6.) Porter
For months all we did was survive.
Early on Logan's unit had deemed themselves 9th Bronco Company Springs Division.
My friends and I had grown attached to Logan's company. Though their father, Dr. Jon Sharpe and his co-worker Dr. Andrew Bradley had abandoned them, this group of young people had grown closer to each other than they had been with their own parents, even closer than what extended families were said to have been.
Early on Dylan had asked us what my friends and I called ourselves. Given that there were only three of us we hadn't really designated a real term, always joking that we were a pack of three wolves.
Dylan had thought that was cool and so he bequeathed us the title 3rd Lobo Squadron Big Bend Sector. Shawn liked it and even Logan approved. Though given I was the chief of my little wolf pack and didn't need Logan's permission it was nice to have it. Growing up as I had with Shawn I had always looked up to Logan as if he were my own brother. I was an only child so it was always nice to have Logan around and Dylan too later on.
During the time that followed I made good on my promise to look for Carmen and Marie's families. We found Carmen's family at a local food store, their bodies slowly rotting away, her parents, her two sisters and an older brother. We buried the bodies that day.
Marie wasn't so fortunate in that her parents could not be found. With so much rubble and debris and thousands of places to look we had to abandon that mission.
My own parents were gone. I knew it the second the invasion happened. It was like that feeling a mother gets when their child gets hurt. My parents were in the living room of our house watching tv. I couldn't look at their bodies. One quick glance and I had seen their bodies still sitting there charred; my dad's hand in my mom's. Shawn, Glen and Riley did the burials for me. The only comfort to me was that they had gone together.
It wasn't until a few days ago that we got a visit that would forever change things.
Shawn and Ray did room checks as they normally did this time of night. It had become a ritual for them.
In the girl's room Riley was trying to get five year old Ellie to sleep. Beth and Inez were completely out. Miguel, Dylan, and Marie were on watch tonight. Benson, only twenty two years old but a lieutenant and 9th Bronco Company's field medic was in the ex-home owners' office with Logan leaving Glen in charge of the twins Jethro and Jedediah.
The two, Shawn and Ray, made their way downstairs to the office. Logan looked up.
"The troops sound asleep."
"Just about sir," Shawn replied.
Logan placed a hand on the desk. "Let me guess, Ellie."
"Yes sir."
"Five year old, guess I can't blame her. Hell we all miss our families but out of all of us she's the one who doesn't truly understand. It's fine, I'm sure Riley will find a way to put her to sleep. She always does."
Ray couldn't help but notice the small smile that formed at the edge of his lip when he said her name. Before much more could be said there was a knock on the door.
"What is it Cordova," Logan and Ray said simultaneously.
Logan looked over and nodded at Ray. She took point.
"What is it?"
"Sorry to interrupt but Chief, Captain, you'd better come have a look at this."
The three of them walked outside. Miguel and Dylan had their weapons pointed at the incoming intruders. Marie took her place and did the same.
"Easy there," said Colonel Jim Porter holding up a white t-shirt on a stick.
Logan raised his gun. "That's far enough."
The Colonel simply nodded and stayed put. "I'm Colonel Jim Porter, commanding officer of the Massachusetts militia and 1st Continental Army. Can I ask who's in charge here?"
Logan looked to Shawn and then to Ray. He nodded to her and then turned to Porter. "We both are. Did you say Massachusetts?"
"I did son."
"You're a long way off."
"We've been out scouting, searching for militias such as yours."
Logan couldn't help but laugh, "What for to pull a 'rise against the machines' scenario?"
"Basically, yes," Porter said being serious.
"We're just trying to survive here," Ray said speaking out for the first time.
"I understand that," replied Porter, "as is everyone else we've encountered but if we're ever going to get our planet back, we can't do it when we're separated and vulnerable."
"Alright," said Logan after staring at Porter for a bit. "Come inside. We can discuss things in there so we're not out in the open. Mind leaving some of your fighters out here? My trio could use the extra fire power."
"Not a problem," replied Porter.
Porter issued some orders before following the three leaders, two men at his back. They went into Logan's office and Shawn closed the door.
"What's going on?" Benson asked.
Logan moved his hand and directed it to Porter. "Lieutenant Reid meet Colonel Porter of the Massachusetts militia and 1st Continental Army. Colonel, this is Benson Reid, not only one of our lieutenants but field medic as well."
"Kind of young to be a field medic," Porter answered.
"We'll we've all got to step up sir," Benson said resenting his tone. "Not all of us can be psycho wielding gun experts. Besides, someone has to put humpty dumpty together again."
