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The Vision,
Lights at Night
(Justin) |
Michelle, ever eager for contact, agreed. "If we approach openly and in a friendly way a few words with somebody should be no big deal." She turned to her father. "Let's do it."
Justin put his thumbs under the straps of his pack. "OK. We'll approach slowly. If they shoo us off, they shoo us off." |
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After a few more miles across flat land, they stopped and Justin again studied the area with the glasses. He spoke as he scanned. "There it is. Fenced…a steel fence and…I would think. Yes. Razor wire."
He put the glasses down. "OK, let's get a little closer." He strode forward. "If anyone comes toward us, raise your hands above your head."
Another mile farther, Justin stopped for another observation. "Two fences. The first fence is much higher, perhaps electrified."
The observations were irritating to Justin. He conjured an image of self-important politicians hiding from the people they swore to serve, and whose money provided the civil workers with their means of survival.
The installation consisted of four buildings with smoke issuing from a stack at the southern building.
"They have a power station."
A few vehicles moved about the facility. Farther to the west, cultivated fields of crops sat under the spray of an irrigation system. Even from a distance, it was obvious that the compound provided a very comfortable sanctuary.
Justin pointed to the north side fence. "We'll follow that fence." He looked at his children. "We'll stay well back and look for an entrance."
They traversed the fence from a distance of nearly three quarters of a mile, heading west. Near one of the buildings, rising like some sort of huge insect, a helicopter jumped into the air. The noise of its engine and throbbing rotary blades were audible. Justin waved his arms.
"Maybe we can get the information now."
The low-flying chopper flew toward the eastern fence. Then, with abruptness, it rose higher and veered sharply toward the north and the family. Justin stopped waving. The craft bore down on the family. Justin watched suspiciously. "Spread out." They moved apart.
In a few moments, the flying machine dove toward them. From its belly flashers of light appeared. Small geysers of soil erupted from the ground forty yards in front of the trio. Then came the cracking sound of machine gun fire. The family turned and ran toward the north. Again and at their heels, another rippling sound of spraying bullets. Michelle, in a fit of anger, yelled. "You fucking jerks." She tripped over a stone and fell forward. Justin rushed to help her to her feet. Another spray of bullets peppered the ground just behind them. They broke into another run. Michelle turned to her father. "I don't understand. What are they afraid of?"
Justin gasped, "Shut the fuck up and keep running."
The chopper closed in, its rotor blades throbbing. The air about the three exploded with flying dirt and stones. The family dove to their bellies and covered their heads. The rotor blast beat them to the ground with punches of air. Stones and pebbles flew like buck shot.
The chopper passed over and lifted high into the air, made a sharp banking turn and plunged for another close pass. The blasting rotor-wind again sweeping over the family, peppering with stinging stones. Even with heads to the ground, the dirt rose into their face, choking every breath.
The helicopter flew on. Justin got up on all fours, spitting dirt, and blinking the dust from his eyes. He rose to his feet, his arms and legs pained from the many hits. Puffing in short breaths, he trotted to the north and the others followed. Fifteen paces ahead, they found shelter in a shallow ravine with a small stream running through it. They collapsed against its southern wall.
Justin spat some dirt. "Fuck, a hailstorm of stones."
Paul brushed his face. "I guess that was a 'no'." Paul turned to peer over the edge of the ravine. The helicopter shriveled as it flew to the east and then slanted to the south. He pounded the ground with his fist. "Somebody, give me a rocket."
Michelle leaned her head against the embankment. "Those stones really hurt." She rubbed her right buttocks. "A big one got me right in the ass." She looked at her father. "What are we? A bunch of coyotes?"
Paul glared. "A gun. Just one big gun."
Justin hung his head for a moment and then he looked up sharply. "Damn assholes. Wasn't any need for that." |
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