M. Short's Blog, page 5

Cry Havoc Chapter 10 excerpts

Arriving at the Engineering Department, he found Vendetta talking with Bill.

As Warlord approached, “Hello. You must be Vendetta. I am Warlord, one of the Walking Pilot training officers.”

“Your here to take Vendetta away from me?” asked Bill.

“That’s the plan.” said Warlord.

Vendetta turned toward Warlord, “Good day, sir. I am pleased to meet you.”

“Are you ready to get to work?”

“Yes, Sir.

Glad to hear his enthusiasm, “Let’s do a quick tour of the Clan’s operations and training facilities.”

“Sounds good to me, sir.”

As they walked, Warlord introduced him to every Clan member he saw as he pointed out prominent buildings such as the Operations building, the bar and grille frequented by the Clan, Vendetta’s living quarters and the mess hall the Clan used. He showed Vendetta the simulator building and last but not least the Training building. As they entered, Warlord pointed out the various offices along the way to the eventual destination of the personnel office.

“This is personnel, where you’ll officially become a Clan member and a Walking Pilot. Here you’ll fill out your payroll, personal and contact information. Training starts tomorrow. You need to report to training at 0600 hours. Breakfast starts at 0500 hours for Clan members. I’ll give you a training schedule every day. One day we will train in the simulator. Other days you’ll be in the field. Training there is more realistic. We use live ammo and the other side shoots back. People refer to it as combat. Stay here a minute.” said Warlord.

He turned and retreated into his office. Upon his return he had three enormous books Vendetta imagined weighing 50 pounds each.

Warlord gave them to Vendetta, “Here are your study manuals for the Mars, Hermes, and Aragorn. These are the three bots we train in the simulator. Training in other bots will be conducted in the field. Memorize the systems of each bot and what each emergency enunciator light means by 0600 hours tomorrow. There’s only 40 enunciator lights on Aragon, 53 on the Hermes and 81 on the MARS.” Warlord saw Vendetta’s eyes getting bigger and bigger the longer he talked.

“It’s drinking from a fire hose. So, open wide and hold on. I’ll see you at 0600 hours. Oh. by the way the mess hall opens for lunch in 15 minutes. It might be a good time to feed your body while you are feeding your brain.” said Warlord.

He then disappeared into his office and shut his door. Vendetta standing in the hall entered the personnel office to complete his paperwork. Then, as Warlord suggested, he headed toward the mess hall for lunch. As Vendetta walked, clinging to his manuals, he kept thinking to himself, “How did I get here?”

Once he arrived, he placed the enormous books on a table he wanted to sit at, then left to choose his food. Shortly after returning, Fuqit and Achilles sat beside Vendetta.

“It looks as if someone is hooking up to Warlords fire hose.” Fuqit said.

Achilles looking questionably at his friend, “Don’t pay mind to him. I spend each solar day not listening to a thing he says. Warlord isn’t that hard to please. The only thing he checks is your judgment. If it’s good, you will get along just fine.”

Vendetta, peering up at Fuqit and Achilles as he ate, looked puzzled. Seeing Vendetta’s confusion with them, “You must be the Beacon Boy?” said Fuqit.

Vendetta taken aback, “Beacon Boy?”

Achilles while looking at Vendetta’s food and scooping potatoes from Vendetta’s tray with his finger, “Yeah, the Pilot Emergency Locator Beacon that Futu picked off the asteroid. You were the one in it, right?”

Vendetta cringed at Achille’s table manners, “Gentlemen, you have me at a disadvantage. You know my name, but I do not know yours.”

“Sorry, we’re not big on manners. I’m Achilles. This is my friend, with little to no couth, Fuqit. Welcome to the Dogs.”

“It’s good to meet you and Fuqit. I’m Vendetta.

“Did your mother give you that name?” asked Fuqit.

“Don’t pay mind to him he has Terete Syndrome. Is that your call sign, Vendetta?” asked Achilles.

Vendetta becoming even more concerned for his personal safety, “Yes. I got it from an old Earth movie called V for Vendetta.”

As Achilles was about to speak, Deer Hunter and Russ sat at the table. As they took their seat, Deer Hunter and Russ introduced themselves.

“You’re the new guy?” asked Deer Hunter.

“Yes, I am.” said Vendetta.

“So, what is your call sign?” asked Russ.

      “It’s Vendetta.” said Vendetta.

“I’ll call you V.”

As Vendetta was wondering what planet these guys came from, 2B sat at the
table.

 2B, talking to the Commanders, “Ok, you poor excuses for living organisms, cut Vendetta some slack. He developed and designed the Cryo-unit at headquarters being combed over by their engineers. From what I hear, they are still scratching their heads. He helped Bill in engineering to develop a prototype for a scanner to reveal stealth fighters and Hangars Ships. You can hold off on the wise cracks until he knows who he is dealing with.”

“All I wanted to do is study for training tomorrow.” Vendetta said.

Deer Hunter leaned over to Vendetta, “red, means shut down as soon as possible, yellow, means shutdown as soon as practical. Warlord isn’t expecting you to know each one. Make sure you know what a red and yellow light mean. Know the systems on the bots and the emergency procedures for each enunciator light. There’re similarities in the three. Eat your food and get the hell out of here. This area, with these guys present, isn’t conducive for study.”

Vendetta took Deer Hunter’s suggestion. Saying nothing, he ate his food and left to go back to his room. Vendetta remembered Deer Hunter’s advice concerning the meaning of red and yellow enunciators lights. While studying the different systems, he looked for similarities in each. By 0200 hours, he felt good about his knowledge of the three bots and set his alarm for three hours later.

The entire night, he dreamed of red and yellow lights.

