Sutherland didn’t like the look on Wheeler’s face as they crossed the road and headed toward the house. Not to mention in his mind he had envisioned a more tactile approach to getting a vehicle… like sneaking about and not walking up to the front door.
He had tried to convince Wheeler to think about what he was about to do, but the man had seemed to not take any suggestions from his superior. Wheeler walked right up to the front door, knocked and took a step back… the pistol still in his hand, but not aimed.
“Who’s there?”
“Open up,” Wheeler said.
The door swung open and a man stepped onto the porch with a shotgun held to his shoulder. Sutherland took a step back, but Wheeler stood his ground.
“What do ya want?”
“Can you put the shotgun down… so we can talk?” Sutherland said.
The man looked at Sutherland and then back to Wheeler.
“Tell your boy to drop his gun.”
Sutherland walked over to Wheeler and pried the pistol out his hands before setting it on the ground. He hoped he wasn’t making a big mistake… a mistake that very well could cost them both their lives. Sutherland sighed as the man lowered the shotgun and pulled the front door of the house closed behind him.
“What do ya want?” the man said, repeating his question.
“I know this is a lot to ask… but we need a car.”
The man laughed and cracked a smile.
“That’s… that’s funny. You’re funny.”
Sutherland bit his lip and nodded. It was the response he was expecting, although he preferred it to getting shot. The man stopped laughing when he noticed the serious looks on both Sutherland and Wheeler’s faces.
“I wish I were kidding,” Sutherland, “but we have an important mission… a mission vital to the survival of the United States of America and we need a car.”
“The United States… we heard the government fell.”
Sutherland stepped toward the man and took a deep breath.
“I’m General Sutherland, acting Regent of District One… and I’m asking you kindly, Sir… we need to borrow a car.”
The man went to raise his shotgun, but Sutherland was faster. He swung and hit the man in the ribs, hard enough to cause pain… but not quite hard enough to bust a rib. Sutherland ripped the shotgun from his hands as the man clutched at his ribs.
“You… you’re dead.”
“Look… we really don’t want any trouble.”
The man stood up when he realized Sutherland hadn’t done any real damage with the punch. He spit on the ground and did his best to give Sutherland a dirty look.
“I ain’t giving you my truck… you’d have to kill us before I would give it to you.”
Wheeler bent down, picked up the pistol and held it to the man’s forehead.
“We don’t want to hurt you,” Wheeler said, “but the General asked you kindly to borrow your truck.”
The door swung open and Sutherland raised the shotgun to his shoulder, half expecting someone to come out shooting. Instead a woman came out with a baby in her arms.
“Don’t be such an idiot, Clark… these men… they could have come and taken the truck. They’re obviously military… and if they need the truck you give it to them.”
The man turned to his wife and nodded as a defeated look came over his face. Sutherland was glad the woman had come out right then… he didn’t want Wheeler to do anything stupid, especially after Sutherland had told him to keep his cool.
“Fine….”
Clark pulled a set of keys from his pocket, took a worn black and silver key off the ring and handed it to Wheeler. Sutherland handed the man his shotgun and Wheeler put his pistol back in his belt.
“I’m sorry to ask this of you,” Sutherland said, “we lost our truck and we need to get to Rapid City to the Air Force base.”
The woman smiled and shifted the baby in her arms.
“We understand… my dad was in the Air Force when I was growing up. He said there might come a day when the military needed the help of ordinary people… and I believe today is that day.”
Sutherland smiled back at the woman and nodded as he stepped back.
“Thank you. I know how much the truck means to you. I’ll do my best to bring it back in one piece.”
Clark didn't seem as excited about it as his wife, but Sutherland could tell she would be able to bring him around.
The three men walked to the smaller barn, which actually turned out to be a garage/workshop and the truck was parked in there. Clark put his hand on the hood and mumbled something to his truck as Sutherland opened the driver's door and climbed in.
"Take good care of her," Clark said.
"I will."
Clark nodded as he moved to the driver's door as Sutherland closed it, put the key in the ignition and rolled the window down.
"Do you know about the bunker a few miles from here?" Sutherland said.
