by Reed, N. C.
“I agree,” Jose nodded. “We're pretty much finished with the bunker, by the way,” he added. “I went ahead and broke the heavy stuff out of stores and placed in there. We've also got a fifty, a pair of M240s, and I threw in a M249 just as a backup. Extra ammo, water and food, trauma kit, and the kids are running a phone line to it right now. We've seeded the top, and Gordy suggested covering it with hay, which is a good plan, I think. We can pile stuff on and around it so long as it doesn't impede vision or shooting lanes, so we're still studying on that.”
“Sounds like you got it all worked out then,” Clay sighed. “What did Doctor Thatcher say about Goodrum and Cliff Laramie?”
“Goodrum will make a full recovery, though that's still a few weeks away. Cliff's hand will probably bother him in cold weather but he won't lose any use of it. Probably even be able to help come harvest time, so long as nothing else happens to him. Definitely got lucky.”
“I could use some luck about now,” Clay nodded slowly. “Thanks.”
-
“What do I owe you for this, man?” Gordy asked Seth Webb as he accepted the teens offering. It was excellent workmanship. Gordy was in no way surprised at that.
“I dunno,” Seth shrugged. “Hadn't thought about that. You guys done a lot for us. How about we just say this is on account?” he grinned.
“That doesn't seem fair,” Gordy objected. “How about I owe you one? Something you'll need at some point, and maybe I can help.”
“I'm good with that,” Seth nodded at once. “I wish I hadn't cut the head off now. It would have looked good if I could have managed it. Still, better safe than sorry.”
“Absolutely,” Gordy was in wholehearted agreement. “Thanks again.”
“Anytime!”
-
“Has anyone else noticed how thin these walls are?” Corey asked, looking at the large buildings where almost everything happened and where many people lived.
“I have,” Zach replied. “I thought about maybe some sandbags on the inside walls. Just stacked up where they would catch anything that punched through the walls?”
“Have to be sure and secure them somehow,” Corey mused.
“Just about have to wall them in,” Kade Ramsey chimed in. “We'd need a lot of lumber for that. And a lot of sand, now that I think about it.”
“What if we put them outside?” Zach asked, looking at the buildings. “What if we lined the outside like that?”
“Well, that would eliminate all but the minimum support,” Kade agreed. “Still a lot of sand, though. Or dirt, maybe. And does anyone know if we've got sandbags to start with?”
“We traded for some from Jordan, but I doubt it's enough for what we're talking about,” Corey answered. “It's not a bad idea, I think we just don't have what we need to get it done.”
“Could always use logs,” Zach offered. “Like we do everywhere else.”
“I know something else we can use,” Kade almost bubbled. “And they're just laying there!”
“Railroad ties,” Zach and Corey said in unison.
“Yes!”
-
“No.”
Gordy's voice was flat and final.
“Dude, just hear us out,” Kade urged. “It's a damn fine idea, and the materials are just laying there. All we gotta do is go pick 'em up!”
“And get snake bit, or suffer from heat stroke like Jake nearly did,” Gordy reminded him. “No.”
“Two at a time heaving ties onto the truck, two more stacking them, a driver, and maybe one four-wheel Cougar on guard with just a gunner and driver,” Zach threw in. “We can do it with just a minimum of help.”
“What part of 'no' don't you guys hear?” Gordy demanded.
“What part of 'thin walls' don't you hear?” Corey demanded. “Look man, I don't exactly want to go back out there either, okay? But Building Two at least needs some extra protection. And a good, solid wall of railroad ties is a hell of a lot o' protection!”
“Radio room is there, the clinic, dorms upstairs,” Zach rolled it off. “We need to protect them all, really, but that one in particular. And while we can do it with logs, cutting that much wood is gonna take a while, man. And Kade is right, there's a whole line of ties we just left laying there. Already treated against the weather and everything. It really is perfect.”
“And how do you propose we get Clay to go along with this?” Gordy demanded.
