by N. C. Reed
“There will be more than us thinking about that kind of thing,” he warned the group. “We will see bands of marauders eventually. With society breaking down, it will be survival of the fittest and bottom feeders tend to come in packs. Every one of you had better be prepared for that. Prepared to do whatever it takes to protect yourself and your children. You won't get a second chance.”
“With that in mind, we need to take the time to look over the place,” Barnes said, standing. “We need to look around us with an eye toward defending this place. We can't hold it all in the face of a determined attack, so we have to concentrate on holding the homes here, and the buildings at the other farm. I would suggest drawing your best breeding stock close in so they can be corralled quickly in case of trouble,” he told Gordon. “So long as you have them, you can rebuild.”
“True,” Gordon looked thoughtful. “We 'll see about that today,” he agreed.
“Big John, can you ride a horse?” Clay grinned.
“I rode one on a carousel once at a carnival,” the big man replied warily. “That count?”
“Sure.”
-
“That is a big ass horse,” Barnes was more wary after seeing the beast he was to ride. He, Clay, Lainie and Jody Thompson were in the horse corral, preparing to ride over the farm.
“You're a big ass man,” Thompson snorted, dodging a fist from Barnes two seconds later. The four were mounted a few minutes later, Barnes clinging to the saddle horn at first. Thompson was making it fine.
“I thought you were from Texas,” Clay remarked.
“We ain't all cowboys, ya know,” Barnes shot back.
“Yeah, I can see that.”
“So where is the beer trailer?” Thompson asked.
“Beer trailer?” Clay didn't understand.
“The beer trailer that big ass horse pulls behind it,” he snickered as Barnes struggled to hold on.
“I get down from here I'ma beat your ass,” the big man threatened.
“I'll take my chances,” the sniper laughed outright. It was a foreign sound even to those who knew him.
-
The remaining members of the former anti-terror unit spread out around the homes, marking things that would need to be done to make the area more defensible and harder to take by surprise.
“We need dogs,” Nate Caudell said finally. “Several of them. Stock dogs that won't take after the cattle or horses so they can be allowed to roam. They would give us plenty of warning and add a layer of defense as well.”
“We thought about it, but too late to do anything about it,” Leon nodded. “We can still try to come up with some. We wanted Anatolian shepherds because they are pretty much instinctual with their guardianship of livestock. No one around here had any,” he shrugged.
“We can teach them not to harass the cattle,” Jose Juarez told him. “Any dog can be trained to do anything if you're willing to work at it. Some are better at different jobs than others, but all of them can be taught. We 'll figure something out,” he clapped the younger Sanders on the shoulder. “Lets keep going.”
-
“It's doable, but it has to be within parameters, and we 'll have to make sure that our own people are cautious,” Mitchell Nolan said as the group met later that afternoon.
“This place is huge,” Barnes nodded. “The two together are immense. There's no defending the whole thing. Not with what we have to work with. We have to stake out what it is we can't lose and then plan that way.”
“We need a tower,” Thompson said. “A fortified OP for a guard watch. The other place has cupolas in one of the buildings looks like. Is that what they are?” he asked Clay.
“Armored,” Clay nodded. “Built that way just for that. Here, not so much,” he shrugged.
“We can build a tower,” Juarez said. “We may not can armor it, but we can double wall it with four to six inches of dirt between the walls. That 'll stop most stuff.”
“Recon will be open,” Caudell sighed. “Not much of a way to know what's coming.”
“We've got drones,” Leon said into the quiet.
“What?” a half dozen voices asked.
“I forgot that,” Clay admitted. “Kids bought three fancy drones and I think four or five cheap ones to learn on. All of them carry cameras and what not. The fancy ones have a three-mile range. We thought they'd be handy for checking on cattle.”
“Handy for checking on damn near everything,” Maseo rubbed his hands together. “I feel my inner geek coming out.”
“You mean you hide it?” Barnes, Nolan and Caudell asked at the same time.
“Funny guys, every one,” Maseo said acidly. “Yuck, yuck, yuck. So funny. Comedians out of work everywhere and you're trying to break in the biz.”
-
The rest of that first day after the world stopped moving was spent drawing up plans and preparations. By supper time the general consensus was that one full week would be devoted to working on preparing the farms for defense. Fighting positions would be dug and camouflaged, if the tower was practical then one would be constructed for the Sanders' homes for the watch to use. Sandbags would be filled and deployed around the outside of windows, behind flowers wherever possible.
Doors in every house would be fixed so that they could be barred. Windows would be hardened by using shutters that would look decorative by would hopefully protect the glass. No one had anticipated the loss of window glass or anything else. There would be nothing that could be done other than board any broken windows up.
The civilians looked at all this with trepidation as the seriousness of what they faced began to sink in. Alicia predictably was the first to complain.
“Why are you destroying my wall!” she had shrieked when Clay, Ronny and Juarez began fixing the brackets and stops to bar the front door to the Tillman house.
“Alicia, we're preparing the door so it can be barricaded in an emergency,” Ronny said calmly. “I know it's noisy, but we won't be long I hope. If you want to go over and visit your mom, this is probably a good time.”
