Yellowstone: Survival: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller (The Yellowstone Series Book 4)

by Bobby Akart

  Miguel continued. “There was only one problem with the UNESCO application—there were no indigenous people on Isla Socorro. The president’s advisors quickly came up with a solution. The military wished to expand its naval facility, which had been here for sixty years. They approached me, a building contractor by trade, to lead a group of Colima residents in a five-year project to inhabit the island and construct the improvements.”

  “You built all of this?” asked Jake.

  “No, only the new bungalows behind us. It allowed the navy to make this base more attractive to its officers. Also, of course, we built our village at Playa Blanca.”

  “Did UNESCO approve the islands?”

  “Oh yes, to much celebration in Mexico City. You see, once the application was approved, the state of Colima became eligible for low-interest, long-term loans from the World Bank. Loans, quite frankly, that were never expected to be repaid. The government paid for the improvements here and new public works programs on the mainland. Because of this, Colima, which is the fourth smallest state in Mexico, has one of the highest standards of living and lowest unemployment in all the country. And it is crime-free.”

  “Well, you should be commended on what you have accomplished,” said Jake. “Were you aware that the navy was leaving?”

  Miguel nodded and furrowed his brow. “Yes, but not until the morning they left. I do not understand why they didn’t give us advance notice. Perhaps they thought we would want to leave as well.”

  “Would you leave?”

  Miguel, who could’ve played the part of Juan Valdez, the fictional character who appeared in Columbian coffee-grower commercials decades ago, removed his hat and wiped the sweat off his brow with a bandana. One of the women brought him a glass of water and offered Jake one as well. Both men took a long drink before Miguel replied.

  “I will tell you, Jake, that we have come to love Isla Socorro as our home. While it is true that the amenities of Colima are not available to us, we enjoy the simple life. We fish. We grow our own food. We raise our children in the Roman Catholic religion and teach them as well.”

  Jake finished his water and added, “Sometimes, simpler is better.”

  “Yes, it is. However, we are dependent on the military to restock some necessities that we cannot make for ourselves. Basic hygiene items and medical needs are met by the base dispensary. It is restocked monthly. I believe that will stop.”

  “We found the keys to all of the buildings, including la despensa. It is full now.”

  “Yes, but the navy has abandoned us. I was told it might be years before they return.”

  Jake smiled and reached out to pat Miguel on the arm. The older man seemed distressed at the prospect of taking care of the people within his charge. Jake vowed to help.

  “Miguel, we will find a way. Ashby and I will help if you will accept us as your neighbors.”

  “Of course, my new friend. You are part of my family now.”

  Two of the teenage girls delivered a plate of macaroni and cheese paired with two hot dogs for the men to enjoy. While they ate, they made more small talk about the island and what it had to offer them long term. As they finished, Jake felt compelled to bring up the elephant in the room, which was most likely on both of their minds.

  “Miguel, what are we going to do about the dive boats?”

  He grimaced and shook his head. “I do not know. They are a danger to us all. What happened yesterday was not the first incident.”

  Chapter 39

  The Pacific Ocean

  Isla Socorro

  Miguel adjusted his seat on the concrete bench and let out a weary sigh. He and Jake were facing each other now. He told the story of two of his teenage nephews who were fishing off the southwest coast when they had an encounter with the liveaboard people. The event took place a week ago, the day after the naval personnel left.

  “The men were in a small boat, circling the boys and creating large waves. Eventually, the boys’ canoe overturned and they were knocked into the water. This meanness was not enough for the men, who continued to circle my nephews. As a final act, they took the boys’ canoe and towed it deeper into the ocean. Fortunately, the boys are good swimmers and made it back to shore, but they lost their fishing gear, their canoe, and their catch.”

  Jake shook his head out of anger. He didn’t know if the men were the same three Italians as yesterday, but clearly the occupants of the two ships had nothing but bad intentions.

  “Anything else?” asked Jake.

  Miguel furrowed his brow and exhaled. “Yes. Several days ago, two bodies floated onto the beach near our village. They were older white people. The bodies were badly beaten and stabbed.”

  “Murdered?”

  “Sí.”

  Ashby approached them, wiping her hands off on her pants before she sat down. “Why are you two so glum?”

  “Glum?” asked Miguel.

  Ashby smiled and replied, “Gloomy. Serious. Sad.”

  Jake answered her question. “Apparently, the people on the liveaboard ships are going to be a problem. A dangerous one, in fact. They harassed Miguel’s nephews the other day and may be responsible for the murder of two tourists who were on board their ships.”

  “What should we do?” asked Ashby.

  “I’m not sure, but we need to make a decision about security,” said Jake. “It’s a matter of time before they come looking for their dead friends.”

  Miguel leaned forward and lowered his voice. “We have to prepare to defend ourselves. My people do not understand the concept of battles and war. They came here to avoid the crime of the mainland and provide a place for their children to grow up with no drugs. The men are not trained. We were issued eight shotguns for our protection the day the navy left, but only eighty shotgun shells.”

  “Each?” asked Jake.

