The Event Series (Book 1): Life After the Meteor

by Thomas Larson

  We have discussed and developed a set of rules to guide us based in a sort of biblical altruism. What if the next group we meet up with has a set of rules that is of a more natural order like survival of the fittest. I’m sorry, this is a recurring theme for me. I may be just paranoid and there may just be this wonderful new enlightenment of humanity and everyone getting together. But I am a cynic, and don’t really believe it.

  May 18th

  There was not much to report today. It was quiet, and the weather has been good. Henry has the fields ready for planting.

  May 19th

  It was another nice day today. It was interesting last night, about midnight, we had a couple of coyotes close by. It sounded like they were chasing something. My guess was that it was a deer.

  This morning a couple of Zoms hit the wire on the south side of the fence. This was strange because there was nothing but woods for many miles in that direction. They were dispatched and burned.

  Ron, Mark and Lance have been doing more flight practice. The good news is they are off the jets and playing back in the old WWI airplanes. It will give them a better feel for flight in the types of airplanes we are looking at.

  It reminded me of many years ago when Nick and I were members of the Head Hunters Squadron from a computer game called Air War or Flight Warrior or something like that. Nick was always the patient pilot who waited and waited for the right moment to make his attack. He flew the simulated Spitfire. I was more reckless in a fighter, usually a Fokkewolf F-190. But where I was more effective was on short range bombing missions in my trusty B25J named Thundercloud. There are times when I consider putting my name into the hat for pilot training but there are more important things that I need to take care.

  May 20th

  Meeting day at Check Point Charlie is finally here and so it was off to the bridge. I attended along with Teckla, Lance, and Ron. They sent the Major, Joseph, Armand and John. We started by telling what we had found for aircraft, parts and fuel, it wasn’t all that much. They on the other hand had a much better report.

  “At Blueberry Hill we found a number of planes ranging from a couple of small Cessna types to a twin engine plane that was used for skydiving,” said the Major.

  Armand added that, “There was also a flight school that had operated out of one of the hangers. It had some instructional videos, literature and a fairly elaborate flight simulator.”

  “Sounds like Blueberry Hill is the place to operate out of.” Said Teckla.

  The field was about the same distance from both compounds. The only really downside to the location was that it was closer to Pittsfield than we would have liked. Between the noise and activity we would have to keep a close eye out for Zoms wondering about.

  We still had a few logistical things that needed to be addressed like who the pilots were going to be. Each group would put up candidates for testing with the simulator to find out who actually had any level of aptitude for it.

  We would also need to get a ground crew together to keep the planes flying. This could be a little more difficult because with the adding of the new fleet of diesel trucks that we were talking about acquiring Frank, Matt and Mark would be pretty busy. But once we got the planes up and running there is not all that much to do beyond routine maintenance and occasional repair. It was not like we were preparing to keep fighter planes ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

  The timetable that was established was to try to do the testing in a couple of days and that it was open to anyone who wished to try. The plan was to train four people to be able to fly. It could be an intense course of study, but we were really only looking for line of sight, daylight fair weather flyers. Down the road that may change, but for now we needed to get some information on the radiation readings so it was ‘keep it simple’.

  One of the points that were brought up was that we might be limited in range or in landing fields. But this was quickly overcome when the Major produced some maps that had been taken from Blueberry Hill. They showed all the airfields within a two hundred mile radius.

  He went on to say “Keep in mind that the entire concept behind the Interstate Highway System was to leave areas in which jet aircraft could land and take off in the event of a Soviet invasion so we have lots of landing options.”

  In looking at the map the Major gave us I found Rhinebeck Field in the Hudson Valley. I didn’t say anything but I knew that they had some old WWI and WWII aircraft there. In fact I found there were a number of older military bases in that Albany area. It might be something to look into later on. Sadly, we have no helicopter pilots, if only we could latch on to a Huey or Blackhawk, now that would be a huge asset.

  One other issue was mentioned and this could be troublesome. Hinsdale has been seeing an increase in the number of Zoms wandering up toward them.

  Joseph told us “We had been seeing an average of maybe five a day coming from the direction of Pittsfield but over the last week or so we have had thirty to forty a day.”

  “We also have been getting a smell of smoke when the wind comes out of the southwest. We think that Pittsfield, or at least part of it, is on fire.” He added. “The how and why of the fire is concerning but it is not something that we can really do anything about.”

  As we broke up the meeting, I asked the Major about taking some trucks from the dealerships in Hinsdale.

  I explained. “We want to turn our fleet over to diesel. It is readily available and a safer fuel source than gasoline or propane”

  He said, “We had not thought of that. There is plenty of inventory available in the local dealerships so it is no problem.”

  “Red F350, here I come.” In the back of my mind I kept singing, “Red Ford pickup, I drive you up, let’s have a party...”

