Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 This is a fictional story.  Any relationship to truth is in your mind. 
This is a story owned by the author and may not be sold or used for
commercial purposes.  It may be posted in full to any site where it is
freely given to any and no fees are required to join or belong.

   Life and Its Little Oddities By: TheSecrch4

   Chapter 1

   As an optimist I always bought a ticket for the Power-ball drawing.  The
North Carolina education lottery is how they sell it.  But I have always
been a player and just figured it was a fun way to be taxed.  My normal
play was to buy two games for 10 drawings and let the computer pick them.
That was a twenty dollar investment each month.

   The odds of ever getting a break even or more out of this than what I
invested, was slim to say the least.  But the ticket this time had power
balls of 7 and 11.  That was really odd, as it had never happened before.
So I just sat back and watched the drawings over the month.  Slowly the
dollar amount climbed to way more than anyone could possible need. 
Especially at my sixty seven years of age.  Now had I been twenty that
might be spent if I ever won?

   It was mid May and I was not working for the company that brought me to
the state.  The owner had been an old friend and needed some cheap help, as
he had poorly managed the company.  Being on social security I could help
him and did not need much money as income.  Matter of fact he paid me under
the table, which made it better for me.

   The night things really got odd I was watching the drawing for
Wednesday. The total was estimated to be $170,000,000 at 5.7 million a year
for 30 years or $88,100,000 in cash before taxes.  Now that was a lot of
money by any standard.  The numbers and power ball came up and my shock was
enough to kill most people.  I had hit an impossible shot at the odds. 
They are like 195 million to 1.

   I sat in shock for some time and just wondered how my life at this point
had changed?  It was for sure the 30 year payment plan would not work for
me.  But neither would the cash, as on my death the government would suck
up every dollar they could.  At 67 that could happen any time and I knew
it.

   It was time for some thought and planning before I so much as opened my
mouth.  That meant tax planning and estate planning quickly.  But for now I
needed sleep and some time to let my brain work.  I had found over many
years that sleep often answered many questions for me.

   That next morning I started looking for a very good attorney with tax
and estate background.  It had to be a firm with some wealthy clients and a
very good reputation.  Not too large, but able to handle my needs.  I had a
real aversion to attorneys.  The law any more was just a game of who could
buy it without getting caught.  Honor was a thing of the past, as people
just trusted no one any more.

   This search was no easy thing as I soon found out.  I used a phone book,
the Internet and finally found a small firm that might be able to help.  It
was 5 attorneys and all were older and not some young gun.  At my age I
wanted no smart ass that felt he knew it all.  I was sure that my ability
to question any advice would benefit me.

   The issue now was how far I was going to have to travel for this
meeting. I found the firm in Winston Salem North Carolina and they did
represent old money there.  Ms Williams was the attorney I met with and she
was sharp.  She made notes of what I wanted to do and smiled at not wanting
to pay more taxes that I had too.  She ran a photocopy of my lottery ticket
and asked if they could go with me to be paid?

   I agreed to this as we now had a contract and they were on a retainer.
So arrangements were made for her to pick me up at home on the next day.  I
had decided to take the lump sum payment and hide the money as best
possible.  They would take the check and open a trust account with it.  As
we agreed on investments it would come from the trust account.

   In the past I had a running argument about taxes with IRS and gave them
the paperwork to handle it.  I owed them nothing yet they decided I owed
them about $170,000.  They were charging me taxes on my wife's insurance
money, which was not taxable.  She had died when I was 57.  I expected to
get a good sum of money back from the State of Virginia and the fed.  But
the lawyers could handle that.

   My first step was to get the money.  So I drove home to Durham and
stopped at the store for food tonight.  It seemed a steak, baked sweet
potato and salad would do nicely.

   Once it was fixed I sat at the computer desk and ate.  I wanted a debit
card for my account and certain items purchased for me.  It was time to
stop driving and have a driver take me where I wished to go.  I wanted at
least 10,000 acres of land and a home built to my needs.  It would need to
be with a national forest or park blocking off part of the access.  I
wanted isolation from most of the world with as much safety as possible.

   This list I printed and had it ready to give to Ms Williams tomorrow. 
It also had the requirement that fifteen million be purchased in gold and
sliver coins and be stored in a vault once my home was built.  The liberal
government the country now had was going to screw everyone they could.  I
did not plan to be one of the ones getting screwed.  How the legal firm
covered this investment was up to them.  But I wanted no one to know of it.

   The ride to the lottery offices was nice, as I did not have to drive.  I
handed the paper over to Ms Williams and watched her read it.  "John I am
not sure where your headed with this?"

   "I see this country right now as weak.  The government has stepped into
the business world and is trying to direct it.  They have control of most
of the banks and are spending money like drunken sailors.  So land is a
good investment as is gold and silver."

   She smiled at me and shook her head.  "You see things pretty clearly
from those comments.  So you would like to have your own county from what
your saying."

   "That pretty well spells it out.  I want someplace where if things go to
hell it can be cut off to some degree.  So making it independent in many
ways would be a goal.  But I want to be in the background and not out
front. My home will be hopefully set in a valley that is protected.  Where
I can watch what is going on, but not be seen."

   "How do you intend to make money to afford this?"

   "I almost have enough right now.  But I will build wind turbines to
produce power and either use it or sell the excess.  With the push for
green power I can do this with little notice.  I will start an investment
bank and also handle general banking for the community.  Once more the
ownership will be clouded."

   She smiled at this idea that was forming.  "It may be possible to reach
the goals your looking at.  But your going to have to protect it for it to
survive."

   "That I have plans for as well.  At first I will need the local police
and sheriffs men doing that job.  Later I will have a small force to back
them up if things get bad."

   "You do expect a crash for this country?"

   "Yes and it is going to be a big one.  We are the world's largest debtor
nation.  Now when your paper money will not buy oil and you have little
gold reserves what happens?"

   "I assume you have family John?"

   "Oh yes, but they have forgotten about me for most of them.  So this
will not be a family situation and will be for the best of those involved.
I see using the abilities of each person to help the others.  The odds of
me being around twenty years from now are very slim.  That will require
teaching others to lead."

   This was really interesting to her and she was intrigued right now. 
They pulled up to the building and got out.  The whole thing took a few
hours before it was done.  But John was pleased to get out of the building.

   "Here are two debit cards that will draw on your account.  Now what kind
of help do you want and where are you going to live?"

   "I want a driver and a car for travel.  It might be wise to start
looking at places where land is available in large parcels.  Now I could
care less if the driver is male or female.  Be sure they understand I have
final approval before they are hired.  They would need to be single and not
tied down.  But if a woman has may be just one child I might consider her.
The child would need to be over 6 and under say 12.  That age group is one
I do OK with."

   She laughed at this.  "I can't see you not getting on well with any age
group."

   "I do prefer smart people and ones who like to discuss things.  They
will find I am not much into follow the leader in most areas.  There is
zero respect for most politicians and that fits many attorneys as well.  If
they aren't good attorneys they head for politics."

   Now she was really laughing.  "I can't argue with that statement John.
This state has produced far to many bad politicians.  Most have been
lawyers and poor ones at that.  But I get the feeling your some what
conservative?"

   "That would be a mistake to believe.  I am conservative in fiscal areas
and liberal in many people areas.  I believe in having laws and people
living within them.  But today most have no idea of what the laws are?  We
keep making laws and not repealing the old ones.  Our laws are so massive
in numbers no one knows them all.  But the worst part are the ones that can
be interpreted many different ways."

   "Now you know why I got into tax law and estate planning.  I could not
agree more that our system is a complete mess.  But I see no way to clean
it up with the political situation that exists today."

   "I see several ways to start that ball rolling.  But it will take time
and reaching some goals first."

