Post Grid: An Arizona EMP Adventure

by Tony Martineau

  Emma finally responded. “We”—she used the plural, trying to bolster her position—”need all of the food we have. I'm sorry, we can't give you anything. All I can suggest is that you stock up on water from the creek and head north.”

  Silence filled the air. Long minutes passed. Had they gone? No, I would have heard their steps on the porch. Will they shoot their way in or bash the front door from its hinges? Not having a gun, she retreated to the kitchen doorway.

  “What should we do?” Emma whispered.

  Jared was all business, shifting easily into police mode. He handed Emma his gun. “Take this. Cover the front room. If they try to come in, shoot first and ask questions later. I'll get my pistol and cover the back. Stay low.”

  “Okay,” Emma said breathlessly. She glanced, from a distance, at the front window, but didn't see anyone. She crouched near the hallway, where she could hear any movement but still remain somewhat secluded. She held the shotgun at the ready. Emma's own breathing roared in her ears.

  After a few minutes, Emma's thoughts turned to her own discomfort. Crouching was not good for old ladies, she thought. Her ankles threatened protest at the unusual position, and she wondered how long she could stay like this. Jared hadn't said anything about how long to wait. Certainly if the visitors were going to storm the place, they would have done so by now. Staying low, Emma made her way to the front window. What she saw surprised her. Tim and Mary were walking down the road, away from her house, hand in hand like two love birds out on an afternoon stroll. Relieved, Emma plopped to the floor and let the long gun rest next to her.

  “They're leaving,” Emma called to Jared. She felt like crying from fear, relief, and a sense of guilt. A month ago she never would have turned anyone away. She didn't see how crying would help things and it definitely wouldn't fix the world's problems. She slumped against the wall under the window, letting her adrenaline rush fade a little before trying to stand.

  Jared took a place by the window, curtains held back. He shifted his gaze between Emma and the retreating couple.

  “They might be the ones Kelly and I heard down by the creek.” He let the drapes fall back, leaving a foot of sheers exposed so they could see out. “I guess it doesn't matter.”

  Jared held his good hand out to Emma, then helped her up. Together they stood looking out the window, staring down the driveway.

  “We have been very lax about security,” Jared said quietly. “I'm surprised we haven't had others up here like that. Maybe next time, they won't be so docile.”

  “What should we do?” Emma asked.

  “Oh, there will be plenty to do,” Jared said. “First, we need to secure these doors and windows and make an escape plan. We'll have to wait for the others to get home, but I will outline a comprehensive plan. Right now, I think we should take a walk around and see if anything has been disturbed or taken. We might be able to tell if they've been up to Rich's place or the barn. This is going to slow things down around here. We'll have to take turns playing security guard.”

  ****

  By the time the donkey cart returned, loaded with everything one could imagine and pulling a small ATV trailer, minus the ATVs, Jared had already gotten a good start on security. Kelly led the procession as the tired animals lumbered up the driveway. Jared emerged from the bushes on the driveway at a point about fifty feet from the road. Kelly hopped off Pokey, took his reins and walked toward Jared.

  “What are you doing out here, babe?” she asked. “You should be resting.”

  “We had a couple of visitors today.” Jared relayed the story as the group made its way to the house. They commenced cataloguing the items from the cart, adding them to the master list while putting them away.

  “So what is our security plan now that we've been infiltrated, deputy?” Kelly smiled, holding up a can of beans.

  Jared ticked off the items on his list. “Detection, cover, concealment, and fields of fire are the first things that come to my mind,” he answered.

  “What's the difference between cover and concealment?” Jess asked.

  “Concealment means just that, you can't be seen,” Jared said. “Cover is something that stops bullets. Rich's house is made of stone. Emma's house is adobe. Both are good cover. Wood and stucco houses are just concealment. Remember, detection comes first.”

