The understanding of the tragedy they had avoided hit him like a punch in the stomach. We were supposed to be like these people, but we cheated. But I’m not about to give up, ever. No matter what.
He was very happy to get back to the village. When Matt showed the video of their recon after dinner, Luke skipped out on it and went to the commons building to do some more work on the ghillie suit he was making. It felt better to be keeping his hands busy. He was getting into the flow of working on it when the door opened and Jamie walked in.
“Hey, you.”
Matt looked up and said, “What’s going on?”
“Just thought I’d stop in and say hello. You doing okay?”
“That was awful today. All those places we went shopping are empty. So many of those people are dead. It’s horrible.”
She said, “I know what you mean. I still can’t get the image of those people I shot out of my head.”
“How about a game of dominoes?”
In the end they played several games, and talked very little. It was just right.
APRIL 11th
Jim woke late in the morning after standing the early morning watch. Shifts were set at four hours because that was about as much as you could expect people to maintain full focus. Even that assumes that human beings actually do what they are told even a fraction of the time, he thought.
Jim also worried that things had been too easy so far. He spent his down time reading books on military history, game theory, strategy, and leadership. Very enlightening reading, but much of it kept him awake at night.
Before the collapse, I knew that anyone could kill almost anyone if the motivation and acceptance of risk was there. I don’t see that the equation has changed all that much. Next time might not be such a stupid attack.
His biggest fear was still of fire. All an enemy had to do would be to start a fire upwind of the camp during dry season, and they wouldn’t have a chance.
Rob’s perspective on the matter was unsatisfying, if useful. Rob said, “It’s all a matter of where you draw the arbitrary line between safety and functional compromise. Total safety is living in an oversized bomb shelter with a lifetime supply of food. Functionality is having an effect on the world that tomorrow will become. It’s the classic tradeoff between risk and benefit. The problem is that the reward will go to the ones who take the big risk and guess correctly. Playing it safe will land you in the gutter.”
“So we bet everything time and time again, and hope we’re the lucky bastard in the stadium who bet correctly on twenty coin tosses in a row?”
Rob answered, “The problem with that analogy is that the lucky bastard in the stadium is there only because, statistically, someone has to be. We’re not playing roulette, or even craps. We’re playing blackjack and we’ve fixed the deck.”
“If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying hard enough?”
“When the stakes are this high, damn straight.”
Jim paused, and then asked, “Rob, you don’t have the vaccine sitting in a box in one of the RV’s do you?”
“If there were any way possible, I would have a ton of the vaccine ready to go, but, no, it’s not ready. I’m not even sure that it will ready in the next year. We may be waiting for the virus to burn itself out like the 1918 flu, but the bottom line is that with as virulent as this one has been, it’s not likely to be around for more than a year or so. And once it’s gone, the world will be a very different place.
“I don’t think that we’re going to have a lot of people coming out here looking for revenge. Right now all they are thinking about is survival. I agree with you completely on having more firebreaks ready to go and we’re keeping the vehicles in running condition in case we ever have to pack up and go quickly, but I don’t anticipate that.”
Jim thought for a moment and asked, “What about the percentage of people who get the flu then are immune afterward?”
“It depends on how much food is left. If they can overcome the food issues, then they will do okay. If anything, they will be the ones with full mobility while the rest of us are stuck in place. Still, I like our odds a lot better all the way round.
“What it comes down to is that we’ll be able to use this as a base and gradually expand outward once the flu is no longer a concern. We’ll recruit those who remain and start to rebuild. That’s what this endeavor is all about. The village only has to last for a year, but we have to use that year to become fully prepared.
“We’ll treat the threat of further attacks as a motivator to push training further. These folks are going to be like a spec ops team by the time we’re finished.” Rob looked off in the distance. “And I have the feeling that they’re going to be used as such before all is said and done.”
APRIL 20th
Julie and Helen had taken responsibility for the greenhouses, hydroponics, and fish stock. Between the greenhouses and hydroponics rooms, they had far more fresh vegetables than they could eat. The fishing pond had its own set of challenges, but seemed to be functional. Not that I’d want to depend on it for food, thought Julie, but at least we’re not eating rats and pinecones.
The work was important, but not as difficult as she thought it would be. The toughest part was making sure that the watering systems continued working and that the soils were getting the correct amount of moisture.
They used kerosene heaters to keep the green houses warm enough for the plants. It seemed to be working well, though she was glad she wasn’t paying the heating bill.
They had continued the classes with Jim and Julio and continued to improve rapidly, so much so that they were consistently able to disarm and shoot training partners in training scenarios. The two of them functioned seamlessly in a fight. Ann was impressed enough that she had taken them under her wing for additional training as well.
It was a little creepy how much they were learning, and how seriously the training was being taken. Everyone who was training had made their own ghillie suits and they were getting eerily good at disappearing. By now, most of them were wearing WEB gear, essentially a harness with shoulder straps and a belt to disperse the weight of the equipment that was always worn. Jim insisted that everyone be armed with a combat knife, pistol, and rifle at all times. Since the attack, no one argued the point. Surprisingly, the WEB gear was actually a lot more comfortable than carrying heavy equipment on a belt.
