Bittersweet Homecoming; Surviving the Black--Book 3 of a Post-Apocalyptical Series

by Zack Finley

  "Like Razor?" I asked.

  "No one was as good at that as Razor," Zeke said. "But Joel and Matt are solid. Just don't let Buzzer near them, he will rip through both barrels in no time."

  "I just found out Razor wanted to be a cowboy," I said.

  "He was working hard at it, too," Zeke said. "Horses were his biggest problem. Not much call for horseback riding in downtown Pittsburg. He kept it quiet. Razor had to be the best. Part of Razor's mystique required him to hide how hard he worked at it. He wasn’t going to share until George and Carmine gave him his spurs."

  All the while we talked Zeke was cleaning and reassembling the rifle on his table. He secured the yellow tag to it and placed the weapon on his rack.

  "If you are going to be here, you might as well help," Zeke said, indicating the weapons stacked in a bin beside his table.

  "I'm not staying," I said. "But I just heard something in the food hut that concerns me and am wondering how widespread it is."

  Zeke pulled another AK 47 out of the bin and verified it was unloaded before placing it on his table. "Well?" he asked, raising his eyebrow.

  "Couple of guys opining that they would be better off if the Valley were under new management or if they were allowed to leave," I said.

  "None of our guys or gals think that, but I've heard similar from a few hotheads," Zeke said carefully. "Especially after you left for Arkansas. That seemed to trigger the stupids."

  "Stupids?" I asked.

  "Yeah, anyone with half a brain knows that life is better in the Valley than out in the cold. There aren't many people who wouldn't jump at the chance to be in here," Zeke said. "I don't see it being a serious threat."

  "I've been doing all I can to shield people from conditions out there, I certainly don't want my girls worried for their safety," I said.

  "That kind of politics is above my pay grade," Zeke said. "Civilians never know what it is like in the sandbox. Most couldn't handle it, and the rest wouldn't believe it. It's our job to keep them safe and ignorant."

  "If too many push this, they may find themselves out in the cold," I said.

  "Do they know that?" Zeke asked. "Maybe they need a field trip?"

  "Not sure how that would work, but I'll think on it," I said. "I picked up some other interesting news, Grady had the frequencies to contact Fort Campbell, Fort Sill, and Fort Benning."

  "Fort Benning?" Zeke asked. "Do you think he can get to the general?"

  "I don't know. It sounds like most military facilities are in bad shape, too many people, not enough resources. Fort Sill sent Grady and his squad on a one-way recon mission. They gave him top secret frequencies to contact a few other posts. Those posts are trying to assess conditions in the heartland. I got the impression that command was encouraging as many people to leave as possible," I said.

  Zeke sat on the stool behind him and left the weapon on the bench. "That opens some possibilities," Zeke said. "I wouldn't mind having another 20 Rangers around the place."

  "Neither would I," I said. "Or even some troopers from Ft. Campbell."

  "Is that a possibility?" he asked.

  "I don't know, but Grady thought they might actually welcome it, as long as we offered a place for the families, too," I said. "It might solve any number of problems. There are a lot of grain silos along the Mississippi River that could feed a lot of people. If Ft. Campbell sent some troops to help those towns with security it could be a win-win."

  "What about the National Guard?" Zeke asked.

  "No clue," I said. "If they let the U.S. military dissolve, seems likely the guard did too, just glad we got some Humvees out of it."

  "I'll have Matt and Ben to help me check out Grady's team, it will be good to have some more trained shooters," Zeke said.

  "Dwayne, too. His story is a bit shaky, but he's been in the sandbox at least once. He had a trained K9 with him that those thugs in Arkansas killed. If he checks out I'd like him to help train and build our K9 teams," I said.

  "Only if George, lets us get close enough. They are still his pet project," Zeke said. "He keeps saying he needs our help, but when we show up, he always has an excuse to put it off another week."

  "Arm wrestling those pups away from him isn't something I look forward to," I said. "I get the impression they still sleep on his bed. Do you have any candidates for handlers?"

  "Scott and Eric seem the most serious along with a few from Force Gamma," Zeke said. "I bet George will want at least two for herding. He was talking about using them to round up pigs, though I've never heard of that."

  "Me neither, but George is the expert in all things livestock. I know he wants to have the goats and pigs spend more time roaming the forest for their food. Goats in spring and summer and pigs in the fall. It would be better to herd them than build a lot more fencing," I said. "Tomorrow, I won't let George give me a run around on the dogs. I haven't even seen the critters since we acquired them. Joe tells me they aren't really puppies anymore."

  "Let me feel out Dwayne, first. You have plenty on your plate. If he seems game, I'll take him to meet with George. We will work something out. Of course, if George gets all Breckinridge on me then I'll dump the whole mess in your lap," Zeke said.

  "What do you mean gets all Breckinridge on you?" I asked.

  "He does it, you do it, your dad does it, and Roger has been around your dad so long even he does it," said Zeke. "Ask anybody, they'll know what I mean."