   She dropped John off and headed home.  The idea of testing him was at
the front of her mind.  An old friend had told her about her maid's niece.
The girl was 26 and had a 7 year old daughter.  She had been told she was
pretty and smart as hell.  But had bad taste in men.  The car she had
coming was a Mercedes Benz with an armored body.  On her way home she
called her friend and ask her to have the girl come in and bring her
daughter the next day.

   After calling the dealer and being sure the car would be ready her mind
was made up.

   The girl showed up the next day and she was a real doll.  Her build was
slight and not overly endowed, but well put together.  Her 7 year old was a
copy of mother, of course without the older woman's shape.  But the
attorney saw intelligence and a very out going person.  They talked for a
good hour before she decided to send her to meet John.

   "Now your final interview will be in Durham with John.  He is 67 and
very wealthy and not looking for a wife.  You would be expected to be his
driver and gofer.  The pay is very good and John said he would be willing
to take a single mother for this job.  So do you have an interest?"

   Dana sat back and considered this.  "You say he is not looking for a
wife, so is he looking for some young playmate?"

   "I really don't think so.  My instructions were male or female.  He
wanted someone smart and able to discuss ideas and issues with him.  To be
completely honest he only said he would consider a single mother.  But the
child had to be between 6 and 12, as he got along with that age group
better.  He made no suggestion of either a boy or girl as the child.  So I
have assumed it made no difference to him.  But I am sure there is nothing
you could do to improve your chances of the job, which a man could not use
as well.  He wants smart, good communications and not sexy as
requirements."

   This now hit Dana as something she just might be interested in.  "OK how
do I meet him for an interview?"

   "I have 3 people for him to interview tomorrow.  But being able to
handle a Mercedes Benz S63 AMG is a big part of the job.  The car costs
over $131,000 and must be cared for.  This requires training and a drivers
test.  So you're my outside shot for this job.  For you it is no sure thing
and you will have to be better than the others.  But I owed my friend a
favor and this pays it off."

   Now Dana was really worried.  "You weren't kidding about being better
and the man wanting someone smart were you?"

   "Dana I don't make a habit of kidding anyone.  I made the time to see
you, explained the requirements and have offered you an interview.  That is
all you get from me.  How you handle the chance will determine if you get a
job or not.  The person hired will almost live with John for the first few
weeks.  He is going to be traveling, looking at property and spending a lot
of money.  His driver will be on the road with him and I am sure he will
want opinions on what he just looked at.  So think about it and let me know
if your interested?"

   Dana considered her answer carefully.  "I would like to at least talk
with him.  Now what do I do about my daughter for the interview?"

   "She will go with you.  In fact she will be interviewed as well.  Now
that will be a very different type interview.  He will possible ask to buy
you dinner.  That way he can see just how you and your child will interact
with him.  From my observations John is very laid back and easy to talk
with.  He does not dress formally and like casual clothing.  I would be
shocked to see him in a suit.  He said those days were done for him."

   "What do I do first then?"

   "Tomorrow morning the dealer will run you through a class on the
vehicle. A S63 AMG is a high performance vehicle and has a lot of power. 
If hired you will take a driving course for professional drivers.  Anything
a driver for any Embassy of the US knows you will know as well.  Now do you
have any criminal history?"

   That seemed odd to her.  "No, why do you ask?"

   "Because you will be armed and have permits to carry a gun concealed. 
Once more training will be provided.  Anyone walking around with tens of
millions in wealth needs to be protected.  In this John will not know the
extent of the steps we have taken to protect him.  At least not to start
with."

   "I am more dangerous without a gun.  Currently I have four black belts
of the highest levels in four different forms of martial arts.  Guns
attract violence at extreme levels.  An innocent female and child raise no
concerns from men.  It also provokes no action that would cause harm to
John.  Now if you question my abilities then feel free to get someone hurt
checking them out.  Or call the state police and ask who teaches their hand
to hand combat courses?  I can't make a living at it as I only get 4
classes a year.  Now does this job have a salary?"

   "It does not have a salary Dana.  John said that would be unfair for the
person taking it.  So he said he would pay $15 dollars an hour straight
time as that covers meals times and just sitting and talking as well.  So
if you are on the clock 8 or 16 hours you get paid for that.  That means
the driver makes between $120 and $240 a day seven days a week.  You would
simply logon to your payroll account and enter your income expected for
that week.  It will be paid and taxes taken out to pay for that amount. 
Your income would be direct deposited to your account."

   "I will be at the dealers first thing in the morning Ms Williams.  Now
if it is possible I would like to be John's last interview?  It will make
things work for my daughter better.  She will have to stay with a friend
until I am done tomorrow."

   That also would give her an advantage being the last interview.  "OK I
will agree to that.  Now does your daughter ever speak?  I have not heard
her say a word."

   "Yes she talks and you can't shut her up.  But I made her a bet when we
came in today that if she could go without saying a word I would buy ice
cream for her."

   The girl just had the biggest grin going at this.

   "Young lady I am impressed.  You have a very strong will to do what your
doing."

   The girl just sat smiling and saying nothing.

   "Let go honey and I'll pay off now."

   The girl jumped up and took her mothers hand and they walked out the
door.  Once they got to the car Dana now was curious.  "Well what did you
think?"

   "I think she is going to get in trouble with John.  When he finds out
she is doing things with his money he is going to be mad."

   "What makes you think that Kelly?"

   "She sees John as laid back and easy going.  But I think he is far
different than she thinks.  Not mean or anything like that.  Just a much
stronger person and a lot like grandpa was.  He would tell you softly what
he wanted and if you failed to do it right he would bite your tail."

   Dana laughed at Kelly's way of seeing John.  But she knew her ability to
see far deeper than any kid her age should be able to.  "You may be right
Kelly and we will be completely honest with him tomorrow.  But what makes
you think he is like dad was?"

   "I don't know mommy, but I watched the lady and she does respect him. 
She does not fear him yet, but I think she will soon.  I really want to
meet him and get to know him."

   That was all Dana needed to hear she was hell bent to get this job.











   Chapter 2

   The day for her interview started with a lesson on driving the S63 AMG
Benz.  Dana was driving around the city and it was a blast the way the car
handled.  It was a very high performance machine.  By the time she had done
the course on maintenance she was ready for the interview.

   She got to her friends house and took a long bath.  It was almost 3 PM
and she got dressed and did her hair.  Then she got Kelly ready for her
part.  The two beautiful ladies went out to her old van and headed to meet
John.  Both were surprised at the small apartment house he lived in.  It
was very nice just old and not big.  The size inside was also another shock
as it was half packed up for moving.

   "Sorry ladies I want out of here in the worst way.  So I have been
packing and getting ready.  Now I would love to sit down and have some food
with the two of you.  So to keep things fair I'll drive my car and you can
follow me.  That way you can leave at any point you get upset with me.  I
don't want you to feel trapped in any way."

   Kelly looked at him with a set of bright blue eyes.  "John you are just
like my grandpa was.  I just knew you were going to be like that." She ran
over to him and hugged his legs.

   John squatted down to her level.  "Little one I am pleased to get a hug
from such a beautiful lady.  But your mother may not approve and we don't
want her up set with me."

   Kelly looked him right in his eyes and smiled so big it lit the room. 
"Mom always let's me make up my own mind about who I hug and kiss.  In my
book John your a keeper and I want to know you a lot better."

   That brought a smile to the mans face.  "Sugar your for sure a keeper
and some man is going to be very lucky to get you.  Just be willing to hold
out for what you really want.  Don't ever accept second best or less than
what you want."

   Dana was pleased to see how Kelly and John talked with each other.  It
was like how she talked with her dad.  "OK guys lets go have some dinner.
If you want John I'll drive and you just direct me where to go."

   "I would like to go to the Cracker Barrel and have some quite time
talking if that is OK?"

   They got into her van and she drove following direction.  Once on
Hillsboro they got to the restaurant quickly.  It took no time to get
seated and start talking.  John gave them a pretty good background of his
life and of the money he had won.  The idea he had of building a safe area
for what he was sure would happen.

