Page 30 of Redemption
I lift my chin, indicating to the others. “They need it more than me. Even if it’s just a little. An empty stomach creates poor morale. I’m ok for now, but after what we all just went through, they’re gonna need every little bit they can get.” My little stint of anxiety-induced mania back at the bunker wiggles its way into my mind. While I was out of sorts there, mentally overwhelmed by everything and forced to stay in a claustrophobic’s worst nightmare, I’m a little better now.
Not great.
Just better.
Processing. Reflecting. Taking the time to ground myself in the reality that I’m still alive and safe for the moment. That although I lost men on the battlefield, I still managed to help get these guys to safety. Honestly, it’s probably just because I’m exhausted and don’t have the mental capacity for anything at the moment, but I’ll take what I can get.
“Your loss.” His shoulders rise in a shrug as he takes out another bar and eats the entire thing himself.
I shake my head, exhaling a breath as I look over the guys again. “We need to move. We can’t stay here.”
He nods in return, wiping the crumbs from his shirt that’s still covered in blood and grime. “Yeah... You’re right.”
I turn to him, determination firing on all cylinders. “Well, then, let’s regroup and get the hell out of here. Head to the airbase or...shit... anywhere but here. It’s only a matter of time before this place resembles a tomb, just like the bunker did. What are we waiting for?”
He palms the wrapper, chucking it into an empty corner, before turning his gaze directly on me. “A miracle.”
I’m taken aback. “A miracle? You’re waiting on a fucking miracle? Some sort of divine intervention? Hate to break it to you, but take a fucking look outside. God has abandoned us. It’s up to us to figure a way out of this.”
Pointing a finger at me, he agrees excitedly. “Exactly! Which means we need to make our own destiny. Become our own Gods. Make happen... what weneedto happen.”
I squint my eyes at him. “What the hell does that even mean?”
“It means...the ends justify the means. If it gets us out of this shit, it’s worth it, right?” I don’t say anything, not sure where he’s going with this. “I have a plan... but the others might not like it. Hell,youmight not like it. But these are dire times, and we need to do what’s best for the group, right?”
“Riiiight... Look, uh, I don’t think I’m completely following you. Gonna need just a bit more information on this one, man.”
“We need to create a diversion.” At my silence, he continues. “This is one of the buildings used by 8thCommunication Battalion. The huge antenna on the roof has the capability to send a long-range distress signal.”
Ok. So far, it sounds like there’s potential in what he’s thinking. I’m listening.
“And what? We’d wait on the roof for a helicopter evac to show up?” I ask.
“The airbase is right there. We can get them on the line and ask for one. They respond, hoist all our asses into the fuselage, and take off far the fuck away from this bullshit.”
It’s a plan. A good one. It could actually work.
Although, I’m not sure why he would think the others would be against it...
Mutually agreeing on his tentative proposal, we let the others know and leave them in the room to rest while we go looking for one of the transmission rooms. Lieutenant Walker volunteers to come with us, however, stating he might know someone on the other end that may be able to help us.
We make it to one of the Comm stations and dial in, choosing a frequency and saying a prayer that this might work. There are no obstructions from here to the airbase, so the airways should be clear enough to transmit a signal. Once everything looks good, we step out of the way, allowing Lieutenant Walker to send the distress signal.
“This is Lieutenant Walker from the 2ndMarine Aircraft Wing. Is anyone out there? Over.” Static responds to his question, stirring him to ask another. “Does anyone copy? Over.” You can see the frustration in his eyes as he turns to Waverly and me, his grip on the transmitter tightening as he continues. “This is Lieutenant Walker, does anyone copy? Is anyone out there? Over!” He continues this for the next few hours, overvarious frequencies, receiving the same soul-crushing silence in response every time. Defeated, he releases the mic before slouching in the chair. “It’s no fucking use. It was a good try, but we need to take matters into our own hands, not wait on a whim and a prayer to get us out of here.”
“Well, Sir... that brings me to Plan B.”
I turn to Waverly, curious yet cautious in my response. “What do you mean, Plan B?”
“We need a distraction,” he says, rolling his eyes while slapping his hands onto the desk, like he’s already told me his plan and is tired of repeating himself. Only he hasn’t told me a damn thing about the plan apart from contacting another base. What the hell is he talking about? “Any distraction.The ends justify the means.”
Lieutenant Walker steps closer, crossing his arms over his chest while tilting his head as he tries to understand. “Elaborate.” The single word, a clear and concise command.
Waverly scoffs in return, his stance radiating pompous arrogance. “The radio works. It sends a signal. But, let’s be serious, being so close to the shitstorm that just went down over here—only miles away—the air base might not have anyone left alive. We have to rely on the possibility that there may be others outside of base that have yet to be affected by the contagion. Others that would be desperately seeking refuge. The safety and security that a large military base such as this one can provide to the wayward masses. We can send a signal, drawing in other survivors from outside base, and when they get close enough to the gates, their presence will draw the infected out, leaving us room to escape.”
What in the absolute fuck?!
I step away, appalled he’d even suggest the idea. “You’re insane. Fucking insane. We’re not endangering other people, civilians, just so that we can fucking live!”
