Fire From the Sky: The Sanders Saga

by N. C. Reed

  “Don't you feel a little guilty?” she asked.

  “No,” he shook his head. “He's bought gold from me at seventy percent of spot for months. He's doing fine.”

  She was silent until they were back in the truck.

  “Do you really think this is necessary?” she asked him once they were moving again. “Will these coins really help if everything goes to hell?”

  “I don't know,” he was honest. “But I do know that if everything collapses like it easily could, your paper money would be worthless. Everything you worked for gone in a literal flash of light. At least this way you manage to protect your assets.”

  “That makes sense,” she nodded, seeing his reasoning for the first time. “Like insurance, almost.”

  “Just about.”

  “Well, I've still got a good bit of cash,” she sighed. “Let's go shopping I guess.”

  “Let's see if we can catch up to the others first,” he said. “I was expecting it to take us longer with this. I'd like ideally for us all to stay together if we can. Once the satellites go, the word will start spreading. People will notice that.”

  “You think something might happen?”

  “I think there's safety in numbers,” was all he said. He checked his cell phone as he waited for a light to change, pecking out a quick message. Once done he handed his phone to Lainie.

  “See if you can get Dad on the line and find out where they are.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  -

  Gordon and company had pooled their intellect after splitting from Clay and Lainie again and decided to rent a U-Haul truck one-way home rather than try to buy a trailer. Once they had it, the question arose what to do with it.

  “We can hit the Costco to the north,” Gordon said. “We can try Sam's club. We can visit the bigger box stores. I'm not advocating one over the other, just naming options.”

  “We need to do what we're going to do soon,” Leanne said. “If we wait unti-”

  “Leanne, this is an adult conversation,” Alicia said sharply, cutting her off.

  “And she's acting more adult than you are,” Gordon told her flatly. “We need their intelligence. If not for her and her brother, you'd still be sitting at home, fat, happy and dumb waiting for the sky to collapse on your head without warning. Now why do you say that, sugar?” he asked his granddaughter.

  “Once the satellites go, people will notice and this will be harder to hide,” Leon said without looking up from his laptop. “People will start looking for the problem, and then they'll find it. Once that happens, word will start to spread, first among telecom companies and then out to everyone else. It's just a matter of time.”

  “He's right,” Leanne nodded. “Right now we're not the only people who know, but we're among probably one percent of the world. That number will begin growing exponentially in the next few hours. I'd really like to be home, or at least on the way home, when that happens. There's a lot left to do yet.”

  “I vote Costco,” Abigail said finally. “Or else Sam's. Get everything in one go and be done with it. If there's room left, hit a box store like Wal-Mart on the way out, but keep it simple. Buy up things we're going to need no matter what.”

  “Or things we can trade to others later on,” Leon added.

  “Good idea,” Leanne nodded. “Some items will be at a premium. Salt for instance. Sugar, pepper, most basic cooking spices will eventually run out. Meal, flour, yeast. And books,” she added. “Visiting a brick and mortar book store for old time how-to books would be a good plan about now.”

  “Hadn't thought of that,” Gordon admitted. “All right. We 'll take the truck and hit the Costco. You guys go as planned and hit the sporting goods stores. Mister Brick, can we enlist your aid in loading the truck?”

  “You're Mister Leon's family,” Brick nodded. “You can count on me for whatever I can do.”

  “Okay,” Gordon didn't quite know how to answer that. “In that case, Ronny, you go with them. Better we don't split ourselves up too much. There will probably be a book store where you end up sooner or later, so someone can take the kids to see what they can find. Anyone have a meeting place in mind?”

  “Play it by ear,” Robert said. “If they make their way toward the interstate, there's no point moving back through town to catch us. We go to them. We'll be in touch one way or another.”

  “Good call,” Ronny nodded. “There are at least three sporting goods places on the way home. We 'll try and hit them all, and look for anything else we can while we do it.”

  “I have a request, if you don't mind,” Brick said quietly.

  “Sure,” Ronny nodded.

