“Morning, Captain Conrad. Thanks for bringing me breakfast. What’s new in the outside world?” He pulled the pillow off his head and adjusted himself with two pillows under his head as he sat up. No pain or stiffness at all. The IV bag had been removed sometime during the early morning without waking him, which had been a bonus.
Conrad sat down next to the bed and placed a large brown paper bag on the table next to the pink plastic pitcher of water. Caleb could feel his stomach rumble and his mouth begin to water. Tearing open the bag, he found two white Styrofoam boxes. The first was filled with bacon; the second had pancakes and scrambled eggs. Condiments and two cartons of milk remained in the bag. “I heard you had an interesting night. You put a whole new definition to bed rest. They even showed me the video from the security cameras.”
“And if the bastard had listened to me, there might not have been as many Zs to put down last night!” Conrad spat out angrily between bites as he shoveled the food in as if it might be taken away from him.
“On a brighter note, your man Fields will make a full recovery, and Staff Sergeant Barclay is painting you like John Wayne, taking out both of the shooters. Staff Sergeant Winters confirmed everything Barclay had reported.”
“Who the hell is Staff Sergeant Winters?” Caleb tried to remember but had no recollection.
“He was responsible for the security team that took out the truck full of hostiles that attacked your team. It appears that things are not screwed up enough as they are, their entire group was part of an ‘end of the world cult’ and their leader, Lt Frank Wendel, who was attached to my security forces, got sick. I was suspicious of him and the extra men he chose for the detail since we weren’t able to find any records on any of the men he chose. I added the ghost team to keep an eye on your team. The SOB decided on his own to stand down to see who were the bad guys instead of helping you. His hunch was right, but at too high a cost for me.
Good thing Wendel accidentally ate some soap with his breakfast and missed all the fun. It appears someone let slip his people were killed. He blew his brains out. That’s the official story on him. The bastard was persuaded to point out where his cult is located outside of Colorado Springs. Staff Sergeant Winters and his team cleaned them up this morning.”
“Excuse me, gentlemen. I need to check your wound, Lieutenant White. That bacon smells good; they’re not going to have the cafeteria here opened in the foreseeable future, especially when we only have two patients.” Conrad recognized the doctor as the Guardsman Captain Abrams. He gently pulled back the bandages and stood in shocked silence for a minute. “Your healing abilities are phenomenal. You only have a couple puckered scars where the bullet went through. I guess I’ll be back in a little bit to take you to x-ray to see how your internal damage is. The shoulder is a hell of a place to get a wound like you received. I was expecting to tell you that you might get limited use of the shoulder in the future. Is there any pain or limited range of motion?”
Caleb tried to keep a straight face when he replied. “I’m tired as hell from that and killing Zs early this morning. If I could get some uninterrupted sleep, like a couple days, I’d be golden.” He saw Conrad’s concerned look and felt like crap for the lie.
“After I get the x-rays done, I’ll decide from there the best course of action. I’ll give you time to finish your meal and be back in a half hour. The doctor was jotting some notes on a clipboard and just nodded in lieu of saying goodbye. Conrad didn’t say anything and Caleb thought he was onto his game, and then sensed the tough old captain was actually concerned.
“We started to move personnel out of the airport. The area west of the river that separates the town is where we’re initially setting up living quarters. I had a couple of my guys move your stuff to a hotel near the guard armory. It’s mainly officers and aircrew for now. When the rest of the town is more secure, they’ll most likely billet everyone in houses. When the doc’s done with you, I’ll take you over so you can see where it’s at and then I’ll drive you back to the base so you can get your truck.”
Conrad smiled an evil grin that made Conrad involuntarily shudder. “Remember those two civilians you caught ripping off your truck? They’ve been sentenced to three years labor. With bodies being a little hard to come by, they are doing their three years of labor working at a coal-fired electric plant. The irony there is that one of them used to work there and recently and left after getting a major in Feminist Studies. Both of them will be on the honor system and work twelve hour days five days a week and get to live in a regular house. The only restriction is no alcohol, since that’s what got them there; if they’re caught with any alcohol, it doubles their sentence and they go to an unpleasant job.”
