by Kyle Pratt
“The Chinese first encountered the Kern flu last year. They’ve been working on a vaccine since then and succeeded in producing one about the same time it broke out in this country. They passed the vaccine to Durant, but he’s been using it to keep people in line. If you’re a loyalist, you get the vaccine. If you’re a troublemaker you don’t.”
Caden shook his head. “Your boss is playing god.”
“Former boss. Word about his tactics has leaked out. Dozens of senior military leaders are willing to defect because of what Durant is doing. I have the vaccine formula and the names of those willing to defect.”
Caden looked her up and down. “Where are you hiding the information?”
“Ah ….” She stared at him hesitantly.
He grinned. “I’m mad and disappointed with you, but I won’t kill you and take it.”
“Here.” She pointed to her mouth. “One of my back teeth has dental floss tied to it. The other end is tied to a microchip in plastic that I swallowed.”
“Wow, like a drug mule.”
“I’m not thrilled with the comparison, but yes, something like that. Is the information worth the cost of this mission?”
Caden sighed. “Come on. We’ve got to get you to the other side before dawn.” As they continued he called on his radio hoping to hear Shaffer. Occasional static came back. He adjusted the squelch, but heard no words.
The sound of traffic rumbled through the trees before they reached the forest edge. The main north-south highway ran atop an earthen embankment fifty yards ahead. Between them, and the road, stood a grassy clearing.
The vehicles drove without lights, making it difficult for Caden to judge, but it sounded like steady traffic lumbering north along the highway.
“What are all those vehicles?” Becky stared at the vague forms moving on the highway. “Where are they going?”
“Reinforcements for the battles north of St. Louis.” A check of Caden’s GPS and map confirmed what he already knew. “The boat is on the other side of that highway and just over a mile north.”
“If we try to cross they’ll either see us or we’ll get hit by one of the trucks.” She stared at the dark road. “The traffic thins, but never stops. How do we get across?”
“I’m not sure.”
They scouted north, toward the hidden Zodiac, as worry grew in Caden’s gut. He looked in the direction of the Mississippi river, less than a mile away. On the other side were friendly, Constitutionalist forces, but all too soon, daylight would arrive making them visible. He needed a way over or—.
His foot slid in the mud beside a stream.
Under. He could go under the highway. Caden followed the stream to the forest edge and smiled. Two hundred yards away he spotted the black circle of a culvert under the road.
He turned to Becky as he recalled their first day together. “Did you ever learn how to swim?”
“No.”
“Too bad.” He pointed to the pipe. “That’s how we’re getting to the other side.”
Becky frowned.
“Since they’re driving without lights we should be able to reach the highway before going in the water, but I don’t know how deep it is. Stay low in the gully, and follow me.”
She shuddered, nodded, and followed.
Huddled over, Caden left the trees behind as he weaved along the gulch. He tried to stay on the bank. His feet would dip into the chilly water soon enough. Static crackled in his ear. He glanced back over his shoulder. Becky raced just a few feet behind him.
“Team leader ….”
The words came through the earbud as Caden eased into the icy water flowing into the culvert. “Try not to splash.”
Becky splashed. “It’s deep.”
“Shhh!” Caden stopped and held a finger to his lips. “Not that deep.” He held his rifle over his head as the cold water rose to his shoulders. “You can do this.”
“I’m on my tip-toes,” she whispered.
In the darkness he couldn’t see Becky, but heard her following.
Caden paused at the west end of the pipe and looked around. Vehicles still rumbled overhead, but the waning darkness would still hide them. “Stay low and follow me into the woods.”
She nodded.
“Team leader … Guide … read me.”
Caden recognized Shaffer’s voice. As he ran into the forest he pressed transmit. “Guide this is Team Leader. Change to frequency three.” When they were again talking he asked, “What’s your position?”
“I can see you. I’m coming in from the north.”
If Shaffer wasn’t loyal this would be an excellent place to trap them. No, in the culvert would have been a better ambush. Still, Caden huddled down behind a tree, while he waited and listened.
A wet and tired soldier emerged from a nearby stand of trees.
Caden remained behind his tree until Shaffer stood next to him.
“Did Jackson make it?” Shaffer raised an eyebrow as he looked at both of them.
“No.” Caden frowned.
Shaffer sighed. “I scouted south looking for a way under the highway. Nearly two miles from here I spotted about a hundred of Durant’s New America thugs moving this way.”
“Yeah.” Caden frowned. “We’ve seen a lot of vehicles heading north.”
“No.” Shaffer scowled. “These soldiers were stationing guards, using drones, and boats on the nearby streams. It’s seemed to me their mission is either to seal off the area or push us north into a trap.” He leaned close to Becky. “And I’ll bet you’re the cause of all the trouble.”
“Yes.” Caden touched Becky’s arm. “She has important information.”
Shaffer pursed his lips.
“We need to keep moving.” Caden pointed ahead. “Let’s find our boat.”
They hurried north, staying in the forest, trying to remain silent, and unseen.
Becky struggled to keep pace. She stumbled, and her breathing grew more labored.
“Are we near?” She asked.
“Stop for a moment.” Caden whispered.
