Blue Plague Survival

by Watson, Thomas A

  Chapter 12

  Glancing at his watch as the last of the supply trucks pulled into the farm, Bruce saw it was 4:10. The newly arrived survivors were on the back patio eating. Lynn had set up a table with food and would use a pen to write on each person’s hand as they grabbed a plate. This was done to make sure everyone got something to eat and people could not keep coming back. Mike had dropped off Alex and Angela at the farm at 2pm after one of the supply runs to prepare for the survivors.

  When the vehicles had stopped, Alex came over and told everyone that they needed their names so they could find everyone a place to sleep. Standing beside Alex, Angela told everyone that families should come up together. Then Angela told them food was being prepared and for everyone to sit in chairs on the back patio and that the pool house had a bathroom for those that needed it. This caught many off guard since they had not seen a working toilet or running water in months. Chairs were set around the patio with folding tables that the family kept for parties. There was almost enough for everyone leaving only a few kids sitting on the ground.

  Watching the new group shaking his head, Bruce looked at the piece of paper that Alex had given him with the number of people and the break down. The group had young, old, males, females, white, black, Hispanic and Asian. The total was seventy-nine new survivors and they did not have places for all of them to sleep. This brought the number of the clan to over a hundred. Mitch, Carla and their two guards had not given their names to Alex and Angela. Bruce asked Bill to stay with him as Bruce led him around the property.

  While the group ate, Bruce looked at the mountain of supplies that was scattered all over the property. It looked like a supply depot had gone out of business. Huge piles of lumber from several construction sites were set up in massive stacks, with more pallets of concrete than Bruce had ever seen. There was heavy equipment parked in front of the barn. Bruce saw a diesel fork lift with a boom arm, back hoe, bulldozer and pieces of construction equipment that he did not know what the hell they did, but they looked cool as hell.

  Mike and Paul came over to join him and Bill giving them a rundown on what else was needed as Bruce gave them the numbers. Paul was the first one to speak. “We need to get the barracks built and I want to build a community building where everyone can eat. It can be put behind the patio at the back of the house. We can put a kitchen in it and use it as the meeting room and class room. The barracks I designed will house a hundred and twenty people in small cubicles, sixty people on each floor. With the two semi-trucks of cinder blocks we found today, the first floor can be put under ground to save on cooling power. Those two projects need to be started tomorrow. Then we can start on the storage area,” Paul told them making notes in his notepad.

  Bill looked at Paul in amazement asking, “Are you an engineer?”

  “No, I’m a farmer but I have a masters in agriculture, bachelors in structural engineering and minored in architecture. Farmers haveta build. It’s cheaper to do it yourself, plus I designed small buildings on the side,” Paul told him not looking up from his notebook.

  “Damn, makes me feel like a little bitch with my associate’s degree in criminal justice,” Bill replied looking at Bruce and Mike.

  “Wait until you meet Stephanie. She has four doctorates and six master degrees and she’s only thirty,” Mike told Bill.

  “Is this a genius colony?” Bill asked Mike.

  “No, knowledge is power and everyone here will learn or they’ll leave. We are going to have classes on everything from welding, gardening, sewing, computers, survival, firearms, combat, advance chemistry and anything else we need to know,” Bruce told Bill as he was looking at all the stuff the supply teams brought back.

  Turning to Mike and keying his radio Bruce started talking, “Everyone with a radio listen. We have at least two problems. The clean white lady is a judge and the clean white man is a congressman. They believe that they are in charge and don’t have to listen. The two troopers with them have been disarmed but might be a problem. I want the two troopers because they have firearm experience but they follow the two dipshits hook line and sinker,” Bruce was fixing to continue but Bill interrupted.

  “Let me tell you about those assholes,” Bill replied and Bruce moved toward him taking off his throat mic so everyone could hear. “Those two are responsible for more deaths than I care to remember. They are prejudiced to no end. Not really evil but indifferent, believing they’re better than everyone else. They ruled jointly, using fear from the bodyguards and the soldiers. The soldiers stopped listening last week after the two got twenty of their buddies killed. Let me put it this way. With the limited water supply we had, both of them took a bath every day, to ‘maintain appearances.’ Then they made others wash their clothes every three days. The body guards got to bathe every other day.

