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Post by fsr on Oct 21, 2021 12:13:36 GMT -6
I have been reading some of the stories on this board and wanted to try my hand at it. I hope you enjoy.
Prologue.
The pick up truck pulled up to the old farm house and the driver got out. He walked up to the front door unlocking it and entered. It was nothing unusual except this was the first time Rufus Pennington unlocked a door to home that owned instead of rented.
Rufus Pennington was tired of people. He was tired of politics and politicians shutting him down. He was tired of his abusive family. He was tired of being blamed for every disaster that came along. He was tired of sounding warnings to people who did not listen.
Chapter 1.
Here I am looking at the cleaning my new residence will need before I can move in. I will start in the morning right now I need a meal and some sleep. Tonight I will stay in the Avion camper I restored.
I have several choices for dinner but my first purchased home calls for Pizza. I pull out out one of my home made frozen pizzas from the dry ice cooler and put it in the oven. I watched a movie on my phone and went to bed.
I wake up and look at the news on my phone. The government is telling people that the asteroid will miss us by a large margin. What a crock, I did the calculations and got fired for my efforts.The asteroid will hit us hard. I gather my supplies and begin cleaning. Whoever built this house knew what they were doing I finish the cleaning in just a few hours.
My next chore is to go into town and buy furniture. Being a small town my choices are limited good thing I am not fussy. I manage to get the quality I want and negotiate free same day delivery. The delivery team did just as I asked with no objections now I get to set up the bedrooms.
Just as I finish setting up my bed I hear the sound of a large truck pulling in my drive. I load my Mossberg 590 A and look out the door.
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Post by iamnobody on Oct 21, 2021 12:25:32 GMT -6
moar
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Post by gipsy on Oct 21, 2021 12:31:50 GMT -6
Great start
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Post by fsr on Oct 21, 2021 12:32:44 GMT -6
Moar is on the way the Muse just kicked my in the pants.
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Post by fsr on Oct 21, 2021 15:25:00 GMT -6
The driver sticks a white flag out the window and calls out “Rufus it’s Joanne and three small souls.” Small souls? Does she have children with her? “Step out and come on up to the porch all of you.” When she steps out I see no signs of duress unless you count the three children she has in tow. As they step on the first step she gives the code that there is no trouble. I tell her and the kids “C’mon in and tell me how you found me.” “Finding you was not easy but with a contact I have in the government I managed.” She seemed to relax a little. “Why did you need to find me so bad I am Persona Non Grata in Washington.” She smiled “I have news about that, the President and all the Congress Critters have been conspiring to set up a one world government after the asteroid strike.” She added to her tale of woe “The President has fired a lot of other people including me.” “Well now, who are these little ones?” Joanne told me These are my triplet nieces, Janet, Janey and Jill.” I didn’t know she had any family left I learned something new today. “Well let’s get inside and you can fill me in on what I have missed.” We went in and I made a pot of fresh coffee and gave the girls some milk and cookies. Joanne told me “ our whole group has been terminated for not giving the correct answers.” This is not good I thought as she continued “A lot of politicians have fled the country.” I let that sink in :”The only reason for that is they know what’s coming and want to set themselves up as part of the new ruling class.” I can already what the new ruling class will be like “Joanne, we can shelter here for a long time with the right supplies and a good attitude.” She thought for a minute and said “We will need livestock, heirloom seed, tools, extra clothing, the ability to make things that wear out.” I added in “The ability to preserve what we grow and the meat we produce.” Joanne added “We will need the means to protect ourselves.” Our little meeting lasted until supper time I asked the girls what they wanted and the response of “Tacos” I told them “Tacos it is.” Joanne got a look at spice and seasoning selection and about fainted. I went for full made from scratch including the shells. Nobody died from my cooking and the girls ate so much there were no left overs. I must have done something right. The next morning I fired up the HAM radio, I wanted the truth and that was not going to come from the main stream media.” The truth was about what I expected. The government was lying through their teeth and the American people were buying it. When Joanne got up I told her “We need take the girls to do a lot of shopping today.” I agreed with her time was short.