“Excuse me please,” An orderly stood in the doorway with a portable x-ray machine, “Don’t mind me, I’m just setting up the x-ray machine for Dr Abrams.” She wheeled the machine to the side of the bed, then extended the arms, the entire time ignoring the two men. Caleb tried to ignore her, but she was able to make her scrubs look hot. He realized he was paying too much attention when Conrad spoke up.
“I’ll just wait outside and not get in the way.” Conrad gave Caleb a look of disappointment before he turned and walked out.
“That’s a good friend you have there. He spent most of your first night here waiting for you to wake up.”She slid his table away from the bed, “Now, wrap your arms around my neck so I can help you sit up better.” Caleb tried not to look down the front of her scrubs.
“Ma’am, I can get up okay. I’d hate to do any damage to my arm by grabbing you around the neck,” He hit the button on the bed and scooted himself into an upright sitting position, “See, I told you, no problem.”
“You did good, can you get your top off as easily?” She was positioned to bend over again. He closed his eyes tightly and pulled it off. She noticed and assumed he was in minor discomfort, “Don’t be a hero for me, if you need help just say something.
“Ma’am, you ever notice something that you can’t take your eyes off, no matter how hard you try? Well, when you bend over towards me…”
“Good, I see everyone is ready here. Let’s do it!” Abrams said. The orderly realized what Caleb had been trying to tell her and her face turned bright red. Caleb felt like crap. When the girl moved behind him to position him, he then realized she was angry, not embarrassed, as she moved him forcefully with a firm grip.
“I have it from here. You can come back later for the machine.” The girl practically sprinted from the room. Abrams quickly finished taking the x-rays, never noticing the girl’s quick departure from the room.
Conrad came back into the room; he didn’t say anything as he sat down. Caleb wanted to explain his problem and instead sat in silence, knowing he would only anger the older man.
“If I didn’t have the original x-rays from when you were brought in, I’d swear you were never shot. There’s no sign of any muscle damage, and where there was trauma to your bone, I can’t find anything. I’d bet if you came in here in another day, that there’d be no scarring to your chest or shoulder either. Your body is working overtime to repair you, so I can understand your tiredness. I want you to stay in quarters for forty-eight hours to rest. Return here immediately if you have any pain or complications. Captain Conrad, since I don’t seem to have a patient at the moment, why don’t you follow me over to an examination room and we’ll take a look at that leg of yours.
Conrad gave a hostile look at Caleb as he rose from his chair to follow the doctor. Caleb could sense fear or apprehension coming from the old captain and was surprised. I thought nothing could scare that old bastard.
Abrams ignored Conrad as he collected a few supplies from the cabinet. Conrad dropped his pants and sat on the exam table. Abrams sat down on the stool in front of Conrad, “This may hurt.” He pulled the bandage off. That hurt as much from pulling hairs as the skin around the wound being pulled. “That’s a nice scab that formed already. Have you been taking the antibiot
ics and pain killers?”
“I’ve been taking the antibiotics, but avoided taking any pain killers. I’ve just taken Motrin when it’s too bad. I have to stay clear-headed. Son of a …” Conrad stopped himself as the scab was removed.
“Sorry about that. It looks like there’s some still some tenderness, that’s to be expected. The wound will heal better and faster without the scab slowing it down. This new dressing has Calcium of Alginate with Antimicrobial Silver Abrams that should cut down on your healing time. Too bad you can’t heal like your lieutenant in the other room. I wonder what else his body is able to do?
