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Post by bretf on Apr 15, 2020 5:03:34 GMT -6
TWIN TROUBLE
A SMOKE’S SAGA STORY
Bret W. Friend
Copyright 2020
Chapter 1
Alison Smoke stared intently down the familiar street, not recognizing the turning point in her and her sister Brooke’s lives. The man stood ramrod straight and looked from one side to the other. She couldn’t see his face clearly but was certain she’d never seen him before. Even at a distance, there was something different about him, not present in the locals. Whatever it was, she didn’t care. To her, he presented an opportunity to escape from boredom. She smiled at the prospect of fresh meat.
Hamilton, Idaho had been a sleepy farming community nestled around the main north-south highway before That Day, the day the United States and Russia had destroyed each other with nuclear weapons. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the only destructive day. It was preceded by the smallpox pandemic that’d swept the globe and was followed by the long nuclear winter and accompanying starvation. Those events had drastically changed the world. Twelve years later, Hamilton appeared even sleepier than it had in the past. Alison didn’t want to waste the opportunity before her.
“Hey, check it out,” she said. “A stranger. Doesn’t he look like a pigeon just waiting to be plucked?”
She had no way of knowing the stranger was far from a pigeon and would lead her and her companions down a dangerous path. More dangerous than any they’d tread before with ramifications that could potentially save and shape a nation.
Brooke and Alison were identical twins. They were slim, as everyone was after the old world was destroyed, their slimness highlighted by curves in all the right places. Additionally, though only nineteen years old, they had a deserved reputation as Amazon Princesses, never backing down from a confrontation. Their shoulder length soft brown hair framed angelic faces with full red lips, high cheekbones, and sparkling green eyes. They were head-turners, admired by most men, even the married ones. Behind those faces were calculating, mischievous minds that were always at work. They’d messed with people all their lives.
“Where’d you hear that one? I haven’t seen a pigeon in years so I know you didn’t pick it up anywhere around here,” Alison’s boyfriend Brian Sparks said.
Brooke said, “Actually, we did. We got it at home; it’s from Chad. He said he ran into some people in his travels that used it. Although the way he talks, they meant it more literally.”
Chad was their older brother who’d traveled around the country for six years.
“I don’t know,” Brian said. “That guy looks more like a hawk than a pigeon. If you mess with him he might be the one to do the plucking. He reminds me of Mat.”
Mat was the twins’ other brother but by a different mother. He’d spent extensive time in Afghanistan in the U.S. Army. He still moved as if he expected enemy fire at any time.
“What do you think, Joe?”
Joe Woods, Brooke’s boyfriend shrugged.
Brooke smirked.
Alison wanted to laugh. Joe, usually level headed, was in a daze after the scorching kiss Brooke had laid on him when they’d met up a few minutes earlier. She looked at the pigeon again. He was talking to one of the locals, the man gesturing and pointing at the mountains to the east, in the direction of her and Brooke’s home. I wonder what that’s about?
Brooke said, “You might be right, Brian, but so what? You’re not chicken are you, and afraid he’s a chicken hawk?”
“No, I’m just cautious. I don’t stick my head in a bear’s den either. Does that make me chicken or smart?”
“I don’t know; I’ve never tried it. Let’s find one when we get back home and find out.”
Brian looked at her and shook his head. “I’m sorry I brought it up.”
Brooke smirked and said, “Anyway, hawk or pigeon, what’s it matter? He’s new here so we have to do something. It would be discrimination if we don’t mess with him.”
“Discrimination? How do you figure?”
“We mess with everyone. He might feel left out because he’s a stranger if we don’t.”
“As if he’ll know about you two.”
“He will if he stays around, and we don’t want him to feel shunned.”
“I don’t know,” Brian said. “I tell you, he’s like Mat. I’ve never met anyone as intense as him and that guy moves and looks everywhere just like he does.”
“So what. It’s been too boring here for too long. We need excitement,” Brooke said.
