Chapter 3FUBAR - Wednesday, June 6th - Thursday, June 7th
Clayton’s eyes were closed, but he could tell someone was shining a very bright flashlight into his eyes. He moved his head aside and slowly opened his eyes. The whole campsite was as bright as day. He glanced at his watch and saw it was 2:00am. Not the right time for the sun to be shining. He quickly came up out of his bag and looked around. The bright light was coming from the south, and it wasn’t the sun. It appeared to be on the horizon, but the sun doesn’t rise in the south, and it never does so at 2am either.
“That’s where Atlanta is”, said McAfee as he approached John, rubbing sleep from his eyes. “I wonder what is going on”, he added. “I was on watch and facing north, when suddenly, I not only saw the forest light up with the brightness, but I felt it. It was sudden and surprising.”
“If I wasn’t mistaken, that sure looks like a nuclear detonation”, said Sargent Sumpson, “What the fuck is going on? I was facing almost towards the south and I’m having trouble seeing right now. Just giant spots in front of my eyes.”
The Lieutenant came over and started ordering the men to pack their gear, but they had all already moved into action as soon as they realized something was not right. Within three minutes, they were packed and ready to go. “We have to head back to the road and see if we can find the Humvees.” Said the Lieutenant. “Roger that,” they all replied together as they made a quick check of the map, checked their compasses and started back down the way they had come up at the end of the day. Each man had a worried look on their face and Clayton didn’t know what had happened, but he planned on finding out.
The seven men had navigated in the dark until actual dawn arrived, then continued on after a short break to eat some food and refill their canteens. They covered ground quickly as they made their way back to the drop off point. The group was walking down an old fire road that led to one of the forest roads. The afternoon sun was dappling through the trees as they moved along. As they saw a lightening in the trees ahead that signified a clearing, Clayton spoke softly to Corporal McAfee, who was on point, telling him to hold up for a minute. They all gathered around in a circle.
Clayton wanted to approach with caution. Through the trees, they could see a small parking lot, and it appeared that there were some cars in the lot. As they had started down the hillside a while back, Clayton had heard what sounded like a car door slamming.
“LT, I think we should do a reconnaissance first, before we enter the parking lot,” suggested Clayton. “I think I heard activity coming from the clearing as we came down the hillside.” “What could be there besides someone who can help?” Was the LT’s reply. “We don’t need a reco.”
“LT, the world has just become fucked up beyond all repair. Nothing is as it was just 10 hours ago. I’m pretty sure we have been attacked and we are now probably at war.” Was Clayton’s response. “I highly recommend a cautious approach. We have limited weapons and no reason to blunder into the area.”
At this point, Corporal McAfee moved back to the circle. He had done his own, short reconnaissance and thought he had seen something. “I’m pretty sure there is a Humvee parked in the lot. It appears to be in the middle of the lot, but I couldn’t tell if anyone was in it or near it,” the Corporal reported. “That’s settled then, our rescue is at hand gentlemen, follow your leader back to civilization.” He announced as he started forward.
Clayton was still hesitant. Something wasn’t right. He motioned to McAfee to go with the LT and then looked over at Kell to get his assessment. He nodded his head and looked to PFC Webber, signaling for him to stay put and stay near him. John Looked at Masvanni and Taylor and did the same.
Lieutenant Pierce moved along the trail and entered the parking lot. He immediately sees the Humvee in the lot and two men in uniform are standing next to the vehicle.
Pierce starts walking faster and says, “Boy, am I glad to see you guys. I’m going to need to take your Hum..” The one on the right raised his weapon and sent a three-round burst into the LT’s chest. Everyone froze for a second, not understanding what was happening.
McAfee spun around and started running back towards the woods. Another burst of rifle fire brought him down.
Clayton signaled to Kell, who grabs Webber and starts moving to the left. Trying to circle around the parking lot. Clayton and Masvanni headed the other way, drawing their knives, the only weapons they had. Clayton ordered Taylor to stay put and remain alert.
Clayton advanced to the clearing from the woods and heard the Humvee driving off.
Kell and Webber appear across the way and the group converges where LT Pierce fell.
A quick check confirms their suspicion that he had been dead when his head bounced off the ground.
McAfee is still alive, but he had been hit high on his back and when they turned him over, blood was frothing out of his mouth and there was little they could do with their small first aid kit to help.
Masvanni pulled a morphine ampule from his kit and gave him a quick shot. As the Private started digging out some bandages and started working on the Corporal, McAfee’s breathing slowed quickly and after about a minute, ceased altogether. McAfee was dead too.
“We really need to figure out what the fuck is going on,” says Private Taylor, who had come up to the others. His voice was a high pitch whine, which showed his fear. “My family lives in Atlanta. I need to go see what happened.” He added with a whimper. “We’ll figure it out soon enough Private,” replied Clayton. “Something really bad is happening out there. Who were these grunts? Their uniforms looked like ours, but from what I could see, there definitely was something that wasn’t right about them. We need to assess what we can do and be careful in our movements and interactions with anyone we encounter. But first, we need to take care of these two,” John added, nodding to the LT and McAfee. “We can’t take them with us, but we won’t leave them to the animals. Let’s get started on some temporary graves. We will come back for them when we have sorted out what is going on.”
