Earth's Survivors: box set

by Wendell Sweet

  Steve nodded. “I thought of that... I accept.” He smiled and a great deal of conversation and laughter greeted his smile.

  Conner raised his voice slightly and the chatter died down. “So, lets get some things straightened out as best we can.”

  Amy nodded. “This Fold thing... I hate to bring it up, but I have heard a lot about it. It doesn't really seem fair that other people could come here and change what we are doing... Our name even.”

  “I guess that's what I don't like about it,” Aaron added.

  “We can't do much,” Katie said. “If we ignore them it will get bigger just because we are ignoring it. We're going to have to address it.” She turned to Conner and Aaron who were having a side conversation. “Probably sooner rather than later.”

  Conner nodded and Aaron spoke. “I think we should bring it up ourselves. We need a public meeting soon, I mean like the next week or so, and I think we should bring it up then. That way we don't look like we're hiding it or not taking it serious... I also think bringing it up that fast could short circuit it too.” He frowned. “I don't mean to sound so... So clandestine, I guess, plotting, but they won't be ready for it and we could put it to a vote and get it shot down pretty quick. The longer we wait the more opposition we'll have.”

  “Yeah, but that isn't a guarantee that we won't have to face it down the road a little way. Maybe even at the next meeting when someone decides to bring it up again,” Lilly added.

  “Yeah, but... Well, can't we do something like form The Nation? I mean we did that at our last public meeting, didn't we? We just didn't make it an official thing, but everyone there voted this to be called The Nation, so can't we.” She looked puzzled. “Wait, doesn't that solve the problem? Didn't we vote on that?” Amy asked.

  “We did,” Katie agreed. “But it was the name... The New Nation?”

  “Yeah... That was it. But we did make it The New Nation. We voted that in long before there was talk of anything else,” Aaron said.

  “Actually,” Conner added. “We did talk about other names... Other directions back in Old Towne.” He raised his eyes and looked at each pair of eyes individually. “We decided that point too, if we need to be technical. We had decided to splinter off as James just bought up, but in the end we voted to stay together and form The New Nation... I think that's binding.” Conner finished seriously.

  “I think so,” Steve Choi added. “I am part of that group that set out to start the new fold with Jessie. If you guys made that decision then it's sort of like a hostile takeover, right?”

  Amy laughed. “Wow. I didn't see it that way, but it sort of is. I mean we built this, are building it, it should be them coming to join with us, help us build, not tear down.”

  “Well put, Dear,” Janna Adams agreed.

  “I think that settles that. We offer them a hand to join with us, but no name change,” Conner let his eyes travel around once more.

  “Yeah,” Amy agreed.

  “Makes sense,” James added.

  The others nodded.

  “So... Adam and the Outrunners. This is probably the important thing before the public meeting. I like him. I think he's level headed. He sees what we need and he's willing to do it,” Conner said.

  “And what is it we need?” Steve Choi asked.

  “Protection,” Katie tossed out.

  “Weapons too,” Aaron added.

  “And we need to be able to trust that person. That's our safety net, what allows us to have this, that knowledge that there is a barrier between us and them.”

  “Them... You talk about them as though they were still living … things. Still living things, Conner.” Janna added.

  “They are... They are not stupid dead … things wandering around. The ones I have run into, the ones I have seen, are thinking things out. I don't even think that it's smart to think of them as Zombies at all... Un-dead, but not zombies. Zombie makes me think dumb, and they are not dumb. I have seen that. So have quite a few others.” Conner said quietly.

  “So how do Adam and … Who else? How do they help us?” James asked.

  “Adam... Billy Jingo, young guy came in with him, and Billy's woman Pearl... Three to start... They asked for another one down the road, but that is the start.” Conner said.

  “So, well, what exactly do they do?” Steve Choi asked.

  “They will do the same thing we have been doing. Supply runs. Ammunition runs, weapons... And a few other things that are the business of this council and no one else... Not public knowledge,” Aaron said.

  Steve raised his eyebrows.

  “Has to be that way, Steve. We can't have people telling us how to protect ourselves. We need to be able to do what we need to do: If they find dead they kill them. Weapons, they bring them back. And we may not want everybody to know what we have weapons wise,” Conner said.

  “And we think we know where this plague came from,” Katie added.

  Silence descended.

  “You’re serious?” Steve asked.

  Katie nodded. “There is a secret military base under the city Pearl came from,” She looked at James and Janna who both nodded. “We saw planes going over the day after this whole thing happened, in the city. Not the dead rising, I mean the Earth going all haywire. They sprayed us down, and a few days later the dead are rising.”

  “Kind of far fetched to make a leap that it would be connected and that, that connection is right there, secret base or not.” Steve said quietly.

  “Not really. There were things in the papers. Whispers, we know that from people we've talked to who were in that vicinity. And Adam saw the planes overfly the City, Manhattan. Came from the northwest and that's Watertown in that direction.” Conner said. “I have spoken to Mike Collins, one of the founders of Alabama Island. They came from Watertown and they believe it to be true. They saw military planes over fly that whole area up there. While they were there: Just a day or so after the quakes began. Spraying the same blue stuff Adam saw in Manhattan.”

