by N. C. Reed
“Robert, we're trying to help ourselves by keeping at least some emergency vehicles running. Patricia, what would a working ambulance be worth in the aftermath of this thing?” Clay asked his sister-in-law.
“Its weight in gold,” she admitted. “It would literally mean saving some people's lives, at least so long as it ran and there was fuel.”
“Fire truck?” Clay continued, looking around the table.
“And there's something we missed,” Deuce cried, covering his face with his hands. “I have to go,” he said, grabbing his plate as he rose. “Thanks Grandma.”
“I'll help,” his sister was on his heels, her own plate in hand. “Thank you, Grandmother,” she called over her shoulder.
“You're welcome!” Angela called, smiling a little.
“Anyway, look at what we're saying,” Clay shrugged. “We help a few people who will then possibly be in a position to help us down the line.” He paused as his cell phone buzzed. He took it from his pocket and looked at the text message. He typed a reply but kept the phone on the table.
“I'm not going to do it unless we're all in agreement,” he said finally. “I'm not going to go against the group. It's an idea, and I think a good one, but that's my own opinion.”
“I say no,” Alicia said at once. “So, no.”
“Yeah, Clay may have said that but I didn't,” the Old Man spoke up almost gently. “Don't matter anyway cause I've already seen to it.”
“What!?” outraged voices carried through the house.
“I said I already seen to it,” Leon told them evenly. “I didn't work to build this county into a decent place to live just to see it torn down. At four this afternoon the Sheriff's office will place all but two cars into storage in their garage, which is now done the same way our buildings are. Same for the fire department except they use their own buildings, and the ambulance service.”
“You had no right-” Alicia started.
“Shut up,” Leon told her casually. “You don't get to tell me my rights on my own land, missy. And despite what you may think, it is still mine. You don't like it? Feel free to find somewhere else to go. But nothing I paid for is going with you. I am so sick of your damn whining that I almost wish you would, to be honest. It's like you automatically take the other side of the argument just to be against everyone else. We're all damn tired of it, too.”
“As I was saying,” he didn't miss a beat, “I worked too hard to get this county off it's knees to see it all go up in flames. So yeah, I made some decisions and have insured that at least some things will still be able to function, assuming the people I sent warnings to aren't stupid enough to ignore them.”
“Can't do nothing about that hospital,” he told Patricia. “Ain't nothing can be done for it the way it is. Wiring is old anyway and there ain't much of a way to protect it. Sorry.”
“I expected it,” she shrugged. “It is old and there isn't much spent on it. It's essentially just an emergency room and a nursing home.”
“Imagine it 'll have to be more than that in the future,” Leon grunted. “Anyway, we can table that discussion,” he told Clay. “I done did it, or had it done, and in such a way that it don't blow back on us, neither. Or shouldn't anyway,” he added.
“Well, then I guess we need to start putting things into storage and start getting the netting ready,” Clay said. “I mean as soon as we finish eating,” he smiled at his mom.
“Ronny, there is a small pull through between the drive and the Troy place,” Clay said as they were finishing up. “Know the one I mean?”
“Yeah,” Ronny nodded.
“How much gravel do you think we'd need to put there to make sure we could use it in the rain?” Clay asked.
Ronny thought about it for a minute but then shook his head.
“I 'll have to take a look at it, Clay,” he admitted. “If I just had to guess at it right this minute, I'd say three loads bare minimum, and five or six to use anything other than a car when it's raining heavy.”
“Can you get that today?” Clay asked. “I'm sorry I didn't think of it before. It would just be good to have. If we can't do it, then no biggie.”
“I might can get two loads, maybe three, before we need to start covering up, but that's about it,” his brother-in-law replied. “It's a long haul.”
“What about tar and gravel?” Leon asked.
“Won't work without the rock underneath,” Ronny shook his head. “They use C77 for the tar and gravel work and that stuff needs solid footing beneath it. We just don't have the time,” he admitted.
“Then we don't,” Clay shrugged.
“We will all drift into different towns today and go shopping once more when we're finished here,” Gordon said into the silence, taking control of the table again. “This time for ourselves. Comfort foods and favorites and the like. Some of it we likely won't see again so get it while you can. Other than that, I plan to be sitting outside at the right time to see what this looks like,” he admitted.
“I'll pop some popcorn,” Angela nodded. “Might be hard to pop the next time,” she added with a delicate snort.
-
“Where the hell is that report I asked for?” the President demanded.
“Sir?” the woman looked at him, puzzled. “I just got here a half-hour ago. I wasn't informed you had requested a report. But if you can tell me what it was, I will get it for you at once.”
“Where the hell is...” he snapped his fingers as if that would help his memory, “. . .Dav. . .Do. . .Dan. . Daniels! Where is Daniels?”
“I don't know, sir,” the woman admitted. “I was sent here to serve as an aide for someone who wasn't at work this morning. Could it be him?”
“Then get me the report from NASA he was supposed to have. The right one. Tell them to give me accurate data this time and not that crap they sent yesterday. And I also want to see the work they're doing to link this to Climate Change. Have it here in one hour.”
