by A J Newman
I shook their hands and said, “Thanks for the update and assure the Sheriff we don’t plan to shoot any innocent people, but anyone who is caught looting will be shot immediately.”
“We’ll pass that on.”
***
“Aaron, I know you and your family are in a hurry to get on to Alabama, but could you help me for another two weeks? I need you to train my team some more before you leave.”
“We’ll stay and help, but they are much further along than you think. While you were looking at the bottom of those ale bottles, Davi and I have been conducting training covering everything from hand to hand fighting to constructing IEDs. They aren’t ready for the Special Forces yet; however, they can easily defeat any nonmilitary units and hold their own against regular Army soldiers. I hate to say it, but you need to watch your back with the people from Owensville. It looks like some bleeding heart liberals must be taking over. They will be pissed when you wipe out that gang. They will try and take your Humvee and those twin SAWs.”
The Humvee had two M249 Squad Automatic Weapons mounted in tandem in a turret on top of the vehicle. They could fire several hundred rounds per minute.
“You’re right, I wasn’t paying attention. Thanks for taking care of us even though I was absent the last few months. I agree about the new leaders in Owensville and need to guard against their harming us. They can try to take our weapons, but it would be bad for them.”
“I have several gifts and a few surprises for you before we head south. Come into the barn and help me unload the trailer.”
I had forgotten about the trailer we towed behind one of the Humvees when we left the NG Armory in Indiana. We had loaded it to overflowing with arms and ammunition.
“These KEL-TEC SUB-2000 carbines are from my personal collection. They aren’t assault rifles but are very compact when folded and can lay down a large volume of 9mm bullets with good accuracy out to a hundred yards. I have six of them for you and six Glock 17s. They both use the same magazines and 9mm ammunition. I prefer the Glock 17 magazines because they have the indicator holes to show how many bullets remain. We liberated over 10,000 rounds of 9mm ammo, and I’m leaving it with you.”
“Aaron, I’m speechless. Are you sure you don’t need some of it?”
“Don’t worry, we just need enough to make it to Alabama and join up with our group there. I have more toys for you, but I’m going to ask you to escort us to just north of Nashville in exchange for the toys. This area is fairly safe compared to the unknown between here and Birmingham, and we could use the firepower of the twin SAWs on your Humvee if the shit hits the fan.”
“You don’t have to bribe us; we would help you just because you and your family are our friends.”
“Great, we feel the same way. Now more presents. Here are six - M4s, 10 - 9mm Berettas and 2 - M4s with grenade launchers. I can spare five grenades, so use them as a last resort. Grab those cases on the left marked 5.56x45 Ammo 55gr M193 Ball and grab that box behind them. It has 500 tracers. They will start a good fire or scare the hell out of some redneck thugs. Now, the last surprise. The metal box on your workbench has six fragmentation grenades. Use them wisely and don’t be near when they explode. These gifts should give you an edge on any known enemy in this area.”
“I can’t thank you enough. We can defend ourselves and hunt to help get through the first winter until we get a herd of cows and pigs. Thanks.”
“We will try to stay in contact by radio after we see what shape our group is in down there. I’ll try to bring you a long range radio and more supplies if we can spare them. I expect we will have much more than we need.”
After we had stowed the gifts away, we went to the firing range to try out the SUB-2000. I was very impressed with its light weight and how small it was. I can place it in my bug out bag and keep it with me when I leave the farm. The gun folded in half and fit in the back of my bug out bag along with 2 - 17 and 3 - 31 round magazines. I would give a SUB-2000 and a Glock to Joan, Callie, Lynn, Sally, and Mike. The guns were light and didn’t have much recoil.
***
I took my small army to the range to give them their weapons and to practice before lunch. Aaron and Davi drove up in my pickup with the KEL-TECs and the Glocks in the bed. They handed one each to the group.
“Each of you will keep these as your personal weapons. Mike and I will carry the Glocks and keep the SUB-2000s in our bug out bags. We will have our bug out bags close by at all times. You will do the same. I want this group ready to react, fight and kill anyone who threatens our team. You are our quick reaction squad.”
“Dad, are you trying to get months’ worth of catching up in one day?”
“Punkin, you are correct. My conversation with the deputies and the attack that killed Geena has me focused on our survival. We need to decide who is on our team, who are friends and acknowledge anyone, not on our team or a friend as a potential threat.”
They all looked at each other and then bobbed their heads in agreement.
“Now Aaron will give us training on our new weapons.”
The training lasted until lunch, and each one left the range proficient in marksmanship and maintenance of their new toys. Everyone liked the idea of the folding rifle that could be stored in his or her backpacks, and it fired the same 9mm as the Glock. Joan was a little miffed that I had given our daughter two guns.
“Zack, I know that we don’t see eye to eye on guns, but don’t you think giving a sixteen-year-old two guns to be in her possession every day a bit extreme?”
“No.”
“Zack, a one-word answer.”
