Chapter 5: Bigger Fish

While the group completed their rooftop tent structure, the movement of civilians toward them from the riot zones increased drastically. Nap time was over and everyone was called to positions as there were people spotted on all sides of the DealCo. As adrenaline kicked in they were all at the highest alert.

Cars sped by, families were seen running through the streets. People were screaming and fighting each other. It was everything they saw coming and more, yet it was different than normal. The vibe projected from the citizens wasn’t the expected need of supplies, it was terror. They weren’t searching, they were fleeing. They moved away from the city center, from the freeway, from their things.

Confused at first, the multiple explosions of downtown buildings quickly cleared things up for them. The invasion had come, much sooner than predicted.

“Did you guys see that?” Cole radioed to Cano and Ian in the control room.

“See what?” Cano asked.

“I’m pretty sure a tank or three blew up a building downtown.” Cole said, his voice shaking.

“Holy shit.” Brent radioed in from his position on the turret, hidden, watching the front door. “Tell me when it’s coming.”

“No shit,” Cole said. “What should we do?”

“First,” Cano responded quickly. “People are going to try to hide out here. People who are hiding aren’t a threat so no engagement unless we are in obvious jeopardy. We had our practice with those three dudes earlier, this is going to be the real deal.”

“Will everyone radio in their current position or position they are moving to please?” Ian asked.

“I’m on the fifty in the front behind the diapers.” Brent said.

“On the catwalk above Brent overlooking the floor,” Brad said.

“Cole, Topher and I are going to stay on the roof,” Matt said.

“What about Eric?” Ian asked.

“I’m going to secure the van,” Eric radioed in. “Then I’m going to post up at the back entrance.”

Not using his radio, Ian talked to Cano. “I’m going to join Eric, I like having two men at every entrance and exit.”

“Fag!” Cano said laughing.

“You know what I mean!” Ian barked back.

“Yea,” Cano said still laughing. “It’s a good call, I’ll keep you updated.”

Cano turned facing the monitors while Ian left the room to meet Eric.

“Cole,” Cano said over the radio. “Give us an update.”

“I’m pissin’,” Cole said. “Ask Matt.”

“No sign of enemy forces,” Matt said. “I’ll let you know when I get a glimpse of whatever is down there.”

“Any additional tank fire?” Cano asked.

“Not that I can see.” Matt responded.

“How sure are we that was a tank then?” Cano asked.

The radio became overwhelmed with people talking at once. No single person’s statement could be identified, the phrases, “absolutely was”, “saw with my own eyes” and “no doubt about it” were thrown around a few times.

“Ok! Ok!” Cano yelled over them.

“Hey!” Topher interrupted. “I got a live one coming through the parking lot. Make that two….now four...fuck more than that. There are a lot of people coming toward us right now.”

“Are they armed?” Ian asked.

“Not that I can see.” Topher responded while Matt focused on their position also.

“I got a few over here too,” Cole said looking off the other side of the roof. “A few are armed.”

“They are moving in on both sides,” Matt said. “We are going to be surrounded in seconds.”

“Then we need to go silent now!” Cano said. “I have visuals on those in the back. Someone keep watch on those in the front. Will one of you come down from the roof onto the catwalk and post up in the center. Two would be better. Ian, kill the main generators, I’ll keep this one on in here.”

“Already on it,” Ian said.

“I’ll go,” Cole said. “Matt come with me and get my back.”

“I’ll keep watch up here,” Topher said.

“Eric, Ian,” Cano said. “They’re coming up on you fast.”

“There’s a large group coming off the street toward the front,” Topher said. “Get ready guys.”

“I don’t see them yet,” Cano said.

“They will be up there soon,” Topher said. “They are being cautious; a few are drawing their weapons. There's like 20 of them.. They will be moving through the gas station, I hope they don’t see the fuel line.”

“I see them now,” Cano said. “They are trying to open the back door.”

“The garage door?” Matt asked.

“No,” Cano responded. “The little human door next to it.”

“Didn’t we weld that shut?” Brent asked.

“Yes,” Brad replied. “Nothing to worry about.”

