Post-Pandemic: A New World

Chapter Thirty Three: The Plaza

San Francisco Plaza was just like any other Mall. It was located in the centre of San Francisco and had a dome glass window on top that covered the entire roof and also had evidently been an escaped prisoner hangout, mainly because of the large banner above the main entrance that had a spider web symbol that said "Spiders" below it. The Phoenix Convoy was parked in the parking lot and many of the Phoenixes had exited Their vehicles to get a good look at the Plaza. There were a few other abandoned cars around and many windows were boarded up with wooden planks and there were bullet holes in the walls around the Plaza entrance. The Phoenix Convoy was in much better condition than the cars, including the truck with the flatbed that had the U.F.O strapped onto it and concealed with a large green sheet. Bridge looked at the entrance with hope that this could be there new home and worry that some escaped prisoners might still be inside. Bridge had long since hoped that the Phoenixes would be able to find a new place to call home very soon and now They had found it in the form of John Geary Memorial Plaza. But Bridge, Anna and the rest of the Phoenixes knew that the Post-Fall world was one of incredible danger and that there was no telling what kind of dangers were waiting for Them inside of the Plaza. But the Phoenixes were also worried about any potential adversaries getting Their hands on the U.F.O that They had scavenged from Area 51 and had brought with Them on a flatbed transport truck. They feared that the technology could be adapted by the Unity Order now that it could be opened, so They sought to keep the U.F.O protected until They knew what to do with it.

Bridge looked back at the team that had been assembled and said "Everyone. Me, Phinehas, Anna, Sebastian, Joe and a few other Phoenixes will head inside to scout out the Plaza. Once We're sure it's safe I'll radio John to bring You all inside". John nodded and said "Don't worry, I've got my radio at the ready for Your call". Phinehas was worried as He said "I just hope that it won't be a repeat of Salt Lake City".

Bridge and the team then headed towards the entrance. The glass doors were ten feet tall and were wide open. The team headed inside and They immediately saw stores, restaurants, beauty saloons and just about everything You would expect to see in a shopping mall. Between the two tall sets of stairs that led up to the higher level was a statue of a bearded man coloured in bronze. When the Phoenixes came up to the statue Sebastian read the plaque below it. Looking down at the plaque, He said "In loving memory of John Geary, first Mayor of the City of San Francisco and a forefather to Us all". Bridge looked at the statue and said "I guess the owners of the Plaza erected this on the anniversary of the City's founding or something". Phinehas looked around the plaza in many directions and yelled out "Hello, is there anyone in this old Plaza?" There was no response, but Bridge could've sworn that He heard something in the upper level.

Bridge then got out His walkie talkie and said through it to John "All clear, the Plaza is now officially our new home". A few minutes later, all eighty Phoenixes were gathered by the statue of John Geary and looking in awe at Their new home. The stores had been looted by escaped convicts and rioters, but there were still plenty of canned food with sell by dates that had to be at least a year after the Fall. There was also bottled water, so the Phoenixes would be able to stop rationing water for a little while. Where They would all sleep was an important question though. Anna got to the statue and said aloud "Can I have Your attention please?" The Phoenixes all looked at Anna as She said "Now that We have a place that We can call home, We must start deciding where We should all sleep and establish a routine". Everyone started agreeing with Anna as she explained "We should all take up the beds in the old stores and We shall eat in the old restaurants communally, I also suggest that We establish a farm somewhere". Bridge agreed and said to the Phoenixes when He got next to Anna "We should also get that big banner outside repainted to have a Phoenix. Ya know? To show that this is Phoenix territory?" Mummers of approval were heard from the assembled crowd, but then one of the Phoenixes yelled out "Hey, there's some kid up there at the top of the stairs!" The Phoenixes all looked at the top of the right staircase and saw a little girl who had to be at least nine years old. She was wearing a hoodie and a bag on Her back. Upon realising She had been seen, the Girl ran off in fear. Bridge and Anna then gave chase with Phinehas, Sebastian and a few other Phoenixes following suite. Bridge called out "It's okay, We're not gonna hurt You". The Girl kept running, fearful for Her life. Anna said aloud "We don't mean any harm" to try and calm Her down, but the Girl kept running.

The Girl finally arrived at a grocery store and a man with similar features to Her, Caucasian skin, brown hair, green eyes, etc, appeared from out of the store and She hid behind Him as He said "Grace, what's going on?" The Man then noticed the large group of at least fifteen people assembled that had chased Grace and said "Whoa. Uh, listen, We don't want any trouble". Bridge calmly said "Don't worry, We're just looking for sanctuary and decided to colonise this place". Grace timidly said "Dad, can We please go?" Grace's Father answered "One minute Grace". Grace's Father then explained "We're just scavengers, We came to scavenge this place and We saw You people enter. We all hid, but Grace went to take a look". A few other people then appeared from out of the store. All of Them wore ragged clothing and had back bags on Them. Their worn out shoes were evidence enough to prove that They had travelled far and wide looking for a new place to call home. Bridge then carefully asked "Where did You people come from?" One of the men yelled "Don't tell Him anything Mike!" Grace's Father, Mike, snarled back at the Man "Not now Nick!" Mike then asked "Where did You people come from?" Anna answered "Ten of Us came from New York, but the rest are from around the nation". Mike's face filled with shock as He said "New York? You people travelled across the entire country to get here?" Bridge slightly nodded and said "Yes. Now I know that You people are scavengers, but The Phoenixes are always welcoming new people. Your free to stay or leave, it's Your choice". Mike thought for a few moments, unsure of how to respond, but then answered "Me and Grace will give it a shot". Bridge then shook hands with Mike and said "Welcome to the Phoenixes".

One of the scavengers then asked through slight chuckles "Hey, isn't it funny that this guy is British and Drake's British? I mean, what are the odds?" Bridge was stunned as He asked "Wait You guys have someone Whose British with You?" Mike looked at Bridge and answered "Yes, Drake's from the UK and got stuck here when the Government issued the lockdown". That brought back painful memories to Anna where She had heard of tourists getting stuck in certain countries after those countries governments put them under quarantine. Anna had been infected with the St Peters Virus and was only able to survive thanks to Ivan's antidote, so She was all the more eager to unleash the Antivirus to stop S.P.V once and for all. Mike then remembered something else about "Drake" and said "By the way, Drake's from this small town I've never heard of before. Some place called Sandton Springs". Bridge, Anna, Sebastian and Phinehas's faces froze as Bridge asked "I'm sorry what?" Mike wondered why They all looked so shocked at hearing the name of the town Drake was from and asked "Wait do You know that town?" Bridge didn't answer. Instead He asked "Is His last name "Franklin" by any chance?" Mike's face filled with shock. Mike then stuttered "You...You know Him?" Bridge nodded and was about to speak, but then He saw "Drake appear from behind one of the food stalls and almost gasped upon seeing who it was. Although He was ten years older since They last met and had grown a short beard, Bridge still recognised the skin tone identical to His and the identical eye colour. He also recognised the black yet greying hair and the birthmark across "Drake's" hand that resembled a plus sign. Drake recognised Bridge too and They both froze in complete shock upon recognising each other. Bridge eyed Drake up and down, trying to confirm whether or not it was true. There was no denying it at all when Bridge said "Dad?"