Afraid of the Dark

by Chris Hechtl

  “They think that by clearing areas they will have less to defend?”

  “Nuke em till they glow then shoot them in the dark,” Bob said nodding grimly. Ross and Hernandez both nodded.

  “Doesn't help the guys and gals who are at ground zero Bob,” Tamara said shaking her head. He turned to her. She met his eyes briefly and then shook her head. He didn't say anything.

  “Better than being eaten,” Hernandez said.

  “Maybe,” Shane said. He felt a little sorry for the poor schmucks who had been left to die by their own government, but then again, it was war. War had casualties. They needed to make sure they weren't going to become any. “We're a long ways from there yet. We can pull this out if we can keep people moving in the right direction. Gabe,” he said turning to Gabe.

  “Yeah Jefe?” Gabe asked.

  “My source mentioned Iran, India, and that area too. Something about Israel?”

  “Iran used chemical weapons. Some work, some don't. There are scattered reports on how effective some stuff is.”

  “No wonder, we're using them on aliens,” Jen said. They turned to her. “The biology is different. Something that worked on us may not work at all on them. Hell, they may have evolved in worse. Higher rad counts will kill us, but they could soak it up like basking in the sun.”

  “Shit,” Hernandez said sinking into a chair. “You sure?” he asked looking at her.

  “No idea. That's the problem,” she said spreading her hands apart helplessly.

  “Lack of intel on the enemy. When you act without intel you tend to do as much damage to yourself as to them.”

  “Going off halfcocked,” Bob muttered.

  “Probably,” Shane said. His stomach squirmed a little. He felt a hand in his. He turned and felt Jen brush against his side and lean into his side. He stroked her hair.

  Gabe blinked and looked at a report someone handed him. “Um, not to be too cliché, but this just in,” he said, eyes moving back and forth. “Apparently Iran did do the chemical weapons route. They also lost a nuke facility to aliens. The leaders were spouting off but their security got overwhelmed and they were taken out.”

  “Um...”

  “By Hoppers,” Gabe said reading on. They shuddered. “There is video.”

  “Pass,” Shane said shaking his head as Jen rubbed the small of his back. “Gabe get with our communications people, have them draw up a concrete report, what we know, what we think we know, and what we suspect and put it out for our people. Tell Jill to do a report if Candace isn't interested. Use the intercom. Get someone to try to confirm with higher that its not going to happen here.”

  “Yeah, you do that,” Bob said nodding. The others did too.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  Most of the day was pretty shot after that. They spent the day in the Towngate plaza, going from one concerned group to another, trying to get people back on track. To the council it was an extremely frustrating experience.

  All work stopped when the president appeared on a news broadcast at three o’clock. Gabe threw it up on every monitor, every phone, the radio, and even the intercom for good measure. People congregated to the largest screen in their area.

  “My fellow Americans. Recent events have driven some of the world’s leaders to desperate measures. Recently the countries of China and Russia have suffered catastrophic power plant failures and melt downs to rival Chernobyl and the Japanese Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. Also, unauthorized members of their military attempted to clear sections of their country by using nuclear and non-nuclear weapons.”

  He paused to look at the camera with grave concern etched over his features. “As a country we cannot condemn or condone their desperate measures. It is after all their choice, a choice of last resort. We do pray for the survivors if there are any.”

  “However, the countries of Pakistan and North Korea have gone beyond their own territorial limits. At two thirty four am Eastern Time the Korean peninsula was attacked by nuclear weapons. Fortunately they were repulsed by a classified interception system.”

  “Funny he doesn't go into any more detail on that.”

  “Probably doesn't want the North Koreans to target it,” Hernandez replied.

  “Shhhh.”

  “Sorry, sorry,” both men said.

  “The countries of Pakistan and Iran have used chemical and nuclear weapons in attempts to clear the alien menace from their soil. Unfortunately since they used them on their borders some of the damage was splashed onto their neighbors. It is unknown at this time what the casualties are. It is unknown if we will ever know the full story. The Iranian government has been destroyed...” the president shook his head as he paused and grimaced. “No, better to say consumed, by an overlooked alien hive just after they ordered the weapons to be used.”

