Exodus

by Michael R. Watson

  “Perkins, from now on you’re my driver. I’ll let you know when I need you again. Put up my cart and return to your position outside my office.”

  Davis got out and somberly walked to the door.

  “Yes, sir, Governor Davis. Thank you, sir.” He wasn’t sure whether what had just happened had been a blessing or a curse, but he was leaning toward curse.

  Davis took the steps deliberately one at a time to the third floor landing, then slowly followed the empty hallway to his office. He entered his office, shut the door and locked it, moving directly to his comfortable overstuffed chair behind his desk. It was the one place he was most comfortable and secure. Plopping down, he swiveled around to his credenza, removing a half-full bottle of whiskey from its lower drawer. He poured two fingers worth into a glass and turned back forward, placing the bottle on his desk and taking a sip. He could still smell the lingering foul odor from his outing.

  “Rough day, governor?” came a familiar voice, startling Davis.

  The governor’s head jerked up to see Damon sitting in the shadows in one of the chairs against the opposite wall.

  ***

  Peck could see the unmistakable profile of the prison towers against the skyline in the distance. He sighed relief. He was going to make it. He had never seen anyone in pursuit, but knew they had to be back there.

  The prison was a formidable older structure with the entire compound the equivalent of three football fields both in width and length. The renovation had almost been completed when the earthquakes hit. The color scheme had been changed throughout, a distinct deviation from the usual bleak earth tones one expected for a prison. Murals had even been placed strategically throughout the prison to create a calming effect on the prisoners. The idea was said to be the brainchild of a noted psychologist.

  Peck began to wonder what kind of reception he would receive. He was Master of the Guard, or he had been. With all the men refusing to fight at Damon’s command, and with him as their commander, he may not receive the warm welcome he was hoping for. He hoped Damon saw the incident as something that was beyond his control.

  He knew this was where he wanted to be, at the governor’s compound in a position of authority, provided with housing and the special foods reserved for the governor’s inner circle. Outside its walls he’d have to survive all on his own. Not only did he wonder if he would be accepted back, but if his men would return. He knew they despised him. He was fine with that, just as long as those who did return did exactly as they were told. And if he was forced to leave, he knew he wouldn’t receive any assistance or sympathy from any of them. He’d made his choices and bridges had been burned.

  He straightened his uniform and brushed away the dust as he approached the gate.

  “Master Peck?” asked the guard with disbelief. “We thought you were…”

  “Open the gate!”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He rode to the stable. Another surprised guard took the reins as Peck dismounted.

  “Is Damon here?” asked Peck.

  The guard nodded. “And not long.”

  He went through the doorway that led to the staircase, quickly climbing two steps at a time. He was anxious to report to the governor, where he was sure he would also find Damon. There was still a bit of the unknown waiting for him. Would they accept him back with open arms, or would Damon declare him a traitor and have him shot for not following orders. He was hoping for the former. He had considered himself one of them, a member of the leadership. He wasn’t nearly as confident of that position at the moment but he would know for sure very soon.

  He approached cell block C. It had been taken over as the living quarters for the Guard families. The hallways and the place in general was quiet, eerily so, with the majority of the Guard gone. The families, he knew, were there, but for some reason they were remaining still and quiet. Out of sight and out of mind he guessed. He had heard a rumor that the governor had been known to take advantage of the wives while the men were away, if given the opportunity. He didn’t know if it was true, but it would help to explain the silence.

  Guard Perkins watched out of the corner of his eye as Peck stopped before reaching the governor’s office to look at his reflection in a glass partition, combing his hair, straightening his uniform, and brushing away any dust he’d missed earlier. Peck didn’t really think it would make a difference, but he wanted to put his best foot forward. Satisfied, he stepped forward, Perkins came to attention, and Peck knocked on the closed door.

  Governor Davis and Damon looked at each other with surprise. Damon walked over to the door, unlocked and opened it, coming face to face with Peck.

  “Peck?” How…?”

  “I escaped, Counselor. I came back as quickly as I could.”

  Damon looked past Peck into the hallway. “Are you alone?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Damon’s face became red with anger. He stepped close to Peck, where only he would be able to hear. “You’re lucky I don’t shoot you where you stand,” he glanced back at the governor and smiled, “but the governor needs all the support he can get right now. Does he have your support?”

  “Of course, Counselor. That’s why I’m here. I’ll do anything.”

  Damon stared at him silently for a moment. “I’m curious, why did you escape?”

  “It was my duty, sir.”

  Damon nodded and relaxed somewhat, forcing a smile for the governor’s benefit. “Don’t make me regret this,” he whispered to Peck, then placed an arm around Peck’s shoulders and led him into the office.

  “Master Peck has just informed me that he escaped from the Raiders,” said Damon.

  “Well done! Counselor Damon told me about your encounter. Who would have guessed there would have been so many of them? So, where are the others?”

  “They were being held captive when I escaped.”

