American Survival (DeLeo's Action Thriller Singles Book 5)

by Bernard Lee DeLeo

  “Hello John.”

  “Hello Doctor, you look lovely this morning.”

  Dr. Morrison paused and looked at Jack. “He knows, doesn’t he?”

  “Everything Doc. He had to know the risks of joining up.”

  She sighed and smiled. “How does your leg feel?”

  “Fine, thank you. I will begin training today.”

  “I guess we’ll be out of here just as you wanted, Jack.”

  “Within two weeks, Doc, if I can swing it. I will be going over the final details with Kardel this morning.”

  “Where will John be staying?”

  “He’ll bunk in with Paul and Nick.”

  “Do I have to stay with Paul?”

  Jack laughed. “He likes you, John. He was just kidding around with you.”

  “I have this dream, where I wake up with Paul standing over me, like Jack Nicholson over Marlin Brando in One Eyed Jacks, saying hi, don’t try to talk, I just slit your throat.”

  Dr. Morrison smiled, watching the two men together enjoying John’s dream, not knowing the reference John made to an old movie.

  “Jack was the one who shot you, right John?”

  “Yes Doctor, from about a mile away after the scope of his rifle had been banged around out of center.”

  “And you feel lucky or something?”

  “Luckier than my two comrades, Doctor. Jack killed them both. And we were at war, Doctor. Minutes before that, the helicopter I was in had been on its way to kill him. I am lucky Jack needed someone alive, and fate let me be the one to live.”

  “Now you’re joining up?”

  “And I am thankful for that also. Are you uncomfortable with my presence here, Doctor?”

  “No John.” Dr. Morrison shook her head. “I sometimes have trouble understanding what everyone around me seems to take for granted.”

  “Perhaps you need to accept more of what you cannot change, Doctor.”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to tell her, John. Anyway, let’s go down and get some food before I see Kardel.”

  __

  Later, Jack sat facing Kardel across his desk.

  “You want what Jack,” Kardel asked surprised.

  “I want control over all police and police actions. I have a plan to limit the violence. We may be able to do this more quietly.”

  “Well, this comes as a surprise, but I like your thinking. I have some contacts, and I think I can get you what you want, especially if you can keep this operation within certain parameters.”

  “I believe I have a way.”

  “I have been in contact with Larry Franco. He said he knows you. He and another acquaintance of yours, a Kevin Williams, have led one of the largest resistance movements in the area.”

  Jack smiled. “I know Larry and Kevin very well. They’re good people, and even better soldiers. I thought they would have been dead by now.”

  “They thought the same thing about you. Most of their people headed for parts unknown when they received word about the Chinese surrender. They’re tired of the whole thing. Larry and Kevin want in to the end. They’ve been coordinating with the water, gas, and electric people, at least the ones who got them back on line. They’ve had to supply twenty-four hour protection against gang interference.”

  “I look forward to soldiering with them again.”

  “We will have vehicles there for you. They will be waiting when you get to Oakland Airport. I have also set up a couple of transport trucks and drivers to take your gear, and supplies to the medical center we have picked out. Are you familiar with a place near the Oakland Coliseum they used to call Health South?”

  “Sure, Jake had his knee looked at there once.”

  “We have it protected with an electrical fence, and high tech security system now. I have a large place being outfitted in the Piedmont Hills for all of you to live at. It has a state of the art security system too, but I felt fencing it in would be a mistake. It already has walls around it with a gate. Anymore, and it would look like a prison instead of a home. It has no buildings within a mile radius higher than it is.”

  “Sounds like you’ve really had things scouted out pretty well,” Jack acknowledged.

  “I want you to have the best possible working and living conditions available.”

  “What about the authority I asked for?”

  “I will see to it. Can you give me some idea as to what you have in mind?”

  “I plan to keep the body count to a minimum, along with our risk. I think I can tighten the parameters of our mission as you wished for. It may even be less of a risk.”

