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Two soldiers rise and head off bringing back the rest of our merry band. The sun climbs higher into the bright blue sky shining its warmth down on us. The morning breeze has settled down bringing even more stillness to an already still area. The only movement is that of the occasional bird swooping over the grass field across the runway from us. The flags hang limply from their poles on the buildings we can see, imitating the way I feel. The calm before the storm. As if what we are about to venture forth on this day is still far away but coming toward us at a tremendous pace.

“Let’s talk about what we need to do when we get back. We know we need to find and build a sanctuary. Some place where we can be safe and plan. Some place where we have the supplies and the environment we need to survive. I’m thinking close to McChord and Lewis. As a matter of fact, I have a place in mind. The Cabela store. It has what we need for survival, it’s close to supplies, it has very few entrances, and is large enough to house us. It’s also far enough away from the city that we shouldn’t be overwhelmed from the very start,” I say starting off the conversation and ticking the points off on my fingers.

“What about just staying at Lewis and finding a place there?” A voice asks from the group.

“Well, my thinking is that there’s no security around the perimeter. At least nothing that can keep the night runners away from where we’d be housed. We need a solid barrier. And there’s nothing as large there as what Cabela’s would offer. We have to think of room and accommodations for us. There are also a lot of night runners on the bases based on my last experience through there. Lastly, we need to think about disease control. There are a lot of bodies around, and I mean a lot! Disease in the form of Cholera and a host of others will be rampant shortly. This will have to be close to the top of our priority and thinking,” I answer.

“Won’t the place you’re talking about be just as open as any place on base?” Another voice asks.

“Initially, yes, but I’m thinking about building a concrete wall around the entire area with the materials they place alongside highways to keep noise and people out. I want to enclose a complete area, preferably with grassy fields, to be able to bring livestock and such in. Horses, cows, chickens, and anything else we can find alive. This will be our long-term solution. Plus, the concrete block building with only a couple of entrances will make it easier to secure,” I answer.

I see several heads nodding at this but others seem lost in their own thoughts. Not sure if they accept this reasoning or whether they are merely taking it in and formulating their own ideas about where we should go.

“Look, there are most likely hundreds of places we could go and build a safe place. I just know the area around there very well. I know where the cattle are, where horses can be found, where water and other supplies are, the good hunting, and my way around a hundred other things I can think of. Plus, I know it has large generator for our use, a kitchen, food storage, and bathrooms,” I say.

“Well, that does sound like a good place but what about the NORAD facility? They have all of that and more. It’s also away from civilization,” Frank asks.

“I thought about that as well and I can’t think of a more secure place. However, for the doors or anything else to work, we need the generators, meaning fuel. I know they have a large supply to last for a long time in the event of catastrophe, but getting supplies there will be difficult at best and more than likely impossible in the winter months. Plus, we don’t know what condition it’s in. It could be completely overrun inside. But those are just my humble thoughts on the subject,” I respond.

I look around and am met by silence. Finally a hand goes up asking for recognition.

“Yes,” I say pointing.

“How would we get this wall built? Seems like you are thinking of a large enclosure and that it would take a long time to get built. Almost to the point of being impossible,” Horace says.

“Well, that’s why it will have to be a priority. We’d have to get it built by the end of summer. It shouldn’t take that long if we focus on it. The materials are close by and it’s just a matter of transporting them and getting them in place. We’ll need heavy machinery but I think we can get it done in time,” I answer her.

“I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but..” I continue on by am interrupted by another voice.

“Where are we going to get the fuel and such for the generator and equipment? We won’t be able to scavenge a lot and it will eventually run out and soon.”

“True but there’s plenty of fuel to be found. We tote a portable generator to hook up to the electrical systems at gas stations and such. We pull the fuel from places like that and then store it. Most of what we’ll need will be diesel and that doesn’t evaporate quickly,” I answer.

“It actually sounds like a good plan to me,” yet another voice chimes in. I see who it is that is talking and asking questions but I don’t know their names as yet.

“Yeah, me too. Sounds as good as any other,” someone else says.

“Anyone else have any ideas on where to go or what to do?” I ask.

“I suppose any one place is good as another considering and this one sounds good enough considering what we’ll be facing,” Bannerman says much to my surprise. Everyone else remains silent although I do see more heads nod in agreement.

“Is everyone good with this?” I ask after giving it a few moments to soak in.

“Hooah, sir,” one voice shouts out followed by others.

I am about to make my usual sarcastic Army comment when the air is split by a shrill scream startling everyone; like an unexpected moment in a horror movie. The scream of terror and fear rises on the still air and echoes off the buildings. It is coming from within the base. The buildings and echoes make it difficult to determine just how far away it is or where it is coming from. Split seconds after the scream, there is the sound of guns being unslung and rounds being chambered from the team. Everyone rises to their feet and looks around for the danger.

“Radios on! Red Team on me!” I call switching my radio on. “Lynn, get Black Team. You and I are the maneuver teams. Everyone else, in teams, take defensive positions away from the aircraft,” I call out.

The scramble of feet on the pavement follows as soldiers establish a defensive line focusing on the buildings, waiting for something to emerge. I do not want a firefight to take place that endangers or has rounds hitting the aircraft.

“Michelle, Bri, Nic, in the aircraft now!” I shout looking over at them.

I move Red Team off to the right side of the defensive line and see Lynn take Black Team to the left. The echoes die away leaving us in the still of the bright morning once again. Robert is standing by my side; I look for any movement and see none.

“Do you want me with you?” He asks.

“No, I want you in the aircraft guarding Michelle, Nic, and Bri. You are their defense,” I respond. I see him trot off and run up the ramp, disappearing into the 130.

“Lynn, you see anything?” I ask.

“Nothing here Jack,” she responds.

A gunshot rings out from within the base and is followed by another scream. Both echo throughout the area with the scream carrying that same fear-filled nature.

“Lynn, Black Team with me,” I say into the radio. “We don’t really have time for this. But what else can we do. Everyone else maintain defensive lines.”

“Roger that,” Lynn’s voice sounds in my ear piece.

“Will do, sir,” the other team leaders say.

“Robert, make sure the aircraft is refueled and topped off,” I say into the mic.

“Okay, Dad.”