  “There is a young woman with me that is only eighteen. She has very little in the way of clothing. If she gives you,” he looked at Abby, “her sizes, can you get clothing for her? I don't know exactly what's happening but this sounds bad and she doesn't have much. I will pay.”

  “Of course,” Abby nodded. “Introduce me?”

  “Yes,” he nodded and headed that way.

  “Why does he have an eighteen-year-old with him?” Alicia asked. “Are we taking in strays now?”

  “Ally, your mouth is running,” Robert said quietly. “Might want to check on that.”

  “She's a young woman that was running from a bad situation that Lainie was trying to protect,” Gordon said flatly. “I'm sure she and Clay will pay her way. Bearing in mind that today hasn't cost you anything so far,” he added with a bit of acid to his tone. Alicia had the grace to blush and look embarrassed at least.

  “Now,” he went on. “I think Robert and Ronny had the right idea. We do our thing and we meet up elsewhere. In the event we can't communicate, I suggest that truck rest area on 65 on the way home. If we haven't met up in the city, whoever gets there first will wait for the rest of us. That sound like a plan we can all live with?” Everyone agreed it did.

  “Then let’s get going before we end up in a mess.”

  -

  They were in the middle of Costco when Gordon's phone rang.

  “Mister Sanders, it's Lainie,” he heard. “We're done with our errand. We're considering our next move but Clay wanted us to stick together if possible. We're on speaker if you want to talk to him.”

  “We split up as planned,” Gordon said. “Ronny went with Ally and the kids since Brick can help us load. We rented a U-Haul one way instead of trying to get another trailer. Just seemed a smarter option. We're hitting the other Costco now. The Dynamic Duo had the idea to hit some book stores for how-to books while Ally and Abby, or maybe Ronny, hit the sporting goods places. If we can't meet in the city, the alternate is the rest area on the Interstate.”

  “I wish I'd thought of the U-Haul,” Clay sighed. “Good idea, Dad. How are you for money?”

  “We're okay but this will about finish it I would imagine,” Gordon admitted. “Your sister spent a bundle this morning going store to store buying clothes. And Abby is going to get that young woman some things. Got her sizes before they left.”

  “Thank you,” Lainie said. “I'll pay her way.”

  “Don't worry about it,” Gordon told her. “What are you two doing?”

  “We're looking to spend the rest of my cash, probably on things like leather tools, fabric, sewing needs, candle making and the like,” she told him. “Anything else you can think of?”

  “No, but I hadn't thought of any of that, either,” he sighed. “Clay, wouldn't hurt to stop at a Tractor Supply and load up on the odd and end things we always need. Gromets, tarps, line, you know the list.”

  “Got it,” Clay promised. “If we swing by where you are can we borrow Gordy? We may get our own truck.”

  “We should be finished when you get here,” Gordon agreed.

  “We're on the way.”

  -

  Traffic was picking us as lunch time neared but without a trailer Clay was still able to make good time. As it was he and Lainie got to the Costco in time to help finish loading. Seein
g Lainie, Janice bailed out of the RV and asked to ride with her and Clay. After a brief consultation, they agreed to allow it, and Gordy joined them as well.

  “We're going to go and get a truck ourselves,” Clay told them. “I'd prefer we stay together, but there's no point in you staying in the city if you're done. Start heading out. It will take us a bit, but not too long. I think we 'll split up. Lainie and Janice can check the Hobby Lobby while Gordy and I get the things we need from Tractor Supply. We 'll also hit a Lowe's for some extra batteries for our power tools, and some new hand tools. Something breaks we may not be able to replace it.”

  “Hadn't thought of that,” Gordon shook his head. “You got money enough for all that? We've about spent what Leon gave us.”

  “We're okay,” Clay nodded. “Everyone armed,” he asked more quietly. Everyone was. He removed the rifle from his truck and placed it in the one he was driving, leaving his shotgun.

  “Don't take chances,” he told his father and brother. “Once the satellites go that's going to let everyone know something is wrong.”