  “Yes, it is inconclusive as it sits, but we have to start somewhere, Steve. A base that large would have had to know something about what was going on. We think not only did it know, it may have been headquartered there. That's what Mike believes. A straight forward guy, feel free to have a chat with him when you have time. These are people we'll be trading with soon too, I hope. So, a lot is riding on this relationship: For both of us. I don't think he would give me anything other than the absolute truth.... It's also the Biggest base between us and the Canadian border... What was Canada anyhow.”

  “It was one of the largest military training bases in the states,” Lilly added.

  Conner nodded. “So that is their first mission on our behalf. Supplies and check that base, and get back here before winter.”

  “Along with everything they can bring back to help us,” Aaron added. “And that reminds me. The campgrounds out there. We have a proposal to people that. A gateway to here. Barrier actually. Short of coming in through the mountains, and some have, that's the way in... Dead or alive that's the way in. It would make a good outpost.” He shrugged as if unsure of just how effective it would be.

  “I can see that,” Katie agree. “Someone asked to do it?”

  “Yeah... Two couples... In fact Adam said he might not mind it.” Aaron said.

  “Well, if we're going to do it we need to get it started... We have no idea when winter is coming,” James added.

  “All in favor?” Conner asked.

  All hands went up.

  “What else?” Conner asked.

  “Just about a million questions,” Steve said. That bought laughter from everyone.

  “Shar and Josh were decided?” Lilly asked.

  “I'm for it... I think we all were,” Conner said.

  “I'm for it. Had Bison once, it ain't beef, but it's darn good.” Arlene said.

  “I'm for it,” Amy agreed.

  “Ditto,” Katie agreed.

  “Yes,” Janna added as th
e others also chimed in.

  “Okay,” Conner said. “I believe we were about to take a vote on the empty seat.” He turned to Steve, ”I think you accepted. The pay's lousy, no vacation time, and whatever goes wrong you'll get blamed for it.”

  Steve laughed.

  “Well we know Steve's answer... How about we take this back up to the main cave and have an actual meeting,” Lilly said.

  “Right now?” Conner asked.

  “Actually might not be a bad idea,” Katie said.

  The others nodded their heads.

  “Better to get it addressed head on then,” Conner said as he started for the door. He stopped and looked back.

  “That's why he's the boss,” James joked with Steve. “Leads us where we'd rather not go.”

  ~

  The word went out quickly and within just a few minutes the large room of the main cave was filled and Conner called the meeting to order. His voice carried easily, amplified by the large room.

  “We decided on a meeting now because of the tremendous growth we've had over the last month. We expect much more before the snow flies, and that means most likely another community meeting, but this one is to address some things that we decided need to be addressed now.” Conner said.

  The crowd murmured and then went silent as Conner spoke again.

  “We were talking earlier and we need to fill the empty seat on the Council,” he cleared his throat in the silence. “Molly and Nellie took that seat together... Offered to one, chaired by both really... We have talked it over and offered the seat to Doc. Steve: If there are no objections to that action.” He sat up a little straighter.

  “Doctor Steve is a good choice. I'm for it,” Chloe said.

  Edward raised his hand and spoke. “What about Josh,” he asked. It was clear that Edward looked up to Josh.

  Conner looked to James who shrugged, Aaron who mouthed, “What about both?” and then stopped at Katie who said it aloud.

  “How about both of you. We have more than enough people here to add a seat, and really it would be more fitting because it was sort of like two seats anyway. It's not much of an honor, though. It's more like dealing with the headaches as we grow, and still having to do all the stuff you would normally do.” She laughed and the crowd laughed along with her. “ It's a lot of work.”

  Steve laughed and then spoke. “I accept.”

  “I'll do it,” Josh agreed.

  “Accepted,” Conner said. “Okay... Other business. We thought we needed to make something clear. Those of us that came here and,” he shrugged and looked at Aaron.

  “Founded?” Aaron supplied.

  “Founded,” Conner agreed. “So those of us that came her,e founded this place, and we named it The New Nation... We just went through this a few meetings back... It's understandable that some of you wouldn't know it because you weren’t yet here, but the name was voted on and the name stands... Shortened by... Well, you folks, to The Nation, it...” A roar of applause cut him off. He tried to speak for a second longer and then stopped. He looked to Katie and Amy who had their heads together. Aaron looked grim but shrugged when his yes fell on him.

  “Looks like they like the name,” James yelled above the din. He grinned as the crowd clapped and threw out wolf whistles.

  Conner held his hands up and the noise quieted briefly. “So no changes,” Conner said slightly louder than he had meant to, to get above the noise that had dropped even lower at about the same second. The crowd roared again, the approvals echoing off the stone walls and Conner leaned back and let it go a few minutes: When it began to taper off on its own he spoke again.

  “Anything else,” Conner asked, “Before we get into the rest of our business?”

  Dustin raised his hand.

  “Dustin?” Conner said.

  “I'd like to work on some solar panels over the next few days. Get some power up and working. I'd like to use that big empty room across from the new upper room to store batteries. It's perfect... vented. It has that crack that leads up to the top of the mountain. The room's big enough to add a generator. The panels would be right on the top of the mountain. A lot of sunlight most of the time. Most of the time the clouds are lower than the peaks.”

