Over the last three months, runners had been sent to Bishop to establish trade relations with the few residents who still lived there. The town was eighty miles southeast of Fitch and another trade partner was welcome. The residents of Bishop were reluctant at first and suspicious of the citizen diplomats that were sent to them from Fitch and Avalon. Eventually the visitors were accepted, and trade began. It was slow at first but quickly became well-organized and beneficial to all parties. Once it was started in a serious vein, it was welcomed by everyone.
Bishop asked for, and received, instructions and aid in constructing watch towers. They built and camouflaged the houses in the local area, so no footprint existed, even to the discerning eye. They decided on three towers, one each to the south, north, and the east. This was nearly identical to what had been constructed at Fitch and made for a better alert system all around; people felt more secure because of it. Each tower, just like Fitch and Avalon had a designated tower captain who was in charge. When the towers were finished, they trained their guards to ensure their people could emulate all the others around Fitch. The consensus was, you don’t have to reinvent anything, just duplicate what works.
Several outlying buildings and supply centers were systematically emptied of anything usable. Hardware, painting, roofing materials, and myriad building supplies and tools were needed. In the surrounding areas, mobile homes and camping trailers were relocated and placed wherever they were of most use. Eventually, there were teams that headed south to investigate all of the areas, and make sure what was still out there was salvageable. They also looked for survivors. Most who were found were suspicious and it took a bit of doing to embrace their trust.
The same went for National Guard and police armories. Anything usable was appropriated for the common good. Most importantly, everyone realized the importance of fast communication. To maximize efficiency of their information sharing, several motorized hang gliders, experimental aircraft, and gyro-copters were found and pressed into service.
Gyro-copters were considered flying motorcycles of the sky. They could take off and land in a relatively small area, were faster than horses or people on foot, and were relatively safe when flown with common sense. They were also easy on fuel. The trip up the mountain to Avalon by horse or on foot could take as long as three or four hours, or with luck, by motorcycle perhaps in an hour and a half. The artificial blockades of dirt and rock were the only thing that slowed any traveler down. It was hoped they would be cleared out and left opened eventually. After all, Avalon was no longer a secret place to those who needed to know about it.
A gyro-copter could make the trip in as little as forty-five minutes.
Seven of these handy machines had been found at a small airport where the previous owners had either died or abandoned them. They were a welcome find and were pressed into service quickly. Mike, and a woman who had a lot of previous flying time in those machines, began training several key people in their use. One was kept at Avalon, another at Fitch, and three were maintained at the watchtowers to be used as needed and also as trainers. One was at the airport in a hangar as a spare.
Radios were in use, but anyone who had a radio could listen in; especially anyone with a scanner. Users had to exercise extreme caution when broadcasting over the air. It was decided that highly classified messages would be relayed by a pilot flying a gyro-copter or a motorized hang glider. This plan was working, and all messages that were critical or secret were being delivered without compromise. It made everyone safer. A code was being worked out and it was hoped it would eventually be used in place of an in-person messenger. The initial code Mike and the Avalon people used was cumbersome for long messages.
When medical help was necessary, a doctor could be delivered to the victim in a relatively short time, or a victim could be flown to the doctor. As time slipped by in a world gone crazy, with armed bandits preying on the weaker members of society, the ability to adapt swiftly to situations was paramount.
Every day something new was added to the arsenals and to the tools people needed to ensure their survival and peace of mind. One of those very important services was a mail delivery system. At Fitch a number of mail bags were found at the Post Office. Six people were offered the job and they accepted. Each man and the one woman were given a motorcycle and had a route to deliver personal mail. Two traveled to and from Fitch, alternating every other day.
The same system was used with Bishop, and two were assigned to the watch towers. Civilization was beginning to come together after nearly a year since the war began.
Chapter 4
Heading to Fort Lewis
The group of soldiers departed the following morning. The group was led by Captain William Gatlin, an Army veteran with recent combat experience. He assigned Second Lieutenant, Stephen Perkins, as his second in command. Although Perkins did not have any actual combat experience, he had attended all the right schools and was a West Point Academy graduate. Both men were good leaders noted for evaluating situations before acting on them.
They also weren’t exactly the 100 percent by the book officer types, either. They were well-liked and well-respected by the troopers who were selected to go on this mission with them. They were the kind of an officer that led out in the front, not sitting at a desk and sending others out while thy remained safe. Officers such as these men were where loyalty was engendered.
The commanding officer of the post went AWOL two days prior and hadn’t been seen or heard from since. Nobody tried to go after any of the deserters because too many people were abandoning their post these days and there weren’t enough soldiers left to go after them. Although it was illegal, it was also understandable, soldiers needed to know what was happening with their friends and families, and the severances with the communications systems directly resulted in the breakdown of the military structure. Everyone needed to know the situation beyond the fence of the camp. Food was running low; another cause for soldiers to run off. These men assigned to travel away from the post today were all from other bases located in various states, none of them lived here or had families here. Most who had family in the surrounding area had all gone AWOL anyway.