“You are destroying my house!” she fumed. Ronny, who had been working up to that moment, stood up. He looked at her, his face a mask, and asked;
“Should I ask them to take a break while we talk about this?”
The change in Alicia was immediate. She turned without a word and walked out, heading to visit with Angela. Ronny simply returned to work while Clay tried not to snigger. Juarez just kept working.
No one mentioned it.
-
There was another part of that first week that had not set so well as the construction work or the other preparations.
“This is a Kalashnikov assault rifle type Forty-Seven, commonly referred to as an AK-47,” Barnes said. “Manufactured by a host of others, but primarily by the Kalashnikov Concern and now by the Kalashnikov Group, it is perhaps the most recognizable weapon in the world, rivaled if at all only by the M-16 rifle of the United States and a number of allies.”
“47 refers to the year these rifles entered service,” Barnes continued as he wracked the bolt open, ensuring the weapon was empty. “In use by numerous nations around the planet even today, the AK is easy to operate, difficult to break, and very forgiving of mistakes, unlike the American M-16 or M-4. You can literally drop this in a mud hole, pull it out, clear the chamber and barrel, and your weapon will function just fine. The M-4 will not.”
“While civilian versions are available and have been for many years, this is not one of them,” the big sergeant continued. “This is the select fire, gas operated version issued to military units the world over. Firing the seven point six two by thirty-nine millimeter round, it is a very effective tool for both protecting yourself and your family as well as its intended purpose of being used in military assaults.”
“Why does that matter?” he asked. “Good question. Glad you asked,” he went on without pause. “That is because each of you is going to learn, here today, how to disassemble, c
lean and oil, reassemble and fire this weapon. Actually you will be using the weapon that will become yours to keep once we complete this little training course.”
That created a stir among the women. Patricia was the first to raise a hand.
“I can't possibly shoot anyone,” she said firmly. “I'm a Nurse Practitioner. Was on my way to being a Doctor of Nursing. My oath-”
“Does not apply,” Barnes cut her off smoothly. “You will learn to use this fine firearm here today, Mrs. Sanders, because the lives of your family may well depend upon your ability to do so. There are no more laws, people, no more society to protect us from those who would do us harm. You are now responsible for your own safety and well being, and that includes the people in line to either side of you and the people who bed down in your homes each night.”
“So you will learn today to care for and fire this rifle,” Barnes would entertain no further objections. “Now, pay careful attention as I show you how this rifle breaks down.”
“First, ensure...”
Patricia was not the only reluctant woman in the line, but none of the others raised objections. The children were with Abby, who already knew how to shoot just fine, thank you very much, but Nathan, Leon and Leanne were there as was Johnathon. Mothers had objected but been overruled by one simple fact;
People who are able to defend themselves are rarely victims.
-
It was a long week for the people on the farm. Hard work, the absence of modern convenience and the worry of not knowing what was going on in the world wore at all of them old enough to know what was going on. They had seen no one in the six days since the storm. They had watched the aurora every night save one when clouds broke the gathering up earlier than normal. Everyone was usually dog tired after supper and the brief rest at the end of the day was enjoyable.
That night the aurora wasn't visible at all. Observing that fact, the twins, backed by Johnathon Jackson, decreed that it should be safe to begin bringing out some equipment, so long as it was done in measured amounts in case there was some residual effect they had no way to measure.
Weak cheers accompanied that announcement as plans were made to break out a stereo the next day, as well as arrange for showers in each 'camp'. There were showers in the house at the Troy place for use by the newcomers, and it as decided that solar power would be hooked to Gordon and Angela's well since most of the cooking was being done there anyway.
And so it was that on Thursday evening, one week after the world had all but stopped turning, everyone enjoyed a hot shower or bath. It was such a simple thing a week earlier, to take a shower. To draw a tub of steaming hot water and soak in it. Such a small thing to take for granted. Something you thought little about until you didn't have it anymore.
It was a group with much improved attitude that gathered that afternoon and evening for supper in Angela's outdoor kitchen. Two kerosene heaters, one at each end of the shelter, helped to keep the cool weather at bay beyond the plastic and Plexiglas windows that shut the weather out. It could be removed in summer but right now it made the large patio enclosure bearable.
Chili and home made bread made it more bearable as well, dished up by a smiling Angela as she watched the group devour her home cooked meal with gusto. She had always enjoyed watching people appreciate the fruits of her labor.
“I'm going to take my truck out of storage and head into town tomorrow,” Clay announced. “See what's going on.”
“Might want to wait on that ell tee,” Barnes said without looking up.
“Ell tee?” Lainie asked. “What does that mean?” she asked even as Clay sighed and Barnes and the others winced a bit.
“Just a nickname,” Clay shook his head. “One I don't use anymore,” he semi-glared at Barnes.
“Sorry Boss-man,” Barnes said, again speaking without thinking. Motion stopped around the table.
“Boss-man?” Gordon asked into the silence. “Another nickname?”
“Call sign,” Clay said shortly. “It was the name I used on the radio or when anyone else was around besides us.”
“Why 'Boss-man'?” Alicia asked, almost snorting in humor.
