Chapter 5
When Pete and I returned to the tower, June told us that Joan’s husband worked at the supply depot. Joan said that was where they staged and stored weapons and ammunition prior to overseas shipment.
Pete, Joan, and I drove over to the supply depot to check it out. I figured Joan was using this story as an excuse to look for her husband, but it was worth checking.
When we arrived at the warehouse following Joan’s direction, we found the building to be surrounded by three different perimeter fences. As I cut the lock on the inner and final fence gate, a bullet ricocheted off the pavement several feet from my foot.
"That’s far enough. Who are you and what authorization do you have to enter my supply depot?" A voice from the gated building asked.
"My name is Bill Mason and there is no one left to give authorization," I yelled.
"Then you just back off and leave," he shouted.
Joan climbed out of the APC and started screaming, "Tony, is that you?"
"Joan, is that you? What are you doing here?" the shooter yelled.
"Yes, it's me. Let me in," shouted Joan.
"You can come in, but everyone else will have to stay where they are," he said.
I looked over at Joan and nodded my head in the affirmative. Joan pushed through the gate and raced toward the building.
About five minutes later a soldier with Master Sergeants stripes came striding toward the gate.
"Sorry about the hostile reception but we thought you guys were looters. Joan filled me in on what you had done for her and your plans to leave the area. By the way, I’m Master Sergeant Tony Hill," he said.
Tony said he and two of his men were holed up in the supply warehouse. When we walked into the warehouse building, I was amazed at the contents. There were APC’s on trailers and crates of weapons, as well as large groups of containers labeled MRE’s.
Pete, Tony, and I sat in Tony’s office and Pete and I gave Tony a rundown on what we had found at the research compound. I suggested that everyone should go to the less populated area. Tony agreed to go and said he would talk to his men about it.
After three days of steady modifications, we had increased the fuel capacity of three more APC’s and loaded weapons and ammunition and MRE’s into trailers.
On the way back to the control tower Pete and I stopped by the base swimming pool. After a thorough check we determined that it was clear and safe. When we returned to the tower I asked June if she would like run over there and have a swim. Everyone had gone close to two week with only the briefest of sponge baths. At least we could start our trip smelling better. Pete, Mahoney, Private Butler and I took turns guarding the bathers but everyone kept their rifles close at hand.
The forth morning after meeting Tony and the other soldiers, we were all ready to depart from Edwards AFB.
About 8 A.M. after a light breakfast of MRE's, Tony told Pete, June, and Beth to load into one APC. One of Tony’s men, corporal John Mahoney and Kali were assigned to another. Tony and Joan in another APC and Private Mike Butler and Sue in the final APC. Jack and I were told to follow in my truck. Tony gave a forward ho signal and we pulled away from the tower for the last time.
We headed west. Our route was to be highway 58 east to highway 15 straight to Nellis, AFB.
Most of the small towns were located off of the main highway. So most of the creatures we encountered were from vehicles that had been in accidents. I was surprised at the quantity of wrecks we encountered. I assumed that panic and excessive speed was the cause of most of the accidents. The majority of creatures were still belted into their vehicles and unable to get out.
Although the Zombies were rarely spotted walking in the roadway we decided to keep our speed below 50 mph. On day one we stayed on the main highway and didn’t go through any of the small towns along the way.
Outside of Barstow, we spotted a pickup truck loaded with men, but they steered clear of us. I think seeing a convoy of four APC’s, they assumed we were a military patrol and didn’t want any conflict with the military.
Judging from the wrecked and abandoned vehicles along the highway in these areas, I believe the men were probably stopping and robbing travelers. Fortunately, I was able to push the wrecked vehicles out of our way with my truck. We didn't encounter any other living people.
A couple of hours before sundown on the first day we pulled off of highway 15 onto a dirt road. It had been several hours since we had passed any sign of human habitation. We drove on the dirt road for about five miles and then parked our vehicles in a line beside the road.
Tony dismounted his vehicle and started barking orders. He ordered Pete up to the top of the container of my truck. Pete shook his head and gave me a look that said, who made him boss?
I walked over toward Tony and asked, "Can we talk Tony? Are we to assume you are in charge now?"
"I am in charge soldier, now you get your ass over there and…"
I cut him off and said, "Whoa there soldier, let's get this straight here and now. I am not a soldier. You joined our party, we didn't join yours. You are welcome to travel with us if you want. But you aren’t in charge, and if I hear any more orders being barked at anyone, you’ll have to leave."
Tony said, "I’m the senior US military representative here and I am in charge. Dispute that, and I will have you placed under arrest for stealing government material. I can and will have you summarily executed for looting and settle this here and now myself."
With that being said, Tony then placed his hand on the flap of his Air Force issue holster.
I jerked my pistol from where it was pushed into my belt and fired. The bullet hit Tony in the shoulder. Tony hit the ground like I had put a round into his forehead. He started cursing and screaming that this was insurrection and he would have me shot.
Keeping the pistol leveled at him, I reached down and pulled his sidearm from its holster.
I said, "Shut up Tony. You probably won’t die from that wound, but you will die from the next one. You have been relieved of command. If anyone is going to be shot, it will be you. Now, shut up or I will shut you up."
I yelled loud enough for everyone to hear me, "Hey! Everybody get over here. That means you Private Butler and Corporal Mahoney and everyone."
Joan rushed over to Tony and started checking his wound.
"Tony here has decided to take off on his own. Anyone else who wishes to leave with him, get over there by his vehicle. If you choose to continue with Pete, June and me, then stand by Pete’s APC."
Everyone seemed undecided. And then corporal Mahoney grabbed Kali by the arm and led her to Tony’s APC. Pete, June, Beth and Jack walked over to their APC. I noticed that both Pete and June picked up and charged their M16’s and Beth and Jack ducked inside the vehicle.
Private Mike Butler and Sue stood their ground. Finally, Private Butler and Sue, who had been watching Tony and me, walked toward the APC where Pete and June stood.
Kali looked at corporal Mahoney and said, "I’m sorry John, but they’re my friends and I feel safer with them." She then wrenched her arm free and walked over where Private Butler, Sue, Pete and June stood.
"Private, you will live to regret this insubordination." said Tony.
"Shut the hell up Tony. Not one more word or I swear I will shoot you again and the next one will be in your head," I said.
"Ok Pete, you and Mike pull the 50 cal off of Tony’s APC," I said.
Fifteen minutes later I walked over to Tony and told him, "All right the three of you load into your vehicle and hit the road."
"You want us to leave right now? Tony's hurt and it's almost dark. Where can we go with only a couple of hours of light left?" Joan screamed.
"Yes now, while Tony is still alive. The corporal can drive. I don't care where.. just get the hell out of here. Where you go is up to the Master Sergeant there. Go back to Edwards or go to hell. I just don’t care. Do it now though before Tony starts making more threats and
you all end up in that ditch over there with bullets in your foreheads," I said coldly.
I turned and started building a camp fire.
Corporal Mahoney and Joan helped Tony into the APC and they drove back down the dirt road.