The convoy pulled back into the ammo storage area and Mike’s hopes of Bruce slowing down were soon dashed. Bruce jumped off the truck yelling for everyone to unload so they could get more. Mike started rubbing his temples, his headache was turning into a migraine and that migraine was unloading trucks moving at an incredible pace.
Bill walked up to Mike asking, “When’s he going to slow down?”
Mike looked at Bill, “He loaded almost one HEMTT by himself.”
Bill watched Bruce pulling racks off by himself putting them in neat rows. “If you don’t mind my team will stay here and keep this area secure,” Bill said watching the bald Energizer bunny.
“Thanks,” Mike replied dryly. “I’m leaving half of the scavenging crew here. The trucks should be here soon. I know psycho won’t wait for the next convoy. The trucks this afternoon should have the relief crew,” Mike told Bill. Bill just nodded his head in a trance watching Bruce as he unzipped his vest and pulled off his shirt. Throwing the shirt on the ground, Bruce zipped up his vest and returned to unloading.
“Should we tell him it’s not even twenty degrees?” Bill asked Mike.
“It doesn’t do any good,” Mike said rubbing his temples not even looking at Bruce.
The trucks were unloaded by 0900 and Bruce was in a Stryker yelling. Mike took something for his headache knowing it was useless. He would have to knock Bruce out to make his headache go away. Mike jumped in and they pulled out passing the convoy as they left. They returned to the first armory to finish taking everything. Mike stopped Bruce once when he saw him carrying a mortar out. “Bruce, do we really need mortars?” Mike asked.
A wide eyed smiling Bruce replied, “Man, we so need all of these. We can hit someone miles away it’ll be great. I’ll teach you how to shoot ‘em, don’t worry we can play with ‘em.”
“That’s cool,” Mike replied in a tired yawning voice and Bruce took off. Having mortars around will be pretty cool, Mike thought as he continued to help load the trucks. Mike put team one without Bruce on guard with his team. Bruce was just wearing them out.
They had two trucks loaded when Jake called over the radio, “Contact to the west. Looks like sixteen in a single file patrol. All armed several appear to be soldiers. Three hundred yards away want me to engage?”
Mike closed his eyes visualizing the area. The west was the rear of the armory. There was a parking lot outside the fence with a pedestrian gate. Mike radioed Jake, “Are they heading here?”
“Yeah they’re coming straight here,” Jake replied.
Bruce walked up to Mike, “Let’s kill ‘em. They probably want the guns.”
“No Bruce, what if they’re just survivors like us,” Mike said as Bruce scoffed. Mike added, “They might know where more stuff is at.”
Bruce looked at Mike, “Good thinkin’.” Bruce keyed his radio, “Wedge ambush, I’m center. Jake and Matt get in sniper position work from the back to the front. Buffy, Danny, Mary and team three work from the front the rest of team 2 stay in reserve in case they flank or have friends. I’ll challenge at twenty yards, any hostile action kill everyone. I’ll take one alive to see if they know where more weapons are.” Bruce took off running out the door. Mike nodded his head at Bruce’s plan. That’s why they needed him. Mike felt a little bad, as he ran out back, for wanting to hurt Bruce earlier. Bruce was already behind a Hummer with Buffy beside him. Mike ran behind a large SUV beside them, lying under it he could see the field.
Waiting a few minutes Mike saw the line of people walking toward them. Someone in the line pointed at the vehicles beside the armory. The line was heading to the open pedestrian gate. Mike’s palms started getting sweaty as the group got closer. When they were twenty yards away Bruce jumped out from behind the Hummer followed by Buffy. Bruce yelled, “FREEZE.” The group froze on command as the bald psychopath wearing a tactical vest with no shirt, held them at gunpoint. Steam was coming off his body giving Bruce an evil appearance as he pointed his gun at them with the little armed blonde girl at his side. “You’re in a kill zone and if you move you’ll die. They’re mine, you can’t have them, we found them. They were all alone and scared,” Bruce screamed at the terrified people. Mike dropped his head to the ground wondering how mad Debbie would be at him if he just shot Bruce.
