“Lieutenant,” I prompted.
“Kimberly saw them massing,” he began, “in several medium size groups, but there still aren’t any concrete indications they are ready to move.”
“Is she going to stop by?” asked Xavier. “I haven’t seen her in weeks.”
“Maybe. Now, as I was saying…” Gikas clearly did not like being interrupted, especially by someone who for all intents was well below his position and rank. “…she caught sight using the thermal imagery cameras we installed in her plane. They are primarily in rocky areas, some with ravines and possibly caves, all with plenty of trees for cover. We are also still trying to determine where their families and children are. For those reasons, we haven’t tried bombing them.”
“I’ll start scouting too,” promised Xavier, “once I get the gear put on my chopper.”
That earned him the tiniest of nods.
“Based on where they are at present, which is roughly where they were the last time you were here, we believe they will seek to enter Yellowstone through this area or possibly somewhere adjacent. I’m going to be hanging around indefinitely to confirm you are ready for an attack, should they get around us and target you at some point.”
“We’ll be ready,” I said, “be assured of that.”
“Good. The Yellowstone militia and regular soldiers stationed here will be coming by over the next few days. Most will be carting in supplies for you to store: food, ammunition, medical equipment. Others will be leading donkeys or mules. Make sure you build a pen for the animals. They shouldn’t be here for another three days, so it’s not a rush.”
“That’s not an issue either.” We had lots of experience caring for farm animals. “Anything else we need?”
“Not at this time and not beyond what we’ve discussed already.”
That worked for me. Since I had ample manpower to exploit and should be able to work in safety, it was my intention to have this facility both functional and comfortable. My plan included the trench surrounding the entire hill with strengthened gun emplacements. On the high ground we would mount all seven of the heavy machine guns so they could fire over the trenches at any oncoming enemy. Four would face west where any attack was likely to originate, the others set to protect our flanks. Of course, all could quickly be moved should the need arise. We also had mortars. You gotta love explosive shells that come right down on the heads of the enemy. Additional trenches would be scattered about in case we were hit by enemy artillery and had to run for cover. I didn’t expect this since, to the best of our knowledge, they lacked such weapons. Still, it was only prudent to prepare for the worst.
As to supplies, we would dig down and use metal panels to create small, well protected rooms. The less important gear would be stacked up outside, beneath tarps in case it should rain. There was also to be a medic’s station. No doctor was going to be joining us, but we would have a place to treat any wounded before sending them on to one of the little towns within the park.
* * *
Most of the work was completed inside of three days. I was not at all surprised, though still impressed and extremely proud of those serving under me. They did good. Captain Briggs had swung by and seemed pleased with the results as well. This was a very solid position. We should be able to withstand an attack by the raiders, barring a case of being significantly outnumbered, should it come to that.
With our efforts winding down, I had begun ordering squads to go out and scout the area, generally splitting each into two groups. This would continue until hostilities commenced. You know, it was strange waiting for the raiders to act, and I found myself hoping they did something soon. I didn’t care for the quiet before the storm and wanted the entire matter done with. Granted, the time they were giving us to prepare was beneficial, but what were they doing while likewise permitted to work unmolested?
“When will it be our turn?” asked Mary.
“We aren’t going anywhere until all the squads have gone out at least once, maybe twice. I haven’t decided.”
“Why ever not?” Lizzy was glaring.
“Mary and I, the twins too, have already hiked around some, and you’ve been up with Xavier so you have a basic idea of the area too. Carlson doesn’t count.” I looked around. “Where is he?”
“Sleeping in his tent,” answered Mary.
“Why the fuck is he sleeping! It’s the middle of the day.”
“Calm down, Lizzy,” I ordered. “I mean it.”
She closed her mouth and gave me a curt nod. That wasn’t like her at all.
“He’s too old to be doing lots of work,” said Mary. “You know that. Really, he’s even older than you.”
“He’s here for his knowledge of explosives,” I added, quickly. “He already put in the claymores and other things. There’s not much else for him to do. Let the man get some rest.”
“Fine.” Lizzy set her mouth in a tight line. “But we are going out after the others get back, the first time. Hear me? The first time.”
“I… Okay, we’ll do it that way. Not to sound like a parrot, but where is Lieutenant Gikas?”
“He’s off meeting with the captain. They were putting in more lookouts between us and the raiders.” Mary pulled out a map and unfolded it. “He said here and here for those.”
“Between the eyes on the ground and the planes constantly in the air, I’m hoping we know the minute they start moving. I don’t want a surprise.”
“No one wants that,” snapped Lizzy.
Mary retrieved some candy from her backpack, putting the map back in its place. “I want some happy surprises. We never have enough of those.”
“You are entirely too cheerful.” Lizzy began to turn red. “Fuck happiness.”
“What’s up with her?” I asked, after she stomped off.
Mary shrugged. “Haven’t a clue.”
Interlude – Steph’s Story
“That’s a lot of berry bushes,” observed Steph.
