The Corporal nodded and headed back outside to collect the engineer.
“Johnson, Baker, Mason, I want you to do a sweep of the rooms, make sure every inch of this place is zombie-free,” Kersey said, and the three soldiers nodded, heading up the stairs quickly.
The Sergeant rubbed his hand down the black and white upholstery. “Little odd for my tastes, but if it works for you, have at it,” he muttered, shaking his head. He raised his walkie-talkie to his mouth. “Heartland base, please respond. This is Sergeant Kersey.”
There was a pause. “This is Heartland base, we read you loud and clear Sergeant Kersey.”
“I have a priority alpha message for General Stephens,” he said, and then waited while the operator informed him they would get him the General. He wrinkled his nose, more than a little creeped out by all the decapitated animal heads staring at him. He avoided the gaze of a snarling wolf.
“Sergeant, please tell me you have good news,” Stephens came through the radio.
“Yes sir, we have cleared the path through Missoula and are currently in Hope, Idaho,” Kersey explained. “Ninety miles from Spokane.”
“How much further are you going to be able to push on?” Stephens asked.
Kersey took a deep breath. “Realistically general, this is as far as we can go without significant backup,” he admitted. “We’re going to be hitting civilization soon, and we can’t risk compromising our current position. It’s a good staging area for the Spokane assault.” He paused. “How soon can we expect our reinforcements?”
“I don’t have a specific timeline for you,” the General admitted, “but three, maybe four days for the train convoy to reach you/”
The Sergeant let out a deep sigh of relief. “There’s no rush on our part,” he assured him. “We’re all beyond exhausted and could use an opportunity to rest up. Oh, and when the convoy gets going they need to contact us. There are a few things they’ll need to be aware of on their trip up.”
“I have to say, Sergeant,” Stephens began, “you have exceeded any and all expectations I had for this mission. The speed at which you completed it, and all without a single casualty among your men. You should be very proud.”
Kersey smiled. “I am, and I appreciate the compliment.”
“Kersey, I need you to be frank with me.”
The Sergeant leaned forward, brow furrowing. “Yes, sir?”
“Do you feel like you are up to the task of leading the assault on Spokane?” Stephens asked.
Kersey blinked at the mouthpiece for a moment before responding. “You want me to be in command of a thousand men?”
“Not just be in command,” the General amended, “but draw up and lead the operation.”
The Sergeant flopped back against the couch, mouth agape. “I… with all due respect, that sounds like a huge step up.”
“I’ll be blunt,” Stephens said immediately. “This virus hit our command structure hard. We’ve lost well over half of our leadership, and some of those who are still in charge aren’t equipped to deal with this new type of battle we’re waging. You have proven yourself more than capable in combating the enemy, and if you feel as though you’re up to the task, I will give you the opportunity.”
Kersey drew in a deep breath. “Yes, sir. I can handle it and won’t let you down.”
“At this time, I’m giving you a field promotion to Captain,” Stephens declared. “In a few days time, you will have the command of a thousand troops for the assault on Spokane.”
“Thank you… thank you General,” Kersey stammered, still stunned.
“Don’t let me down, Captain,” Stephens replied.
The new Captain sat up ramrod straight and nodded. “I won’t, sir.”
He stared at the walkie-talkie in his hands long after it went silent, stock still on the hideous couch until the trio thundered back down from upstairs.
“Hey Sarge, we’re all clear here,” Johnson bellowed. “Everyone’s gonna get their own room, too!”
They approached the stunned soldier, who didn’t move or acknowledge their presence.
“Sarge?” Mason asked as Bretz returned with Bill in tow. “You okay?”
“Huh?” Kersey snapped out of his reverie and shook his head, setting down the radio. “Yeah, sorry. The General just threw me for a loop.”
Bretz approached, brow furrowed. “What’s going on, Sarge?”
“Well for starters, it’s now Captain,” Kersey said, and his men erupted into applause. He scratched the back of his head as they hooted and then put his hands up to calm them down. “It also means that I’m in charge of the assault on Spokane.”
The Corporal saluted him. “Sir, I think I speak for everyone here when I say we’re behind you. We couldn’t be happier about following you into battle.”
Another round of whoops and hoots.
“So, Captain,” Kowalski said with a grin, “what’s your first order as a newly promoted man?”
Kersey finally relaxed, leaning back and curling his hands behind his head. “I think we’ve been through enough today, and we have more than enough on our plate for tomorrow,” he said. “For tonight, my orders are to secure the building, find something in that kitchen to whip up, and unlike the last bar we were at, tonight it’s a two-drink minimum.”
The squad blew up into even louder cheers, hauling their new Captain from the couch to hustle him into the restaurant proper. It would be a celebration for them all, a minor reprieve from the hell they’d be facing soon enough. For that night, however, they had each other and they had safety and relaxation, and they were going to make the most of it by carrying out their new Captain’s orders.
END
The battle of Spokane is on the horizon, but first the action shifts to Nevada as a Caravan makes its way to a group of survivors.
Dead America The Second Week (Book 5): Dead America: Heartland Part 3 Page 7