The Survivors: Book One (33 page)

Definitely right to offer John a place on the council
, Adrian thought, moving away. That old man had his head on straight. He’d seen it at the meeting and heard it just now, but he had watched it during the punishment too. John had handled not only himself, but the Eagles around him with a calm sense of leadership, and because of that, the branding hadn’t been as ugly as the members of the voting board had expected. Most of them would sleep tonight.

It only eased his mind a little though, that he now had at least two of the six or seven he’d been promised in his dreams, and he spent a lot of time worrying over the rest. Had he passed them somewhere? He hoped not, because he and his grunts couldn’t keep doing all the work. Eventually, they would miss something or endanger these people and lose their right to lead.

Adrian sighed, not as excited as he wanted to be, even though his first was here, and he was about to offer him the place that every man in this camp wanted. The weight of this leadership was heavier than anything he’d ever carried before the War, and he was starting to feel a bit winded.

6

Kenn was sitting in an uncomfortable folding chair, in the center of Adrian’s perfectly neat tent, and wishing more people were out to walk by and see. The flap was open, the dim lantern light flickering gently in the soft, midnight breeze, and Kenn couldn’t imagine being more content anywhere else. He knew there were men who didn’t want him here, but they didn’t matter. They would never say anything against Adrian. His wants and choices were followed without question, the timid people here almost worshiping the blond. Where Adrian wanted someone, he was placed.

“Here ya go. Try this. I made it myself.”

Adrian handed him a cool metal cup, along with a cigar, and Kenn noticed the five o’clock shadow and bloodshot blue eyes. Clearly, their leader already had a head start.

Kenn smelled his cup, liking the vanilla more than he would ever admit to, and took a large swallow. It burned its way down to his gut despite the sweet aftertaste, and he sucked in a breath, coughing. The two Marines shared a grin.

“Good?”

Kenn nodded as the blond man sat down, noting the red, white, and blue on the cups. With Adrian, everything was about America.

Adrian studied Kenn, pale eyes unreadable, and the tension thickened.

The Marine forced himself to stay still, sensing if he seemed too eager now, he might lose it before it was really his.

“Do you have any idea why I asked you here?”

Kenn shook his head, instinctively knowing this was all part of the ritual of being brought in. “Have I done something wrong?”

“Just the opposite. The guys tell me you like to stay busy.”

Kenn emptied his cup, set it on the small folding table as the potent alcohol burned its way to his gut. “There’s a lot to be done,” he gasped out, making Adrian grin.

“Ain’t that the truth. How long you been here now?”

“Fifteen days.”

The quick answer made Adrian frown a little. “You’ve done doubles on guard duty, taught two gun classes for the Eagles, helped find supplies, set up camp, broke down camp, and gassed up vehicles. There’s been something every day, all on top of your regular schedule. Busy two weeks.”

Kenn shrugged lightly. “Unleaded is my new cologne.”

“Smells like a hard worker, someone with ambition looking for a mountain to climb.”

Kenn shrugged again, not looking away from those assessing blue eyes. “I’ve got a lot to offer.”

“And I want it, Marine,” he handed Kenn a thick black notebook with a silver pen in the ring. “Others see it. Many people have hinted that you should be invited onto the payroll.”

“But?”

“But, it’s not up to some or most of them. It has to be unanimous and that depends on you.”

Kenn met Adrian’s pointed look with one of his own. “I’m working on it.”

The leader looked up from lighting his cigar, “Not fast enough, but I can’t wait any longer. We have to get these people ready to defend their freedom.”

Kenn was quiet, considering, asking himself if he could start out as a lowly drill instructor. When he looked up to tell Adrian that wouldn’t hold him long, the blond added what was missing, with careful wording that Kenn overlooked - hearing only what he wanted.

“I have important work for you. You’ll be higher than any other here now. Together, we’ll save some of what matters.” Adrian raised a brow, eyes questioning, “If you have the time?”

“You make the schedules. I have the time, if you say I do.”

Adrian frowned coldly. “This is no game. Be sure.”

“I’d never treat it that way.” Kenn looked horrified.

Adrian knew that, but the warning came with the offer. “Things will start slow, but it won’t stay that way. Effective immediately, you have that place at my right that your eyes were asking for when we found you. You’ll always be second in command and more aware than anyone else - in my head deeper. I’m offering you what the Corps couldn't…your purpose. The reason you were born, why you survived.”

“What’s the catch?”

