"White Marsh is ahead, Commander. Should we...stop there and look for supplies? The place seems quiet. Or maybe I could just drive through, and we'll stop somewhere else?"
"Food's almost gone. We gotta find some."
"Okay..."
She'd expected another ghost town. Another city of the dead. The same scene, the same sense of despair.
"Out. Now!"
She didn't expect it to be crawling with militias—self-proclaimed security forces. They had no uniforms, but they had weapons and an unpleasant disposition. Perhaps they were only proclaiming themselves militias to hide the fact that they were thugs and nothing more.
A roadblock had forced them to stop, and now, they were standing outside the car, guns trained at them. Amy was struggling in the Commander's arms, his weapons having been confiscated.
"Shut her up!"
"Look, you're pointing guns at us and—"
"You shut up, too!" One of the men shouted at the Commander.
"Look, we don't want trouble—"
"Shut up! On your knees! Hands on your head! Now!"
"Please, she's just a kid!" Enterprise shouted. "What are you thinking?!"
"Shut up! We're in charge here! This is our territory! On your knees, or we'll blow your damn brains out! See if you can still talk back then, smartass!"
She had no other choice. Enterprise didn't want to bring out her rigging, even if her condition would allow it now. She couldn't risk Amy or the Commander being harmed by a stray shot, even if it weren't from her weapons.
"Hey, ain't that a...whatcha call that...one of those...those ships or something?" One of the men said, eyeing her suspiciously.
"Well, I'll be damned, you might be right. Instead of fighting, she came here to hide with a couple of humans, huh?!"
"Then you're not welcome here!" A man snarled. "You and your kind are useless!"
"Don't you da—" Commander Halsey began, but the man behind him smashed his skull with the butt of his rifle. The force sent him sprawling onto the pavement, blood trickling from the back of his head.
"No!" Enterprise screamed as the same man kicked the Commander on the side, causing him to cough up blood. Amy was screaming, her hands covering her ears and her eyes shut as the man continued to batter the Commander.
"Comm—"
"Quiet, or he gets it!" The man grabbed the Commander by the collar and put a gun to his mouth. "Got that?!"
"Hey, can we...at least let the little girl live?" One man, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. He was younger than the others, but whatever his reason for suggesting that, it couldn't be benevolent. Enterprise didn't like the look on his face when he eyed Amy. It was, for lack of a better word, disgusting.
"Shut it, Jack. Yer' lucky yer' my brother and the world's endin', else I'd have given ya to the cops or smoke ya myself, you pervert."
"Aww, man..."
"You stay the hell away from her!" The Commander spat. "I'll kill you if you dare touch her!"
"Big words from a bastard on the ground."
"Hey, chief, do we off this...chick? Or let her go?"
"Let's just off her. Can't trust these ships. Who knows what the hell she'll pull once we're not looking? Heard they can take lots o' punishment, though...Maybe even a shot between the eyes won't be enough to kill her. Maybe we should try to test that out..."
"No, don't!" Amy cried out, her voice shrill. "Leave them alone!"
"Shut up, you brat!" The man who was kicking the Commander grabbed Amy by the arm and dragged her toward him.
"Let her go! I—" The Commander was trying to struggle back to his feet, but the man slammed his boot down on his spine, forcing him back to the ground.
"No! No!" Amy kicked and punched, but the man's grip was tight, and he didn't seem fazed by her attempts.
"Stop it! Let her go!" Enterprise begged. "Please!"
"Or what? You'll...shoot us or something?"
Enterprise gritted her teeth. Her nails dug into her palms, drawing blood.
The leader was walking toward her, unholstering a revolver that looked like it was powerful enough to put a hole through her skull and come out on the other side.
Grim had disappeared. She didn't know where. Did he flee?
No, Enterprise shook her head. Grim would never abandon his human. He was still there. She knew it. But where?
A click of the hammer.
Then, a scream.
And then, a gush of blood.
Grim had descended with a vengeance, his talons slashing through the leader's neck like razor blades. Enterprise caught the revolver and shot at the person holding Amy in the head, then the one pinning the Commander.