   Dana had a great deal of respect now for John.  "Well we see things
pretty much the same way.  Dad always said one day this country would fall
apart and that is happening now."

   "I am looking for land first of all and I mean a lot of it.  I want
around 10,000 acres to start with.  I should be able to get that in 3-4
small valleys.  It must be backed up by national park or national forest
land.  When government falls apart that land is up for grabs.  So for our
people to have land we must be in a position to obtain more of it."

   Dana did not like the sound of what she was hearing from John.  "I keep
hearing you don't think you will see this to the end?"

   "Look dear I am 67 and have had double bypass surgery and one heart
attack.  So I don't bull shit myself into seeing a longer life than what is
really possible.  I have a sugar problem and have had it for 24 years now.
That requires pills and insulin just to keep it in check.  So I accept the
fact of the downside of my body's condition.  If I can help some people
survive and learn during what is coming I have met my goal."

   Dana was now smiling at John.  She saw he was honest and just wanted to
make things better for as many people as he could.  At 67 he did not expect
to out live the money he now had.  "I don't understand why your taking this
path?"

   "If I died tomorrow there are almost none who would notice I was gone.
My wife died ten years ago and I am only really close to my nephew and his
family.  The government would eat up most of the money and it would do no
one any good.  Giving it to family would destroy them and that is a proven
fact.  Just look at all the people who inherited money.  So I am going to
do my best to assure that at least some people have good lives after I am
long gone."

   Kelly scooted closer to John and was holding his arm now.  "John I don't
want to lose you like I did grandpa.  Even if you don't hire mommy I want
to be where you are."

   "Little one I am not going anyplace right now.  As for your mother she
has the job if she wants it.  But I am not so sure that is a good deal for
her at all.  She is a beautiful young lady and has eyes that a man could
drown in.  Being tied to an old fart like me is not a way for her to find
someone special for both of you."

   Kelly launched herself into John's arms and hugged him.  "Thank you John
and I promise to be very good when we travel.  But we need you and not
someone else."

   "Sugar to get a hug like that you could be bad and I would forgive you."

   Dana had watched all of this and saw a very loving and lonely man
sitting there.  It made her even more sure she liked John and knew the
three of them would have fun together.  But she knew she needed to be
careful, as he did not trust people very much.  Like her dad he started
people with a small investment of trust and it was their actions that made
it grow or disappear.

   "Now Kelly you watch how you jump all over John.  He does not know you
yet and has not seen how you act when pleased or excited.  So you need to
learn about him and what he likes and does not like."

   "Yes mommy.  I am sorry John if I did something wrong."

   "Little one you did nothing wrong at all.  I am just getting older now
and did not expect such and out pouring of love.  You are a ball of energy
and I enjoy seeing it explode.  It has been far to many years since I have
seen that.  So just be ready for this poor old man to have a heart attack
if you catch me at the wrong time." He was laughing now.

   Kelly cocked her head and looked into his eyes.  "I hope your kidding me
John.  There is no way I want to hurt you."

   He hugged her and was please with how serious she looked.  "Yes dear I
am giving you a hard time.  But that is part of the fun two people can have
when kidding each other.  Listen to what I say and how I say it, then think
about what I said.  You will learn from my tone of voice and how I act what
is real and what is play."

   They had eaten and enjoyed some desert as John could have sugar free pie
here.  Dana was now ready to hear what the plan was?  "OK what am I to do
tomorrow and how do we get this started?"

   "I will have the car sent to you tomorrow.  For what they got they can
deliver it to you.  You will need to discuss with Kelly's teachers what
will need to be done about her schoolwork.  Pack a bag for each of you and
I will have one packed for me when your ready to pick me up.  Don't pack a
lot as we will be buying a lot of new clothing as we go."

   "I should be able to pick you up at say noon.  So where do you want to
go first?"

   "The lawyers will be the first stop.  See the two men sitting over to
your left?  They have been watching us far to close.  My guess is they are
security people and I am not paying for them.  My agreement with the law
firm says I must approve any expense before the money can be spent.  So I
am going to have a little talk with Ms Williams.  She has over stepped her
bounds.  This is why I hate attorneys so much."

   "She wanted me to carry a gun and take driving classes.  I have black
belts in martial arts and don't need a gun.  So I refused to agree to that.
I have taken the state police classes and feel that should do for most
needs.  But she said that she was going to take some other steps.  I did
not know what or if you wanted to know?  But she is a very conniving lady.
I owe you and not her, so everything will be completely above board with
you."

   John stood and walked over to the men.  "Now lets get something clear
here.  I am not paying you or approving payment for you.  Let your boss
know Ms Williams has stepped way out of line.  If you try to continue to
follow me and cover my home, I will have the police arrest you.  For you
two it is better to just get up and leave now, so we don't have additional
problems."

   The men were shocked and then someone turned the lights on.  They knew
John saw who they were to be working for and he did not want it.  "This is
not the first time this has happened with that woman.  We will just leave
and let you handle it tomorrow."

   Once John returned to the table Dana saw his smile.  "That was smooth
and very polite John."

   "They were following orders and felt they were in the right.  Now here
is a Visa check card for you to use as needed.  You will pay for everything
with it and I mean everything.  That will cover gas, food, clothing, motels
and any other expenses.  Get a couple thousand out of the bank in cash for
when it is needed and keep it on you.  You can withdraw $1,000 a day in
cash."

   Dana just looked at John.  "You understand the access you just handed
me?"

   "Look I just hired you and said I trust you at a basic level right now.
I can see any card spending as it happens online.  Once you get me home
I'll give you a copy of your employment agreement after you read and sign
it.  It sets your minimum income and provides you with directions for
spending.  Your entire job is spelled out and clearly, so there are no
misunderstandings.  As a part of the deal I will provide Kelly with a trust
fund for her to draw from someday.  But that will only be in gold and
sliver coins.  That is not in the agreement, but I will add it if you wish
for it to be in writing?"

   "I appreciate your offer for Kelly.  But that is not required John."

   "Dana her time has value the same as yours does.  She brightens up my
world and that is worth a lot to me.  So for me it is something important."

   They walked out of the restaurant and all were smiling.  Once at John's
he got her to read and sign her agreement.  Then she gave him back his
copy. "OK now I am employed for at least a year.  So I will see you in the
early afternoon.  That is if the dealer gets off his tail and gets the car
to me."

   After Dana and Kelly left he called the dealer and made sure they were
ready to deliver the car when called.  He dropped the managing partner an
e-mail and asked to see him in the afternoon that next day.  Then read the
news on the direction the world was heading on an economic front.  That was
not good and there was no way any politician was going to make it better.

   The US was becoming a very socialist country in many ways and fast.  But
giving money away did not improve the economy.  That was built on jobs and
jobs came from company investments.  From what he could see there was no
way the country would last longer than a year or two at best.  Government
was doing its job of destroying what built the nation.

   John headed to bed and went to sleep quickly.  The next morning after a
small breakfast he packed a bag.  There was enough clothing for a week and
then he would buy more as needed.  Money for sure was no problem.  After
taxes he would have well over fifty million.  But it frosted him that the
federal and state governments got around thirty eight million just for
existing.

   At twelve thirty Dana showed up with her smiling face.  "They did show
up this morning and dropped off the car for me.  That was the first shock.
Second Ms Williams called me and told me I was to say nothing about our
conversation.  I told her when asked I had already told you about it."

   "Don't be concerned at all about her.  I e-mailed her boss for a meeting
today and I am sure he talked with her.  Once I am done she will not be
involved with us in any way.  People get one strike when starting to build
a trust factor with me based on money.  She blew hers when she agreed to
one thing and did another."

   Kelly had been sitting in the back seat doing her schoolwork.  "Hi John
I am getting my work done online and this is better than sitting in a
boring class.  I will get to be computer schooled the rest of this year."

