Bug Out! Texas Book 2: The New Republic

by Robert Boren

  “Don’t know. Highway 79 is right up ahead.”

  “There’s a sign for the Country Music Hall of Fame,” Kim said. “Ever been there?”

  “Nah,” Eric said. “Left turn ahead. This stretch gets tricky. Highway 79 jogs. Maybe it’s better now that the Hall of Fame is here. It’s on the road we need to take.”

  “Yeah, at least there’s plenty of signs to lead you to that road,” Kim said.

  He made the left turn, onto Sabine Road. “This is coming back to me fast. Hasn’t changed much in the last ten years.”

  “This is a nice town.” Kim said.

  “A little too sleepy for me,” Eric said. “The quiet can be good, though, I guess. Maybe this is a good place to ride out the troubled times.”

  “There’s a sign up there, for the Hall of Fame and Route 79. Take a right on Sycamore.”

  “Yeah, and then a left on Panola Street,” Eric said. He turned right and then left.

  “There’s the Hall of Fame,” Kim said. “Big brick building. Looks pretty nice.”

  “Yeah,” he said as they drove past it.

  “How much further to the park?”

  “Fifteen minutes,” Eric said. “Maybe less. We go under the freeway overpass, and through the country about five miles.

  “I see the freeway bridge up ahead,” Kim said. “Where does that go?”

  “Around the city,” Eric said.

  “Look, there’s an H-E-B, and some other shops.”

  “Yeah, we should come back here in the Bronco. You can get clothes, and we can get some groceries. We’re low on a few things.”

  They rode past that, into pasture land with occasional stands of trees and structures.

  “Big petro-plant,” Kim said, pointing to the left.

  “I remember that. We’re almost to the RV Park. It’s on the left, a mile down.”

  “I see the sign,” She pointed ahead. “See it?”

  “Yep, see it,” he said. He made the turn into the staging area and parked.

  “Not many amenities,” Kim said.

  “They have hook-ups. That’s all we need for an overnighter.”

  “Want me to take Paco out while you get us a spot?”

  “Sure,” he said. Both of them got out. Eric walked into the office as Kim took Paco around.

  “Hi,” Eric said as he walked to the counter. A middle aged woman leaned on it, smiling. She had dishwater blonde hair in a permanent, giving her a 1960s look, with an attractive figure for her age.

  “Hi yourself,” she said. “I’m Charlene. Need a space?”

  “Eric,” he said. “Yes, we need a spot for a Class C towing a Bronco. I’ve got a small dog.”

  “No problem,” she said. “You’re lucky. We were full up until last night.”

  “Really? Why’d everybody leave?”

  “Rumors that terrorists were on their way here,” she said. “Wish I could afford to clear out.”

  “That doesn’t sound good,” he said. “You actually see any terrorists, or we just talking rumors?”

  “Rumors,” she said. “Maybe people are just upset because of what happened in the big cities yesterday.”

  “Maybe,” Eric said, reaching for his wallet. “How much?”

  “Just one night? Thirty.”

  “You got Wi-Fi?”

  Charlene chuckled. “Yeah, we got it, but it’s slower than molasses in winter time. Good enough for e-mail, but that’s about it. It’s free, though.”

  “That’ll work for me,” Eric said.

  She slipped the tag to him with a map. “Wi-Fi password is on there. Don’t need codes for the restrooms or showers.”

  “Good, thanks,” he said. “Have a nice evening.”

  “You too,” she said.

  Eric walked to the rig, getting there as Kim brought Paco back.

  “All set?” she asked.

  “All set. How’d Paco do?”

  “Great,” she said.

  They got into the motor home and Eric drove to the spot.

  “Well, it is pretty,” Kim said. “Look at the trash cans. They’re almost full, but it doesn’t look like this place gets much business.”

  “The park was full yesterday, but people flew the coop last night,” Eric said. “The lady in the office said there’s been rumors of terrorists coming this way.”

  “Crap,” she said. “We gonna be safe here?”

  “I hope so, but we stay armed all the time,” Eric said. “Let’s get set up quick, and then make that store run.”

