Ann started up the Humvee. They have left the area clean. Pulling up toward the road, Ann told Camille to lay her gun on her lap. The adults and children just seem to be hapless victims of the EMP strike. These are desperate times with desperate people. With the engine running, Ann decided to exit the vehicle.
“Hello, what’s up?” Ann asked.
“Are you sent from the military to help us?” the spokesman asked.
“Just a forward scouting expedition; we are gathering information,” Ann said in a calculated manner.
“See that fire? That is a whole apartment complex burning to the ground. Hundreds of families are homeless. Where are they going to sleep? Eat? How are they going to live?” the spokesman said with anger.
“I don’t know,” Ann said with a sad look on her face.
“Those damn young thugs. They need to be shot. We can’t even go to the armory. They intercept us and take everything. Young girls are raped. A few have been killed,” the spokesman said with a tear.
“What about the commander at the armory?” Ann asked.
“The major? He is a piece of army bureaucratic crap! We told him what is going on. He stated they are understaffed and he had to follow orders,” the spokesman said in disgust.
Ann shook her head. She got up and walked around for a few minutes. Her mission is to see everyone delivered safely to a westward tent city. She glanced at the motley bystanders. Next she looked at William and Camille. Ann put her finger up to the bystanders to signal Give me just one moment. She then walked back to the Humvee. Arriving at the door with Camille, Ann put the palms of her hand on the door.
“Look, guys, my mission is to see all of you safely to a tent city. I really think I need to talk to this major. Something is very wrong. “People are dying,” Ann said in a slow and worried tone.
Camille seemed to understand. William, on the other hand, had a real worried look on his face. Ann did not want to ask or debate with William or Camille. She had to look at the big picture. Yes, Fred’s life is important. At the same time, the lives of hundreds might be saved. Bottom line: It is for the good of the many than just for the one. There is an old saying: “It’s lonely being at the top.” When the buck stops and your left to make the decision, you fall or rise with the outcome. When a pro team has a bad season, they fire the coach. The same goes for the CEO of a company. If profits are way down, often it is bye-bye!
Ann walked backed. She carefully and slowly gazed at the whole motley crew. They in turn had their eyes and hopes on Ann. Not only were they badly dressed, but there was a ghastly appearance to their body frames. After a few seconds of silence, she turned to the spokesman.
“Let’s go. You can come with us. I need to talk to this major. The rest of you, I want you to sign your name on this piece of paper. I am going to see that you get some supplies,” Ann said with authority.
The spokesman climbed in the back with William and Fred. It is a tight fit, but the ride is hopefully short. William found his body odor a little offensive. Better that he just kept quiet. The spokesman showed Ann the directions.
Hopefully, if all goes well, they should be there in twenty-five minutes. Driving along, Ann noticed that the large fire seemed to be turning into a real whirlwind of black smoke. It is not a good omen.
Taking many turns and watching out for debris, everyone in the Humvee heard screams. Sounded like a young girl and an older woman. Ann at this point drove a little slower and alerted all inside to be quiet. Making the turn, Ann and Camille put their guns on their lap. William put a rifle across his lap, with the barrel pointing to the outside window. The spokesman and Fred both seemed to have a worried look on their faces.
Coming into a clearing, Ann saw a group of civilians. They were coming back from the armory. The food and supplies were spilled all over the ground. Two thugs with guns were violating the young girl. Not only is the mother screaming, but she is holding onto her son. Her son wanted to protect his sister, but her mother is afraid he will be shot. The screaming helped stifle the sounds of the Humvee.
“That’s the same two thugs who raped and killed a young girl last week. It is why we are afraid to go the armory,” the spokesman cried out.
Ann stopped the Humvee fifty feet before the group. Besides the mother, daughter, and son, there were four others. There is an elderly man, a middle-aged woman, and two teenage boys. Instinctively, Ann and Camille opened their door and walked out with their guns. William opened the rear door and exited with his rifle. He then went in front of the Humvee and kneeled. He raised his rifle and pointed it toward the two thugs. He is determined to give cover to Ann and Camille.
