Bug Out! Part 13: Finale

by Robert Boren

  “Will do, general,” Dobie said. He slipped his phone back in his pocket and trotted over to the next body, which John Harper was going over.

  “Same thing, Dobie,” he said. “Militia.”

  The two men continued going through the bodies as Gabe dug a big hole. It took them another hour to get finished.

  ***

  Charlie and the Sheriff sat outside of the two cells, each with a militia member inside.

  General Hogan came down the stairs. “Damn, it still stinks down here,” he said.

  “Yeah, we’ll never get this smell out,” the Sheriff said. “The stench of death.”

  “I just heard from Dobie. He’s stripping the bodies and burying them out there. He said there’s scars on their triceps.”

  “Hey, inbreed, you remove your chips?” Charlie said to the man in the cell by the door.

  “Don’t tell him nothing,” said the man in the other cell.

  “Who cares,” the first man spat at him. “They’re gonna kill us anyway.”

  “Keep your damn mouth shut, Billy.”

  “Billy, is it,” the Sheriff said. “Where’s your base?”

  “Screw you, old man,” Billy said, not looking up.

  “Who’s the other guy?” Charlie asked.

  “My name is Jesse,” he said.

  “All right, Jesse,” Charlie asked. “Why are you guys targeting our cell tower? Took us a while to fix it last time.”

  “Wouldn’t you like to know,” Jesse said, snickering.

  “Trying to get us ready for a UN attack?” General Hogan asked.

  Billy spit on the floor. “We’re not with those guys.”

  “Well then why the hell are you attacking us?” the Sheriff asked. “Maybe we ought to be on the same side.”

  Jesse laughed. “Fine, you join with us to fight the UN, and when that’s done, we kill each other.”

  “We saw Islamists with the UN,” General Hogan said. “You know that, right?”

  “They turned on us,” Billy said. “Traitors. They’re trading a corrupt Federal Government for a Global Government that’s just as bad. Maybe worse.”

  “I never could figure you guys out,” Charlie said. “You join forces to fight the citizens of this country, and for what? The Islamists were a lot bigger force than you guys. They would have made you convert or die eventually.”

  “We had an agreement, and it would have held,” Jesse said. “We got double crossed by Daan Mertins. He used the chips against us.”

  “How do you think he did that?” General Hogan asked.

  “Those damn apps,” Billy said. “He planned that all along.”

  Charlie leaned back, laughing so hard he almost fell off his chair.

  “What’s so funny, old man?” Jesse asked.

  “You guys are like mushrooms. That’s rich,” Charlie said.

  “What are you talking about?” he asked.

  “They’re keeping you in the dark and feeding you bull shit,” the Sheriff said, chuckling.

  The prisoners stared at them blankly.

  “Maybe we’ve told them enough for now,” General Hogan said. “Let’s let them stew for a while. We need to talk.”

  “I just got one more question,” Charlie said.

  “Okay, go ahead,” General Hogan said.

  “If you guys aren’t with the UN, why are you still attacking us?”

  “Revenge,” Billy said. “For what you did against us. We’re the resistance now. You’re with the Feds. You even got a general with you.”

  “Don’t you wonder why this general is here all alone with a small group of partisans?” Charlie asked.

  “Let’s go, gentlemen,” General Hogan said. They climbed the stairs and shut the trap door behind them.

  “What the hell?” Charlie asked.

  “You buying that revenge stuff?” the Sheriff asked.

  “I’m buying that it’s what those two think,” General Hogan said. “In case you didn’t notice, they aren’t the brightest. We need to talk to their leadership.”

  “Why?” Charlie asked.

  “Because we should be on the same side, that’s why,” General Hogan said.

  “They tried to overthrow the country,” the Sheriff said.

  “That’s true, and they made a real bad choice teaming up with the Islamists to do it,” General Hogan said. “On the other hand, they saw the Federal Government for what it had become. So have we, but it took us longer.”

  “So why did they team up with the Islamists?” Charlie asked. “They stood by while those jerks did unspeakable things to the population.”

