Strengthen What Remains (Book 2): A Time To Endure

by Kyle Pratt

  The guard waved Maria past. She pulled into the lot and parked in Caden’s spot, beside Brooks’ pickup.

  Lisa jumped out and trotted toward the building.

  Maria smiled in her direction and then looked at Caden with a serious expression. “I’m glad Brooks isn’t going with you. I like Lisa, and don’t want to see her hurt if something happened to him.”

  “Nothing is going to happen to me.”

  “You can’t promise that.”

  “We are only supporting….”

  Maria shook her head. “I’ve never had much to do with the military, but this feels bigger than supplies and medicine.”

  He pursed his lips and tried to figure out what he could say that wasn’t classified. “Our orders are to support other units.” He didn’t want to leave her this way, but it was all he could say.

  Maria stared at him with sad eyes and then pulled him toward her and kissed him.

  Caden grinned. “I’ll be back soon—for more of that. He put his helmet on and headed toward the building.

  The numerous lights around the armory blocked his view of most stars, but the sky appeared clear. A chill in the air prompted him to zip up his jacket. He looked for Brooks, but found Lisa sitting in the office looking bored.

  “He’s on that big lawn to the north of the building.”

  “Parade ground.”

  “What?”

  “It’s called a parade ground.”

  “Do you parade around on it?”

  “Sort of. It’s an old military term.”

  She shrugged.

  With a handful of papers, the XO stood on the edge of the grass with First Sergeant Fletcher. Brooks talked while pointing at different trucks. “Oh, I didn’t see you,” he said when Caden was beside him. “Here is the roster and supply list. Eighty men leave with you. I’ll keep ten here with me. MOPP gear has been issued, but winds are to the east away from your area, so there should be no new fallout. The squad leaders have done the pre-combat inspection.”

  Caden flipped through the pages. “Good job XO. Assemble the men. I want to address them before we leave.”

  Brooks notified Fletcher and soon the men formed ranks on the parade ground. When they were ready, First Sergeant Fletcher called, “Company!”

  The Platoon Sergeants called, “Platoon!”

  As Fletcher called the men to attention, Caden came out of the shadows.

  The two saluted and then Caden waited for everyone to jog to their final places.

  “At ease.” Caden scanned the assembled soldiers. In the rear, at the edge of the shadows, he noticed both Maria and Lisa. He sighed, not wanting them to hear now, what he wouldn’t say earlier to the whole family.

  Family. Even though they weren’t married, in his mind he included Maria in that statement. It is the way I think of her.

  Caden smiled at her, even though she wouldn’t see it from across the parade ground. He chose his words carefully, knowing Maria, and through her, the rest of the family, would hear what he was about to say.

  “As you know, we have been ordered to provide logistics and medical support for units engaging gang and other criminals in and around the southern portion of the yellow zone. At this time I do not expect that we will see combat, but I cannot, will not, rule it out.

  “We serve a troubled, divided nation and many are seeking to take advantage of our time of need. All of us must be ready for whatever may come. Focus on your duties, be aware of your surroundings and anticipate what might go wrong. That way you come home on your feet, instead of on your back in a body bag.” He slowly looked over the men. Maria and Lisa still stood at the edge of the grass. He hoped his words reassured both them and the soldiers. “Mount up.”

  Before they headed north, Caden sought out Maria. Taking her hand when he found her, he said, “I feared you might have left.”

  She gave him a knowing grin. “I thought you were only supporting the operation.”

  “We are.”

  She shook her head. “That wasn’t what you were preparing the men for.”

  He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “No, it wasn’t. What I told you was the truth of my orders, but I’ve learned…well, sometimes words conceal as much as they reveal. I hope I’m wrong.”

  She stepped close and pulled him closer. Speaking just inches from his lips she said, “Don’t be afraid to tell me what you’re thinking. The truth from you protects me more than a lie or silence ever could.”

  She kissed him. “Stay safe.”

  “Yes, to everything you said.” He smiled. “And you stay safe too.”

  “Me? The Westmore farmhouse is the safest home for a hundred miles.”

  * * *

  Nearly an hour later as the convoy rolled along highway 12 on its way out of Hansen, Caden thought about his conversation with Maria. He hadn’t told her about the operation, but she had figured out enough and, in the process, he was reminded of her strength.

  He caught a glimpse of movement in the stream along the highway. It must be Zach and his sister. But, as he passed he thought he saw two girls. Vicki, and the other girl I met yesterday? He shrugged. Doubtful, she seemed a little too posh for waders, fish and mud.

  He looked to the other side of the road and, through the trees, glimpsed light from home.

  The convoy rumbled along for several miles. Ahead a lighted sign outside the church by the freeway caught his attention. He had been reunited with Sue there and fought a gunfight in the lobby, but he never knew the name of the church. Now, for the first time since he returned home, the sign blazed in digital colors, ‘Welcome to Zion Church.’

  His eyes lingered on the sign as the driver turned onto the freeway. It’s another hopeful indication that life is returning to normal.

  They drove north along a nearly deserted freeway, through a quiet, but well lit, Olympia. Every light seemed to be on at Lewis-McCord, but as they continued north out of Tacoma the suburbs turned dark.

