said with a shy look as John came running up.

“What’s going on?”

“There are army vehicles at the gate. I don’t think they’re the same people as this morning. Three vehicles — two Hummers and one that looks like a jeep, except it’s got a big gun on it.”

“Humvees,” John corrected without thinking about it.

“Oh, yeah. Humvee. Sorry.”

John wasn’t listening anymore. He turned to the people gathering behind him.

“We got company. Craig — you lead the way. Maria, upstairs. Let’s go!”

He clapped his hands. The sound of his real hand hitting his prosthetic one sounded unnatural. People sprang into action.

Deep down, John couldn’t help but be impressed. That’s a hell of a lot better than this morning. Let’s hope this interaction goes better, too.

Craig and John stood ready at the door a few moments later. John took a quick look behind him. Everybody was armed and ready. He faced Craig and nodded, then opened the door.

What they saw outside momentarily confused them. The gate had been opened already, and the army vehicles were pulling into the school grounds.

John motioned for Craig to step down to the sidewalk with him. Joe and Keith stayed a couple of steps behind the twosome, and Mel stayed at the door with Emily.

One of the Humvees pulled to a stop in front of the steps. The other drove into the parking lot and performed a quick U-turn, driving back out of the lot and stopping beside the first Humvee. The light-attack vehicle stopped just inside the gate. Two men got out, and one of them pulled the gate shut as the other provided cover.

John noted that the gunner on the back of the SOV had the machine gun pointing their way.

That machine gun can tear us to shreds if these guys decide not to be friendly.

It instantly raised John’s suspicions. He looked back at Mel and their eyes met. She understood the unspoken warning and took a backward step into the school, disappearing from view. Emily looked slightly confused but also picked up on the message, getting a better grip on her weapon.

The passenger and back doors to the second Humvee opened, and three soldiers stepped out. They immediately moved to positions and raised their weapons.

“Put down your weapons!” one of them instructed loudly.

A fourth and fifth soldier stepped out of the back of the nearest Humvee. They also quickly took positions. John could also see the two soldiers near the SOV. They had both taken a knee with their weapons raised.

Four at the SOV, five covering us, two Humvee drivers, John tallied. And a passenger in that front Humvee. Probably the leader. That’s too many. They got us dead to rights if they want.

Craig glanced back at John questioningly, unsure what to do. John sighed and nodded. He switched the grip on his M4 so that he was holding it sideways out in front of him. He then bent over and put the rifle on the ground and again nodded at Joe for him to do the same. As he looked at Joe, he caught a glimpse of the school entrance. Emily had melted back into the school.

Good girl.

Craig raised his hands in surrender.

“Take it easy, guys. Same team.”

“I’ll be the judge of that.” The passenger door of the nearest Humvee had opened, and a scowling officer got out.

He was a grizzled old man, reminding John of Patton. Or at least the actor that portrayed the general in that old movie.

“You’re in charge here.” It was a statement, not a question.

“Um, I guess so, sir,” was Craig’s uncertain reply.

The officer was barely listening. He signaled to one of his men, who promptly gathered the surrendered weapons. The soldier deposited the weapons on the curb and stood in front of them. John thought he detected a smug look crossing the man’s face.

If things go to shit, I know who my first target is going to be.

“What’s your name, and how many people do you have here?” the officer demanded.

“My name is Craig Van Gilze. We have ...” Craig had to think for a second. “Nineteen people here. May I ask w—"

The reply was curt: “No, you may not.”

One of the other soldiers motioned for John and the rest to come stand next to Craig. The three men complied. John made sure he was closest to the smug soldier.

“Hey.” Joe smiled hesitantly at the officer. “Are you the folks that I spoke with on the radio last night?”

The officer stared at Joe flatly. He did not reply. Joe swallowed his next words.

“Captain, we have zombies at the fence.”

One of the soldiers at the SOV had run over. The officer gave the soldier a disapproving look. It seemed at first like he was going to berate the soldier, but he apparently changed his mind.

“Take Bellows and Molson and clear the perimeter.”

“Yes, sir.” The soldier turned back towards the fence with another soldier in tow. He called, “Molson! On me.”

One of the soldiers at the SOV ran over to join him.

John was counting. That leaves four covering us, plus the captain...

Something wasn’t sitting right with John. He just couldn’t put his finger on it. Yes, the soldiers had been a bit aggressive — but with what was happening in the world it was not inconceivable that they should treat everybody as a threat. It was something else.

The officer turned back to Craig. “Mr. Van Gilze. I need everybody out here for inspection.”

“I assure you that we are not hostile, Captain...?”

“Shaw. And I believe you, but nevertheless we need all of you out here.”

John could feel the tension rising. The four soldiers standing near their leader had inched up their weapons. Then Bellows and the other soldier started firing at targets outside the fence. That didn’t help calm things down either.

John could feel the slight pressure of his sidearm, securely tucked in his belt.

They never frisked us. They may be soldiers, but they haven’t seen a lot of action.

At last, Craig nodded. “OK, Captain Shaw. Give me a

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