Paul Kirk - Devastation Point

“Hmm, okay.”

“Besides, why wake up the fat cats that are probably sitting on the other side running this show.”

“True.”

“Mister, um… sir?”

“Yeah, Cody?”

“You knew this would happen, huh?”

“Meaning?”

“Umm, that, umm.”

“Spit it out, Cody.”

Cody gathered his thoughts. “Sir, you knew we were only going to… ah, probe a little into the tunnel then back out.”

“It was a distinct possibility.”

“So that’s why you brought me.”

Connor stared at Cody for a second, before smiling. He noticed Marty’s grin. “Smart kid. Don’t you think so, Surf Boy?”

“He certainly has more on the ball than most, Mac.”

“Yeah. I see that. In the meantime, Cody, I want your skinny ass good and ready for moving up McArdle Roadway.”

“Yes, sir.”

Cody scooted forward to meet the team. Connor and Marty approached John, BB, and Roger. Nearby, Rhonda was digging in her pack for something and Jason, Jude and Jackson were tending to the horses a few yards away.

“It’s loaded. A trap,” said Connor, answering their inquisitive stares.

“How bad?”

“Halfway point. Deceptively fortified. They’ve done this before.”

“Yeah?” asked John.

“Enough that it’s profitable to keep a few men waiting midpoint for no one in particular.”

“Damn,” said Jude.

“Gather up.” The entire team settled near Connor to hear the plan.” We’re heading up McArdle Roadway to Mount Washington.”

“Understood,” said BB. He slipped a gold compass into the pocket of his duster and gathered up his pack and assault rifle. Pulling out the compass at each resting point during their travels was a habit that the team had noticed. The fondness for the compass was obvious, but no one yet had the nerve to ask about it.

“Alright,” said Jackson. He stomped at a rat sniffing near his pack but missed.

“Hey Cody,” said Rhonda. She had come close to her son with a look of some pride.

“Hi mom.”

Their travels up McArdle Roadway provided a spectacular view of the city. Sadly, as they rose in elevation, it was easy to see that many downtown buildings were pretty banged up. The Hilton near the Point was nearly demolished. A huge gaping hole remained where a bomb must have detonated in the front courtyard. Further to the right, PPG Place, was a sprawling, castle-like building complex made mostly of plate glass and steel. Looking less than castle-like, numerous large holes were punched through many mock turrets, rooftops and windows. Catastrophic evidence of a fire gone unchecked ran across the entire complex.

“How much further to the top?”

“What, you got a date, Jackson?” asked Connor.

“No sir. Just wondering.”

“No more than 300 yards. It cuts sharp around a small bend.”

“Yes, sir.”

They arrived onto Grandview Avenue atop Mount Washington with little fanfare. A careful fifteen minutes of crossroad reconnaissance suggested no human activity or hostiles in the area. A small black and white rat terrier made its way past with a fat rat in his mouth. Noticing the team, the dog gave them a wide berth. It was well fed and had adapted quickly to its namesake. Five minutes later, they slipped onto the weed-infested sidewalk and turned left. Both Jackson and Roger maintained strict overwatch while the team moved.

“We’re heading west,” said Connor to John, “We’ll make our way to Allentown and Mt. Oliver and then into Carrick this way.”

“Okay.”

As a unit, the team moved smoothly up the roadway slope. Connor caught up beside Rhonda. “You’re doing real good, Rhonda. You’ve learned to travel silent and well purposed.”

“Thanks, Mac.”

“Good deal, then, keep at it.”

“You’re something, Mac. You know that? Right when I’m starting to feel tired and low, you come over to check on me… and give me positive feedback.”

“Well, I just wanted to point that out.”

“I know. That’s what makes you such a good leader. It comes natural to you.”

“I don’t know ’bout that, but thanks just the same.”

“You’re welcome. Nice job at the tunnels, too.” Rhonda smiled.

Seeing the twinkle in her eyes above that smile, Connor realized she had figured out his true purpose in deploying Cody into the tunnel with him and Marty. He smiled in return. “You are gonna tell me what you did before the Sickness hit, Rhonda.”

“I am?”

“Yes, you are, if I have to torture it outta you.”

“Like I said before, I simply ran a small company.”

“Funny how you can’t recall the name or how big? I know I’ve seen you somewhere… on TV.”

“It’ll come back to me.”

“I’m sure it will.”

They came across the first of many concrete overlooks created as scenic viewpoints purposefully built for tourists long before the Sickness. Standing on a thirty-foot circular platform edged with wrought-iron railing, tourists took in a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. The overlook still appeared structurally sound.

“You think we can take a closer view of the city, Mac?” Curious, Rhonda posed the question. Nearby, Cody, Jude and Jason nodded at her inquiry. In the bright sunshine, the view of the city beneath puffy white clouds was already tantalizing.

“Well… I dunno.”

Moving closer and catching up to Connor, Marty leaned close in to speak. “I’m against it, Mac. Too exposed.” He had completed a fair amount of scoping the city as they moved; there was simply too much to see.

“Who’s to deny Rhonda and her boy a glimpse of my hometown?” Connor Mac updated the team with new orders. They were going to take a short respite and take in the view the city. “If we slide in low, very low, to the edge, we can take a quick look. I want no more than your forehead and eyeballs showing when you peek out at the city, understood?”

The team agreed.

“Rhonda? Cody?”

“Yeah?” said Rhonda for the both of them.

“You got it?”

“Uh, huh.”

Cody nodded.

“Jude? Jason?” Both nodded at Connor. “You go with them.”

“Yes, sir,” said Jude.

“Okay, sir,” said Jason.

“Marty, Roger, close cover our six. Jackson, maintain overwatch. I want you to keep an eye on those two houses across the street. Glass ’em every other minute. I want to be one hundred percent sure about them at all times. BB, I want you to tuck them horses in between the two homes we just cleared. That way, we can spend a bit of time on our little sightseeing trip.”

“Yes, sir,” said BB

“Okay, sir,” said Roger.

“Understood, sir.” Jackson separated into overwatch position.

Marty shifted closer to Connor. “Copy that, Mac. But, if we’re going to anyway, I’d sure like to take a deeper scan of the city from that vantage point.”

“A good idea, Mac,” said John.

“Do it. Yeah. I like that. First in, then. Go. I’ll take close cover with Roger.”

Marty slipped low, crawling onto the overlook. He reached the edge and took some time to scan the entire city. Using his sniper scope, and sometimes his naked eye, he sought out targets of threat and danger. After a moment, he motioned Rhonda, Cody, Jude and Jason forward.

“Wow,” said Rhonda. She settled in to absorb the full view.

“Fuckin’ beautiful,” said Jason.

“Yeah,” said Cody, “Fuckin’ beautiful.”

“Cody!”

“Sorry, Mom.”

“I’ll bet it was pretty at night,” said Jude.

Jason was still smiling at Cody’s near perfect voice imitation when he noticed Marty was waving Connor onto the platform with some urgency.

“What’s he see that’s got him all riled up?” asked Connor.