Hatcher rubbed at his eyes. “Why? Is there a threat I’m not aware of?”
Roger dropped the roll of cable and gave him a solemn look. “We’ve been seeing more of the throwbacks lately.”
“The what?”
“Buck calls them ‘throwbacks.’ Not sure why, but the name stuck.”
“And they’re coming around here?”
“Not yet.” Roger pulled the pliers from his back pocket and clipped the cabling. “But we’re seeing more and more of them as we gather supplies.”
“And these guys worry you?”
Roger nodded slowly. “I know they don’t congregate like the Zulus used to, but the idea of having more than one attack at the same time?” He shook his head. “The last one that we had to deal with physically took four guys just to slow him down.”
Hatcher raised a brow. “And you’re seeing more of them?”
“Here and there. Usually when we see one, we turn the opposite direction and let them chase us away from here.” He lowered the cabling and gave Hatcher a solemn look. “I’m scared that one of these days that won’t be enough. Eventually we’re going to have to deal with them. Permanently.”
Hatcher nodded then smelled the coffee. “Want some wake-up juice?”
Roger tucked the pliers into his back pocket again and walked around to the rear door. “I thought you’d never ask.” He watched as Hatcher poured two cups then leaned on the counter, blowing on his. “I made sure to keep your place stocked for ya. I didn’t know when you’d be back, but I wanted to make sure you were supplied.”
Hatcher sipped the bitter brew and nodded. “Much appreciated.” He glanced over his cup and eyed Roger. “Nobody asked if I found Shelly.”
Roger looked away and nodded slowly. “We all assumed that if you had, you’d have brought her back with you.”
“I did find another girl though.” Hatcher watched Roger’s brows lift in anticipation. “Apparently my buddy Mitch had hired her on just before everything went south. She’s been stuck at the park by herself this whole time.”
Roger stared with wide eyes. “How?”
“Either pure dumb luck or mad skills…I honestly don’t know which. Probably a little of both.”
“Why didn’t you bring her back with you?”
Hatcher smiled and sipped his coffee. “She found some young doctor at Rich’s camp. She liked it there.”
“About that…” Roger trailed off. “I know you want us to give him the grand tour and show him how we’re doing stuff, but what are you thinking? What’s your end goal?”
Hatcher shrugged. “Just to help out.” He eyed Roger carefully. “People may be too close to being on the endangered species list. Rather than compete, we should be helping each other, build some connections. Make life as simple as we can.”
“So, we’re not going to be adopting a large portion of them?”
Hatcher shook his head. “I doubt it. They’re pretty well dug in at their place, and they seem to be doing okay.”
“Morning,” Rich grumbled as he walked into the kitchen. “Is that coffee?”
“Fresh brewed.” Hatcher turned and pulled another cup from the cabinet.
“Good heavens.” Rich stared at the machine. “I’ve been drinking instant for so long…this could ruin me.”
“Not his coffee,” Roger grinned. “It’s pretty nasty.”
“Nobody’s forcing you,” Hatcher grumbled as he handed Rich the mug. “Did you sleep well?”
Rich nodded. “Sure beats the bed at home.” He sipped the coffee then sighed. “Sorry if I snored. I have a habit of doing that in strange beds.”
“Didn’t notice,” Hatcher lied. “So what’s on your agenda for the day? Got any plans?”
Rich shook his head. “I’m supposed to meet up with that engineer you have. He’s going to walk me through your electrical setup. If it looks feasible, we’ll try to copy it back home.”
“You might take a look at our wells, too,” Roger added.
“They have a large freshwater lake nearby,” Hatcher said. “Their only real issue might be filtration.”
Rich nodded. “We’ve got a few gravity fed filters for drinking water. The rest we just pump up to the holding tanks.”
Roger shrugged. “Still, it might not hurt.” He drained his cup then set it on the counter. “I’ve got to get back to work.” He pointed the pliers at Hatcher. “By the end of the day, you’re taking your old job back. I’m sick of everybody coming to me for their petty problems.”
“Great,” Hatcher groaned. He watched Roger turn for the door. “The view is great down here under the bus, asshole.”
“You got this, fearless leader.” Roger paused in the doorway. “Man, the weight on my shoulders already feels lighter.”
Hatcher flipped him the bird before he left. “You hungry?” he asked, turning back to Rich.
He held the cup up. “Liquid breakfast is my norm, but thanks.” He refilled his cup then stared out the window. “Are those…greenhouses?”
Hatcher nodded. “We use the greenspan areas for them. Before I left, they were working on hydroponics.”
Rich nodded slowly. “Now that’s something I’d like to study.”
“Knock yourself out. I’m sure Will would be proud to show them off.” Hatcher swallowed the last of the coffee then rinsed his cup. “I’ve got people to see. Just…wander about and check out whatever interests you.”
“Thanks.” Rich watched him walk out through the garage door then smiled to himself. “This place may be just what we needed after all.”
“Dr. O’Dell has some ideas on our psychedelics,” Carol stated as she walked Andre to the conference room. “He’s put together some possibilities for you.”
“Excellent.” Andre pushed open the door to the conference room and caught David’s eye. “You have some ideas?”
David nodded and reached for a pointer. “Actually, I’ve got a lot. The problem is, not many options are available where we’re located.”
Andre cocked his head to the side. “I’m not following.”
“The most potent natural psychedelics don’t grow in this region.” He nodded to Randy who dimmed the lights. “I found some resources in the
