Lamp Black: Second Edition, Disaster, Preparedness, Survival, Awakening (The Gatekeeper Book 2) (54 page)

“Yes,” said Pete. “For the time being anyway. But be careful with your light . . . don’t let the beam go across a window.”

“What if somebody shows up to work . . . what then?” asked Bonnie from across the warehouse. She stood in front of an office door, shining her light into the darkness beyond.

“Nobody will show up,” replied Pete.

“Do you think this place has a bathroom?” hollered Bonnie.

“I’d be surprised if it didn’t,” said Pete, “but try not to be too loud. I don’t want to advertise that we’re here . . . we are, after all, burglars.”

Pete just managed to catch Bonnie sticking her tongue out at him when he shined the flashlight in her direction. “Haw, I saw that!” he yelled.

“You deserve more than that, Peter. I was once a very good and upstanding girl in the community,” replied Bonnie, with a terrible southern accent. “Look what I’ve become.”

Pete laughed and said, “Yes you were.” He approached and wrapped his arms around her waist. “And I plan to keep you that way,” he added, with a squeeze followed by a kiss.

While he held her, Pete began to explain the purpose for their stop. She didn’t like what she heard, but knew better than to try and talk him out of something he considered a moral obligation, especially one that offered him a chance to exercise his military experience. It was who he was. Pete enjoyed turning things into a military operation, even grocery shopping, but he rarely had an opportunity to conduct a morally obligated military operation. It was obvious to her that he was excited to get started.

He told Bonnie that he would never think to leave her in danger, but knew she would be safe in the warehouse while he went to conduct his reconnaissance. Finally, after talking security measures, Bonnie accepted the conditions and agreed to Pete’s plan. Excited, he lifted her into the air and returned her gently to the ground. “Thanks Bon, this is important to me. It know it will mean something.”

While Pete prepared for his mission, Bonnie left to search for a bathroom. It was a reconnaissance mission, which typically meant he’d be going light to facilitate stealth and speed, but he knew it would
come to more, so he planned to go well armed. Pete spent the next thirty minutes gathering and preparing his equipment for action, but he was sure to keep radio communications at the top of his list. There was no way Bonnie would let him leave the warehouse without setting up a way for them to keep in touch.

Later, as he was moving stuff around in the back of the truck, he found the Taser from Deputy Morales’ pistol belt. Pete figured it must have fallen off when he tossed it in the back of the truck. He added it his tactical pack, along with three water bottles, a package of beef jerky and four energy bars. It was a lot of food, but he wanted to go prepared for a longer static response to the roadblock. He didn’t know what to expect, but remembered the words of Eli, that people would need his help.

Pete thought long and hard about taking his Remington 700, but finally decided on his semi-automatic Springfield M1A. It was a better choice for the work he thought was ahead of him. He didn’t think he’d end up having to make any long shots, what with all the ash in the air, but the M1A was also well suited for short range engagements. Its quick, semi-auto capability made it a good weapon choice for multiple targets between one and three-hundred meters; more with good optics. He loaded four, twenty-round magazines for the rifle, and five for his XD-40 that sat in a thigh holster on his right leg.

An old, but very sharp, double-edged, Gerber Mark II went on his pistol belt, along with his flashlight, Leatherman, pistol magazines, and an old set of black army handcuffs. When all the Soldiers used flexi-cuffs, Pete continued to use his tactical steel handcuffs. When it came to physical restraint, Pete considered himself a traditionalist. He liked the versatility of the flex-cuffs, and always carried a couple, but the steel cuffs were his favorite. He also added a coil of 550 cord, road flares, and a few other items he thought would come in handy while away.

He slipped a faded ACU patrol-cap on his head and adjusted it with both hands. He never understood why the army felt it was necessary
to go to berets as part of their garrison uniform. Grant it, they were fine for dress uniforms, but in garrison? That really bothered him. He loved wearing his patrol-cap, and absolutely hated the black wool blankets, shaved or unshaved, they were hot, especially in the Texas summer heat. It wasn’t the only uniform change he endured during his career, but it was one of the strangest and least appreciated.

