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IDAHO. ROUTE 22 NORTH:
After a few minutes, the flames die off, and Monroe realizes he doesn’t hear any gunfire. He slowly stands up and looks around. The light from the remaining flames illuminate the fields for several hundred-feet in all directions. “I don’t think we’re being attacked.”
Blackwood stands, looks around for a moment, and comes to the same conclusion as Monroe. He turns to the uninjured soldiers. “Help the most seriously wounded into the remaining vehicles and take them back to camp. Move it, people!” He turns to Monroe. “What do you suppose happened?”
“From what I can see, I think it started in the motorhome. Maybe there was a gas leak.”
Blackwood stares at the wreckage as they walk through the disaster area. The stench of burnt flesh permeates the air, and pitiful moans of pain come from all directions. They stop and look down at the wide-open eyes looking up from a charred face, and Monroe turns to throw up. Blackwood feels his stomach churn and bile rises in his throat, but he’s seen worse in the P.O.W. camp.
They continue walking along the road. Debris from the explosions litters the ground in all directions for as far as they can see. Around them, dozens of able soldiers are making their way through the bodies on the ground in the light of the burning fuel, finding the living among the dead, and carrying them to the drivable trucks. The air reeks of oily smoke, and screams of agony echo across the valley.
They stop, and Monroe looks at Blackwood. “What now, Colonel?”
Blackwood stares at the wreckage. “I’ll call the camp and tell them what happened. Once the wounded are taken care of, I’ll have the trucks come back and pick up the dead. Will give them a proper burial at the camp.”
“I don’t remember seeing a cellphone in the truck, and I didn’t grab one. Did you?”
Blackwood tries to remember. “I’m not sure.”
“What about the attack on this other army?”
Blackwood laughs bitterly. “We couldn’t attack a convalescent center with what’s left here.” He shakes his head in defeat. “No. We’ll wait for them to come after us and do our best to repel them.”
“Let’s help with the wounded.”
Blackwood solemnly nods agreement and leads Monroe back along the road to his truck.