  “It’s very unfortunate that we lost so many good men,” said Davis, shaking his head slowly while looking toward the floor. He paused a moment and then perked up, raising his head. “So, I need you to replace them as quickly as possible. There should be acceptable candidates among the workers.”

  It became apparent to Peck that Damon hadn’t mentioned to the governor the deal he’d made with the Raider leader using Ryder for leverage to gain his own safe passage. Whatever he had told the governor about the Guard, it seemed the governor had already written them off. Peck could only think of one reason why, because Damon considered them all traitors and never wanted to see any of them again. He had said as much. Now, he needed to tell Damon what he had overheard from the others before his escape, but he wanted to tell Damon in private. Not knowing what had been said, he didn’t want to contradict what Damon had told the governor. For one thing, if he said the wrong thing, it could be awkward, and for another he didn’t want to make an enemy of Damon. Between the two men before him, Damon was the one he feared the most.

  “I’ll get started right away,” said Peck to the governor. Turning to Damon, he asked, “Could we talk, sir?”

  Damon detected a sense of urgency and he too needed to make sure they were on the same page, out of earshot of the governor. “Meet me in my office. I’ll be right there.”

  “Master Peck,” called Governor Davis. “Have Guard Perkins, there in the hallway, drive you in my cart to Tent City and to the fields so you can look over the workers as replacement candidates.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,” said Peck. He had seen the governor putting around inside the compound in his golf cart on several occasions. He took the offer of his cart and a driver as a sign that there wouldn’t be any repercussions. He went directly to Damon’s office where he sat and waited patiently. The space was less than half the size of the governor’s, but he doubted whether Damon cared. He rarely occupied it, spending most of his time personally commanding his men, overseeing the workers, or making himself constantly available to the governor as confidant or counselor, as his title implied.

&nbs
p; Within a couple of minutes Damon entered the office. Instead of sitting behind his desk, he sat in the chair next to Peck, leaning forward, toward Peck.

  “Was there something else?” asked Damon.

  ”The men were talking before I escaped. If and when they are released, none of them intend to come back, at least not as Guards.”

  Damon wasn’t fazed. “I expected as much. Good riddance.”

  “However, the ones with families are coming back here, but just long enough to pack them up and take them away.”

  “Well, that’s not going to happen.”

  “How can we stop them, sir? There are hardly any of the Guard left here.”

  “They can’t get through our gates or past our walls, can they? Double up on the guards at the gate. Anything else?”

  “Yes, sir. It’s Master Gant. He showed up at the Raider’s camp with three others. They plan on coming here and breaking Ryder and his brother out.”

  Damon smiled. “All four of them? That’ll be a neat trick.” Damon didn’t seem to be phased by that information either.

  “They have quite a few of the Raiders with them too,” informed Peck. “More than the other day.”

  “There’s nothing to worry about. This place was built to keep people out as well as in. Why don’t you do like the governor directed and start looking for replacements? Okay? And the sooner you can find new guards, the better we’ll be prepared to deal with traitors and strangers.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Peck, uneasily, knowing Damon wasn’t taking his news seriously. He still had an uncomfortable feeling. The current Guard skeleton crew and Gant approaching with the Raiders didn’t seem to be a good combination.

  ***

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  John, Gant, and his two sons led the way toward the Sector 4 compound, followed closely by the former Guard members. They’d been given horses to ride, leaving their buggy at the Raider’s camp. After much discussion, those without families had also come to realize that they had as much at stake in this as their comrades and friends. A few, Gant knew, had come along for an entirely different reason, a chance at payback for what they’d been forced to do under Davis’ rule. Gant understood why they were there, but also realized the importance of them all being united. He had been their commander long enough to know how these men thought. There were also a few he wondered about, new recruits he didn’t know, and whether they could be trusted if the odds turned against them. He would have to keep an eye on them, knowing that under the right circumstances, they could change sides in an instant, depending on where they would benefit the most. It probably wouldn’t become an issue. He had complete faith in the men he had helped to train.

  Jason rode up beside Gant. “I thought Darby and his men were going to help.”

  “They are. By staying where they are as backup, in case something goes wrong. The valley has to be protected at all cost.”

  “You know you can trust us, don’t you?” asked Jason.

  Gant smiled. He wasn’t concerned about that. These were the same men who’d let him leave. “I’m not worried. I consider most of you friends. There may be some who need to be watched, and I‘m sure you know who I’m thinking about.”

  Jason nodded. He couldn’t argue, knowing who he had in mind. “What’s your plan?”

  “When the compound comes into view, we’ll separate. You and your men will continue to the front gate where your job will be to convince the guards, whether friend or not, to let you in. If they want to leave as badly as you do, then it shouldn’t be a problem. Staying optimistic and assuming you do get in, your only concern at that point is to get your families out. With your overwhelming numbers you shouldn’t meet with much if any resistance. However, you could encounter friends who are maintaining a loyalty to the governor out of a sense of duty. Are you going to be able to deal with that?”

  John, who had been listening silently, had also been thinking about that question. Friends on opposing sides of what could be a deadly conflict would always be difficult.

