Be Safe, Come Home

Chapter Thirty - Two - Memory

It's all clear. Something isn't adding up. We literally had eyes on these people not that long ago. Where did they all go?

"It's all clear, Tanker, something ain't right." Devin heard the crackle of the radio. Charlie's mic kept going in and out which posed a problem for the team's communication. It wasn't like the equipment was failing. It was more like there was something interfering with establishing a connection.

"The... end is... What... your... we... waiting..." Devin grew frustrated as he kept moving forward.

As team leader, Devin was ready for situations such as these. With no communication, everyone was left blind. Signaling to his left, Devin signaled the order to close in. He prepared his team in case an obstacle such as this prevented them from technological communication. Devin moved closer and hoped the rest of the team received the same signal to move.

A rumble shook under Devin's feet. He couldn't put complete focus on the vibrations as the door in front of him burst open and gunshots ricocheted through the air and passed his ear. Everyone nearby dropped low to the ground and sought whatever shelter available for protection. Devin flattened himself against the wall of the building they had been approaching. He briefly glanced at his team seeking shelter behind him. He took tentative steps towards the open door way.

Weapon at the ready, Devin aimed and whispered into the comms, "I'm going in. Someone on my six." He didn't need confirmation to know at least one of his men was covering his back. While the rest were taking out the enemy, Devin entered the open doorway.

Dead bodies littered the entryway as Devin slowly stalked through the darkness. He couldn't help but think this entry was still too easy. As he breathed deeply to steady his heart rate against the adrenaline, Devin looked around the space.

To his left was a wall of rooms with what looked like windows lining down a hallway. To his right behind boxes and other packaging, he saw more rooms with windows. Devin inched closer to the left to see whether he could open the first door. He tried to peer inside the window, but it was too dark to tell what was inside this particular room. Devin tried jiggling the door knob for the room. Nothing. He kept his rifle poised and ready for immediate attack and retraced his steps to the entry. He was still suspicious, and everything behind him was quiet.

"Someone better talk out there."

"All clear."

"Enter slowly. I'm inside on the left. Someone still needs to cover the back."

Devin's team entered quickly and they met just inside the entryway.

"I'm not sure what's going on in this building, but I want it cleared out and later we will make reports. If you're able, collect evidence. Remember, we are still looking for the target.  Shoot first, ask questions later - use that to your discretion.  We need to establish communication with the base. I need someone on that now. Split into teams of two so we can cover as much ground as we can. Let's get through this safely and swiftly."

Devin dismissed the group and everyone dispersed through the building. Devin retraced his steps with Charlie following behind.

"I don't like this Tanker," Charlie whispered from behind.

"Me neither," Devin acknowledged, "we have to see what we are up against in this ghost town."

The crackle of the team's communication comms sounded in Devin's ear. He noticed Charlie wincing behind him as a reaction to the noise.

"We have a problem on the west end. We are gathering evidence as we speak."

"Is it something I need to see?" Devin replied. He waited patiently for his team to answer as he tried opening doors and peering through windows.