Amy was still sleeping when the time came to wake up, so Enterprise, who had changed into her uniform like the Commander, carried her in her arms as they headed out to the front yard. Jim and Josh were loading the last of the supplies into the back of the bus while Sam was checking the engine with a flashlight.
There were clouds in the sky, but the mood would probably be the same even if the sky was bright and clear. Everyone was quiet, and those who weren't looking at their rooms were staring out at the city.
Even Commander Halsey had a wistful glance at his Matador, the car that had taken them so far. She wondered if he was feeling sentimental, and she felt bad that he had to leave the car behind, especially since he cherished it so much.
"Don't worry about it, Mr. Commander, sir," Josh, who apparently had caught on, smiled. "Jim and I are leaving our Ford behind, too. But I believe we will get it back."
"Yeah," the Commander smiled back. "Well, better than having that thing break down in the middle of the trip, eh? Let's just hope the bus holds up."
"Sam's a wizard; I'm sure she'll hold up just fine. Wonder why he chose bean-counting and prepping tax returns when fixing stuff is more exciting."
"Told you it's because of my old man. But thanks for the vote of confidence. We're good to go," Sam quipped just as Reese came out, followed by a few other volunteers.
"All set? Everyone here?" Reese called out. "Good. Let's get to packing."
***
The bus was large enough for them to find a seat without cramming, for which Enterprise was grateful. Amy was sitting in the Commander's lap, still half asleep, while he leaned against the window, watching the motor lodge growing farther and farther until it disappeared from view. The kids had fallen asleep again almost immediately after the bus departed, and the adults were mostly quiet. The only sound was the engine's hum and the occasional honking to scare away the birds that had taken over the empty roads.
Enterprise noticed the bus had a sunroof, a useful thing to have if they needed to fight. It was large enough to let her out. Grim's eyes were darting around, keeping watch, and she did the same, making sure the coast was clear. Jim and Josh had armed themselves with the grenade launchers from the National Guard depot, the former taking a spot in the front while the latter was in the back. The other volunteers had spread out along the length of the bus, armed with assault rifles.
They had just cruised past the Bellevue State Park, and as far as she could see, there were no hostiles, which wasn't as reassuring as it should've been. The kids had woken up, and not a few had gotten fussy. Janine and Melissa invited them to a sing-along to distract them, which had seemingly worked.
It worked for her, too, listening to the off-key, off-beat renditions of "The Wheels on the Bus" and "You Are My Sunshine." She felt relaxed, almost at ease. If it hadn't been for the fact that they were heading to an uncertain future, she would've enjoyed the ride.
It was only after they crossed the state line to Pennsylvania that the first sign of hostility showed up. At first, it was the distant rumbling of engines that Enterprise and the Commander immediately picked up, which spurred them into positions. The others soon noticed something, too, and the whole bus was on edge.
And then they appeared on the horizon, a swarm of drones larger than anything she had encountered so far, flying in a V formation, heading their way.
"All of you, get down!" Reese ordered as Enterprise climbed out of the sunroof, readying her bow. She could hear the volunteers readying their weapons, too, and she knew they were aiming out of the windows.
But they didn't need to. A distinct buzzing sound came from behind them, followed by the unmistakable guttural sound of a Warthog's GAU-8 shredding a few of the drones to pieces and breaking their formation. They began pursuing the plane, but she used their distraction to shoot down a few more.
The Hog wasn't exactly built for dogfighting, but the drones weren't the pinnacle of maneuverability either, and she could see the pilot was making full use of the advantage, evading their attacks and getting on their tail when the opportunity arose.
Soon, the swarm was reduced to a handful, and she finished them off, the last one falling onto the road as a smoking wreck.
"Everyone okay?" She asked as she climbed back inside, and there was a collective sigh of relief.
"All good!" Jim shouted, giving a thumbs-up. "That was...radical!"
"Thought we're gonna die..." Someone remarked.
The plane banked above them before descending and landing on the empty freeway ahead, and Reese slowed the bus down. Enterprise could see the insignia of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard on the fuselage. The canopy opened, and the pilot climbed down from the cockpit. He removed his helmet, revealing the relieved face of a gentlemanly-looking man, probably in his forties, with a thick mustache and gray, short-cropped hair, which reminded Enterprise of Robin Olds. His flight suit was slightly torn on the sleeves, but he didn't look worse for wear.
