Fire From the Sky: Friendly Fire

by N. C. Reed

  “But what there is will be all there is,” Clay sighed. “There is no resupply.”

  “Not for most things,” she agreed.

  “We have to start building down while we can,” Leanne noted. “With so much damage done to not only the grid but to the factories that used it, it is just a matter of time before we're back living in the nineteenth century. We’ll maintain our level of technology for a while, but unless some miracle reverses things, it will eventually fail.”

  “One of the main things right now is tool production,” Deuce was nodding. “We need to be concentrating on making the things we're going to need down the road while we still have the means to do it. Horse and mule drawn plows for just one example.”

  “Look, as bad as I hate to have to say it, to face it even, I don't have the time to devote to this,” Clay admitted. “It will be harvest soon enough and there is also that group in Alabama we've been trying to monitor. Sooner or later they will make a determined push in our direction. When that happens we have to be prepared. If Emily Shirley was telling us even a partial truth, they have three to five hundred people and most of them are fighters. There are miles of preparations we have to make before that happens.

  “You guys are going to have to start getting things like this rolling,” he ordered. “If someone refuses to cooperate then take it to Leon and let him deal. For now I want you three doing nothing but this. Kids, get Gwen Paige up to date on radio operations so she can help fill in while you're out. She seems more than smart enough to handle it and has a good attitude. Do not include her girlfriend. I get a bad vibe from her and don't want her handling any of our communications.”

  “I hate to speak ill of anyone, but Trudy really is a world class lesbian bitch,” Kandi said reluctantly. “She expects trouble everywhere over her 'choice' and so ends up making the trouble for herself. The ultimate in self-fulfilling prophecy. And yeah, Gwen is her polar opposite. If you’ll accept a suggestion?” she looked at Clay.

  “Absolutely.”

  “Assuming Gwen works out, and I think she will, then release her from duty at the orphanage and give that duty to Trudy in addition to her own. I'd be careful about leaving her unsupervised at the orphanage, too. Maybe you could have that older woman, Mrs George I think, placed in permanent charge of the orphanage and let her schedule work shifts where Trudy is never there alone with the children? She may well prove trustworthy at it and if so I’ll gladly apologize, but until she does, that's the way I'd go.”

  “You think she's a threat to the children?” Clay frowned.

  “Oh, no,” Kandi shook her head quickly. “No, it's just that I don't know how responsible she is.”

  “Go tell Leon that and get his okay, and then let him see to it,” Clay ordered the twins.” Other suggestions like that are equally welcome, by the way,” he informed Ledford.

  “I’ll mind it,” she promised. “We’ll make it work.”

  ***

  That wasn't the last planning session Clay had to attend that day.

  “It's too much,” Jose mused, looking at the map laid out before them. “There are too many ways for them to get here. We can't possibly monitor them all.” He leaned over the table, hand moving over the surface.

  “Here are three major highways that all lead straight to our door, right out of their AO,” he traced the lines representing said highways. “That doesn't factor in how many back roads that cross the line, and also doesn't take into account that nothing says they have to come straight at us. They could just as easily use these highways,” he pointed to new lines both east and west of their location, “and then come at us from either flank.” He looked up at Clay.

  “We can't cover half of this, let alone all of it,” he finished.

  “True,” Clay nodded. “No argument. That's why we're here. To figure out what we can do.”

  “One thing we can't do is allow a force this size to invest this place,” Shane's voice was firm and definite. “Even if it's just half their supposed number, they would overwhelm us. Hell, they don't even have to do that. With their numbers they can just encircle us and wait us out, picking us off a few at the time.”

  “Also true,” Clay replied. “Suggestions?”

  “If I'm seeing this correctly,” Xavier mused, looking at the map, “despite however many ways there are into this area, there remains only two ways to approach this farm aside from a long hike through the woods. Correct?”

  “Correct,” Clay nodded.

