Bug Out! Texas Book 2: The New Republic

by Robert Boren

“After I turned twenty-one, I spent quite a bit of time at Texas Mary’s.”

  “I knew her because of the Sheriff, mainly,” Jason said. He took his laptop out of its case and set it up on the dinette table.

  “What are we gonna do for the rest of the day?”

  “Whatever you want, after I get done checking the email.”

  “Maybe when Chelsea is down for her nap, we ought to nap too,” Carrie said. “I still haven’t caught up.”

  “Me neither.” Jason watched the screen on his laptop as it finished booting up, then went to his email. “Dammit.”

  “Nothing yet?”

  “Nope,” Jason said. “I hope he didn’t get it in Deadwood or Carthage.”

  “He’s probably fine, honey,” Carrie said. “Don’t worry about him.”

  “Easy to say,” Jason said. “He’s the last of my family.”

  “I know,” she said, stepping over and petting his shoulder. “Why don’t you send another message. Maybe this one didn’t get to him.”

  “It didn’t bounce,” Jason said.

  “Yeah, but still. Maybe you should tell him where we are, or give him your phone number.”

  “We can’t do that,” Jason said. “What if he’s been captured or killed? They might have his laptop.”

  “Oh,” Carrie said, scared look on her face. “That’s a scary thought. They could find us from an email, couldn’t they?”

  “Yeah,” Jason said. “The message would carry the IP address of this RV Park. We can’t chance it. We’ll just have to wait for him to reply.”

  “Mommy, I’m tired,” Chelsea said.

  “Okay, let’s get you down for a nap,” she said. “Jason, could you close the blinds?”

  “On it,” he said, getting up. He looked out the front window, watching Junior stumble into his Brave. “Junior is beat. He almost fell climbing into his rig.”

  “Yeah, Kelly and Brenda looked really tired, too,” Carrie said. She tucked Chelsea in on the couch. “Hope things are quiet long enough for them to catch up.”

  “Wish I would’ve heard back from Eric,” Jason said as he followed Carrie into the bedroom. “Now I’m just going to lay awake and worry.”

  “No you won’t,” she said. “You’re too tired for that.”

  They slid the door shut and got into bed. They were asleep in no time.

  Chapter 24 – Hearne

  “Stay to the right,” Kim said. “Don’t take the big road branching to the left. That’s Old Franklin Highway. It goes further south into town.”

  “Got it,” Eric said, taking the right exit. “This still says Highway 79.”

  “I know,” she said. “Trust me. We’ll pass the Hearne Holiday Inn. Take the next right turn after that.”

  They drove the big sweeping curve. “There’s the Holiday Inn,” Eric said. “That a Love’s truck stop past it? We could use some gas.”

  “Looks like it,” Kim said. “Right past our street. You’ll have to turn left onto State Road 485 from there.”

  “No problem,” Eric said. He drove past 485 and pulled into the truck stop. Paco jumped up and down.

  “Not now, boy,” Eric said. “We’re almost home.”

  “Maybe I should hit the store for some food.”

  “Yeah, go ahead,” Eric said. He got out and pumped the gas, keeping an eye on Highway 79 and State Road 485. The pump stopped with a clunk just as Kim hurried back over with two bags in her arms.

  “Done?” she asked.

  “Yep,” he said. “Let’s go.”

  “You see Dirk go by?” she asked.

  “No, I saw him pull off at the first truck stop, right before the big curve. He’ll be along.”

  They got back in their rig and made the left turn onto 485. The RV Park was to their left, right before Vaughn Lane.

  “Turn left there,” Kim said, pointing to the gate. He made a wide turn and drove up to the staging area. The park was covered with a thick canopy of trees. There were few spaces open.

  “I’ll take Paco while you pay, if you want,” Kim said.

  “Nah, let’s do it together after we get settled. It hasn’t been that long.”

  Kim looked at Paco. “Sorry, fella.”

  A young man was behind the desk in the office.

  “Hi,” he said. “Got reservations?”

  “Finley,” Kim said. “I called an hour ago.”