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Post by steamroller on Oct 21, 2021 15:50:36 GMT -6
Great start, looking forward to more.
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Post by iamnobody on Oct 21, 2021 16:06:03 GMT -6
And surely our wonderful government, elected by the people to serve the people would never ever lie to the people
Glad this is a fictional story
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Post by gipsy on Oct 21, 2021 16:22:55 GMT -6
And surely our wonderful government, elected by the people to serve the people would never ever lie to the people.How about shearing some of what you are smoking. That has to be some really good stuff Glad this is a fictional story
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Post by bluefox2 on Oct 21, 2021 16:23:18 GMT -6
And surely our wonderful government, elected by the people to serve the people would never ever lie to the people Glad this is a fictional story Is it?
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Post by 9idrr on Oct 21, 2021 18:04:07 GMT -6
I just made up a rule that all first time stories must be at least 417 chapters. Please continue. ;^)
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Post by papaof2 on Oct 21, 2021 18:44:26 GMT -6
I just made up a rule that all first time stories must be at least 417 chapters. Please continue. ;^) Now, 9, be nice. I'm noted for sometimes being long-winded but I haven't (yet) hit 417 chapters in a single story. Let our new author experience wet feet before you blow the dam and the rest of the story gets washed away...
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Post by udwe on Oct 21, 2021 19:59:20 GMT -6
More, please!
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Post by texican on Oct 21, 2021 21:37:59 GMT -6
I just made up a rule that all first time stories must be at least 417 chapters. Please continue. ;^) 9, Rules are made to be broken by those that make the rules and break them on a regular basis. fsr, good start, but need more chapters to get into the swing with the story. Texican.
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Post by kansasterri on Oct 21, 2021 21:49:18 GMT -6
A very good start! I am looking forward to moar!
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Post by ydderf on Oct 22, 2021 8:46:00 GMT -6
I join the moar crowd.
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Post by iamnobody on Oct 22, 2021 12:34:56 GMT -6
Moar is on the way the Muse just kicked my in the pants. I once had a muse but she ran off to another author. The muse, she said the other author showered her with better gifts and was more successful than me. So now I just type whatever flows out the 2 fingers I type with. lol
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Post by fsr on Oct 22, 2021 15:30:39 GMT -6
Here is a new part of the story. Chapter two
Our shopping was more practical than recreational. We picked up rugged work wear, bolts of cloth, sewing notions. At our next stop we purchased a large quantity of ammunition and reloading supplies, it’s a good thing Joanne and I like the same caliber of firearms.
On the way home I stopped and fueled up the truck thinking who else would be a good fit at my little farm. I decided I would ask Joanne when we got home. As we pulled in I saw a very out of place BMW in the drive. This was not a happy making situation.
Once again a white flag appeared out the window. The problem is don’t know anyone who drives a BMW. Out steps one of my team members Sue Bradly. I ask “What brings you here?” Her replies is this BMW and the end of civilization as we know it. I ask but why a BMW roadster and not a truck or SUV?” Her response is classic Sue “Because, I may never get another chance to drive one.” I should know better than to ask such questions.
We went inside to take inventory of what was on the farm and what we needed and wanted. The farm is fully equipped with shop tools and a good blacksmith shop. We decide to get some livestock from local sources and a few cats for rodent control. I have no no doubts the triplets will turn at least one into a pet.
We work late into the night making lists and checking up on breeds of chickens, goats, cows, horses, rabbits and other animals we think we might need or want. Next we settle on the numbers for each animal and set a rough budget for feed, tack and other supplies. I hope we haven’t overlooked anything vital.
The next morning The bunch of us head out looking for the livestock we want. The plan is to buy direct from other farmers in hopes of getting some better deals. We find rabbits, chickens and a few goats. It seems for larger animals we will have to go to the stock auction this weekend. All of this is a good start. We also get cages, fencing and a nice all weather chicken coop.
