To Steal a March (Surviving the Fall 11)

“That,” Palmer replies, “is still an incredibly small bullseye. And once we land in the water, what are we supposed to do to get to shore? Swim a couple of miles with the module in tow?”

“Build some makeshift paddles, stand on the sides and row in?” Jackie shrugs. “What’ve we got to lose?”

The mention of paddles triggers an old memory in Palmer, of when he and his grandfather used to go fishing. The memory is old and vague and worn out, but one specific detail surges to the forefront of his mind. He looks up at Ted. “Change of plans. Jackie, you’re taking care of the loading plans solo. Ted, come with me. I’ve got a new job for you while I’m wor

king out the deorbit calculations.”

“New job?” Ted glances at Jackie has he passes her the clipboard. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, you’ll see.”

Chapter 5

The Waters’ Homestead

Outside Ellisville, VA

“This is hopeless!” Mark kicked at pieces of one of the broken kitchen chairs in frustration, then sat down in one of the two unbroken ones with a sigh. The last few hours of darkness had been spent combing the house for supplies, but what they found had been less than encouraging. Most of the obvious supplies—food stashed away in cupboards, for instance—had been taken by the intruders. They hadn’t been subtle or gentle in their smash and grab, choosing to rip doors off of hinges and put their boots through anything breakable as they searched the house from top to bottom. The end result was a home that had been ripped apart, its innards torn to shreds in an effort to take anything that looked useful or valuable.

“It’s not hopeless, Mark.” Tina forced a smile. Behind her, Jason shuffled in from the dining room with a small box of medical supplies.

“They missed this under the table. I assume it’s from when you all were treating me.”

Tina rifled through the box before nodding and sighing. “Yeah. Not a whole lot in here but it’s worth keeping just in case.”

“How’s the basement look?”

“The plants are all overturned and half the equipment was crushed. I didn’t look at it too closely but I think it’s salvageable. It looks like they completely missed the tunnel, though. The doors weren’t even scratched.”

Jason shook his head. “How on earth did they manage to do that?”

“Guys…” Mark spoke again, bothered by Jason and Tina’s calm conversation. “Why are you acting like nothing happened? We only found a couple weeks’ worth of food and water, and we only have a pair of rifles, a bow and a few pistols. How are we going to rescue Mom and the others with just this?”

Tina knelt down next to Mark and wrapped her arm around him. His breaths were fast and his heart was racing and she sensed that he was growing close to having a breakdown. “Mark. Listen to me.” Her voice was soft and soothing, and Mark put his arms around her, feeling tears pouring unbidden from his eyes. “Your mom, brother, sister and Mrs. Statler are going to be just fine. If these guys wanted any of them dead they would have done it when they broke in. That means they’re going to be fine, you hear me?”

“How are they going to be fine?” Mark’s voice cracked. “You don’t know that.”

“Because they’re strong. And because we’re going to find them.”

“But how?” Mark pulled away and wiped his eyes and nose with his grimy shirt sleeve, smearing dirt across his face. “They took our truck.”

“We’ve all got two legs,” replied Jason, “so we’ll use them. And with what we did to their little operation at the gas station, I wouldn’t be surprised if they set up shop somewhere else so maybe we won’t have to go quite as far.”

“Jason,” Tina stood next to him, whispering to try and keep Mark from hearing, “are you sure you can handle walking long distances?”

“Just don’t ask me to climb any mountains or go up a bunch of stairs. I’ll be fine.” Jason patted at his wound. “My legs are fine, but I just get out of breath easily. I’m good to go, though.”

“Then let’s go.” Mark stood up suddenly, wiping the last remnants of his tears away. “It’s already been a few hours and we need to go after them while the trail’s still hot.”

Jason chuckled and patted Mark on the shoulder, nodding in agreement. “You’re right. We should go.”

“How are you so calm about this, Mr. Statler? I mean, they have my family and your wife. Why are you so calm about it?”

Jason’s smile slowly faded away and his expression grew serious. “Because I have to be, Mark. Because I have to be.”

***

The gate across the driveway squeaked loudly as Mark tried to shut it, only to find that the chain that had once held it in place was severed into three separate pieces. He draped the longest piece around the gate and the post and wrapped it around itself, trying to keep it closed. Out in front, Tina and Jason continued toward the main road, both of them with packs on their backs and rifles held tightly in their hands.