  At the end of a two hour drive they arrived at a five-story brick medical building surrounded on three sides by a large parking lot. Smaller professional buildings, shops and offices lined the edges. On the opposite side of the street was another parking lot with flanking apartment buildings and a smattering of fir and maple trees.

  Caden set the map on his lap and spoke into the radio. “This is the location, First Sergeant.” When his vehicle pulled to a stop, Caden jumped out, eager to stretch his legs. Fletcher deployed the men to secure the perimeter.

  The faint smell of smoke hung in the air. The glass in the door of the medical building had been broken, along with several nearby windows. More than a dozen cars dotted the parking lot. Some were stripped of parts, some were burned out hulks, but a few were nice and intact, as if waiting for their owner’s return.

  They were only a half-mile from the freeway, close enough to hear traffic during a normal rush hour, but the world this day was silent. Sunlight peeked between nearby towers casting an early morning glow between dark shadows.

  Caden walked over to Fletcher. “The place looks nice.”

  “Yeah, if you like eerily quiet and deserted cities.” He shook his head. “I’m waiting for a horde of zombies to pour across the parking lot.”

  “Well, if they do First Sergeant, let’s be ready.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Caden pointed to the central structure. “Have some soldiers search it.”

  He nodded. “Already done. They’re checking all the rooms and will set up an observation post on the roof.” Fletcher pointed to three nearby buildings. “Men will setup in those places also.”

  “Has anyone checked for radiation yet?”

  “The medic said, ‘don’t buy a home here.’ The air is clear, but he’s already found several hot spots.”

  A cold wind blew across the lot.

  “It’s from the east.” Caden said flatly. “We’re okay.”

  “Yes, but when the winds blow from the north…?”

/>   He nodded. “Set up hourly checks for radiation. If the readings climb, let me know immediately.

  Satisfied that Fletcher was securing the perimeter, Caden walked to the main building and carefully stepped through the shattered door glass.

  Inside the powerless building, deep shadows hid much of the entrance. The smell of death hung heavy in the air. He pulled out his flashlight and swept the dark corners just inside. Within moments the beam found a badly decayed body slumped across a seat in the corner. The stench moved him onward.

  Beyond the lobby two medics, and several other soldiers, were dividing up the building for a thorough search.

  Caden continued on. The structure was designed for doctors of various specialties. Each had a separate lobby, exam rooms, administrative and doctor offices and all were colored in various pastel shades. It would now serve as a forward medical and logistics center.

  A sign on the wall pointed to a pharmacy. I need to make sure that is secure. He walked along a dark hallway, past stairs and useless elevators.

  As he neared, the foul odor of death once again greeted him. Two large metal doors once secured the room, now they hung broken and open. Inside was a waiting area with a large counter. Behind it were the typical white shelves and myriad of bottles. Pills, bottles and broken glass littered the floor.

  Peering over the counter, he spotted the body on the floor. He figured that all the narcotics had either been removed when the doctors evacuated or had been stolen afterwards, but he couldn’t be sure.

  He called over the radio to Fletcher and reported the bodies. “I need someone to secure the pharmacy doors. I want only the medics inside for now.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll get someone on it.”

  Caden continued up the stairs, inspecting rooms and talking with most soldiers. Nearly an hour later he reached the fourth floor.

  Again he encountered one of the medics. “What have you got to report, Sergeant?”

  “We’ve found fourteen bodies in the building. It looks like three died of gunshot wounds. The other eleven were located in a makeshift morgue. They were all radioactive and probably died of acute radiation sickness. We’ve started removing them. Later we’ll dig a mass grave in one of the grassy areas at the edge of the parking lot.”

  “Good job.” There was nothing more for Caden to do there so he continued on, inspected the fifth floor and then went to the roof.

  Exiting to the flat top of the building, he had a clear view of the surrounding area. He shook his head in dismay at the once proud cities of the Seattle metro area. A tall structure about three miles west burned like a torch. Smoke from smaller fires dotted the view. To the north the hills were scorched black by the wildfire after the blast. Looking through binoculars, Caden saw streaks of gray ash and brown mingled in the dead black earth. But it was the quiet that struck Caden. There was no pulse of human activity. The streets did not flow like arteries this way and that. All was stillness and silence. Caden recalled the cliché, ‘quiet as the grave.’ It was appropriate. The only sound was the rustle of the breeze in his ears. Finally, in the distance, a crow squawked.

  A nearby soldier pointed. “Is that a pack of wild dogs?”

  Using his binoculars, Caden quickly found the brown, slender animals with pointed ears and bushy tails.” No, those are coyotes.”

  “Really? I grew up not far from here. I never saw wild animals running down the street.”

  “This isn’t the metro area you grew up in anymore. And it may never be again. He walked along the parapet of the roof watching the pack until they were out of sight.

  A lone dog barked.

  Standing at the ledge he took in the full sweep of the view, abandoned cars, fire and smoke, the silence broken only by the wind or an occasional bird or dog. Seattle was gone or uninhabitable. The surrounding communities were dying flesh clinging to a corpse.

