by Mark Tufo
Overton went silent for a moment, although Harry could tell the transmission button was still open on the captain’s side, not allowing him to ask the questions that were quickly forming. Harry was reeling from what had been said thus far, but could only wait for Overton to continue.
“Treasure Island is also completely overrun,” Overton finally said. “I had ordered the entrances off the Bay Bridge blown once it was determined we could not screen the people coming in. But it was too late by then. Too many of the infected had gotten into the refugee camp that had been established, and it fell to them quickly. We think there may be a small group of National Guard that have survived. We lost contact with them, so cannot confirm their status at the moment. The last communication we received said they were barricaded in an apartment building on the west edge of the island. That was two days ago and we have heard nothing since.
“I have confirmation of one other fact that I regret to pass along. Chief Ekers and those with him are presumed dead, and the Hall of Justice is teeming with the infected. There was a short radio transmission from his group reporting a breach, and we were unable to make contact afterward. We still maintain very limited satellite imagery access and have been monitoring San Francisco along with the surrounding areas. I was given a set of photos not an hour ago from the last flyover of San Francisco by the satellite. Those photos clearly show the infected in and around the Hall. You may find some consolation in the fact the streets surrounding the building are littered with bodies. Chief Ekers and his men had obviously taken out hundreds of those things. My sincere condolences, Mr. Lancaster.” Overton paused once again, leaving the mic open.
Harry could not get his head around the news he’d been given. He had just spoken with the chief a few hours ago, and now his friend was gone, along with many others Harry had known. The coldness of these facts chilled him more than the damp fog that surrounded him.
“I want to make one other thing perfectly clear, Mr. Lancaster, and you should pass it along to those with you,” Overton said in a commanding manner. “Do not attempt to sail past the Bay Bridge nor approach my ship. You and those with you are to remain on the west side of the Bridge. We do not have the time nor the resources to screen for the infection, and as I said earlier I am not going to put my people at further risk. If anyone attempts to approach this ship I will blow them out of the water.
“History will judge my actions accordingly but right now I intend to make certain my people survive this mess to the best of my ability and experience. There will come a time, God willing and hopefully in the near future, that we can all reclaim our humanity. But for the time being we have been thrown back into the dark ages, replete with the ugliness that I have come to realize was necessary during that period. I consider myself a fair and good man, sir, proudly serving this country for the better part of thirty years. I do not take lightly the decisions I have made nor the orders I have issued, but my resolve is absolute.
“I realize you must have many questions but frankly I have very little in the way of answers for you at the moment. I can confirm some pertinent information that may prove useful however. This infection was the creation of a terrorist group and was released worldwide in a coordinated attack, and yes, from all indications every part of this globe has now been affected. It was some sort of mutated viral rabies strain. The name of that group and their reasons for the attack is really a moot point now.
“There were many people who were immune to the virus when initially delivered, but apparently it has mutated again. Those initially immune can now contract the infection. Scratches and bites from those already infected are the methods of transmission. I believe that is what happened on Treasure Island.
“As for the United States, it is in total anarchy and it has been confirmed that the infected are in every part of the country. Large cities like San Francisco are teeming with the things, but smaller towns have not fared any better. The military and local law enforcement agencies are splintered at best, or simply nonexistent at worst. There has been little to no contact with Washington D.C. and I am not certain if there is a structured government remaining. The military command element in Southern California seems to be the only governmental authority right now. At least on the West Coast.”
Overton broke off, the sounds of small weapons and machinegun fire in the background. With the radio still open on Overton’s side, Harry could hear this very clearly along with the captain giving orders.
“Concentrate fire to the west of that dock!” Overton said. “Don’t let those damn things get any closer!”
The heavy gunfire continued for almost a full minute. It sounded as if dozens of weapons were being fired at once. Finally Harry heard someone shouting, “CEASE FIRE! CEASE FIRE!” Then silence.
Harry was looking at the deck of the Swift Boat while listening to the radio, a deep frown creasing his face. He could not transmit to the Tern, so all he could do was continue to listen and wait.
“Sorry for the interruption, Mr. Lancaster,” Overton finally said. “We had a breach in one of the barriers we constructed and those things were pouring through. I need to attend to that momentarily.
“I apologize for this one-sided conversation but frankly I do not have the time to get into a drawn-out discussion right now. But I thought you deserved to get what little information I have. Find somewhere to secure and keep your heads down. Don’t allow people you do not know to join your group.” Overton could be heard taking a deep breath and slowly releasing it. “You should understand that you are on your own for now. There isn’t anyone coming to help you. Do what you have to do to stay alive, Mr. Lancaster! That’s all any of us can hope to accomplish for now. Survive and hope that humanity will rise from the ashes. God speed and good luck to you, sir. Luck to us all.”
With that, the radio transmission with the Tern went silent. “Captain Overton?” Harry said into the radio. “Overton, do you copy?” The radio remained quiet.
