The Sisters Karamazov: The Deck Const, #4

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This is one of those stories that I will be writing for many years to come. It involves The Soldier, a character who first appeared in The Soldier’s Code which was published in Lost Worlds some years ago. This is the culmination of the beginning of his journey to find the Deck Const, a journey that will take him from San Francisco, across the wasteland of what’s left of a dystopian United States and finally to the inevitable confrontation in Washington, D.C.

About The Sisters Karamazov

The book runs about 169 pages in book form and consists of 42,000 words. The stories are now collected in The Deck Const: Shadows & Rumors. The next installment of the series is expected in the latter part of 2016.

About The Deck Const

The Deck Const is part of a universe copyrighted by Duane Gundrum, the author. For permission to use any elements of this universe, please contact the author.

OTHER BOOKS BY Duane Gundrum

The Deck Const: Shadows & Rumors

Innocent Until Proven Guilty

Leader of the Losers

Destiny

Absent Without Leave

Deadly Deceptions: A Steve Darwood Army Counterintelligence Novel

Thompson’s Bounty: A Ship Out of Time

The Ameriad: The Untold Founding of America by the Survivors of Troy

The Teddy Bear Conspiracy

A Season of Kings: : A Tales of Reagul Novel

Darkened Passages: A Collection of Dark Fantasy

BOOK IV

The Sisters Karamazov

Chapter 39

The map I was using was quite ancient, but it did contain certain information that was of use.  After breaking through the northern gate, we were close to a superstructure the map referred to as Highway 2, and it ran north and south.  We pulled onto the highway and drove several miles until we came to a spot where the highway was no longer functional; there was a gap in the road and a wide chasm before the freeway continued several hundred meters later.  Backtracking, we exited the freeway on an off ramp that put us near a large bowl shaped object that looked like an ancient coliseum.

What do you suppose it is? I said to Yvonne who was seated behind me in the jeep.

She stared out at it and shrugged her shoulders.  They used to play a lot of sporting events here.  They had way too much free time on their hands.  Who knows what this place really was?

The place took up a large section of the area where we were.  There was a complex parking system located around it, even though the lines that separated the stalls themselves were no longer visible and potholes were located randomly throughout the complex.  Part of the bowl superstructure was caved in, but the majority of it appeared to be intact.  What do you say? I said to her.

She stared back at me.  You can't seriously want to check that place out.

I nodded my head yes.  Curiosity has always been one of my failings.

She sighed.  Well, then I suggest you send in the soldiers first.  We can't afford to have anything happen to you.

Jenkins came up alongside me, having exited his own jeep and curious about why we delayed once on the city streets.  What's happening, sir?

I pointed at the structure.  What do you suppose it is?

Only one way to find out, sir, he said.

I like that attitude, I said.  How about checking it out and letting me know?

He nodded.  Not a problem, sir.

He then walked off to enlist a group of the soldiers who then moved forward and entered the structure through one of its lower deck glass doors.  Several minutes later, Jenkins voice came over the radio.  You wouldn't believe it even if you saw it yourself.

What is it? I said back into the transmitter.

There's some large diamond shape figure on the center field of this place, even though it's been overgrown with grass and weeds.  You can see the shape due to the fact that nothing has grown over the sandy portion of the field.

Diamond shape? I said.  I turned back to Yvonne.  Wasn't there an old sport that used to have one of those?

Baseball, she said.  I think that's the one.

Could this be one of their old stadiums?

She nodded, even though I could tell she wasn't exactly sure about that answer.

I transmitted again.  Any sign of resistance there?

There hasn't been anyone in this place for a long time, said Jenkins's voice.  My opinion is that it's safe.

Very good, I said as I motioned for my driver to take us closer.

The driver got us as close as he could before he refused to try to get over one of the larger potholes that separated us from the rest of the complex.  We then got out and walked the rest of the distance to the main structure.

We entered through the same doorway as the first party.  There was a turnstile at the entrance that we climbed over and then I stood back and took in the scene.

The place was one long corridor that stretched in two directions.  There were vendor stalls set up on the walls, even though they no longer appeared to be in any serviceable order.  It was hard to imagine any service being offered to people who no longer showed up to watch games.

Walking down the long corridor with several soldiers staying close to me for my protection, we came to an opening on the inner wall.  Light was coming from that area, so I entered and took in an even stranger scene.

There were seats everywhere.  Many of them were no longer in serviceable condition, having been destroyed by vandals over time, but they stretched around the place concentrically and seemed to go on forever.  If this place was packed with people, it would easily hold thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people.  I saw Jenkins and his group on the field below, surrounded by all of these seats.  They were pushing their way through the weeds and grass to try to get a better feel for what it was they were stomping through.