  “Okay,” Kim said.

  Eric got the hook-ups done in about five minutes, and then unhitched the Bronco, pulling it up next to the side door of the motor home.

  “You want me to feed Paco?” she asked out the door.

  “Yeah, go for it,” Eric said. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

  Eric got out and walked around the space, looking at the curtain of woods that bounded three sides of the park. Good place for an ambush. He went into the coach just as Kim was putting the food dish in front of Paco.

  “Everything okay?” she asked.

  “Yeah, I’m just nervous,” he said. “Ready to go?”

  “In a minute. I want to run a brush through my hair. Maybe we can get a bite to eat while we’re there. There was a pizza joint in that shopping center.”

  “I’m good with that,” Eric said.

  They locked the coach and took off in the Bronco as darkness approached.

  “Where we going tomorrow?” Kim asked.

  “I think we’re about five hours from Austin,” Eric said. “Maybe we ought to just go for it.”

  “Which road?” she asked.

  “It’s 79 the whole way,” Eric said.

  “Any good stops that are part way there?” she asked. “In case you don’t want to drive that far in one day?”

  “Marquez,” Eric said. “That’s about half way. Pretty small town. Maybe we ought to listen to the radio tonight. I don’t know where the dangerous places are, but you can bet there are some, with everything going on.”

  “There’s the shopping center.”

  “Good,” Eric said. “Look, there’s a Sears outlet over there. I think they have cell phones.”

  “Really?” Kim asked. “I’d love to get phones. Think we can keep them from getting hacked again?”

  “If we’re careful,” Eric said. “Let’s get clothes, then phones, then go to H-E-B, then get pizza on the way out. Get one big enough for leftovers. Cold pizza is good food for the road.”

  “Sounds good, honey,” she said, watching him again as he parked the Bronco. He caught her watching.

  “What?” he asked.

  “I’m so happy,” she said.

  “Even with all of this?”

  “I’d rather be in this world with you than anywhere else without you,” she said.

  He smiled at her. “C’mon, let’s go.”

  They got out of the Bronco and went clothes shopping. Eric’s eyes darted around while Kim was trying things on, but he tried to hide his nervousness while she was with him. Something wasn’t right. Everybody was scared. He could smell it.

  “I think these will hold me,” Kim said, coming out of the changing room with a bundle of clothes. “Not that much I like here.”

  “Okay,” Eric said. They paid, and then walked over to the Sears outlet. It was closed.

  “Dammit,” Kim said, “Guess we have to go without phones for a little longer.”

  “Surprised they’re closed and the clothing place is open,” Eric said, “Strange.” His eyes continued to dart around as they walked to the H-E-B.

  “You’re really nervous,” she said, watching his face.

  “I’m okay, sweetie,” he said, “Just tired.”

  “Talk to me,” she said. “Don’t shut me out. I can take it.”

  Eric sighed. “Okay. Everybody here is scared. Can’t you feel it?”

  “No, but it does bother me that the place is so deserted,�
� she said. “You think we’re okay?”

  “Yeah, but I’m glad we’re almost done.” They walked into the grocery store and froze, looking at half-empty shelves and harried checkers.

  “Now I’m scared,” Kim said. “Looks like a hurricane is coming. Seen that more than once in Florida. And now it’s deserted.”

  “I know,” Eric said. “Let’s get what we need and get the hell out of here.”

  She nodded, and they grabbed a cart and raced through the store. The canned goods were almost gone, but there was still perishable and frozen food left. They took what they had to the checkout. The checker was relieved to see somebody. She was a heavy-set brunette, about thirty years old.

  “Sorry we’re so short on stuff,” she said. “Got a truck coming in, but not till tomorrow afternoon.”

  “People are hoarding, aren’t they?” Kim asked.

  “Yeah,” she said as she moved items over the reader. “I stocked up, but I don’t know why. All we got is rumors at this point. The problems have been way east and south, except for what happened in Dallas.”

  “Are people leaving town?” Eric asked.

  “Some, but most are just hunkering down.” She finished scanning the items and totaled them. Eric paid, and they pushed the cart out to the Bronco.

