Free A New World 10 - Storm by John O'Brien Page B

leaning back, trying to gain a measure of comfort. Getting Gonzalez and Horace’s attention, I pull them aside.
    “Okay. We have people here but I’m not exactly sure of the situation. So far, they haven’t acted overtly hostile, but I’ve instructed Robert to get airborne quickly if rounds are exchanged. I’m heading outside to make contact. Horace, I want Blue Team near the back of the ramp to provide cover fire if we need to get the fuck out of here. If you have to fire, it would be way cool if you don’t hit the engines. Gonzalez, you and Red Team keep watch over our passengers,” I brief.
    “Copy that, sir,” Horace responds. Gonzalez merely nods her reply.
    With the soldiers eyeing my passage to the rear, I open the ramp. As it lowers, the roar from the two running engines floods the compartment. Fed by the rapidly rotating props, hurricane force winds push a curling line of dust flowing behind the aircraft. The ramp hits the dirt covering the tarmac with a subdued clang.
    Stepping down the metallic surface, I walk onto the tarmac and into the clear where I can readily be seen. With my M-4 hanging from its lanyard at my side, I stare across the dirt-covered surface toward a building where a small group of people has gathered. Two of them, each carrying a carbine strapped to their back, detach from the rest and begin riding bicycles in my direction. The sand isn’t deep enough to impede them, and as they draw closer, I see that it is Jason and the soldier who stayed behind to be with his family.
    They arrive and dismount. Both of them look a little more gaunt than when I saw them last. Gaunt may not be the right word, but they definitely look much thinner. Their cheeks are drawn tighter and their eyes have the tired, sunken look of constant stress. I imagine I don’t look much better, though. However, that doesn’t seem to dampen their enthusiasm at seeing us.
    “Jack, right? When we saw the C-130, I was hoping it was you,” Jason says, extending his hand.
    “Yeah. It’s good to see you,” I reply, returning the shake. Speaking into the radio, I have Robert stop the engines and for the teams stand down.
    “Sir,” the soldier says, unsure of whether to salute or shake my hand. Relieving the awkward moment, I extend my hand.
    “How are things here?” I ask, turning to Jason.
    “Well, to tell you the truth, Jack, we’ve been better,” he answers.
    “Are you having problems with night runners?” I query.
    “No, they seldom venture out this way anymore. We originally brought some cattle inside the perimeter, but that seemed to draw the changelings. So, we moved them a ways down the road and haven’t been hassled since. That just opened up another problem though,” Jason states.
    As I’m about to pursue this line, he continues. “But let’s not talk about this out here. Let’s head inside and we can catch up.”
    “Okay, lead the way. I have something to talk to you about as well,” I say.
    I radio Gonzalez and have the teams disembark along with the soldiers. After conferring with Jason, he allows them to stretch their legs in one of the hangars. I leave Horace and her team to keep watch over the soldiers. Henderson, Denton, and Craig stay behind with the aircraft to keep an eye on our weapons and ammo. The dust cloud we created with our arrival is drifting slowly away and begins to settle. I keep Robert, Bri, and Gonzalez with me as we follow Jason and the soldier across the ramp, my feet crunching on a couple inches of sand with each step.
    Although clear, the morning has a definite chill to it. It was that way the last time we were here, but the day doesn’t hold the same promise of heat. Looking at the blue sky overhead, I’m thankful for the extended summer we are experiencing. It won’t be long until the weather closes in on us, but at least we have satellite coverage for a little while. Several 4WD pickups are parked outside one of the buildings just off the ramp. We head to this