Garrett led them through town. On the outside of Hondo, where the stores stopped, he found what he wanted. A small car dealership lined with used cars, most of which were pickups, SUVs and four-wheel drive vehicles, beckoned to the small group’s very needs.
Garrett turned into the dealership, and the short line of cars followed. They all gathered around him. He barked instructions. Mullholland, Blackman, Pickett, and Chin Tang were to find and collect weapons for defense. Admiral Garrett sent Pickett and Sullivan to find camping supplies. Schmitt, Fitzhenry, Deberg, and Warren were to negotiate and pick out the transportation they would need: specifically four-wheel drive vehicles or trucks. Ruben, Sunday, and James went in search of food and non-perishable items.
Having spotted a pharmacy, Krysti took her son to find the medical supplies they would need. Marix argued he should go with her and after much persistence prevailed under the pretense he could provide protection. Garrett remained behind to watch the vehicles and prepare to load their few belongings into whatever Fitz, Deberg, Schmitt, and Warren could wrangle from the owner of the dealership, while the others started down Main Street to acquire the items they would need for a prolonged stay.
Warren talked to the owner who was about to leave. He showed Warren the wall with the keys to all of the cars and told him, “Leave your cars here and put the keys on the wall. Take what you want.” He pointed to the copying machine and said, “Print out your driver’s license and a credit card. If this thing isn’t as bad as I think it is, I’ll get back with you in a few weeks.”
He shook his head. “I’m afraid it’s not good so take what you need and good luck.” He jumped into his loaded out four-wheel drive crewcab and drove away. For Warren, who was a car buff, this was a dream come true, but at the wrong time as he looked across the acre of used cars.
A large wooden sign with the words “Guns and Ammo” hung over a store and drew Mullholland, Tang, and Blackman. They entered the store and inside found a small armory. After learning they were with the military, the owner gladly provided them with rifles, ammunition, guns, knives, and assorted dressing gear appropriate for long periods of exposure to the elements.
As the group made up the only people in the store, Mullholland asked, “Why aren’t the people stocking up on weapons?”
The old man laughed. “Son, this is Texas. If you don’t already have guns and know how to use them… well, you’re plum worthless. The people of Hondo have their guns.”
When Mullholland offered payment, the old man said he would be interested in trading for their uniforms. He refused the money saying, “You take these here guns and promise to kill some of them there commie bastards.”
Mullholland and Blackman willingly obliged the old man as did Tang and Pickett. They went to the cars, retrieved their uniforms, returned to the store and turned them over in exchange for the hunting garments. They took extra coats, boots, and jackets just as a precaution and a supply of tents so there would be enough to put two people in each. One tent opened on four sides so it would provide shelter away from the sun. They took knives and guns for each person and then began to stockpile ammunition for the weapons they had selected.
Ruben, Larry, and Sunday collected a large quantity of food in three pushcarts. Sunday made the men load up four large plastic ice chests a little more than four feet in length. While she continued to collect food, Ruben and James took two ice chests outside per Sunday’s orders and crammed them full of ice bags. When the three carts were full, Ruben handed the checker his American Express card. He noticed the unwelcome glare from the storeowner as he stared at the card and frowned.
“Sonny, that piece of plastic is worth about as much as a Confederate dollar. In fact, I’ll take Confederate dollars,” he said with a touch of anger, his arms folded before him.
Sunday pushed her way to the front and pulled out cash. “Here, let me take care of this.”
Managing to find humor in the obviously ludicrous situation, Ruben turned to Larry. “Gee, I don’t think I exceeded my limit. I’ll have to check on this when I get home. And to think I’m a gold card member.”
“Ruben,” snapped Sunday, not finding the situation humorous.
Larry said nothing. He stared ahead in silence, the reality of the situation finally began to register in his brain. Using the same three carts, they pushed the food from the store.
Ruben hesitated at the counter and held his card in the face of the old man. “And they told me, don’t leave home without it.” He laughed at the teller then flipped his American Express card to the counter.
The old man picked the card up, flipped it over so he could see both sides, and then threw it in the trash where its real value could be realized. Once outside, Larry waited with the food and ice while Sunday and Ruben got one of the four-wheel drive Ford Expeditions Warren had waiting. They returned to James and loaded the SUV full of supplies.
Searching through the drug store, Krysti pulled down aspirin, antibiotic cream, special items she knew the women would need, creams, handfuls of toothpaste, tooth brushes, deodorant, toilet paper, and all of the other items necessary for a long duration. She talked to the pharmacist and showed him her credentials; he willingly loaded her with antibiotics, pain pills, and assorted drugs. Also he supplied her with equipment and materials for small operations that might be required.
They had finally selected all of the vehicles they would need. While they were collecting the supplies, a family approached Warren and Fitz.
Stephan Gray introduced himself, his wife Joan, and their daughter, Lindy. He was dressed like someone well-to-do. The loaded out Cadillac SUV was the first indicator, and the designer clothes they wore told him the rest. They were terrified and asked for help. Someone in town had identified Warren and the others as being American military.
Warren didn’t know what to do and took them to Garrett. All the while he could hardly take his eyes off their beautiful daughter. He was sure the girl was a model of some kind. He guessed her to be between nineteen or twenty. And Warren was good at guessing a person’s age.
After the Grays were introduced to Garrett, Stephan said, “Please let us go with you. We are afraid to return to Houston. At least let us stay with you until we know it is safe to return home.”
The time was not to watch out for others. The group’s first reaction was to deny the Gray’s help; after all, they were military and this was a war. But Garrett paused to reflect on his job and decades of military service to his country. The primary objective of anyone in the military was to protect his country, and in reality, wasn’t someone’s country made up of all of the people? He was required to protect the people as much as his country.
In the end Garrett said to Stephan, “Bring your family with us. When it is safe you can return home.”
The Grays were very gracious.
After everyone returned to the vans, Garrett introduced the new members of their party.
When he finished, Garrett gathered the group around. “About twenty miles west of here, we’re going to set up a camp on the Frio River. Robby, Fitz, and BJ have found transportation. We have four Jeeps and two 4-wheel drive trucks. Also, Jack’s truck.” Garrett paused to let his statement sink in. “Okay gentlemen, I suggest we get a move on. Pack them up. Let’s go!”
They scavenged what belongings they could use, and loaded them into the off-road vehicles Warren and Fitz had acquired.