Jenkins was right about his assessment of the field itself.  It was definitely a diamond.  Yet, had I not seen it for myself, I would never have believed how impressive it was in person.

Dodger Stadium, said Greg from behind me.

I turned around.  What was that you said?

Its name, he replied.  I've heard of this place.  It used to be the place where Angel City's baseball team played most of its games.  But I don't think it was called Angel City back then.

Dodger Stadium? I said.  I've never heard that name before.

He pointed out at one of the decayed scoreboards.  The name is right there.

Sure enough, it was.  On top of the board was the designation that indicated it was Dodger Stadium.  There must have been some great experiences here.

Greg nodded slowly.  We're looking at the remains of an ancient civilization.  This is our own Coliseum of Rome.  He stared out at the ruins and then smiled.  Years from now, people will come here on tours and talk about how our ancient forefathers used to hit little balls with sticks and run around a diamond-shaped field.  People will study about it in schools and then write long dissertations about it.  Give it enough time, and they’ll probably claim these people gathered for some religious purpose.  Scientists sometimes forget that people do things just to do things

I smiled.  You're assuming we'll figure out some way to rebuild what was lost.

We will, he said.  That's why you're here.

Oh great, I said.  Another believer in the legend of the Soldier and the Deck Const.

I wouldn't be here with you if it wasn't something I believed in.

I found myself still staring at the sign.  What do you suppose a dodger is?

I believe it was some kind of bird that used to be indigenous to this place, said one of the soldiers who overheard my question.

One of the soldiers spoke up.  The seats look like they used to be two different colors.  I think that used to be green.  He was pointing at a charred color that made up the bulk of seats.  I think that used to be red, he said, pointing at the other section.

Orange, said Greg as he stared at it a bit longer.

Well, enough of the past, I said as I turned away from the place.  We have a future to build.  Let's get out of here and do it.

We found an entrance to Highway 10, a place on the map that appeared to stretch all of the way to where Las Vegas was supposed to be.  Of course, our maps were ancient, but they were all we had to go by.

Before we entered the freeway, a large group of people came onto the street and stood before us.  They were ragged, and they carried sticks, some of them holding what looked like makeshift rifles.  I ordered our convoy of ten trucks and three jeeps to stop.  Before I could decide on anything, one of the locals walked up to my jeep, realizing I was the group's leader.

I am Rhemm, he said.  Who are you, and what are you doing in our territory?

I am Burke, I said.  Some know me as The Soldier.

It was the first time I used my legendary title, but I was beginning to wonder how much clout there was behind it.

You? said the man with shock registering on his face.  Then he took in the spectacle that my rag tag military force presented.  "You're The Soldier?"

I nodded my head yes.  If you doubt that, I am quite willing to prove it here and now.  My advice to you is to step aside or face a wrath you've never experienced before.

The man smiled, something I wasn't expecting considering the circumstances.  You do not need to threaten me.  We are hungry city folk, and we were hoping to find some food.  If you wish to travel through without offering anything, may the gods have mercy on your souls, but we will not be the ones to offer any violence against you.

How many are there? I said.

My band is several hundred strong, but there are thousands in Angel City who are without help or food.

Then you will have it, I said.  I turned to Jenkins who came up alongside me again.  Radio back to Angie and let her know that once she controls Grand, she is to start sending out recruiting groups into Angel City bringing food and supplies.  Whatever she has, these people will have.

But she'll need her supplies for the war she is about to fight, said Jenkins.

I nodded.  She'll be pleasantly surprised once she starts recruiting groups of people she never even realized existed.  This city will be hers in one tenth of the time if she plays her cards right.

Understood, said Jenkins.

Rhemm stared at me, confused.

You may not understand this right now, but you are about to be supplied with everything you need.  This is not an empty promise.  I intend to make sure that my group here supplies you with several days’ worth of food right now.  However, in the next couple of days, you will be contacted by emissaries of Grand Studios.  They will feed you in return for a pledge to help free Angel City from the domination of the studios.

Is this some sick joke? said the man.  Is this some upper class way of making a joke of the lower class?

No, I said.  This is a promise.  In the next couple of weeks, your whole way of life is going to change.  There’s new management at Grand Studios.

Jenkins came back.  Message received and acknowledged.

Good, I said as I turned to Yvonne.  Scrounge up extra food from our supplies and make sure these people are fed.

Rhemm just stared at me.  You're one of the gods, aren't you?

I shook my head.  No, just a soldier.

"The Soldier," corrected Jenkins as he went back to his jeep and prepared to assist in the feeding of the city people.

Our travels on Highway 10 went quite well considering all of the other problems