5 Years After Read online

  “It seemed as good a country as any other.” He shrugged. “There is a strong Sikh community to bond with. It helped me get over this new place.”

  “Why the army?” She queried, ready to retreat if questions became too personal.

  “Through selfless service,” He quoted. “Eternal peace is obtained.”

  “Are you a religious man?” Maggie asked casually.

  “I’m not sure. I think I am spiritual.” He shifted his bulk on the bench and eyed the distant figures briefly. “These days, we all need something to believe in.”

  “You got that right.” She said under her breath but loud enough for him to hear.

  “Two sharp knocks had Maggie jump and almost bring her weapon to bear, Jesus, she thought with alarm. Am I really that wound up?

  “Here to take you back, ma’am.” A voice announced.

  “I’ll be right there.” She called out and stood up. Maggie turned and extended her hand to the rising giant. “I didn’t catch your name.”

  “Private Gurpreet Gupta.” He shook her hand politely and smiled.”It was good talking to you.”

  “Same here,” Maggie headed for the door. “Duty calls.”

  “As does mine, ma’am,” Gurpreet shouldered his rifle and gave a careful scan of the expanse before him. He checked the safety and tested the radio. Satisfied that all was as well as it could be, Gurpreet settled into his shift.

  As Maggie walked over to the transport truck, the heat seemed like a gentle breeze after hours in the school bus. She glanced northbound on the 427 at another school bus that dotted the empty road. The occasional crack of rifle fire broke the monotony. The sight before her could almost have been a post card for its lack of movement. It was a reminder of life then and now.

  The yellow school buses that took children to school were a fixture of the neighborhood and the most normal of normal things. We didn’t use that many buses anymore for that. City streets everywhere were endlessly patrolled by small figures staggering through the avenues of their former lives. Whether it was memory, hunger or instinct was not clear. They would wander until the end of time.

  Schools became temporary hostels for refugees and migrants. Sometimes they became meeting areas for town hall gatherings, anything other than the original purpose. The students were gone now, cut down in the first few years. Some were buried in vast pits while others still wandered. The birthrate had plunged over five years to 0.3 per family. Could you blame anyone for not wanting to bring a child into this world? Maggie shouldered her C7A2 and walked through the heat. A line of sweat found its’ way down her neck while another tickled the calf of her leg. Will we ever need these buses for kids again?

  The thought seemed almost hopeless. Maybe, her eyes followed the cracks in the pavement. That was the word that kept us all alive these days. Maybe

  A breeze from the south brought a fresh thought. A man named Brett Symons. It was one of those flashes that ran through your head for a second and left a warm feeling in its wake. He was wearing a checked blue shirt and they were standing in his parent’s kitchen six years ago. Maggie had just said something funny and he lowered his head as a broad grin took over his face. He shook his head slowly and Maggie concentrated on the rugged profile of his face. When he looked back up the sunlight from the kitchen window caught his blue eyes. Damn.

  Were you still alive? She wondered. Maybe, there was that word again.

  The days seemed to be brighter just a few years ago. Maggie climbed into the truck and nodded to the driver. The gears grinded and the wheels lurched forward suddenly before falling into a steady speed. She felt a melancholy begin to take over inside as regrets began appear in her thoughts. There was so much to say back then. Time had run out so fast and suddenly. She felt inside her pocket and found the smooth plastic of her Blackberry.

  Maggie’s sister had sent her the Blackberry just a year after she had arrived in Canada. It was her treat. A way to stay connected while everything was uncertain. The Blackberry came back into circulation when online activity started to shrink back to messages and small files. They were sturdy, secure and reliable as hell. Cell phone expenses were simply out of reach these days. If service went down, you couldn’t just send a repairman in a truck. You had to back it up with a platoon of troops who were best needed elsewhere. The “must haves” were dwindling from day to day.

  She let her gaze wander to the passing streets. What would all of this have looked like before it went crazy? What was it like before red zones, before the night sky was so black and the morning so foreboding? Everything before five years ago seemed like endless sunshine. Maggie felt that the memories of that time were fading around the edges like old photographs. Maybe it’s just me. Maggie felt the melancholy changing color to an inky black depression. Am I that far gone?