  “Total. Only ten per gun. I am grateful for what they provided, but it is not enough against the evil that is out there.” Miguel pointed toward the ocean in general, as if he was concerned about more than the occupants of the liveaboards.

  Jake stood because he was ready to get to work. The women and children of the village started to huddle around their table, indicating to Miguel that he needed to lead his flock home.

  As they were saying their goodbyes, Miguel made a suggestion. “You are a police officer, yes?”

  “Sort of. But, yes.”

  Miguel waved to one young man who had remained close by the entire time. He was standing over Jake and Ashby’s guns. The young man approached, carrying the rifles.

  “The children told me of your capabilities, Jake. Can you make a plan to protect Isla Socorro from the evil that lurks beyond our shores?”

  Jake didn’t have an answer for that question. There were so many factors to consider.

  Miguel saw that Jake was thinking, so he also asked, “Would you be willing to come to our village tonight? We will make a proper island feast for you both. I will introduce you to everyone, and then we can discuss a plan. Yes?”

  “Of course, Miguel, but I am concerned about leaving the base unguarded. The supplies, the food, and the …” Jake’s voice trailed off, choosing to keep the matter of the explosives to himself.

  “I understand. I will send my best men this evening. Three will guard the base while you are gone, and I will escort you across the island. The terrain is rugged, but we have a well-worn road to use.”

  Jake pointed to the Ford pickup. “Take the truck. The keys are in it. We’d be honored to have an island feast with you.”

  Miguel shook Jake’s hand and gave Ashby a hug. Everyone waved goodbye as they gradually slipped through the buildings and out of sight. Two of the men, and as many women and children that could be stuffed into the backseat and truck bed, drove toward the airfield.

  Jake sat on top of the picnic table and sighed. Ashby slid in next to him and wrapped her arm through his.

  “Wonders never cease,” she said dryly. “Why do I feel like we ju
st became the caretakers for a whole village?”

  Jake agreed. “I know, but we can help one another. It will be an odd coupling of two diverse groups of people, but it might just work.”

  “We have lots of decisions to make,” said Ashby. “I know this, however. With their help, we can make this place a home for a long time until the world rights itself.”

  Chapter 40

  The Pacific Ocean

  Isla Socorro

  Ashby stood with her hands on her hips and scanned the courtyard, slowly turning her body to take in the entire naval base. “Where do we start, Jake?”

  Jake had just returned from the administrative building, where he’d noticed a topographical map of the island the day before. He unfurled it on top of the picnic table he’d shared with Miguel and motioned for Ashby to join him.

  He pointed to the center of the island. “My expert analysis has determined that your beloved volcano is right here.”

  Ashby started laughing. “Oh, Jake, you’re so smart. What gave it away? The fact that the elevation shows the peak at around three thousand feet?”

  “Yup,” he replied. “Seems high. Is that normal?”

  “That’s about right for these smaller volcanic islands.”

  Jake ran his finger toward the bottom tip of the map. “They have the naval base identified here, between Binner’s Cove to our west and Braithwaite Bay on our eastern perimeter. The cove is where I crashed their inflatable.”

  “Don’t remind me,” Ashby said dryly. She changed the subject. “I see the airfield along the coast. I’m thinking the yacht is anchored to the north of the airfield.”

  “I agree. Also, over here on the west side of the island is Playa Blanca, where Miguel and the villagers live. The liveaboards are down here, on the southwest side of the island, where Grayson’s Cove is identified.”

  “The island is bigger than I thought,” started Ashby. “Based upon this scale, it’s ten miles from one end to the other, in all directions.”

  “That’s a lot of coastline to monitor and defend,” said Jake with a sigh. “You and I will be challenged to protect the base alone, much less the whole island. We’ll need to set up a rotation of scouts using Miguel’s people.”

  “They need to be able to communicate with one another, too,” added Ashby. “I know there’s a whole lot to this base we haven’t explored yet. We do have a pair of two-way radios. That’s not enough, though.”

  “That’s on my mental list, as well. I’ll bring it up to Miguel. He might have some at his place.”

  Ashby pointed to a designation on the map that read study sites. “Do you see this black marking about two miles due north of the base? It designates a study site near a place marked Grutas.”

  “Do you have any idea what that means?”

  “Oddly, I keep remembering my days in Italy at Mount Vesuvius. The word grutas appears similar to grotto, or grotta in Italian. Grottos are usually associated with caves, and where there are caves, there is potentially fresh water.”

  “Unless we’re on top of a mountain in Idaho, right?” asked Jake with a chuckle. The bats had made an indelible impression on him.

  “Very funny,” said Ashby. “I’m curious what they mean by study site. Say, can we go by there when we bring the yacht around to refuel and stock?”

  “Absolutely. If there is a spring, it might be another water source besides the gutter catchment system and whatever they have up the mountain.”

  Jake continued to study the map. “Their village is too far from us to help guard the base, and we’re too far away to help them with our weapons and ammo. And I’m sure not gonna give up our arsenal to them. You never know when attitudes might change.”

  “Should we consider consolidating our two locations?”

