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[Trip]

Alpha and Omega
The beginning and the end, or in this case it’s was the end, the end of what we all knew, and the beginning of the new way of life.

It started on a quiet spring morning, on of those days where you wake up and just know it’s a good day to call in sick and go fishing.

My name is George Davis, I have a wife and 4 children, 2 boys 16 and 18 and twin girls 14 going on 20 . The boys are the greatest in the world and I’m proud of them! The girls?? Well they are another story, they scare me to death!….

I work for a mid size grocery distributor in the foot hills of the Rockies in Wyoming. My wife is the typical soccer mom who thinks a family outing is taking the girls to the mall. She’s a bit of a frantic person who see’s life thru deeply rose colored glass’s.

My son’s are both great young men, the eldest is Jefferson ,yes Jeff Davis!! I had kin who fought for the South in “war of Northern aggression” as my ol gran pappy put it. Jeff works for a large Sporting goods/ outdoor type store, he’s been there since he was a freshmen in school, he’s now a dept manager on his way up.

The second boy is Silas, named after my father. Si is the farmer in the family, if he plants it then it grows, that’s all I can say, boy has a green thumb and lives for his gardens… at least he don’t sit in front of the boob tube and fry his brain with some stupid game.

The girls…. AH yes “THEM”, They are my punishment for being born. They are both so breath taking beautiful that I can’t believe it. Both have reddish blond hair and look so alike that unless you notice that one has green eyes and the other has blue you will be very confused!… Their latest stunt was to buy colored contacts and switch eye colors, now everybody is really confused, you never know which is which…In fact I think they have lost track of who is who…..whom???

Their names are Samantha and Roberta….. And of course their brothers started calling them “Sam and Bob” soon after birth, and it stuck, two beautiful young lady’s who answer to boys names..

I’ve given up trying to control my life, I figure if I go to work and keep a roof over their heads, these kids will maybe grow up, if not normal, maybe close as they can get….but I love them with all I have in me.

And today….. Well today all this changed

You see today became know as SHTF day, I never heard of the expression.

[Trip]

I was in my office working on a new order for the warehouse, We would send it in to the main company distribution warehouse in Colorado and it would be trucked here after it was processed, usually a three day turn around.

As the manager it was my job to oversee the daily operations and to make sure that the orders coming in from the retailers that we serviced got handled quickly.

We are a fairly small operation just breaking into the area by servicing the smaller stores in the far flung towns in this area of Wyo.

First thing I knew of the problems to come was my Foreman came running in and clicked on the small TV in my office, saying you gotta hear this!!

On the screen a news station was broadcasting, The announcer was saying that there had been several terror attacks in major cities simultaneously, All over the nation!! I sat stunned watching as the station flitted from feed to feed coming in to the station from the bigger affiliates.

I sat stunned! How could this happen? The talking head was saying that small private aircraft apparently loaded with what had to be high explosives had flown into several federal buildings in most of the bigger city’s.

At the same time, vans also loaded with explosives were rammed into shopping malls and hospitals and schools!!

Then when the emergency services people had arrived to start clearing the wreckage away to start fighting the fires and saving the injured, Other bombs loaded into cars parked around the area were detonated, it was still going on, more attacks popping up allover the country !!

I grabbed my phone and called my wife who answered right away, I told her to get to the school and get the girls and get home.

As per usual she wanted to ask a thousand questions, I stopped her in mid voice by yelling MARG!! Shut up and do it! This started a list of reasons why she couldn’t do it. I slammed the phone down and called my son Si’s cell phone, Si is a good kid and very adult, with a seriousness that belies his age.

Being a smart kid he keeps his cell on vibrate, it took about 4 rings to get him, he was in study hall. I told him to grab his car and head over to middle school and grab the girls, no questions, just go!! And don’t let anything stop him!

He only said yes sir!! And clicked off… I often wished my wife had half the brains as our children, but I never said that out loud……yet.

For a long moment I just sat there staring at the TV set, frozen . Why? Who? We have been the most caring and giving nation on earth, We have been there for everyone in need, and now it’s come to this?? Why would anybody hate us this much?

I sat there for a few moments lost in thought, then the world crashed back into my focus. The news man was now babbling about 2 or 3 small planes had crashed into the White House!! Several more had hit other government buildings ! How had this happened?

We have always been told that all aircraft were banned from over flights of the Capital. Maybe small aircraft flying low at roof top level could make it, but what would I know?

As I sat there I had the thought of what would my brother James think? what would he do?

Then the flash went off in my brain, Jim drives for the company!! He left at about 5:00 am today, I looked at the clock, it was now 10:00 am !!

I grabbed the phone and called his cell knowing the cell reception in this area was spotty. And as fate has it, Jim answered!! He was in a truck stop 2 hours away!! He had a blowout on the right front of the tractor and had to wait for a road service rig to show up, he was buying a new tire as we spoke,

I quickly told him what I knew, he said he had heard a little but that was it. I told him to turn around and drop the hammer on that rig and get home!! Jim thank god was like my son Si, he just said “you got it bro” and clicked off.

I then got on the net and sent an e mail to all the company trucks on the road and directed them to return to base right away, and to not spare the fuel!! Now to wait until they respond…
Now, what to do??
Jeff!! How could I have forgotten!! I called the store and got his store manager Bart Jones on the line and asked if he had heard? He replied that he knew some but not all as he had been busy. Busy?? What would make him busy?

I told him I wanted Jeff to come home right now.

He took a deep breath and said George, please slow down and take a deep breath, I started to interrupt him but he went on.
George, as you may know I was the manager of a store in LA when the riots broke out in 92 after the Rodney verdict, I saw what happened and I know this is a million times worse, this will cause events beyond our imagination.

I had met Bart several times, his was one of the very few Black family’s in the area, He and his had settled in and had fit right in with the small community where we lived. His work ethic was outstanding and the way he hired young people that he felt had a future in the retail business was a good thing as my own sons rise in the company had proven.

He continued talking and said he had closed the store as soon as he heard the news and was in the process of boarding up the windows inside and out not so much to protect the goods for the company as to save the stores contents for later.

Later what I wondered ? Meantime I was worried about my son being there, but Bart started talking again and this time he got my complete attention.

George as you may or may not know I wasn’t born here in America, I was born in South Africa, and as a 16 year old, I joined the South African Defense forces.

I fought along side with the White SA’s against the communist who were stirring up all the trouble, which was also compounded by the liberal left wing input from the foreign news media mostly from the U.S.

After the fall of the white government, men like myself were being hunted down by the commies so I fled along with members of my unit, black and white, color wasn’t a thing of concern by this time, we were a band of brothers, many had donated blood right in the midst of a fire fight, life was the only concern, my blood flowed in 2 of my white brothers as did the blood of one of them in my veins.

That’s all the history I have time for now George, now it’s time for the future!
And George believe me when I say that today’s chaos is nothing to what will come starting in a day or two.

Now I implore you to close the doors at your warehouse, get some men on the gates, open the gates only to your people coming in off the road.

We can talk again in a while, I need to get to work and so do you, because George , what we do today will determine if our family’s live or die in the next months maybe years.

[Trip]

After Bart hung up I sat a moment and then turned on the PA system, I called all the men to the office area.

As I waited for them to gather I thought about what Bart had said, what he had implied, and what I had gathered from it all.

When the men were gathered in the break room I went in. I had decided that being open honest and up front was the only way I could be, which is good because it’s the only way I know.

The guys all looked up as I walked in, John the foreman was sitting up near the front.

I started by saying that I didn’t know a thing that they didn’t, but that I had talked to Bart Jones at the Sports center and what he was doing as I spoke, they all started trying to talk, I held up my hands and told them the rest of Bart’s statement.

I took their questions one at a time, mostly they were concerned about their jobs.
I told them that we were facing a lot more then just lose of jobs, that our own as well as the lives of our families depended on what we did from this moment on.

Tow of the men simply got up and walked out, saying they were going home and planning to start loading up their families to go some place safer, I asked them where was safer then here? They just kept walking.

I then told the other guys to start closing up the building, that I wanted the big bay doors locked and bolted also, I sent one man to close and lock the gate and told him to park his truck in front of the gate and that nobody got thru unless I said so.

I didn’t really realize it but I had sent the one man on the crew who carried a rifle and shotgun in his truck year round. He was also the only Vet. On the site.

The guys got to it and in fairly short order the place was locked down. I turned back to the TV news, it was getting worse. Men dressed in camo clothing were entering malls and opening fire with automatic weapons, killing all they could before being shot down by armed citizens who were in the mall and of course the police after they got the call and got there. The scenes were just awful !! Women and children , who could do this thing, what kind of animal could do it?

Of course all the talking heads were screaming Islamic terrorist but nobody knew yet, the ones killed weren’t carrying ID but all looked Islamic whatever that means.

I called home again and my wife answered the phone and said, I hope your calling to apologize for your actions!! I told her no I wasn’t !

That I was calling to tell her to start a early dinner that the power might go off. And of course she started telling me why I was being silly,

I ask her if she had watched the news and she said no, But she did talk to her friend Jean who said it was all just a bunch of hype by the White House to keep everybody thinking things were bad and that the government knew what it was doing. And to make the President look better then he did.

I finally had to cut her off abruptly and tell her to fix the dinner as I told her which started another barrage of complaints about what a fool I was to believe everything on TV. My last words before hanging up was to do as I asked and to shut up!

Twice in one day!! Telling her to shut up wasn’t going to do me much good but [censored] it felt good!! And long over due!!

[Trip]

Silas drove right up to the front door of the middle school, parked and got out of his old pickup and walked toward the door where he ran into the school resource officer.

Another name for the private security the school hired to keep things under control, the officer held his hand up and said, move that pile of junk!

Silas simply said yes sir , right away sir as he walked around the man, who turned around and started trotting after Silas calling out for him to HALT in a loud voice.

Which was ignored by Silas who kept going toward the twins class room, when he got there he saw the teacher was getting the other kids ready to get moving home in a hurry.

Looking around the class room he failed to see the two girls who brought so much fun and confusion to the family, he approached the teacher and asked her where the girls were.

The teacher looked at him like he was from another planet, Silas said please Mrs. Blake !! Tell me where my sisters are. She stood there a moment and then said, Oh!! Silas! Have you heard what’s going on? Yes I have, on the way here on my truck radio, but please, where are Samantha and Roberta?

Mrs. Blake looked at him a moment and said, Why Mr. Simmons the principal came here about 20 minutes ago and said he was taking them to the office, that’s all I know Silas.

Silas turned and ran from the classroom and headed back toward the front entry way where the offices were located, as he turned the corner at a run there was the resource officer coming right at him.

Silas had played Defensive lineman for the past to years of high school and standing 6’2” and weighing 240 pounds, it was an unfair contest,

Seeing he couldn’t avoid the man and acting out of reflex he dropped his right shoulder and ran right over the hapless man who dropped like a cow patty on a flat rock !! and making the same “SPLAT” sound.

He hit the office door at a run and blurted out to the shocked secretary behind the counter, Where’s my sisters? Before she could answer Silas heard a loud crash and a thud mixed with a high pitched scream all coming from the room with Principal on the door, he took the door at a run and skidded to a stop !

There on the floor was the principal Mr. Simmons, holding his crotch with one hand and a very bloody nose with the other.

Standing over him with fire shooting from their eyes were the Davis hellions Sam and Bob. Silas looked at them and at Mr. Simmons and said, well ok, wanna tell me about it?

Both girls started talking at once, then stopped, Sam said, he came to our classroom and said our mom was coming for us, so we came with him .

Then Bob took over at that point, when we got here he brought us into the office and proceeded to tell us it was the end of the world and that he was the only one who could save us.

Then when we started for the door said Sam, breaking in at the right second as usual, he grabbed Bob and when she started to fight he grabbed her boob and twisted it !!

Silas looked down at the sad excuse for a man and asked what happened then? Sam said well when he grabbed Bobs boob I kicked him in the nads just like dad showed us!

Silas got a sick look and said, about his nose?

Bob said I did that! How asked Silas?

Well he fell to his knees after Sam drop kicked him so I kicked him in the face as he fell forward!

Silas looked at them and the creep on the floor and burst out laughing!! OK he said!! Lets go.

About that time Simmons raised up and yelled I’ll get you bi*chs for this if it’s the last thing I do!!
Silas stopped and turned, with one big step he was standing over the creep on the floor. Dropping to one knee he grabbed Simmons by the hair jerked his head up and slammed it down … hard!

Then he leaned down and in a cold low voice that belied his age said, Simmons you’re a pedophile and you laid your filthy hands on my sister.

I’m leaving now, but if you are anywhere near this town come morning, one or all the Davis’s will be coming for you and we will kill you.

Most likely by hanging you filthy a*s from a tree, so stop bleeding on the floor and get moving cause your wasting running time!

He then herded his wide eyed sisters out of the office and past the secretary and into the hall as they headed for the door the Security man come running at them screaming stop right there you son of a bit*h !!

with that Silas the quiet young man who was always polite to his elders drove his big fist into the mans face, teeth and blood sprayed the air, as the man dropped Silas said, mister, don’t ever call my mom a (meany)… ever…and leave with Simmons if you don’t want to die tomorrow!!

They jumped into the truck and spraying gravel roared out of the lot, as they were driving home Sam asked what next, Silas said he didn’t know but that mom and dad were going to be outraged!

To which Bob made a rude sound and said, Silas that Simmons creep has been copping feels every time he get’s close to a girl.

Always in a place where he can make it look like an accident! Yea Sam added, and we told Mom weeks ago, but all she said was that we were mistaken because Mr. Simmons was a very well educated man and wouldn’t ever do that.

Silas was quiet as they drove away from the school, then making a decision that again showed his maturity he decided to head to the warehouse rather then take the girls home where they would be berated by their mother.

[Trip]

At the Sports complex Bart Jones looked at the barricaded windows of the store, and then turned to his people.

First I wish to that you, each and every one of you. I know your confused about what we are doing,

I can only tell you that in the coming days this building and it’s contents will play a very big role in not only “How” we live but “IF” we live.

Our community is small, most of us know each other, you have, for the most part lived here all your lives, while I and my family are fairly new here.

But I can tell you that in the places I lived before this that I saw things much less serious then this that led to the loss of thousands of lives.

What we are faced with here and across the nation is beyond anything you can think of.

The only way we as a community will survive what’s coming is to turn this community into a fort. We are lucky that we have the supplies here in this store to fall back on.

We are lucky that Jeff’s Dad is the manager of the grocery warehouse and is at this moment making it and it’s contents secure.

What I want all of you to do is head home, tell your family’s what we did here today and to start thinking about the power going out, and the phones.

I plan to get with Mr. Davis soon along with the community leaders and start what I hope will be a community effort to survive the trouble headed this way in the days and weeks ahead.

I want the department managers to stay for a bit, thank you all for your hard work and know this, I believe we will come thru this just fine.