“He’s right,” Cano said. “They are moving around the building. The other group has stopped at the fuel line, though I can’t tell if that’s what they are looking at. Topher can you see what they are doing?”

“Yea, I’ll try,” Topher said. “Looks like they are huddling up, they seem to see something. They are looking off to their right…so…the east side of the building. What’s over there?”

“That’s where the other group of people is moving to,” Cano said.

“Well,” Topher stated staring down the scope of his Barrett sniper rifle. “They look pretty suspicious of that other group now. Almost all of them have guns out, most looking through scopes toward that corner.”

“Keep your eye on them Toph,” Cano said. “Looks like the other group has weapons after all. They seemed to have caught a glimpse of the people by the gas station aiming their guns at them. I think it spooked them heavily.”

“Great,” Ian interjected. “So we have two groups of armed and probably highly spooked people facing off right outside our walls? This is not going to go well.”

“Just stay quiet and give them time,” Cano said.

“Yea,” Brent said. “I’m pretty liable to gun fire down here, the second I hear shots I’m pretty sure I’m gonna unload.”

“Damn it,” Cano said. “Please, just give them time.”

“Oh fuck!” Topher yelled as he jumped back from the ledge.

“What?” Cano asked with worry.

“I was looking down at them,” Topher explained. “ A few of the other people were looking at the gas line. As I scanned across their faces I came to one guy who was looking right at me. He totally saw me.”

“Are you sure?” Cano asked quickly. “How do you know?”

“Positive,” Topher responded. “When he noticed me and my gun he jumped back a second and tapped his buddy on the shoulder and pointed at me.”

“He’s right guys,” Cano said. “I see them on the monitors looking at the roof, three of them now. It looks like two others are going around the west side, maybe to flank the other group.”

“What are we going to do?” Brad asked.

“Not sure,” Ian said. “This is only getting worse. What are our chances if this becomes a war zone?”

“Pretty high if you ask me,” Brent said as he gripped the handles of his large machine gun.

“I agree,” Cano said. “We more or less have the jump on them, better positions, though not as many guns or people, we have better guns and better people.”

“Thanks for the pep talk,” Eric said. “Where are they?”

“They just rounded the first corner,” Cano said. “They are holding position now. Wait…ok, they have rounded that corner. The group against the wall has a few people looking forward and back but most are in a huddle right now. Same with those at the fuel tanks. It’s like the calm before the storm. No one seems to be looking at you Toph, but I’m not sure, they are covered well by the pumps and cars we parked.”

“I’ll take a peek,” Topher said as he slowly got into position. "Should I see if a few warning shots will scare them off?"

“The flankers are about to flank,” Cano said. "Only shoot if you think it's completely necessary."

As Topher plopped down his sniper rifle and began looking through the scope the two men who were flanking the group on the wall popped around the corners with guns in hand but not pointed. One of the men from the group by the pumps looked up and saw Topher again. He aimed and fired. Warning shot or not its effect was drastic, even though it didn’t hit Topher let alone the building even. Topher layed off two warning shots of his own back as he jumped away from the edge of the roof. The shots were fired As the group on the wall was startled by two armed men jumping around a corner with guns drawn.

None of them knew who shot or why but it was too late to question any of it. The entire group aimed their guns at the two men and a barrage of bullets pummeled them to the grave. Though the two men got a shot or two off, they hit nothing and were dead before they ever pulled the trigger.

“Whoa!” Brent yelled hearing the gunfire. “What the fuck!”

“Put on your ear protection boys,” Ian said. “This is getting lively.”

“Chill!” Cano yelled. “Everyone chill. The wall group just blew the fuck out of those two flanking dudes. A portion of the group from the pumps has moved to the south wall. They have men at both corners. The other part of the group has moved out of my range. Topher can you see them?”

“Man!” Topher said. “Do you not remember like fifteen seconds ago when you wanted me to pop my head out? It got us into this heightened situation.”

“You’re right,” Cano said. “But they are out of range so let’s take a risk eh?”

“Fine,” Topher said as he stood up with rifle in hand, scanning the area for the moving group from the middle of the roof. “It looks like they are either fleeing or going for a deep flank. They look like they’re headed toward the neighborhood we got the bikes from.”