  May 21st

  I headed up to the Ford dealership with Frank today. We were looking at trucks. There was a good number that look like they would fit well into the program. Of course there is the F350 which is a big ass industrial strength pick-up with an enclosed utility body. There were also a couple of F-150s. I know that the nephews would not be crazy about me picking out Ford products but they were the best that was available in our little world. I had heard bad things about the big Ram pick-ups having a tendency to snap axles in the four-wheel drive variety.

  We should re-assess the entire fleet of vehicles we had and decide what we should do about the cars and trucks so while we were at the dealership we looked at what they had that might be of value.

  When we got back at the compound, I transferred all the survival materials and equipment from the KIA into the new truck. I kind of felt bad about giving up the KIA it had been a friend for about ten years we had a lot of adventures together. It had taken me to a lot of places including a drive cross country. (If the Internet was still up and running, you could see it pictured out West in my “How to Plan a Drive Cross Country” article on WikiHow.) But it was getting old, and had over 220,000 miles on it. It would still serve the group. In fact in the tradition of families, I would give it to Margo, her own car at age 14, kind of cool.

  May 22nd

  It is a cloudy day but we have not seen any rain, yet. Henry started to plant the corn this morning. He felt that if we could get that done before the rain came it would be a little extra help in getting a good jump start on the growing season.

  It amazes me that Nick has still been able to put together some pretty good meals for us all even with the limited resources. We are mostly doing canned goods at this point with a little supplementing from hunting efforts. The upside is that that we are all a lot thinner than we were back when The Event first took place. I know I am now at 180 pounds down from about 220.

  Anne and I had a long talk about birds and bugs today.

  “I have been reading up on insect life cycles and the impact of the rotting corpses that litter the countryside.” She began.

  Her research which is limited due to the lack of resource materials at the small public library found tha
t there have been cases in which crows for example which are big eaters of carrion caused the spread of Prion disease by eating infected cattle. The disease was then spread to other large ungulates indirectly through the crow feces.

  “But turkey vultures like we see here so often are unaffected by the carrion that they eat. That appears to be based upon some evolutionary processes”.

  “Okay,” I was over my head.

  “Insects have been spreading disease all along. We pretty much know that based upon the idea of the deer tick spreading Lyme disease. But there does not seem to be as much a correlation as in the case of crows.” She added.

  “Mice and rats, which are also carrion creatures taking advantage of the dead that they find along the path are pretty well known for spreading disease although it was more the fleas that were on the rodents that were truly responsible.”

  “So what you are saying is that we are not in any position to do much beyond speculate and take action based upon our best guess”

  “And lean toward the side of caution.” She added.

  We have been burning the Zoms that we came upon as we first arrived as well as our kills when Zoms showed up on the door. But one of the things that need to be considered is that in the case of populated areas such as Pittsfield there would be thousands of corpses. And that means a lot of breeding opportunity for flies, beetles of various types and roaches. Once again it raises the question of whether the toxin that has caused this die off in humanity could be spread by means other than direct contact with humans. If that is the case, then the prospects for humanity are even further reduced.

  I forget how difficult this must be on Anne, my little ‘Viking Worrier’. We are all under a lot of stress in this new world order. But she was always one who would be worrying about the worst case scenario and here she finds herself needing to dig and rummage about in those terrible ‘what ifs’.

  May 23rd

  Matt and I went out hunting this morning. We managed to get a brace of rabbits. So there will be fresh meat for dinner tonight. The good news is we kill them, Nick skins them. We had no contact with Zoms and were back home by 9 AM.

  The corn is all planted and the beans were going in today. Henry has been working hard at the planting. After the beans he will lay down some squash and tomatoes. The cabbage and lettuce are already in. We have kept an armed guard with him just in case we got undead visitors. I am always concerned about long or loud periods of noise.

  There is still a flurry of flight simulator time being put in by Lance, Ron, Cody and Mark. They are all working hard at it. I thought that Nick might have also been interested based upon the old Air Wars days. I still toy with the idea but my plate has been pretty full and I think that it would not be in my, or the groups best interest for me to take a slot, assuming I qualified.

  Anne’s dad is getting to be worrisome. He is becoming less and less mobile and also anti-social. Having Burt around had been a help as the two of them would talk up a storm about their old military days or how we youngsters were doing good or bad in keeping things going.

  I can understand it to a degree, Cyril is almost 90 years old and his world has been turned on end. He is weary and depressed. I doubt he will make the end of the summer. Arcelia, Anne’s mom, is doing better; she keeps busy and active with little projects.

  Beyond Cyril, everyone else seems to have adapted quite well to the new world order. I have noticed that Fred and Jan seem to slip off to ‘scavenge’ together more and more. I just hope they are being careful on more levels than one.

