Starting the Slowpocalypse (Books 1-3 Omnibus)

by James Litherland

  David found himself nodding. “You did say ten-hour days. I wouldn’t have had time for my classes anyway, but I don’t know how much help a bunch of student volunteers will be.”

  Ken’s crew shuffled around as everyone chewed over the news. David didn’t know what they were thinking, but he was wondering how on earth the political situation could have played out to produce such a preposterous result. He was also amazed at how well his boss had moderated his language. The circumstances called for a lot more swearing.

  Ken hadn’t finished, though. “It won’t be easy. Getting the work done as fast as we can, since we don’t know when anything might happen. Making sure the job’s done right, with a bunch of inexperienced workers.” He looked at David again. “But we’ve managed before.”

  David stared his boss straight in the eye as he thought about the whole warehouse full of supplies and the monumental task ahead of them. “So where do we start?”

  “Over at Admin they’re busy going through the files to see who they might pull off of non-essential jobs and assign to this one. Then Monday morning we should get those folks, and some student volunteers. But for today, we can plan out the work ahead and do up some rough schedules.”

  Ken pulled Steve and a couple of the others over to start looking at the blueprints. Then he nodded at David and Jeffrey to follow him over to a great pile of boxes—stacks of small, thin containers marked only with serial numbers.

  Ken reached out for one and handed it to David. “One of the most important jobs to be done will be planting these motion detectors. The security fence isn’t much of a barrier, so these sensors need to be installed along the entire buffer zone between the fence and the wall. Knowing when and where an enemy comes through will be vital intelligence.”

  David opened the box to reveal a sophisticated device that somewhat resembled a landmine.

  “That’s sensitive equipment, so be careful how you handle them. I’m only going to show Jeffrey and you how to set them.” Ken addressed the landscaper, “The sod will have to be cut and replaced so as to be invisible. I’ll rely on your expertise for that.”

  He looked back at David. “I’m going to take the rest of the crew, and all the experienced workers we manage to scrounge up, for working on the wall. I’ll send the student volunteers out to you in the buffer zone.”

  David glanced over at Jeffrey, who was now examining one of the motion detectors. “Just the two of us? And some students who’ve likely never done any manual labor? Will it even be safe to work outside the wall?”

  “Colonel Gray will assign a guard detail to protect your crew.” Ken frowned. “But I’ll be needing Jeffrey’s experience for more than just planting the sensors. Still, he’ll be around enough to make sure everything’s going smoothly. And fix anything that needs fixing.”

  Jeffrey pushed his glasses back up his nose and winced. “Well, at least it will make a change from continually repairing the Green from the depredations of those young people.” He cleared his throat and glanced at David. “Though I’ll probably still be cleaning up after them.”

  David himself wondered how much help his fellow students would actually be. He’d likely end up doing more than his share of the work, but he didn’t mind pulling most of the weight. As long as the job got done. He didn’t envy Jeffrey the job of trying to corral them, though, especially if the man couldn’t be around all the time to supervise.

  Ken had been having a quick word with the rest of the crew, and now he stepped back over to them. “They want us to save gas for if and when, so we’re getting three of the large electric carts, the kind they use to pull the tram cars. We can use them to haul equipment and personnel back and forth. You’ll get one for the buffer zone.” He faced David. “You’re getting promoted. It’ll be your work crew, and your responsibility to supervise the student recruits.”

  David opened his mouth to protest, but he knew it was futile to argue with Ken once the decision had been made. He’d just have to do the best he could.

  Chapter 2

  Almost Everything

  10:05 a.m. Saturday, November 23rd

  KAT skipped down the wide marble stairs two at a time, bounding across the landing and out of the dormitory with a curt nod to a couple of girls she recognized. She pulled a scrunchie from her jeans pocket and bound up her hair as she power-walked across the lawn in front of the Student Center. Late again.