“Thank you,” Cano said. “Ok so, they don’t know that part of that group moved to the south wall. They are watching the other half run away, across the street, I’m guessing.”

A few moments passed as neither group did anything, then suddenly the group on the north wall ran around the corner to the east side of the building where the entrance was. They swooped in through the hole created by Brad and the truck.

“For those of you who didn’t notice,” Cano said. “They are now inside the building.”

“So,” Topher said quietly. “I bet they think I’m part of that group. I bet they think that they have this place bunkered down.”

“He’s right,” Cano said. “I was just thinking that myself. Ian, Eric, pull up front will you?”

“I’m staying put,” Topher said. “Every time I move something bad happens.”

“That was once,” Cano said. “And yes.”

Ian and Eric moved into forward positions as the invading group entered the DealCo sales floor.

“I can’t hear them,” Cano said. “I think the forward microphone was running off of the main generator. Matt, can you give us ears?”

“Sure,” Matt quietly moved to a corner of the catwalk where he put his weapon down and picked up a large dish microphone. After hooking it into his radio he was able to pick up the soft voices emanating from the intruders. Everyone was able to listen in on the conversation.

“…can’t believe that we killed them.” A man said.

“They shot at us first,” Another man interjected. “They chose their fate.”

“Dog eat dog man,” A third said. “I just can’t believe it went this bad this fast.”

“We’ll I can’t tell friend from foe anymore,” A woman said. “We need to get out of here.”

“It looks like the south wall group is moving around the perimeter,” Cano radioed in. “They found their dead friends; it looks like they are moving in for retaliation....”

“Here?” One of the intruders said. “Here is one of the safest places we can be right now. We are still miles from the incoming forces, even though this place looks like it’s been raided, I’m sure there are still goods here, at least gas. Let’s look around.”

“Should we really be staying in here?” Another asked. “We were just getting shot at, we killed two dudes, and don’t you remember the invasion force? I feel like we need to leave now and fast!”

“Just hold on a second,” another woman said. “Let’s at least look around for ten minutes. You saw the rest of their group run off. It’s safe now.”

“Fuck you!” the first woman yelled. “I’m leaving, I’ll come back during the day if the fucking Korean’s haven’t killed me by then.”

“They’re at the entrance,” Cano said. “Be on alert!”

“This is getting worse,” Ian said. “I’m heading to higher ground.”

“Me too,” Eric whispered.

“Be quick about it, this whole thing is gonna go down in a second if not less,” Cano said.

“Freeze,” A man yelled as he and the other men ran in through the hole with their flashlights and guns aimed at the now horrified woman who was screaming her head off.

The sound of her yelling was violently magnified and projected via Matt’s microphone directly upon Cano’s groups’ eardrums. It was only deafening for a moment until Matt removed the microphone mid scream. There wouldn’t have been much to say anyway because the firefight started a second after the scream ended. Who shot first was unknown but it was the woman who died first and after that it only escalated rapidly.

“Holy shit!” Brent yelled as he jumped down from the turret into a safer position.

“You ok?” Cano asked.

Bullets sprayed through the store; a few struck the mirrored bulletproof glass of the office Cano was positioned in.

“Fuck!” Cano yelled. “Brent, are you ok?”

“Yea man,” Brent responded. “I’m off my mount though!”

By this time the two invading groups had established makeshift positions behind checkout registers and the pizza oven in the food court.

“I have a shot on the guy behind register nine,” Brad said quietly into his mike.

“I can get the two by the hotdog thing,” Cole said.

“Surrender!” a man yelled from behind a counter. “We have you out gunned.”

On the counter the man was hiding behind was a flashlight he positioned toward a man hiding behind a display cart. It was shot off the counter immediately following his sentence by a guy hiding at the returns desk.

“You shot my fucking wife!” a man yelled furiously.

A few more shots were fired and then it went silent again. The dark building now reeked of gunpowder as the deafening bangs of gunfire began a ringing in everyone’s ears. As hearing came back the only noise was the whaling of those who had been wounded and those who were crying in fear.

“What are we going to do?” Brent asked. “I don’t like being stuck here.”