"Yeah... of course I do. My brother-in-law was part of the crew that built it."
"And you know that it was taken over?"
"Yeah... they came by and asked me to help with the attack. I wouldn't leave my wife and daughter behind...."
Sutherland didn't blame the man for wanting to protect his daughter and wife... and he really did want to bring back their truck because he knew how much it could contribute to their survival.
Clark stepped away from the truck as Sutherland started the engine. He pulled the truck out of the barn and drove toward the road. Sutherland glanced into the mirror and saw the dejected man as he walked back toward the house. It was obvious Clark believed he failed to protect his farm and Sutherland felt a little guilty.
Sutherland pulled the truck onto the dirt road and headed west toward the main highway. He glanced over at Wheeler who was looking out the window with a blank look on his face.
"I'm sorry," Wheeler said.
"About what?"
Sutherland knew exactly what Wheeler meant, but he was trying not to make the man feel guilty. He was going to need Wheeler to be ready once they reached the Air Force base... what he didn't need was Wheeler being mad at him or distracted.
"I... I should never have pulled my gun on that guy. That was sloppy... and stupid. I'm sorry."
Sutherland looked over and saw the remorse on the face of Wheeler.
"You did what you felt you needed to do... and it worked out exactly how we wanted. We got a truck and no one had to get hurt in the process."
Wheeler nodded, but Sutherland could tell the man wasn't so sure. Sutherland took a deep breath and glanced out his window as they sped down the dirt road, leaving a cloud of dust behind them.
They reached the main highway, the one they took south from Pierre, and Sutherland turned left. Neither of them said anything during the drive. Sutherland found himself glancing at the in the rearview mirror every few seconds... he kept expecting to see someone chasing them.
The few miles until the highway intersected with the interstate felt like a lifetime. Sutherland glanced in his mirror again, truly believing there would be someone coming for them... but the road behind them was clear for as far as he could see.
Sutherland pulled the truck onto the interstate and glanced down at the gas gauge. The tank was nearly full, plus the truck was a diesel... which at least alleviated some of his stress.
Wheeler pointed out the first mileage sign. Rapid City was 140 miles. Sutherland tried to prepare himself for whatever they might encounter once they arrived. He didn't know anything about the Air Force base... and didn't know where it would be, but he hoped they didn't have to drive through Rapid City.
Sutherland shifted in his seat and tried to get comfortable since it would still be a couple hours before they arrived.
Sutherland spotted the exit for Ellsworth AFB and took the exit ramp. He pulled the truck onto the shoulder at the top of the exit and looked over at Wheeler. To the left he could see the beginning of the city, which made him feel better about not having to pass through it given what had happened in Pierre. He got out of the truck and the noise made by the closing of the door woke Wheeler.
They stood on the side of the road and looked at the rolling green hills of South Dakota. It was a serene place… Sutherland had never been to South Dakota and he wondered what it had been like before the attack.
“What’s the plan?” Wheeler said.
Sutherland closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He didn’t know what to do anymore—he just wanted his old life back and he knew it was never going to happen. He opened his eyes and looked over at Wheeler.
“We should go on foot from here. I don’t want to call any attention to our approach. It’s an Air Force base, but that doesn’t mean the men there are loyal to the United States… assuming anyone is still actually there.”
Wheeler nodded in response. They walked over the next hill and were able to see what looked like a trailer park and a nine-hole golf course and the Air Force base beyond that.
Sutherland stopped and tried to figure out the best way to approach the Air Force base. There were some trucks and few cars parked near the trailers in the park and it made Sutherland not want to go close to it if possible. He looked to the right of the trailer park, on the other side of the road and saw what looked like a school and some houses.
It wasn’t ideal, but from what he could tell the trailer park seemed to be at a slightly lower elevation than the road with the houses and they might be able to move along the south side of the road, opposite the houses, as long as they stayed down and kept their heads on a swivel.
“Let’s follow the road, stay on the south side of it, and try to not get spotted.”
“And if we do?”
“Let’s make sure it doesn’t happen.”
