Chapter 41

The small convoy left the complex and headed for Twin Falls shortly after daybreak. It consisted of two .50 cal armed Hummers with a 6X6 five ton truck in the middle, loaded with a general assortment of supplies. Overhead the Kestrel buzzed back and forth, providing air cover and scouting the route ahead. Among the supplies in the truck was a radio set-up, including an antenna and tower, that they intended to leave with the group in the event that they were willing to establish relations with them.

In the lead Hummer, Mel and Susan chatted. Susan had recently been graduated from nursing training by Louise, who thought some field experience would be just what the girl needed. Behind them, standing in the open hatch with his hands on the heavy machine gun was Donald. No one had ventured so far from the complex in ground vehicles yet and they weren't taking any chances. They were all aware that it would be easy for an aggressor to overwhelm them and kill everyone if they let their guard down.

The Kestrel over flew the convoy as it made it's way down the road and Donald looked up grinning and threw a mock salute to Heather as it passed. As the leader of the expedition, Heather had decided to take the position of pilot of the craft, figuring that would give her the best overall view in case anything happened. Wagging the craft's tail in return to Don, she increased her altitude and accelerated ahead of the group to ensure that the way ahead was open. After a minute she pressed the button on her radio and said "you're clear for quite a ways Mel, open her up if you want but keep your speed under forty."

Mel acknowledged and sped up a little, wanting to get there quickly but aware of the dangers as well.

The day before, Ellen had made another run to the town in the Viper. On the roof of the store she had seen a large triangle apparently made out of strips of cloth, held down by bricks. As she passed over top of the building she wagged her wings in acknowledgment to the people standing and waving to her, then headed back to the complex to report a "go" for contact. She intended to be over the area again today when the convoy got close, just in case any surprises awaited them.

Aside from having to stop and make their way carefully around spots where the road had washed out, the trip was uneventful, and they arrived on the outskirts of the city around noon. Among the buildings they slowed to a crawl, following Heather's directions to the area in question.




As soon as the small jet had appeared the day before, Rod had directed his people to take up defensive positions around the building and parking lot, just in case. But as the day wore on and no one appeared, the group began to get restless. Finally, with the approach of night he'd relented and allowed most of them to return to the store, leaving only a few to keep watch. He was well aware that an attack could come at night as well as during the daytime, but he also knew his people had to rest sometime.

Bright and early the next morning he had them back in position, and just before noon one of the roof sentries signaled him on the radio that the jet had been spotted again. Rod was wondering why it was back, had there been a problem? But there was no way to communicate with the pilot so he simply resigned himself to waiting. After another forty-five minutes he heard the sounds of truck engines, accompanied by a loud screaming that was similar to the jet, but different as well. Several minutes later the first of three vehicles came into view, and he signaled his shooters to be ready, but not to fire until he did.

As the vehicles made their way the last several hundred yards and entered the parking lot, everyone tensed. Two were army Hummers armed with machine guns, but the third vehicle looked to be a truck filled with supplies. The presence of the truck went a long way toward helping Rod to relax, as it showed at least a sign that these people were legitimate in their intentions.

The lead vehicle had just stopped in front of the store when the screaming sound suddenly got louder and Rod looked up and saw a strange craft appear from over the trees at the far side of the lot. It appeared to be some kind of helicopter, but without skin. It was just a framework and blades overhead, with a single occupant. As he watched it continued to fly over the two groups, then began to circle slowly, about a hundred feet above the ground. Rod was so busy watching the strange craft that he didn't even notice the woman who'd stepped from the lead Hummer until she was half way to his position. When he did he stood quickly, noting that she didn't even have a pistol on, and her hands were out from her body.

Stepping forward, he held out his hand and the woman took it, shaking it in a friendly manner. By this time several other people had departed the trucks, and Rod made his decision, signaling the others to put down their arms and come out as well. Seeing that the meeting had taken place without breaking down into fighting, and knowing Ellen was orbiting overhead just in case, Heather circled around and landed in the lot, near the other vehicles. As soon as the blades had slowed she unstrapped and made her way over to Mel and who she assumed was the leader of this group of people.