“Well do something about it,” Ian said. “We all have a shot on one or two of them, but they out number us so much that we cant get them all without your help.”

“You aren’t actually thinking of engaging are you?” Cano asked.

“Absolutely,” Ian responded sternly. “We are the only ones who haven’t shot yet and I’m pretty sure this warrants it.”

“Ok,” Cano said. “Anyone opposed?”

An awkward silence was over the radio as the building noise level was still loud with random gun fire and constant screaming.

Brent broke the silence with a new calm in his voice, “If you guys claim targets of the people who are aiming my way and take them down I can get back on this thing and finish this.”

“This endangers everything we are trying to do here,” Eric said. “It needs to be eliminated because there is still an invading army out there.”

“They brought this upon themselves,” Cole said.

“I’ll just sum it up to wrong place, wrong time,” Brent said. “Ain’t nobody shoots at me and gets away with it. We doin’ this or what?”

“Do it,” Cano said as the group was already moving into positions.

Everyone claimed their targets and deep breaths were taken all around. Topher was even able to mark one from the roof, through the hatch behind a register. The plan would be enacted on Brent’s command.

“From my view here,” Brad said looking down on Brent and the action. “If we call your direct line to me ninety degrees, then you need to spray from about thirty to one twenty, I’ll detail you more if necessary.”

“Ok,” Brent said. “Three…two…one…NOW!”

Out of unison they shot, shaky and nervous. For all of them it was their first kill. They did it together as a team and it bonded them in a sense. Those who were not targeted jumped up and turned around as if to look for the shooter. Their reactions, as quick as they were, were futile as they only exposed themselves for the unveiling of the machinegun. Like water out of a fireman’s hose, bullets poured from Brent’s weapon. Everyone kept firing long after the last body dropped; Cole even kept trying to shoot after he ran out of bullets.

“Cease fire!” Cano yelled. “Cease fire! You got ‘em all.”

They all stayed put, staring at the mess they made of flesh and blood.

“Are we clear outside?” Brad asked in a strange tone.

“Yes,” Topher said. “No sign of movement.”

“Good,” Brad said as he projectile vomited off the catwalk.

His vomiting induced the Brent to puke when some of it land on the barrel of his gun. Eric and Matt almost vomited, but were able to hold it in. Cano turned his back to the monitors and put his head in his hands. Cole fell to his knees in tears and Ian patted him on the back trying to console him.

“Is everyone going to be alright?” Cano asked over the radio.

“I hope so,” Brad said.

“Me too,” Matt said.

“Maybe not,” Topher said.

“What?” Cano asked. “What’s wrong?”

“Tanks,” Topher said. “Less than two miles out. They just keep coming. It’s an invasion for sure. You guys should get up here.”

“On the way,” Cano said.

“This just keeps getting worse,” Eric said as he stood up.

“We’ll get through this man,” Ian said. “We got to stay strong and focused. We did what we had to do.”

Eric nodded his head in agreement as he and everyone else headed to the roof. Topher was stationed on the south west corner looking through his scope, staring at the forces moving northward through the city.

“What have you observed?” Cano asked as he approached Topher.

“Clearly they are moving northbound,” Topher answered. “But they seem to be flowing off toward the freeway at every street.”

“Just like that guy said,” Ian stated. “There are taking the freeway intersection.”

“We have movement this way now,” Topher said. “Armor and troop transports.”

“We aren’t going to be able to stay here long,” Eric said.

“He’s right,” Cole agreed. “That force is huge. Sure some of them are going to spread out to flank California or whatever, but they are going to hold this as it is now a key location as they move up to the 8.”

“Who would have ever thought Tucson Arizona was such a strongpoint?” Cano asked.

“Fuckin’ Tucson,” Matt said.

“So what do we do?” Topher asked. “They are coming in hot, less than a mile away.”

“Load clips,” Ian said as he opened an ammo crate.

As they quickly filled magazines an amplified voice was heard. It came from an armored truck looking vehicle with large speakers on the outside.

“Attention citizens,” the deep Korean accented voice said. “This city is now under the control of the KPA. Everyone is to stay in their homes until told otherwise. Resistance results in death.” The voice was a recording and played the few sentences in a repeating loop.