Ann has taught Camille to use two hands on her gun. It is more accurate when firing. The elderly man and two teenaged boys noticed them coming. One of the thugs saw the elderly man and two teenage boys turn their head. He knew something is awry. He immediately saw Camille and Ann coming with their guns.
He also noticed the Humvee and William pointing his rifle at them. The thug is a coward. With just two women, he might have a chance in a firefight. With William kneeling with his rifle pointing at them, the thugs would both be dead.
The thug alerted his friend. He said, “Let’s get out of here.” The other thug looked up and was shocked. It is the army Humvee and William with the rifle that really frightened him. They started to run.
Bang! Ann shot her gun over their heads.
“Stop or we will shoot,” Ann yelled out loudly. Ann then turned sideward; Camille, mimicking her, did the same. This gave the thugs less of a body mass to shoot at. Ann then moved in closer. Camille and William stood their ground. Both thugs wore baggy pants just like all the other gangbangers.
“Drop your guns and put your hands on the top of your head,” Ann stated as she walked sideward, closer to the thugs.
At this point, Camille who is a good twenty feet behind Ann decided to also walk a little closer. After she finished, William followed their lead and did the same. Both of the thugs were acting erratically. Their twitching and body signs showed indecision. Ann seized the moment.
“Simple! You both need to drop your guns or you’re both dead,” Ann yelled in a commanding tone.
The younger thug threw his gun on the ground and put both his hands on his head. Camille then walked a little to her right. This gave the remaining thug a zero chance to survive a firefight. Looking at William and the Humvee told him the three of them are professionals.
“Okay, you win.” The remaining thug threw his gun on the ground. He then put his hands on his head.
“Step back five feet,” Ann commanded sharply.
Ann then walked up and kicked the two guns to the side. Still looking at them, she picked up both guns. At this point, the molested daughter ran to her mother. There, both her mother and brother hugged and cried.
“Now both of you drop your pants,” Ann stated while she put the guns under her belt.
“What? No!” yelled the older thug.
Bang! “Just do what the lady says,” Camille yelled as smoke came out of her gun.
Ann, with her gun still pointing at the two thugs, turned and looked at Camille. When the gun went off, Ann momentarily crouched her head. She muttered to Camille, “What the f——?”
Camille just stared at the thugs. The younger thug dropped his pants. He obviously peed in his pants. The older one decided it was a losing battle and complied with Ann’s wishes.
“Step back another five feet,” Ann commanded. At this point, the thugs were totally humiliated.” Camille! Would you mind checking their pockets?”
With a sour look, Camille obeyed. She did not want to go through the younger one’s pants. Ann threw her police gloves to Camille. She found extra clips of ammo and several narcotics.
Ann walked over to the distraught mother of the molested daughter.
“Have you ever fired a gun before?” Ann asked.
“Heavens no! Why?” the distraught mother retorted.
Ann too
k one of the guns that was under her belt. She handed it to her.
“Here, hold it with two hands. Always aim for the middle of their body.
Take a deep breath and exhale. As you exhale, pull the trigger. You go that?” Ann asked.
“I think so,” the distraught mother replied.
“Repeat what I just said,” Ann stated with a commanding voice.
The distraught mother took a deep breath and repeated exactly what Ann had said. With the situation under control, Ann told the two thugs to pick up their pants and never came this way again. Being a Massachusetts police officer, she has no authority to arrest anyone out of her state. The thugs thought that Ann and Camille were in the army. The distraught mother and the others thanked them profusely.
Time to continue on. Ann, William, and Camille climbed back into the Humvee. Once in the Humvee, Ann turned around and looked at Fred.
“You okay, Fred?” Ann asked with sympathy.
“Yes, I’m okay. Why didn’t you arrest the bad guys?” Fred asked.
“Do you watch a lot of TV, Fred?” Ann asked.
“I did, until William turned off our electricity,” Fred answered.