Sutherland knelt on the soft ground. The soil was damp from a recent rain and he scooped some of it up in his hand and smeared it around his face. Wheeler did the same. They smeared more of the thin mud on their arms and neck. Their clothes were already looking dusty after days of hard wear, but now they would blend in enough with the surroundings that someone without military training might not notice them.
Wheeler took the lead as they walked along the left side of the road. The two men paused every few minutes, crouched and looked around to check if anyone had spotted them.
It took thirty minutes for Sutherland and Wheeler to reach the intersection where they were finally able to see the beginnings of the Air Force base. They could see what looked to be a museum diagonally across the intersection, which housed some old aircraft. In front of the museum was a coffee shop where the windows had been smashed out. Across the street was a gas station that had been looted.
He hadn’t taken the time to properly mourn his death, but in that moment Sutherland missed Avery. He had been a good kid… and saved the life of Sutherland and his men. They would have never made it this far and Avery had given his life for his country. It was just another reason why Sutherland knew he had to keep pushing. His real hope had been to find some men to retake the bunker at District Four, but now he realized if there was some serviceable aircraft… they might have a shot at getting back to District One. They would need a pilot, too….
“It looks clear, Sir.”
Sutherland nodded as he looked up and down the streets at the intersection. Something about the complete silence made him uneasy, but they couldn’t afford to sit around any longer.
Wheeler and Sutherland ran across the intersection to the coffee shop and ducked inside. They looked out the broken windows to see if there was any movement, but the road seemed quiet.
They exited through the back door of the coffee shop which led to the parking lot of the museum. Sutherland looked up and saw a B-1B Lancer with a sign under it that read South Dakota Air and Space Museum. To the left of the B-1B was a B-29 Superfortress and behind that was something Sutherland didn’t recognize. He also spotted a B-52, an F-86 Saber, an F-105 Thunderchief and numerous other jets. Sutherland had been a huge fan of several of the planes growing up and would have been like a kid in a candy shop had he been visiting under normal circumstances.
“Let’s go,” Wheeler said.
Sutherland realized he had been standing in the middle of the parking lot with a sheepish look on his face. He quickly hurried after Wheeler, who was heading for the front door of the museum.
Wheeler paused at the front door and waited for Sutherland. He opened the door and the General followed him inside. They went into the dark museum and waited for their eyes to adjust.
Sutherland and Wheeler froze as they heard the undeniable sound of a helicopter starting up. They rushed to back door of the museum and looked out. There were four men standing next to a UH-1 in the field behind the museum as the blades began to spin. They were still wearing their uniforms and all of them had an M4A1 in their hands. Sutherland could see their packs already in the helicopter as they talked about last minute details.
Before Wheeler could react Sutherland pushed the door open and walked toward the men. They turned when they saw Sutherland and raised their weapons.
“Halt!”
Sutherland stopped and put his hands up as the men advanced toward him. Wheeler, who was still inside, shook his head as he debated on whether or not to follow his commanding officer. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the open door. Two of their airmen swung their rifles in Wheeler’s direction as he walked up to Sutherland and stopped.
“I’m General Sutherland… this is Corporal Wheeler.”
The other three airmen looked at their commanding officer, a Master Sergeant, and waited for his orders. He lowered his rifle and they followed suit. The Master Sergeant saluted Sutherland and his men did the same. Sutherland returned the salute and nodded at them. The four airmen approached so they could be heard over the helicopter.
“General… what are you doing here, Sir?”
“Well… it’s a long story and we don’t really have time.”
“We’ve actually met before, Sir. I’m Master Sergeant Lewis.”
Sutherland wracked his brain as he tried to remember meeting the man, but he didn’t look familiar at all.
“Sorry… I… I don’t recall us meeting, but I don’t doubt it happened.”
“No problem, Sir. It was in 2009 in Iraq.”
Sutherland knew the trip and he remembered meeting several B-1B crews… he just didn’t remember Lewis.
“Of course… Master Sergeant… I remember now. I was a Colonel at the time Forgive me, I’m getting old… as you can tell.