After the rest had gone, Bart locked the doors and asked the 5 people to have a seat in the snack bar area and to help themselves to whatever they wanted.
Now he said, here’s what I think and what I know will happen.
Our country has taken a major hit, I have a feeling that we only know the very surface of it.

Somebody, who, remains unknown at the moment, has attacked our nation, our leaders are most likely dead, our military has I’m sure taken big hits.

We are a ship without a rudder. Soon the people in the city’s will realize that the police can’t control them, they will start on the liquor stores, those are the fools of which out number the smart.

Then the riots will start, the police will try to stop it, the shooting will start, fires will be set, firemen will refuse to enter the fire areas because of the shooting, this will spread, soon it will spill out of the city’s into the suburbs,

Then the fighting will get much worse, also people will start raiding the grocery stores because most city people don’t keep more then a few days food around.

In my opinion, inside of a week there will be millions dead as they die trying to flee the fires and the looters and the rapist etc etc. crime will sky rocket beyond your wildest imagination.

The military and the national guard will be called out. More fighting, but a lot of the guard units will be very short handed because the guardsmen will not report so that can care for their family’s.

This will all spiral out of control, and within 2 weeks you will see people . Refugees if you will. These will be decent people mostly, but right behind them will come the looters, murderers, rapist, killers all, looking to burn, steal, kill, rape, and all in the name of “FUN” because they can get away with it.

Well I’m hoping we can remain a rock of safety and decency as this tide flows around us.

This is hard I know, but it will be harder, you will be required to fight, and kill all in the name of survival. Survival of yourselves and your family’s.

This store has a fairly large arsenal of weapons and ammo, more importantly it has a very large supply of winter clothing and boots all the things outdoorsmen want and need, it’s our job to prevent this store from being looted. Our family’s will need every thing in here to live for the next year, maybe several years.

What I want is for 2 of you to get with the gun dept manager, nodding at Walter, help him put scopes on the rifles in stock and to laser sight them in. this will work for now until we can fine tune them.

I want one of you, who knows how to shoot to take a shotgun and get on the roof and patrol around up there to keep an eye out.

I don’t expect any trouble for a few days but why wait. Understand this, if anybody try’s to break into the store , fire a load of light bird shot in their direction, but not right at them.

These are out friends and neighbors and for now we just want to discourage the stupid. But!! If you see people with weapons stay down behind the parapet and use one of the 2 way radios from the electronics dept. call Walter and the others to come up with rifles.

Jeff, I want you to stay here a moment, Jeff only nodded, the others took off at a run to start getting their job started.

Jeff, I want you to take your truck, go to your dad’s warehouse and tell him what we are doing here, tell him he needs to be thinking about what he can do to harden that big juicy target he’s sitting on.

Tell him I will be getting in touch with him as soon as I deal with a couple of other details. ok?

Jeff said yes sir, Do you want me to come back here as soon as I’m done? Bart said no, I want you to quietly go to the Sheriffs dept and see the Sheriff himself, ask him if he would come here for a meeting with several people about this situation.

Tell him I know he’s busy but I think it’s better to do it here then over a phone line. Then drive out to the National Guard building and ask Col. Winters if he would mind coming here in about an hour also. Can you handle that?
Jeff assured him he could and left after the door was unlocked and relocked behind him. As he drove the short distance to his dads place of work, he saw his brothers truck pulling into the lot with Si and the terrible two hurrying out and up the steps into the building.

He was right behind them and entered his dads office in time to hear the whole story, while he was outraged over Simmons daring to grab his sister he had to laugh out loud at Si’s discription of the mans condition but stopped laughing when he heard what Silas told Simmons as he left.

Jeff looked at his dad while the tale was told, his dad only smiled at the part of Simmons getting his as* kicked by the twins but stopped when Silas told him of his threat of what was to come the next day.

George looked at his children with pride in his eyes and told them how proud he was of them. He asked Silas if he thought of what would happen when he saw Simmons again. Si said yes sir I have. His dad looked at him and said, and??

Silas looked at his dad and said, Dad, if I see him again I will kill him on sight. He was planning to rape the girls, and he touched my sister in an improper way. That’s all there is to it.

George looked at his youngest son and then the rest and thought to himself, God how they have grown, how they have matured, all of them. And he had no doubt that Simmons would die if Silas saw him, so it was up to himself to make sure that the next Davis to see Simmons was himself.

He then asked Jeff what he had to say, Jeff told him the plan as told by Bart, George said that he could see that Bart was dead right and that he needed to secure the warehouse as best he could.

Jeff also told his dad about the armed guard on the roof of the sports complex. His dad looked thoughtful and said well I guess we need to do the same.

Jeff then told his dad about the rest of his mission and then he took off, telling his dad that they could go to the meeting together. His brother Silas decided to go with his bro to look out for him. Which got a laugh out of their dad and the twins and a shoulder punch out of Jeff.

After they were on the road Silas told his brother about the security man and what he had done, Jeff asked why he didn’t mention it to their dad and Silas said, well I think hearing it from the mouths of his sweet, loving, innocent daughters will soften the blow a bit, cause you know they have him wrapped. Both young men laughed at this while forgetting that the twins also had them wrapped even tighter.

[Trip]

Jeff and Silas trotted to the truck and sped out of the lot, driving into town Looking over at his brother Jeff said, well bro, when you gonna tell me? Tell you what Si asked without looking at Jeff.


Tell me what you and the girls left out when you told dad about the school. Silas sat a moment and then sighed and looked at his older brother and said, Mom knew Simmons was trying to mess around with the girls.

Jeff looked ahead and said, when did she know? Silas said about 2 weeks but she refused to believe the girls because Simmons was educated and a prominent person in town.

Both boys just started out the windshield and were quiet, The Jeff said, well dad’s not stupid and those girls are his pride and joy as they are ours, and he’s not going to be a happy camper.

Silas couldn’t think of a reply and just nodded, When they got to the City/county government building they drove around in back where the Sheriffs entry door was .

Pausing a minute Jeff looked at Silas and said, maybe you shouldn’t go in here after your day, Silas just got out and shut the door and started for the door, Jeff walked up beside his kid brother and punched in the shoulder which got him a punch back.

Both boys were smiling when they entered the office. Behind the desk was a prune faced woman who seemed to glare at them and asked what they wanted?

Jeff said they needed to speak to the sheriff, the woman just glared and asked why? Jeff said well it’s private so how about just telling him we’re here, she looked like she was ready to start screaming and then punched a comm. button and said, Sheriff, could you please come out here I’m having trouble!!

From the door behind her the Sheriff walked out and said what’s the problem? The woman said these kids are smart mouthing me!!

The Sheriff looked at the boys and said is that true? Jeff said well sir I guess if telling her my Business with you is private then I was smart mouthed. The sheriff looked at them then at the woman and nodded to them and said follow me. After shutting the door rather firmly he introduced himself as Joseph Robert Lee known as JB to his friends and Sir to those whose friendship he didn’t claim.

He then told them that he shot people who called him Joe Bob, with a nice smile.

After taking seats he made a come on motion with his hand and Jeff told him what he knew from Bart Jones , the Older man just rocked back in his chair and nodded while Jeff talked, then said did Bart as you to tell anybody else here in the County Gov building? Jeff said no sir, just you and Col. Lockwood at the Guard armory.
JB just nodded and was lost in thought a moment and then looked at Silas who had been sitting quietly and said, I would guess your Jack Dempsey Davis? Silas felt his face flood with blood and his mouth fall open which got a loud laugh from his brother and the sheriff. He just sat there trying to sink into the chair.
The Sheriff let him sweat a bit and then said, well son, your not gonna get a chance to kill Simmons the sleaze ball, cause I got him locked up in the dungeon down below. And I have to say that them sisters of yours are rough on a man!

Silas could only nod but Jeff said, Sir, you don’t know even a bit of what it’s like living with them! The Sheriff looked at him and said, well I was the only boy in a family of 5 so I think I may have a small clue.

The Sheriff told Silas that the school secretary at the school had told him 2 weeks earlier about her suspicions about Simmons and that he had placed an undercover officer from the State CID unit there as a teacher sub and as office help. And that he had all he needed to nail the jerk.

Silas said sir, I was rude to that lady and I need to go back and apologize to her but I don’t know her name, The older man looked at the 2 young men and then said well her name is Mary Beth but maybe you should call her by her married name which is Mrs. Lee

And with a nice smile he said yes she’s my wife and has been for 40 years. Then he stepped around the desk and jerked the door open and watched the desk clerk scurrying back to her chair form the door.

He motioned the boys out and said I will see you at the place we discussed at the time we agreed on now if you will excuse me I have a long over due appointment with Mrs. Wilson here, as the boys walked out JB was waving the lady into his office.

The Davis boys got into Jiffs truck and headed down the road to the Guard headquarters building where they parked and walked into the office.

There to be greeted by a very big , very gruff looking man with a sleeve full of stripes and a chest full of colored ribbons, who looking up said wonderful!! The guard has a place for both of you lads and your gonna love army life!!
Both boys stepped back and Jeff stammered out that he needed to see the Col.

The big man looked at them and shook his head and muttered about youth of today, pressing a button he said Col? A voice came back and said yes John?
Two young lads here to speak to you Col. Bring them in John. Yes sir!

Follow me he said and headed down a short hall where he opened a door and waved them in.

The man behind the desk stood and offered his hand to them after the intros he asked their business with the Guard, Jeff thought a moment and then started talking, The Col looked up and said John sit in on this.
After the sergeant had a chair Jeff told what he knew, answered so very clear questions and watched the Officer sit back and look up at the ceiling for about a minute then he rocked forward and said I will be there as well as Sgt. Major jacks here. Anything else for the moment? No sir both boys said at the same time and stood and followed the Sgt. Major out the door and back to the front door where he offered his big scared hand, both boys shook it and said they would see him later and headed out.

[Trip]

Back in the truck both boys just sat and stared out the windshield, until Jeff took a deep breath and pulled himself up by the steering wheel and started the truck,

Where to Bro asked Silas? Jeff thought a minute and said I don’t really know, what do you think? Silas said he needed to get back to the warehouse because he wanted to sit in on this meeting when his dad went to the Sports Complex , Jeff said well I’ll drop you off at your truck and you come over with dad.

After dropping Silas Jeff drove back to the SC building where he saw a crowd forming, knowing they wouldn’t open the doors he called Bart on his cell phone and drove to the back doors where one of the dept mgrs waited with a short barreled shotgun in his hands.

Having trouble asked Jeff? No said the man but Bart thinks by morning we will have plenty, people are wanting to buy guns and ammo and camping stuff to make a run for the Mountains.

Heading to the front doors Jeff found Bart talking to some men thru the door, he was explaining that the Sheriff and the Guard Commander had declared a lock down on the store to prevent looting, he winked at Jeff as he said it.

The men started kicking the door and yelling that Bart was gonna be very sorry when they got in !

Bart explained to Jeff that most folks took his answer for truth and left and now this bunch had showed up and were saying if he didn’t open the door they were going to drive a car thru it.

Jeff asked what the plan was and was shocked when Bart told him that he had placed two more people on the roof with rifles and orders to shoot out the tires of any car that tried to ram the door.

But that might not happen as the front doors were protected by 8” steel pipe filled with concrete and too close together to allow a car thru, but the main windows didn’t have that protection.

All they could do was wait for the Sheriffs people to arrive but they were detained by the problems in other stores in town who hadn’t thought to prepare for the problems that were coming.

Jeff asked Bart what he wanted him to do and was asked to stay with Bart and help handle anything that happened.

Jeff asked Bart what he thought was going to happen with the country, Bart sat down in a camp chair near the doors but off to the side. He looked at Jeff and said have a seat and I’ll tell you what I think before the others get here.

Jeff I believe that these attacks have been planned for a long time and for them to have been able to keep it a secret I believe all the people who were a part of the attacks here in country were kept someplace in Mexico at an isolated base camp under cover so our satellites couldn’t pick them up, and then I believe they were brought into the country by people who are expert at getting across the border, if they were all fairly high in the intelligence department and spoke fair English and were trained well enough to handle the commercial transportation in this country until they got to their assigned areas of operation where supplies were stashed for them ahead of time.

And at the same moment all across the country these people carried out a massive attack, I don’t think it’s over, I think it’s just starting and will get worse.

While you were gone I watched what TV was on the air and listened to the short wave radio.

All the tunnels leading into the cities were blown by large truck bombs, some attached to fuel trucks disguised as milk trucks, when they blew it caused a fire storm in the tunnels, killing thousands and closing the tunnels.

The major bridges were taken out the same way, many collapsed into the rivers. I heard of at least one big dam that was blown.

Jeff was stunned, he sat there and couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He finally asked Bart how something this big could go off without anybody having a clue.

Bart told him that the best security was when you picked your people ahead of time from trusted people , telling them nothing and taking them to some very isolated place with no way to contact the outside world. There you trained them and taught them how to move and speak in the country they were going to operate in.

Then at the last minute move them all into the prepared base across the border and then assign them their targets and then move them into the country from several locations along with something going on a ways away to pull all the border patrol forces away from the crossing point or simply fly them across in low flying planes like the drug runners did.

Bart told Jeff that 1000 dedicated hard line terrorist could destroy a country if even half of them completed their mission, and it was looking like more then that had done just that!

Jeff was stunned but still had to ask, How could so many get into the country? Bart looked at Jeff and said, Jeff, millions of Mexicans cross over the border yearly. And we only catch a few. And that’s only the southern border, The northern border leaks as bad as the southern. Think about it for a minute and you’ll see how it could happen.

Jeff, all this took place in the last few hours. Jeff looked at Bart like he had lost his mind then looked at his watch, it was only 1:30 !! He had been so busy that he felt like weeks had passed, in truth his country was still being attacked all around him and all he saw of it was a few fools yelling to be let in the door.

The meeting was in 30 minutes and there was things to do such as make coffee in the snack bar and lay out something to feed the people when they arrived. So Bart and Jeff went to work on this to get ready.

[Trip]

Bart Jones Radio crackled then a voice said, B 1… roof 2... Grabbing his radio Bart answered B 1 here ! B 1 there’s 3 cop car’s pulling into the lot heading toward the crowd !! R 2, stand by and do nothing!

Turning to Jeff he said, Jeff head for the main doors and look thru the port and tell me what you see, Yes sir ! and Jeff was off at a run,

Getting to the door he looked out the small slit cut into the plywood and watched the Sheriffs cars spreading out and then stopping about 30 yards from the milling crowd, doors popped open and deputies spilled armed with shotguns, crouching behind the open doors and waited.

Out of the middle car stepped Sheriff J.B. Lee. He stood tall and walked right at the crowd, stopping a few feet away he said in a deep low voice. Which one of you [censored] fools wants to explain what your think your doing here?

