The Event: The Beginning (29 page)

Stepping back out into the living room, I decided to head over to the kitchen and see what I had in the fridge and plan on what I wanted to keep. I would definitely have to get a coffee stock as well as tea, sugar, and some kinds of snacks. There was only a couple of bottles of water in the mini-fridge, and I grabbed one, cracked the lid, and sat down on the couch to review the files again. I wanted to get acquainted with the sailors and their skills so I would know what areas I had covered and where I needed to add people. I was fairly up to speed on most of the civilians’ skills, and had several that would be helpful with maintenance, several more that would be excellent on the watch rotation. Since we had quite a few kids with us, I knew I would have to find space and people for a daycare. We would also need to set up a training program for certain jobs.

“So, I heard the commotion in, what did you call it, the galley? How bad did she beat your ass?” Roger laughed at me as he opened the door and came in.

“Very funny. Thankfully it was a metal spatula and not a knife or you guys would be looking for a new leader.” I replied.

“It was pretty amusing to be honest. So what’s up? Wanting to go on another secret mission?” he chuckled as he sat on the couch opposite.

“No, not right now. I’ve asked several people to show up, and I’ll go over it when everyone is here. I’ve just been sitting here reviewing these files on the sailors, trying to figure out what kind of skills they have, what jobs I’m going to put everyone in. I also have schematics of each deck so I can find out where we are going to put the hydroponics bays, and other places to store weapons and ammo other than the armory.” I informed him.

“But what about the wall? Isn’t that why we went out earlier, to determine the way the wall would run?” he asked.

“We will be building the wall, but the ship is going to be a huge part of everything. It’s going to be our home until the wall is built and the base and surrounding area is then cleared of infected. The Nimitz will be our security blanket, storm shelter, and fortress. I need the sailors’ skills and training to run her, and train everyone that came with us to help with that.” I said. A knock on the door made me glance up then, as Val was opening it and poking her head in.

“Come on in, Val, have a seat.” I told her. She was followed by Michelle, and Jeff showed up only a minute behind them. Kevin also showed up, Daryl a few minutes behind him. Lastly the sailors I had asked for showed up. Chief Smith from Security, Chief Carter from Maintenance, and finally Lt. Levine once more.

“Thanks everyone, for coming. I wanted to run something by you all. Michelle, quit glaring at me. I know you’re still pissed about me taking off earlier, but I’m back, and I’m fine. Now, for the reason of my little field trip. I don’t expect us all to live on the ship forever. I have a plan that will give us plenty of space to spread out some, start some crops, and hopefully even find some livestock and start a farm. Roger and I went out today while everyone was settling into their new roles and scouted out a route for a wall. With a wall, we would be safe from the infected, and other people who want to just take what we have.” I started, standing and looking at everyone as they sat and looked at me. I paced slightly while I talked, just to keep moving.

“How do you propose we build this wall?” Kevin asked.

“That’s what this meeting is actually about, Kevin. When I first hashed out this basic plan way back when, the plan was using a mix of privacy and chain link fencing. That’s something I have been thinking about and bouncing ideas around in my head for a while now. I still think using privacy fences, with extra support on the inside of course, would be the best bet. We can put it up in sections, and it would be easy to place gates in.” I replied.

“Why privacy fence? Chain link would be easier to find I would think, and we could just throw the poles up and then unroll it against them.” Daryl asked.

“We know that these things attack on sight. If we use chain link, there is nothing stopping them from seeing us. And even if we have tall fences, enough of those things rushing it and pushing against it will eventually bring it down. Privacy fencing will keep us out of sight. I also plan on having guard shacks, or towers if we can, along with patrols to watch for any breaks.”

“Sounds good. May I offer another suggestion, though?” Chief Carter stated.

“By all means, Chief. I want ideas, please share.” I said.

“We have flatbed trucks, no? We also have mobile cranes. Why don’t we use those shipping containers at the south end of the pier? We could easily empty them out of whatever is in them, load a few up on a truck, and lay them end to end. We even have welding equipment and could weld the ends together for extra strength if you want. With hinges on them already, we could rig some kind of gate to them, maybe using the storage container doors?” he informed us.

“We have several excellent snipers who could provide cover fire while the containers are being moved and set in place. The noise I’m sure will draw them.” Chief Smith chimed in.

“That would be easier than trying to dig holes for fence posts.” Jeff said.

“Faster, too, even if we can only do a few at a time. I think the container idea is better than the fence idea.” Daryl agreed.

“I like it. I never would have thought about that, using shipping containers. Does anyone have any idea how many are out there?” I asked.

“Not really, but an estimate would be in the hundreds. This was a major naval base, tons of supplies came through to resupply ships very often. The problem will be that some of those containers may have contained food, and while we searched some of them, I doubt we got everything. Whoever opens them will need to be prepared for rotten food possibly.” Lt. Levine informed us.

“Alright. We need to find out how long they are, and do a count. I’ll measure the distance as close as possible to find out how many containers we will need to cover it. Let’s start putting together a team to do this. We will need good crane operators, drivers, and of course a defense team. Get me a list of names, and we will see who will volunteer to go.” I told them, feeling like my plan was really starting to work.

“Why don’t we get hunting blind stands for the guard towers? They would be tall enough to see over the containers, and they are designed for the hunter to not be seen inside. You wouldn’t get but one or two people in them, but we could have radios as well in case they saw something.” Val suggested.

“That’s a good idea. There are several big outdoors type stores nearby, they would have plenty of things like that, if they haven’t been looted of everything yet.” Chief Smith said.