  She started to search the day for a bright moment, something recent and positive to hang on to. Like a rock climber getting a toe hold to prevent falling into a chasm. It was a simple mental exercise that Finerman had taught her to ward off depression and anger. Maggie thought of the warm aroma of coffee in the morning. The temperature of the water had been just perfect bringing out the full body of her morning indulgence. Another memory crossed her path. It was an old fridge magnet she used to have:

  I LIKE MY MEN LIKE I LIKE MY COFFEE – GROUND UP IN PLASTIC BAGS IN THE FREEZER.

  Yeah, that was a way to scare off the boys. Did you just smile? Maggie could feel it on her face as her heart dropped some dead weight. Everything wasn’t perfect. It was far from it. But it was far from over. She concluded as the truck rolled up to their destination.

  Maggie nodded to the driver and walked quickly toward the thick double doors at the entranceway to the squat two storey building. As Maggie approached the glass she was aware of a figure behind her. She opened the door and saluted.

  “After you, sir.”

  “Thank you, Corporal.” The grey haired Captain nodded and went inside.

  There were a few things Maggie missed about being an officer. One was the responsibility. It felt centering to have a little bit more riding on you than the average soldier. Maybe it would happen up here and maybe not. All things must heal, all in good time. As she made her way down the hallway memories of Chicago crept into her again. They were swatted away by the low bass rumble of many voices conversing at once. As she entered the room, every chair was taken. It was standing room only.

  “What the Hell?” She said aloud.

  “New CO,” A voice from behind answered.

  “Anyone we know?” She asked aloud. Before anyone could answer, a tall figure stepped up to the front of the room.

  “A-TEN-SHUN!!!”

  Those who were seated rose and stood shoulder to shoulder with those already on their feet. The room had become a silent forest of ramrod trees composed of human strengths and frailties. Maggie couldn’t put her finger on it. But, there was a taste of anticipation in the air as well.

  “At ease,” The man at the front of the room spoke at the top of his voice to be heard. “Some of you may have heard we have a new CO in this area.”

  A low chuckle worked its way through the room like water through a creek. A couple of shouts of “Yeah!” punched the air as exclamation points to the excitement that was building.

  “Okay,” The man at the front of the room didn’t drag it out. He wasn’t a showman. “Our new CO, The former tough guy from the Ottawa Senators: General Otto Jay.”

  The room erupted like a vocal grenade. It surprised Maggie as her head turned from one face to another. It felt less like a new CO arriving and more like a political campaign. A heavyset man with a blonde crew cut and an almost perfectly square head began to work his way through the crowd, shaking hands and getting slapped on the back. He had one of those wide mouths that seemed ready to make a sarcastic comment. His nose was a bulbous slab of meat that had taken more than its fair share of punches. He was one of the boys, a hero from a league that had suspended play years ago.
The memories still ran deep in the room. Above anything he was a clear and instant boost of morale.

  “Go Sens Go! Go Sens Go!” A few voices from the back of the room started up. She knew a few people in the room and their past affiliations. The Habs fans and Leaf fans didn’t seem to mind too much. They had their hands together.

  “Thank you, thank you.” He spread his large hands out to ask for quiet when he finally had made his way to the front of the room. “Thank you very much.”

  The room became hushed, eager to listen. He was a man who was hated or loved in their previous lives. Now, he was a reminder of that past in a future that needed something to hold on to. Maggie was impressed with the surge of electricity in the room. For this brief moment, anything seemed possible.

  “Boys, ladies,” He nodded to three female officers two rows back from him. “I am here to tell you that the nation appreciates everything you do.”

  It was the same old line. But with the headwind of his welcome, it sank in. Scattered groups around the room seemed to stand taller.

  “I want to let you know you have our confidence.” His gaze played across the room and made eye contact with as many as he could. His voice was thunderous, blood and guts volume. Maggie felt a sense of bonding happening in the room. A promise of hope that was about to become more substantial.

