The Directives (21 page)

“I wonder if they have that latest Sci-Fi blockbuster out of Hollywood?” Bishop asked Grim.

“Funny.”

The Alliance men managed another few steps before a warning sounded from ahead. “That’s far enough!”

Grim stopped his forward progress, turning his head slightly so Bishop could hear his low words. “So much for our over watch.”

Walking up to parallel his teammate, Bishop remained on the opposite side of the road. He couldn’t help but sneak a quick scan of the landscape for the closest cover. “We just want to talk,” he yelled back in the general direction of the challenger.

“Then talk,” came the reply.

Bishop hesitated. Standing exposed, unable to get a visual on the town’s spokesperson wasn’t the dynamic he had in mind. He decided to establish control. “I like to look a man in the eye when I’m talking to him. Come on out; we only want to have a conversation.”

Kevin’s voice sounded in Bishop’s ear. “I’ve got two men with rifles moving on your right, 400 meters away. They are making for that church.”

A figure appeared from the station’s corner, a younger man, perhaps in his mid-twenties. He was bone thin and filthy, worn clothing hanging from sloping shoulders. He had an SKS rifle across his chest, with what looked like an old belt serving as the sling.

As he slowly stepped closer, Bishop examined the dark shadows under the guy’s eyes. Stringy, greasy-looking hair rounded out the appearance of a man who wasn’t having the best years of his life.

“The two men on your right have made it to the church,” Kevin reported. “I have a very clear picture. They’re younger than I am… maybe 12 or 13 years old.”

Bishop didn’t acknowledge Kevin’s report, instead addressing the man at the gas station. “My name’s Bishop. My team and I have been sent here to see if this community needs help.”

“Sent by who? The government? The Feds? The Army?”

Bishop smiled at the man, trying to heed Terri’s advice about being friendly. “There’s been a new, local government formed. We call ourselves the Alliance. Most of Texas south of here is part of this new group. Together, we have been able to establish stability within our area that we believe others need. We established trade, giving folks access to food, medical care, security, and much more. So we are spreading out, town by town. Neighbors helping neighbors. What’s your name?”

“Shane. I’m kind of the default honcho hereabouts.”

“Well, Shane. It’s a pleasure to meet you. What’s your status here in Riley? How many people are still around?”

The local ignored Bishop’s questions, instead firing one back of his own. “How do I know you’re not just another raider or highwayman? We’ve had our share of fast talkers show up. All of them… every single one was a con artist, thief or murderer. Why should I believe you’re any different?”

“You shouldn’t. I’m not asking you to, at least not at first. Like I told that young man this morning, we only want to talk.”

Shane shook his head, the expression one of confusion more than disbelief. “If you’re what you say, why didn’t you just roll into town with food and soldiers?”

“We’ve found that can be very dangerous. Some places don’t want help. Some towns are controlled by men who don’t want any outsiders around at all. We aren’t invaders, Shane. We’re your fellow citizens and friends. We’ve found it best to show up with a few men, just enough to protect ourselves while establishing contact and communications. If that goes well, then I can send a message and start helping your town integrate into the Alliance.”

Kevin’s voice interrupted. “Bishop, I have two more armed men approaching from your left. They are 250 meters out, riding bicycles and working their way toward the Shell station.”

Grim didn’t like it. Turning away from the man directly in front of them, the former Darkwater operator took a knee and raised his weapon, scanning for the new arrivals Kevin had just reported. The move made Riley’s honcho jumpy.

“What’s he doing?” Shane demanded, backing away and raising his own weapon. “You said you just wanted to talk.”

“Settle down,” Bishop said calmly. “We have a sniper watching over us. He’s spotted some men over by the church and two others coming up behind you. My partner is just being cautious.”

Bishop regretted the use of the word, “sniper,” wishing instead he’d said “lookout.” Shane was clearly freaked out, his gaze darting across the horizon, trying to find the hidden shooter. All the while, his near-panic legs were pumping backwards.

“Shane!” Bishop commanded, trying to halt the local’s retreat. “You’re fine. We are
not
going to hurt you. Chill out.”

But it was too late. Without hesitation, the town’s representative turned and fled, quickly disappearing around the corner.

Bishop walked over and took a knee beside Grim, trying to keep his eye on the distant church and the gas station at the same time.

“Damn it! I hosed that up royally. That one word freaked that guy out. Sniper. What was I thinking?”

Grim shook his head, “Don’t be too rough on yourself. That dude was about as skittish as a Bible salesman calling on a whorehouse. Did you see how thin he was?”

Bishop nodded, “Clearly they aren’t eating well. Did you catch a whiff of the body odor? I don’t think we have to worry about them sneaking up on us.”

The two Alliance men stayed put for several minutes, holding out hope that Shane would rethink his withdrawal and reappear. Kevin’s voice came across the airwaves, “I’ve got more movement back in town. They’re being careful now, staying in the shadows and scampering around. More guys on bicycles heading your way.”

