Saturday Survival Serial – Volume 3, Week 1

Master Sergeant Jeffrey Miller read the message three times before looking up at the soldier standing at attention in front of him. “Was this message authenticated?”

“Yes, Sir. The codes checked out.” The soldier nervously licked his lips. “Permission to speak freely, Sir.”

Sergeant Miller waved his hand for the man to continue.

“I believe with the resistance that is openly gathering people against us, the idea of having communities that are not behind walls where civilians can work and live more freely is a good way to show the true intent of the United Nation’s mission. There is the real need for places to resupply us and the tactical advantages it provides beyond that. We will use less resources to gather people up against their will when they see others being happy and cared for. They will come to us instead.”

Miller raised an eyebrow as the man went on; a rare show of emotion. He was a loyalist to the military, being from a long line of servicemen and having served as a career man himself. Shortly after IT happened, a call was put out for all military to report in and help with the aftermath of the global disaster. Miller dutifully reported in the next day.

Now, he was heading north toward a location in Michigan where, the previous summer, a United Nations deployment camp had been sent to gather survivors up. The area was a strategic location not only for supplies, but also for tactical warfare against people across the lakes. At least, until the U.N. took over the area in Canada. Word had it that there were those joining in the American resistance but nothing had been confirmed.

Not only for the location, there was a side mission he was on to take out a man named Jimmy Walker. Eugene Rupert was a former NSA agent who had been given the mission to watch Walker because of suspected homeland terrorism activities. Walker had bugged out after IT happened, and Eugene was able to get information on where his cabin was located from items he found in Walker’s house. After a strange turn of events, Miller had authorized a spy mission by sending in a shady character by the name of Stanfield to find Walker and report back. Eugene was convinced that if Walker was given the chance, he would be a formidable opposition to the U.N.’s plans for that area. Messages had been sent out and one received back, giving them the general location of where to go and confirmed that Jimmy Walker was still alive and thriving.

They were heading north, albeit slowly thanks to the thaw. Trucks kept getting stuck, roads were washing out, and everything was covered in mud and muck. Drainage systems were clogged and there were many areas of standing water on the roads. With this message though, everything changed. Miller wasn’t one to argue with an order but this one grated on his nerves. We are not the Army Corps of Engineers! He looked up.

“What is your name, soldier?”

“Taylor, Sir.”

“Well, Taylor, I think you might have more going on upstairs than most of these yahoos around here. Spread the order. We make for Plymouth, Indiana in the morning.” He returned the salute and dismissed the soldier.

The new orders consisted of them heading to Plymouth to clear it out in preparation of a colony of sorts that was to be started there. People would be allowed to move into homes within a sectioned off area and provided the supplies they needed to start farming and raising livestock. There would be United Nation military presence but no walls, only checkpoints in and out. He supposed Taylor was right about giving people more freedoms: it would raise morale and increase production of food and other supplies. Once word spread about a safe place to go and live in a house like before with protection against the dissidents, people would line up to be part of it. Then, they could concentrate more on those who were part of the resistance movement.

*************

Jimmy Walker arched his aching back after spending so many hours splitting wood. Though it was early April and the thaw was was definitely here, the nights were still cold. He looked around at all the activity in camp and smiled. Spring had brought with it the undeniable urge to get outside. There was, of course, an enormous list of things that needed to get done.

Center Camp was Jimmy’s home now, along with his wife, twin newborns, and another 70ish souls. Some people were considered part of the camp, but had moved away to start their own homestead areas. There was no electricity, save for the solar set up he had at his cabin and that was now used in the Comm Shack.

The series of events that led his life, and the lives of all the people on the planet, started with a computer virus that targeted every system hooked up to the internet. The infrastructure was effectively wiped out in one fell swoop and the reactions of the global powers didn’t help humanity’s situation. Missile silos opened up, unleashing death and destruction that included over-land detonations to cause Electromagnetic Pulses (EMPs). Reports on exactly what had happened, by whom, and where were sketchy at best, due to all communication being wiped out with everything else. Recovery was limited and localized.

For Jimmy, when he saw the image of a dog taking a squat on every piece of technology with a screen and the words, “IT Happens,” he immediately took off to the cabin. That cabin was his home now and was located in one of four camps. Al was the leader of North Camp, about 12 miles from his current location in the Manistee-Huron National Forest in what was formerly known as Michigan.

He led Center Camp, so named for being in the middle of the initial three camps. Captain, his father in law, was the leader of Main Camp. Located approximately 10 miles to the south, it was the largest of them all with well over 100 residents. They had access to more resources initially and were able to get a better start overall, largely due to having so many hands to help with the work.

