Post Grid: An Arizona EMP Adventure (26 page)

The group sat quietly, each processing the information.

Finally, Emma stood up and wrung her hands in her apron. “We pick up from here,” she uttered in a voice that was barely audible. “We pick up from here,” she continued, her voice growing stronger. “Humans have always just had to 'pick up from here' and move on.”

****

Breakfast was a somber affair the next morning. They focused on the business at hand. The clan had decided the night before that they and the people of Sunflower needed to thoroughly scavenge the Beeline Highway before the waves of migrating Mormons arrived. This would be their last chance to remove anything useful. Another area of great concern was Emma's cattle on the range south of Sunflower, near Bushnell Tanks. The cows needed to be gathered closer to the house so they did not end up as steaks for hungry travelers.

The cart and horses were readied for the day. Food, water and hand tools were loaded onto the cart, leaving as much room as possible for their finds.

Emma and Jared waved from the porch to the away team heading for Sunflower. It was decided that they would stay back; Jared because of his shoulder, and Emma to watch the place and continue farm chores.

By the time they arrived at Bill and Patty Johnson's house, the first rays of the sun were shining through the clouds.

The Johnsons could not believe the news of the attack. Patty leaned heavily on Bill, grasping his arm tightly as they listened to the details.

“It's true,” Rich assured them. “We got pretty much the same stories from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa throughout the night. It seems the only state not affected by the EMP was Hawaii; looks like they were far enough to be out of range. Our biggest priority is that the Mormons may be migrating north, traveling along the Beeline.”

Bill stared at Rich, nonplussed. “I don't think they will be hostile.”

“Me either,” said Rich. “But it takes a lot of resources to care for a group that size—resources we don't have a lot of, not to mention the sanitation and health problems. We'll need to meet with the church leadership and establish some ground rules.”

“We're heading to the highway to make sure we get anything we need before someone else gets it,” Jose said. “You need to tell the folks here what has happened and get them out gathering from the highway
today
.”

“I'll get the word out to the residents,” Bill said. “It's going to take a while to give them the news and get them ready. I'll try to have everyone out there by early afternoon.”

“Hopefully we have more than just today,” Kelly said.

“We have seen a couple of small groups of riders going up the highway and returning,” Patty said. “I wonder if they were scouts?”

“Probably were,” Rich said. “The church is very focused on planning, and they're incredibly well-organized. If any of us see any scouts, we need to find out what we can and ask to meet with a representative. When you talk to townsfolk today, see who wants to go to this meetin'.”

The group headed out of Sunflower and turned south as the bell at Bill's house pealed.

Kelly suggested that they start the scavenge as far south toward the Lehi staging area as practical. The highway to the north could wait for a bit. Unlike the first sweep of the roadway, this time anything considered to be remotely useful in the future would be stripped from the vehicles.

A lifted Jeep was their first target. The battery, mirrors, toolbox, gas cans, tire jack, pull strap and Hi-Lift jack were placed on the cart. ATVs on trailers provided batteries and gas cans.

“I wish we had more wagons,” Rich lamented.

“What about all the trailers we see?” Jess said. “Could we could rig a harness for the horses? I bet some of the lighter ones would work.”

“I think you've got something there, Mijo.” Jose smiled, patting him on the shoulder. “We will need wagons for all sorts of things in the future, and now is the time to get 'em.”

“What kind do you think we should get?” Jess asked.

“Something medium-sized, I would think,” said Kelly, “and with a good axle. It will need to sit high if horses are going to pull it.”

“Most of the trailers out here are for ATVs and sit low to the ground,” said Jose. “We can use those for parts. The real prize will be something that can be modified to ride about three, even four feet off the ground. We need to think about pulling these wagons too. We'll need harnessing material. I don't know... straps, belts, rope, maybe even seat belts.”

“Yeah,” Kelly replied, “Mom only has one set of harnesses for her team, and what we got in Fountain Hills was bits and pieces. If nothing else, we'll need materials to repair them over time.”

“I'll need long, sturdy pieces of wood or metal to connect the harnesses to the wagons,” said Jose. “We have quite a bit of wood, but it would be nice to find something more... ready-made, and probably longer. Oh, and tires too. Look for tires that have big diameters, but don't weigh a TON.”

In the course of scouting the vehicles, a small, two-wheeled ATV hauler was selected as the first trailer to be brought home. Using scavenged chains and pull straps, it was attached to the rear of the cart. This arrangement proved to be workable, though a little unwieldy. The trailer bumped and scraped along the pavement whenever the roadway was the slightest bit uneven. The team dared not put any weight on the trailer.

The group continued harvesting mirrors off the vehicles for their solar reflectors. They collected anything of value, such as propane tanks, tarps and even a few sheets of diamond plate steel.

Some of their best finds were in motorhomes and camping trailers, where they found pots, pans, oven mitts, utensils, blankets, sleeping bags, salt, lanterns and stoves, candles, lighters, matches, skewers and all manner of camping gear.

“Make sure you get those coats,” Dennis said emphatically, pointing into a closet in one of the motorhomes. “Winter's coming. In fact, take all of the adult clothes. If we can't wear them, there might be someone in town who could.”

“These look like old people's clothes,” said Lynn. “Shouldn't we leave some for the Mormons?”

“They'll have their own clothes because they're coming from their homes. All we have is the jumble we got from the feed store in Fountain Hills. As hard as we're using them, we'll need more pants; shoes too. There may come a time, young lady, you'll be glad to have these.”

Tears welled up in Lynn's eyes.

