“I need to go in and disable some of the traps. Move right over there, under that tree,” I said and pointed. “I’ll open a ramp we can use to load, but don’t move from this spot until you see me come up. When you do, you’ll be able to safely back up to the ramp.”

  “Shit, you weren’t kidding,” Bill said.

  I grinned as I hopped down to the ground. “I value my privacy.”

  I went down into my bunker and took a moment to look around. I wasn’t claustrophobic, but it felt small after being up top again. I disabled the necessary traps and triggered the ramp. It was the way I had stocked the bunker, so all the storage was nearby. I walked up to the surface and waved them over.

  Ted carefully drove the truck over and backed it up to where I stood before they both got out. Thankfully, due to his accelerated healing, Bill was already back to 100 percent and could help load.

  I pointed down the ramp. “Okay, down the ramp and straight ahead is the main storage area. We’ll load up on water and food. I’ve also got a stockpile of batteries made by Teledyne that haven’t expired, so we can bring some of those back for flashlights and such.”

  As we worked, I was glad it was cold. We shed our winter jackets after an hour or so. The work wasn’t hard for us, but it was tedious. We were more limited by bulk than by weight. It was after dark when we finally finished loading the truck.

  “I’m going to suggest we stay here for the night. I don’t like the idea of going back in the dark,” I said as I drained a bottle of water.

  “I don’t want to leave the truck unguarded,” Ted said. “It’s way too tempting for someone who’s desperate. I noticed a few folks watching us from a distance while we were loading.”

  I nodded. “Yeah, I saw them too. Okay, we’ll set watches. I doubt there’s anything one of us can’t handle.”

  We decided that visual deterrent would be enough, so I brought up a few battery-operated floodlights and set them up around the truck. Through the night, we took turns guarding it while the other two slept in the cab. For deterrent, we each carried a C7A2 automatic rifle. That would be enough to keep any but the most determined scavenger at bay. The night passed uneventfully.

  * * *

  Once the sun rose, we got ready to head back to Toronto. Before we left, I rigged a few claymore mines in the back of the truck that would go off if the tailgate was lowered without disarming them first.

  “I’m expecting at least one of those camps we passed to have set up some sort of makeshift roadblock,” I said. “If so, let me handle it. We’ve got plenty of supplies. We’ll give them a few days’ worth and encourage them to join us in Toronto.”

  “Do we really need more people?” Bill asked.

  “Hearts and minds, Bill. We supply them. We invite them to a safe area. They’ll add manpower to our efforts.”

  “And if they disagree?”

  I shrugged. “We kill them.”

  Sure enough, after about an hour and a half on the road, we encountered a makeshift roadblock near one of the large camps we passed. With the weight of the truck, we could have easily plowed through it, but I had Bill stop.

  Several men and women with hunting rifles were visible at the blockade, but the guns weren’t aimed at us, yet. I figured for every person we could see, there were probably two more who weren’t immediately apparent.

  I climbed down out of the truck, with my rifle still slung across my chest. “Good morning!”

  One of the men called out, “What’s in the truck?”

  “Supplies for New Toronto.” I saw movement on both sides in my peripheral vision and was sure there were people coming up from behind the truck as well. “You’d do well not to try to open the back of this truck, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  I now had at least four rifles of various types aimed at me. The same man called out again, “You walk away, you’ll be okay. We need the supplies.”

  Bill and Ted both jumped down from the cab of the truck and covered the sides with their rifles.

  “We’re trained, you’re not. I really don’t want to kill innocent people, but I have a lot of people in the city counting on these supplies,” I called back. “I’m willing to give you a few days’ worth, and you’re welcome to come to the city. We have buildings with heat and running water. You help the city, you get a place to live.”

  “Who are you?” a woman called out from my right.

  “My name is Mr. Smith.”

  There was some mumbling around me, and many of those who had taken aim lowered their rifles a fraction.

  “You’re Mr. Smith?” the same woman asked.