As soon as she'd entered the parking lot, Mel could see that abandoned cars were being used as hasty barricades. She could also see movement behind them, but there weren't any overt acts of aggression so she continued cautiously on. Stopping at the front of the store and approaching on foot she'd seen the young man stand, staring at heather as she landed the Kestrel a few yards away. Finally he'd turned towards her and stuck out his hand. As she shook it she thought about how odd it was, this person was hardly more than a boy, but his face was aged, as if he'd seen more than his share of hard times. But then again, she mused to herself, we're all in that boat.

Finally the noise from the helicopter died away enough to allow them to speak without shouting and Mel and Rod introduced themselves. When She noticed the rest of Rod's group coming out from behind their barricades she signaled her people still manning the machine guns to stand down as well.

Heather walked up and Mel introduced her as the leader of the expedition. Rod was impressed, the girl didn't look to be as old as he, yet this obviously older woman said she was their leader? Apparently these people were more concerned with ability than age, a sign that he'd be accepted by them as the leader of his group.

"Nice to meet you," he addressed the girl, "why don't we go inside where it's warm, and talk?"




After two days, Jack's crew finally got the first of the transport aircraft operational. The effort had been more than he'd realized would be necessary. Besides finding and replacing the landing gear tires they'd had to service the engines and replace various system components that had gone bad with age and lack of use. The previous evening he and Robin had taken it up for a short test flight, and everything had gone well. Upon landing he announced that the operation would go ahead as planned, bringing grins to the faces of his tired work crew.

Anxious to get on with the effort he walked over to the operations board where Mike had listed the different groups who were asking for help, along with their location and other pertinent data. The list was done in order of need, and he could see from the information before him that the first group was barely hanging on. According to the board there were several dozen people who had gathered in Baltimore, Maryland who were almost out of food. Mike had offered them enough to get them by until the fall, but informed them that growing their own would be necessary if they were to continue to survive. He had offered to bring in seed and fertilizer as well as the food, as long as the group were willing to do the work to provide for themselves. Apparently, they had heartily agreed.

Making his decision, Jack went to the newly set up communication center and told the operator to contact the group and let them know a flight would be on the way within the hour. Then he went to find Mike and get started loading the plane with everything they thought they'd need.

well, that's it so far guys. maybe someday i'll get it finished.

Thanks. What a lot of work. If I had paid for I would have been very satisfied.

thank you. anything stand out to you? the lack of comments and even criticisms led me to believe no one was really reading it.

I'm just some guy , I don't feel qualified to criticize something like that. I liked it , I read each installment as it came.

So , .... if I had to suggest stuff , again , unqualified as I am , ... I might suggest making Jack a little less capable. Give him some flaws , besides his sin of pride. Something to make him seem more human. Less "super hero -ish"

And , personal interest of mine : If I were to add an element to the group that they may have been lacking , I'd add a character who could train the group in infantry tactics. The majority of firearms action in the story is rifles , but rifle fighting is a team sport. The contrast and potential conflict of interest between professional warrior and deeply religious people could be interesting.

But like I said. I liked the story as it is. it's yours and you wrote it as you wanted to. Thanks for sharing it with us.

actually i agree with you. especially about jack being too perfect. i will consider your words (along with all the other comments i've gotten) when i do the rewrite. thanks for the input.

last night - well yesterday afternoon , really, I came down out of the Medicine Bow National Forest from Colo / Wyoming and at the bottom of the hills was a sign at an intersection - Mountain Home was one way - and i realized i was driving through this story.

Beautiful country. As I type I am connected to the wireless network of a Holiday Inn Express somewher West of Omaha. ... Long way to go yet to get home. - I miss the smell of Salt Air. ... but my new puppy is a beauty.

You sir, have a very good mind and way of expressing your self. I have completed your story and hated to see it end. Your friend is talented also. I really enjoyed both. I also learned a few new ideas and that is why I am here. I also have enjoyed this site and still have a lot of reading (learning) to do. thanks much...erne

i'm glad i could open your mind to new possibilities...that was the point of writing this. if it was also enjoyable, that is a bonus.

Most enjoyable read, thank you for taking time to write it .