by Saxon Andrew
Chapter Five
The fires burning in the cities became more numerous as Essay flew over the northeast and headed into the Appalachian Mountains. He crossed into Virginia and prayed his cell phone was still operating. He pulled up the location of the clearing and, after a momentary pause that almost stopped his heart, it appeared. Good, twenty miles to go. He turned on the night vision system on his display and followed the GPS instructions. He turned on the landing lights and saw the clearing just ahead. He brought the Little Bird Helicopter in and landed with a bump. Night landings were never easy. He turned off the lights and heard, “DAD!” He got out of the cockpit and saw the three children running toward him followed by Emily cautioning them to watch where they were stepping. He hugged them and looked at Emily, “Have you taken everything we can use out of the cabin?”
“Everything?”
“We’re going to have to burn it.” The children’s eyes widened as Essay said, “An empty cabin will attract people attempting to get out of the cities. We can’t afford to have anyone near the cave.” Essay looked at them and said forcefully, “Go and take anything that’s useful. Don’t leave anything we can use to live in the cave.” The children turned and headed toward the cabin.
Emily looked at him, “Is it going to be that bad?”
“There are fires burning in the major cities. Things are only going to get worse.”
“What are you going to do about the helicopter?”
“I’ll move it to the cut at daybreak. We need to move your SUV in tonight. I’ll drive.” Essay went back to the helicopter and took a pair of night vision goggles out of a box behind the passenger’s seat. He went to the cabin and told the children to throw everything in the back of the SUV.
“Do you think it will make it through the wood to the cave?”
“I don’t care about scratching it up or putting some dents in it. We’ll make it.” He ran in the cabin and began collecting every item they might use and carried it out to the car. It took three trips but they finished at five in the morning. He drove the car to the cut in the ravine’s wall and backed it as far as it would go. He damaged the rear bumper on the wall. He left Emily and the children at the cut and went back to the helicopter. The sun was lighting up the sky in the east as he lifted and flew to the cut. It was tight but he landed the little bird and jumped out. He handed Emily a can of charcoal lighter fluid and a butane lighter.” Go to the cabin and start it burning. When you’re done, meet us at the cave. Take Michael with you.”
She looked at the helicopter, “How are you going to hide that?”
“I’m retracting the blades on top of each other. It has a low rolling resistance and it’s slightly downhill into the cut. I’m going to lift the rear rotor on top of the SUV as the children push it in.” Emily shook her head and ran toward the cabin carrying Michael. Essay took out the special tools for releasing the rotor blades and in thirty minutes he had them tied down above the rear body. He moved to the front of the small helicopter and started pushing it into the cut. It resisted but the three children joined in and it started moving. Once the wheels moved over the incline, he had to hold it to prevent it sliding into the front of the SUV. He held it in place as he walked to the rear and lifted the rear rotor. The children helped him stop it from moving too fast as he put the blades of the helicopter on the hood. He looked out of the cut and saw smoke rising in the direction of the cabin. He blew out a breath, “Go and gather as many large branches as you can find.” The children ran out in the forest and he began using a hand ax to cut down small trees. He pulled them back and within an hour, the helicopter was hidden behind a large mound of brush. He walked fifty yards away and went and cut down another small tree. He put it over an area that wasn’t covered and looked at the tired children, “Let’s go to the cave and see what’s going on.” The three walked through the forest and saw Emily waiting for them at the entrance. He grabbed the camouflage cover and pulled it across the cave’s small opening and used a tent peg to anchor it in place. He walked fifteen yards into the cave and collapsed into a chair. For the moment, they were safe. Emily looked at Essay and he saw her expression. “What?”
“Which came first, the cabin or the cave?”
Essay smiled slightly, “Moriah and I found this cave when we were hiking. We actually discovered it by accident. After she died, I came back and took a good look at it. I saw the cut was perfect for hiding a vehicle and the cave was a perfect place to hide.”
“You expected things to go south.”
Essay shrugged, “The world is full of nuclear weapons in the hands of nations I don’t trust. I bought the land and had the cabin built. I worked on the cave for more than three years and brought supplies every time we came here. The entrance can be sealed off and air pumped in through filters that would remove radioactive dust. I chose the furniture I put in the cabin because it would fit in the cave.”
“What about food?”
“I purchased seal packed containers of food that can feed us for an extended time. The things you bought will extend that time.”
“How long do you intend to stay here?”
“Until it’s safe for my children to come out.”
“You know you may have to defend it against intruders.”
“I’m really hoping that doesn’t happen. Tomorrow we will dig up some small saplings and plant them in front of the entrance. You and I will have to take turns on top of the hill with the binoculars. We’re on high ground so we will see any one moving toward us. We’ll try to hide first but I will defend this cave against any one attempting to take possession.”
Emily sighed, “I brought three sniper rifles and two spotter scopes.”
Essay stared at her, “Your husband must have really had a collection.”
“You have no idea. He also had an M-60 multi-barrel machine gun with more than three thousand rounds.”