“They are checking every building,” Topher said watching men run out from vehicles to homes and businesses and back again.

“Should we get in positions?” Matt asked.

“No,” Cano responded. “We should stay on the roof. With the lights they have they would surely see us within.”

“What happens when they go inside then?” Cole asked. “We wont be able to see them or know what they are doing.”

“I’m banking on them leaving after viewing the mess we left in the front of the store,” Cano said.

“That’s perfect cover,” Ian said. “I’m sure they will just look around, be shocked and bothered and leave.”

“What about the fuel line?” Brent asked.

“Holy fuck,” Cano said. “He’s right.”

“If they see that,” Ian interjected. “They will pay way more attention to this place.”

“I’m on it,” Brad said as he ran down the hatch.

“Holy shit!” Cole said. “What the fuck is he doing?”

“Saving our asses,” Cano said to Cole. He then radioed to Brad. “Tell me when you’ve got it disconnected; we’ll pull it in from here.”

“Will do,” Brad said as he came down from the catwalk. He opened the rear garage door and walked by the two dead men outside, stopping only for a second to look at them then continuing on his mission. He ran to the fuel line and began removing it from the underground tank.

“Get ready Brad,” Topher said. “You got like thirty seconds.”

“Line’s out!” Brad said as he started moving the heavy cover back over the fuel tank hole.

“Brad,” Topher said. “You’re out of time.”

“Run you mother fucker!” Cano yelled over the radio.

“Quiet,” Topher said. “They are going to pass…Brad what are you doing?”

“One second,” Brad said as he finally got the cover back on. “No time to run, I’m going to have to hide.”

Brad ran from car to car until he found one that was open. He jumped inside milliseconds before lights shined on his position. Those looking over the side of the roof got back and everyone sat motionless as the recording got louder and louder. Bright spotlights focused on the building, the roof, the fuel station and vehicles in the parking lot. The crushing noises of tank treads against pavement stopped as the Korean convoy came to a halt.

“Brad,” Cano said. “Can you see what’s happening?”

“Yea,” Brad said as he positioned the rear-view mirror for a view out of the car. “They stopped in the intersection and troops are fanning out across the block. Looks like about five will be headed your way. They will be passing me in a second.”

Everyone was silent for a few seconds that felt like hours until Brad gave them an update.

“They are entering the building,” Brad said.

It was only about twenty seconds that the Korean’s were inside the DealCo. When they came out they were yelling in Korean all the way back to their convoy.

Brad laughed as he radioed to the group, “They are explaining the traumatic scene they saw inside to their commander I’m sure. They want nothing to do with this place.”

“Perfect,” Cano said. “I trust you’ll tell us when it’s safe to move again?”

“For sure,” Brad said as he kept watch on the invasion force that stood less than a football field away.

“This is fucking ridiculous,” Cole said. “We have to get out of Tucson.”

“I agree,” Matt said. “But where are we going to go?”

“The Biosphere,” Ian said.

“That’s a great idea,” Cano said. “This place will keep us sustained until we can venture out there.”

“Why not leave now?” Topher asked.

“Because I think we need a fuel truck,” Cano said. “There isn’t much at the Biosphere, if anything, and as much as I want to go there, I don’t want to be stuck there without gas.”

“Agreed,” Ian said. “This is probably a standard attack spread that will be pulled back as forces start moving toward Cali.”

“Right,” Cano said. “So once they move back we will send out the bikes and find one. How long will it take to fill?”

“Hopefully it’s already full,” Ian said. “But if completely empty it could take hours with the equipment we have.”

“So we have to make room inside,” Topher said.

“Yes,” Ian confirmed. “There is nothing more we can do right now. We just have to wait and play it by ear.”

No one spoke after that. They all just laid there. The sounds of the tanks and other military vehicles passing by made it clear that there was nothing they could do. Hours past as the group spent the night on the roof, if nothing else they at least now had time to sleep. Brad stayed alone in the car, he positioned himself on the floor of the back seat, listening, waiting and praying.

Chapter 4: Social Tsunami - Chapter 6: Slipping Away