by Ryan King
“I’m not going to come back,” said Nathan. “It’s time to focus on my family.”
“By fishing and gardening?” asked Luke.
Nathan turned to him angrily. “By being there for them. Since I’ve come to the JP, I’ve done everything that’s been asked of me. No matter what the cost. Just this once I’m saying no.”
“The president’s struggling without you.”
“He’d still be struggling with me.”
“Joshua sent a report.”
Nathan froze and turned to look at him. “What did it say?”
“That Huntsville is likely a serious threat. That our favorite madman Vincent Lacert might be in charge down there.”
“Good God, no.”
Luke nodded. “The Creek also told him that Huntsville forces hit the Milan Depot and took or destroyed everything. Killed our people down there.”
“Bastard,” said Nathan. “I wish we could have killed him before he got away.”
“Nathan?”
He turned to look at him. “Yeah?”
“Weren’t there tactical nukes at Milan? Isn’t that where the one came from that David used?”
Nathan shook his head. “Don’t worry. After Fulton, I made sure they were rendered inoperable.”
Luke looked at him in surprise. “Seriously? Then we’re not in as bad a spot as I thought.”
“He’s still a threat, and who knows what assets Huntsville has? I would have thought the Russians or Chinese would have targeted that place, but I guess not.”
“There’s something else.”
“What?”
“They ran into a guy named Simon. He says he’s been holed up in some secret underground bunker for the last two years. The bunker is filled with supplies and weapons and other such things.”
Nathan shook his head. “I used to get excited about that sort of thing; now it just fills me with dread. Maybe this world will be better off when it’s all back to spears and clubs.”
“He mentioned talking to someplace called Cheyenne Mountain. Said it’s a high-level military survival headquarters for the U.S. Government. Sent a girl, Jessica, north who knows the whole story; got people debriefing her now, but we won’t know what we’ve got for sure until we talk to this Simon fellow.”
“We’ve been hearing rumors of something like this on the shortwave broadcasts.”
“Think it’s legit? That there might be some sort of U.S. Government remnant still out there functioning?”
Nathan shrugged. “Still out there? Probably. Still functioning? I doubt it. They’re likely holed up somewhere no better than us, maybe even worse off.”
“Evidently, they’re communicating with other locations.”
“They’ve got comms with other places then,” said Nathan. “Not surprising.”
“How many places you figure?”
Nathan shrugged. “Who knows? Lots I bet. Does it matter?”
“Sure it does. That’s the United States Government we’re talking about.”
“No, it’s not. It’s a bunch of survivors like us. There is no United States Government anymore, and if there is, we likely want nothing to do with it.”
“Why would you say that?”
Nathan turned to him. “Who’s your current congressman? Senator? Hell, who’s the president?”
“I don’t know.”
“Right. I doubt there is one. If they have any type of government I suspect its very militaristic with little if any checks or balances. Little if any representation or public say. What we have here is likely much better.”
Luke looked out over the water again. “Regardless, you need to come back. Things are happening, and I’m afraid they’re going to get bad.”
“They’re already bad, count me out.”
“But you’re the Chief of Defense,” said Luke.
“You do it,” said Nathan. “I was planning on having you take over for me anyway.”
Luke stared at him for a few seconds. “Okay, fine. But that means I’m in charge.”
“Exactly.”
“So no more coddling Joshua.”
Nathan turned to him in surprise.
“Your son is a good combat leader and we’re short of those,” Luke explained. “I’m going to put him where he’s needed, and that’s in charge on people at the point of crisis.”
“Come on, Luke. I’ve already lost one son.”
“He’s a soldier and an officer. You know what comes with that.”
“I forbid it,” said Nathan.
“I’m the Chief of Defense,” said Luke. “He’ll go where he’s told or be courts-marshaled.”
Nathan sat and thought for a long time. Finally, he turned to Luke. “You’re an asshole.”
Luke smiled. “Glad to have you back.”
He stood and walked away.
Nathan reeled in his line and saw an empty hook. He re-baited the line and cast out over the still water.
Chapter 4 – The Bunker
Trailer and Simon led what felt like an invasion into Mississippi. In addition to Joshua and his people, there were several dozen Creek on horses.
Billy Fox had been happy to give Simon a horse as a gift. Not having any experience with horses, Simon soon found that he liked them and that strange woman Susan spent several hours teaching him as much as she could.
They even presented Trailer a mule he had named Wildcat. Although Trailer’s feet only cleared the ground by a few inches, his massive weight did not appear to bother the mule in the least. Despite its name, and the typical mulish reputation, the animal was surprisingly docile and agreeable.
It was impossible for them not to draw attention along the way. Several towns reacted in panic, throwing up barricades and ringing the town’s church bell or lighting a prepared signal fire.
“This is what it must have felt like to be a Mongol or Hun,” Trailer said.
“No Mongol or Hun ever rode a mule,” said Conrad.
“That’s because they were shortsighted,” Trailer answered. “If the massed hordes of Mongols had been riding herds of mules, they would have conquered the world.”