Essay’s eyes widened, “Please tell me you brought it with you.”
“It’s in the back of the cave with the other weapons.”
Essay shook his head, “How was he able to purchase those weapons without ATF showing up at his front door.” Emily had a guilty expression on her face. “What are you not telling me?”
“Jack was a lot like you. He also worried that things could go bad quickly. He didn’t purchase the machine gun or sniper rifles. He sort of borrowed them.”
Essay snickered and started shaking his head, “At the moment, I’m really glad he did.”
Jim listened to them talking and said, “Dad, I thought the Alien said that we were going to have to learn to live together in peace.”
Emily looked at Jim and smiled, “Before that comes to pass, there will be a period of conflict while mankind tries to work it out.”
“What are we going to do while that happens?”
Essay looked at his fourteen year old and tilted his head, “We’re going to keep our heads down and wait it out. I’m going to have to teach the three of you how to go outside and avoid being seen. We have to keep our presence here hidden.”
Jim nodded and Stella said, “Dad, is that why you took Jim and me to the rifle range as we’ve grown up?”
Emily’s eyes narrowed and Essay shrugged, “It was Moriah’s idea. They’re pretty good out to a hundred yards.”
“What caliber did they fire?”
“Mostly 22 caliber for the first few years. Jim is really accurate with a 308.”
“That’s a sniper round.”
Jim shook his head, “Not really, Emily. Deer hunters also use it a lot.”
Essay yawned, “Look, we were up all night getting things moved and hidden. Let’s take some time and get some rest.”
“Do we need someone to keep watch?”
Essay looked at Emily, “It’s still early. I don’t think we’ll be in danger for a short time. Later on, we’ll go out and make sure the Little Bird and SUV are well hidden.” Essay moved to the couch and Emily walked over and sat down next to hi
m. She lifted his arm and put it around her shoulders. She put her head on his chest and closed her eyes. Essay looked at his children and the three of them were smiling. He smiled and shook his head, “Go and lay down. I’m going to need your help later.”
Jim and Stella stood up and pulled a giggling Michael to his feet. They went further back in the cave and sprawled on their beds. Everyone was asleep in less than fifteen minutes.
• • •
The Iranian President looked at the Chinese Premier on a monitor, “You really can’t expect us to work with the Jews!”
“Who are the infidels Mohamed spoke about in the Koran?”
The Iranian’s head went back and he shook it, “What does this have to do with this.”
“Did not the Prophet say that the infidels would have to be removed?”
“He did.”
“And this command came from Allah?”
“It did.”
“Is it beyond reason that Allah was referring to this Alien Species that is coming to kill all of the faithful? Could Allah not see into the future and was warning of their arrival?”
“Then why have we fought the Jews for centuries?”
“Perhaps to prepare you for what’s coming. Both of your communities are very good at war.”
“I find it surprising that you are knowledgeable of Mohamed’s teachings.”
“Am I not also an infidel? There might have come a day we would be adversaries. It is always good to know everything possible about a potential enemy.”
“This is something I will have to discuss with my religious leaders.”
“I would suggest that you point out to them who is the real danger to your believers. It’s not Israel.”
The Iranian stared at the Premier and said, “Your question now makes sense.” The Premier remained silent. “We and Israel are in the same home that will be attacked by those alien conquerors. Would I fight with them to defend my people?” The Premier raised his eyebrows. “Against the monsters I saw on that video, I would.”
“Let us pray your leaders are as wise as you. We are going to need everyone to meet this menace that faces us.” The monitor darkened and the Premier shook his head. Too much hatred existed between them. But, perhaps some time might change their emotions. For the time being, he had to try and bring the crowds under control.
Fear ruled the moment and frightened people did crazy things. The Alien didn’t tell them that it was also going to show the two meetings of Earth’s leaders that took place prior to attacking the Alien’s vessel. Those recordings opened a huge can of insanity. The planet had it confirmed that humans would always attack first. Their distrust of their leaders escalated to a level that was dangerous. He sighed and checked on the armies that surrounded his capital city. Some time was needed for humanity to come to reason out what must be done. He hoped he survived until it did. He was thankful that his citizens weren’t armed. The same couldn’t be said about the United States.
• • •
President Hodges sat in the Oval Office and watched the newscasts. After the Alien broadcast the recordings, every crazy fringe movement decided that there was no reason to wait to attack those they hated. The ensuing violence was beyond anything imagined. The law enforcement communities were outnumbered and outgunned. He declared martial law and called in the National Guard to support the police in regaining control. It was ironic that many of the National Guard took their weapons and joined the fringe crazies. It was hard to determine if the fighting was a race war, a religious war, or just insanity running amuck. Nighttime in the cities was too dangerous to describe. Many of the larger cities’ populations were fleeing during daylight and searching for places to hide from the violence.