   "You will be very much into computer schooling if you and mommy stay
with me.  I will have classes for you each year based on you abilities. 
Grades are fine for average students, but they tend to hurt very bright
ones.  So you may be at different levels in different subjects."

   "That sounds cool and I am doing work one grade ahead of my age now. 
But it is easy and I really don't have to work hard to make A's."

   They pulled up to the attorney's offices and John got out.  "Dana you
two stay here please I will not be but a few minutes."

   The discussion lasted less then ten minutes and John came back to the
car.  "OK head towards the mountains now.  I have two pieces of land to
look at and we will have to do some major outfitting for these.  So
Waynesville is the best town close by to find rooms for tonight.  I am sure
Ashville will be far to busy."

   Dana used the cars built in communications system to set up rooms for
them.  The directions came up on the screen for her to follow.  So they got
to the motel quickly without getting lost.

   Over the next few days a lot of land was looked at and turned down. 
Finally John found an auction of a coal company and its lands in Southwest
Virginia.  It was not far from Grundy Virginia and well into the mountains.
The land area was over twenty thousand acres, but it was the coal below
ground, that had in the past had value.  Now days it had little value due
to the governments actions.

   Dana, Kelly and John looked over the land and knew this would be a place
that could be defended.  There was just one road in and out so traffic
would be no problem.  The town had been owned by the mine and for the ten
million purchase price it now belonged to John.

   They sat in the old owners house and looked over the small town.  The
company had built a small landing strip just outside of town and it would
handle up to two engine aircraft.  It had none now, but that could be
fixed. But it did have underground fuel storage.  The town also had three
filling stations and one fuel dealer.  In all there was a base here for
starting what he was looking to do.

   The company set up in North Carolina bought the mine property.  It then
quickly dropped all mining permits for coal, in trade for an agreement not
to hold the new company liable for any environmental problems.  Now John
set up a mining group to cut into the mountains and build storage rooms. 
Second was to buy four large wind turbines and start getting them erected
and hooked into the electric grid.

   John flew down to Norfolk and stared hiring security and engineering
personnel as the Navy was reducing their force.  He had been able to hire
fifty three seals as security and twenty Seabees to run construction.  The
seals were charged with obtaining enough weapons and ammunition for a six
hundred person force and the construction people getting the equipment
needed to do any construction job.  This was going to be a long term
project and he need to get off the mark fast.

   Navy people hired believed just as John did and wanted someplace safe
for their families.  Commander Dave Weathers was the senior seal and took
command of the security force.  Because John owned the town he took over as
police chief for now.

   The laying out of farming areas and places to grow livestock were at the
top of a list of many projects.  The construction was in two areas.  One
was the power production and building of secure storage rooms in the
mountains.  The other was for future needs for food, meat and fuel.  But
with three valleys belonging to the company there was room.  The bank here
belonged to John's company and all funds left were moved into it.  So
control was getting tighter.

   The armored car pulled up in front of the bank and unloaded the gold and
silver coins he had purchased.  When the truck left John had them moved to
one of the vaults in the mountainside.  He now had six of these and had
started buying dehydrated food supplies to fill in where needed.  But here
the rooms could be drawn down to zero oxygen and inert gasses used to keep
the food safe for a long time.

   The summer has passed quickly and now fall was here.

   "John what are your plans now for the coming winter?" Dana was in her I
want mode.

   "Well the way I see it now we stay here in this house for the winter. 
Our new home will not be done before spring.  We just had so much to do
before we lost the warm period.  Inside the mountain it does not care if it
is ninety above or below outside.  The temp stays the same inside.  So
people will be working all winter on the different areas inside it.  The
first that must be completed is the computer room and living area.  I have
servers and mainframe super computers to install now.  They all need to be
checked out some need repairs, but I need the computer hardware and
software people to run them."

   Now Dana smiled at John.  "I have two very good friends who are major
hackers.  Neither have ever been caught and are not into stealing from
anyone.  But there are a lot of people looking for them.  They are good
with both hardware and software so you might want to talk with them?"

   He spent the next three hours explaining what he wanted to do.  "Now you
go interview them and see if they are what we need.  If so offer them a job
and safety for them to work from.  I bought a satellite for us to work from
which cuts out anyone knowing where we are.  The company that owned is was
broke and sold it cheaply.  We are always connected to it and cannot be
traced."

   "What did we need it for?" Dana was curious now.

   "To assure us communications later, as that will be gone for most
places."

   "Your see a major disruption of all industry don't you?"

   "Yes and of almost all government services.  Things are going to be very
bleak over much of the world.  This is a global disaster and a man made one
as well.  It took poor planning by government, poor judgment by consumers
and lots of greed to bring this about.  But spending by government without
having money made these things happen."

   Dana had learned much from John and she saw how this happened.  Not
being able to pay off the national debt was going to bring the government
down.  The Arab world was going to cut off oil supplies, China was going to
stop selling to the US except for gold and silver That meant a loss of the
ability to survive, as much of the industrial base had left for other
countries.  The US just did not have many of the needed base industries any
more.

   The state governments would also fail as taxes they needed to survive
were going to disappear.  This would trickle down to the smallest
government body.  Now what John was building was a small government body
where it acted like a large one.  But it was backed by gold and sliver
money.  He had bought over 25 million in coins and 5 million in bars for
the bank.  He had millions in food, computers, the satellite, land,
buildings and equipment.  The investment had been heavy and fast by any
standard.

   The final steps to be taken were started now.























   Chapter 3

   The plans were slowly coming together and things were looking up.  Dana
had gotten the two hackers from Durham that now were setting up the
computer area.  They had gone nuts over the amount of equipment and where I
wanted to go with it.  I had the ability to build a storage area where most
of today's knowledge and information could be held long term.  They were
free to hack into any system and copy the data.  But they could do no
damage to it.

   I was reading a report Jimmy and Tommy had done on how best to store and
retrieve the data we were accumulating.  They had been cutting out the
fluff and junk and just keeping the solid information.  If it could not be
proven it was just theory and not fact.  Fact was stored one place and
theory another.  The databases were different and easy to search this way.
We had every news group stored going as far back as the largest system on
the net.  That would just get added to each day until things fell apart. 
But some day it would be fun to go back looking at all the groups and
postings made.

   Dana walked up behind me and started to rub my neck and shoulders.

   "Lady I'll give you about ten years to stop that."

   "Is that all I get?  The way your muscles feel it could take a lot
longer to get the knots out.  Why haven't you said anything?"

   "Sit down a minute and let me say a few things." Dana sat at the table
and she looked directly into John's eyes.

   "First of all your my friend and someone I trust completely to discuss
anything.  I have no right to expect you to be my nurse, maid or servant in
any way.  Matter of fact I see you more as a daughter or may be really a
granddaughter at my age.  Your beautiful, sexy as hell and deserve a life
of your own without limits being placed on you.  Now that is just how I see
things and it worries me for your future."

   Dana took her time deciding how to reply to this.  "John I have never
know a man since my dad, I care for more than I do you.  Kelly is in love
with you and would never leave your side.  So your just going to have to
get used to us hanging on to you.  We both want your attention and love."

   This comment just floored him.  He was not sure just how to take it and
did not dare ask right now.  The fear was she meant just what she had said
and he found that scared him.  He was past the games playing days and
relationships not built on unconditional love.  But for him to have any
attachment beyond where he was at just did not make sense to him or for
him?

   "Look the two of you are all the family I have now days.  So just let me
adjust to that for now."

   They walked to the white board John had mounted on the wall.  It was a
large one like would be used in a school in place of a black board.  There
was the income to the company, expenses being paid out and purchases being
made on one part.  In the middle was a tree shaped form that showed what
would be needed to survive and grow.  This was in colors as to what was
covered, being handled and what needed action.  It looked like confusion,
but really was a visual plan.

   "Dana you need to see how close the hydroponic areas are to being ready.
They should be close to having the fiber optic cables in place to provide
sunlight for plants.  The lenses we have should do fine to assure good
growing light and the back up grow lights should make up for days of little
or no sun.  Please also check the area where soil is being placed for trees
and bushes not grown in the US."

