by Robert Boren
The door from the stairs opened. Chuck came up, rifle slung on his shoulder, carrying a large box in both hands. Carol followed him with a smaller box and two more rifles.
“Damn, that was heavier than I expected,” Chuck said, setting the box down carefully.
“What’s that?” Brendan asked.
“My buddy brought over six hundred grenades for your SMAW,” he said.
“Holy shit, really? Fantastic!”
“You charged it to the DPS, right?” Richardson asked.
“Yeah,” Chuck said.
“What else you got there?” Juan Carlos asked, eyeing the box that Carol had brought up.
“Night vision goggles,” she said. “Don’t know how easy they are to use with rifles. Hopefully they’ll help after it gets dark.”
“Look,” Juan Carlos said, pointing to the west. “Vans lining up. See?”
“What street is that?” Richardson asked.
Chuck came over and looked through the binoculars he had hanging from his neck. “Looks like North Flores. Dammit. Islamists. You can see in the side door of this one. Looks like they got it lined with Kevlar.”
“Let me see that,” Richardson said. Chuck handed the binoculars to. “Son of a bitch, looks like they’re setting up a defensive line on the far side of the flooding. Whoa.”
“What?” Chuck asked.
“They’re setting up mortars, pointing out from the center of town. They’re gonna try to lock down the city center.”
“Shit,” Madison said.
“I see some to the east too,” Brendan said. “Not as far. Commerce street.”
Richardson handed the binoculars to Chuck, and he took a look.
“Yep,” Chuck said. “Same thing. Dammit.”
“I’m calling Jefferson,” Richardson said, backing away from the front and pulling out his phone. He punched the contact and put the phone to his ear.
“Richardson? Where are you?” Jefferson asked.
“We’re on a seven-story building, on College street. The flooding around here is up to the tops of cars.”
“No, it’s over that now,” Juan Carlos said from the wall. “It’s coming up fast.”
“Scratch that, over the tops of the cars and rising,” he said.
“It’s gonna stay that way for a while,” Jefferson said. “I just saw some really disturbing satellite photos. They’re attempting to take the center of the city with sleeper cells, while the larger forces to the north and south push inward. We can’t even evacuate at this point. They’ve got people all over the roads, shooting anything that moves.”
“What should we do?” Richardson asked.
“Hey, boss, there’s enough room to run our old boats down there,” Juan Carlos said. “They can bring them in on choppers, can’t they?”
Richardson laughed. “That sounds a little far-fetched, man.”
“What?” Jefferson asked.
“Oh, nothing. Juan Carlos just suggested that you guys drop some of the old-style boats down here with choppers.”
“Hey, worked in Apocalypse Now, remember?” Brendan asked.
Richardson laughed, but Jefferson was quiet. “Wait a minute, you don’t really think this is doable, do you?” he asked.
“I’m gonna talk to Wallis. Those small patrol boats are built not far from there. And yes, we can sling them under choppers. We’d need to bring in more crews and drop them too. One boat isn’t going to do enough good.”
“He’s really thinking about it, isn’t he?” Juan Carlos asked.
Richardson shook his head yes.
“It’ll work, dude,” Juan Carlos said. “They won’t be able to shut off the flood they started, and they aren’t gonna have boats. At least not boats like ours. We’ll be able to blast the hell out of them from down there.”
“What’s he saying?” Jefferson asked.
“He’s saying that this will work,” Richardson said, taking a moment to relay the whole statement.
Jefferson laughed. “Yeah, he’s right, you guys would have them by the balls. I’m gonna call Wallis. Get back with you in a little while. Keep your fingers crossed.”
Richardson shut down the call and slipped the phone back in his pocket. “He’s calling Wallis right now.”
“DPS Director Wallis?” Chuck asked. “Holy shit. You guys really think you can pull something like this off? Won’t they just shoot holes in your boats?”
“They’re armor plated,” Richardson said. “The old ones are vulnerable in the back, because of their outboards, but we’ll have a lot of firepower in a place they won’t expect.”
