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

* * * *

The two helicopters took off before noon for the short flight down the mountain.

When in range, David radioed James, asking the best place to land and not wanting any trouble due to accidental identification.

* * * *

James welcomed them all on the front porch with Janice, Lauren and Jason.

“James, this is the Colonel I was telling you about,” began David. “He helped us defeat Baker’s group.”

“It’s a pleasure, sir,” said James, shaking his hand. He introduced the rest of the welcoming party. “How can we help you?”

“Well, that’s just it; I’m not asking for a little favor here. We are looking for patriots like you. We heard how you ended up in that chair, defending your fellow citizens, and I’ve met David, Beatrice, and Mel here before. What I am asking of them and you is nothing less than everything you’ve got in order to fight for your town and country, knowing there are those who seek to take it right out from under you. I’ll go through the specifics in a moment, but the bottom line is either we all work together and give up some comforts on the way, or all the kids in this fair town and every other one will be learning Chinese in less than two years.”

“I thought it was safe—that all this mess was behind us,” said Lauren.

“This mess, as you put it, ma’am, is far from over, regretfully. In fact, the whole reason the power is out is that it’s the first step in the softening of our country before they invade, like locusts on a ripe field. The choice is really no choice at all. I was offered a position in the U.S. Virgin Islands shortly after the lights went out. And trust me, my lady friend was all for it! I will take it, mark my words, but not before this country I love and swore to protect is back on her feet and kicking ass. To do this here, I need you to be Sheriff, James, and David as Mayor of Weston, with you, Jason, continuing in your current position. I’ve been informed that the previous Sheriff—Jensen, I think—passed suddenly while fishing, leaving an open position. Is that right?”

“Sheriff Johnson, sir,” replied James. “And we believe it was no accident. Plus, the position was filled quickly with his former girlfriend, Kate Shields.”

“No accident, you say? Who did it?”

“We believe, sir, that it was Kate and the Judge—Judge Lowry, who had been banished from town by Sheriff Johnson only a week before it happened.”

“Hmm, some kind of love triangle, it sounds like,” replied the Colonel.

“Well, we’re pretty sure she and the Judge are not that kind of close, but both love the power,” stated James.

“Okay, we still have some time, as I’m sure you all have plenty to discuss, so we will leave you to it and be back in a few days to revisit everything.”

With that, the Colonel thanked them for their hospitality and flew east, heading to yet another meeting.

* * * *

Jason offered to give his three friends a ride home if they wanted to stay and discuss it more. All were adamant about it, including Beatrice.

“Well, David,” asked James, “what’s your take on it?”

“I’ll only speak for myself at the moment, but I love this country; I love our land and the families we have been living with in harmony. It’s not something I’m just willing to give up. My mom here has been up there for most of her adult life on the property. She cooks everyone breakfast most mornings, and we all look out for each other. It’s a simpler life, for sure, and one I wouldn’t trade for almost anything. James, did you ever eat at that sandwich place called Jimmy John’s?”

“Oh, yes. I loved that place,” replied James. “I would get the Hunter’s Club, medium-rare roast beef with all the fixings!”

“That’s right. Did you ever read the poster on the wall about the fisherman who lived a simple life, saying ‘How Much Is Enough?’”

“No, I don’t believe I have,” replied James.

“Well, I took the liberty of writing it down—for an occasion such as this.”

David pulled a half-folded, half-crumpled piece of paper from his back jeans pocket, unfolding it carefully, as if it were the very last copy on the planet.

“It’s not long, so I’ll read it aloud,” he said, not asking permission.

How Much Is Enough?

The American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.”

The American then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish.

The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.

The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, and stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.”

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and, with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat; and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually, you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman, you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave