THE END - Book I - Of THE EVENT SERIES

by Marshall Huffman

  “Ben this is magnificent. You have done an incredible job in a very short time. You’ve come far pilgrim.”

  “What?”

  “It’s from an old Robert Redford movie called Jeremiah Johnson. I’ve wanted to use that line forever.”

  “Sure, okay, whatever you say. Maybe you should get some rest,” Ben said grinning.

  “Anyway, you’ve done good.”

  “Thanks. Now, I know you want to get settled in as well. We can get together later and you can fill me in on everything that happened and I can show you what we are working on and how it all fits together. We kept houses for all of you so you don’t have to fool around with picking one unless you want to. They are all good places and not too big or too small. You don’t have to take them but I thought they were pretty good and located near the center of everything.”

  “I don’t care much about where I land. I just want a soft bed and a hot shower,” Billy said.

  “Same for me,” Eric agreed.

  “Come on, I’ll show where you are billeted,” Ben said, yelling to Holly that he was going out for a while.

  He directed them to the houses, each close to the strip center that was being used as the nerve center of the society. Each one had a car sitting in the driveway.

  “Now that’s what I call service,” Randy said after Billy and Eric had been dropped off.

  “I didn’t want to say anything until the others left. You can either stay here or Rachel’s place is just around the corner if you want to see about moving in with her.”

  “How is Rachel?”

  “You probably should see for yourself. She is working at the hospital and helping with the entertainment center.”

  “Entertainment center? Don’t tell me you have that too.”

  “Yep. Gotta help people escape from reality. Keeps them from dwelling on the past too much. It has been a huge help. It was actually Rachel’s idea and is very popular with everyone.”

  “That’s great. I’m happy she is fitting in. I think I will stick with the place you picked. I’ll drop by and see Rachel after I get cleaned up and unwind some.”

  “No problem. Oh, we have fixed up a bunch of motorbikes for people that can ride them to use. It helps keep the gas consumption down. We suggest everyone use them whenever they can. It’s not a requirement but every car is issued five gallons of gas a week. If you run out, you’re out until the next fill date.”

  “Man. You have it all worked out.”

  “Not everything and I sure could use your brains in planning out what we need to do as we grow. I have a feeling that we are going to get a lot bigger over the next few months. We are already planning to send three more teams out after they debrief with you and your men.”

  “I agree. There is a lot more area to cover. We hardly scratched the surface.”

  “That’s what I figured,” Ben replied.

  ****

  Randy looked around the house that was now his base. It had two bedrooms and the basement had been made into a recreation room at some point. A pool table, not regulation size, was in the center of the room and on the wall was a widescreen plasma TV. Out of habit, he turned it on but got nothing but static. Maybe someday, he thought.

  After a hot shower he went out to the Jeep and brought in the few remaining provisions he had. He would have to talk to Ben about getting food. He understood the general concept but wasn’t really sure how that applied to him and those not assigned to a job yet. It felt good to change into some clean clothes and to feel human again. The car in the driveway was a Buick Skylark. It was in amazingly good condition for its age. It would certainly use a lot less gas than the Jeep.

  He drove back to the strip center and looked up Ben who was in the middle of a conversation with a man wearing a hard hat.

  “Hi Randy. This is Phil Gibbons. He is our lead electrician.”

  Randy shook his hand. They were rough and calloused. It was obvious that he did a lot of the grunt work.

  “He was just telling me that they have located two 6o Kw generators in Pittsburg and are having them brought here. Once the road crews get finished they can haul them down,” Ben explained.

  “Road crews?”

  “Yeah. We have crews that clear the roads. They drain the gas, and take anything of value off the car and then haul it off. We are putting them in fields every few miles. Later we will have to do something different but that’s all we can do for now. We are trying to get the road open from here to Pittsburg and then on to other larger cities close by us.”

  “So you can bring food and other provisions here.”

  “Exactly. We don’t want to get people here and then not be able to feed them and keep them warm when winter comes. The two generators will allow us to not only add housing but to increase the amount to each home. Phil has been the main man in getting all of this accomplished.”

  “Darned impressive,” Randy said.

  “Thanks. Nice to meet you but I gotta run,” he said as he started out.

  “You have really got things going,” Randy said to Ben.

  “It’s just a start. As we find more and more survivors it is going to get more difficult.”

  “Tell me exactly how it works.”

  “I told you about the housing, right?”

  “And transportation.”

  “Okay. Once they are settled in we send them through orientation. The process of getting food is explained and they are put to work. We try to give them a couple of choices but sometimes we just have to assign them to a job. When they initially arrive they get two weeks’ worth of food besides the basic package that everyone gets when they first get here. After that, they work or go scavenge for their own food,” Ben told him.

  “Have any problems with that?”

  “A few. Every once in a while someone decides they aren’t going to work. It’s okay with us as long as they don’t cause any problems. If they do, we handle it immediately,” Ben said.

  “Handle it?”