  Cody is really funny. In some ways he reminds me of me at that age. He follows Margo around like a little puppy. She seems to enjoy the attention but she is also not ready to get into a relationship. She and I have had talks about such things. I am glad she is comfortable coming to me to talk about those things. I know that as a kid I could not do that with my parents. I know that she does open up to Anne about a lot of it but sometimes “there are things that Mom just doesn’t get”.

  Frank had started the defensive armor on the F-350. He is putting removable metal mesh on the windows and a sort of heavy duty “cow catcher” bumper on the front. We have also added some additional racks and hooks as well as a power winch to the front of the vehicle.

  Teckla and Lauren have painted “Coyote” on the side of the truck with a picture of Wiley. When we finish with this truck we will go get another and start the processes all over again. The goal is to replace our entire fleet over the next month or so. We are thinking a total of six vehicles as well as a trailer.

  Charlene and Matt are heading up to Check Point Charlie to meet up with the Major. Matt is more for security. I am not certain why this meeting is taking place but I have seen that there is a growing bond between the two communities.

  It was a little cloudy tonight and you would see a glow against them from what I am guessing is Pittsfield. I really think that maybe a little scouting mission might be in order just to make certain that it is the city that is in flames and not the forest between here and there.

  May 24th

  Henry did some more bean planting today. I took the first watch to make sure he was not visited.

  It is always interesting to see where your mind takes you when you are just sitting trapped in a place and time. As I sat there, I began to think about food sources. It dawned on me that come winter time we did have or could have a source for fresh, sort of vegetable. If we held some of the seeds from the beans, we might be able to create bean sprouts and from there my mind drifted to the big craze of eating chia seeds. Yes, that was the stuff that you spread on the little clay sheep to make chia pets. They are supposed to be very healthy, and nutritious. Like I said, it is weird the way the mind wanders. Ron relieved me at about noon time.

  After lunch Frank showed me the improvements he had made on the Coyote. It was fully operational and ready to roll. I suggested that we could take a test drive out to Hinsdale and pick up the next truck so we could get started on that upgrade.

  The diesel engine roared to life as we set off. It was noisy, and I am not sure I liked that but what alternative do we have. As we were heading up toward Check Point Charlie we come upon Matt and Charlene returning. We stopped and talked for a few minutes. There was not a lot to report from the meeting between Charlene and the Major. It appears it was more a social than business visit.

  While driving up Frank and I talked about the needs of the group as far as vehicles. The Three had pretty much given us the carte blanche on what to take for that. So besides the HumVee and the F-350, now dubbed the “Coyote” Frank and I had decided that we would add two F-250s with the club cab (four seater), and two Expedition like SUV’s if they had diesel engines and four wheel drive.

  We also put together a wish list of other vehicles that we would like to have with us. An enclosed trailer was one of the items and in that trailer we figured three ATVs, and a Ski-doo kind of thing would be perfect. They would not be used that often so the gasoline issue was not as critical as it would be if we set off on a long run in the trucks.

  We arrived at the dealership and looked around. In the search we found an F-250 that had been outfitted for a construction company. It was only a regular cab but the selling point was that it had a heavy duty trailer hitch and a 250 gallon fuel tank with a hand pump built into the bed. That would be great if we had to hit the road.

  I talk about the “if we had to hit the road” thing like it is a fall back plan. But I really believe that it is just a matter of time before something (hordes of Zoms, radiation) or someone forces us onto the road. I know it is the paranoia talking again but the little voice says that it is not the end all future home for us.

  May 25th

  This morning we selected our future pilots. The Three (Teckla, Charlene and Henry) first interviewed the candidates and then watched them show their skills on the flight simulator. The people who tried out from our group were Lance, Cody, Fred and Ron. There were also a number of others that
considered it but removed or never submitted their intent. I know that Mark, Nick and Henry all had thought about it very seriously. I had also considered it as had Frank.

  I guess there is just this glamour thing about being a “Fly Boy”. But in the end the idea of practicality came into play. As much as I would have liked to be one of the pilots, I also knew that I was more valuable on the ground. I think all of us “elders” had thought that way.

  The rankings for the actual simulator came out Lance, Fred, Ron and Cody. The final order of ranking was Ron, Fred, Cody and Lance. Apparently, and much to my relief, Lance had messed up the interview portion of the assessment and was not chosen.

  I am sure his electronics and technical skills were considered in the equation. He was just too valuable, like a number of us to put at such risk. So Fred and Ron were our two trainees.

  We notified the Major in Hinsdale and set up to meeting out at Blueberry Hill the next morning to get started. Frank, Matt and Nick were going to accompany them to help out and work on getting the planes running. I was going to say up and running but I am not so sure that will happen right away.