The rest was sent into disarray as Grim evaded their shots with almost a preternatural grace, clawing at their faces and hands, giving the Commander time to get up. As if forgetting his injuries, he lunged forward and grabbed his M1911 back, then fired at the man nearest to him, the bullet boring through his skull. Enterprise emptied the revolver's chamber at those firing at her, the recoil almost throwing her aim off.
She tossed the gun away when it was empty and threw herself at Amy, shielding her from witnessing the carnage further.
Another shot, and the last man was down.
But the screams were still ringing in the air.
Enterprise looked up. The leader was on the ground, clutching his throat as the blood continued to gush out from the wound, soaking the ground around him, his feet thrashing.
The Commander looked down on him. His eyes weren't cold, weren't angry.
They were filled with pity.
"...Sorry it has to come to this," he said, his tone soft. "Your pain will end soon. I'm sorry."
Enterprise had Amy turn away, knowing what was coming.
A shot rang out, and the screaming went silent.
Enterprise felt his arms wrap around her and Amy. His eyes were dark, and his hands were trembling.
"Are you okay? Enterprise? Amy?" He rasped.
"Y-yes, Commander," Enterprise said, nodding. Amy didn't answer. Her body was shaking as she sobbed quietly into her chest, the tears staining her clothes.
Grim landed on the asphalt, the whites of his feathers dyed crimson. He didn't seem to care about it. Enterprise's eyes caught sight of his wings, and she frowned when she noticed the red trickling down.
"Grim...! You..."
"That truck of theirs...let's see if...they...keep...anything useful..."
The Commander slurred, and she looked up. His face was pale, and his eyes were losing focus.
"Commander!"
He collapsed, and his blood mingled with the blood of their assailants, creating a new pattern on the ground.
"Jerry!"
***
There was indeed a well-stocked first-aid kit in the truck, though she wasn't sure if she should be glad or angry. Those bastards had guns, bullets, a truck, a kit, and yet, they chose to use them to menace people.
The wound on the Commander's head didn't require stitches, thankfully, but the relentless beating had aggravated the injuries on his torso, which had not quite healed.
"I'm...okay. Go treat Grim."
Enterprise didn't want to leave him, but she knew Grim needed her, too.
"Be still," she said, stroking the eagle's beak. "This will sting for a bit, but it will be over, okay? You did great, Grim. Thank you. I'm sorry."
"Krr..."
Grim was ever stoic, even as she pressed the dressing against his wound. The bullets had only grazed him, and he was still strong enough to fly.
Enterprise smiled when Grim nuzzled against her, and she washed away the blood on his feather with a bottle of water.
Commander Halsey, however, was seemingly lapsing in and out of consciousness, and Enterprise was afraid that his injuries would take him at this point. Enterprise had washed away the blood on his face and changed his bandages, and that was all she could do.
Other than that, she had to be strong. For him. For Amy. The girl had stopped crying, or at least, her tears had dried. She was sitting beside the Commander, snuggling as close as she could without touching his injuries, her arms wrapped around herself.
"Um..."
A voice, nervous but still unexpected enough to be startling, interrupted her thoughts, and she turned to see a woman peering inside the truck. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her hair was a mess.
"...Yes?"
"...Thank you. There...were only a few of us left here. Most had gone to the evacuation centers. We couldn't. We didn't want to leave the town. And then they came and demanded we...help their war effort. That we should be thankful they didn't kill us all. We didn't have any choice, but then, you came, and...and..."
"Are you alright, miss?" Enterprise asked, her tone softening.
The woman shook her head.
"No. Not since they..." she wiped her eyes. "But it's over now. Thank you. We don't have much left, but we can share some supplies with you and your friends. Then...I guess we'll leave."
"Miss, if it's not too much to ask...where are the evacuation centers...?"
"The military said New York...and New England. I heard we can go from Baltimore...but that city...is lost, isn't it?"
"I'm afraid so," Enterprise shook her head. "There must be another way."