34
“What the hell is this, Harry?” Derrick said angrily. “They can’t just leave us out here! What the hell are we supposed to do now?”
Harry’s own frustration had grown with each passing moment as Overton had spoken. How indeed could anyone comprehend being left to defend against the chaos that had befallen humanity? Harry turned to face Derrick, Frank, and Bill. They were looking to him as if he had the answers.
“Harry, we heard what Overton had to say,” Cecil’s voice came through the radio. “I do not agree with the captain completely, but I understand his position. Would probably do the same thing if I were forced to do so. Be that as it may, we have people here we need to help. I’m an old man well past my prime, but give the word and I’ll do my best to heed at least part of what Overton said. Stay alive and help as many folks as possible to do the same thing. You up for that, Lieutenant?”
Harry felt the burden of responsibility weigh heavily once again. He slowly looked at the various boats that were sitting in the Bay waters filled with the survivors who had already faced horrors beyond imagining. They had no idea yet what he had been told, that they would have to continue to face this dreadfulness as a group, unable to rely on anyone other than the person standing next to them. His anxiety was building by the moment, eager to get started toward his family in Indiana. But how could he turn his back on all these people who had families as well. He sat down heavily on one of the benches built into the Swift Boat, with elbows on his knees and arms extended in front of him.
“We’ve come this far, Harry,” Frank finally spoke up for the first time. “I say we stay focused and do what we can.”
Harry looked up to Frank for a moment, then to Derrick.
“I agree,” Derrick said with a grin while laying a hand on Frank’s shoulder. “I think the rookie here wants to take a tour of Angel Island. Who am I to deny the kid?” Then dropping all pretense of humor, he said, “You know we stand together no matter what you decide, Harry, but we need to do what we can for these fol
ks.” He gestured toward the waiting boats.
“I’m getting too old for this shit,” Harry said while getting to his feet.
Looking toward Frank, Derrick said, “I knew he was going to say that!” then laughed. Frank smiled at Harry, who was once again in awe of his friend’s ability to lighten the mood of just about any situation.
“Right,” Harry began. “So we do what we can and get these people on dry land. But you both need to know that I’m not staying for long. Not certain how just yet, but I’m heading inland. My family is alive, at least they were a week or so ago, and I have to get to them.”
“That’s what you guys were talking about awhile back?” Frank asked, remembering the cryptic exchange between Derrick and Harry at the truck before they’d started out for the marina.
“Yes, Frank, it was,” Harry answered. “I received an email from my nephew right before I headed to the station. He said they were okay at the time but I have this gnawing feeling that I need to get to them as soon as possible. Once these people set up on the island, I’m leaving.”
“We will be leaving!” Derrick said, crossing his massive arms on his chest and staring Harry down as if that gesture concluded further debate on the subject.
Frank glanced quickly to Derrick, then back to Harry and said, “Yep, we’re all leaving.” With that he also crossed his arms, attempting to emulate Derrick but not quite having the same affect.
“Look guys, I appreciate …” Harry began.
“I believe the discussion is decided, Lieutenant,” Derrick interrupted.
“I could order you to remain, Sergeant!” Harry replied, attempting his best authoritative voice.
“You could do that, but then I would have to disobey that order. You’d have to take my rank for insubordination and I’d still go with you. We would both win!” Derrick replied with a huge smile on his face.
Harry knew that Derrick wanted nothing to do with rank, although the chevrons on his collar meant little now.
“Besides,” Frank interjected, “You keep saying you’re too old for this shit so you’ll probably need our help at some point anyway, right?”
“Oh I like the way this rookie is proceeding through his training, don’t you, Lieutenant?”
Derrick quipped.
Harry knew this was going to be a losing battle for now. Shaking his head he said, “One thing at a time then. First let’s see what’s on Angel Island.”
Harry radioed Cecil and then made certain Phil was listening in. He suggested that they get underway, then head around the island and into Ayala Cove on the north side. Cecil suggested that he proceed ahead of the flotilla of boats and scout the area. Harry and Phil agreed, but insisted that Cecil not go ashore until more firepower could be made available.
As if on cue, the fog bank which had engulfed the survivors since before they’d left the marina began to roll back, exposing Angel Island.
Once the general plan was set in place, Cecil sped off in the Bayliner as the Phoenix brought her engine up to running speed and began to push forward through the Bay waters. Those at the controls of the other boats figured out what was going on and started following. A few at first, but soon the rest of the small flotilla fell in behind the large red fireboat.
“Let’s see if we can catch up with Cecil, shall we?” Harry said to Bill after he made his way back to the pilot house.
The Swift Boat came to life and headed toward Angel Island at full throttle, passing the boats who were maintaining their positions to the rear of the Phoenix. The Swift Boat rounded the island on the west side, giving Harry a fairly clear view of the shoreline. With the fog line receding, he could see several buildings dotting the landscape closest to shore but nothing more. If the island contained the infected, they were not making themselves known. That concerned Harry a great deal; he thought back to the infected on the marina and how they’d appeared to be actually stalking their victims. But there was no more time for contemplation; they had arrived. They rounded the final point on the north side of the island and entered Ayala Cove.
