Isolation , Jones, Nathan [top 20 books to read TXT] 📗

weapons nearby at all times. So it only took a few seconds to gear up and rush after Bruce, catching up to him while he was still starting the engine.

The older man curtly motioned for them to pile in the passenger's side, barely giving Hal time to slam the door before peeling out of the driveway and gunning the engine as he turned towards the south side of town.

“What's going on?” Nick demanded.

Bruce impatiently waved him to silence and moved his radio to his lips, shouting into it as he drove one-handed. “How about instead of all going crazy, we shut up and actually listen to what Denny's seeing out there?”

His words seemed to have the desired effect, because the chatter died down almost entirely. “Thanks,” the leader of the survivor patrols said, sounding out of breath. “It's a convoy, heading right up the highway towards the southern entrance to town, maybe five miles out. Half a dozen military vehicles, about that many official looking cars, and three semi trucks with multiple trailers.”

Nick exchanged looks with his two friends, blown away by this news. “So someone actually is alive down there, even though they never bothered to answer us,” Bruce muttered.

“That, or they've come a long ways,” Hal said.

The radio had predictably exploded into pandemonium again with this news, and a new voice had to shout repeatedly to be heard. It took a second to recognize the speaker as Brant, who'd replaced Darrel leading Stanberry's patrols. “If they're less than five miles out, that doesn't leave us a lot of time to figure out what to do about them.”

Bruce snorted and lifted his radio again. “Do about them? We got our butts handed to us trying to deal with a few dozen yokels with a grudge. Even if they've come looking for trouble, which seems unlikely for an official relief convoy, I hope nobody here is stupid enough to think we're going to fight the United States Armed Forces.”

“Yes, thank you,” Brant said dryly. “I meant how do we greet them? Who's going out there? Do we risk Zolos and let them in if they insist?”

“Well me, Statton, and Westmont are headed to the southern entrance to town. I guess all the leaders from the town and the camp should gather representatives.”

Starr's gruff voice cut in. “Westmont as in Hal, or Ellie? Seems like she'd be useful to have on hand since she's worked with relief workers before.”

The radio crackled with Ellie's voice. “This is Ellie. I'm on my way in the car, since my husband rushed off and left me before he even knew what was going on.” There was a trace of irritation beneath her light tone.

Beside Nick, Hal shifted sheepishly.

Borden, the acting mayor, spoke up in a firm voice. “Before we all lose our minds panicking, how about we focus on what everyone seems to be ignoring. This is a relief convoy, so maybe we should feel relieved? Especially the camp, where supplies are becoming a real issue.”

He paused, and for a moment the radio was completely quiet. Nick was probably imagining it, but the silence almost felt embarrassed.

Borden continued in a milder tone. “Let's remain on guard, but let's also try to be properly celebratory about their arrival, huh?”

By the time Bruce pulled into a parking space near the southern roadblock, the convoy was already coming into view over a hill in the distance. Just as Denny had said, there was a military escort in the lead, followed by some dark sedans and then the semis, with more military vehicles serving as a rearguard.

A few of those had machine guns mounted on top, soldiers manning them vigilantly. The sight was fairly ominous with the convoy rolling right up to Stanberry, but considering the fact that there were probably tons of dangerous groups out there like that gang Ellie had encountered in Colorado, it was a reasonable precaution.

As Nick got out of the car to join the small crowd forming behind the roadblock, he was surprised to see that the convoy actually was driving right up to the town. They didn't show the slightest sign of trying to avoid potentially Zolos-contaminated areas, not even around the quarantine camp. The soldiers and drivers in view were also in normal military fatigues, with no sign of hazmat suits or even masks.

Were they all immune to the disease? Statistically that seemed unlikely, even with how many people had died in the last few months and how many of those still living would be Zolos survivors.

The soldiers manning the turrets atop the vehicles made no hostile moves, looking almost bored as the lead vehicles pulled to a stop along the side of the road a few dozen yards from the roadblock. One of the sedans pulled forward past them, slowing to a stop almost exactly fifteen feet from the barrier.

Borden, trying to project confidence but looking distinctly nervous, stepped forward away from the crowd as a man climbed out of the driver's seat of the sedan.

The man's tailored suit, dark glasses, and stony expression practically screamed some federal agency as he smoothly moved around to the passenger side, opening the door for an older woman in similarly professional attire.

This woman didn't seem like law enforcement, though. Her calm, in control demeanor reminded Nick more of Ellie the few times he'd seen her at work; a manager or civilian leader?

The woman gave them all a polite nod. “Sorry to alarm you with our sudden arrival,” she said amiably in a carrying voice. “I'm Elaine Gorstrom, administrator of this relief convoy.” She looked around the group, eyes settling on Borden. “Are you the mayor?”

“Acting mayor,” Borden replied. “Mayor Darby is on bed rest recovering from a serious injury.”

“But you represent the town?” Gorstrom pressed, with the stuffy impatience of someone with a lot to do and precious little time to waste on quibbling.

He hesitated for just a moment before nodding. “I do. We'd appreciate any help you can offer us.” Hesitating again, he