Today I am ordering some steel to have around the shop for projects as well as some supplies like welding rod a couple new welding hoods and goggles and flux.” Whoever set this shop up knew what they were doing.
Saturday rolls around and we are off to the stock auction with cash in hand. The auction is not just a livestock auction they have a little bit of everything. A lot of older but well maintained farm machinery even some horse pulled stuff. The other farmers are surprised when they find out I can hold intelligent conversations about farm equipment. What they don’t know is I was raised on a farm. I don’t tell them that let them think I am a genius city boy.
We manage to get a few head of cattle. I contract for their delivery on Tuesday. Joanne takes down all the ear tag numbers and we will check each number against the cattle when they arrive. To hedge my bet I take out insurance on the sale and delivery.
I step up to the desk to pay my bill when two scruffy looking punks pop blades on me and demand “Give us your money!” in loud obnoxious voices. Quarters are to close for a firearm so I give them a taste of my solid oak walking stick. It seems they do not like it one bit. I use just enough force to stop the attack.
They are on the ground crying in pain the Sheriff walks up and demands to know “What is going on.” He does not look happy.
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Post by iamnobody on Oct 22, 2021 16:33:05 GMT -6
Uh-oh, hope the punks are not the sheriff's sons.
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Post by fsr on Oct 22, 2021 17:26:25 GMT -6
The Sheriff grabbed the two offenders “WELL WELL if it ain't the Moron, I mean Morgan Brothers, I am tired of you two half wits causing trouble.” I swear the Sheriff growled at them “So, I am handing you over to the prosecutor instead of your father.” This was not what I had planned Duke, get everyone’s statement while I hall these two off.” Duke simply said “Yes sir.”
Alexander “Duke” Winthrop got the witnesses statements and walked over to me saying “We are billing this as self defense everyone saw what happened so it is cut and dried. It was over almost as fast as it began. I finished paying the bill and left.
We stopped at a small diner for our evening meal. I ordered chili while the triplets ordered hamburgers and fries. Sue and Joanne had the hot turkey sandwiches. I swear the hamburgers were made from half a cow each and there were enough fries most likely made from a five pound bag of potato's. The bowl of chilli was more like a vat. We ate as much as we could and got the rest to go. The bill was shockingly small I fed all six of us for twenty five dollars. I left a generous tip.
When we got home the Sheriff was waiting. He diffused things by giving me a report. The two punks Albert and Anton Morgan bragged about what they had done thinking their parents would buy them their freedom. Once the Sheriff showed them the security tape they chucked the two boys under the bus. The bottom line is they are going away for a long time.
This revelation made me so happy. I slept so well that I got up early and started prepping the basement for the delivery of long term food due tomorrow afternoon. My next chore was breakfast for everyone I made hot biscuits and sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon coffee and juice. They crew would need it because we would be working hard today.
After breakfast we started on the animal barn. Much to surprise the triplets got right in and helped. By noon it was ready for our new livestock. The shop was a bit more difficult because the machines had to be cleaned and oiled and the Jack straps had to be found and inspected. We worked until super time and finished the leftovers from yesterday.
The food order didn’t arrive until almost four o’clock and the drivers didn’t want to unload like the contract said the were obliged to do. So we wound up doing it ourselves. When the drivers left I called the company to complain. The person I talked to told me they were having trouble with the drivers and would refund my shipping costs. It was something at least.
The next day our livestock arrived on time. The drivers and their helpers did exactly as we asked letting us check each tag number against our list. Imagine this, everything matched right amount of everything. steers, cows, feed all of it. Things were looking up until.......
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Post by bluefox2 on Oct 22, 2021 17:41:05 GMT -6
I hate that word "until" It usually means there is a cliff in front of me and things are going to get really bad and ugly for somebody.