Richardson’s phone rang again. “That was fast.” He answered it.
“Put it on speaker,” Jefferson said.
Richardson did that, motioning for everybody to gather around.
“Hear us okay?” Richardson asked.
“Perfect, except for some wind noise. You guys hear me?”
“Yeah,” Richardson said. “Go ahead.”
“It’s a go, but we’re doing it after dark. I’ll let you know when. Think you can lay down cover fire?”
“Yeah, but it’s only us,” Richardson said. “We’d need a lot more guns to be effective.”
“You remember that citizens group I was talking about earlier?” Carol asked.
“Yeah,” Lita said.
Chuck laughed. “I was just thinking about that. I can get almost four hundred men on the roofs around here in a hurry.”
“Wait until dark,” Richardson said. “If the enemy sees them, they’ll turn those mortars around and pound the crap out of this area.”
“Yeah, wait until dark,” Jefferson said. “Oh, and one other thing. You guys won’t have to fight on your own for long. We have fifteen thousand Army National Guard troops on the way. Some of them have already landed. Half of them are going to San Antonio International, and the rest to Lackland Airforce Base.”
“Whoa, dude,” Juan Carlos said. He shot a smile to Madison, who still looked scared to death.
“They won’t all be there until morning,” Jefferson said. “We’re using C130s, but they only hold 92 men.”
“How many planes we got?” Chuck asked.
“Just twenty-five,” Jefferson said. “We did send some by truck, along with some armored vehicles. They’re coming from Fort Worth, though. That’s over four hours to drive.”
“How long ago did you send them?” Lita asked.
“The first group left three hours ago. We ought to have most of them on site by mid-morning tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a blast,” Brendan said.
“Sounds scary to me,” Hannah said.
“I’m gonna get off and work on coordination. Stay out of sight, even if the enemy comes close in a row boat or something. Got it?”
“Got it, Captain,” Richardson said. “Talk to you later.”
Richardson ended the call.
“I’ll get a text message out to the citizens group,” Chuck said.
“Make sure they don’t show up before dark,” Richardson said.
“Roger that,” Chuck said. “Some of them are gonna have to walk.”
“There’s still so many people here,” Lita said, pointing at building windows. “Look at the other tall buildings. There’s people in almost every window, and lots on the roof.”
“Haven’t been any sniper shots for a while,” Brendan said.
“Yeah, some of our guys are already here,” Chuck said. “I’ve been getting texts. Those last few shots we heard weren’t snipers firing. They were snipers dying.”
Chapter 15 – Life Goes On
Don and Curt got into the SUV.
“How’s Amanda going to take this?”
“Bad, probably,” Curt said. “She just got that still set up. If she has to tear it all down again in a few days, she won’t be a happy camper.”
“Maybe that ought to be set up permanently in the bobtail,” Don said. “Or better yet, in one of those three toy-haulers.”
Curt looked over at him, grinning. “Damn, that’s a good idea,” he said. “Need another tow vehicle for that third toy-hauler, though. I think we need to get that inventory done in a hurry, so Nelson can get us the stuff.”
“Yeah, that ought to be a big topic in the meeting.”
They pulled up next to the still.
“Well, here goes nothing,” Curt said, getting out of the SUV. He strode over to Amanda, who was working on the vessel with Sydney. Don joined them.
“Uh oh, you’ve got something to say,” Amanda said.
“We’re probably moving soon,” Curt said. “Just talked to Nelson.”
“You mean we’ll have to pack this damn thing back up again?” she asked.
“Yeah, but Don had an idea. Maybe we can use that third toy hauler to make a permanent mobile installation.”
Sydney and Amanda looked at each other.
“That means we’d have water, power, and a stove right there,” she said. “Could we use the whole rig?”
“All but the counter that we have the two 3D printers on,” Curt said. “What do you think?”
“Oh, hell yes,” Amanda said, hugging him. “We’re having problems with our stuff here. Too much blowing dust.”