The Next Night

As the mobiles sped away Christopher radioed, “You can leave your fighting positions.”

Bud was excited jumping and running around, “We showed them.”

Christopher shaking his head, “We did. I hope that was their entire group, and not part of a larger one. They will lick their wounds for a day or two, perhaps. We’ll eat dinner here close to our fighting position in case they’re more vengeful than scared.”

“Bud, Claudia. Come with me. We’ll make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for everyone with cookies and milk.” said Sylvia.

“I’ll help too.” said Natalie.

“It looks like you and me, Bryan. You did well today.” said Christopher.

I’ve killed no one before today. I just made believe it was a video game. That far away it didn’t seem real, but it was, wasn’t it. said Bryan.

“Bryan, there’s honor in protecting your family. If you didn’t kill them, they would have killed you along with the rest of us as well. Grab your binoculars. We need to monitor these scavengers.” said Christopher.

In the kitchen, Natalie and Sylvia were making sandwiches as Bud and Claudia were filling one carafe with milk and another with coffee.

Sylvia could see Natalie shaking as she spread the peanut butter.

Sylvia put her hand on Natalie’s arm, “It’s going to be alright, dear. You did it to protect us all. Chances are you will have to do it again. Just think of Claudia and Bud when you are shooting. They’re worth protecting and yourself. You have more life to live, don’t let the scavengers end it. We are in control of our destiny. Not them.”

Natalie wiped away a tear, “I know you are right, Sylvia. I will be strong for everyone. That’s what women do best. We stay strong for our family.”

Sylvia put her arm around Natalie and gave her a hug, “That’s right my dear, we stay strong for our family. Now, let’s have a picnic with Christopher and Bryan.”

With a blanket on the ground, they ate their sandwiches and cookies, drank their milk and coffee close to the fighting positions., having a grand time.

The town was buzzing with activity, but calmed after midnight.

Bud and Claudia took their positions at 0700 hours to monitor the town. A picnic lunch was prepared, with sandwiches, potato chips and soda. Christopher asked Claudia what they had been seeing in town. Claudia reported mobiles moving all over town, but that was it. Christopher thought there’s something going to happen and happen soon. Christopher, after lunch, told Bud and Claudia to radio if anyone or anything heads toward the mountain.

Back in the cave, Christopher had a more serious conversation, “We may have visitors tonight. Natalie, Bryan, Sylvia. I need you all to get some rest before nightfall. If nothing else, just lay in your bed with your eyes closed until your watch. If they come tonight, whoever is here will bring Bud and Claudia to their fighting position. We don’t want them running around if they hear gunfire. They will be safer in their fighting position. If we work together as we did yesterday, we’ll be fine. Since I have the last watch, I’ll stay with the kids until I’m relieved. The rest of you get some rest.”

Christopher put on his helmet and headed toward Bud and Claudia.

After Christopher left, Sylvia turned to Natalie and Bryan, “Christopher has a good plan. Let’s get some rest. Set your alarms for your watch times. I’ll turn the base radio up so we can hear if they need us.”

They went to their rooms to rest as best they could.

At 1800 hours Natalie relieved the children and Christopher. Two hours into her watch, she noticed convoys of five to ten mobiles leaving town, but heading away from them. There were mobile lights moving everywhere.

Bryan started his watch at 2100 hours. He to saw mobiles leaving town, but two hours into his watch twenty mobiles gathered facing toward the mountain. He watched as they formed two lines of ten and started toward his location.

Bryan radioed, “Alert, Alert. Twenty mobiles heading this way. Alert, Alert.”

Soon everyone was in their fighting positions. While the twenty mobiles raced toward the mountain, Christopher reminded everyone of the night fighting plan. When the mobiles hit the barbed wire, the concrete post stopped all but five mobiles. After hitting the concrete posts, scavengers got out of their mobiles. Christopher ignited the first row of napalm. Lighting up the entire area with flames.

Christopher radioed, “Take out the windshields.”

Shots rang out, shattering glass in the five mobiles. Christopher then ignited the second row, setting the mobiles and some occupants on fire. The mobiles stopped and their occupants fled the burning cars.

Christopher then radioed, “Automatic weapons and flares.”

As machine gun and automatic rifle fire rang out, flares illuminated the area. After ten minutes there was no detectable movement.

Christopher radioed, “Cease fire and stop flares. Scopes to infrared. Call out targets”

The scans revealed 15 hiding in the tall grass. Christopher radioed, “You know what to do, call your targets.”

Targets were called out and shots hit their mark. Soon five more were killed. The remaining ten sprang up, running toward town. Christopher radioed, “Flares and automatic weapons.”

When the ten fell, Christopher called for a cease fire. He then took his binoculars and switched to infrared. There were some heat signatures, but they were fading. He radioed, “Any one hurt? I need a casualty report.”

Natalie radioed, “Just a few scratches.”

Bryan radioed, “A bullet grazed me but I’m OK.”

Sylvia radioed, “Everyone here is fine.”

Christopher radioed, “Sylvia, check them out. Leave Bud and Claudia in the fighting position. Put your scopes on infrared and scan the battlefield. Sylvia will be there soon.”

Sylvia checked out Bryan, Natalie, then Christopher. When Sylvia entered Christopher’s fighting position, she found him leaning on the wall with a gunshot wound to his left shoulder. “Can you walk?” asked Sylvia.

“I can walk.” said Christopher.

Sylvia radioed, “Bud, Claudia back to the house. Natalie, Bryan, be vigilant. I’m taking Christopher back to the house.”

Natalie radioed, “Is he alright?”

Sylvia radioed, “He’ll be fine. He needs a larger bandage. Keep us safe, you two.”

Bryan radioed, “Will do. It’s clear to go.”

