Melinda shook his hand and gave him a once over.
“I pilot the…I was, I was the other pilot,” he mumbled uncertainly. “I’m the other pilot, we picked up the kids.”
“Oh,” Melinda replied as she nodded.
“I, I just wanted to make sure you didn’t need anything. There’s not much here anymore, but I found a few vending machines that still work.”
“The kids could use some food.”
“Okay, yeah I can do that. I’ll grab some chips and bring them over. You sure I can’t get you anything?”
“No, no I’m fine. Do you know where we’re supposed to be heading? What is this place they keep talking about, the Mayflower?”
Thomas’s face went blank and he took a step back. “I um, I don’t think I’m supposed to talk about that.”
“Why not? We’re all heading there anyway.”
Frowning, Thomas looked over his shoulder then took a few steps closer to her. “So, what do you know? What have they told you already?”
“Nothing really. It’s all been a big blur.”
Thomas narrowed his eyes. “You haven’t heard about the earthquakes, the storms, all that shit?”
“I’ve been out there. I’ve seen enough.”
“The Mayflower is the place you go if you want to be safe, if you want to survive. That’s all I can really say.”
“Well, now I know about as much as I did before we started talking.”
“Sorry,” Thomas said. “I’m just trying to follow orders.”
Melinda sighed. “That’s always the excuse, isn’t it? Just following orders, I was just following orders.” She shook her head from side to side then swallowed. “I’ll take something to drink if you can find it.”
Thomas glared at her with a look of shame and embarrassment. Sighing, Melinda turned and walked off. She stopped by the office and grabbed David and Charlie then headed down to the cafeteria.
“They’re gonna bring some snacks in a few,” she announced as she walked inside.
All the kids had been huddled together talking. They stopped when the door opened and looked up with guilty faces.
“Mom,” Alistair started, but Ashley hit him in the arm. “It’s okay,” he told her.
“What’s going on?” Melinda asked.
“It’s a ship mom…the Mayflower, it’s a ship.”
“What?”
“Ashley tell her.”
Frowning, Ashley stood up and faced Melinda. She glanced back at Alistair and he nodded encouragingly.
“They knew,” she said after taking a deep breath. “They knew what was going on for years. They knew this would happen.”
“What would happen?” Melinda asked, uncertain if she really wanted to know the answer.
“That everyone would die. That the world would die. They built a ship and a habitat on Mars. That’s the Mayflower, the last ship off this planet.”
Her words hung in the air as everyone shared looks of fear and confusion. So, little had been said about what was happening, about why they were constantly on the run to stay alive. But deep down everyone knew something was very wrong.
At any other time, in any other place, Ashley would’ve sounded insane. But after everything that had gone on, her words had to be true. It was that honesty, that sense of desperation that sent chills resounding through the room.
Melinda bit her lip and ran her fingers through the long brown stands of hair. She started to say something, but a knocking sound erupted behind her.
“I got chips and sodas,” Thomas said as he burst through the door, carrying a cardboard box.
CHAPTER 9
AN ENEMY AMONG US
“Whoa!” Randall exclaimed. “Wait a second. What the hell are you talking about?”
Lockship pressed the barrel of his gun against Randall’s forehead and jabbed. “You’ve been playing us this whole time. Sending messages to your little pals.”
Koran took a step back as his jaw dropped. “Calm down Lockship,” he said in a low voice.
“Shut up!” Lockship replied.
“Sir,” Hunter tried to intervene. “Think about what you’re saying. Look at this guy.”
“That’s just it. Makes perfect sense. Pretending to be incompetent. Always lagging behind and asking questions. You played your part perfectly.”
“I…I don’t have a part. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Randall pleaded.
“Shut up! You shut your lying mouth! How else could they know huh?”
“How would he know Lockship?” Hunter yelled and slowly placed his hand on the top of the gun. “He wasn’t there. He didn’t know a thing about where we were going. He didn’t know about the naval base until we got there. Think about it.”