The silence was the only sound to be heard and it was really loud, then one of the bigger loud mouths shouted out, You just back off , JOE ….BOB…!! Causing the rest of his foolish friends to laugh, with that JB walked right up to the man and said in a pleasant voice.

Now son, you know or should know that I hate being called Joe Bob, right? The loudmouth smiled at his cronies and spit on the ground right at Job’s nicely polished boots and said “Well “..do I look like I give a S**t wh…. That was when JB’s big fist hit him right in the mouth.

The man dropped, just that, dropped …and never made a sound except for the “THUNK” his head made, sounding like a water melon dropped on the sidewalk.

With that JB turned to the rest of the fools and said, well? I asked a question, so who’s gonna answer me? All the men started backing up and the ones in back broke for their cars at a run, soon it looked like a race starting , with cars and truck going ever which way with several fenders paying the price.

JB watched them going and shook his head and called two deputies over to remove the dummy and book him. The youngest deputy asked, for what sir?
JB just looked at the youngster and said well son. Start with being stupid in public, then maybe dirty elbows and conspiracy to breath and walk upright!! The young deputy swallowed hard and said YES SIR!! And took off with his partner, dragging the fool face down.

As the Sheriff turned to head for the door he heard engine sounds and looking back saw 4 hummer’s coming in 2 from each side, all had machine guns mounted on the roof mount and hard eyed young men standing with hands on the grips.

The Hummers stopped and Col. John Patten stepped out in full uniform, walking to the Sheriff he stuck out his hand and said Hello JB, taking the hand JB said and a good day to you John.

I see we’re both here for a meeting? Yep said JB, and they turned back to the door that was being opened. Both JB and Col. Patten waved their Sgt. Over and all 4 men walked into the closed up building.

Stopping to be introduced to each other they all then proceeded to the snack bar where coffee was waiting. Right behind them came George and Silas Davis and George’s foreman.

After they all had a cup and were seated Bart stood and said. Without a pause, gentlemen, I think it’s safe to say the caca has hit the rotator! Yes?

They all burst out laughing but quickly sobered . Bart s looked at them a bit then said, I believe the only hope this community has in the face of today’s events is going to depend greatly on the food in George’s warehouse and the supplies in my store.

I use the term “MY” store because from what I’ve been able to put together the fires in Denver have wiped out my Corp. headquarters,.

Also George’s HQ is located in the same area, I believe it’s gone also. So as far as I’m concerned all the goods in out control belong to the people who live here.

Notice I said the people who “live” here. It is my belief that we may have as much as 2 days 3 at the most to close down this whole area, close all the highways into the area, And start building hard sites all around this area here and the town. I have little or no faith in the politicians in this community, with the exception of the Sheriff.

I believe from things in my life that I saw and was a part of that we are in very big trouble, but we have more of a chance then any place I can think of.

If we can come up with a plan right now and put it into play we can save the lives of most of the people here in our area. I say most because I know we will be in for a fight, with not only the people who have done this and their forces, but from our own less then honest citizens. Rape and murder are already the new sport in the city’s as I’m sure some of you know. What I’m asking is that we don’t allow it to happen here.

[Trip]

Bart then sat down and said, Col. Do you have any up to date news? All we know is what the TV and radio has to say.

Col. Patten stood and said, all I really know for sure thru the military is that a small army of dedicated and well trained terrorist have been brought into the country thru Mexico and Canada.

I believe the leaders came in thru Canada and the grunts thru Mexico, The Mexican drug runners were paid very well to bring the shooters across and to store weapons for them.

I’ve been told that they number over 2000 Islamist and it seems that our wonderful neighbors south of the border have joined forces and a unknown number of Mexicans have joined in.

Most of the heavy bomb damage was handled by people who over the past several years became American citizens and used the time to prepare their bombs and firm up their plans.

It is my opinion that these people are very hard line and very well trained and worked alone as opposed to being a part of a cell. As all of you know, one person can keep a secret, two or more and somebody screws up and talks. Also these people were expert in fitting in with the people around them, held jobs and acted like your normal new citizens.

Somebody or some country went to a great deal of trouble and expense to put this together and they did it a skill unheard of in the normal terror attack. If such a thing can be called normal.

I think this thing is just starting and will get much worse in the next 24 to 48 hours. I also agree with Bart that we are lucky to have the resources we have. I also agree with his unstated opinion of the elected leadership in this county, excluding Sheriff Lee whom I’ve known for many years.

As for the resource’s at my command, as you all know this Guard unit is really a training point for the units coming in from elsewhere, I have a small unit of ( 15)security ( MP) people here to handle the normal guard duties, and about 25 Guard personnel who live and work here in the area. I have a large amount of assets available for the summer training program that can and will be of great use in the future. I fully understand where Bart is coming from and I know his background prior to coming to this area. In the coming months if not years we will need all his skills as well as the skills of everybody in this community.

With that the Col. Sat down and Bart took over again, he looked at George and asked him to talk about his warehouse. George was still trying to get up to speed but had an idea just what Bart wanted to know.

We hold enough food supplies to feed this community for at least a year if we watch how it’s handled, if the area outside this community becomes involved the food won’t last but a couple of months. I checked some population figures while waiting for the meeting. I also agree with Bart’s assessment of the issues at hand. And after hearing what the Col. had to say I think we are all very lucky to have what we have plus the training that The Col. And his men bring to the table.

But I have a question for Col. Patten, Patten looked at George and raised an eye and nodded. George thought for a second and said, I’m bothered by one thing Col., Why would the Army station a detachment of regular Army troops at a out of the way Army National Guard center? And as for them being MP’s? well sir I just don’t buy that.

You see Sir, back in my youth, I was in the Guard myself for several years to get money for school. And I can still read ribbons, and I know that your Sgt. Major has enough experience on his chest that he wouldn’t be stationed at an obscure place like this, Nor would you Sir. And those MP’s of your’s look more like Rangers or some other special ops type’s. Now I wasn’t any thing like them but I did my time at drills and summer training so I have been around a lot of combat types. So, Sir would you mind answering me?

While George was talking Jeff was sitting there with his mouth open, he had never heard this part of his dad’s life. He had never spoke of being in any branch of the service. Nor had he ever heard in his dads voice what he now heard, it was like a different George Davis talking.

Col. Patton looked at George a moment then looked around the table and then smiled at his Sgt. Major and said well John, guess we’re busted! The Sgt. Looked at his boss and smiled and said well Col. This is why you get the big bucks Sir!! Which brought a laugh from the Col. While the rest just looked on confused.

Col. Patton looked at George again for a minute and then said, Your right George. And congratulations on being more observant then any of your fellow townsmen. How do I start? Hmmm….

Well to put it bluntly, about 5 years ago, seeing the way things were coming out of Washington DC, and all the confusion over how to handle the border problems and I mean both borders.

A few very smart high ranking officers decided that if anything were to happen on the scale that it has happened today that it would be a good thing to have small units scattered around the country with stock piled supplies and holding a very low profile, Men with the ability to train locals to survive and if needed to fight. Well today is that day.

As we speak the remainder of my men are opening up the under ground store house in preparation for the coming difficulties, which I assure you are in fact coming and they will be bad. But we are going to be fine. This group has some very good leaders in it and has the ability to get most of the towns people to cooperate.

But! Believe me when I say that we are totally on our own here! We can expect no help, no resupply and most of all no outside contact.

Why do you say we won’t have outside contact? George asked. Col. Patton paused and said, it was pre planned that if a strike should happen, as this one has, then there will be weapons used that will cause an EMP event over most of the earth. But why? This time it was the Sheriff who spoke up. The Col. Answered quickly, because while we are fighting for our very lives here, our enemies will be preparing a death blow far worse then has already happened and so it was decided to take out all of their options as they have ours, because their own people will be such a hand full that they won’t have time to mess with us.

And when will this “event” take place Col. ? Asked Bart. 2 nights from now at mid-night, this will give us time to divert all the air craft we can to safe landings in safe country’s.
And the aircraft of the rest of the countries? Again it was Bart asking, well the Col. Said, we will warn our friends an hour before the event, as for the rest, no warnings.
That’s murder Col. Said the Sheriff. NO Sir it’s not! It’s War! Said the Sgt. Major, and you people best be getting used to the idea that the gloves have been taken off and we didn’t take them off first!

If you want to keep your families safe and your selves alive, you best get used to the hard facts of life that are being learned right now in American city’s outside these Mountains, and thank God your to small of a target to bother with.

That is enough Sgt. Major. Said The Col. Yes Sir said the Sgt. Not looking at all like he felt reprimanded.

Sgt. Major Jacks and I received news today that many of our friends and comrades’ have died in the first hours of this war, and war it is, let’s get that straight again. It’s is our loss ad we will deal with it in time. As for us? We have a lot of work to do, and I think we need to get to it.

I believe said Col. Patton that the highest Law Enforcement officer in the county is the Sheriff, so I believe he should be in charge. Why asked JB? Because the locals, while being glad to accept the army’s help will balk at taking order from me, where as the Sheriff is the one person the people will accept.

The Sheriff nodded and said I think your right but I also think there needs to be some group control but I wouldn’t let the county commissioners walk my dog!
Which brought nods and chuckles from around the table.

[Trip]

George Davis looked at Col. Patton and said, Sir I believe there's a lot more to this then you've told us. How is it that you think an EMP event is needed or desired, and how long have you known about all this.

The Col. stood and smiled at George and said well George your working over time to make me an honest man, so here's the rest of the story as Paul Harvey would say.


The CIA , FBI and NSA and other Federal agencies have know for over 2 years that several Soviet suitcase bombs were brought into the country, but they were never able to find them, and believe me they tried, the only thing we could find out was that the renegade Soviet officers who sold them, collected a nice bundle of dollars for them, and after they got into the US the buyers found out the firing sequence codes to use them had been left out of the deal, and that it was going to cost a lot more to get them.

Well as you can imagine, the buyers were really PO’d and started trying to track the sellers to force them to cough up the codes, but they were a bit late moving in and lost the sellers. So for almost 2 years the bombs were sitting useless, then finally a deal was brokered to pay for the codes, that happened less then a day ago.

Apparently the plan is to use all their in country resources to completely disrupt and destroy all they can, and after things settle down and people come out of hiding and recovery efforts start then the big hammer falls.

BUT ! Our research people say the bombs, made with 1960’s technology are very susceptible to EMP, so it’s in our best interest to cause one to render the bombs harmless, well as harmless as they can be.

So in effect we are using a nuke to prevent the suitcase nukes abilities to be used…IF this works.

In the mean time we must prepare for our own survival and prepare to one day in the future be able to go out into the country and hunt down and kill off the people who caused this and the ones who are running wild and committing crimes at will against decent people who are struggling to just stay alive, and believe me, that will be a job.

Now if there are no more questions can we start working on our plan of action? We have a lot to do and no time to do it.

Bart asked where to start, the Col. Deferred to his Sgt. Major who stood and said.

OK here’s what I think. First we need to get the word out right now for a town hall meeting, to explain just what’s going on, what’s going to happen soon. And what we are going to do about it. We need to get it across that there are plenty of supplies, food, meds weapons etc BUT!! This will not be a welfare set up, Everybody works or they don’t eat, young children and the elderly and infirmed being the exception, but being handicapped is no excuse, if one can do no more then roll in a wheelchair and push a floor broom then they will do so, becaue that will release an able bodied person to do more needed job, in other words gentlemen, There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch ! AKA as “TANSTAAFL”… No workie, no eattie .

We will be calling for bodies for military training, anybody deemed old enough or young enough to handle a weapon and learn the responsibilities of such will serve.

Excuse me Sgt. Major, are you saying there is going to be a draft?? Asked George.

Mr. Davis, in a word yes sir if you wish to use that word. And what word would you Sgt.?

I’d say Militia as used in the Second Amendment to the Constitution Sir. We need to start as soon a possible, and I mean soon sir.

After the town hall meeting ,We will be starting with the first trainees. And for that I want all volunteers. As soon as possible I intend to have 7 short platoons as mounted scouts to patrol the country side as far out a several days driving. Any news of any sort will be of the utmost value. Each Platoon will be lead by my Rangers 2 per platoon,

You seem to have this well thought out Sgt. Major said Bart, yes Sir it is, there are as many as 200 units like ours scattered all over the country, none in the city’s all in rural areas. And why none in the city’s Sgt? Asked Bart.

Because sir in short order the city’s will have become hell holes, many are burning out of control as we speak, and when the people get out of there they will be changed forever, many good and decent people will become as bad as the worst already was. Life will be worth nothing unless it’s a young woman or in a lot of cases boy.

My God said George !! How did you people let this happen? We didn’t sir, the people of this nation let the liberal feel good now crowd have their way, The ACLU, who should have been rounded up and shot 50 years ago were allowed to confuse every issue with their agenda which was the subversion of all that was good in America, The NAACP played a big role too as did many others.

TANSTAFFL gentlemen, remember that , cause you’ll be hearing a lot of it. Your going to see it in action right here soon, When some of the people find the gravy train has derailed and they will be required to work or starve they will be trying to call a lawyer and the ACLU.

Too many people all over the country have fallen into the mind set that they should have all the “Entitlements” they can haul in their new SUV the Government should by them.

Well today that stopped, no more monthly checks, no more free money for spewing out crack babies that starve because their moms are stoned and their fathers ain’t been around since the seed was planted. Rough? You ain’t seen nothing yet, and when those people bust out of the city’s they will be well armed and highly PO’d!!

And before you think I’m being racist, you will notice that Mr. Jones is nodding at what I’m saying. You best get used to the idea that life’s not fair.

Nobody will go hungry unless they just sit down and refuse to help all of us survive, and any that do that will be simply hauled away by the patrols and left no less then 50 miles from here.

We can’t afford a welfare society any longer. And that’s all I have to say on that, except that yes there are people who flat can not handle hard labor, or even easy labor, BUT! They can man booths to serve coffee to those working, or they can watch small children in day cares so mothers can work.
And if those mothers refuse? Asked Sheriff Lee?

Well sir I guess then the Mother gets a ride out of town and the baby gets a new mom or stays if the father does. I can’t answer all your questions,

I’m only telling you how it will be. The hard part is that you men here will be the ones telling people how it is, I’m here to train our fighters.

And with that I think it’s time for you gents to get to brain storming how and when you plan to let the good people know what’s going to happen. And I’d say get it done in about an hour. It’s now 1600 and this war started about 6 hours ago.

With that Sgt. Major Jenks sat down and crossed his arms with a small smile on his rugged face.

They all sat looking at each other until Jeff stood and addressed the Sgt. Major, Sir I wish to be the first volunteer in the New Castle Wyo. Militia., The Sgt. Major just nodded and said I expected nothing less Jeff.

Bur George jumped up and said you’ll do no such thing young man you have Collage to prepare for.

Then stood with a shocked look on his face as the whole thing came crashing down on his head, the others just sat with stone faces as it hit them, this was real.