“I agree, that sounds good. If we can’t do that, or can’t get enough coverage with however many we could find, we could always cut viewports in the containers, and doors on the inside. We can work on ideas for the gates while we are placing the first of the containers. Let’s get started on this, I have something else I need to plan for as well.” I finished, effectively dismissing the group. The sailors got the idea and stood, nodding at me and heading out the door. Kevin and Daryl also stood and walked out.

“Christian, please stay for a minute. Michelle, Jeff, I also need you to stick around.” I said as everyone started filing out. Val and the rest walked out, presumably to start on the wall project, or whatever project they had currently going. I knew a lot of the civilians, who I brought, were still taking the day to rest and relax, which I had no problem with, seeing as how long we were on the road for longer than expected.

“What’s up?” Jeff asked.

“Chris, do you know if any of the small boys have fuel? If so, do any of them have enough fuel for a trip?” I asked, getting right to the point.

“I’m not sure off the top of my head. I can find out relatively easy though. What are you thinking?” he replied.

“Michelle has a sister and other family in Florida. Before communications went out, we got in touch with her and told them to gather whoever and whatever they could and head to an isolated island just southeast of where they lived. If one of the ships can make the trip, then I need to know if there are enough sailors on board to make a skeleton crew to sail down to Florida and back with survivors.” I stated. Michelle looked hopeful, and just waited for an answer from Levine.

“Well, sir, in theory all ship systems regarding navigation and propulsion are essentially identical in operation. To my knowledge none of the sailors on board have served on small boys, or at least not much time on one. I will ask around again for sure though. If we can acquire the manuals for a particular ships systems, we can study it and train on it and be ready fairly quickly, if need be. I’m not sure anyone would volunteer for that particular mission, however. They wouldn’t see how that would benefit the group.” Chris informed me.

“Sheldon, you can’t leave for that long. The group looks to you and would flip out if you disappear again.” Jeff chimed in.

“I’m not, you are. Michelle too. Nicole is expecting Michelle to come get her, but you’re right, I can’t leave. There are too many things to get started here.” I replied to him.

“I’ll get started on a list of crewmembers who are capable, and send someone to check fuel levels on several ships. I will have an answer for you by noon tomorrow if there is an available ship.” Chris told me. I nodded back to him and he turned and left the cabin.  That left Michelle, Jeff, Roger, and myself.

“You’re seriously going down there?” Michelle asked me.

“No, you are. Jeff, you will be in charge of the landing party that goes ashore to find Nicole. Find her, and any survivors with her. If you find anyone else along the way, pick them up too. No crazy risks, though, ok?” I replied, turning to Jeff for the last of it.

“Yes, sir.” Jeff answered, laughing at me. We had been friends long enough that he could get away with poking fun at me like that. I laughed with him, and turned and walked out as well. Michelle gave me a hug, kissed my cheek, and then she followed Jeff out.

“I’m gonna go smoke. Talk to you later.” Roger said, stepping over to the bar.

“Head out that door and take a right. It’ll be closer to the catwalk.” I told him, pointing to the door closer to the couches. He nodded at me and walked out. After he walked out, I went over to the box of my things, pulled out the PlayStation and cords and hooked it up to the TV. There was a small storage shelf below it, and I placed the system on it and arranged the games on one of the shelves. I then sat back down on the couch and started on the files again.

After another half hour of reviewing personnel records, I decided to pull out the map and start measuring the distance of the wall route. The road was not perfectly straight, so I had to make multiple measurements and add them together. Math was not my strongest suit, but if I did it correctly, the wall was going to be five miles long, almost exactly. Once I found out how long those containers were, I would run the math and find out how many we would need to complete the wall. That was a long distance to cover building a wall, but unless I considered shorting us on space it would have to do.

Finally looking up, I noticed it was about 5 pm now, so dinner should be getting served shortly. I packed up all the files and maps and put them away in a box which I then placed in the corner to go through again later. I decided to just walk around the ship then before making my way to the galley. My hope was to meet some more of the sailors and check on the civilians to make sure everyone was settling in ok. I knew quite a few of the others would have a little difficulty adjusting to ship life. I was mostly worried about Michelle and the girls, they were land girls through and through.

The sounds and smells as I walked around took me back to my days on the ship. She was in dry dock when I was on her, and everything was torn up or ripped apart, so it was good to see her fully functional. I made a full loop of the 03 deck, which was where my cabin was, then made my way down one to the 02 level and walked around Officer Country for a bit. This was the area with the senior offices, and bunk rooms for the more senior officers. I nodded at every sailor I saw, and talked to quite a few. I tried my best to remember names, or at the very least faces. Several civilians were also walking round so I chatted with them as well.

Eventually I found myself back on the hangar bay level. The port side elevators were down and the bay doors open, allowing a nice sea breeze to blow through the hangars. There were several people sitting on chairs and fishing off the elevators, some just standing around talking. Apparently the port elevators were used as a relaxation area and social gathering place. It was a good idea, as it was secure, and allowed constant access. The fantail would also be a good area for that. I knew there was supposed to be a two lane bowling alley here somewhere, and the rumor was that there should also be a pool table as well. If not, I’m sure that we could probably acquire one somewhere.

Stepping out onto the aft elevator, several sailors greeted me, as well as a couple of the civilians who were chatting with the sailors. It seemed they were blending well. There were a couple of coolers sitting there with water in them, and a couple of fish. Looked like river trout, but I wasn’t that great at identifying fish by sight.

“Do they bite well?” I asked one the sailors who had a pole in his hand.

“Depends on the bait, and the time. Without all the traffic of moving boats, they have started coming closer and we’ve been more successful in the catch.” He told me. I thanked him and walked back inside. Making my way forward towards the galley, I was stopped by several sailors and civilians alike to make small talk. I got mostly thanks from the civilians, and the sailors were obviously trying to figure me out.