“I 'll get right on it, sir,” the woman promised and started for the door.
-
Despite the need to hurry, things went well and surprisingly easy. Plans long made were handed out by the twins and the adults began to store electronic items and other delicate goods in rooms that were already waiting for just that. Meanwhile the mesh for the houses was brought from storage and readied to be rolled over homes as the time neared.
Farm vehicles were stripped of parts that were susceptible to the storm despite the protection already in place. While spares were available, they were not unlimited. No chances were taken.
Personal vehicles were placed in storage in the one remaining empty building at the Troy farm, save one vehicle for each family. Lainie parked her Chevelle there, and Angela her car. Alicia's SUV was placed there, as were Gordy and Abigail's vehicles. Each family kept only their truck for shopping, and would place them inside when they returned.
Ronny drove his dump bed truck inside with his dozer on the trailer behind, then placed his back hoe behind that, once more stripping delicate systems and storing them inside further protection.
Soon each family had only one vehicle remaining out. All farm vehicles were stored and prepared.
By lunch each family had placed their delicate items into protective cases, including televisions, radios, computers, literally anything that might be affected, including microwaves. The only appliances still out were an old laptop that Deuce was using, one tablet his sister was using, and cell phones. Assuming the system would fry, no one was overly worried for their cell phones and wanted to be able to stay in contact when they did their final shopping.
A checklist was presented by the twins and each home inspected, starting with Gordon's. As soon as it was finished, Abigail used the one functioning tractor with a hay fork to raise the mesh as Gordy, Ronny and Clay caught it and pulled it over the house. Once the mesh was in place, it was grounded in four places, with the curtain raised slightly at the doors to allow entrance and egress.
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It took two hours to do all five houses, Clay's being last by virtue of the checklist already having been done. It was just a matter of draping the mesh and suddenly, they were done.
For most of the family it was the cap of a stressful and hectic four days. For Leon, Gordon and the twins it was the culmination of months of planning, work and expense.
And for Clay it was the end of almost three years of work, sweat and blood. He looked at Lainie and had to smile just a little. It had been worth it.
“Well, that is that,” Gordon said finally. “Kids, have we missed anything?”
“No sir,” the two chorused.
“Time to. . .what are we calling it anyway?” he asked suddenly.
“Impact I think is accurate,” Leanne replied. “And...” she checked the tablet, “. . .if the schedule is unchanged, then just over five hours. Technically it's almost six, but we have thirty minutes of safety built in to our estimate. Please keep in mind that's just a number. Remember we're talking about something with the power of a nuclear arsenal flying through space at hundred of kilometers per second. It will pretty much do as it pleases.”
“I suggest we don't get further than Peabody or Lewiston in our shopping trip, then,” Gordon said, naming their own hometown and the next nearest town. “I would like everyone to be back here by six o'clock. That will give us an hour grace, plus the twin's thirty minutes. We should be able to do everything we need to do in that time, don't you think?”
“As tired as I am, I'm sure I can,” Ronny snorted and the others nodded agreement.
“All right then,” Gordon nodded. “Anyone who's going, take on off.”
“I'll hang out and watch the place,” Clay said. “Someone needs to be here.” His cell phone buzzed and he took it from his pocket.
“You guys want to go with me?” Lainie asked the kids, who nodded at once.
“Too bad we already put the Chevelle away,” Deuce mourned.
“We need the truck to bring back groceries anyway,” Lainie laughed. “If she still runs when this is over we 'll take her down the road and not spare the rubber. I promise. Fair enough?”
“Have to be,” Deuce sighed, but then winked.
“You little stinker,” Lainie grabbed at him but the laughing teen evaded her.
“So what's the deal?” Clay asked as he caught up to them.
“I think the kids and I are going to town and get us some favorite foods,” Lainie smiled. “Too bad you have to stay,” she teased him.
“I'm used to it,” he winked. “Anyway, I 'll make sure the place is still here when you get back.”
“See you later Cowboy.”
-
The woman who had reported to replace an aide that had not shown up for work was not actually a government employee. Or at least not just a government employee.
She had gone to work two years ago, working her way through back ground checks and clearances to get this assignment. In reality she was a reporter. One who had lied and perjured herself to get where she was because she had every intention of violating the non-disclosure agreement she had signed the minute she decided it was worth her while.
Which was the minute she got off the phone with NASA. Trying not to show panic or elation, both of which she was feeling, she had gone to the nearest computer and opened the email with the NASA memos and charts, printing them out on the nearest printer. That done she had taken her key ring which contained a tiny USB flash drive, and downloaded the entire file into that as a back up.
She didn't need the electronic back up however as no one thought to question her when she left the Executive Office Building with a briefing folder under her arm. She walked out the door, around the corner, and hailed a taxi.
Fifteen minutes later she was on the phone to a broker who assisted freelance reporters with selling stories and information. This was going to make her famous and rich at the same time.
It never occurred to her that she wouldn't have a way to spend it if this disaster was true. All she could think about was that the government had been hiding things from the public for days while knowing about this storm. And how much that story would bring her in terms of cash, and notoriety. In this town, fame was power. And she wanted both.