  “Oh, yes,” he said. “Here it is.” He pulled out a packet of papers and slid it to them.

  “Wow, you guys are organized,” Kim said.

  “Thanks,” the young man said.

  The door opened behind them. Dirk strode in with Francis.

  “There’s our friends,” Eric said.

  “You the ones who called a little while ago?” the young man asked.

  “Yeah,” he said. “Dirk.”

  “Good, we got you all set too.”

  “Great,” Dirk said.

  “You aren’t right next to each other. Sorry. We were already too full. You’re on the next row over. If you want to stay more than one night, we can move you closer. Got some folks leaving tomorrow.”

  “No problem,” Dirk said.

  “Yeah, it’ll be fine,” Eric said. “We’re gonna get set up and take a nap. Talk to you later.”

  “Sounds good,” Dirk said. “We need sleep bad. Probably won’t be up and around till six or seven.”

  “Fair enough. See you then.” Eric held the door open for Kim and the left the office.

  “Can’t wait to get into bed,” Kim said.

  “Yeah, me too. I’ll only hook up the power for now. We got plenty of water in the tank.”

  “Good,” Kim said.

  “Maybe on second thought, you should take Paco while I’m doing this. That way we can hit the sack in about ten minutes.”

  “Sounds good,” she said. Eric drove them to their spot. It was a tight back-in spot.

  “I’ll have to unhitch the Bronco,” Eric said.

  “Why?”

  “Can’t back up with it connected,” he said. “Don’t worry, it’ll only take a few minutes.”

  They were all done in about ten minutes, Paco walked and happy. Kim was feeding him when Eric walked into the coach.

  “Just about ready?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she said. “I’m so tired.”

  They climbed into the corner bed together and pulled the curtain shut, not waking up until Eric’s phone alarm went off at six pm.

  “Do we have to get up already?” Kim asked, stretching.

  “We do if we want to get to sleep later tonight,” he said. “Up and at ’em.”

  “You’re so mean,” she said, smiling. “What are you gonna do?”

  “Check my damn email before something happens,” he said. “Hopefully there will be something from Jason.”

  He climbed out of bed and put on his clothes. Paco trotted over.

  “Want me to take him?” Kim asked as she pulled a dress on.

  “Give me a few minutes and I’ll go with you,” Eric said.

  “Okay,” she said. “Hungry?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay, I’ll get something started,” she said.

  Eric had his laptop on the dinette table. He watched it boot up as Paco sat, looking up at him. “Stop that,” he said. “You’re making me nervous.”

  “Who, me?” Kim asked.

  Eric laughed. “No, Paco. He’s trying to instill guilt.”

  Kim laughed. “Spam and eggs okay for dinner? With frozen hash browns?”

  “Sounds really good,” Eric said. “Oh, cool, there’s an email from Jason.”

  “Really? Great.”

  “Shit, this is from a few days ago,” he said. He read it, then sent a reply.

  “He have anything interesting to say?” Kim asked.

  “They’re heading west, but I already knew that.”

  “He tell you where?”

  “Yeah, in code,” Eric said. “Fort Stockton.”


  “Is it nice?”

  Eric laughed. “Nice place to camp. There’s a good RV Park there. Not much of a town. It’s closer to desert than here.”

  “Think he’s there yet?”

  “I hope so,” Eric said. “I gave him my cell number.”

  “Isn’t that risky?”

  “A little, but we have to make contact. I’m sure he’s replaced his phone by now. You at a good stopping point for the walk?”

  “Yeah,” she said. “Let’s go.”

  Paco jumped up and down with excitement. They took him out the door, walking into the early evening.

  “Glad it’s not dark yet,” Kim said.

  “Will be soon,” he said, looking around as they walked. “This is a lot different than Florida.”

  “Feels less humid,” Kim said.

  “It is,” he said. “But we can get some weather. Even have twisters every so often.”

  “Really? Those scare me. Do they happen in Austin?”

  “They’re rare as far south as Austin. Don’t worry. Wrong season for them. We’ll be fine.” He held the leash tight as Paco strained against it, trying to sniff something. “Take it easy, boy.”