  I opened my mouth to speak, but Zeke's look told me I had no real comeback. "I'll leave you to get some work done," I finally said. "See you at the memorial."

  When I got home, my dad was waiting for me.

  "I was hoping you'd drop by here before going to the memorial," my dad said. "I wanted to give this to you for your men." He handed me a 2-quart mason jar of my grandpa's finest moonshine. I recognized it from the "Finest Moonshine" handwritten in my grandpa's writing on the flat brass lid with a black marker. I hadn't seen one of those in more than 10 years.

  "It is from my private stash, not Valley reserves," he said. "Razor was a fine man and a superb teammate. Warriors deserve to toast their fallen brothers. This doesn't seem like enough, but I don't know what else to do."

  "Drop by the armory tonight and mingle a little if you can," I said. "Though if Roger needs you, we will all understand."

  "I'll try, Roger is holding strong for Carmine, and the grandkids, but..." Dad couldn't finish and just shrugged. There were no words.

  He left me to get my mom, and I waited for my girls to come home so we could go to the memorial together. I'd debated whether this would cause some flashback to their mother's death for them but decided they needed to be there. They were Breckinridges. We needed to stand together to remember those who sacrificed in our name.

  I also knew that I'd slip away from the Breckinridge gathering planned for my mom’s house, after the memorial to be with my blood brothers.

  Tonight, was about remembrance and honoring selfless sacrifice.

  Tomorrow was soon enough to face the threats from within and the dangers from an increasingly desperate world around us.

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  Author's note:

  Dear reader, thank you for reading "Bittersweet Homecoming; Surviving the Black--Book 3." As of this writing, I'm expecting to make this a five-book series. Each book is part of a series and not really meant as standalone titles.

  If you enjoyed it, please review or rate "Bittersweet Homecoming" on Amazon and Goodreads. Independent authors depend on reader reviews to help others find our books. With thousands of titles published each month, it is hard to know which books are worth taking a chance on. Your reviews help.

  This book continues the post-apocalyptic saga started in "Breckinridge Valley" with its devastating coronal mass ejection. "To the Rescue" deals with problems near and far, including a plea for help from a Valley son. "Bittersweet Homecoming" chronicles the rescue and return to the Valley.

  I began the series, which is a subst
antial break from my fantasy series "Dire Prophesy" and my romantic mystery "Mayhem in Mendocino," because this topic interested me. While we hope there will never be an event causing TEOLAWKI, I can't stop speculating about what comes after the SHTF.

  Minor power outages trigger looting in cities. After a tornado, hurricane, or major forest fire, criminals seem to arrive before those evacuated are even allowed back in. Even with a robust law enforcement presence, villains attempt to take advantage during disasters.

  It takes only a modest imagination to extrapolate current events into a dystopian future triggered by a seriously damaged electrical grid.

  Especially when American society continues its increasing dependence on a poorly managed electrical grid, industrialized farming, centralized production hubs, and just-in-time distribution for everything from food to medicines.

  These dependencies have put most of us less than a month's disruption away from a nightmarish existence. When civilization breaks down, what are we left with?

  Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/direprophecy/

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  Check out my other titles on Amazon:

  Breckinridge Valley; Surviving the Black--Book 1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MY95YV8/

  To the Rescue; Surviving the Black--Book 2 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QC29N63

  Dire Prophecy https://amzn.to/2stvyDg

  Mad Toffad's Keep https://amzn.to/2FwGis8

  Duchy Unleashed https://amzn.to/2D8qdaj

  Mayhem in Mendocino https://amzn.to/2M96lXI

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  List of Characters and Places

  From Surviving the Black-Books 1&2

  Breckinridge Family

  Jeremy Breckenridge, main storyteller. Father to Jennifer and Melissa. Major in Rangers before the death of wife, Irene. Age 42 when Book 2 begins. Civil engineer. Wife Irene died days before the start of "Breckinridge Valley." Daughters Jennifer (13); Melissa (10).

  Aaron and Claire Breckinridge are the parents of Jeremy, Steve, and Alice. Claire is an expert in computers, investing, local food folklore. Aaron (67) served in the Vietnam War and loves farming.

  Gerald Breckenridge, a.k.a. grandpa or Pops died 10 years before the start of "Breckinridge Valley." Father to Bob, Aaron, and George and grandfather of Jeremy, Steve, and Alice. Wife Esther, grandma or granny, still lives in the Valley.

  George Breckinridge, the bachelor son of Gerald and Esther, is in charge of all livestock operations in the Valley.

  Steve and Mandy Breckenridge. Steve is the oldest son of Aaron and Claire, parents to Joe (16), Ellie (13) and Billy (11). Ran solar manufacturing center in Huntsville and recruited technical personnel to the Valley cause.

  Significant Valley allies

  Roger and Carmine Carlton. Roger served in the Vietnam War with Aaron Breckenridge. He is Aaron's best friend and right-hand man. Roger is head of the Valley defense force and is the intelligence chief. Children Andy, Jules, and Audrey.

