The Trip West: Roadblock (Part 1)

Posted on Tue Aug 27th, 2024 @ 4:46pm by Hale Stratton & Vienna Quinn & Reuben Baptiste & Timothy Reynolds & Timothy Cotton & Thea Matthews & Edward Harrison Jr & Joshua MacCallan & Kelly Cardona

2,185 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: The Road Ahead
Location: Just Outside of Chicago (About 630 Miles Later)
Timeline: September 10, 2010 - 05:00 a.m.

Over two million people had once lived in Chicago proper and it seemed that most of them were on the roads. I-90 had proved impassable and I-94 was no better. Abandoned cars, smallish herds of the annoyingly-ambulatory-dead threading their way through and around the cars. State route 20 had gotten them a bit to the west but became dangerous for the long caravan as they got nearer to Hickory Hills. With a map on the hood of the lead vehicle, waited down by rocks, the group gathered to discuss possible routes.

Timothy looked over the map, then pointed to one spot in particular. "As it looks like continuing west on 20 is getting more treacherous, why don't we divert north here, on county road 43, up to 79th street, then west again to where 171 and I-294 meet? Then we might be able to get back on the main highways?"

TJ looked at the map and then at Hale and Reynolds. " Do we have any walkie talkies? I ask for would it be possible or prudent to send a scout vehicle ahead to check the road conditions and report back on what they find."

“Maybe staying off the highways is the best idea” Vienna offered her opinion from where she stood. “All the highways are going to be like this, saying that other people might have had the same thought.”

"Side roads might be worse. They lead into towns and we'll find more of the not-dead-enough there as well." Hale frowned at the map, as though the fierceness of his expression might will an answer to appear. "Nothing like that but I think that's a good idea. Two motorcycles, able to move quickly and back each other up, could act as scouts and report back to us about the road ahead."

"I had a motorcycle, so I volunteer to be one of the two motorcycles to go and scout ahead." TJ spoke up wanting to make up for his 'fopah' in the gun shop.

Josh came up and thumbed at his bike. "MY bike has fuel but no one but me drives it. Sorry," he said. "So, if you need it to go, I go."

TJ nodded, "Fine I need it. Then we go together Josh." He looked to Hale. "How does this sound?"

Hale nodded. It wasn't lost on him, of course, how much he personally had given to the group, up to and including his home, and how much Tim and even TJ had given in terms of their expertise and willingness to put themselves in harm's way for the good of strangers and yet, the lawyer was possessive about a freaking motorcycle. No one but him. That brought him down a huge step in Hale's mind.

"Scout ahead, find us a route," Hale said. "Don't engage. If you aren't back in say ... two hours? ... we'll start ahead on 43 as Tim suggested."

Reuben looked at the map and then around. He then looked up at the sky, licked his right index finger and held it up. " Well what ever we decide I say we do it soon. From the look of things we will be getting precipitation sooner than later I wouldn't be surprised if we get rain and fog by tomorrow morning." He kept his thoughts about doing a recce to himself, he had done enough of that crap in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Thea was letting everyone discuss the next move, it wasn’t like she could volunteer to do anything, she massaged her aching back muscles as she stood cautiously looking around . “I’ll just be glad when we finally get somewhere to settle down for a little while.”

Kelly offered a polite smile and an agreed nod of her head. “I can imagine how uncomfortable all this moving around in your condition is.”

“It’s not a problem, it’s not like we can just hang around one place.” Thea offered a smile. “I’d just like to find somewhere more permanent before my daughter is due.”

TJ nodded, "Sure, sounds good. We'll move ahead. Don't engage be back in two hours. If we're not, you'll head up 43." TJ repeated. He looked at Josh, "I wish you'd let me take the bike Josh. I'll take care of it I know what it means to you."

Josh merely shrugged and headed to unload the motor bike. "Two people on it anyway would be better, one who can shoot and one to drive."

"Scouting," Hale said. "Less shooting, more sneaking. Let's not draw attention with weapons' fire, shall we?"

Tim nodded in agreement with Hale. "Yeah. While we do have a fresh supply of rounds, we still need to be careful. Only fire if there is no way to avoid it." He then looked at his Brother-in-law. "And Josh, this isn't like a sunday drive through Long Island. You will need to learn combat driving. Going in a straight line is okay against those zombies..but if we come up against someone else who is shooting back..?" He shook his head. "Straight will kill ya every time."

"Don't worry sir. If we come across someone shooting, we'll hightail it out of there in the zig zaggest line you ever saw," TJ assured Tim. "Best take your pistol Josh and some spare rounds. I've got mine and my rifle."

"You're just looking for a clear stretch of road," Hale said. "That's all. See you when you get back." He walked away, running a hand through his hair, and heading for a quiet spot to do some thinking though what he needed was a long, hard run.

Reuben shook his head God help us he thought. Those two are too damn gun-ho and lackadaisical. He looked at Hale for a minute reading his expression and gauging his reaction to the two gentleman. He felt a nudge and a gentle lick on his hand, jolting him back to reality. In a low voice he said "Thanks buddy, hadn't realized I was drifting back to some horrible thoughts." He reached down and scratched Kenny's head.