The man in the front of the line held up his hands and said, “Man whatever is yours that you’re talking about, we won’t touch it. It’s yours.”
Bruce just eyed the speaker wondering if he should shoot him as Mike stood up and walked to stand beside Bruce. Looking at the line of people, Mike said, “Like he said we have more than enough weapons on you, don’t move. We aren’t going to hurt you unless you try to hurt us.” Bruce just growled.
“Sir we heard the engines and thought it was a rescue. Would you tell Mr. Clean we don’t want whatever he has that’s lonely and scared. I don’t know who left them or scared them, but I want to kill them for doing it,” the man said.
Mike looked at Bruce feeling no hostility from this group, “Bruce, go and load the truck, I’ll talk to them.”
Bruce never took his eyes off the group growling, “They may be bluffing.”
Mike replied, “Bruce, we have several other armories to go to. Get this one loaded.”
Bruce looked at Mike, “Really.” Mike nodded his head and Bruce took off running to the armory hooting and hollering.
After Bruce left Mike looked at the group, “Just because he’s gone don’t think you’re not covered.”
The man up front replied, “Mister, I can see your snipers and the people on our flanks, I know. If you’ll let us go, we’ll leave and you will never see us again.”
Mike radioed for the line to pull back but for Matt and Jake to stay put then turned to the man. “Is that better? I’d like to talk to you,” Mike said.
“Thank you, may my people come up so they can hear also,” the man asked.
“Yes they can move up and put their hands down. Just don’t grab your weapons,” Mike said.
They put their hands down and moved around the leader as Mike asked, “You have a name? Mine is Mike.”
“I’m Willie, Mike,” Willie said reaching out to shake Mike’s hand. When Mike shook his hand the entire group sighed with relief. Willie looking behind Mike and seeing Bruce carrying a rack of rifles over his head, said, “You should tell Mr. Clean that those racks are supposed to be carried by at least two men, they weigh over two hundred pounds.”
Mike shook his head, “Don’t go there right now, I’m not kidding.” Mike asked, “What are you doing roaming around?”
“Like I said, we heard trucks and thought rescue had come,” Willie told him.
“We are here only for supplies. We have two secured areas outside of Shreveport on farms and a fence around them. The kids can actually go outside,” Mike said seeing several people get real interested.
Hearing a yell from behind him, Mike turned around to see Bruce, by himself, put a weapon on the truck he had never seen before. And the weapon was big and looked really heavy. Then Willie said, “That man has a serious hard on for weapons.”
Mike shook his head turning back to Willie, “You have no idea. Willie if you and your crew want to, you can come with us. We do have rules no stealing, everyone has to work, respect others, defend the group from any attack and a few others. Basically no free rides for anyone,” Mike told him.
“You’re awful trusting to someone you just met,” Willie pointed out.
Mike chuckled, “I don’t feel hostility from you. Next you have women in your patrol so I know you’re not one of the gangs we’ve fought and wiped out. Plus if you tried anything, I’ll tell him you want his guns.”
Willie looked at Mike chuckling, “Yeah, I could see him killing everyone with a butter knife. If you take us, you take all of us.”
“How many we talking about,” Mike asked.
“Seventy four,” Willie answered.
“We can handle that easy. It may be cramp
ed until we get you a barracks built. But with that many, you’ll have to wait until we’re done here,” Mike said.
“Let me talk to my group,” Willie said.
“That’s fine come on up if you decide to come. Just leave if not and if that’s the case, good luck,” Mike said shaking Willies hand and heading back to the armory. Willie and his group came up as they were almost finished loading the armory. Bruce was out front shoving food down his throat, because Mike, Danny and Buffy had threatened to call Debbie if he didn’t eat. He was covered in sweat with steam boiling off his skin in the cold air watching the group come up. Mike waved at a growling Bruce as he walked over to Willie, “Well, you want to come?”
