Dark New World (Book 3): EMP Deadfall (42 page)

Ethan tapped a key, and the image changed to a different colored map of the U.S. “This is the forecast for a year from now. The invaders lose control of most of their holdings but remain firmly in control of a few remaining areas. The briefs call those areas ‘cantonments.’ The invaders will firm up their control of eastern New York and Virginia, southern Alaska, and everything from Vancouver B.C. to Eugene, Oregon.

“Houle’s green zone, however, expands greatly. All of California’s west coast and Central Valley, and the Gulf Coast from Corpus Christi in Texas to Mobile, Alabama. They’ll also have dozens of outposts throughout eastern Colorado and Western Kentucky, the area between Oklahoma City and Dallas, and around the Mississippi River from the Gulf to Memphis.

“Those are all some of the best agricultural lands in the country, so I think what they don’t control directly will be in some sort of medieval feudal system of landholders as semiautonomous nobles who will give forced tribute to the General by way of those outposts. The whole area is almost wide open, with a well-developed system of railways, so enforcement won’t be a big problem.”

Michael had watched intently, and Cassy could see the wheels turning in his mind. Abruptly, Michael said, “What about that light blue area from southern Michigan to northern Ohio and Indiana? It’s not that far from us, Ethan.”

“Now
that
is the real reason I called you all. If the General is right, that whole region will be controlled by the locals, at least at first. The intel reports I’ve seen are pretty clear that Houle will support a faction out of Fort Wayne, Indiana, which will hold off the urbanites from Detroit, Chicago, and Indianapolis long enough for the cities to wither away, and will then expand by gobbling up the nation’s second most productive agricultural area bit by bit. Including us. You know how the Romans had subject nations that were independent internally, but had to pay taxes to the Romans, give military support, and so on? It’ll be like that, if Houle has his way. Make no mistake, they’ll be under the General’s control. And they’ll end up stopping just west of us before next winter. No forecast after that, but I think you can see where that’s going.”

Cassy slowly stood, using her crutch for support, and smiled to the other Council members. “Thank you for the update, Ethan. We lucked out more than we could have ever known when we met up with you. But I think there’s not a lot we can do about any of that right now. We’ll have all winter to think about it, plan, and prepare. Whatever we do, I don’t think we can do it on our own. By spring, we’ll have new neighbors, people like us who struggled and triumphed on their own. I think we’ll have more in common with them than some rump empire out of Indiana propped up by a wannabe Roman emperor. For now, though, I’m tired. Still fighting off those infections, you know. And the farm still needs running until spring, so don’t you all go getting lazy, my friends!”

The Council members chuckled politely and broke up the meeting. Cassy waited for Ethan, last to leave. He had to pack up his computer, of course. Amber approached from nearby. She had changed a lot during her exile in the bunker with Ethan. More mature, less impulsive, less angry, more thoughtful. All good things.

“Ethan. A minute?” Cassy said, and smiled at Amber as she drew close. “Actually this involves you too, Amber. I hear you two are thinking about making your relationship official. Everyone knows, of course, but it’s maybe a bigger deal for the Clan than you know. It’s a neon sign that life goes on, that we’re still alive. Really and truly alive, not just passing time waiting to die.”

Amber slowly nodded and smiled. “I’m glad we have your blessing—I know Frank and everyone else are okay with us being together. And Kaitlyn says she really likes Ethan though his online gaming references go over her head.”

Cassy laughed. “And I just want to say, I’d love to hear wedding bells in the near future, but I know it’s too soon for that. But when the time’s right, I know we’d all enjoy a big celebration.”

“One step at a time,” Amber said, and Ethan nodded in agreement.

Cassy said, “Well, in the meantime, everyone will be busy settling down and getting to know the new neighbors from the White Stag and others straggling in. And there’s plenty of work to do to keep us all busy until winter. Speaking of, I have another meeting with Frank soon—more planning and politicking. Stay out of trouble, you two.”

“No promises,” Ethan said with a wink before he and Amber strode off, hand-in-hand.

Alone, Cassy reflected that there was still a lot of work left to do by winter, and a lot of healing both physical and mental, but she knew that if they could joke about things again already, then everything would work out in the end. Or at least for now, and that was all she could ask for.

For the first time in a long time, Cassy felt hope, and happiness. She hobbled toward the house, whistling and thinking about the apple cider that would soon be ready. Now
that
would be cause for a celebration. She glanced around and, just for a moment, watched the bustle of work going on as her new family was doing needful tasks around the farm, the kids all pitching in, adding happy noise to the pounding and the shouting as the Clanners rebuilt their farm.

She was smiling as she entered her house… her home.

# # #

TO BE CONTINUED IN BOOK 4… COMING SOON.

 
** Thank you so much for picking up a copy of
EMP Deadfall
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. A couple sentences is all that’s needed, and we’ll be forever grateful. Thank you! - JJ Holden and Henry Gene Foster **

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Other Stories by JJ Holden:

Life After: THE COMPLETE SERIAL NOVEL

Badge of Darkness: THE COMPLETE SERIAL NOVEL

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JJ Holden lives in a small cabin in the middle of nowhere. He spends his days studying the past, enjoying the present, and pondering the future.

Henry Gene Foster resides far away from the general population, waiting for the day his prepper skills will prove invaluable. In the meantime, he focuses on helping others discover that history does indeed repeat itself and that it’s never too soon to prepare for the worst.

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