Shaffer slowed, but signaled he’d scout ahead.
Caden checked his map and GPS. They were within a hundred yards of the boat.
Shots rang out.
Dirt flew in the air.
Shaffer stumbled firing his rifle. He fell back against a tree and continued to shoot. “Go.” He pointed and fired again.
Becky ran in the direction Shaffer pointed.
Caden fired as the first soldiers came into his view.
“Go.” Shaffer shouted. “I’ll ….” Bullets hit and he slumped to the side.
Caden ran toward the boat.
Becky was doing her best to push the Zodiac into the water with limbs still on it.
He slammed into the boat and it floated free.
Becky jumped in and paddled.
Caden followed and together they rowed the black zodiac into the waning darkness. He sighed, changed the frequency on his radio, and pressed transmit. “Delivery service with package to drop off. Do you copy?”
“Roger.” Fletcher’s voice came over the radio. “I’ll summon the welcome wagon.”
Gunfire thundered from the eastern shore.
Becky yelped, collapsed to the bottom of the boat, and covered her head with her hands.
“If you’re hit, stay there. If not, get up and paddle!”
She paddled.
He glanced over his shoulder. They were firing into darkness, but that wouldn’t last long. Caden spun around in the seat, returned fire and started the motor.
* * *
Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, Saturday October 24th
Zach woke to gunfire. He grabbed his rifle, and helmet and joined others as they ran toward the levee.
“Everyone hold your fire.” Fletcher snarled over the radio. “Do this just like we practiced. If you shoot before I give the order I will kill you myself.”
Zach reached the river and spotted Major Westmore and a woman
as they jumped from a Zodiac and ran up the embankment.
“More boats!” Zach pointed.
A dozen Zodiacs skipped downriver.
Multiple explosions boomed to the south.
“Drones,” Fletcher hissed. “Shoot at anything on the water.”
“Boats coming in from the south,” a panicked voice reported.
Zach glanced in that direction. Smoke and flames obscured his view downriver. Thirty yards away Major Westmore helped the woman into a jeep, then he ran back to the levee as the vehicle sped away.
“Shoot at the boats!” Fletcher ordered. He fired off several bursts.
Zach aimed at the nearest boat and shot.
Dirt sprayed around him.
Something hot cut his cheek.
Zach returned rapid bursts of fire.
A weird looking jet with a gun in the nose swooped low over the river and peppered it with bullets.
“That’s a Warthog,” a nearby soldier shouted. “And it’s from our side.”
The plane continued along its deadly path as a cheer rose from the men on either side of Zach.
An awful roar hurt Zach’s ears.
The plane exploded and fell into the water. Flames, wreckage, bodies, and sinking Zodiacs dotted the water.
“Fall back,” Major Westmore shouted over the radio. “Fall back to the vehicles and regroup at the airport.”
Jets darted back and forth overhead.
Zach jumped into the back of a Humvee and it sped away.
He slipped the rifle onto his shoulder and felt a three-inch long cut on his cheek. He gazed at bloody fingers.
Fifty feet ahead, a deuce-and-a-half exploded.
The Humvee driver cursed and swerved around the flaming wreck.
Minutes later the vehicle slid to a stop at the Cape Girardeau airport.
He jumped from the Humvee and tried to figure out what to do. Soldiers seemed to be running in every direction. Helicopters waited on the runway. Three jets circled overhead.
“Zach!” Major Westmore shouted and pointed to the helicopters. “Get on the middle chopper . Guard the woman.”
“The jets.” Zach pointed. “They’ll shoot the helo down.”
“They’re ours. Go!”
He nodded and ran to the waiting craft.
When he jumped aboard, Zach immediately spotted the lady. “Don’t worry ma’am, Major Westmore sent me to guard you.”
A ghostly pale face peeked from under several blankets. Soggy boots and a wet coat lay on the floor beside bloody, bare feet.
Zach sat across from her. Could she be the cause of all this death and horror?
The chopper lifted into the air.
Chapter Forty
On the road to Hansen, Saturday, December 24th
Even if he wasn’t on duty, Zach Brennon couldn’t have slept. As the Humvee rolled south he recognized more roads, rivers and buildings. He leaned back in the seat and smiled. He would soon be home.
After two months of fighting in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, the unit had been rotated to the rear. Several days of hot food and eight hours of sleep had been great, but then it got better. Durant asked for a ceasefire and peace negotiations.
The surviving soldiers of the platoon received orders back to Washington state. He would be home for Christmas.
The vehicle exited the freeway and turned toward Hansen. He noticed the convenience store by the exit. His father had been murdered there years ago and, after the terror attacks, it had been looted, but someone had fixed it up. Lights were on. Windows had been replaced. Cars were parked outside.
He knew he should be pleased that some sort of life had returned to the store, but sadness came to him.
So much had changed during the year. Death, despair and depression had taken a heavy toll.
He had changed.
Early in the year he wanted to fight in the Battle of Hansen, but when he arrived he huddled in fear. Thinking of that boy now caused him to smile both in amusement and embarrassment. Back then he didn’t understand the terror of war. He wasn’t a coward, but it took him months to figure that out.