  She smiled to herself as she breezed through the main entrance, into the Media Centre. She’d get a pass on the jeans and t-shirt, but Caroline would have a fit to see Kat show up without makeup. Kat would have grabbed her baseball cap if she hadn’t been in such a rush, just to complete the outrage.

  Back in the production area, the staff darted up and down the halls in every direction, like fish with predators on all sides. They parted around Kat as she slid through them to reach Caroline’s dressing room. After a peremptory knock, she slipped inside. There Stacy the hairdresser was sculpting the massive mane of red curls belonging to the beautiful but middle-aged actress.

  Kat focused on the reflection in the mirror, and blurted out her usual greeting. “So—are you ready to fire me yet, Caroline?” She was paying close attention and noticed only an eyebrow twitch.

  “You should let Stacy do your hair, dear. Of course it’s gorgeous, but if you don’t do something with it, no one will notice.” Caroline lifted her eyes to look at Stacy in the mirror. “I’m sure Stacy would adore working on you, wouldn’t you, love?”

  The small brunette standing behind Caroline’s chair nodded silently as she continued her work, likely because people who disagreed with Caroline didn’t continue working for her. Kat herself being the sole and unfortunate exception.

  “This isn’t working out.”

  Caroline tried to shake her head, but Stacy held it firm. “Nonsense, Katherine. This will work out perfectly. You just have to give it time.”

  Kat thought ‘perfect’ was the last word to describe the current situation, but she refrained from saying so. She’d placed limits on her rebellion and was wary of crossing the lines she had set herself. “This job doesn’t suit me.”

  Caroline opened her mouth in mock surprise. “And working as a campus cop did?”

  “Safety aide,” Kat corrected, “and I worked with the security officers.”

  “A dangerous job, mixing with low characters.”

  Kat grinned. “At least I got to wear a stylish teal baseball cap as part of the uniform.” Her grin faded. “And those ‘low characters’ of yours are my friends and classmates.” As for danger, most of the job had been clerical work. At least she’d gotten to escort lone travelers across the compound at night, even if she’d had to drive around in one of those little electric carts.

  “They may be your fellow students, but most of them are certainly not in your class. Besides, you’re a sophomore now.”

  Kat thought the first unwarranted and the second irrelevant. She began to heave an ostentatious sigh but caught herself in time. She wondered if histrionic overacting could be contagious, then worried that it might be genetic.

  “There are better ways to bond, if that’s truly what you want, Mother.”

  Stacy let slip a startled gasp, and her nimble fingers paused for a second. Caroline’s mouth was a hard line. “Nonsense, Katherine. I feel like I know you so much better already. And it’s clear there’s a lot I can, and should, be teaching you. Manners, for one thing.”

  Kat turned on the spot and headed for the door.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Caroline snapped. “This is an important broadcast. I need your help.”

  Kat looked back over her shoulder. “I’m getting breakfast—I haven’t had anything to eat yet. And every show is vital to you. It’ll be fine.”

  Caroline shot her daughter a strange look in the mirror, but Kat breezed on out the door before her mother could reply. She zipped down the corridor to the staff café, where there seemed to be more frayed nerves an
d fewer smiles than usual, likely because Caroline’s programme started in less than an hour. These people knew they were supposed to look harried even when they were enjoying themselves.

  Kat frowned as she hopped into line. Working as an intern for her mother should have been easy, but she’d found dealing with Caroline to be a difficult, on-going battle of wills. Perhaps she could yet find a way to weasel out of this.

  She gave her order and picked up her meal, all the while trying to imagine a way to get herself fired that she could live with. Her stomach wanted her to focus on food, though. Since digestion and dealing with her mother really didn’t mix well, Kat turned her mind to anticipating her breakfast.

  By the time she’d made it back to her mother’s dressing room, Stacy was gone. And Caroline had swiveled in her chair to face the door, smiling like a cat as it watched a trout flop around on the ground. “Now we’re alone, dear, and can talk freely.”