   "I love walking through those growing areas.  With the miners we have
the areas are really large and very different for me.  But people seem
happy with the way things are going.  Once we took over only eighty two
families have left the company.  They have all been replace with the Navy
people coming in." Dana did love the below ground areas.

   "Just check out how it looks compared to your last visit.  We will need
some food from it this year to be able to employ people and prove it out.
What is over produced we will freeze dry for later use.  But the growing
area must be sealed pretty tight, so we don't lose too much moisture. 
Check the make up air to be sure we are keeping the levels where they need
to be." John knew he had a limited time to get the things he needed, before
they were not available.

   Dana headed to the food production area and it was down a good half mile
below ground.  The way it had been designed it was a set of concrete pools
about 30" deep.  Each pool could handle two floating trays for food across
the pool.  The pool could take 2,000 trays per pool.  With fifteen pools
running most produce could be handled for the town.  It would be added to
as needed, but for now it was way ahead of the industry.

   The growing area for trees, bushes and planted food was very close to
ready.  The soil needed now was down here.  Planting was being done and the
sprinkler system was working for watering.  Right now the grow lights were
being used.  The holes running to the surface allowed her to see the light
where sunlight would be piped down here.  The soil growing area was much
larger now than she remembered it to be.  She must have walked a mile just
looking it over.  There were columns holding the rock ceiling up and
between them always a hole going to the surface to bring light down.

   The underground was a world onto itself.  The top couple hundred feet
are around 55 F, after that it starts increasing about 1 F per 100 feet. 
So at 2500 feet the temp was close to 78 degrees here.  That was great
growing temp for almost any thing and it stayed the same 24/7 all year.  So
there were many levels of storage, food production and shops being built
into the mountains owned by the company.  The design of several laser
cutting robots helped cut out many rooms.  A few places caves were below
ground and just needed roof bolts and grouting to make them safe.

   But they always connected the rooms and levels with walkways and
elevators.  None of the coal areas were used and no areas above or below
where shafts existed.  Safety was always a major concern.  It was pretty
sure one day the coal would be needed to make a fuel substitute.  That
could be worked on later, but it was not needed yet.  So that area was left
connected to the system, with sealed doors to stop any gas from leaking
into the other tunnels.

   John was still working when Dave came into the office.  "Well boss we
have the area pretty well buttoned up.  We will know a human five miles
away with any vehicle on the road and fifteen miles over land.  There is a
good set up of video cameras with both day and night vision abilities.  The
four valleys we own are covered moving into them from all angles.  I have
set up command posts for each valley and the team there has set up to
control their area."

   "Is there any thing you need long term to be able to defend this area?"

   "Yes, but it is all aircraft now."

   "Can you get what you need and how much are we talking about?"

   "I have a deal set up to get exactly what we need.  All the craft are
considered junk and we just need to drive in and pick them up.  The
aircraft are broken down and engines boxed.  It will take about thirty semi
loads to get the full package here.  That includes thirteen trailer loads
of ammunition, extra engines and electronics.  Then we need to use the same
trailers to mover the defensive systems here.  Out total costs is scrap
values of two hundred thousand."

   "I assume I don't want to know how you did this?"

   "Nope you really don't want to know that.  But I will have a bill of
sale on the scrap for the company and it is all legal and above board that
way.  I have hired six more men and two women that will be coming to set
all this stuff up here.  They are building underground hangers for both the
fixed wing and rotary aircraft now."

   "I assume those large stone buildings going up are from the underground
facility?"

   "It seemed like a good use of the materials when we started.  It does
give people a nice target for any bunker busters.  If someone attacked them
we would not be hurt in any way.  The fixed wing hanger is in the
mountainside and the rotary is below ground in another valley.  Putting
both here at the strip seemed to be tempting fate."

   John liked what he had heard so far.  "What is the defensive systems?"

   "Those will make us money.  They are older missile launchers and the
missiles for them.  We have contracted to remove them and scrap them.  We
will be paid four thousand a missile for its destruction and five thousand
to remove the launchers.  The total pay off is just over $840,000 for that
job.  With the electronics and guidance systems I bought we should break
even on rebuilding them and installing the equipment here." Dave was very
pleased with himself.

   "Well you have earned your pay with that.  Now what about pilots for the
aircraft?"

   "That I have covered as well.  We will have four fixed wing and eight
rotary pilots with maintence people for both types of craft.  I also have
the defensive systems people for that equipment as well.  The full number
of security people will be right at one fifty.  The people living in our
four valleys are just over thirty eight hundred and that gives us right at
eight hundred additional men if needed to defend the area.  It would take a
good size army to take these valleys."

   It seemed Dave had done his job well.  But fuel was going to be the
major problem now.  "We need more fuel stored to be able to use the craft
long term."

   "I have two tankers bringing fuel from the Bluefield, WV rail yards and
we have enough storage for about five years of normal flying.  The military
has purchased a few extra tens of millions of gallons jet fuel.  We are a
storage site for a small part of that.  But it will keep us well supplied
once things fall apart.  But hat seems to be running at a slow speed."

   John smiled at David and knew he just did not understand.  "Look the
binder in the glue that holds any country together is a belief in itself.
Over the years since WW II American has gone from a strong faith in our
country and leadership to little faith.  Politicians are today seen as
untrustworthy, crooked, untruthful and that just keeps slipping.  In place
of doing what's best for everyone they tend to just do what they want. 
Trust is fragile and right now it is broken.  But money runs the
government. It must run out of that to fall."

   David saw the way John was looking at this.  "But they can print money
forever."

   "True, but it must have value to be used.  Before Hitler and WW II, in
Germany it took a wheelbarrow full of money to buy a loaf of bread.  The
real worth in the dollar is being eaten away by spending money and just
adding it to the debt.  Once the debt is high enough the country fails, as
the debt become worthless.  We buy most of our oil from other countries,
much of the non-food items sold in stores are made outside the USA.  So
setting a date for a failure is not possible.  But right now you have
states cutting their budgets and raising taxes to stay solvent."

   "Economics was never something I had any interest in.  But now I see how
many different ways things are tied together.  So we have built a house of
cards and some day one will be taken out that brings it all down?"

   "That pretty much says it all.  No one knows what that final card will
be that causes the collapse?  But everyone with eyes sees the weakness. 
Most people tend not to think about the problems until they have to face
them.  Then they have no idea how to solve them.  If their family is
hungry, cold and there is no food available what do they do then?"

   David saw things in his mind he did not like.  "I now fully understand
the preparations your making.  Before it was just a mental game and now it
is a nightmare I don't want to see.  But your saying the entire world is
going to see this?"

   "The economy is a global thing.  But the developed nations are the ones
that will pay the price.  A desert nomad will live the same ten years from
now as he does today.  The world for them will not change at all.  But with
the environmental change demands, loss of an economy and the inability to
feed their families, many will die in developed countries."

   David sat back and considered this statement.  "I see a lot of what your
saying.  But Global Warming is a problem."

   "David when did that condition start?"

   "In the period where we have been burning coal and using carbon based
fuels."

   John chuckled at this response.  "I hate to tell you this, but it
started at the end of the last ice age.  The weather has been changing and
getting warmer.  Once it hits a point it will get colder I would think and
start another ice age.  Did man speed it up some?  I am sure we did and
have no idea how much that is?  But burning rain forests, forest fires,
volcanoes erupting, solar storms and many other things have also impacted
it.  That issue has become a way to reduce the economy of developed nations
and increase the economy of poor ones."

   Now David really looked confused.  "I am not following you?"

   "Every step taken has or will weaken the economy of any developed
country right?"

   He considered this.  "Yes."

   "So only poor undeveloped countries would have the ability to offer zero
regulation of gasses to industry right?"

