Storm Front

by Thomas A. Watson

  FORGOTTEN

  FORBIDDEN AMERICA

  STORM FRONT

  Book Three

  ..

  THOMAS A WATSON

  Copyright © March 10, 2017

  THOMAS A WATSON

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  ISBN-13: 978-1544267159

  ISBN-10: 1544267150

  Credits

  EDITED BY SABRINA JEAN

  www.fasttrackediting.com

  COVER ART BY CHRISTIAN BENTULAN

  www.coversbychristian.com

  This book is a work of Fiction. People, places, events, and situations are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or historical events, is purely coincidental.

  This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the written consent of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  Thank you for acknowledging the hard work of this author. If you didn’t purchase this book or it wasn’t purchased for you, please go purchase your own copy now.

  https://twitter.com/1BluePlague

  https://www.facebook.com/BluePlagueSeries

  https://www.thomasawatson.com

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to all my fans and readers around the world, thank you.

  Acknowledgements

  Well here we are again, and I can’t say enough to all my fans for the encouragement to pursue writing as a full-time job. I can now say I truly enjoy my work. I love your comments and questions, so keep them coming.

  Tina, thank you for the work and effort you put in each book. Without you, none of this would be happening.

  Title Page

  Credits

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  FFA Cast

  Jackson Family

  Nelson

  Michelle

  Gavin 9

  Olivia 5

  Devin 10 months

  Dogs- Zeus & Hera

  Wolfe Family

  Matt

  Ashley

  Brittany 5

  Mike 11

  Wallace Family

  Gerald

  Nancy (Gerald’s sister)

  Dog- Duke

  Parker Family

  Bernard

  Nellie

  Alex & Adam (twins rescued) 10

  Sims Family

  Ronald

  Ariel 10

  Mason 8

  Kimble Family (Neighbors)

  Hank

  Judy

  Tim 17

  Mark 16

  Wilma(sister in law)

  Vance 16 & Emily 15 (Wilma’s kids)

  Staying with Kimble’s

  Josh

  Kevin

  Prepper Group

  Curtis Moore

  (wife Jana)

  Rick

  (wife Nikki)

  Kenny

  Justin

  (wife Leah)

  Holmes Family (Viking Group)

  Dallas & Kathleen (* their kid)

  *Sean &Diana

  (kids)

  Cody 18, Blake 17, Kim 15, Ryan 14, Lucy 13

  *Scott & Alanna

  (kids) Larry wife Brandy

  *Tony & Carrie

  *Grant & Erica

  *Jacob & Haley

  *Amber & Pete

  *Cara & Glen

  All have multiple kids but not characters

  Chapter One

  Pulling next to a large bush and turning his four-wheeler off, Nelson climbed off and adjusted his AR. “Down Zeus,” he said softly, and the massive Rottweiler jumped off the back rack. Standing beside his four-wheeler, Nelson watched as Bernard and Michelle pulled up in a side-by-side. Pulling up behind them, Gerald turned off his four-wheeler. With all the baffling and dampening they had done to all the ATVs, none were much louder than a sewing machine. Driving along casually, the machines couldn’t be heard until they were literally right on top of you. Only if you were on paved road, could the hum of the mud-grip tires be heard from quite a ways away.

  He watched Michelle climb out and pushed his boonie cap back, raising his eyebrows. Like him and Gerald, she was wearing tan tactical pants, a polo shirt with a tactical vest, and carrying an AR. “Nelson, we are in the field, young Jedi. Keep your mind on the business,” Gerald said, grinning as he climbed off his four-wheeler.

  “Fat chance on that,” Michelle chuckled. “He only saw me in a thirty-pound vest the first six months we met and he looked at me like that every day.”

  “Mmm, poppa bear like,” Nelson said with a huge grin, hugging her as she walked over.

  Returning the hug, Michelle shook her head. “I’m not wearing it again tonight,” she said softly and the grin fell off Nelson’s face and his shoulders dropped, but he continued to hug her.

  “Oh, come on,” he moaned.

  Releasing the hug, “Babe, four times this week is enough of the slave costume,” Michelle sighed. “And before you ask, no. I’m not wearing the white Leia dress and putting the hair bagels on. I’ve worn it once this week and twice last week.”

  Nelson just looked at her in shock. “That’s not fair,” he whined.

  Turning to Gerald, Michelle narrowed her eyes. “I’m going to kick your sister’s ass for hacking that movie,” she grumbled.

  “Hey, Nancy did that because she loves me, so don’t even think about it,” Gerald said grinning.

  “I liked it,” Bernard said, slinging his M14. Unlike the others, he was wearing overalls with his cowboy hat but did have a tactical vest. “Watching these two get out with the kids every morning for the last two and a half weeks and beating each other with plastic lightsabers makes me laugh so hard I almost pass out.”

  “I took Nelson’s, Gavin’s, and Olivia’s lightsabers away this morning,” Michelle said. Bernard snorted and Gerald’s grin dropped as his mouth fell open.

  “Why the hell did you do that?” Gerald asked.

