Forsaken World (Book 5): Homecoming

by Watson, Thomas A.

  Ian pulled out of the tree line and they set up the gun bot in half an hour. “We will get the few trees another day,” Lance said, tapping on the laptop. “Ian, head to the others.”

  Pulling back in the trees, Lance waited until they were out of sight of the gun bot and then activated it. “Between you and me, the gun bots scare me,” Ian admitted.

  “Me too,” Lance replied. “But we have to kill stinkers and only have so many bullets, but we can make steel ball bearings all day long. The raw materials for bullets are just too much of an investment for us right now.”

  Crossing back into the three mile perimeter, both boys felt a sense of relief. Pulling through the valley, Ian drove up the opposite slope. When he reached the ridge, Ian turned and drove up to the peak.

  “Right there,” Lance pointed, and Ian steered over and stopped.

  “What are we doing here?” Patrick asked, somewhat worried because the house he moved to was just in the next draw to the south a half mile away.

  “Setting up a relay, so we can have real time intel,” Ian answered as they both moved back to the trailer. They both grabbed the box Denny had put together and carried it over to a knoll that was the highest point in zone one and two.

  “I thought radios were bad,” Patrick told them.

  “That’s what the directional antennas we put on all the power stations and gun bots are for,” Ian replied after they set the box down. “All of the units are aimed here and then,” Ian paused, tapping the long tube on the side of the box, “this will relay the info to us. When you get your phone line, we will be able to call you and keep you in the loop.”

  “Dwain said we were going to do that tomorrow,” Patrick sighed with relief.

  After setting up the solar panels, everyone loaded up and drove back along the ridge. When they started down the east slope, Lance glanced over at the meeting spot and saw the trailer they’d used. Reaching the valley floor, Ian drove onto the road and took off.

  “You realize we are taking the new group really close to the cabin,” Ian pointed out, glancing over at Lance.

  “Yeah, but they are helping, and all they will know is the build area. To be honest, I think it’s to our benefit. Now, they can meet up with us here when we do missions,” Lance replied.

  Ian slowed, seeing the left turn up into the draw that led to the build house and stinker bodies were still in the road. He could tell several had been run over more than once. “I’m going to have Patrick and David lead to plow the bodies to one side,” Ian said and Lance nodded.

  Pulling to a stop, Ian waved Patrick and David up. When they stopped, Ian pointed at the turn off. “Use your plows to push the bodies to the side. Just follow this road all the way up till you see the others,” Ian told him and Patrick nodded, pulling up.

  “We’ll burn their asses on the way down,” Lance said as Ian followed them up the draw.

  When they pulled into the yard, Lance saw the power station and supplies loaded up, but the bots were still sitting where they’d left them. Jumping out before Ian stopped, “Why aren’t the bots loaded?!” Lance cried out, waving at the bots.

  With her helmet off and mask pushed to the top of her head, “Waiting on you,” Lilly answered.

  “Lilly, I set your laptop up and showed you how to do it,” Lance whined. “You even drove one over here with me.”

  “Key part of that ‘with you’,” Lilly replied, rolling her eyes. “Lance, the shit kills autonomously.”

  Groaning, Lance grabbed the bot laptop turning it on. “Come here, you’re driving them,” Lance said coldly.

  Nonchalantly, Lilly walked over and took the laptop when Lance handed it to her. “Lance, these are bigger, faster, and more powerful than the first ones. Now, they are even armored, so my bullets won’t even stop them if one takes off trying to kill us.”

  Watching Lilly tap the keyboard, Lance slowly nodded. “Okay, I’ll give you that, but you need to let that fear just turn into respect,” Lance told her as the wheeled bot started rolling. “There will be times you are leading patrols, and will have to shut down bot sites so the area can be cleared.”

  “I will,” Lilly said as the bot hit the back of the trailer and drove on. “I did with the first and I will with these, but I’m telling you now; it will be much longer for the gun bots.”

  “Fair enough,” Lance chuckled as Lilly turned the bot off and started the tracked bot.

  With the bots loaded, everyone climbed into vehicles. “How come we are in the diesel UTV and Jennifer and Lilly are in the buggy?” Ian huffed.