Lastly, Pete slipped his Leupold BX-3 compact binoculars into an outer pocket of his pack, and as an afterthought, added his ACU poncho and poncho liner. The addition of the poncho and poncho liner made his tactical pack look larger and heavier than it was, but Pete knew it was light enough for him to move at a full sprint, if the situation demanded. After removing his M1A from its case, Pete quickly checked the one-hundred-meter zero with a laser bore-sighting device. Satisfied with the condition of his rifle, he slipped it into a tactical ACU bag and zipped it up. The rifle, with scope and bipod, was heavier than his pack. Weighing as much as the M60 machine gun, the M1A was a brute, but it was weight Pete enjoyed carrying. For him it meant business.

While cleaning his clear ballistic glasses, Bonnie returned carrying a box of supplies. “What do you have there?” asked Pete, curious about Bonnie’s scavenging interests.

“I found some snacks in a back office, candy bars, chips, and stuff like that. I also found this,” She pulled out a padlock, complete with two keys hanging on a ring. “I thought you could use it on the gate when you leave, you know, to make it look like we never broke in.”

“That’s a great idea, Bon. And I see you found some toilet paper,” said Pete, with a smile.

“I left a roll in there,” she replied, defensively. “I know we’ll use the toilet again before we leave.”

“So the water’s still running?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Just surprised is all. I thought it would be off by now. There must be a water tower near here,” replied Pete.

“What do you mean?” asked Bonnie.

“When the electricity goes out, the water isn’t far behind. Municipalities have to pump water into their water towers to maintain pressure, and once that pressure is gone the water stops flowing,” answered Pete.

“So there will be water in the pipes, but just no pressure to push it out when the tower runs dry?” asked Bonnie.

“Yes, it will come to that. There are ways to get to the water in pipes, but it’s not easy. Anyway, I wouldn’t count on the water running much longer, so see if you can find something to store some in while I’m gone. It doesn’t have to be clean, just enough to pour into the tank to flush the toilet.”

Pete and Bonnie spent the next few minutes talking about his mission. Pete gave her a radio and covered their communication plan, but he spent most of the time covering their contingency plans, which Bonnie clearly didn’t like, especially the one where Pete didn’t return at the prescribed time, or didn’t return at all. But she was confident in his abilities, and relaxed when he promised not to do anything unnecessarily risky. She reminded Pete that if he didn’t return she would probably end up being somebody’s sex slave, that she would take her own life, and then come back and haunt Pete for the rest of his. He thought it was a strange thing for her to say, but he assured her that he would return. After kissing her, Pete complemented her on her colorful commentary. Bonnie assured him she was not joking.

Eventually, after discussing a few local security precautions with Bonnie, Pete was ready to go. He could tell she was nervous about being left alone in the dark warehouse, but he told her he would keep her informed of his location, and asked that she track his movements on the map. She liked that idea, and they marked spots on the map where Pete would call her to report his progress. “My plan is to cross over to the southbound side of the interstate and talk with some of the walkers . . . here,” said Pete, as he pointed to a spot on the map.

“I want to see what I can learn about the obstacle ahead. Then I’ll move to this area over here,” he said, as he traced his route along the map with his finger, “and stop in this wooded area, here. I think this area will provide me the best observation of the overpass. From there I don’t know how I’ll proceed, but I promise to keep you informed.”

With a pen, Pete marked letters on the map and said, “This will be checkpoint “A”, this one “B” and so on. When I call and say I’ve reached checkpoint “Alpha”, then you’ll know I’m right here, and that way we don’t have to give my location in the clear.” said Pete, as he stabbed his finger on the interstate.

“In the clear?” asked Bonnie.

“Sorry, in the open. So if anyone is listening on a radio, they won’t know where I am,” said Pete. He didn’t want to tell her that an organized group of troublemakers could easily monitor their communications. She didn’t need more to worry about, but she did need perspective and awareness. “Code words only,” finished Pete.