  Kardel nodded in agreement. “If you can maybe gain some control over these gangs after the leaders are gone, we can work something out.”

  “I’m anxious to get started. I will keep you informed on our progress, especially if things work out at first.”

  “I will contact our people, and get word to Franco, and Williams. We will fly out of here in about a week and a half, if you’re ready.”

  “We’ll be ready, but authority over local law enforcement will have to be top priority, if what I have in mind has any chance at all.”

  “I’ll get on it Jack. You’ve been giving Dr. Morrison some firearms training. Do you have something in mind besides inoculations for her?”

  “We can’t watch her every second. She needs to know how to take a life as well as save one where we’re going.”

  “You may be right. I had not thought of it in quite that manner. In any case, I should have you out of here, and in position within the next two weeks. Keep in mind they still lack medical supplies where you are going, Jack, and people will kill to get them.”

  “Why are we so far behind in getting medical supplies out to everyone? I would have thought it would have been a top priority.”

  “Antibiotics have been distributed, along with sulfa drugs, and water purification kits on a large scale. Painkillers and the like have been in short supply, even with the military. We have two new facilities working, of which you will be getting a major part of the first shipments.”

  “Any new word on what anyone uses for payment?”

  “Still pretty primitive,” Kardel answered. “You give something to get something. Labor, home grown food, blankets, coats, gold, silver, you name it, all being used to buy goods and services. Fuel, of course, must be guarded at all times. These things take time, Jack. With the war ending, we will be able to concentrate more on everyday life. Once we have control over the safety issue, things will return to normal rapidly. Having lost almost half of the population helps in a macabre way.”

  Jack stood up and shook hands with Kardel. “I will let you get back to work then. If the training goes well, and John keeps progressing at the present rate, we will move out within a couple of weeks for certain.”

  “I will meet with you again in a few days for an update.”

  John stood up from the chair he had been sitting at in the waiting room, and joined Jack as he continued out of the offices. “How did it go?”

  “About as well as can be expected. Kardel has heard from a couple of men Steve, Peter and I soldiered with at the beginning, and they will be helping us. I can think of worse news.”

  “At least you will not have to start from scratch, as far as intel goes.”

  “Kardel still worries me though. I hate to say this, but I can’t read that guy at all. He could be planning to kill us in ten minutes for all I know. I hope I appear as inscrutable to him. Let’s get you to the range. We’ll be working out of there first, and then you can hit the gym while we go outside. Mitch has the exercise set up outside for us to practice outdoors.”

  “I will go with you outdoors.”Jack looked over as they continued down the hallway. "I don’t want you to fall, and set things back, John.”

  “I will not fall. Besides, if I do, Paul will just execute me on the spot anyway.”

  Jack laughed. “Okay, you can come, but if you slow us up, you go back inside.”<
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  __

  The sun gleamed off the snow, with an eye-irritating glare. Wolf led the group as he leaped from snow bank to snow bank.

  Mitch followed the dog as he led the single file line. They were all armed with the new rifles. Paul carried John’s weapon for him, as he navigated through the snow with Paul egging him on.

  “This brings back old times, John. I can still see you hobbling along in the snow, with your rifle as a crutch. Awwww… memories, memories.”

  Jack laughed, and dropped back with them. “Lay off. Paul. John already thinks you don’t like him.”

  Paul drifted near John, and put his arm around John’s shoulder. “Whatever gave you that idea, John?" He looked up at Jack, "not to worry, John and I are buds, right John?”

  “Sure Paul, I understand now why you are so cruel. Jake told me you had your balls shot off in the war.”

  Laughter echoed around them as everyone enjoyed John’s line, while Jake hurriedly caught up with Wolf, while his Uncle bristled. “Oh… that’s right Jake, you can run, but you can’t hide.”

  “I am very sorry for your loss, Paul, John said with a straight face.”

  “Wait a minute you don’t really think I… oh… okay, I get it. Go ahead, the laughs on old Paul. Maybe I should throw you an old fashioned GI blanket party tonight, while you’re sleeping, just to check up on your sense of humor then.”

