DIY Overland.

[diybuilder]

I have a bad habit and that habit is I would rather build or fix up something myself than buy a fancy product. My stories may or may not be self insertations at times. I leave that to the reader to figure out. I hope you enjoy this story. 


My name is Max Hayes, I am currently a writer for an Overland camping Magazine. I can hear my parents and siblings nagging about my latest assignment. Traveling in my home built truck camper. The gnashing of teeth over my getting paid to go camping has been epic. My camper has everything I need for self contained travel. This a necessity since the campgrounds are all full at any given time lately.


I built this camper on the cheap using reclaimed materials for the most part. It is amazing what you can get for free just haul it away. The build is simply an insulated box with an upper section that I can raise and lower. I have a 3600 Watt Peak Output 1500Wh Portable Power Station provides 1500Wh of power with 1800 watts continuous and 3600 watts peak output power supply and 400 watts of solar panels.

Today I am boondocking in the Hiawatha national Forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula . As I finish writing my article I get an email from the office asking me to look into what appears to be a biological attack.


I send out some discreet emails to contacts from my old life if anyone knows it would be them. While I am waiting for their replies I take an inventory of one hand supplies. Not as much food as I would like to be real honest. I have an idea to change that but it must wait until tomorrow.

It is about 21:00 when I get my first reply and the news is not good. Worse yet is the politicians are trying to cover it up. I am very interested if the Organization for Scientific Research knows about this yet. I think it is time for me to use my private link to the director.

I get out my satellite phone phone and punch in a code. The voice greets “Hello Max, I suppose this is about the Biological attack?” “Yes Sir I have confirmed by one source that it is indeed an attack, I am sending the data to you now.”


Director Emile Baldwin is my mother’s brother and a genius scientist so I bet he already has this information. “Max, can you hold the line for minute I want to bring in another person on this call.” “yes sir I can wait.”

“Max the person you are talking to is Sharon Fey Carter perhaps you remember her?” “ How can I forget my prom date?” “Good she works for us and her team is now your security detail I am downloading some GPS coordinates. I put this land in a trust for you and any progeny you might have. Our agents are placing firewood as we speak, go there and isolate yourselves.”

I learned a longtime ago not to argue with my uncle but I will still stock up on supplies and retrieve my weapons. It looks like the apocalypse is on.

[biggkidd]

Good start looks like it's going to be a good story. I did see a couple typo's.

[diybuilder]

Oct 3, 2022 17:48:17 GMT -6 biggkidd said:

Good start looks like it's going to be a good story. I did see a couple typo's.

I make those once in a while. My spell check does not always catch them.

[feralferret]

Interesting start to your story. I'm looking forward to the rest.

[diybuilder]

The next morning I check my email and get some very interesting replies to my inquiries. All of them say this is a Biological attack and I should stock up yesterday. My plan today is to acquire 7’ by 12’ for cargo trailer, some steel drums, stock up on food staples and retrieve my weapons not necessarily in that order.

Getting my weapons and ammo back is easy compared to buying a trailer. These trailer dealers act like they don’t want to make money. It takes me most of the morning but I finally get what I want pretty much. This guy even has the steel drums I need to protect the food I intend to buy.

I make a call to the local Sam’s club and get an order put together of rice beans and other staples. Sam’s club had everything waiting for me when I arrived. They even let me load my purchase into the drums.
I hit the road and cross the mackinaw bridge. It is always something to see the Mighty Mac. It is one of the largest suspension bridges in the world and the view is something not to be missed.

I stop and fuel up the truck. After I fill my tanks I decide to get a fountain drink and watch the people drive in. one couple catches my eye, they are an older couple traveling in an older GMC motorhome that appears to have been updated. They have three cats in the windows. I wonder how people deal with cats in a RV. I am not surprised to see RV’s since this area has multiple State Forest Campgrounds.

I take notes on any Military Vehicles that go by. This could be important to the Organization. I know it is not far to Camp Grayling so some traffic is expected but their seems to be a lot of outgoing and not much incoming. Very strange. People watching is fun but I need to get going I have places to be.

I get back on the road south it is a nice day for driving and the traffic is moderate. I notice a sedan behind me that is a little closer than I like, i pull into rest stop and the sedan follows me into the vehicle with trailer section. Time for action, I pull me .357 magnum out and check it’s loaded. Yup, 6 rounds of 158 grain semi wad cutter hollow points. The Chiappa Rhino is ready to go.