Their presence not only alarmed people along their route, but also Simon’s fellow inhabitants at the bunker when they finally arrived after several days.
“Lewis, it’s okay,” said Simon into the intercom. “Open up. They’re friends.”
“Did you forget that you fixed the surveillance cameras?” asked Lewis. “I can see all those people with you. Armed people that look none too friendly.”
“They’re from the JP… Well, some of them are.”
“You were supposed to go spy on them, not invite them back for dinner.”
“We both know we’re running out of time here,” said Simon. “When the fuel goes bad, the generators will fail. When the generators fail, we can’t live here anymore even assuming we don’t get trapped inside. The JP says we can come settle in their lands. We can make a new home.”
“In return for what?”
“For opening up and letting them take what they need from the stocks inside,” Simon answered.
“What?” said Lewis. “I’m signed for all this stuff.”
“Come on,” said Simon. “No one is coming. It’s just us here. This is our best chance.”
“No,” answered Lewis.
“Let me try,” said Conrad, stepping up to the microphone.
Simon stepped aside and looked up at the camera angrily.
“Lewis? It’s Lewis right?”
“Yeah, that’s me.”
“Cool, my name is Conrad McKraven. Do you have cameras all around this facility?”
“We sure do.”
Conrad nodded. “Can they see over by the fuel supply point? The concrete pad over there where the trucks used to come to deliver diesel?”
“They do.”
“Good,” answered Conrad. “Here’s what I’m getting ready to do. I’m going to go to that pad, unscrew the intake pipe, and star
t dropping matches down in there until you either open the door or something interesting happens.”
“You’re bluffing,” said Lewis.
Conrad laughed and started walking towards the fuel pad.
“Simon, stop him,” said Lewis.
Simon walked back over to the intercom. “How am I supposed to do that?”
“Shoot him or something.”
Simon turned to see about thirty armed persons with weapons in their hands staring at him curiously.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Well, you better do something fast. That maniac is unscrewing the pipe now.”
“Open the door,” said Simon.
“No! Stop him,” said Lewis. “You, shut up, I know what I’m doing,” he said away from the microphone.
“Please, Lewis open the door.”
“He’s holding a match over the pipe!” said Lewis.
“You better open the damn door.”
Shockingly, the door clicked open.
“Hey, Simon,” said a new voice, “this is Austin. Door’s open. Please don’t blow us up.”
“Door’s open!” Simon screamed, and the cry was echoed around the side of the hill.
“He dropped the match!” Simon heard Lewis scream in the background.
“Oops!” screamed Conrad, running down the hill. “My bad!”
“We’re dead,” muttered Trailer, closing his eyes.
Everyone held their breath. Nothing happened. Joshua pushed past Simon and opened the door. He motioned several of his soldiers through, and the Creek followed.
Conrad came running up.
“What the hell?” asked Joshua.
Conrad was shaking his fingers. “Couldn’t help it, damn match burned my fingers.”
“You stay out here and guard.” Joshua ordered.
“Come on, now,” protested Conrad. “It was an accident. At least get me something nice, like a flamethrower.”
“I’ll stay, too,” said Trailer. “Gotta keep an eye on Wildcat. Someone’s likely to try and steal her.”
“You know she’s not a she,” said Conrad.
“In her mind, she is,” said Trailer.
Joshua and Simon walked inside, leaving the two big men to their conversation. They found one of Joshua’s men holding a rifle over three men on their knees.
Simon turned to Joshua. “What are you doing?”
“Let them up,” Joshua ordered, and the soldier lowered his rifle.
The three men stood slowly.
“Joshua Taylor,” said Simon, “meet Lewis, Derek, and Austin.”
“Pleased to meet you,” answered Joshua. “Simon tells me you have family in here.”
Lewis rubbed a swelling bruise on the side of his face as he turned to Simon incredulously. “You told them?”
“Don’t worry,” said Joshua. “We’re not going to hurt them or anything like that. We’ll need you all to load up your families with supplies into a few vehicles and come with us north.”
“Assuming the fuel still works,” said Derek.
“It still works,” said Austin, “otherwise the generators would have failed. But it may be close to the end.”
“Can I trust you men not to do anything stupid?” Joshua asked. “I don’t want to have to have my men follow you around. We just want to get what we can and be gone.”
“And you’ll let us settle in the JP?” asked Austin. “Us and our families?”
Joshua nodded. “Likely put you in New Harvest. It’s a former national park created by the hydroelectric dams. Lakes on both sides. It’s where I live, really pretty.”
“Wow, going outside again,” said Derek with wonder.
“And having electricity,” said Austin.
“We can take with us what we want?” asked Lewis.
“Whatever you can carry or get into one of the cargo trucks Simon says are down below,” answered Joshua. “I recommend some guns for hunting, but clothing, food, batteries, medicine, light bulbs, ammo, stuff like that will trade at a premium up north. Take as much of that as you can.”
The men stood and stared at each other.
Finally, Austin stuck his hand out towards Joshua. “Thank you.”
Joshua took it, and this seemed to break the paralysis. The other two also shook hands and then went to get their families ready.
