Fire From The Sky | Book 11 | Ashes

by Reed, N. C.

  “I’m sorry,” Clay told them once he had explained the virus threat. “I know this is worse than horrible, but we have no choice. We cannot allow this farm to be infected. Nor can we allow it to be stripped bare. This is no longer about us. This farm and the food it will produce next year and in years to come may be all that sees us through. The things we’ve set up here, like the medicinal plants we’re growing, the seed garden and other greenhouses, all of that has to be protected.” He paused for a minute, looking at each one in turn.

  “Most of you have heard of the Library of Alexander,” he said finally. “You’re read or been taught about the knowledge it contained, and how it was lost to fire, primarily during Julius Cesar’s Civil War. It’s a famous tale of lost knowledge, some of which we have never been able to recreate or reproduce, or so the legends say.”

  “But there was a place called Alamut Castle, in Southern Persia, in what is now Iran. Alamut Castle was a stronghold fortress of the Ismaili Movement among the Shia Islamists. Why am I telling you this? Simple. Alamut was the site of one the most impressive and yet relatively unknown libraries of the world. Ismaili doctrine believed in knowledge and equality, among other things that we don’t normally associate with Islam today. Their library, believed to have been constructed during the rule of an Imam named Hasan, was thought to contain priceless scientific knowledge. And this library, and its fate, are not legend or clouded in mystery.”

  “During the Mongol invasion of Persia, Alamut Castle was ordered to surrender. The leader did so, and the Mongol Horde proceeded to dismantle and destroy that library of priceless information. Science, medicine, theology, the list could go on, but you get the picture. All that knowledge, gathered over centuries, lost to a horde of people who were too stupid to make use of it. Not because they themselves lacked intelligence, but because they had no forethought. They believed the Shia followers to be a nest of evil, and therefore the library must be evil as well. I doubt they ever cracked open a book before destroying them.”

  “Two years later, in 1256, those same Mongols destroyed another great library in Baghdad, Iraq, called the House of Wisdom. Again, full of centuries of advances, again, ignored in favor of ‘cleansing’ the area. You may have heard of the Baghdad Battery? It is, or was, in a museum, unearthed in an archeological dig, and believed to be around two thousand years old, or thereabouts. And it still works. For all we know, this was just one simple example of the knowledge lost in these two great libraries.”

  “The reason I told you all this is simple. We face a similar threat now. Not because we have a library of rare books, but because we have some of the last, functioning equipment capable of producing a large amount of food over the next three to five years. Because we have reams of knowledge stored on computer drives that will still be here, provided we protect it, when civilization tries to dig itself out of the ashes of this ruin.”

  “Because we have the means of producing seeds for the foreseeable future. Seeds that can reproduce themselves, unlike the modern seeds that some may can still find now. Yes, those GMO seeds will still produce, but they won’t reproduce, not like ours will. Because we have a garden of medicinal herds and the know-how to use them to recreate at least some of the medicines we’ve lost access to.”

  “But only, only if we can protect this place. If we allow it to be overrun by the sick, the criminal, or even the hungry, then we can lose it all. Not only do we lose our homes, and our future, but we also lose the ability to be of any help to our fellow man in the years to come.”

  “With that understanding, the Area Commander under the Martial Law provision, Captain Adcock, has ordered me, a former military officer and now an officer of the unorganized militia, to protect this resource with whatever means are available and necessary. With any and all means at our disposal, we are to prevent anyone from entering this farm during the present emergency.”

  “It’s a great deal to ask of you,” he admitted. “I am beyond sorry to be the one to ask it of you. And, if any of you simply cannot in good conscience take part in defending the farm against all comers that way, I understand. Let me know in private once this meeting is over, and I will see what can be done. Just remember; your family, your friends, are depending on this place. If we lose it, we lose everything we’ve worked for. Pray for this to pass quickly, and for God to spare us from this ordeal. Dismissed.”

  To their credit, no one had asked to be relieved of duty.