  “Kids said the same thing,” Gordon nodded. “Stop worrying about us and go,” he ordered. “We're on our way out. I'll call Alicia and let her know. We'll wait for you at the rest stop.”

  “Half-hour but no more,” Clay insisted.

  “We 'll wait for a bit,” Gordon said. “We 'll play it by ear. Go.”

  -

  “There's a Barnes and Noble,” Leanne said. “Let us out there.” They had hit two stores already and were going for one more before heading for the meeting spot.

  “I'll go with,” Abby offered.

  “Okay,” Ronny nodded. “Ally and I will hit the Sportsman, and then pick you up. We 'll call on our way out.”

  “Good deal,” Abby nodded. “Let’s go, guys.” The three bailed out and were soon inside.

  “What are we after?” Abby asked. “This has hit so sudden I don't know what to think,” she admitted.

  “How-to books,” Leanne replied. “Pioneer living, outdoor survival, that kind of thing. Aunt Patricia wants anything we can find about herbal remedies and medicines, too,” she added. “Any of those old timey treatments that no one seems to use any more.”

  “Cooking without modern appliances and cookware,” Leon added. “Grandma has a ton of black iron cookware. We may need to use it on a fire or something like that,” he shrugged.

  “How to build a greenhouse,” Leanne chimed back in. “We 'll need year-round production if we can get it.”

  “Natural supplements, replacements for citrus since we probably won't be able to get any if this kills transport like we think,” Leon murmured. “Leather work. How to tan hides from the cattle and deer to make leather.”

  “And if there's a book you've really been wanted to read, now is the time to get it,” Leanne finished. “We won't get another chance.”

  “Got it,” Abby nodded as she grabbed a basket. “Let’s go shopping.” The twins followed suit and the three fanned out in search of books.

  -

  “Man, this place is a madhouse,” Ronny said quietly as he and Alicia entered the huge Sportsman store.

  “Is it usually this busy?” she asked.

  “I don't know, I'm rarely up here,” he admitted. “It is hunting season for some things, and deer season starts soon. Would have anyway,” he shrugged. “And this is the time of the year when people camp.”

  “Well, I don't want to take longer than we have to,” Alicia said as she grabbed a buggy. “I don't like leaving the kids alone like that.”

  “They aren't alone, Abby is with them,” Ronny reminded her, getting a buggy of his own. “Grown woman who drives a fire plow for a living, fighting wildfires. She can handle it.”

  “I'm still not even sure we should be doing this,” she grumbled. “What if this is all just a bunch of hooey?”

  “When have those two ever been wrong about math and science?” her husband snorted. “I don't know where those brains came from, but you have to admit our kids are geniuses. The odds of their being wrong are tiny. More like microscopic.”

  “There hasn't been a word about it on the news,” Alicia shook her head. “And I don't care what they say, the government would tell us if something was wrong!” she almost hissed.

  “Would they, Ally?” he asked her. “I mean seriously now. Would they tell us if something so catastrophic was about to happen that it was going to wipe out the modern world? To what end? What purpose would it serve? Everyone would be like we are right now, and we'd all be fighting over stuff. We're damn lucky to have the head start we do. Now let’s quit wasting it.”

  They hurried through the store, collecting as they went. Alicia got clothing. Thermal underwear in everyone's size, three sets each. Heavy socks for everyone. Rugged shirts from Carhartt. Jackets from the same company. Toboggans and face masks. Gloves.

  Ronny gathered hardware. Fishing line, hooks, sinkers. Belt and folding knives. Multi-tools. Sharpening implements. He looked at a GPS receiver and shook his head, grabbing a half-dozen high quality compasses instead. Head lamps. Safety glasses. Hearing protectors. When he reached the reloading section he gathered pre-made jacketed bullets for every caliber weapon the family had that he could remember, three hundred of each. Next was powder and primers. Finally, he gathered new ammunition.

