When Bruce saw the convoy at the gate, he radioed Mike, “Let’s go Mike, we’re ready.”
Mike pulled off and the convoy followed in the afternoon sunlight. Then he radioed Bruce, “Bruce I see over thirty vehicles with you. Several heavy transports also.” Then Mike looked in his mirror, “Did you get a tank?”
“Yeah ain’t it cool?” Bruce replied.
“Bruce, I don’t see Debbie’s SUV,” Mike said.
“I’ll come back for it. I’ll let her drive the tank some,” Bruce said.
“I better be able to drive it too,” Mike almost yelled back.
“Of course Brother,” Bruce said.
They reached the farm at 1700. Bruce told the semi’s to pull in too get unloaded. He pulled the rest down to the end of the road and parked them. They all got out and walked the mile home. Walking onto the farm, Bruce was shocked at the stacks of equipment everywhere and he was only in the front.
Walking around the house Bruce’s jaw dropped. Everywhere he looked he saw equipment. Beside the barn was stacks of storage containers stacked five high with eight rows. Bruce could hear heavy machinery from the back of the property and work going on behind the barracks. Looking at all the stuff, Bruce thought Debbie may have been right.
Bruce headed to the center and noticed a sign above the door that read: Alex’s Center. Bruce smiled as he entered. Bruce didn’t have the door closed before the twins jumped on him. Bruce picked them up hugging them.
Emily leaned back, “Daddy you stink.” As Sherry said, “You have stickers on your face and head.”
Putting the girls down Bruce told them, “Daddy has not showered or shaved in a week.”
Debbie held her hand out, “Stop, I know you love me but I know what you smell like when you come out of the field. I’ve already told Stephanie and Angela, so no kisses for you.” Debbie told Bruce.
Bruce walked around and sat down in his chair. Willie came in with Mike and a woman ran up to him carrying a toddler and hugged him. They talked for a few minutes and the woman pointed at the table Bruce was at. Willie grabbed her hand and came over to the table.
Stopping beside Bruce, Willie said, “Bruce, I would like to introduce my wife Maggie and my son Jason.”
Bruce shook their hands and introduced the rest of the family to them then asked them to sit down. The kids were not there, wanting to take showers first.
Willie sat down with his family and turned toward Bruce, “Nice set up here. My wife told me you are true to your word. Bruce I want you to know that I am grateful my family is a lot safer and two I’m not in charge of my group.”
“Oh, you are so kind,” Bruce said sarcastically.
Willie laughed, “I walked around looking and only saw a fraction of what you have here. Don’t you think it looks a little greedy?”
It was the family who laughed as Bruce spoke, “Willie, what do you and your family have? Let me guess the clothes on your back maybe one change as does everyone here. The ones here before you did get some ACU’s and most got two pairs of boots. We did have supplies here for our family. We only prepped for us then one thing led to another and as you can see we have company. We were out of toothbrushes, toilet paper and such. They went to secure stuff from Shreveport. As you guessed we were after protection. As you well know, we also brought back truckloads of clothes all military. That is what I want everyone to wear just in case a gang spots us. I don’t want them to pick out females. They tend to rape and kill them and we’ve grown quite fond of ours here.
“We can only go out while it’s cold without being molested by the blues. Gangs are another problem, we have tied up with two and wiped both out. Now you may see this as cheating but when I go into a fight I want all the odds in my favor. That’s why I got carried away at the base. Sooner or later we will run across a gang that has military weapons and the knowledge to use them. Then there is the government to worry about but I will tell you about them later. I want more than they have and not have to worry about ammo. It may look greedy but when it warms up, I don’t want to have to go for supplies, way too risky,” Bruce finished.
“I hope you don’t think I was being judgmental. I was just saying. That only confirms my choices to come here, you’re thinking several steps ahead,” Willie said.
“Nah, walking in I had to tell that to myself. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much shit,” Bruce said.
“Wait till you see behind the barn,” Angela said. Bruce just looked at her. “If there isn’t six thousand tons of shit out there, I’ll kiss your ass,” Angela said.
“You said I only sent four thousand tons back,” Bruce said turning to Debbie.