  I nodded once.

  The man who had done the initial talking glanced around, suddenly unsure of his chances of success. I guessed word had spread. I didn’t really care how, but it seemed like a good thing.

  “Movement behind!” Ted called out.

  “Stay away from the truck. Last warning,” I said.

  I saw rapid movement from my right and went down on one knee. Bill fired a short burst from his rifle, and took down a man who had run out from behind a tree with a rifle. Everyone else scattered and dove behind the nearest cover.

  “No one else has to die today!” I called out as I raised my rifle.

  I was surprised panic didn’t set in and start a firefight that would have killed many more, but they were either disciplined or too scared.

  I heard the voice of the first man call out, “Don’t shoot! I’m coming out!”

  He stood up, this time without his rifle, and walked toward me with his hands in the air.

  “What’s your name, son?” I asked.

  “Zander Moore.” His voice was shaky.

  I nodded. “Now, would you like to take me up on my generous offer? Or should we just shoot everyone still holding a gun, ram through this, and go on our way?”

  I heard rifles drop around us.

  “Look, we’re not soldiers. We’re just trying to survive. We heard maybe we could get into Toronto.”

  “And so you can. Call a few people over. I’ll give you some cases of water and food, then you can make your way to the city. Just be aware, we’re enforcing basic law and order, and I won’t tolerate trouble.”

  He nodded vigorously.

  We unloaded a few cases of water and MREs while some of the people from the camp disassembled the makeshift roadblock.

  “I look forward to seeing you all in New Toronto,” I said as we climbed back into the truck and drove off.

  “You never cease to surprise me, Mr. Smith,” Bill said.

  “Good.” I grinned.

  * * *

  The rest of the trip was quiet, and we soon pulled up to the school, where I’d decided to store the supplies. I had no intention of turning them over to anyone. People I knew would oversee the distribution to those in need. When we arrived, I saw five soldiers in uniform, waiting, all carrying rifles. She must have gone through with it.

  “Well, this should be interesting,” I said as I climbed out of the truck with Bill and Ted.

  They stood in front of me as the soldiers approached. “Mr. Smith, we need you to come with us.”

  David Marshall and several other members of the Defense Force came out of the school, all armed, and arrayed themselves around the soldiers. They deployed smartly and didn’t create any risk of hitting each other.

  I smiled. “I’m going to be busy for a while. What is it you want?”

  “Jeremy Kent was killed, and Mr. Hammond would like to see you,” one of the soldiers said.

  I put a look of surprise on my face. “What?! Holy shit…how?”

  “It looks like poison. Now please come with us.”

  I shook my head. “I’ll go visit Jonathan when I’m ready. Go back and tell him you tried, but failed.”

  “Sir, I have my orders.”

  Safeties clicked off around them, and they looked around to find themselves outnumbered at least two to one. I had to stifle a chuckle. Leaving the safeties on was an intentional move, so that clicking them off would have a startling effect. It was a small sound, but when the situation was already tense, it could be a strong signal.

  “And I’m telling you that if you try to execute them by force, you will be shot. If you’d like to help us offload this truck, I can get there that much faster. But I’m not leaving until the supplies in this truck are secure in the gym of that school.”

  He sighed and shouldered his rifle. “Okay boys, let’s get to work.”

  I smiled and went to disarm the claymores in the back of the truck, though I had half a mind to let them open it and trigger them just on principle. I was tired of being threatened.

  With the extra help, and under the watchful eye of ten armed members of the Defense Force, we unloaded the truck into the gym, where the supplies would be organized and handled by Donald. Once we were done, we had the soldiers climb into the back of the truck, and Bill and Ted drove us to the plaza. I got out with Bill and the soldiers, while Ted returned the truck.

  * * *

  The soldiers only went as far as the lobby, while Bill and I went up to the top floor. We got out of the elevator and were greeted by four armed guards. We walked past them to the boardroom where I assumed Jonathan would be.

