“Are you sure you’re driving? There’s still enough space for you and your friends on the truck.” Colonel Eaton insisted.
“Thank you, Colonel. But I wanted to bring my best friend’s car. At least I can save his precious toy.” Joseph forced to smile as he remembered the time when he and Steve bought the car together.
“I understand. Then we’re all set! Let’s get the hell out of here.” Colonel Eaton announced.
Both engines of the vehicles have ignited. The convoy was about to leave the subdivision when a battalion of Army blocked the driveway.
“What the hell is that?” One of the Southcrest teenagers uttered.
Colonel Eaton who was about to get on their truck as he looked at the ten-man Army troop that was walking towards them. Joseph and Walter quietly looked and listened to their conversation.
“Good morning, Colonel Ashton Eaton. I am Captain Ellis.” Captain Ellis said and salute.
“Carry on. Good morning, Captain Ellis. To what do I owe your visit?” Colonel Eaton replied calmly.
“We are here to fetch you, Colonel. I’m pretty sure that the General informed you about summoning you back in service.”
“Yes, but I’m surprised it’s supposed to be today.” Colonel Eaton said with a little bit of frustration.
“Sorry for the unexpected visit, Colonel. But we need you back effective immediately.” Captain Ellis replied.
“Hold on please.” Colonel Eaton walked towards Joseph’s car.
“I’m sorry. I don’t think I can go with you.” Colonel Eaton apologized.
“I understand, Colonel. I hope we could go to the farm together. Would you be alright out there?” Joseph asked.
“Of course. I might be retired, but this body of mine is made to serve the country.” Colonel Eaton laughed.
“You have to be very careful, Joseph. Promise me you’ll let me know once you get to the farm. And you have to be there safely.” Colonel Eaton’s face turned serious.
“I will,” Joseph promised.
“One more thing. Please hide your true identities.” Colonel Eaton almost whispered inside Joseph’s car.
“What do you mean?” Joseph seemed to forget.
“We are under Martial Law. The military can force us to remain in service. If we got caught, then we won’t make it to the farm.” Walter replied and looked at Colonel Eaton, and he nodded.
“I’ll give you protection, that’s the least I can do for now.” Joseph and Walter were kept wondering, as Colonel Eaton walked back to Captain Ellis.
“What protection?” Victoria asked in confusion.
“No idea.” One of the neighbors replied.
“I’m ready, and I’ve got my first order.” Colonel Eaton said as he returned to Captain Ellis.
“By all means, Colonel.” Captain Ellis replied.
“As your Colonel, I am ordering that first Army troop to escort my friends to their journey in Humvees. You and your troop will stay with them, and give them protection until the war between the Government and its people has ended.” Colonel Eaton ordered.
“But, Colonel…” Captain Ellis was surprised, but Colonel cut his sentence.
“Why? You said I’m back in service effective immediately. That’s my order as a Colonel, and you are coming to lead your troop.” Colonel Eaton strongly commanded.
“Aye, Colonel.” Captain Ellis constrained. He saluted Colonel Eaton and walked to the first troop Army.
“Captain! These people are powerless. They need you, and your group. Protection is the best help we can offer. There are women and children on the truck and to your destination. With the Government’s unstable situation, they need security. We need to transfer them to a safer place. I hope you understand.” Colonel Eaton shouted as he tried to explain the situation to Captain Ellis who was about to walk away from him.
“Affirmative, Colonel.” Captain Ellis agreed and finally accepted the order whole-heartedly.
“Men, we have a new mission. We’re relocating.” Captain Ellis announced their new mission to his group.
While Captain Ellis was instructing his troops, Colonel Eaton winked at Joseph. Joseph salute to the colonel and nod. Colonel Eaton walked towards Southcrest group and directed them for the final time.
“You know, you have super cool neighbors. When everything’s well, then I’d get a house on this place.” Walter teased Joseph, and they laughed.
Colonel Eaton is on the Army truck, as the convoy leave Joseph’s house. As planned, Joseph leads the way. The white truck trails and last is the Army’s vehicle. The first half of the journey was smooth as silk. Evidence of violence and riot are still visible. There were empty houses, burned cars, and even dead people along the way. The convoy decided to take a stop to one of the empty gasoline stations. Joseph looked around the area, and he knew that it was the same gasoline station where his family almost died.
“Remember to hide your identities, gentlemen. Stop calling yourselves Doctors and Nurse.” Victoria reminded Joseph, Walter and the nurse. The whole Southcrest villagers were also instructed to stop calling Joseph and Walter doctors before they leave Joseph’s house.
“Yes, ma’am,” Walter replied. The Army surrounded the area as others use the bathrooms.
“Are we still far?” Captain Ellis asked Joseph who were in deep thoughts.
“Yea, we’re still halfway,” Joseph replied dryly while looking at a dead body.
“You know him?” Captain Ellis didn’t stop asking Joseph questions.
“No, but I think he’s the man that hijacked my family,” Joseph responded.
“Are they alright?” Captain Ellis was shocked.
“Yes, they successfully arrived the farm a few days ago.”
“Why didn’t you come with them?” Captain Ellis interrogated, but Joseph sensed it right away and looked at the captain sharply.
“I’m sorry, that might be too far. I’m Captain Ellis, by the way,” Captain Ellis offered his hand.
“Joseph,” Joseph remembered to keep his identity, and they shook their hands.
“I think everyone’s finish. Shall we go?” Captain Ellis tried to change the subject, and Joseph nodded.
Walter tried to check the fuel dispensers, but there was no fuel coming out. The Army called the villagers to hop in the trucks, so they can go to the farm while there’s still daylight. Everyone cooperated and continued their journey.
“How’s that a gasoline station with no gas?” One of the Southcrest villagers on Steve’s car said.
“I’ve heard that the country has a shortage already, especially the most affected cities.” Another one replied.
“And if a place is lucky to have, pretty sure the price is high,” Walter replied.
Beyond half of their journey, the Army noticed two unknown trucks. Captain Ellis contacted Joseph through the radio.
“Joseph? Are you in?”
“Yes, Captain. Why?” Joseph replied.
“We have two unidentified trucks at the back. They’ve been there since we left the filling station. Can you confirm that they’re not your friends? We’ll give you a look. Go to the left side of the road.” Captain Ellis proposed.
The white truck and Army vehicle slightly went to the right side of the road, as Joseph does as he’s told. He looked at the rear mirror as well as Walter.
“No, Captain. We don’t recognize the unknown trucks.” Joseph spoke to the radio.
“Let’s try to speed up, and see if we can lose them.” Captain Ellis ordered.
They all speed up and passed alternative routes that they have planned, but the unknown trucks still followed them. The Army wasn’t shooting because the unknown trucks weren’t doing any but follow. They are three kilometers away from the town, but they have to pass a two-hundred-meter-long bridge. Joseph slowed down at the midway of the bridge, it’s traffic and jammed, but with no people inside the vehicles. A pile of cars that turned the bridge into a large parking lot.