by Paul Kirk
“Do we have to talk?”
“No.”
“Am I allowed to make noise?”
“Not under the present circumstances.”
“What if I’m quiet?”
“You mean, like a very quiet moan?”
“Yeah.”
“That might work.”
CHAPTER 3.20-Cleveland at Dusk
“You think Connor MacMillen will find one of the leaflets, Hannah?”
“I hope so, Nicole.”
“What are your plans now?”
Colonel Starkes was pleased to see Nicole standing next to the major. It was clear they were becoming an item. The major held CJ, comically trying to stay abreast of the conversation while making funny faces at the baby. CJ giggled and reached for the major’s moustache.
“We’re heading to Cleveland at dusk. Major, make sure the men are prepared to leave at that time.”
“Yes, ma’am,” answered the major, handing CJ back to Nicole abruptly. “I’ll do it right now, colonel.” The women watched his exit. Colonel Starkes was happy to see CJ reach for her, joy and anticipation on his chubby face.
Nicole handed her son to the colonel. “I think you need one of your own, Hannah,” she said kindly.
“Oh, Nicole, that’s not an option. Not until we figure this whole thing out.”
“Yeah, well, from what you said, you find Connor Mac and that might all change.”
“Nicole!”
CHAPTER 3.21-Securing the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame
“We’ve finished our air recon and we’re approaching the outskirts of Cleveland, ma’am,” said Major O’Malley.
“Okay, major. Select the best possible LZ. We need a solid defensive structure. Is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame still feasible?”
“Our preliminary data confirms the site is suitable for our needs, colonel. The initial radiation assessment confirms fallout there is negligible. Can you believe Cleveland missed the fallout, ma’am? Those two nuke reactors we saw are only fifty miles away.”
“I’m sure it has something to do with the wind patterns from Lake Erie, major. Or, maybe Cleveland sent someone in to maintain those nukes.”
“Yes, ma’am. Maybe so. Anyway, the infrared scan suggests a population mass centered about four miles south of the landing zone. The primary concentration is near the Hilton on Crestwood Avenue. It’s likely that they are now aware of our presence, colonel. The bulk of the population is involved in a defensive response and, from what I can see; they’re going about it in an extremely efficient way. It’s likely that the Hall of Fame is not the focus of that attention and completely abandoned, ma’am.”
“Good.”
“By the way, colonel, Shamus was at the Hall of Fame in ’01. He remembers the layout of the primary building and the terrain surrounding it. And Captain Daubney knows the roads very well in that area.”
“That’s excellent, major.”
“We need your final authorization to proceed with the roof landing, ma’am.”
“You have it, major.”
SECTION 4: Making Friends and Enemies after the Bird Flu
CHAPTER 4.1-Not Sorry
Connor finished the last of a greasy goose leg and tossed the bones into the living room fire. He prodded the accumulating embers with the fireplace poker, contentedly watching the dancing flames. He settled deeper into the worn couch cushions and studied Cody who was tucked tightly into a blanket and leaning into Amanda. She noticed his glance and smiled.
“You good?” he asked.
“I’m real good, Mac.”
“Alright, then.” In the firelight, Connor watched Amanda softly bury her face into the boy’s hair and breath in his scent. She closed her eyes and Connor guessed that she was imagining what it would be like to hold her own child this way.
“Mac?” interrupted Marty. His spot on the floor to the left of the fire was quite comfortable and made good use of several blankets and bed pillows.
“Yeah?”
“I’ll take first shift tonight.” Marty finished tying his boots and stood.
“Okay,” answered Connor, rising from the couch.
As the two men walked to the back door, they heard Amanda’s sleepy comment. “Be careful, Surf Boy.”
Marty smiled. “Always, Snuff,” he answered.
“Wake me in four hours, Marty,” said Connor.
“Copy that, Mac.” Marty slipped out the door and Connor returned to the couch and the warmth of the fire.
The three were comfortable. Connor had checked on Roger and Rhonda when dinner was ready, but they were both deeply asleep and he didn’t see the need in waking them. The house was peaceful now with the exception of the fire, which occasionally popped.
“I’m very proud of you, Cody,” said Connor. “You handled yourself like a true soldier today.”
The boy was barely awake, but his eyelids rose slightly at the compliment. Cody took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He was extremely tired and leaned further into Amanda. He nearly fell asleep, but forced himself to speak, just above a whisper. “I’m not sorry for killing that man.”
“You shouldn’t be,” agreed Connor. “He had it coming. He was trying to hurt your family, Cody, and you did what you had to do to protect them.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“It’s time for you to get some sleep.”
“Yeah . . ..”
“Go to bed Cody, take the room next to your parents.”
“Okay.”
“We’ll guard you and your family all night. You get some sleep.”
“Mister Connor Mac?” He was standing in front of Connor and Amanda, rubbing his eyes.
“Yeah, Cody.”
“Can we stay with you guys?”
CHAPTER 4.2-Emerging as a Pair
“Terry, can we talk?”
“Sure, Andy.” She sat alone, lost in thought, on one of the massive rocks encircling the fire pit. She was mesmerized by the dancing colors of the flames and had barely heard Andy’s approach. She took a sip from her mug of homemade strawberry wine and looked at him. “Are all the kids tucked in?”
