by David Spell
“You would be my second assistant director. Your focus would be on the east coast here, coordinating with local and federal law enforcement in the elimination of the remaining infected and the removal of the dead. On paper, you’ll be under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security, but you’ll report to me. We just won’t publicize that. Representing DHS will get you more cooperation in local LE circles than representing the CIA.
“I wish I could offer you more specifics about this new position, but you’ll be making it up as you go. We’ve never had to clean up after a bio-terror attack of this magnitude before, but you’re a very resourceful man and I have full confidence in you. If you take this job, you’ll need to have the beginnings of a staff. I can authorize you to take of two of your current agents with you.”
“Scotty and Andy,” Chuck answered immediately, realizing that in his mind, he had already said ‘yes.’
The admiral nodded. “Good choices, although Agent Smith does seem to be a bit of a loose canon.”
McCain laughed. “He is that, but he’s also one of the best shooters that I’ve ever worked with. He and Andy are both excellent leaders and are great at connecting with local cops.”
“Very well, you know them better than I do. Now, let me turn my attention to the lovely Mrs. McCain.”
Beth blushed at the compliment and smiled brightly.
“I understand that you have already become a popular member of the team here. Dr. Martin was singing your praises earlier. He told me that he’s never had a personal assistant who learned their position so quickly. You’ve evidently got him and the researchers organized so that they can focus on doing what they do best.”
“I’m glad I’m able to play a part,” she answered, appreciative of the kind words. “It’s an honor to be a part of their team.”
Williams smiled and continued, “And he told me that he’s offered you a full-time job?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, that’s wonderful. I’m glad that you’ve found your place here so quickly. If you take that job, and if your husband decides to accept my offer, we’ll have to work something out. Chuck’s new position will require him to be based in Washington, D.C., and there will be some travel involved. I took the liberty of discussing the situation with Dr. Martin and he sees no problem at all with you working remotely and just coming to the office in Atlanta a couple of times a month. Would you be willing to work in that capacity?”
“Of course,” Elizabeth answered quickly, excited at the possibilities that were in front of them.
The admiral turned his gazed back to Chuck. “So, Mr. McCain, what do you think?”
“If I took this position, when would I start?”
“Well, let’s see. I promised that I’d get you back to North Carolina to have a longer visit with your daughter. There was something else as well…oh, that’s right! You two haven’t had a honeymoon yet. International travel is still being severely restricted for fear that individuals might be carrying the virus. I could, however, make arrangements for the two of you to fly to California. How does a couple of weeks in San Diego or Los Angeles sound? Chuck, what if we say that you would start in six weeks? Four weeks for the two of you to travel and then two weeks to get settled in DC?”
Elizabeth had never been to California or Washington, D.C., before and her face lit up. Chuck couldn’t help but smile at the surprised look on Beth’s face. How could he say no to that?
“Admiral, I accept your offer. Thank you for your confidence in me, sir. I’ll work hard not to let you down. One question, though. This seems like the kind of position where we’ll work ourselves out of a job in a year or two. Eventually, all the zombies will be eliminated and things will be back to normal. What then?”
“Mr. McCain, a man with your skills and mindset will always have a job. When it gets to that point, I’m sure I can find something else that will challenge you.”
Williams’ next meeting was with Eddie and Chuck. Marshall was clearly surprised to be offered the promotion, but he gratefully accepted and congratulated McCain on his new position.
“Mr. Marshall, I know that you’re going to do an excellent job. Mr. McCain will be asking Agents Fleming and Smith to join him on his staff so you’ll have to do some recruiting. I’d suggest that before the DC team heads north, you might see if one of them is interested in moving to Atlanta. Of course, being a former SEAL myself I’m a little biased, but if it was me, I’d be going after Agent Walker.
“Supervisory Agent Trang will be going through the same rebuilding process. His pool of potential recruits is a little bigger in the Washington-Metro area, so I could let you have one of his men.”
“Thank you, Admiral,” responded. “I’ll check with Jay and see if he would be interested in transferring. He and I worked together on capturing Terrell Hill and I would love to have him as one of my team leaders.”
Centers for Disease Control Compound, East of Atlanta, Saturday, 2030 hours
Later in the evening, all of the CDC agents and their wives or girlfriends sat together in the dining hall as they enjoyed their meal of fettuccine Alfredo and canned vegetables, courtesy of the Air Force. Jay had asked Nicole to join them, and she sat between he and Elizabeth. Jimmy Jones and Scotty Smith kept the table laughing with one funny story after another.
Everyone had heard the news that Chuck would be leaving for another position and that Eddie would be their new leader as they began the process of rebuilding the Atlanta operation and continuing their mission. Both Fleming and Smith had accepted the offer to join McCain’s staff without hesitation. The two remaining Atlanta agents, Jimmy Jones and Hollywood Estrada, were disappointed to see their friends go but knew that they would continue to cross paths in the war on terror.
Leadership transitions always have the potential to create tension and uncertainty among those whom it affects. With Marshall being chosen to replace McCain, though, Jones and Estrada breathed a sigh of relief knowing that they were in good hands. They trusted Eddie completely and knew that this would be a seamless transition.
As the meal was winding down, Scotty stood up and asked for the table’s attention.
“Before everyone gets finished and heads to bed, I’d like to say something.”
“Man, you ain’t never lacking for anything to say,” Jones quipped. “Except that time Chuck knocked you out. You were kinda quiet then.”
Those who knew what Jimmy was talking about laughed and Smith smiled, instinctively rubbing his jaw. “Hey, Jimmy, why don’t you go a couple of rounds with him and see how long you last!”