Sutherland thought about the last few years… how things had changed so quickly. He had been promoted quickly, but was still feeling his age after the last few days.
Lewis perked up at the prospect of Sutherland remembering when they met.
“So, what can we do for you, Sir?”
“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but there’s a military installation just south of Pierre. It was under siege by some of the locals and they were able to take it over. We need some men to come and help take it back.”
Lewis nodded, but Sutherland could tell by the grim look on his face that the prospect wasn’t likely.
“I understand. There are only ten of us… so I’m not sure we would be of much help, Sir. How many men do you have?”
“It’s just the two of us. We were a small force, but we were ambushed and the rest of the men were killed.”
Lewis looked at his men and then back to Sutherland. The General had hoped to find enough men to take back the bunker… and ten certainly wasn’t going to be enough.
“The thing is, Sir,” Lewis said, “we are already heading out on a mission of sorts. We lost all communication and most of the men left to be with their families.”
“What mission?”
“One of the men… he had a magazine… there was an article by a Dr. Howlins. We think he might have some insight into who attacked the United States.”
Since the moment of the attack Sutherland had wondered where the attack had come from. He assumed it was the Middle East, but he didn’t know for sure. A good number of countries had fallen out of favor with the United States and he knew any of them could have potentially orchestrated the attack.
“What then?” Sutherland said.
“Well, Sir… then we are going to bomb the fuck out of whoever is responsible.”
Sutherland wrinkled his brow. He didn’t think there was a chance that a few men could possibly launch a retaliatory attack on whoever was responsible… but he did admire their gumption.
“Where is this Dr. Howlins?”
“From what I understand, Sir, he has… or had… a research institute near Salt Lake City.”
“How far is that?”
“Five hundred miles… more or less.”
Sutherland knew he shouldn’t even be thinking it… he needed to get back to District Four... but there was a voice in the deepest part of his soul screaming at him to go to Salt Lake and look for Dr. Howlins. He might be able to finally get answers that Rodgers hadn’t been able or willing to give him.
“Sir?” Wheeler said.
“Yes?”
“I can lead a small team of men to retake the bunker. We could use the same service tunnel and free the prisoners. It won’t be easy, but I think we could do it.”
Sutherland looked into the eyes of Wheeler. He knew Wheeler was capable of doing it… and at the same time Sutherland felt like it was his own responsibility.
“I can’t ask you to do that,” Sutherland said.
Wheeler shook his head and swallowed. Sutherland could see the pain on Wheeler’s face… the pain of losing his fellow soldiers. It was a risk, they didn’t have many men for either mission if they split up and he also knew a smaller force would have a tactical advantage when it came to taking back the bunker.
“Alright,” Sutherland said. “Lewis, I need four men to go with Wheeler and take back the bunker.”
Lewis bit his lip and looked at the three men with him. Sutherland could tell he cared deeply about his men and felt responsible for whatever might happen to them. It was understandable since they were the only ones willing to stay behind and not abandon their posts… and their country.
“We need at least four men to stay behind. There have been groups trying to raid the base the last few days and we can’t lose control of it… not now. That means it will just be me and you, General.”
Sutherland nodded and turned to Wheeler.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Anderson,” Lewis said, “get Corporal Wheeler geared up and then the eight of you decide who’s going and who’s staying.”
The man on Lewis’s left nodded, grabbed his pack from the helicopter and began walking toward the base. The other two men got their gear and fell in behind him.
“Sir?” Wheeler said. “If… If I don’t make it… it was an honor serving with you.”
Sutherland just nodded and patted Wheeler on the shoulder. He knew Wheeler was the right man for helping to take back the bunker, but he still felt guilty. He felt like he should be there. Wheeler forced a smile on his face and jogged off to catch up with the other men.
“You ready, Sir?”
“Yes.”
Lewis nodded, climbed into the helicopter and tapped the shoulder of the pilot before taking his seat. Sutherland climbed in next, pulled the door of the UH-1 closed and strapped in next to Lewis. He looked out the window and watched as Wheeler headed toward the base.
Godspeed, Son. Sutherland closed his eyes and prayed for Wheeler to make it back safely.