  “The soldiers never did anything bad to the people, but that cannot be said about the two troopers. I have watched them beat and falsely imprison people. They would force others to leave on supply runs or just leave the group. There used to be four bodyguards but two got killed when the Homeland camp got overrun. The majesties keep them close now. I can’t prove it but I think they’ve killed several people at the camp before it was overrun. They would tell everyone that they were escorting someone out of camp, then return alone. You’d think that two cops wouldn’t follow the idiots but I think they like being next to power and being the enforcers,” Bill stopped looking at Mike and Bruce then continued.

  “I was trying to lead the group out with the soldiers, leaving the four to boss each other around. I knew if I did that, it was going to come to gunplay. You have no idea how much I and the others appreciate what you’ve done. Disarming the troopers before getting here, that was a stroke of genius. They would’ve caused a big problem otherwise,” Bill finished.

  Bruce put his mic back on and asked everyone if they copied that, getting affirmatives from everyone. Then Debbie came over the radio.

  “I’ve told them to sit down three times. They keep walking around trying to boss everyone around. Steve threatened to shoot all four of them when Carla snapped at me. Lynn told them she’d shoot them when they commanded her to prepare a meal just for them. This needs to be handled soon or I’m letting Steve shoot them,” Debbie told him.

  “On the way over, I’m giving my rules speech and be ready to back me up,” Bruce replied heading to the patio with the others in tow.

  When Bruce reached the patio he called to everyone, “May I have your attention please,” after all talking stopped and all eyes were on him he continued.

  “I want to welcome you all here. There isn’t much safety in the world now but we’ve made a little haven here. Please hold your questions until the end. My name is Bruce and I’m one of the leaders here,” Bruce was saying as Mike came up beside him and interrupted.

  “Let’s get this clear, he’s the boss, the wives and I are next,” Mike said then stepped back behind Bruce.

  Bruce just shook his head not wanting that, then continued, “First, the rules of the farm. There is no stealing period. If it’s not yours, leave it alone. Punishment will be dealt out fast. Next everyone has to work. If I’m out here working, then every swinging dick and pair of boobs will be working too. If you’re sick we have doctors here that will see you. If needed, you will be given another task until you’re better. Anyone caught trying to get out of work will be given jobs that no one else wants. Remember, if you don’t work, you don’t eat.

  “Only Ms. Lynn and those assigned to help her are allowed in the food storage areas. You will get enough to eat, but only what is prepared. There is now over a hundred people here and this is goin’ to put a massive strain on the supplies we have now. Teams will be going out to get more, so don’t worry. We have arranged for six thousand calories a day, per person. That’s a lot but it’s earned with work for the clan. If you stay, you will be a part of the clan. We love, fight, care and will die for each other here. That’s what I expect if you stay.
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  “This is a limited democracy here. People are assigned to jobs based on abilities, not on vote. Every Sunday we have group meeting for problems to be addressed. If you pose a danger to the clan you will be dealt with and if you pose an extreme danger, you’ll be shot. Talk to the others that are here, this is not a bad place and if you think it is, carry your punk ass elsewhere. We don’t need you. If you follow the rules you’ll be happy here and these rules are simple. Treat others here with respect and they will do the same for you.

  “Since I have now been put in full command, my word is the final word. I do listen, but when my mind is made up the decision is over. If you think I’m wrong then on Sunday bring up your argument and if the other three think I am wrong, then that’s the way it will be. If you don’t like the language I use, I’m sorry but I’m not going to change,” Bruce paused looking around before continuing.