  “Keep on, Gerald, and I’ll take yours away,” Michelle said, adjusting her AR across her chest. “All three engaged in combat last night in the living room. I was running for my life and two picture frames got broke.”

  Jerking his eyes to Nelson, “You didn’t call me?” Gerald snapped.

  Shrugging his shoulders, “Didn’t have time,” Nelson said. “Gavin jumped up, yelling he had turned to the dark side and grabbed his lightsaber. It took Olivia and me twenty minutes to battle him till he rejoined the light.”

  “We can’t have another Vader,” Gerald said seriously and Bernard coughed, trying not to laugh at the two grown men.

  “Boys,” Michelle said, raising her eyebrows. “We are here to get more to join our ‘rebel alliance’, so forget Star Wars now. You can play later.”

  Glancing over at Gerald, Nelson whispered, “She’s just mad because Gavin beat her in their last lightsaber duel.”

  “Oh,” Gerald sighed with relief. They both turned and saw Michelle staring at them. “I hid mine, so don’t even try to
find it.”

  “It’s beside your front door. I saw it last night when I visited Nancy,” Michelle said in a monotone voice.

  “Damn,” Gerald groaned.

  Giving a long sigh, “How are we going to approach this farm?” Michelle asked, reaching down and patting Zeus.

  “Um, I was thinking like we did the others,” Gerald said. “Raise a white flag and one of us walks up to them.”

  Over the last week, they had made contact with six farms and three houses that still had survivors. None of the houses were farms, just houses out in the country. Bernard knew most of them as he did the one they were contacting today. Even though the last group they had contacted wasn’t a farm, it was on a large chunk of land about a mile southwest of the house. And of everyone they had contacted so far, it was by far the most prepared since the families were preppers. They’d had a greenhouse, chickens, rabbits and goats.

  After they had contacted each group, they would set up a loose alliance to help each other. If the group needed something and they could provide it, it was given out of the stuff they had taken from the checkpoint they’d hit. Most of the farms and houses needed staples like salt, sugar, and such. Two of the houses needed food stores and seeds. The last house with the preppers, which belonged to Curtis Moore, just asked for ammo. Curtis had his wife and two kids, along with three other men and their families.

  It was the last house they’d visited but was actually the closest to the farm because Nancy had spotted them with the quad drone. Of all the houses they had contacted, the preppers were the only ones Bernard hadn’t known. The house wasn’t even a mile from Bernard’s when going cross country, and that meant crossing the deep ass creek they’d made by damming it up. Since it was the closest occupied house, that was the reason Nelson and Gerald wanted to make contact.

  As they were leaving Curtis’s house, Nelson had told the others he believed Curtis didn’t need the ammo, after seeing the outside of the house and how the property was set up. They didn’t ask, nor were they invited inside, which was understandable. When Gerald and Nelson brought over several thousand rounds later that afternoon, Curtis had become much friendlier as had those with him.

  When Nelson and Gerald had gone to unload the ammo, Curtis had said he didn’t need it, but wanted to make sure the group wasn’t just trying to use them. Gerald had assured him that wouldn’t happen and that’s why they weren’t contacting just anyone, only people who could take care of themselves. But he’d also explained that it took numbers to fight, and that’s why they were making contact with people.

  They’d unloaded the ammo over Curtis’ protests and then told him they’d attacked the military checkpoint and had taken it from there. That had stunned Curtis and his group to the core, and Curtis and his group had immediately become supporters of Bernard’s farm.

  When they’d told Curtis to start scouting around, Curtis told them he’d started that long ago. Bernard had asked Curtis to set up contact with three or four groups near him to join. Bernard then told Curtis that it had to be people that wouldn’t be a burden and that would fight. They were surprised when Curtis had said that only one had fit the bill so far that he had spotted.

  Today, they were visiting Dallas Holmes, who lived four miles to the northeast of the farm. Dallas raised cows and had a nice sized farm. Bernard knew Dallas like he did the others; they went to the same church.

  Walking out of the trees onto a small dirt road, Bernard broke off a sapling and pulled out his knife, trimming the branches off. “Dallas is a good guy,” he said, finishing his task and pulling out a white handkerchief.

  “That’s all it takes from me to get a vote to stay on the island,” Michelle said.

  Tying the handkerchief on, “I hate that show,” Bernard mumbled.

  “Careful, Bernard, that’s Michelle’s favorite show,” Nelson said.

  Looking over at Nelson, Bernard raised his eyebrows. “Nellie likes that show too and I don’t know why. You’re not surviving, you’re being a politician,” Bernard said.

  “I watch your stupid shows, so you have to watch mine,” Michelle said, lifting her chin and walking off down the road.

  “Nellie says the exact same thing,” Bernard said, walking beside her.

  “So, you think Dallas will be here?” Nelson asked, walking with them. Gerald followed, but stayed ten yards behind them.

  Nodding, “Yeah, I’ve known Dallas since I bought the farm. He’s a few years older than me and I know he will starve to death before heading to any camp,” Bernard said, holding the stick up high. “Besides, he has seven kids, five boys and two girls, and they are a close family. The youngest of his kids is like thirty. Hell, four of the kids have their trailers on the land and live there with their families. All his kids are married and I don’t keep up with all of his grandkids, there are way too many.”