William just shook his head. Ann and Camille just smiled. They continued with their trip to the armory. The rest of the trip was uneventful. Finally they were in the sight of the armory. It was an army Humvee, so she decided to drive as close as she could. Ann stopped about fifty feet from the armory. It is a beehive of activity. There were two large army trucks that were being unloaded. Several miles away, the black smoke gave everyone a somber disposition. It seemed like they were behind enemy lines, and that the war was just ahead of them.
Ann noticed the portable bathrooms. She asked William to take Fred there. Next, Ann suggested to the spokesman that he get in line. Camille stayed with the Humvee, at least until someone else came back. She then grabbed her dossier and headed to whoever is in charge.
Sitting at a desk near the front door is a sergeant with a clipboard, a middle-aged man with a stout body frame. He is definitely a lifer in the army. The saying goes, “There is the right way, the wrong way, and then there is the army way.” The sergeant looked like he did everything by the book. Perhaps it is good for discipline and morale. In a way, Ann can relate to him. She and her husband have followed the rule book when it comes to law enforcement. But, after the EMP strike, she and her husband knew it was time to adapt in order to survive. It is the reason why Ann wanted to talk to the major. Time to adapt in this difficult circumstance.
“Sergeant, I would like an audience with the major,” Ann asked without showing any fear.
“Do you have an appointment with him?” the sergeant asked.
“No, I haven’t, but I have traveled a long way. I am on orders from the air base in Massachusetts.
“Your name?” the sergeant asked.
“Officer Ryan,” Ann replied. She did not want to say anything more to the sergeant; it would have compromised her meeting.
The sergeant looked at her. He saw no bars on her fatigue jacket. Her pants were not military. He seemed confused. The Humvee is definitely military and Camille also had a military jacket on.
“You wait here, and I will see if the major will talk to you,” the sergeant instructed as he went inside.
After five minutes, the sergeant finally came out. He walked down the steps. Looking at Ann, he stated, “The major will see you. You have five minutes of his time. Leave your gun with me.”
“Thanks,” Ann replied as she pulled out the gun she had holstered. The other gun she got from the thug was with Camille. She walked up the stairs and knocked on the door.
“Come in,” the major replied. He was sitting at the desk signing papers. The major is looking over the manifesto that was handed to him. It has a list of the supplies that were on the two trucks. Usually, a lieutenant or captain would have taken this assignment. But the military had to use what assets or personnel they had in the area. The major lives nearby and was home on leave when the EMP blast went off.
Ann walked right up to his desk. He lifted his eyes and noticed she is not military. Being straight by the book, he put his pen down and locked the palm of his hands behind his head.
“What can I do for you . . . Officer Ryan? Is that what you go by?” the major stated.
“Yes, I am Officer Ryan. I am a policewoman assigned to a Massachusetts police barracks. We have a good working relationship with the air base. I have been asked to be a liaison for the air base. I am traveling to the tent city west of here,” Ann stated.
“Fine, what’s that got to do with me?” the major asked.
“The supplies are not reaching the people who really need help. The thugs and gangs are intimating, stealing, and accosting the survivors,” Ann stated firmly.
“We are on orders to distribute supplies from the armory. We are short-staffed. It is sad, but there is nothing I can do about it,” the major replied.
“Yes, there is something you can do about it. You can set up a civilian auxiliary. Just supply them with transportation and a few weapons. They can help and everyone is happy,” Ann said cheerfully.
“Are you nuts? Supply the civilians with jeeps and guns? I don’t think so,” the major said in a loud and definite tone.
“Look, major, people are dying. We just saved a young girl from being raped.
We have already set up two collaboratives in Massachusetts. It works,” Ann stated as she put her dossier on the table.
“You’re wasting my time. I have no orders from command,” the major retorted. He refused to even look at her dossier. “Besides, I am not taking any orders from a civilian policewoman. Your time is up,” the major said in his arrogant and condescending tone.
Ann put her two hands on her dossier. She was ready to leave and turned to the major. “I am just going to have a few pictures of your armory and of me.