Is Anyone Out There?

They’d been moving everything they needed to the cave for the past three weeks. Today was the last trip. Once the vehicles were unloaded, Christopher and Bud backed the trucks down the side of the mountain at various points. The mobile was positioned on the crest of the mountain. After they repositioned everything, Bud had the distinct honor of lighting each one on fire, even the mobile.

As the four vehicles burned, Christopher sat in the tall grass with Bud on his shoulders eating candy, watching the thick black smoke billow up into the blue sky.

Christopher with the help of Bryan and Natalie, had over the last twenty-one days, wired the cave with the cold fusion generator producing enough electrical current to run a water heater, washer, dryer, and pumps for two baths with tub shower combinations. They equipped the kitchen with an electric range, five coolers with an ice maker, lower cabinets with a concrete countertop with a cave wall back splash and double sink. The cave floor was poured concrete to the drop off. Bedrooms were constructed on either side of the cavern to include a medical room. A large plastic covering spray painted camouflage to cover the cave entrance was made and put into place.

Claudia and Bud would scan for anyone playing hide and seek from the burned our mobile on the ridgeline. From their vantage point, they could see many kilometers in any direction. During the night Bryan, Natalie and Christopher took turns standing watch.

Another three weeks had passed since their arrival with no sign of any life. Once the front of the cave was closed in, Christopher, Natalie and Bryan alternating with Sylvia patrolled along the ridgeline in search of animal and plant life. They found abundant animal life and a variety of plants and trees to provide an additional food source. As the weeks passed, they were asking themselves, “Is there anyone out there?”

On the eleventh week, their question was answered. Five mobiles carrying scavengers pulled into town. Christopher watched them for two weeks as they moved from store to store and house to house, taking what they wanted. Two weeks later, another convoy of three mobiles carrying scavengers entered the town. They were not warmly greeted.

Christopher watched fire fights over territorial claims of stores and houses for many weeks. Before long there were, by Christopher’s estimation, one hundred scavengers from distinct groups claiming sections of the town.

It was time to ready their defenses they had in place. Fighting positions along the ridgeline were stocked with ammunition and grenades taken from the police station. Barbed wire fencing with concrete parking bumpers as post, had been strung below the top of the tall grass for one hundred meters further up the slope from the third truck. They also rigged flash-bang grenades in each of the staged trucks. Christopher designed the booby-traps, barbed wire and bumpers to slow them down long enough for sniper rounds to kill as many as possible. Natalie and Bryan had proven themselves to be quite the marksman, capable of hitting a paper plate from five hundred meters. After the barbed wire, Christopher buried thirty barrels, staggered in two rows along the one-hundred-meter defensive line. Each of the thirty barrels had a flash-bang grenade sealed into the bottom of the barrel, then filled with hydraulic fluid. Wires running back to Christopher’s fighting position enabled him to ignite the barrels spewing a fire ball of home-made napalm.

As the fighting increased in town. Christopher knew a weak group would try to escape over the mountain or the strongest group would want to explore the other side of the mountain for more resources.

The next day at 1300 hours Bud and Claudia radioed five mobiles were coming from town heading for the mountain. Christopher, Natalie, Bryan and Sylvia ran to their fighting positions. Christopher, Natalie, and Bryan had sniper rifles with night-vision scopes and automatic rifles in their fighting positions. Sylvia along with Bud and Claudia manned a machine gun. They watched as the mobiles moved up the slope. They drove by the first truck, staged at five hundred meters. As the mobiles progressed, they stopped at the second truck to investigate. Their first mistake.

The second truck, positioned at three hundred and fifty meters, afforded an excellent distance for them to snipe their enemy. Christopher radioed, “Call out your targets.”

Four people from a mobile got out and moved toward the truck. Natalie and Bryan called out their targets. Christopher would clean up the remaining two. As the four reached the truck Christopher radioed, “Now.”

Three shots were fired with the sound of one. Three of the four fell, followed shortly by the fourth. All now dead on the ground.

Then they made their second mistake. Each of the four remaining mobiles emptied and took cover in the tall grass. Christopher, seeing their lack of tactics, radioed, “Hold fire. If they move forward, we can reengage.”

After ten minutes, the confused group sent eight back to the first truck as the other eight moved toward the third truck. Christopher then instructed Natalie and Bryan to select their targets and be ready when he called. He radioed Sylvia to fire one shot from her pistol on his mark.

As the eight approached the first truck, he radioed, “Targets selected?”

Natalie and Bryan confirmed their targets.

Then Christopher radioed, “Now Sylvia.”

When the pistol shot rang out, all the scavengers stopped. Three dropped immediately by the truck. With the scavengers separated and in the open, Christopher instructed Natalie and Bryan to fire when a target appeared. Natalie handled targets on the right side of the first truck. Bryan had responsibility for targets on the left. In less than three minutes, two more scavengers fell victim to Natalie and Bryan. Within 10 minutes, eight bodies laid dead as they tried to make it back to the others.

As bullets zipped over their heads, the eight trying to make their way to the third truck were panicking. After the gunfire stopped, they thought it was ok to move back to their mobiles. There was their third mistake. Christopher, Natalie and Bryan took out another three as the remaining five ran as fast as they could back to the second truck. They each jumped into a mobile and sped away back to town. The engagement was over in less than thirty minutes.

Introduction to Cry Havoc

First book in my sci-fi series A saga of Dogs of War-A Story of Mercenaries

   In the year 2166, corruption and the lack of faith in government grew. The people revolted. As a result, six large multi-national corporations, employing over half the world’s population, joined in a campaign with the help of celebrities, news and social media to overthrow the government.