  “Like you care,” Lance chuckled. “Before you even finished that one, you were designing the tracked buggy.”

  Reaching the valley floor, Ian turned right toward the meeting spot. “Yeah, putting the driver in the middle makes the most sense and tracks give much better cross country capability,” Ian replied as they passed the meeting spot and followed the road around as the valley narrowed and turned east.

  Riding along the road on the north sloping hill, Lance glanced up at the slope across from them and could make out the old logging road further up the slope that ran behind the ridge of the cabin. It was over a mile away, but one of the few times Lance wanted to just quit and head back to the cabin. He just felt so tired.

  Pushing that thought from his mind, Lance turned ahead as Ian drove rather fast down the dirt road. “Have too much to do,” Lance mumbled.

  The only other way to get to Dewitt with the trucks pulling long trailers would take them well outside of the perimeter and very close to Highway 25E. Lance didn’t want to get anywhere near a four lane road. The camera he set out near the cell tower when deeds were done to the Devil Lords was still transmitting.

  He hadn’t checked in a few days, but it seemed stinkers really loved four lane roads.

  Seeing the T-intersection ahead, Ian slowed. “I think they should’ve named this road something else besides ‘Stinking Creek Road’,” Ian stated, turning right onto Stinking Creek Road.

  “I’ll agree to that,” Lance chuckled as Ian drove down the valley. “Slow down,” Lance said, grabbing his PTT. “Jennifer, pull around us and take the lead. We have a few stinkers in the road,” Lance called out.

  “On the way,” Jennifer called back in a very good mood.

  The buggy sped past them throwing dust up, and they soon heard the soft pops of Lilly and Allie taking care of the stinker problem. “Well, Ian, Stinking Creek Road has stinkers on it, so maybe somebody knew something,” Lance pointed out.

  Shaking his head, “I find out someone knew about this shit and didn’t warn us, I’ll skin their dick with a potato peeler,” Ian snarled.

  Reaching the next T, they watched Jennifer take the left turn like she was racing. “And I let her drive my Hummer,” Lance mumbled, looking at the other road that would take them to the cabin as Ian turned.

  “I was shocked about that myself,” Ian admitted, hearing soft pops ahead.

  Reaching the crossroads of Dewitt, which was the center of Dewitt, Jennifer turned right before crossing a bridge and rounding a curve. Slowing at the end of the curve, Jennifer turned left off the road, driving out into a field.

  Pulling up beside Jennifer, Ian turned the UTV off. “I really think when we set up four more battle bot areas to the east and north, we’ll cut down on stinkers getting in our perimeter,” he said, turning to Lance.

  “Small groups, but not waves,” Lance said, getting out. “That is going to take our master plan.”

  Having heard that, Lilly cut her eyes over to Jennifer. “Just hearing Lance say, ‘master plan’ gives me chill bumps,” Lilly told her softly. “I don’t know what they work on in the research area, but it scares me.”

  “No shit,” Jennifer chuckled, watching the two move out into the field and mark off the playground with the orange flags.

  “You know where the power station is going?” Heath asked walking up, and Jennifer pointed off to the side of the field.

  S
ince the bots were pulled on last, Heath waited until the boys were done and drove the bots off, then they could unload the power station. When the boys were done, Lilly and Jennifer moved to unhook the trailer off the UTV, but found Patrick and David had already done it.

  “I’m really liking help,” Lilly admitted, climbing on the back as Jennifer drove out to the field.

  “You want to set that gun bot up around here instead?” Heath asked them.

  “Can’t,” Lance answered. “This is the route our parents will take to the cabin. Dad told me we could do anything we wanted except on this approach, and we wouldn’t get in any trouble even if we killed someone.”

  “Besides, that gun bot has a spot. It’s just not there yet,” Ian added.

  “Not everyone out there are bad guys,” Heath told them.

  “Then read the signs and stay the fuck away,” Lance replied. “I agree, not everyone is bad, but I’m not in the mood to let someone go after our area, or even freeloaders.”

  Not in the mood to argue, Heath just nodded as Robin stepped up beside him, looking at Lance and Ian. “Lance, Ian, why did you ask us to be a part of this group?” Robin asked.