They wandered the vast cavernous halls of the giant bunker and realized there was no way they could take everything. Joshua would have loved to drive north with a fleet of brand-new tankers and armored vehicles but knew that wasn’t practical. Without fuel, they were simply immobile guns. Instead, they focused on loading up the cargo trucks with weapons, ammunition, radios, supplies of all sorts that were difficult to find.
Joshua had imagined some sort of fight with the Creek over who got what, but he quickly realized that wasn’t going to be the case. There was so much of everything that each group could take what they wanted.
They all stayed at the bunker for two days while they explored and loaded up. Simon dismantled the satellite antenna and packed it along with all the radio and communications gear into one of the trucks. Everyone put on new clothes from the vast stocks, even Trailer, and no one seemed to care that the only color was camouflage. Most of the medications were past their shelf life, but they took them anyway.
The morning of the second day, the Creek departed. Joshua and Don made a promise to each other that neither the JP nor the Creek would try to come back for more supplies here without the other. Simon had managed to rig a failsafe to open the door should the generators shut down for good before the next visit. It felt odd to leave the valuable facility filled with priceless supplies unguarded, but it was the best option for now, Joshua decided. He said his farewell to the departing Creek and secured the bunker. Their fifteen truck convoy pulled away north with several riders in front and more in the back leading the extra horses by ropes.
“Time to go home?” asked Conrad.
Joshua shook his head. “Not yet. Second and third squad will take this stuff north along with the civilians.”
“What about the rest of us?” asked Conrad.
“You and I will go with first squad to Huntsville. We still need to find out what’s going on down there.”
Conrad looked at him curiously. “We already have a pretty good idea. You sure you’re not looking for an opportunity to get a little payback against a certain pretty blond fellow? If so, that’s the sort of thinking likely to get us all killed.”
“Not at all. We just need to complete the mission. We don’t yet know their intentions.”
“I should probably come with you,” said a voice from the doorway.
They turned to find Trailer standing there, his head sticking in through the door.
“Why would you want to do that?” asked Conrad.
“‘Want’ is too strong a word,” Trailer answered. “Our new home and the ability to live in the JP is based on an agreement you made on behalf of your government, right?”
“Yeah.”
“What are the chances they would honor that if something bad were to happen to you?” Trailer asked.
They may not honor it even with me there, he thought. “I see your point.”
“I don’t think we need your help,” said Conrad. “We’re all big scary soldiers with guns. If we need someone to change a light bulb without a ladder, we’ll give you a call.”
“You know how to get there?” asked Trailer.
“We got maps,” answered Conrad.
“I suppose you do?” asked Joshua.
“Drove those roads for years,” Trailer answered. “I doubt you want to waltz in there on I-65. Maybe a more subtle approach would be best.”
“He has a point,” said Joshua, turning to Conrad.
Conrad stared at Trailer for a few seconds. He finally threw his hands up. “What the hell. At least maybe the mule will come in handy.”
“Okay,” said Trailer, rubbing his han
ds together. “Now we just need to talk about payment.”
Both looked at him while the big man grinned.
Chapter 5 – Rumble of War
The convoy from Mississippi arrived in New Harvest and created an almost festive air in the former park. Anytime people saw vehicles running, it was a novelty, and getting fresh supplies was a big deal, especially when it involved items no one knew how to make anymore.
Nathan nearly choked when he discovered that Joshua had promised nearly two dozen strangers JP citizenship and a place to live in New Harvest. That was going to be a challenge. They were already short on houses and, technically, the JP had closed off immigration. Nathan realized that this would take some behind-the-scenes paperwork.
Nathan directed the convoy to store the contents of the vehicles in the Kentucky Dam facility under the justification that it was the most secure facility the JP had. This wasn’t technically true—the uranium enrichment facility in Paducah was more secure by far—but Nathan really wanted such valuable resources close to him. Nathan intended to stay close to home from now on, regardless of his responsibilities. Reggie reluctantly agreed to allow Nathan to work from New Harvest, and they established a phone and fax line to communicate.
He and Luke Carter were in a room looking at a map on the wall. Different areas were shaded and certain magnets were placed to indicate military units or key locations.
“Doesn’t look too good,” commented Luke.
Nathan sighed. “No. Milan Depot is gone. We’ve confirmed that. Fortunately, we have a new source of supplies.”
“Which we have to share with the Creek.”
“Right,” grunted Nathan. “Huntsville could be a problem. We don’t know for sure, but it wouldn’t hurt to be ready.”
“Think they would go through the Creek Nation to get to us?” asked Luke.
“If I were them, I wouldn’t,” said Nathan. “I’d just go around and cut up between them and Memphis. Better yet, I’d conclude a separate peace with the Creek Nation so I wouldn’t have to worry about them.”
“Surely, the Creek wouldn’t do that,” said Luke. “They have a treaty with us.”
Nathan shrugged. “You’re probably right, but it doesn’t hurt to think of things that could go wrong. The Creek might see it as justified given how many treaties have been broken with them through the centuries.”
