In total eighteen people were rescued, sixteen people died, and twenty-two wounded (thirteen of which will return home immediately). When Major Kyle's body had been recovered, everyone in the militia stood up and had a moment of silence before the body was put in Echo with the others. After Echo and Foxtrot left, the meeting that Harry called for started over by Alpha.
"Recon, this is Harry over at Militia," Harry said into the CB Radio.
"Recon here. We copy."
"I have some bad news: Kyle's KIA. It looks like I'm in charge until further notice."
"Really? Well if that isn't a goddamn kick in the nads for us," Recon responded with remorse. "What can we do for ya, Harry?"
"Status report on the remaining hostiles."
"Well, the rest of 'em are digging themselves good and deep into that armory," Recon reported. "Machineguns are being set up along their perimeter, and a few of the fucks even have rocket launchers."
"What's your recommendation?" Harry asked.
"A full frontal assault's too risky. Go completely around Monroe to link up with us east of the armory, so we can set up snipers from our position."
"Can't we just go through?"
"Negative. The city is relatively free from large amounts of infected, but there are still enough in the center to give you problems."
"Copy that. What's our rendezvous point?"
"Corner of 26th Street and 14th Avenue."
"We're on our way. Over."
"See ya soon, Harry. Out."
"Well you heard them," Harry said to the leaders. "Round up your people so we can head out."
Heading back to their respective trucks, they began shouting our orders to the people sitting around.
"Listen up!" Cameron yelled, trying to act authoritative. "If you haven't heard already, I'm in charge of Bravo. Got a beef with that? Gripe about it later. Now load up!"
"Harry put you in charge of us?" Cole asked skeptically. "This has gotta be a mistake."
"Cole, I can abuse my power right now, and order you to sit this out," Cameron said threateningly. "Or you can get your ass on that truck!" He was not in the mood to take shit from anyone at the moment.
"I gotta say I like this side of you, Cam," Becky commented with a smirk, as those around them were following his orders. "I haven't seen you like that since you rescued me and Sarah."
Sighing, he said, "I wish it didn't have to be this way, though."
She squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "You'll do fine."
When the trucks started rolling, Cameron sat at the front to tell everyone what was going on. He had no idea what they were going to do once they reached their destination, but Cameron did his best to display a degree of confidence. Being a leader, no matter how short a time it'd be, definitely wasn't something Cameron pictured himself doing. Every other time he just saw himself as just another part of the militia, just another citizen of Yuba doing his part—never the center of attention.
"We took losses, yes," Cameron went on. "But if we keep our heads straight, listen to orders, and be aware, then I'm sure we'll all make it through this."
Once his speech was completed, Cole came up again to take a seat next to Cameron. Looking very serious, he started, "Are you sure you're up to this, Cam? It's a big responsibility."
"Harry says I'm in charge. I'd gladly request a change if I didn't know it'd be immediately shot down."
"But you gotta try," Cole persisted. "Even you gotta admit you're inexperienced for this role. Give command to Wesley—he's the ranking officer."
"I told you it's pointless," Cameron retorted.
"Cam," Cole said, lowering his voice so that only he'd hear, "you're fucking one of your people—that's gonna effect your judgment."
Looking over at Becky, he knew that Cole was right. He had told her earlier that he loved her, and if things got tight that fact would cloud his thinking. Cameron did at least have to try and turn over leadership to someone else.
"Harry," Cameron said into his radio. "It's Marsh."
"What is it, Marsh?" Harry asked.
"I think I should turn Bravo over to Wesley. He's the ranking officer here and—"
"What did I tell you, Marsh?" Harry interrupted. "There are too many things to deal with without having to constantly change the chain of command!" Like last time, the transmission just cut off.
"Told you!" Cameron snapped at Cole, angry that he made him annoy the acting CO.
About a half hour later, after many twists and turns, the trucks had once more come to a stop. Harry came on the radio to tell them to quietly take care of the zombies that were on their ass. So, choosing Cole, Becky, and Sheila, the four of them went topside armed with stabbing weapons. To the right Cameron saw a school and some houses. It took a little while, but eventually all the zombies were put down.
The front doors of the school opened, and one man wearing full camouflage walked out with bolt cutters. Getting off of Alpha, Harry went over to shake hands with that man. Together they talked for a minute, the man made gestures across the field, and then Harry called for everyone to disembark.