The corporations declared themselves sovereign corporate nations. They abolished militaries and police forces. Making the only acceptable forms of payment Platinum, Gold or Silver credits instead of paper and coins.

The six individual nations, referred to as the Big-Six, closed their borders along with other measures. This resulted in minor disputes escalating into deadly conflicts between security forces.

They ignored the environment, which set into motion a cataclysmic event of constant earthquakes and volcanic eruption. As these events increased, the Big-Six began its search for a new home.

Each of the Big-Six explored Mars for areas to build their corporate colonies. A race to colonize began. XTECH and SME, were the first two corporations to reach Mars with their Artificial Relocation Communities (ARC) in 2175.

Boom Associates in early 2175, sent teams of surveyors, engineers and laborers to Mars. However, they never reached their destination because of faulty navigation sensors landing them in one of the harshest areas of Mars. Their colonies were built underground to escape the harsh environment. They moved to Mars four years later.

Virtual Visions, Inc. with expertise in virtual reality-based software and Space Enviro LTD. with skill in environmental design, settled on Phobos the larger of Mar’s two moons in 2179.

Enceladus Services, a venture capital and investment firm, settled on the moon Deimos that same year.

Dissidents fled and created Free Towns because of the oppressive rules of the Bix Six. Free Towns were lawless areas the corporations tolerated. To prevent the conflicts of the past, a Trade Federation was created. This new entity would be the middleman for the Big-Six. It took orders, made deliveries, and collected payment. A commission was charged for each transaction.

The Big-Six grew on Earth through power and influence, their presence on Mars did not quench their thirst. To grow their power and influence, they secretly sponsored Proxy Clans to conduct their covert activities. They recruited Proxy Clans from Free Towns across Mars and its two moons.

Through the Trade Federation, they supplied their Clans with Battle Robots, Hangar Ships to transport the Clan and bases from which to conduct their operations. Each Clan was paid a commission from the proceeds of raids they conducted on other corporations and smugglers.

Mercenary Proxy Clans where an absolute monarchy. As in ancient times, the Clan leaders ruled with absolute authority and absolute power. Clan Leaders who oppressed its Clan members with oppressive rules and fewer commissions led to Break-off Clans and Independent Mercenary groups.

Independent Mercenaries worked in small groups of two or three. They associated themselves with smugglers, who contracted them to deliver a wide variety of goods to their clients from Platinum to Gold or Silver and rare artifacts left behind on Earth. They lived on Earth in their Battle Robots, or in small shelters. Their life was hard, but profitable.

One Break-off Clan dedicated to the Warrior Code, predicated on an ancient belief of Honor, Dedication and Glory emerged. 

Here is their story as they embarked on their journey sixty years after the cataclysm ravaged Earth.

Life Lesson # 41

The Cat, the Cock, and the Young Mouse

A very young Mouse, who had never seen anything of the world, almost came to grief the very first time he ventured out. And this is the story he told his mother about his adventures.

“I was strolling along very peaceably when, just as I turned the corner into the next yard, I saw two strange creatures. One of them had a very kind and gracious look, but the other was the most fearful monster you can imagine. You should have seen him.

“On top of his head and in front of his neck hung pieces of raw red meat. He walked about restlessly, tearing up the ground with his toes, and beating his arms savagely against his sides. The moment he caught sight of me he opened his pointed mouth as if to swallow me, and then he let out a piercing roar that frightened me almost to death.”

Can you guess who it was that our young Mouse was trying to describe to his mother? It was nobody but the Barnyard Cock and the first one the little Mouse had ever seen.

“If it had not been for that terrible monster,” the Mouse went on, “I should have made the acquaintance of the pretty creature, who looked so good and gentle. He had thick, velvety fur, a meek face, and a look that was very modest, though his eyes were bright and shining. As he looked at me he waved his fine long tail and smiled.

“I am sure he was just about to speak to me when the monster I have told you about let out a screaming yell, and I ran for my life.”

“My son,” said the Mother Mouse, “that gentle creature you saw was none other than the Cat. Under his kindly appearance, he bears a grudge against every one of us. The other was nothing but a bird who wouldn’t harm you in the least. As for the Cat, he eats us. So be thankful, my child, that you escaped with your life, and, as long as you live, never judge people by their looks.”

The Moral to the Story: Do not trust alone to outward appearances.

Fancy covers do not make a good book. So never judge a book by its cover.

Time to Execute the Plan

For nine hours they scanned the town and roads. When darkness fell, everyone loaded into Bryan’s mobile. Bryan was driving. First, he dropped Natalie, Bud and Christopher at the dealership. From there, Bryan, his Aunt Sylvia and Claudia drove toward the hospital to collect medical supplies.

Christopher, Natalie and Bud found two medium flatbed trucks and drove them back to the Bryan’s house. When they reached Bryan’s house, they drove Natalie’s mobile back to the dealership for two more trucks.

As they drove back to the dealership, Christopher looked at Natalie. “We want two heavy-duty trucks with sides. We will leave your mobile at the dealership. You can pick out the color of the truck. The truck will be yours. We’ll keep it at our new home.”

“Can I have a truck too?” Bud asked.

“No, but I’ll let you set the other three on fire. What do you think?” Christopher said.

“Wow. I get to set three trucks on fire? Great, I can eat my candy while I watch them burn.” 

They reached the dealership and headed back to Bryan’s house with a blue truck for Natalie. Christopher let Bud pick a red truck to set on fire. When they reached the house, Christopher raised the garage door in search of tools. He removed the unnecessary seats and put them in the garage. While Bryan’s crew was at the hospital, Natalie’s crew hit the police station. They grabbed automatic weapons, ammo, vests, and night vision equipment. Next was the hardware store. Christopher gave each of them items from his list to take to the truck. After the hardware store was the grocery. While Christopher and Natalie worked on collecting items on their list. Bud filled his backpack with all the candy it could hold. He went to the truck, emptied the backpack and went back for more.