“Joan, the world has changed. Callie is now 16 and is mature for her age. In the 1800s, she would be an old married woman with three kids fighting off Indians in the old west. There are killers, perverts and rapists out there that would love to capture our daughter. I want her to become as good at protecting herself as Davi.”
“You just have the hots for that Israeli soldier.”
“She is hot, but I don’t have the hots for any woman now, and that includes you. You can stop trying to slip into my bed every night.”
“Damn, I had hoped we could get back together for Callie’s sake. You know you want me. It’s not as if we haven’t done it a thousand times. I still love you.”
“It’s those times you did it with Todd that sticks in my craw. You left me for a whiny assed bastard. That’s hard to forget.”
“Zack, I made a mistake.”
"Yes, you did,” I replied and stormed off.
The problem was I still find Joan attractive and hadn’t been with a woman for months. I had to keep my mind on my farm and surviving. The new Zack was trying hard.
***
“What do you mean I’m not needed for this meeting? I have a lot to offer and should be included in any planning for our community,” said Grant as he glared at me.
“Grant, first this is not a community. It is my farm, and I say what goes around here. I will be glad to take advice from those I trust, but this is not a democracy. Besides, you were supposed to head home to Bucksville over a month ago. I will talk to you later. Now please let us continue our meeting.”
“That’s not fair; I’m a part of this community.”
“Leave now before I lose my temper. Look, this is a meeting with my closest friends to catch me up on anything I've missed. Now leave us alone.”
He turned and left the room in a huff.
I got up closed the door looked at my friends and said, “I guess I pissed in his Wheaties. What gives with him?”
Mike spoke up, “That was one of the issues I told you we need to discuss. Grant has been lobbying for us to begin running the farm as a community with everyone having a say in all decisions. He has a couple of weak-minded people that are swaying to his side.”
“This topic and a few more are why I asked for this meeting. We will meet on the attack on the gang over in Ohio County tomorrow. The reason I invited you'll to this meeting is I
trust you. I haven’t known Lynn and Roger long, but Mike and I have learned to trust and respect you. Now I want to make a few things clear. One, this is my farm, and only Mike and Callie have a right to be here. Two, I make all final decisions. This is not a democracy. Three, I will take advice, but I still make the final decisions. Four, we must limit who moves to the farm. Outsiders could try to take over if they disagree with the direction I am taking this group. Five, if you don’t like the rules, you are free to leave. There will be more rules, but those are the important ones for now.”
Joan hit me on the arm and replied, “So I don’t belong here?”
“Yes, but I don’t want you to get too cocky. I will eventually find a girlfriend and perhaps marry, and I don’t want you to harass my new woman.”
“I plan to be that woman.”
“Sorry, but I don’t see that happening. Anyone else?”
Aaron replied, “I think you said it well. You have to take charge and do the best you can, but you can’t help everyone and give them a place to live. Most people need a helping hand, but you can’t support them all.”
Roger added, “I am honored that you included me in your circle of trust. I agree with Aaron; we need strong, decisive leadership. I think you will listen and make the best decisions for your family and the rest of us; however, we can’t water down our resources to feed and shelter everyone.”
Everyone agreed and asked me to continue.
“I never liked or felt I could trust Grant. I don’t know Sam and his group very well, but I trust Mike’s judgment. Is there anyone else we need to watch?”
Joan spoke up, “Carrie’s mom, Mary, has been close to Grant lately and is asking why the group doesn’t have more say in how the farm is managed.”
“I think you should ask them to leave. There are plenty of vacant houses around, or they could go to Grant’s home in Buckville. I’m heading out to Alabama in a couple of weeks, so I don’t have a say in the matter, but that’s what I’d do.”
I asked about any more malcontents or troublemakers, and no one brought up any others.
I asked, “What about Frank Carpenter and Chuck Taylor? Mike and Joan, you know them better than I do.”
Mike answered first, “I like both and trusted them before TSHTF. They are open with me about not liking the direction the new Mayor, Alice Bonner, is taking Owensville. They may try to join us.”
“I agree with my brother Mike. I trust both, and I have talked quite a bit with Chuck. He would be a good fit for our group.”
“The fact that he has been sniffing around you ever since you arrived, has nothing to do with his fit does it?”
“Mike, get your mind out of the gutter.”
Lynn spoke up, “Damn, he’s been flirting with me a lot also. Not in a bad way.”
I broke out laughing and said, “Joan, you need to start flirting back at him. Now seriously, what do you hear from Owensville; this new Mayor’s direction is worrying me.”
“She is a great person; however, she is a liberal Democrat who thinks that the government is the solution to every problem. She doesn’t like guns, conservatives and the police. She is causing big troubles for the police and sheriff. She even proposed everyone should turn their guns into the police so they can get crime under control. About half of the city supports her, but the police and sheriff have rejected this dangerous idea.”
I replied, “That would make them an easy target for a gang or a want-to-be dictator to move in and take over. How did she get to be Mayor? What happened to Griggs?”