Michigan is an open carry state so that is how I am carrying. One person exits the sedan as I close the distance it appears to be a woman. I can tell she is armed most likely a Glock, what is it with people and Glocks? They are good weapons but they are not perfect and Angels did not bring the Glock designs down from on high. There I go being a curmudgeon again.

The woman is waving a white flag that may or may not be a good sign. She gets close enough for talking. “don’t you remember your prom date?” On a closer look it is Sharon she has changed a bit for the better. I only relax a little since I don’t know who her companions are. My first question is “Who are your friends?” “They are part of my team, come on and I will introduce you to your body guards.” At least she didn’t say Harem or something equally silly. She has been known to do that.

[feralferret]

Nice twist.

[diybuilder]

Sharon introduces me to her friends. Aponi, Kathrine aka kat and Becky. They seem to be nice. Sharon tells the other girls “ we need to drop off the sedan and pick up the Suburban. Max and I will follow you and we can travel back to base together.”

We head to a you store it place and pull in the manager comes out and greets us “Hello, Sharon I suspect your dropping off the sissy car and picking up your Suburban.” “Yes Clyde is it ready?” “Yeah, it’s ready and there is cargo trailer of supplies courtesy of the old man.” I think to myself who is he calling an old man?

The Suburban and trailer look like something out of a post apocalypse video game. It has big suspension, a nice three inch lift. Exhaust stacks up the side antennas galore and who knows what else. They park the “sissy car” and the girls all get into the Suburban and we are back on the road.

We hit the county line and proceed into the Au Sable State Forest. The road winds and twists. With no sign posts on these fire roads you can get lost easy. Sharon tells “There is a drive up ahead on the right pull in and stop.” Okay, it’s her dime. She rolls down her window and a big blond Amazon woman approaches. “Ma’am, Sir, if you ll move over I will drive you to your camp site.” I do not want her upset with me so I move over.

We pull into an area that has been set or at one time was commercial campground. In the center is a log building. And just a little ways from that is a pavilion with picnic tables and grills. I do manage to out the driver’s name is Barbra Jean Ellis.

We finally come to my camp site. There is electricity, water and sewer. This makes me think it was campground at one time. We pull in and I raise the top and hook up. If things weren’t getting so bad this could be a nice camping spot.

After I get set up we have a meeting in the we have a meeting in the clubhouse. The person talking calls herself Kat short for Kathrine but don’t call her that. “The plague is moving much faster now, we should lock down as soon as possible to avoid infection. Word is Washington still denies it was an attack and the director of the CDC committed suicide with a gunshot to the back of the head. The Organization is still investigating its origins and a possible treatment and cure.”

I keep my mouth shut about any cure or treatments because I remember 2020. I wonder if we are heading toward another boondoggle. Suddenly an alarm sounds and the girls grab weapons .


Kat checks a monitor and speaks up “That is the main gate alarm. The camera shows it to be the Sheriff and one deputy.” No one backs down, they all exit the building and spread out in what I hope will give them an edge.
Sharon stays by my side as I return to my camper and retrieve my pump shotgun and my .357 magnum Rhino. We sneak to a position “for my protection” I don’t know why I am so important but I intend to ask.

Sharon speaks into her microphone and says “Stand by the target is local law enforcement not proven friendly.” Okay now I am confused time for me to ask questions. “Sharon what is going on and why am I so important? I mean I don’t have any special abilities or knowledge.” “Listen Max, you are very important and I will tell you all I know after we find out what the Sheriff wants.”

Sheriff Mike “The Cruel and unusual” Miller approached the gate and demanded “Who is in charge here, you are trespassing. Sharon slid the Safety off on M1A and took aim. It was kat who spoke next “This is the property of the Maximilian Hayes trust with the trust holder being on property. If you have warrant come forward if not leave. The state police and Federal Agents are two minutes out. Two very well armed helicopters appeared. Someone on their side was about to get the stupid prize for playing stupid games.

[ydderf2]

Thanks

[feralferret]

Thank you for another interesting chapter.

[diybuilder]

Well now this is getting interesting as in the old Chinese curse of may live in interesting times kind of interesting. I make sure I am under the cover of a large pine tree when an Army vehicle shows up and what appears to be a high ranking officer steps out. The man speaks with authority “Sheriff Miller, EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE TRESPASSING ON FEDERALLY PROTECTED LAND!” as a few large soldiers plant him and the deputy face first in the dirt.

I am not one to stick my nose into trouble very often and I have no intention of doing so this time I don’t care if this place is in a trust for me. A good info man stays in the shadows. The guy in charge introduced himself as General Clayton Morse and told us to meet him in the clubhouse. This guy does not look happy.