When he returned to help Natalie, she looked at him, “What took you so long? Your supposed to get your candy and then help me.”

Bud looked up at Natalie, “I had a hard time choosing what I wanted.”

“Yeah, right? Here’s a bag, put the cleaners on the shelves at the end of the counter in it. Can you do that?”

“I’ll do it. You could say please you know.”

“Please, go get the cleaner.”

Bud smiled and ran off with his bag.

By the time they finished with the grocery, it was midnight. As they pulled into the driveway, Bryan greeted them., “I see you made some purchases at the dealership.”

Christopher reached into the back of the truck and pulled out three-wheel-lock devices. Then looked toward Bryan, “Help Natalie get the seats out of the garage. Then pull in the loaded truck. We don’t want it outside tonight. Have you been scanning since you came home.?”

“Yes, I only saw the brake lights of the truck. There was no one else.”

“In the morning, take the bulbs out of the rear and front lights of the trucks. Then put them in the toolbox. Leave the bulbs in the truck you put in the garage”

As Christopher immobilized the three trucks on the street, Bryan and Natalie finished their tasks. Christopher carried Bud into the house and closed the garage door.

Holding Bud, he looked at Sylvia. “Who sleeps where?

“We each have our own room, but Tharon’s room is empty.”, Sylvia said.

“Natalie, can Bud sleep with you tonight? I will sleep on the sofa.”

Natalie took Bud, then looked at Sylvia, “Is there a bath in her room?”

“There is a bath in every bedroom. A powder room is by the front door, dear.” Sylvia said.

“Let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.” Christopher said.

As Bryan and Natalie left the front room, Christopher turned to Sylvia, “Where you able to get everything?”

“There was much more there, but we loaded the car to the ceiling. The rear compartment is full too. I found a translator for Bud. I’ll implant it in the morning.”

“Good, I know the tape is bothering him it’s getting red.”

“It’s probably an allergic reaction to the prolong use of the tape. I have an ointment to clear-up the rash. I’ll put it on his ear after I administer the implant.

“We’ll unload the mobile tomorrow. Are there any large items you need?”

“An exam table and lights would be nice.”

“The table is fine, but we can’t afford the noise of a generator. Unless you know where a cold fusion device is to generate power?”

“The backup power supply at the hospital is cold fusion.”

“How large is it?” 

“I’d judge it to be two meters long and less than a meter in height.”

“Can you find your way back?”

“I’m sure I could. It has to be one of the taller buildings in town.”

“After we complete our scans tomorrow, you and I will look for the generator.”

Making a Plan

The sounds of Bud and Natalie, in the kitchen, wakened Christopher. He rolled over to see the alarm clock glaring 0730 hours. He got up, dressed, then headed to the kitchen to find Natalie and Bud at the table eating their breakfast and talking.

“Good morning, sleepyhead.”, Bud said.

“Good morning, Bud, who took a nap yesterday. Why can’t you take a nap when you are with me.?”, Christopher asked.

“Natalie tells better stories. Yours are scary sometimes.”

Natalie stood up from the table, “My turn to make breakfast. Your usual?”

Christopher nodded, “But coffee first, please.”

After a few minutes Natalie brought Christopher a cup and a pot of coffee.

As he was drinking his coffee, “I ran into Bryan with a Y last night. Do you know him, his sister and aunt?”

“Wow. He is here? I knew he had a sister. She’s a few years older than Bud. He talked about an aunt, but I never met her.”, Natalie said.

“Can you find you way to his house?”

“By mobile it is not far. I drove to his house while I was learning to drive. We can take my father’s mobile.”

“After breakfast and we clean up, we need to see if we have anyone playing hide and seek. If we are clear, we can drive. How long would it take to walk?”

“His house is over five miles by road.”

“Let’s hope no one is playing this morning.”

After breakfast, with teeth brushed, Natalie and Bud took their positions. Christopher went to the roof’s peak. After an hour of scanning the town and roads leading into it. It was time to leave for Bryan’s house.

They loaded into the mobile in the garage. Natalie drove. At 1000 hours, they pulled into the driveway. Bryan met them at the front door.

“Natalie.”, Bryan said.

Natalie ran to him and gave him a hug, “Good to see you Bryan. I thought I was the only one left in town.”

Christopher glad to see Natalie was the right Natalie, “We need to get inside.”

Introductions were made. Claudia, Bryan’s nine-year-old sister, went to Bud, “You are a cute little boy.”

Bud visibly upset. Christopher warned, “Claudia, he is touchy about his age. You don’t want a fight on your hands.”

“Let’s just say he’ll be seven in six months.”, Natalie said.

They all were seated at the kitchen table with coffee, milk and cookies. Sylvia, Bryan’s aunt, told Christopher their story of the war and how scared everyone was. Tharon, Bryan’s mother kept begging her to come live with them since her husband Mark was killed a month ago in the war. She lived in the city and didn’t own a mobile. Bryan and Claudia drove to the city to bring her to town. When they saw the large aircraft, they hid under the canopy of a refueling point. They spent the night and the next few days. When they saw no aircraft, they quickly drove to the house. Arriving at the house three days ago.

Christopher listening to Sylvia’s account of their trip, “You said you lived in the city. What did you do there?”

“I was a nurse for one of the largest hospitals in the city. I worked in the trauma center.” Sylvia said.

Christopher looked at Natalie and Bryan. “You two get on the roof. Bud, give Bryan your binoculars. Each of you are to scan 180 degrees. If you see anyone, let us know.”