  The clerks took his requests in stride, but a burly man with a long beard watched him with some interest. Seeing the items Ronny was collecting made him curious. When Alicia showed up with her buggy, now also carrying battery lanterns and batteries, he confronted Ronny.

  “What do you know?” he demanded.

  “Huh?”

  “You're gathering, mister,” the man accused. “What is it you know?”

  “I don't understand?” Ronny looked puzzled. “What do we know about what?”

  “That's what I want to know,” the man nodded firmly.

  “I don't understand,” Ronny repeated, shaking his head.

  “That's bullshit!” the man almost exploded. “You know something!”

  “Sir, is there a problem?” the clerk asked warily, looking from one to the other.

  “I don't know,” Ronny replied. “He wants to know what I know, but I don't know what about,” he made a shrug of helplessness. “He's not making any sense.”

  “You're gathering things for a disaster and I want to know what it is!” the man shouted this time and people from all over the store were gathering to look at the commotion.

  “Sir, please calm down or I'll have to ask you to exit the store,” the clerk ordered.

  “Let’s go,” Alicia said to her husband. “Start making for the check out. We still have to pick up the kids.”

  “You ain't leavin' here til I know what you're up to!” the man bellowed, grabbing Ronny's arm. Which was a mistake.

  Ronny was a fairly easy going man and always had been. That did not mean he was weak. A man didn't operate heavy machinery for a living if he was weak. Not for long anyway, and Ronny had done it since he was sixteen. As the much larger man yanked on Ronny's left arm to jerk him around, Ronny helped him by turning with the pull, his right fist coming from behind him and catching his attacker under the chin.

  Blood shot from the man's mouth as his head snapped back and he lost his grip on Ronny's arm. In slow motion he began to fall, crashing to the floor with a loud thud.

  “Jesus!” Alicia blurted, hand going to her mouth.

  “Let’s get away from here,” Ronny ordered. He looked at the clerk.

  “I'm sure you have footage of him attacking me, right?”

  “Y-yes, sir,” the man nodded.

  “I don't appreciate being accosted in your store,” Ronny said. “We 'll wait for the manager at the checkout.” With that he and Alicia headed for the front.

  “Are we waiting?” she asked him.

  “Not if we can help it,” he shook his head. “We're paying for this stuff, loading up, and getting the hell out of dodge. Enough
is enough. That right there should prove to you that something is wrong.”

  “It proved there are idiots everywhere,” she nodded. “I've never seen you hit anyone,” she added quietly.

  “You've never seen me have to,” was his only reply.

  Despite the crowd their wait at the register was short and Alicia was already going through when the manager caught up to them.

  “Sir, I 'll have to ask you to come with me,” the manager said officiously. “We have to sort this out.”

  “Did you watch the footage?” Ronny asked calmly.

  “Yes, but-”

  “Did you interview your clerk?” he continued.

  “I did, but that-”

  “Then you know that I was accosted while a paying customer in your store,” Ronny told him.

  “Well we're hardly responsible for-”

  “You have a sign on your door forbidding the carrying of firearms by legally licensed permit holders, do you not?” Ronny continued his barrage.

  “That is company policy, sir, and I don't see how that is-”

  “It means that you have taken my ability to protect myself and my wife from me, which means when we are in your store, we become your responsibility,” Ronny kept up the pressure.

  “Sir, you still struck another customer in-”

  “-in self defense,” Ronny finished for him. “Has that man bought anything?” Ronny asked. “We have. He assaulted me, and you have video evidence of it as well as at least one of your employees who stood by and did nothing while that man attempted to attack me. Now you want to detain me when I am the victim here?” he allowed his voice to creep up in volume as he spoke, knowing other customers were listening. “What kind of store are you running where you allow your customers to be attacked and then try and detain the victim!” he demanded finally.

  Murmurs went through the crowd at Ronny's words and the manager looked distinctly uncomfortable.

  “I'm afraid I have to involve the authorities in this matter,” the man said finally.

  “That's fine,” Ronny nodded firmly. “I 'll need a police report for my lawsuit.”

  “Lawsuit?”