Braving the Storms by Kyle Pratt

Author:Kyle Pratt [Pratt, Kyle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780996941211
Amazon: 0996941215
Publisher: Camden Cascade Publishing
Published: 2015-12-07T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty Two

Hansen Armory, Monday, September 28th

About noon, Caden walked across the parking lot still thinking about those who died and the one still missing—Zach. Caden pushed from his mind the thought First Sergeant Fletcher had brought up, that the boy might be wounded and dying, concealed somewhere in the forest.

Caden intended to go home, eat, wash up, and return to the search. He also needed to talk with Sheriff Hoover. Explaining a battle at the edge of town would best be done in person.

He fumbled with his keys and looked up as he approached his vehicle. Three holes punctured the windshield with cracks crisscrossing the rest. A pool of oil threaded off to one side and two tires were flat.

He stared at the car wondering how he might get a replacement.

A nineteen year-old private pulled alongside. “Do you need a ride, sir?”

Caden rode to the sheriff’s office listening to rap music.

Hoover stood in the lobby talking to a deputy. “We’ll deal with the consequences as they appear.” He turned as Caden neared. “I’m glad to see you’re okay. What was all that shooting this morning? I tried to get close with two of my deputies, but your people warned us off. Half the town called 911.”

Caden explained what he could. “So, we had to pull our soldiers from the checkpoints to defend the armory and counterattack.”

Hoover nodded. “A couple hours after your people left, the refugee camp outside of town rioted. I think they knew the soldiers were gone. We couldn’t hold it alone, so I pulled the deputies. The refugees flooded into town. I’m trying to locate the sick people, but it’s probably too late.”

“So, Kern flu is now in Hansen.” Caden sighed. “Do you need my soldiers back on the checkpoints?”

“I suppose we should regain control of them.”

Caden nodded and made a call to Brooks.

A minute later the squad car rumbled up the driveway to the Westmore home.

As Caden climbed from the vehicle, his dad stepped from the barn. “I thought we were done with the days of deputies bringing you home.”

“I thought so, too.” Caden grinned and waved as Hoover drove away. Turning to his father he asked, “Did you hear the shooting last night?”

“A couple thousand gunshots will rouse even a deep sleeper like me.”

“Well, I’m going to need a new car.”

“You all right?”

He nodded.

“I can’t help with your car problems, but I’m fixing the well-house door. Join me in the barn and tell me about last night.”

Caden followed his father to the old tack room which he’d converted into a tool room or, as he called it, the “man cave.”

Caden sat in an old wooden chair.

His dad picked up a screwdriver. “That wasn’t an exercise last night.”

“No.” Caden explained what he could about the soldiers surrounding the armory and trying to guide a missile in. “But Zach shot the laser targeting device and we were able to stage a counter attack. Some got away, but we captured a few.”

His father put down the screw driver and rubbed his chin.

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