  “Then our problem is somewhat simplified,” Xavier noted. “We don't have to defend against all these access points at all. We need only concern ourselves with warning. We need some kind of early warning system that would allow us to know when they come close. We plan and set ambushes clear and away from the farm proper and engage any approaching column at distance. Inflict as many casualties as possible before falling back and preparing another series of attacks.”

  “The problem with it is we eventually run out of room,” Mitchell Nolan observed. “It would work once or maybe twice, but there's no way they just keep coming like that. Not unless they're completely stupid. And we have to assume they're not or they'd not have made it this long. Or been prepared for it to start with.”

  “Point,” Xavier admitted. “The early warning and observation issues still apply, however.”

  “Agreed,” Tandi Maseo joined in. “We have to have some way to get eyes on. Not on them directly, at least not where they live, but we have to expand our own observation points. We need something on or at least near the Interstate and again back the other way,” he traced the back way onto the farm from where they had already been attacked once. “Can't ignore either one.”

  “But in what way?” Nate Caudell asked. He was looking away, out over the land across the road from where they stood clustered before Building One. “I can only see two ways and neither is a good one,” he turned back to face them.

  “One, we build towers similar to here,” he pointed to the tower behind the Sanders' homes, “and operate from there. Two, we use the Hummers and have a mobile observation post that operates however long we need it to. The towers are impractical for that since hiding them becomes difficult if not impossible, and using the Hummers just exposes us further to discovery. All that vehicular movement in and out of here will attract attention eventually.”

  No one contested that evaluation, seeing the accuracy in what he'd said. Silence reigned for a moment as they all considered what to do.

  “Empty houses,” Jose Juarez said suddenly, his head coming up.

  “What?” more than one voice asked.

  “Empty houses,” Juarez repeated, becoming more animated. “We're looking at this all wrong. We don't need to build a tower or anything else. We need to scout out empty houses along the paths we need to be watching over and make them into observation points. It's pretty much perfect camouflage. By now everyone has gotten used to seeing empty houses almost everywhere. One more won't make a difference. Establish a lookout inside one of those houses and maintain a watch from there.”

  “That can work,” Kevin Bodee spoke slowly, considering. “But it's manpower intensive and boring as all hell. Something so far away like that, we can't change the guard like we do here. You're talking days at a time away, and nothing to do but watch. Like a hunt that doesn't end.”

  “It severely affects our manpower, too,” Nate mused aloud. “Figure two posts, one at each end,” he pointed to places on the map. “Two men minimum per post. That's four experienced fighters taken out of our defense here and it's not temporary, either. That's a major restructuring of our current assignments. A permanent one at that.”

  “Logistics,” Jody Thompson spoke for the first time. He had been so quiet that it had been easy to overlook him until he spoke.

  “What?” Shane asked.

  “Logistics becomes an issue,” Jody nodded at the map. “Say a week long deployment of two to each position. It's not just supplies, it becomes also a
question of heating in winter, just to name one. There are cold spells here where it hovers around zero. There's no way to maintain a position in a house without at least some heat. If nothing else it becomes difficult if not impossible to simply keep your water supply unfrozen.” It was a long speech for Jody and he didn't waste a single word.

  “Also true,” Clay agreed with a nod. “I'm not saying it isn't workable, but it means a lot of work to get ready. And if the houses we locate have set empty all this time, you can expect them to be full of unsavory guests. Rattlesnakes, black widow and brown recluse spiders, copperheads and the list goes on. Any of those now could be fatal or at the very least life changing. Just throwing that out there,” he added.

  “Why not simply purpose build what we need, where we need it?” Stacey Pryor asked.

  “Build a house you mean?” Mitchell clarified.

  “Well, not so much a house as a simple outpost,” Stacy shook his head. “Log walls and ceiling to form a small but functional cabin like structure that will serve to protect and conceal at the same time. Place it in a wooded area, even better if we can put it near a water source, try to make about every third or fourth log a cedar to help with bugs, maybe put out some food to attract cats and keep rodents down and so forth and so on. If we do it this way, then we don't have to settle for whatever location we can get. We slide into hiding right where we want and maintain our watches from right there.”

