We inform the others that we are staying here for the night and for them to eat before darkness sets in. We then walk in silence a ways out onto the ramp so as to not be overheard. I glance quickly back over my shoulder to make sure everything is in order before devoting my attention to the conversation about to happen. Robert and the rest of Red Team are walking back across the ramp. The other soldiers grab items from our supplies before sitting in small groups on the ramp and enjoy a little conversation of their own with their meal.
“You start,” I say leading off the conversation.
“You know it’s not a good idea to go back in there. There are too many of them,” Lynn says looking into my eyes.
“Look, I wouldn’t risk it if I didn’t think we could get some vital information. And you know that right?” I say.
“That I do know but I don’t agree that the information is vital enough to warrant the risk,” she says countering.
Here is the cusp of the matter. We are in disagreement with the importance of what information we may glean. Having seen what is in there, she thinks that any information we might gather there is not worth the risk, regardless of whether the risk is to me or someone else. I think that the information we can gather will give us an edge on what we are facing so we can plan better and counter the seeming advantage the night runners have over us. The simple fact is that they are around in great numbers and we will have to face them and defend ourselves if we are to survive. We are going to have to go into darkened buildings for supplies, at least in the immediate future, and we are going to have to be able to defend ourselves at night when the night runners are around. I relay how we are seeing this differently and the aspects from my point of view.
“I understand what you’re saying but to go in there alone is ridiculous,” Lynn says with a stubbornness starting to edge into her voice.
“You realize I used to do this all of the time,” I say trying to ease her mind and remind her that I wasn’t some newbie at this game.
“Yes, dammit! And I know you were good at it too! But that was against people and not something that can smell you half a mile away. And, they responded on all floors at once. That you haven’t faced!” She responds adamantly.
“Then I’ll just have to make sure I’m extra sneaky,” I say half smiling.
“If you are truly going to do this, then I’m going with to watch your back,” Lynn says.
“No, you also know I work better alone,” I say not wanting to have the worry of someone else.
Not that she would need me to babysit her in the least, but I know part of my mind would be on her. For the most part, I did work with six-person teams and we did quite well. But I also know myself and will need to have my entire focus on getting through without worrying about maneuver, especially considering what Lynn and her group encountered. It would be nice to have someone to watch my backside but it has been my experience that I do better alone.
“Dammit Jack! I don’t want you to do this,” she says with a tear forming in her eye.
“I know, hon, but I feel I have to. I feel in my bones that there is something there of value to us. I wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t make the attempt and might as well seeing we’re here. We may not be able to ever get back here,” I say holding my arms open, inviting a hug.
“If something happens to you, I’m going to be very pissed off at you,” she says folding into my arms and we hug each other tightly.
“I’ll be careful,” I say kissing her as we release. “Let’s go get something to eat.”
The shadows stretch long to the east from the aircraft and the soldiers sitting on the ramp. The sun bathes the horizon in reds, oranges, and purples, giving this day a magnificent send off. Birds dart through the late evening sky catching a last meal before retiring and finding a place to hide from the oncoming horror and violence of the night. I notice Lynn giving the soldiers quick nods of assurance as we approach, a light tension leaving them and feeling as assured as they can considering our circumstances.
With the meals finished and the onset of night on our heels, we all head inside and seal the aircraft. Within our confined interior, the group attempts to find comfort among the large fuel tanks and other articles that fills a majority of the cargo compartment. Another uncomfortable night on the cargo floor for many of them.
I head to the cockpit to do a last check, making sure the battery and other switches are set into the off position, after securing the blackout curtains over the interior windows,. I am in the pilot seat as Robert comes up and sits next to me in his usual position. We watch in silence as the tip of the sun vanishes below the horizon, hanging there for a moment before disappearing abruptly. The land around is cast wholly in shadows.
Robert continues to stare after the now departed ball of fire, seeming lost in his thoughts. He is looking away from me and I detect a melancholy feeling emanating from him.
“Are you really going back there?” He asks keeping his head turned.
“Yeah, I think so,” I reply.
“Why alone?” He asks.
“Because that’s the best way to do it. You know a single person can get into some places a team can’t,” I say referring once again to our airsofting days.
“Yeah, but what about two?” He asks, both in the same airsoft reference and wanting to go as well.
“Well, this is different. If we were outdoors, I would definitely agree, but indoors, not so much,” I say answering his question.
“How are you going to do it?” He asks still looking out of the window at the coming night.
“Quietly,” I respond with a chuckle. He chuckles back but without the usual enthusiasm we usually have with that type of exchange.
“Dad, you’ll be okay won’t you?” Bri asks. I hadn’t realized she had come up into the cockpit.
“Yeah, babe, I’ll be fine,” I answer.
Silence once again descends, falling into our own thoughts, partially from letting thoughts settle in our mind and partially from the necessity to be quiet with the darkness upon us. My own thoughts center on tomorrow, running through various scenarios and the actions to take with each one. Planning my route based on the information from Lynn, thinking about potential alternate routes in case I get trapped.
I will load up on as much ammo as I can carry silently. Too much and there is the chance that the mags will clink together at an inopportune moment. They will shift slightly if I bend over and there is the chance of them rubbing together if they are placed doubled up in their pouches. Tape my M-4 up so the sling attachments won’t rattle, in addition to the Velcro adjustment straps on my flight suit. Those have a tendency to make noise if they are stretched in any way — which I have been known to do at various times in my life. The rope will be tricky to manage but I can tape that up as well. If I do need that exit route, then I should have plenty of time to get it out and ready. Well, if the sun doesn’t sink down on me while still I’m in the building that is. I plan on venturing out early tomorrow morning so that should not be an issue.
A distant shriek faintly reaches the interior where we sit, intruding on our silent reveries and interrupting my thoughts. The call drifts faintly through the night air, the direction is vague and I am not able to pinpoint its exact location but it seems to be coming from back towards the interior of the base. The night runners are out and hunting.
“It’s that time,” I say quietly. “Let’s get ourselves set.”
Shuffling around quietly, everyone settles down and finds a place to rest. There is not a need to tell everyone to be quiet. Everyone knows what the shadows descending upon our patch of earth means. Everyone heard the far off shriek seeming to signal a cry of discovery. Lying on the lower cockpit bunk, with a thin blanket pulled over me, I wonder if that cry signaled a discovery of another person or of an animal. Or, if it was a cry of discovery at all. It could have been one of them stubbing its toe for all I know but my mind thinks of them only as