  “I can run the wiring easily and my first project could be lights for the clinic... The tunnel, the computers. I could even hook up a small gravity fed pump system and build a couple of showers in the pool room... Add some lights in there and the storage rooms too. I need a few guys... George... Edward, maybe one or two others if they can be spared.... About two weeks tops,” he finished.

  His idea passed unanimously.

  Beth Jeffries raised her hand. “I'd like to help work with the horses,” she said. “I know someone is going to work on riding, and I'd like to help do that.”

  “That would be me and Cindy,” James said, “And you're hired.”

  The crowd laughed.

  “Cool,” Beth said and grinned widely.

  Brad Jeffries raised his hand. “I'm wondering about housing... And supplies too, I guess... We'll need some permanent stuff by winter,” he said.

  “I'll be getting that going tomorrow,” Jake said speaking up from the crowd, “And I can use the help.” He looked around the room. “A lot of help, as many of you that can show up down by the barns at sunrise. There's me, Aaron, James and Conner. James is occasional, his plate is pretty full, but if you have any kind of experience with building we need you, so please jump right in. In fact, if you have no experience, but want to learn, show up... Sunrise,” he finished as he sat back down.

  “And,” James added. “If building isn't your thing we have tons of other stuff to do before winter is on us. I need volunteers for crops, gardens, fields, rabbits, chickens, cows. You get the idea. Just let me know and I'll find a place to put you,” James finished.

  Conner looked around, but there were no more questions.

  “Okay... Business from us. You have all met Adam?” Conner gestured toward Adam where he stood against one wall with Billy and a few others. Adam nodded and the crowd murmured. “Adam is going to be taking over our resupply missions from here on out. They have a full complement of people right now, but they may need help in the future. They will be leaving soon on a supply mission, so if you have stuff to add to the list... I mean important things, get them to one of us and they'll be included if Adam can fit them in.” He looked at the others.

  “The state park... Most of you came in that way,” Aaron said. “We came here by that route ourselves, in fact.” Several murmurs of agreement greeted his words.

  “So you know the place,” Katie added and laughed. The crowd laughed with her.

  “We're going to set up an outpost there. We have a few people willing to settle there, we need a few more to make it... Feasible,” he decided after rejecting safe. “So we need some people for that... I think we can easily keep a trail open through the winter for sleds... Horses. Dustin assured us that we can extend the radio distance to there easily too. So it would be like an outpost of The Nation,” Aaron finished. Several hands went up and he asked them to get with him over the next few days to get it organized and going.

  Silence held and Conner looked around before he spoke. “One last thing,” he said. “Tomorrow we'll be holding a memorial service for Nellie and Molly in the little park. That's the park at the base of the falls where we had dinner... You are all welcome to be there... Afternoon... After lunch,” Conner finished. He rested his back against the cool wall of stone behind him and watched the people drift away, talking as they went.

  “They're all smiling,” Aaron said.

  “That was something else,” Conner said.

  Aaron shrugged. “It's that easy, I guess.” He laughed and Conner joined in with him.

  “Lets get back down to the barn and make all this legit,” Katie said as she walked up.

  Conner raised his eyes.

  “Legit as in nail it down... A written record,” Amy said to his surpris
ed eyes. She showed him the pad in her hand, a pen clipped to the top of the pad.

  “Man,” Conner said. “I thought we were done with all of that, James?” He turned to James.

  James laughed, “Guess not.”

  Dustin had walked up and he grinned. “Once I get power up you can record it all to a hard drive.”

  “Until then, although I have faith in my brother, the trusty pen is what we got,” Amy said.

  Conner sighed, “Well here goes the third meeting of the night. I'm tired of driving already,” He grinned and the others laughed. A few moments later they were making their way down through the valley to the barn once again.

  ~

  The moon rode low over the mountains. It was early evening, the air still warm as Brad and Jessie walked quietly beside the stream toward the other end of the valley and the El that lead off into yet another valley far in the distance.

  They were both armed. Angel and one of the other many dogs that had come in from new people followed along with them, racing ahead or falling behind as this scent or that noise pulled them.

  “Can you imagine all of this in a year?” Brad asked her.

  “Can you?” She countered.

  “I can.,” he said.

  “I guess I'm having a hard time imagining my life a year from now,” Jessie said.

  “Because of Conner,” Brad asked.

  They had been walking slowly, but Jessie stopped and turned around to look at him. They had reached the far bridge. She turned without speaking and stepped out onto the bridge. She walked out to the middle and looked down at the rushing water a few feet below.

  “You know?” She asked.

  “It's obvious,” he replied.

  “Then why this, Brad. Why this walk in the moonlight if you knew what I would say?”

  “Because... Because I don't know what you'll say, not really. You can't have what... Who you want, and it looks like I won't be able to have who I want... I know what it feels like believe me, “ he said.

  “Don't be so sure, Brad. I love someone who doesn't love me. You may not even know if the person you love truly doesn't return that feeling... They may change their mind,” Jessie said.