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Post by udwe on Oct 22, 2021 20:42:07 GMT -6
I'm gonna fall soon! Please keep going!
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Post by 9idrr on Oct 22, 2021 21:10:32 GMT -6
I hate that word "until" It usually means there is a cliff in front of me and things are going to get really bad and ugly for somebody. I hear ya, bf2. Seems to happen an awful lot around here. Of course, with the caliber of our writers, it usually works out, in the end. It's just too bad we've all developed such long arms from hangin' on the edges of so many cliffs so long and so often.
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Post by bluefox2 on Oct 23, 2021 7:39:52 GMT -6
I hate that word "until" It usually means there is a cliff in front of me and things are going to get really bad and ugly for somebody. I hear ya, bf2. Seems to happen an awful lot around here. Of course, with the caliber of our writers, it usually works out, in the end. It's just too bad we've all developed such long arms from hangin' on the edges of so many cliffs so long and so often. I know. The wife is buying me shirts with extra long sleeves. The good thing is now I don't have to walk all the way into the kitchen to get my cup of coffee.
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Post by ydderf on Oct 23, 2021 9:59:46 GMT -6
I won't comment on the cliff until. I will ask for moar please FSR.
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Post by fsr on Oct 23, 2021 12:10:36 GMT -6
Chapter Three.
The NOAA radio began sounding the EAS tones followed by please tune your radio to 640 or 1240 on the AM dial for Official Information. Yeah I do have some trust issues with “Official Information.”
I turn to 640 Am and this is what followed. “Due to the impending asteroid strike all Nuclear power plants will be shut down in safe mode until the crisis has passed.” “This order comes from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the White House. Be prepared for reduced energy availability.” two minutes later the lights go out.
I am now dealing with very frightened triplets and two upset adult women. Both asking “What just happened?” My reply is “The powers that be just decided we don't need so much if not any power.” Their groaning can be heard across the county. Joanne asks “What do we do now?” I already had plans for this sort of thing so I said calmly “Now I switch us over to the alternate energy systems the house came with.” Little Jill speaks up stating “Cars have alternates on them.” those girls are beyond cute.
I guess they don’t teach much in school anymore I gently tell the girls “ Cars have alternators, the farm has some alternative or different ways to make electricity.” The girls were now all ears. “So, lets go down stairs and get things started.”
I start to say walk don’t run but it is a wasted effort on seven year old girls. I show them the control panel. Looking things over I switch us to solar energy and check that the batteries are charged. Everything looks good.
I look at the clock and tell the girls “ let’s go and check on the animals.” We walk out to the cow barn and milk the two cows that are producing milk as well as the goats giving all of them some food and water. Next we clean the stalls putting the old straw on the compost pile. The rabbits are fed and watered next.
As we finish up I load a wheel barrow up with wood to run the steam engine that drives the shop equipment and find I have made a critical error on acquiring livestock. No horses, I really drop the ball on that one. For a guy who is supposed to be so smart I feel like the village idiot.
We carefully stack up the wood and head back to the house for snacks. All the while I am beating my head over something and some else we will need on the farm. As we are walking I make a note of something just off the woods.
We were not the only ones working. Joanne and Sue were busy in the kitchen baking what smelled like cinnamon rolls. On entering the kitchen I discover I was right and they even used to wood cook stove and oven. I am beginning to wonder of the old owners of the farm were preppers or survivalists of some type.
As we were enjoying the rolls the Sheriff pulled up. He stepped up to the porch and called out “Hello the house.” I opened the door and told “come on in Sheriff.” He entered and the girls got him a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll. He asked us “Did you hear about the nuclear plants being shut down today?” I said “We heard on the emergency broadcast system.” The sheriff looked frustrated stating “I just got out of a meeting with the EPA and Homeland Security and they have shut down a lot of other plants as well, all for the good of the environment.”
I asked “And what are people supposed to do for electricity?” "I asked that as well and they told me it was none of my business stop asking questions just do as your told.”
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