Chapter Five
Keith drew a picture on a big whiteboard in the library at the Wells farm and described the problems they’d encounter trying to get into the warehouse. All the chairs around the table were full and everyone was attentive and quiet, though a jovial, happy mood pervaded the group.
Keith said, “Since Chloe reconnoitered the building, they stepped up security. There’s an armed guard outside in a car 24/7, and they put up a chain-link fence with razor wire. I doubt the cement that holds the posts in the ground is even fully cured! There could be observers on the roof of neighboring buildings. Chances are, they’d only be expecting the same type of attempt at penetration, that is a small team going for a stealthy attack. We’re going to do the opposite, catch them off guard.”
Robbie spoke up, “We’ve got an old bulldozer that I welded armor plate to. I’m going to drive the truck down there and we’ll unload it on the street. Then David is going to crash the fence and try to bring the building down on the reflector.”
David continued, “If the dozer doesn’t have enough power to collapse the building, I’ll put a hole in one wall at least. Then Robbie will try to send the truck through the door side of the building.”
Robbie pointed at Richard and Berto. “That’s where you guys come in. If we can’t get the job done, you need to deliver the payload. It’s in that duffle bag. Arm it, and get it as close to the reflector as possible, then get the fuck out of there.”
Richard zipped up the bag and nodded resolutely, “Let’s do this.”
Keith added, “Chloe and I will be covering everyone from the ridge, and we’ll pick up anyone that’s in trouble.”
Dana said, “Johnny and I will be covering police radio and jamming communications from the warehouse area, so your cell phones won’t work, but our CB radios and walkie talkies will. If Five-O shows up, we’ll try to block the entrance onto Oxbow Road for as long as possible.”
They all walked out to the driveway. The vehicles were parked in the grass ready for each of them. Robbie and David climbed into the old semi and rumbled away. Johnny and Dana took the Flying Fox. Keith and Chloe climbed into the old white and gray van and trundled down the driveway. That left Berto and Richard.
Berto said, “Holy shit, bro, let’s do this crazy thing!”
Richard said, “I love the Volvo, but dude, this car is sweet.” He climbed into the yellow firebird. Berto put the wheelchair in the trunk and hobbled to the passenger door and sat down. He grimaced at the effort.
Berto whistled and clicked his tongue, “Dude I wish I was 100% for this, though! If we have to ditch this car, I’m pretty much fucked.” He arrange the blue knit cap on his bald head and unzipped his white hoodie.
Richard started the engine. The 350 cubic inches roared to life. He said, “Dude, I think I just shot my load.” He headed out after the caravan of vehicles and lit up the tires.
The CB crackled, they heard David’s voice, “Isn’t that torque amazing? It’s been a long time since I’ve driven that beast.”
Richard answered back on the radio, “This is a cherry ride.”
Snow was swirling around as they made their way toward Cleveland. The ominous clouds of a lake effect blizzard were mounting on the high ground of Geauga County. Johnny’s voice crackled over the CB. “Damn, hopefully we can get back to the Farm! Looks like the snow is starting to fall for real.”
They rolled up the East 9th street exit, Robbie said, “Positions.” over the radio. The rest of the team checked in. Then he said, “Red leader going in.”
The truck rumbled down Oxbow Road. David pulled a hat down low over his brows, and put on a pair of big, dark sunglasses. Robbie pulled a ski mask down. They climbed out of the truck and unloaded the dozer a few buildings down the road from the warehouse. David gave a thumbs up and climbed into the armored dozer cage and fired up the engine. He drove down the road.
A guard at the gate of the warehouse building watched the dozer. He was startled when David swung toward him and mouthed, “Oh shit!”
The dozer plowed through the gate and the guard scrambled out of the way as it broke free of its hinges and clattered on the ground. He drew his pistol and spoke into a radio, but heard nothing but muzak playing. He started to head toward the dozer, but a bullet smacked the ground in his path. He spun around to look where it was coming from but saw nobody, so he hopped into his patrol car and tried to drive away. Another round hit the engine block and the radiator and the car stalled. He climbed into the back seat and curled up.
The bulldozer rumbled toward the side of the building. Robbie fired up the semi and blocked the opening in the fence.
Inside the building, Charlie was sitting in the lounge. Pilara was with him. She took to wearing some of Heather’s more theatrical clothes, today, all shiny leather--pants and a jacket and a black shirt underneath.