  Jules Carlton best friend of Jeremy growing up. Became astrophysicist with interest in the sun. Lives in California and warned Valley about CME. Not heard from since.

  Andy Carlton lived in Arizona with wife, Carol, and three children. Youngest child is Kathleen at 3 years old. He and allies planned to ride out the CME and expected crash in a bug out location in Arizona.

  Audrey and Jim Smith, Audrey is the daughter of Roger and Carmine Carlton. They live in the Valley. Jim works closely with George Breckinridge.

  Dr. Amelie Jerrod, doctor, and former refugee. Mother of Jimmie and Clarice. Recruited by Claire Breckinridge.

  Jacob and Rachel Neufeld, a Mennonite couple making a home in the Valley.

  Sally, an expert in space weather and radios. Main Valley HAM operator.

  The 20 Rangers

  The group of 20 Rangers recruited by Jeremy is called Force Beta when Jeremy and others remember. Not all have been named in these books.

  Ben, a natural leader and a qualified sniper on “To the Rescue” mission.

  Craig, a sniper, living in Jeremy's home. Recovering alcoholic was attending junior college until the crash. On “To the Rescue” mission.

  Joel, master mechanic, on “To the Rescue” mission.

  Mike received a minor wound in taking the Mecklin County Justice Center. Now training as a backup medic, on “To the Rescue” mission.

  Razor, master lockpicker, car thief, and driver on “To the Rescue” mission.

  Tom, group’s main medic, considered the best “good cop” interrogator on “To the Rescue” mission.

  Zeke owned a gun store in Oneida before the crash. Lost leg from IED in Afghanistan. Gunsmith and armorer.

  Scott was severely wounded in a shootout with the militia. He is still recovering at the start of "To the Rescue."

  Buzzer and Matt were very involved in protecting the seniors in the Huntsville middle school. Matt was a former officer who resigned his commission long before this story begins.

  Pete and Eric are other Rangers named in the story.

  Force Gamma

  Twenty people from the Valley defense force assigned to Force Beta for training. Serve as backup for Force Beta.

  Allie, a boat handler, on “To the Rescue” mission.

  Other players

  Cumberland, a Coast Guard a buoy tending towboat assigned to Hickman, Kentucky. Main ride in “To the Rescue.”

  Jersey Girl, a towboat acquired in Memphis, TN, during “To the Rescue.”

  Sheriff Lewis, elected to office in Mecklin County, TN. Murdered by Deputy Allen group.

  Major Thomas, commander of National Guard Armory in Oneida.

  Jerry Hill owns a truck-trailer manufacturing company in Huntsville. Placed trailers to block roads into Huntsville area just after the crash. Main contact with the Mormon community.

  Deputy Jenson killed in Huntsville after the crash. Served as a turning point for law enforcement in Huntsville.

  Mecklin County Sheriff's Deputies Brian and Jake were captured and agreed to assist Valley forces in the takeover of the Mecklin County Justice Center.

  Deputy Allen, a pedophile, and murder who overthrew Sheriff Lewis and assumed control of the forces holding the Justice Center. Escaped from the Justice Center. He was subsequently killed in the Oneida Walmart shootout.

  Significant locations

  Breckinridge Valley (you won’t find it on any map) located off the Mecklin River in Mecklin County Tennessee. More than 5,000 arable acres surrounded by forestland. Water supplied by large spring and stream running through Valley that flows into Mecklin River. Connected to the mainland by a single bridge over the Mecklin River. Some undeveloped trails could provide emergency escape route with some effort. Breckinridge family purchased a large buffer around the Valley over the past 70 years.

  Clarksville, Tennessee https://bit.ly/2RY1fQT

  Helena-West Helena, Arkansas is the county seat and largest city in Phillips County, Arkansas. It is located on the Mississippi River with a pre-crash population of about 13,000. Known for its cotton, soy, and kudzu. Last known location of Andy in “To the Rescue.” https://bit.ly/2ZVll11

  Hickman, Kentucky has a port on the Mississippi River.

  Huntsville, Tennessee is the county seat for Mecklin County. It is a sprawling rural area with only 1,000 people living in the city limits. It is the site for the new Mecklin County Justice Center. It stretches along TN-297 and its intersection with US-27. https://bit.ly/2Xf0QdK

  Mecklin County (you won’t find it on any map) is bordered to the north by Kentucky. It is located on the Cumberland Plateau and is known for its natural beauty. Its pristine forests, streams, and rivers were once a mecca for hikers, hunters, paddlers, and fisherman. Even before the crash, it was sparsely populated with only 20,000 residents.

  Memphis, Tennessee https://bit.ly/2JduNHC

  Mississippi River plays a significant role in both To the Rescue and to a lesser extent Bittersweet Homecoming. I found this map provided wonderful ins
ight into the craziness that is big muddy: https://bit.ly/1NCQ8lU

  Oneida is the largest city in Mecklin County with 3,600 people. It has a Walmart Supercenter and a county hospital.

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