The animals that damaged our rector in the beginning have not come back inside the containment field. I don’t know if they avoid it because they need the sun’s radiation to survive or if there is another reason. Eventually we will be secure enough in our survival that we can track them down and learn more about them.
The first vegetables are coming in from the garden. I never thought that a string bean would bring such elation. Our rationing is proving very effective and we still have enough food to last us a couple of months.
Supplies from the two cargo planes have been unloaded and organized in the central cabin. There are plans to break down the planes themselves and use the aluminum and other materials for bigger and better shelter. The cables and wiring have been cannibalized already and most of the huts in our new village have electricity.
It’s not Earth and for those of us born there it never will be. But maybe it’s better. Like Sofie said before we left, there is no pollution, no corruption, and no crime. We have the chance to build a new civilization based on trust and respect.
In addition to mom there are three other women pregnant: Sarah, Gretchen, and Cassandra. My brother is going to be a father and I am going to be an uncle. The baby boom will be a little crazy but it needs to happen if we are going to survive.
For the first few weeks here I noticed all the things we forgot or chose to go without. Each one seemed like a mistake and I thought the omission might cost us our lives. Lately I have been marveling at the things they remembered to bring.
Today I am impressed that they brought canning supplies. As we go through the harvest each crop is divided into ‘eat’ and ‘store.’ The pile that will be stored is sealed into glass jars and placed in the cool dark confines of the central cabin. Within a few weeks there will be enough food grown on Locus stored to last us several months.
Chickens seem to have taken over some areas of the village. One of the guys from McMurdo grew up on a farm and he has a system for keeping the chickens and the roosters paired up. The approach ensures that we get enough eggs to eat and that we get enough baby chickens to keep the flock strong. We haven’t eaten any meat yet but I think it’s only a matter of time.
One curiosity about the chickens is that there have been several mutations. If all of the mutations were similar I would think they were adapting to the environment here. Unfortunately, no two changes have been the same and it seems like they are evolving into completely different species.
Jake woke up and has been feeding himself and drinking but he still hasn’t spoken. I think that Grace is waiting for him because she doesn’t seem to be interested in any of the more eligible guys. Hopefully Jake will come back to us and she won’t waste too long pining after a damaged soul.
As Sofie and I wrap up out morning walk in front of the central cabin Dad shows up with a basket of vegetables. He still gets up before everyone else and likes to ‘do things’ before any of us need him.
“Good morning, you two have a nice walk?” He asks with a smile.
“Wonderful.” Sofie answers and I think she is genuinely happy.
“We are running out of space in there!” Mom comes out of the cabin rubbing her belly, which is growing large.
“Well this is just the first load for today. There are probably another eight to ten baskets to pull.” Dad wears his satisfaction on his face.
Meeting like this has become a part of the routine for us. I don’t want to say that Sofie and I are peers with mom and dad but they now treat me like an adult. Our steady, comfortable relationship is similar to theirs and I think they like having ‘friends’ like them.
It surprises me a little that we have so much to talk about. We stand around chatting for a while until the others make their way to the cabin. Once most of us are accounted for there are some discussions about priorities and chores and then we all head off to work. There have been a few cases of people slacking off, but on most days everyone contributes something.
“Before we get started today I want to propose that we vote on a leader.” Luke, the boyfriend or husband of Sarah, is standing in front of the door to the cabin.
A chorus of ‘come on’ and ‘Aww Luke’ come up from the others from McMurdo.
“No, this collective approach isn’t going to work much longer. We need a leader and I’m willing to throw my hat in the ring.” He says with a hand up asking for silence.
Several people look to my mother, who says nothing. I can see my dad preparing to speak but mom’s hand goes to his arm and he remains silent. If someone wants to crown him or herself leader they won’t face a challenge from my family.
“Does anyone want to say a few words about who they feel should be the leader of this group? Feel free to speak in favor of yourself, I don’t mean to intimidate you into silence.” Luke’s confidence is almost unsettling.
“I don’t think we need this, Luke. We’re doing well with simple and I think it should continue.” Mike is a voice of reason and several people nod in agreement.
“Lets do a show of hands, who thinks we need a leader and who thinks collective rule is better?” Luke tries to muster support for his idea.
“Luke, a show of hands won’t work.” Mike answers him.
“Why not? There aren’t so many of us that we can’t count hands.” Luke replies and highlights a limited understanding of people and politics.
“Not everyone wants you to know how he or she voted. What if Sarah didn’t want to vote for you? Do you really think she would raise her hand and let you see that?” Mike explains the situation.
“We should vote.” Comes from the group but I can’t see who said it.