  “Alex and Angela will be handing out paper and clipboards. Everyone will write your name on the top. List what education you have, what you did for a living, and all the jobs you have held. Then I want you to list what you know how to do and your hobbies. If you know how to sew, we want to know. If you can write on a grain of rice, we want to know. If you know how to make illegal drugs, hot wire a car or break into a building, we want to know. We don’t care if you’ve been in jail. With that being said, if you screw up here, your life will become an instant living hell. The clan must know what skills are here and all skills are needed. We don’t care if you have been in prison, everyone has a clean slate now and you can truly start over.

  “Now, the punishment for rape is death in this clan. The punishment for murder is death by torture and I promise ya, I can come up with some medieval shit,” Bruce paused looking around. Most were just ordinary people and nodded in agreement. Only a few had questionable looks. The small kids were just looking at the swimming pool.

  “All kids fifteen and under will have four hours of class a day. Then they along with everyone else will have two hours of class on learning how to fight and to survive. You’ll learn guns, knives and hand to hand. Everyone is required to work out four times a week, an hour each time. This is to make sure you can fight when the time comes and that you can work at peak performance.

  “Once you’re checked off on a weapon, you’ll keep it with you at all times. If you look around, there are several twelve year olds that are armed. Everyone is expected to fight after they learn how. I can see worry on some faces, so let me clear something up. Nobody will be asked to go on supply runs until they’ve been checked off on weapons and training. You would endanger the rest of the team otherwise. We fight and die for each other here. If something happened to you, the team would die trying to save you,” Bruce said seeing relief on several faces.

  “For the next few weeks, it’ll be very crowded. If you need clothes, shoes or other necessities see my daughter Danny later, after your list is done. Until you’re cleared to carry a firearm you aren’t to touch one period. Training on them will start tomorrow, along with a lot of work. Tomorrow morning there will be an assignment list for different jobs for everyone. Unless you’re dying, you will report for work. I truly wish we had time to let this new group rest but we don’t.

  “Crops have to be planted in, weapons need to be taught, buildings need to be built and the list goes on and on. Life as we knew it is now gone and we have to rebuild the world. Make no mistake there’s almost two hundred million infected and lots of gangs raping and pillaging what they find. I’m sure everyone here has lost multiple loved ones and for them you should do your best to survive to carry on their memory. We have a long hard battle ahead, I can’t promise you we’ll make it but we will do our best. I’ll not ask anyone here to do something that I will not do. I will fight for you and if necessary die for you. This is America and I say let’s take it back,” Bruce stopped and looking at those around him. He could see hope and determination on their faces now. One person stood up clapping joined by another until everyone except the four problem children were clapping.

  Bruce’s face turned beet red holding up his hands for everyone to stop which only made them clap louder and start cheering. Debbie gave PJ to Buffy and ran over to Bruce wrapping her arms around him. Bruce returned her hug, wishing he had guard duty tonight but it would be another week. Letting Debbie go he kept his arm across her shoulders as she stood beside him. Bruce held up his hand for everyone to sit down so he could continue. The clapping and cheering slowly stopped and everyone sat back down.

  Bruce continued on, “I will try to answer some questions but remember we have a lot of work to do so please keep it short. If I don’t get to you today, you can ask Sunday at the weekly meeting, before we start the work day. I want you to wait until you are called on. I want this to stay orderly,” Bruce pointed to an elderly black lady who had her hand up.

  She stood up and asked, pointing at the judge and congressman, “Are they going to be in charge in any way and do they have to work like the rest of us?” Everyone just stared at Bruce waiting on his answer.

  “No ma-am, they will not be in charge in any form or fashion. From my observations, they’re both idiots. If they want to eat, then they’ll work or starve,” Bruce told her getting another round of applause.

  Mitch jumped out of his chair pointing his finger at Bruce, while his face went from red to purple. “Listen country boy, I have had enough of your mouth. Carla and I were appointed by the governor to oversee this area for the federal government. Not you and your militia family. I could have you shot now, for using military equipment and your own admission of killing infected. Only the military and police are allowed to address the infected problem. I’m responsible for that military equipment not you, it has been assigned to me. The President of the United States declared martial law over the entire nation. No citizen is allowed to own property and must follow the duly appointed representative of the federal government. That means Carla and I own this farm not you. I am the executive branch and she is the judicial. By your own account, you have also killed law enforcement officers and citizens. We have the authority to authorize summary executions. We have done in the past and will do again in the future. You are playing with one right now,” Mitch finished yelling at Bruce.