Natalie grabbed Bryan and headed to the roof, “Come on Bryan. I’ll show you how we find people playing hide and seek. “

Bud scowled at Christopher, “I can’t win the game if I’m down here.”

“I declare you the winner for today. You can have all the candy you can carry tonight.”

Bud hearing Christopher’s decree went back to playing with Claudia.

Sylvia put her hand on Christopher’s arm, “What is all the alarm about?”

Christopher looked at Sylvia with a stern face, “When supplies run out in the city and nearby towns, people are going to turn into scavengers. When scavengers can’t find what they need, they will take it by force. We only have a week, maybe two, before they come. We need to take what we can and move to higher ground. There we can protect ourselves.”

“Where do we go?”

“Bud and I have a place in the mountains. It provides everything we need. We start tonight gathering what we need. I need you to make a list of medical supplies. Do you drive?”

“Yes, I can. I haven’t driven in five years.”

“Bud, tell Bryan I need to talk to him.”

Bud grabbed Claudia’s hand and went upstairs to get Bryan.

When Bryan came into the kitchen, Christopher asked, “Have you spotted anyone on the road or lurking between houses?”

Bryan catching his breath, “No one. The town is deserted.”

“Do you know the location of a hospital and mobile dealership with medium trucks?”

“Sure. Why?”

“If we see nothing before nightfall, I need you to drive your Aunt Sylvia and Claudia to the hospital for supplies. Natalie, Bud, and I will go to the mobile dealership and get four trucks. Tell Natalie she is to take a lunch Break at 1130 hours. She’ll relieve you at 1200 hours. Then you can have lunch. When it’s dark, you’ll make the hospital run. Questions?”

“No, sir. Loud and clear.”

Sylvia, when you make out your medical list, get Bud a translator. I have been taping one to his ear the past week. Don’t ask me where I got it.

Now there’s Three

After Bud’s account of Christopher’s acts of kindness toward him. Natalie put down her rifle, “I’m sorry, but when I saw the military rifle, I just freaked. I have been alone and scared for the past week. I guess I’m getting paranoid. Can you forgive me?”

Bud went to her and leaned his head on her hip. “I know I was scared too until I found Christopher under the rock. You won’t be scared anymore.”

Christopher stood, “Being paranoid during times like these is not necessarily a bad thing. What caliber is your rifle? Does it shoot bullets or is it a pulse rifle?”

Natalie put the rifle on the table, “I don’t know? I saw it in the store and thought I might scare the soldiers away. I don’t even know how to load it.”

Christopher picked up Bud, “I think Natalie could use a hug. You in?”

Bud nodded.

Christopher then looked at Natalie, “You in?”

Natalie lowered her head and fell into Christopher and Bud crying, holding on to them tightly.

After a few minutes she straightened and wiped away her tears, “I’m in.”

Christopher looked at Bud and then Natalie, “This calls for a celebration. I’ll get cookies and milk from the replicator and we will celebrate Natalie joining us.”

Natalie looked at Bud. “You’re right, I had candy in the bags. Would you like some? I always have candy when I eat cookies and drink milk.”

As Natalie and Bud finished the cookies and most of the candy, she took Bud upstairs to show him her brothers’ room where they played together for over an hour. While they played upstairs, Christopher took the map from his field pack, opening it onto the table to view the area on this side of the mountain. The map revealed towns thirty miles to the east and south, but nothing for some distance to the west and north.

 Glancing at the clock on the wall. He called out, “Bud, Natalie. I need you both to help me.”

As they came downstairs, “Bud, I need you and Natalie to see if there is anyone playing hide and seek. Did your father have binoculars, Natalie?”

Natalie said, “Yes, he used them to watch Felix play sports and watch birds. He kept them in his backpack. Do you want me to get them?”

“Yes. Bud, here are your binoculars.”

Natalie ran to her father’s room. She came back in the room, showing Christopher the binoculars, “Is this what you are looking for?”

Christopher looked at Natalie carrying the binoculars, “Just what the doctor ordered. Bud, can you show Natalie how we find hide and seekers with the binoculars.”  

“You bet. But when I win, I don’t want twenty pieces of hard candy. I want real candy.”, Bud said.

“Real candy it is. Natalie may give you some competition, so you better have a sharp eye out for anyone who is playing.”, Christopher said.

They went upstairs, where they were positioned by Christopher and given an area to scan. Christopher went to the roof’s peak. He wanted to if others were using the same store. Soon it was lunchtime. Christopher asked Natalie for his rifle and to fix Bud and herself some lunch. He continued to look for others as nightfall approached.

Christopher, back in the house, found Natalie and Bud on the sofa asleep, Natalie holding Bud. He gently nudged Natalie to wake her. Natalie slowly opened her eyes to see Christopher, “I’m sorry. We were just sitting here after lunch talking. Bud asked for a story and I guess we both fell asleep.”

“It’s fine. Both of you are tired. Can Bud sleep in your room tonight? He likes to wake up with someone close. I am getting dinner and then I’ll go back on the roof. Can I get on the roof from Felix’s room?”

Natalie holding Bud, “He can sleep with me in my room tonight. Felix’s window faces the other side of the house.”

“It will work. I’ll sleep in Felix’s room. After I get dinner, I’ll scan a few more hours. There must be others in this town.”

Natalie took Bud upstairs. Christopher ate a quick dinner and then went back on the roof. Hours passed. At midnight Christopher saw a young man darting between houses heading toward the store, but because of his angle of sight from the roof he lost him before he reached the store. He thought, “What the hell, I’m going for it.”