Alan Myers, the man who oversaw ranching and farming operations within the Black Hills, nodded. “It is. The ground’s too rough and uneven for much else. We have potatoes in that flat area and carrots, cabbage, and lettuce over that way. We didn’t want to let this spot go to waste, not with it being so large, and this was the best we could come up with.”
“Are these from seeds? They look pretty big.”
“Mostly transplants. Some were dug up and moved, but the majority were grown in little pots under fluorescent lights. They’re looking healthy for the most part, and I think we’ll get a fair amount off them come late summer. We left those narrow paths through the middle to make picking easier. Got raspberries, elderberries, and blackberries.”
“I’m going to go ahead and say that we will have no shortage of pies this fall. I assume picking is going to take a whole lot of people.”
“Not as many as you might think, but it will be labor intensive.”
Steph nodded. “I’ll arrange with Jenny to have the school kids do most of it, the younger ones. Maybe she can work it into the curriculum, classes on growing food or something.”
“It’s easy enough,” agreed Alan, “and most of the adults are going to be busy harvesting the real crops. With the sheer volume we planted this year, I’m expecting to need just about everyone to help get it out of the ground. I wish we had a combine or some proper tractors.”
“I know, it’s a pain in the ass.” She smiled, the morning light glinting off her pearly white teeth. “But you do have those nifty walls so you don’t have to worry about animals eating everything, or zombies munching on the farmers.”
“That’s something.”
“A big thing I would say. What else you working on? Anything in particular I need to tell Briana?”
“Not really,” replied Alan. “Had plenty of calves and foals this year, not so much with the sheep. Seems quite a few of the ewes are simply too old, but the young ones will replace these quick enough. I went ahead and separated them. They’ll be
making their way to your kitchens over the next few weeks, as you need or want them.”
“I do enjoy mutton stew. You know, a surprising number of people just don’t like it.” She made a face. “The complaints I get.”
“As wrecked as the world is, It’s a treat to have fresh meat near every night.” He let out a short laugh. “Still, they are right about that. Beef is better.”
* * *
Steph had completed her review and was preparing to return when the transmission came in. It is standard practice to carry handheld radios while tromping about the Black Hills. These are of limited range and as such are used freely, the odds of an outsider listening in being close to nil. Unfortunately, this also means many messages have to be relayed.
“Raiders spotted in the south near point C-3, count is four.”
Alan lifted his own radio and repeated the information.
“I think I’ll go take a look,” remarked Steph, once she got over the shock this unexpected news presented.
“You sure about that? Not to be cruel, but you are about as far from militia as a person can get.”
She hesitated. “They didn’t say there was an attack, and if it is only four of them, then they’ll be scouting. I should be safe enough, and not get in the way either. Besides, I’m meeting up with Briana later. I can deliver the reports about this too. Save somebody from having to make the trip.”
“Fair enough, and don’t get in the way of those who do know what they’re doing. Briana may be the nicest thing on Earth when she’s happy…”
“Yeah, I know,” she finished.
“Want my truck?”
Steph shook her head. “I’m taking Snowball. It’s only a couple of miles, and I can use the back trails.”
“Newman!”
The scrawny teenager dropped his hoe and sprinted over.
“Get on your horse and go with her,” ordered Alan.
Steph sniffed, in a very unladylike manner. “I hardly need an escort.”
“As if I care.” He paused. “Actually, I think we will all be following.”
“They didn’t request any assistance.”
Alan hesitated a second time. “Even so. Get going. I’ll join you in a few.”
The boy was quick to saddle his gelding. Like so many in the Black Hills, he had taken to horses. They were fast becoming the default mode of transportation. The animals were also well suited to the rugged terrain and could make regular use of pathways no car could ever hope to navigate.
“Ready?”
He gave her an apprehensive smile. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Let’s get going then.” Steph gently tapped Snowball with her heels, pushing the mare into a canter.
* * *
“Newman, why don’t you stash yourself a ways back on the trail and keep an eye out for Alan and the others.”
“Sure thing.” He turned to go.
“One sec. While I got you here, is Newman your first name?”
The sixteen year old grimaced. “Last. I don’t like my first too much.”
That piqued Steph’s curiosity. “Why ever now? What is it?”
“It’s, um…” He began to fidget. “My parents named me Alfred.”
“Nothing wrong with that, although Newman seems to suit you better.”
“There’s a lot wrong with it.” The youth muttered something about Batman jokes as he started back up the trail.
Crouching down, Steph scurried forward, toward a thick copse of trees. As she drew close, she dropped to her belly and crawled the last few feet.
“How bad is it?”
Renee didn’t bother glancing in her direction. “Just the four originally reported.”
The senior militia member in the area, she had been patrolling and was first on the scene, taking up a position seventy feet to the side of the lookout who initially spotted the intruders. The thick foliage offered excellent concealment while the hilltop provided a good view of the surrounding area.
“They aren’t doing much, mostly sitting in the shade under that tree.”
“I think they may be staring at the wall we made,” commented Steph.
