by Chris Hechtl
“What's going on?” he asked the pilot. The pilot looked over her shoulder to the wounded being evacuated.
“Careful of the IV,” she said. She turned back to Bob. “You in charge here?” she asked.
“I'm the construction boss. The guy in charge is out and about. What's going on?”
“County is being evacuated.”
“The whole county?” Bob asked confused.
“No, County hospital. We were swarmed last night. We were supposed to go to a nearby high school but it got bollixed I guess. I need to get back there. We've got thousands of people to move and we don't know where the hell to go.”
“Where were you going?” he asked.
“Away. The admin told me to find a safe place and drop them off and come back for more. She looked around and spotted the ambulance taking on wounded. “I guess you're it.”
“I guess we are. Wait, you said thousands?” Bob asked eyes wide.
“Yeah,” she nodded, clearly sober. “Fracken aliens got in and tore the place up. We can't hold it; it's a hospital not a base.”
“Base is out,” Bob said shaking his head. He took out his radio and grimaced, he knew he wouldn't get through with the chopper nearby.
“Can you switch to freq 221?”
“Um...”
He climbed into the chopper and looked around. She pointed to the radio controls. “Okay, we're on this channel,” he said setting her up. “We've got different channels for different crews. My boss is...” He flipped his radio over and read the paper he'd taped to the back and then punched in a set of numbers.
“Mall six this is Mall... Four, no three, whatever the hell, this is Bob over.”
There was a chuckle over the radio and then a click. “Mall six is busy. We're paging him.”
“Tell your people to pack up and head to County. Do that now as you get him. Every second counts,” Bob ordered.
“County?” the voice asked.
“County hospital is evacuating. They were swarmed and can't hold. Looks like we've got a shit load of incoming.”
“Shit, I'll pass it along, here's the boss,” the voice of Tater said. After a moment there was a click.
“Bob what's going on?”
“All hell's breaking loose, that's what's going on boss. Apparently County hospital is evacuating. They were swarmed and can't hold.”
“Understood. Tell the crew to prep for incoming. Big time.”
“Roger. Already in the works. They'll need all hands on deck though.”
“Mall six to all mall assets in the field and at the mall. Drop what you're doing now and listen up. All supply vehicles with half or full loads head to the barn now and unload as fast as possible. All others load up and head to County hospital.”
“He can't get in, Cactus is blocked,” the pilot said looking at Bob.
“Mall six are you serious?” Torres asked.
“This is Wayne, they can't hold?”
“Apparently not folks. Get them to the mall. Save who and what you can. Security form perimeter. I'll be en-route in a moment.” They could hear cars revving up and doors slamming in the background.
“Mall six is this a wise idea?” Bruce asked. Todd echoed the sentiment.
“Got any better ideas? I'm not going to let those people get eaten,” Shane growled over the net.
“We can't get to it, they blocked Cactus and Nason.”
“Come in overland. Head to snake hill and go through the field if you have to. Whatever it takes,” Shane ordered immediately.
“Roger,” Wayne said. “Head em up and move em out boys. Heroic rescue in the works.”
“Shit,” Bob growled. “Is it as bad as all that?” he asked.
“Worse. We've had fires, and we're out of water,” the pilot said shaking her head. “I know its bad out here, but well, we had these things get in and they've torn the place apart. It's not safe to go in one of the wings and they are working their way through the place.”
“Great,” Bob sighed. “Any idea what they look like?” he asked. She shrugged. He grimaced again.
“Mall six this is Bob. Be advised part of the hospital has been on fire and other parts are over run. Aliens in the ceilings and behind every door. Extreme caution is advised,” he said clicking his mike.
“Roger.”
“I've got to get my people back on track and help where I can. Get back to the hospital and move as many as you can. We've got what? Five hours of daylight left? Why'd you leave it so late?” he asked.
“Cause we were supposed to go to the high school but they backed out a little while ago.”
“Lovely,” he said taking the Mickey Mouse set off and handing it to the co as they traded places. “You know what, you stay here,” he said pulling him back. “You can fly this bird on your own right?” he yelled. She nodded. “Good, save the room for someone else,” he said. They backed away as the doors closed.
“Go,” he said, crouching and giving her a thumbs up. She waved and then put her hand on the cyclic and started upward.
“Boss what are we going to do?” Miguel asked. He turned; others were coming over to him. He cleared his throat.
“Look folks, County hospital is evacuating and we're it. Prep for incoming wounded, the uninjured people and probably a butt load of equipment and medical supplies. Lots of them. Miguel, find, oh there you are. Geordi, get...”
“Get with the others on utilities. Got it.”
“Find someone to set up lights for them and electrical for shit they need,” Bob said. He continued to pass on orders and then turned to the co-pilot.
“We don't have another bird or I'd give it to you. Think you can drive a stick?” he asked.
“A truck?” he asked. “Why?”
“We've got a couple of tractor trailers we can send over. A school bus too. To pick people up in,” Bob said.
“Shit yeah,” the guy nodded. “I can figure it out,” he said. “Just point me in the right direction.”
“Bob, um... What about Dave? What is he going to say?” Miguel asked as the others dispersed to their duties.