He slung the rifle on his back and headed to the store. When he reached the street, he ran at full speed. He entered the store and crouched behind a counter to listen. Something hit the floor. Christopher headed toward the sound slowly. There he saw a young man Natalie’s age filling a backpack with replicator packs. Christopher, with his hands in the air, walked around the end of the aisle, “Hello young man. My name is Christopher. I’m not here to harm you. What is your name?”

The young man, startled, spun around trying to run but fell to the floor with his backpack on top of him. Christopher stood still, “I saw you from Natalie and Felix’s house. Did you go to school with them?”

The young man surprised to hear Natalie’s and Felix’s name, “You know Natalie and her brother?”

“Felix was taken, but Natalie hid on the roof. Bud and I found Natalie and spent last night at her house.”

“Natalie is here?”

“Yes, she’s with Bud at the house now. Would you like to talk to her?”

“I need to get these packs to my aunt and my little sister, but yes, I would like to see Natalie.”

“You take the packs to your family. Does Natalie know where you live?”

“Sure, we studied together last year.”

“I’ll bring Natalie and Bud to your house at 1000 hours tomorrow. What is your name? Natalie can’t show me where you live if she doesn’t know whose house she’s going to.”

“My name is Bryan with a Y.”

“OK, Bryan with a Y. Will you and your family be there when we arrive at 1000 hours?”

“We’ll be there. There’s no other place to go.”

Christopher backed around the aisle, “See you tomorrow.”

He ran back to Bud and Natalie.

Day Six.

Christopher and Bud headed toward the town as darkness covered the land. Both walked for hours to reach the town before daylight. They entered the house where they thought the girl lived as the night retreated from the sun.

“I am Christopher, the smaller one is Bud. We’ve been watching you for two days. Bud and I are fleeing whoever is taking people away too. I have walked for eight hours and need rest. We’re not here to harm you, and we hope you wish us no harm. Bud and I will sleep in the front room. Can we talk when we wake up?”

Christopher laid Bud on one sofa and himself on another, covering Bud and himself with their thermal blankets.

Four hours later, Christopher felt a tug on his blanket. He made a grunting noise, and the tugging stopped. A minute later he felt another tug, “If breakfast is ready. Just ask me to get up.”

He heard a young girl’s wavering voice, “Put your hands where I can see then and sit up.”

Christopher complied putting his hands above his head and turning onto his back putting his feet on the floor. There before him was a slender girl, he guessed to be sixteen, pointing a rifle barrel a meter from his chest.

Christopher looking up at her, “I assume you heard us come in last night and introduced ourselves. I’m Christopher and my little friend over there is Bud. What is your name?”

She walked over to Bud sleeping, “You have a young boy traveling with you? You’re not one of them, are you? What are you doing here?”

“Yes, Bud travels with me. No, I am not one of them. We are here to talk to you and hope we can help protect each other. It’s just simple safety in numbers. Can you help us, young lady?”, Christopher asked.

Bud then woke up rubbing his eyes, “Can we have breakfast now I’m hungry.” Bud then saw the young girl. “You’re the one we saw playing hide and seek yesterday. Did you have candy in the bags? I told Christopher you had candy in the bags, did you? Why are your arms in the air, Christopher? Wow, is she a bandit?”

The young girl looked at Christopher, “Does he have an off button?”

Christopher motioned Bud to come over and sit with him, “Miss, we mean you know harm, other than a lot of questions. You know our names can you tell us yours?”

As she lowered the gun, “Natalie. My name is Natalie.”

“I see you have a replicator. Bud and I walked all night and we are hungry. Can I fix you breakfast too? Bacon, eggs, juice or do you drink coffee?”

Natalie sitting at the table in the kitchen, “I drink breakfast tea.”

Bud sat beside Natalie at the table, “My sister and mother always had breakfast tea. What is it with girls and tea? I like juice. Christopher drinks coffee, don’t you, Christopher?”

Christopher at the replicator, “Yes, Bud, I love coffee.”

As he placed breakfast on the table, he told Natalie the story of Bud and himself, how they met and how they knew she was there. The only part of the story Christopher left out was the part of him being a Star Fighter Pilot for the invading army.

Bud sipping his juice, “Why are you here alone Natalie?”

As tears formed in Natalie’s eyes, she told the story of the day the soldiers collected everyone in the town. Every night she would open her window and sit on the roof looking at the stars until he grew sleepy, then she would crawl into bed for the night. Early the next morning she heard shouting and furniture being tossed around. Scared, she darted out the open window and onto the roof. She stayed close to the window as the soldiers searched her room. When she heard them leave, she peered inside. Seeing the room clear she ran to her closet hiding behind her clothes, where she stayed quietly for hours. Hearing large aircraft moving around, then away from her house, she spent the night in her closet. The next day when she awoke, she listened for the soldiers. When she heard none, she came out, dressed and went downstairs. Everyone was gone.

Bud patted Natalie’s arm, “You’re not alone anymore. Christopher and me are here.”

Natalie wiped a tear from her eye, “How old are you Bud, six?”

Bud bristled, “Six. I’m six and a half. I’ll be seven in six months. Can Natalie come to my birthday party, Christopher?”

Collecting the dishes from the table, Christopher looked at Natalie, “She is welcome if she wants to come, it’s up to her.”

Bud now tugging on Natalie’s arm, “Will you come? Will you come? Please, Natalie.”

Natalie with a glow coming to her face, “I’ll come to your party”

Bud running around the table suddenly stopped and looked at Natalie. “Are you bringing me a present?”

“I don’t know what you like. We just met. Besides, I have six months to get to know you. After I know what you like and dislike, then I will have a good idea of what you may want or need. Does that sound good?”

“I’ll make a list for you. You can pick a present for me from the list.”

“That’s a good idea too.”