“Yes, we’ll ask the rest of the group but this group wants to go,” Willie said.
“We can drop y’all by the motor pool so you can get some vehicles. We’re at the far ammo holding area,” Mike said.
“Vehicles are you crazy? The blues will be all over us,” Willie said in shock.
“Nah, they hibernate when it’s cold,” Mike informed him.
“If that’s the case, there’s a motor pool behind us with buses.” Willie told him. Then asked, “I know of another group, it’s about thirty five mostly women and kids. I couldn’t bring them to us. We had no more room in our building. Can I ask them also?”
“We’d be very disappointed if you didn’t,” Mike said.
Willie and his group left as the scavenge team loaded the last of the boxes from the armory. They piled on the vehicles and headed back to the storage area. Mike had really hoped the excitement had left Bruce but that hope ended as Bruce jumped out and started unloading the trucks. They were almost unloaded when three buses and a Hummer pulled up to the gate and were let in. The Hummer pulled up to Mike and Bill. Willie stepped out, Mike introduced Bill, as Willie said, “Mike you have a tight crew here, you must be a good commander.”
“I’m number two,” Mike said watching as Bruce pulled off another huge rack of guns.
“When do I get to meet the one in charge?” Willie asked.
“You already have,” Mike said still watching Bruce as the last piece was taken off.
Following Mike’s gaze Willie said, “You’re fucking kidding.”
“That is the toughest, smartest, craziest, kindest and cold blooded son of a bitch I have ever met,” Bill said watching as Bruce poured a bottle of water over his head making all three shiver.
“Well, he’s hardcore that’s no doubt,” Willie said as Bruce walked toward them then stopped in front of them with steam still pouring off his body.
Willie showed Bruce his palms saying, “I won’t touch your weapons.”
Bruce just looked at Willie then said, “Well, if we’re attacked I don’t want you just standing around holding your dick.”
“Well, I could drive it through a few skulls before they take me,” Willie replied.
Bruce narrowed his eyes studying Willie then spoke, “Well, Captain when were ya at Benning?”
Willie looked down on his jacket and shoulder neither had rank or tab, “How did you know?” Bruce just stared at him waiting on the answer. Willie replied, “I graduated eight years ago with the tab.”
“You’ll do,” Bruce said then continued. “Have your people make a list with names so the farm can get ready for us. It is totally up to you but I’d like for you to send the small kids and women back to the farm with the next convoy. I would understand if you have reservations but know this, you’re part of this clan and I’m in charge. The reason I’d like for them to go back is everyone keeps bitching that it’s cold.”
Willie smiled, “Yeah a couple of my people have mentioned it’s cold. I was really thinking about going for a swim.” Bruce smiled as Willie continued, “I concur we are joining your group but if those women and children are hurt there will be a big problem.”
“If someone hurts them, I’ll eat their liver, making them watch,” Bruce promised.
“That’ll do for me,” Willie said.
“How many people, and of those how many troops?” Bruce asked.
“One hundred and eight in total of those twenty four are soldiers. Ten more have time in service,” Willie answered.
“Put someone in charge of your group they’ll report to Conner. Send all the women and children on the buses. My men don’t ride buses. You’ll come with us as we finish shopping. We leave in ten minutes,” Bruce said then turned around and left, steam still pouring off his body.
Willie smiled turning to Mike, “I like ‘im.” Mike groaned thinking, not another one.
Willie carried out his assignments then headed toward the vehicles for the scavenging group. Bruce motioned him over, “Take us to another armory,” Bruce told him.
“Ok, but first I have some place a lot better if you like, real boy toys,” Willie said.
Bruce grinned ear to ear saying, “Really?” Mike wanted to cry but put on a brave face.