  Kat plopped down on the vinyl love seat that had been shoved up against the side wall, and displayed her trophies. She sat the quart of chocolate milk between her thighs and slowly unwrapped the giant cheeseburger dripping with fat. She stared at her mother, waiting for comment as she took her first bite. She was used to overwrought expressions of disgust, anguish, and even outright horror.

  But Caroline simply smirked. “I suppose you slept late, then flew over here like a whirlwind. Not bothering to start your day like a decent person.”

  Kat knew her mother meant frittering away the entire morning lounging around and gossiping with her friends. That was her mother’s idea of manners. To show her mother she had manners of her own, Kat waited until she had swallowed before responding. “I don’t like to waste time.” And she returned to devouring her food.

  “You could spend some time attending to your appearance, to present yourself better before going out in public. That wouldn’t be a waste.” Caroline paused while she watched the last remnants of Kat’s burger disappear. “I’d wager you don’t even check your messages in the morning. You should take the time to wish your friends a good day, find out what’s going on with them. Then you might’ve heard about the big announcement.”

  “Big announcement?” Kat began gulping down her chocolate milk, hoping her mother was enjoying the performance.

  “The days of enjoying your beef habit may be coming to an end, dear.” After which cryptic comment, Caroline resumed watching her daughter as the milk went the way of the burger. “I’m not sure about the chocolate.”

  Kat heard the note of concern in her mother’s voice, and presumed Caroline’s prejudice against cows didn’t extend to the lowly cocoa bean. “What are you talking about?”

  Caroline just shook her head. “Anyway, if you don’t like it, you can blame your father. I do.”

  “What are you blaming Dad for now?” Caroline held her husband responsible for an awful lot.

  “For completely sealing off the entire FURCS compound indefinitely, of course. That includes no deliveries. So where will the beef and the chocolate come from?”

  Kat found herself sitting there with greasy lips trying to imagine just what her mother thought she was talking about. “An announcement, you said. I suppose he gave reasons for whatever he’s doing.” Sealing the compound? “Is it just the beef and chocolate I should be concerned about?”

  Caroline smoothed her dress as she stood up from the chair. “Wipe your face so you can escort me to the studio.” Then she grabbed her clutch and extracted a moist towelette and handed it over.

  Kat snatched the wipe and cleaned up both herself and the remains of her breakfast, and in only a fraction of the time it would have taken her mother. Bounding to her feet, she positioned herself near the door. Ready and waiting. “Reasons, Mother?”

  Caroline was checking her makeup one last time in the mirror. “Oh, that Governor Roberts claimed possession of the FURC. For the State of Florida.” Apparently satisfied with her appearance, for now, Kat’s mother continued, “So Miles closed the place tight. To keep the man—or whomever he sends to take over—from just strolling right in.”

  Kat opened the door and preceded her mother into the hallway, clearing a space so that Caroline could exit unmolested. “Mother,” she started, and then remembered they were in public now, “Caroline, this is federal property. How can the governor claim it?”

  “He says he doesn’t recognize the authority of the federal government anymore. And considering the way things have been going in Washington, you can hardly blame the man.”

  Kat continued to run interference as her mother glided across the corridor toward the set. She had a queasy feeling in her stomach—and it wasn’t the cheeseburger, her insides loved cheeseburgers—it was the gut feeling that her mother was serious. “Are we doing anything about it—other than closing the community?”

  Her mother continued to stare straight ahead, eyes turned inward. “Miles looked a trifle peaked when he made the announcement. He can’t be getting sufficient rest.”

  The other intern on duty must have been on the lookout, because she was standing in the hall, holding the door to the studio open. But Kat pushed in front of her mother to bar the way. “You’re the one who bullied him out of his home.”

  Caroline looked around to made sure the other intern was the only person nearby. Still she lowered her voice to a harsh whisper. “When I decided to move here, I had to live somewhere. I told him he could stay in the house if he wanted, but he insisted this was best. Proper. We are separated.”