  “The safety of our families is at stake,” stated Jason. “We know what might have to be done. We won’t like it, but we’ll do whatever needs to be done.” He paused. “What about you? How are you going to get to Ryder and Levi?”

  Gant smiled. “We have a plan,” he said, not willing to elaborate. “We’ll watch you at the gate. If you get in, we’ll assume there won’t be any resistance. Then we’ll proceed to our objective. Don’t worry about us.”

  Jason stared back at him, looking hurt that Gant didn’t trust him enough to share any more of the details. Gant recognized his reaction.

  “It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just better you don’t know,” was the only explanation Gant provided and he had no intention of saying any more.

  Jason dropped the subject. “Do you want any help locating Ryder and Levi when we get inside?”

  “No. I want you to focus only on getting your families out. I’m counting on your activities being enough of a diversion that we can get to them and get them out. I know we’ll run into some resistance, it’s just a question of how much.”

  Up until then Jason had thought they were all going in together, but he knew better than to question Gant’s years of experience.

  When the prison towers appeared along the northern horizon, Gant brought everyone to a halt.

  “This is where we part ways, temporarily. Once you have your families, your primary objective is to get them out of those gates. Don’t wait for us. Okay?”

  Jason nodded that he understood.

  “Good luck,” said Gant as he and his small party split off. Turning to Aaron and Adam, “Boys, show us where to go.” They rode ahead taking the lead.

  Jason and the ex-Guard with him watched them as they rode away. “Ready, men?” he asked, a bit of hesitation and uncertainty in his voice. Of course they wanted to take their families away from this place, just as Gant had done, but none of them knew for certain what their future would be once they were out. But first, there was an even more important and immediate question, would they be able to get past the gate. If they couldn’t convince the guards to let them in, their quest was over. And if they did get in, what surprises did Damon have waiting for them? Jason was sure Peck had made it back and had informed Damon and the governor of their intentions, and he was just as sure Damon would make it as difficult as possible to leave with their families, even with a skeleton crew.

  Jason waved them forward. They rode in a procession two-wide along the trail at a cautious pace toward the gate. Rushing toward the gate would serve no purpose. But they kept their eyes on the surrounding trees and bushes, alert to spotting any movements. They were well aware it wasn’t beyond possibilities for Damon to place men in ambush before they reached the gates. Under orders, that was how they had captured Ryder. It would have been a bold move to try it again considering the presumed low number of the Guard still under Damon’s control. They were now about a football field’s length away from the gate when a siren sounded, announcing their coming.

  The men exchanged looks of concern.

  “Maybe this wasn’t a great idea, coming straight on like this,” commented one of the riders near Jason.

  He looked over his shoulder at the man. “It’s the only way to get to our families and get them out.” He spoke loud enough to carry to the other men. “Once we’re inside the gates, we’ll outnumber the remaining Guard two to one. And it may turn out there’s no resistance at all if they’re as anxious to get out of here as we are. Don’t lose your courage. This is going to work. It has to. As long as our families are inside those walls, they’re in danger. We have to get them out. Damon could take out his retaliation on them.”

  The man returned a weak and unconvincing smile. “Yes, sir.”

  “Don’t call me sir, we’re all equal now.”

  Jason had the men remain at that location while he and one other man rode to the gate. He felt safer knowing there was an extra pair o
f eyes with him. And if he failed at the gate and there were complications, the others would be out of harm’s way at this distance. He would wave to them if successful. He and the other former guard came to a stop at the gate, able to see one head peering out from behind a barricade. Being one of the first recruits, Jason had been there long enough to know most of his fellow guards by name. He recognized the face. “James, is that you?”

  James raised his head slightly. “Jason, what are you doing here? Damon told us you were all captured … and that you were all traitors.”

  The rider next to Jason raised his rifle with James quickly ducking down behind the barricade, completely out of view. Jason reached over and placed his hand on the rifle to prevent him from doing anything rash, sealing any chance of getting inside.

  “James! It’s okay. He won’t shoot. I have to talk to you.” He felt better about his chances of getting in when he had seen James, who he knew also had a family inside the walls. Jason dismounted and walked to where he stood directly in front of him.

  “James, open the gate. We just want to gather up our families and leave. You can come with us.”

  “I can’t do that. I have my orders.”

  “I know you have a wife and little girl. Do you really want them to stay here, to raise your little girl here?” asked Jason.

  “It’s better than being forced to live in the wasteland. We have a roof over our heads, food and water, and behind these walls we have protection from thieves and scavengers.”

  “What if I told you there are places out there where you can live just as well, and have your freedom?”

  “I don’t believe it. You’d say anything to get me to open the gate.”

  “We’re friends, aren’t we?” asked Jason. “Have I ever lied to you?”

  James didn’t think he ever had, but he had his orders. “I can’t let you in. Damon would have me shot. And I hate to think about what he’d do to my family. He’d probably send them to Tent City and put them to work in the fields.”