Choosing the usual crew of Lonnie, Jake, Joy, Vlad and Nancy, I added Aiden, Shane and Sheila to round out the group. We met at the Pavilion for the first sit-down breakfast I, or any of us, had eaten since we started the trek west.
“How often do you sit for breakfast like this?” I asked Mac. I figured maybe once a week.
“Every morning,” he answered. “All of us do, thanks to him,” he added, introducing Rico to us all.
“I used to live here, from age three to eighteen,” I told him.
“Yes, I’ve heard that,” answered Mac.
“Much has changed, and still, there are a great number of things that remain the same,” I remarked.
“I know,” Mac replied. “I heard you caught a four-pounder out of the canal! It’s kind of a legend around here for those who care about fishing.”
“Really?” I replied, laughing. “How did you hear that?”
“Stories…” he replied. “And did you hear I fell in and went through the siphon trying to pull in a true monster trout?”
“No way!” I exclaimed. “Nobody has made it through alive. Are there really blades down underneath to cut the ice in winter?”
“Oh yeah, and there’s a bunch of other debris I can’t even talk about now,” he replied.
“So, there are still fish in there,” I stated as almost a question.
“Yes, a few for sure,” Mac replied.
“Don’t be a humble fisherman,” interjected Rico. “Mac just recently caught a seven pounder on the siphon’s back end.”
“Wow!” I exclaimed, not questioning the size. Truth be honest, I couldn’t wait to fish it again.
* * * *
“We’ve been expecting you all,” said Mac, “but I’ll leave that speech for our leader, John, who will speak with you in just a little while. I’m head of security here, and this is Cory, former Chief of Police for the City of Loveland. I’m not sure how much you know about what’s headed our way, but seeing as you brought a friggin’ tank with you, I’m guessing you have some idea! We met with the Colonel, who says he knows you and considers you, Vlad, a personal friend. I’m sure he filled you in somewhat on the man called Baker.”
“We know of him,” Vlad responded, “and sent a spy maybe a week ago to infiltrate his group.”
“Wait!” I interjected. “You knew about that, Vlad?”
“Of course! I know everything that happens in our group.”
“I only didn’t tell you in case the Colonel would be upset about it,” I conceded.
“No worries, my friend. And it’s fine. I would have done the same, but now we all know and I’ll deal with my friend, the Colonel, if need be.”
“Did your friend who infiltrated Baker’s group make it?” asked Cory.
“I don’t know; he is supposed to meet us here on the next full moon,” I replied. “He has helped us all along the way to get here, and I hope he shows.”
“I hear you have firepower,” said Mac, in more of a statement than a question.
“We do,” chimed in Lonnie, “but we need to know where we stand here before discussing it further—no disrespect.”
“Not at all,” said Mac. “I would play the same card in your shoes. John and Bill will be speaking with you soon about your position here and the particulars of Ranch life, I’m sure. It’s not too bad; in fact, it’s pretty good so far—better than a FEMA camp, I’m sure!”
“I can already tell you, you’re right about that!” said Vlad emphatically. “They did save my life, but I’m glad I didn’t have to stay.”
“It’s just a matter of sliding into your role here and respecting your fellow men and women sharing the Valley with you,” Mac continued.
“And the kids?” asked Jake.
“The children don’t have roles yet,” replied Mac, “although they will eventually. Right now, they are meant to play and be kids, without a care in the world until the lunch or dinner bell rings. We will set up a school once this Baker business is behind us. Your tank there, what is it exactly?”
“Bert,” I replied. “We bought him up in Breckenridge, and he is a 1942 T-34 Russian from World War II. He runs, fires and has a half tank of gas after running him over the Continental Divide.”
“You thought we needed a tank, huh?” asked Cory. “Unless you guys just had one lying around…”
“Nope. As I say, we bought it. And yeah, I think we need it,” I replied. “In fact, we paid a pretty penny for him, and I expect it to be a game-changer when it counts. We fought them once, Baker’s group, but only a small band. They are tough and don’t play by any standard rules of warfare. They even sent a young girl out on the front lines right before battle. I wish we could have afforded to buy the other tank as well.”
“Did you run out of money?” asked Mac.
“No, we just didn’t want to trade all of our weapons for it.”
“What weapons do you have?” asked Cory in a semi-repeat of Mac’s previous question.
“I think we should wait for our meeting with John and Bill before getting into all of that,” I suggested.
“Fair enough,” replied Mac. “They should be by momentarily.”
* * * *
John and Bill did show up momentarily—only ten minutes later—with Samuel in tow.
“Gentlemen and ladies,” said John, introducing Bill, Samuel and himself. Reaching out to shake everyone’s hand, he continued: “We are glad you are here and eagerly anticipated your arrival. Lance, I will tell you up front that the information you gave your parents at the first sign of trouble has