I followed the others back to the clubhouse not knowing what to expect. Once we were all seated the General took the floor. “Folks, we are in a predicament. It is believed that the President, the Vice President and other officials have been in collusion with the enemy on this biological attack to retain power. Action is being taken to remove them but it will take time. The next bit of information is the weapon appears to be more deadly to men than women.” Oh man, this is not good. I hope I am not just breeding stock.

The General asked me “Do you know why you are so important Mr. Hayes?” “General I have no idea why anyone would think I am special.” “Max, you have a unique variation, what some would call a mutation in your genetic make up it makes you immune or resistant to many diseases and you are the only one in your family to have this genetic mutation.” 

“Okay General what do you need from me?” “Max, Kat has a special ultra secure internet connection for you we need you to gather as much information as you can about the attack before things fall so far apart that the net stops working as we are expecting about an 80 to 90 percent death rate.” I hold to the belief that there is no such thing as truly secure internet connection but I get what the General is saying and I will help in any way I can. “General I will help any way I can if this team will stay with me.”

“Good, the ladies are at your service as well as being your body guards. I have to take my leave because there are other assets to put in place. Kat can contact me with your reports.” as the General turned to leave a shot rang out.

[sniper69]

oh cliff is coming to visit at the end of the chapter. Hope i can hang on to the cliff long enough.

[feralferret]

Well shoot!

[bluefox2]

Oct 15, 2022 20:48:48 GMT -6 sniper69 said:

oh cliff is coming to visit at the end of the chapter. Hope i can hang on to the cliff long enough.

I got some extra rope and rachet straps if you need them.

[sniper69]

Oct 16, 2022 8:04:10 GMT -6 bluefox2 said:

Oct 15, 2022 20:48:48 GMT -6 sniper69 said:

oh cliff is coming to visit at the end of the chapter. Hope i can hang on to the cliff long enough.

I got some extra rope and rachet straps if you need them.

Well it was hard drinking coffee this morning while hanging on with one hand.  And typing with my feet isn't the fastest - but so far, I'm managing..........

[bluefox2]

Oct 16, 2022 11:17:23 GMT -6 sniper69 said:

Oct 16, 2022 8:04:10 GMT -6 bluefox2 said:

I got some extra rope and rachet straps if you need them.

Well it was hard drinking coffee this morning while hanging on with one hand.  And typing with my feet isn't the fastest - but so far, I'm managing..........

Anything to help out a sniper.  I might have need someday.  I have granddaughters.

[diybuilder]

That shot is followed by more shots. More shots are followed by me hitting the ground for cover. The next thing I hear is a long BRAAAAAP and someone calling out we have prisoners. Multiple people did indeed win the stupid prize. Some more people will receive their stupid prize shortly from the sounds of things.

The prisoners are dragged in, literally by their shirt collars. The General asks “Does anyone have a way to extract information from them?” I tell him “I do but it does not play well with civil rights.” the General says “do it.”

I remember reading a story about a guy who did 12 gauge interrogations and decide to use that method. I place a shotgun at the foot of survivor number one and he starts to tell a story. “We were payed by the Sheriff to shot you people if anything happened to him. He said this was a Federal takeover of the state. Please don’t blow my foot off.”

The General and his men take the prisoners in for “enhanced interrogation.” I ask kat “Can you get me online? I need to check on some stuff.” She takes my hand and near drags me to her trailer. By looking at it one would think it is your average 8.5 by 25 foot cargo trailer. The inside will tell you whoever built this must have been a mad computer person.

Kat sets me up with net access and tells me “Enjoy it while it lasts.” My time online tells me why she said that. It seems the internet is slower than normal. I attempt to log into some prepper sites and find more than a few are down. I make a list of the ones that are working and not working adding date and time for each one. Something tells me this may be vital.

My next “stop” is the CDC website. Not one word is mentioned about Biological weapons, they are calling it an unseasonal flu. Yeah, right and radioactive monkeys ride motorcycles. Again I note time, date and their lack of information.

I send off a bunch of emails to some of my contacts. These people are in the know and I have high hopes that they can give me some insight. Kat assures me that the VPN set up makes me untraceable. I really don’t believe in untraceable but if she says so there very few who can hack us. I spend the next two hours digging and now I need a break. Kat asks if I will help her plant some cameras and sensors around the area. I can do that.

[feralferret]

Thank you for another chapter.

[diybuilder]

It does not take long to plant the cameras and senors. Kat tested the system on her tablet and she gives each of us a tablet to receive alerts. Next Kat sets up our communications so when the cell towers go down we can still communicate in a “secure” system. I will say it again any system can be hacked.