Mike looks at my mom and dad but neither of them have anything to say. Eventually my dad shrugs his shoulders and nods his head. Looks like there will be a vote.
“To save paper lets do it this way. If you think we need a leader write ‘leader’ and then the name of the person you think should be our leader. If you like the collective approach just write ‘collective.’” Mike says to the crowd.
He goes into the cabin and returns with a notebook and an empty can. He doesn’t need to count heads; Mike knows exactly how many people are here on Locus. Tearing out several pages he folds them twice and tears them apart. The empty can goes on a small table next to the door of the cabin and pieces of paper make their way around the group.
A few of us, including me, don’t go anywhere without a notebook and a pencil. I write ‘collective’ on my paper before handing the pencil to Sofie and letting her use my notebook as a table. The pencils are passed around and with so few of us the voting is quick and efficient. Folded pieces of paper are tucked into the can until everyone present has voted.
I want to delay the vote so that Liam and Cassandra have a chance for their voices to be heard. Now that we have all voted though, there is anticipation in the air and I doubt that we could wait for the results. A few minutes ago there was not even the idea of a vote and now it feels like the most important thing we have done.
Mike dumps out the can, and starts looking at papers. I think it’s a show of strength from my mom that she does not complain. If dad or I tried to count the vote there would be an outcry from Luke about favoritism and bias. The can is checked once more and the ground around the table is inspected for any errant ballots. With none found Mike is ready to announce the results.
“There were fifteen votes cast in this election. Two requesting Luke to lead us.” Mike pauses to let that sink in. “Three votes were for continuing collective rule. Ten votes were cast to have Donna lead us.”
There is stunned silence all around. Luke’s peers, those he believed were giving him the impetus to push for leadership, want my mother to be in charge. I suppose its true what they say about the power of status quo but I also know that my mom does things right.
“We’ll do this again soon. I think that organization and leadership are important parts of community, but they don’t need to be permanent or intractable.” M
om is not going to abdicate her role.
It’s an anticlimactic moment. There was a big vote and a movement for change but in the end things stayed the same. Mom doesn’t need to assert her leadership but she doesn’t need to be tested either.
“I propose a thanksgiving feast.” Dad finally says.
“We’re up like twenty chickens. I could sure go for some fresh protein!” Henry is excited by the idea.
Part of me thinks that he and dad had some of this worked out before hand. They make an unusual pair but they seem to get along well.
“Does any one strongly oppose a feast?” Mom asks.
No one speaks up. We are going to eat like kings tonight. We don’t have flour or cocoa beans or sugar so there will not be any deserts or sweets, but we have been on rations for so long. I don’t want to waste food but I can’t wait to eat until I am full.
Liam and Cassandra arrive at the gathering and my brother looks sad for missing the event, even if he doesn’t know what it is. They both say hello to a few people and then Liam comes to stand by me. Grace and Remmie appear from the path to the lake and everyone here from Earth will soon be together in front of the central cabin.
We have not gathered as a group since we arrived here. First we were scattered and then there was work to do. Once we settled into our routines we tried hard to keep at it, knowing that losing momentum could grind important tasks to a halt. Now that we are established it’s time to lift our heads up and celebrate our accomplishment.
It feels good and I am glad to be a part of this.
The Seamus Chronicles
Annihilation – Book 1
Evacuation – Book 2
Colonization – Book 3
Confrontation – Book 4
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Also by K. D. McAdams
The Metropolitan Zombie Survivors Series
MZS: Boston - Book 1 Pat-O awakes to find that zombies have taken over Boston. He needs to get across town to meet his friends and escape before the government destroys the undead and everything else in the city.
MZS: New York - Book 2 The Boston survivors meet up with McLean in New York where she is trying to cope with the reality of the zombie apocalypse. Trying to rescue three kids from an apartment forces them to deal with an entire building of flesh eaters.
MZS: Philadelphia - Book 3 Parker is in Philadelphia adjusting to life after his wife’s death. The Boston and New York crew arrive at Liberty Bell square in search of a survivors rally. When they are attacked by the living Parker helps them to safety and they make him one of their own.
MZS: D. C. - Book 4 The survivors want to be done with cities. The detours and roadblocks around D. C. leave them no choice but to drive into the heart of the capital. Once there a power-hungry Senator shows them a new hell.
MZS: North East - The Novel Follow Pat-O from Boston to New York, Philadelphia and Washington D. C. all in one book.
About the author
K. D. McAdams is a write at home dad of three and happy husband of one. K. D. writes stories about people who rely on their instincts as well as their intellect. The goal of his writing and publishing efforts is to inspire others to pursue things that they find interesting.
Colonization (The Seamus Chronicles Book 3) Page 17