Simone whirled on me, “You heard what he said? He thinks that we like killing people! Well, I know I don’t, but everything we’ve done has been out of necessity…especially the killing! That white trash motherfucker threatened to rape me, and Robert feels sorry for him!? He and his boys made the conscious decision to rob, rape and kill us, and if it weren't for you and your willingness to protect the group, we would be robbed, raped and dead by now. I had no choice; I had to kill that fucker after he told us what he would do to me if given a chance. Ben, there are no courts; there is no police; we are on our own and I exercised my right to self-defense when I killed that piece of shit Gunther! Nothing more, nothing less, and if pussy boy over there can’t get his head around it, then FUCK HIM! I’m not going to risk my life protecting a guy that won’t do the same for me! All he’ll do is drag us down and fail us when we need him most. I want him gone! Simone then went back to packing her bike for the trip into Palmyra.
I walked over to Robert, who was also packing his bike some distance from Simone. He was looking directly down at his things and muttering. I noticed a tear running down his face, and his hands shaking as he tended to his equipment.
“Robert, we have to talk. What do you say we go and find the biker’s campsite and look it over for anything useful.”
“Yeah, anything to get out from under her stare.” He motioned to Simone, who was sending a stream of daggers Robert’s way.
“Simone, Robert and I and going to find the campsite of our departed friends and loot it for any good stuff!”
Simone looked up from her bag, “See if you can find any tampons for Robert while you’re at it!” Simone shot back.
Robert reddened, but did not respond to the taunt. We made our way along the path in the direction where the bikers came from after collecting the trio’s rifles and pistol and stacking them with our gear.
It didn’t take long for us to find the biker’s camp. There were three vintage 1970’s Harley Panheads parked in a triangle around the perimeter of the camp in view of the neighborhood we passed through the night before. We searched the saddlebags and came up with precious little, just some extra ammunition for the rifles and pistol and a full bottle of Jose Curevo gold Tequila. We took the stuff, pushed the bikes over to a vacant home, and hid them in the garage…Perhaps we could use them for trade items if the opportunity presented itself.
As we finished, I tapped Robert on the shoulder, “What you did today pissed off Simone something firece. I think it would be in your best interest to try to apologize to her.”
Robert began to cry, “Ben you heard her, she doesn’t want me around! To tell you the truth, I just don’t think I can take this much longer, the killing, the suffering and what this new world requires us to do to remain upright. Maybe I’m not cut out to make it.”
I grabbed Robert by the shoulders and slapped him across the face, hoping to snap him out of his funk, “Stop with that talk Robert! You’re a fellow cop and my friend, and I won’t have you talking like that! I know you’re having trouble adjusting, but you’re still valuable to me and the group in Cambridge….You just need to accept the fact that we live in a harsh world now, and from time to time we have to deal with others viciously, without quarter. If we don’t, we’re dead! I have too much to lose back in Cambridge to die out here in the sticks. Simone feels the same way, and is afraid that you will break when we need you the most. We, as a group, simply can’t afford that. You have to make a choice, continue with us and fully commit to this enterprise, or go. It can’t be half measures, or you will get us killed. So what’s it going to be…stay or go?”
Robert began to tear up, twin trails running down his face, “I’ll go back to Cambridge and wait for you there, I’m sure that there is a place for me. I can ride one of these motorcycles back there and let the town know where the other stuff is so we can use it.”
I slumped in relief, “Ok, if that’s what you think you gotta do, I’ll support your decision. Do you have what you need to go?
“No, I have to go back to camp and get some stuff, and then I’ll come back here and head back to Cambridge as fast as I can.”
We went back to the campsite with the meager supplies we found at the camp and informed Simone of the plan. All she said was “Good!” and “I’m ready to go whenever you are Ben.”
“I want to make a call to Cambridge and let them know what’s happening, so they aren’t surprised when Robert shows back up without us.”
I unpacked the radio and apprised Mitch of the situation and the location of the rifles and other stuff so he could pick them up on his way to get me. He acknowledged the transmission and signed off.
