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

caught up as well, with other countries wanting their own piece of this land. There is so much fighting between them now that nothing is moving, good or bad.”

“So, what then?” I asked, surprised he knew more than we did about the future of our great country.

“Well, it’s either a resolution of some sort or World War III, I guess.”

“Well, that’s a lot,” I replied, knowing I shouldn’t be surprised to hear it but only wishing it were over, once and for all.

* * * *

“Freedom is earned with blood,” said Joy when I told her what I knew. “True freedom,” she added—“not a fight or two with a self-proclaimed crazy preacher and pseudo-Colonel with a bunch of half zombies as followers. I’m talking about true freedom from other powers who want what we in this country have earned over the past two hundred and forty years. Only when we have that will we be truly free to work the land and let our children run around the Valley.”

“So, what do we do?” I asked her.

“Whatever the Colonel tells us to.”

I was called to a mandatory meeting not even one hour later with the regular crew, minus Jake, of course. Funerals were set for this afternoon, and the Colonel was apparently attending personally, showing up early for the meeting he called. Everyone who needed to hear it firsthand was asked to come, including John, Bill, Sharon, the entire Council, Mac, Cory, Joy and me, plus a grieving Nancy, Lonnie and Vlad. From Samuel’s side, he and Sarah plus a few others were asked to join, and from the mountain, Drake and Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald. The large group gathered in the machine shop at The West—the very same spot Ralph had first caused a raucous that escalated so far.

The helicopters and three green Humvees gave the gathered folks lots to talk about, with only a few of us, including Mike, Joy and me, with an idea of what would be said…and, more importantly, what would be coming in our futures.

The Colonel started solemnly but strong. “Thank you for coming, everyone. I do believe I know most of you now. I will be attending the services following this gathering and am truly sorry for your losses. As many of you know, we have established FEMA camps across the country over the past few months.” I looked around to see if anyone else picked up on the timeline. I caught Lonnie’s eye, and he gave me a don’t-go-there-right-now look.

The Colonel continued: “Due to supply-line interruptions with our allies, we have no choice but to offload camps into larger communities that can employ enough people to feed this country.”

“Why not just keep them in the camp and have them work outside the walls, like a chain...”

“Gang,” someone else finished the sentence when the pause came.

“That’s your answer right there,” said the Colonel.

“Honestly, we expected a lot more in the camps, but I’ll be damned…well,” he backtracked, getting a look from Samuel—the only other person in this world that could make him. “Uh…we just didn’t expect so many rebels, like you guys, to hold out for so long.”

A few cheers rang out, getting a smile out of both John and Samuel.

“So,” the Colonel continued, “we are setting up four corners in each state to grow communities with independence but with the full backing of your United States Military. My territory is every state west of the line made by the eastern borders of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota. The communities designated will have up to fifteen days to make their leaders official.

“This community has designated both Samuel and John as co-leaders. There will no longer be the Ranch and The West community as of midnight tonight. They will be responsible for what will now be known as the Northern Colorado Chapter of the United States Coalition.

“This Valley will be fortified, with my help, and the barricades extended to the northern and southernmost ends of the Valley, adding another 500 acres in total. In return for your agreeing to add your share of current FEMA residents, we will provide assistance in food, shelter and defense.”

“Isn’t this just another FEMA camp but now on our soil?” asked one of Samuel’s men.

“No,” he replied quickly. “Those accepted here will work for room and board and are free to leave at any point. Samuel, John, and others they choose will make decisions for the Chapter and will answer only to me. They understand we will work out any grievances or disputes in a fair manner.”

“What if you are just pulling us into a trap to destroy us?” asked the same man, getting a stern look from Samuel.

“If that’s what they wanted,” I raised my hand and started talking before being asked, “they could have done it yesterday with Military power, and this Valley would already be the new FEMA camp… Sorry, sir,” I said to the Colonel.

“It’s fine, Lance. You’ve seen both sides; where would you want to live?”

“Here, sir!” I replied loudly.

“We all work together for our country, or we all end up building one for some other foreign government,” the Colonel continued. “You can have it either way, but there is no middle ground, no waiting it out or hiding in the mountains. You’re part of the solution or ripe for the picking. My team can back you but we can’t save you. The same goes for every other Chapter of the Coalition. Those who were part of Lance’s travel group here from Texas met halfway with a group led by David, called the Raton Pass Militia. With the current Mayor of Weston’s nearby town, they will be our Southern Colorado Chapter of the United States Coalition after a few changes in town matters.”

“That’s quite a coincidence,” called out a man I didn’t know, “that