  John looked at Jack. “Will I be issued a sidearm today?”

  Chapter 26

  The Way Home

  The transport taxied into position as Jack stood with his crew, waiting for it to stop. All the supplies were already loaded on board, and another transport waited to take the support crew later. They carried AK-47's and sidearms, along with as many clips of ammunition as they could carry. Kardel waited uneasily with the group, as the transport crew prepared for passengers.

  “Do you really think it necessary to be this heavily armed just flying there, Jack? I mean you will have the weapons there when you land.”

  Jack looked at Kardel with some puzzlement showing on his face. “I hope that was a rhetorical question, Tom. We ain’t going to a dance, and why in the world would we go into a combat zone without weapons?”

  “I only meant on the plane in transit, but whatever makes you feel comfortable.”

  Jack motioned for everyone to get on board. Dr. Morrison would be flying with the support crew and medical supplies. Wolf sat at his side, looking dubiously up at the transport. When they were all loaded, he held out his hand to Kardel, who shook it smiling.

  “Thanks for the hospitality, Tom. I will report in when we get settled. I’m sure they will be monitoring everything, so I will encode all transmissions until we have gained control.”

  “Good luck, Jack, I look forward to hearing from you soon.”

  Jack turned to board the plane. When he and Wolf reached the portable stair well, he bent down and stroked the dog for a moment, before starting up the stairs. Wolf hesitated only a second, and then followed. He turned at the top as Wolf clambered inside at the others’ urging. Jack saw Dr. Morrison back near the second transport. When she saw him look at her, she stood at attention and saluted. Jack shook his head chuckling, and went inside. The Flight Sergeant closed the hatch, and sealed it, as the group took up seats on the opposing benches, and buckled in. Jack knelt down next to Mitch, who was closest.

  “Watch the Wolfer for me, and keep him from getting banged around.”

  “Where are you going? In case you didn’t notice, we’re taking off.”

  “I got a bad feeling with something Kardel said, and I think I will fly up front. Keep your weapons handy, and pass it on quietly.”

  Jack saw the look of shock cross Mitch’s face, and he held up a hand. "Take it easy, Mitch. It’s just a precaution. I will be with the pilot, and you all will continue our time honored tradition, of trusting no one out here, okay?”

  “I got it, Jack.” Mitch turned, and passed on the instructions, which were obeyed without comment or question.

  Jack walked forward to the cockpit, past the flight crew seated closest to it. Two of the men, including the Flight Sergeant, rose quickly from their seats, and blocked Jack’s path to the cockpit.

  “I will have to ask you to rejoin the others, Sir. Only flight…” he halted in midsentence, as he felt the cold barrel of Jack's's 9mm under his chin. As the other two crewmen began to rise, the audible noise of safeties clicking off brought them to a halt.

  “You all just sit right on back down and buckle up,” Mitch said quietly, “and no one gets hurt.”

  The Sergeant looked down the rows of AK-47s and the grim faces behind them. He motioned for his crew to sit down. Jack looked back, and whistled a short note. Wolf leaped to land just behind Jack, and lay down with his head resting on his paws. A low growl issued from his throat as he settled down, watching the men around him.

  “Here’s how the flight will go, my friends,” Jack explained. “You four will remain here, unless I ask for you. Wolf will keep you company. He’s never been much for warnings, so I would limit my movements if I were you. I will be flying with the pilot and copilot on this flight, just so my group here feels comfortable with our flight plan.”

  “Sir, there really isn’t any need…” the Crew Chief began.

  “I know this looks silly to you, Sergeant,” Jack broke in as he waved the Sergeant to silence. “Stay quiet, and we will all have a pleasant flight.”

  Jack continued to the cockpit hatch, and opened it up. He stepped in, and closed it tight behind him. The pilot and copilot looked back, as the navigator seated near the hatch gasped. Jack nestled down next to the navigator with his 9 mm held across his chest in plain view.