When the bus stopped, curious faces were peeking out of the windows, with a few of the adults and children even climbing halfway out to get a better look. Reese left the bus, and Enterprise followed suit, the Commander right beside her.
"Thank you for the help," Reese was the first to speak. The pilot straightened his back and gave a crisp salute.
"Lieutenant Colonel Michael Flint. Pennsylvania Air National Guard. A pleasure to meet you," he said. Reese returned the salute with a smile.
"Thomas Reese. Just a former medic."
"Huh, were it not for the kids, I'd have thought you people were one of those crazy rabble trying to take over the state. But I guess it's not a field trip either," the pilot chuckled. "It's a relief seeing you folks. And I see you have a Navy guy, too. And a KANSEN. You don't see them every day. I assume you were the one who shot down those I couldn't get, miss...?"
Enterprise nodded and saluted. "Enterprise, USS Enterprise. This here is my commanding officer."
"Commander Jeremiah Halsey," he said, extending his hand. Flint shook it and grinned. "Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel. You saved us there."
"Anytime, Commander. We're on the same side. And it's a relief to see non-hostiles. You folks are a sight for sore eyes," Flint sighed. "Been a while since I flew that clunker. I have been trying to get in contact with any military branches in the area. We've been federalized, yet no orders came through. The units have all been scattered. My base has been overrun, too, so there's nowhere for me to go back to. Thought I just head to Philly and shoot...well, anyone that's not supposed to be around."
"Things aren't looking good?" Reese asked, his expression turning grim. "We're heading to Philly, then New York. Trying to get these people to safety."
"Ah, Philly," Flint said, looking up at the sky. "That place's a warzone. Not just with the bots but with survivors, deserters, local gangs, and other opportunists fighting it out. The enemies had decimated a good part of the city before we drove them out, and now it's become a battleground. Not sure how we're able to keep them at bay. The worst part is that you can't take the detour through I-295. Bridges out all over the Delaware. My advice if you're going through the I-95 is to never, ever stop. Not even for a breather."
"Good to know. Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel," Reese sighed. "We will keep going."
"Well, I'm passing by Philly anyway. If I happen to notice that you need a hand, I'll try to give you one," he grinned, tapping the A-10's nose. "My cannon's running low on ammo, but I still got enough to put the fear of God into anyone looking for a fight. Not to mention the ground missiles. Just gotta make sure you people are outta range, though."
"...Thank you. And if you're looking for a place to lend your firepower, the Navy needs all the help we can get, especially in New York," the Commander said.
"Ha, inter-service cooperation? I like that. Maybe I could find a place to refuel and rearm around there, eh?" He smiled. "Anyway, it was nice meeting you. I gotta go. I'm flying to Philly, and then, well, we'll see. If you folks are lucky, you won't need me at all. But if you do, I'll be happy to help."
And with that, he climbed back into the cockpit and gave them a quick salute before taking off. The A-10 climbed higher and higher, and soon it disappeared out of sight. The kids waved their hands at the retreating plane, and Enterprise had to suppress a chuckle.
Reese looked at them, the Commander and Enterprise, and then he turned to the rest of the people on the bus.
"Well, the good thing is, since this is a long-haul bus, we won't need to refuel. But we might need to find a safe place for bathroom breaks, at the very least," he said. "But if he's right, then we won't be able to stop at all. So...anyone needs to go, better do it now."
***
Enterprise didn't like the look of Philadelphia the moment the bus approached the city limits. Chester had been mostly spared from the devastation, but here, not far from the airport, she could see raging fire, just like the one she had seen in Baltimore.
The airport itself was only partially destroyed, but from where she was, she could see the partial remnants of fighting.
They were far from the heart of the city, but even the chaos seemed to reach out to them. The Delaware Expressway was clogged with debris, and the occasional people were milling about. Judging by their looks, they weren't interested in making friends. Warning shots fired in the air quickly dissuaded them from getting any closer, though. When a group proved particularly insistent, Enterprise fired a couple of shots in their direction, and soon, they learned not to mess with the bus, scattering to pick up a fight with someone else or one or two drones instead.
