The Last Layover Read online

  In addition to the observation stands, Evan used motion activated hunting trail cameras in the more remote locations, and wired security cameras closer to the house. The monitors for these cameras were co-located with the radio base station. Additionally, an infrared camera system was used on each side of the home for nighttime security. All of the cameras, the radio base station, and the hand-held radio charging stations, were primarily powered by a bank of batteries that were continuously trickle-charged on the house's emergency electrical circuit. This circuit was connected to normal house power with the automatic start and switchover diesel generator. This gave three levels of power continuity to the Baird's communication and observation security plan.

  As for physical security, being a well-built, older brick home gave the structure a natural basic level of physical security. The two aboveground floors were fortified with steel security doors that, to the average person, were merely normal decorative exterior doors. Evan also reinforced all of the door jams with steel hidden underneath decorative wood trim. Six welded steel hinges, painted to match the white trim, held the doors directly to the steel reinforcements. The idea was to keep the house from looking like a prison, while providing an extra level of physical and ballistic strength. Any unsuspecting “city rat” that ventured out that far would have a rude awakening if they tried to kick in a door.

  The exterior windows all looked normal to the naked eye; however, Evan had custom-made functional steel shutters covered with a decorative veneer. They could be closed when needed, essentially armor-plating the windows. Each side of each shutter also had a decorative cross designed into them to use as a shooting port once the glass window was opened from the inside. As a big fan of the western film genre, Evan admittedly borrowed this idea from the classic Clint Eastwood movie “The Outlaw Josey Whales.”

  In addition to the hardened forms of physical security that the Bairds had installed, they also planted Pyracantha, or “firethorn bush,” around all of the lower level windows. The firethorn bush contains thorns that leave a painful burning sensation on contact that lasts for hours. This would help create a natural defensive barrier that would merely look as if the Bairds had a penchant for landscaping rather than defense. Once a would-be-intruder encountered the firethorn bushes, they would either retreat, regroup, or be somewhat contained for the Bairds to deal with as necessary.

  In the event the Bairds needed to egress through one of their own lower level windows, they cut sheets of three-quarter inch thick plywood to the size of the windows and located several of them in convenient, yet out-of-the-way locations, around the home. They could then simply throw the plywood out the window, creating a bridge to clear the bushes on their way out. They knew the same tactic could also be employed by intruders attempting to enter the house in order to defeat the defensive nature of the firethorn bushes, but they figured this would at least keep the unprepared intruder at bay while they dealt with them. If a more planned and prepared team made a coordinated assault on the house, the bushes would more than likely only provide a minimal level of deterrence.

  The finished basement was secure by design. The doors from the outside, as well as the inside of the house, were similarly reinforced, creating a safe room if someone breached the interior of the home. With that in mind, all of the communication and observation equipment was located there, as well as cots, food, water, medical supplies, and a gun safe. Additionally, the basement was separated into a main open space, a bathroom, and an additional room that could be used as a quiet room for sleeping or for additional storage. This was the planned “bug in” room during any security threat that didn't require or allow an evacuation of the home.

  In regards to their defensive response capabilities, Evan had a substantial firearms and weapons collection that could be employed as necessary. His collection had been a work in progress for many years. He had numerous non-tactical firearms that included both classic and modern muzzle loaders, bolt-action hunting rifles in various calibers such as .30-06’ Springfield, .308 Winchester, and .300 Winchester Magnum. In addition to these, he had a few lever-action cowboy style rifles chambered in calibers ranging from .45 Colt to .30-30 Winchester and a hard hitting, old school .45-70 Government. Evan fondly referred to his .45-70 as “thumper” due to its high mass projectiles traveling at low velocities. It was truly a knock down rather than shoot through gun.