“She lied,” Stephanie said. “You had ten trucks making runs, they made at least three runs in a day. Two days they did four. If you would have been loading to federal limits, you would have been around four thousand tons but you way over loaded those trucks. When I saw the first trucks come back, I almost died. I radioed the convoy that left and told them on the return trip only one truck on any bridge at a time.” Stephanie shook her head as she continued, “Your average load was forty tons per truck. The first two flat beds you sent on the first trip I put a fifty four tons each. Bruce they have weight limits for a reason. I put your total haul around eight thousand tons not counting your additional convoy. And with over fifty trucks in one haul we are not talking about it right now. Debbie and Nancy reached about five thousand tons before they stopped. Now Debbie has something to tell you,” Stephanie said.
Debbie nodded at Stephanie then turned to Bruce, “We had a shoot-out in Shreveport, well actually on the outside of Shreveport two days ago. We were clearing out the last of the super sports stores and were fixin to head back to the other group that was getting the cargo containers. Before we got in the trucks one of the scouts reported he saw people running between some houses. I pulled everyone out and we went to the other crew in case it was a two prong attack. On the way there, I pulled into an alley, letting my group get ahead of me. A few minutes later two motorcycles drove by, I pulled out behind them and they shot at me, so I ran their asses over. I’m sorry baby but your new truck is kind of dented up and has a few bullet holes.”
Bruce grabbed Debbie’s hand, “That’s ok we’ll go get another one. What happened?”
Debbie took a deep breath before she continued, “Well, I stopped to make sure they were ok. One was fine, he stood up but Stephanie fixed that when she shot him telling him to stay down-,” Bruce interrupted, “Who shot him?” Debbie looked down at the table, “Stephanie,” she answered.
“Why weren’t you in the beast?” Bruce asked.
“I let the other team have it to scout around. They emptied out the warehouses before going to get the shipping containers,” Debbie said not looking at him.
Bruce looked at Stephanie and she was looking down at the table as was Angela. Bruce asked Debbie to continue. “Well the other one was not hurt that bad, only his leg was broken. We asked him nice to tell us what they were doing but he didn’t want to tell us. Stephanie started jumping on his broken leg while Angela and I stomped on his arms and chest. Then he told us his gang was going to hit us on the highway after we left the storage yard. Nancy shot him in his good leg and we left to warn the other-.” Bruce stopped her asking, “You left an enemy combatant alive?”
“Well, I kind of ran over him when we left. He was moving a little when we left,” Debbie admitted. Bruce took a deep breath, “Go on.”
“I called on the radio and told them to hold. I told everyone we were going to get hit, made a plan and left. The security teams pulled off like they were leaving. Then, when the gang attacked, the teams came back attacking the gang from the rear and we wiped them out,” Debbie said smiling.
“What are you leaving out?” Bruce asked.
“Well, one circled around and jumped Stephanie hitting her a few times before I shot him. We did find forty two more survivors,” Debbie replied trying to distract Bruce.
S
tephanie quickly said, “I’m ok Bruce don’t be mad at Debbie it was my fault.”
Bruce started rubbing his temples, “I’m getting a headache.”
Mike slammed his fist on the table scaring everyone as he stood up and began to yell, “Doesn’t feel good to have fuckers act like idiots does it? Motherfucker that’s what I’ve dealt with for SIX fucking days! You’re the motherfucker in charge, but oh no, we open the first fucking door and you start acting like a bitch in heat.” Nancy stood up looking at Mike pointing her finger at him and Mike yelled at her. “Sit the fuck down. Did you put up with him? Hell no, so don’t say jack shit to me, understand!” Nancy just sat back down in total shock as Mike continued. “You’d think he would’ve gotten tired, hell no. I had to threaten to tell Debbie about the few times he snuck off, scaring the shit out of me finding Bruce gone.” Father Thomas came running toward Mike to see if he could help.
“Father, you come up to me right now saying ‘be calm’, I’ll knock you the fuck out! You want to do something, cane that motherfucker!” Mike said pointing at Bruce. The family was just staring at Mike with mouths open. The kids came in, having heard Mike outside and they just stood at the door shocked. Mike never acted like this. That was Bruce’s job.
Mike continued yelling, “You acted like a complete asshole you son of a bitch! Did you ever think maybe I wanted to look at some of that stuff? Could I? Hell no, you’d take off running around yelling and screaming leaving me in charge, doing your job!” Mike grabbed his stuff off the table turning to the door. Seeing Matt and Jake, Mike yelled out, “Then these two join Bruce in the ‘acting like bitch’s in heat’. I wanted to look at that shit too, but fuck no you two had to act like that motherfucker back there. Bruce I hope you get a migraine from hell because I still fucking have mine.” Mike’s voice faded as the door closed behind him. Everyone in the hall just watched the door to see if he was coming back, so they could run and hide if he did.