  “Use them to control ambush sites as well,” Xavier mused. “Claymores on command detonation, maybe some half-used propane canisters or even just some homemade FAE components . . . we could easily make sure that an approaching enemy walked square into a withering blast. A true equalizer.”

  “All of this sounds wonderful,” Mitchell noted, drawing a deep breath, “but there is one major issue we're ignoring, or at least overlooking.”

  “Which is?” Nate asked, curious.

  “Nothing says that everyone who decides to come this way is an enemy, or that they intend to attack us,” he said evenly. “There have to be at least a few people who are looking to live peacefully just like we are.”

  “Well . . . that is true,” Clay rubbed his chin. “Suggestions for that?”

  “Have you guys bothered getting out and having a look around lately?” Shane asked suddenly. “I mean we went to take Tall Girl home and didn't see a soul. But the kid skirted around that little town across the highway. What's it called again? Jordan?”

  “Yeah,” Clay nodded. “And no, we haven't. Not really. We've made a few runs when necessary, but nothing we didn't have to do. And nothing recently save for the trip to the Webb homestead and to get the Talbots. We've tried to keep as low a profile as possible.”

  “Which as I understand it hasn't worked all that well,” Shane pointed out.

  “That's an understatement if ever I heard one,” Tandi snorted.

  “Maybe it's time to get out and have a look-see?” Shane suggested. “You're stronger now with all of us here, so a good patrol would not compromise security here too terribly. Plus if we restrict our ride to a reasonable circuit, we can always return here in a few minutes if we're needed. Why not get out and see what's around? Truth is we could use some friends, even if it's just as informants.”

  No one spoke for a minute, everyone working Shane's suggestion around in their mind. There was merit to it, but also risks.

  “Last time we tried to cultivate good will we were nearly robbed,” Clay sighed.

  “But you were in a pickup truck and had your folks along,” Mitchell reminded him. “Not in a MRAP or Hummer and armed to the teeth.”

  “Also true,” Clay agreed. “We also face being turned against by those who're angry because we've 'held out' all this time. Not helping those in need through the winter and so forth.”

  “Only we have,” Tandi mentioned. “We've taken people in, taken responsibility for orphaned children, and fed hungry people on a regular basis. The fact that we haven't gotten to everyone doesn't mean we ain't been working at it. And we don't let people know who we are or where we are, neither. This ain't our first rodeo, as you people like to say.”

  “Yeah,” Kevin Bodee was nodding. “Real hearts and minds campaign, here,” he thumped the map. “But we do it smart and careful. No way for anyone to trace us back here or figure out where we're coming from.”

  “Cost us a few cattle and some canned goods,” Nate mused. “That fly with your folks?” he asked Clay.

  “Are you kidding?” Clay snorted. “They'd have given away half the herd by now if Leon hadn't slammed his foot down. All right, let’s look at this again . . . ”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “I'd say six beef cattle, halved and smoked. Take three days or so probably. Smoked meat will hold a long while and not ruin. And it's a good idea, taking 'em with you as you go. If people have to wait they may not be so thankful. Smart thinking, boy.”

  Leon sat in the chair on his front porch, pleased with what he had heard in the last thirty minutes. Clay and his friends just might have come up with a fine way to work back into the community, though said community wouldn't know it was the Sanders who were providing the foodstuffs.

  “By smoking the meat, we eliminate the need for people to cook it,” Clay said. “They can just carve off a hunk and have at it. We're carrying a few cases of canned veggies, too. Mostly corn and beans. One can per customer. Those who want variety can learn to share. Meanwhile we earn some good will, maybe. Something in short supply these days.”

  “And you think this will help us in the long run?” Leon asked. He wasn't against the plan, already having said it was a good idea. That didn't mean he thought it would work so well as his grandson thought it might.

