Chapter Three: New Ally

Sunday, July 8th

2200

Scenic Beach State Park, Washington

"Kid, get up, the horde is gone, and your crew is alive and back. Let's go." A man says, shaking Ransie from his nap.

"How can you tell? That they're back I mean." Ransie asks.

"Well, I can hear the idle from here, and that A.I. isn't quiet. Not by a long shot."

Ransie grunts in admittance. And he grabs the gear he left hours before. And he takes a couple of the guns Bass had lying around. A shotgun, two light machine guns and a submachine gun. Not to mention five ammo boxes.

"Cortana, ping the Hummer." Ransie commands.

"Done." Cortana replies, instantly.

Vroom

The next thing either man knew was the Hummer sliding into place in front of them.

"Nice ride, kid." Bass says.

"Was my dad's. That's why it's camo." Ransie replies, biting back tears. "Cortana, discharge the doors."

"Done. Also, Matt was driving." The snarky A.I. says.

The two men walk over the the Hummer, which was just three feet from them, driver door in front of Ransie.

"Put the ammo in the hatch. Cortana?" Ransie commands.

"Aight. On it" Bass says with a slight accent not previously noticed.

As Cortana opened the hatch, Matt asks where to next. Ransie comments that they are looking for a place to restock and relax. Rest and recuperate.

Bass butts in and comments that there is a base nearby. Albiet modified, it can withstand a few hordes.

The twins look at each other, then ask the girls' opinons. The girls agree, and they take off.

"Alpha base, come in. Repeat, Alpha base, come in. Over." Bass says into the CB of the SUV. All he gets is static in response.

"Right channel?" Matt asks.

"I'm sure. Cortana, re-tune the CB." Bass orders.

"Ransie, should I follow this order?" Cortana asks her handler.

"Do it!" Ransie orders.

The AI tunes the radio, and Bass tries again. This time, someone responds.

"This is Alpha Base, over. What you need?" Is what they heard over the static.

"Permission to enter the base. This is Key Ops Master Bass. Let us in. E just went through a horde. And this SUV is the one built by John." Bass lists to the radio operator.

"Let me talk to the Major. But work you way on over. For your information though, a horde is inbound, east. So if that's he way y'all coming, help us out here." He responds.

"How did you know our dad's name is John?" Ransie questions.

"He was part of my squad. We trained together, fired together and even operated together." Bass says reverently.

"Well, let's get moving. We have to gun down that horde before it hits." Ransie orders. "Matt?"

"On it! Open the hatch!" Matt comments quickly.

"Cortana, do it. And charge the doors." Ransie spits.

"Done." Cortana announces.

"Ransie, do you know where the Rodeo Drive-in is?" Bass asks.

"Yeah? Why?" Ransie asks back.

"That's the base." Bass states.

"So... we go to the drive in..." Ransie questions.

"That's an affirmative. Move on my mark. Now!" Bass commands.

"Dude... no." Matt sighs.

"Fine. You're the boss then Ransie. But still, go." Bass pleads.

"Going."