Families First: A Post-Apocalyptic Next-World Series Volume 6 Battle Grounds by Lance Ewing (ereader for comics .txt) 📕

what houses our most valuable possessions, he said, so we’re talking about the cellar where our off front-line citizens will be.”

“It makes sense, I guess,” I replied—“about Bert, I mean.”

“Anyway, sorry, Lance. It was a good idea, though,” added Vlad.

“We could put him right in front of the underground shelter,” suggested a woman Vlad had not met yet.

“No,” replied Mac. “That will just draw attention that we are hiding something right behind it. We should put him just this side of the main road, should they get that far.”

“It makes sense to me,” I added, still believing we made a good trade back up on the mountain.

Vlad grabbed his crew and set out to bring Bert back down before anyone else got the wrong idea.

* * * *

The dinner this night was solemn, with most now hearing the people wishing to take this pristine Valley for their own would begin arriving only one valley over by morning, and within two days’ time they would all be there. Chef Rico kept the meal simple, with only meatloaf, potatoes, and salad. It was a meal anyone could derive energy from—unless, of course, they were already too nervous to eat! Mac and Cory had their last official meeting with John, Bill, Samuel, the Council, and a few from our group present as well, since nobody knew exactly when the attack would take place. Whether hours or days, it would be hard to meet amongst the uncertainty.

A Council member asked if it could possibly be weeks or months before it happened. “Maybe they will decide they like it over there and will leave us alone.”

Mac glanced at Mike and Sergio with the understanding that it would be sooner than later after Hanson finished choking off the river and their only water supply. Unless, of course, they went after him first. Either way, he wasn’t going to bring it up in the present company.

“They have a lot of people and likely won’t want to wait, only to have to set up camp all over again, should they...”

“Should they what?” she asked.

“Should they prevail,” Mac replied quietly, with a flood of thoughts about Sarah and their child on the way.

He had learned a few days ago from Mike how the Baker leaders treat women, and he vowed they would need to step over his body to get to his Sarah. Snapping back into focus, Mac was losing the group. Not me and our people—we had been here before—but the Council was petrified at the realization that this Valley could be lost, and each of us would be at the whims of a crazed leader and his enforcers.

“Do you mind, Mac, if I address the group?” asked Cory.

“The floor is yours,” replied Mac, happy for the break.

“My name is Cory Lerner,” he started, “for anyone who doesn’t already know me. I was the Chief of Police for the City of Loveland before this all started. My department has dealt with matters such as what we are facing, but arguably not at the same level. However, the tactics for defense and survival are universal. We will shelter our most vulnerable in two locations, both here on Saddle Ranch and down at The West property. Anyone not able to take up arms or aid in other defense jobs should report to one of those locations, located here and here,” he added, pointing to a map with both locations highlighted in green. “Both will be fully stocked for a week of shelter, although we are expecting a one- or two-day fight. Food, water, sleeping accommodations—and temporary toilets, before anyone asks—will be available on site. The more we have on the front lines, the better, but that decision is up to each of you to make for yourselves. To be clear, Mac and I will not make that decision for you.

“We will be asking for a show of hands, if that’s okay?” he asked Mac, half whispering to him and getting a head nod.

The three leaders—John, Bill and Samuel—all raised their hands.

“Anyone else?” asked Cory, with three Council members raising their hands.

“Thank you, Cory,” interjected Mac. “There is a place for each person who volunteered, but not on the front lines. John, Samuel, Bill and the Council, will you trust Cory and me to place you in positions to help the cause and still remain viable for our groups’ future leadership?”

Most answered yes, with a few relieved they would not be out front.

“We will have tasks for everyone, whether outside or in,” added Mac. “In the end, our victory or defeat will be decided by working together for a common goal.”

John, Bill and Samuel were all the get-it-done type leaders, and none were happy about taking a role behind the scenes, but they understood it. There is a reason the President, their cabinet, the Senate and House members, Governors, and Mayors don’t go to war on the front lines, and everyone knows why.

Mac and Cory were also fine with it, not needing to be concerned about those in leadership positions, with only a few who had served or had any security training at all.

“We don’t need more bodies out there,” said Mac, putting the issue to bed. “We won’t beat them with our numbers, but only with cunning and brute force.”

* * * *

Mac and Cory took it upon themselves to fill as many gasoline cans as they could find and put them inside trash receptacles, spanning the entirety of the Rimrock, every thousand feet.

“It won’t be enough,” Mac told Cory, who already knew. “We need an absolute miracle, or a good strong wind headed east at just the right time, and God help us if this gas goes up before we’re ready.”

“Mac!” came the call on the radio. “Mac, it’s Drake. Do you copy?”

“Sure, Drake, what do you know?”