  “I’m not excusing them for what they did,” General Hogan said. “That being said, it would be nice to have them on our side when we fight the UN and the remaining Islamists. We could sort out our differences afterwards.”

  “I don’t like it,” the Sheriff said. “I don’t trust them.”

  “Oh, I didn’t say I trusted them,” General Hogan said. “We didn’t trust Stalin, but we joined forces with him to fight Hitler.”

  Charlie laughed. “This is gonna be a hard sell, general.”

  “I know,” he said. “Not even sure it’s doable at this stage, but I think we should have a discussion.”

  ***

  Dobie was dirty, bloody, and beat as he climbed the steps into his fifth wheel. He let the dogs inside and fed them, then stripped off his clothes and got his shower running. The clothes smelled of death, blood stains all over the pant legs and part of the shirt. The dogs went to them as soon as he dropped them on the floor.

  “No!” he said, picking them up and tossing them in the hamper in his bedroom. He shut the bedroom door to keep them out, and then took his shower. The warm water felt good flowing over him, and he stayed in for longer than normal. After he dried off, he went into his bedroom and the smell of those clothes hit him in the face. He got dressed as quickly as he could and took the hamper outside, then opened all the windows in the trailer and chased the dogs out. “Princess, patrol!” he said, then carried the hamper to the laundry room. He opened the door and was startled by a beautiful young woman, folding a huge bunch of clothes on the table next to the bank of machines.

  “Oh!” he said. “Sorry.”

  “Phew, what’s in there?” she asked, turning towards him. Her eyes lit up when she saw him. “Who are you?”

  Dobie’s heart fluttered as he took her in, from her short blond hair and pixie nose to her trim figure, white t-shirt and short shorts.

  “You okay?” she asked, looking as mesmerized as he did. “I’m Vicki.”

  “Dobie,” he said, trying not to stutter.

  “Oh, I know who you are,” she said, grinning. “All Derek would talk about when I went back there was you and Duchess.”

  “You’re Derek and Jamie’s mom?” Dobie asked.

  “Yes,” she said. “So glad to meet you finally.” She held out her hand and he took it. It was small and soft.

  “You’re still doing laundry?” he asked. “I was at your rig hours ago.”

  “Had to stop in the middle because of that gunfire,” she said. “Took my kids into the basement under the barn.”

  “Good,” Dobie said. She turned back to her folding as he watched her delicate form. “That’s a lot of laundry.”

  “Oh, this,” she said, looking back at him with a shy smile. “It’s not all mine. We divide up tasks in Clint’s group and rotate them around. I’ve got laundry for the next couple of weeks. Everybody’s laundry.”

  “Oh,” Dobie said. “Mind if I put this stuff in?”

  “Please do,” she said. “What is that, anyway?”

  “My clothes got a little gross,” he said. “I was helping dispose of the enemy back there.”

  “Oh,” she said, turning back to her laundry quickly.

  “Sorry,” he said.

  “Don’t be. I never did get used to the fighting. Every time I hear a gun go off I’m in a panic. So scared for my kids.”


  “Not to be too forward, but where’s their father?”

  “He got killed in the first couple weeks of this,” she said, looking at him.

  “I’m so sorry,” Dobie said.

  “Thank you. It was really hard at first, but I didn’t have time to sit around and feel sorry for myself. Keeping the kids safe had to be my focus.”

  “It’s been hard for your group,” Dobie said. “Heard you’ve lost a lot of people.”

  “About half,” she said. She watched him loading clothes into the washer. He looked over and caught her staring. She looked away quickly.

  “Sorry,” Dobie said, embarrassed.

  “Don’t be,” she said. “Jamie said I was going to like you.”

  Dobie’s eyes grew wide. “You’re kidding,” he said. “She said the same thing to me.”

  “That I was going to like you?” she asked.

  “No, that I was going to like you,” Dobie said. “She was right.”

  Chapter 5 – Bound for Boise

  It was early morning, sun just breaking through the clouds, a blustery wind coming and going. Frank pulled the car behind his coach and hooked it up as Jane stowed their patio chairs and small table in the storage compartment.