“I was thinking it's easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission,” Zach shrugged.
“With Clay?” Gordy raised an eyebrow.
“Point,” Zach conceded. “So... we need some help.”
“Who you got in mind?”
-
“Well I must say, you boys certainly are gluttons for punishment,” Xavier's voice was amused rather than mocking. “Which of you do we have to blame... er, thank for this idea?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Well, the idea that the buildings needed to be stronger came from a discussion among us,” Corey pointed to himself, Kade, and Zach. “Kade mentioned the ties, though,” he added.
“Excellent idea,” Xavier complemented at once. “Thick, more or less evenly cut, seasoned against the elements, easily placed, and nothing one would be surprised to see in this setting.”
“Thanks!” Corey smiled brightly.
“What is the problem exactly?” Xavier asked.
“Well, we figure Uncle Clay won't go along with it,” Gordy shrugged. “I'm not against the idea, I just don't think he'll want to do it. Not after the trouble we had last time.”
“He is a bit squeamish,” Xavier agreed. “What are your minimum needs to get this done, you think?”
“We need at least four loading and stacking,” Zach replied. “A driver, and maybe two more in a four-wheel Cougar to stand guard. If we had another pair loading that would be great, but honestly there's not that many that can manage it to start with. Ties are heavy.”
“That they are,” Xavier nodded, clearly thinking. “I suppose the buff... my brother, would be willing to go and assist,” he caught himself just in time. “What about your sister?” he looked at Gordy. “She can drive a dozer, so I have to think driving a flatbed truck would not be beyond her skill set?”
“No, she can drive damn near anything,” Gordy admitted.
“And she can look after herself as well,” Xavier mused. “Still, we'd need at least one more to drive the Cougar while I stood watch on the gun. If we manage to take all six of you youngsters, that would speed the work along considerably I should imagine, especially with Byron's assistance. Who can we get to help with the Cougar, I wonder?”
“We can't take any more security people,” Gordy pointed out. “We're already up to seven. Eight if you count Brick, which I do.”
“True,” Xavier nodded slowly. “I suppose your sister could handle the MRAP, could she not?”
“I'd bet on it,” Gordy liked that plan. Putting Abby behind some armor plating.
“So, we really just need someone who can handle a large flatbed on a narrow passage way, correct?” Xavier continued. “Someone accustomed to driving stock around, perhaps? Pulling trailers and so forth?”
“No,” Gordy was already shaking his head. “No, no, no.”
“She's more than qualified I should think,” Xavier pointed out. “Your Samantha has been driving such equipment for a good while I should imagine.”
“She also has to cover for Heath if he goes,” Gordy reminded him, breathing a sigh of relief as he thought of that. Abby going was bad enough. “We can ask Roddy. He already did it once.”
“That is true,” Xavier agreed. “Very well. We should present this plan to His Highness and see what he says.”
-
“No. Hell, no,” Clay was shaking his head before the idea was more than half presented.
“At least hear us out, Uncle Clay,” Gordy objected. “This is a good idea they came up with, and it's needful. Plus, the material we need is just
laying there, now.”
“No,” Clay's voice was firm. “And I had thought about the walls, just so you know. They were built to withstand gunfire, but not something so heavy as a fifty, no. Still, we're not mounting another operation off this farm. Especially one that weakens us as much as this does. No.”
“Shouldn't take more than one day,” Xavier threw in. “Perhaps not even that. In fact, we could split it. Work mornings for two or perhaps three days and then return home during the heat of the day. Just unload whatever we manage to get aboard that day and return with an empty truck the next morning. The would imagine that carrying a lighter load would be much easier handling than if the truck were completely loaded with ties.”
“Am I talking to myself, here?” Clay demanded. “I already said no!”
“Yes, yes, we heard,” Xavier nodded absently. “Does that truck have a trailer hitch?” he asked aloud. “If so, do we have a trailer capable of carrying the ties in it?”
“No!” Clay's voice rose another level. “Absolutely not!”
