night. I’m very interested to see if we managed to take out a large number of night runners in their lair with the hope being that we eliminated a large portion of those we caught the night prior. While we wait for word, Bannerman brings us up to speed on the progress of our other projects.
“The inner wall will be complete either today or sometime tomorrow,” he states. “We can then start on the towers and pouring the concrete in the containers that will serve as the foundations for the quarters.”
“Starting today, we are going to use Roger, the pilot that arrived with Sam’s group, to once again begin our search for others in the local area. We’ve just about completed the Tacoma area and will start up in the residential areas leading toward Seattle once we are finished there. Arranging for the pickup crews that far north will require one or two teams to be out for the entire day so we’ll need to coordinate when we can do that,” Frank states.
“We should be okay with regards to the teams once the supply runs are complete. Most of the projects we have are local and won’t require any security,” Lynn replies.
Mullins reports in that they arrived at what once used to be Saint Martin’s College. The buildings are still smoldering piles of rubble and, from the two buildings they’ve searched so far, they haven’t found a trace of night runner bodies within the piles or amongst the scattered debris. All indications so far point to the fact that we missed the large horde we witnessed emerging the previous night. We must have pushed the night runners out of the area and that means there is still just as many of them out there somewhere. That does not give me warm, fuzzy feelings at all. I was so hoping we had made a big step in clearing the area out.
“Is there any way we can step up the training?” I ask Lynn, thinking about the numbers of night runners compared to our meager numbers.
Our numbers don’t indicate our true fire power. We may have a few survivors gathered with us but we only have a very limited number of trained personnel. Any increase in our teams will add to our ability to defend ourselves.
“Jack, you know we can’t skimp on the training. We have to keep the concept of quality over quantity,” Lynn states.
“Yeah, I understand that and wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s just that the number of night runners out there makes what we have here a very scary proposition,” I reply.
“We can always increase the numbers we put through any class but that will draw away from resources in other areas. That will mean there are fewer to work on crews at any given time and we’ll have to draw more from the existing teams for training,” Lynn says. “We have another group graduating shortly.”
“Will we be able to increase the number of teams with the graduates?” Drescoll asks.
“We have a few promising candidates and should be able to field another team,” Lynn answers.
“What about putting those in the next training class that already have some degree of training and/or experience?” I ask.
“I’ve thought of that and have arranged for those in Miguel’s group to begin. Do you have others in mind?” Lynn asks.
“What about putting Sergeant Prescott’s group straight into phase two after testing them out to ensure they have the skills needed to graduate from phase one?” I ask Lynn.
“We can do that but that will mean drawing from the other teams to assist in training,” she answers. “Bannerman mentioned that we won’t need as many security details so we may be able to swing it. My only concern with that is whether you are still planning to take two of the teams in search for the families. Has that been decided upon yet?”
“I think we should,” Drescoll chimes in. “It seems we are pushing the night runners out of the area as planned. It seems the time is right if we’re going to. Jack keeps mentioning our time is running out to get out there and search.”
“I’m in agreement as well,” Horace says.
“If I take two teams and we have the night watch to maintain, will that deplete us to a level where we won’t be able to accomplish anything or put us at a drastically increased safety risk?” I ask, addressing the group.
“We have enough supplies to get us through the winter if our population stays where it’s at. If our searches bring in greater numbers, well, we’ll have to evaluate that at the time. I guess what I’m trying to say is that we won’t need security details for supply runs,” Bannerman says.
“And we’ll have an extra team in about a week when the classes graduate. I plan to disperse them with the other teams and form the new team with our veterans,” Lynn says. “I think we’ll be okay if nothing out of the ordinary arises. And, if the soldiers with Sergeant Prescott go straight to phase two, we’ll have two additional teams in just a few weeks after that. How long do you think you’ll be gone, Jack?”
I notice Lynn’s hesitation with that question. I know she isn’t a fan of my heading out but this may be the last time we are able to. Thankful for that, I am eager to be off and get it over with. It seems we are able to tread water for the time being with regards to our safety but that doesn’t take into account any new adaptations the night runners may have made. The stress of not knowing is agonizing. I feel a measure of security but at the same time, the numbers of them out there and their ability to adapt worries me.
“I’m not really sure to be honest. With the limitations and the few in number who are going, I’m guessing we’ll be gone anywhere from ten days to two weeks. I’ll start planning the route after I wake this afternoon,” I answer.
“Shit, Jack! Two fucking weeks?! Really, that long?” Lynn asks.
“Well, we have ten left who have families within the parameters we set. We covered that for Gonzalez and McCafferty so that is two less than the original twelve. When we first talked about it, I mentioned two days per search and I don’t see any way that can be shortened to be honest,” I answer.
“Fuck it. Ten days it is but I don’t have to like it. You know the one reason but the second is that we’ll be two teams shy for an extended period of time,” Lynn says. “I know it’s important and I’m all for it but I’m not a fan of being out of communication for that long.”
“I know and neither am I. So, it seems we are in agreement to do it and in a week after the next trainee graduation, right?” I ask. Nods from around the table indicate that everyone is in agreement.
“Okay, I’ll start planning today. I’ll take Red Team as they are the on the list along with a single C-130. I may swing down to Canon AFB on the way back to pick up a second Spooky so we have a spare on hand,” I say.
“I’ll see to reorganizing a team with the other six on the list. Who do you want to lead the second team?” Lynn asks.
I look over to Greg who rolls his eyes and then says, “Sure, I’ll go. It was so much fun the last time. Besides, I can’t very well miss the chance to see what fucktardity you come up with next.”
“Come up with that all on your own, did you?” I ask.
“Yep. It’s the only word that fits what processes through that extremely warped mind of yours,” Greg counters.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Lynn says, smiling.
“You realize that the aircraft latrine needs to be cleaned daily and I’m currently in the market for volunteers, right?” I say.
“Oh, is that where you vomit out the ideas you come up with that don’t actually get made into plans?” Greg says to the amusement of the group.
“I give up. I’m taking my ball and going home… taking my ball… going home,” I reply. “Oh, and before I go, let me leave you with this… Fuck off!”
I retire to Lynn’s and my small partition trying to think of what a good comeback would have been but fail miserably. I’m a little disappointed at not hitting the large night runner lair while they were in it. However, my pillow is calling in soothing tones and it doesn’t like to be ignored.
Observations In the Dark
Captain Leonard watches the shoreline as they make their way through the narrow strait. The shore, rising sharply from the blue-gray waters, is lost after a few feet by the low-lying clouds. The trees, along where the land and water meet, are indistinct. The black bow pushes slowly through the small waves making its way north. Leonard relishes the feel of the cool, moist air against his cheeks. It’s not often he is able to run on the surface and