   "I see where your headed now.  Yes they could allow industry to come and
do as they wish.  So you see industry leaving developed countries and going
to undeveloped?"

   "Not really as they just don't have the trained workforce.  But it is
one more card pulled from the house of cards.  The people wanting to
restructure the world just don't see the disaster they are creating.  Their
vision is far to short for them to see anything but what they believe."
John was teaching a class.  He had not seen Kelly slip in and take a seat
and just watch and listen.

   David just was lost in many thoughts running through his mind.  "I can
see how these changes would destroy America.  Is there no way to fix this?"

   "I don't think so David.  People have lost faith and are following
someone else's plan now.  The politicians have stared to feel they have the
answers for every problem.  If we keep moving the direction we are it will
fall fairly fast."

   "I have never seen any sign of political leanings in you.  Why?"

   "May be because I am neither republican or democrat.  If anything I am a
centralist.  The best thing we could do is rebuilding America's values. 
That would require cutting out many programs that now exist.  Cutting taxes
at federal levels and allowing state government to handle more of its
peoples governing.  Dumping the IRS and setting up a federal flat tax. 
Pulling all military personnel and equipment back home.  Closing overseas
bases and developing a closer relationship with Canada and Mexico.  Then
let the rest of the world find its own way."

   This was a complete shock to David.  "That is a very different view."

   "I am sure it is.  But it is today a realistic one.  This country cannot
be the policeman for the world.  That is unless they want to pay us to do
that?"

   "What about the UN?"

   "They have been a failure so far.  So ask them to move elsewhere.  We
would just drop out and let them do as they wish elsewhere."

   Now David saw a lot of reason in these steps.  "It should happen, but it
won't."

   "David the world needs us far more than we need the world.  Our problems
is the political elitist."

   Kelly was pleased with what she heard John say.  It made sense to even
her.  "John I understood what you said all but the elitist word?"

   "It is someone who believes in rule by and elite group.  May be I should
use a special group who all believe the same thing?"

   "You said rule?  Like a king or something?"

   John had to laugh and David did as well.  "Yes pumpkin they feel anyone
who does not believe what they do is of no value.  Those people should be
stopped from speaking."

   Now Kelly cocked her head to the side and considered this.  "But we have
free speech here."

   "Not if they had their way, we would not."

   David saw just how Kelly was talking with John.  Her smarts were showing
big time now.

   "OK then, how did they get elected if they believe that?"

   "If you never say what you believe then no one knows do they?"

   "I would think they were asked what they believed?"

   "In that case they would lie and never show their true beliefs." John
tried to keep this as simple as he could.

   David saw now he has missed a lot in listening to politicians.  "Kelly I
have heard them lie and never questioned it.  They say one thing and vote
another way.  But this conversation has opened my eyes more than ever
before."

   Kelly looked a David in a funny way at first.  "How could you still be
learning?"

   He laughed at this.  "Kelly everyone who is intelligent learns forever.
No one has all the facts, knowledge or ability to store all knowledge.  So
learning is a life long event."

   She was pleased that it was not just her doing the learning.  "John how
do we run things here once it is all built?"

   "Well dear it is going to be a little different that our current
government.  But we will have a group of us who make the decisions for the
community.  Here I own the land, company and hire the people.  So if they
disagree they can leave.  We are not a country here and for now we are part
of the USA.  Later on I have not come up with any plans for then."

   David thanked John and left the office.

   "Little lady what can I do for you?"

   Kelly walked over crawled into his lap and just snuggled into his chest.
"Just hold me John.  I need to feel loved."

   That brought tears to his eyes.  "Little one your always loved by me."
He bent down and kissed her head.

   She just melted into him and felt so good.  "I need some time like this
every day.  You tell me you love me, but I really need to feel it."

   Dana had heard Kelly's comments and went to fix dinner.  She was smiling
at her daughter's ability to wrap John around her finger.  Kelly at 7 and
almost 8 was smarter than most girls of 13 or 14.  She did need to feel
John's arms around her to complete her world.  But she was able to handle
things mentally most adults could not.

   "Pumpkin how about us taking a walk?"

   Kelly loved the walks with John.  She jumped up and grabbed his hand. 
"OK lets go and enjoy the weather.  But slip a jacket on as it is getting
cool out there."

   They walked down the hill and through the town.  A lot of people spoke
to John and she loved the way people treated him.  They seemed very happy
with the changes and life here now.  She knew nothing of life before she
came here, but people seemed to indicate it was really bad.

   Once back home they cleaned up and all sat down to eat dinner.

   "Dana I just can't believe the food you keep putting in front of me. 
You should have owned a restaurant before me."

   This pleased her and she blushed.  "I cooked for dad and he was the one
I learned to cook for.  But it pleases me so much that you enjoy it."

   He knew he had to ask her.  "Dear I am still worried about your life
that is being wasted being around me.  "

   Kelly was now shaking her head.  "John for as smart as you are there are
times your dumb."

   That caused both adults eyes to open wide.  John was the first to
respond.  "Would you care to explain?"

   Kelly just smiled at him.  "Mommy has fallen in love with you silly.  It
happened the very first time she met you.  I have never seen her so happy
as after she came home from meeting you."

   "Kelly I am way to old for mommy."

   "By whose rules?  Is this you being an elitist?"

   That sat John back on his heels.  "It is not normal for old men to take
very young wives Kelly."

   She smiled, as she knew she was winning now.  "John, normal is not what
you, mommy or this community is.  Once things fall apart no one knows how
long they have.  So it seems people should take what they can and do it
now?"

   The logic from this little girl floored him.  He looked at Dana and saw
her smiling at Kelly.  "I seem to be the minority here.  So Dana we will
discuss your feelings after dinner and make some decisions from there."

   The rest of dinner was silent and much thinking was happening.  After
they finished John retired to his room and took a hot shower.  He needed to
get the stress out of his shoulders.

   Dana had Kelly helping her.  "Mom just be honest with John.  All he can
say is no and that puts us back where we are right now."

   They had loaded the dishwasher and now were storing the packaged
leftover food.  "I am just scared that he will say no honey."

   "Just don't accept it mom."

   That idea had never crossed Dana's mind.  "What do you mean don't accept
it?"

   Kelly considered how to say this.  "If he says no, just sit on his lap
and kiss him.  If he says no again then go further.  But don't accept no as
the answer.  You could do this without thinking with any other man."

   Dana just looked at Kelly.  "Are you sure your just 7 and almost 8? 
Living with you make me feel really dumb at times."

   Kelly knew what mom's problem was.  "Look mom he is never going to toss
you or me out.  So quit being scared he will.  He just needs you to be
honest with him and not let him not make the wrong decision."

   "God you sound like dad and John both." Dana was till scared to death.

   But she headed to her room and also took a shower and got ready to sit
down with John.  Many small decisions were made and she used no make up. 
But she also did not wear a lot of clothing either.

   John was drinking coffee when she walked into his room.  "I hope there
is some for me?"

   He smiled and poured a cup for her.  "OK we need to get some things
straight before we start.  I have placed all past decisions in reserve.  So
your not starting with any already made decision to over come."

   "Thank you."

   "I am 67 and my health is less than good.  No I am not in any death
sentence, but I do have many problems.  To be honest, I am not sure the
Dallas cheerleaders could get me up if they did a show naked."

   Dana now had heard his worries and they did not worry her.  "Dad built
back before my time a new technology.  It was something he developed slowly
as advances were made by others.  When I was 10 dad found out he had cancer
and they gave him 6 months to live.  His technology kept him alive until
two years ago.  His big beak through was when nano technology came into
being.  But he was far beyond even that ability to save himself."

   This was interesting and yet he did not see where she was going.  "I am
not seeing where your headed?"

   "I moved that equipment and the production equipment up here three
months ago.  During the time I read dads notes and books and have built a
batch of the latest formula he had.  It has been tested on animals so far
and it does work.  At least on them it worked.  It has not been tested on a
human yet, but dad was sure it would solve any bodies problems."

