The Crash Box Set, page 27
part #1 of EMP Crash Series
“Now, I don't want to take lives if I can help it, but the time may come when it's called for. I don't expect you to do the same, though. Killing someone is a hell of a thing, even if they're coming after you. It'll change you in ways you can't imagine. But we've all agreed to be a part of this, and I'd hope that we'll be in it all the way if we need to be. There's no sense in backing out now. If the time comes then the worst thing you can do is hesitate, so you might want to think now about how this is going to play out. It's not going to be tidy, and it's not going to be easy. Yes, we've planned, but if there's one thing I've learned from my time in the army it's that plans can go awry very quickly.
“These people already have taken out a military bunker, and who knows what else? So we know they're no chumps, and they're not just going to stand by while we threaten their cushy little lives. Then there's Mr. Smith to worry about as well. He's a dangerous man, as we all know, and he certainly isn't going to be pleased about this happening. This is more than a camp to him, more than a place to live. It's the foundation of his new world and any attack on it is an attack on him, his authority, and his ideology. Once we start this there's no going back, and if we fail it's going to cost us our lives. If any of you want to back out, then this is the time to do it.”
Luis had looked a little unsure when Mack had mentioned the possibility of killing someone, but there was no chance any of them were going to back away. Mack was pleased when his questions were met with silence.
“Now, I would have preferred to give this speech to everyone in the camp so they all could be aware of what's going on, but I'm going to have to rely on you to spread the message. Once you all are in positions I want you to relay what I've just said. Tell them if they want to they still can back out and we won't think any less of them. You people are my lieutenants and I know that I can trust you. And I'm sure you're all aware of the plan, but let's go through it again. Once we're out there I don't know if we'll get a chance to speak again.”
Mack looked at each of them in turn. The experience of the apocalypse had hardened them all, as had being kept in this camp. Luis had changed the most. Already, in such a short time, he had lost the wide-eyed way he looked at the world and his fear had been transformed from a weakness into a piece of steel that strengthened him. Acting like this was natural for Mack, and it took him back to a time when he had known his purpose in life, when he had a mission and all he had to do was carry it out. His duty brought order, and it left no room for doubt or reason. And even though he wasn't doing this for the army, he felt as though he still was doing this for America. He was fighting for these people's freedom, and battling against a man who sought to impose his own way of thinking on the population.
It could have been his last stand, and as he was talking he felt the photograph of Anna burning a hole in his pocket (it was the one thing aside from his clothes the guards hadn't confiscated upon capturing him). There was a good chance this could spell the end of his time on Earth, and his quest to find his wife would end in failure, but he never had been a selfish man. If he didn't try stopping Mr. Smith, then he wasn't worthy of Anna's love. One day he hoped to see her again and tell her all about this battle and how he ended the reign of a man who used fear and intimidation to dictate the course of people's lives. But that was a long way in the future, and right now he had other things with which to concern himself. His body throbbed with anxious excitement as the adrenalin began surging through his body. It was a reaction that he had been used to when he was in the field at the beginning of his career, before he transferred into interrogation.
There was something special about this feeling, about knowing that you were going into battle to defend honor and freedom, to give your body and soul over to something greater than yourself. It made Mack feel alive, and he hoped it inspired the same feelings in the others as well. He was proud of Grace, who had come a long way since their first meeting, when she was just a sullen girl on a plane, and then a scared young woman who was worried she had no place in this new world. But now she, too, had a purpose and was willing to give herself to the cause, rather than stay detached and alone like she had in the old world. And then there was Saul.
Mack still hadn't made up his mind about Saul yet, but he was willing to give him a chance because that was the kind of man Mack wanted to be, the kind of man there needed to be more of in the world. There were already too many bad ones. Saul had been written off enough in his life, and Mack hoped he would take this chance to prove himself and find a new purpose, and perhaps realize that he didn't have to be a lone wolf anymore.
Just before they went through the plan Mack felt the tension in the air. He knew it only was going to increase as the morning continued, and they waited for the right moment to strike. The plan already was being implemented earlier than they had hoped. So there was plenty that could go wrong, but sometimes you just had to roll the dice and hope all your preparations held up. So, Mack took a deep breath and went over the plan again, making sure everybody knew their roles. If one person messed up, then it could spell the end for them all. Coordination was going to be their biggest obstacle and it was up to all of them to maintain order over each of their areas. Over the course of their stay in the camp they had made friends with others and generally were liked well enough. So Mack hoped there were no surprises on that front.
“Okay, let's just go through this one last time so everything is straight in our heads. Remember, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. If something goes wrong out there I trust you to use your own judgment. I've come to know all of you over the time we've spent together. I know the three of you are good people and you're going to do what's right. There are no better people I would rather trust to have by my side today. Whatever happens, I want you to know that I'm glad we had the chance to know each other.” At his solemn words the other three looked at each other, nodded, and smiled, even at Saul. Then, they stepped a little closer to Mack and gathered around him as he relayed the plan.