"The armory is on the other side of those field and that fence," Harry began, pointing in that direction. "That is where the fucks that attacked us, the fucks that killed our people are! Snipers go with Felix here to the roof. Charlie and Delta will stay here on zombie watch. Alpha and Bravo are coming with me."
Handing Harry the bolt cutters, Felix motioned for the snipers to follow and they headed inside the school. Harry began walking across the athletic field, and Alpha and Bravo followed.
Reaching the fence, Harry raised his binoculars across the field on the other side to a building. Wanting to get a better look, Cameron squinted in the direction he was looking. In the distance he saw tiny figures moving to and fro. Harry smirked as he watched the bandits getting into position.
"Snipers are ready," his radio crackled.
"Fire at will," Harry commanded.
Sounds of gunfire started coming from the rooftop, and instantly the figures began dropping. It took a few seconds before gunfire was also coming from the direction of the hostiles.
"Marsh," said Harry, handing him the binoculars. "Look over there."
Looking through them, Cameron saw with some satisfaction as the hostiles were dipping and ducking, trying to shoot in the direction they were being fired from. Obviously it had zero effect. The ones that were alive were either keeping their heads down, or on a machinegun firing wildly.
"I want you to take Bravo and go around the far side of the building," Harry told him.
"Gotcha," Cameron confirmed, still watching the bandits getting put down.
Eventually all of the hostiles began to retreat, still firing in random directions. Taking his binoculars back, Harry surveyed the situation. As soon as no more living hostiles were in sight, he took his bolt cutters and opened a gap in the fence.
Thirty-five armed and deadly men and women crossed through that fence, jogging briskly across that field with their weapons at the ready.
"You have your orders," Harry yelled, quickening his pace. "Move!"
"Bravo on me!" Cameron shouted, leading his team away from Alpha. So there he was leading a team of armed people, some twice his age and with more experience, into combat. What in the hell was Harry thinking?
Still, orders were orders. Ever vigilant, they crossed the field crossed the road, and they lost sight of Alpha as they went around the opposite side of the building. The ground had been strewn with some dead bodies from the sniper fire, with machineguns and rocket launchers left abandoned. One bandit was still alive, trying to crawl away. Cole put an end to his life without even needing to be told to.
It was quiet. All of the windows were boarded up, and the front door wouldn't budge even after blowing off the lock. Nobody lowered his or her rifle or guard, though. The team continued slowly around the building. Adrenaline was pumping through Cameron's veins, making him even more aware of his surroundings. Back at the neighborhood they had virtually no time to think—just do. Here all Cameron could do was think.
Were the hostiles hiding behind something? Were there a lot of zombies nearby? Would all the noise they were potentially going to make attract more? He knew the answers were maybe, maybe, and most likely, respectively.
On the other side Bravo met back up with Alpha. At least in the few minutes Cameron had full command he didn't get anybody killed.
On the armory's wall was a large garage door. At the bottom of the door was a lock, which was also taken off by the bolt cutters. Silently, Harry instructed them all to get on either side of the door.
On the side opposite of Cameron, Harry reached over to awkwardly bang his first against the garage door. "Give up!" he cried. "There's no escape for you."
No sooner did the words leave Harry's mouth, than a barrage of bullets came from inside the building penetrating through the garage door. The hail of gunfire swept left and right, tearing that door to shreds. So much damage was being caused, in fact, that it was becoming unstable and eventually collapsed.
When the dusts settled the machinegun finally stopped firing, seeing that it wasn't hitting anybody.
"We know you're out there," one of the bandits called from inside. "Neither of our sides wants more bloodshed. Leave and we'll stay out of your territory while you stay out of ours."
"No deal, you inbred fuck!" Harry replied, still in cover. "Give up peacefully and we might just let you live."
"We attacked you, so you paid us back and then some!" the bandit persisted. "You got your revenge, so leave!"
"Does the fact that your parents are siblings impair your comprehension?" Harry shouted mockingly. "Give up or die! Those are your only choices."
"We've got prisoners," the hostile went on. "If you don't leave we'll kill them!"
Harry put the radio to his mouth. "This shit head isn't getting the picture," he said quietly over Cameron's radio. "Anyone there have a bright idea?"
Cameron looked back at Bravo, who shook their heads.
Cursing, Harry put the radio to his mouth again, saying, "I want every truck in front of this depot ASAP. That includes snipers and Recon. Maintain your positions and stay on zombie watch until I say otherwise."
Harry slid down his piece of the wall to sit down. Everyone else did the same. It was a stalemate.