  “The Marines used tin cans on barbed wire in Vietnam for warning and to slow assaulters,” Emma said. “I think we should put some cans on string or wire around our property. Not just one line, but two or three lines of wire different distances from the perimeter, so any attackers have a good chance of making noise. We can put up a perimeter line of string pretty quickly. There is plenty of barbed wire around here too. Repurposing it into tanglefoot may be a good long-term project.”

  “The tin can alarms won't help unless someone is there to hear it and decide if the cans are clanging because of attackers, wind, or wild animals,” Dennis said.

  “We should stand watches overnight,” said Jared. I'll do the majority 'til this arm's healed. Remember, even if our watchmen sound the alarm quickly, there will still be a delay getting everyone ready to fight.”

  “I might have a few ideas for more advanced security,” Rich said mysteriously. “I think I can rig up working headlights and car horns. The horns will alert people here at Emma's and up at my place. We can shine lights into the yard and down the road at night too.”

  “Won't that surprise 'em?” Jess said.

  “I'll say,” Jared answered. “Today we should at least get the basics done. Lynn and Jess, come with me and we'll get some fishing line. We'll start laying out some alarms; I'm well enough to do that. Kelly and Emma, can you start gathering some of our old cans and punching little holes near the rims so that we can put them on the fishing line? Dennis and Jose, how about finishing puttin' the rest of this stuff up?”

  Everyone got to work. Lynn and Jess ran through the yard like school-aged kids, with Jared and Rich supervising the work. They were laughing and stringing different lines from tree to bush to bush to tree. They tried to get the line to lay in the crooks of the foliage at about two feet off the ground. Rich had told them that the number of animals setting off the alarms would be less at that height.

  Jared and Jess started building a stone observation point, about three feet square, surrounded by short stone walls in the front yard for the watchers in case of a fire fight. This would allow a 320-degree view of the front yard instead of the partial view afforded by the front porch. He designed the stone escarpment to draw fire away from the house as well. It was slow going; with only limited use of his bad arm he couldn't lift the heavy rocks, but he could supervise and chink the rocks. Jared's strength had been growing day to day, and it was showing in his work.

  Kelly and Emma had to make a trip up to the old burn pile to retrieve cans. After an hour, seventy-five cans with holes punched in them were ready. The cans were attached in groups of three to every length of line. Small branches were removed as needed to allow the cans to hang freely but still remain out of sight.

  “If anyone walks into the strings, we'll hear 'em,” Rich said finally.

  Indoor security fell to Emma and Kelly, who moved furniture around in the front room. They moved the big hutch in front of the picture window and put the tallboy dresser next to the front door, where it could be slid over to block the door. In the kitchen they built large brackets that would hold two two-by-fours so that the door could be barred on the lower third and upper third.

  The whole group met back at 5 p.m. for dinner. Emma sent Lynn out back with Jess to get the stew pot out of the solar oven.

  Lynn and Jess bounded out the back door.

  “Hey, Lynn,” she called after them. “You might need these!” She held up a set of oven mitts. “I know it's a sun oven, but the pot will be hot.”

  Lynn returned to the back stoop and retrieved the mitts.

  When the two got out to the oven, Lynn looked through the glass at the cooki
ng vessel. “Look, Jess,” Lynn said. “The broth is boiling right in the pot.”

  Both youths watched as bubbles broke the surface of the soup.

  Jess opened the oven and held the lid while Lynn removed the heavy pot of quail and potatoes. A strand of black hair fell into her face, in front of her eye. She blew at the strand without result, unable to brush it aside because her hands were full. The weight of the pot caused Lynn to struggle with it as she made her way to the back stoop.

  “Here, let me carry that,” Jess said, putting his hands out toward the hot pot. He felt suddenly embarrassed that he hadn't gotten it in the first place. Why did he feel this way? He had probably watched Lynn do this or something just like it before.

  “It's hot, silly, and I'm wearing the pot holders,” Lynn said, looking back at him, saying it with a giggle in her voice.

  Her voice attracted him. It was like she was singing the words, joking with him, flirting with him. Was she? Flirting?

  Clumsily Jess said, “No, I mean it, it's too heavy for you.” He could feel his ears turn warm.