  He had an assortment of tactical guns as well. A few years back, before the gun control scare of 2012, Evan had the foresight to pick up ten VZ2008 rifles, imported by Century Arms International (CAI), while they were going for just over three hundred dollars each. VZ2008s were CAI's sporting name for the Czechoslovakian made VZ58. The VZ58 was a rifle that the Czech's developed in order to play along with the Soviet's mandate of the use of the 7.62X39 intermediate cartridge. Unlike most available AKs and AKMs, VZs were made on a milled steel receiver rather than stamped sheet metal. They also had a very unique bolt design that opened the entire top of the receiver when cycling to eject the spent shell casing. This design had several benefits that attracted Evan. First, there was no exposed ejection port. The gun appeared to be completely sealed when the bolt was forward. This helped keep any loose debris, or other contamination, out of the weapon. Secondly, it seemed nearly impossible to get a fail-to-eject malfunction as the top of the gun was wide open during the rearward movement of the bolt, rather than merely having a constricted port to allow the spent casing to be expelled from the action. The VZ58 also had a last round bolt hold open, unlike the AK pattern rifles. This saves the step of cycling the action on reloads, as is required with the aforementioned design, as well as helping the user to immediately identify an empty magazine.

  Basically, Evan felt that this design gave the quality and functional benefits of the AR platform, with the ballistics and the availability of the lower cost ammunition of the AK platform. After the gun control scare of 2012, 5.56/.223 had been very hard and expensive to come by, whereas 7.62X39 Russian was still widely available in bulk. Also, considering that steel-cased Russian ammo was nearly half the price of the quality brass-cased ammo that the AR platform needed for reliable function, it made the VZ58 economical to stock up for as well. Evan also stocked up on VZ58 magazines as they would not function in an AK/AKM platform rifle. He felt this would make any of their “throw down” mags useless to most adversaries as the VZ58 was nowhere near as proliferated as the AK/AKM.

  Evan also had several AR and AK based rifles. Most were in the common to the type calibers, but a few were in special configurations such as one AR in .450 Bushmaster, one in .300 AAC Blackout, and one AR lower with a Tactilite T1 single-shot bolt-action .50 BMG upper. Each of these guns had their uses, but he planned on the VZs being his SHTF guns. He could outfit everyone at home with a matching gun, ammo and magazines. Their small size and light weight, with the simple folding stock, made them ideal for all day carry, even by smaller framed family members and friends. The other rifles could, of course, be called upon when needed, or when the conditions specified a particular round or capability.

  When it came to handguns, Evan had myriad different revolvers and semi-automatics in his collection. However, he had been stocking up on 1911 platform handguns and magazines for SHTF ammo, parts, and magazine commonality. Having used M1911 pistols while serving as a member of the Naval Security Force while on active duty just prior to the transition to the Beretta M-9 service pistol, Evan had always had a soft spot for them. Also, since he and Jake had used them as their main competition handguns for IDPA and IPSC matches, there seemed to be 1911 magazines, holsters, and accessories already in the home in such large quantities that it only seemed like the natural defensive choice.

  While inside the home, Evan wanted his family, and anyone else who comes along and joins them in a potential SHTF scenario, to carry whatever they wanted, but outside of the home, he felt carrying a common type like the VZ58 and 1911 would alleviate any on-watch or fighting-in-position resupply issues.


  Molly, who once felt like a majority of Evan's spending and preparations where a bit over the top, would soon come to appreciate the steps that he had gone through to give his family every possible advantage in uncertain times.

  Chapter 5: The Journey Begins

  The crew, which now included Damon Rutherford, gathered their things and put on their clothing in layers the best they could. Peggy jokingly said with a smile, “At least I don't have to worry about fashion today.”

  Jason responded, “Or anytime soon, for that matter.” Her smile was extinguished with that cold hard fact reminding her of their new-found reality. “Oh, sorry.”

  “No biggie,” said Peggy. “I'll get used to it eventually. I just hope Zack and my parents are okay. I wonder if this is happening there.”

  “Well, once we get on the road I'm sure we will learn a few things along the way about what's going on in the rest of the country,” Jason replied, hoping to make her feel better.