  “Serves 'em right,” someone said.

  “At this time we will not be following their example. We will be battling this menace on the ground, in the air, and in the water with any other means at our disposal, but we cannot destroy our home to do it.”

  “Great, now what?” someone said. A woman poked him and glared to shut him up.

  “I have ordered the widespread use of FAE, Fuel Air Explosive ordinance tto clear areas around population centers. We will be using radio and paper leaflet drops to warn any survivors in the area to evacuate. If you receive a warning please evacuate the area before the deadline passes.”

  “An FAE is delivered by a cargo aircraft, either a C-5, C-130, or C-17. Do not mistake it for a delivery of emergency goods. The explosion is equivalent to a nuclear burst but with no radiation.”

  “Wonderful,” someone muttered. All eyes were locked on the president.

  “We will begin using the FAE in unpopulated areas near major cities and towns. Unfortunately due to their scarcity it will take time to get more into production. Please be patient.”

  “Until then please help your neighbors and friends the best you can. Remember we are all Americans, we are all human. Let's keep it that way. Thank you and good night,” he said and stepped away from the podium. The broadcast terminated with the presidential seal and then the FEMA Emergency broadcast alert screen.

  “That's that,” Shane said. He looked up and around to the group. “You heard the president. Full day tomorrow, get to your posts. We've got work to do,” he said moving off.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  The council didn't look happy as he came in the next morning. “Did I miss something?” he asked amused and a little concerned.

  “Just going over the news reports and one other thing,” Wayne said shrugging. “You tell him,” he said looking at Jayne.

  “Me?” Jayne asked. “Why me? You know the little pissant better than I do,” she said.

  “Um... I, ah don't like being called pissant Jayne,” Shane said giving her a dirty look.

  She shook her head. “Wasn't talking about you. We were talking about Julio and his merry band of mischief makers.”

  “Oh boy,” he said with a knowing sigh; sinking slowly into his chair. “What's he up to this time?” he asked. By now they all knew Julio's reputation.

  “He wants to leave the nest,” Jayne said.

  “So let him!” Bob said. “He's nothing but a nuisance anyway,” the big guy growled.

  “A helpful nuisance. Besides, keeping him around lets us keep an eye on him and he's not out knocking over convoys or attacking survivors,” Shane explained as he picked up a cup of coffee in front of his seat and took a sip. They were down to one cup a day now. He like most people preferred to have it early in the morning. Today was no different. Rationing sucked he thought with a pang of remorse.

  “Oh, hadn't thought of that,” Bob mumbled.

  “No you didn't. Fortunately we did,” Jayne said nodding to Shane and Wayne. John here pointed it out in an aside a while back. We've been trying to keep the kid and his people busy.

  “So...”

  “So he wants to take over the stor
age project.”

  “Um...” Bob blinked. “Not following.”

  “We've got a couple of contingency expansion plans cooking Bob. We talked about that a bit remember? We've got people, volunteers, in the Canyon Springs Plaza right?” He nodded. “Well, we've got other plans as well. Plans to take back the surrounding area once you've buttoned up Towngate. We had Julio scout some for us. The storage depot is right across the street from the old Home Depot on the other side of...”

  “The 60, yeah I know,” Bob said sounding annoyed. “Right over here on Fredrick,” he said pointing to the North East. “I'm a contractor remember?”

  “Yeah, yeah sorry,” she said smiling. “So...”

  “So what's the problem?” Jerry asked.

  “A division in resources for one. He wants to divvy up the area as well. He's got quite a few followers.”

  “So let them go?” Jerry said looking at Shane and then to the others. “Its either that or keep them here and make them mad.”

  “Which is something we probably don't want either,” Shane said softly. “His crew has been working their old neighborhoods on the other side of the 60.”

