Aurora Sky: Blackout (Completed)

Chapter 17

In less than ten minutes they were back at the Gray Fort dropping off their newly acquired supplies and companions. While the party that had scavenged resupplied their ammunition, Isaac took the time with the four new members to show them around. He invited them inside and told them they could stay here and rest if they needed to, but the two men insisted they were fine and would be okay to go along with them to the Thomas Farm. Valerie and Emma on the other hand took Isaac up on his offer to stay back at the house, asking for a spot to rest and a bathroom to wash up. After he showed the ladies where they could wash and rest, he asked Evan and Duke to follow him into the garage.

He took them upstairs into the room of provisions and over to the chest full of swords. Isaac opened the lock and told them to go through it and take whatever they wanted, and handed them two long knives each, one for themselves and one for their wives. The two thanked him and poked through the chest for themselves. Evan went first and found a black Gerber hatchet. He dropped his old one in the chest and replaced it with the new one. When he put his old hatchet in the chest, something shiny caught his eye.

"What's this?" He wrapped his hands around a silver hilt and silver plated sheath, and pulled out a saber. "This is a Mameluke," he said. His eyes gleamed at the steel decorated in United States Marine emblems that were worn into the blade.

"What's that?" Isaac asked, surprised he didn't know what kind of sword it was.

"It's a sword for Officers in the Marines. They're for ceremonial purposes. This blade is sharp as hell though," said Evan as he looked over at Isaac.

"Yeah, my dad's been on top of that. Go ahead and take it. Feels like you were meant to have it." He reprised back to his friend.

Evan nodded his head and smiled, "I see what you did there."

Duke went in next, digging through before he laid his hands on a warhammer. He held it in one hand and inspected it in the light. The steel head of the hammer was squared, roughly three inches in length and width. It filed back into a sharpened point about four inches long, and the shaft itself was nearly three feet in length. The handle was covered in a leather wrap that spun upward long enough for two hands to grasp, but the robust man held it in one hand with no trouble. "So I can just have this?" Duke asked innocently.

"It's all yours big fella. You remind me of Robert Baratheon with that hammer." And he did with striking resemblance: black of hair, black beard, tall, broad chested, powerfully strong arms and legs. The only difference was that of personality, Duke was loyal to his girlfriend Valerie and only to her.

He let out a deep laugh. "Yeah i guess I do. Thanks, brother. I appreciate it." He hugged Isaac again. Duke was a big man but was not shy to show his feelings, especially that of appreciation.

"Almost forgot. Before we go..." Isaac drowned out before he finished his sentence. He spun around and checked through the chest once more until he found the katar he promised Emma. He closed the chest and gave it over to Evan, and then said, "Give this to Emma before we go. Just in case."

The three then left the room, said goodbye to their loved ones in the house, then joined the team heading to the Thomas farm to pay a wellness visit and drop off Sheri's medication.

Instead of driving, Isaac rode with Warren in his Chevy Silverado along with Paul, Cameron, and Sean. They were followed by the Tahoe driven by Larry, Jess, and Brandon whom they had picked up while they were back at the house. Brandon, like the kind person he was, wanted to offer any medical assistance if necessary when he heard the situation. Arthur, Rob, and Duke rode with Evan in his F-250 Super Duty, trailing at the back of the party.

Warren led the way following Isaac's direction. They sped over 50 miles per hour on the short stretch of straight road before slowing to turn onto Vesper Lane and the long driveway. They crept slowly with their windows down. A chorus of screeches and screams could be made out in the distance. "You hear that?" Warren asked.