The kids were told to stay away from the window, in part to prevent them from seeing the chaos outside and partially because they didn't want to draw attention to the little ones. They heard things, though, and a few cried, frightened. Enterprise could hear them being calmed down by whoever was nearby.
The bridge over the Schuylkill River was thankfully intact, but the waters below were littered with more wrecks. The sound of gunfire and explosions had abated, and the kids, having calmed down, were dozing off or chaotically playing their game of pretend. Nobody minded the noise.
Enterprise smiled a little and turned her attention to the river again—and the smile promptly died on her face.
Fire, mocking laughter, and blood. So much blood.
She fought back the urge to shoot an arrow at that smirking face, but she realized that doing that might incite an attack. The figure seemed to be alone, but that rigging-like contraption she was riding on was something she hadn't seen before, and she didn't want to find out what it could be capable of doing.
But whatever her intention was, she left the bus alone, and soon, she sailed away toward a pair of black alien vessels that had just appeared from the south of the river. Enterprise watched as they disappeared into a column of smoke and breathed a breath of relief.
"Enterprise, what's wrong?" Commander Halsey asked, surely having noticed her agitation.
She looked at him, then at the children playing around them, and at the concern and confusion on his face.
"...We need to go."
***
Philadelphia had indeed fallen.
Not to the enemy but to the flames of anarchy. They were spared from the worst of it, but that was because the people who could have posed a danger had been busy with their own fights. Gangs, looters, and other people who had abandoned their dignity and humanity in the face of disaster.
So far, she had seen the burned carcasses of cars, bodies littering the streets, and the people looting and ransacking buildings and stores. Some were fighting with each other. She had fended off attacks a few times, but the rest of the volunteers and the Commander had also come to her aid.
Reese had been silent as he navigated the bus through the city, but everyone could see the tension in his posture.
The children were shaking and crying, but he pressed on, unyielding. Away from the downtown, the destruction was less severe, but the fires still burned, though no mob could be seen.
"The Navy Yard is ahead. I don't see any sign of fighting," Reese finally said from the driver's seat. "I don't know if the authorities have regained control of the place, but it's unlikely. We have to go through it either way. Pray that there won't be any more fighting. The poor kids couldn't take anymore."
"It's possible. There's no telling. But I'd say we shouldn't take chances. We can't stop here," Commander Halsey shook his head. "Keep going."
"Agreed," Reese nodded, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
"What the—"
He almost skidded the bus to a stop. Everyone on the bus looked up, wondering what had happened.
Planes, the ones only a KANSEN could send, were engaging a group of hostile vessels down there. Their anti-aircraft weapons tore through the squadrons, but the planes were relentless.
"Those planes..." Enterprise whispered, a strange feeling bubbling in her chest. "...I know those planes."
That could only mean that person was nearby, and she was engaging the enemy all by herself.
And indeed, she was—sailing into view just as she narrowly avoided getting shelled. Enterprise didn't need to see the girl's face to know who she was.
"Essex..."
Essex noticed the bus and paid dearly for the distraction. She was hit on her shoulder, and she staggered, her planes disappearing. But she gritted her teeth, the planes reappearing around her, and she began her attack anew.
"Reese, are you crazy? Step on it!" One of the adults shouted. "Let's get the hell out of here!"
Enterprise was about to tell them to go ahead and let her catch up later when Flint's Warthog descended and dropped a payload on the ships as they had their guns trained on Essex. They didn't see it coming, either because Essex had done a number on their system or because they were simply too preoccupied with her.
The payload exploded in a brilliant fireball, and the ships were sent rocking, but not enough to cripple them all. But that did give Essex room to slip away, and, seemingly with the last of her strength, she sent one final flight at them.
Flint was coming around for another pass, and Enterprise had to think fast. They needed to keep moving if they wanted to avoid attracting attention.
"Essex! Come here!" She shouted from the sunroof. "We'll give you a lift!"
Essex noticed them, and Enterprise extended her hand as the bus slowed down to a stop beside her, just as Flint shot two Mavericks at the vessels and Essex's planes dropped their bombs before dissipating along with her rigging. The combined assault was enough to force the remaining ships to retreat, but Enterprise didn't have the time to watch. She grabbed Essex's hand and pulled her up, the younger KANSEN nearly stumbling onto her.
