Free Project - 16 by Martyn J. Pass Page A

rig and no
more...” he said, then, patting the top of his desk he winked at me
and smiled. I got it. There'd be a few 'lost' cans hidden in the
'Rover when I got back. It still wouldn't be enough but I would
take whatever I could get now. I didn't think the NSU would be
putting any petrol pumps up when they got here.
    “ Thanks, Tony.”
    “ Don't mention it - and I mean it! They'd kill me if they
knew. Still, I figure I owe you and your Pop something. Have a look
through the shelves, take what you want. We won't be needing it.
Most of the guys...”
    “ What is it?” I asked. Those friendly eyes suddenly turned
away and began searching the paperwork on the desk for something
more distracting.
    “ Well, most of the guys, they've got family back home and they
want to make sure they're safe from the rioters, if you know what I
mean,” he said without looking up.
    “ I think I do. Desertion.”
    The ageing soldier nodded. “Yeah. We've been getting news
feeds and messages from home. It's not good. As soon as the plane
touches the tarmac, most of us are making a run for it.”
    I put a hand on his shoulder and he tried to smile but he was
welling up.
    “ Don't feel guilty about it,” I said. “I didn't realise it was
that bad over there.”
    “ Miller, you don't know the half of it. Man, it's like nothing
we've ever faced before. It makes 9/11 look like a
joke.”
    “ What's causing it?”
    “ That's the thing - someone bombs your city, you call it
terrorism. Someone invades your country, you call it war. The news,
the politicians, they're not calling it anything. It's like the
whole fucking system is collapsing and no one knows fucking
why.”
    “ I'm sorry, Tony,” I said and I meant it.
    “ Me too. I'm sorry that it looks like we're going to be
camping in the woods by the end of the year like you.” He laughed
but the mirth didn't reach his eyes. I offered him my hand and we
shook. Then I went into the crates and began taking as much as I
could, trying not to let the panic get its fingers around my
throat.
     
    Riley appeared an hour later dragging a trolley of gear
behind her. She had a beer in one hand which she emptied before
throwing it over the wall.
    “ Give me a hand,” she said, opening the back of my 'Rover and
throwing her bags on top of the boxes. Slung across her shoulders
was a sleek, black rifle with a number of attachments bolted to the
rails including a large scope and an extended magazine. She kept
this with her as she emptied the trolley, then went to the
passenger seat and stood the weapon carefully in the foot well like
it was made of glass.
    “ Have you got everything?” I asked.
    “ Sure have. Let's roll.”
    I climbed into the driving seat and slammed the door shut,
taking one last look behind me at Fort Washington before setting
off through the gate with an armed escort in front and behind. They
led me to the outer barrier and waved me on. Seb was at the front
and I pulled up alongside him.
    “ You take care of yourself, mate,” I said.
    “ You too, buddy.” He stuck his hand through the open window
and I shook it. “Maybe we'll be back.”
    “ Yeah, maybe. I spoke to the QM.”
    “ You did?” he replied. His expression told me what I wanted to
know.
    “ Be safe. Don't take any chances. It'll get crazy out there
and people will surprise you when you see how low they can go
before the end.”
    “ Yeah, I think I understand. We'll be careful. See you,
Miller.”
    “ See you, Seb.”
    I drove on, leaving him staring after me. Before I knew it we
were on the old road and heading north into a hazy, sunny afternoon
that promised to stay dry. Riley turned in her seat and looked at
me through her round sunglasses - optimistic for anyone in this
country.
    “ You know what they're planning?” she asked. I nodded. “The
QM?”
    “ Yeah.”
    “ I spoke to my sister. Warned her. Gave her a few
names.”
    “ Is it as bad as they're saying?” I asked. She
shrugged.
    “ Hard