Shelby Gallagher - The Rescue

by

Post-Apocalyptic Fiction & Survival Nonfiction

www.PrepperPress.com

This is a work of fiction. Characters and events are products of the authors imagination, and no relationship to any living person is implied. The locations, facilities, and geographical references are set in a fictional environment.

A Great State: The Rescue

The third book in the A Great State trilogy.

ISBN 978-1-939473-92-9

Written by Shelby Gallagher

Copyright 2019 by Shelby Gallagher

All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America.

Prepper Press is a division of Kennebec Publishing, LLC

Glen,

Thank you for sparking off this trilogy with a hammer.

I love you, Shelby.

Steve opened his eyes to the dome light inside his car. He was reclined in the drivers seat and Addison was asleep on his chest. Her head rested just below his chin, and he inhaled her sweet, baby scent. The early morning sun poured into the car and he was surrounded by silence.

He had struggled to make it through his first night in the SUV, after spending many restless hours trying to get comfortable and relaxed enough to sleep. Hed had minimal success in the sleep department, particularly due to the dead silence of the junkyard, which was a quiet Steve was unaccustomed to. After two months of living with the constant hum of city noise and traffic, the silence was deafening.

Yet in the silence, Steve was certain he heard something. He struggled against the urge to sit upright, which would alert anyone outside of the vehicle to his presence. Steve slipped his right hand under his thigh and felt the hard handle of the knife. He gripped the knife, pulling it from beneath him, and laid it between his legs, still in its sheath.

Slowly, he rolled to his right and gently laid Addison in the front passenger seat. She cuddled into the curve of the seat as if it were a human body. Steve took the knife and continued to roll to his right until he was on his stomach. He slowly lifted his head up until he could peer out the windows and see what was out there making noise.

At the rear of the SUV stood the same man from several nights ago, with the same distinctive beard and jean jacket. He wore a khaki ball cap and aviator glasses.

Dude, I know you have the knife. I gave it to you, remember? Dont even think of it. Open the back, the man demanded as he tapped on the window.

Who the fuck are you? Steve hissed.

Your chauffeur. Pop the back. Now, the man demanded again.

Hes early. I didnt expect him now, Steve thought, his mind racing. He hadnt been expecting his escort north for a few more days. Yet this was the same guy who had delivered the knife he asked for.

Dude. Your dad is Bentley. Your baby is Addison. Were going to Pierce Point soon. Open the fucking door, or Im out of here.

Steve felt his shoulders relax. No one except Amanda and Jody knew that information.

Why are you here before the agreed time? Steve asked as he cracked the side window.

Need to prep you and the vehicle. Need to store gear, the man answered back. Last time. Open the door.

Thump. The SUVs hatch slowly rose, and the man watched it lift.

Dude, youre a sitting duck sleeping in plain view like this. Youre lucky no one saw you last night, the man said as the door reached its peak.

Steve had no answer. He had figured he was hidden just by being in the junkyard.

Call me Shawn. This car needs work. A lot of work, Shawn said as he began pulling the few items in the back of the SUV out onto the ground.

Steve watched intently. He didnt know what to do except watch.

Shawn cleared out almost everything until the entire back hatch was empty. Then he threw in a large duffel bag and tossed a tarp over everything. He walked away for a few moments and returned with full garbage bags. They were dusty and dirty.

Come here, Shawn ordered, pointing his gloved index finger at Steve and motioning it toward him over his shoulder.

Like an obedient dog, Steve quickly exited the drivers door. As he approached the rear of the vehicle, Shawn pointed to the tarp.

Crawl under, Shawn commanded.

Steve didnt move.

Wise to be suspicious, though Im your ride. Try this. Your entire inheritance is funding this little effort to get you and that baby to Pierce Point. My job is to get you there, though I get paid regardless of whether that happens, Shawn said in a monotone, staccato tone. I am not going to kill you. But you make me repeat myself one more time, and I might punch you before I head to my next job. Shawns expression was stoic as he pointed to the space next to the duffel bag and under the tarp.

Steve grabbed the edge of the entrance and slowly slid into the SUV, tucking himself under the tarp. He watched Shawn work quickly to place paper garbage all around him.

Where is your stuff? Shawn asked.

Steve pointed to the front passenger seat, and Shawn went to the front of the car. Steve felt himself grow apprehensive, knowing that Addison was in the passenger seat. Shawn hesitated as he looked in the passenger window and noticed Addison. He quietly opened the door. Shawns head disappeared into the foot space to pull out Steves bag and Addisons supplies. Shawn closed the passenger door, not making a sound.

How does he do that? Steve wondered, impressed by Shawns stealthy movements.

Shawn walked around the car and opened the door behind the drivers side. He levered the drivers seat upright and tucked the bags behind the seat under the tarp and trash. By the time Shawn was done, the cars interior was full of trash.

You crawl into that void at night when you sleep. Take the baby with you. Look aroundthis now looks like a car that belongs in a junkyard, not a car parked in a junkyard. Shawn pointed as he spoke.

He bent over into a large, black duffle bag, and pulled out sheets of metal and a vest. From Shawns exertion, Steve quickly surmised that the equipment was heavy.

Grab that car seat and come here, Shawn said, motioning to the back of the car.

Steve immediately complied.

Shawn moved confidently and quickly. Spread out your arms, Shawn commanded, and slid a heavy vest onto Steve.

Steve immediately felt the pull of the twenty pounds of level IV body plates. Steve stood still as Shawn strapped the Velcro enclosures for the armor.

Shawn looked up at Steve, and half punched him in the chest. Feel good?

Steve coughed. Uh yes. Protected.

Shawn didnt wait for Steve to answer. He grabbed the car seat and started peeling off the cloth cover. Carefully, he fitted various-sized plates he had over the back and sides of the bucket of the carrier, until he found sizes that fit. Next, he took straps and tightened the plates down to the seat using holes already in the seats frame. Before putting the cloth cover back on the seat, Shawn laid down a piece of cloth that had velocity backer written on a label.

What is that for? Steve asked.

If that plate gets hit, Shawn said, pointing to the metal plate, it might splinter and cause spalling spalling is like shrapnel. That is a layer to protect from spalling.

Steves felt his eyes grow large. Well, I would imagine that the vests already have that inside, Steve stated, trying to sound knowledgeable.

No, Shawn said, unflinching.

Steves eyes grew bigger. Oh.

Grow a pair, dude, Shawn said. Of course it does. Everyone on this detail has the same armor.