  Debbie felt Bruce’s body turn to rock under her hands as soon as Mitch stood up. The more Mitch spoke, Debbie could actually feel the anger pour off of Bruce. She looked up at Bruce’s face and saw no emotion at all. Taking her arms off of Bruce, Debbie stepped back behind him. She had never seen this expression and knew hell was coming and she was not going to stop it. Not that she really wanted to. If anyone was asking for a beating, it was this asshole. In all the years she had known Bruce, he always threatened to rape a man before he got in a fight. It was only psychological warfare, to install fear in his opponent. Being raped by another man is what most men were afraid of. Glancing up at the side of Bruce’s face, she was almost certain, this time she might have to watch a rape. Thinking it over for a second, Debbie decided she would help hold Mitch down.

  Bruce glared at Mitch for several seconds after he quit talking. A grin spread across Bruce’s face before he spoke, “Who’s going to shoot me bitch? Who are you going to call before I rape you?” Debbie smiled from behind Bruce, she knew her man.

  “The government is in Colorado and we have been in contact with them. It is only a matter of time before the military gets the upper hand,” Mitch told Bruce smiling.

  “There hasn’t been a live broadcast in weeks. Shit fucks like you wasted any opportunity to save people,” Bruce replied and he saw shock on both of their faces. The grin took an evil appearance and spread across Bruce’s face. Seeing his face many were certain that it would have made Satan cry. Then he spoke, “You didn’t know that because you’ve not had a radio for a long time. I declare you a danger to the clan.” Those sitting anywhere near Mitch got up knocking over chairs clearing the area. Debbie watched the people move away, many were smiling. They had listened to
Bruce’s speech and rules.

  Carla jumped up to bring order to the madness. She was a judge after all. “Listen Bruce, Mitch did not say you were going to be executed but if you threaten him again, I will sign the order myself,” Carla threatened. Bruce slowly turned to Carla looking into her eyes. Taking a step back in shock, Carla had seen that look before from those she had sentenced. It was the look of death. Carla fought off a shiver not wanting to show weakness. She turned speaking to the crowd. “If anyone here follows this man’s orders you will suffer the same penalties. Any that do not follow our orders will face execution,” Carla said pointing over her shoulder at Bruce. She had done this once before with that dumbass Colonel. His own troops did not even protect him as she had him executed. She only had to scare one person with a weapon. She turned back to Bruce.

  “We were going to put you in charge of the security Bruce but you have fucked yourself out of that. You will now give your weapons to my body guards. Mitch and I will be taking the master bedrooms up stairs. No one else will be sleeping in the house. I will appoint certain people to jobs in the morning. Bruce you will leave these premises now and do not return because you will be shot on site. Next-,” Carla began as Debbie ran up to her.

  “Whoa bitch, you don’t come to another woman’s home making those demands and saying you are throwing people out. Especially this house, because I will monkey stomp your ass right here,” Debbie yelled in Carla’s face.

  Carla who was six inches taller than Debbie looked down at her. “Little woman get out of my face before I hurt you,” Carla told her. Carla knew she could beat the shit out of this little woman.

  Hearing that, Debbie’s blood froze as the anger washed over her body. Without thinking Debbie palm punched Carla in the abdomen. Caught off guard, Carla staggered back from the punch, as all the air escaped her lungs. Debbie reached up with both hands grabbing a handful of hair on each side of Carla’s head. Still in full combat gear with her elbow and knee pads on, Debbie pulled Carla’s head down while she brought up her right knee. Carla’s face met the point of Debbie’s knee at the center of the hard shell over the pad and everyone heard the nose crunch on impact. Letting go of Carla’s hair, Debbie let Carla fall to the ground, blood pouring out of her crushed nose.