  -

  The crowd gathered in Building Two talked among themselves, wondering why they were here. Though most spoke softly, the number of people meant that even that low discussion was loud when taken in total. All talking ceased, however, as Clay entered the room, followed by Jose Juarez and Jaylyn Thatcher. Clay decided not to beat around the bush.

  “You’ll note that most of the security personnel are not with us,” Clay pointed out. “That’s because they’re either out on the line, or trying to rest for holding that line tonight, in the dark.”

  “What line, you may ask? Simple. You all know that there is a horde of people moving down the interstate and has been for at least two days. Last night we received word from Captain Adcock why that is. There has been a viral outbreak in Nashville, and they are trying to outrun it. Fleeing in all directions, apparently, including ours. The virus may already be present in Jordan, and in Lewiston, as refugees have flocked into those areas as they left the interstate. Others have continued south to other areas, probably hoping for better weather.”

  “Last night, under the Martial Law state of emergency, Captain Adcock ordered me to seal this farm. No one is allowed in, or out, until the present emergency is passed. We are to use every means we have to prevent this farm from being overrun. And yes, before any of you ask, that includes by those who are hungry, sick, or that have children. It means anyone. Period.”

  “Captain Adcock has declared this farm and others like it that are still functioning to at least some degree to be vital resources that cannot be risked. He knows what he has ordered us to do, and he regrets it as much or more as anyone here. But he had no choice. We are a unique operation that stands to be a great resource to this entire area in years to come. That can’t be lost. It may be that the food, medicine and supplies that this farm produces in the next five years are all that prevent our area from sliding completely into barbarism. That can’t be allowed to happen, so this farm has to be kept safe. The resources here must be protected at all costs. No matter that may be.”

  “Be prepared to work long hours in support of our security detail. Be prepared to support them directly, and to take over their everyday chores since they will not be available. Everyone who has been trained will be armed at all times from here on out. I see too many of you this morning who left their rifles and kit behind. Don’t do it again. You may be called upon at any time to protect yourself or the people near you. Be ready to do so.”

  “I’m now going to turn this over to Doctor Thatcher, who has worked through the night trying to gather information on the virus, and any precautions we can take. Please listen to her. She knows more than any of us do at this point, and as of last night, that included the National Guard contingent. Doctor,” he said to Jaylyn and stepped aside.

  “I wish I could soften what Clay just said, but I can’t,” Jaylyn said sadly. “While we haven’t been able to identify exactly what virus this may be, there is ample evidence that it is completely viral, with both airborne and fluid exchange contagions. Realize that all of this is reported symptoms by people fleeing the sickness, so there has to be some leeway in our interpretation until we can….”

  Clay didn’t hear the rest as he stepped outside into the snow. There had to be three inches of snow on the ground now, and it was still falling. Slowly, but steadily. He didn’t know whether to be happy or sad. He didn’t know anything at the moment except how tired he was.

  “God help us,” he whispered softly as he turned to head for home. He had to get something to eat, and s
ome rest. Whether he had time for it or not.

  -

  To say things were tense would have been a massive understatement.

  Everyone left the meeting with Doctor Thatcher’s warnings ringing in their ears. Yes, the flu was potentially deadly considering their lack of access to modern medicines to combat it. Yes, it was highly contagious and could be spread with something as simple as a sneeze or a cough.

  Yes, people who had been exposed to it had already visited the farm before it was known that there was a reason to avoid it. There was the potential now that some of them could begin showing symptoms.

  This led to most everyone watching those around them closely for signs and symptoms of being sick. It also led to most everyone constantly worrying that any sort of cough or sniffle they had meant that they were sick.

  Topping that was the danger of the farm being overrun by hungry, angry, and potentially very sick people, endangering their lives, their children’s lives, and their homes. Even the most merciful of residents were unwilling to go that far.

  After the meeting, everyone went about their work, those who had to work outside bundled up extra carefully to avoid any sickness that the cold, wet weather might cause. No one wanted to be mistaken for having the flu.

  It was a nerve-wracking situation for the entire population of the ranch. The sound of gunfire shortly before noon did not help at all.

  -

  Zach was sitting in the turret of Thug Life, the four-wheel Cougar that Mitchell ‘Thug’ Nolan had named. The engine wasn’t running so the entire crew was bundled up against the cold.

