Maggie Harris Residence, Lake in the Pines Apartments
Fayetteville, North Carolina
“Do you think things are going to get worse?”
Command Sergeant Major Burt Dawson glanced at his fiancée, Maggie Harris, as he pulled on his boots. “Definitely.”
Maggie frowned. “You’re supposed to say, ‘No, beautiful, I’m going to fix up everything by morning.’”
He deadpanned her. “No, beautiful, I’m going to fix up everything by morning.”
“Ha ha. What should I do? I’m probably not going to see you for days.”
Dawson stood. “Watch the TV. If things start to get bad here, take your ID and head for the base. You’re still an employee, so they’ll let you on. I’ll make sure the Colonel has you on the list in case they decide to restrict access to military only. You’ll be safe there.”
“Should I go now?”
He pursed his lips, watching the images flashing on the screen. “No, I don’t think so. It looks like it’s limited to the larger cities.” He pointed to the closet. “You’ve got a two-week emergency kit in there, so there’s food, water, medical supplies, batteries—everything you might need including zombie killing implements—”
“BD! I’m scared enough as it is!”
He grinned. “Remember, aim for the head. You have to scramble their brains.”
She punched him in the arm. “You’re an asshole!”
He grabbed her and pulled her close, giving her a hug then a kiss on the top of her head. He could see the scar from her gunshot wound through her hair, and thought of her recent stroke from which she was still recovering. He sighed. “Changed my mind. I want you on the base.”
She looked up at him. “Are you sure? A minute ago you said it was safe.”
“It is, but you’re still weak from the stroke. I don’t want to be worrying about you when I’m gone.”
She frowned. “It’s not really fair, though, is it? I mean, I’m taking advantage of my position.”
“Damn right you are, as you should. But you know the Colonel. He needs someone organizing his life, and he hasn’t taken an assistant since that last disaster personnel sent him. He’ll be happy to have you there, and you’ll actually be doing your country a service.” He pointed at the screen. “Now’s not the time to be selfish.” He grinned.
“Oh, you’re good. You should go into politics.”
Dawson grunted. “You know what I do to people I hate, and I’d just end up hating myself.”
She patted his chest. “This is true.”
There was a knock and Dawson peered through the peephole before opening the door. “Hey, guys!”
Sergeants Carl “Niner” Sung and Jerry “Jimmy Olsen” Hudson stepped inside, Niner closing the door behind them. “There’s some excitement in the streets, so I thought we should come on over and make sure things are good.”
Jimmy jerked his thumb at his chest. “I thought we should, cuz’ I’m a caring sort of guy.”
“Thanks, Jimmy,” said Maggie. “I’m going to get ready.”
Niner stepped toward the television. “You’re coming in?”
“BD insists it’s my duty to help our country in its hour of need.”
Niner’s head bobbed as he dropped onto the couch.
“Make yourself comfortable,” said Dawson.
Niner grinned. “Don’t mind if I do. Got snacks?”
Dawson squeezed his junk.
“I said snack, not a meal, you gorgeous specimen of a man.”
Jimmy groaned.
“Niner, behave!” called Maggie from the bedroom.
“Yes’m!” Niner went all business. “So, what do you think is going on?”
Dawson shrugged. “Dunno, but somebody’s sure got a hate on for America today.”
Jimmy grunted. “What else is new? The question is who? It could be a country, or a kid in his mom’s basement.”
“Right now I think that’s more a CIA/NSA/FBI issue,” replied Dawson. “When they figure it out, they’ll let us know where to go, if anywhere.”
Niner frowned. “Do you really think they’ll do nothing?”
“Oh, they’ll do something, but it might be cyber related. If China or Russia did this, do you really think we’ll be sending in bombers when they’ve got nukes?”
Niner sighed. “I wish we had never invented the bomb. Then we could go in and blow the living shit out of them.”
Dawson jabbed a finger at him. “And that’s why countries like Iran want the bomb, so we don’t do just that.”
“Don’t worry, we’ve got a treaty now, so that’s unpossible!”
Jimmy laughed at Niner’s Ralph Wiggum impression. “Now, now, remember, ours is not to question why…”
“Yeah, yeah. Stupid is as stupid does.”
Maggie reappeared, looking fabulous yet practical. “Okay, gentlemen, is my escort ready?”
Niner leaped to his feet, bowing deeply as he extended an arm toward the door. “Your chariot awaits, madam.”
Maggie grabbed her chest. “Madam? What is this, a whorehouse?”
Dawson grinned. “Some ni—”
Maggie slapped his shoulder with the back of her hand. “Careful!”
Niner smiled with delight. “Ooh, you’re going to pay for that one.”
Jimmy pointed at the television. “Look at this.”
They all turned to read the headline on the muted television.
President orders emergency security upgrade to nation’s electronic infrastructure.