  “Yeah. We have a judiciary committee. No lawyers, just the defendant telling his or her side of the story and the other side tells their side. They rule and that’s it. If they are guilty of minor crimes they get three months in jail.”

  “What about major crimes.”

  “We get rid of them.”

  “Meaning?”

  “They are forced to leave the community unless it is one of the capital crimes.”

  “Capital crimes?” Randy asked.

  “You kill someone, or physically harm another person we consider that a capital crime.”

  “Then what happens to them?” Randy asked.

  “They are put to death.”

  “You mean you actually kill them?”

  “That’s the way it works. We don’t intend to have rapists, molesters, or killers living among us. It's not going to be like it was before. No bleeding hearts to let them go. We aren’t going to try to have a prison system. They do the time and get on with life or get gone,” Ben told him.

  Randy looked at him for several minutes, trying to reconcile what he had just been told. So many questions were going through his mind. What about falsely accused? What about an appeal process?

  Finally he said, “Ben, I know we don’t want to have a world like it used to be but it seems some basic freedoms are being short changed here. What if someone is accused because someone doesn’t like them? I mean, how does that get resolved?” Randy said.

  “It isn’t as difficult as it sounds. We investigate it. Get any witnesses' statements. Do everything we can to check it out. One thing that keeps false accusations down is if you accuse someone falsely, you are expelled from the community immediately. So far that seems to keep the petty problems at a minimum.”

  “Still, Ben, I think due process is getting bypassed. This could really get ugly.”

  “Then we will cross that bridge when we get to it. For now it seems to work. We have only expelled one person. I knew this might ruffle your fe
athers some. I know you don’t like it but it’s the way it has to be at least for the time being. We decided as a group after a number of meetings with the entire population. For the most part, that is what we all agreed to,” Ben said.

  Randy shook his head but decided not to push it any further.

  Instead he said, “What are the various job functions?”

  Ben took down a long list and handed it to Randy. Ben had been right, they were almost all physical labor except for a very few. Daycare, school teachers, and medical workers were among the few exceptions.

  “How many kids do we have here?” Randy asked.

  “Just thirty-six right now. We have a few teens that will be turning twenty over the next few months. Everyone goes to school until they are nineteen. After that they go into the workforce full time. While in school, everyone between thirteen and nineteen is assigned some kind of part time work.”

  “Quite incredible,” Randy said. He was truly impressed with what had been accomplished in such a short time.

  “Your house going to be okay?” Ben asked.

  “Sure. I don’t care much where I live. So, I guess the logical thing for me to do is get over to orientation and find out where I fit in,” Randy said.

  “That won’t be necessary. At least I hope not. I was hoping you would work with me on future planning and take a seat on the judiciary board. I know you don’t like the system we have but maybe if you took part you could understand better what really happens.”

  “I don’t mind helping plan, but I’m not so sure I want to be a part of the judiciary proceedings.”

  “Randy, we couldn’t have done any of this unless you and the others went out and found people so we could start rebuilding. You are a key element in the future of the New America. I can’t do this all on my own. It is overwhelming me as it is and it will only get worse as more and more show up. Work with me on this. Take a seat on the judiciary committee so you can implement changes as they are needed. I think it is very important for you to get involved in any area you have doubts about,” Ben said.

  “I’ll sure help you with the planning. Let me think about the other part. I understand where you are coming from. I just need to think about it some,” Randy replied.

  “Thanks. That’s all I can ask. Anything else you want to know?”

  “Heck yes. Everything,” Randy said.

  “Then you just follow me and I’ll talk you through the entire plan for the next few months.”

  ****

  Rachel was walking down the street when she suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. Randy was walking straight toward her. She waited but he walked on by and didn’t even acknowledge her.

  “Randy,” she said, in an exasperated voice as he passed her by. He stopped, turned and looked at her with a blank expression.

  Suddenly he shouted, “Rachel? Is that you Rachel? Good God, I didn’t even recognize you. I mean, holy smokes. You look so much different. I can’t…”

  “Slow down, take a breath. You’re going to hyperventilate.”

  “I just can’t believe it’s you. I mean, you look so much different.”

  “I changed some I guess,” she said.

  “Some? You’re like…like a whole new person. Even you hair is different,” he said.

  “Not to mention the thirty-six pounds I’ve lost,” she said.

  “Well, there is that too, but for gosh sakes, everything about you looks different. You look great,” he finally got out.

  “Wow. Never thought I would hear that from you,” Rachel said, blushing.

  “I’m not kidding. You look terrific. I can’t believe I walked right by you,” Randy said, shaking his head.

  “I thought you were just ignoring me.”

  “Not true, honest. I feel kind of dumb not even knowing it was you. Did I mention, you look terrific?”

  Rachel laughed, “So, when did you get back?”

  “Just yesterday. I’m still trying to get caught up on all the changes. A lot had taken place in a short time.”

  “Short time? It seems like forever since you left but you are right about the changes.”

  “Ben has done a fantastic job,” Randy replied.