  “Done,” Frank said. “Want me to take Lucy out?”

  “Sure, go ahead,” Jane said. “I’ll stow the rest of the stuff inside and bring in the slides. You can do the utilities when you get back.”

  “No problem,” Frank said, getting Lucy on the leash. He walked down the road, looking at all the new coaches. Clint saw him and walked over.

  “You guys going to Boise now?” he asked.

  “Yeah, in a few minutes,” Frank said. “What are you gonna do?”

  “Probably end up on the operation to spring Jeb, Rosie, and Dick,” he said. “But it’s up to the general. They might keep me here for park protection.”

  “Good thing we have that drone up there,” Frank said.

  “Yeah, we got the drop on them good yesterday,” Clint said.

  “Well, take care of yourself, whatever they have you do,” Frank said. Clint nodded and they shook hands. Frank continued around the park, then returned to the coach.

  “Ah, there you are,” Jane said. “You can unhook the utilities now.”

  “Will do,” Frank said. They finished the camp breakdown in another ten minutes.

  “Think the others are ready yet?” Jane asked.

  “I saw Malcolm getting his rig set up, and Dobie has his fifth wheel hooked up.”

  “Wonder if Gabe is going with Dobie again?”

  “I’d bet on it,” Frank said. “Agent Williams and Ted are riding with Malcolm, from what I heard last night.”

  “Well, he’s got a big enough rig for that,” Jane said, snickering.

  “Let’s go to the clubhouse and fill our coffee cups,” Frank said.

  Jane nodded and they left together. Charlie and Hilda were at the clubhouse, chatting with the Sheriff and Kurt.

  “Good morning,” Jane said as they walked in.

  “Hey, there,” Hilda said. “Coffee just finished brewing.”

  “Great, thanks,” Jane said. “I’ll take your cup, Frank.” He handed it over, and Jane walked into the kitchen with Hilda.

  “You hear what the General is suggesting?” Charlie asked, looking uncomfortable.

  “No,” Frank said. “What’s up?”

  “He wants to meet with the militia leadership. Maybe join forces with them to fight the UN and the remaining Islamists.”

  Frank sat down, looking at the others. They had doubtful expressions. “You guys don’t like that idea?”

  “They stood by while the Islamists were beheading people by the hundreds,” the Sheriff said.

  “That’ll be a hard thing to get past,” Frank said, deep in thought.

  “You don’t think it’s a bad idea, do you?” Charlie asked.

  “It’s risky, but it might pay off,” Frank said.

  “The prisoners think Daan Mertins created the apps as a double cross,” Kurt said.

  “I heard,” Frank said, a sly grin on his face.

  “When they find out different, you’re liable to have big target on your back, Frank,” Charlie said. “All it’ll take is one of those guys who lost a loved one when the apps hit the street.”

  “He’s right,” the Sheriff said.

  “That is a valid concern, of course,” Frank said. “But let’s face it. I’ve already got a target on my back. That’s the reason for this road trip. They’re trying to get to me through my daughter.”

  “Yeah, you‘ve got a point,” the Sheriff said.

  “Daan Mertins is after my daughter, not the militia,” Frank said. “He’s the real enemy, along with the WTO and the UN. Damn Globalists. Sometimes you have to make adjustments when circumstances change.”

  “You think the militia is going to change? Right now they want to kill us.”

  “Either the militia leadership is with Daan and lying to the rank and file, or Daan has leaked a lie to all of them,” Frank said. “It’ll be interesting to see which way it is.”

  “What difference does it make?” Kurt asked.

  “It makes a huge difference,” Charlie said. “It would show us the intent of the militia leadership.”

  “I understand,” the Sheriff said. “If the militia leadership is lying to the rank and file and we can convince them of that, the rank and file will probably dump them and join us. At the very least, the militia will be done as an organized fighting force.”

  “What if the leadership believes it was Mertins?” Kurt asked.

  Frank grinned. “That would be the best situation. The leadership might see joining with us as a good opportunity.”