  Clanging from the stairwell announced the arrival of the radio operator. Caden grabbed a bag of equipment from him and moved it a shady spot while the specialist went back for the antenna and cable. When he returned, Caden said, “As soon as you’re setup, notify command that we’re in position.”

  In the distance a woman screamed.

  Caden wondered if the woman and the coyotes had found each other. He shook his head. The animals had been on the edge of the parking lot and the scream seemed distant and from the wrong direction.

  Vehicles engines thundered.

  A single shot crackled in the air.

  The woman screamed again.

  Chapter Twenty One

  Sporadic gunfire mixed with screams echoed off nearby glass and steel buildings.

  The men on either side of Caden looked through binoculars, talked and pointed.

  Gesturing toward the burning tower one private said, “It’s hard to see that way with all the smoke.”

  Caden slid along the ledge. The first crack of gunfire came from the south. When he thought he was looking in the right direction there were too many shots, too much echo, and too much talking to figure a bearing. “Quiet everyone,” he ordered. “If you actually see something or know where a shot came from report it, otherwise look and listen.” Pointing to the man closest to him he said, “You stay with me on the south side. Sergeant, station the others on each side of the roof. Let me know if anything approaches our position.” Gunfire, a great start to the day.

  Clutching his radio he called, “Fletcher, do we have units in the buildings at the edge of the parking lot?”

  “On the east and west, that’s a roger. No contact reported at this time. I’m working on getting soldiers on the north and south.”

  Frustrated, Caden replied, “I think the shooting is coming from the south.”

  “Roger, I concur, we’re crossing the parking lot now.”

  From atop the building he looked down as Fletcher led eight soldiers in a sprint across the asphalt. Caden turned to the man at his side. “If they come under fire, provide cover.”

  In seconds the nine reached a building on the far side and broke open a door.

  Caden relaxed a bit as the men disappeared inside, but smoke continued to obscure his view and annoy his nose as he scanned the city beyond. He struggled to follow the vehicles by their sound. The rate of gunfire accompanying the cars suggests they are firing at something, but what?

  Fletcher’s voice came over the radio. “We see six to eight males in three civilian vehicles. They’re firing at something forward of their position—buildings, cars…who knows.”

  “Roger that,” Caden said. “I heard screams. Do you see a female?”

  “Negative…no, wait…roger, two people are running toward our position.”

  Caden moved along the roof until he saw down the street. In the morning shadows it was difficult to see detail. He couldn’t be sure of gender, but they held hands as they ran. Farther up the road a car turned the corner and headed toward them. A passenger hung out the window firing a pistol.

  One of the runners fell.

  The other knelt beside.

  The two struggled to stand.

  “Fletcher, this is Westmore. Provide cover fire.”

  Gunfire poured down the street.

  The two runners huddled against the building. Then they seemed to realize they weren’t being fired upon and together hobbled on towards Fletcher’s position.

  Burning rubber on the pavement the car retreated down the street, spun around the corner, and disappeared.

  “We have the runners,” Fletcher announced over the radio. “One is injured. I’ll bring them to the main building. Have a medic standing by.”

  With one last look across the now quiet city, Caden headed down the dark stairwell. While on the first flight, the lights flickered and then came on.

  From far below someone shouted, “Thank God for electricity!”

  Amen. The engineers must have hooked up the generator. Caden exited the now well-lit stairwell and headed toward the elevators along a hallway that was a
hive of activity with soldiers moving boxes, cleaning rooms or setting up gear.

  A tapping sound filled the air. “Ah…is this thing on?”

  Caden looked up at the speakers of the now working PA system.

  “Ah we’ve got the lights on…you know that, but most other things aren’t working yet, like the heat and elevators. Ah…that is all.”

  Within sight of his destination Caden did an about face and walked back to the stairs. At least I’m going down.

  Near the bottom he met two soldiers carrying a body bag. He followed them down the last flight of stairs and into the lobby.

  As the two men carried out the body, Fletcher and others arrived. With them were two gaunt and dirty teenage girls. The eyes of the girls followed the body bag out the door.

  One of the teens had a bandage around her right leg and was supported by the other.

  Two medics came from behind Caden.

  The eyes of the girls fixed on the approaching soldier and they cringed.

  Fletcher whispered to Caden. “They wouldn’t let us touch them.”

  Caden looked around the lobby. A dozen men with guns stood with two traumatized girls. “I saw a female medic arrive earlier. Get her.”

  Minutes later, the woman medic helped the wounded girl onto a stretcher.

  “Are you two sisters?” the medic asked softly.

  Still holding hands, they both nodded.

  “If you let go of your sister, I think we can fix you up in that room right over there.” She gestured with her head and then looked at the other. “You can wait just outside.”

  The stretcher was carried into a nearby exam room.

  Fletcher motioned for the other girl to follow him as he walked to Caden.

  “This is the man I told you about. His name is Major Westmore.”

  She looks a year or so younger than Vicki and DeLynn, but that might be because she is half starved. “Call me Caden.”

  The girl’s eyes drifted to the exam room.

  “Would you like some food?”

  She nodded and for the first time looked him in the eye.

  A soldier brought an MRE.

  The teen devoured it and then used her dirty fingers to get the last.