  Devon Knowles was in the passenger compartment, moving from one side of the vehicle to the other, using binoculars to search for anyone who might be trying to gain access to the farm. Shane Golden, commanding the vehicle, sat in the front passenger seat, doing the same thing to their front. Petra Shannon sat behind the wheel of the Cougar, having learned to deftly handle the smaller Cougars while serving as a driver for Greg Holloway’s patrols. While she helped keep a lookout as well, her primary job was to be ready to start the rig up and move it at a few seconds notice.

  It had been quiet so far, the snow that blanketed the area seeming to insulate them from any noise.

  In the wee hours of the morning, Roddy Thatcher had used the quietest truck available to them to carry a logging trailer near the interstate and wedge it across the road roughly fifty yards from the ramp. Fencing that ran parallel to the interstate on both sides of the small backroad, overgrown by heavy briars and bushes, met at each end of the heavy trailer, effectively closing the road down to all traffic. The fencing that provided limited access to the interstate was still intact, which added another barrier for people to cross before they reached the farm fencing if they tried to avoid the road.

  No one believed that a simple roadblock and set of fences would stop someone who was determined to gain access to the farm. All it was intended to do was slow down any type of assault, giving time to the defenders to do what they would have to in order to protect the assets of the ranch, along with their homes and families.

  To that end, the small MRAP was sitting in the middle of the small backroad roughly twenty yards from the log trailer, engine off to avoid noise. Other vehicles and personnel were spread across the line to either side of the Cougar, fulfilling the same job. All of them hoped that nothing would happen. That they would not be called upon to fire on people who were trying to find food and shelter.

  It was not to be.

  “Movement front,” Shane’s voice broke the silence. Zach had spotted the movement at the same time and straightened in the turret. For this particular job, the Cougar was carrying an M240 machine gun in the turret. No one anticipated needing the heavier M2 Browning for something like this. Below him in the passenger compartment sat an M249 as well, along with two very nasty 12-gauge shotguns.

  Movement in the swirling snow that was still falling resolved itself into a medium sized group of what Zach estimated to be thirty people. Some were pushing shopping carts, others pulling game carts or even small wagons. It reminded him of the stories of pushcarts used by people moving west in the 1800’s. He could hear some of them coughing even at that distance.

  “Estimate thirty people,” he said quietly into his microphone.

  “All units, this is Rattler. Be advised we are facing a group of roughly thirty people, approaching the roadblock. Stand by.”

  Zach could hear Shane on the radio, which monitored the main frequency even while being set to transmit only in the vehicle. He could change it if he had to, but as vehicle commander it was Shane’s responsibility to handle communications. It was also his job to try and discourage the people hoping to cross the roadblock.

  “ATTENTION! THIS IS A RESTRICTED AREA, OFF LIMITS TO CIVILIANS! IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF AID, HEAD ACROSS THE INTERSTATE TOWARD THE TOWN OF JORDAN. THEY ARE SET UP TO RECEIVE AND CARE FOR REFUGEES! I REPEAT, THIS AREA IS RESTRICTED, AND OFF LIMITS TO CIVILIANS! PLEASE TURN AROUND NOW AND DEPART THE AREA!”

  “We need help!” Zach heard someone shout. Hadn’t Shane just told them that Jordan was set up to receive them?

  “I REPEAT, THE NATIONAL GUARD IN JORDAN IS ALREADY SET UP TO CARE FOR ANY REFUGEES! PLEASE TURN AROUND AND HEAD EAST, CROSSING THE INTERSTATE AND CONTINUING ON THE ROAD UNTIL YOU ENTER THE TOWN OF JORDAN! THIS IS A RESTRICTED AREA! IF YOU ENTER THIS AREA WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION, YOU WILL BE FIRED ON!”

  “You won’t do it!” another voice yelled. “There are children in this group!”