Not a movie not a drill, it was a fact of life that life as they knew it was gone, a new world order was here and it sure as hell wasn’t what the liberal elitist thought it was going to be.

America was going back to the ways that made her great and nothing would ever be the same. Nor would the survivors want it to.

[Trip]

It's was so quiet for a moment then Out of the mouths of babes, Silas asked. How do you think the Mayor and his Brother who's on the County Commissioners going to react to being kind of shunted aside like this? And how will the people feel about being told they have to work and fight?

Not that I’m opposed to what you have planned but I’m sure the local elected powers that be will balk and expect to be in complete control of all resources.

Bart looked at George and said you must be proud of your boys, they really are sharp!!

The Col. Spoke up and said very good point, Silas isn’t it? Yes sir replied Silas. Well to answer your question, I guess they will be really put out, but they will have to get over it.

Because as of midnight tonight Martial law will be invoked by the powers that be, whoever it may be in DC. So, it’s a moot point what they think about it all.

I know all this smacks of some kind of take over by the military but believe me it’s not. I’d rather be someplace else winding up my time left in the Army as would Sgt. Major Jenks, but this is what we get paid to do and we will do it. As for anybody who don’t care to join our little glee club, well they are more then welcome to be on their own. Which will last until the food runs out. And the power goes out.

OK we have a lot to do and I’m going to ask each of you to take over a task.

I want the Sheriff and his dept to start getting the word out to everybody in the county of the meeting in the high school gym at 0800 tomorrow.

Bart and George please give me as best you can a detailed inventory of the food and other resources available between your places. Also as of now both will be guarded 24/7 by my roving patrols plus I’d like at least one armed person in each building, I’d really prefer two or more, it’s up to you guys to see what you can arrange, and need I say that from now on everybody will go armed.

All the men looked at each other and thought about what the Col. Had said. Things really changed fast.

George and Bart said they would get to it as soon as the meeting was over, Bart said he could send over camping gear for the guards at the food depot so they could at least be comfortable.

The Col. Then asked for ideas, Jeff asked how they could secure a whole county and the Sgt. Major told them all that if they thought about the roads into the county they could see that it would be easy to cover.

The county seat and only real town was right here and the highway coming into the county ran thru a steep canyon that curved as it followed the river, there were several bridges that could be covered to slow if not stop a large well equipped force, and there were many bottle necks that could be mined and blown to bring the Mtn. down on the road, but that was to be avoided if at all possible, the same highway was the only real way out of the area, there were many back country roads wondering all over the country side but they could be closed off pretty well by a good sized work force with chain saws and dozers if need be.

We can stop people from migrating in to the area, as for the next few days we can allow some people into the town, or to pass thru, but within a week we will see probes by enemy fighters and locals who have gone over to the dark side so to speak.

We are in a very good location to build our forces for the break out and the road back to having our country back. I guess I should add that all the locations were picked with this thought in mind. That and the knowledge that people in rural areas know a lot about shooting and own a lot of guns and know how to hunt and grow. These are skills that will help with the training we will be doing with our Militia.

What kind of training George asked looking at his eldest son. Well Sir the Sgt said, we ain’t gonna be needing to know how to march pretty nor are we interested in how shinny their shoes are, nor if they have a beard or long hair, we need shooters, Men in decent shape or who can be gotten into shape. Men who can think, operate alone if it comes to that. Men smart enough to lead others when it’s needed.

We are building a trained motivated gorilla army, and we will take back out country and when we do it will be a better place to live and raise kids. We all want to live in a free safe country, well now it’s our turn to fight for it and fight we will.

[Trip]

The Col. Told them all that after the meeting the next morning, they would start forming the first training units and that he wanted the Sheriff and his deputies to go over the names of the trainees to determine if any were unsuitable for the job.

He wanted no trouble makers or criminals if it could be avoided.

He asked the same of Jeff and Silas because they would be drawing hard from the younger people and who knew them better then their peers?

After that the meeting broke up and they all left to get moving on their assigned tasks.

Two of the hummer’s stayed behind, one moving to the warehouse with George.

Bart explained things to his people and asked for volunteers to stay inside as guards, that covered he headed home to handle things there, knowing his wife was worried and needed to be informed of things as they stood .

George did the same at the warehouse leaving his foreman to handle things there he loaded the girls and with Jeff and Silas following they all convoyed home.

On the drive home George told the twins all that he knew and thought, he asked them about Simmons in more detail . While he was at the meeting the girls had decided to withhold the information that they had told their mother about Simmons. Feeling this would avert an all out fight in the family.

Both girls knew things were holding by a thread between their parents and knew it was only a matter of time before the thread broke and they didn’t want to be the reason it did.

After arriving home and all were gathered in the dining room and seated George explained to Marge just what was going on, and of course she refused to believe any of it and just waved it off as silly “men” stuff. After listening to her prattle on about her day and how crowded the stores were and how rude people were George finily raised his voice and said Marge! Have you heard a word I said? Her reply was to start lecturing him on raising his voice to her as it demeaned her and lowered her authority with the children, and told the kids to please go to their rooms so the adults could get matters cleared up.

The kids just looked at her like she was from another planet, which brought on a loud shriek and a hand slam on the table to obey her, George motioned for them to remain seated.

Marge then went ballistics and turned on George in a rage, after about 30 seconds of that George slammed his hand on the table and said Enough woman!! Which brought her to a sputtering stop.

George then grabbing the moment before she could start again said.

Listen to me, do not open your mouth again and then held his hand up in a halting motion to stop her again.
Marge! I will try once more and once only, get it thru your thick head this time because it’s the last time I’ll tell you.

Our country is at war! Our city’s are burning, thousands maybe millions have died, more will die, the next few days will determine if we all live or die, and it will take all of us to survive, can you understand this?

She looked at him a moment and then said in a normal voice, I heard the most awful rumor today that Mr. Simmons was arrested on some stupid charge brought about by a bunch of silly girls making up stories!! I’m so glad you girls didn’t spread that silly story of yours!!

The silence seemed to grow until it at last George said, and what silly story did the twins have to tell he asked in a very quiet voice while looking at his wife?

Marge being Marge didn’t notice the change in Georges voice and just waved a hand in the air and said, Oh they came home one day all upset, accusing that wonderful man of silly things.

And what would those silly things be asked George in the same voice?

Oh you know how silly girls are, they said he would touch them in the hallways while passing them thru the crowd, it’s not worth thinking about, it’s just stupid girl stuff.
George gave up on his wife and asked the twins what they had told their mother. Both girls looked at him then their mother, who said well now your in trouble for spreading lies, you’ve earned whatever happens now!

Sam took a deep breath and said, Well what we told mom is that when the halls were crowded Mr. Simmons would pass thru like he was in a hurry and on the pretence of moving people out of his way he would drag his hands across a girls chest or butt and other places if he could.

Bob spoke up because she wasn’t going to let Sam sink alone and said, Dad he did it to both of us, and to just a lot of girls, at least the ones who had boobs, he was so sneaky about it and always smiling and saying oh excuse me. I’m sorry if we are making you mad but you always said we should tell if anybody tried to touch us so we did, we told mom.

George looked at all his children and knew in his heart that he was at fault for letting things reach this point and knew he had to do something about it, what he didn’t know but something.

Before he could speak up, Marge spoke and said well as I said it’s a silly thing and I told them to forget it.
But I have other news, My parents want me to come help care for my dad for a 2 weeks until he recovers from hip surgery, I told her that of course I would so I’m leaving in about an hour, it’s a 5 hour drive and I need to get going.

George opened his mouth, then closed it, looking at his children he felt like a drowning man tossed a live ring, and like a coward.
He just forced a smile and said, of course Marge, what can we do to help you get going?
She replied, oh I’m all packed and the car tank is full and I just need to stop and get some cash and I’m on the way.
George asked how much she needed and she said well I think $500.00 would do and if I need more I can go to the Atm machine. He got out his wallet and counted out 5 one hundred dollar bills and gave them to her.

George just sat there and then his son’s said come on mom we will help you, Your so sweet Marge said, so helpful! Unlike some around here looking hard at the twins,
who just smiled it off and said have a good time mom and don’t worry about us, we will be just fine.
Marge followed the brothers out of the room and in less then 5 minutes Marge was gone. Off to whatever dream world she lived in today.

George was still sitting there when the boys came back into the room and sat down, George looked at his children and said, I know you all must despise me for this and… but was interrupted by Jeff who said DAD!

Please, you did the best you could for years, And yes we are kids by your standards but none of us are stupid, we see and hear everything that goes on in this house, we’ve all talked about it and if you had decided to leave we were all going with you.

That’s the end of it, we love you, and yes we care for our mother, but she lives in another world then the rest of us, she is only interested in herself.

Silas the silent spoke up and said, Dad, surely you noticed that she never said goodbye to any of us? She just drove off into whatever fantasy world she’s living in today.

The Twins just sat and looked at each other and nodded and Bob spoke up, Dad, we’re with you, your stuck with us and that’s that. If things happen and mom can’t make it back then Sam and I feel that’s her fault, she refused to hear a word you said and then left us without a thought except how much cash she wanted.
Sam and I are young yes, but we’re not stupid, we know this marriage was only going on because of us kids and we wouldn’t want you to keep being un happy because of us.

George looked at his kids and then Bob and said and why do you think I was unhappy?
Bob smiled at her dad and said, Dad, you’re the boss at the warehouse, how many boss’ put in the hours you do?

How many stay to help unload trucks? Leaving early in the morning, only slowing down to tell us how much you love us? Coming home late, spending all your home time with us, helping us with school work, playing board games instead of spending time with Mom , We love you dad you’re the greatest, now we all have to work hard to live thru this great adventure facing us said Sam.

[Trip]

Faced with the facts George could do nothing but hug his kids to him and tell them how much he loved them.
Then he told them that there was a lot to do right now, but one rule, from this minute on the twins would never be left alone, they would be with one of the guys.
At least until they could be taught to handle firearms and proved they could protect themselves.

They also talked about what it would take to keep the house a safe place until all the safe guards were in place.
The first order was some means of protection, they had no weapons in the house because of Marge’s attitude about guns.
George told Jeff to go to the Sports Complex and to see Bart about getting them all armed and that he would catch up later and pay for the items.

Jeff asked what his dad had in mind as none of them really knew about weapons except George from his National Guard days. George told his son that Bart would know and to ask the gun dept manager if he was still there.

Silas agreed to stay with the girls until they returned and the three would inventory the food supplies in the house and make up lists of any meds and first aid stuff.

George returned to the warehouse and Jeff to the SC to meet with Bart. The Warehouse gate was secured by a lock and chain and one of the men was parked close by in his truck with a rifle. He unlocked the gate and George drove thru and the gate was relocked.
George asked the man if there had been any trouble, and was told that a few truck loads of men had come by driving slowly but kept going when they saw the guard. Otherwise nothing.
George told the man what he knew in as few words as possible and the man said he had also been briefed by the Forman who had sat in on the meeting.

Jeff arrived at the SC and was waved at by the roof guard and then saw the Hummer coming toward him, he got out of the truck and stood with his hands out from his sides, the hummer stopped a short distance away and the gunner looked him over and nodded and spoke into a mike, the driver then got out and walked over, He stuck his hand out and said I’m Sgt. Jim James he said with a smile and yes my dad had a strange sense of humor. Jeff told him his name and what he was doing here, the Sgt. Said yes I know who you are, your our first volunteer trainee I believe. Jeff said well I hope to be. Sgt. James said oh you’ll do just fine and you really impressed the Col. And that’s hard to do.
Jeff told the Sgt what he was there for and why, James told him that for now to get shotguns, some short barreled, and a couple of long bbls. And to get buckshot and slugs.
Jeff then shook hands again and went to the door where he found Bart waiting. After telling Bart what his dad said they went to the gun dept and talked to the Mgr of that area.
Between Bart and the dept. mgr. they pulled out 5 shotguns. 3 12 gages and 2 20 gages. The Dept. mgr. took the 12,s to the back room and sawed of the barrels to 20 inch’s and then removed the plugs so they would hold 2 more rounds, a bit of filing and the job was complete. The 20 gage’s were both a new style made by Remington they were small versions of the 870 pump and had extended mag. tubes and would hold 7 rounds they would fit the girls perfect.
After digging out all the ammo they thought the Davis family would need they placed it all in a cart. Bart then said hold up and grabbed two Ruger 10-22 rifles and 5000 rounds of ammo and put that into the cart. He told Jeff to start the girls out with the rifles and that he and Silas should learn with them also.
Jeff then told Bart that his dad would be around to pay for the them, But Bart just waved that off and said, Jeff call them your Christmas bonus, and remember that from now on we are all in this together.

Jeff headed home and gathered the twins and Silas in the dining room where he then got out the owners manuals from the boxes and told them to start reading, he also found a few books on shooting that Bart had added to the pile, they all settled down to learning all they could.
After reading the books Jeff took one of the shotguns and proceeded to start taking it apart, which proved to be very simple then the girls both grabbed “their” shotguns and did the same, after that they used the cleaning kit the Dept. mgr. had added and wiped off the shipping oil.

Silas just watched and said, I’m willing to learn all I can about these things but I’m not going to go over board because I believe I’m going to take the training with you Jeff but I’m planning to organize large scale gardening and food processing to feed us when the stored food runs out.
That’s more in keeping with my mind set. Jeff smiled at his brother and said Si I already knew that.

The twins nodded and then both started talking about the militia training and how they couldn’t wait to get started to which Jeff said well I don’t think girls will be doing that, which was the wrong thing to say as both girls laid into him with force causing him to put both hands up and said fine you want to be baby Rambo's, that’s fine, take it up with the Col.

I’ll bet he has a few words to say to you and I for one am looking forward to seeing you two put in your place for the first time in your lives! Too which they both laughed and Sam said righttt… the Col is a man right? He don’t stand a chance added Bob. Jeff quit while he was ahead.

After getting the guns back together Jeff opened the mouth of a few rounds and dumped out the shot and powder then reclosed the cases then they all learned how to load the weapons and how to cycle the actions to throw out the empty’ and cycle in a new round.
Bob being Bob was the first one to pull the trigger while the round was in the chamber which of course caused the primer to pop which cause a very unlady like S**T out of Sam and Bob both and they all jumped, then Jeff said, now you see why I dumped out the shot and powder? Bob slugged him in the arm and said, why didn’t you warn me?? He laughed and said warn you?? You would have done it on purpose then, this way you learned a lesson.
They then learned about safeties and all the things they needed to know for the moment, he explained that for now the chambers would be left empty and they popped the rest of the loaded primers and practiced pointing and pulling the triggers and pumping out the empty and chambering the next round.
Jeff told them that the next day they would drive just out of town and fire the weapons until they were confident with them.

But until then each person would be required to carry their weapon with them everywhere they went in the house or outside, even to the bathroom asked Bob? Yep and even to bed said Jeff. This more then anything else helped bring home to the girls just how bad things would get very soon.