They wrapped the men in their ponchos and placed them inside their bivvys before digging one large hole about three feet deep. They carefully placed the two KIA soldiers into the pit and covered it with dirt. While three men were filling the pit, two others walked down to a nearby creek and started bringing back football sized stones to cover the pit. This would protect the area from digging animals and also act as a marker for the graves, making them easier to find when the time came. After that detail was complete, they all moved to a small clearing within the woods and gathered in a circle. They each took stock of what they had amongst themselves. Figuring out what they had and how long it would last. They had gathered the LT and McAfee’s gear and took stock of what they each had. Each man now only had one MRE and a random food item from the dead men’s issue. They still each had a knife and Clayton still had the hatchet and Sgt Sumpson still had his shovel. Taylor had the maps and Webber the tarp. Masvanni still had the large combat first-aid kit, but it was a little more depleted than it had been yesterday. The LT had a satellite signaling device that had the ability to send an SOS signal back to the training base and also send text messages back and forth. It hadn’t worked since the bomb had gone off. It turned on, but all it would do was flash the word “searching…” in a continuous effort to find a satellite. Shit was getting real. Even though it wasn’t working now, Clayton stowed it in his ruck, hoping it would start working later. “We need to head off the mountain and get to a town or village. Find out what is going on.” Clayton said to the guys. “I think we should head towards Atlanta.” Taylor interjected. “I need to find out if my family is still alive. Whether they still exist or if they are just dust in the wind.” “I don’t think that is a good idea, Taylor. If that was an atomic bomb, there will be fallout to be careful of and avoid. Once we get to somewhere that has information, we will find out what has happened to your family.” Clayton went on. “That’s the mission.”
“With all due respect, Sarge, fuck the mission.” Taylor shouted, as his voice broke with emotion. “I need to know now.”
“Private, you will do as ordered. I promise you we will find out, but we will stay together and continue to work as a squad. Watch team Bravo. On duty and when I last checked, still in the Army.” Clayton used his command voice to show he was serious. He was pretty sure that Taylor wouldn’t find good news, but he made it his duty to find his family when the time was right.
Taylor moved off to the edge of the clearing, staring to the south, a firm and determined look on his face. They gathered the gear, each taking their parts. They studied the maps and decided to head northeast. There were a couple of small towns just over a few of the nearest mountains. They would head to one of them and find out what was happening.
The day was almost over. After walking a few miles, Clayton decided to camp for the night. Once again there would be no fire. The men only ate something small. It was now time to ration what they had. They didn’t know how long they would be out there now. No one was going to be picking them up in two days. They had to make things happen themselves. The survival training had become real survival.
Since there were only five of them now, they would be standing a one man watch. Taylor volunteered to take the middle watch. They didn’t plan on getting a lot of sleep that night, anyway.
As the woods became dark, Clayton sat and looked into the shadows of the green forest. Once again wondering what had happened and what his family were doing back at home on the old farm. He reached into his shirt as worry filled his soul and clasped the pouch he was wearing. Thinking about Lori and the kids. He hoped that whatever had happened, hadn’t affected them, but didn’t feel confident in that hope.
The forest is pitch black. Clouds have rolled into the area and are blocking the waning gibbous moon that had risen before midnight. It is so dark; it is difficult to see your hand in front of your face. Four soldiers lie sleeping in a circle. I fifth is sitting off to the right about 10 meters away. The fifth man is Pvt Mike Taylor. His ruck is beside him and his headlamp wraps around his forehead.
Pvt Taylor stands, dons his pack and walks towards the edge of the clearing, he looks back at the sleeping men. None of them stir. It had been a long and tiring day and exhaustion has taken each of the men in the circle. Taylor looks back into the woods and clicks on his headlamp in the red light function and starts walking into the woods. His direction is south. Heading towards Atlanta. His duty now is to find his family. Fuck the mission. Fuck the Army.
Some hours later… The wood thrush starts his morning routine. Singing his favorite songs. Making the forest sound like a pleasant place that had been dark and scary not long ago. The sun is just starting to light the horizon to the east and visibility is increasing.
Sargent Sumpson approaches Clayton. Gives him a little shake and says “Taylor is gone.”
Clayton comes awake and looks around. “What?”
“He didn’t wake me for the last watch. I woke when I heard the birds start up and he was nowhere to be found. I looked around some and it appears that he headed off to the south. The brush is disturbed going that way. His pack is gone too.”
Clayton got up out of his bag and went to the edge of the clearing. A clearly discernible path through the underbrush was heading off to the south. “I guess not knowing was eating at him too much. It’s wrong and if we see him again, there will be consequences to his choices, but I’m not going to go after him. I understand his motives. I want to get back to my family just as bad.”
“Roger that.” Kell Sumpson said. “Let’s get packed and ready to go Oscar Mike in twenty minutes guys.” he directed at the remains of the squad.
The four men ate a quick breakfast of some power bars, packed their meager gear and were ready to start another day of humping through the forest. Seeking other people that weren’t the enemy. Seeking answers.