“I think we'll have to depend on the truck alone,” Gordy told Xavier. “We don't really have a trailer that's right for hauling something like that. Especially not going down the rail bed.”
“I see,” Xavier sighed. “Well, it was just an idea. So... are we satisfied with the personnel requirements? We will have sufficient help to get the job done?”
“There is no job!” Clay shouted. “No one is going anywhere! Period! End of discussion!”
“What's going on in here?” Jose Juarez walked in just then. “I can hear you shouting all the way outside,” he told Clay. Before Clay could answer, the teens quickly bombarded Jose with their idea.
“That's a good idea,” Jose nodded slowly as he took in their idea. “X, that puts you out there alone other than the youngsters. You sure you want that?”
“Poncho!” Clay shouted. “It's not a good idea because we're not doing it!”
“Well, I suppose it would be more ideal to have at least one other adult in the group,” Xavier teased the teens a bit. “But we don't think it's wise to take anyone else away from the security team. Even for a second escort.”
“You could take a Hummer and let them swap out,” Jose pointed to the young athletes. “Two at a time in the Hummer, taking a break. They can rotate on the jobs so no one or two people are stuck doing the shit jobs. Less risk of another incident like with Jake.”
“I hadn't considered that,” Xavier admitted. “Damn fine idea. I wonder if Tandi has anyone trained up enough on first aid to go with us?”
“You aren't going anywhere!” Clay yelled again. “Stop ignoring me, dammit!”
“I think he's been working with Charley Wilmeth and Daisy Webb for the last two weeks,” Gordy ignored his uncle. “Charley is out since her arm is still broken, but Daisy might want to go along.”
“I think we can spare Tandi to go with you,” Jose spoke up. “And if Brick is going, Ellen might make a good partner for him to help load or stack ties. She's pretty strong.”
“Quite an understatement, if also true,” Xavier nodded. “Well, I think we've got the plan down, here. Four in the Hummer, four in the Cougar and two in the truck means we don't need any other vehicles along. Minimum exposure. We can assign Tandi and Ellen to the Cougar and let him stand watch there with heavy weapons in the event we were to be attacked. You concur?” he asked Jose.
“Sounds workable,” Jose nodded, silently getting a kick out of Clay's antics.
“Is anyone listening to me, here?” Clay shouted just then. “There is no plan! No job! No anything!”
“Spread the word, boys,” Jose, ordered the teens. “Trucks roll at daylight. Make sure the truck has the straps and tie downs it needs to haul the wood. And get the weapons mounted on the Hummer and Cougar. Time is money, lets hustle!”
The teens broke away from the group at a near run despite Clay's repeated yelling at them to return.
“Stop encouraging them!” Clay demanded of his men after the boys were gone. “I said no more operations off the farm! Period!”
“You need to ease up, Boss,” Jose told him plainly. “These kids just discovered a problem, discussed it, came up with a solution for it, and then planned an operation off the farm with what appears to be minimal input,” he looked at Xavier, who nodded.
“I made two personnel recommendations and that was pretty much it,” he agreed. “They did the rest. Had most of it together when they came to see me.”
“And that's another thing!” Clay was still animated. “Why come to you and not me!”
“I suspect because of the way you just reacted,” Xavier said calmly.
“Agreed,” Jose nodded. “You need to let them do this,” Jose told his boss. “This is their idea, their plan. Let them do it.”
“It's dangerous,” Clay muttered.
“Getting up in the morning is dangerous these days,” Jose replied. “You want them to step up. Well, they are. Gordy especially it looks like, but Zach is right there with him and the rest aren't far behind. I've looked at these buildings a lot differently since you came back with word of the attack on that little community. What was it again? Alphaville?”
“Yes,” Clay said in one giant exhale, falling into his chair.
“They are thin, and won't stand up to a fifty caliber,” Jose continued. “Since the loft should be empty, that's just an irritation to repair. But especially down here on the ground floor of Building Two? Where so much of our operations are run from? We need the reinforcement. And I gotta admit, I hadn't even considered the railroad ties. All I had come up with was a berm.”