Bruce broke the silence, “He’s so pissed. Nancy, go give him some and wear high heels, he likes that.”
Nancy looked at Bruce, “I know what he likes. I should make you sleep with him for pissing him off like that.”
“He doesn’t want any from me. Debbie, go give Mike some and make him shut up,” Bruce said.
“I’m not going in the house until he calms down. Nancy if you wait till he calms down I’ll go with you,” Debbie promised as the kids came over to the table sitting where ever they could.
Paul leaned over the table looking at Nancy, “I’ve talked it over with Cheryl, we’ll go with you. It’s time for us to get kinky anyway. Just please don’t let Mike force me to wear high heels.”
Bruce looked at Paul, “About time you join the family.”
Conner spoke up, “I’m not going in there with Mike. Y’all made me go in with Bruce last time and it hurt. I really think he punctured a lung. I’ll let Susan stand in my place though.”
“Oh that’s good,” Debbie said nodding.
Nancy stood up heading to the door, “Good night everyone, would someone ask Millie to save Mike a plate?”
“I’ve never seen Mike so mad,” Angela said as Nancy ran out the door.
“He’s never been that mad before,” Mary confirmed.
Debbie looked at Bruce, “You shouldn’t have done that to him.”
“Mike has to learn to take the bull by the horns again. After the time he got hit by that mob at the camp he hasn’t wanted to be put in charge unless it was here in a static defense. I felt we weren’t in danger so I let myself go. Mike was exaggerating some about my behavior,” Bruce told everyone.
“No he wasn’t Daddy. You were acting crazy, but I liked it,” Buffy replied grinning.
“Well, it doesn’t matter; Mike knows he can do it again. I even turned my back on an armed encounter with an unknown subject,” Bruce said.
“You did what?” Debbie yelled jumping out of her chair.
“He jumped out, stopped an unknown patrol, then left Daddy Mike and me with them,” Buffy said then added. “Daddy Mike did tell him to go. I think Daddy Mike was worried that Daddy was going to shoot Mr. Willie.”
“Why was Daddy going to shoot Willie?” Debbie asked her.
“Daddy thought Mr. Willie was going to take his new toys,” Buffy answered.
Willie spoke up, “Debbie if I may. It was a misunderstanding; Bruce was under the impression that I was not going to let him procure some firepower for the protection of this group. Mike merely let Bruce go back to collect the weapons as we discussed the movement of my people up here.”
Willie’s wife Maggie, looked at Debbie, “When he talks like that he’s bullshitting you. When he came back, Willie told me he needed to change his pants because a huge man with a shaved head had scared the shit out of him.” Willie told Maggie she was supposed to be on his side. Maggie told him not when he was bullshitting another woman.
“Why was he mad at the boys?” Debbie asked.
Bruce smiled, “Willie took us to a huge storage area that had tons of electronic…”
Jake started, “Mom you wouldn’t believe the stuff in there. We got real UAV’s that can stay up for days at a time. More of the micro UAV’s like the ones we have and Talon swords the UGV. Unmanned ground vehicles like the warlord we built but with the range of a mile. Then-.”
Mary jumped out of his lap, “Jake, that’s only supposed to happen when you think about me.” Everyone laughed as Jake blushed.
“Mary as long as that doesn’t happen when he is talking about other girls it’s ok,” Debbie told her. Mary accepted that sitting back down in Jake’s lap.
Bruce smiled then asked Paul, “Paul, I take it you have night work going again?”
“Yeah, I have forty out now plus a ten man crew working on one of the new storage areas. Stephanie came up with the design. We dig a hole, concrete the bottom then put twenty storage containers in it. We’ll have ten containers on each side with the openings facing each other and a twenty foot isle between ‘em that leads to a ramp so we can drive forklifts down to ‘em. Then we cement a roof and cover them up with three feet of dirt. The others are working on the barracks,” Paul answered.
“Today is Thursday, when will you have the next barrack done?” Bruce asked.
“Tomorrow afternoon,” Paul said. Bruce just looked at him not believing him and Paul added, “Bruce the foundations were already poured and when you can have forty around the clock, work moves fast. The second one will be ready next week, Tuesday at the latest.”