  They headed back towards their rig. “Looks like Dirk’s got the lights in his trailer on.” Kim said.

  “Yeah,” Eric said. “Let’s eat first, then see if they want to chat.”

  “All right,” Kim said. They climbed back into their trailer. Kim got busy with dinner. Eric checked his laptop again.

  “No reply yet.”

  “Don’t worry,” Kim said. “It’ll be okay.”

  They got finished with dinner in about half an hour.

  “Damn, I’m sleepy already,” Eric said.

  “Good,” Kim said. “Let’s go chat with our friends before we turn in.”

  “Okay,” Eric said. They left their coach, walking through the cool evening. Dirk, Chance, Francis, and Don were sitting outside their trailer on folding chairs.

  “Get enough sleep?” Dirk asked, getting up. He grabbed two more chairs and put them out.

  “Yeah,” Eric said. “You guys?” He and Kim sat.

  “I’m rested, but I won’t be up late tonight,” Chance said. “What’s the plan for tomorrow?”

  “I’d love to get as far as Fredericksburg,” Eric said.

  “How long is the drive?” Don asked.

  “A little over three hours,” Kim said. “We were looking at it earlier.”

  “That’s assuming we don’t run into any problems, of course,” Eric said.

  “Yeah,” Francis said. “Been reading some bad stories on the web.”

  “How’s your ammo holding up?” Eric asked.

  “We’re good there. Captured more guns and a bunch of ammo during the last battle. We got another crate of grenades, too. How about you?”

  “We still have lots of ammo for the AKs, and the other guns. Still have grenades from the battle at the grocery store too. I think there’s at least twenty left.”

  “Good,” Dirk said. “Let’s hope we don’t have to use them until we’re ready.”

  “Seriously,” Kim said.

  “Anybody else from your group get away?” Eric asked

  “Yeah, about ten, but they went east instead of west,” Dirk said. “They’re in Louisiana if they’re still alive.”

  “I’m pretty worried about them,” Chance said.

  “Yeah, I would be too,” Eric said. “Wonder how the enemy got that artillery through there?”

  “Been wondering the same thing,” Francis. “We got cut off from the people who went that direction during the battle. Talked to one of them on my cellphone before I trashed it back there. They thought they could make it to safety.”

  “Which way are we taking tomorrow?” Dirk asked.

  “I’d suggest 290,” Eric said. “That’ll take us south of the busiest parts of Austin.”

  “Yeah, he’s right,” Don said. “Made that drive quite a few times. It’s the best way.”

  “Well then, 290 it is,” Dirk asked. “You guys want a beer or something?”

  “If you don’t mind, I’d rather turn in,” Kim said. “I’m already tired.”

  “Me too,” Eric said.

  “Don’t blame you,” Dirk said. “What time should we leave tomorrow?”

  “How about seven?” Chance asked.

  “I’m good with that,” Eric said.

  “Okay, goodnight you two,” Dirk said.

  “Good night,” Kim said. Eric nodded.

  Kim and Eric walked away. Eric’s phone rang before they got to their coach. He put it to his ear.

  “Eric? It’s Jason.”

  “Jason! Thank God. Where are you guys?”

  “We just made it to Fort Stockton today. Where are you?”

  “Just outside of Hearne,” Eric said. “We’re gonna try to make it to Fredericksburg tomorrow.”

  “I’d suggest not going by the folk’s place,” Jason said. “Probably not safe.”

  “What about his guns?”

  “I got them,” Jason said.

  “All of them?” Eric asked.

  “All the military weapons. The BARs and the Thompsons.”

  “Okay,” Eric said. “Guess there’s no reason to go there, then.”

  “You armed well enough?”

  “Yeah, we got some captured AK-47s and a bunch of ammo. Also a crate of grenades.”

  “Saw some action?”

  “Yeah, sure did,” Eric said. “Deadwood.”

  “Shit. Heard about what happened there.”

  “We got some folks with us from there. Good fighters. They barely got out of that mess alive.”

  “Good,” Jason said. “We’ve got a growing army here too.”