"Maybe. I don't know. We'll manage. But first...come and get what you need. We have a lot of things we could spare, and it's the least we can do to repay you."
Enterprise nodded. She didn't feel right taking things from people who might be struggling, but she knew she had no choice.
The town was quiet, and the few remaining people looked tired and weary. But their eyes were bright, and their steps were light. They were grateful. And for once, Enterprise felt like she was making a difference.
She was a little hesitant about leaving Amy and the Commander behind, but the townspeople promised to watch over them as she gathered whatever she could find and stuffed them into the bags and the trunk.
Food. Water. Some clothes. Extra fuel. Medicine. Even ammunition and everything else they may need, whether in the immediate future or not. She didn't take too much, even though she hoped they wouldn't have to stop and risk experiencing something like this ever again. It would be nice not to worry about their supplies, but they would manage, she was sure.
The Commander was half-asleep when she returned, and Amy had dozed off beside him.
"You're indeed a KANSEN, aren't you?" The woman who had spoken to her earlier said. "You fought for us. I hope...you could show those invaders a thing or two."
Wrong, Enterprise was tempted to correct the woman. I fought for...my own reasons.
That reminded her that, in the end, she would fight for America and her people, even if she had different motivations. It was not wrong to want to win for her own reasons.
"Yes. That is what I will do. Thank you."
"I wish you luck," the woman said, her hand on Enterprise's shoulder.
"Thank you, miss."
***
They left the town behind, hoping the people there would be able to find a safer place. They did leave most of the weapons and ammo for them.
She almost took the AR-15, despite feeling that holding it would be against her very nature, but Commander Halsey reassured her that the Ithaca and M1911 would be enough if they ran into trouble again.
"Jerry?" Amy said, poking the Commander's cheek. The man stirred and groaned, opening his eyes.
"Hey, kiddo," he greeted. "How are you doing?"
"Okay," she mumbled. Her eyes were shimmering, her chest rising and falling in quick motions. "Are you...A-are you...okay?"
"Yeah...just...real tired. Listen, Amy...I'm going to be real with you. You've seen that there are many dangers out there, and not just from...our enemies. Even people, too. Our own people. But we'll get to New York. You will be safe, and Enty and I will fight for you. Until then, promise me you'll stay close. Stay brave. Don't...don't ever give up. Okay?"
"...But...must you and Enty keep fighting...?" Her question had a hint of fear, and it hung in the air.
"It's our duty, Amy. Our job is to protect the people. Especially young ones like you."
"But...why...?" Her voice trembled.
"It's the right thing to do. We can't just sit back and watch. We don't want you to keep being afraid."
"But I'm scared! I don't want you gone!"
"I won't go anywhere. I promise."
"..."
"Trust me, Amy. We'll keep fighting for you. And for the people who need us. Just hold on to that, okay? Be brave and believe, Amy."
"..."
"Amy?"
"Okay," the girl nodded. "I'll try. I'll try to be brave."
"Thank you. Hey, don't cry. It's gonna be okay."
"Mmm."
Enterprise glanced at the rear-view mirror. Amy had tears running down her face, and Commander Halsey had his arms wrapped around her, his hand stroking her hair—a sight now too common, too familiar.
Be brave and believe.
Maybe it was for her, too. To be brave. To believe.
"Enterprise..."
"...Yes, Commander?"
"When you...shot those guys...I didn't see it in your eyes. The hesitation. The doubt."
"It was because of you and Amy."
"I'm glad you were able to. But I'm sorry. I'm sorry you had to be put in that position. You didn't have a choice."
"I'm...a soldier. Anyone who threatens the lives of my fellow crew and people...I will fight them, even if they are fellow Americans. I will not hesitate."
"That's good to hear. Still...I'm sorry. But thanks for doing what you had to do."
"You did what you had to do, too, and thanks for that. No need to apologize."
"Just wanted to let you know, Enterprise."
"I...appreciate that, sir."
"You know," he groaned as he shifted, "All this got me thinking...let's say we win—and I damn hope we will—well, I don't know if we will celebrate or not...but I'd love to have a...dance with you. I know I'm no ballroom material, but..."