Bright and early that morning, the ninety-five men gathered in formation and heard the plan from Captain Gatlin.
“As most of you already know,”
He said in a calm and even voice.
“We’re heading toward Seattle, Washington and with a little luck; we should be at our destination in a couple of hours. We will maintain a convoy formation and follow the highway until just before it splits to go into Seattle to the north, and then we’ll continue west to Fort Lewis.
“We have no idea what we’re going to come across on the way, but we’re all professional soldiers and Marines and will act accordingly. Keep your eyes open and be prepared for anything and everything!”
Buckling his Kevlar helmet into place, he placed his hand on the door handle,
“Okay troops,”
His voice had a confidence as it reverberated with a curt echo,
“Mount up!”
With that said, the soldiers engaged the starters on their trucks and other vehicles, and the engines sprang to life.
◆◆◆
As they traveled west, there was only one incident of significance. After traveling about a half-hour on the highway, a group of civilians tried to overpower the convoy. That was a big mistake. Lieutenant Perkins warned them to unblock the highway, but the people shot at the soldiers, who then returned fire.
Several civilians were killed, and, as others dragged their companions away, the captain called for a cease-fire. In one of the convoy’s trucks a medic did what he could for the wounded, but it was a hopeless situation for most of them.
They needed immediate surgery and massive blood transfusions to survive their wounds and that wasn’t going to happen here and now.
The convoy continued after a few moments, and just before arriving at Greenwater, where many of t
he camp’s dependents lived, they saw numerous dead people lying alongside the road. All of them had been dead for some time; insects were already feeding on the carcasses. The convoy stopped several times along the way to look for survivors, but everyone was dead. None of them had anything of value in their possession. They simply were shot and left there to rot. It was assumed it was looters.
The soldiers continued on and were stunned into silence as they passed many houses that were burned to the ground. A few were still smoldering and smoking, but the fires appeared to be old; probably older than just a few days. Cars were abandoned and many of the stores had been looted. Windows were broken to the inside of the buildings and glass shards were scattered all over the sidewalk and streets. Items of clothing and other miscellaneous things were lying about, obviously dropped as the looters scurried away.
There were no living beings anywhere, except for the soldiers in the convoy. No dogs, and oddly, no birds either. It took a little while before Captain Gatlin gave the order to leave Greenwater. When they arrived at the junction where the highway split to go north to the cities of Seattle and Enumclaw the convoy continued west.
There was a brief conversation about exploring Seattle, but that would have to be at another time, not right now. They continued toward Fort Lewis, where they would determine what to do next.
The farther west they traveled, the more corpses they encountered and while most vehicles were abandoned, occasionally a body could be seen dead in the driver’s seat. Lieutenant Perkins had a Geiger counter and tested for radiation poisoning at random. At this point, there was no evidence of radiation in the area. These people had simply been murdered. They all knew they were indiscriminate acts of violence. Carnage had swept through this area and the perpetrators were gone.
◆◆◆
Eric tried to focus on the task at hand, moving safely to Fort Lewis, but his mind kept wandering to his brother Chris, who was the assistant weapons officer on board the USS California, an Ohio class nuclear submarine.
“Run silent, run deep.” Was their motto, and they were there for strategic deterrence. It kept the bad guys from shooting because the retaliation was simply going to be too high a price to pay for going to war.
But deterrence was out the window now. If they had fired their missiles, it would have made them an instant target, and hard to miss. The chances of survival, in that moment, went down dramatically once the first missile broke through the surface of the sea.
Still, he wondered about Chris.
What was he up to?
Where was he?
Was he safe?
Was he still alive?
Chapter 5
Sneak and Peek
Mike and Sam lay there watching and listening to Bone Breaker’s plans using the tactic known as the “sneak and peek.” The sneak and peek is simply that. An individual or group will ease their way unseen and unheard within intelligence gathering range, listen and take note of what is seen and heard and then retreat unseen.
They learned the gang would attack in two days, in two locations, it seemed a bit odd to launch an attack on both Avalon and Fitch, since it was apparent, they still did not know the exact location of Avalon, itself. However, it was supposed by them, they would find it.
The boy tripped over Sam and the look of the amazement on his face turned into one of sheer terror. Just as he took a deep breath, Sam quickly reached over and clasped a hand over the boy’s mouth to prevent an imminent scream.
Immediately after the boy was caught, a young girl who appeared to be following him saw what happened to her brother. Before she could do anything, Mike reached out with the swiftness of a striking snake, bent her over at the waist while grabbing her, and pulled her close to him in one swift move, at the same time clasping a hand over her mouth to stifle the scream that was caught in her throat.
Both children were terrified; squirming, kicking, and trying to get away. They fought like demons. He was surprised at their strength and Mike warned them in a hushed voice,
“You kids stop struggling. We aren’t going to hurt you. Those are slavers over there and if they hear you, you’re both going to be there supper tonight. Cut it out.”