The next twenty-four hours was a blur of activity. The survivors landed after Harry, Derrick, and a few others proficient with weapons made a sweep of the island. They ran across several of the infected but dispatched them quickly and without incident. Harry speculated that they might have been part of a tour group that had been on the island at the time of the initial attack. There were a few wearing National Park Ranger uniforms who must have been assigned to the island. Harry was surprised that there were not more of the infected, and no survivors, but he was quite happy the island was clear.
They checked the buildings next to the docks, including the large visitor’s center. These too were found to be free of any unwelcome inhabitants, although a family of raccoons were found in the basement of the visitor’s center. Momma Raccoon was not happy with their eviction and made her protests known as Derrick herded them out of the building. Harry and the others took great pleasure in watching the antics of the large man trying to wrangle six small animals while he cussed and threatened to shoot them if they didn’t ‘move your little furry asses.’
Once the other survivors landed, weapons that had brought from the police station were dispersed among those who could handle them, but only after passing a review by Derrick and Frank. The firearms that remained, along with extra ammunition, were secured in a locked room in the visitor’s center.
Harry had the opportunity to finally meet Phil Sanchez, Jimi Johnson, and Gus Franks face-to-face. Ayala Cove was deep enough to allow the Phoenix to pull up to the refueling dock, so once the all clear was given Jimi maneuvered the big boat in and shut her down. Derrick, Frank, and Cecil were part of the welcoming committee that awaited the San Francisco paramedic and firemen. Hugs and expressions of gratitude were shared between all the men, each knowing that without the other none of them would have gotten as far as they had.
Gus was still in a great deal of pain from the bullet wound he had received, but was able to walk the short distance to the visitor’s center where his care would continue. Jimi was fortunate enough to run into a friend who had been among the survivors at the marina. Both he and his friend were assigned to the security detail that Cecil put together. They would also tend to the generator and other maintenance issues on the island. Jimi’s friend was a building engineer who’d worked at the Transamerica building for many years.
Cecil organized people into several groups, each responsible for completing a particular task: searching the buildings for usable supplies; inventorying the supplies and weapons on hand; collecting firewood to provide heat and cooking. Others kept the children occupied, with Wanda in charge of that activity. Everyone pitched in and there was very little complaining, although everyone remained on edge. One or two out of each group was now armed and their primary responsibly was to keep watch for any surprises. Especially with those who were tasked with entering buildings. Harry had them mark each building as they cleared it, but everyone still remained on high alert.
They located a large generator which they were able to use to provide electricity for the visitor’s center and a few other buildings. Harry and Cecil, along with a couple of others, had spent the better part of an hour trying to get it started without much success. That was until Frank happened to be passing the shed where the generator was housed. He watched the men at work for a few minutes, then walked over to the tank that held the fuel supply for the large unit. He glanced around the tank until he found the supply line which fed the fuel to the generator. Reaching down, he located a small red valve labeled ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’. Frank turned the valve to the ON position and said, “That should do it.” He then calmly walked out of the shed to resume what he’d been doing. Harry and Cecil looked at each other and busted out laughing at their oversight. The generator started with the first try, producing very welcome electricity to power lights and some of the other basic essentials like refrigeration and heating. Everyone worked throughout the night,
and by morning the island resembled a small community.
Cecil decided to call an impromptu meeting of all the survivors after he and Harry had discussed the need to set up a structured leadership. Too many questions had begun to arise from others in the group as to who should be asked what in regard to assignments and other matters. Harry found himself answering far too many of those questions, and he wanted no part of the decision-making. Cecil had argued that Harry had little choice in the matter, as the other survivors looked to him as the primary reason they had made it to the island in the first place.
Word went out about the meeting and spread quickly. After the survivors had a chance to clean up and eat, they started trickling in to the visitor’s center. Everyone was expected to be in attendance, with the exception of Derrick and four others who would remain on roving patrol outside.
Inside the visitor’s center the main room had enough chairs brought in for everyone to be able to sit; the room was buzzing with conversation as people filed in. Phil, Frank, Wanda, and Jimi were sitting toward the back of the packed room. Gus was sitting in a wheelchair near the front, chatting with a nurse practitioner who had been among the survivors. She had helped set up a small clinic in one of the buildings.
Harry and Cecil were the last to enter the room, and when they did everyone rose to their feet in thunderous applause. Both men were taken aback by the outpouring. It took several minutes for them to reach the front of the room, as they were stopped to shake hands and receive accolades from those present. Many of the survivors were too emotionally overcome with gratitude to do more than shake hands and offer a simple thank you. Once the men were able to stand before the group the applause was renewed.