“Yeah,” Alison agreed. Messing with the guy should be fun and maybe they could find out what he was doing in Hamilton. “I swear, if we don’t find something to do, I’ll go crazy. I might start sitting around like the oldsters, lamenting the loss of television, grocery stores, vacations, and who knows what else.”
“You left out the internet. I know a lot of people miss it big time. But anyway, we have this evening,” Brian said.
“Sure but we’ve got all day to kill, so let’s do something fun in the meantime,” Brooke said.
“I know something fun you and I could do in our barn,” Joe said.
“Watch it, Joe. Remember what happened the last time someone said something along those lines to her,” Brian said.
“Now that was fun,” Brooke said. “And he didn’t need that earlobe anyway.”
“And she left the other one for later if he ever talks like that again. If it was me, I’d have a matching set. But forget about that. What about the pigeon?” Alison asked.
“The hawk, you mean,” Brian said.
“Just another bird to be plucked, but more challenging. We just have to avoid the beak and talons, is all. So, how do we do it?” Alison asked.
Brian gave in.
The four huddled together planning how they would mess with the stranger.
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Post by sniper69 on Apr 15, 2020 5:45:11 GMT -6
Thank you for the start to a new saga about the Smoke family.
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Post by solo on Apr 15, 2020 10:07:02 GMT -6
Thank YOU!
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Post by texican on Apr 15, 2020 19:57:58 GMT -6
The twins have pepper in their attitudes.
Thanks Bret for starting "Twin Trouble".
Texican....
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Post by 9idrr on Apr 15, 2020 20:35:10 GMT -6
Okay, Bret, you done hooked me again. Now I's just a-danglin' here, floppin' around on the hook you've set. Hope you're happy. I am.
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Post by bretf on Apr 21, 2020 6:09:39 GMT -6
Chapter 2
“Excuse me,” the lovely young lady said, flashing a melting smile. “Can you help me, please? I just got into town and I’m trying to find a man. His name is Mateo Gomez. Do you know him?”
He studied her, the gears turning in his mind. Of all names for the young woman to bring up, what were the chances she’d name the man he was hoping to find? Was it a coincidence? It seemed unlikely. He didn’t believe in coincidence, not in the crazy reality he lived in.
“No, I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m new here myself.”
“Oh, okay,” she said and walked slowly away.
He watched her go, torn. In another time under different circumstances, he’d regret her leaving. Especially if he was fifteen to twenty years younger. She was a knockout. But he had a duty to attend to. Still, he watched her sensuous walk, tempted to follow, and not only for the incredible view.
His gaze drifted and he saw her shadow. The young man tried to remain hidden and did a decent job of it. Most people would’ve missed him. Interesting. And why did she bring up Gomez? Should I follow and see what she’s up to?
He decided against it and continued down the quiet street towards the former post office. It was said to be the hub of the town where reliable information could be found. He saw the building, weathered by the years. The paint was flaking off in large patches. The powder-coat finish on the signs had faded to the extent that if the logo wasn’t familiar, it would be hard to make out.
And through a gap in the buildings, he saw a flash of movement as the young woman and the man shadowing her darted past in the same direction he was walking. Maybe I should’ve followed her. He shook his head and turned back towards the post office.
A vision appeared before him and he froze. It can’t be. She’s got to still be behind the building. She’s not even breathing hard. No way she could move that fast. The young woman walked sensuously towards him. He pulled his eyes away from her and looked around. So what’s going on? At the next building, a face peeked out from the corner, a perfect match for the one in front of him. Another gear clicked into place and a vague idea began to form.
The young lady approached him and flashed a melting smile. “Can you help me, please? I just got into town and I’m trying to find a man. His name is Mateo Gomez. Do you know him and know where I can find him?”
He studied her, the idea putting down roots.
“No, I’m sorry. I’m new here myself.”
He glanced away from her inviting face long enough to see her shadow, monitoring the situation. At the building ahead of him, the second shadow peered around the corner above the matching face. The idea grew. He hadn’t considered such a possibility before but it was too big a coincidence for the bookends to have mentioned Gomez. They obviously knew him. If he could enlist all of them, the odds may shift a little more in his favor. In the nation’s favor. He just wasn’t sure if it would work or if it would be enough.