The youngsters cautiously relaxed and Mike loosened his hold on the girl.
“What are you kids doing out here? Don’t you know if the slavers catch you, you will both be killed and most probably eaten?”
It was more of a chastisement than it was a question.
The girl spoke quietly,
“We were with our mom and dad, but we got separated back there somewhere.”
She pointed in the direction they had just come from.
Mike looked at Sam,
“I’ll take care of the kids. You find their parents and bring them here.”
Sam nodded and left.
“You two remain quiet and stay very still. Once Sam finds your parents, we’re going to a place called Avalon. Are either one of you hungry?”
They didn’t say anything but nodded their heads up and down. Mike reached down and pulled some jerky from his waist pouch and handed a piece to each of them. They smiled gratefully, each biting a piece off and chewing it with a look of appreciation on their faces.
About ten minutes later, Sam spotted the man and woman coming toward him, armed with rifles. Sam allowed them to pass and then spoke quietly,
“Don’t move another step. There’s a camp of slavers up ahead. If they find us, we’re toast. My partner has your children and they’re safe.”
Shirley Stewart was taken aback by this man all made up like a monster in his Ghillie suit.
“Don’t be frightened ma’am; this is just a military disguise. My partner sent me out here to find you just after we found your kids. My name is Sam. Come with me, and please be as quiet as you can. No talking for now, we’ll have plenty of time to talk and explain later.”
“Oh, thank God… I was worried sick!”
Sam turned, and they started back to Mike and the children. When they arrived, Mike turned quietly toward the family. He was whispering to them as he offered his hand.
“Great job, Sam. My name is Mike.”
Motioning for them to follow, they moved away from the slavers.
“Follow us, were going to Avalon. Are you hungry?”
They all nodded.
The slavers were settling down for the night. Sam and Mike led the way, walking single file. After an hour they were well clear of the slavers. Mike stopped and offered the family food and water again. They took what was offered, it was obvious they were hungry and thirsty. Mike pointed toward a mountain ridge off in the distance.
“We have a retreat up there.”
From where they stood, Mount Shasta was hidden from view; shielded from sight by the lower mountains that paralleled the valley up above. Randy introduced his family to Mike and Sam,
“We are Shirley and Randy Stewart, and these are our kids, Brandy and Mitchell.”
“Nice to meet you, we’ll be there in three hours. Walk slowly but steadily until we get to our bikes. We’ll get us all back up the mountain by riding three to a bike.”
They walked for another twenty minutes before they reached the hiding place where the bikes had been stashed earlier.
Randy and Brandy rode with Sam and Shirley and Mitchell rode with Mike. In two hours, they arrived at the edge of the large trees just past the railroad bed and saw Avalon off in the distance. The warm glow of the lights coming from the windows was a welcome sight.
Mike spoke over the noise of the motors on the two bikes,
“This is our home, our community. There are lots of people here. You and your family will be safe.”
Mike keyed his radio,
“Birds coming home to roost.”
Caroline answered,
“It’s about time, sailor. I’ve been worried sick about you two.”
“We have company. Tell Chad to put some food out for the four of them. I know they’re hungry.�
��
The two men rolled on the power and headed toward the retreat. There were more than twenty people waiting for them in the big entryway as the two bikes pulled up and stopped.
The food was good, and much more than the newcomers had been accustomed to during the last year-and-a-half.
They ate greedily. Brandy drank a whole glass of milk down in one long swallow. She promptly burped loudly, making everyone laugh, and was quickly given another glass full.
“Where in the world did all this food come from?”
Randy asked amazed at what he was seeing and eating.
Dr. Dan spoke up,
“We grew it ourselves. We are a self-sustaining community. Everyone chips in to make it all happen; food, security, and fellowship. We are as tight-knit as you can get outside of an actual family. Some say we’re tighter.”
He smiled and looked around and everyone was smiling at him.
“This food is delicious.”
Shirley was beginning to slow down her eating. All of them were getting full.
They didn’t require very much as their stomachs had shrunk from the lack of food, as they foraged for anything to eat, day-to-day.
“Our chefs are the best around. We lack for very little in the way of nutritious food,”
Crystal spoke, smiling at them when she finished.
Once the family of newcomers had finished eating, the people gathered around them and flooded them with a barrage of questions. They discovered how this courageous family was able to avoid detection by scrounging along the coastline, then, farther inland, in the forest and along the lake. They built small houses out of branches much like the nomadic Indian tribes had done many years ago, abandoning them as they moved on.
Foraging from the land, they ate wild mushrooms and berries, dandelions, buffalo berries, butternut, clover, wild grapes and much more. They also added small grubs and worms when they could find them under tree bark and old fallen trees. They ate small rodents, insects, wild birds and bird eggs when other food was scarce.
Avalon- The Construction Page 5