“He'll take another truck. Walt too I bet. This is an all hands on deck thing,” Bob said. He waved and lifted the mike to his lips to issue orders.
...*...*...*...*...
Shane grimaced as they bumped overland, taking the dirt road to the hospital. He'd seen it for a while, seen the burns, but hadn't thought much of it since they had closed the area off and gotten hostile about anyone coming near. Now they were screaming for help. Typical.
He put the thought of annoyance out of his mind. Right now they had people to save. People and equipment. And supplies. That had him interested as well. He hung onto the 'oh shit' bar as they bumped along and then made the turn past the generators.
One of the generators was offline, torn up. He grimaced at the sight of alien carcasses and the alien birds picking over them. He looked at the hospital, noting they were coming in near the ER entrance. People were milling about everywhere. He heard distant thumping. The helicopter was on its way back. Good.
“Avoid the LZ, get around and get our people in,” he told the driver who nodded.
“Tater, I want you to get with the crews. Tell them to secure the inner and outer perimeter. Bobby I want you to find the supplies and start moving them. Food and medical come after people.”
“Gotcha boss,” Bobby said, pulling himself forward by grabbing the back of Shane's head rest. “We have a head count?”
“No idea. That's what I'm going to get ASAP. Anyone give you any flack point them in my direction or put them to work. We don't have time for people to bitch,” he said. “We're seriously on the clock here,” he said.
“Gotcha,” Bobby said. He turned to the setting sun. “Shit yeah, no time like the present.”
...*...*...*...*...
They pulled up to a group of wary people. They unloaded and he waved his people forward as he came over. “Who's in charge?” he asked over the d
ust and noise, watching the tired blood splattered woman wince at his raised voice and tone.
“I, ah, I don't know,” she shrugged. “We lost the admin last night. It's a nightmare.” she looked over to the generators and grimaced as the last one failed. “Oh lord, there goes power.”
“Batteries,” an orderly said.
“Hope they last,” Shane said. “We've got people and trucks incoming. We'll pull you out.”
“Where?” The woman asked, practically wailing it. The past week had been pure hell. She was at the edge of sanity looking into an unknown abyss.
Fortunately for her and the others Shane was there with a hand and a safety line. “The mall. We've got triage set up there and temporary facilities. Just don't get picky,” he said.
For an instant her eyes flashed and then to his surprise she threw herself in his arms and clung to him. “Thank you,” she said into his ear and kissed his cheek.
“You're welcome,” he said as she broke the sudden embrace and wiped at her eyes. “Had it rough huh?” he asked.
“You have no idea,” she said roughly. She shook a bit and then sighed.
“Oh I might,” he said shaking his head as crews started loading people. There wasn't any sort of order to it. People were starting to rush to the vehicles, some were pushing and shoving others out of the way. He sighed. “We need to get this lot organized. I've got ambulances but only two. I don't know if they've been sent yet...”
“We've got one but it's being used,” she said waving. He glanced around. The parking lot was a mess.
“Well, it's going to be used again.”
“It’s um; it’s about out of gas.”
He turned around and pointed to a teen. The teen came hustling over. “Find a siphon and refill the ambulance. Get a driver and load it with the wounded and off now.”
“Roger boss,” he said nodding.
“You're in charge?” the woman asked. He nodded. “Of them all?” she asked. He nodded again. “Good,” she said. “Glad someone somewhere has their act together.”
“Hope others do too. Now let's get to work.”
...*...*...*...*...
They moved people, supplies, and equipment for five hours, right up to ten minutes before dark. Shane hadn't gone into the hospital, but he'd heard stories about how bad it was in there. The woman, Doctor Leslie Thompkins admitted that they were about out of food. The water had run out and now gas and power. They were about out of hope. He'd given her his power bar and canteen. Some of his crew had seen the gesture and done the same to others.
At base he nodded to a wounded Bobby as he came over. He was limping slightly and had an arm in a sling. His head was bandaged. He could see blood seeping through it. “What happened to you?” he asked eying the young man.
“Slipped on the floor in the dark,” Bobby said shaking his head. “Then a Creepling popped out of the ceiling and well...”
“I think a piece of it got him,” Tater said. I blasted it all right. Can't blame the buck shot,” he said defensively.
“Sure,” Bobby said giving him a mock dirty look.
“Saved your ass didn't it?” Tater demanded.
“Yeah, okay it did,” Bobby said as Tater patted him on his bad shoulder. He winced but then forced a smile. Shane snorted. “Boss that place is really torn up. I... honestly, not a good idea to send people in. Not for anything. Its got death trap written all over it.”
“It's the false ceilings. The damn aliens get up in there and can drop in on you. Or behind you. We lost a few people.”
“Shit,” Shane sighed.
“Howard was grabbed and they lifted him up and tore his head clean off. Not my way to go,” Bobby said, suddenly getting a thousand yard stare. Tater grimaced and nodded to Shane.
“We've got everyone we can out. If there were any hold outs or people hiding they won't live till the dawn boss,” Tater said shaking his head.
“Okay,” Shane said with a nod. They turned as someone waved to them. They could see an orange glow on the horizon back where they had come.