  “I’m going to prove it to you.” He pointed to the center of the room. His shoulders heaved as a spoonful of melodrama was sprinkled into his speech. “The world is losing hope.”

  “So, in a few days we’re going to give them hope.” His commanding voice rose, Jay was going for a tone of inspiration. “The Vice President of The United States and the Secretary General of the UN will be coming to Canada for talks with our Prime Minister about coordinating our efforts.”

  “We’re going to show the world we can take back what is ours.” He was like a card player about to play trump. “The planes of our guests will be landing at Pearson International airport.”

  Uh oh, Maggie almost spoke aloud. Pearson was a stone’s throw from the containment line at 401/427. A small staff in the control tower maintained the GPS beacon and that was all. One of the former busiest airports in North America now cowered in silence for what prowled the streets a few miles away. She returned the looks of others around her. They knew what she knew. The noise would be huge. The sound of jets landing would be a tantalizing reminder and curiosity to any hostile. If you are going to pull the tiger’s tale, you had better have a plan for dealing with its teeth. She raised her hand.

  “Question in the back?” Jay recognized her hand with a suspicious nod.

  “Sir,” She began. “No doubt the General is aware of the noise this is going to create…”

  “Yes.” He cut her off. “We are prepared to deal with the few thousand hostiles that show up.”

  “A few thousand?” Maggie tried hard and failed to keep the disbelief out of her voice

  There was a pause in the room as Jay’s eyes burrowed into Maggie. She returned the look without a blink. He’s trying to stare me down. Go ahead and try. Maggie knew her anger was up.

  “Look.” He turned away from her and played to the rest of the room. “We have learned a lot since those first few days. They have a very limited perimeter of responses. It makes them predictable.”

  You forgot to mention there is one fuck of a lot them. Maggie said to herself.

  “This nation, this world needs to know we can fight back.” He was back to blood and guts again. There were still more than a few in the room that believed it. Maggie glanced around to familiar faces. She saw people starting to make up their own minds.

  “Do you think we would be ordering you to do this if we didn’t think you could do it?” His voice was a call to arms. “You are the best of the best. That is all.”

  A-TEN-SHUN!” A voice called out from beside the stage. Jay waved and quickly made his way to the door. The amicable, sardonic smile was still there. Perhaps it was a bit on the defensive now. The room started to empty slowly with a few engaging in conversation. One or two others seemed to stand alone with their thoughts before nodding to other friends in the room. A voice behind Maggie whispered in her ear.

  “You’re wanted in the CO’s office ASAP.” A voice emboldened by someone else’s authority whispered. Maggie nodded without looking at the source of the order and made her way out of the hall with her rifle slung over her right shoulder.

  She checked her rifle in the waiting room and an assistant gave Maggie a once over disdainful look as he opened the door for her that led to Jay’s office. He was seated behind a large hardwood desk that gave him plenty of elbow room and perhaps the assumption of power. Overhead fluorescent lights illuminated the gloom with a cold glare. The door closed softly behind her as if the assistant was trying to escape before the animal inside awakened. Maggie paid the underling no mind and stood at attention, waiting be noticed.

  “Remain at attention.” When he finally spoke his voice was gravel and ice. The eyes looked up from a motley set of papers and glared at her. Maggie focused on the back of the room as he rose up from his chair. At full height he was intimidating as hell. Maggie was suddenly back in the school yard in Baltimore with someone bigger trying to prove something. Go ahead and try. A calm was coming over her insides. Go ahead and try.

  “I do not taking kindly to insubordination.” He was suddenly a few inches away, glaring down at her.

  “Sir, no insubordination was…..” Maggie began to explain.

  “SHUT UP!” He screamed at her. Spittle from his mouth bathed her face in a fine mist. “While I am here we are not going to sit around on our asses, understand?”

  “Yes sir.” Maggie replied calmly. His face was bent down and two inches away.

  “I’m just wondering, Corporal.” His voice growled and fresh mist bathed her face. Maggie felt the rage in her stomach begin to stir as she listened to the touch of sarcasm directed her way. “What makes you think you’re smarter than the people who came up with this plan?”

