“As a result of the attack, four of our people were killed. I hate to speak ill of the dead, but you all deserve to know the truth. The four of them were relaxing in the party barn and perhaps imbibing in adult substances. Apparently, something caused them to go outside. Perhaps they heard the gunfire from the guard posts and went to investigate. Unfortunately, none of them were armed. The zeds had themselves a nice meal. Their remains were found close to the party barn, which indicated they were immediately attacked.”
He paused again, hoping this would sink in and it would be a good learning lesson.
“Trucker Troy was one of our decedents, but he was not killed by zeds. He was found inside the TOC with a gunshot wound that eventually killed him. Priss spoke to him before he died, and he identified Gil VanAllen as the person who shot him. Priss and Flash then made entry into the armory and found the president. He was dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The O’Malley brothers conducted an independent investigation and confirmed this.”
A hand raised in the back. “Yes?”
“The TOC armory was locked, isn’t that right, First Sergeant?”
“Yes, it was. Zach provided Priss with a master key so she and Flash could make entry. Now, I want to say something. There are a couple of you idiots who are trying to start a rumor that Zach Gunderson opened the armory door and shot VanAllen in cold blood. Let me reiterate, Trucker Troy identified VanAllen as his assailant to Priss. Priss and Flash then made entry into the armory and found VanAllen. Zach stood by outside because he knew somebody would try to twist the facts around.
“If anyone disagrees, feel free to conduct your own investigation, but if I were you, I’d be mighty careful before you go accusing Zach of murder. He saved our asses, and I for one am grateful I did not die down there in that bunker. You go around spouting off nonsense, if Zach doesn’t put a dent in your nose, I will.”
A lot of people loudly agreed with the sentiment. The meeting carried on for another hour. Several items were discussed, resolved, or tabled for a later time. Among one item that was agreed to was to have a mass funeral service for their five friends, but without Gil VanAllen. He was unceremoniously cremated, and his ashes were buried apart from the others.
Zach had not attended the meeting. He already knew most of what was going to be discussed. Besides, he had someone else he wanted to talk to. He found Fred working on a horse. Sammy and a woman close to his age watched. They looked over when Zach walked in. Sammy grinned; the woman stared. The horse recognized Zach and nickered when he walked up.
“What’s wrong with him?” Zach asked.
“He picked up a nail in his front hoof,” Sammy said. “Fred’s giving us some doctoring lessons.”
“Fred’s a good teacher,” Zach said. “I’ve learned a hell of a lot from him.” Zach focused on Nikki. “I’ve met you before. Nikki, right?”
“Yeah, we have, sort of. I’m Nikki,” she answered.
“I remember now. You live in the Shenandoah Park community,” Zach said. “How are they doing?”
“They’re okay, but I’m going to move here. Fred’s offered me a job of sorts.”
“Fred’s going to mentor her,” Sammy said.
“Rachel is going to need help once she gives birth,” Fred added.
Zach nodded. “When I first met Fred, I was a know-it-all kid.” He glanced at Fred and smiled. “Julie was too, I guess. He took us under his wing. I learned a lot from him and consider him a friend.”
Nikki stared at Zach and then at Fred. “I’ve heard you two have been through a lot.”
“Yes, we have,” Zach said.
“Are you moving back home?” Sammy asked.
“Yeah, are you?” Fred asked.
Zach sighed before he could help himself. “I guess I’ll need to discuss it with Kelly.”
“Do you want to?” Sammy asked.
“Yes, I do,” he said after a moment.
Journal Entry – January 1st, 10 A.Z.
I am currently in the back of one of our specialized vans, leaving Mount Weather. I haven’t had much sleep these past few days and although I’m fatigued, I’m a little too antsy to sleep, so I thought I’d catch up on an entry.
The months of November and December have been, what’s a good word - tumultuous? Bizarre? Surreal? I’m not sure which would be the best descriptor. Perhaps there is a more appropriate word to use that isn’t in my vocabulary. The best I can do is try to summarize the events of the last two months and let you decide how to define it.
As I mentioned in the last journal entry, an election was held in November. Abe Stark lost; Rochelle VanAllen won. Because of this, I packed up my family and we secretly relocated to Oak Ridge, Tennessee. We were welcomed with open arms and I got to see firsthand how much of an advanced operation they had. The scientists treated every problem like a wonderful opportunity to create an experiment. They had made several remarkable achievements, and even though I was only there a short time, I have learned a lot from them in only two months of living there. I am going to need to dedicate an entire journal entry detailing everything about them. I’ll do that later.
Next in this journal entry will be, in no particular order of importance, the documentation of multiple mysteries that are currently active at Mount Weather.
Shortly after arriving at Oak Ridge, I began having dreams. It was one dream, but I kept having it over and over. It was of Patient Eve. She was standing in front of the main entrance to Fort Detrick, staring at me with those odd-looking eyes of hers. She’d then look over her shoulder, turn to face me again and then
