Later in the week, Bill called his secretary into his office. “Allison, I need to schedule a meeting for tomorrow morning. I need everyone here.”
“What time?”
“0800. Advise them that there will be some changes taking place that need to be discussed.”
“Yes, sir.”
Allison switched on the speaker system. “May I have everyone’s attention? Tomorrow morning there will be a mandatory meeting for everyone at 0800 in the meeting room. Please do not be late.”
Later in the day, Tracy and her cousin were talking about the meeting. “Well, I’ll have to say, I’m a little nervous.”
“Why is that?”
“It just seems like every time we have a meeting we are always getting some kind of bad news, it’s never anything good. Not only that, I overheard someone saying that Bill is a colonel.”
“What?”
“Yes, they said he was a lifer, he was just months away from retirement. But this meeting has me worried.”
“Ya’, I am starting to think I agree with you, Tracy.”
Some of the other younger folks saw Tracy and her cousin talking and joined them.
“So what kind of crap do you think they’re gonna shove down our throats now?” Ben asked.
Glaring at him Tracy said, “You know Ben, you don’t always have to be so pessimistic. Just because were having another meeting doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be something bad. Maybe if you started looking at the glass of water being half-full instead of half-empty you might actually be able to find a little happiness in your life.”
“Oh, isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black. I just overheard you two talking and you were saying exactly the same thing I’m saying. It’s okay for you to be pessimistic but God forbid anybody else is.”
“Alright fine Ben, you caught me, I was talking negatively about the meeting. But it just seems like you always have something negative to say about everything, and I’m sick of hearing it. So just because I was talking negatively doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the same. I’m not always negative about everything that’s going on around here like you are.”
“Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, burn.” Michael slapped Ben’s shoulder as others started laughing.
“Shut up Michael or I’ll shut you up.”
“Hey bro, if you think your man enough step up and I’ll knock your ass out!”
“Michael I’m telling you, you’d better shut the hell up!”
The two young men started to approach one another and Tracy stepped between them. “All right you two let’s just calm down! Things are getting a bit out of hand here.”
“No Tracy, I’m tired of Ben always acting like an arrogant ass!”
“Screw you Michael, you think you’re so big and bad but you ain’t nothing but a punk. Tell your little girlfriend to get out of the way and I will prove to you you’re not so tough!”
“Seriously you two,” Tracy began, “knock it off. We should be looking out for one another, not trying to fight each other. If anyone outside these gates finds out about us God only knows what they will try to do. Why don’t you two think about that for a moment?”
“Awe isn’t that cute, Michael’s little girlfriend has to try to step up and protect him so he doesn’t get beat down.”
Michael reached around Tracy and punched Ben square in the side of his jaw. Ben’s head whipped then snapped back to the center. Ben shoved Tracy out of the way and closed the distance on Michael. Just at that moment the Bill stepped between the two young men.
“Just what the hell do you two think you’re doing? Break it up now.”
“That jerk just punched me in the face.”
“I know Ben. I saw what happened. So what started all this?”
“Ben was being completely rude to Tracy and then started running his mouth to me. He just wouldn’t stop and he finally pushed me to that point I punched him in his face to shut him up.”
“Ben, what do you have to say about it?”
“We’ll first of all, Tracy was being a complete BITCH!”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on right their son, first of all you never talk about a lady like that because if you do, next time you’ll have to deal with me. Do you understand me son?” Bill stared the young man down.
Ben’s fists were clinched and his face was filled with anger.
“Son, you’d better unclench your fist then answer my question!”
“Screw you! I’m the one who gets punched in the face and you’re taking his side? This is complete bullshit, I’m out of here.” Ben walked away shaking his head and mumbling to himself.
“All right everyone the show is over, I want everybody to head back to their rooms and let’s call it a night I will deal with Ben in the morning after he has had time to cool down.”
With some grumbling everyone turned to head back to their rooms for the night.
Once back in their apartment Tracy looked at her cousin and shook her head. “Oh my gosh can you believe that just happened.”
“I know right! That was totally insane, but honestly Ben had that coming. He is always such a jerk!”
“I know. I wish it hadn’t come to that, but it is nice that somebody put that guy in his place.”
“Tracy weren’t you scared being in the middle of those two like that?”
“Yeah I guess a little, but it was so chaotic I really didn’t have time to think about it. It’s been a crazy night let’s get to bed. I’m tired.”
“I’m pretty tired myself. I’ll see you in the morning goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
***
The next morning everyone was in the meeting room at 0800 sharp. There was tension in the room. Everyone had heard about the fight and people were afraid that more nerves would be frayed after the meeting.
Bill stepped up to the podium. “Alright everyone can I get your attention please? I would like to get this meeting started because I know a lot of you are anxious to hear what I have to say. So here’s the deal; starting tomorrow everyone from the age of thirteen to fifty and who has been medically cleared to do so will start physical training at 0600 sharp, Monday through Friday.”
Ben stood up. “This is frickin’ BS!”