“Yeah. Sandy finished with Shannon who's insisting on reading with you tomorrow night. She was pretty peeved that you weren’t coming in.”
“Yeah, well, I got a few things running through my head right now. I’ll make it up to her later.”
He slid the crude wooden bench close enough to let her smell him. He was freshly showered and had used the homemade soap they had perfected—it smelled of mountain laurel. “You know, you’re out here thinking about what’s going on between us.”
“You think so?” She sat her mug on the rock and joined him on the bench, leaning her head against his shoulder. After a few seconds, she sighed heavily. Andy draped his arm across her shoulders and felt her easy acceptance. He took a mouthful of ale from his own mug and wiped the froth from his moustache.
They were relaxed—he was content to sit here with her without moving until the dawn’s light. It wasn’t to be—they separated slightly when they heard the back door open and close. Andy turned toward the sound and watched Kevin make his way toward them holding a large beer stein. Kevin smiled and sat on a large rock opposite the pair. He drank from his stein. “Ahh, that’s some good stuff that man makes. Ryan's my favorite individual of all time.”
“Ry knows how to brew a good ale,” agreed Andy. Their banter was something of a ritual by the fire.
Kevin wasted little time getting started on the night’s more serious discussions. “So? You guys got something serious going on or is Liam just full of it?”
CHAPTER 4.3-Can we stay?
Connor had finished packing and had checked the status of his weapons. He stood on the back porch watching a pair of squirrels race up and down an oak twenty yards from the house. It was time to leave, but he was unsure of the status of the McIntyre family. He and Amanda had slept fitfully in the front room, waking each time Rhonda yelled in fear. By all accounts, Ma
rty had fared no better when his guard duty was complete. Rhonda's occasional screams jolted the night and, immediately, they heard Roger’s calming voice, consoling her. Connor wondered if Rhonda was built to win her fight against yesterday's demons.
Cody, up an hour after Connor, covertly tracked his every move. He watched as Connor gathered his gear, fitting each item neatly in his backpack. While Connor was on the back porch, Cody watched him through the window. The boy’s position allowed him to occasionally turn his attention to Amanda’s naked thigh. She continued to sleep on the couch, but most of her left leg had escaped the confines of the pink blanket.
Cody tore his gaze from Amanda and joined Connor on the porch. “Um...Mister Connor Mac? Before you go, can you at least talk to my dad?”
“Nah, Cody, that’s not necessary. You guys are heading west and we’re heading east. I’m sure you guys will be safe. Maybe you can come visit us in the mountains near Pittsburgh when you can. I'll write down a few directions for you.” Connor went inside and Cody followed him. He pulled a small notebook and a pencil from his jacket hanging on the back of kitchen chair and began to draw a crude map.
“I know my daddy’s gonna want to pay you back somehow.”
“Remember what I said. That’s not an option. It’s not necessary.”
“Yeah, I know you told me that, but can’t you at least wait until he’s up and says goodbye himself?”
Amanda’s long and languid stretch caused both to turn and stare at her. Cody tracked the leisurely movement of her bare legs as the blanket shifted higher and higher toward her hips. Connor moved toward Amanda, effectively blocking Cody’s view. He bent and kissed her hair and gently pressed a hand into her shoulder. “We got young company, Snuff,” he whispered.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her with a slow, eager moan that was quite inviting.
“Amanda?”
Still groggy, she became aware of the young boy when she glanced across the room. Cody intently studied the interaction. She smiled. “Hey, Cody.”
“Hi, Amanda.”
“How ya doing?”
“Good.”
“Alright, then.”
Connor slipped from her embrace. “There’s breakfast on the porch outside—compliments of yours truly.”
Near the front window, Marty abruptly sprung from his resting place, naked except for his skivvies. He was instantly alert. “Are we headin’ out, Mac?” he asked.
“Yeah. Grab some grub.”
“Right after chow?”
“Yeah, Surf Boy. We did our good deed yesterday. Grab what food you want and prepare to leave. I made some goose egg omelet with wild potatoes—I fried ‘em up with some scallions. We found a lot of goose eggs yesterday.”
“No kidding?”
“You might find ‘em tasty,” said Connor.
“It sounds great, Mac.”
“We’ll be leaving in thirty. Shove some food into that belly and grab your gear.”
“Copy that.”
CHAPTER 4.4-Sleeping in Cleveland
“Ma’am, the area is secured,” said Major O’Malley.
“Have you established a suitable area for the command post?” The helicopter idled on the roof of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under heavy guard, waiting for word to power down.
“Yes, ma’am. Captain Daubney recommends the second floor—at least initially. There’s a large open area centered inside on that floor. It will work nicely as a forward command post. Fairly large offices surround the area, colonel, and can be used as sleeping quarters for tonight. We're evaluating the top floor, the seventh floor, as probably our primary base of operation once we've properly ensured a defensible route to the bird. The seventh gives us optimum surveillance range and the rooms, so far, are less damaged for long term usage.”