  I was right.

  “Welcome back, Mr. Smith. Where have you been?” Jonathan asked without preamble.

  “We took a truck out to my bunker, and I brought back a load of supplies. I heard about Jeremy.”

  “Yes.” He turned to face me. “Did you do it?”

  I shook my head. “No. Like I said, I’ve been gone. We left yesterday morning and spent the night out there.”

  Bill nodded to confirm my explanation.

  “I see.” He sighed. “One of the cooks from downstairs has disappeared as well. I’m sure it was poisoned food, because Jeremy’s taste tester is dead as well.”

  “Taste tester? Damn, he really was paranoid,” I said.

  Jonathan nodded and sat down as he ran a hand through his hair.

  “Honestly, I’m not surprised, Jonathan. He wasn’t incredibly well liked,” I said as I sat down.

  He nodded. “I know. He was a pain in the ass, but he really was the person leading all of this.”

  I laughed, which caused Jonathan to snap his head up and stare at me. “In charge?” I asked as I stopped laughing. “He didn’t do a damn thing for the good of the people. I won’t lie; I was quite ready to be rid of him, but someone apparently beat me to it.”

  “Do you have any idea who it might have been?” he asked.

  “If I knew, I wouldn’t tell you. I’d probably give them a medal.”

  He threw his hands up and stood to look out over the city. “Fine. I give up. You can bring the former mayor in.”

  I stood. “Reasonable decision. He’s best suited for this. We need to focus on the Anarchists, and let the mayor handle the city logistics. There are likely to be some new arrivals soon, so the number of people to take care of is going to grow.”

  Jonathan nodded but didn’t look back.

  Bill and I went back downstairs and walked outside where Ted was waiting for us.

  “Any problems?” Ted asked.

  I shook my head. “All going according to plan. Let’s head back to the school. Miss Todd and I have to pay a visit to the mayor.”

  * * *

  On the walk back, I noticed that there weren’t as many people wandering the streets. The temperatures were quickly falling, and the only people out were those with a purpose or members of the Defense Force on patrol.

  Back at the school, I found Cindy sitting on the floor outside my office. I left Bill and Ted outside with orders not to let anyone in and walked up to her.

  “Not feeling so good?” I asked.

  She shook her head and continued to stare at the ground.

  “Come in, let’s talk.” I walked past her, unlocked the door, and opened it. I followed her inside and locked the door behind us.

  She dropped into a chair as I walked around and sat behind my desk.

  “Tell me,” I said.

  “Vasco is dead too. He was my friend in the kitchen,” she said. She barely held herself together.

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “He ran, like you said. I don’t know what happened.”

  “It happens, Miss Todd.”

  She looked up with tears streaming down her face.

  “In my job, I never knew why people had to die,” I said. “I was given a list and a timeline. I killed them. Sometimes, other people get in the way. Collateral damage is inevitable.”

  “He was a good person!” she shouted.

  “I’m sure he was, and his death may very well save many people. Jonathan is now in agreement that we should bring Mayor Evans in to handle the city.”

  “Really?” she asked and sniffled.

  I nodded. “Really. I’m sorry you’re feeling the way you are, but I did warn you. That can be your last job of that type if you wish. That would probably be best. You could learn medicine from Doctor Adwani and help people that way.”

  She shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “No rush to decide. Whenever you’re ready, we should visit the mayor and tell him to come in. There’s a lot to do.”

  “Let me go wash up, then we can go.”

  “That’s fine. Come get me when you’re ready.”

  She nodded and left my office, her head still hung low, eyes staring at the ground. Sometimes the greater good doesn’t feel so good in this Fallen World.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Nineteen

  Cindy and I walked out to the dock where we expected to find Mayor Evans. Bill and Ted hung back, but I knew they were watching, just in case. There was the very real possibility that Jonathan would try to take me out to save himself. He wasn’t really in danger at the moment, but he was right to be concerned.

