Mass Exodus of the Alamo
A SPECIAL OPERATIONS WARRANT OFFICER SITTING ON A BOX OF AMMO IN THE DESERT NEAR FT. IRWIN, CA
Looks up as a dog comes closer to him
CWO-3 HAWKINS
You alone boy?. Don’t worry I am too. You feel like keeping company before the storm comes? Do ya?
Conitues to pat and priase the dog as another person comes up
DOG HANDLER
Never though that you were that sensitive Chief
CWO-3 Hawkins turns around to see the dog handler and his gear and two more dogs
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Friends of yours?, I presume..
DOG HANDLER
The dog handler comes down from the concrete bunker
Chief, I think the question is why didn’t you take off like the others in the last wave of helos?
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Probably your same reason as well
Saying with a shrug
DOG HANDLER
Someone had to feed the dogs, right?
He shrug and give a pause with a look
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Yea, so you going out by foot, is that the plan?
DOG HANDLER
What’s yours?
Grins..
CWO-3 HAWKINS
I asked first...
Smiles with a chuckle
DOG HANDLER
Sir, They’re are several of us that stayed behind after the base commander released everyone to be dismissed.
Sitting down with the chief
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Partner, The ONLY person that I’m willing to lead in this shit sandwich is myself only and I’ll suggest the same for you.
Pause with a look
DOG HANDLER
I’m not to sure about that, Sir
Point to the dog at his feet
I think she like you , Sir and we are a package deal
CWO-3 HAWKINS
As for you, dog handler...do you even know who I am? running with known psychopaths now, huh?
Using a quizzical look
DOG HANDLER
No, Sir... I hear that you were third-generation Mafia, Sir
Smiling
CWO-3 HAWKINS
WRONG! You rodent. I was built with this base. I am a weapons system,
and there was a cost overrun!
Stern look
DOG HANDLER
You can’t scare me off that easy, chief
Smug look
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Ok, First off, call me Chief, if you have to call me anything, But don’t call me Mr. Hawkins, But don’t call me “POPS” alright?, Then we will get along...
Smiles
DOG HANDLER
Ok.....pops
Smirks
CWO-3 HAWKINS
So, what are the dogs names?
DOG HANDLER
Xxx, xxx, xxx, and I’m SSG Jason Grogan, dog handling unit
CWO-3 HAWKINS
How many left in snake -pit?
DOG HANDLER
We got a few straglers, here and thier, people are still grabbing stuff and getting ready to drive out.
Walks over and sits down next to the chief.
One of the pilots was looking for you earlier, he told me that he is only waiting until.
Looks at his watch
1430 chief...
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Thanks
Looking at his watch ( 1422 displayed )
Was he going to wait on the pad, Right?
DOG HANDLER
Yes, chief
CWO-3 Hawkins begins to leave
DOG HANDLER
Can you take tina for me?, She seems to like you and she replies well to voice commands.
He calls after the chief
CWO-3 HAWKINS
I don’t need any dogs were I’m going
Turning around to address Jason
DOG HANDLER
So, where are you going chief?,...If you don’t mind me asking.
CWO-3 Hawkins stops and adressed him back
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Really..... I don’t know, but I have a plan.
DOG HANDLER
I’m heading east and I got room in the vehicle. The dogs are great company as well as help agianst the ghouls I figure.
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Don’t worry about the ghouls as much as the living
Looking around
CWO-3 HAWKINS
As you can see, those creatures will do just about anything to get what YOU have.
Walking again
CWO-3 HAWKINS
The best advise that I can give you is to stay away from everyone and that includes me
Grins and waves bye
DOG HANDLER
Chief!...If You know something more than the others can you share, hint or just throw me a bone?, Please...
CWO-3 stops again
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Son, the world is going crazy and I don’t want any part of it. No one knows what is really happening only what others tell us.
DOG HANDLER
The world is going crasy, isn’t it?
CWO-3 HAWKINS
I don’t know, all I know is that, like the others, that I want t be with family even thou I only have my sister back in Fairfax county, Va....
Pauses, looks at his watch once again
CWO-3 HAWKINS
I wish you luck trooper, and thanks for the offer of the dog as well.