“That sounds like it would work nicely. Take me to the second floor.” Nicole exited the ‘copter behind the colonel and they followed the major into the building.
“Yes, ma’am.” He continued to talk as he led them, Colonel Starkes carrying her pack and Nicole carrying CJ. "Right now, we'll have solid access to the helicopter in case we need a quick getaway. The escalators to this floor can be defended easily. There are only three sets and no other way to reach the second floor. Even in the unlikely event the building had power, I’ve told Captain Daubney to disable every elevator.”
“Excellent.” They had reached the area designated as the forward command post, the colonel nodding in appreciation.
“Ma’am, there’s a huge office right here that has a good couch—we thought you should take this as your sleeping quarters.”
“Very well, major. Once your men have deployed to assigned duties, I want you to find quarters large enough for you, Nicole, and CJ.”
He risked a glance at Nicole, and refocused his attention on the colonel. “Thank you, ma’am, but that’s not necessary.”
“I know it’s not necessary, major, but do it anyway. I want you to assign two full-time guards to Nicole and CJ. When she’s in her room, they will guard her door whether you’re with her or not and when she’s out of her room they will accompany her wherever she goes.”
“Yes, ma’am, I understand.”
“In the meantime, I’ll take CJ to my quarters if you’re okay with that, Nicole. I can keep him all night, if you’d like.”
“I’d like that, Hannah,” said Nicole, smiling. She quickly handed over two bottles and a small fuzzy green alligator that CJ preferred while sleeping.
“Yes, ma’am, if you think it’s okay.”
“Yes, major, I think it’s okay. Remember that you won’t be seeing much of one another over the next few weeks. We’ll be waiting here for Colonel MacMillen and during that time, I’ll need your full professional focus.”
“I understand, ma’am. You’ll have it.”
“All right, major, enjoy your night off.” He began to walk away, but she stopped him after a few steps. “Major?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered, stopping and turning to face her.
“Are the men accepting...you and Nicole?”
“Yes, ma’am. That’s not a problem.”
“Make sure it’s not, major.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“We’ll probably be meeting up with Phoenix sometime tomorrow.”
“Agreed.”
“It will be interesting to see if a year’s changed the man. I recommend Captain Daubney coordinate the schedule of any future contact with Phoenix.”
“I was gonna take care of that myself, ma’am.”
“Yes, I know, but I want you on the primary tactical analysis for the next few days prior to the onset of any diplomatic necessities.”
“Of course, ma’am.”
CHAPTER 4.5-Bird Flu Could Reach America
“Can I get you some breakfast, Amanda?” asked Cody.
“That's okay, Cody. I can get it myself.”
Standing by the couch, Amanda stretched away the last semblance of sleep.
“It’s one of your favorites, Snuff, goose omelet with all the spices,” said Connor, wrapping an arm around her waist and gently kissing her neck.
“Yeah?”
“You know what, Amanda?”
Amanda turned toward Cody, smiling.
“What, Cody?”
“Mister Connor Mac came back early with another big pile of goose eggs and cooked them up on that little grill on the porch.”
“Yeah?”
“And he put some goose meat in it and a whole bunch of stuff from his pack. And, you know what?”
“What’s that?”
“He told me it’s okay to eat goose eggs and goose meat. We won’t die like they say.”
“That a fact?”
“Yep. He told me he spiced it up just the way you like it.”
“There’s still some left?”
Amanda turned to Connor. She was decidedly hungry.
“Yeah. Made a whole big pot for the c
rew.”
“Did you put in the cayenne?” asked Amanda.
She cleared the remainder of sleep from her eyes, excited.
“Oh, yeah. The smaller pot is for you. It’s pretty hot, mind you.”
“Yes!”
“And I added some mushrooms, onions, and a few other items to make it interesting,” said Connor.
“Oh, my.”
“And, like I told Marty, there’s some wild potatoes fried up in that goose fat that should stick to your skinny ribs.”
Connor grinned, watching her fumbling efforts at fastening her outfit for the day.
“Did you like the breakfast, Cody?” asked Amanda.
“Oh yeah. It was the best I had since…since I guess I can remember! Mister Connor Mac’s a great cook.”
“Yeah? Well I’m better.”
“No kidding?”
“Yep.”
Amanda smiled, an urgency kicking in.
“Gotta pee.”
Passing Marty on the porch steps, she waved a mumbled greeting. Barely noticing, Marty sat shoveling in food at a carnivorous pace.
“Better save me some, Surf Boy,” Amanda yelled over her shoulder.
“Hmmm. You got your own pot of hot eggs so quit bitchin'.”
Upon her return to the porch, Cody held a small yellowed dishtowel and a bowl half-filled with warm water.
“Mister Connor Mac said you’ll probably be wantin’ this.
“Aww, thanks, Cody. That’s very kind of you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Cody blushed and shyly glanced off at the weeds speckling the cracked driveway. He reentered the house and Amanda sat the bowl on the porch railing to wash her face and hands. Connor snuck up behind her, whispering.
“I’d say he's definitely smitten, Snuff.”
Amanda swiped the towel at his head before she finished drying her face. Smelling the strong, stale scent, she whispered, “I better get my own dish towel back, dammit.”