  Kat moved aside to allow her mother to sail onto her stage, following her onto the dim studio floor.

  Her mother had told the public that she needed to rest from her labors, and had decided to favor the FURC with her presence. Though Kat had doubted the story. Caroline probably wasn’t getting the roles she desired and decided to wait for people to come begging for her to return to the limelight.

  Then she had confided to Kat in private the real reason she had come—to get to know her daughter. Kat had believed that even less.

  As she stood on the studio floor and waited for someone to bring the lights up, Kat wondered why her parents hadn’t just gotten a divorce—and how her mother had gotten her sidetracked.

  When the lights came up, she looked around to find Caroline sitting on the plush leather chair from which she presided. Kat stalked over. She meant to drag the conversation back to just what was going on, but her mother saw her coming.

  “Miles probably adores camping out in his office.” Caroline adjusted her skirt and checked herself on the monitor. “I’m surprised you didn’t take your job working over there instead of with those police.” She tilted her head to examine her daughter. “I wonder why.”

  Kat thought a better question was why had she allowed herself to be bullied into transferring to this position? Then she recalled there were even better questions that needed to be asked. “So what’s being done? How are they going to resolve the situation? How long is this going to continue?”

  Caroline waited while the other intern pinned a small mike on the collar of her dress. “For my part, I’m going to try and help everyone adjust. I imagine most people are still in shock, but when they start to realize what it means, naturally they’ll be frustrated, upset—angry, even. They need to see I care.”

  Kat took a few deep breaths. “Angry? Just what is the situation, Mother?”

  “Think it through, dear. How many of your fellow students have families out there? How many of the workers? Or how many residents had friends or family members who were traveling over the weekend and are now stranded on the outside?” Caroline checked herself on the monitor again and waved for the intern to come back. “Until this preposterous situation is resolved, fuses will be short. So we’ll all have to ‘pull together’ to get through this. Or anyway, that’s what your father said.”

  Kat watched the girl scurry up to hand Caroline a mirror and a small makeup case, then fade back a few steps and hover. She wondered why everyone saw her
mother as sympathetic and caring. Whatever it was, Kat couldn’t see it.

  What Kat could see was a dire situation. Probably even worse than it sounded, if she’d been able to pry more details out of her mother. Poor father. No doubt her dad would be the one to take the brunt of the fallout.

  Kat waited until Caroline had made her repairs and handed her kit back to the intern. “Then I expect there’s a lot of work to be done, Mother. And sacrifices to be made. By everyone.”

  “Indeed.” Caroline nodded. “Regular classes have been suspended, though there’s the suggestion that students and teachers can get together on an ad hoc basis. But everyone has been asked to work full-time to help out during the crisis.”

  Kat saw her opportunity. “If things are that bad, they probably need me back at Security.”

  Caroline shook her head. “I’ll pull some strings to get you assigned here full-time. As my assistant.” She smiled at her daughter. “You can help me take the pulse of the people.”

  “That’s a good line, Mother.” Kat had to take a stand now, before this got any worse. “But I’m not going to work here, for you. I can be a lot more use somewhere else. Security will be happy to have me back. And I still have the cap.”

  Caroline looked ready to swoon, but it was an act. “We haven’t had enough time together, darling. After I sacrificed my career to come here, for you.” She looked around the studio as if searching for aid, then turned wide, pleading eyes back to her daughter. “And I do need you. You can be useful here. At least say you’ll consider continuing here part-time? It’s your choice, of course.”

  “Choice?” Kat tried to absorb the idea that her mother was admitting she was free to choose—after maneuvering her into this position to begin with. “Working here as little as I do is already more than enough for me.” Kat looked at her mom for a long moment. Then she made her decision. And heaved an ostentatious sigh. “Alright, I’ll continue on here, part-time, for now.”