"Are you hurt?"
"Enterprise, I—" Essex looked up at her with wide eyes.
"Save it. Let's go."
The Warthog banked above them, and Flint gave them a thumbs-up. He flew away toward the northeast, the same way they were heading.
"Guess that will be the last we see of him for the time being, huh," the Commander muttered, looking out the window as the bus picked up speed. "I hope he'll be safe."
Essex was sitting across from Enterprise now, her brow bleeding and her face covered in soot.
"Thank you...for helping me," Essex wheezed. She looked tired, and yet she still managed a weak, shaky smile. "Boy, am I glad to see a friendly face."
"What were you doing here?" Enterprise pressed the alcohol-soaked cotton swab to the wound, and the other KANSEN winced, sucking her breath in through her teeth.
"Scouting," she replied, trying not to flinch too much. "To see how much the Delaware is compromised. That, and I was trying to help the survivors in Philly. Those ships have been showing up in force around here."
"So you came from New York?"
"Yup. And before you wonder, I wasn't alone. At least, at first. Had to send Intrepid back, though," Essex sighed. "She's hurt, and I can't fight and protect her at the same time."
"You're hurt, too," Enterprise frowned. The wound on her shoulder was shallow, but the bruise beneath was deep. "You need to rest."
"Ugh, I'm making you worry for me again," she smiled wryly, looking down at her lap. "Sorry."
"Actually, reckless as it was, I'm impressed," Enterprise said. "You gave them a hard time, and you were brave. It's not easy, taking on a bunch of them alone."
"Aw, you're just saying that. It wasn't that impressive," Essex chuckled, her face turning a little red. Despite her effort to sound modest, she was clearly pleased.
"I'm serious. You're strong," Enterprise smiled. "Don't sell yourself short. Weren't you supposed to be our new face?"
"Haha, yeah, I know, I know. But I still have a long way to go," she shrugged. "And I can't do anything if I die here."
"Exactly. So rest," she said, patting her shoulder. "I will tell you everything you need to know later. For now, just relax and regain your strength."
"Yeah, yeah. Thank you, Enterprise," Essex nodded and leaned back. "Hey, you're heading to New York, too, right? I can't wait to hear what you've been through. I'm glad you're okay."
She wasn't sure if she should tell her what happened, but Vestal would hear it nonetheless, so why bother hiding it?
"We have a lot to talk about, yes. But for now, sleep," Enterprise smiled and patted her head, and Essex closed her eyes.
"Okay."
Leaving the girl to sleep, Enterprise joined Commander Halsey at the front of the bus.
"Huh, so we have two KANSENs on board. I feel like this is going to be an interesting trip," Reese chuckled, his eyes still glued to the window, watching out for trouble. "But hopefully, uneventful."
"I hope so. We can't afford to wait until it's dark," the Commander said. "The less time we spend on the road, the better."
"Agreed."
***
From there, the ride was, as Reese put it, uneventful. Not a few of the children, Amy included, or even some of the adults, were interested in the newcomer. Essex tried her best to be a good sport, answering their questions, no matter how ridiculous.
In the front, though, Enterprise could feel the tension.
The Commander was sitting beside Reese, and he was staring outside. He hadn't said a word since the bus had started moving again, and Enterprise wondered if he was okay.
"Commander, are you okay?" She inquired,
"The Independence Hall was just nearby," Commander Halsey glanced outside. "I hope the fires will spare it. It's a shame to lose a place like that in such a senseless tragedy."
"I took Jessie there once. To watch the Independence Day parade," Reese chimed in. His voice was soft, almost inaudible. "She was only five then. She was so happy, waving at the marching band and the floats. Now, everything's gone..."
"Reese, keep your eyes on the road," the Commander gently said. "I'm sure we can still rebuild. Maybe we can take the kids to the Hall someday. But first, we need to regain what we lost."
"I know. We'll get through this, and then, we'll see," he said. "God, I hope we can."
Reese stepped on the gas, and the bus sped away. Enterprise knew they didn't have time to mourn. They had to survive first.