“Ok, I’ll take your word. Paul how long would it take to double the size of this table? I want it to hold thirty,” Bruce asked.
“A couple of hours, if you want it real pretty, a day,” Paul answered.
“Can you have it done by tomorrow morning?” Bruce asked.
“Sure,” Paul said.
“Ok then tomorrow at 1000, I want the whole family here. Paul you and Cheryl plus Conner, Susan, Millie, Lynn and Willie you and Maggie bring a notebook. I take it everyone has a place to sleep tonight?” Bruce asked receiving nods. “Ok until tomorrow, I’m going to shower. Willie I’m sure they have fixed you up as well, if not top of the stairs take a left, first door on the right that’s my room. Y’all can bunk with us until you get a room,” Bruce said leaving grabbing his pack.
Walking outside, Bruce saw a crew unloading a semi from Polk. Bruce smiled, just the truck he was going to look for tomorrow. Bruce opened the door reached in the cab pulling out two duffel bags. Bruce jumped out of the truck closing the door and headed to his room. Throwing the bags in the back of his closet, Bruce stripped down heading to the shower.
Bruce took a long shower burning the filth off his body. Bruce shaved then got out drying off turning on the vent fan to remove the steam so he could see. Stepping in the bedroom, all three, were sitting on the edge of the bed. Bruce just walked to the dresser grabbing some boxers and turned around.
“I really don’t want to talk about it tonight,” B
ruce informed them.
Debbie stood up saying, “It’s my fault.” Stephanie at the same time said, “I wouldn’t drop it.” Angela stood up on the bed saying, “I kept bugging her till she gave in.”
Bruce held up his hands for quiet and was stunned when he received it. Looking at Stephanie, “You used too much make up to cover the bruise, your ribs and left knee must hurt like hell.”
Bruce walked over moving Stephanie’s hair out of the way to see the left side of her face. The makeup told Bruce the bruise covered most of her face. Bruce opened her mouth feeling her teeth to make sure her jaw was ok. Bruce pulled her shirt and sport bra off revealing a huge bruise on her right chest. Shaking his head, Bruce ran his hands along her ribs finding two knots. Pulling down her pants, Bruce saw Stephanie’s left knee was twice the size of the right.
Bruce went to the dresser taking out one of his t-shirts and boxers then grabbed an ACE wrap. Bruce put the shirt on Stephanie. Bruce picked her up laying her on his side of the bed. When he started undoing her boots, Debbie and Angela helped. Bruce headed to Debbie’s closet grabbing extra pillows. Returning, Bruce wrapped her knee and put her leg up on the pillows. Then Bruce left the room going to the kitchen grabbing ice. After making an ice bag, he returned to the room putting the bag on Stephanie’s knee. Debbie and Angela had changed and were in the bed when he got back.
Bruce walked to the end of the bed and Debbie was fixing to say something. Bruce held up his hand. Debbie did not say anything and Bruce asked, “Where’re the kids?”
“Danny and Buffy are watching them,” Debbie said.
“That’s not fair to them. I worked their asses off,” Bruce said.
“I didn’t want them in here when you yelled at us,” Debbie replied.
“I’m not going to yell at you baby,” Bruce told her.
“You’re mad at me, Bruce I know it,” Debbie replied waiting on the torrent to start.
“No, I’m not. I’m disappointed,” Bruce told her and that hurt Debbie more. Bruce looked at Angela and Stephanie, “At all of you.” They all had tears in their eyes because each just wanted Bruce to yell at them and get it over. “You acted reckless out there,” Bruce said. Then he explained, “You put four beautiful women in one vehicle with no men. I’m not saying you can’t handle yourself. That’s a target a gang would risk a lot of men for. Look at it from an enemy’s stand point. I take women out but I always disperse them out so if we are seen they can’t target a group of women. They will try to take you alive if they think they can. I want you to remember that, they will take huge losses to get a group like you, Angela, Stephanie and Nancy. Then you were in a regular vehicle. You were the commander and should have been in the beast or at least a Hummer.” Bruce continued looking at Debbie, “If something would have happened to you and them I would’ve moved through this land killing everything. I’m not saying you didn’t do well but you know better and you got cocky. Debbie you told me these two are a part of our family now and I have accepted them. It wasn’t hard, I already loved them as friends.”
Blue Plague Survival Page 52