At some point he had changed. Grown up? Perhaps there was no one moment. He had learned how to fight and that gave him confidence. But he had learned to hate killing, even when he knew he must. Only later did he understand that someone must stand in the gap.
He pulled the little Bible with its bent and frayed cover from a pocket and flipped through the pages. The night the book had been given to him seemed long ago. He found the verse marked with a pen. “I searched for someone who would build the wall and stand in the gap for the land.”
Yes, that was him. He nodded inwardly. That was the change. He hated war, and killing, but he would stand in the gap with his fellow soldiers to protect the land, his family and those he loved.
Was that the difference between a boy and a man? He shook his head. Such thoughts were way too philosophical for Christmas Eve.
“Stop at the road up ahead,” Major Westmore said from the back seat.
The convoy parked at the turn to Hopps Road.
“Sergeant Brennon.”
“Yes, sir?” Zach turned in his seat as the major opened the door.
“Come with me.”
Zach followed Major Westmore to the deuce-and-a-half behind them in the convoy.
First Sergeant Fletcher stepped from that vehicle and saluted. “Will you be leaving us here, sir?”
“Yes.” Caden looked down the road. “Tell Lieutenant Brooks I’ll be … no, don’t bother. Let him find me.”
“Yes, sir.” Fletcher smiled. “After all there is a ceasefire. The war can wait until after Christmas.”
“Exactly.” Caden turned to Zach. “And deliver our new sergeant here to his home. I think we can spare him for a while.”
“Yes, sir.” Fletcher nodded. “We just might be able to manage over Christmas without him.”
“Thank you, sir!” Zach grinned.
“Merry Christmas.” Caden grabbed his rucksack from the back and walked toward home.
* * *
Hollister Hotel, Saturday, December 24th
Zach pushed opened the door to the bakery.
A bell overhead jingled.
DeLynn’s familiar voice called from the back, “I’ll be right out.”
Near one end, he leaned against the counter and took in all the dough and fresh bread smells. He had kept his promise and come back to her, but would he be able to keep that promise till peace reigned? Only God knew.
DeLynn came from the back with her eyes fixed on the tray of buns in her hands. Then she looked at him with a flour-smudged face.
Zach stood straight and smiled. “Hello, beautiful.”
“Zach!” She dropped the tray onto the counter and ran to him with open arms. “I’ve been worried sick about you.” She ran a finger along the scar on his face. “Are you all right?”
“I am now.”
“Do you have to go back?”
He shrugged “I don’t know, but—.”
She smiled. “We’ll worry about that later.” She pulled him close and kissed him.
* * *
Near the Westmore Farm, Rural Lewis County, Saturday, December 24th
The clouds in the distance foretold snow. It might be a white Christmas this year. During his school days, Caden had walked this road many times and enjoyed the stroll beside the creek, but today he held a quick pace.
Home called to him in the distance. He adjusted the rucksack on his back and marched faster. It only took minutes, but it seemed like forever before he turned up the long driveway to the farmhouse. No vehicle could be seen, but smoke rose from the chimney.
The front door stood unlocked. He pushed it open and hurried into the living room. An ample fire warmed the space. Peter slept in the playpen near the television. Caden walked over to the baby. “Where’s mommy?”
The kitchen door creaked slowly open.
Adam stepped out still hold
ing the door.
Caden looked beyond the toddler and spotted Lisa working in the kitchen.
Adam giggled.
Caden held a finger to his mouth. “Shhh.”
Adam stumbled back pushing the door behind him, and then went toward a box of toys.
From inside the kitchen came his sister’s voice. “Adam where did you go?” The door swung open. “I told you to stay in the kitchen with me.”
Lisa stifled a scream, gaped at her brother, and then ran to him.
Caden threw open his arms to embrace her. “I’m glad you don’t have a shotgun this time.”
She feigned disapproval. “Don’t surprise me, and I won’t shoot you. What are you doing here?”
“I pulled a few strings to get my platoon home for Christmas.”
She hugged him tight. “When did you get here?”
“Just now.” They talked for a few minutes just standing in the middle of the living room. Then Caden asked, “Where is everyone else?”
“Mom and Sue are at the church. They’re helping prepare for the candlelight service tonight. It’s the first service in … well, a long time. They’ll be home soon.”
“Where’s Maria?”
“The barn. I think.” “We should give you two some privacy. Adam, come with Auntie, back in the kitchen.” She took the child’s hand, but fixed her eyes on Caden. “We’ve all been worried, but I think it was hardest on Mom and Maria. Go find your wife.”
“Thanks, sis.” He stepped back through the door. “I will.”
The hinges squeaked as he entered the barn.
Nikki darted toward him but stopped, growled, barked, and then seemed to recognize Caden. Wagging her tail, she ran to him.
Caden knelt and petted the dog.
In a denim jacket and jeans Maria stepped from the tool room. Seeing him, she gasped. Then a smile grew on her face. “Is it over?”
“No.” He frowned and slowly stood.
“How long can you stay?”
“That depends upon the peace negotiations. A few days … a week maybe.”
She ran a hand through her hair. “Then, let’s not waste it.” She stepped close to him.