  “Front line experience, sir,” Maggie already regretted what she was saying but what the hell. “The planners should try it sometime.”

  “You got a smart mouth, young lady.” His face was turning red.

  Dude, you have no idea. Maggie let off some internal steam. Her rage and Fuck You voice was back and she needed to take a deep breath. Maggie stole a quick look in his eyes and realized that this just might be his plan to re-open Pearson. Damn it.

  “EYES FRONT!” His mouth twisted out the words.

  “Yes sir.” Maggie returned her stony stare into nothingness. She decided to try and mend some fences as a last resort. “May I speak, sir?” Maggie softened her voice.

  “You may not.” He was in her face one more time before abruptly turning away and saying; “Get your pretty little ass out of my office.”

  She saluted, turned on a dime and left. Fuck you and sorry to ruffle your feathers, asshole. But this whole idea sucks. The conversation had been loud enough to be heard everywhere in the building. Fuck you, she caught a few eyes that averted quickly. Her rage was rising quickly and Maggie tried to calm down by taking slow breaths through her nostrils while retrieving her rifle.

  No wonder he’s so pissed off. She smirked and inhaled slowly. I’m probably the first person to ever talk back to him. An exit loomed before her and she pushed hard on the door, grateful to blow off some anger on the door and get a breath of fresh air. Fuck you, I’m still here. Her rage refused to be calmed.

  Maggie reached into her back pocket at the vibration of the Blackberry. Awesome, she really wanted to talk to Molly. Maggie’s forefinger tapped the device and the screen lit up. She flash backed to a time when everyone’s monotonous eyes were glued to these things.

  The message screen popped up:

  Molly: Hey!

  Maggie: Hey GRRRL, what’s up?

  Molly: Just met that southern gentleman General Beauragard from the Republic of West Virginia. OMG!
He has seen Gone With The Wind waaaaaay too many times! LOL!

  Maggie: LOL!

  Molly: How are you?

  Maggie: Shitty right now.

  Molly: ?

  Maggie: Just met the new CO. He hates my guts.

  Molly: Why?

  Maggie: I called him out on re opening Pearson Airport.

  Molly: That’s the airport right near the containment line? Are they fucking crazy?

  Maggie: Yeah, it looks like it was his idea.

  Molly: This sounds bad. Can you come home?

  Maggie: We know I can’t.

  Molly: We could buy you a new name or something.

  Maggie: You know that one day that would come back and get us both screwed.

  Molly: Maggie, I love you and I’m worried.

  Maggie: I love you, too. It will be okay. Who is this Otto Jay, anyway?

  Molly: I’ll find out.

  Maggie: Awesome. You’re the best.

  Molly: Please stay safe, okay?

  Maggie: I promise. Bye now.

  Molly: Bye

  Maggie closed the message app and replaced the Blackberry in her pocket. She was ready to bet whatever military experience Jay had, it couldn’t touch hers. Seven years in the military and five years combat experience was more than Otto Jay would ever have, she guessed. Still, what did the fucker say?

  Get your pretty little ass out of my office. Maggie knew she would be angrier if she wasn’t so used to that attitude by now. The trouble was, you couldn’t just walk out. You would leave one company because it was a boys club and go work for another company and find out it was a boys club, too. Maybe that’s’ why you’re not so mad, it occurred to her. You aren’t the only one going through this.

  “If you don’t mind me saying so, ma’am,” A deep voice said close by. “It looks like you’re not having the best of days.”

  “It shows, huh?” Maggie turned toward the voice and saw Gurpreet a respectful distance away.

  “Not too much.” He assured her, “Just a little.”

  She nodded with a half smile and turned to walk with the large man. His pace was slow and deliberate. It was like his feet were worn out but his body still urged him on. She could sense he was a patient man. Maybe we all get that way after awhile. Maggie’s head hung down as she watched his shadow on the sidewalk beside hers. Perhaps Gurpreet had learned the secret of survival. You just have to outlast the circumstances. It was a wise thought she decided to file away.