“We better make sure we’re flush with fire extinguishers in that toy hauler,” Don said.
“True that,” Sydney said. “Why are we leaving?”
“The next target is outside Santa Fe,” Curt said.
“Santa Fe? New Mexico?” Amanda asked. “Why so far?”
“The enemy moved their depot,” Curt said.
“This is important,” Don said. “The enemy is pumping men and materiel right up I-25 from the El Paso area with very little resistance.”
“Is it coming to Texas?” Sydney asked.
“Sounds like it’s feeding enemy operations in Colorado, Utah, and parts of Arizona,” Curt said. “New Mexico is still the wild west. No state government left at all, and the enemy is free to move through there. We’ve got to put a stop to that or we’ll lose everything west of the Mississippi River.”
“My God,” Amanda said. “How’d they get so many people in the country so fast?”
“Combination of tactics,” Curt said. “A lot of them snuck in during that refugee migration that President Simpson pushed. A lot of them have flowed over the border, which he left wide open for them.”
Don shot a warning glance. Curt nodded.
“We’re having a meeting in a little while,” Don said. “We should start working up an inventory of things we need. Vehicles, for example.”
“Yeah,” Curt said. “We’ll need something to tow that third toy-hauler, and more vehicles to tow off-roaders too, since people will be towing their trailers for this trip.”
“Where we gonna stay?” Sydney asked.
“Moe’s looking for an RV Park up in Amarillo.”
“Amarillo? That’s a long way,” Amanda said.
“Yeah, it is,” Sydney said. “It’s not a short drive from there to Santa Fe, either, you know.”
“I know,” Curt said. “It’s going to be insane.”
“What about the tanks?” Sydney asked.
“We’ve got three of the flatbed trucks that they were brought in on,” Curt said. “Moe and Clancy fixed them up. New tires, mainly.”
“Sydney, let’s stop this batch and start setting up the still in the toy hauler now.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right,” Sydney said. “You guys want to help us?”
“Yes, let’s do it,” Curt said. Don nodded in agreement. “I’ll go get her opened up. We can put the wettest stuff in the garage.”
“Sounds great,” Amanda said.
Jason and Carrie came out of their coach with Chelsea. “What are you guys doing?” Jason asked.
“We’re using that third toy hauler for the still, so we don’t have to take it apart every time we move,” Curt said.
“Good idea,” Jason said.
Dingo whined from behind the screen door. Jason went over and got her on the leash.
“I’m almost going to miss this place,” Carrie said.
“We’ll probably be back,” Jason said as he walked Dingo over. They watched Curt and Don carrying the heavier objects into the back of the third toy hauler. Kyle came out of his trailer with a pale, tired looking Kate.
“What’s going on?” Kyle asked.
“We’re moving soon,” Jason said. “Just had a meeting with Nelson, Gallagher, and the chief.”
“Moving where?” Kate asked.
“Amarillo,” Carrie said.
Kate cracked up. “Shit, that’s more of a wasteland than this place.”
“You’re more chipper than I expected,” Carrie said. “How are you feeling?”
“Sad, but okay,” she said. “I’m glad we’re leaving. I could use a change of scenery.”
“Me too,” Kyle said. “Been watching the news about San Antonio?”
“I caught a glimpse, but that’s all,” Jason said. “Bad?”
“Insane,” Kyle said, Kate leaning on him. “They blew up the river channel in several places. Flooded the whole downtown area.”
“Oh no!” Carrie said. “Didn’t see that. What about the Alamo?”
“It’ll survive,” Jason said. “That river used to flood all the time, before they built the concrete channels.”
Eric walked over with Kim and Paco, who strained to get next to Dingo.
“Hey, guys,” Kim said. “What’s going on?”
“They’re moving the still into that toy hauler,” Carrie said. “Making it mobile. How are you guys feeling about the move?”
“Okay,” Kim said. “Probably won’t be the last time.”
“Probably not,” Carrie said.
“Mommy, I’m hungry,” Chelsea said.
“You just ate a half hour ago,” Carrie said.