Returning his attention to the young woman, he said, “However, you may be able to help me. You, your identical twin, the men watching out for you, and Mat Gomez.” He registered the shock in her face.
To his pleasure, she recovered quickly.
“Uh, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Twin?”
He smiled at her. “You’re good, but not quite good enough. However, it may be good enough for what I’m thinking.”
She looked at him, confused. Her shadow moved closer as if expecting trouble.
He turned and faced the young man. “Why don’t you call your other two companions and all of you join me. I can see them peeking around the corner of that building. I’d like to discuss something with you and I might as well talk to all of you at the same time. And since you brought him up, is there any chance Mat Gomez can join us?”
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Post by 9idrr on Apr 21, 2020 8:20:02 GMT -6
Boy, what a treat. Sittin' here with power out, runnin' the generator and now I find more Smoke stuff. Made my day. Thank you, my good man.
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Post by texican on Apr 22, 2020 2:11:33 GMT -6
Bret,
The guy is sharp and wants Mat for a job.
This has all of the makings of not being good.
Thanks for the chapter.
Be careful out there.
Texican....
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Post by cutter on Apr 22, 2020 17:55:40 GMT -6
This looks like the makings of a fun read. Bring it, please.
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Post by arkansascob on Apr 23, 2020 9:43:11 GMT -6
Glad to see more Smoke Family Stories.
Thank You bret
COB
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Post by bretf on Apr 25, 2020 6:43:34 GMT -6
When I finished the initial draft of “The Ashen Horse”, I didn’t have a plan for Chad’s return home. I figured I’d do “A letter from Chad” on occasion when something came to me, but that was as far as I could see in the Smoke’s future. Later, the idea for getting him and Carol home came to me and it became “Drifting Smoke”.
In going back through the entire story, I wasn’t happy with the letters and how they fit into the overall thread. I’ve redone them but never posted them. This came to mind today as I was working on a section of “Twin Trouble”. It made sense to me, but wouldn’t to anyone else.
Therefore, I’ve posted them in their re-written (and unedited) form in the “Letters from Chad” thread.
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Post by cavsgt on Apr 25, 2020 12:00:07 GMT -6
So glad to have your efforts to break the daily boredom. Love your stories and once again THANK YOU for all of your efforts.
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Post by texican on Apr 25, 2020 18:58:32 GMT -6
Bret,
Thanks for the stories and letters.
Many enjoyable days of reading thru the years.
Texican....
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Post by bretf on Apr 28, 2020 4:59:00 GMT -6
Chapter 3
“Mat Gomez? I’m sorry, but I don’t know him. The man I’m looking for is Mateo Gomez. Maybe they’re related but I really wouldn’t know,” Brooke said.
The man chuckled. “I’m guessing all of us here know Mat and Mateo is one and the same but he hasn’t gone by Mateo for many years.”
She looked away from the stranger to Joe.
He shrugged, walked closer, and said, “Well, you can’t say Brian didn’t warn you.” He turned and waved for Alison and Brian to join them.
Soon, all four stood in a half-circle facing the stranger. Clueless about what the man had said to her sister, Alison gave her a slight nod to start.
“Okay, we’re all here,” Brooke began
“Now what’s this about?” Alison asked on cue.
“And how do you know our brother?” Brooke continued.
“Your face showed you know him when I asked,” Alison said.
“What do you want with him? And us?” Brooke asked.
The stranger smiled. “You two are good. I hope it’s good enough. Our country’s fate just may hinge on it,” he said and then added, “But you say Mat’s your brother? I knew him before the world went to hell and he never told me he had sisters. Why don’t you convince me you’re not still jerking my chain?”
“Just who”
“The hell”
“Are you?” the girls asked in their tag team way.
The man’s smile broadened and he reached inside his coat, creating instant reactions from Alison and Brooke.
Brooke’s hand flashed and her .22 revolver was in it almost magically.
Alison raised her staff, poised to strike. “Be very careful,” she hissed. “You’re a heartbeat away from a broken arm. Then Brooke will put a slug in your knee.”
