Chương 39: Chapter 37: Logistics and Legacies

I woke up around four in the afternoon. Denise had already gotten out of bed, which didn't surprise me one bit. She probably only slept for a couple of hours before her own internal clock kicked her into gear. When I blinked my eyes and pulled up my stat screen, a fresh status effect was waiting for me: [Status Effect: Extremely Well Rested] Bonus: +15% to all skill training and Experience Point (EXP) gains. Duration: 8 hours.

I had been hoping for a slightly higher percentage bump for a full night's rest, but given the circumstances, I'd take whatever edge I could get. I pulled on a fresh pair of boxer briefs and socks, slipped into my black BDUs, and headed out to the kitchen. Seeing that I was finally up, Denise immediately threw a steak and a couple of eggs into a frying pan for me.

"We're just about out of eggs," Denise noted, glancing at the empty carton on the counter as she slid the plate in front of me.

"No problem," I replied, cutting into the steak.

"I'll grab a few cartons from my mom when I pick up the kids." My mom and stepdad raised chickens out on their property. They kept about eighteen of them in a sturdy coop in the backyard. Seven or eight of them were Rhode Island Reds that regularly laid those big, heavy brown eggs. A couple of the others produced small to medium-sized white ones, and they even had one hen that gave a medium-sized, bluish-colored egg. They always called that one their Easter hen.

Between the whole flock, they gathered at least three dozen eggs a week—usually closer to five. Honestly, I couldn't remember the last time Denise or I had actually been forced to go to the grocery store to buy a carton. Thinking about the chickens started a whole new chain of thought in my head. There was a massive commercial poultry ranch located about fifteen miles northeast of town. I wondered if the operators were still out there, and if I could eventually make contact to barter for a few birds.

A facility that size housed thousands of them; surely they'd trade for the right supplies. If the place had been completely abandoned when the System hit, I suppose I'd just have to organize a trip to "rescue" the flock. Along those same lines, there was a giant beef ranch running thousands of head of cattle about two hours south of us. That was a much farther and likely far more dangerous run to make, but it was still a solid long-term possibility. I shook my head, cutting off the train of thought.

I needed to stop projecting so far ahead. First things first: I needed to secure a defensible home base for my family. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. I reached down to my belt, grabbed my handheld radio, and called up my mom's country property.

"Boondocks, this is Red Rover. Come in, over."

"Go ahead, Red Rover," Alex's voice cracked back instantly. There was a long, awkward pause on the line before the kid finally remembered his training.

"... Over."

"There you go," I said with a chuckle, leaning back in my chair.

"Now you're getting the hang of it. Any updates on the aerial project? Over."

"Yeah, the guys were able to get the second frame working and fully charged up late last night. The boys have been getting some solid stick time on the controllers today just like you requested. Over."

"Perfect. Tell them to wrap up their flight time. Red Rover is heading your way. Over."

"Copy that. We'll get our gear packed and ready. Over."

"Tell grandma I'm coming and let her know Mamma Bear needs some eggs. Over."

"Who's Mamma Bear? Over."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out. ETA is twenty minutes. Red Rover, out." Denise set her dish towel down on the island, giving me a pointed look.

"You know, you're just going to confuse him with all those names and all that rigid radio speak."

"That's exactly the point," I grinned, chewing a piece of steak.

"Forces him to stay sharp and learn. Plus, it's funny." She just shook her head, though the corner of her mouth twitched.

"Just finish your breakfast and go grab your gear. You have to get to work." I deliberately withheld my patented "yes, dear" this time around. I was still pinned in my seat at the kitchen table, and there was absolutely no way I could outrun the swift swat to the back of the head I knew would follow. Instead, I opted for a safe, "Okay, baby," hurriedly finished off the remaining eggs, and headed down the hall to collect my loadout.

Once my modular vest was adjusted and my primary weapons and rucksack were secured, I pulled Denise into a tight hug, kissing her goodbye. I stepped out through the side door into the afternoon heat to warm up the engine of the old diesel Ford we'd taken from the police station. Checking the fuel gauge on the dashboard, the needle was sitting just a hair above half a tank.

It was more than enough fuel for the immediate run out to the country and the push on the school afterward, but any heavy use past tonight meant we'd have to start siphoning fuel from the dead semi-trucks stranded along the highway. I remembered that Frank's truck—which was completely fried from the pulse—was also a diesel model. I was certain the guys could siphon the remaining fuel out of his tank if things got desperate. I also suspected Chad's personal reserve fuel stores were starting to run low.

It was just one more critical logistical box I'd have to add to my growing to-do list in the near future. I whistled for Dog, loading him safely into the truck bed before backing the heavy Ford out of the side yard. As I cleared the gate, I caught sight of Denise watching me from the kitchen window. I blew her a quick kiss through the glass; she smiled back, holding up her pinky finger. I held mine up to the windshield in return, sealing our promise, and shifted the truck into drive.