Loading up, they headed onto base passing the building that was surrounded by bodies. Willie told them it was the gymnasium and it was the last stand. Last month they were hit by a group they estimated at hundred thousand. They continued driving pulling into a group of large buildings and stopped at the one Willie pointed out. Getting out looking at the building, it was huge. Willie told them they would need the torch. After cutting the door Bruce kicked it open. They walked in as Mike was heading to a door with his lock picks. Willie told him to stop. Willie opened the desk in the corner pulling out some keys then unlocked the only door in the room. They walked inside to see a huge warehouse. There were trailers with small buildings on them and huge stacks of boxes. Bruce stood still and let out a loud yell before taking off running. Stopping here and there Bruce let out a yell each time.
Mike just dropped down to his knees to the floor moaning. Then beside him he heard two more yells and turned to see Jake and Matt yelling. They took off to a stack of boxes looking at each other with excitement on their faces, they screamed again. Mike just lifted his arm up, “Great now I have three of them.” Mike felt someone rub his head. Looking up he saw Danny holding a camera.
“It’s ok Daddy Mike, I still love you even with all these cool toys,” Danny said.
“This is the electronic warfare storage area. It houses the Grey Eagle and Reaper UAV’s, Puma and Raven micro UAV’s, remote ground units, FLIR systems and a lot of other goodies,” Willie said as the boys ran to another stack of boxes.
“We need more vehicles,” Mike said as Matt and Jake let out another scream looking at the boxes.
“There’s another motor pool on the other side of the building,” Willie said walking into the warehouse to join Bruce and them yelling.
Mike sent Bill’s team to get more vehicles and they started working. This was how the days went. Willie would take them over the base empting the areas that they needed. It was day six at 0700 when the fun stopped. They were at the ammo storage area when the convoy pulled in and the convoy leader walked over to Bruce handing him a letter. Bruce read the letter when he was finished he started cussing. When Mike asked what was wrong, Bruce handed him the letter. Mike read it.
Dear Bruce
I know you are having a lot of fun down there but enough is enough. You have sent over four thousand tons (literally I’m not joking) of stuff up here. The underground storage is full, as is the barn, all storage sheds, most of the house, the barracks, half the community center and Marcus’s barn. We are now stacking equipment around the property. We have enough for now, Stephanie just doing a rough calculation puts the total number of ammo of all calibers over three hundred million. Half is 5.56 so please quit and come home. We need to build more living quarters and storage areas.
I love you and no more convoys are coming after this one so it’s time to come home. There are things we have to talk about. I love you and Angela and Stephanie send their love also.
Love Debbie
P.S. Get the yelling out of your system before you come home.
/> Mike was thankful Debbie had done what he couldn’t. Smiling, Mike looked up from reading to find Bruce looking back at him. Bruce had a smile on his face and Mike’s smile fell off his. “Bruce, don’t do something stupid,” Mike warned him.
“Mike load these trucks up and pull to the north gate wait until we get there to leave,” Bruce said and called team one, three, four, plus the soldiers and half the scavenging team to him. Bruce gave them orders to empty the last armory, the PX, and the supply issue area, the mess halls they had passed and two other areas he had seen, then they dispersed. Bruce and Buffy jumped in Debbie’s SUV and sped out. The other vehicles left following Bruce.
Mike just shook his head telling everyone to load the trucks when all the trucks were loaded Mike led them to the gate in Nancy’s SUV and waited. The temperature was still in the upper twenty’s so he told them to leave the engines running to stay warm.
Bruce headed to the motor pool with his team and half the soldiers. They started loading vehicles up on heavy transports. Bruce pointed out five RGL’s that he wanted also. Leaving one heavy transport open and he walked to the back of the motor pool. Buffy ran up to him, “What are we getting Daddy?” Bruce pointed ahead.
Looking where he was pointing, Buffy screamed, “A tank!”
“Yeah BB a M1A1,” Bruce said walking toward the tank. Buffy took off running then stopped and pointed at one yelling that was the one she wanted.
Bruce loaded the M1 on the transport then went and grabbed equipment from the maintenance area and then told Buffy to get in a Stryker and follow him. Bruce pulled out with a long line of vehicles. Bruce called on the radio to check on teams three and four. They told Bruce they had already left and were loaded.
Blue Plague Survival Page 51