Lockship spared a glance at Hunter then turned back to Randall. “You saw the same thing I did Hunter. How could they know all of that? If it ain’t him who else could it be?”
Hunter didn’t reply.
“Exactly. Only one way to be sure,” he said as his index finger rested on the trigger.
Randall’s legs shook wildly, and he swallowed what felt like a bowl of sand and razors. He glared at Lockship, pleading with his eyes, unable to find his voice or think of the words that was stop Lockship.
Lockship’s jaw bulged as he tried to control the inferno that blazed inside of him. The military was the only family he had, and now they were gone. He wanted someone to be responsible for that. He wanted someone to pay.
“Lockship,” Hunter called to him again as he pushed down against the gun.
Fuming, Lockship glared at him, considering everything he’d said. “Someone needs to pay,” he growled.
“Sir?”
Lockship huffed then turned and focused on Randall. He stared at him for a few minutes then slowly lowered the pistol. He’d been betrayed, but as he looked into Randall’s watering eyes he knew there was no way it was him.
“Thanks,” Hunter said just as an explosion of gunfire erupted out of nowhere.
Bullets snapped through the air in a string of rapid staccato. Splintered branches and pieces of shattered bark turned to shrapnel as the searing metal slammed into everything around them. The sudden clatter sent everyone diving to the ground in panic then scrambling for cover.
Koran and Lockship broke in one direction, Randall and Hunter in the other. They dove behind the massive trees that littered the park and the shooting stopped for a brief second.
“Hunter!” Lockship screamed.
“I’m good. Got Randall with me.”
“Anyone got eyes?”
Hunter slowly peeked from behind the cluster of trees and scanned the field. There was nothing at first, then he caught a slight movement in the bushes on the other side where the ground rose up a few feet. A string of men hurried down the slope, rushing toward the tree line.
Hunter motioned to Lockship and another gunshot crackled through the air. The round hit Hunter in the shoulder and he fell face first into the dirt.
“No!” Randall screamed then aimed his rifle and opened fire.
Three shots burst from the barrel of his gun, the recoil sent him stumbling backward. Huffing, he grabbed Hunter by the collar and dragged him back behind the trees.
“Shit,” Hunter grumbled as he sat up and leaned against the trunk. “I’m good, help me up.”
Using Randall to balance, he stood up and leveled his gun. His other arm dangled uselessly at his side, blood dripping down his fingers.
“You gonna live?” Lockship shouted to him.
“I’m good…I deserved it.”
“Get Randall back to the helicopter. Me and Koran will lay down cover fire.”
“I’m not leaving,” Hunter shouted back and winced.
“Get your ass back to that chopper Hunter. Tell Frank to get that thing spinning cause we’re gonna be behind you in a hurry.”
“Sir?”
“Shut the hell up Hunter and move your ass!” Lockship snapped.
Whirling aro
und, he opened fire towards the embankment. Koran did the same and reluctantly Hunter and Randall turned and ran for the helicopter.
“Fuck you!” Lockship shouted as he emptied his magazine and loaded another one.
He ripped another string of bullets and three of the men fell dead. Koran sent a burst into the bushes then tucked back behind the trees.
“They’re clear!” Koran shouted. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
Lockship nodded and they rushed off through the trees. He wasn’t sure how many men were left behind, but he figured there were probably more lurking around the park.
“Keep your eyes open,” he told Koran.
He swept back and forth with his rifle as he cautiously moved down the trail. Koran stalked behind him, his mind was racing like a train and he could feel his heartbeat echoing through his chest.
“Move your ass Koran. We need to get back,” Lockship shouted to him.
Koran looked over his shoulder then started to walk a bit faster. “You think they’re headed there now?” he asked.
“What?”
“The Russians, you think they’re heading to West Palm already?”
“The Russians?” Lockship repeated.
“Yeah, do you think they’re already on the way?”
“I never said anything about them heading to West Palm.”