  “Less cars here than there were,” Kim said.

  “You’re right,” Eric said. “Could just be because it’s getting later.”

  “Maybe,” she said. “We still getting pizza?”

  “I’m game, but if you’d rather get back I’m fine with it.”

  She thought about it for a moment. “It’s okay, let’s get the pizza.”

  “All right,” Eric said. They got into the Bronco and drove it around to the front of the shopping center. The pizza joint was dark.

  “It’s closed,” Kim said. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “Yeah,” Eric said, getting on Route 79 and racing all the way home, the dark road deserted. Both of them were relieved when they pulled next to their motor home.

  “You gonna hitch the Bronco back up?” Kim asked.

  “I want to think about it a little,” Eric said, getting out. He went to the tailgate and opened it, grabbing several bags. Kim took a few more, and they went inside with them.

  “Couple more out there,” Kim said.

  “I’ll get them and lock up.”

  “Okay.” She put things away as Paco watched her.

  Eric came back in. “I’m not going to hitch it back up, just in case we have to leave in a hurry. We’ll never get away in this motor home.”

  “Makes sense,” Kim said. “Let’s have the frozen mac ‘n cheese for dinner, okay? We can microwave it.”

  “Fine by me,” he said.

  “You want a beer?”

  “No, I’d rather stay straight tonight. You go ahead if it’ll calm you down, though.”

  “I’ll pass. Why don’t you try the radio?”

  “I’ll do that,” Eric said.

  “Wonder if the Wi-Fi is any good?”

  “Charlene said it sucked, but it’s good enough for e-mail,” Eric said. “I’ll try it. Need to check my e-mail. Might be something from Jason.”

  “Turn on the radio first, okay?” Kim asked as she checked dinner. “Food’s almost done.”

  “Good.” Eric went to the driver’s seat and turned on the dash radio. He hit seek on the AM band, skipping over the scratchy country-western stations and religious sermons. He found a network affiliate and turned it up. “Almost to the top of the hour. Should be something.”

  “Thanks, honey,” she said, walking to meet him as he left the driver’s seat. She put her arms around his waist and pulled him close, kissing him passionately. He moaned and leaned into her. She broke the kiss and looked into his eyes. “I’m scared.”

  “It’ll be okay,” he said. “We’re off the beaten path here. We’ll be fine overnight.”

  “Unless we aren’t,” she said. “I’ll want you tonight.”

  “Good,” he said.

  The microwave dinged. Kim glanced at it. “Should be ready. I’ll dish it up.”

  “Thanks,” he said. “Nothing on the news we didn’t already know about.”

  “Turn it off, then. We can always check out the web on your laptop later.”

  They ate their meal quietly. Paco came over, whining.

  “He wants to go out,” Kim said.

  “I know,” Eric said. “Want to go?”

  “Yeah,” she said. They hooked Paco to his leash and went out into the cool night air. There was only one other coach at the park, on the far side. Clouds were coming in, framing the full moon.

  “That’s pretty,” Eric said.

  “Yes,” she said, taking Eric’s hand.

  “I’ll be glad when we’re out of here,” he said.

  “Is it gonna be better where we’re going?”

  Eric was quiet for a minute as they strolled. “I don’t know. I hope so.”

  “Maybe we should have just stayed in Florida.”

  “Told you I’d drop you off, remember?” Eric said.

  “I meant us, not me,” she said. “I’m not going anywhere without you.”

  Eric looked at her red hair and freckles and delicate beauty in the moonlight. “I’m glad. Wasn’t sure at first. Now I can’t imagine being without you.”

  “You’re looking at me differently the last couple of days,” she said, eyes searching.

  “You know why,” he said.

  “I do?” she asked, soft smile on her lips.

  “You’re gonna make me say it, aren’t you,” he said. “Fine. I love you.”

  She stopped, grabbing him, embracing. “I love you too, but you already knew that.”

  “Like you didn’t,” Eric said.

  “Sometimes you’re hard to read,” she said.

  “Everybody tells me that. Must be some truth to it, I guess.”

  “Let’s go back inside.”

  “Okay,” Eric said. He took her hand and they went back.

