“All right. I get it,” said Lonnie. “Don’t go scaring the hell out of everyone. Let’s just take this one step at a time.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I replied, feeling my heart beating faster. “One step at a time,” I whispered.
Jim was on the radio, listening for updates about the groups ahead of us and when they would be moving on.
“I’ve got some news!” he announced.
“About Baker?” asked Lonnie.
“No, not yet, but the President is delivering another message tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. Eastern Time, so 8 here. Anyone interested?”
“Yes,” called out most everyone.
“For future reference,” I told Jim, “I always want to hear updates of any kind—from Baker and Ronna’s group or the Colonel, to anything being broadcast publicly.”
“You got it, buddy,” replied Jim.
We were stuck for the moment, so Joy and I had a picnic with our boys. They missed Veronica and Suzie.
We used to ride our bikes a half mile down the road from our house in McKinney and have picnics on nice days. Now it was inside the protected circle of vehicles, but the boys still enjoyed it.
“Daddy, when can we do this for real?” asked Hendrix.
“Soon, buddy. As soon as we get to where we’re going, we’ll do it like we used to, I promise.”
“Okay, Rada,” Hendrix said, calling me by his made-up nickname.
* * * *
Guard duty was easy tonight. We pulled the caravan off the highway and only unpacked what we absolutely needed for the night.
I was up early, with word from Jim that Baker’s group was leaving Pueblo in a few hours, and Ronna’s would likely be through there later this afternoon or early tomorrow.
“We’ve got an easy travel day,” said Lonnie, “but I want to stay near Pueblo tonight, if possible.”
All agreed, and we awaited the President’s address.
At 7:52 a.m., according to the watch Mel let me keep, the radio announcer came on, reminding his audience that this was the official station for up-to-the-minute news and updates for the long process of rebuilding our once-great country.
“Don’t be fooled by other broadcasts claiming to be authentic,” the announcer said. “Please stand by for the President of the United States.”
Static continued for several minutes and then came the speech:
“My fellow Americans, this is your President. I realize it has been some time since our last broadcast. Listen, our men and women, in both the Congress and Senate, have been working around the clock, as well as myself and Vice President Biden.
“Our FEMA facilities are operating in all states on the mainland, with many states hosting two or more Camps to ensure every American has access to not only the basics of continued survival but other advantages as well.
“For my fellow Americans listening from one of our state-of-the-art facilities, you are well aware of the hotel-like amenities, including hot food, hot showers, skilled labor re-training in farming and domestics and, of course, our second-to-none protection from the often-hostile areas outside of our facilities.
“We have learned, however, that there are still those numbering in the tens of thousands across this great land who have not presented to be under the protection of their government. By our accounts, there is only 28 percent of our citizens currently checked in, as of one week ago. We are asking that all citizens report to the nearest facility in a timely manner. Your government cannot afford any citizen refusing to do so the protection we all seek.
“We continue to work with our allies, who are providing aid by air and sea to our FEMA facilities. New transformers, replacing those damaged by the attack, are arriving by ship in the coming weeks. Power grids will be repaired, starting on the East Coast. This will take some time, but be assured we are with you during this trying time.
“May God bless you and these still United States of America.”
“What do you think?” asked Vlad.
“Still the same pitch,” replied Jake, “but I do believe the stats about 70% of the population not showing up to be taken care of.”
“That is why I come to this great country,” said Vlad. “You are ball busters and don’t wait to be told what to do by your government.”
“As far as the transformers,” I said, “I do know a bit about that. They are expensive to start—millions each—but even with cost aside, it takes about two years to make one and 3-6 months to ship here. How many are already manufactured and ready to ship? Maybe hundreds or maybe none; it’s hard to say. Either way, when it does happen, they will apparently be starting on the East Coast, moving West. So, we will be on the back end of the recovery, but at least we beat Vegas and Los Angeles. The truth is, it will be months at best, and likely years, before it happens…and a lot can happen in between.”
Most agreed, and none were reconsidering their freedom after the speech.
“All right,” said Lonnie. “Let’s get back to it.”
* * * *
Back on the road, we headed for Pueblo. It was slow going now on purpose, but it let me bring Joy and the boys up on the trailer, and I showed them the map.
“From Pueblo, we head straight up into the mountains,” I told them.
“The big ones, Daddy, up there?” asked Hudson, pointing west.
“Yeah, buddy, straight up in the middle of them, and then across the mountains that way,” I added, pointing north in the direction we were headed.
I pointed out the towns on the map we would go through. Some I had been through and others I had not.
“We first hit Canyon City. Then to Fairplay, Alma, Blue River and Breckenridge. Then Frisco,