“Probably because I was in charge,” Clay told her flatly, which nearly caused his sister to choke.
“What?” more than one voice asked.
“There's no need to go over this,” Clay insisted. “It's old news and means nothing. It hasn't in a long time. Now as I was saying, I'm going to take my Hummer out of storage and go into Jordan. Have a look around and see what's happened. If it looks okay then I might head on over to Peabody and see what it looks like from a distance. I don't think I want to be going into Peabody at the moment.” He looked at his father.
“One of the first people I saw when I got here was Jake Sidell. Apparently, he bought Denver's place after I left.”
“Yeah,” Gordon nodded. “Must be five, six years back anyway.”
“Is Jake okay now days?” Clay asked. “I spoke to him a bit, but it was just two old school mates catching up. I know nothing about him anymore. Is he still a good guy or has he become a trouble maker, or anything like that?”
“No, Jake is good people,” Gordon said. “Runs a fair business and does good, quality work. Doesn't over charge people and makes good on what he does.”
“So, no one would object to his coming here if he wanted to?” Clay asked. “He's a fine mechanic and strong as a bull. And I doubt he's scared of anything that he can get hold of. We could use his skills, and he's a good guy.”
“I don't see a problem with it,” Leon said at once. “No one else should either,” he added. “We're talking about someone who can help us keep things going as time goes on. He does the bulk of our work anyway, when it comes to anything diesel. And you got those trucks now, too. Gonna need a mechanic.”
“If he agrees then we'll take a truck and trailer and move him out here,” Clay said with a nod. “We built an apartment into one of the new storage buildings, so he can stay there. Some of you will probably want to move in there,” he looked specifically at Jody Thompson. “It's the one with the cupolas.”
“Nice,” the shooter nodded but otherwise said nothing.
“All right then,” Clay stood. “I need two men to go with. The rest stay here. Two on watch at all times, otherwise it's a down day. Who's in.”
“I'm i-” Barnes began but was cut off.
“You stay, Bear,” Clay shook his head. “You're 2IC. I'm gone, you're here. You're gone, I'm here. Only in the rarest of times will we change that. So...” he looked around.
“I'm in,” Mitchell Nolan said at once, ignoring a glare from an obviously irate Beverly Jackson.
“Me too,” Tandi Maseo said right after. “Might need a medic, right?” he grinned as he got to his feet.
“Skull and Bones with full rattle,” Clay said to them. Both men nodded their understanding but said nothing else. Those few words had given them all the instructions they needed.
“I'll be there at zero six-thirty,” Clay finished. “We will proceed slowly and take every precaution. Tandi, if you want to get one of the cheap drones from Leon and take a look at it, we can probably carry it tomorrow. We 'll also carry some MRE components I have in case we see someone in dire straits. I don't have enough for many so we restrict it to kids. Little kids.”
“Like old times,” Maseo smiled, but the smile faded as he remembered those old times more completely.
“Anyone thinks of people to check on between now and then let me know,” Clay said. “If we can find them and check on them we will. Meanwhile, I got gear to get ready and I am tired,” he stood. “Good night all.”
“Don't let anyone steal the place while I'm gone,” Clay slapped Barnes thick shoulder as he walked out.
“Not all of it anyway,” he shot back, still smarting from the necessity of his remaining behind. It was the right plan, but that didn't make him like it.
-
“So what does skull bones and rattl
er. . .?” Lainie asked as the two made their way home.
“Skull and bones, full rattle,” Clay provided for her. “Just telling them how we would outfit for tomorrow.”
“So what does it mean?”
“Means full gear for battle conditions,” he kept is as simple as he could. “Ready for whatever we might face.”
“What do you expect to have to face?” Lainie asked. “I was going to ask to come with you,” she added.
“Not happening,” he said at once, though not unkindly. “Only trained personnel for runs like this. As time goes on, once you learn what you're doing and we outfit you properly, then I would let you make your own call, but not now. Nate, Tandi and I have worked together a long time. We know what the others will do without asking or looking. Putting someone untrained in that mix is a bad plan.”
“Oh.”
“I think it will be too soon for any kind of organized problems this far out,” he told her, trying to settle any fears she had. “We will see trouble of that kind you can bet, sooner or later. There was a small gang related organized crime problem in Peabody and other small towns around that was beginning to creep out into the rural areas about the time I got home back in the spring. Remember I told you about the diner,” he reminded her.
“Yes. Was that part of the gang problem?”
“A shakedown for protection money,” he nodded. “So there may be some problems from them by now, but I doubt they will have crept out into Jordan as yet. We 'll know tomorrow, at any rate.”
“Just please be careful,” she told him quietly.
“Nothing to worry about,” he smiled. “Tandi and Mitch will look after me. They did for years.”
When the two got home Lainie went to bed. Clay waited until she was gone to ease into his basement.
Sitting there still draped in plastic was the Hummer he had sealed away months ago. He had painted it black since then, but otherwise it was the same. He knew the tank was full of stabilized fuel, so he quickly checked the other fluids. All were okay. This vehicle was fairly new and had never been out of the states so he didn't expect any problems with it.