  “I've got it.” Lynn pursed her lips and squinted her eyes. She lifted the pot two or three times, gesturing with her head toward the door, then waited for Jess to hold the screen door open for her.

  He jumped up onto the stoop, swung the screen door open, then jumped down, giving Lynn room to pass.

  The two entered the back door and supper was served. Jess paused to block the back door by putting the two-by-fours in their cradles, then took his place at the table across from Lynn. Emma set out a single loaf of beautiful bread. Kelly ladled broth, quail and potatoes into everyone's bowls.

  The sights and smells were heavenly.

  Chapter 14

  “Mom was pretty shook up,” Kelly said as she hugged her legs in front of her. Jared sat next to her. The swing moved slowly, creaking under the weight of the pair. A sliver of moon dimly lit the cool evening. A piece of thick diamond plate leaned up against the porch railing. Kelly listened for the tin cans to rattle. She reached up and fingered the lanyard that held the whistle she wore around her neck since their trip to Fountain Hills. Jared and Kelly had volunteered for the first watch.

  Kelly said very softly, “I'm glad Dennis and Jose had an uneventful trip into Sunflower.”

  “Yeah, that was good, but I think this unexpected visit from the strangers shook everyone's sense of security,” Jared said. “I'm glad I was home. Your mom's a tough lady, Kelly. Maybe that's where you get it from.”

  “I get it from my mom and my dad. Both are rugged individuals. Growing up, it was made clear that I was expected to be the same.”

  Jared reached over and pulled Kelly to him, making her release her legs and fall toward him. The bulletproof vest he had given her to wear felt bulky and stiff. She leaned her face on his warm chest. His arm felt strong around her shoulders. The two sat leaning against each other, quietly listening to the sounds of the desert.

  “Kel, I've noticed that your food portions have been smaller than those you give the rest of us,” Jared said. “I thought I was imagining it at first, but now I'm worried about you.”

  “I don't need as much as you men or the kids, for that matter.”

  “You wouldn't be saying that if it were your mother cheating herself.”

  “That's different.”

  “I don't think it is. I don't want you to lose any more weight. Just in these, what, nine days we've known each other, you're thinner.”

  “You are too, Jared, and you know it.”

  He pulled Kelly to him more tightly, giving her two quick hugs.

  Jared changed the subject. “Rich was sure in a hurry to get to his radio after dinner. The rest of the guys were going to move their stuff from the shed into Rich's basement before turning in. They thought it would be more secure. No one has asked me to move yet.”

  “No, and they probably won't now that we are an item. There isn't a lot of room in the basement anyway. Plus, it will be too cold to stay in the shed in a few more weeks. They are probably glad not to have to share what little space there is with you, if the truth be told.”

  “I can only hope that they are all jealous.” Jared grinned widely.

  “You men are always so competitive, especially over women.”

  “Yeah, true, and if there's anything around here worth having, my dear, it's you. You're pretty, hard-working, and can take care of medical situations to boot. Any guy would be a fool not to want you for himself.”

  Kelly blushed. “That is very nice of you to say, Mr. Malloy. Flattery will get you everywhere.” Kelly raised her face toward Jared's and was about to plant a soft kiss on his lips when they heard the jangling of cans.

  “Damn it!” a voice hissed far forward and to the left.

  “Holy...!” Jared said, spitting the word out in a whisper between his teeth. He lunged to his feet so quickly he nearly dumped Kelly onto the floor. He drew his pistol. Kelly dove for the AR-15 leaning against a piece of diamond plate steel that had been put there for cover. Jared took up a position on the left of the metal sheet; Kelly took the right. They scanned the front yard as far into the darkness as they could see.

  “You don't think that was Rich, do you?” Kelly whispered.

  “No, be quiet.” Jared hissed authoritatively. “See if we can get a better fix.”

  Oh, thought Kelly, I like this side of Jared.

  A full minute passed.

  Jared reached down and took his whistle and placed it between his teeth. He blew as hard as he could. Kelly did the same. Her weapon was trained into the darkness toward the offending sound.