“Ben, before you start on a rant please let me finish.”
“No! I will not let you finish! First off I am forced to come here against my will and now you’re telling me I have to get up and work out five days a week, I won’t do it. I am so sick and tired of being told what I have to do and when I have to do it, I’m done with this place.”
“Son you will sit down or I will come down there and sit you down myself, I really don’t think you want that.”
Ben’s face was red and he was filled with rage, but wisely he sat down.
“All right everyone. I get it. This is not going to be your favorite thing to do but this is necessary for our safety. We have to be physically fit in order to defend ourselves against a possible attack. Now with that being said not only will we be doing physical training we will also learn how to shoot automatic weapons, learn hand-to-hand combat, and some of you will be chosen to learn how to fly helicopters, drive tanks, and strikers. We are trying to get an F/A-18E Super Hornet and if that happens you will learn to fly that.”
“Wait.” A young man said standing up.
“Yes, Randy?”
“You have tanks and planes?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“They are in the hanger at the far end of the compound. It’s kept locked.”
“Why are they here? Why would they leave them?”
“For this very reason.”
“What?”
“Because they knew we would need a way to protect ourselves. If not in the immediate future, then we might need them in a year or so. They wanted to make sure we were safe.”
“Oh, wow. Okay sorry Colonel, I mean Bill. Thanks.”
“The rumors have finally made it full ci
rcle, huh? Yes, I am a colonel. Now I know this is a lot to take in and believe me when I say if this was not absolutely necessary I would not ask this of you. With that being said I would like to introduce Captain Munez.”
Captain Munez stepped up to the podium. “Ladies and gentlemen as the colonel just mentioned, my name is Captain Munez. I will be the one who is directly in charge of your training. Just so you are aware I am not your friend when you show up to training, you will do as you are told. If you get out of line I will personally put you back in line. My only function in life is to turn you maggots into soldiers. I will break you down to your very core and will push you further and harder than you have ever been pushed before. Once I have broken you down I will then build you back up into a fierce fighting machine. Let this be a warning; if any one decides to have an outburst like that young man had at the beginning of this meeting there will be hell to pay.”
The captain looked directly at Ben. “Do you understand me?
Ben returned the captains glare. “Yea.”
“Listen here maggot, when you address me it will be with sir, yes, sir or sir, no, sir! Do you understand?”
Ben seethed with anger. “Sir, yes, sir.”
“That’s better, now we’re getting somewhere. I will see you all Monday morning at 0600 sharp. Do not be the late, you are dismissed.”
Everyone got up and started to filter out of the meeting room, at this point everyone at the compound new life as they knew it was about to change.
***
Monday had arrived. Everyone stood in their rows at 0600 waiting for roll call. Captain Munez called off the names on the list. When he got to Ben there was no answer.
“Where the hell is that maggot! I told everyone 0600 sharp! Private Patterson.”
“Yes, Captain Munez.”
“Take over.”
“Sir, yes sir.”
“Let’s begin with jumping jacks; 1,2,3,1; 1,2,3,2; 1,2,3,3; 1,2,3,4; 1,2,3,5…”
Physical training was underway and Captain Munez was on a mission to find Ben. He walked to Ben’s apartment and knocked solidly on the door.
“Who is it.”
“Captain Munez.”
“What do you want?” Ben opened the door just enough to see the captain.
Captain Munez pushed it open all the way. “You need to come with me.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
“Yes you are. You’re going to talk to the Colonel.” He motioned for Ben to leave the apartment.
“Why?”
“If you want I can make you go the hard way.”
“I’ll go, it won’t do you any good, but I’ll go.”
Ten minutes later they were standing in Bill’s office. “Sir, Ben has refused to join PT. I had to go to his apartment and all but drag him here.”
“Ok, Captain, leave him to me.”
“Yes, Colonel.” He left the office, glaring at the young man the entire time.
“Have a seat Ben.”
Ben sat down and stared at the Colonel.
“Why weren’t you at physical training this morning?”
“Listen Bill, I mean Colonel.”
“Bill is fine.”
“Okay, well I’m sorry about the other day. I was just all worked up and agitated. I’m not used to people telling me what to do and when I have to do it. I’m really not a bad guy. I just think I’m having trouble acclimating. So I didn’t go to physical training this morning because I just didn’t want to be there.”
“Listen Ben, I get it. This is all new and it’s going to take some time for you to adjust. If I didn’t have to ask you guys to do this, believe me, I wouldn’t. But I feel down the road we are all going to be happy we received some training.”
“How mad was Captain Munez?”
“Oh let’s just say he isn’t very happy. I’ll make you a deal Ben, if you show up tomorrow for training and you’re on time I will have a talk with Captain Munez and tell him not to ride you too hard about not showing up today. Do we have a deal?”
“All right Bill, I will be there on time tomorrow and I will be on my best behavior. I get it, you just want to make sure that we’re all safe and can protect ourselves if it comes to that.”