The man kept his arm still, chuckled, and said, “Oh yeah, you defiantly could be Mat’s sisters. No doubt about it. But if you are, why didn’t he ever mention you? Anyway, I was reaching for my ID. Can I show it to you and keep all my limbs intact?”
“Nice and slow,” Alison said.
The man slowly withdrew his hand holding a thin wallet. He flipped it open and offered it to Alison. She hesitated, then released her left hand from the staff and took the wallet, studying its contents.
“What kind of horse crap is this? The United States Army? They’ve gone the same way as the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and the Tooth Fairy; all just stories from when we were young and didn’t know any better. You must’ve missed the memo, but the U.S. quit functioning several years ago.”
“You’re right but you’re also wrong,” he said and motioned for Alison to pass the ID around. To Brian and Joe, he said, “That says I’m Colonel James Crocker of the United States Army.” Turning his gaze to the girls, he said, “I spent a lot of time tromping around Afghanistan with Mat and now I need to ask for his help. It’s very important. But it’s funny, you say he’s your brother and he always said he didn’t have any family.”
The girls eyed him suspiciously. The fact Mat hadn’t known they existed then was none of his concern.
“Maybe he was protecting himself and us in case a snoop like you ever came around,” Alison said.
Crocker let the comment slide. “This appears to be a nice, peaceful area. Secluded, too. What do you know of things elsewhere?”
The twins looked at each other, mentally deciding how much to share. With a slight nod from Brooke, Alison said, “We know there are areas where civilization is slowly rebuilding and other areas where it’s nothing but chaos and warlords are in control.”
“Not bad,” Crocker said. “Did you learn this from random travelers?”
Brooke said, “No, we don’t put much weight in what strangers say.” She gave Crocker a meaningful look.
He got the point. “I don’t blame you. Rumor runs faster than real news. You’d almost think the internet still works with all the misinformation that’s out there. So where, or rather, who did you get your information from?”
The girls looked at each other again before Brooke said, “Our brother, not Mat, our other brother. He and his wife spent several years traveling. He says a lot of places are pretty messed up. He has the scars as evidence.”
“So you’re telling me Mat has a brother, too? Maybe he’s not the man I’m looking for after all.”
Alison said, “And maybe he is. See why we don’t trust strangers?”
Crocker said, “Right, and this supposed brother of Mat’s, he’s here now? How long ago did he return?”
“I don’t see how it’s any of your business,” Alison said.
“Sorry, I’m just trying to get the time frame because a lot has happened in the east the past few months. Did this so-called brother mention anything about the army, the government, or the President?” Crocker asked.
“He’s as so-called as your arm is going to be so-called broken if you’re calling me a liar,” Alison said raising her stick.
“I apologize. I’m just having a hard time with the idea of Mat Gomez having siblings after all he told me.”
“All right. But you mean the former President?” Alison asked.
Crocker shrugged and said, “No, I mean the last duly elected President, Janet Morton.”
Brooke said, “He’s been home two years. He started hearing stories from the east a year and a half before that. Stories about an army and forced conscription. Talk about your warlords.”
Crocker sighed. “Not warlords, representatives of the lawfully elected government of the United States of America. A lot has happened in that time and I don’t blame you for being skeptical.
“But now I really need to talk to the real Mat Gomez and all of you. Is he around? Can you at least tell me that? If you’d get him, I can show you something at my camp that may help clear up any confusion.”
“Mat’s not here, now. You’ll have to be patient,” Alison said.
“I don’t have a lot of time.”
“Oh well, you’ll have to settle for us for the time being,” Brooke said.
“And I’ll still bust your arm if you try anything. We might be country, but it doesn’t mean we’re naïve. If you told the truth about Mat, you know what he’s capable of and he taught it all to us.” Alison said.
“And I’ll shoot you in both knees, not just one,” Brooke added.
“And when they finish with you, Joe and I will take it from there,” Brian said.
“And one more thing for you to consider, we were nine the first time we kicked a couple of perverts’ butts and we’ve only gotten meaner since,” Alison said.