We walked our bikes back to the garage and watched Robert pack one of the motorcycles for his return to Cambridge. He mounted the bike and gave the starter a hard kick and the bike rumbled to life making the deep rumble that Harleys are famous for. Robert cranked the throttle, kicked it into gear, and said, “See you soon guys!”, and sped out of the driveway towards Cambridge.
Simone spat on the pavement, “What a pussy! Let’s go Ben!”
We mounted our bikes and made our way out of town towards Palmyra, where the mayor was waiting for us.
Chapter 23
We cruised along for about three hours, not hurrying and remaining aware of our surroundings. We saw a few people from a distance, but for the most part, this section of Wisconsin appeared to be devoid of other humans. Four hours after we left the outskirts of Whitewater we found the roadblock on the outskirts of Palmyra. There was a large hay wagon blocking the road and two sandbagged bunkers on each side manned by a small group of men. One of the bunkers had a .50 caliber M-2 pointed menacingly down the road, ready to make sushi out of any would-be raider foolish enough to attack.
I parked my bike about ten yards from the roadblock and yelled, “I’m Ben Smith; I’m looking for Jonas Creedmore!”
A voice shot back, “How do you know Creedmore?”
“The walrus told me about him!” The verbal exchange was just another authentication code we had worked out prior to leaving Cambridge.
A tall and wiry man emerged from the sandbagged position and made his way towards me. He wore tight blue jeans and a flannel shirt with cowboy boots. I could hear his heels strike the pavement with a distinctive “clop, clop, clop” as he approached . He reached out his hand as he closed to personal distance, “Ben, good to meet you I’m Creedmore, but you can call me Jonas. Elaine speaks very highly of you, and if you’re a friend of Elaine’s, you’re a friend of mine!”
“Thanks for the welcome Jonas, this is my friend Simone, she’s a cop from Waukesha.” Simone extended a hand towards Jonas, who gratefully accepted it and shook it gently.
Jonas looked puzzled for a moment, “Wasn’t there supposed to be a third person?”
I smiled, “Robert had to return to Cambridge unexpectedly, they needed his expertise there.”
“Ah, I see. Well, let’s get you guys into town and fed. I’m sure you’d like to clean up and share information with the town council.”
“That would be great Jonas, I would sure love a bath and a meal!”
“Coming right up Ben! Boys, move the wagon!” The wagon moved aside, and we entered the outskirts of Palmyra. Jonas had a bike of his own, and we rode into town. Jonas took us to the firehouse, where we would spend the night. After a hot shower and a filling meal. Once we were finished, Jonas led us to the town hall.
Once inside the town hall, Jonas directed us to the main room where four men and three women sat. They were on a slightly raised platform passing papers to one another and murmuring softly between each other.
Jonas cleared his throat, “Ladies and Gentlemen, the visitor's from Cambridge.”
The group quieted and the man at the center of the table rose, “Welcome to Palmyra, I’m the town manager Vilos Rostan, and these are the aldermen.” Each alderman nodded their heads in our direction and greeted us.
Vilos got right to busi
ness, “I understand that a truck of some type will be traveling through town on the way to the outskirts of Milwaukee for a supply run. I also understand that your Police Chief, Elaine Krusk has promised us a toll, for lack of a better term, for the privilege of coming through without interference. Is that so Mr……?”
“My name is Ben Mr. Rostan, and what you say is essentially true. Have you made any requests for specific supplies that your town needs?”
Vilos leaned back in his chair, “Now that you mention it, we do have some critical needs that hopefully you can help us out with. First, we need more ammunition. Second, we could always use some medical supplies, after all, we have no hospital and didn’t keep lots of those stored up for such an occasion as this. Also, we were told of a man named Mitch who is a wizard with machines, perhaps he could be loaned to us to help us get some of our stuff back in working order.”