Charlie heard the gate come down and he said, “What could that be?” He walked over toward the control room to check out the monitors. Heather was deep in her session on the other side and he didn’t want to disrupt her work. He took out his cell phone to call for backup, but there was no service, and their landline connection appeared to be severed.
He felt a horrible sense of panic and dread. In all his years plotting and planning horrible things, stacking murder victims, undermining public causes, scheming to control more and more of the world’s population, he’d never once participated, or been exposed to actual physical danger. He felt sick. He ran out of the control room. His mind was a ball of confusion. Pilara asked, “What is going on?”
“I think we’re under attack.” Charlie said.
“Did you call for help?” Pilara asked. She was more relaxed.
“No service. We’re cut off.” Charlie managed to say. His face was starting to freeze up from fear. The blade of the bulldozer banged against the wall. One of the teeth penetrated, then a section of the masonry collapsed with a tremendous roar, and dust billowed up inside the building. The weak winter daylight shone through the cloud.
“I think we should run away.” Pilara said, “It’s the only option.”
Charlie asked, “What about Heather?”
Pilara sneered, “We’ll find a replacement.” She ran out past the dozer as it backed up. Charlie followed. They were cut off from the street by the semi and had nowhere to run.
Keith spotted the two of them through his binoculars. He announced, “Two runners got out. A man and a woman, both with dark hair. I can’t really make out the faces.”
Chloe said coldly, “I’ve got the shot.”
Keith said, “No way, in cold blood? No.”
She said, “Dad, these people will kill us if they get the chance.”
David announced, “There’s not enough horses in this dozer to bring the building down. The steel beams aren’t even budging. I’m just breaking bricks here.”
Robbie backed the truck up the street, then got it going as fast as possible and jumped out the door and rolled on the gravel. “Owww! Fuck!” He jumped up and saw it slam into the side of the building just to the left of the door. The entire wall cracked, and a large section crumbled and fell onto the semi, but it still wasn’t enough.
Pilara and Charlie ran past him and hopped into their car. Charlie made it out the gate before Chloe took out the tires. Robbie drew his .45 and followed after the car. David abandoned the dozer and jogged after him. The Firebird blazed past.
Berto said, “Watch the gate, dude, don’t trash the tires!”
Richard acknowledged, “I got it.”
Berto flipped a switch on the bundle of explosives in the duffle bag, he announced over the CB, “The candle is lit.” Then Richard climbed out of the car and tossed the bag next to the reflector. He sprinted back and jumped into the driver seat and roared around the building and out the gate.
Heather was with Hobbes on the other side when she felt it. It was like a giant door slammed shut, and she became cold and numb.
She gasped an
d looked at herself. “Shit…” She said.
Hobbes arched an eyebrow, “Welcome to my state of being. That was unexpected.”
She said, “Just like that…” She clicked her fingers. She felt a tremendous sense of loss.
“Look on the bright side, you actually made it over. You’re immortal. Hardly anyone does it.” Hobbes offered.
Suddenly, the darkness and the dimness of their realm oppressed her. She said, “When I first crossed over with the Wells family’s reflector, it was such a pleasant place--green fields and a blue sky. This is a shithole.”
Hobbes felt her rage and sadness. He held up a hand, “This place is the end result of our efforts. To keep control on Earth means these spartan, dreary conditions here, apparently. That’s what led to the split with Samantha all those years ago.”
Heather sighed, “How do we go somewhere nice? Are you always just here in this dreary spot?”
Hobbes laughed. He spit his words, “Goodness, woman, what do you think you’ve been doing all these many months? This is the price of Empire and order. We drive on humanity to greater heights. Yet, now, you want to frolic in fields like an animal. Pathetic.” He left her.
Heather still hadn’t figured out navigation or how to get around on the other side. Charlie’s grandfather appeared again. He shouted, “Curses!”
Heather asked, “What happened?”
“Someone attacked us. They apparently blew you up. Charlie and I were shot, I guess. When crossing back over like that, the memories of the last moments are very fuzzy.” He groaned. “I was just getting used to my pussy!”
Heather asked, “Where’s Charlie?”
“Recycled, as you’d say these days. He wasn’t skilled enough to cross over on his own. I guess you were here already, so when your vessel died, you persist here. Congratulations.” He smiled woodenly.
Robbie and David felt the shockwave and the windows on several nearby buildings broke and rattled. Robbie shouted, “Whoo!!” as the warehouse building collapsed in a cloud of dust and smoke. They trotted up the hill and climbed into the van. Keith drove away.
The Chardon Chronicles: Season Two --- The Winter Page 66