“Yeah, don’t let their sweet looks fool you,” Joe said.
Crocker smiled. “You know, you just went a long way convincing me your Mat and mine are the same and he is your brother. And I like what I’m hearing. It sounds like exactly what our country needs right now. But I have to talk to Mat, too.”
“Are you always this slow and still made Colonel? We said you’ll have to be patient. And there you go with ‘country’ again,” Alison said.
Crocker shook his head and sighed. “Come to my camp. I promise, I won’t try anything, but you really need to see what I have there. I swear this is all legit. And speaking of camp, one of my companions is getting Russ and Glen Camp to join us.”
Russ Camp had been the reluctant, de facto leader of Hamilton for many years. His son Glen was his right-hand man.
The girls again looked at each other, seeming to have one of their silent conversations.
“Okay, you’ve got me curious,” Alison said.
“Yeah, let’s see what you’ve got,” Brooke said.
Crocker nodded and said, “Great. By the way, I introduced myself, can I get your names, please? Although you two,” he said indicating the twins, “I may call by the wrong name.”
The twins smirked at each other while Joe and Brian told Crocker their names and shook hands. Crocker’s face lit up when the girls gave their names.
“Seriously, your last name is Smoke? The brother you mentioned who’d traveled around the country, his name wouldn’t be Chad Smoke would it? Because if it is, I’d love to talk to him as well as Mat and I’m hoping he knows the whereabouts of a man he met on a Texas beach.”
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Post by sniper69 on Apr 28, 2020 5:51:53 GMT -6
Thanks for the latest excellent chapter. Things are getting interesting.
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Post by cutter on Apr 28, 2020 16:33:02 GMT -6
I'm hooked
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Post by 9idrr on Apr 28, 2020 18:55:39 GMT -6
Good luck when it comes to keepin' us happy with little bits here and there, sir. I think you've set the hook with a good number of us. Then again, I can see as where a guy might love keepin' the whole bunch in suspense and it might be fun for a writer who wants to draw things out and make us all beg.
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Post by texican on Apr 28, 2020 21:37:12 GMT -6
Good luck when it comes to keepin' us happy with little bits here and there, sir. I think you've set the hook with a good number of us. Then again, I can see as where a guy might love keepin' the whole bunch in suspense and it might be fun for a writer who wants to draw things out and make us all beg. 9, Begging works if done correctly.... Bret, Thanks for the chapter. Colonel Crocker looking for Mat, Chad and the guy that Chad met at the gulf. Now what is so important? Your dedicated avid readers need a couple of three or moar chapters to clear the air about what is happening and needed. If you would so kindly provide your remarkable writings to assuage the needs of your readers. Remember, we are in lock down and need great writings to make the days go by instead of eating all day long. Better to read than to continue gaining pounds. Texican....
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Post by udwe on Apr 30, 2020 16:09:53 GMT -6
Awesome!
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Post by bretf on May 1, 2020 6:29:07 GMT -6
Thank you all for reading and commenting. 9, Tex, ahh, but if it was so simple. I’m afraid if I post more now, it’ll be an even longer wait for additional posts. My mind refuses to dwell on the circumstances that brought Crocker to town. For some reason, it keeps jumping to the current situation and everything I need to be accomplishing. (Plus some pouting when I saw photos of pound and a half crappie being caught but I can’t go get some.) I was working in the garden over the weekend, a place that has been an inspiration in the past, but I only got two lines in my head. Days later and I haven’t been able to expand on them. I went for a long walk, trying to think about the story to no avail. So sorry guys. AS the twins told the colonel, you’ll have to be patient. www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDj9MySoFqgAttachments:watch1 (262.43 KB)
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Post by texican on May 1, 2020 12:48:30 GMT -6
Bert,
Thanks for the update. Your muse will return.
Texican....
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Post by papaof2 on May 1, 2020 17:20:47 GMT -6
I empathize on the lack of inspiration. Sat down with an in-progress story yesterday and added almost 100 words :-(
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Post by 9idrr on May 1, 2020 20:48:25 GMT -6
We know that your stuff's always worth waitin' for 'cause we know it's gonna be excellent.
