by Gary Chesla
They heard the same message coming over the speaker again, “This is Greek Island calling for Doctor Kennedy, come in please.”
“Why didn’t he hear me?” Doc asked.
Chervy looked at the equipment.
“It’s being relayed off a satellite,” Chervy replied. “Remember you asked me to change our satellite uplink so your broadcast would only be heard locally? I changed our outgoing signal so it would only be relayed off the nearest satellite, instead of all the satellites across the country, so your broadcast would only be heard in our area.
Let me change it back and see if that helps. It should get our signal to travel across the country again, but I don’t know about getting it all the way to Greece.”
Chervy flipped a few switches, then nodded to Doc.
“Give it a try now,” Chervy said, “but no guarantees.”
Doc grabbed the mic and spoke, “This is Doctor Kennedy. Come in Greek Island.”
Doc waited for a few seconds as everyone stared at Doc and listened to see what would happen.
“Where have you guys been,” a voice replied. “We have been trying to reach you all day.”
“I appear to be at a bit of a disadvantage,” Doc said. “You know my name, but I have no idea of who I am speaking with or even where Greek Island is.”
“Understood, Sir,” the voice replied. “If I could have you wait for Captain John Byron of the U.S. Marines. He will be happy to answer all your questions.”
“What is a Marine Captain doing in Greece?” Chervy asked. “Maybe it’s not the Marines. Do you think we should trust whoever this is?”
“We can only determine that by talking to him,” Doc replied. “But for now, there appears to be some other living people that we haven’t been able to find. They have that much going for them.”
“How can we tell if they’re legit?” Chervy asked.
“I guess the best place to start is to see if we can verify that they are really Marines,” Doc replied.
“Yeah, if we can verify that they are Marines, then we know they can’t be trusted,” Chervy laughed.
“At least they are on our side, mostly,” Doc smiled.
“Doctor Kennedy,” a voice came through the speaker, interrupting Doc and Chervy. “Captain Byron here. It is nice to finally speak with another living human being again.”
“This is Doctor Kennedy,” Doc replied. “I agree it is good to hear from another survivor. I assume you are contacting us because you heard our broadcasts? But how were you able to hear us from a Greek Island?”
Captain Byron laughed.
“No, my men and I haven’t heard your broadcasts, however we found a young couple that did hear your broadcasts and told us about them. They wanted me to ask you a question if we managed to get in contact with you.
They wanted to know why your broadcasts stopped about a week back? They were concerned that something had happened to you,” Captain Byron said.
“Where in the country were they listening to me?” Doc asked.
“We found them near Johnstown, Pennsylvania,” Bryon replied.
“As I’m sure that they told you, it was my plan to help all the survivors of the virus across the country,” Doc replied. “When I began to realize our limitations, I decided to focus my efforts on a small area that I felt we had the ability to help first.”
“I’m sure they will be happy to know that nothing happened to you,” Bryon said.
“May I ask where Greek Island is?” Doc asked.
“I understand that you found a government survival vault,” Captain Byron replied. “I am also at a government survival vault. The facility where I am located was probably one of the government’s first attempts at building a secret vault. Doctor, have you ever stayed at the Greenbriar Hotel in West Virginia?”
Doc started to laugh, “So that was code named Greek Island, I forgot all about that. I actually stayed at the Green Briar and took a tour of the survival vault. I thought they closed that place down and handed it over to the Hotel?”
“They did, at least most of it,” Captain Byron replied. “But you know when the government gets their hands on something, they never really let it go. When my men and I were recalled back from the Middle East, we docked at Norfolk. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what we found. So we needed someplace to go, and since conspiracy theories are one of my hobbies, I brought my men to West Virginia in the hopes this place was still here. We were lucky. We were also lucky to hear about you and even luckier to find a way to contact you. Our communications man can work miracles at times.”
“How many men do you have?” Doc asked.
“With the addition of the young couple, their friend and their little daughter, there are about ten of us now,” Captain Byron replied. “The reason I am contacting you is that I thought it could be to our mutual benefit to join forces. I have covered the east coast and there is nothing left out this way. I assume you are somewhere out west, and the fact you are also hold up in a survival vault, I imagine that things are not any better where you are.”
“Assuming that I am out west, and that after we talk we both agree that it would be to both our benefit to join forces, how would you plan on getting here?” Doc asked.
“I have access to a small turboprop,” Byron replied. “The plane should be able to make one trip out west. However, after a long cold West Virginia winter, come spring time, I’m afraid between the fuel degrading and lack of maintenance on the plane, we will no longer have the ability to travel that far. So I thought since this may be my last opportunity to explore this option, I would talk it over with you and see what you think. Depending on the conditions where you are compared to what we have here, you might want to come out this way and join us here.”