  Mayor Evans stepped out onto the dock, shotgun in hand. “I figured I’d seen the last of you.”

  “We’re here to invite you to come in,” I said.

  He tilted his head and tightened his grip on the shotgun. “Come in?”

  I chuckled. “Yes. To resume your position as the mayor of the city. Opposition has been…reduced, and the path is clear.”

  He grunted. “Do I want to know what you mean?”

  I shook my head. “Probably not. I have things I need to pay attention to, and I can’t do that while I’m worried about whether or not people are eating and surviving the cold.”

  “I need to get my stuff,” he said.

  “I am going to assume that you actually did expect to see me again, and that you’re already packed?” I asked.

  He stared at me and said nothing.

  “He’s like that, Mayor Evans; you get used to it,” Cindy said in a small voice.

  “You okay, Cindy?” he asked.

  She nodded. “I’ll be okay. So, are you packed? We could really use you.”

  He sighed and nodded. “Okay, you’re right. I’m packed. It’ll take a few trips.”

  “I don’t think it will.” I raised my hand and waved forward. A moment later, Bill and Ted emerged from the surrounding area and walked up.

  “What’s up?” Bill asked.

  “Bill, Ted, meet Mayor Hayden Evans. He’ll be coming with us and assuming control of logistics in the city, so we can handle the bigger problems.”

  Evans eyed them warily as they approached and extended their hands.

  “Glad to meet you, Mayor Evans,” Bill said as they shook hands. “If you’ll lead us to your stuff, we’ll bring it into the city for you.”

  Evans looked at me, and I grinned and winked. “I’m always prepared,” I said.

  “So you are.” He looked at Bill and Ted. “Well, right this way. Thanks for the help.”

  They went into the boat, and I looked down at Cindy. “You going to be okay?”

  She nodded. “This feels…good. Like I made a difference.”

  “You did, Miss Todd. Quite a large difference, I think you’ll see.”

  She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Where are we going to take him?”

  “I’m still debating that. I don’t really know who I can trust at Scotia Plaza, so I was thinking the school, for now. I think the people there would be more likely to help keep him safe. Plus, that’s where I just dropped a huge load of supplies. After that, we’ll get his opinion on where he wants to set up. While I won’t take orders from him, or anyone else, I’ll listen to his suggestions and do what I can.”

  A few minutes later, Bill, Ted, and Mayor Evans came out with full arms.

  “We’ll take him to the school for now,” I said.

  “The school?” Evans asked.

  I nodded. “It has power, and I just stored a lot of supplies there. Unless you’d rather trust your security to Jonathan and the rest of the former Obsidian employees at Scotia Plaza. Admittedly, the rooms there are nicer, but…”

  “Oh, no. That’s okay. The school is fine, for now. I’d really like to get back into City Hall.”

  I considered as we started walking. City Hall was only a block north of Queen Street, but it would likely be tough to clear. Two large buildings with independent power from roofs full of solar panels.

  “We can do that, but it’s going to take some effort. I’m sure it’s being used by squatters, trying to survive,” I said.

  “I don’t need the whole thing. It’s a symbol,” Evans said.

  I nodded. “Makes sense. We’ll see what we can do. I think we should also make it public, and well known, that you’re back and in control. Perhaps a small public announcement in front of the plaza, which is now seen as the home of the leadership.”

  “Risky,” Bill said.

  “Very,” Ted added.

  “I like it,” Evans said. “I’m not sure how transparent things have been up until now, but I want people to know that I’m available and will listen to any and all concerns, just as I did when I was in office.”

  I grinned. He’d been preparing for this. “We’ll make it happen once we can set up security. Get settled in today, talk to the people living at the school. Tomorrow, I’ll introduce you to Jonathan Hammond, and we’ll give you a full briefing on the buildings we’ve set up with power, including the hospital. Once you’re fully briefed, I’m going to walk away from that sort of thing and focus on the anarchists.”

 

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