Standing he added, “Thank you for giving me a second chance. I know you could have just thrown me too the wolves, and I appreciate that you didn’t do that to me.”
“Okay Ben, I’m going to go talk to Captain Munez and maybe you should think about apologizing to Tracy and the guy you got into a fight with.”
“Yes, sir.”
The colonel walked around his desk and held out his hand. “Thank you Ben.”
“Thank you, sir.” Ben shook the offered hand.
***
Bill found Captain Munez at the parade grounds supervising PT.
“Captain Munez! May I have a word with you please?”
“Yes, sir.”
Once he was closer to Bill the captain added, “Colonel, did you have a talk with that worthless maggot!”
“Yes, Captain Munez, I did. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I talked with Ben and he is just having some trouble adjusting.”
“Well Colonel, that isn’t my problem. What it is my problem, is turning that worthless sack of shit into a soldier.”
“Captain Munez, while I understand what you’re objective is you need to understand that no one here signed up for this. I talked with Ben and he will be at training tomorrow at 0600 sharp. I need you to forget about today and allow Ben to start fresh tomorrow.”
“Well Colonel, I can’t—”
“Captain Munez, that was not a request. It was in order do you understand me.”
“Yes, Colonel.”
Colonel Bill and Captain Munez saluted one another and went their separate ways.
On Tuesday, true to his word, Ben was on time and ready to start physical training. When they were done Captain Munez gathered them all together.
“All right! Now we’re going to learn hand-to-hand combat. For this I will need a volunteer.” Everyone in the group looked at each other, no one wanted to step forward.
Captain Munez was irritated by the fact that no one would volunteer. “Are you telling me there isn’t a single person in this group that has the gonads to volunteer?”
Everyone in the group continued to look at one another, hoping someone would step up to the task. Just as Captain Munez was about to speak again someone raised their hand.
“Well I’ll be damned. It appears we do have someone in this group that has a pair.”
Everyone was looking around to see who had volunteered.
“Come on up here son.”
To everyone’s surprise the brave volunteer was Ben.
“Well, well, well, looky what we got here. Boy, after yesterday I was going to have you checked out by a doctor just to make sure you had a set.”
“Sir, yes, sir, I have a set. I am here to be trained and become a soldier so I can protect myself and others.”
“Well, all right maggot let’s make you a soldier then. I want you to come up behind me and grab me around my neck.” Ben did as he was told and came up behind the Captain and wrapped his arms around his neck.
“Come on sissy boy, squeeze like you mean it.”
Ben did as he was told and squeezed as hard as he could. The captain reached up and grabbed Ben’s arm with both of his hands. In one fluent motion the captain pushed his butt outwards into Ben’s midsection and leaned forward. With that, Ben’s feet went over his head and he landed on his back in front of the captain with a thud. Ben started coughing and curled up into a ball.
“Doesn’t feel good having the wind knocked out if you, does it maggot?”
Ben shook his head no while the rest of the group looked on in complete shock.
“All right. I want the rest of you turds to pair up and practice.”
The group did as they were told. Once he felt they had one move down he would teach them a new tactic. Th
ey practiced until 0900 then the captain said, “Alright maggots go get some breakfast and then meet me at the shooting range at 1000 hours.’
“Sir, yes, sir.” The group shouted.
After breakfast the group did as they were instructed and met Captain Munez at the shooting range. “I’m going to show you how to properly, and safely, handle a firearm. First rule, always make sure the barrel of the firearm is pointed away from yourself and others. If you point the barrel at anyone you will be doing pushups until your little girly arms turn to jello. Do I make myself clear?”
“Sir, yes, sir.”
Captain Munez showed the group how to properly handle, load, fire, and reload a firearm. Once everyone in the group was comfortable handling a weapon they began shooting practice. Captain Munez would walk up and down the rows and give correction to those who needed it.
“Ben.”
“Sir, yes, sir?”
“I’ll have to say for a twinkle toed pansy you’re a pretty good shot.”
“Sir, thank you Captain, sir.”
Once the group learned and mastered what they were being taught they would move on to something new. As days turned into weeks the group was starting to look and act more like soldiers and less like civilians. Now that the group had mastered the standard training they began to move on to specialized training such as driving the tanks and strikers, flying helicopters and airplanes, or using RPG’s and grenades.
It gave everyone in the compound, even those who were too old or not healthy enough to get trained, a sense of security knowing they could fight off an attack against them.
Chapter Seventeen
A Bigger Family
Although still under a state of emergency, the United States began its recovery. The military was still very visible, but for the most part everyday life was becoming as normal as it could be considering everyone looked the same. It was rather eerie to look at someone and not be able to know if you were casual acquaintances or not. Everyone started to look for ways to make themselves stand out from all the others.
The flux was still making its rounds changing people in good and bad ways, but it seemed to be slowing. The changes seemed to be more in the genetic make-up of diseases that had not altogether fluxed out.
Genetic Flux (Phase One Book 1) Page 17