[Trip]

While George was at his desk the phone startled him, he had already become accustomed to thinking about not having power and phones. He answered and it was Bart. George , Bart said, I wanted to tell you that I’m moving my family into the SC, we have all the restrooms and in back we have shower stalls that were put in for the truck drivers as well as several bunk rooms. And I thought I might offer you and your’s a place here if you wish. My feelings are that soon we will be here more then at home and I would feel better if my family were here. George thought a minute and then said, Bart, I’ll grab that offer!! I’ve been worried about my kids while I’m here, also that leaves my place for some family that needs to move into town for the duration, mine too said Bart, though I hadn’t thought of that, thanks you for the reminder!!.
I believe tomorrow morning after the town hall meeting will be soon enough.

After hanging up George thought about the warehouse set up, he had forgotten all about the fact that the modern building had some of the same things the SC had, he then called the foreman in and they sat brain storming the idea, The foreman Mark Drew was a single man who while young was very steady and dependable so George had no doubts in asking him if he would consider moving into the WH for now, Mark said he was happy to do so as he was worried about there not being anybody inside.
That settled George sent Mark home to gather whatever he needed to be comfortable in the WH. There were 4 bunk rooms and a nice shower and bathroom for the drivers, so he would be comfortable as well as having room for some other guards to be decided on later and the break room was set up to allow cooking etc.

George called home and Sam answered with a, Fort Davis, Capt. Sam speaking ! George burst out laughing and said well this is General Davis Capt. And I think maybe some lessons in proper telephone protocol is needed here.

Yes Sir General Sir, But if the General Sir wish’s to eat supper at Ft. Davis Sir, the general might consider tempering the extent of the lessons…SIR!

George and Sam then both burst out giggling like fools and he said he would be home soon and hung up.

He then sat and reflected how it could be that their mom, his wife for many years had in a sense driven out of their lives and none of them seemed bothered by it.
Well he thought as the kids said, they aren’t stupid so they knew long before I did that this was coming, go figure he thought.

He waited until Mark came back and backed his truck up to a bay door and honked, George looked at the camera monitor that was aimed at the bays and pushed a button on the wall which raised the door for that bay, then went to help Mark unload his truck, he was surprised that the first thing Mark did was start passing up gun cases, lots of them, which George placed on a flat cargo cart, then came cases of ammo, followed by case after case of boxes marked MRE’s, then other boxes with inventory list taped to them, he finally had to say Mark, what in the hell is all this stuff. Mark said well George, I always believed in being prepared for something like this and this is part of my storage plan, Part? Thought George but didn’t voice it because he didn’t want to pry.

After it was all transferred into the bunk room Mark was going to use he told George he had a storage unit full of more food and ammo and clothing for most any type weather as well as first aid supplies. He also said that for now he felt it was safe enough and could remain where it was but that some time down the road he would like to move it to the WH too, George said that would fine and he could move it anytime he wished, but right now he was going home to eat with his kids and for Mark to call if he needed anything, also to let the lot guard go home as the Army Hummer was patrolling around the area so it should be fine.

When George opened the garage door he was faced with the girls standing behind a stack of stuff made into a barricade holding shotguns in a very professional manner. One of them called out Halt!! What’s the password?
George sat a moment and said. The pass word is get the hell out of the Generals way!! Or you’ll be peeling spuds for the duration!! Which got a very unlady like sound from both girls who then slid the empty boxes out of the ways while laughing at their dad.

George got out of the car and looked at the twins and said am I to believe those things are loaded?? Bet you butt boy said Sam, or was it Bob? In the dim light he couldn’t tell, the other said, loaded with slugs and buckshot, buster so don’t screw with the Davis clan!! George looked at them and said if you don’t want your mouths washed out you best be learning about your language!
Both girls tried to look chastised which didn’t work because they never had learned to accept anything they didn’t agree with, One said Hey we are tuff militia babes and you best be watching your step …bud! George grabbed them both and hauled them up under his arms guns and all and kicked the door, Jeff opened the door and burst out laughing at the looks on the twins faces, he then said, I told you he wasn’t going to be impressed with your tuff act!!
Both girls resorted to sticking their tongues out at him which got them squeezed harder by their dad. Until both started laughing and he let them go saying lose the guns Wyatt, you to Doc Holliday. But both girls said we’re only following orders from his royal pain in the butt pointing at Jeff, who tried unsuccessfully to grab them but failed as they were quicker then him.

Daddy, Sam said ( knowing that calling him “daddy” won all arguments) We fixed a really good dinner for you so lets eat, Jeff rolled his eyes earning a punch from one of the she devils.

Dinner was a slightly overdone roast and slightly underdone baked potatoes and corn that was almost too hot to eat. But the girls were puffed up with pride at taking care of their “Men folk” as they put it.

George told them it was great. Silas said he wanted their recipe for abusing a perfectly good roast, which got him hit by thrown corn from both demons, Jeff was smart enough to keep his mouth shut and keep chewing.

After the mess was cleaned up and dish’s washed they all sat around the table and George told them what was going on for now and that tomorrow was going to bring even more disruptions.

None of them had watched the TV and figured tonight might be a good time to get an idea of the extent of the damage nation wide.

They sat together and watched the horror as it unfolded on the screen, people dying on screen like a movie except this time it was real, buildings burning, crowds rioting and looting, gunfire everywhere.
The police out numbered and for the most part on the run for their lives, the camera caught several bodies in police uniforms laying in dead, weapons gone ,cars burning, the reporter said the cops had rushed to a call for officer down and were caught in an ambush by gang members who seemed to be well armed even though the city of Washington DC was renown for it’s draconian anti gun laws, well as predicted the good people were unarmed and the bad were armed better then the police. Jeff said, it’s just another example of how the gun laws only effect the honest people.

The news came in from all over, coast to coast border to border, things on the northern border were pretty quiet but the southern border was a mad house.
The Mexican gangs in the city’s were being reinforced by gangs of men coming across the border, all armed by the terrorist who had started all this. As they crossed the border they were shooting at anybody they saw, even children, the cameras found death everywhere.
In one Texas town the people armed themselves with their own weapons and met the Mexican gangs outside town and ambushed them.

The camera caught the whole thing, At least 50 cars and trucks loaded with armed people drove right into the road block prepared by the townspeople on a blind curve with high cuts where the road passed thru the hill.
The waiting Texans held their fire until the lead truck slammed into the barricade.

Then one of them tossed a road flare into the mess which had been soaked in Gasoline mixed with diesel , as had the ditch’s on both sides, this blew up like a bomb blast, then the Texans opened fire and it was over in about 3 minutes, nobody lived in the mess on the road, some were screaming as they fell into the burning ditches, others as their gas tanks were shot open and fuel running out into the ditches blew up catching them and they ran screaming from the flames, the lucky ones were shot, some weren’t so lucky, depending on the attitude of the Texans nearest to them.

The camera man never flinched while filming but the reporter was heard throwing up of camera and unable to comment on the fight…if it could be called that. Final count, 450 dead gang members no Texans hurt except for the man who threw the flare who lost his eyebrows when the fuel blew

The news from DC said the White House had been hit by a plane loaded with at least 800 pounds of high explosives and had been flattened, nobody knew anything about the president or his family, the place had gone up like a gas soaked rag.
At the same time the Congress and Senate buildings were hit with both truck bombs and air plane bombs. There was even people saying that a lot of bombs were heard going off inside the buildings.

Sam looked at her dad and said, How could they get bombs into those places dad? George thought a minute and said, well honey, the drug cartels have millions upon millions of American dollars to bribe somebody to carry bombs into those places. But dad asked Bob who would do that? Jeff spoke up and said girls, think about some person in a low paying job who’s offered 5 million in cash to do it, then think of a dozen people doing it.

The Girls sat looking from their brother to their dad and just stared in disbelief. How could the world hates us so much asked one of the twins, The men just shook their heads, then Silas spoke up and said, well as you know we are hated by most of the world because we have so much and they have so little or at least they think they have little, what they never had that we did, was founding fathers who were wise and put it all into writing, how our country would be run and how the government would operate for the people, although in the last 50 or so years the government has swung away from being what those founders wanted it to be. I don’t like this but I think it was overdue and I think for those who live thru it there will be a better country as a result.
George just sat and stared at his son wondering where he had gotten so well informed.

After they had seen enough of the carnage going on outside the northwest they decided to all head for bed so that they were fresh for the new dawning of America.

[Trip]

When the Davis clan drove in to the high school the lot was jammed, cars and trucks everywhere and spilling over into the side streets. An Army hummer stopped beside the Davis car and the man in the passenger seat said, follow us Mr. Davis then drove off, George followed them around to the back of the building where the small teachers lot was roped off and guards posted.

After he had parked he said to the kids, this isn’t good, some folks are getting preferential treatment already, and that never looks good. He got out and followed by his brood walked into the back door where he found two of the Col’s men standing guard.
He was directed to the front of the hall where seats had been reserved for he and Bart, the kids stayed off to the side near an exit door.

At 0800 on the dot the Col. And his Sgt. Major walked out onto the stage where they stood quietly while the people noticed them and shushed the folks around them.

After it was quiet the Col. walked to the podium and adjusted the mike, He spoke in a firm quiet voice and after introducing himself and his Sgt. Major he wasted no time in explaining just what was going on in the country as far as he knew, he told the people that there were no secrets between himself and them, that he would spare no effort to answer all their questions as well as he could.

He explained about the plan to form roving combat units to root out outlaw elements and any foreign fighters that made it this far north. He told them of the suitcase nukes and this caused a stir among the crowd who had been very calm and quiet so far.

He also told them of the hopes that an EMP event would kill the timing units and render them fairly useless.
He spoke of the plans made in meetings with some “ community leaders” and about the plan to close off all traffic in and out of the enclosed valley.

He told them about how they would all have to work together to survive and that nobody with a very few exceptions would be allowed to not work. But that even those who were older or handicapped could do what they felt they could if they so desired.

When he said a call would go out for Militia fighters to be trained by his Rangers there was another stir, but he held up his hand and when it was quiet he said.

Look folks, I’m not 100 % happy with this plan, for several reasons, but this is the hand we were dealt and we have to play it. Now I know you all have questions and I’ve asked Sheriff Lee who knows most of you to pick one person at a time to call on you one at a time. I want you too all hold please respect the fact that time is running short and we have a lot to do in the next 24 hours so please don’t repeat questions.
JB stood up and turned to face the people and said the best way is to go by rows so I’ll start with the person sitting in the left outside front row.

The lady sitting there waved her hand and passed as did the next few people. The next man stood up and asked if there was an age limit to the militia volunteers, The Col. Said no, if you can crawl and shoot we need you, this got a small chuckle,

The Col. then added anybody with prior military training we can use right away, if nothing else you can assist my Rangers in teaching any skills you learned while you served.

If you were in a combat arm then we really need you, supply people are needed, just about anybody who has be there, we need.

Several of the next people waved off the offer to ask questions, then it came to a man who stood up and said, Well I’ll tell you one thing, ain’t nobody gonna take what’s mine and share it with strangers!! I worked hard for what I got and that’s that! A few others nodded their heads.

Col. Patton nodded and said well sir I hope you have enough to last you the rest of your life because from today if you don’t work and help, you don’t eat with the rest! And this really caused a stir, the man who had the floor yelled out, Mister I can buy what I want I don’t need you telling me nothing about how I’m gonna eat.

The Col. nodded and said Sir your completely right, do you live in town?? No I don’t said the man, fine then, does anybody else agree with this man? Several others stood up, The Col. then told his men to escort them out of the building and to their cars and escort them out of town and to note their names and plate numbers as from now on they were not to be allowed back into town.
This caused a real outbreak of yelling from the people who were standing. After it quieted down the Col. Said , well lets try this, he looked at all the people there and said.

Ok you all heard what this gentleman had to say, in a few days we are going to be working our butts off trying to get ready to survive the end of the world as we all know it, some of you will be doing back breaking labor growing gardens, some will be helping to feed and raise live stock, while others will be working at a thousand jobs, all without pay, just for the right to eat and be warm when winter comes, and stay alive, so… how many of you want to give food and shelter to people like these? Waving his hand at the ones standing. Will you want to share your hard won food with people who wouldn’t share with you or work with you to stay alive?

It took about 5 seconds for the first loud “Hell No”!! which was taken up by the entire crowd. When it had quieted down the Col. Nodded to his men who started moving in on the ones standing, most sat down quickly and said I’ll work!!

The first loudmouth said well I’m out of here, as he was leaving a woman in the back stood up and said Sir!!
The Col. Nodded at her and she said, I’ve been married to this [censored] fool jackass for 10 years and right now I need a new home for me and my 2 kids and we can and will work.

At this the man yelled you bit*h and lunged at the woman and swung a fist at her, but seemed to run into a rifle butt that had decided to occupy the space where his face was !! His teeth beat his head to the floor but not by much.

The ranger who had swung the rifle butt, looked at his boss and said, Sorry bout that Sir, I didn’t see him till it was to late, this brought a roar of laugher from the crowd and the rest of those standing sat down fast.

Col. Patton said in the quiet that followed that a place in town would be found for her and that she could leave now with the ranger who had stopped the attack to get her kids and any thing that she wanted from her former house. She thanked him and followed the ranger out the door.

Sheriff Lee turned to one of his deputy’s and said I think he needs to visit the hospital and then book him till 6:00 tonight, the young deputy looked at his boss and said ,uh sir, would that charge be dirty elbows sir ?? JB just looked at the young man and said, now son, can’t you tell when somebody’s littering? The youngster and his partner grabbed the man under the arms and dragged him away.

Col. Patton said ok, any more questions? A man stood up in the middle of the room and said I’m the Vice principal at the middle school and I guess I need to know what’s going on now with the school.

The Col. Said well sir , I expect that in about a week school may start again, and when it does you’re the new head honcho!
This brought a loud voice from the back and a sour faced woman stood and said, I’m the head of the school board , and it’s up to us to pick a replacement for Mr. Simmons!

The Col. Looked at George and nodded , George looked at her and said, How long have you been on the board ? 15 years she said, uh huh said George and in all that time did you ever hear any thing concerning Simmons and his conduct around young girls?

The woman was so blown up with her self importance that she never heard how quiet it had gotten, she said of course I heard those nasty unfounded rumors, spread by a few little sluts!!

George walked closer to her and said well 2 of those little so called sluts are my daughters, and I believe them and I also think you’re a big part of the problems at that school So in my opinion I think maybe we need a new school board as well as a new principal !!

To this the woman drew up to her full height and said I’ll have you know the people elected the board not you!! George turned and looked around the room and said, well folks you’re the people, so what do you think, do we need a whole new school board, the loud shouts of YES!!!! Shook the roof.
He looked at the woman and said well I think the “people” just fired you, but I believe we can find a job for you, we will need people to garden and help with feeding live stock and other such needful jobs. At this the woman turned and stormed out the door yelling that she was calling her lawyer and was going to sue him!!