Grim wasn’t happy. “I don’t like this. We’re too exposed. Terri will kick my ass if I let you get shot out here in Bumfuck, Texas. Let’s head back to the truck.”

Bishop had to agree. “Let’s do it.”

The two men executed their egress, each covering the other in a maneuver called bounding, one leapfrogging past as the other covered his movement. Twenty minutes later, they were back at the truck.

“Kevin, we’re back at base camp. Any more activity inside the city limits?” Bishop broadcast.

“Not much. I finally got a good angle on two more of the riflemen. They were young like the others – maybe early teenagers. One of them wasn’t much taller than the rifle he was carrying.”

Bishop considered the report for a moment, trying to make sense of it all. Weren’t there any adults in Riley? It would surely make his job easier if there was someone a little more seasoned to deal with.
Maybe the older men are staying back, waiting to see how things go down
, he reasoned.

“Stay put for 30 more minutes. If you don’t see anything new, come on back in. They know where we are, so I want to move before they build up enough courage to come and visit us. We’ll head to site B.”

Grim shook his head in disgust. “It took me almost an hour to set up all those cat’s eyes and trip wires. Now I have to do it all over again.”

Bishop smirked at his friend’s griping. “Old age getting to ya, buddy? This apocalypse is hell for guys like you, huh? Serious lack of
ibuprofen and Absorbine
Jr.
®

“Screw you,
sir
.”

“Would I be the first blonde you ever had?”

Both men chuckled at the response.

Grim got serious again, scanning the area and then heading off to retrieve the team’s early warning devices. “I’m on it. Make sure our observers report in via radio before they come rambling through the woods. I wouldn’t want to shoot one of them by mistake.”

“Roger that,” Bishop acknowledged. “I’ll go with you. No sense in just standing around here.”

Still trying to catch his breath, Shane leaned against the building that once housed the post office. The sound of footfalls caused his head and rifle to jerk up in the same motion, but he quickly relaxed – it was only the twins.

“What happened,” one of the boys asked. Shane could never tell them apart, but it didn’t matter.

“They saw you guys coming in,” he hissed between breaths. “Next time, be more careful. You could have gotten me killed.”

“How did they see us? We stayed in the weeds,” the other said.

“They claimed to have a sniper. That might be bullshit, but somehow they knew you were coming in.”

The sound of wheels rolling over gravel grabbed their attention, several more boys with rifles riding in from the north. Jimmy was leading them.

The reinforcements helped Shane settle down and regain his composure. “They claim to be Texas Rangers, but I’ve never seen a cop who wore an Army uniform like that. Their equipment all looked military. I think they’re just a bunch of looters, hoping we’ve got food or guns or stuff.”

“What are we going to do?” asked one of the boys, his dirty face filled with fear. “My older brother got shot the last time the raiders came by. My pa got killed the time before that.”

“Your pa died of the sickness, Willy. He went plum crazy like the rest of them did,” one of the others challenged.

“He did not!” the smaller kid shouted back, shoving the accuser.

The other boy threw a punch that missed, and a few moments later, both were rolling around on the ground fighting.

Shaking his head in disgust, Shane reached down, pulling one and then the other up by the belt. “Stop it! Both of you… stop it right now. We have very dangerous men nearby, and it’s no time for fighting. Now knock it off, or I’ll kick both of your scrawny asses.”

Breathing hard and staring at one another, both boys did as they were told.

“Now listen to me… all of you,” Shane began. “This is some serious shit. Even if those guys really are Rangers, we’ve all done some things that would put us in jail. Maybe even lethal injection. I don’t think they are cops, but we can’t take the chance. I say we retreat to the catacombs and wait until they get tired and leave.”

None of the gathered throng liked the idea, several moaning at the thought. “The catacombs? Gosh, I hate that place, Shane,” one of the older boys challenged. “There’s nothing to eat down there but the corn, and that place is creepy. Why don’t we just go out and kill them all?”

Several of the others agreed with the challenger, many voicing their opinions at the same time. Shane lifted his hands to quiet the crowd, “Shut up!”

After the protests had died down, Shane peered over the top of the gathering. “Now listen to me, and listen real good. I’ve spent time in jail, and it’s no fun. You boys wouldn’t last a week inside. If we hide, they’ll leave in a few days
, and then things can go back to normal.”

“But what are we going to eat and drink?” someone from the back asked.

“I’ve got an idea on that,” came the knowing response. “I think we can steal the stranger’s food after we hole up in the catacombs. Hell, they might even have some cigarettes or beer.”

“What was that bullshit about being a Texas Ranger?” Grim asked.

“I couldn’t think of anything else,” Bishop grinned. “They were just kids, and when I was that age, the Rangers were heroes. I used to listen to bunkhouse stories about their exploits. The ranch hands were always going on about how brave and fair the Rangers were.”

Grim laughed, shaking his head. “I think somebody watched too much television. From what I recall from my history books, the Rangers were a bloodthirsty bunch, barely on the right side of the law.”