   John considered this and it did interest him.  "I'll keep that in the
back of my mind Dana."

   "So the problems your talking about may all be solvable.  But even if
their not I want a relationship with you."

   This hit John hard.  "Dana I don't wish to disappoint you.  But it would
not be much of a relationship for you."

   "If it were my choice that is all I ask.  I will take any relationship
be it good or bad." Now tears were running down her beautiful face.

   John just could not sit there, so he got up walked over and sat then he
held her.  She just melted into him and it did feel good to have a woman
against his body.  But he was being very careful not to do anything wrong.
He did not want her upset with him.

   Once things calmed down she looked at him.  "Don't look so worried I am
not going to fall to pieces or get mad.  I liked your holding me and it
felt so good to me.  John I just want to be your woman and it is that
simple."

   He looking into her eyes could see she was being honest with him.  "My
dear Dana I just don't see how you benefit from this?"

   "Why do you have to see it?"

   Now he really had a question to try to answer.  "I guess honesty is the
best way to answer that.  It would end my life, so I never want to lose you
or Kelly's company.  It would be so easy for a man to really upset a young
lady and have her get angry enough to walk away.  I'm not willing to cause
you to get that angry with me.  Due to that I walk a very thin line the way
I see things.  For me just having you in the same room makes me feel good."

   Dana hugged him and kissed him on the lips.  You could see the shock on
John's face.  "Dana I hope I'm not dreaming right now?"























   Chapter 4

   It was an eventful time for Dana and John.  After he knew she loved him
and wanted him.

   "Baby I am moving slow, as I'm not sure this will keep standing.  It has
been over ten years now and with my being diabetic?"

   Dana was in heaven right now, as she had wanted to be in bed with this
man.  "We will over come any problem my man.  Right now I am one very happy
girl just to be in your bed and naked with you."

   John slid down and had her nipple in his mouth and the other was being
rolled between his fingers.  She was going nuts with the pleasure this was
bringing to her.  "I have never been this excited by just my tits.  How
could that just light a fire under me?"

   Sliding down he now had her pussy in his mouth and was just lightly
sucking on it.  Slowly he slid his tongue up and down her slit.  Never
pushing into her or touching her clit.  He slowly worked her and as he felt
her body responding he would take it up a notch.  Once he knew she was
close to exploding he attacked her clit and pushed his finger into her
finding her G-spot.  While working her this way she just totally lost it.

   John slowed down and leaned on his elbow and just watched her.  Dana was
still exploding all over her body and she had this look on her face of
complete pleasure.  It was a beautiful look to see and know you have given
it to a woman.  But he had always been about giving pleasure to his
partner.

   Dana looked at him and just smiled at the man she did love.  "John I
have never had any experience like that before.  But you have been the one
providing all the pleasure and that is not right."

   "Let me explain just what I believe my dear.  It is called unconditional
love.  If I do something for you it is done with no expectation of any
return.  That was given to you without conditions.  Far to many people
expect to be repaid for everything they do or give to another."

   This he could see caused confusion to her.  "I am not seeing what your
talking about?"

   "If you look at all the people you have known, did any of them do things
without expecting something back?"

   Now Dana was searching her memory.  "Well daddy never expected anything
back, but I can't think of another."

   "Most people say they love, but it is themselves they really love.  That
they hide from everyone around them.  In life there are givers and takers.
Then people who give and take both.  But there are a few who just give and
never expect anything back.  Anything that comes back is something given to
them as a gift.  It was never expected or even considered by them as due to
them.  That small group is considered unconditional lovers or humans.  They
will give forever and never expect any return."

   Dana saw how John was very much like that with everyone.  "How does it
work for you?"

   "I am never disappointed, as I did the best I could and expected nothing
coming back.  If someone does something for me or gives me anything then it
is truly a gift.  For sure it was not expected."

   Now Dana's mind was going millions of miles per hour.  "Having just one
person providing unconditional love in a relationship would cause failure
as some point.  A taker was just suck the giver dry at some point."

   "That does happen often to givers.  But unconditional love can only work
between two who believe the same thing.  If both are always giving to the
other both have a great life.  It is so much fun to see the pleasure on the
others face."

   Now she knew why he was looked so pleased, as he watched her just a
short time ago.  "This is all kind of new to me, so your going to have to
help me understand John?"

   "Do you have any idea of how much pleasure your giving me right now?"

   She was doing nothing and just talking with him.  "That I really don't
understand?"

   "I get to lay here with a gorgeous woman beside me and look at her
beautiful body.  That is a gift and I am enjoying it a lot.  We are talking
about things that are important to me and your involved.  We are together
in my bed and that is a gift to me as well." He moved and kissed her with
passion now.

   She looked at him and into his eyes.  "You do know I am never leaving
this bed as long as your in it don't you?"

   He smiled at her and it sent chills down her back.  "Just having you to
hold on to or put my butt up against, is a gift the way I see it."

   She knew she wanted this man and the place in his bed more now than
ever. "You have no idea what you did to me earlier do you?"

   John just did not understand her comment.  "I was doing my best to give
you the most pleasure I could."

   "I was in a place I have never been before.  It was burning up and yet
it was so nice just to feel it.  I was exploding and knew just what heaven
felt like.  Then I was totally at peace and knew how perfect life could be
with the right person.  Once I looked into your eyes I saw a love that
never before had I seen.  The whole thing was way beyond anyone's ability
to describe accurately." She had just smiled at him the whole time.

   With the covers pulled over them the two went to sleep holding each
other.  It was a very peaceful night and both slept deeply.

   Dana woke up with John leaning on his elbow and looking at her.  "Why
are you just lying there and looking at me?"

   "Because it feels so good to me.  I love just looking at your face and
the smile it seems to always have on it."

   "Well I am sorry to break this up.  But if I don't get to the bathroom
you may have to swim for it." Dana was laughing and to John it sounded like
music.

   He got up and headed into the bathroom and started the shower.  Being
undressed he just waited and stepped in.  The hot water felt good on his
shoulders.  Then he felt hands massaging his back.  That really felt good.

   "My dear that is one of my weaknesses.  I had C 4, 5 and 6 fused over
twenty years ago.  The doctor was really very good, but the muscles in my
neck and shoulders are always tightening up.  Before I did not have the
money for a massage therapist and after I did there never was one around I
could hire.  But I have made an offer to one lady to come here and run the
therapy clinic here."

   "If I have my way she will never get her hands on you." Dana was smiling
now.

   They had breakfast and Kelly saw things were very different between mom
and John.  "OK guys I know I'm not 8 yet and so I'm not very smart.  But
things are very different today."

   Dana spoke first.  "We have come to an understanding that we do love
each other.  I am all for it and John is still adjusting to it.  It might
be possible that one day I can catch him when he is weak and get him to
marry me?  If so you would have a daddy and not an unknown on your birth
certificate."

   Kelly cocked her head and looked at John.  "Would you consider being my
daddy John?  I have always wanted a daddy like other kids have."

   She had asked and supported her request in a way he could never reject.
"In most ways you my daughter now Kelly."

   "That may be true, but I want it on paper and legal."

   Dana was enjoying the help Kelly was providing.  "Thanks for the help
daughter, but you have classes now."

   Once Kelly had left John just had to ask.  "What happened to her
father?"

   Dana hung her head and started to cry.  John could not handle this, so
he came over and held her.

   "I have no idea who her father is.  It seems I was raped by a group of
boys and left naked in the woods.  Dad found me bleeding to death and got
me medical help.  To be completely honest, I have never wanted to be
touched or held by a man, before you came into my life.  So I will tell you
something no one but Kelly knows.  I never even dated anyone or allow any
male to get close to me."

   "That is why the black belts?"

   "Yes and no.  The yes is I was looking to be able to protect myself. 
The no is I really liked it and became very good at it."

   "I assume they never found the boys?"