  “I will be part of the cockpit crew on this flight fellas, so relax, and let’s get this bird in the air, and on its way to Oakland. What’s your name, Captain?”

  “Bill, Sir, but there’s really no need…”

  Jack waved him to silence. “I know, I know, I’m being silly. Humor me, Bill, and file your flight plan, or get permission to go, or whatever you need to do; but keep all of this between us travelers, okay?”

  “Yes Sir.”

  “Good deal,” Jack stated, as he eased the AK-47 from his shoulder, and rearranged things for the flight. He got as comfortable as he could, although he knew the flight would not be that long in duration.

  Nearly an hour and a half later, the transport touched down at Oakland International Airport without incident. Jack opened the hatch, while he kept an eye on the flight crew. After the plane taxied to a halt in front of one of the gates, Jack saw the portable stairwell get rolled into place. He motioned for Mitch to come forward. “Send John, Paul and Steve down, and secure this site from the building to the plane. Take Wolf with you, and if anything starts, kill everything that moves, and we’ll sort it all out later. Make sure you, Peter and the kids scan the perimeter as backup. You have your binoculars, right?”

  “I got them, Jack.”

  “You all have body armor on, but it don’t mean much if they shoot you in the head. Tell Paul and Steve to secure this zone with the utmost speed. My friends and I will follow when you have it ready.”

  Mitch nodded, and motioned for the flight crew to open the hatch, while he relayed instructions to the rest. Steve and Paul hurried to each side of the hatch, while John took up a crouched position in front of the hatch as it opened. As soon as he saw the stairwell in place, John hurried down to the ground, with only a slight limp. The ground crew, when they saw him burst out of the plane with weapon at ready, backed quickly away from the stairs. John crouched on the ground near the stairs, and motioned the crew to the ground. Steve and Paul, with the flight crew between them and the terminal, exited the plane, quickly getting to the ground, and having the flight crew join the ground crew, face down near the stairs. Paul whistled Wolf down, and they took up defensive positions. Mitch led the kids down the stairs, moving rapidly, and took up positions around the perimeter
of the plane, watching for movement from any direction.

  Jack waited until he saw Mitch gesture from the ground. “Okay Bill, tell the tower to get everyone back from this section of the terminal, and to stay back until I say otherwise. Any movement in the terminal will cause bloodshed. We will fire on anything and everything. We have a dog, and he is the best there is at what he does. If I hear so much as a growl when we get inside, we will sweep every square inch of the place with fire and grenades. Are we clear, Bill?”

  “Yes Sir.” The pilot spoke into his mask for a moment, being careful to let Jack hear what he said. Jack heard an acknowledgment, and five minutes later a come ahead signal. Jack moved out of the cockpit area, and allowed the three men to exit the cockpit, and then the plane, with him slightly behind them. When he reached the ground, he sent Wolf ahead with a wave of his hand. Jack motioned his group to fan out with the flight, and ground crews in front of them. When they reached the terminal, Wolf burst through the automatic doors, and tore around through the terminal. A couple of minutes later he came back, and sat down next to Jack. A few minutes later, a black man in civilian garb came slowly into sight with his hands on top of his head.

  “Christ, Jack,” Steve exclaimed, “as I live and breathe, it’s Kevin.”

  “I didn’t believe you when you said he was alive,” Peter added. “It sure makes it easier with a familiar face around.”

  “I’ll go meet him, and see if things are as they appear.”

  Jack walked over to the man with Wolf by his side. Wolf ran ahead, and grabbed the man’s pant leg. The dog pulled the man to the floor, where he proceeded to prance on him, and lick his face at the same time. The man, for his part, had begun laughing and wrestling with the dog. He got back up to his feet as Jack drew near. The two men embraced warmly. Kevin grabbed Jack’s arms, and held him at arms’ length.

  “Not only have you not trained any manners into this dumb ass dog, but you have gotten way uglier than I remember.”