There was a sudden silence in the air and Lockship felt the hair on his neck stand. He swallowed what felt like a cactus and tightened his fingers around his rifle.
“Damn it,” Koran chuckled. “Figures.”
“What?” Lockship asked as he turned around.
Koran had stopped walking. He had his rifle aimed at Lockship with a sadistic grin on his face.
“You?” Lockship said in a harsh tone.
“Go ahead and toss those guns down. Nice and easy.”
With a look between awe and absolute rage, Lockship cautiously pulled the sling over his head and his rifle fell to the ground. “What now?” he growled.
“The pistol too.”
Fuming, Lockship pulled the black handgun from his holster and dropped it. He glared at Koran and spit on the ground at his feet.
“You piece of shit! I should’ve known, I should’ve known better than to trust you.”
“I didn’t want to do this Lockship. I tried to limit the collateral damage.”
“The base? The ship? You served with some of those men back there. That’s your idea of limited collateral damage?”
“It had to be done.”
“Yeah…I guess so,” Lockship said coldly and shrugged.
Koran sucked in a deep breath and took a step forward. Shaking his head side to side he twisted his face and gulped. “It’s getting late,” he said.
Lockship pushed his shoulders back and stood to his full height. Tilting his head to the side he shrugged and chewed the inside of his jaw. “Why?” he asked.
“That’s a story you don’t have the time for. Goodbye Lockship,” Koran replied then pulled the trigger.
CHAPTER 10
DON’T LOOK BACK
“Where’s Lockship?” Hunter asked as Koran climbed into the helicopter.
Koran shook his head. “He didn’t make it.”
“No!” Hunter snapped. “Where is he? We’ve gotta go back.”
“He’s dead Hunter. I saw it with my own eyes. And that small army back there is on the way, so we need to get the hell out of here.”
Hunter gazed at him in disbelief. “No…no!”
He leaned out of his seat and started toward the door. Koran grabbed his arm to stop him, but he snatched away and shoved him in the chest.
“He’s dead Hunter!” Koran roared and grabbed him again. “Nothing we can do. Now we need to haul ass or we’re all gonna die.”
Hunter ripped away again and lunged at the door. He was nearly outside when a series of bullets clattered against the metal with a deafening ping. A cluster of armed men were charging toward them, firing wildly.
“Hang on!” Frank suddenly yelled.
The helicopter groaned then lifted off the ground with a shudder. Alarms screeched madly as the sound of gunfire trembled the air. Hunter rolled across the floor and clambered toward the nearest seat. Randall jumped out and grabbed his arm, pulling him up beside him.
“Get up!” he snapped.
Bullets bounced off the bottom of the helicopter as Frank pulled away and climbed higher into the sky. The rotors whined, and the chopper pitched to the right then clawed for the heavens like a hawk.
“Turn around!” Hunter groaned, and his voice cracked with pain. “Frank please…please just go back.”
Frank glanced back into the cabin then looked away. Hunter had tears streaming down his face. His rifle was laid across his lap and his legs jittered nervously in a continuous buzz.
“I’m sorry Hunter,” Frank said lowly. “I’m really sorry.”
Hunter’s face twisted in agony and he banged his fists against the wall. Dropping his head into his hands, he sobbed quietly as he shook with anger.
Koran gave him an exhausted look then sat back. Frowning, he turned and looked out of the window as they raced over the treetops. The park and the small army faded into the distance and the sound of the rotor cutting through the air replaced the rattle of gunfire.
Koran relaxed his face and a blank calmness washed over him as he gazed into nothing. It could’ve even been confused for shock or guilt over Lockship, but the reality was he hadn’t spent a second thinking about his death. His mind was busy working out the next step of his plan.
He reached down and grabbed his bag from the floor and set it on his lap. He pulled the zipper open and looked inside at a black, satellite phone. Grinning, he tucked it under a package of gauze.
“Koran,” Randall suddenly called.