  “ASSISTANCE FOR BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN IS AVAILABLE IN JORDAN! PLEASE TURN AROUND AND HEAD EAST, ACROSS THE INTERSTATE! CONTINUE DOWN THE HIGHWAY UNTIL YOU ARRIVE AT THE TOWN OF JORDAN, WHERE THE NATIONAL GUARD IS DEPLOYED TO ASSIST YOU! SIR, IF YOU ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE ROADBLOCK, YOU WILL BE FIRED UPON. THIS IS YOUR FINAL WARNING!”

  The last part of that comment had been directed at a man wearing a heavy long coat who was attempting to climb across the log trailer. Others were looking for a way around the trailer, even through the briars.

  The man ignored Shane and climbed up onto the trailer.

  “Zach, give them a warning shot,” Shane’s voice was grim.

  Zach took his M4 from the rack insider the turret and fired a single shot which hit the trailer itself, making a ricochet sound that all could hear. He didn’t want to shoot anyone either.

  “That could have killed me!” the man screeched.

  “YES SIR, IT COULD HAVE! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED FOR THE LAST TIME. THIS IS A RESTRICTED AREA AND OFF LIMITS TO CIVILIANS. LEAVE NOW. THERE IS NOTHING HERE FOR YOU, BUT THERE IS ASSISTANCE FOR YOU IN JORDAN!”

  The man continued crossing the trailer, heedless of the repeated warnings. Shane’s voice was bitter as he called to Zach.

  “Put him down, Zach,” Shane ordered. “Use your M4 and try to make a single shot. I’d like to avoid hurting anyone we don’t have to.”

  Zach propped his M4 on the turret and peered through his optical sight. He had hoped to avoid this. Sighting on the man who refused to listen, Zach slowly pulled the trigger. He didn’t even blink when the rifle fired.

  The man on the trailer fell back, hitting the pavement on the inside of the trailer. He didn’t move after that.

  “Damn you!” he heard from the crowd. “You killed my husband!”

  “NO MA’AM, HE KILLED HIMSELF WHEN HE REFUSED TO HEED OUR ORDERS! PLEASE, ALL OF YOU, HEAD FOR THE AID MISSION IN JORDAN AND LEAVE THIS RESTRICTED AREA! PLEASE!”

  Shane was practically pleading with them to leave.

  Suddenly, three men in the crowd made a run for the trailer. Zach could not imagine what they were thinking but aimed his rifle at the one to the right of the group, waiting on Shane’s orders. Shane waited until the three had moved past the body of the first man and were inside the cargo area of the trailer before giving that order.

  “Zach, take them. All three.” His voice sounded as sad as anything Zach had ever heard.

  From his right to
his left, Zach swept the three with his rifle, putting all three men down with a single round. As the last one dropped across the beam of the trailer, Zach could hear more screaming from the group. Likely from loved ones, he imagined.

  Those in the back of the group had already started moving away and now began to move faster, not wanting to be caught in the gunfire. Zach watched as others dragged three women away from the bodies of the men he had just killed. They were finally successful, but at least two of the women hurled curses at them all in general, and him in particular, damning him for his actions. None of this meant anything to Zach, who replaced the magazine in his rifle and returned it to the rack inside the turret.

  “Attention all units. Group is departing. Operations, this is Thug Life. We need a truck and some help with four bodies. Station is secure.”

  “Roger, Thug Life. Operations copies all. We’ll have someone moving that way ASAP.”

  “Thug Life clear.”

  -

  Wearing MOPP specialty gear to protect themselves, Clay, Greg, Corey and Kurtis arrived to police the bodies. It had been decided early on that no bodies would be brought inside, the protocol being to drag the bodies clear of the roadblock and back toward the interstate. It was ghoulish work, but it was necessary in order to protect themselves. All four bodies were left in a neat line on the side of the road, near the interchange. The bodies we placed carefully straight, with their hands folded over their torso. If their next of kin wanted to come and claim them, they could.

  The four returned to Building Two in the back of a truck driven by Tandi Maseo, who had not left the cab. Once there, they were decontaminated with steam laced with Lysol before removing the MOPP gear. Each immediately went and showered, their laundry being done immediately using the same decontamination practices they had used for the clothing pulled from empty houses.