George turned back to the front and made a it’s all your’s gesture to the Col. Who held up his hand and said, ok folks we have a lot to do and no time to do it.

I need people who have useful skills to move over to this side of the room as he pointed, See the Sgt. There and tell him what it is you can do, the rest will please give your names to my company clerk who’s at the table at the rear, tell him what you can and will do to help and be prepared to be doing some pretty hard work and in some cases demeaning work.

But any job you can do will relieve the men who will be doing the fighting and yes in many cases dying to keep you all safe. And please remember if you think working is beneath you then head on home and pack and hit the road, which by the way will be closed this time tomorrow, you can leave, you can’t come back for a long time, if the survivors will even let you back in.

Tomorrow we will start lining out the work party’s and get started on projects, I also need to see any of the people who work for the power and phone company’s as well as the highway dept. right now in the teachers lounge.
Thank you and we will be meeting a lot. With that he walked off the stage.

George fell in beside him and as they walked he asked how it was John knew to keep the vice principal on the job, John smiled and said well would you believe the lady who runs that office is married to JB? George just looked at him and said Col. I can now see that I was hiding in my work and my kids, I know nothing about the town I chose to raise my kids in, and I feel real low!!
John Patton slapped him on the back and said, your doin just fine son, and your kids prove it!

[Trip]

When George and the Col. Reached the lounge they found it pretty full, moving to the front of the room Col. Patton told the men and women to please get comfortable cause it would be the last time for a while.

I know you folks have heard of EMP, and you most likely know more then I do, I’m pretty sure that it won’t have to effect some think it will.

I do believe it will have an effect on the 40 year old equipment the Soviets used to build them, at least we hope it will.

I only know what I think and that’s that we have a small window of time to try to fix things here so that when it’s over we will have some form of power and vehicles that run, the equipment in the storage bunkers at the post is pretty safe, but we will be needing all we can in the way of transport down the road real soon, so… having said that what can we do to lessen the impact of this event?

Several of the men looked at one another and then one said, Well sir, I think it might be smart to shut down all power into the area just before this thing hits, also I think we should disconnect as many of the transformers and possible, I think even if the main power sources should go down we can hook in big generators and have some power if not like usual.


That’s the kind of input I’m looking for men any others Ask the Col? Several of the men started talking between themselves and it some turned too technical for the others, after a bit the col. Said ok, let me have your attention, who’s the main crew boss here, an older man said I am sir, why?

The Col. Smiled that smile and said well sir, your now the main power boss for this area, so I’m leaving it up to you, do what you feel you need to do, if you have trouble use your radio to call for help and we will get you all you need, also how would you recommend dealing with the vehicles to protect them?

The man thought a minute and said well I’m say disconnect all the batteries and store them someplace where the pulse won’t have any effect say in a metal building and nothing on the floor, maybe on pallets, and really ground the buildings, maybe park as many vehicles as possible in metal buildings they are on rubber tires and that should help and maybe ground them too…hell Col. I ain’t really got a clue just some things I read a long time ago.

Well lets make it happen, I’ll get people to disconnecting as many batteries
as possible and have folks do the same at their homes.

Get moving men we have a lot to do and no time to do it! With that they all took off following the older man who was giving orders as fast as he could, Good man said the Col. To George, yes sir I’d say so replied George.

They walked back into the gym to find it still full, so taking the opportunity the Col. Jumped onto the stage and said may I have your attention please? Nobody stopped talking so he looked at his Sgt. Major who put a whistle to his mouth and blew a loud long blast, that cause instant silence, he then bellered “Listen up people” !! with that it go real quiet, Col. Patton then told them what the power people were going to be doing and what was decided as far as trying to protect as many vehicles as possible, telling them how they might save them. After that he said carry on and he joined George who was standing with his kids.

Well George I think this went well don’t you? Before George could reply the was a loud voice yelling and the crowd parted to let a short fat man enter followed by several city police officers. He stomped up to the Col. And said are you the jackass that thinks he’s taking over ‘my’ town? And who might you be asked the Col. Knowing this was the mayor and a few of his pet cops.
I’m Mayor Johnston and I want to know where in the hell you think you had the authority to impound both the grocery warehouse and the sports complex??

Ah, said the col. Noting that the big room had grown quiet, and how would you know that Johnston? I went there with the police dept to shut down and guard a vast resource and they wouldn’t let me in! and some of your bully boys drove up in a [censored] army car with a machine gun on it and told us to please move on!!
I see, well sir, and where were you when the whole country side was here in a very important meeting?
Listen you [censored] fool, I’m the mayor and I don’t answer questions I ask them and I by god get answers!! I see said the Col. And what was your reason for not coming to the meeting?

Perhaps it was so you and your pet chief of police and a few of the hooligans you hire to play at being cops thought you were going to just waltz right in and sort of take over all the food and other good in those places ???

Thinking with all these good folks here learning how to save this town and area , you could build a private empire?? As in he who controls the food and weapons controls the people??

The Mayor started sputtering and turned red, Bingo thought George, and a lot of the people in the room started laughing at him, He responded by pointing at the Col. And yelling at his men to arrest this SOB!! When they didn’t move he yelled again, but his chief of police said uh Mr. mayor sir, perhaps you should look around you, the little man looked around and found he was looking into several m-16 rifles held by very hard looking men.
He stopped sputtering and said, you ain’t heard the end of this shaking his fist. Yes Mr. Mayor I have. Sgt. Major called the Col. Yes sir said Sgt. Maj. Jenks walking over.
I want you to have some men escort the mayor here and these men with him about 5 miles out of town in one vehicle, with a full tank of gas, remove their weapons, lock them in the trunk of the car, and tell the men at the road block that my orders are to shoot them if they come in range.

Yes sir said the Sgt. Maj. Pointing to 3 of his men he said disarm these good ol boys and follow the Col’s orders, Yes sir Sgt. Maj. Said the young trooper. After the bunch had been disarmed they were led out of the building.

George said, Col. Do you think maybe you made a mistake in this case? The Col. Looked at George and said yea I agree, I shoulda shot the bas**rd it would have been a blessing for the folks who have to deal with him later.

The Col. Said come on John, George, we need to go visit some car dealers, with that they headed out the door, George taking a moment to tell his kids to head home and start packing for the move to the SC.
The Col. And his entourage started hitting all the car dealers and found most of the owners and salesmen had been at the meeting and were waiting for him to show up, he explained what the power boss had said about his thoughts on saving vehicles from a the EMP.

After talking to the owners and their shop crews they watched as the crew started following the orders of their boss, the head of the parts shop came over and said to his boss, I think we should pull all the computers from the vehicles and also gather all the new ones along with almost all the electronic parts we have and figure a way to shield them.

I can Google EMP and read up on it and see what we can do, if things get as bad as it seems we will be needing all these 4x4 rigs for the Col’s patrols as well as for all the work crews moving around the area.

The Col. Looked at the young man and said well son I like a man that thinks on his feet, can you shoot? The man smiled and said 4 years in the marines sir! Col. Patton laughed out loud and said never ask a Marine if he can shoot!! Cause that’s a dumb question!

Come see me when this project is done ok? Yes sir said the young man count on it sir!

With that they moved on to the other dealers and found that all of them had been at the meeting and had held their own meeting and were already working at what needed doing, Col. Patton told them to contact the first dealers parts man to get the word on what might help with the EMP.

They then headed back to the School where he asked the Sheriff to send a few deputy’s around to the gas stations and ask them to shut down and disconnect their pumps from the power grid and to stay in the stations or have somebody there to guard them.

He then found one of the power men and asked him to start going to all the construction company’s and explain to them about safe guarding their equipment and preparing for the EMP.

George asked him how he was remembering all this stuff, the Col. Said well I’ve been living it for a couple of years or so!!

[Trip]

George was startled to feel the vibration of his cell phone having forgotten all about it. He pulled it out and answered it, And was overjoyed to hear that his brother James had made it back to the WH as well as one other truck that had been in route from Denver, George excused himself with the Col. And after telling him where he would be and giving his cell number started out the door when he remembered the kids had left with the SUV he went back and asked the Col. If he could get a ride from one of the hummers, the Sgt/mgr spoke into a small hand held radio and told George his carriage was waiting.
Outside he found a hummer waiting, he piled into the vehicle and they headed to the WH, never having been a hummer he took the time to study it, nodding to the gunner who was sitting behind him.

They arrived at the WH and George got out, thanked the two men and headed to the walk thru gate which was being unlocked by the same guard from the day before, thanking the man he jogged to the building and inside where he found his brother James. The two men hugged as if they hadn’t seen each other in years, after looking at James and seeing he was ok they sat down for coffee and talk.

James said that he had waited out the day at the truck stop too hear what was going on out on the roads, Things weren’t bad in the North West yet but truckers pulling in were telling tales of high jacking and shooting on the roadways in and around the bigger city’s, almost all drivers were armed anyway but were now buying heavier weapons and making up convoys for safety and trying to make it home to their families. James had waited until a bunch of trucks had headed thru his area and joined them, after that it was just like a normal day on the road, but it was going to get bad fast and soon.

George filled James in on what was happening on the home front, James was stunned to find that things were not only calm but were moving forward at such a fast pace.
He was also surprised at finding out about the plan that had been in place in their city and that they hadn’t even noticed it, George told him all he knew about the Col. And his men and what the plan was to this point.

After catching up James headed to his place to check on it, he had turned down the offer of moving into the WH, Saying that he would just stay at his place for now.

The other driver had left as soon as he got backed up to the dock and unhooked the tractor, he lived in the Denver area and wanted to get home so he fueled the tractor and headed out.

With two full trailers standing at the dock the WH crew were busy unloading and storing the goods, The Wh had a large reefer section just for frozen foods and had a back up propane fueled generator that was inside the WH but exhausted to the outside.

Thinking about that sent George to the phone to call the local propane distributor who agreed to get a crew out right away to lay in 3 1000 gal. tanks which would have to be buried but would be in before the day ended, that would solve a big problem for the food storage problems as it could be used later if needed to store and process meat on the hoof .

How could they get it all done he wondered, he also wondered at how the people accepted what was happening with such calmness , he filed that question away for later, when he again met with Col. Patton who seemed to have this whole thing figured out. Somebody somewhere sure had thought it out, he only hoped they had thought well!!

Jeff called his dad to tell him that he and Silas would be a bit late as they were meeting with other volunteers for the first Militia group at the school gym. After they had all the information they needed they would be home to help prepare for the move to the SC which he informed his dad wasn’t flying well with the twins who were talking rebellion , George just shook his head because he had seen these rebellions” before.

The two headstrong girls couldn’t understand why their dad refused to let them wear the latest fad styles, they thought they would be “HOT” with the low rider pants and high cropped shirts, their dad agreed with them, they would be “Very Hot” and they darn sure weren’t wearing anything that covered so little.

He and Marge had a really bad fight over that one until the girls saw where it was going and said they understood and were sorry they had such thoughts about fashion, but he knew in his mind that the battle was won but that war wasn’t fought yet.
Maybe he was jumping the gun on moving out of the family home yet and he would talk to the Col. About it and if the Col. Agreed then he could appear to let the little she devils “WIN” one !! Rightttt, that might slow them down on the next outbreak. But he knew better.

Maybe he should just surrender now and save time and stress…but that would never do. If he gave them an inch they took 10 miles…better to go down fighting then be a quitter!!, he was smiling by the time these thoughts flashed thru his mind.

He told Jeff to not jump into something without talking to him first, after they hung up he sat a moment and the thought flashed thru his mind that here he was sitting on his butt and his two son’s were getting ready to learn to fight to save the homes and lives of the community and surrounding countryside this left him feeling sick at heart.

He called Jeff back and asked what time their meeting was and just said thank you son, I’ll see you later.

At the appointed time George walked into the school gym where he found what looked like 200 men ages from about 17 to 60’s, he looked around and spotted his son’s and walked over to them and sat with them.

Jeff looked a bit uncomfortable but Silas just smiled at his dad and said took you long enough ol man!! George laughed and threw his arm around his younger son’s neck and said ol man?? This ol man can still whip your but “boy” Silas said sure ya can pop’s if we’re playin cards!!

George felt his throat start to swell, his son’s were grown up and he felt he had missed it, he asked Jeff how it was that they had left the twins alone? Jeff just shook his head and pointed, across the gym was a group of girls from his daughters ages to high school age.

Jeff said come on dad have you ever tried to leave those two behind? It’s like trying to walk on water! And Silas said, smiling at his dad, “WE” know what battles to fight and which to leave be.
George knew he was beat on that score, and said why are all those girls here anyway? Both boys shook their heads and said it sure seems funny but they all came for some reason. George looked over at the group again and a half formed thought ran thru his mind but before it got clear the Col. And Sgt/Maj walked out onto the stage, the crowd grew quiet instantly.

Good afternoon gentlemen …er and uh ladies. Then the thought hit Georges mind in full force but he was to late, the oldest of the girls stood and said and good afternoon to you Col. Sir, and we’re glad you didn’t intentionally leave us “ladies” out of this get together.
We wouldn’t want to think this was a “boy’s” club would we girls, a resounding NO !! echoed thru the gym.
The Col. Looked like he had been kicked in the …wrong place, he looked at the Sgt/Major who just kinda took a step away as if to say your on your on sir.

Finally the Col. Took a deep breath and said of course not lady’s, wouldn’t think of it but his smile was weak.
I sat there looking at my two girls and thinking how was I going to win this forthcoming battle?
I then thought, well teaching them to defend themselves is a good thing, learning all the skills need in the future is a good thing, and I knew the Col. Wouldn’t be sending 14 year olds into battle, so I relaxed and say back to listen.

As I was saying said the Col. Welcome, we are here to begin the start of your training for future opp’s and training in base defense, ahhh I thought, you side stepped that one Col. !! Base defense, righttt. Good save!! But I knew something the good Col. who had never had kids much less girls didn’t know, he had only won the word war, the rest wouldn’t be so easy.

What we will start doing tomorrow morning at 0600 is combat training, this means we will not be learning to march, shine shoes or press uniforms, none of the normal everyday military basic things.
We will be learning weapons, cleaning, carrying, shooting. Until it becomes second nature.

The secret to being successful in combat is being in shape, and moving and shooting without thought, we call it muscle memory, that’s why sometimes you have a reflex action say if something is moving at your head and even though you don’t really “see’ it you do and your hand will react because of this muscle memory.
With training you will develop it, even without knowing it, you people who have played sports all your lives know this, people who can type on a pc at high speed know it, the rest of us have to learn it.
So until 0600 get some rest because my men will be running you through your paces, please wear shoes you can move in. You dismissed until we meet here in the morning.