Logan snapped at Benson. "Shut it Lieutenant!"
"Yes sir."
"Now," Porter said looking at Logan who was behind the desk, Shawn and Ray to his left, with Ray at the far end. "Can I ask who I'm dealing with here?"
"Captain Logan Sharpe," Logan answered, "of 9th Bronco Company Springs Division. To my left is Shawn Sharpe my younger brother and Commander of 9th Bronco Company."
He nodded toward Ray, letting her do her introduction.
"Chief Ray Cortes, 3rd Lobo Squadron Big Bend Sector."
"Big Bend," said Porter. "Texas."
"Yes sir," Ray replied.
"Big state," Porter said contemplating. "We passed through there, not much left. You're the first survivor we've come across whose from that region."
"It's not just me sir. I came with two others."
"Still, that's impressive, you three being the only survivors from that state."
"No sir, just lucky I suppose."
"Are you the oldest," Porter asked Logan.
"Yes sir," Logan replied.
Ray looked over to Benson. "Lieutenant go wake up Villas. Have her get some drinks for our guests."
"Yes ma'am," Benson replied.
"And Lieutenant, how many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me 'ma'am'?"
"Sorry Chief."
Benson left the room.
"No adults," Porter asked continuing on with his questions.
"None that can be trusted," Logan said.
I could see in his eyes the deep hatred he had for his father for abandoning him. Jon Sharpe had always been an excellent father. He had been one of the top surgeons there at Hope Springs hospital, with his wife a surgeon nurse, and Andrew Bradley by his side. He had never once raised a hand to his boys and despite the time he spent away from them at the hospital he always made the best of the time off.
It was still weird, after all these months to think of Jon Sharpe as someone who would abandon his kids just to save his own skin but then again the whole invasion had changed everyone. No one was who they were before even though some tried to be.
"We'll hear you out," Logan said to Porter, "but whatever gets decided is between Bronco Company and Lobo Squadron."
"That's all we ask."
Carmen came in with drinks and handed them around. Ray waved her off once she was done.
Logan motioned for Porter to take a seat at one of the chairs in front of Logan's desk. Shawn and Ray took their seats near Logan.
"This war isn't going anywhere," Porter began. "We have little militia groups scattered across the world and we've been on a search to recruit those militias."
"Where are you sending them," Ray spoke up. "The ones who choose to go I mean."
"Currently we've got two bases of operations. One of them is in Charleston, South Carolina. It's being run by a man named Arthur Manchester. The other is more of a nomad group but they've developed a temporary home for the time being in Boston, Massachusetts, they're called the 2nd Mass. Captain Don Weaver runs that outfit along with his second in command Tom Mason.
It's time we start going on the offensive. The more man power we have the better."
"Or they slaughter us all on site," Shawn said.
Porter ignored the commander's comment. "We need to strike them hard and strike them where it hurts."
"You really think we can beat them," Ray asked sounding skeptical.
"With the right numbers and the right attitude I do. It's time we stop hiding and start defending what is rightfully ours."
"Colonel," said Ray. "Even if we were to decide to go with you it's not that easy. Boston is _ miles away and we've got our kids to think about, the youngest being only five years old. Do you really think a child can make that journey?"
Porter smiled. "Never underestimate the resilience of a child. I've traveled with, and the 2nd Mass., has traveled with a much more variety of people from older to young ones to even some who were pregnant. The journey can be made I assure you."
"But at what cost," Logan said fear creeping in his voice, afraid to lose any of his family members.
"Unfortunately Captain," said Porter, "that's a cross we all have to bear but the greater cross is holding out alone. At least in Boston or Charleston you wouldn't be alone and you wouldn't have to bear it alone."
Porter rose as did the others.
"At least think about it. If you're considering Boston I would suggest you don't wait too long. Like I said, they may have a temporary base but the 2nd Mass are a nomadic group. You can choose to go with them or make your way directly to Charleston but we do hope you choose one. It would be unwise to stay here forever as a hold out waiting for something good to happen. No good comes from waiting, sometimes you have to stretch your legs and fight back."
Logan stuck out his hand. "Thank you Colonel."
Porter shook it. "Appreciate your time Captain."
Porter then commenced to shaking Shawn's hand and Ray's.
"Be safe out there Colonel," Ray said to him.
"You too Chief."
With Porter and his men gone the three leaders all looked at each other. Neither one wanting to speak up. They knew their lives had just changed no matter what direction they took.
"So what do we do," Ray being the first to speak up.