“Boss, someone or something just let loose in the hospital. Its' lighting up.”
“Shit,” Tater said craning his neck to see. “Wish I could see it,” he muttered.
“Yeah well, let's not. We've got people to settle in,” Jayne said coming over with a tray of coffee and energy bars. They each took one and sighed at the heat in their hands. Bobby's hands shook. He looked down at the cup, not drinking it. Shane saw tears fall for a moment and then the guy wiped at his nose.
“Bobby you should get checked out,” Jayne said, taking the sight of the guy in.
“I'm okay,” he said gruffly. “Just minor. Mainly cuts and bruises.”
“Just the same, we don't need you getting infected,” she said, motherly. Shane fought a smile as she tucked him under one arm and steered him away. “We'll get you checked out and you can get some down time. You and your crew earned it,” she said.
“Gotta love managing women,” Tater said softly to him, leaning over. Shane nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. He grimaced. Pumpkin. Someone had a funny idea about what coffee should taste like.
...*...*...*...*...
“Everyone, I'd like you to meet Lorraine Dagget,” Jen said as she came in the room with a mousy woman. The council looked up in amused surprise. “We'll get into individual introductions later. Miss Dagget is our educational representative,” she said.
“Oh?” Bob asked looking at Tamara. She smiled.
“I do day care honey. I prefer kids under six. They are exhausting but fun to work with,” Tamara said.
“It is a pleasure to meet all of you,” Lorraine said with a nod to each of them. “I was tasked with this since Charles is still dealing with his grief.” She shrugged helplessly. They were still dealing with the massive influx of people from County. Most of the wounded were tucked away in the make shift hospital or in a temporary wounded ward nearby. Some of the people had been volunteers and were now eager to pull their own weight.
“Charles?” Wayne asked, looking from the newcomer as she took her seat to Jen.
“Our science teacher. He taught basics but preferred Chemistry. He lost his family and is dealing with it the best he can,” Jerry said quietly.
“He's the guy making the rockets,” Kyle said with a nod. “Nice guy, I thought he was pretty quiet. Now I know why,” he said.
“Oh,” Wayne said nodding in sudden awkward understanding. There had been a lot of that going on of course. Some people dealt with the staggering grief differently. He, like many others buried his grief in his work, throwing his whole heart into protecting those that he could.
“Working with the kids has helped,” Lorraine said nodding. “I don't know what he would have done if some of his surviving students hadn't found him and prodded him out of his grief a little.”
“Ah,” Shane said nodding.
“We've got four teachers. Well, two, one aide, and one Math tutor.”
“It's a start ma'am,” Walt said with a nod.
“True and it covers the basics,” Jen said. “Which right now we're focusing on. That and survival.”
“Thank you for remembering the children's education. It is...”
“Important,” Shane said with a smile. “We have kids as well. We know they need to continue their education. Now more than ever. Our education is the only thing keeping us alive. That and hard work,” he said nodding to Walt, Bob, and the others.
“True,” Bob grunted.
“I was going over resource and space allocation with Jen here,” Lorraine said quietly. “Right now we're limited on space.”
“That's correct. What we can do is set up some temporary facilities outside if necessary.”
“Outside?” the English teacher asked, eyes wide in sudden fright.
“It's okay Miss Dagget, we've got it covered,” Wayne said with a smile. “The perimeter is secure and you and your students would be inside the wall and under cover. P
robably under a tent or in a motor home or something. Whatever we can arrange. Can we tow a couple of portable class rooms here?” he asked looking at Walt and then Shane.
“I don't see why not,” Shane said glancing at Walt.
“I do not like the idea of the aliens. We'd have to check them, inside and out daily. Especially under,” Walt mused. “Damn critters get everywhere. Trailers are some of the most dangerous places,” he said shaking his head.
“I forgot that,” Wayne sighed, sitting back and tossing a stylus on the table.
“No, it's a good idea, we just need to manage the risk,” Shane said. “Having a portable school brought to us would be good.”
“What about opening or at least re-opening the school nearby?” Jen asked. They looked at her. “The one over here,” she said pointing to the South West. “Elementary on um...”
“Day and Eucalyptus,” Bob said nodding. “I know the one. And the answer is no. Its right on the street. It's also not in the budget. Its too far away to keep safe,” he said.
She bit her lip and shot an apologetic look to Lorraine. The woman cocked her head and pursed her lips a little. Shane looked from one to the other and then shook his head mentally. Something was going on, he just wasn't sure what.
“What we're doing right now is focusing on allocating resources, firming up our defenses while eliminating as many aliens as we can. Once we're certain our inner perimeter is secure and our services become saturated we'll explore extending the perimeter,” Shane said.
“Which is going to be a while. We've got the hotel, Towngate Center, Lowes, Costco, Winco, and all those other little projects to deal with first,” Bob said. “Speaking of which we need to get this show over with. I've got people to yell at and things to do here,” he said.
“So do I,” Tamara said nodding. “My shift starts,” she looked at her phone. “In ten, no twelve minutes,” she said.
“Lorraine, work with your people. Get us a list of what you need. Minimum and wish list. Until then we'll see what we can do to get you materials and space.”