Well, we’re done; you are healing nicely, no sign of infection. I want you to change your bandages every other day and I’ll see you back here in a week. If you have any complications or problems, I want you to come in as soon as you can. I’ll prepare a small bundle for you to take with you. I’ll leave it at the nurse’s station.” Abrams turned and washed his hands while Conrad dropped off the exam table, feeling a twinge of pain, then pulled up his pants. Out in the hall he could see Caleb waiting for him by the nurse’s station, wearing a pair of scrubs and flip flops, holding the bag containing his cut up uniform. The elastic on his scrub bottoms did a poor job of hiding the concealed automatic that he’d picked up the night before.
“Are you still stealing weapons? I know they stripped you of all your weapons when you came in here, so spill!” Caleb’s face turned red as he tried to phrase what he did in the best light possible.
“After last night, having to fight first an idiot then the Zs, I swore I wouldn’t let myself have to rely on anyone ever again. I got this 9 mil from the Z I shot in the head last night. He wasn’t using it and it made me feel safer. If you’d seen the kid in a security uniform last night, you’d understand.”
“Probably as safe as I feel around kids fresh out of tech school with a chip on their shoulder and attitude to go with it. Remember every time I’ve been shot has been by a defender either on the range or like when you found me back at Peterson, trying not to bleed to death in a men’s room. Now lose the attitude and transfer that nine to your bag before you drop it and most likely shoot me with it. When I get my stuff from the doc, I’ll drive you by the hotel they have you billeted in before taking you out to the airport so you can submit your paperwork for invalid leave. I’d highly recommend you use that time to do up an After Action Report describing the circumstances of when you were shot and your mission.”
“Captain Conrad, here’s your supplies. I included instructions, though I think you have enough practice from your past already.” Abrams then handed Caleb a document. “And there is your quarter’s letter. I want you to take it easy and rest for the next forty-eight hours. If you find yourself with any pain or complications, I want you to return here immediately.” Caleb grabbed the letter guiltily, wishing he’d never asked for it.”
“Come on, Caleb, some of us have to get back to work.” Conrad said jovially, though Caleb felt like he’d just been insulted. He followed behind his friend, trying not to appear to sulk.
At the exit door in emergency, a janitor was power washing the concrete. The windows were still smeared with blood. The bullet that had gone through the head of the infected security guard was still imbedded in the glass door.
“Sir, sir,” Conrad stopped to see who was calling him when the young security guard ran towards the two of them. “Thanks again for being a hero last night. I noticed you commandeered my partner’s automatic. I thought you might want these as well.” The kid held out three black leather magazine pouches and a tiny black holster. “I don’t ever want to see his weapon again, and I was going to throw these away when I saw you. One magazine doesn’t mean much in these days. I got through to my new boss and said I was walking if I didn’t get a .45 instead of the relic I have. My report doesn’t state what happened to the automatic.” The guard reminded Caleb of a puppy dog wanting to please its owner.
“Um, thank you, son. Remember what I told you last night and take care of yourself.” Caleb guessed he was two, maybe three years older than the guard, yet felt it natural to call him son.
“I see what you mean about last night. That kid should still be attached to his momma’s front. Even though the town is considered safe, everyone is encouraged to carry their personal side arms when in the town or local area.”Conrad climbed into an all white SUV with ‘Douglas Police’ markings. “Like my temporary ride? When they get the police department manned again, I’ll return it to the city. Four wheel drive and a very comfortable ride at that, even came with that Remington Model 870 that looks like it’s seen a lot of service. I bet the locals borrowed their service weapons to go hunting. Buckle up.” Conrad drove around the hospital and headed west on Center Street.
“I thought the bridge was not serviceable after that Stryker was destroyed on it.” Caleb asked apprehensively as they came closer to the bridge.