  Jake grimaced and looked at the sky. “I’ve thought about that several times since we let them know we have the keys to the kingdom around here. Miguel knew the navy personnel were pulling out, yet he didn’t take it upon himself to break in like we did.”

  Ashby laughed. “They have more respect for other people’s property than we do. Exhibit A is floating off the north shore of the island.”

  Jake managed a chuckle and then grew serious. “They haven’t seen what we’ve seen. In any event, the cat’s out of the bag, and we’ll look like jerks by not sharing the supplies left behind by the navy.”

  “Do we consolidate our groups? Maybe bring them over here where we have access to the dock and can better watch for boats coming from the mainland?”

  “Let’s play it by ear tonight and talk privately about our options. They have warm bodies, the ability to grow food, and a village full of fishermen. We have a variety of seeds, weapons, and experience. We’d mesh well.”

  Jake and Ashby rolled up the map and set about to search the base for things that could help them establish a perimeter security system around the base. As they searched through the buildings, Jake expressed his thoughts on their options.

  “Normally, you protect your base camp from the outside in. With walls and fencing, the first thing you do is deter someone from entering your space. Add perimeter guards, and any intruder would walk away from the appearance of a robust security program.

  “Absent fences, walls, and roving guards, the best thing you can do is get a heads-up that someone has breached your perimeter. The earlier you can detect an intrusion, the quicker you can react. That’s the basis for every home alarm system.”

  Ashby relayed something from her childhood. “In the Philippines, some homeowners had dogs, which they tied to a tree or post outside their homes. It’s no different than what you might see driving through rural parts of America. Whenever someone approached the home, the dog would bark, sending a clear warning signal to everyone. I didn’t like that they were tied to a tree, but it was the best alarm system they could afford.”

  Jake laughed. “It’s too bad your new feline friends can’t bark.”

  They entered a nondescript white building with no windows. He flipped on the lights and found a dozen tall metal cabinets lining the room.

  “I never bothered coming in here while I was wandering around this morning because it was so small,” said Ashby. She opened a door and found basic first aid supplies stacked on the shelves.

  Jake opened up a locker on the other side and discovered a variety of tools, including more battery-operated power tools. Another locker contained camping gear, while the fourth was full of fishing accessories.

  “Here are some uniforms, too,” Ashby announced.

  “Bingo,” said Jake after opening a locker stuck in the corner. “We’ve got world band radios. Also, they have two-way units, both battery operated and rechargeable. Here are a couple of bullhorns, including one with a microphone.”

  Ashby pushed past him. “Sweet. A portable CD player. We’ve got music.”

  Jake pulled out a stack of CDs. He read the names of the artists. “Belanova. Julieta Venegas. Julio Iglesias. I’ve heard of him.” Then he burst out laughing.

  “What?” asked Ashby.

  “Well, we also have Frank Sinatra and Guns N’ Roses. That’s an odd mix, don’t you think?”

  Ashby reached over and grabbed the Frank Sinatra CD out of his hands. “I’ll take Ol’ Blue Eyes, thanks.”

  Jake stood in front of the locker, staring for a moment. “I’ve got an idea. We need to create the appearance that the base is inhabited until we can come up with a plan.”

  He walked around the lockers and studied what they’d found. He continued. “Our biggest threat, at the moment, is located on those liveaboard boats. We’re not in a position to take the battle to them yet. However, we can certainly make them think we’re capable of defending ourselves by creating the illusion there are more of us than just you and me.”

  “Miguel’s people?” asked Ashby.

  “Maybe later on. For now, let’s take a page out of the Gilligan’s Island playbook.”

  “Ugh,” moaned Ashby. “Jak
e, are you serious?”

  “Yes. Hear me out. There was an episode in which natives came onto their island and threatened the castaways. They took their excess clothing, then dressed up coconuts and stick figures to make it look like their village was full of people. It worked.”

  “On a comedy show,” said Ashby dismissively.

  “Yeah, but the concept is still solid. Around the compound, we’ll create scarecrows, for lack of a better term. Fully dressed naval personnel sitting just inside windows at various buildings. We’ll play music through the CD player. We’ll turn lights on to make the place appear occupied. In addition to running our own perimeter patrols, it might just help turn the bad guys away.”

  Ashby gave Jake a hug, perhaps to humor him, or out of gratitude. Either way, she quickly began to gather up everything to create the illusion he envisioned.

  Chapter 41

  The Pacific Ocean

  Playa Blanca

  Isla Socorro

  Later that afternoon, Miguel and three of his men arrived in the Ford Sport Trac pickup. None of his men spoke English, but after Jake explained the security deterrents he’d put into place, the men understood their role and took up positions around the perimeter of the base. Their primary focus was going to be guarding the road leading to the dock, as the coastline on both sides of it was too steep and rocky for anyone to climb.

  Their conversation on the trip to Playa Blanca focused on what was happening in the United States and the actions taken by the Mexican government to close its borders. Miguel was open-minded, but he used the word karma on several occasions, leaving Jake uneasy about his attitude toward Americans.