  “Well, kids,” Damon interrupted, “let's get going before our fan club comes back for our autographs. Jason, let's go with your plan. Peggy and I will stay out of the way while Evan is covering your climb down the fire escape, and then we’ll follow on your signal.”

  “Roger that!” answered Jason, feeling excited to get going.

  He quietly climbed down the fire escape with his pack on his back and his Sig holstered on his side, while Evan covered him from above. He had to jump the last four feet to the ground as the fire escape did not reach all the way to the sidewalk below. Immediately upon reaching the ground, he drew his pistol and cleared the alley. Once he was reasonably sure the alley was clear, he gave Evan the thumbs-up for the rest to follow.

  Evan whispered to Damon and Peggy, “Okay, there is a little jump at the bottom, but it's no big deal. You can toss your bags down to Jason at that point to ease the impact.”

  They both nodded and headed out the window. Peggy went down first and Damon followed her closely behind. They crept slowly down the fire escape, being careful not to make any unwanted sounds so as not to alert those in the building that had already proven to be a threat. They reached the last step and tossed their bags down to Jason one by one as he motioned for them.

  Jason sat their bags aside and signaled to them to jump on down. Since Peggy was in front of Damon on the narrow fire escape, she jumped first. Jason stood, ready to catch her fall if need be, but with her cushy running shoes, she made the landing just fine. Damon jumped next; upon landing, he winced in pain and fell to the ground.

  “Are you okay?” asked Jason in a whisper.

  “Yeah, just my damn bad knee. I'll survive,” he answered as he struggled to his feet.

  Jason then motioned for Evan to come on down. Evan holstered his pistol and slipped out the window. Just then, he heard a loud crack in the adjoining room they had vacated after the incident with the others. Almost immediately following that noise, he heard a blast from a shotgun, the cycling of a pump action, and then another shot. He hustled down the fire escape and quickly made the leap without hesitation. He landed in a roll and popped back up to his feet, pistol drawn, and immediately covered the window above.

  Meanwhile, Jason hurried Damon and Peggy behind a dumpster that was up against the hotel's exterior wall. Anyone attempting to fire from above, down at that angle, will have to expose themselves to do so, he thought to himself. Evan continued to cover the windows of the hotel while he moved to take position behind the dumpster with his crew. They heard a commotion above, and then another big thump.

  Evan turned to Jason and said, “Those idiots didn't know we had adjoining rooms and moved over one. Let's move while they are busy with that door. You take the lead Jason. Damon and Peggy, you two follow him and watch for his signals. I'll cover you from the rear.”

  They all silently nodded, and the crew took off down the street, hugging the buildings for cover. Once they had gotten a few buildings away, they took shelter behind a convenience store that backed up to the Long Island Railway. The tracks were separated from the store by a tall chain-link fence that was entangled with what appeared to be many years of foliage growth.

  Once Evan was sure they weren’t being followed, he looked at Jason and said, “Okay, Jason, you're tactically in charge from here. Damon, you navigate for us since it's your route and plan. I'll keep up the rear.”

  Jason said, “Roger Roger,” as he often does in a sharp manner. “Okay then,” he said to the group, “we've got good cover here. Let's lie low for a bit to make sure we aren't being followed. Damon, use this time to get your bearings and get us a route.”

  Damon fumbled around in his bag for a second, then produced a map. Evan said, “Wow! A paper map.”

  Damon responded, “Yep, I'm old school. I don’t wanna get into that smart phone mess, so I get a street map for everywhere I go.”

  “Thank God,” Evan said. “My stupid smart phone with turn-by-turn directions isn't gonna do me any good now. Even if I had a signal, my battery died yesterday.”

  Damon grinned then went back to his map. After a few moments of studying the map and using the railroad as a way to gain his bearings, Damon said, “Okay, I've got it! Two blocks that way and we will come up on the POW/MIA Memorial Highway. The sun will start coming up in a few minutes, so just in case those hotel bastards are looking for us, let's try to at least make it that far while we have the darkness for cover. By the time we get to the POW/MIA we will be far enough away for it not to matter.”

