Paul Kirk - Devastation Point

“Yeah! I heard one of the guys say something about President Starkes,” said Rhonda.

“Heard that too, must mean she’s really there waiting for you,” said Amanda.

“Ah, huh.”

“Surprised how much chatter was going on with those guys,” said McLeod.

Roger agreed with a small grunt.

“You’re right,” said Connor.

“So, what we want to do now?” asked Marty.

“We wait until they pass us on their return trip in a few hours and follow ’em back into town. Let’s hope, Cody, they don’t decide to deep check the barn on the way in.”

“You think they’ll check?”

“Probably. At least a cursory run through. Anyone with any sense would.”

“Oh.”

“So stay low and hide. Locked and loaded.”

“If they don’t and we’re clear, then what, Mac?” asked Roger.

“I guess we find us our new president and see what’s what.”

“Copy that,” said Rhonda.

Everyone smiled at her spot-on impression of Marty.

“Not bad,” suggested Amanda. Marty basked in the extra attention.

“In the meantime, everybody grab a quick meal.”

John McLeod sat atop a piece of broken farm machinery until Connor drew near. At his arrival, McLeod handed the binoculars to Connor and they continued to take in the beautiful city. After a moment, Connor turned to McLeod.

“Every farm we see is well-organized and productive.”

“Yeah, they’re well-managed. A slew of ’em.”

“They sure are. There are plenty of horses at those two farms. Some livestock, too.”

“I know. I did see a few pigs if you can believe it,” said John.

“Pigs? No kidding?”

“Yeah.”

“Damn good to hear. Thought bacon was a thing of the past.”

“I agree. And, the farms are very well cared for. Even the roads around here are in decent repair.”

“Kinda risky setting up shop in Cleveland, though. Nuclear plants are on both sides, but aways out. And, though the wind patterns probably keep it safe… I dunno.”

“I’ve been thinking about that. Maybe they have some people that kept those plants from melting down? Maybe they did some containment?”

“Sure. It’s possible. But what are the chances of that?”

“Well, what are the chances you’d meet up with a professor who trained the military on the psychology of war? That’s some pretty narrow niche, huh?”

“I see your point.”

“I’m just suggesting stranger things have happened since the Sickness.”

“Hmm…”

“Hey Mac, I was thinking earlier. So, okay, based on all this what do you think? Im wondering if we have a real serious land boss in the area?”

“Go on… continue John, what’s your psych read on Cleveland?”

“Wow. My psych read? Ah, there’s the high quality scouting parties, the productive farms, the cleanliness, well-maintained roads, and plenty of horses. It speaks volumes that somebody’s definitely running a tight ship here.”

“Agreed.”

“They probably have a decent supply of men and some good weapons to go with it all. But, I don’t see anything motorized. Not yet. At least not this far out.”

“President Starkes responsible?”

“Nah. For some reason, I’m thinking she’s not in control here.”

“No?”

“Doesn’t quite add up to that. This is probably simply an improvised rendezvous point for her. Call it a gut reaction.”

“I see.”

“But, I dunno, maybe the Cleveland boss is someone who reports to her. Someone she knows and trusts.”

“Maybe.”

“What do you wanna do, Mac? Send in a scouting team?”

“Yep. And, from here on out, instruct everyone to stay tight and close. Make sure they work solid. Except for Jackson, Jason, and BB, obviously, and the horses we’re keeping in reserve.”

“Okay. So, where’s this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? I see several structures just past those Westside farms. It’s near the lake, right?”

“Yeah, I think so. That what Roger said. Bring him over here, he knows the area,” said Connor.

“Okay.”

“Instruct the team to settle in. After that, the next two hours will be through territory designated full hostile and active. Best stealth behavior is expected from all.”

Connor pulled a small-sized jar from his pack.

“Here, give this to Rog. Make sure everyone uses some face paint. He’ll know how to apply it.

“Okay, good idea. Facial recognition by the enemy is such a natural factor in environmental surveillance ” said McLeod.

“Ahh, yeah John, you’re right.”

John blushed slightly. “Oh, sorry about stating the obvious—”

“Nah, that’s fine John. And keep in mind that the remainder of our travel to primary target will be at night. Full scout prep with night goggles for both Marty and Amanda.”

Connor pulled two pair of military-grade goggles from his pack.

“Give ’em these. They’ll know how to use ’em.”

“Wow. Night vision. Okay. I’ll bring Roger up.”

A minute later, Roger eased up with McLeod to sit beside Connor. Settling in, Roger pointed.

“Sir.”

“Rog.”

“The Hall of Fame is over that way. It’s a glass pyramid that’s attached onto a piece of shit white brick building.”

“Yeah?”

“It has a roundish section off to the side and joined to it that would be closer to us. That portion is sittin’ on a fat pillar.”

“Okay?”

“That’s supposed to represent a music album turntable. You see?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“That’s the building we’re aiming for though.”

“Okay, Rog, thanks. Anyway, would you say it’s about a half mile northeast?”

“Yep.”

“It butts up against the lake, correct?”

“Correct, sir.”

Connor checked both compass and watch before he eyed the fast-setting sun. Not yet satisfied, he needed more information.

“What’s the inside like? Remember any of it?”

“Some. You come in the main open entrance area and there are these two huge escalators that take you up to the second floor. From what I remember, there are seven floors total. The first to the fifth were mostly exhibit stuff and crap like that. The third level’s where most of the stuff was and had all the names of the people who were ah… what’s the word… inducted?”

“If you were President Starkes, where would you set up command post?”

“I dunno. Maybe the second floor, guarding the escalators. Maybe the seventh, the top floor.”

“Okay then. I’d like us to slide past this next farm before sunset.”

“Yeah.”

“But based on the activity there, I’m thinking we’ll probably need to wait.”

“Nah, let’s do it. Let’s push passed,” said Roger.

Marty and Amanda approached, overhearing the discussion.

“We’ll go out in advance, Mac,” said Marty, “Amanda and I.”

Connor gave this some thought.

“Sounds like a plan. McLeod, let’s slide the rest of the team to the red-bricked building just north of that farm. See what’s going on there.”

“Okay.”

“It looks like an old factory. If we can sneak into it. We’ll recon from there if it’s not protected.”

“Hmmm… I dunno,” said McLeod.

“I feel you… if we were guarding this farm, we’d have that pretty well sealed off from intrusion.”

“Well, yeah—”

“Since it’s a direct assault point into the farm complex.”

“Exactly.”

“Let’s do it anyway, see what happens.”

“Your call.”

After an hour of slow, cautious travel, they reached the old factory while darkness settled around them. Cody was excited at all the new horses nearby. His father and McLeod recently agreed he might ‘keep an eye out’ for one.