"Sir?!"
She almost slammed on the brakes.
"Heheh, sorry. My brain must be a little addled. Hopefully, not from all those meds. Or it must be the concussion talking. Haha... But really, near-death experience and all...makes you...ah, forget it. It's a silly thought. Yep, silly."
He was laughing. Laughing like never before. Laughing through the pain. She wished she could do the same if only her face weren't burning up.
That the song playing on the tape deck was "Burning Love" didn't help matters either.
"Uh...I'm sorry..." he chuckled. "Yeah, it's definitely the meds and the concussion."
"Then just rest, please."
"Yeah, I think I should. Sorry."
"It's alright, Commander."
He was still laughing when he leaned back and closed his eyes, his hand still rubbing Amy's head, and the girl smiled and cuddled against him.
Enterprise shook her head.
She'd seen him in the ballroom before and how much a disaster on two legs he was. He'd definitely step on her feet. Then trip. Then bring her down with him. Then, they will be the laughingstock of the entire Navy. Or at least Hornet and Saratoga would laugh at them.
She sighed, and she didn't know why she was smiling.
"Please don't step on my feet, at least," she whispered, and her face burned even brighter.
***
"We're approaching Delaware," Enterprise declared. The last major settlement along the route, Aberdeen, was just as dead as all the other places they'd driven through, its people already evacuating. But at least they were spared a repeat of the incident in White Marsh.
"The only big city we're going to pass is Wilmington. Last I heard, we're still trying to hold the line there. Hopefully, it's still safe," the Commander said, looking at the map.
Enterprise turned to the radio and was about to switch it on, but she decided not to. Maybe she'd rather not hear anything. Good or bad.
"I hope so."
Crossing another state line still felt surreal. They'd survived this long, and she wasn't about to jinx herself. She didn't want to think about anything except reaching their destination.
"Commander, are you okay?"
"Y-yeah. I'll manage," he muttered. "And you?"
"A little...drained."
"I see. Don't push yourself. Let me know when you feel tired."
"Will do, sir. How's Amy?"
"Oh...hey, she's just woken up."
"Enty?"
"Hi, Amy."
"Where are we...?"
"We'll be in Delaware soon. You okay, sweetie?"
"...Mm."
The Welcome to Delaware sign was visible on the horizon.
Enterprise could only hope the state would be just as welcoming as it claimed.
***
The further they go, the darker the clouds become. They could see lightning and hear the crackling of thunder in the distance. Amy shuddered and whimpered, and Enterprise knew she wasn't looking forward to the downpour.
There were soldiers along the way, but none bothered to stop them, not even sparing a glance, as if they had seen too many refugees and decided they didn't care anymore. The patrols, if that was what the men were doing, were hurried, and a chance glimpse into the Humvees and trucks showed soldiers with sullen faces and hunched shoulders.
The radio broadcast sporadically. It was either a glitch or a deliberate decision to minimize activity. But the few times Enterprise was able to tune in, the news was always about the state of fighting—more or less a stalemate. However, given that the enemies may not be the kind that would tire, a stalemate wasn't a victory. Communications with the West Coast had been spotty, at best, and the Pacific Fleet was doing everything it could to keep the invaders at bay.
The CB radio was silent, and the static was grating. There were a few brief instances when she'd heard people talking, and the tone of their conversation didn't sound encouraging.
The rain started pouring soon enough, and just like the cloud releasing its tears, Amy cried. Apart from their small conversation, she'd been quiet, barely making any sounds ever since that encounter in White Marsh, and Enterprise had to wonder if the experience had affected her in a way she wouldn't be able to understand.
Commander Halsey, as always, was quick to offer comfort, and the girl was quick to accept. The words were still like a balm, the shoulders a haven.
Yet nobody was there to comfort him and ease his pain.
And Enterprise wondered if she could and if he'd let her. Or if she should. If it was even appropriate to do so.
It was unfair.
And the rain was relentless.
The sky darkened, and the thunder boomed.