“If you are who you say you are,” Doc said, “I feel it would probably be to our mutual benefit to join forces. But after all we have experienced, what do we know about each other? Do we really know who we are talking to? If you joined my group, you could be walking into a trap. If I let your group come here, we could be setting ourselves up to lose what we have. Normally I would like to arrange a meeting in neutral territory so we could satisfy each other’s curiosity.”
“Normally I would agree,” Captain Byron replied. “However in this case, I don’t believe that will be feasible. Any idea on how we could come to a satisfactory compromise?”
Doc thought for a minute.
“Have you ever been to Nevada?” Doc asked. “As a member of the Marines? A gambling trip to Las Vegas doesn’t count.”
“About two years ago, before my fourth deployment to Afghanistan, my unit spent some time doing some desert training at a Naval base in Fallon,” Byron replied.
Doc thought for a few seconds.
“Did one of your men have a run in with a desert resident?” Doc asked.
“If I remember, I did have one guy that got bit in the ass by a rattlesnake,” Captain Byron replied. “I don’t suppose that you are the doctor that operated on his ass and then disqualified him from going on assignment with the rest of the unit?”
Doc laughed, “It looks like our paths may have briefly crossed in Fallon. If your hobby is conspiracy theories, you should be able to take a guess where I am now located?”
“So,” Captain Byron laughed, “Granit Mountain is more than just a rumor. Am I right Doctor?”
“Captain,” Doc said. “I think we need to have a serious talk.”
“Do you have a satellite radio?” the Captain asked.
“Yes, we just unpacked them today,” Doc replied.
“It probably doesn’t matter any longer,” Captain Byron said, “But I would feel more comfortable if our discussion from this point on was over a secure connection.”
“I agree,” Doc replied
Chapter 30
Granite Mountain, Utah
After Doc’s and Captain Byron’s first contact, they spoke daily over the next week to discuss the details and make plans for the two groups to join
forces at Granite Mountain.
Both men agreed that they would stand a better chance of surviving and possibly finding other survivors out west.
Being a firm believer in conspiracy theories, Captain Byron discussed with Doc the scuttlebutt he had heard about other potential survival vaults in nearby Colorado.
Doc, particularly after his journey to Granite Mountain, was more than willing to discuss the subject with Byron and agreed that together, after Captain Byron arrived at Granite Mountain, that they should explore these possibilities.
The combination of the different skills that each group would bring to the facility would greatly enhance what they could accomplish.
Since Doc had been the one to find Granite Mountain, and the nature of the disaster had been medical related, it was agreed that Doc would have the final say on all activities at Granite Mountain.
Captain Byron would be in charge of any excursions away from the facility to search for survivors.
The basic ground rules of conduct and expectations were laid out so both groups would know what to expect, but both Doc and Captain Byron knew there would not be any problems or conflicts.
Both groups were small and made up of good people who were all looking for the same thing, to be able to live the best life they could for whatever time they had left.
The military backgrounds of the men in each group made it easier for them to accept and trust each other.
The only immediate problem that Doc and Captain Byron could foresee was the ratio of men to women.
Not only was that a problem if the goal was to save the human race from extinction, but in the near term it could create tension between the men.
But they both came to the same conclusion, there wasn’t much they could do about it but wait and see how it all played out.
It took the men at Greek Island a week to get the turbo prop fueled, inspected and packed before attempting the long flight to Utah.
They secured the Greenbriar facility before leaving in the hopes that it could be used again sometime in the future if the group found reason to come back to the east coast.
After both groups were ready for the move, the turbo prop departed Morgantown airport with a full load to begin its 1900 mile journey.
Whether it was the degraded quality of the fuel, the lack of maintenance of the aircraft engines or the weight of the plane, it soon became evident that the plane was not going to be able to make the trip without refueling.
Using the satellite’s camera, Chervy found a small airport in Lincoln, Nebraska, that had a clear runway where the plane could land.
There also appeared to be three fuel trucks parked near the airport terminal.
Chervy, using the satellite, guided the plane to the airport.
It took Captain Byron’s men almost an hour to get one of the fuel trucks running, but fortunately they were able to find enough fuel to fill the plane’s tanks so they could continue their journey.
The turbo prop was slower and didn’t need a very long runway to land and take off, so it was decided to land the plane on the roadway outside the entrance at Granite Mountain.
It had taken both groups over a month of searching, but finally, their work and all their efforts had finally paid off.
They couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment when the turbo prop landed at Granite Mountain and the two groups had the opportunity to meet.
It was a feeling that anyone that had not watched everyone they had ever known be slaughtered before their eyes, would truly be able to appreciate.
It was excitement tempered by a large dose of reality.
They all knew that today’s accomplishment was only the beginning.
But was it the beginning of a new world, or was it the beginning of the end?