  “Which they can do better from there,” Jayne said. He gave her an inquiring look. She shrugged and held up her hands. “I'm not for or against it. I'm just laying out options here. Well... I am a little for it,” she said as she shrugged again, placing her hands on the table in front of her. “He is a pain in the ass,” she said. The only time she didn't have a problem with Julio was when he was out of the base or sleeping off a hangover.

  “Tell me about it,” Walt growled. “Little pissant came in wanting all his vehicles repainted and tricked out.”

  “What did you say?” Shane asked amused.

  “Told the little shit to piss up a rope. I don't have the time to rig hummers and crap with air suspension, massive speakers, and custom paint. Shit. What does he think we are, a custom hot rod shop?”

  “Apparently,” Jayne said hiding a smile. He glowered at her a little. She snorted.

  “Well, I sent him packing. He's trouble though, tried to get some of my guys and gals to do it on the side. Jesse said she's had a few people cutting work to do it. Projects sliding.”

  “I wonder what he promised them to get them to do it,” Jayne mused.

  “Or threatened,” Wayne growled. They glanced at him. He stared for a moment and then shrugged himself.

  “I'm getting a general vibe that we'd be better off if he was out of our hair.”

  “Or at least learning how tough it is on his own.”

  “Which could encourage him and his crew to go back to bad habits,” Wayne growled.

  “Which we'll have to keep an eye out for,” Shane said glancing at him. After a moment Wayne nodded. He nodded back.

  “So we're going to just drop everything and...”

  “We're not dropping anything,” Shane said interrupting Bob before he built up a full head of steam. “What we're going to do is sit him down and tell him that the project isn't a priority but if he and his crew want to do it they can. Out of resources they can get from that side of the 60. We'll call it a satellite. We'll set up someone in the Home Depot we can trust to doll out the materials there that we left behind and work on forting it up as well. Personally I think the old Home Base over there would be a better home but I think he wants all the stuff in the storage center.”

  “Which will undercut some of our more fractious population,” Jayne said nodding. “Some of the people who want out or don't like how things are run will follow him over there.” Bob and the others stared at her. She shrugged. “We've got a few groups who want to strike it out on their own. Try their own luck under their own leadership but lack the will to do it so far.”

  “Mutiny?”

  “No, just people tired of being crammed in cheek by jowl. Some parts of the mall really stink. Literally,” she said wrinkling her nose. She held up a hand as he started to object. “I know Bob, not your fault. We know. We all know. We're making the best of a bad situation and some people can't or won’t see that. And they won't get out of their own way to help beyond the bare minimum to get food.”

  “Some people are... god. Give them an inch they want a mile. Shit,” he said disgustedly. “What do they want the Ritz?” he demanded. “We've got what? Twenty thousand crammed in here now?”

  “Closer to twenty six. But that's in all our bases. We've got to spread out a bit. Its becoming imperative that we do,” she said. “We've got about six thousand in some of the other sites like Lowes and Costco, but we need to do better.”

  “I can't divert the resources to do this. I can't help them. Not and do everything else we've got planned. I...”

  “We know Bob,” Jen said smiling a tired smile. She patted his hand. “We know. We'll make sure Julio knows. They want that site they will have to do it themselves. We'll see if we can borrow a couple of your people to go over there and work out defensive plans for them to use as a starting point.”

  “That I can do. If I don't lose too many of my crews to the exodus,” Bob said.

  “It’s going to put a hole in a lot of manning tables Bob. We'll deal with it. We've got a lot of people who can fill holes.”

  “Yeah, but damn it!” he said pounding a fist on the table. “We just got them trained and up to speed! Now I've got to start over!”

  “Not necessarily,” Jayne said. “I'll have Kimberly poll the database for people with construction experience who aren't already in your department. I bet we can find a few willing to fill in the gaps here and there. Or even make up new teams for you.”

  “We're also getting new faces every day. New and old friends. People we thought lost. I heard you picked up a sub-contractor?” Jen asked amused.