He jumped in surprise then nervously closed the bag and looked up. “Yeah?”
“You okay?”
Koran stared back at him in confusion.
“I…I just thought you two were pretty close. Lockship and you?”
“Yeah, yeah we were. I’m okay though. Thanks for asking.”
Randall nodded then looked away. Koran let out a deep breath and settled back in his seat, tightening his grip on the bag. He was close now and couldn’t afford any mistakes.
The helicopter rumbled from side to side as it floated over the desolate landscape. Frank and Thomas shared awkward glances into the cabin as they piloted the craft toward the naval base. The aging, Blackhawk weathered the assault, but they still needed to make it back safely.
“We don’t have much time,” Hunter said in a monotone voice.
Koran looked up and found him glaring at him with a blank face. Biting his lip, he shrugged and held his hands up with a puzzled look.
“They’ll be at the base soon,” Hunter continued.
“Who?” Randall asked. “What are you talking about?”
“That’s what we found over there. A map with the naval base circled. It’s where they were heading next.”
“Jesus,” Randall grumbled under his breath. “Those guys… those guys back there are going to the base?
“Seems like it.”
“Hunter, we have to evacuate the base right now. We have to get to the Mayflower. We need to call ahead and ready the flight crew.”
Hunter stared ahead blankly. Biting his bottom lip, he wrinkled his brow and sighed.
“Hunter!” Koran shouted and clapped his hands in front of him.
“Yeah,” he finally grumbled. Then leaned forward. “Frank, make the call.”
“Yes sir,” Frank replied and started fumbling with the radio.
“He thought it was you,” Hunter said nonchalantly and looked back to Randall.
Randall hesitantly raised his head.
“I knew it wasn’t…couldn’t have been you. But someone, someone’s been talking.”
“And we’ll find out who as soon as we get back,” Koran said with enough convic
tion that he almost believed it himself.
“Ten minutes out,” Frank said.
“What went on back there? How did you make it out and Lockship didn’t?” Hunter asked.
Koran felt his throat tighten. Instinctively, he clutched his bag to his chest and looked away to avoid Hunter’s piercing gaze.
“He saved my life,” Koran croaked. “We…we made it to the trail, but there was a much larger unit than we thought. They had us flanked.” He paused and lowered his head, wiping his face as if to suppress tears. “Lockship covered me as I pushed forward and…and they overran him.”
“Did you see him die?!” Hunter growled. “Did you see him?”
“Yes, I fucking saw him!” Koran snapped. “They shot him!”
Hunter wrinkled his face and turned away. Koran sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. Seething, he cast angry glances at Hunter then shook his head from side to side.
“So…so what do we do now?” Randall asked.
“We get the hell out of here,” Koran replied.
Hunter didn’t respond. He stared outside in silence, listening to the thump of the air and wondering the same thing. He had no answers, he had no plan and somehow, he had to keep everyone safe.
“Base is coming up sir,” Frank called out. “Plane is on the runway and ready to board.”
“Thanks,” Hunter replied.
The helicopter wobbled from side to side as they began to descend. Randall sat up and looked out of the window. His heart was beating with anxiety as he searched for Melinda. There’d been several times when he wasn’t sure he’d see her or his kids again. He smiled at the thought of them.
A few members of the flight crew were standing outside, shielding their eyes from the rotor wash. Corporal Livingston exited one of the buildings and jogged toward the landing pad, but the rest of the base looked empty.
With a solid clunk, the chopper settled onto the concrete and Frank powered down. Hunter reached for the door and climbed outside as Randall and Koran followed.
Stumbling onto the concrete, he dropped his bags on the ground then knelt and lowered his head. He brought his hand to his face and took a breath
Randall looked at Koran with a confused guise. Koran shrugged and held his hands up like he was just as puzzled. So, in silence, they watched Hunter as he mumbled a prayer under his breath and tried to hide the tears on his face.
Survivors: Deconstruction Book Five (A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller) Page 5