“Perhaps, but it’s not much more than a pile of stone. I bet they think it’s something put there to control run off or erosion. It looks old enough to have been built before the zombies showed up too.”
“Could be. Nope. One of them is moving.”
Renee stashed her binoculars in their case and chambered a round.
“You going to shoot him?”
“I rather not.” She checked the scope on her rifle. “May not get them all, and there might be more further back. Still, better to let them know someone is here than to have any get inside and learn something really important.”
The raider stopped by the wall. Composed of flat stones almost haphazardly stacked, it was anything but sturdy, and a handful of people could dismantle it inside of thirty or forty minutes. A full grown bison, should he be so inclined, would push through with hardly any effort at all. Even so, it was sufficient to keep the shamblers away.
“He’s motioning for the others to come take a look.”
“What’s Melody doing?”
Steph scooted back a ways so she could see. “Same as you. She has her gun ready and is looking through the scope.”
“Any chance you brought a rifle,” asked Renee, “or that kid?”
“Sorry. Pistols only.”
“Pity. Melody isn’t that great a shot – don’t be telling anyone I said that – which is why she’s always on watch duty. That and she was pretty pissed when her husband left her. She’s still in the hating everyone stage and prefers to be alone.”
“That was a while ago, wasn’t it? Like when we first moved here? I don’t know her personally, just seen her in the dining hall and around the town a few times.”
Renee shifted slightly. “Two years and counting. I’m not sure if she’s ever going to get over it.”
With the huge discrepancy between men and women in the valley – adult females outnumbered males nearly three to one – there had been no shortage of problems. One of the most painful was when a man left his significant other for another who, as with Melody, was almost always younger and prettier. More common were affairs. As small as the community was, hiding such things was difficult, and Briana and Jacob had adopted a policy of granting quick and easy divorces should the aggrieved be unforgiving. Likewise, there was the occasional issue of one woman accusing another of trying to steal her man, sometimes true, sometimes fantasy. Either way, a lot of friendships had ruptured as a result.
“It can be hard to put that behind you,” commented Steph.
“Can be. I think I’m going to have to shoot them. Their curiosity is a little too much. I’ll start with the one in the rear. Keep an eye on the others and let me know if they do anything.”
Three of the four had climbed over the wall and were cautiously advancing up the gully. The fourth had turned around and was heading for his dirt bike. The bullet took him in the side, just below the rib cage.
“Not what I intended.” Renee shifted her aim, self-recrimination in her voice.
“You hit him. He’s crawling, but not too well. Lots of blood. It’ll take him several minutes to reach his motorcycle, if at all.”
Renee pulled the trigger again and struck a second raider in the forehead. The man, along with his comrades, had been peering about apprehensively, attempting to locate the source of the sound. They hadn’t realized their companion was down.
“Better that time,” observed Steph.
Melody also fired but missed, the other two having taken cover.
“They’re pinned.” Muted satisfaction colored Renee’s words. “The minute they lift their heads it’s over. Same if they try to retreat. Is Alan here yet?”
“I don’t see him.” Steph craned her neck. “Got Newman way up the path standing there.”
“What’s the first one I shot doing?” Renee was keeping her attentio
n on the uninjured.
“Stopped crawling. He’s just lying in the grass on his back. No, wait. He’s got a radio!”
Renee swung the barrel and fired again. The round took the man high in the chest. Given his prone position, the bullet blasted out the top of his shoulder, cracking the collar bone and sending a spurt of arterial blood into the air.
“I think he’s dead now. His arms are at his sides, and he is lying there motionless.”
Melody fired off another round to no effect. From Steph’s vantage it didn’t appear she had a clear line of fire.
Her radio suddenly crackled. “We’re coming.”
“That Alan?” asked Renee. She fired again, catching one of the enemy in the arm as he popped into view. It was just a graze.
“Yes. I was meeting with him about some of the gardens and fields when we caught Melody’s transmission about the raiders being here.”
“Nice guy. Sometimes grills steaks for the militia, usually right after Jacob or Lizzy have us marching in circles for hours on end. Shame he’s happily married.”
“Most of the good ones are,” laughed Steph. “For real, when you think about it. We are more than a little lopsided.”
Alan Myers joined them shortly thereafter, accompanied by several men. A handful moved to support Melody. Newman, being the youngest, was left in the rear to tend the horses and keep an eye out.
“Got two pinned,” explained Renee.
“They have assault rifles,” added Steph.
“Pretty far out to use them. That them by the boulders?” Alan pointed. “How long have they been sitting there in the rocks?”
“Maybe five minutes,” Renee’s eye remained glued to the scope. “They aren’t doing much of anything, which worries me. The bastards usually either charge or run. Staying still isn’t like them.”
“Think the one with the radio called for help?”
“Yeah, Steph, I think he just might have.”
“Hell,” growled Alan. “That’s no good at all.” He looked around. “Where’s the rest of the militia.”
Surviving The Zombie Apocalypse (Book 3): Salvation Page 7