By now Julie had started thinking of the village as more of a training camp than a town. All of them were learning new skills, from horseback riding to cooking. Helen was even teaching classes on flying small planes and driving 18 wheelers. Julie was her most dedicated student.
The commons room was most often used as a classroom, whether with mats for the martial arts classes or with fold up chairs and tables set up for classes. There was even a large flat screen and DVD’s on a plethora of subjects. This morning’s class had been on lock picking and forced entry.
Helen convinced Rob to teach her to fly the Blackhawk and he had started her off with a stack of books helicopter maintenance. She was soon doing short flights with him.
All of the boys were doing shifts in the kitchen as well as standing watches and helping with livestock. Aunt Susan had insisted that there would not be a division of labor leaving the women doing all of the drudgery while the men beat their chests and “watch football.” Julie approved. With the exception of Rita and Kathy, the women were also standing watches and participating in all of the training. Rita and Kathy both trained with pistols, but refused to accept any security training beyond that.
The entire resources of the village were available for learning, but Julie wondered how there would ever be enough time to learn everything they needed to know. It was essentially years’ worth of military and CIA training combined with farming and ranching condensed and crammed into their heads in a period of weeks.
At least Jim and Rob had agreed to a Sundays off for everyone not on watch or doing essential tasks. Settling into a rhythm was he
lpful. Julie was surprised to find that she was starting to enjoy the experience.
MAY 1st
Luke was pleased that he and Jamie were spending so much time together. They weren’t dating or hooking up or anything like that, but both enjoyed the other’s company.
Jamie had been a hospitality major at NAU and had planned to run a resort one day. “I don’t see much chance of that happening now,” she had told him early on. “I think I’ll settle for surviving the next few months.”
The group had set up a small lookout in an unused cabin at a high point about five miles from the village. The owner was not likely to be showing up if he hadn’t by now. They would take turns hiking up to the shelter and spend a couple of days up there, eating MRE’s, and watching for activity or signs of fires.
Luke was surprised that his mom was okay with him spending a couple of days with Jamie, but since the attack things had been different. Mom is smart enough to let go of what she can’t control, he thought, but I’ll probably pay for it elsewhere.
Jamie was taking a nap and he was on the patio deck scanning the distant I-40 with binoculars when cold steel poked him behind his left ear and a voice behind him said, “Stay still so we don’t have any misunderstandings.” The intruder took Luke’s pistol belt and knife but didn’t frisk him. “Okay have a seat here and we’re going to have a little chat. You’re from the camp down the road, right?”
The intruder was an old guy, maybe in his fifties with grey hair and a well trimmed beard. He reminded Luke of his math teacher.
Luke didn’t see any point in denying what the man already knew, and nodded. The guy continued, “I heard about you guys taking out that posse. Good work there. Those assholes would have killed you then gone through everything you had, and would be starving again now.”
He holstered his pistol, walked over and handed Luke back the WEB gear with the weapons in place. “Sorry kid, I just didn’t want to get shot before getting through introductions. I’m Jake Williams.”
Jake waved and two unarmed younger men walked out of the woods. “My friends are Deepak, don’t ask me to pronounce his last name, and Zach Meyers. We’ve all had the flu and survived it so are immune, so don’t get all freaked out on me. We’d like to join your group if you’ll have us.”
Julia stepped out of the cabin with her M4 leveled at them. Luke looked at her and said, “It’s okay. They’d have had us both if that’s what they wanted.” She lowered the rifle but kept it handy.
They talked for a couple of hours. Deepak was twenty-three and had been an engineering student at NAU. He had been born and raised in the States, though his parents were from India. Zach was twenty-eight and had been a UPS driver, but had a degree in music. Jake was retired Navy and had been working at a warehouse store in Flagstaff to keep busy.
Jake, said, “I noticed you folks cleaning out the store of certain things and made a point of finding out about you, because you certainly seemed to have knowledge of something coming. I actually followed you out to your ranch one night. By the way, I stocked several months of food. Thank you for the warning, even if you didn’t know you were giving it.”
“Unfortunately, I got the damn bug. Not a lot of fun, but I made it. I hooked up with my amigos here after the flu took out most of the people in the city. They had both also recovered from it. We don’t need your food, but would be interested in being part of your operation.”
Jake smiled and said, “So you want to get your old man on the phone, kid?”
MAY 2nd
The debate had extended well into the night. Finally it was decided to leave Luke and Jamie quarantined in place with the strangers for ten days then admit all of them into the village afterward. Jim drove supplies up to the cabin and left them in a box in the driveway. Luke had waved from the porch and looked completely at ease. Jim was relieved to see it.
The three men looked like regular guys who would fit in just fine. It’s not even like they would have to live in the village unless they wanted to. Having people who could come and go without adding much risk would be a very good thing.
