Everyone was quiet as they waited. "Several issues have caused me to reconsider our option. We've lost fifteen members recently. They were counted on to facilitate the work projects as we moved. That's a big factor in my doubt that we can handle everything we've planned. The schedule was tight before; now it's overloaded.
I checked the agenda. "Preparing the ground for planting is a huge unknown. With more than ten years’ growth of saplings sprouted there, we may need to run a bulldozer across the acreage first to push the tree roots out. In speaking to Tony recently, I've learned he isn't at all confident the normal farm implements will do the job; the equipment may simply be damaged, because it's not intended or designed for what we need it to do.
"Then there's the livestock. Barns and livestock pens need to be built before the animals can be moved. The manpower required will overwhelm us if we wait until next year. In addition, Albert will need a building for several years to keep the equipment we have running until our fuel supplies are exhausted and we're forced to resort one hundred percent to horses and mules for transportation and work."
Thoughtful expressions ensured they followed my logic raptly. "Also, if we move early, we can conserve our gasoline and diesel fuels. We can load the ten thousand gallon fuel truck with diesel and stretch its use out for several years by not having to run the large generators to heat this huge building.
"Finally, we're still short of cabins to house people. Outside Jefferson City, there's a storage yard with prefab buildings. I propose we look into those and see if some of the larger ones might suffice for Doc's medical building, the armory, an office, four cabins, and any other special needs buildings. That will free up a lot of manpower that otherwise would be used to build additional homes."
The room went silent as I leaned back in my chair and waited.
Shane rubbed his forehead before glancing around the table. "November and December are often mild. We could get a lot of work done in those two months if we have crews move and stay there. If enough fuel can be spared, a small generator can be rigged to run the office equipment and to charge battery powered equipment like radios, laptops, battery powered hand tools and so on. It would make the work go faster and prevent losing all of those items as soon as we move."
Ed looked to Shane, "I like that idea." He addressed the group, "I'm for moving as soon as it can be planned. Is anyone opposed, and do you need more discussion or time to make a decision?" Several shook their heads as others mouthed, "No". "Then let's have a show of hands and see how many agree."
The impromptu vote was unanimous; we'd be implementing a new moving plan in a few days.
John asked, "Have you thought about how the manpower we have will be split between here and the new site?"
"This is open for discussion," I replied. "We have thirty-eight adults, five who are teens or nearly that, and six toddlers. I think fifteen adults and teenagers should be left here to maintain this site, load trailers as needed and manage the livestock. Twenty will relocate to the new site, and we'll use six people to make trips back and forth transporting food, materials and equipment. They can stay over at either facility when they're not on the road. Three of the six need to be competent drivers who can handle heavy equipment, but the other three passengers can be adolescents who can work hard and shoot straight. The trucks will run in convoys, so they can protect and watch out for each other. That will leave two people not assigned who can fill in where needed."
Ed nodded enthusiastically. "Sounds like a plan. We'll start with that and modify it as needed. Another reason to move now is the decimation of the wild game in this area. We don't see zombies often when we travel, but in this area the buggers have killed just about everything that's edible, and some I don't even want to think about eating."
Morgan piped up, "Hell, I haven't even seen a skunk or an opossum in months. They must eat those nasty things, too." Smiles and chuckles followed.
Ed continued as we listened, "We've been able to kill several of the fast runner zombies most of the times they've attack the compound or the livestock. They're almost all naked now; it's rare to see one clothed, and then the intact clothing indicates they were turned recently. That's further evidence the older, original ones we saw in tattered rags are dying off. In contrast, game is plentiful at the new site to the south. That indicates to me that the zombie population must be smaller or non-existent there."
The meeting drifted into side conversations among the members until John said, "I've been sitting here thinking about moving. Most of our furniture is at least five years old and much of it has been used for ten years. Instead of hauling used furniture several hundred miles, let's check out stores closer to the new site and see what we can gather locally."
No one objected, so I agreed to the sensible suggestion and ended the meeting.
Another meeting was held early the following morning to announce the new moving plan to all of our survivors. Some accepted the change readily. Others had to be convinced the change was the best course going forward. Some people's personality traits simply didn't allow them to accept sudden changes imposed without warning. In the end, after much discussion, the naysayers came around and agreed to support the changed schedule.
Vivian, Kira and Grace met in the office and