  “That's the plan then,” said Jason. “Let's move. We will leapfrog every time we have to cross a street or an alley where we will be exposed. I'll make the first bound across while Evan covers me. We will then both cover the two of you. Then I will cover Evan. Let's just keep that movement pattern going unless I say otherwise. Watch for my signals and try to stay as quiet as possible.” He then gave Damon and Peggy a quick, down-and-dirty review of the basic hand signals he would be using. He limited it to the basics like look, halt, down, advance, retreat, rally, listen, etc.

  Once everyone was clear on what was expected of them, Jason led the way by crossing the street first. Upon reaching the other side of the street, he gave the signal to advance. Damon and Peggy made the crossing and then he signaled to Evan to advance as well. “Okay, that was good. Let's keep that going,” he told them once Evan had joined up with them.

  Evan chimed in and said, “Damon, you look like you were limping when you guys crossed the street. Are you still hurting from the fall?”

  “Yes, but I'll survive. I mean, I have to, so to hell with the pain. I'll let you know if it becomes too much to bear, otherwise don't slow down for me.”

  “Roger Roger,” said Jason and off he went.

  They all followed between two buildings to get to the next street over. As Jason sliced the pie around the building with his Sig drawn and at the low ready, he saw the smoldering ruins of a car parked sideways in the middle of the street. He motioned for the rest of the group to advance and rally on him, and they complied, being as stealthy as possible. Once they caught up to him and they were all crouched together in a huddle, he quietly said, “Look at this crap. This must be one of the explosions we heard. It almost looks like it was parked there and blown up on purpose to block the street.”

  “That would explain the lack of vehicle traffic we've seen, if whoever is responsible for this has done it in other places strategically as well,” replied Evan. “Not to mention the psychological effect it would have on the general population at large. Make people afraid of IEDs like they’ve seen on the evening news of places in Iraq and Afghanistan for the past decade, and people will think twice about being out and about. We always talk about taking the fight to the enemy, and it looks like the enemy has followed that doctrine and brought it right back to us.”

  “Okay, enough sight-seeing, let's move,” commanded Jason. He then made a bound over to the next street, and like a smooth, well-trained unit, they all followed upon his signal.

  Once
they regrouped, Damon said, “Okay, the next road over is the POW/MIA. If this street looks safe enough to you, lets handrail it from here for a while. Staying on a residential street would give us better cover opportunities than a main thoroughfare.”

  “Makes sense to me,” replied Jason.

  “Me too,” said Evan.

  “Okay,” said Jason, ready and anxious to get moving. “Now that the sun is coming up, let’s just walk down the sidewalk as if we are supposed to be here. Evan and I will take our normal positions as point and rear with our guns holstered and hidden. You two stick together in the middle, but keep your distance from us in the event Evan or I have issues to deal with. If something happens, take cover and follow our signals, or do what you need to do if we are no longer in the fight. At least if we are spread out we all won't encounter the same threat at once.”

  “You mean like IEDs?” questioned Peggy.

  “Yeah, or people, or aliens, or zombies, or whatever else is causing this crap. Personally, I'm hoping for zombies, but it's more than likely aliens,” Jason said with a straight face.

  “Ha ha,” she said sarcastically.

  They all shared a laugh, then Jason said, “Okay, let's get going.”

  The next few miles were relatively uneventful. Jason kept his appropriate distance ahead of Damon and Peggy, and Evan kept his distance to the rear with both men being able to cover the entire group's movement. The sun was now fully up and the neighborhoods were starting to stir. There were steel trash cans and car tire rims on the sidewalk with fires set inside. Some people were huddled around them for warmth.

  Jason made the rally signal and the group formed up. He said, “Now that the sun is up and people are out and about, it would probably be okay to go ahead and walk together for a while. We are sort of figuring out the whole situation as we go. Evan and I will still take the front and the rear, but we can keep a closer gap so that we can communicate. There probably isn't as much chance of being bothered in the broad daylight.”