“This is their fight. Those two groups of men will fight it out. They each want to control this area, and us too.” He paused.
The silence held in the factory until Conner began to speak once more.
“So… Do we fight? It’s not our fight. It’s their fight. And we already decided we were going to leave the factory in just a week or two anyway, so there’s nothing to fight for. I can’t see any of us getting hurt… Or worse… And all for something we don’t even want… Didn’t ask for.”
The heads started to nod.
“We can’t surrender though, and we can’t give up, that’s equally stupid. They’ll hunt us down and kill us… Most of us...” He deliberately didn’t look at anyone, but focused on the hanging tarps at the entrance to the factory for a few moments.
“So we decided to be as sneaky with them as they’ve tried to be with us. Everything we need is pretty easy to get on the road. Believe it or not, almost all of you in here right now are going in these two suburban’s... Hidden in the back… under tarps of course. We’ll pack some stuff in with you. It’ll be tight, but we’ll be able to do it. We're going to drive out Washington Street and make it look like were going to trade these two Suburbans in. What we’ll really do is run you all out one of those trails where you’ll wait for us to finish setting them up. Aaron and Jake know about the trails and where you’ll be waiting for us. We’ll leave you there and get two other trucks. Then we’re going to do it one more time. While you wait on us, we’ll go back and get the ones we left behind at the factory…”
He looked around at the factory. “We’ll leave this place empty… We’ll, empty of people. Oh we’ll pull the trucks back across the road. Make it look like we’re still here, but we’ll be heading for you.” Conner paused.
“Lilly, Sandy, you two drive the Suburbans. Dustin, You’ll let them know when it’s clear. When James calls for Ninety-Nine, that’s you. Just answer and go.” Conner waited. Each of the three nodded.
“Well. That’s the plan. Maybe it seems too simple… Maybe it seems like running. Hell, maybe it even is, but it’s what we got. By the time they wise up, we’ll be long gone… Safe,” Conner finished.
“Where do we drive to?” Lilly asked.
“That trail you’ll be on just runs through the back woods,” Conner said. “It comes out by the state highway. Hunters use it, maybe kids. We have no idea what shape the trail is in or the highway. We’ll have to wing it. We don’t know if there’s anyone out that way either. Keep the F.M. and the C.B. on as well as the VHF. We’ll be about two hours behind you. Wait for us in the woods at the end of the trail.”
Present Time
Conner came into a small clearing about an hour later. The two suburbans sat waiting. Everyone gathered around. There were pats on the back, hugs, and more than a few kisses.
The C.B.’s and the F.M.’s had remained silent. They had left their own VHF units silent as well; although Conner was convinced that if they had been listening on the VHF channels they would have attacked them already. It wouldn’t have been hard to figure out that they were up to something, if only due to the fact that they were talking on the VHF systems. Everyone split up between the trucks. They had bottled water, food supplies, but they would have to pick up other things as they went along. They had not been able to pack anywhere near as much into the trucks as they had wanted to. They would head for the Pennsylvania border and hope to pick up some of what they needed there before they moved on to somewhere further along where they would spend their first night. They pulled back out onto the road and drove, putting miles between themselves and whoever might be following them.
They passed fields full of cows, deer, horses. All unconcerned about the state of the world. So many animals, so few people, Conner thought as he stared out into the world passing the windows.
“Looks like we’ve adapted ourselves right out of existence,” he said half to himself. The thought had seemed kind of small, but spoken out loud it had become frightening... huge. He turned to look at Aaron, but Aaron only nodded, concentrating on driving. He turned back to the window.
Aaron looked over from his driving, but Conner was staring out the window as it slipped past the glass. He turned back to the broken road before him.
“We’ll be down for the night soon... On the road to where ever tomorrow,” he said aloud as he watched the moon begin to rise in the sky above him.
TWO
April 15th
Watertown, New York
Mike
Mike sat on his front steps and quietly stared over Linden street. It had changed for the worse. More than a dozen small quakes had hit over the last few days since they had been back. The houses were leaning more, including his own. Last night they had received some skip coming out of Manhattan. For twenty minutes they had been in whatever pocket that had been there and they had talked back and forth like they were right next door. There were no more illusions. The people he had talked to had come cross country, all the way from LA. There was nothing left. It was all gone. There was no help on the way. The Army was not on the way to put things right.
“Hey,” Candace from beside him. He had been slipping deeper into thought again.
“You were drifting away,” She said, as if she had read his thoughts.
She did that a lot lately, caught him, or he drifted a lot lately, maybe both. “I was... I was thinking about all of it. I think we should go to New York, wherever they are, outside the city. They sounded legit,” He raised his eyes to hers.
“As legit as anything in this world,” she shrugged. She looked around the street that really wasn't a street any longer. “Can't stay here... I know you know that.”
“I know... I think safety, if there is anything like safety any longer, is going to be in numbers. And we don't have enough numbers. We're too few.” He looked at her and waited for her acknowledging nod.
“We can be there in a few days. If they are where they say they are,” Candace added.
“Do you think they aren't? Did you feel something?” He looked unsure.
“No... I felt they were straight with us, and I felt their offer to join with them was straight too.”