Edward smiled when he saw the interaction between the man and his dog. As the others spoke, he stepped over and offered his large hand in friendship. "We haven't officially met, Sir, Edward's the name. I'm a car and truck mechanic. You have a handsome dog, Sir. May I pet him?"

Reuben smiled and took the big man's hand, "Reuben, retired Air Force Master Sergeant, this here is Kenny, my service dog. Normally when he has his vest on I don't let people pet him, but I think it will be okay." Reuben smiled at Kenny "He is a stinker when he wants to be though. Mechanic, good skill to have."

"I've always loved animals," Edward said as he lowered his bulk down to one knee, offering his right hand, palm down to Kenny, in a non-threatening manner. "Especially dogs. I had a German Shepard when I was a boy. His name was Roscoe." He turned his attention towards the dog, and on a voice that seemed oddly gently for his size, he said, "Hi, Kenny, who the goodest boy?"

Kenny sniffed the big man's hand, then looked up at Reuben; who gave a slight nod. Kenny then very gently licked the hand. "Well Kenny is a good boy, at least when he is on the "Job", but once I take the vest off he becomes a frolicking and mischievous pup." said Reuben as he watched the interaction between the two.

Edward smiled when Kenny greeted him. Though he wanted to hug the dog, his parents had taught him to let the animal come to him, and not force it. "How old is he?"

"He is about a year and a half old. Got him in the last few months of rehab. They introduced us so Kenny could become accustomed to my needs and conditions. He is one hell of an intelligent animal." replied Reuben, like a proud parent bragging about his child.

When Kenny allowed it, Edward gave him a gently scratching behind his ears. "That's a good boy," hesaid softly. "You take good care of your papa, don't you?" He gave a few more scratches, then stood up and offered his hand to Reuben again. "Thank you for your service, Sir. My Dad fought in Korea. He was in Fox Company, 1st Marine Division, and fought at the Chosin Reservoir. His company fought and held the hill above Toktong pass for five days, against nearly a thousand Chinese soldiers." He pulled out his wallet, and showed Reuben an old black and white photo of his father, in his Marine dress uniform, which showed several ribbons in his chest, most notably the Medal of Honor hanging around his neck. "He is my hero, and any Marine is a friend of mine."

Reuben chuckled and took his hand "Thank you, however I was in the U.S. Air Force, which I am sure your father would call the Chair Force. I started out as a S.E.R.E. then switched over to become a SOWT, better known to people like Hale as Special Operations Weather Team Specialist. Seen more than my fair share of shit with the SF and Marine Corps Scout and Target Acquisition teams. Last mission the Marines saved my ass, damn grateful for them, yet seemed like anytime I worked with the Marines I got injured" in a mischievous tone. "Or maybe I am just a shit magnet, after all I am in a world that has gone down the toilet. No it is people like your father though that are and were the true hero's, after all you don't get a CMOH for being a politician."

Edward smiled and chuckled some as he replied. "My dad tended to tease the Navy more than anyone else, but he seemed to respect the Army the most, as there was a unit of soldiers that fought with him and his fellow Marines. He never forgot that." He got quiet for a few beats. "I hope he's okay. When the bombs fell, I lost contact with him. I don't know if he's alive, dead, or..." he didn't want to voice the other, new, option.

Reuben knew the feeling, but he smiled and tried to reassure the man "I'm sure he is fine, he sounds like a smart man. He most likely is more concerned about you and how you are doing."

Edward nodded thoughtfully. He had to kerp thinking along those lines, until he knew the truth.

Josh wheeled the bike over. It could handle two and he straddled it. "Who is coming with me?"

TJ looked at him and shook his head. "You know darn well who is coming with you," he replied as he climbed onto the bike behind Josh. "Let's go Josh." To Hale he said, "See you when we get back."

Vienna walked across to her brother offering a warm smile. “Looks like we’re going to be waiting on a scouting party to decide where we go next.”

Roman nodded. "Hard, you know. Going from twenty-hour days to ... nothing." He shifted as though it was physically hard to sit still. "Going to take some adjustment I think."

Vienna nodded. “I guess I can understand that, but people like you with your medical skills, you’re all important now. Helping to keep the survivors of, whatever this is, alive and well. Hell we’ve got the start of the next generation right there..” She motioned to Thea. “I want to have kids of my own one day, but we need a safe world to raise them in.”

Roman fixed Vienna with a hard stare. "Not any day soon, I hope," he said. "You were in high school. Mom and Dad would have had your head if you'd even thought about it."

Vienna gave her brother an annoyed look. “What do you take me for Roman? I’m not even old enough to...” She shook her head. “Yes, I love René but we’re not that stupid.” She took a deep breath. “What I meant was I would like children in the future.”

Roman, who was under no illusions with regard to first love, nodded, and moved on. "I want to be a doctor. Even after all of this. I can't seem to get past that. And where you're all going, there won't be a hospital."

Vienna gave her brother a worried look. “You’re not thinking about leaving us are you? Where would you go?”

"I don't know," Roman said, shrugging his shoulders, "but from the sound of things, you all are intending to settle down, build a community. I'm not sure I'm ready to be a farmer."

Vienna nodded, the thought of losing her brother again was hard but she knew he was right. “Right now this world needs good doctors, if you have to go I’ll understand and I’ll miss you.”

'Well, we're not there yet," Roman said. "I'll stay through the winter and decide in the spring."

 

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