The commander of the air base had a digital camera flown in from central headquarters. He wanted to make sure I document everything. In four days, I have a meeting with someone who has two stars. I think you call it a two-star general. I will inform him of your attitude. He will be impressed that you did not look at the dossier. He will also be impressed that you did not want to take advice from a “civilian policewoman.”
The major was speechless. Ann just looked up at the major. As she touched the door handle, she turned to the major.
“Don’t worry about it, major. People are dying each day. I am sure the two-star general will give you a new assignment. Maybe an outpost for NORAD in northern Canada. Or maybe Cape Horn in South Africa. It should be like a Club Med vacation,” Ann said with a grin as she exited the armory.
Ann picked up her gun and walked quickly to the Humvee. She approached Camille.
“How did it go?” Camille asked.
“Quick! Grab the rifle with the scope. Bring the camera with you. Camille, I want you to shoulder the rifle. Next, I want you to take pictures of me and the armory. I will explain later. Please, do it right now.”
Camille exited the Humvee. She and Camille walked a good thirty feet.
Ann did not want the major to see Fred. She feels it will raise too many questions. Camille took the rifle. It had straps, so she shouldered it as Ann instructed her. Camille started to take pictures.
Inside the armory, the major is signing papers. A corporal is assisting the major. After a few seconds, the major stopped.
“Corporal, what is that Officer Ryan doing?” The major asked.
The corporal walked over to the window. With his two fingers, he parted the blinds, then turned around to the major.
“She is having someone take pictures of her. Another female with a scope rifle is also wearing a fatigue jacket. There are two men sitting in the back seat,” the corporal stated in a descriptive manner.
The major snapped his pen in two.
“Damn! Just wait here, corporal,” the major stated as he headed for the door.
Camille an
d Ann just finished and were turning around.
“Officer Ryan, hold on! I think I have been a little rash. Why don’t you bring that dossier inside so we can talk,” the major commented.
Ann did not want to humiliate the major. She turned to Camille and asked her to wait in the Humvee. They went inside and Ann laid out a feasible solution. Now the hapless victims and the military can coordinate a solution. Ann also told the Major that she has already given out two firearms. One to the distraught woman and one to the spokesman that accompanied them. It was a good meeting. The major took care of the spokesman. He had one of his men transport him back with supplies.
As Ann is meeting with the major, William got into the pharmacy line. He brought all of Fred’s medical records on the trip. When the major and Ann exited the armory, Ann went over to William. The sergeant was a little more receptive.
William did get a few vials of insulin, a few syringes, and a small number of blood pressure pills. It was more than enough to take care of Fred until they reached Tent City.
Ann started up the Humvee; they were glad to leave. The spokesman not only walked away with supplies; he also had a 9mm to protect him. Checking in the rearview mirror, Fred seems to be in a good state of mind. William is also happy he received the insulin and blood pressure pills for Fred.
Westward bound, that is what the needle on the compass is showing. Ahead they turned onto the major road that leaves the armory. The road has been cleared by the military. Countless vehicles were pushed aside. They were all mashed against the guardrails. Broken windows and mangled steel is all that is left of a once thriving highway. A real EPA nightmare.
Straight ahead is the massive fire that they have been fearing. With black smoke and ashes falling on the road, it seemed to act as an evil gatekeeper, an unwritten sign to stay away. What choice does Ann have? Behind her leads to NYC. The military seems to be blocking most roads. To the left or right, Ann would be heading back into the realm of the thugs. One encounter for today is enough. When you play Russian roulette, sooner or later the real bullet winds up in the chamber.
Like approaching a Mount St. Helens eruption, everyone could not only see the flames, but also feel the intensity of the heat. Carefully, Ann drove with her lights and wiper blades going. William put a handkerchief over his nose. Ann quickly got a bottle of water. She poured a little on everyone’s head just to stay cool. The main gate to the apartment complex seems to be obliterated. The sign melted away. As they were passing the apartment complex, one sign was still intact. It read: Stuck in Traffic? If you lived here, you would be home. Hopefully, they had fire insurance.
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