Christopher watching all this unfold, “Bud you know what comes next. We get cleaned up and brush our teeth.”

He looked at Natalie, “Natalie, may we use your shower and a bathroom to get cleaned up. We have been camping. We need to do laundry too. Is that Ok with you?”

“You can use the bathroom on this level. There’s a washer and dryer there. You’re welcome to use it. I have mine upstairs.”

Christopher nodded, “Grab you backpack Bud, time to get the dirt from behind our ears off.”

While Christopher and Bud were cleaning up, Natalie tidied up. She found Christopher’s rifle, a belt with a knife and pistol between the sofa cushions. It startled her. Her mind began racing back to the disappearance of her family. She grabbed the rifle and the belt running to her room, hiding them. As she came downstairs, she took her rifle and sat at the kitchen table with the rifle pointing at the bathroom door, shaking. When they came out Christopher saw Natalie at the table shaking, the gun pointed at him.

Christopher walked to the sofa and sat, “Natalie, why are you pointing the rifle at me again. I thought we were building some trust between us?”

Natalie hardly able to speak, “You have a military rifle, pistol and knife, why?”

“Why, do you have a rifle?”, Christopher asked.

“To protect myself from soldiers. You’re a soldier. You lied to me.”, Natalie said.

“He’s not a soldier. I found him under a rock in his underwear. He was lost too. He found the gun and pistol at my house on a soldier my dad killed before they took him, my mom and sister away. I saw it from my hiding place.”, Bud said.

Natalie looked at Bud, “You saw it?”

“Sure, I saw it. Where do you think I got this?” Bud showed Natalie the tape behind his ear. “Christopher cut it out of a dead soldier and taped it to my ear so I could hear him talk to me. You know kids don’t have a translator until they go to school. Girls, they remember nothing.”

Day Five

After breakfast, with them both cleaned up and teeth brushed, they played hide and seek until it was time for lunch. Bud had asked to play, but Christopher’s concern of being caught unaware preyed on his mind. The fort provided him views in every direction over a great distance. Not seeing anyone for two days helped. Only one thing concerned him, the dim light in town.

As Christopher was preparing lunch, he thought, “If they were to stay here, they needed to resupply.”

After lunch, they spent the day at the fort. There they scanned the countryside on both sides of the mountain. Christopher that day taught Bud a basic military skill of observation.

Christopher holding the binoculars looked at Bud, “You want to look through the binoculars? Maybe you will see someone playing hide and go seek?”

Bud with a look of amazement, “Can I?”

“Of course, but you have to look for anyone playing hide and go seek. You can’t look at your fingers.”

“If I find someone playing hide and go seek, can we tag them, it?”

“You and I can play it, but this game is fun too. In this game we hide and the other side hides. No one wants to be found. If we can sneak up on them and tag them without them knowing we are there, then we can tag them.”

“That sounds boring.”

“You told me you were a big boy? I’m a big boy and I enjoy the game. It’s fun sneaking up behind others and tagging them. Let’s see if anyone is playing hide and go seek in the town. You get five points for everyone you find.”

“Playing find the bump is better, but I will play this game.”

Christopher adjusted the binoculars for him and taught him how to move binoculars across the terrain. After 10 minutes, “I see one, I see one hiding. I get five points.”

Christopher looking at Bud, “Not so fast young man. I need to see who is hiding to give you the points. Where are they?”

Christopher took the binoculars as Bud pointed to the town. “You see that ugly yellow house? Look this way, you’ll see her.”

Christopher, seeing where Bud pointed, looked in the binoculars in time to see a girl, maybe sixteen, running between houses.

“Ok, Ok. you get your five points. Now you need to follow her and see where she goes. If you find out where she is hiding, you win the game. I’m going to the cave and bring something back. You keep watching.”

“Sure. I’m going to win. I’m going to win.”

“Is she hiding?”

“No. She is still running from house to house.”

“OK, I’ll be right back.”

Christopher ran to the cave, picked up the rifle and ran back to Bud. Christopher laid beside Bud, “Well, have you won the game?”

Bud silent, suddenly, “Yes, I won. I won. What do I get for winning? I found out where she’s hiding.”

“Hold on big guy, you can’t say you have won and collect the prize. Where is she hiding?”

“She went into the building with the big red letters. You can’t see her now. But that is where she is hiding.”

“You keep looking. If she comes out, it’s not her hiding place.”

Christopher looked through the rifle’s magnified sight and found the building Bud had referenced. Unable to read the words, it looked as if it was a grocery store, “She shopping for food.”

Christopher looking through the sight, “Is she still in the building?”

“She is still there. She is for sure hiding in there.”

 “Well, young man, you won again. You are good at this game.”

Bud turned to him with excitement, “What is my prize?”

“All the candy you can eat.”

Bud squinting his eyes, “You have candy and you haven’t shared it with me. You are supposed to share.”

“Don’t be mad. I have eaten none of the candy. I was saving it as prizes for whoever won our games.”

Bud, understanding Christopher was not hiding the candy, looked through the binoculars again, “She’s coming out. She has bags with her this time. She has candy for sure.”

Through the sight Christopher saw the bags of food. Christopher and Bud followed her back to the house.      

“Can I get my prize now?” Bud asked.

Christopher sitting up, “Of course young man. First see if you find anyone playing on this side.”

After one last check, they headed back to the cave for dinner. After dinner Bud got his prize. Twenty pieces of hard candy.

Bud, seeing the candy, looked at Christopher. “That is not much candy. Are you holding out on me?”

Christopher, his hands up, “All I have id the twenty pieces. If you walk tonight, we’ll get more candy. What do you think?”

Bud looked up as if he was thinking, “How much candy?”

“How much can you carry?”

“Can I take my backpack?