  They walked down the road for a half a mile approaching a curve. “You can stop there,” a voice said from the trees.

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about,” Gerald said, slowly raising his hands. “The first time we’ve come across someone who is smart enough to put sentries out.”

  “Hey, it’s Bernard. Bernard Parker,” Bernard said loudly at the woods where the voice had come from, tilting his cowboy hat back and exposing his face some.

  The leaves rustled as a figure stood up, wearing a 3D hunting suit and holding a bolt action rifle. “Mr. Parker?” the figure said while coming out of the woods and Bernard tilted his hat back to expose his face more. “Oh, shit. I’m sorry, Mr. Parker.”

  Bernard laughed as the figure took the hood of his suit off, exposing a young man. “That’s alright, Ryan. Can’t be too careful these days,” Bernard said as Ryan stepped over, holding out his hand.

  Shaking Bernard’s hand, Ryan smiled. “I didn’t recognize you with that fancy vest and these other people,” Ryan said, staring at the tactical vest that Bernard had on. “That’s like the one Scott has.”

  “Your grandpa busy? I need to talk with him,” Bernard said, letting Ryan’s hand go.

  “Sure, but I hope you ain’t needin’ anything because we ain’t got much,” Ryan said sheepishly.

  “Nah, I come to see if he needed anything,” Bernard said and Ryan’s eyes got wide.

  “Come on, Pappy was out workin’ the garden with Nanna,” Ryan said.

  “Ryan, like to introduce you to Nelson, Michelle, and Gerald,” Bernard said, pointing at each one. “Guys, this is Ryan, one of Dallas’s grandsons. I just can’t remember which one his pa is, right off hand. I’m thinkin’ Sean, right?”

  “Grandson? You mind me asking, how old are you?” Nelson asked, shaking Ryan’s hand and Nelson could see by Ryan’s eyes that he was young. But Ryan was the size of a man.

  “Yes, sir. My pa is Sean,” Ryan said, moving to shake Michelle’s hand. “I’m fifteen.”

  “Shit, I thought you were twenty, playing football in the SEC,” Nelson said, looking at the large frame the boy had. Ryan was taller than Nelson was by an inch or two but had fifteen pounds over him easy, even taking into account the baggy hunting suit. The kid had very strong Nordic facial features with blond hair and deep blue eyes.

  “I play ball in high school,” Ryan said proudly, moving to Gerald.

  “Wait till you see the others,” Bernard chuckled.

  After shaking Gerald’s hand, Ryan moved back to Bernard. “Come on, Pappy will be glad to know you’re alright,” Ryan said, leading them down the road.

  They came to a metal gate that had barbwire tied up to it and Ryan moved into the woods. “Stay behind me, so you don’t step on anything,” he said and Nelson looked around and saw traps set up through the woods.

  “Had trouble, I take it?” Bernard said as Ryan led them through a small gap in the fence.

  “No sir, but the Snyder farm was hit by some bikers two weeks ago. They called on the CB, but we didn’t get there in time,” Ryan said dejectedly.

  “Where’s the Snyder fa
rm?” Nelson asked as they moved back to the road.

  “Three miles northeast from here, near Delaware,” Bernard said as they walked through an opening in the fence.

  “Who ya got, Ryan?” a female voice called out from the woods. They turned to see another figure come out wearing a 3D hunting suit. Taking the hood off, they could see it was a girl that wasn’t much smaller than Ryan, in stature or mass. The first thing that popped in Nelson’s mind was a Valkyrie. She had blonde hair that was almost white with light blue eyes and she was very pretty. In her arms, she was carrying a bolt action rifle like Ryan’s.

  “Hey, Lucy,” Bernard said and she looked at him for a second before a smile filled her face. “Mr. Parker!” she cried and ran over, slinging her rifle and wrapping her arms around him, hugging him tight.

  “Is Ms. Nellie okay?” Lucy asked as Bernard hugged her back.

  “She’s doing fine, little girl,” Bernard said, letting her go.

  “Pappy still workin’ the garden?” Ryan asked.

  Shrugging her shoulders and letting out a sigh, “I don’t know,” Lucy said. “I’ve been stuck sittin’ here.”

  “I’m taking them to Pappy,” Ryan said and walked off, leading them down the road.

  Lucy followed and walked beside Bernard, holding his hand. Coming around a curve, Nelson saw a large house with four double wide trailers set up facing a circular drive, spread out over an acre. Several hundred yards away to the right of the house was a massive barn almost as big as Bernard’s, and several other outbuildings. Then on the left side, they could see a very large garden, or a small field being planted.

  They were still several hundred yards away, but they could see a lot of people moving around the garden and barn. It looked like the people were weeding the planted garden by hand and Nelson sucked in a breath, seeing a massive form driving a tiller.

  He could tell the figures ahead were big and tall, but the tiller gave his brain a reference. “Jesus, how big is Dallas’s family?” Nelson asked.