  “You worked together and were trying,” Ian answered. “Not intelligently, but you were trying.”

  “Dumb can be fixed, stupid is forever,” Lance added. “We were dumb when this started, but fixed that fast.”

  Scoffing behind them, “I find that hard to believe,” Patrick gasped. “Dumb and you two aren’t anywhere close.”

  “Beg to differ on that,” Ian said, moving over as Jennifer drove back. Reaching inside, Ian pulled out the bot laptop. When he opened it and turned it on, several glanced at Lance.

  “What? He designed the damn things,” Lance popped off.

  “I don’t do computer code as fast as Lance,” Ian mumbled as the wheeled bot turned on and backed off the trailer. After he backed the tracked bot off, Ian turned to Lance. “I’ve wanted bots here in Dewitt since we came up with the idea,” Ian admitted. “But we voted that we needed the Bear Trap Group alive. So our route took a back seat.”

  Lance turned to Heath and Patrick. “Had to see if a problem could be fixed and they were worth it,” Lance said, then turned away. “Heath, you ever complete the stuff I laid out for your hydro?” Lance asked.

  “Yeah,” Heath answered and Lance spun around, unnerving Heath somewhat.

  “And why haven’t you said anything?”

  Giving a nervous twitch of his head, “You’ve been busy,” Heath mumbled. “I knew when you got time you’d get to us.”

  “When did you finish it?” Lance asked with a groan.

  Glancing at Dwain, “Um, the day after you gave us the schematics,” Heath replied. “We finished building everything two days ago.”

  “We wanted to make sure when you did get time, we weren’t holding you up,” Dwain added quickly.

  “Dude, all we have to do is hook up the turbines and run some wire,” Lance told him, turning to Ian.

  “We are taking most of tomorrow off,” Ian said flatly.

  “Duh,” Lance droned. “I was thinking the day after.”

  Nodding, “We can do that,” Ian said, and walked off. “Like you said, we just have to hook stuff up. That won’t take long.”

  Turning back to Heath, “Let’s get these battle bots up and get home,” Lance told him, and followed Ian.

  “I love those boys,” Robin mumbled, patting Heath’s arm.

  Very little talking was done as the site was set up and the tired group mounted up and drove back in the dark.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  East of Allensville, Kentucky

  Sitting in her camping chair, Sandy sipped her coffee as she kept watch with the topo map on her lap. Sensing Dan move, Sandy turned and saw Dan staring at a rabbit moving around the bases of the trees. Moving the cup to her left hand, Sandy reached over and patted Dan’s back and then stroked his back. “You’re a good dog,” Sandy told him softly and Dan turned to her, panting.

  Looking back down at the page showing the map of the area in the topo book, Sandy didn’t need to recite the route. They were on it. She stared at it, afraid to touch the page or to leave a mark. She was trying to find a stream that ran the way they were going. Fields dominated the area they were traveling in, some very large fields. Nothing like Kansas, but she’d never expected fields the size they were crossing in Kentucky.

  “At least we have some trees,” Sandy mumbled, memorizing the lay of the land for their route.

  Hearing movement, Sandy turned to see Mary sit up yawning. Slowly, Mary stood up and grabbed her cap that fell off her face and put it on, then grabbed her rifle. Moving over to the stove, Mary saw the coffee pot turned upside down on a towel. Letting out a disappointed sigh, Mary looked over at Sandy and noticed Sandy holding up the thermos, and a huge smile filled Mary’s face as she grabbed her folding chair and headed for Sandy.

  “I’ve gotten too use to coffee being ready after we set up camp,” Mary said, setting up her chair and then sat down, taking the thermos.

  Watching Mary fill her cup, Sandy nodded. “Yeah, but at two, I heard a truck. Well, an engine,” Sandy clarified. “It could’ve only been on State Highway 1041, not even half a mile away. It stopped for ten minutes and then drove north.”

  Glancing over at the map in Sandy’s lap, “Surprised you even heard it unless they were moving fast,” Mary said, taking a sip.