Jimmy laughed. “No, man, I’m good. I’ll pass on that one. When Chuck hits people they fall down and don’t move for a while. But thanks for the offer.”
When the laughing subsided, Scotty took a deep breath. “We’ve all been through a lot together and I consider everybody at this table my family. Some of us are going to be moving away and leaving behind people we really love.”
Emily listened to her boyfriend talk with a sense of uncertainty. They had been dating for over six months and had fallen in love. At the same time, she wasn’t sure how Scotty moving to Washington, D.C., was going to affect their relationship. He’d mentioned his new job to her as they were walking to the dining room, but had’t had much time to elaborate.
Over dinner, she tried to stay engaged in the conversations around her but was preoccupied with her own thoughts. Maybe later, she and Scotty could talk it out. That was one of the reasons why she loved him so much. He always had his own unique way of making her feel better.
She was surprised when he stood up at the end of the meal and started talking. What did he just say about ‘leaving behind people we love?’ Her heart sank at the thought of him living so far away in a society where travel was so difficult.
But then Emily heard his voice get softer, a little less sure of itself. “But there’s someone here that I’m not planning on leaving behind.”
The young
woman realized that her boyfriend was now staring down at her from his full height of six feet five inches. “Emily, you’re everything that I ever wanted in a woman and I can’t imagine not having you with me.” He paused taking a deep breath. “What I was wanting to ask you was if you…”
Across the table someone cleared their throat loudly. Smith paused and looked over at McCain who was motioning down with his hand.
“Oh, yeah. Thanks, Chuck.”
Scotty dropped to one knee in front of his girlfriend. Even kneeling he was still slightly taller than the diminutive young woman.
Something clicked inside of Emily and her mouth dropped open.
“Em, what I was wanting to ask is if you’ll marry me?”
There was a collective gasp around the table at what they were witnessing. Emily sat frozen in her chair, but then reached over and wrapped her arms around Scotty’s neck, hugging him tightly, tears running down her face.
“I’d love to marry you, Scotty,” she answered quietly.
“You will?” he answered, sounding surprised.
The muscular man hugged her back and stood up, easily lifting the young woman into the air. After a moment he turned to all his friends, his trademark grin plastered across his face.
“She said ‘yes!’ Can you guys believe it? She really said ‘yes.’”
The room erupted in applause as the other diners around the room realized what was going on at the enforcement unit’s table. Scotty eventually set his new fiancée back on her feet. He held her face in his massive hands, kissing her with a gentleness that even his friends didn’t know that he possessed. When he finally came up for air, Smith looked across the table at McCain and mouthed, ‘Thanks for the help.’
As the group started to disperse, Jay asked Nicole to take a walk. They had been able to share a few meals together since his return, but the CDC agent was still getting mixed signals from the beautiful scientist. She had certainly looked gorgeous when he had exited the Blackhawk a couple of days before and she hadn’t pushed him away when he had hugged her. Other than the hug, though, there hadn’t been any other physical contact.
Edwards had, however, been more open and they’d had several great conversations getting to know each other. She was warming up to him, but what was she really looking for? Walker was tired of being single and found himself very attracted to Nicole.
She was a beautiful woman and was also very smart, but it went even deeper than that. He liked talking with her. He loved the sound of her laugh. He enjoyed just being with her. Have I fallen in love? he wondered.
Nicole hadn’t said much during dinner, but had laughed at Scotty’s and Jimmy’s stories and cheered along with everyone else as Smith had proposed to Emily. She seemed to have enjoyed herself and Walker was intrigued as he noticed how close Edwards and Chuck’s new wife had become. At one point Nicole had leaned over to Jay, putting her hand on his arm and thanking him for inviting her to dinner with his friends, telling him how much fun she was having.
Now, they were walking together under the light of a full moon, the forest around them quiet and tranquil. “Can I ask for your opinion on something?” Jay asked.
“Sure, what is it?”
“You know, they’re getting ready to send us home in a couple of days.”
“Yeah, I heard that,” she answered, quietly.
“Well, I’ve got a big decision to make. Eddie Marshall is the new boss here with McCain taking the new job and moving to Washington. Eddie asked me if I’d be interested in transferring down here and being one of his team leaders.”
“He did?” Nicole responded excitedly. She hadn’t known what to expect when Jay went back home. Washington was a long way from Atlanta thanks to the zombie infestation.
“Yep. Now, I need a little help. Like I said, this is a big decision for me. I like working with Tu and the guys, but I also have a lot of respect for Eddie and his team. What do you think I should do?
“I told you before that I want to get to know you. It’s been nice the last couple of days hanging out, but I guess I’m wondering if you see any kind of serious relationship in your future, in our future. If you’re not interested, I’ll head back to DC. But, if you thought this old Navy guy had a chance, I’d…”
Jay never completed his sentence as Nicole wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him long and hard. When they came up for air, they just held each other.
“Please stay,” Nicole whispered. “I don’t even know what a serious relationship looks like. I’ve never had one, but I’m willing to learn.”
Walker kissed her again and whispered in her ear, “Let’s learn together.”
I hope you enjoyed Climbing Out of the Ruins as much as I enjoyed writing it! If you did, would you consider leaving me a review on Amazon? Reader reviews mean so much to authors.
And don’t forget to tell your friends about the Zombie Terror War Series. If by chance, you are jumping in with book five, make sure you go back and read the other volumes. You’ll be glad you did!
Stayed tuned for more with Chuck, Elizabeth, and the entire team coming in 2019. There is still more work to be done!