“Granny, I know you’re a better long-range shooter than anyone in the group, but we might have to haul ass back up in the hills to get away from the others.”
“So, you’re saying I’m too old to cut the mustard?”
“No. Not at all. I’m saying that you have earned the right to stay up here and help guard our temporary home.”
“Smartass! I really want to go, but I guess you’re right about the running part. My knees were replaced twenty years ago. I think my left one is wearing out. I guess there won’t be any surgeries like that for a long time, if ever again.”
Tom nodded, “I agree, but what about our large naval ships and huge government bunkers? I know the ships are like small cities. Will they be able to use their technology to jump-start us back on the path to recovery?”
Granny B replied, “I think they would, but wouldn’t they only be used for the larger cities along the coast and maybe up the Mississippi and other large rivers? I think I remember seeing on the news that most of our major ships were hardened against EMP blasts.”
That jogged Tom’s memory. “Those new battleships the Navy launched in the late 20s and early 30s have the rail guns and pulse cannons. More importantly, they all have extra nuclear power plants to supply the enormous energy to hurl projectiles a hundred miles. That power could be used to power several small cities.”
“Son, I’ve always thought that the large cities would devolve into chaos, killing, and looting. I believe the military will seek out small cities that survived the chaos to begin the rebuilding process.”
Tom’s head dropped and then rose. “Does that mean we should travel to the coast to be safer in one of those cities?”
Granny B tersely replied, “Hell no! We stay here and take back our ranch!”
“Amen,” was Tom’s answer.
*
Chapter 19
Southern Oregon – The Clark ranch.
Jackie watched the ranch house while Tom and Rick slept. She’d been watching since one in the morning and had only seen the guard walking around the house. She heard movement and saw Rick roll over and look at her. He said, “I can barely see you. Are you awake?”
“Yes, and you have another half hour to sleep before it’s your turn.”
Rick lay flat on his back and stretched while stifling a yawn. “I never liked sleeping on the cold ground. Of course, over in the desert, the ground was usually hot until early the next morning. I don’t miss those hundred and twenty-degree days.”
He lay next to her and watched her scan the ranch with their only night vision scope, which was mounted to her .308. “See anything interesting?”
“Yes, I think the new guard is Jack. I hope so. We’ve been here doing this for three days, and this might be our chance to get him off alone.”
Rick said, “Make sure it’s him. If yes, I’ll wake Tom.”
Jackie saw the man’s face in the glow of the kerosene lamp. It was Jack. “Wake Tom up. It’s Jack.”
Rick nudged Tom’s shoulder. Tom’s head lifted. “Is it my turn? Give me a minute to wake up.”
“Jack just took over guarding the ranch,” Rick said.
Tom jumped out from under his Tyvek sheet and crawled over to Jackie. “Sis, is it Jack?”
“Yes, I had a good look at him by the lamp. He’s talking with the other guard but will soon be walking around the barn and back of the house. We can catch him then.”
Tom gathered his gear. “Grab what you need, and let’s move down to the barn. Remember your part, and hope we get a few breaks. The moonlight is a friend and an enemy. If we can see them, they can see us. Let’s go.”
Jack left the other man on the porch, having a last cigarette before going to sleep. He could see well enough to walk his route but kept the powerful flashlight handy if he heard a noise in the brush or woods. He’d walked guard duty dozens of times and had only seen a few dogs and coyotes. His rifle was slung over his shoulder, and he whistled to break the lonely silence. Jack walked around the barn and past the old tractor when someone grabbed him from behind. Another person took his pistol. He couldn’t scream for help with a knife at his throat and a hand over his mouth.
“Jack, what happened here?”
Jack tried to speak but only stuttered. He thought Tom and the other Clarks were dead. “You’re supposed to be dead. You were on a flight home when the attack happened. How did you survive?”
“We’ll talk about that later. Who are these people, and what are they doing at my ranch?”
Jack was confused and angry at the same time. “You were dead. I told a friend to bring his family to join June and me at the ranch to be safe. My friend told another friend, and twenty people drove up three days after the attack. I only know my friend, and he’s a good man. The others took over and claimed the ranch for themselves. They said I could stay if I didn’t cause any trouble.”
Tom released Jack from his grip and sheathed his knife. His fists were now clenched, and his teeth clamped down. Then he spoke. “What will these men say when you pass on my message? It will say they have twenty - four hours to leave or be run away.”
Jack shook with fear. “I wouldn’t do that. The leader and five of his men plan to make a home here and are armed to the teeth.”
Rick inspected Jack’s rifle. “This is a high-end AR