The newest camp was led by Marian and was also the smallest of the four. Not much was really known about them yet but by all accounts and interactions, they were just like the rest of humanity at that point. They just want to live and are willing to work to make it happen. Jimmy was still a little reserved about the group due to the unorthodox way they had met. He still couldn’t believe how wrong things had gone with Jason and Rachel and wished it had gone differently.

Jason and Rachel had come along after the initial three caps were settled for the most part. Things were fine for several months until the most imminent threats were dealt with at Idlewild and with the United Nations. After that, Jason got it in his head that he deserved special treatment because of his skills and when he didn’t get his way, had taken the livestock and tried to leave with it. They were brought back and banished from living at any of the camps that had banded together. According to what he was able to get from Marian, Rachel had killed herself and Jason lost his mind. He sabotaged Marian’s food supply to force them to raid Center Camp. Jason’s whole world had revolved around getting revenge on Jimmy and the rest of the people for Rachel’s death.

Jimmy wasn’t even in camp when they showed up. Jason had taken a child hostage and his story ended with a bullet in his head, shot by Marian herself. When she had seen the reality of the camp versus Jason’s stories, she knew he was in the wrong. She wanted what these people had alright, but she wanted to build it for herself and be part of the community, not against it.

The whole world had changed forever just a short 14 months ago. They had overcome some amazing odds and it wasn’t over. The thought made him frown. With the information from Walter “Mister” Stanfield gave them about being planted there by the United Nations, he knew that everyone in every camp was now a target. Stop worrying about stuff you can’t do anything about,his wife’s words rang in his head. They had plans that were being implemented with the help of the resistance group, Liberty’s Teeth. Jimmy took a deep breath and began chopping wood again, tossing the split parts into an ever growing pile.

Tyler, RR, and Troy of Liberty’s Teeth were staying in Center Camp. It was decided among the camp leaders that it was the most logical and safe place to put them. They told them it would give them more options of places to go if they needed to get out quick but the real reason was if they turned on the people of community, there were others to the north and south who could come and help. Until some trust had been built, Jimmy was taking no chances. Not after Jason and Walter. I will never trust so easily again. He worried that he was turning jaded, paranoid. The thing was, in the world they now lived in, paranoia could actually keep you alive longer.

*************

UNITED NATIONS CENTRAL HUB NO. 7

The adults were gathered in the open area outside the main gate of the compound. A cold wind was blowing constantly, chilling those who listened to the soldier drone on about duty to humanity and the survival of the human race. Though they were not paid for their work in the traditional sense, they had food, shelter, and protection from the criminals outside the walls.

And I suppose we are expected to be grateful for the jail cell we are in… thought Shannon. She did her best not to roll her eyes.

“A new program is being implemented to further our goals of saving the human race. Settlement areas are being cleared for repopulation where people can move into homes and begin rebuilding. Farm areas will be created or taken over where residents will grow food and raise livestock to feed themselves and lend aid to other areas.”

Shannon wasn’t the only one whose head snapped up at the announcement. This was a chance at some freedom, to finally get out from behind the walls and see the world again. She didn’t care if her job was to dig latrine holes, she wanted out. She listened intently.

“Those who wish to be part of the first settlement, sign up at the TOC (Tactical Operations Center). Only 100 people will be chosen and the positions filled according to skill set and service record to date.”

“Service record, positions filled…” they make it sound like we are volunteers or something. Shannon was a floor manager of an engineering plant in Missouri. She oversaw the water and treatment plant in northern Kansas City and expected the reason she was alive was because she knew how to make water clean and potable and dispose of the waste so it wouldn’t cause diseases to spread. Thankfully, they would need someone with her skills for the new settlement. As soon as they were dismissed, Shannon headed over to the table to sign up.

*************

Amie woke up with a start. She looked around with alarm and realized it was quiet in the cabin. Quickly kicking the blankets off, she stepped into the main room and looked around frantically for her babies and Jimmy. Without thinking to put shoes on, she threw the door open and stepped out, wild-eyed, onto the porch where she saw Jimmy with a babe in each arm rocking them side to side. He turned quickly at the sound of the door.

“Whoa! Stand down mama bear, the cubs are fine. I wanted to let you sleep in a little and they are content with their pacifiers right now. So, I decided to take them out for some fresh air and sunshine.” He grinned at her. On a salvage run to abandoned houses before all the fuel was gone, they had scored a lot of baby and children’s clothes, bottles, pacifiers, and even diapers, wipes, and rash cream. It wouldn’t last forever but if used wisely, would be able to help out several babies along. Disposable diapers were only used for traveling purposes. When at home, makeshift cloth diapers were used.