  “Everyone has. It is amazing to watch people work. I know it won’t last forever but it is certainly a change for the better.”

  Randy shook his head in agreement, “So it would seem. So it would seem.”

  “So, what are you going to do? Are you going to look for others again?”

  “I don’t think so. Ben has already got people leaving to do just that. I wouldn’t want to do that all the time. It gets pretty weird at times,” was all he said.

  “I’m glad to hear that,” she said, starting to blush again.

  “I understand you are working at the hospital.”

  “Yep, and at the entertainment center. We put on plays, do some music stuff and show movies for now. We hope to expand when the new generators get here. The place gets packed when we put on a show. No television to compete with helps a lot,” she said, laughing again.

  “Damn, it’s nice to see you laugh. It has been a long time,” Randy said.

  “It’s nice to be able to see the people starting to live again. Life will go on. It may take some time but normalcy will happen. Maybe not exactly the same as before but some semblance of it will happen.”

  “I agree. In some ways, it may be even better.”

  “That I don’t know for sure but we certainly have the chance to make it better,” Rachel said.

  “Look, I would like to sit down and get caught up with what has been happening with you,” Randy said.

  “Me too. I want to hear all about your adventures and what is going on outside of here,” she said eagerly.

  “Great. What are you doing later?”

  “After I get off at the hospital I’ll be over at the theater. We have a jazz concert tonight and I have to help.”

  “I’ll come to the concert and then maybe we can talk after that,” Randy suggested.

  “Well, uh…maybe another time,” she stammered.

  Randy frowned and looked at her.

  “I kind of have someone else I’m going to see after the show.”

  “Well duh. How dumb of me. I come waltzing back into town and just assume you had nothing to do. Sorry Rachel. I didn’t mean to interfere,” Randy said apologetically.

  “No. No, really, it’s okay. I just have other plans for tonight. I would still love to sit and talk to you about everything that has happened,” she said, placing her hand on his arm.

  “Sure. We can do that whenever you have the time. I mean, when it is convenient.”

  “Look, it’s not what you think. I don’t have anyone that I am seeing particularly. Jim just happened to ask me if I would like to go to The Dance Club after the show.”

  “Hey, that’s cool. My bad for not thinking before I opened my mouth.”

  “Stop it Randy. It’s no big deal. We can get together tomorrow night after the show if you want. Tomorrow is Big Band era night.”

  “Sure. That would be great,” Randy said.

  “Okay then. The show is usually over around 10:00 P.M. so people can get to work the following day. I’ll look for you. If you save me a seat, I can come sit with you during the show,” she said.

  “I’ll be there,” Randy said.

  “Great. I had better get going. I need to get back to the hospital.”

  “Yeah, I need to get a move on too. I’ll see you tomorrow night then,” Randy said.

  “I can’t wait to hear about everything,” she said.

  Suddenly she moved toward him and gave him a hug. At first he was too taken aback to return her hug but then he put his arms around her.

  “I’m glad you’re back. I’ve missed by best buddy,” she said softly.

  “Yeah, I missed you too Rachel.”

  She stepped back and said, “I really have to go.”

  “Then go girl,” he said waving her away. Sh
e turned and started off.

  “Hey,” Randy shouted, watching as she walked away, “Did I mention you look really terrific?”

  She laughed and waved.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  NORAD

  “Colonel Webber, the teams are ready,” the Lieutenant said, sticking his head in the door.

  “Good. Good. Just give me a minute and I’ll be right out,” the Colonel replied.

  Webber hoped to God he was doing the right thing. The plan had been all consuming since he had taken over the Cheyenne Mountain complex. Not a minute had gone by when he hadn’t been revising his original plan. He had listened to every one of his people to get as much input as possible but the final plan was still his responsibility.

  He looked around the shabby office. Bullet holes and fragments had splintered the wood paneling. The dark red stain on the floor was a vivid reminder of the battle that had taken place and where his friend, Lieutenant Franklin had died. It was time. There was no turning back. Someone needed to take charge and it fell to him to make the call.

  He walked out of the office and down the stairs to where seven Hummers sat. Everyone stood tall as the Colonel leaned over the railing to address them.

  “Relax. Take a deep breath. No rank exists at this moment,” he said. Everyone loosened up as they stood there looking up at him.

  “I cannot express how grateful I am for those of you who volunteered to leave the safety of this complex and venture out to find other survivors. I know they exist. We located some of them. More are out there and we need to find them and offer them help. As you know we have made an extensive sweep of the town and it will become our base of operation. Those remaining behind will begin building a new life there that will hopefully grow as we locate more survivors. The various command centers will locate centrally so we can efficiently process everyone here and those that return as time goes on.

  As most of you know, our medical team has already occupied the hospital and is getting everything ready in case we find people in need of medical care. Electricity will be restored to most of the city within the week. I will not minimize the amount of work we all have to accomplish or the risks. Whatever caused this could well happen again but we are not going to live underground like frightened children,” he said, pausing and looking at the faces of the men and women that would make up core of the new nation.