4 climbed out.
In his new ACUs Caden stepped out on the porch carrying a briefcase that belonged to his father. In it was the list of needed supplies from the emergency manager and a map of the area. He hoped to get everything his community needed, but knew that was highly unlikely. He turned to his mother, and hugged her. “When my leg is better I’m going up the North Road and look for Dad, Susan and Peter.”
“Your father is a resourceful man. He’ll come back to me. I hope with Peter and Susan, but we can talk about it later.”
Dad is a resourceful man and if he is alive he will find a way back, but people are killing each other out there for food, drugs and gas. “Okay Mom, we’ll talk about it later.” He hugged his sister and Maria.
Maria pulled him back tight. “Be back tonight.”
He smiled, hugged her again. “That’s my plan.”
The soldier climbed into the SUV with Caden and following the Humvee they headed toward the freeway.
At the causeway barricade they stopped and Caden told the guards that he would be back that evening, hopefully with other trucks. Then the Humvee and car crossed over into the ten mile no-man’s-land between the blockade and the freeway.
As they approached the freeway overpass, Caden noticed several burned-out cars that were not there a couple of days before in the otherwise deserted church parking lot. Across the street, in the convenience store parking lot, were a dozen vehicles, but only one was familiar. Turning to the soldier beside him he said, “I’m going to pull off here for just a moment. Tell the guys in the Humvee.”
Using his radio, the soldier informed the others.
The few people in the lot were all male. Caden saw desperate eyes follow him across the lot.
The Humvee circled back as Caden stopped beside a worn Ford minivan with a tarp duct taped to the top and supported by tree limbs. Turning to the soldier with him he said, “Tell everyone to keep watch.” He stepped out as a thin man with a graying beard came around from behind the van. “Hello Henry. I’ve got something for you.” He handed him a five gallon gas can.
“I know it is not enough to get you to your farm in Oregon, but it’s all I can spare.”
Henry’s eyes widened. “Thank you. It might be enough. If it’s not we’ll walk the rest of the way. Thanks.” He called to his wife and boys. “We better be quick. Most of the people here are criminals or crazy. The only reason they leave us alone is that we’re armed and don’t have anything.”
Caden glanced over his shoulder. Four soldiers stood behind the SUV and Humvee with their weapons pointed at several, dirty, wild-eyed men as they cautiously approached. “Yeah they look desperate enough to do something stupid.”
“Hey, you got more gas?” One man called out.
One boy tore the tarp from the car as Henry poured the fuel into his tank. Caden handed the four MREs to the wife. With tears in her eyes she thanked him as the family climbed into the minivan.
Another man, holding a pistol, yelled, “Hey, you got more food?”
“Henry’s auto sputtered, shook and then started. He did a ‘thumbs up,’ to the soldiers.
Caden called to the soldiers, “Let’s move out fast.” The soldiers jumped in and all the vehicles quickly drove out of the lot.
The SUV and Humvee pulled onto the freeway heading north and, in his rearview mirror, Caden caught a glimpse of Henry and his family heading south. God, I hope they make it home.
* * *
The meeting was held in the same conference room as the one he attended just days before. When he walked in all the seats were taken at the table. Caden recognized Governor Monroe, his chief of staff David Weston and, from his picture at the armory, Adjutant General Harwich of the Washington National Guard, but not anyone else.
Clusters of people stood along the walls, including one group of military officers. Caden was tempted to walk over to them, but the way was blocked by other groups.
Chairs were brought in and Caden finally got one along the wall.
After about five minutes the governor stood. “Thank you all for coming. The president is about to address the nation. The speech will be carried by the national media, but we were planning a meeting for Monday so, I felt it best we watch it together and have the meeting right afterwards. If we have to make plans based on the President’s address we can do so right then.” With that someone turned on a large television on the wall. An announcer was just concluding his comments and then President Durant appeared on screen.