I cleared my throat, “Well Vilos, I can’t speak for Mitch, but he is a reasonable fellow, so I’m sure he will agree to help. As for ammunition, I am prepared to offer 750 rounds of 5.56 for the right to come through your town on the way out and the way back. In addition, I am prepared to offer a captured SKS rifle as a gesture of good faith that will arrive with the truck. Unfortunately, I don’t have any additional medical supplies to offer at the moment, but if I come across any, I will be happy to share.”
Viols stroked his chin, “Sounds like a pretty good deal. Can I have a moment to confer with my colleagues?
“Certainly sir, We’ll wait outside with Jonas.” We moved into the hall to await the council’s answer.
Jonas touched my arm, “750 rounds? That’s a lot of bullets man! It would go a long way to strengthening our defenses.”
“Hopefully your boss accepts the deal Jonas. I hope that he understands that we are operating on good faith, and any attempt to gouge us would cast doubt on any future trading partnerships.”
Jonas shook his head in the negative, “Vilos is a reasonable guy, he won’t try to alter the deal once it’s hammered out, I assure you.”
After about ten minutes, we were ushered back into the meeting room. Vilos stood and hooked his fingers in his belt, “Sounds like you have a deal Ben, now let’s get over to the HAM shack and nail it down with Elaine.” Vilos banged a gavel on the table and intoned, “Meeting dismissed!”
We left the Town Hall and went over to his communications center, affectionately known as the HAM shack. It was a nondescript building with a guard posted at the door. Vilos nodded at the guard, and he stepped aside. Upon entering the building, we saw a large radio setup with a couple of men monitoring the systems. Viols approached one of the men and tapped him on the shoulder, “Sparks, can you raise Cambridge?” Sparks twisted the dials on his radio set and said “Pal to Cbridge, Pal to Cbridge, come in!” He nodded his head as he got Cambridge to answer and flicked a switch, which brought the speakers on the set to life, “Cbridge here Pal, you are five by five, go ahead.”
Vilos grabbed a mike at the elbow of Sparks and said, “This is Pal actual, get me Kursk.”
“Wait one.” Came back the terse reply.
After about a minute, the voice of my lover came over on the speakers, “This is Kursk, did my emissaries get there ok?”
“They are here and we have come to an equitable deal.” Vilos then outlined the deal to Elaine, and she concurred.
“Pal actual, may I have a moment with Ben in private?”
Viols smiled and said “No problem, wait one.” Viols then ordered his men out of the room and left with Jonas and Simone in tow, shutting the door.
“Elaine to Ben, you alone?”
“Yes love, I am alone.”
“I miss you so much, I just wanted to say it.”
“Thanks babe, the feeling is mutual.”
“What’s the real reason for Robert’s return….is he a problem?”
“No, but he just couldn’t take it being out on the road….he just doesn’t have the mindset for it. I don’t think he would have made it if he remained with us. Find him something to do in town limits, I’m sure he’ll be happy with whatever you assign him.”
“Ok, I’ll see to it. How many days do you estimate until you reach your goal?”
“At least three more, I will keep you posted along the journey. How is the transport coming along?”
“You’re going to be surprised lover! Our wizard has outdone himself, you should have all the capacity you need. We are doing a dry run to the other location to determine if it can make the trip.”
“Good thinking. I will contact you on my personal set tomorrow at eight.”
“Roger, Kursk out.”
“I signed off and opened the door to let everyone else back into the room. The radio operators jumped back into their seats and continued doing what they were doing before our arrival.
“Everything ok Ben?” Inquired Vilos.
“Good on all counts, any other business for today?”
“Nah, business is concluded. My wife and I would like to have you and Simone by for dinner tonight. My son will come for you at the fire station at about six. Jonas, I would like you to join us as well.”
“Ok Boss, I’ll bring Simone and Ben by, no need to send your son.”
“Fine, about six then?”
Jonas motioned out of the building, “Sure. Simone, Ben, Let’s head back to the fire station so you can rest a bit and freshen up before I come and get you.”
“Great.” I was looking forward to a bit of a nap before dinner, and I knew Simone was as well.