  “Why would Daan Mertins want to lie about the apps?” Charlie asked. “Does he want to piss off the militias?”

  “Probably,” Frank said. “Controlling a bunch of un-educated religious fanatics like the Islamists is doable over the long term, especially when you have them busy on a task.”

  “A task?” Kurt asked.

  “Yeah, like converting the population in the vast areas they control,” Frank said.

  “You think the militia is smarter?” Charlie asked.

  “I think we’ve seen that,” Frank said. “But it’s not just about intelligence. The militia folks got mad at the Federal Government because it was infringing on their natural rights. Remember what they wanted out of this. They wanted to have territories to themselves where they could live as free individuals. They lost their way when they made a devil’s bargain with the Islamists, but liberty is still what they really care about. The WTO and the UN won’t be able to control them. Not for long, anyway.”

  “Okay, I get it,” Charlie said. “They’re secessionists. Their original focus wasn’t to conquer. It was to be left alone.”

  “Exactly,” Frank said.

  “So you think we should just kiss and make up?” Kurt asked.

  “No, I didn’t say that, and I doubt that’s what General Hogan is thinking. Could you guys do me a favor?”

  “Sure, what?” Charlie asked.

  “Set up a conference call when this gets discussed. I want all of us in on the decision. We need consensus from the group. All of the group.”

  “Wouldn’t have it any other way,” Charlie said.

  “You boys look pretty serious,” Hilda said, walking out of the kitchen with Jane.

  “We were discussing the militia thing,” Charlie said.

  “Yeah,” Frank said. “Have the others on our away team been in here yet?”

  “Expect them any minute,” Hilda said. “For coffee. Wish we had some donuts or something for you guys.”

  “Speak of the devil,” Kurt said. Malcolm, Ted, and Agent Williams walked in the door, chatting with each other.

  “Coffee’s ready, guys,” Hilda said.

  “Smells great,” Malcolm said as they walked up. “Thanks!”

  “You guys read
y?” Frank asked.

  “We’re ready. Dobie’s out working his dogs. He said another ten minutes.”

  “I think he wanted to say goodbye to that cute little lady with the kids,” Ted said, grinning. “I saw those two looking at each other last night. Wow.”

  “Good for him,” Hilda said. “And don’t you guys tease him.”

  Charlie chuckled. “Yeah, save that for Jake.”

  “Jake?” Jane asked.

  “Saw him and that hippy gal smooching behind her rig last night,” Charlie said. “Looks like a match made in heaven to me.”

  “Frankie?” Jane asked. “Oh, that’s wonderful. She’s really nice. Met her yesterday afternoon.”

  ***

  “You just about ready?” Gabe asked.

  “Yeah,” Dobie said. “You gonna get coffee from the clubhouse?”

  “I was getting ready to go for that,” Gabe said. “Coming?”

  “Could you get me a cup? I want to say goodbye to somebody.”

  “Oh, that little blonde, huh?” Gabe said. “Okay, you go ahead. Black, right?”

  “Yeah,” Dobie said as he left. He hurried over to Vicki’s rig.

  “I was hoping you’d come over,” Vickie said, stepping out of her rig. She had on a long nightgown, her hair mussed from sleeping.

  “We’re getting ready to leave,” Dobie said. “I wanted to say goodbye.”

  “I heard you were leaving. Is it dangerous?” she asked, getting closer to him, looking up at his face.

  “Probably not,” he said.

  “Well, you’d better be careful,” she said. “Come over here.”

  She led him to the far side of her rig, looked around, then got on her tiptoes and threw her arms around him, kissing him passionately. She broke the kiss and studied his eyes.

  “I liked that,” Dobie said, his breath coming quickly. “Didn’t expect it.”

  “I had a hard time keeping away from you last night,” she said. “You be careful, and remember what’s waiting for you when you get back.” She smiled at him and then turned to her rig. “Jamie and Derek, want to say goodbye to Dobie?”

  The two kids ran out and hugged him as he squatted down to them.

  “Is Duchess going?” Derek asked.

  “Yes, all of my dogs are going with me, but we won’t be gone for long.”