During the last trip to the train, Jerry thought Tom had gone nuts. “Tom, why are we loading computers, laptops, large holograph TVs, old-style DVD players, and boxes full of antiquated DVDs? We know the electronics are fried.”
Tom rapped his knuckles on the thick steel wall of the railcar. Jerry’s frown turned upside down. “Okay, the metal protected them from the EMP, and we can operate them off the turbine’s electrical output.”
“We also have a bunch of solar chargers, and every vehicle charges its batteries. We can use those for the cave and the Community. I plan to use a hit and miss engine to run several old twelve-volt generators to make electricity if the bunker’s generator craps out. They will charge a bank of batteries that’ll provide the electricity to watch movies and use the computers. We could also use it at the community.”
Rick said, “I’m thinking the internet is dead.”
Tom laughed. “Maybe so, but take a good look at those DVDs. Many are about edible plants, world history, chemistry, and many other topics. We can use them to help learn and teach our children how to survive.”
***
The bunker at the ranch
One day, Tom asked June to fly over their several routes to the cave, and saw just what he’d expected but hadn’t wanted to see. The trucks had flattened the grass, and one could plainly see where the trucks had passed through. The tracks would be there until late next spring when the new grass filled in the tracks. Even then, an experienced tracker could follow the betraying signs. The ranch hadn’t suffered the same issue, since they just drove up to the barn on the roads and driveway. The tractor’s box blade was used often to remove the truck’s tracks, and then they had the horses walk around to remove the box blade’s trail.
Granny B asked Tom what they were doing, and Tom explained. Granny B said, “It’s cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. It’s the start of winter, and no one has been up this way for several weeks. No one wants to be up in the mountains in the winter. Even then, they stayed on the paved roads. The gang’s hunters are lazy and concentrate on catching escaped cattle and sheep for their meat. Next year, when that source dries up will be our challenge. The snow will flatten down the grass over the winter, and new grass will grow to hide the tracks.”
Tom disagreed, but kept his thoughts to himself. Tom was more serious as winter approached. The weight of making sure his group survived the winter and had enough food weighed heavy on his mind. He knew they had the corn and could slaughter some cattle. He also knew that every cow the wolves killed was one less to build up the herd for long-term survival. He knew the winter and predators would take their toll on the herd.
That evening, as bad luck would have it, Jack interrupted Tom’s train of thought. “I have good news and bad news.”
Tom didn’t like this game. “Well?”
“We have beef for several days, and we have hungry wolves. Bill, James, Rick, and I are going out to find them and wipe them out.”
Tom said, “Can’t you just run them off?”
Jack paused and kept his smartass remark to himself. “Tom, the wolves found easy prey and will feed on our cattle and grow in numbers. If we don’t kill them, you won’t have a herd by spring. The coyotes will get what the wolves miss. The newborn calves will be their appetizers.”
Tom called for Kate, and a few minutes later, she appeared. “Kate, can you put a team together to help Jack find a pack of wolves that’s killing our cattle? I think if you fly the drones just above the treetops, you can find the wolves' den. Then Jack’s crew can move in and get rid of them.”
Kate shook her head. “I hate that. The wolves are in their home territory. We’re the intruders.”
“Kate, they’ll kill most of our cattle and all of our calves in the spring. I hate to do it also, but it has to be done.”
“Yes, I know, but I still hate to do it,” Kate moaned.
***
Doris was on guard duty that night and woke Tom up before daylight. “Tom, sorry to disturb you, but it snowed last night, and I know you want to find those wolves.”
Tom’s brain kicked into high gear when he equated snow with being able to track the wolves. “Kate, wake up! We need to get the drone team up and feed them to get the drones up when the sun rises. This is going to be a long day.”
Kate went to wake up her team. Tom found Jack and his hunters already eating. June and Alice had fried some steaks and eggs for the men. Tom entered the dining area, poured a cup of java, and said, “Can you cook enough for six to eight more folks? We’re flying the drones at sunrise. Jack, could you give Kate an idea where to start?”
Alice laughed, “Doris gave us a heads up. The food will be ready about the time their sleepy heads roll in to eat.”
Jack said, “That’s easy. We’ll start a drone over what’s left of the cow. I’d have another circle around the area about a hundred yards out and