We arrived at the fire station after about ten minutes of easy riding. Jonas said goodbye and rode down the main street and out of sight. We entered our quarters, and I sat on the twin bed and removed my cycling shoes. I flexed my toes and took off my socks to give my feet some air and lay down on the bed, shutting my eyes. Simone and I shared a room, and she was doing the same thing, but like most women, she wanted to ask me some questions right before I passed out.
“Say Ben, do you think we will have any trouble if we try to get into Waukesha, that biker asshole said it had been taken over by a coalition of paramilitaries and police.”
I mused for a moment, “Perhaps, but I hope that they don’t shoot at us first and ask questions later. I think we should make some efforts to contact some of your people in the Sheriff’s office prior to our arrival so we can arrange a meeting and avoid any unpleasantness.”
“Sounds good, I just wonder who is still around working as a cop, and who headed for the hills when the shit hit the fan.”
“Well Simone, think about who would have stayed and we’ll pass a message back to Cambridge and see if they can work it out for us. If everything has gone off of the tracks, we’ll have to improvise as we reach Waukesha. Now, I’m going to get some shuteye, I suggest you do the same. Something tells me the road is going to get a bit livelier as we move closer to Milwaukee.
“Got that right Ben!” I heard her recline on her bed, and in a few moments heard a light snoring coming from my companion.
I drifted off a few minutes later, thinking about our Waukesha problem.
At about five, one of the firemen entered the room and woke us up. We stretched and made preparations to go to dinner over at Vilos’s home. Simone took another shower and took the time to shave her legs, she explained that she didn’t want to go to dinner all scraggly. I snickered to myself when she said that, the end of the world just happened, and she was worried about some stubble. I resolved that I would never understand the inner workings of a woman’s mind. I took another shower and shaved off the scruff I was sporting on my face at Simone’s suggestion.
At the appointed hour, Jonas came by, and we walked to Vilos’s home. After a short walk through Palmyra, we walked into the front yard of Vislo’s home. It was a two-story saltbox with a south facing front. An array of solar panels lined the roof and a massive vegetable garden disguised as tasteful landscaping comprised the entire front lawn.
Vilos came o
ut the front door and greeted us, “Welcome to Casa Vilos!” He swept us inside into a well-appointed family room, past the kitchen and onto the back porch, which gave us a great view of the town and the surrounding countryside. A petite woman came from the kitchen and Vilos’s face cracked into a broad smile, “Everyone, this is my better half, Jane.”
Jane was what I called a touchy type; she always moved in for a hug over a handshake, and if she sat next to you she was constantly touching your arm or shoulder to bring your attention to something or to emphasize a point. She was an all-around sweetheart and made us feel immediately welcome.
Jane gathered herself and announced the plans for the evening, “Welcome to our home! We are going to have buffalo steak for dinner on the grill and some root vegetables from the garden tonight. For dessert, we have blackberry cobbler with handmade whipped cream. Now have a seat on the porch, perhaps we can convince Vilos to break out some of his famous home-brewed beer!”
Vilos blushed, “Dear, you know that I haven’t got it perfected yet.”
“Nonsense, the men at he brewing club gave your IPA a silver medal just a month ago at the chili cook off, now go down and fish a few bottles out for our guests, I’m sure they would be grateful!”
“How can I refuse you dear. Ben, would you give me a hand bringing some up?”
“Sure thing Vilos, I never turn down handcrafted beer….especially IPA!”
Vilos led me to the basement. He made his way over to a light switch and flicked it on.
I was amazed that Vilos had electricity, “Say Vilos, didn’t your inverters get fried in the pulse? How do you have electricity?
Vilso turned and faced me, “I had some spare inverters locked away in a metal storage cabinet which were packed in aluminized bags from the factory, so they were spared destruction. After I figured out what had happened and inspected the other inverters, I replaced them, and was up and running again. I try not to flaunt it, and I hope that your wizard can help bring the rest of the town on line with alternative power.”
Lights out in America's Dairyland: An EMP Adventure Page 19