“Anybody join this conversation?” Ronnie asked as he walked out of the house and sat down next to Mike. Mike Laughed.
“Join in. We were talking about New York. Those people last night,” Candace said.
“Ah. It's a nobrainer though, isn't it?” Ronnie asked.
“We think so,” Mike agreed. His face was pensive.
“Got concerns?” Ronnie asked.
“Same old stuff. Really it's all about whether they're real or not,” Mike said.
Ronnie nodded. “I think they are I don't see the percentage in luring us down there if they're just fakes. We'll come armed and ready for bullshit, they have to know that.” Ronnie seemed to consider. “I just don't see it. I think they're the real deal. I've been thinking about it too,” he sighed.
Candace raised her eyebrows.
“The finality of it all. I mean the fact that from here to the other side of the continent the world's done up,” Ronnie said after a lengthy pause.
Mike nodded. “Hard to wrap your head around, I get it. It's the same for me. That's what we were just talking about. So,” Mike brushed his hands against his, jeans and then stood from the step. He flexed his leg. Stiff but pain free. It needed exercise to work it out. “I guess we should go get a truck and get moving.”
Candace and Ronnie stood with him. “Where you think for a decent truck?” Ronnie asked.
“Probably check out on the strip. There are a few custom shops out there, about a dozen car dealerships and a few truck dealerships. I'd like to find something setup for off road. Save us some time screwing around... Probably save road time too.”
“And they aren't staying there much longer. It will help us when we move on with them,” Candace added.
“Makes sense,” Ronnie agreed.
“Or strik
e out on our own,” Mike said.
“South?” Ronnie asked.
Mike nodded. “They said the land went into the sea.”
“They said there was land in the distance though,” Candace said at the same time as Mike. “It got into my head... Well, that's not exactly true. It's like I dreamed about it before they said it. Like I knew it would be,” he shrugged. “I know, spooky.”
“Not really. I mean the world is gone. All the things you count on. Maybe now there is survival... Some sense that kicks in and guides you,” Candace said.
“Now that's spooky,” Ronnie said. They all laughed uneasily.
“Still,” Candace said. She let her argument drift away unstated.
Mike reached over and retrieved his rifle from where it rested against the porch post. He slung it over his shoulder and shrugged once to make it comfortable. “We,” he stared into the open doorway into the house and then stopped. “We don't need anything here. We were running low all the way around, about time to resupply.” He took two quick steps to the door, tugged at the handle and began to close it. He stopped with the door still partway open and laughed uneasily. “Guess it doesn't matter anymore,” he said. Candace smiled, a small, sad smile and she shrugged and turned away.
“Not really,” Ronnie agreed.
Mike released the door handle, turned and stepped down off the porch. He turned and looked at the house once they were a few hundred feet away. He walked backwards, taking it in. It looked ready to collapse. It was leaning, the foundation cracked and crumbled in places. He turned and caught up to Candace and Ronnie. He didn't look back again.
Project Bluechip:
Watertown NY: Subterranean Military base.
Commanding: Major Richard Weston
Richard Pierce leaned back as Major Weston leaned in close to his monitor.
“So they're leaving,” he said.
“I think so,” Pierce agreed. “We lost them a few times. We don't have everything covered up there, so I can't say they aren't up to something, but my best guess is that they don't have a clue about us. They're on their way out... I could take it a little further.”
Major Richard Weston looked at him. “How so?”
Pierce reached forward and rifled through a small stack of messages beside his computer. “Came from your Intel guys... Communications” He paused to find his place in the message. “Yeah... Seems they talked via CB to someone outside of Manhattan yesterday... Your guys thought they would probably head that way. Seems likely that's what is going on now. They have a truck, they're making the rounds... Foodstuffs... Camping gear, weapons and ammunition,” he shrugged and looked up at Weston.
Weston nodded. “Keep an eye on it.” Pierce nodded as Weston walked away.
Watertown Center
Mike and Candace
“I say we're good,” Mike said, He looked over the back of the truck. “Nothing left, but to...” He stopped as Candace suddenly went rigid beside him. Her pistol came up fast and a split second later he found he had shrugged his rifle from his shoulder and into his hands. Ronnie already had his rifle off safety and aimed. Mike turned and followed his aim to where a woman walked slowly down the street toward them.
“No closer,” Candace called out.
“I'm not armed... I'm not dangerous,” The woman said. “I need some help. Some help to get out of this place... Please.” She stopped reluctantly and looked back and forth from the rifles to Candace's pistol. She wore a long denim shirt that hung over her jeans to mid thigh. She lifted it to show she had no weapons belted under it and then dropped it again.
She had a British accent. At times in her speech it sounded more pronounced, at others hardly there, as though she were trying to suppress it, Mike thought.
“Just need a lift out.” She spread her hands out flat, palms up. “Nothing else. I have been stuck here from the first, it's complicated, but I got away from some people that had me.” She seemed to consider the three of them. “Maybe you have got no room to spare?” She looked from one to the other.
Mike spoke. “We have room, it isn't a question of that. It's a question of whether we'll accept you to fill that place.” He lowered his rifle and motioned her forward. “Ronnie? Make sure she isn't armed.” Ronnie nodded, lowered his rifle, re-slung it, and started forward. A second later he was patting her down. His hand found the inside of her thigh and started up.