Adrian returned his look with hard eyes that said no going back would be allowed. “You’re mine. Be the anything and everything I need to keep these people alive. I make every choice based on what’s best for the entire camp and nothing else takes priority, not even me. I’ll do anything to keep us together, know that now. I will expect your complete and immediate support, no matter what the chore or situation.”

Kenn didn’t even consider refusing, holding out a hand. “You have a deal."

Adrian shook with his new right-hand man, thinking the first one had come into his web, but there would be many more.

Chapter Sixteen

2059AW
(After War)

1

There were people everywhere and it was a joy to see. They had come to pay their respects to the man who had made their new lives possible and groups were streaming in from all corners of the globe in an endless succession of happiness and grief.

The founder of Safe Haven may be near the end of his time, but the vision he had created would survive forever.  With his strength of mind, the son of a traitor had given them peace, honor, and safety. There were no jails nor any need for them, no hunger, no pollution or dying planet trying to kill them first. The methods he had used to achieve such a utopia were often brutal, but forty seven years after the War of 2012, America was flourishing, spreading back into the wilderness. Even the years they had spent in foreign lands had been ones of happiness and light. Because of Adrian and his Eagles.

In the heart of Safe Haven City, surrounded by rolling farms and playing children, they gathered, waiting. Adrian would see them all one last time, and they would listen well to any last words he had for them.

Glowing with fulfillment, he only spoke for a moment, and then there was a cheer as he stepped proudly from their lives. It swelled from the arched walls around the stage and grew into a noise heard over more miles than anything since the great eruption of Yellowstone in 2013. It was a celebration of the hope he had given them, the second chance to get it right, and they would honor his memory by keeping America in their hearts. It was his last wish.

2

In the early morning hours, the happy dream faded, allowing restless minds to sleep easier, but along Interstate 25, a Mexican with hate in his heart snapped awake with a scream of rage that brought men running to his filthy tent. He would never let them rebuild! That bright Safe Haven future would never exist, Cesar vowed, delivering a brutal kick to the girl chained at his feet. He would sacrifice every son and daughter he owned to prevent it!

He was screaming for his cousin before his filthy feet hit the girl chained to the center pole.

“Get up! There is work!”

3

Immune to the noise, Cesar watched as the plump woman rode out of camp, the cries of her two young children assuring him that she would do as he wanted. She would be missed for her cooking skills here, but at Safe Haven she would be an invaluable tool waiting for his use.

His army was undisciplined, drunk on their successful invasion of the hated Americans, but the wise guerilla Captain sensed that wouldn’t be enough to defeat the group of survivors from his dream. The blond man had been hard and Cesar recognized the future battle. When it came, he would be ready and none of them would stand. There was a feeling of importance to the woman disappearing into the fog. Maria would be the key to that battle.

Shoving the toddlers away from his leg, Cesar summoned his slave to care for them. When his sons were older, they too would be sacrifices for the cause. The evil slave trader grinned, letting out a battle cry that was echoed by his men.

“
Muerte a Estados Unidos!
”
Death to America
.

End of Book One – The Survivors

Book Two – On The Road

This series was split in the wrong place originally. To make sure everyone gets all the pieces, now that it has been edited, please enjoy book 2, free, as my gift, in
this
file.

In Desperate Need of a Hero

Dear red, white, and blue

Is there still hope for you?

I wonder

Perhaps with someone in power

Who slaves by the hour?

To remain true

A person of dignity

Who's not a give-me

Or quota-fill

No reek of greed

No corruptive seed

Growing unchecked

A leader who can inspire

Who raises people higher

Than themselves

A soul with grace

Not colored by race

Of any kind

A take-charge warrior

An environmental voyeur

Who loves this planet

A Hero to lead

With only one creed:

America

Where do we find such belief?

When do we get the relief?

Of being loved in return

We'd die for the President

Would he pay the same rent?

Of course not!

Your sacrifice we do not require

We serve willingly, sire

If you're worthy

If you will get your hands a bit dirty

To further our lives

And enrich our minds

To earn our trust

It's all or bust

And always

America first!

Finally, a Hero with enough strength, enough hope, to give us back some of what was stolen.

-A.W.

Chapter Seventeen

February 21
^st
, 2013

Devils Head, Colorado

1

They hadn’t gone away. Cold and hungry, they were determined not to let Man regain control, and even a lone female was a threat to this new awareness. Mother Nature, having recognized the chance for a different outcome, was uniting species all over the world – most of them natural enemies - and her army was relentless, growing.