“Heart attack. She was next in line and will be in charge until an election in November next year.”
“Joan, please use your feminine charms to get Chuck and Frank out here for a BARBEQUE this weekend. Tell them to bring their girlfriends and kids. I want to see where their heads are at on this new Mayor and feel them out on joining us.”
Chapter 2 - Lights
The Farm
“Dad, can I have the old exercise bike at the back of the pole barn?”
“What the heck do you want that old thing for? My aunt bought that thing 40 years ago, used it a couple of times and then it went to the barn.”
“It’s a project Paul, and I are doing. We want to be able to exercise during the winter.”
“Need anything else?”
“Nope.”
“How is your mom doing?”
“You see her every day; don’t you know?”
“What I meant is how is she doing now that she found out what a worm Todd turned out to be?”
“Oops.”
“What does oops mean? What do I need to know?”
“Mom is kicking herself in the butt for leaving you for that pervert. He is one sick man.”
“What does that mean?”
“Carrie told me Todd has taken over Anderson and has a thing for abusing young girls. His goons tried to capture her, but she outran them.”
I thought for a minute before I replied and said, “Anyone can make a mistake. Todd appeared to be a decent sort. He had your mom fooled. I guess I should have been a better husband. I was working out of town a lot back then, and your mom didn’t like being home alone.”
“She is afraid you think she is a big fool for falling for Todd.”
“Callie, I still care for your mom and don’t want her hurt, but she hurt me a lot, and if Todd had moved in with you there could have been serious trouble.”
“I would have shot him if he tried anything with me.”
“I believe that. Now go build your invention.”
I saw her go into my shop and take some of my electrical books out to the pole barn and the light came on in my mind.
I went to the kitchen and found Ally and Joan preparing soup and tuna fish sandwiches for lunch. We have a large supply of canned goods and can easily make it until the crops are harvested. I was worried about making it until the next harvest the following year if we kept adding people or had a crop failure. We had 15 mouths to feed, and I was planning to add 5 - 6 more if Chuck and Frank’s families joined us.
“How are my two favorite chefs this morning? Those sandwiches look awful good.”
“Keep your mitts off them until noon. Just because you are our boss doesn’t mean you get any favors,” replied Joan.
“Ally, I need you to buddy up with Mary to find out if she is on our team. I’m worried she may be up to something bad for us.”
“I’ll do it, but she is sleeping with Grant, and he definitely is not on our team. He wants to take over and be the big cheese in these parts. If I were you, I’d run both of them out of here today.”
“Please go ahead and find out what you can without making her suspicious.”
“I’ll be glad too.”
“Thanks.”
I tried to steal a slice of bread and Joan smacked my hand with a spoon.
Ally winked at me and said, “He’s a hardworking man and needs fuel to keep us hired hands in line.”
I thought she was flirting with me right in front of Joan. I looked over at Joan, and she was busy spreading tuna on slices of homemade bread. I thought that perhaps she has finally moved on. I ignored the wink and stole a slice of bread as I slapped Joan’s butt as I ran out of the kitchen.
“Joan yelled, “Have everyone ready for lunch at 11:15, you pervert.”
As I walked through the fields, I kicked myself for flirting with Joan. I knew I shouldn’t send mixed messages and definitely didn’t want to fool around with Ally and have another Sally and Geena situation.
Ally spoke up and said, “Joan, I have always been afraid of guns. My father was a staunch anti-gun person and believed the only guns owned by the public should be hunting guns. How are you able to shoot and stand guard duty knowing you might be shot at or have to shoot someone?”
“I grew up with my dad and Mike hunting and target shooting. It just seemed normal. Then I started running around with Zack and Mike in high school, and we were all on the high school marksmansh
ip team. I don’t like hunting, but I get a kick out of beating the boys shooting at targets. I can even beat them at clay pigeons with a shotgun.”
“I’m afraid. You have Mike and Zack to protect you, and I don’t have anyone. I don’t know what I would have done if y’all hadn’t taken me in. I’d probably have hooked up with the first decent man I could find just for protection and survival.”
“Look, I’ll be the first woman to say a good man is great to have around, but a woman who can’t protect herself is likely to become a victim these days. I struggled at first when Zack gave Callie her own guns to pack around the farm and especially when Mike had her start pulling guard duty. Now I think it’s the new normal. I want a man around, but I don’t want to be a weakling depending on someone else and afraid of the world. Do you want me to teach you how to shoot and handle a gun?”
“No, I think I’ll get Mike or Zack to teach me if that’s ok with you. The way you two were flirting, I thought you two were getting back together.”
“Zack still hates me for leaving him and probably won’t ever have me with him again. Callie is pushing us to get back together, but I’m trying to move on, and I hope to start seeing Chuck. He and Frank and their families are coming out for a barbecue on Saturday afternoon.”
“So you won’t be mad if I get Zack to train me?”
It took a minute for her to answer, but Joan finally replied, “Maybe you should have Mike train you. He and Sally are not together yet.”