-
Lainie was unfamiliar with Peabody but the twins weren't so the three had headed for town in Clay's truck, happy to have a bit of time before things might turn bad.
“So what are your favorite foods?” Lainie asked.
They decided to hit the grocery store first, then make a pass by the twins' favorite burger place. They agreed they would order ahead and take their food back to the farm, taking Uncle Clay something he would like so they could all eat together. Lainie decided to get something for Leon the Grandpa, Brick, and Janice, who had shown no interest in going to town whatsoever.
The grocery store was busy for a Thursday the twins noted, but not so bad they couldn't shop peacefully. The two grabbed the makings for S'mores, thinking a fire would be nice tonight. Lainie got the stuff she needed to make Clay breakfast one last time, smiling at the idea. The twins exchanged a glance at that but other than a shared smirk said nothing. Not much got by the two. They were more like their great-grandfather than anyone would admit.
Soon the cart was full and time was running faster it seemed, so they headed for the checkout. As they got there, Lainie noticed the checker giving her the stink eye and wondered what that was about. She had never seen her before that she knew of. As they reached the counter and began to check out the twins greeted her by name.
“Hello Samantha,” they said in unison.
“Hey guys,” she smiled at them, but not at Lainie. “How's your Uncle Clay?”
“We're fine,” the two replied, again in unison and she laughed.
“Sorry. How are you two doing?”
“Fine,” came the chorus. “So is Uncle Clay,” Leanne added.
“Who is that with you?” Samantha finally asked.
“That's our Aunt Lainie!” Leon said proudly. Lainie had to fight to keep her smile from breaking out as she managed to turn it into a small grin.
“Nice to meet you,” Samantha smiled, though clearly she wanted to poison the pretty redhead.
“Nice to meet you as well,” Lainie replied graciously. She had won, so it didn't matter to her.
She paid the bill as the kids said goodbye to Samantha Walters and then pushed the buggy to the truck where they proceeded to load the goods into the truck.
“She was a friendly little thing, wasn't she?” Lainie said as she handed Leon a bag.
“That was Samantha Walters. She had the hots for Uncle Clay,” Leanne said. “You probably aren't her favorite person at the moment.”
“Or ever,” Leon agreed. “Probably didn't help that we introduced you as our Aunt,” he admitted. “Didn't think about it until it was too late.”
“That's okay,” Lainie smiled. “I'd love to be your Aunt one day.”
The two stopped what they were doing and turned to look at her in unison. The way they did it made goosebumps rise on her arms, it was so eerie.
“You are our Aunt,” the two said in tandem.
“That really is creepy,” Lainie told them, not knowing what else to say.
“We know.”
-
“Do you even realize...” the broker trailed off as he studied the papers in his hand.
“Yes,” the reporter nodded. “I also realize that the administration has effectively ignored this until it's practically too late to do anything about it. It's dynamite.”
“If this is even half accurate...” the broker didn't know quite what to say.
“I've checked what I could on line,” she nodded. “So far everything is accurate. Scary, but accurate.” She studied the man for a minute and then smiled.
“So what do you think? Is this going to put me inside, or what?”
-
Gordon and Angela had done most of their 'shopping' the night
before and were back earlier than the rest.
Which was how they happened upon the small convoy traveling down their country road.
“Who are these people?” Gordon wondered aloud as the procession made its way down the narrow road at nearly a snail's pace.
“I don't recognize any of the vehicles,” Angela replied. “That tag is from...” she squinted at the trailer tag in front of them, “. . .Texas?”
“There has to be at least a dozen...” Gordon didn't finish as the group of vehicles began to slow even more.
“This will not be good,” Gordon predicted.
-
“Dude, are you sure this is the road?”
“No, I am not sure this is the road,” John Barnes sighed as Tandi Maseo's voice in his ear asked him for the fifth time is he was 'sure' of something. That was the fifth time in the last half-hour.
“The GPS is screwy, but if it's even half accurate then we're more or less in the right spot,” Barnes continued. “Try and con-, look here,” his face broke into a broad grin.
“I guess this is indeed the place,” Maseo laughed as Clayton Sanders stepped out of the brush maybe fifty feet from them.
“Wonder where he got that hat?” Barnes chuckled.
-
“This is not going to be good at all,” Gordon said as they passed slowly by the now still convoy. Five semis with trailers, two huge motor homes, a 'lowboy' trailer with a tarp covered and chained down load, a pair of pick-up trucks with toppers on them pulling trailers, and a Hummer painted in woodland camouflage.
“I don't know any-, Gordon, that's Clay!”
-
“So much for slipping them in,” Clay sighed as his father's truck came abreast of the small column and his mother looked at him. The truck stopped and Gordon got out, though he was cautious.
Clay was wearing a harness of some kind and an M-4 rifle was hanging down the back of his right leg by a strap that circled his neck and one shoulder. He was wearing a pistol strapped to his thigh as well.
“Dad,” he said calmly. “You're back early.”