“Our engineers patched the hole and certified the bridge as safe. I hear after all the infected that were put down there that the fishing is really good there.” Caleb felt himself stiffen as the SUV began go across the bridge. He could see where the concrete repair was whiter that the dull gray concrete around it, otherwise everything looked perfectly normal. “With the majority of our personnel on the west side of the river, it was decided that the bridge was a high priority item. You can see your new home from here; do you see that second three story building on the right? Well, that’s your new home; they even cleaned the indoor heated pool and hot tub. You have a suite on the third floor. Caleb tried to catch himself his excitement at word of an indoor pool, memories from friends celebrating their birthdays at hotels and having pool parties, and the wish to do the same throughout his childhood.
“Here’s the keycard and general information about the hotel.” Conrad pointed to a folder between their seats. That hotel is mainly aircrews and company grade officers. Don’t plan on getting too comfortable.” Conrad didn’t mention he was in the room next to Caleb.
Security was still in full force when they arrived at the airport. Conrad was waved through when they recognized first his SUV, then him behind the wheel. “You can see most of the tents have been taken down. There’s a rotating security force that stays here and the kitchen has been kept here until the headquarters section moves over to a police academy near here. They’ll still use this location for processing folks escaping from the Zs. They give quick physicals and then check them out for skills, from there they set them up with employment, housing and food. It seems more than a few had also embraced the dark side.”
“How did you know the new folks had committed crimes?” Caleb thought of the looting he’d done on his journey from Peterson AFB. He still had a good supply of food, tobacco, and booze.
“We interview survivors and those that had been robbed or assaulted, we kept their reports in the event the criminals came here. We’re not worried about looting stores. Hell that’s probably the country’s new pastime. But life is rough and you don’t screw over your fellow survivors.
There’s your truck, give me the paperwork the doc gave you and I’ll take it to your orderly room; that way they won’t keep you the rest of the day filling out other paperwork. Now, get out of here before someone sees you and decides they need something.
Caleb got into his truck and the smell once again got to him. I have to clean my baby. He looked behind the seats and saw his small stash of weapons were still safe. Then he thought about the nice hot pool waiting for him, before he thought of all Conrad had done for him, and he was actually still recovering from his wounds, yet doing his duty each day. His mood changed to guilt as he was waved through by the security at the gate.
Chapter 21
Converse Airport, Wyoming. April 6, 2029
The tumbleweeds that blew across the field in front of General Peters seemed to emphasize the airport was rapidly drawing down. The headquarters and support shops were still there, along with all the aircraft support elements. The w
ind was picking up and he was glad to be wearing his Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform. He still thought of them as just cammies, better than wearing a flight suit. He stopped and just appreciated that things were quiet, none of the generators were close to him and the air was fresh. I hope this is the right day to do this. I’ve most likely waited too long already. William thought back to just five days earlier.
While still at Peterson AFB, General Tullos looked older than his fifty-eight years as he turned to Peters. “Willy Pete, I have a mission for you. I’m implementing ‘Operation Phoenix’. With the resources we have here, you will take all unwounded personnel, and any you find, and get the hell off this base while you can. You will head for Douglas City, Wyoming. There you will set up operations, assume command of all military units, regardless of service, available to you. If you find a unit with a senior commander to you, you will put yourself and your operation under their command to the best of your ability. You will align your command under the National Command Authority. If unable to do that, you will establish a base of operations to clear out the infected to the best of your ability, per my verbal orders.” The general handed Peters the bloody briefcase the sergeant had handed him earlier. “In this case you will find the codes and instructions for all our space-based assets along with portable drives with the necessary data. Looks like you are now the Commander of Space Command.”
“Sir, Operation Phoenix was a joke. It was an excuse for me to go fly-fishing in Wyoming, and visit my kids from my first marriage. I didn’t think we’d ever have to start over on a clean slate.” Peters argued back.
“Willy Pete, I want to see your hairy ass off my base in one hour. Try to save as many of our troops as possible. Now, the correct response from you will be…” The general shook for a minute as though he was having an epileptic seizure. He then sat quietly for a minute with his eyes closed. When he opened his eyes, the pupils were fully dilated, none of his blue iris was any longer visible. He started to drool while looking off into the space.
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