A New World: Awakening by John O'Brien

finally overrun.   So far, they had kept the beasts at bay during the night but were worn out from having to do so.
    “We’re based up in the Northwest.   You’re welcome to join us if you’d like,” I mention.   I give a synopsis of our story and a rundown on our situation.
    They look at each other and all shrug as if saying ‘why not.’   “If you don’t mind, I think we’ll take you up on that,” Thomas says.   We share our stories.   Sure enough, both Thomas and Jeremy were prior Army while Laurel was prior Navy and was on her way to purchase a horse when everything went down.
    The early afternoon passes with the storms staying a short distance away.   Their bases have become darker if that were even possible; looking like bruises.   The gusts of wind carry the distinct smell of ozone giving me the indication that they could drift our way.   Echo Team replaces Blue Team on watch.   Soon after, the radio crackles to life once again.
    “Jack, Greg, we have additional company.   They just emerged from behind a hangar over by the tower.   I count fifteen but that could be one or two off.   They spotted us at the same time and went to cover,” Greg reports.   “They’re currently by the tower with what appears to be automatic weapons pointed in our direction.”
    That again gets our attention and we fan out finding whatever cover we can find.   I immediately glass the area by the control tower and see people with muzzles pointing in our direction.   The ones I see are in uniforms and, judging from the barrels sticking out from their cover, they do appear to be armed as Greg reported.   There is about two hundred yards separating us.
    No one makes a move in either direction.   I am still cautious of our marauder experiences.   I’m not sure where their caution is coming from but I certainly can understand it.   We have three teams here with eighteen soldiers and they have fifteen or so.   Depending on various factors, it can come out either way if steel starts being exchanged.   We are definitely more in the open but the parked 130’s provided ample coverage.   We don’t have many flanking options as we have to traverse the open part of the ramp.   We could if we laid down covering fire and gained the upper hand.   However, we could easily find ourselves stuck here if their rounds found vital parts of the aircraft around us.   At least stuck as far as flying options go.
    The standoff continues.   I try yelling to the other group but my voice is carried away with the wind.   At least I assume so as I get no response back; either vocally or from any movement on their side.   I decide that we are not going to get anything resolved in this manner.
    “I’m going out,” I say over the radio.   “If I go down, Red and Blue Team, lay down a base of cover fire.   Greg, you’ll be in charge.   I suggest you take Echo across the ramp under the cover fire and flank them from the hangars.”
    “Are you sure that’s the best of ideas to go out there?   We could just do as you suggest,” Greg replies back.
    “No, I’m not sure but I don’t see where we have a choice.   There’s a good chance the aircraft will be disabled should we exchange fire,” I answer.
    “Okay, Jack, best of luck to ya,” Greg says.   I look to Gonzalez and Horace crouched nearby.   They both nod their reply.
    I hand my M-4 to Gonzalez and rise.   Keeping my hands in the air, I walk onto the open ramp separating the two groups.   I see some activity from the ones behind cover eventually observing an individual rise and walk in my direction.   I take note that he isn’t carrying a weapon.   The ACU-clad soldier and I meet close to the middle of our two groups with the wind whipping around us in gusts.   The storms faintly rumble in the background.   We drop our hands to our sides.
    “I’m Jack Walker,” I say opening up the conversation.
    “Sergeant Prescott,” the younger man replies.   He