He knew it was against the law to call in the Military to quell the violence but Congress passed a bill and he signed it into law. It was clearly unconstitutional but it would take years before the courts could stop him. Washington was surrounded by tanks to keep out the hundreds of thousands that were marching on the city. Inside the city was a battleground where no one was safe. Congress and their families were housed in hotels that were taken by the government. Even the armored vehicles transporting the elected officials to their hotels were fired on by high-powered rifles from the tops of many buildings.
One would think that the violence would diminish once the army and marines were called in…but it didn’t. Insanity ruled the night and day light was getting worse. He spoke to the nation constantly over the broadcast networks but his words weren’t having an impact. At least one that could be measured. He turned back to the news channels and felt there was no way to save the planet. He lowered his eyebrows and shook his head. He should have thought about a way to save the United States. He worried about the planet instead. The Alien was right. All humans were in this boat together. He prayed that others would soon come to the same realization.
• • •
Emily and Stella were on the hill overlooking the terrain that moved downhill toward the dirt road six hundred yards away. They both wore camouflage suits. Emily had taken some of Essay’s uniforms and tailored them to fit the children. They were sitting under a large camouflaged umbrella staring over the trees at the Blue Ridge Mountains. The view was incredible. Stella raised her head, “I hear an engine.” Emily was constantly amazed by Stella’s hearing. A moment later Stella said, “There are two vehicles moving on the dirt road. They sound like they’re moving at a dangerous speed.”
Emily heard them a moment later. They were coming from the direction of the main highway, which was three miles away. The two vehicles must have turned off the main highway onto the dirt road. Emily lifted the sniper rifle and Stella went to the spotter scope. “There’s a small van moving up the road about a mile away. It is being chased by a large pickup truck.”
Emily moved the scope and saw the van as it briefly appeared as it moved through the trees lining the road. She moved the scope back and saw the large red pickup. It was gaining on the van. She moved the scope back to the van and saw it suddenly slide to a stop and a man and two women erupted out of the van and began running into the forest. Their fear was easily seen even though they were six hundred yards away.
Emily looked at Stella, who had moved the spotter scope to the red pickup. She raised the riflescope and saw three men jump out of the pickup carrying rifles. Stella was still and said, “The big one in the black vest just yelled to kill the man but not harm the women.” Stella looked up from the spotter scope, “He says they will have fun with them after they kill the man.”
Emily knew Stella had taken lip reading classes in school. One of her close friends was deaf and she would go to classes with them. “Do the ones they’re chasing have a weapon?”
Stella moved the spotter scope and shook her head, “They’re not carrying any.”
Essay ran up the hill and looked toward the road, “I heard the yells. What’s going on?”
Emily kept the scope to her eye and said, “The ones in the truck appear to want to capture the women for their fun. They intend to kill the man with them first.”
Essay looked into the forest and went back to the rope ladder, “I’m going to flank them.” Emily nodded and took a prone position. She lowered the two front legs on the sniper rifle, pressed a button on the side of the scope, and glanced over her shoulder at the small device spinning on top of a pole in the ground behind her. She put her eye behind the scope. She waited a moment and saw the anemometer’s electronic signal was being received by the scope. “Where are they, Stella?”
“They’re four hundred yards out moving toward the tallest pine tree. They’re gaining on the three fleeing from them.” Emily moved the scope to the tall pine tree and saw the three men running through the forest. She put the sites on the large leader and waited for a moment as he came around the tall pine tree and raised his rifle. She released a breath and gently squeezed the trigger. The red Nazi Cross on his chest erupted into a fountain of blood and he fell like
a brick to the ground. She moved the sites to the slim man to the right of the dead man. But before she could get the shot off, the two chasers hit the ground behind a tree on each side of the path.
The three they were chasing heard the shot ring out over the forest and they hit the ground. They appeared to be listening and they realized that one of the chasers had been hit when the other two started yelling. Stella watched the man motion to the two women to stay down. She moved the spotter scope back to the two surviving gang members and said, “They should run away now.”
“We can’t allow them to escape, Stella.”
“Why not?”
“They’ll come back with many others to punish us for killing one of them.”
Stella stared at Emily and then went back to the spotter scope. “The one on the right is extremely nervous. He’s starting to get up and then he lies back down. The other one is just staying down. I’d target the one of the right first.”
Emily moved the rifle and sighted through the scope. She could see that Stella was right. This one was moving around. She waited and controlled her breathing. When the shot presented itself, it would happen suddenly. She forced herself to relax and then it happened. The man jumped up and turned to run toward the road. Emily squeezed the trigger softly and the man only took one step before he slammed forward into the dirt. She moved back to the last attacker and saw he was completely hidden by the large pine. Emily glanced to the west and saw nightfall was only an hour away. This one was smart. He would wait for darkness to make his escape attempt. She waited and kept the scope on the tree. The sun touched the horizon and she knew it would have to happen soon or he would get away. Suddenly, a shot rang out and the man rolled out from behind the tree and put it between him and the shooter that just fired on him. Emily moved the crosshairs to the man’s chest and squeezed the trigger. The man lifted about a foot off the ground and didn’t move.