Paul Kirk - Devastation Point

“Shh, honey. I’m okay. It’s okay. I am happy. It’s a beautiful gift. I love it.”

“Okay.” Shannon settled into the deep hug.

“You’re both so grown up. Look at you.”

Terry turned to Liam. He would soon tower above her. She reached for him, embracing him hard while Shannon tightened her grip to stay wrapped around her hips.

“I can’t forget about Daddy.”

“I never, ever would want that, Liam.”

“He’s not dead. We don’t know that.”

“No, we don’t, honey. But—”

“He’s not dead.” Liam pushed from the embrace, lifting the coat in his hands. Gathering a firm set to his jaw, he held the coat before her.

“No one wears this but my dad. No one !”

The conviction pulsed in his words and Terry sought some way to suggest that Connor Mac was not coming back and was likely dead after all these years.

“Honey, we can keep that coat tightly wrapped in that box until that day comes.”

“Good. I will.”

“But, I want you to think about the time that’s gone by—think about the devastation left behind by the flu, the H5N1. Think of the diseases that came after.”

“My daddy’s just doing some travelin’—he has to come from Australia.”

“No, honey. Think about the chances. About the likelihood.”

“You got no faith.” Liam stared at her, furious.

“Hah. No faith!” Angry, Terry shrugged from Shannon’s hold. She leaned closer to Liam. “No faith?”

“You love Uncle Andy now.” Liam was firm in his conviction.

“Yeah. I’m workin’ real hard on that now. But, no, I loved your father more than anything in this world, well at least before you two came around—and, I waited, Liam. I waited !” Terry staggered after her outburst. Seeking support, she leaned against the table, her legs shaking. Her sobs ran hard and Shannon scrambled to embrace her again. Liam placed the thick, heavy bear coat around her shoulders. He embraced her and began crying softly.

They stood there crying for several moments, until Terry kissed each on the top of the head. Taking the coat, she folded and placed it reverently into its box. She closed the top and smiled, wiping her eyes one last time.

“You did good, Liam. Real good. You too, Shannon.”

The two children watched as she carefully placed the box on a high shelf in the back of the storage area. Slowly, she turned to face them.

“Keep the memory of your dad alive, okay? Never let me forget. Okay?”

“Okay,” said Shannon.

“Yeah,” said Liam.

“But, Liam, think about what I said. You know? Your father hasn’t returned in five years, okay? We need to consider our future.”

“Where the hell we at now, Larry?”

“The maps says we’re on Arlington and trying to get up onto Brownville Road.”

Larry studied the map in his hands as he stood beside the passenger side door of the pickup. Phoenix sat with his feet up on the dash, thinking. Titmouse sat in the driver seat paging through a People Magazine he found still in usable condition at the Sheetz convenience store. Sinclair stood in the rear bed surveying the area looking bored.

“Where’s Luke and his trackers?”

“Hooked up with us five minutes ago. Checked in with Chuck at the rear. They’re heading up front. Luke wants to talk to you.”

“I’ll bet. Fucker’s probably pissed he got his ass caught out on the bridge.”

“You mean, the same like we did on our bridge?”

“Good point, uncle.”

“Yeah. That’s gonna be part of it, I’m sure. Chuck said Luke wants lead on this next phase and won’t take no for an answer.”

“He did, did he?”

“Wants to find the pricks who took out his men on the bridge and won’t be denied.”

“Huh.”

“Chuck said he’s possessed. Said Luke took it kinda personal.”

“I’ll bet.”

“Chuck said Luke’s got a bleeding slice across his forearm from a bullet.”

“Luke took a hit?”

“Yeah, the shot that that killed Smitty nearly caught Luke, too.”

“Wow. No shit?”

“If he had moved left instead of right he’d be history.”

“Some people have all the luck.” Phoenix blew cigar smoke out the passenger side window, listening.

“Anyway, he’s gonna wanna run hard after this team ahead of us.”

“I see.”

“He only wants ten men for the pursuit. Wants to move with speed.”

“That right?’

“He’s handpicked the men he’ll travel with.”

“Has he now.” Phoenix smoked his cigar with some pleasure. The fact that Luke was almost out of control made for a good ending to the days nearly complete fiasco. They’d lost twenty-nine men today when Phoenix considered both the bridge attacks and the Hellfire launch at the crest of Mount Washington. He was unfazed that his fighting force had dropped below 620 to 591 men for the first time since he had created his standing army. Such losses were to be expected as part of the burden of leadership against several uncanny foe.

“Send the crazy bastard to my truck, when he gets here.”

“I will. Be nice.”

“Make it clear Luke better ask for point lead or I’ll shoot ’im where he fuckin’ stands, got it?”

“I’ll tell ’im.”

“I’m serious. I’ll shoot the fucker where he stands.”

“I know.”

“Be sure that you do. There’s no wiggle room on this, he’s a good man and I don’t wanta waste ’im… but, I got standards to maintain.”

“That you do.”

“Let’s find these bastards, uncle. Let’s find them now.”

“We will. It’s only a matter of time.”

“We been spotted, Mac!”

“I know. Me, too. What kinda team is that?”

“They’re the real deal,” said Marty.

“They’re runnin’ tight,” said BB, “we barely caught ’em coming.”

“How many?” asked Connor.

“Don’t know. Point man and the two I saw means more where that came from,” said Marty.

“Shit,” said Connor.

The team gathered together at the KFC not one hundred yards from the Brownsville Road cache they’d vacated. They had planned to wait there to see what developed at the Brownsville Road cache, or rather, the inaccurate 915 address provided on the crude map drawn and left at the mill.

“I hope it’s them on that bird and with… Amanda,” thought Connor. He clamped down on any further thoughts and focused on the emerging tactical issues. The recent discovery of a well-coordinated team in front of their forward position gave them a surprised pause. They’d yet to fully set the travel routine and considered their options.

“I hardly registered their point man. He’s top shelf,” said Marty.

“Think we made it undetected?” asked McLeod.

“Ahh, hell no. Point caught Surf Boy. I saw two men. They saw me. We got nailed. It’s a fact,” said Connor.

“Damn,” said Jackson.

“I’m sorry, Mac,” said Rhonda.

“Nah, believe it or not, Rhonda, it was me and Surf Boy that might’ve got tagged. You guys were already sliding into the parking lot.”

“Oh.”

“What we do now?” asked Jackson.

Nearby, Cody waited for an answer with both fear and awe.

“Well, we evaluate options and determine intent.”

“What’s that mean, sir?” said Jude.

“Means we sit here a bit and see if they send in a few probes.”

“What do I do? I can’t hide these horses anywhere,” said Jason. Frustrated, he held the reins, trying to keep them behind the KFC.

“You’re doing fine Jason. Keep ’em quiet, if you can.”