  “It was a diesel. That’s why I think it was a truck and when I first heard it, the engine was barely moving along. After it stopped it even turned off, I almost woke you up. Just before I moved to wake you up, it cranked up and took off. It left much faster than it arrived. With the base layer of stink over the land, I’ve only worried a few times about the smell of coffee or food, but I didn’t want to risk it, so I poured it in the thermos,” Sandy explained.

  Nodding, “Even when stinkers aren’t close, I catch whiffs,” Mary admitted. “Not to mention the stench of rot. Since we crossed into Missouri, I swear we smell rotting flesh at least once every mile.”

  “I won’t argue that,” Sandy mumbled. “Oh, I attached that tandem saddle to the one you wanted.”

  Rolling her eyes in ecstasy, “I haven’t even ridden in it and I’m already in love with it,” Mary gasped.

  Glancing over at the boys sleeping and lowering her voice, Sandy asked, “Have you talked to Chris about their family?”

  Nodding with a sad expression, “Yeah, talk about dysfunctional family,” Mary said. “But I think they will be all right. Neither one has ever held a gun, cooked a meal, or had chores. Chris recited what his dad used to make ‘medicine’. His dad was making meth.”

  Draining her coffee cup, “Lance and Ian will be excellent role models for them,” Sandy claimed.

  Leaning close, “Sandy, I forgot what having a regular boy around was like. Jason was a regular boy. Ian was almost a regular boy, but was still a neat freak, just sucked at school. That was until his “brother” Lance showed up. We were spoiled by those two,” Mary whispered.

  “Until I found out about all the pranks they pulled, I thought they were perfect,” Sandy said, refilling her cup.

  Holding her chin up proudly, “It can’t be proven and they didn’t get caught, so I’m not going to hold that over them. Besides, I like the fact they unleashed hell when someone pissed off their mommas,” Mary stated with pride.

  “Oh, I’m not holding that over them, but it made me realize I didn’t know Lance as well as I thought I did,” Sandy sighed.

  Giving a shrug and changing the subject, “You check to see if we have enough batteries for Tyler to keep his NVGs on?” Mary asked.

  “With ease,” Sandy answered. “I think we have enough of those CR batteries for him to use the thermals like that, but I’m not sure. The damn thing takes four and they only last like five hours.”

  “What if I let him use that monocular? It takes double A.”

  “No, you need i
t. But have Chris stay on it like Tyler does,” Sandy replied. “We could take one of the scopes off the M4s we found, but it doesn’t seem right.”

  “How many double As we have?”

  Turning to Mary with a flat expression, “About three hundred,” Sandy answered. “Johnathan took all of them from the camp. The radios use them, but he told me we would run across NVGs if nothing else on soldiers-turned-stinker.”

  “How many CR 123?”

  “Forty-two,” Sandy answered, and Ann got up from the bed roll. She looked around and then trotted over to Mary. “I’m scared to just let Tyler use them. If we have to start alternate routes that push our timetable back, I don’t want to do it without the thermal binoculars.”

  Hearing that Mary smiled, closing her eyes. “If we don’t have too many problems, just think, we will be home in ten days.”

  “I know, and I’m almost tempted to push the horses further than thirty miles.”

  “Sandy, we can’t lose focus,” Mary told her sternly. “I do, too, but we’ve run into problems we never dreamed of. We could almost make it on foot now, but would have to leave so much behind. The danger would be astronomical just in ammo alone.”

  “That’s why I didn’t mention it,” Sandy smiled. “And you’re forgetting, we could make it on foot, but the boys would slow us down and we aren’t leaving them.”

  “Yeah, they are good boys,” Mary grinned.

  Standing up, “Let’s wake them and check their wounds, then start packing up,” Sandy stated and Mary nodded, getting up.

  The boys woke up much easier. Neither woke up ready to run. Checking the wounds, Sandy was shocked at how much they had improved with just the basic care they had done. Even the nasty wound from the splinter on Chris’s buttock looked a hundred times better.

  When they cleaned the wounds this time, the boys barely grimaced. Applying more ointment and bandaging the wounds, Sandy leaned back. “Put the socks on and roll up the bedrolls while we start some food and load up the horses.”