“Right, Luis, you and your group are going to cause a distraction so I can lead a group to the armory. We're all going to load up on weapons and then split up. Grace, your group is going to secure the bikes and the wagons. Luis, as soon as you've created the distraction, I want you lot to get back as quickly as possible. Once the guards realize what's going on, they're not going to care you're unarmed. Saul, I want you to get to them with extra guns as quickly as possible and cause as much chaos as you can. Hold the perimeter and try to subdue people as quickly as possible. After I'm done at the armory I'll go to the horses and make sure they're okay.
“We don't want any of the guards to escape and warn their friends before they get back. With any luck, we'll be done before that patrol returns. When they do come back we can just capture them and put them with the others. Hopefully, once Mr. Smith sees what's happening he'll surrender.”
“He's not going to surrender. He's mine,” Saul growled.
“Get in line,” Grace said, a fiery determination written on her face.
Mack decided not to argue with them. He knew better than to try fighting against powerful emotions like that. With the plan laid out before them all there was left to do was wait. Mack walked to the edge of the tent and peered out of the doorway. The morning sun was high in the sky and there was something in the air. He wondered if Mr. Smith or any of the guards could feel it, too. So far they had been fortunate in that nobody they had told of their plan had let word slip, at least not to his knowledge. So hopefully, the element of surprise would be enough to give them the advantage they needed. One by one, they all left the tent and went to their separate areas, trying to walk as though it was just a normal day. Yet all of them had things on their mind.
Mack went to the horses and nodded to Chris. Luis met up with Danny. Grace took her seat next to the women she knew, and Saul gave slight nods to people as he made his way through the camp. So far, so good, and none of the guards acted differently at all, but as the morning continued the patrols still were milling about. While they remained, there still were too many guards to risk their plan of attack.
People started to get worried, glancing toward Mack and the others. They all tried to tell their respective groups what was expected of them, but it was difficult as they were under supervision. They had to pick their moments carefully. Some people were averse to the idea of killing and it seemed as though their numbers would dwindle. Chris, especially, was getting cold feet now as the time to attack was drawing near.
“I thought you were willing to do this?” Mack asked.
“I was...I am...I'm just scared. I've never been in a fight, not even at school. I hated conflict. I'd rather we could just talk about this,” Chris said.
“I wish that, too, but that option has been exhausted. This is the only way forward and I completely understand if you don't want to be a part of it. But if that's the case, then you're going to need somewhere to hide or else you're going to be caught in the crossfire.”
“I'll be okay. I really do want to help. I just need some time to process it.”
“Just focus on your breathing and take each moment as it comes and you'll be okay,” Mack said.
His heart went out to Chris. It was people like him that he admired, and that would form the backbone of the new world. He didn't have the training that Mack had, yet he still had the courage to be a part of this rebellion purely because it was the right thing to do. As long as there still were people willing to stand up for what was right, the world was going to be in good shape.
Others, like Danny, were all too eager to take out their frustration and anger on the people who had taken and harmed their families. Some of the guards who had been inducted upon their arrival into the camp had been killed while out on patrols, and their families who were still left alive had a score to settle. It was all Mack could do to keep them restrained until the signal was given. Timing was everything, and if anyone acted too quickly, then it could put the whole plan in jeopardy. Perhaps the person with the hardest task was Grace. There were many in her area who agreed with the principle of attacking the guards, but not with the reality of it. Many of them were grateful to have a roof over their heads and the tasks they had been given within the camp were not too arduous. It frustrated Grace that they were so blind to everything around them, but she was sure that once the action started she could rally them and make them act. Meanwhile, Saul was still largely kept to himself. He had to communicate to his people with his body language, and hope the message got through. But his plan, when the time finally came, was to lead the charge with a mighty roar, and for everyone to fall in line behind him.
Once they all were in their positions, and had spread the word that they were going to be moving on that day, all there was to do was wait.
Chapter 18
The morning hours passed and the sun moved across the sky. Everyone tried focusing on their jobs, but they were growing anxious with each passing moment. The patrol still had not moved and Mack was beginning to wonder if either Steve had been misinformed or if the guards had caught wind of their plan. If things didn't carry through today, then Grace was in serious danger, and Mack didn't want anything to happen to her. Over the course of the time they had spent together he had grown very protective of her, thinking of her almost as a daughter. That was poignant as he and Anna had planned to try having children when he arrived home.
The thought of Mr. Smith hurting her filled Mack with anger, and this camp had existed for long enough. People continued glancing at him, and he hoped the guards would not pick up on this, as his heart was beating more fiercely than usual. When lunch was called, nobody felt like eating as their nerves were too frayed, but they forced food down to give the appearance of normalcy. The guards were eating close by as well. At one point, Mack caught the eye of Steve, who could offer only a shrug.
Then, after lunch, Mack saw the patrol getting ready to leave. Again, people glanced at him, but he shook his head. They had to wait until the patrol was out of earshot. Otherwise, they would come running back and Mack's little army would have even more people to deal with. Eventually, enough time had passed. Mack took off his shirt, wiped his brow, and hung the shirt on the fence next to him. This was the sign.