I return to the trailer and check my emails only two people have responded. First is Ro Dawg. He keeps his eyes on things in the cities his email reads. “Hey man, I got some bad news for you. The cities are starting to fall apart. Services are on again of again and I think they will soon be off for good. I am splitting for my bugout site in the morning. I will check email one last time before blowing this joint. I don’t know where you are but I hope it is away from people.

The next one is from my friend Babs (Don’t call her Barbara) “All the staff has been replaced at the hospitals. The old help are no longer welcome in fact we were told to not to expect to find work in the health care field. It is all controlled by the Federal Government now.” I email her saying “Stand by I think I may have a place for you soon.” I need to check and see if we need a nurse. “

I get with Sharon and our Linda about this. Linda is our doctor and she says “Bring her on board if she is not infected, I could use a good nurse. I get an email sent off to her and arrange a meet up. “All right people we need a meeting I got some news from the director.” I don’t know what the director told Sharon but from the look on her face it may be good news.

We get every together and Sharon gives us her report. “We have three more truck loads of LTS food coming tomorrow, that’s the good news. The bad news is this might last longer than originally expected.” No one wanted to hear that. I think it’s time for getting some small livestock to help establish our ability to fend for ourselves.

[diybuilder]

I spend the rest of the meeting listing things that will help us produce food. Things like garden seeds and equipment, fuel for that equipment. Chickens, rabbits, goats for milk and meat. My head is starting to hurt just thinking of this stuff. We will need food dehydrators and canning stuff like jars reusable lids, rings, vacuum bags stuff.

It’s time to find a way to pay for all of this. I call the director and he assures me everything but the animals are on the way. I will hit up the local farmers and see what I can find but first we have to get Babs escorted here.

I lay out a plan to meet Babs at the Clare Welcome Center and Rest Area on US-27. I will take Sharon and Barbra Jean with me for security. But first I need to locate some animals while the net is still working. As I bring up my search engine the internet seems to be a little slower now. This is not happy making. I add this to the notes for the General and Director Baldwin.

The search engine finally loads and I begin my search. There some locals who are willing to sell some of what we need and a few that will sell us what we want. I respond to them and make sure they know I have cash. I will leave the buying to Aponi since she has more farm experience than the rest of us.

I load up for the trip to escort Babs to the wait what are we calling this a campground? A Compound? A fortress? I don’t know guess it is not that important right now. What is important is the job at hand, I grab my .357 Magnum and my pump shotgun and take a long a lot of ammunition. Better to have and not need than need and not have.

Before we leave I call the General and ask for an escort because you never know. What we get are two big trucks called a cougar and some well armed soldiers. Not a bad escort if you ask me.

We are finally on the road.

[feralferret]

The story is coming along nicely. Thanks.

[diybuilder]

We retrieve Babs without problem. When we return there are three semi trucks and two farm trucks unloading supplies and livestock. This strikes me as a good idea given what I am finding online.

Aponi calls us over and reports “We are now animal and farm capable. We have goats, rabbits, horses chickens for both eggs and meat.” I nose around the semi trucks they are unloading drums of LTS food and canning equipment and supplies. Trust me this is happy making believe me.

Babs has her Winnebago parked and hooked up. My next chore is to dig up some more info if there is any internet left. I start with my email and it is slow but it does load. Another contact sent me a link to his drop box account and a note to look at his new miniature Wargame stuff. He has some interesting stuff. It seems the unseasonal flu is made up of three different plagues. The feds may have known this was coming and actually wanted it. The UN is somehow involved.

The next contact tells me there are foreign troops have gathered on the southern border. The northern border is an unknown quantity right now. The next part is what grabs my attention, the plague is now in all 50 states.

I check some of the “prepper” websites. Most are gone. I do find a couple still working and many people have said that they are bugging out to places unknown and away from people can’t say I blame them. People in some of the larger cities are fighting for food. The share and share alike mantra is not playing out well at the moment.

I put together a report and send it off to the Director and the General. Now that all the deliveries have been made I think it is time to close and lock the gate.

[feralferret]

Good update. Thanks!

[iamnobody]

foreign troops have gathered on our borders

that sounds a lot like real life.......

but I remind myself this is just a fictional story, right?

[udwe]

Awesome story! Keep it up!

[diybuilder]

Oct 29, 2022 19:44:17 GMT -6 iamnobody said:

foreign troops have gathered on our borders

that sounds a lot like real life.......

but I remind myself this is just a fictional story, right?

Yeah, just a fictional story from my over active imagination. I think.