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Post by bretf on May 3, 2020 17:48:16 GMT -6
Somehow, I managed to match Papas' word output (barely).
Chapter 4
Alison and Brooke shared a look before returning their attention to Crocker.
“You mean Larry Cooper, don’t you?” Brooke asked.
“Tell us again, just who the hell are you?” Alison demanded.
“Don’t tell us you know Howie, too, and Fred and Chuck,” Brooke said.
“What the hell is this about and what do you want with our brothers?” Alison asked raising her staff. “If you don’t start talking, I’m going to beat the answers out of you.”
“Easy, easy,” Crocker said, raising his hands in surrender. “Come to my camp and I’ll tell you everything.” He dropped his hands, stepped around Alison, and started walking in the direction of Wilson Creek
“Chad Smoke and Mat Gomez are brothers?” he said to himself shaking his head. After three steps, he turned his head without stopping and said, “And I don’t know those other guys, or Chad, for that matter. I’ve only heard about him. Mat is the only one I know, at least I thought I knew him.” He stopped and turned all the way to face them. “Well, are you coming or not?” He turned and started walking again without waiting for an answer.
The four shared quick looks then hurried after him.
When they flanked Crocker, two on each side, Brooke said, “You claim not to know Chad, but you know about him and Coop and you’re looking for them. Why?”
“As I said, I’m hoping he knows where Coop is. We’re in desperate need of anyone with military experience, especially with his skill set. Plus, I’m looking for any capable men and women and I heard Chad fits the bill. It might be hard to believe but our nation is facing a crisis worse than any before, including the nukes,” Crocker said.
“But,” Alison said and Crocker held up a hand to stop her.
“I didn’t come here looking for Chad, just Mat. We had no idea they were related and only knew Chad hailed from Idaho but that was it. I knew Mat was coming to this area when he left the service so I was hoping he was still here.”
“You want to conscript them whether they like it or not, don’t you? So the stories Chad heard were true,” Alison said.
Crocker sighed and shook his head. “Of course, he had to hear those stories. But to address your question, no, we won’t conscript them. I will appeal to them and explain what is going on, just as I will to you, and hopefully they, and you, will decide to support the nation’s cause.”
“But you do conscript people?” Brooke asked.
“Yes, we do, but only in areas which are, to use your words, controlled by warlords. If they are combative and refuse to recognize the duly elected authority, we use whatever methods are necessary, including conscription. However, we try to reason with them first,” Crocker said.
“Okay, so what is it with this ‘country’ and ‘duly elected authority’?” We’ve been totally on our own since the nukes. As far as everyone is concerned, the United States died That Day,” Brian said.
“The country –” Crocker got out before someone called.
“Hey guys, I see you’re going to the powwow too,” Glen Camp called. He was with his dad, Doc, who had been a country veterinarian before the nukes elevated him to all around General Practice, and the members of the town council. They were following a man in fatigues.
“Yeah, we are,” Brian answered. “Did your guy tell you what this’s about? This guy hasn’t told us much of anything.”
“All he’d tell us was it concerns national security, as if that didn’t go up in mushroom clouds years ago,” Glen said.
“Yeah, this guy missed the memo, too,” Alison said.
“And he claims to know Mat,” Brooke added.
“He also claims he’s heard of Chad,” Joe said.
Alison said, “We aren’t sure how much of what he says we can believe.”
“Just so you know,” Crocker said, “We get that everywhere but most folks come around.”
“Before or after you conscript or shoot them?” Brooke asked.
Crocker rolled his eyes and shook his head. To Glen, he said, “These guys messed with me right off, then told me Mat Gomez is their brother. Are they still messing with me?”
“Probably, but not about Mat, although technically, he’s their half-brother,” Glen said.
“See?” Brooke said.
None too soft, Alison tapped his arm with her staff.
“I hope you two are worth the headache, but for now, I’m glad we’re almost there,” Crocker said, indicating the olive drab tent that’d been erected in the field.