“I didn't mean it like
that
,” Dennis said, pulling down the corners of his mouth, frustrated. “I'm sorry.”

Lynn sniffled, a tear spilling over her bottom lid.

“You know, if you find material today, maybe Emma could help you make some clothes?”

Lynn cheered just a touch and gave her dad the tiniest, short-lived grin.

A contractor's truck provided a wealth of tools and building materials, and two pairs of blue overalls that fit Jose.

By mid-afternoon their cart was overflowing and they headed back home. When they came upon some Sunflower residents, they had to pull off the road and wait for their wagon to pass.

“The pickin's are getting slim out there. Highway's empty though,” said Rich. “Be careful.”

“Thanks,” said Bill, and everyone waved.

Chapter 13

Jared and Emma waved goodbye to the others as they climbed into the wagon.

“Be careful,” Jared whispered, touching Kelly's hand.

“Always.”

He watched as they left, dirt kicking up from hooves and wheels.

By the time Jared made his way into the house, Emma was pulling feathers from some quail. She handed him a potato peeler and he silently accepted the tool, awkwardly peeling the eight potatoes in the sink. Meal preparation started early, as food for a group this size required extra time in a solar oven.

“Dinner will be ready in the late afternoon or early evening,” Emma explained as she loaded the large pot. “I'm excited to see how well she works with a big meal in her.”

“Will it really get hot enough to cook a dinner this size?” Jared asked.

She wiped the sweat from her forehead and glanced up at the sky. “We'll have to position the oven toward the sun throughout the day, but I'll bet she'll be boiling our dinner before two.”

“Did Rich shoot those birds?” asked Jared.

“No, he snared them and wrung their necks,” said Emma.

“Well, Dennis and Lynn will have to relax their standards about eating anything killed with lead if they continue to struggle with their bird snares.”

“We'll see about that. They are pretty determined. Anyway, these two birds will make a fine meal today. I'm happy to cook 'em.”

The morning was spent pulling weeds together and harvesting okra, eggplants, melons, tomatoes, and greens from the garden. Emma made a big salad of mixed greens, carrots, cilantro, and boiled eggs for their lunch then whipped up a quick dressing of vinegar, sugar, and olive oil. Both were hungry. Everyone was expending more calories than usual because of their intense physical activity. The two talked and ate leisurely, enjoying the lull.

Right after lunch there was a knock at the front door and they both froze. No one had knocked at the door since the attack. Since then, people in Sunflower called a greeting from the road before going to a neighbor's door. Emma went to the living room, then glanced over her shoulder at the kitchen door. It was ajar. She could make out the barrel of a gun jutting from the opening. Emma instantly knew that Jared was covering her.

“Who is it?” Emma called, her voice flat with an unspoken warning.

“My name's Tim and the wife here is Mary. We are just passing through, but need some directions. We aren't from here and seem to have lost our way.”

Emma considered their words, not believing for a moment they had taken a wrong turn. She wrung her clammy hands, thinking.

They left the highway at some point and only this road would lead them back there. If she gave them directions they might just leave or they might become aggressive.
Emma glanced back at the kitchen door, hoping for inspiration.

“Follow the road north,” she called through the door. “It's a loop. When you reach the highway, take it left going toward Payson.”

“We could use a little food too,” the man said feebly. “Just to get us on our way.”

Oh my gosh, think fast, Emma. What to say? How to say it?
She wished that Jared would come to her side, maybe they could discuss this. She knew he wouldn't leave his cover because, if the couple got in and thought it was only her in the house, he would be a lethal surprise.

Emma finally responded. “
We
”—she used the plural, trying to bolster her position—”need all of the food we have. I'm sorry, we can't give you anything. All I can suggest is that you stock up on water from the creek and head north.”

Silence filled the air. Long minutes passed.
Had they gone? No, I would have heard their steps on the porch. Will they shoot their way in or bash the front door from its hinges?
Not having a gun, she retreated to the kitchen doorway.

“What should we do?” Emma whispered.

Jared was all business, shifting easily into police mode. He handed Emma his gun. “Take this. Cover the front room. If they try to come in, shoot first and ask questions later. I'll get my pistol and cover the back. Stay low.”

“Okay,” Emma said breathlessly. She glanced, from a distance, at the front window, but didn't see anyone. She crouched near the hallway, where she could hear any movement but still remain somewhat secluded. She held the shotgun at the ready. Emma's own breathing roared in her ears.

After a few minutes, Emma's thoughts turned to her own discomfort. Crouching was not good for old ladies, she thought. Her ankles threatened protest at the unusual position, and she wondered how long she could stay like this. Jared hadn't said anything about how long to wait. Certainly if the visitors were going to storm the place, they would have done so by now. Staying low, Emma made her way to the front window. What she saw surprised her. Tim and Mary were walking down the road, away from her house, hand in hand like two love birds out on an afternoon stroll. Relieved, Emma plopped to the floor and let the long gun rest next to her.

“They're leaving,” Emma called to Jared. She felt like crying from fear, relief, and a sense of guilt. A month ago she never would have turned anyone away. She didn't see how crying would help things and it definitely wouldn't fix the world's problems. She slumped against the wall under the window, letting her adrenaline rush fade a little before trying to stand.

Jared took a place by the window, curtains held back. He shifted his gaze between Emma and the retreating couple.

“They might be the ones Kelly and I heard down by the creek.” He let the drapes fall back, leaving a foot of sheers exposed so they could see out. “I guess it doesn't matter.”