  He snorted softly and then nodded. “Fred. Plumber. I've got him going over the new stuff. We're rigging the buildings for people before we move them in now. Its slowing growth but its better than tripping on them during the renovations,” he said. He'd caught a lot of flack over that when he'd insisted on waiting for the contractors to finish Target and Wal-Mart before allowing anyone in.

  “Which is fine Bob. We know that. We'll work it out,” Jen said smiling again. She patted his hand once more. “What we've done here, what you've done, is work miracles.”

  “Its a start,” Bob said.

  She chuckled a little. He snorted shaking his head and seemed to relax. Wayne glanced at Shane who shrugged a little shrug. Jen always had a way with calming people down. She was as much a people person as she was an animal lover.

  “Dave and I have got four crews working on clearing the roads. I can see if any have construction experience,” Walt said.

  “Five crews,” Wayne said. “We picked up a pair of repo brothers yesterday. They've got a bit of grief to work out, one of the brothers lost his wife, but I think we can put them to work in a day or so. They even have their own truck.”

  “Cool,” Walt said nodding. He glanced at Hernandez who nodded.

  “I'll assign a couple of people to guard them,” he said smiling a half smile. The others nodded. Moving cars wasn't exactly a line position. It was important though, they needed to clear the roads for better emergency access. It also allowed them to pick and choose which cars were worth keeping or worth recycling. Many however were just scrap.

  “How far have they gotten?” Bob asked. He sat back and rocked back and forth a little.

  “All the way down Alessandro to Lasselle Street. Most of the major streets have been either cleared or have at least one lane open now,” Wayne said with a nod to Walt.

  “Dave said we've got the 60 cleared down to Lasselle as well. The interchange is picked clean as you saw. We're debating clearing more of the 215 or heading into Riverside.”

  “We're getting some interest from the locals too,” Wayne said. I've had a few people come out and complain. Or at least a road crew did last week. Apparently an owner of a car wasn't happy that they were trying to move it
off the road and came out of a building to protest.”

  “Joy,” Bob said shaking his head.

  “Scary actually, the guy was waving a gun at the time. Fired a shot in the air. We heard it and heard the radio call and dropped by. The guy backed down when we explained the situation and put the car in his driveway.”

  “Good,” Jen said softly. “Good,” she said again. Shane looked at her. She was a little pale.

  He got up and nodded to the others. “I think we can break for now. Same time tomorrow folks?” he asked. The others nodded getting up. All but Jen. Jayne came over and stroked her shoulders as the others filed out.

  “I'll get Jen here to her appointment then to bed,” Jayne said.

  “I was going to do that,” Shane said. He was a bit concerned, Jen looked exhausted.

  Jayne shook her head. “You've got to deal with Julio and his crew. I'll take care of Jen, she'll be fine,” she said.

  Jen nodded. He smiled a little and leaned down to kiss her. She smiled as she kissed him back. “No more all-nighters with Doctor Phillips. I'm insisting on a curfew young lady.” She smiled and blushed a little at that. “After all I want some time with my lovely wife you know.” She shook her head amused as he stroked her cheek. See you later babe,” he said and kissed her again.

  “Don't call me that,” she growled as Jayne pushed her to the door.

  “Why? You'll always be one to me!” he said. “One hot mama!” he sang.

  She colored nicely and smiled a coy smile. “Letch!” she said.

  “Just buttering up my woman so she won’t bean me for coming in late tonight,” he said.

  “Fat chance of that,” she said. “Supper is at six as it always is, don't be late,” she said as the ladies got to the door.

  “Yes dear,” he sighed. Jayne smiled as they left.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  He found Julio near the auto repair area. The kid had about a dozen or so of his gang with him and a few new hangers on. They were showing off some sort of kill tats that they had worked out with Jesse the welder. Apparently she did tats on the side, or so Walt said. One of the tats on Vanessa's arm was pretty shiny and puffy, obviously new.