The twins stopped to study the camp, causing Joe and Brian to stop as well. “I’ve never seen a truck like that,” Alison stated.
Crocker turned and saw he was alone and sighed. “Are you really that young? It’s called a Humvee. They’re used a lot by the military.”
“What’s that thing on its roof?” Brooke asked.
Crocker shook his head and said, “It’s a satellite dish.” When the girls returned blank looks, he said, “It links to satellites and allows us to communicate throughout the country.”
“Satellites? What’s a satellites?” Alison asked.
“Are you being serious?” Crocker asked.
The girls nodded their heads and Brooke said, “Well, yeah! We’re always serious.”
Brian snorted and Alison elbowed him in the ribs.
“We were only seven when the modern world ended,” Brooke continued.
“There was so much to do just to live,” Alison said.
“That it didn’t make sense to pine for the old ways,” Brooke.
“We left that to the old people like you,” Alison.
“We don’t remember much at all from before we moved here,” Brooke.
“Well, moved to Mat’s house,” Alison.
“And what’s that noise?” Brooke asked.
Crocker shook his head in disbelief. “It’s a portable generator. For power, so we can use some of our equipment.”
“Like lights?” Alison asked.
“We remember flipping a switch and lights coming on,” Brooke said.
“It could do that, but we use it for comms and our computer,” Crocker said.
The twins looked at each other and silently mouthed the words.
“Oh, Lord,” Crocker sighed and shook his head. “Come on and see what we have.” He led the way into the tent. The leaders of Hamilton stepped inside as well with their escort.
A table was set up with equipment on it the girls didn’t recognize. A man was seated behind it, his fingers tapping a panel covered with letters of the alphabet, numbers, and symbols. Two other men lounged on chairs.
Crocker studied them all and said, “I suppose introductions are in order. “I’m Colonel James Crocker of the United States Army.” He indicated the escort for the townsfolk and said, “Captain Michael Chen.” Pointing at the man at the table, he said, “Lieutenant Jimmy Franklin. And that’s Rick Johnson and Jeff Wilson in the easy chairs.”
Russ Camp introduced himself and the group with him. The girls introduced Brian, Joe, and themselves.
Jimmy Franklin looked up from his equipment for the first time. “Did you say your last name is ‘Smoke’? I met a naked savage on a beach with that name and was hoping we could find him,” he said.
Crocker smiled and nodded his head as Alison and Brooke stared at the man.
“Were you one of those guys?”
“In the boat with Coop?” the twins asked in tag team.
“You know Coop? Holy shit!” Franklin said.
“They’re Chad Smoke’s sisters,” Crocker said.
“Holy shit,” Franklin said again. “What’re the chances?”
“Ask them their other brother’s name,” Crocker said.
Their answer garnered a look of amazement and another “holy shit.”
“Okay, we’ve had enough of this shit, holy or otherwise. What’s this all about?” Brooke demanded.
“Yeah, get to the point quick or we’re out of here,” Alison added.
Crocker said, “You heard them, Jimmy. Do you have a link?”
“Yes sir,” Franklin said, all business. “Can you all stand behind me, please? It’ll be easier to see and hear the Commander from this side.”
As the group arranged themselves behind the table, Franklin pressed keys on the pad. The shapes and writing disappeared from the screen, replaced by the image of a woman. Her hair was gray and her face heavily lined. But she cast an image of self-assurance and authority. With a steely-eyed gaze out of the screen, she said, “Welcome. In case you don’t recognize me, I am President Janet Morton. Our country needs your assistance if we are to have any chance of saving our Republic.”
One of the Hamilton group murmured, “Holy shit!”
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Post by texican on May 3, 2020 20:08:19 GMT -6
So America has a new leader and is in trouble. Normal state of affairs even after a nuclear war.
The next chapter will reveal more, will it not Bret?
Thanks Bret for the chapter. Your muse hasn't died, but being a little lackadaisical.
Texican....
For those that have trouble with words that are more than 4 letters long:
Lackadaisical definition is - lacking life, spirit, or zest
See, you can learn even from the comments.
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