CWO-3 leaves the area and heads to the Helo pad
Dog handler goes to the stripped barracks area and gathers anything that isn’t nailed down, but if it is nailed down and he can pry it up, then it’s his!
Dog guarding a footlocker
DOG HANDLER
Good girl!
Lifting up the footlocker and takes it to the armored Humvee with a trailer attached to it for the dogs. As he closes the tail gate of the trailer, he looks up to see CWO-3 Hawkins with his foot on the footlocker, while smoking a cigar.
DOG HANDLER
Changed your mind and want that front seat still, chief?. Well you will have to fight annie here for--
CWO-3 HAWKINS
You want a job kid?
DOG HANDLER
Chief, with all due respect. I’m nearly 30 years old and thats hardly a kid.
CWO-3 Hawkins moves his foot off the footlocker as jason grads it and CWO-3 Hawkins helps him lift it into the trailer that is attached to the armored HumVee with barking dogs.
DOG HANDLER
Besides I’m gainfully employed by the Untied States Army,..... Old Man, chuckling.
Spits, holding his stoggie
CWO-3 HAWKINS
When you get to Las Vegas INDOC, You’ll get turned around or shot for stealling the property of said inititution. OR better yet get shot for that is the offense of "desertion" under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and that offense was punishable by death usually via firing squad.
DOG HANDLER
So.....
Pauses with a look
CWO-3 HAWKINS
You might get lucky and gang pressed back into service by the M.P.s or a federal Police unit that need “fresh” bodies for the roits that are breaking out in Las vegas, San fransico, Reno and...
DOG HANDLER
I’ll take my chances chief, I’m not a deserter and suprised that you would be sugguestion anything like this.
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Wise up trooper and think about it...you think that the base commander released everyone here and now. So close to the roits and why?. WEll I’ll tell you why to cover his tracks until this mess blows over and I command doesn’t think that it will end.
DOG HANDLER
Everyone just wants to make sure that thier family is ok
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Yes I agree but why open the F.O.B. and let everyone take everything?. Because he and some of the others already made plans somewhere else.
DOG HANDLER
And...
CWO-3 HAWKINS
So...
Disguisted
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Listen up on the radio..
Turns the radio switch to external speaker. Sounds of gunfire and people telling other to escape and run away from Las Vegas route I-15.
You hear that?....you Want to be part of that so bad huh?
Both sit and listen in silence.
CWO-3 HAWKINS
That sounds like that group that left last night, Task Force 872.
Both sit and listen in silence.
DOG HANDLER
Oh God, that IS tony’s group. Shit, what are we going to do?
CWO-3 HAWKINS
We, we are going to live.
DOG HANDLER
How?. I got orders to report back to Nellis, AFB, NV NLT 1800 OCT 31.
CWO-3 HAWKINS
If you go, you and the dogs will die. Duty only carries so far before death. Now of you want to join those dead people on the 15 so badly then go.
DOG HANDLER
What is your counter offer Old man?
Helocopter warms up in the background, CWO-3 Hawkins Waves, turns back to Jason, grabs his I.D. Around his neck and stares into his eyes.
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Look around you, do you see all this military equipment that is left unsecured?. Strange isn’t it? ALl these LEG units helping us with enginnering tasks and then sent back to thier home units?. THe shit has hit the fan and it’s one helluva mess. But I can use a DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) becuase mine checked out a few minutes ago after finding out his loved one is dead.
Jason shaking his head
DOG HANDLER
Chief, I don’t understand
Grabing a grease pencil, walks to the front of the windshield of the armored humvee.
CWO-3 HAWKINS
You can read a amp right?
DOG HANDLER
Yes, chief
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Good
Writes on window. ST19824372 - “Sanctuary” in railhead NTL 1715 OCT 31 2012.
Helocopter begins it’s wind up.., CWO-3 turns his head from the beginning prop-wash.
CWO-3 HAWKINS
And remember...NO stopping, No helping ANYONE, I say again, NO helping anyone including military units on the base that might be infected.
DOG HANDLER
Infected? With what chief?
CWO-3 HAWKINS
It’s about 15 clicks out, take 45- 90 mins with this choas out here.
Eyes lock
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Your choice
Runs to the Helocopter
DOG HANDLER
Where are you going?
CWO-3 HAWKINS
Recon!, I’Ll see you at Iron horse if you come.