  “Want a treat, Paco?” Kim asked. He stood on his hind legs, tail wagging, front paws pumping. “Guess that’s a yes.”

  Eric laughed. He pulled his laptop case out of the closet.

  “Would you mind waiting until the morning for that?” she asked.

  Eric put the laptop case on the couch. “Sure.”

  “Good. Let’s go to bed. I need some us time.”

  Eric nodded, and they retired to a night of lovemaking and sleep.

  Hours later, Kim woke up to a distant rumble. Paco barked, and Eric leapt out of bed.

  “What’s going on?” he asked, looking around the coach in a groggy panic.

  “Boom in the distance,” she said. Then there were several more loud booms, sounding closer. Paco barked again.

  “Oh, shit, that’s artillery,” Eric said.

  “How far?” Kim asked, looking terrified.

  “Not far enough,” he said. “What time is it?”

  She looked at her watch. “Four forty-five,” she said.

  “I’m hitching up the Bronco. We’re out of here.”

  “Good,” she said. “Need help?”

  “Get us ready to go in here. Put away the loose stuff.”

  “Okay,” she said, getting up and dressing in the semi-darkness. There was more artillery fire, closer still.

  Eric had them ready to leave in less than five minutes, and rushed back into the coach. “Ready?”

  “Yeah, let’s go,” she said, climbing into the passenger seat.

  Eric got into the driver’s seat and took off, getting on Route 79 and punching it amid the increasing noise to the east. A flash of light hit Eric’s face from the rear-view mirror. “My God, that was a big fireball,” he said.

  “Where was it,” Kim asked. “Close?”

  “I’d say Deadwood,” Eric said, grim look on his face.

  “Oh, no.”

  “I think maybe we’ll go all the way to Austin to
day.”

  “Yeah,” Kim said, watching him drive. “Let’s do that.”

  Chapter 15 – Upgrades

  “Think they’re done yet?” Brendan asked, sitting next to Juan Carlos in the back of the transport truck.

  “Hope so, dude,” Juan Carlos said. “Wonder who we’ll get to replace Chauncey?”

  “Good question. Hope it’s somebody good.”

  “I just hope it’s somebody,” Juan Carlos said. “We’ve lost a lot of men. Might be back on our own again.”

  “Truck’s slowing down,” Brendan said. It skidded to a stop on the dirt road.

  “We’re here, men,” Captain Jefferson said.

  Brendan and Juan Carlos jumped out of the back.

  “Looks like the techs are still there,” Juan Carlos said.

  “They’re done, but they need to check you guys out with the equipment,” Captain Jefferson said.

  “Who’s going out with us now that Chauncey is gone?” Brendan asked.

  “For now it’ll be Lieutenant Richardson,” he said. “We’re got more men in training, though, so hopefully we won’t have to use him for too long.”

  “Heard about him before he was promoted,” Brendan said. “He was crazy.”

  “Yeah, he was, but in a good way,” Jefferson said.

  “When’s the next mission?” Juan Carlos asked.

  “Tomorrow, unless there’s an emergency,” Jefferson said. “We want you guys to get some practice with the new equipment. You’ll be firing at remote-control targets.”

  “Bitchen,” Brendan said.

  They got on the dock and walked to their boat. There were several other boats on the dock getting their new guns fitted, and an anti-aircraft battery on the shore behind the deck.

  “Expecting company?” Brendan asked, nodding towards the battery.

  “They caught us with our pants down once,” Jefferson said. “We don’t intend to let them do that again.”

  The tech ran both Juan Carlos and Brendan through operation of the M-19 Grenade launcher.

  When they finished, it was time for a break, so they went back to headquarters with Captain Jefferson. Lieutenant Richardson was waiting for them in the main trailer of the temporary base, worried look on his face.

  “Oh, crap, what happened now?” Jefferson asked.

  “Our sources just told us there are several more cutters and a bunch of barges on the northwest end of the lake,” he said. “They’re making hay in the sections they control. More enemy choppers showed up too. Better models, from Venezuela again. They just provided air support for a barge landing. Killed some of our land forces.”