“OK,” said Bonnie.

Pete kissed her and shouldered his pack, with his rifle bag in hand, he walked to the back door and said, “Remember to lock up when I leave. I already braced the sliding door, so you don’t have to worry about that, but keep this door locked, your light away from the windows, and don’t make too much noise.”

Bonnie nodded and Pete smiled. He brushed a lock of hair from her face and said, “Everything will be fine, Bonnie. I’ll be back before you know it, so no worries, OK?”

“That’s easy for you to say, Pete. I’ll worry myself to death. Please be careful . . . and don’t leave me here,” said Bonnie, emotionally, but without tears.

“I won’t, Bonnie. I won’t leave you. I’ll be back before you know it. I love you,” said Pete, and he opened the door and stepped out into the back lot. He didn’t check to see if the door was locked, but he heard Bonnie engage it as soon as he stepped away. He hated goodbyes; he was never good at them, especially when it came to Bonnie and the
boys. They hurt too much. This goodbye wasn’t easy either. All the possible risks screamed at him, but he had a job to do, and he wanted to get it done.

Pete quickened his pace, and by the time he reached the front gate his mind was already on the mission. As soon as he passed through the gate he secured it with the new lock Bonnie found in the warehouse. He thought of pocketing the key, but then decided to leave it at the gate. He bent and slipped it under the ash next to a pole by the gate, and then wiped his finger on the pole to leave a mark. He didn’t think it was too obvious a mark, so he moved on without worrying that someone would find the key in the ash.

Pete made it safely through the stationary stalled traffic on the frontage road, and radioed to Bonnie, “Green, this is blue, radio check, over.”

From Pete’s small, hand-held, radio came Bonnie’s shaky voice, “Blue, you’re coming in loud and clear. Please be safe, over.” It sounded to Pete like she was crying. He was about to turn around when she continued, “I know you can hear the emotion in my voice, but don’t you dare turn around. I’ll be fine. I love you.”

Pete keyed the radio and said, “I love you too, Green. I’ll be back before you know it. Blue, out.”

When he crossed the frontage road between a van and a sports car, three young children stared out at him through the van’s ash coated rear window. He waved to them, but they didn’t respond. The driver of the sports car, sporting a yellow tie, stared wide-eyed at Pete as he passed with all his tactical gear. Pete realized he must look odd, but that didn’t justify everyone’s dazed and confused look when he passed. He didn’t know why so many people allowed themselves to be mentally set back by the disaster. Being physically unprepared was one thing, reasoned Pete, but to abandon all hope? He wasn’t prepared either, but he managed to act and move, not surrender. Seeing the kids in the van broke his heart. Life would be hard enough in the world without having to raise and care for children. He was glad his boys were grown, capable men.

Pete crossed the first cable barrier and stepped onto the northbound side of the interstate, he was met with stalled vehicles, and ash. The vehicles looked like they sat, unmoving, in the ash for two, maybe even three hours. Stranger still, of all the vehicles he passed, only one looked occupied. Not wanting to frighten anyone, he resisted the urge to look inside the vehicles as he passed to move onto the wide center-divider. He stepped easily over the middle cable barrier and paused at the leading edge of the southbound lane. No cars moved on this side of the interstate, only people. They were loosely packed, walking with their heads down, shuffling their feet, carrying what little possessions they had in bags, or in their arms.

Pete knew he was about a mile from the next interstate overpass, but he took time to study the passing people and assess who might provide him the most useful information about what was happening up ahead. To Pete, the people looked like zombies - passive and broken zombies - but zombies just the same. Everyone was coated in ash, and they stared blankly ahead, limping, crying, talking to themselves, carrying small children, or any like combination. A few rushed past at a fast walk, occasionally looking over their shoulder as if being pursued by some unknown phantom, but most just shuffled along, kicking up ash as they walked dejectedly along.