  “Glad to hear it. Think the phones are safe now?”

  “As long as we don’t talk to anybody infected, we should be okay.”

  “You don’t sound so sure,” Eric said.

  “I’m not so sure,” Jason said. “So watch yourselves.”

  “Will do. We’ll see you in a couple days. If we can make Fredericksburg tomorrow, then it’s only another three hours to Fort Stockton.”

  “Well, good luck, brother,” Jason said. “I’m gonna get off. Need some more sleep. We’ll talk to you soon.”

  “Okay, be careful,” Eric said. He ended the call.

  “Sounded like a good conversation,” Kim said.

  “Yeah, he’s okay,” Eric said. They went into the coach and sat on the couch together. “He’s not so sure that the phones are safe.”

  “Hope he’s wrong about that.”

  “Me too,” Eric said. “We’re headed for some rough times.”

  “Even after we get to Fort Stockton?”

  “Especially after we get to Fort Stockton,” Eric said. “We’ve hurt the invaders. We’re on their radar. They’re trying to find us. We’ll be in battle mode for the foreseeable future.”

  “I understand,” Kim said. “I don’t have to like it, though, do I?”

  “Of course not,” Eric said. “Sorry to be a downer.”

  “I’d rather have reality than happy talk, believe me,” she said. “Why does your brother think the phones aren’t safe?”

  “Because they were able to hack at least two of the major city police departments in Texas. They’ve either got people on the inside in those organizations, which is bad, or they have a way to find people they’re targeting that we don’t understand yet, which is worse.”

  “So what do we do?” Kim asked.

  “I made my living in Florida chasing people down by their electronic trails,” Eric said. “Social media, mail servers, phone records, financial transactions. I’ll use those skills against these guys. I’ll find out who they’re connected to, where they’re at, what resources they have.”

  “You’ll be the intelligence arm of our little band of partisans, then?”

  “Yes,” Eric said. “I’ll teach you what I know too.”


  “I already know a lot of that,” she said. “From my prior job. We can probably help each other out.”

  “Sounds like a match made in heaven,” Eric said. “Let’s go to bed.”

  “Thought you’d never ask,” Kim said. “As long as you didn’t just mean sleep.”

  Chapter 25 – New Ballgame

  Kip Hendrix walked into his office suite early. He slept well for the first time in weeks. Maria wasn’t in yet. He was disappointed. Seeing her first thing always made him feel alive. The light on her phone blinking. Somebody left a message. He hurried into his office and sat behind his desk, holding the receiver to his ear and hitting the button on his phone to access the message.

  “Kip, it’s your old buddy. We’re on. I’ll be in touch. You know what to do.”

  Hendrix smiled and hung up the phone, but didn’t delete the message. He went to Maria’s area and turned on the coffee machine, watching the button blink on her phone. Good opening.

  For the first time in months there were no protesters out on the Capitol lawn. The morning was bright and peaceful. Hendrix looked out over Congress Avenue. He could see down it for over a mile. No protesters setting up there either. There was a police presence, but they weren’t there for crowd control. They were there for protection against the invaders, and they lined the streets close to the capitol building on all sides.

  Maria breezed into the office. “Oh, you’re already here,” she said, smiling. “Did you have a nice evening?”

  Hendrix walked to her desk as she was setting down her purse and her lunch box. He avoided leering at her, which wasn’t easy. She was wearing a powder blue, form-fitting business outfit that showed her figure off well. She sat behind her desk and looked at him, relieved that he was looking at her face.

  “I slept well for the first time in weeks,” Hendrix said.

  “Good. Why?”

  “I rekindled an old friendship,” he said. “One that I’ve missed over the years.”

  “Oh really?” she asked. “Looks like you have a message.”

  “I already took it,” he said.

  She picked up her receiver and pushed the button. “This is from Governor Nelson’s office.”

  “Yes,” he said. “That’s the old friend I was talking about.”

  “I didn’t know you were friends with him,” she said, surprised look on her face.

  “We go back to college,” Hendrix said. “Governor Nelson and I were very close friends back then.”