MAY 20th
The additional mouths to feed didn’t even make a dent in the food supply. Julie and Helen were producing more vegetables than they were able to use and the tilapia that had been introduced into the pond were reproducing rapidly, much to the delight of the hungry trout and catfish, she was sure. We’re going to be so sick of fish by the end of summer, Julie thought.
Julie was thrilled to see single young men around to keep some of the college girls busy and out of her hair. Both Deepak and Zach were enjoying the attention, and she was sure that Dave was glad for a break, though he seemed to be pairing up with Angie more these days anyway.
Julie thought that Luke and Jamie would be a couple for life, though neither of them seemed to realize it yet. It seemed strange at first with the age difference, but she was good for Luke and there was only a three year difference between them. Then again, Luke had turned 15 and functioned as a full adult in this new world so maybe it shouldn't seem strange at all. Jamie seemed oblivious to the developing relationship and only said, “I enjoy hanging out with him,” when asked about it.
Helen pointed out to Julie that it was clear that Matt had some new experiences under his belt, but everyone looked the other way and pretended not to notice. He didn’t appear to be interested in coupling up, but had enjoyed some casual flings with at least a couple of the girls. Helen had taken him aside and explained how temporary life in the village would be and how he needed to keep that in mind because they would be going back out in the world before too terribly long, and he agreed to be careful.
Julie told Helen later, “I’m glad he listens to you, because he never seems to hear a thing I say.”
"Almost no one does what their older siblings say unless the age gap is tremendous," said Helen. Don't take it personally. But they always listen on some level or another. Especially when you say something really stupid."
Julie smiled and said, "You have such a way of making me feel better, you know that?"
"Always glad to help!"
All in all, life was settling down and they were thriving in the village. The hot tubs and saunas were very popular. Julie and Helen shared their hot tub with a couple of the other girls and their sauna with all the women. The second sauna and the rest of the tubs were open to everyone.
The theater was a hit as well, with everyone having movie suggestions. Sometimes they would even just play recordings of normal TV from before the virus.
Life before the virus now seemed a different universe entirely. Sometimes it was difficult to remember what that other reality felt like.
Samantha had proven a genius with her cameras and had a collection of fantastic shots of everyone. It seemed like she was always in the right place at the right time to get the shot. It didn't take long for everyone to enjoy getting shots of themselves looking great. It soon dissipated any irritation with the constant presence of a camera snapping away. Eventually, they forgot it was there.
When Helen asked about how many shots Samantha had, she showed her several external hard drives. Helen was shocked. Samantha said, "Relax, they're not full yet!"
This week, Julie and Helen were at the lookout cabin for three days. It was a vacation for them, relaxing with nothing more to do than watch for anything that didn’t look quite right. After all their duties in the village, the slower pace seemed like heaven.
“What do you think our lives will be like once the flu is gone?” Julie asked.
Helen thought for a moment and answered, “People will be starved for authentic leadership. They will rally quickly around anyone who can provide stability of any kind. Whoever steps forward as the heroic leader who can pull everyone together will be adored like FDR. There will be critics, but the people will stand behind that person and follow them anywhere. It will be a dangerous time if it's the wrong person.
"For us, we’ll be busy till our dying day trying to reb
uild and make a better world where the virus could never happen again. It will be a frontier world again. We can fix some mistakes, but we’ll probably make others. We’ll change. We'll adapt. Maybe we’ll build more sustainably this time around.”
“Mostly, I just worry that people will have learned nothing at all,” said Julie. They sat for some time not saying anything at all.
Off in the distance, Julie noticed traffic turning off of the I-40. “Helen, look,” she said pointing to the freeway. They both looked through their binoculars and stared in disbelief.
Julie said, “A fucking tank?! You’ve got to be kidding me!”
Helen grabbed the radio, keyed the mike and said, “Base, we have a situation.”
Rob’s voice answered. “Go ahead.”
“We have a semi with an Abrams tank on the back, followed by a large bus. They have turned off the I-15 and are about fifteen minutes from your position if they don’t stop. I’m anticipating that they are coming to you and will stop far enough out to try to unload the tank without catching your notice. Figure maybe 45 minutes to an hour before you are in danger, if you're lucky, but no more than that.”
“Roger that. I need to know when they are unloading.”
“Will do, boss.”
IN THE VILLAGE
Jim was next to Rob when the call came in and was already in action before it was done. Before 30 seconds were passed he had called for an emergency gathering and everyone except the watches and lookouts came running.
The first two to run up were Luke and Ricky. Rob screamed at them. “You two set up the guns on the chopper, now!
Rob turned to Jim and said, “We need a pit behind the roadblock for a tank trap. Make it as deep as possible with straight sides. Cover it with a tarp or net and leaves. I’m going to try to take out the bus and truck from the chopper. They may not be in the tank yet!” Rob saw Dave running up and yelled to him, “You’re with me on the chopper!”
The Forgiven The Fallen The Forsaken Page 11