Anyway back to the sweep and clear. the next morning we suited up. We dressed in denim jeans and close fitting heavy shirts. gloves, laceless boots, and denim balcavas finsihed the cloth. We had scrounged some bits of riot gear from the police station for shins, elbows and knees and i broke out several fritz helmets from my stash. Clear goggles finished the ensemble. we taped every seam with duct tape and then donned our tactical gear. So we could tell who was who we taped name plates front and back on our helmets. Me, Jay, and Matt carried our FPWs and Alice carried her 870. i had fitted it with a breaching muzzle break the night before. She was our door kicker. She had a wild disposition when dead heads were involved. Jed covered the house exterior and barricade.

We first wrapped each house with a complete line of tape. that was our indicator of coming and going. One at a time we entered. If the door was locked, Alice blew the locks with her shotgun and jay covered the door while she opened it. We left no corner unsearched. we had been through these houses before, scavenging but it was cursory at best. cupboards to toilet tanks we left nothing to chance. Basements were the worst. dark, dank, some with water in them. Matt taped a flashlight to the forearm of his FPW and led the way with Alice at his side. She had put a surefire light on the foreend of the 870 for visibility. the first house was the worst, as it was a learning expierince. it took a full day to clear. We were sweaty and tired by the time it was 100% cleared. we taped everything for later inspection and in case we had a problem later. All the windows and doors were shut and taped so we knew if anything entered or exited the house.

That night we scrubbed and racked out without much fanfare. We were beat. And there was more to come.