  Suddenly, the yard was lit by four headlights.

  “Wow, Rich has been busy,” Jared whispered. “Let there be light!”

  One person was lying on the ground and a second one was standing over the first. The man standing held a revolver. Both were frozen in the light.

  “Don't move!” called Jared in his command voice.

  In one fluid motion, the man grasped the woman's hand and pulled her to her feet. Both darted into the brush. Gunfire erupted from the darkness where the two had retreated.

  Kelly and Jared shot at the muzzle flashes. The headlights went off, enveloping the yard in darkness.

  Kelly slid quietly from the porch to the stone observation post Jared and Jess had built that afternoon.

  Jose's voice came from the direction of Rich's house. “There are many of us and we are heavily armed.”

  “Stay put!” Jared yelled to Jose. “We've got two in the dark, in front to our north.”

  Emma and Lynn, shotguns in hand, exited the back door and came around to the front porch.

  Kelly crouched behind the stonework, scanning and listening. She strained to make out the tiniest unusual noise, but the night was teeming with the sounds of a rural homestead: bugs, owls, snorting horses and the wind. The wind, which Kelly hadn't even noticed while on the porch, now sounded like a hurricane.

  Finally a bush moved. Kelly's gaze darted in that direction and she leveled her rifle. She could just make out a figure lying in the brush line, then heard the click, click of a revolver's hammer snapping on empty chambers.

  “You're out of bullets, or haven't you been counting? Don't move or you're a dead man!” Kelly shouted with a little more fear in her voice than she would have liked. She sighted her weapon.

  “Put the gun down in front of you!” With no option left, the man complied. “All of you come out of the bushes with your hands up!” The first figure, a man, stepped forward, followed by a second figure, a woman.

  “I've got two!” Kelly yelled over her shoulder without taking her eyes off the pair. She spoke to the couple. “Who else is with you?” No response. “Damn it, speak up!”

  “Nobody's with us,” quavered the woman's voice.

  She heard Jared belting out commands one after the other. ”Jose, go to Kelly. We'll cover you.” Kelly heard Jose's footfalls approaching quickly from the direction of Rich's hou
se. “The other men go cover our front flanks. Rich and Dennis moved quietly to positions on the right and left of the front yard. “Jess, stand by for lights when I call for them. Kelly, I'm sending someone else over to help you.” Jared looked at Lynn and motioned with his head for her to go to Kelly. Lynn looked at the ground and didn't move. Jared turned to her again and gave her a “psst.” When she looked up, he shot her a cold stare. Lynn moved quickly toward Jose and Kelly.

  “Lynn, shoot this guy if he does anything funny,” Kelly commanded. “Lights, now!” she shouted.

  Jess illuminated the front yard. Everyone but Kelly and Lynn scoured the yard for more unfriendlies.

  “Man only,” Kelly said, “walk slowly toward my voice and then lie face down, now!”

  Lynn pointed her weapon at the man while Jose trained his weapon on the woman. Only then did Kelly leave the protection of the stone enclosure and make her way the three steps to her first prisoner. She searched the man for weapons. She removed a pair of handcuffs from Jared's armored vest and fumbled putting them on. Handcuffs weren't part of her skill set. The process was repeated with the woman. Jose retrieved the revolver and then checked the bushes for more accomplices and weapons.

  Lynn escorted the detainees, shotgun at the ready, to the porch for safekeeping.

  “Those are the ones that were here today,” Emma said to Jared.

  “Shhh, don't speak 'til I'm done,” Jared hissed.

  Emma furrowed her brow but complied.

  Jared separated the two prisoners. He was very angry, so angry that he felt as if he were shaking visibly. As a street cop, he had learned the need to control his emotions. A good cop does not yell because he is angry, but as a tool to accomplish a goal. He drew a deep, slow breath and held it for a moment, concentrating on relaxing. It was what the birth coaches called a “cleansing breath.” He chuckled to himself, realizing that Kelly's job and his had one similarity.