Whit that he moved off the stage and joined George and said, watching over the brood George?
No Col. I’m here to prepare for training too. At this both boys heads snapped around, Jeff in confusion and Silas with a “told ya so” look on his face.
Col. Patton looked at him and finally said well you better get some rest, us old men don’t do as well as the kids. George smiled and said well Col. Would you like to join me in proving old men can keep up?
The Col. Said I wouldn’t miss it for the world, see you in the morning , It was then that he looked across the room and found himself looking into the eyes of his brother who was smiling.

George shook his head and walked over to him and hugged him and said, well the whole family is crazy. What are you doing here? James said well knowing the “demons” like I do, I figured I might just keep an eye on them. Both men just smiled because they knew that was so true.

0600 came really to quick for George but he was there with his family. One of the young rangers walked up in front and said, listen up! We are going to do warming up drills, then we will do some light exercises then we will hit the track and everybody will make 4 laps, that’s one mile, if you can jog it all then walk or crawl, but don’t quit, this isn’t the army and I can’t kick you up on your feet, but you will do it yourself, because as the first volunteers you have shown yourselves to be motivated and your not here to fail! So spread out and lets warm up.
One hour later George was thanking god he had worked at unloading the truck, even though it was for a unpleasant reason.
He didn’t make the whole mile running but didn’t have to crawl either. His brother made it but slower, but then he had been sitting driving for several years.

Looking over at his children he saw they hadn’t broke a sweat. Both the twins were talking to the ranger who was training them and George wasn’t pleased with the way they were flirting and planned to have a talk with them.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turn to face the Col. Who had not shown any problems running the whole mile even though he was at least 10 years older.
He nodded at the twins and his ranger and said, I feel your pain! But my men are all hand picked and will hold to business, but in a few more years your going to have your hands full!,

Col. George said, I already have them full, would you like one? Split up the team? The Col. Backed away with his hands up and said god no!! I’m not crazy!! I wouldn’t last a week with only one, two and I’d be dead in 24 hrs. No George, your own your on, but notice how close the brothers are? George and James had both seen the brothers moving in and approved, even thought the young ranger was being very professional.

Well Jim, lets gather up the two trouble makers and go home and shower. After getting the kids loaded George headed home, his body hurt and his feet were dead up to his knees.
Silas said, well dad you did really well! And your surprised George replied? Well, he paused and then all 4 yelled ……YES!!! Then all started laughing.

After George was showered and had returned to the WH he got a call from Bart Jones, they talked for an hour about what was going on, what was about to happen and what all they still had to do, then they rang off and George decided to go see the Col. At his base office, calling it a base was maybe being too generous , but that’s what it was called. Driving the 2 miles out of town took only a few minutes.

Driving up to the gate he slowed to a stop, the ranger on duty said go on in sir, the Col is expecting you, For a moment George just sat there then said how did he know I was coming? Well sir, about a mile back where you turned off the highway there’s a camera that is monitored here in the guard house and I called the Col as per orders sir.

Nodding at that George drove into the fenced area and parked by the Col’s hummer. Walking into the building he was met by the Sgt/Major and escorted into the office. Coffee was sitting on the desk along with 3 cups, help your self george said the Col. Have a seat both of you. What’s on your mind George? What makes you this I’ve something on my mind col.??? Because you’re a very smart man George and I know as time pass’ you’ll have questions.

Ok sir, fair enough, and yes I do have a real need to know, Why is it that with all that’s happened and about to happen, how is it the people are taking it so calmly?? I watched the news and people are going crazy out there, is it because we haven’t seen it here yet ??
Well, the Col. Said, leaning back in his chair, George have you ever thought about how this country was settled? How was it that a small part of the total population decided to just uproot, pack what they really needed most, and started out across the country from coast to coast? How could they do that, risking not only their own lives but their families, facing death from a hundred ways. Yet they pushed on day after day, never giving up. Think about that a moment. Now, answer this , Why did you uproot your family a couple of years ago and move out here to the “Boonies” as they say ??

What were you looking for? It wasn’t comfort, anybody that’s spent a long winter out here in these mountains knows there’s no comfort there. it wasn’t money, you made more I’ll bet where you were. So, what was it? George thought a second and said, I wanted a place where my family was safe, fresh air, being away from the troubles in the cities, just a better life.

The Col. Nodded and said and do you know that the reason these places like here and the other northwest states aren’t over grown more then they are? It’s because people don’t come here for the money, pay is lower in this kind of country, a lot of people actually have to hunt for meat for the winter months because their laid off or can’t work as in the construction business.

Many have to cut firewood for heat, it’s a hard country, you don’t notice it because you’re the type who moves here, but most of the population can’t survive more then a mile from the nearest “Gap” or Wal-mart, or shopping mall.

Yet the people here in places like this think nothing of it, why? Because they really don’t care for those things. They want to be here and be left alone, by the Government, by the politicians, they want to live their lives by their own rules, call it the pioneer spirit if you will.

The people that live in this kind of country don’t sit on the curb after a nasty snow storm and wait for the Gov. to come bail them out, They do for themselves and at the same time help their neighbors , They are as a rule of higher moral fiber and will fight at the drop of the hat and will drop it themselves if need be.

These people are of the same blood as the ones who settled this nation, strong and brave and most all of them own guns and can use them. They don’t believe in dialing 911 and hide under the bed, that’s why there is way less crime here then elsewhere, rob a bank and you stand a chance in walking out the door into a lot of men and yes women holding guns. Try to mug an old lady and if she don’t shoot you somebody will do it for her, and a jury won’t take 10 seconds to acquit the shooter.

That George is why it’s so calm here, why people are working together and why we will accomplish the mission ahead of us which is building an army to move out of these Mountains and take back any part of our country that’s being occupied by non citizens or those who have decided to follow the easy path and resort to force to get what they want.
It’s not going to be easy, many will die but win we will. And there it is George, in a nut shell, that’s what we are doing, do you think we’re up to the task? After a few seconds George said, yes sir I do, and I’ll see you on the track sir, and you better not slow down!! All three men laughed and walked out with George.

[Trip]

At 0600 the next morning, The Davis's arrived at the school for their second day of getting into shape. After everybody was there the Sgt. who worked with them the day before walked up front of the loose formation and said.
As near as we know the EMP event will be tonight at 0001, or one minute after midnight for you civilians, and for you children ( looking at the twins) Mickeys big hand is pointed….and the whole bunch roared with laughter, the twins were both bright red, which drew another laugh. Nice thought George, put those two in their places

We have no idea what will happen and here in this isolated valley I believe we won’t even see the sky light up but in any event we want everybody under cover just in case.

The next thing is that starting tomorrow we can’t set aside time for this conditioning stuff, So it will be up to you to do it when you can. But remember, in a firefight, being able to move fast will save your life!

Starting tomorrow after we see what happed with the EMP, we will meet at the local gun club and start training with weapons we will also be running squad fire and maneuver tactics, that’s where you will learn to trust your squad mates while moving forward under covering fire. TRUST! That’s the word of the day for a long time to come.
Now lets all get our stretching done and then try to make it a mile and a quarter.

After they were done they found the Col. And George sent the kids home for breakfast while he met with the Col. And Bart and the other leaders.

The Col. asked the power boss about the power job, The man stood and said well sir we got it all set up to shut down at 10:00 tonight, we also decided to not remove the transformers, we grounded as many as we could find and will be checking again today we figure they will make it fine, in case some don’t we have a good supply that was stored for the new line that was coming thru next spring, so we’ve done all we can, we will wrap it up between now and 10:00 pm

The Col. Thanked him and called on the spokesman for the car dealers, he stood and said well col. We got every truck and a lot of cars inside metal buildings which with the help of the power crews we have really well grounded, we built those boxes that my parts man found on the net, and we stored every single part that might fry as best we could. All the other dealers have done the same. So I think we are about as set as we can be.

Next was the speaker for the contractors, who said they had done the same, putting all their heavy equipment inside metal buildings and grounding them, and they stored all the electrical stuff as did the car folks. Now they just had to wait and see.

The Col. Then told them that come morning they would be shutting the interstate as far out as they could from the city and valley and that some of the heavy equipment would be needed to build bunkers and fighting holes for the barricade guards and they would have to be water proof and insulated to protect the guards when winter hit. It still wouldn’t be that comfortable but out of the wind and insulated , a few candles could make a real big difference.

After they had all reported, George told them about the propane tanks that would be buried today and would provide a place for storing frozen foods for a fairly long time. And that depending on how it was parceled out the grocery supply’s would keep the town for quiet a while. But that in his opinion some plan needed to be made to open a community “chow hall‘s” where everybody could eat as that would stretch the supplies much better and save time as people wouldn’t have to stop whatever they were doing to go home and fix meals, thus freeing more people up for work details.

Bart then reported that there was a very large supply of camo clothing at the SC, mostly winter type stuff along with a large selection of boots. Also there was a big supply of the meals meant for back packers, dehydrated stuff that would be ideal for the patrols. He had an inventory list of weapons and ammo which he gave to the Col.
It was decided to have another town hall meeting in two days, this would give them time to get the word out and to prepare a plan of action.

They meeting broke up and they all headed out to finish up on all the projects and last minute stuff before midnight came with what looked to be a new future then most had planned.

George got home to find a good breakfast waiting for him, They all sat down together and then the girls served the “men”. George was amazed at how the twins had changed in just a few days, from in his mind at least little girls, to young women, they still had their usual playful attitude about most things but now had a much more adult demeanor about them. He could see that this new future was going to change them all far beyond normal. And the thought of the girls maturing scared the hell out of him. How could he keep the wolves away from them, or worst yet keep “them” away from the wolves??
These things were running wild in his mind until he took a deep breath and calmed himself.
He knew his daughters and knew they were about the sharpest tacks in the box and they would handle it all with a open eyed approach. Or so he hoped!

He asked what was on line for them today, Jeff said they were all going to the local gun club to get started learning about the weapons they had. George said good he would go along to and try out his new shotgun.
After the kitchen was cleaned they loaded up and headed to the range, there they found a lot of people who had the same idea.
They also found several of the Rangers there helping those who needed it.
After finding an open bay.
George walked over to one of the Rangers and found it was the same one who tortured them on the runs at the track.
George introduced himself, The young man said he was Sgt. Matt Taylor, and he was the weapons trainer as well as the physical fitness trainer.
He explained about their lack of knowledge about weapons and asked for some help with the kids.
They walked up to the kids and before George could introduce them the boys said Hi Sgt. Taylor, The twins both smiled like the sun had come out on the 41st day after the 40 days and nights of rain, and both purred Good morning Matt, George looked at them and then said, I believe the proper form of address to a superior is by rank first and name last, for instance… Good morning “SGT” Taylor.
Sgt Taylor was blushing and the girls weren’t even looking at their dad. George knew this battle was lost at this time and would be fought later at home.
Sgt Taylor spent 2 hours showing them all how to use the shotguns, he started them all off with light bird loads, If George had any worry’s about his “little” girls that was dispelled in the first 30 minutes, they took to shooting like a duck to water, but they also were both playing “poor lil ol me” with the Sgt to the point that for the first time in their lives George wanted to put a boot in their butts.
Their brothers just looked on and laughed at their father. Silas said off to the side, Dad, a wise man picks his battles, which earned him a glare, which didn’t seem to bother his son a bit, Jeff actually laughed out loud which earned him a look.
After the shotguns they got out the Ruger 10-22’s which Sgt. Taylor was delighted with, he grew up with one in his hand, hunting on his family farm in Nebraska.
George asked him if he was worried about his folks, Matt smiled and said no sir, my dad was Special Forces, 3 tours in Nam, he knows more about this stuff then all of us combined plus he has a couple of his old A team that moved nearby after they retired from the army. So I’d say that part of Nebraska is pretty well secured.
Sam, called over and said Sgt. Taylor, would you show me how to hold this thing again, Matt excused himself and went to Sam who seemed to need a lot of help with the little rifle. Bob was shooting flames from her eyes and the brothers were grinning behind their hands, George was just stunned, his little hell cat acting like a kitten??? What was going on here he wondered, then realized he was watching the ages old dance of the species and it filled his heart with dread.
But he could see that Sgt. Taylor was handling the whole thing with professional style, but George also knew that battle was just starting and that while the Sgt. was a combat vet and a great soldier he was a bit of putty in his daughters hands, he felt sorry for himself and even more for Matt Taylor. How to get a handle o this was beyond him but knew he had to have a mother to daughter talk with his girls and soon, but he wasn’t a woman and had no idea what to say.
After cleaning up their mess and thanking Sgt. Taylor they left with a promise to be back the next day, if there was a day.
On the ride home Bob and Sam were both very quiet which was not the norm, when he tried to get them to talk about their morning they both just mumbled a reply.
Why couldn’t I have had 4 boys George thought, but knew he wouldn’t really have it other then it was, he would just have to find someone who could help him figure out how to handle this before it got out of hand.
But because of Marge and her ways they really hadn’t gotten to know many people since moving here. Another sore point in his mind.

[Trip]

After arriving home I called the Col. And invited him to dinner along with Sgt Major Jenks. I figured if I helped cook dinner nobody was apt to die, not that the girls were bad at it, they just never had cook an actual meal until the last few days, but I figured to grill some steaks and have baked potatoes and salad, nobody could mess that up.

I then had a brain storm and ask the Col. If it would be against any rules to invite Sgt. Taylor? He laughed and said not all George.

But trying to drown a fire with gasoline seldom works and usually burn the hand on the can! I had to smile and said well sir I hope to avoid that. See you at 6:00 is that ok? Yes it is and thank you George.

After I hung up I and started taking steaks out of the freezer and told the kids dinner was at 6:00 and we had guests coming, they all just nodded and went on about their business.

Of all things cleaning their guns on the back deck, what a change in our lives. And none of us had mentioned Marge, as for me I hadn’t even thought of her until now.

A last minute thought sent me back to the phone to call Bart and extend the invite to him as well as his family if they wished to come. He said he would be delighted, and would ask his wife, but they had a year old baby that was cutting teeth and he doubted she would want to come because of the distraction of the baby.

I assured him that both the girls had a lot experience baby sitting and would love to help, That settled I did what any man my age does after learning to run laps again, I took a nap.

I woke at 5:00 and took a fast shower and went down to the kitchen where I found the twins making a great looking salad! I could get used to this.

By 6:00 I had the grill fired up and the steaks seasoned. The potatoes were almost done baking in the oven. When I heard the sound of what could only be a Hummer pulling up in front, Sam headed to the door to greet our guests and glanced out the window. She screamed out. DAD!!!!!! You did this on purpose as she ran past and up the stairs, I just stood there and wondered what I had done, Bob went to look out and ran back screaming DAD!! You’re a rat!! Up the stairs and doors slamming.

I walked to the door and opened it just as the Col. Reached for the buzzer. As he stepped in and stuck his hand out he said did I hear loud voices? He had a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eyes. It then dawned on me, I had made a mistake by not telling the girls just “WHO” was coming to dinner.

All of them were dressed casual in civies and looking at Sgt. Taylor he looked about 17 years old without the ever present m -16 carbine that seemed to grow from his hands.