“There's a piece there,” she said quietly. Ronnie's hand stopped suddenly, just below where the shirt overhung from her waist. He felt her tremble. “It's small... I've been scared. Just something for safety.”
“But you said you had nothing,” Ronnie said as his eyes held her own.
“What's up?” Candace called.
“Got a piece in her... I guess, her panties,” Ronnie raised his hand and carefully felt the small gun. Candace was at his side when he looked up. “Really small,” he said and shrugged. Candace passed him her pistol. “Keep it on her.”
Candace reached forward and freed the buttons that held the fly of her pants. She reached in and came out with a small .22 pocket pistol. She looked it over.
“Five shot... .22 Mags,” the woman said.
Candace looked up. “I can see that. “So why didn't you say something? Or maybe, why did you say something? This is small enough to stay concealed.”
“Your mate was on his way up.” She shrugged. “Look. I'm alone. I had to have something. This town may look dead, but it's far from dead. I'm just looking for a way out. The road. Leave this place. It's been... It's been bad.” her eyes seemed to cloud at the end. “Mind? It's a bit cold.” she looked down at her open fly.
“Go ahead,” Candace said. She buttoned the fly back and then took a deep breath. “So?”
“So, What's your name,” Candace asked.
“Pearl... You?”
“Candace... Mike, Ronnie,” she nodded to each with her head. “I guess she's okay,” she told Ronnie. Ronnie lowered the gun and then handed it back to Candace a second later.
“We're headed for the city,” Mike told her.
“Syracuse?” Pearl asked.
“No... When people say city around here they usually mean New York... Manhattan,” Mike said quietly. “Why should we make room for you, Pearl. Especially since you didn't want to tell us about this gun?” He had taken the pistol from Candace and was turning it over in his hand. It was very small and didn't seem capable of doing much harm.
“It will kill you well enough,” Pearl said as if reading his thoughts. “It's a bad world. You need another shooter. Who knows what you're going to run into between here and there.” She paused and then nodded at the pistol. “You can see I'm resourceful.” She met Mike's eyes when they swung suddenly up to her own. “I'm not dangerous unless someone is tying to hurt me,” she finished quietly.
Mike raised his eyes to Candace and Ronnie. They both nodded. He looked back at her. “Guess you're in, Pearl,” he told her. He tossed the gun and she caught it in one hand.
“I like it, but here,” Candace said retrieving a rifle from the back of the truck. She tossed it to her lightly.
“Zero to sixty?” Pearl asked as she looked over the rifle.
Candace pulled a clip from a pouch at her side. She frowned. “Guess so,” she said as she tossed the clip to Pearl. “I guess so.” Pearl socketed the clip home as she nodded.
“Okay,” Mike said. “Looks like we need another truck.”
Candace nodded and they all piled into the truck. Mike turned it around and started back out to the strip.
~
Richard pierce watched the two trucks pick their way around the wrecked pavement. Lately he had found himself wondering what the outside smelled like? Was it sterile the way the air here smelled? Slightly burned? Something like that. It had a constant smell of hot steel. He really didn't notice it unless he concentrated on it.
He had watched the three become four. So Pearl had made her way out. He could only hope she would remember w
hat he had done for her. How he had cut her loose. Anyone else in this place would come unglued to find out he had not only let someone go, but that the natural containment of the project, encased over a mile deep in stone was now breached. He had let her out through the air ducting. It had taken two days of looking over the schematics to be sure that there was a way out and where it was, but he had found it and sent her on her way. She had found her way out, and that could only mean that project Bluechip was not a secure facility any longer. Air was being exchanged with the outside. Air sucked in from that same ducting, directly through the opening she had cut into the duct work, and then drawn in to their clean air supply. So, he thought now, why does it still smell like hot metal? He had no answer, except, maybe it took time. Maybe the small amount of air was not so noticeable. No matter, he knew it had been breached, he knew the truth.
Of course they would know. He had very little time, maybe only minutes before she was discovered missing. He felt cowardly about the way he had worked it out. He had sent her first, she had made it and so he knew it was safe for him to go. He had no intention of going along with the ones she had found though, He had his own plans, His own ideas, He had waited a long time to get out of here and he had, had a long time to think about what he wanted to do once he was out: Where he wanted to go. He punched up a camera view in one of the tunnels. The hole was obvious immediately. Ragged sheet steel curled away from the side of the pipe. So she had done it. She hadn't found some other way, she had done exactly what she was supposed to do. The duct was breached. All he had to do was go.
He leaned forward and punched a series of numbers and letters into his keypad. Hiding it with the forward movement of his body. A second later the system switched over to a camera loop that it had released no more than a few minutes before, and once more the tunnel looked untouched: The duct piping solid and whole once more. He stood from his console and stretched.
“Christ,' he complained loudly, as he fisted his hands and worked at his eyes. “This shit is about to put me to sleep, Graham.“
Graham looked up and smiled. “Not you. Usually you're a bear for this shit.”
Earth's Survivors: box set Page 52