  “I don't know,” Clay admitted. “We were working on a way to give us some warning if and when that bunch from Alabama start our way and it devolved into this. If we can get others on our side, helping us a bit, then we don't necessarily have to watch ourselves, at least not all the time. Right now we're playing it by ear and seeing what we can make work. This was one of the ideas.”

  “Ain't a bad thought,” Leon nodded. “Hope it works for ya. Gonna try in Jordan?”

  “I figure it's best,” Clay nodded. “We’ll make a circle and come at Jordan from the south. Make it more difficult for them to track in on where we came from and give us a chance to see what's still around. I figure wherever we see people, we’ll stop and offer 'em a bit of the food and what not. Try to make friends as we go.”

  “I guess you know that 'friends' will be a matter of convenience,” Leon grunted.

  “Everything nowadays is gonna be matters of convenience,” Clay replied. “This wasn't supposed to be how this worked,” he sighed tiredly and rubbed his face with his hands. “If everyone had just stayed quiet and stayed put . . . ”

  “But they didn't and you can't get air back in a bottle,” Leon sympathized but couldn't help fix the problem.

  “No, we can't,” Clay nodded. “Done is done. We're gonna build a smoke house,” he told Leon, changing the subject. “One big enough we can get maybe three cows in at a time, halved and on racks. Mister Brown can butcher the meat for us and we can hand it out as is or even jerk it, I guess. We’ll look at it and see what works best.” He stood. “If you happen to think of anything else that might help let me know. I feel sometimes like I'm floundering in water, Leon,” he admitted suddenly. “Like it's all I can do to stay afloat.”

  “That's called responsibility, boy,” Leon nodded. “Weighs on you. Holds you down, even pushes you down, feels like sometimes. You and Lainie gal ever start poppin' out young 'uns it will only get worse,” he promised.

  “Great pep talk, Leon,” Clay said flatly. “Really. I feel so much better now.”

  “I ain't really trying to discourage you, son,” Leon told him gently. “I ain't. Truth is, Lord willing you both stay healthy, you two kids can have a good life even in times like these. You both work hard and help look after one 'nother and som
etimes that's all a man and woman really need when times fall hard. But boy,” Leon's voice grew harder, “it's time you stiffened up some. Stop asking and start telling. I keep telling you, you got to get folks used to you being in charge.”

  “I'm working on it,” Clay shrugged. “I got a lot to do around here, Leon. Plus pulling my share of security duty.”

  “That needs to stop,” Leon ordered. “Commanding officer don't stand a watch in the Army, does he?”

  “Well, no,” Clay agreed. “But I'm-,”

  “In command,” Leon's head bobbed once in a firm nod. “You got men under you that can take over schedules and what not and make sure we're covered, ain't ya? Got how many trained now and experienced, counting Gordy and his bunch? Twenty, maybe twenty-five? They can do it without you, so let 'em. Pick one, Juarez I'd guess but that's on you, and let them take care of security. You got more than just that to do and need time to do it.”

  Clay mulled that over. It was true that his presence was no longer really a mandatory thing. There were plenty of people to stand watches. And Leon was right in saying that Clay had a great deal more to do than just security. It wasn't supposed to have been this way.

  “How did things get so complicated?” he asked Leon suddenly. “We had a good plan, didn't we?”

  “We did,” Leon agreed. “What we didn't have was willing participants in said plan. Never occurred to me that our own family might be our worst problem. Should have, being as I know 'em all, but it didn't. Reckon that's more on me than you, son,” the Old Man sagged back in his chair. “I figured a lot o' things wrong and missed a lot more, thinking the whole time I had a handle on it. So smart that I out-smarted myself,” he snorted.

  “Wasn't just you, Leon,” Clay shook his head. “I missed a lot, too. Should have known things was looking too easy. We played it . . . no, I played it wrong on being isolated, too. We should have been fostering friends and creating a network around us that we could have warned when the kids first saw it coming. Now, we're damn near pariahs because we were prepared and ain't having it so bad as others.”