Amie’s heart began to calm down and she laughed, realizing what a scene she must have made. At the mention of sunshine, she looked up and saw blue skies. She smiled back at Jimmy, going back inside to get shoes and a jacket.

Taking Grace from Jimmy’s arm, she held her daughter close and took a deep breath of clean, crisp air. They enjoyed the sounds of camp as people woke up and got moving. Lessons for the school children were on hold for the next week so they could help with the umpteen tasks that needed to be done.

Today, Jimmy was supposed to go on a scouting patrol that would check in at a couple outlying homesteads and also hunt deer and, if conditions allow, check the nearest lakes for fishing possibilities. Meat stores were very short. All the smoked fish from their Fall trip was long gone and there were only so many jars left of canned meat. Overall, their food situation was pretty bad but not dire. Almost everyone ate only twice a day except the children and pregnant/nursing women. Amie would stay behind with the twins, of course, but she was planning on going out on a foraging run. He hoped for some fresh greens when he came back in a couple days.

They went inside and cooked one of the last, precious survival breakfasts in a pouch. With the current food situation for the camp overall, Jimmy and Amie had agreed that they would eat one of the pouches every other day to help stretch camp supplies. Along with many others, a portion of their stocks had been given over to the communal soup that was simmering and tended to for 12 hours a day.

After they finished and Amie went to feed the twins, Jimmy was cleaning up and getting ready to pack for the patrol when steps were heard on the porch just before a knock at the door. Jessica’s face peeked through the window and he waved her in with a smile.

“Hi Jimmy, you got a moment?” Jessica stepped in and closed the door behind her. She was a spunky and smart lady who had been with him and the camp since the beginning. Previously a police officer, she was now the person who almost single handedly ran the camp. She oversaw all the supplies going in and out, coordinated  where resources were harvested and then used, and made sure that everything ran smoothly. Her husband, Terry, was also a good friend. His negotiation skills from studying to be a lawyer had come in very handy from time to time and his loyalty was unquestioned. Without those two, Jimmy couldn’t imagine how much harder things would be.

“Of course. Everything OK?” He gestured to a chair at the small table. Jessica sat down, taking her crocheted mittens off. There was a lady in camp who could undo sweaters and then crochet the yarn into hats, scarves, mittens, and fingerless gloves. Ms. Emmie was like a grandmother to everyone and was universally adored.

She nodded. “Oh yes, everything is fine. I just wanted to go over things with you one more time. There is a lot going on out there and I need to make sure I know exactly what you’re planning in case we need to send people out looking for you.”

Jimmy nodded. “We will head southwest to check on Kory at his place first and then head east toward Lake Mitchell, if the conditions allow us to. On the way, we will be stopping at the Havhausen homestead and will likely stay a night there on the way back from the Lake. I’m bringing some fishing line and gorge hooks, just in case.” Jessica laughed at Jimmy’s expression.

“We certainly have enough of them made up now. I made one of the kids who refused to do their homework count them out loud one afternoon. They got up over 400. It’s a good winter project. Anyway, do you think you’ll get any deer?”

Jimmy shrugged. “We can always hope but with limited ammo and little experience with a bow, I am putting my bet on fish. If we can get a few dozen, it would really make a difference in people’s moral, plus get them motivated to make a big fishing trip again. We need fresh meat badly.”

Jessica nodded and they talked a little more, stopping when Amie came back into the main room. She smiled a hello to Jessica before turning to Jimmy. “Check for bags of birdseed in places if you can. There’s likely some grain seed in them and we need that almost as bad as the protein. Even if it takes a couple seasons to grow enough to build up seed stocks before we can eat it, it’ll be worth it in the long run.”

Just then, Ryan could be heard hollering Jessica’s name across the camp. They all got up quickly and stepped outside. Ryan was pointing down in the direction of where the camp sourced their water from. Though it was just under half a mile away, the small river was only about 15 feet in elevation lower than where the camp was located. From the porch, they could clearly see the water had risen up and was against the levee they had been building the last month or so. It was set out a good 5 feet on either side of the small waterway and now, almost overnight, the water had reached the base of it.

Jessica motioned Ryan up to talk to them before turning to Jimmy, eyes full of concern. “You may have to put off that trip for a day or so.”

Jimmy sighed and nodded. “Mother Nature definitely rules all now. Hopefully, being proactive on the levee will either work as needed or buy us enough time to build it up.”

Welcome back to The Saturday Survival Serial! Volume 3, Week 1 will turn into the final book in the Jimmy Walker Series and YOU can help shape how the story goes.

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