The Sgt Major looked out of place in civies, as was to be expected of an old war horse like him. We all headed out back to the deck where there was beer buried in ice and some Harder stuff is anybody so desired.

After they were all settled the doorbell chimed and Soon Silas escorted Bart and his wife whom I’ had never met, she was a very pretty woman who was carrying a baby that was sleeping at the moment.

The Men all stood as they came out onto the deck and Sgt. Taylor leaped to take the Baby bag from Bart, And surprising me beyond belief the grizzly old Sgt Major reached out and took the baby a gentle as a rose peddle, The baby never moved and seemed to settle into sleep even more, I think everybody there was stunned.

The hands that had fought in more wars and battles then anybody should ever have too, was as gentle as a lamb with the baby, after Helena was seated she indicated she could take the baby but Jenks just smiled and settled down in his chair and started gentle rocking a bit.

Bart introduced her as Helena, She smiled and said, My father spent a summer in Montana and never forgot it. So I’m stuck with the name, I told her it was beautiful as she was and that Montana should be proud!

The Col. Was still looking at his Sgt major as if he were a creature from another planet, but with a warm smile on his face.
Most mothers would have looked at S/M Jenks and been sacred he was going to eat the baby, but Helena just watched him with a soft look in her eyes as if she knew something the rest of us didn’t know.

Arriving slightly behind the clatter of a stampede of buffalo came the twins, well, I think they were my daughters, to of the most heart breaking beautiful young women I’ve ever seen walked out onto the deck, all the men stood as they gingerly walked across the deck on heels, both had dress’ on and both had subtle makeup on, and their hair looked as if they had just come from a stylist. I knew I had lost this round and poor matt Taylor looked like he had been stabbed in the heart, he was looking from one to the other and it finely dawned on me that he didn’t know which was which, good because I didn’t either, they had put the colored contacts in and now we were all confused. I just gave up and sat down and took the beer the smiling Col handed me as he was leaning over to give me the beer he made a whooshing sound, not unlike gasoline blowing up.. I was not amused, but he didn’t seem to care.
It took me a moment to notice the smile on Helena’s face that said “uh huh, boy did you blow it!!”

Seeing the Sgt/maj holding the baby seemed to stop both girls in their tracks but both recovered and began to try to remove the baby from his hands, I don’t think he growled but they did back away and drop it. I need to learn that!! Might make life easier around here.

After making eyes me, one of them asked is “Matt” would like to help make the salad. He turned red and stammered a bit but got up and followed them, much like a sheep following the wolves to lunch. I some how felt pity for him.

After the meal was finished we all sat around and talked about midnight which was now only 4 hours away.
Silas spoke up and said in a wondering tone, I wonder what the EMP will do to the Airplanes at the airport. A stunned silence that followed for about 30 seconds and the Col. Jumped to his feet and asked where the phone was, he took off for the kitchen following Sam…or was it Bob?

In a few minutes he came back out on the deck and sat down and looked at Silas and then burst out laughing, and said son, it’s not smart to play jokes on old Col’s !!
He then explained that while everybody had completely forgotten all about the airport and the small planes there Silas had undertook to go out there that morning and talk to the manager of the place who hadn’t been told about the EMP or what it could do. So Silas told him to call the Car dealership where the parts man was who figured out how to shield the electrical stuff that needed it and talk to him about it and about getting the planes they could into the metal hangers, the job was finished about 30 minutes before.

The Col. Looked at Silas and said son, we have a place for you, you thought of the one thing that got away from us all. How about coming to work for me at the base?
You can be my go to man and free up a ranger now that we are into training, I know your more into other things then patrolling and such and that’s fine, we need thinkers as bad if not more then shooters right now, and come spring you can be in charge of getting the community gardens going, what do you think?
Silas looked at his dad and then his brother, then said Sir I’d be glad to as long as I can train with the others. If we need to defend the town I need to know all I can. Deal said the Col. Come out to the base daily after your training .
The girls after all but prying the baby from John’s hands had gone off inside with the baby who seemed to enjoy the attention and not fusing about his teeth at the moment.

I couldn’t tell if Matt was relieved or missing all the attention from the twins, all thru dinner they had vied for his attention, asking all about his life and his family.
If he seemed uncomfortable he never showed it.
When it came time to leave and everybody was heading inside Matt took a moment to talk to George, He said Sir, you don’t need to worry about me, I .ave two sisters that make your girls look like angles and I’m used to their ways,
George thought a second and said yes but was it directed at you as it is here.

Matt thought about that for a second and said no sir, point taken sir. George placed a hand on the young mans arm and said Matt, I’m not worried a bit, the worlds changing as we speak, times short for millions of people , after tonight it will be shorter.

I was a young man once and I know how it works, I trust my girls and I trust you, but I know how it can and will be and a war changes how we look at things. Just please understand that they are young and can be hurt easily, but they are also facing the same challenges we all are, just try to be a gentleman with them as best you can, in time I think it will work out.

After they had all gone he asked the twins into his study and sat them down and said we need to talk.

They looked at each other and one said, Dad we know all about it, we may not have done it but we know.
And when we are ready, we will, it’s a force that can’t be stopped, just trust us to know when that time comes we will handle it in an adult manner. Neither of us wants to hurt you or anybody else, and we would never just go along because our friends are.
You can trust us.
After they had left the room, I sat alone and wondered how I had lost control of the meeting I had planned, but lose it I had.
But I felt somehow much better, they had been open and honest about it and a lot more adult then others I could name but wouldn’t.

So I decided that I would stop worrying about them and I also knew their big brothers were keeping a sharp eye on them and for the sharks circling just out of sight.

With that thought I decided to go to bed as the power was shutting down at 10:00 when morning came we would live in a complete new world.

[Trip]

0600 of either a new era dawning or hopefully just another busy day in a screwed up world.
I looked at my clock radio, it wasn’t working, well so much for that, then I remembered the plan was to wait until 10 am to make sure it was all over, I got up and checked the water which was fine, so I took a fast shower in the fairly hot water still in the heater tank,.
I stopped in the hall and rapped on doors to wake the kids, told the boys to take a real fast shower cause if they used all the hot water there would be hell to pay, the twins could run a 200 gal. hot water heater cold before they would get out.
In the kitchen I got out the milk for cereal for breakfast and some apples I cut up. In less time then normal the boys were there so we ate knowing the girls would be slow moving.
But they both came bouncing down the stairs and smiling big came in and started fixing their bowls, I asked what got them moving so fast and they said well, we all have to go to the range today.
Uh huh say’s I, looking at the boys who were hiding grins, and what is so important about shooting? Both girls looked at me and Sam said, Dad you know Matt is going to show us how to shot his m-16 today, Oh I said, well I thought we could just stay home and clean house today.
Well to say that didn’t work was a gross understatement! And I was out voted in a flash! Ah, young love, scary as hell when you’re the dad of the female side of it!!
So after cleaning the kitchen we went out to see if the SUV would start, after hooking up the battery and ungrounding it, I hit the key, it started right up, but was running rough and after checking things like the radio and air cond. Didn’t work, go figure, well hopefully it would be better after the dealers crew worked on it. It had been decided that all the spare parts would go into getting the 4x4 truck and the smaller more fuel efficient vehicles running, nobody needed a Caddy.
We left running a tad bit slow because of the eng. Not running smooth, we should have tried the boy’s older trucks, at that thought I turned back and had them check their rigs, after hooking the batteries up and pulling the grounding wires off the brass rods we had pounded into the ground they both looked up saying a word to the boss man and hit their ignitions, both fired right up and ran smooth both looked at me all smug and grinned.
So we headed to town and dropped my SUV off hopping they could fix it. Then we loaded into the two trucks and headed out to the range, the class had already started but there were fewer cars and trucks, seems most had hitched rides with friends who had a running rig. After unloading we walked over to where matt and another Ranger were holding class, I saw Matt look up and his eyes went right to Sam, how could he already know which was which? There own teachers had trouble with it.
The two soldiers were showing the crowd all about the M-16 rifle and after about an hour of show and tell they passed out ear plugs and then setting up some reactive targets at different ranges they fired at them one at a time, then after reloading The other ranger took off running while Matt fired at the targets, when the other man hit the ground matt jumped up and ran forward and past the shooter and after about 20 yards hit the ground, they leapfrogged each other until they were among the targets then both stood up and on full auto opened fire, it was rather wild to see, but the targets were dropping and then popping back up only to be hit again, then they did a retreat under fire support back the way they went, when they were done both had fired almost 150 rounds of ammo all in no more then 3 to 4 minutes!! We all walked down to look at the targets and found they were shredded , the hard plastic silhouettes were just destroyed, Matt turned and said that’s what’s called fire and Maneuver, it takes a lot of practice and trust. But you will all learn to do it. We will be using a speeded up course of training because time is short, so lets all get into lines and we will start you off with the rifle.
Sam made sure she was Matt’ line and surprisingly Bob went to the other line, I took a close look at the ranger and he looked younger then Matt, nick looking young man, very sharp looking.

I held back to watch the by play. Bob had been slow to line up so she was last to go and the young man spent a lot of time with her, and she was acting like she had never seen much less touched a gun, lots of scared looks and jumping when it went off, I would have laughed out loud but it was my daughter!!

When my turn came I was surprised that the weapon just fell into my hands as if it was born there, I had shot the same type in the Guard many years ago but was surprised it really was like riding a bike.

I took my time because my kids were watching me closely, I started shooting slow and it all came back with a rush!! I knew I had been missing this ever since I left the guard. I was popping the targets with double taps then flipped the switch and shooting 3 shot bursts I kept the targets bouncing up and down, I felt a tap on my arm and saw a full mag being held out and when the bolt locked I made a pretty fast mag change, a bit rusty but pretty good for an old man!! After that mag was empty I cleared the rifle and double checking it I passed it to the young man who’s name I still didn’t know.

He looked at me and said well sir, I believe you’ve been here before. I smiled and said yea probably before you were born.
He introduced himself as Sgt. Mike Morgan, he said he was from Utah and came from a small mountain town where everybody knew everybody and most were also kin, a very pleasant young man, well mannered and polite,


I wondered how it was that all these young men were so professional but then remembered, they were all 3 time volunteers, once to join the army, then a second time to go Airborne and the third time to go to Ranger school, which was a very hard rough school and brawn wouldn’t get you thru, it took a lot of brain power to make it, and they didn’t take but the best of the best.

I looked around and saw Sam and matt talking and she was helping him load mags for the next shooter’s and Bob was standing at the table where Sgt Morgan’s rifle was laid, she too was loading mags, and watching the two of us out of the corner of her eyes.
I told Mike to follow me and took him over to introduce him to Bob who got all flustered and turned bright red, Mike shook hands with her and soon was loading mags too, so I drifted away to watch the byplay. It was funny and sad too, I could see that soon my little girls would be leaving me, well not “TOO” soon, but what’s a few years?

After everybody had fired the rifles on semi auto the instructors set up three targets at about 20 yards and asked for a volunteer, and told me I was excused from this one. Sam jumped at the offer and after Matt had shown her how to lean into it he told her to shoot and let up and shoot and let up, try to shoot 3 round bursts.
She pulled the trigger and never let up, and of course that was the lesson. That full auto was fine after you had learned to handle the weapon semi auto, after he cleared the rifle we all walked forward and stood looking at Sam’s target. She had fired 30 rounds at a man sized target only 20 yards away, not one bullet hit the target, she was red as a beet, but Matt was a good instructor and then explained that full auto was very good suppressive fire, make them keep their heads down while your buddies flanked them, but that in a fire fight, slow semi fire was best, he then told Sam to stick a new mag into the rifle, then told her to use semi and to shoot as fast as she could pull the trigger moving back and forth between the targets, Sam opened fire and shot pretty fast, after the weapon was cleared and safed we all walked up to the targets, both had a lot of holes so he told Sam to count the holes in each target, out of 30 rounds she had missed 3 times, then Matt held up a stop watch and said, she did that in under 15 seconds!! And only 3 miss’ now can you see why full auto is a tool that can be over used? Also ammo will be hard to replace, so I want you all to remember to only use full auto when your squad leader tells you too.
Sam was feeling better with this effort and was beaming at Matt, I just shook my head and then watched everybody else burn up ammo on full auto just to for the fun of it.

After the days training at the range was done we all headed back to town, Silas and the girls home to clean up and the girls were fixing lunch,

I went to the warehouse and after dropping me off Jeff stopped off at the SC to see Bart who was slated for the same weapons training in the afternoon.

Jeff was surprised to fine some lights on in the store! Bart said they had come on at 10:00 just as planned but was flickering once in a while, he said the power men said a lot of transformers had burned out and they were replacing them as fast as possible while cutting power to some parts of town.

It wasn’t what they were used to but what they had, he had shut 75 % of the lights off and was only keeping a few on so the few people working in the store could see enough to not kill themselves.
He asked what work was going on, Bart said they were breaking out all the back room stock of winter gear and boots and back packs all to be used by the patrols that were going to be heading out soon, and even though it wasn’t cold yet the night in the high country were really cool. Ant the added clothing would be needed.
He asked Bart if the store had any AR-15 rifles in stock, Bart said that they had about 10 of them and he had taken them out and stored them in his locked office, and asked what Jeff had in mind, Jeff told him about the shooting class and how well they all did and he thought it would be nice to have some of that type of weapons, Bart said well if I give your family 5 of them that leaves one for me and 5 for issue later to maybe the store guards.

He took Jeff to the back and they got them out, Jeff saw right away that some were the same style that Matt had with a butt stock that slipped in and out to different lengths! And was much lighter then the others, perfect for the girls!!

He told Bart he wanted those if that was ok. They loaded them into a cart along with 2000 rounds of ammo and some more shotgun ammo to replace what they had been shooting. All slugs and buck shot, birdshot days were over.

After talking payment over which Bart refused to consider Matt paying for the weapons and they talked about other things, He told Jeff that after his wife heard that the Davis family had decided to remain in their homes his wife said she wasn’t leaving her home to live in a back room!!

They both had a good laugh over that, Bart ask how the great romance was going and Jeff told him about Bob finding her own ranger and that his dad was getting greyer by the hour, that was another good laugh,

Bart said well I hope things don’t go to far, Jeff said no, the girls may be acting like love struck puppies but the Rangers are both really great guys and I believe have too much respect for the girls and the family to let it get out of hand.

Jeff then loaded his new weapons into his truck and headed home to start learning to strip them for cleaning, He found lunch almost ready and called his dad to see if he wanted a ride home for lunch, George said no that he could eat there.

After the mess was cleaned up Jeff and the other 3 went out on the back deck and Jeff and Silas took two of the rifles down to the main groups and cleaned them, the girl’s weren’t to happy with the cleaning process until Silas said well yaw know them rangers aren’t going to be too happy with people who don’t have clean weapons, that got them moving!