Luis had been glancing over during the entire morning, waiting and waiting, hoping he wasn't going to mess up his task. The people around him were anxious to get underway as well, and it was all he could do to quell their primal spirit. When he saw Mack hang his shirt on the fence, he rushed back to his group and gave them a thumbs-up. Danny threw his axe on the ground and approached Luis, shoving him loudly, shouting and hollering. Luis fell to the ground and the two of them scrambled together, just as they had planned. The others soon joined in and the scuffle became a brawl.
The guards overlooking them weren't enough to handle the situation and had to call for assistance. One by one, guards from the main camp ran over to deal with this disruption, although the ones at the armory remained. Mack had hoped all the guards would be sent, but evidently the armory was too important to leave unguarded. Seeing this, he knew he had to take matters into his own hands. He told Chris to wait until the guard had been apprehended and then to carry out the plan as they had discussed. Mack took a deep breath and strode up to the armory. With the other guards occupied there was nobody to stop him, although the guard he was approaching told him to stop.
“Just let this happen,” Mack said, but the guard pointed a gun at Mack.
Mack continued talking until he was within reach of the guard and, as quick as a flash, he reached out and pushed the gun away. A shot was fired but it cracked into the ground, sending up dirt and dust. With his other hand Mack pulled out the knife Steve had given him and stabbed the guard in his mid-section. Seeing the guard crumple, Chris and the others ran up to Mack, who already was opening the armory door. Upon hearing the gunshot, the guards who were otherwise occupied had their attention drawn back to the main camp. They shouted to return, but it was too late. Mack already was handing out guns, and those who had weapons in their hands took up positions to fire at the other guards, who had to take cover.
People worked frantically. Saul and Grace's teams were soon there and everyone was yelling over each other. Mack could hear the fear in people's voices. He hadn't had time to train any of them on how to use a firearm and he hoped they would find some luck and inspiration in the face of adversity. When forced to tap into their primal nature humans could be very resourceful, but Mack was aware he had to try keeping control of himself. Otherwise, he would become too much like the man he was trying to stop. Already he had taken a life, and he would have to live with that. Guns and bullets were passed between people and a perimeter was set up around the armory entrance. Grace and her crew first gathered some crates and other objects to use as barriers as they tried pinning down the other guards. The air was alive with the crack of gunfire.
Mack ran back to tend to the horses with his group, firing in the air behind him. He quickly opened the paddock doors and made soothing sounds, hoping the horses would be able to maintain their composure in the midst of the gunfire. In the background, he heard people crying out with pain as bullets sliced through flesh, and the horrific reality of the endeavor came to the fore. But still people kept fighting, and although some were paralyzed by the fear that struck them, others moved forward and rallied to the cause. Chris, for example, began barking orders at others and led the horses away to safety with Mack. They tried to work as quickly as possible. Mack wished he could have been everywhere on the battlefield, but right now he needed to be with the horses as they were used to his presence.
Luis and Danny grinned at each other as they stopped fighting and tried to deal with the guards who were all around them. Most of the guards were busy trying to shoot at the people around the armory as they knew it was the most important location. But without weapons, Luis and the people with him were at a great disadvantage while isolated from the others. They still had their axes, though, and when the battle first had begun they had used the element of surprise to rise up and wrestle the guards. Many of them still were involved in a close-quarters brawl, trying to prevent the guards from using their guns. They knew if they lost the edge then they would be at the mercy of the bullets. Many of them fought fiercely, especially Danny, who was like an ancient Greek warrior, and his example spurred on the rest of them.
Grace was lost in the whirl of battle, even though she was standing in one place, rallying the others around her to maintain their position at the armory. Bullets were flying wildly, but they had managed to pin down most of the guards. Although she knew this couldn't go on forever. She looked over at Saul and told him to go around the back and get weapons to Luis while they laid down covering fire. Mack had disappeared. So far there had been nobody coming from the other side of camp, but it was only a matter of time before Mr. Smith arrived with another contingent of guards. In her hands was a pistol. It was lighter than she had imagined, but she had yet to pull the trigger as a lump in her throat prevented her from doing so. Whenever she waged war it had been from behind a computer screen.
So far the plan had been working and the rebels had the upper hand. Saul and his group moved between the tents, managing to avoid gunfire for the most part, and flanked the guards around Luis. They had to be careful with their shots as they didn't want to harm the people on their side. The guards were in disarray. Many of them who had been coerced into helping Mr. Smith now were changing sides and, sadly, a few of them did die in the confusion of battle. They began fleeing back into the camp, trying to make it to somewhere safe against the overwhelming number of people. As soon as Grace saw this she took several people and secured the bikes and wagons. Now that the battle was going well, the people who had been unsure were more willing to fight for the cause, although the ground already was littered with dead bodies. So far there had not been any sign of Mr. Smith.