August 5th, Granite Mountain
Linda walked into the mess hall and found Mike, Jamie and George sitting at a table having lunch.
Actually, George was having lunch on the floor under the table.
More specifically, George was under the table sitting next to Jamie’s chair, where food magically dropped down on him from the table above.
“What did Doc say?” Mike asked as Linda came over to join them.
“He said it was nothing to worry about,” Linda replied.
Mike looked concerned.
“Doc was able to give George something to keep him from eating stink bugs and throwing up all over us,” Mike said. “I thought for sure he could determine why you have been throwing up. Are you sure he said it was nothing to worry about. This has me worried.”
Linda smiled.
“Doc said it was normal,” Linda smiled. “In fact, he said the condition should completely clear up somewhere around the first of February.”
“The first of February!” Mike exclaimed.
“He said this condition normally takes nine months to run its full course,” Linda grinned.
“Nine months,” Mike said, then a smile slowly spread over his face. He reached over and squeezed Linda’s hand.
“He said he thinks Jamie will have her new baby brother around the 5th of that month,” Linda smiled. “You do remember that night when we got home from the Penguins game and talked about this?”
“I’m getting a baby brother?” Jamie asked then seemed to be in deep thought.
“That’s right,” Linda smiled looking at Jamie.
“Does George know about this?” Jamie asked. “I don’t think he is going to like having a baby brother.”
“It won’t be for a few months yet,” Linda smiled. “I’m sure you can convince him by then that it will be fun.”
“What if he doesn’t want one,” Jamie asked. “Do we have to keep him?”
“No, we won’t have to keep him,” Mike smiled. “We can always give George to Tony.”
“Not George,” Jamie replied looking indignant, “the baby brother.”
“Do you think George would agree to keep him if we let George name him?” Linda asked.
Jamie thought a second.
“Maybe,” Jamie replied.
Mike rolled his eyes.
“We’ll, maybe you can talk it over with him and let me know what you decide.” Linda said.
Mike leaned his head in close to Linda’s ear.
“I would like to tell you how happy I am,” Mike smiled, “but I haven’t talked to George to find out if it is OK.”
Linda turned her head and gave Mike a kiss.
“I’m sure George will approve,” Linda grinned, “he just needs a little time to get used to the idea.”
“What concerns me is what name George is going to give the kid,” Mike laughed. “Could you imagine calling the kid Stink Bug?”
Linda chuckled.
“God, that night seems like it was so long ago,” Mike smiled. “I’m thrilled, but do you think if we would have known then what we know now…..?”
“No way,” Linda laughed. “But you should have thought about that before.”
“Me?” Mike laughed. “If I remember, this was all your idea!”
Mike turned as Tony and Abbey walked into the mess hall and took a table off to the back of the room by themselves.
“Have you noticed how much time those two have been spending together lately?” Mike whispered.
“Yeah, I have,” Linda whispered back. “I talk a lot with Abbey. She really likes Tony, but she is having a hard time thinking about getting involved with anyone after what happened to her husband and little girl. It has only been a few months since it all happened, and she feels guilty for even thinking about another man. I hope she can work through that and let herself go a little, now more than ever life is too short. I think she and Tony would make a good couple.”
“Yeah, that has to be hard,” Mike said. “It just makes me think as I see the people here at Granite Mountain, how much everyone has lost. Just about everyone here has lost all their friends and families. I am so thankful that you and I made it through this togeth
er.”
“I agree. It is amazing that the four of us are all here together,” Linda replied.
“Of course, I wouldn’t feel all that bad if just the three of us had made it,” Mike sighed.
“Mike, Tony is our friend and we might not be here if it wasn’t for him,” Linda exclaimed. “How could you say something like that?”
“I was talking about George, not Tony,” Mike smiled. Sorry, it was just a thought……..that I have from time to time.”
Fran walked into the situation room where Chervy was sitting in front of the computer, staring at the monitor.
Chervy laughed and turned to scratch Snoop’s head when the pup ran into the room, stood on his hind legs and put his front paws up on Chervy’s leg and stared at him.
“I told you that you shouldn’t give him all those treats,” Fran laughed. “He’ll pester you to death.”
“I beginning to see that,” Chervy smiled. “In fact, this is his second trip down here to visit me this morning. But he is so darn cute, I couldn’t help myself. At least I’ve taught him to just beg quietly and not bark at me.”
“Do you think you could teach him how not to go to the bathroom on the door in my room,” Fran laughed. “I’ve been trying to house train him ever since the day I found him.”
“I’m sure a smart girl like you will find a way,” Chervy smiled. “But when it comes to training, I’m afraid he is the one that has all of us trained. He makes his rounds to visit everyone each morning to get treats from everyone.”
“That’s Snoop,” Fran grinned. “I think he has gained weight over the last few weeks from coercing food from everyone.”