“Which would be constantly in the way,” Xavier pointed out.
“Constantly,” Jose agreed. “You guys make sure everything is ready before you bed down,” he ordered Xavier. “I'll adjust the watch schedule as needed to cover tonight and tomorrow. Radio silence unless it's an emergency.”
“Got it,” Xavier nodded and departed, leaving Clay staring at Jose.
“If we were in the Navy, I could hang you for mutiny,” he muttered.
“If we were in the Navy, we'd most likely be stranded at sea,” Jose snorted. “You know we're right,” he added. “They did good here, Clay. Don't deny that, and don't stand in their way. They saw a problem and came up with a workable solution. Be proud of that and encourage them.”
“It just puts them and us at risk,” Clay sighed. “Again,” he added.
“Everything we do puts us at risk. But those kids are having to grow up hard and in a hurry. They've done damn well so far and no one can say otherwise. But this is the first time they've worked up something like this on their own. You need to let them see it through. Xavier and Tandi will look after them.” He rose from where he'd been leaning on Clay's desk.
“I need to make the changes in the watch and notify everyone.”
“Well, you're in charge,” Clay snorted. “I hope this doesn't come back to bite us.”
“What have we done so far that hasn't come home to bite us?” Jose replied with grim amusement. “Why don't you go on home? You look exhausted.”
“Well, since no one is listening to me, I may as well,” Clay nodded, getting to his feet and picking up his gear.
“Don't be like that, man,” Jose teased. “Think of it as having delegated things down to where you don't have to worry about anything.”
“If I had an entire day without worry, I'd...” he paused, thinking. “I don't actually know what I'd do,” he admitted to himself more than Jose. “I haven't had a day like that in a very long time.”
“None of us have,” Jose agreed. “I doubt we ever do, again. Just try and roll with it, Boss. We can't do any more than that. A lot of this is out of our hands, now.”
“So it is,” Clay agreed as he started for the door. “And I hate that. I wish the Old Man were still here. If he was, I could at least dump all this on him,” he snorted.
“Or Big John,” Jose nodded. “Let him tell yo
u what sergeants was for.”
“Yeah,” Clay nodded. “I'm going home.”
“Try and relax, even if you can't stop worrying,” Jose suggested.
“Relax,” Clay repeated. “Right.”
“I bet Lainie can help if you ask her,” Jose teased a little. “And you should ask her, you know,” he grew more serious. “Lean on her just a little, man. She's strong, and she deserves it. She's stood by you no matter what, even against her own blood. Let her help you with stuff like this. If only just to forget it for a little while.”
“Yeah,” Clay repeated. “Maybe you're right.”
“Of course, I am!”
-
“You're home early, Cowboy!” Lainie smiled when Clay walked in. Lainie was removing a pan of cornbread from the oven, and turned it over onto a plate before removing her oven mitts to come and embrace him. She kissed him as she wrapped her arms around his neck, then drew back, frowning.
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing really,” he admitted. “Just... tense, I guess. Worried, maybe. I don't know the right word for it, to be honest,” he sighed.
“Weary,” she told him kindly, kissing him again, much more lightly this time. “You're weary, sweetheart. The weight of the world gets heavy after a while and it's wearing your down.”
“That actually sounds like a good description,” Clay nodded. “I told Jose a few minutes ago I couldn't even remember that last time I had a day that wasn't filled with worry.”
“My poor baby,” Lainie almost cooed, massaging the back of his neck and head. “I can't take that worry from you, baby. Only you can do that. But I bet I can help you relax, at least for a bit. What d'you say to that?” she smiled lovingly.
“I'd say it sounds awfully nice,” he replied, smiling ever so slightly. “Very nice.”
“Well, you go get cleaned up while I set my nefarious plans into motion,” she swatted him. “Sound good to you, my Cowboy?”