“I know,” she said, tugging on her mom’s shirt.
“Go get an otter pop,” Carrie said. “Just one. Bring it over and I’ll open it for you, okay sweetie?”
“Okay, mommy.” She skipped over to the coach and went inside.
“How are you feeling?” Kate asked. “You’re showing more.”
“My back hurts,” Carrie said. “This one is gonna be bigger, I think.”
“Want to sit down on the picnic table and start working up a shopping list?” Jason asked. “Might save us time in the meeting.”
“Sure,” Kyle said. Eric nodded in agreement.
“I’ll go grab a pad and pencil,” Carrie said. “Need to check on Chelsea anyway.”
She walked to the coach, coming out in a few seconds, Chelsea hot on her heels with an otter pop in her hand. “Here you go.” She set the pad and pen down.
“Thanks, baby,” Jason said. They sat and worked through the tow vehicles they’d need.
Kim and Kate sat on chairs next to Carrie and Chelsea, under the shade of the coach awning.
“How’s Kyle doing with this?” Carrie whispered as they looked at the men.
Kate looked at her teary-eyed. “He’s been perfect. So thoughtful and sweet. It tore him apart. Maybe even worse than it hit me.”
“Must have been so hard,” Kim said.
“You and Eric are trying too, aren’t you?” Kate asked.
“Yes,” she said. “Probably a stupid idea, but I think about it constantly.”
“Eric’s okay with it?” Carrie asked.
“Yeah,” Kim said. “He wants it. Even with all of this.”
“Maybe pregnant women shouldn’t be going on battles anymore,” Carrie said.
Kate tried to keep from sobbing.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean that the way it came out.”
“No, Carrie, you’re right. I was so stubborn. Now I feel so guilty.”
“Don’t feel guilty,” Kim said. “Women have been pregnant through times like this for thousands of years, and they did everything right to the delivery time. You might have misc
arried even without the battle. Never forget that. It happens all the time.”
“She’s right,” Carrie said. “Don’t feel guilty. Really.”
“My head understands,” Kate said. “My heart doesn’t yet. It’s broken.”
“This too shall pass,” Kim said. “We’re going to see more death and destruction. You two know that, right? We’ll be lucky to come through this mess alive, but that doesn’t mean we should give up. We have to be strong.”
“Mommy, this scares me.”
Carrie shot a glance to the other women. “Don’t worry, honey, we’ll be fine.”
“Maybe we should change the subject,” Kate said.
The others nodded.
“You see how Curt and Don are so attentive to Amanda and Sydney?” Kim asked. “Easy to see where that’s going.”
“It’s already there with Curt and Amanda,” Carrie whispered. “These rigs don’t deaden sound much.”
Kate smiled. “Good for them. They deserve each other.”
“Hell, they were made for each other,” Carrie said.
“What about Don and Sydney?” Kim asked.
“Sydney worships him, but she’s trying to hide it,” Kate whispered.
“He’s following her around like a puppy dog,” Kim said. “It’s fun to watch.”
“Apparently they moved in together,” Carrie said.
“Life goes on,” Kate said. “Seeing them helps. With the miscarriage, that is.”
“Mommy, what’s a miscarriage?”
“Never mind, honey,” Carrie said.
Jason walked over to them with a piece of paper in his hand. “Hey, honey, could you check the dealership in Fort Stockton for these?”
She looked at the list of Jeeps and Pick-up trucks. “Sure, honey,” she said.
“Thanks,” Jason said. “Now we can get on the weapons.”
He walked back to the others at the picnic table.
“Well, duty calls,” Carrie said. “I’m gonna go get my iPad. Want to come in with me? I’ll crank up some coffee.”
“Sure,” Kate said. “Nice to have somebody to talk to.”
“Yeah, I’ll join you too,” Kim said.
They went into the coach.
Chapter 16 – Pleasant Dreams
Commissioner Holly and Jerry Sutton sat in the dark room.
“How much longer are these jerks gonna hold us?” Jerry asked.