   Dana now knew she had to be honest.  "Dad found them all and none will
ever father another child.  He told me just before he died.  That was also
when he told me completely about his discovery of the nano technology."

   "You have mentioned that twice now.  What is it?"

   "Dad was a genetic scientist.  He was brilliant and wanted nothing to do
with the genetics labs or pharmaceutical industry.  So he had a small lab
in our basement.  He sold three different new drugs for cash and financed
his research with that.  The three had made him seven million after taxes,
when that was a lot of money.  He invested it and used just the profits for
his work.  When he was told he had cancer and just 6 months to live he got
to work.  I was just 10 at that time and was scared to death I was going to
lose dad." Her tears were flowing once more.

   Then she got it back under control.  "He started to work with ways to
change cells that are bad or not functioning.  In three months he had his
first step in the process and tried it on himself.  That stopped the growth
rate by a lot.  So he really went to work and made even more headway.  He
took that injection as well and it stopped the cancer where it was.  So he
lived a lot longer and finally developed his life formula.  He believed it
would possibly double the length of a humans life?"

   "That is very interesting.  Now you said you had done animal tests?"

   "Yes, I have taken several very old primates and turned them into young
ones.  Not into babies or even adolescent apes.  But into say early
twenties for a human.  They did get younger body wise, organ wise and
mentally."

   John considered this for sometime.  "What is the negative side to this?"

   "From what I know and have seen there is no down side.  The worst case
had one very sick male ape that should have died within 24 hours that lived
several weeks."

   "How many shots did this take?"

   "Just one shot and then you follow the blood tests.  Dad built a scanner
that is computerized and can identify every abnormal thing inside a human.
Once your scanned it will slowly start a report on you.  But with its chip
capacity it is slow."

   "Have Jimmy and Tommy hook the CRAY into your machine.  It should help
do the scan reports quickly.  Just that could save lives here.  We may want
to scan everyone before we are done.  If this works well it could become
the first doctor anyone sees."

   Dana could see how the scans could help everyone.  "I'll get with them
this morning.  But I want you to have a scan, so we can test it with what
we know about your medical history."

   That seemed smart.  "Call me when your ready and I'll come down."

   John went to his office and worked that morning.  He had several items
to clear up for David and some buys to make for the future.  The morning
flew by for him, as he was just so relaxed.  When Dana walked in with a
tray of food and coffee for him he was surprised.

   "I thank you for caring about my blood sugar.  By now it is most likely
pretty low."

   "The boys are recompiling the program to run on the CRAY faster and we
have a scan that was run of one of the miners.  It is a test scan and we
are looking to get english back when checked.  The first run came out with
God knows what language?  They think we can get back in minutes what took
the old computer hours to days."

   "Then it is in your hands dear.  I have about an hours work and then I
will come down and look at your set up."

   Dana got up and hugged and kissed John.  "I really like doing that."

   He just smiled at her.  "I like your doing that also dear." Then he
smacked her butt gently.

   She wiggled her butt at him as she left the room.  It was a great day
for her and she felt liberated.

   For John it was nice to see her so free and open.  It was not something
he had seen before.

   The work went quickly and Kelly came in and sat on his lap.  She looked
at him for a time.  "Will you really become my real daddy?"

   Here John saw real worry and some fear.  "Little one I would do that any
way I could.  Your very important to me and a part of my heart.  But it
also requires mommy's OK."

   He saw the confusion now.  "But some times she hates me John."

   He had to walk very carefully here.  "I don't think she has ever hated
you.  Your mom is a very complex lady Kelly.  Sometimes she is a very
confused lady.  She is just finding out what love is all about.  That is
normally done at a much younger age."

   Kelly gave this some consideration and saw John's point.  "But she loved
grandpa."

   "It is one thing to love a parent and another to love a man not related
to you.  A few months ago she did not know who I was.  Last night she found
out some of what love is all about.  We also talked for a long time, so she
learned how I love unconditionally."

   Kelly understood this better than John knew.  "You mean like you love me
no matter how good or bad I have been.  You always give to me and do things
to make me feel special."

   "I think you understand it very well."

   She smiled at John.  "I try to do the same with you too."

   Once they had finished talking they walked to Dana's area.  She had
asked for a room fifty by fifty.  It had needed 440 volt power and a desk
with library area.  John had seen the room just once before the lab had
been moved.  Now it looked like a chemical lab for any drug company.

   "Boy I am glad your here.  We just got the CRAY handling the scans and
it works great.  So first Kelly get on the scanner and lay down.  I need to
check your last scan with this one."

   Kelly got on it and lay back and just looked at the ceiling.  The table
was long and looked like glass.  Now the ring of light was circular and ran
down the table and back to the top.  Kelly got off and jumped into John's
arms.

   The printer was spitting out pages very quickly.  For Kelly there were
sixteen pages of data.  "I have never seen this much data on Kelly before.
So we may have a lot more information using the bigger computer."

   She and the doc for the seals started going over the information.  Sam
Taylor was a very good doctor.  He had handled more wounds that should have
killed, than any normal emergency doctor.  But this new tool had his full
attention.

   Sam looked at Kelly and smiled at her.  "Young lady I had no idea your
brain was using over twenty percent of its ability.  Most of us humans use
ten percent or less of ours."

   Kelly just smiled at Sam.  "Thank you for that answer Sam.  Mom says I
am 7 going on 14."

   "Well your 7 in physical age, but your brain is well above even 14.  I
am sure that is often difficult for you."

   "Not any more, as John treats me like I am an adult.  He never talks
down to me and will discuss anything I want to know about.  He told me if I
did not want a complete answer not to ask the question."

   Sam smiled at John.  "You're a good man John.  Those are good rules for
every father to use.  Damn shame they don't have classes for fathers."

   "Do you have children Sam?"

   "Yes, but they don't claim me or talk with me.  I was gone too much and
being a doctor they felt I should have been home for them."

   "Sounds like your wife poisoned the well Sam."

   He laughed with a lot of glee.  "You see right through me don't you?"

   "It is not seeing through you Sam.  It is understanding how things
happen in life.  Your description told me all I needed to know.  Children
would never stop trying to build a relationship unless someone poisoned the
well."

   "OK let me consider what you just said.  Get on the table and lets see
just how bad off you are." Sam was ready and the table light started moving
forward.

   John felt odd getting on the table and finally laying down.  He had been
told to empty his pockets, remove his belt, shoes and any metal jewelry he
was wearing.  Doc checked his fly to be sure it was plastic in the zipper.

   "This machine does not have any problem with plastics or cloth.  It is
just not seen on it.  But that metal plate and screws in your neck is going
to cause a lot of notes.  So just relax and enjoy the rest." Doc was very
good at calming people and getting them to relax.

   "How did Dana get you into working with her?"

   "She let me read some of her dads notebooks.  That man was also very
bright and worked outside the box.  He accepted nothing as fact unless he
tried it and knew just what was true."

   The light had run to his head and back to his feet.  Then it started a
second pass.  So he just waited to see how many would be run?

   "OK John your going to make the printers run for a time now.  So you
might as well go ahead and get the things on your list handled.  Dana can
bring you up to date on your medical condition later tonight." Sam went
back to studying Kelly's print out.

   Kelly and John left the lab and went to check the new shipment being
stored in one of the vaults.  It was MRE's and freeze dried vegetables and
meat.  This was being stored in several vaults in the 4 valleys.  The
driver was one of David's men, as no one from outside was allowed to see
the vaults.

   David walked up and patted John on his shoulder.  "We are close to
having the food needed for three years.  Each valley has enough for the
people there to survive, with zero food produced here.  As of now weapons
are close to being done and our air force is underground.  So from my point
of view I am satisfied with where we are at."

   "My one question David is do we have enough personnel to defend this set
of valleys?"

   "That really depends on the basis of against what?"

   "I am not worried about the country sending an army against us.  But I
am concerned about the people in cities coming out to pillage and take what
they can.  Some will have broken into armories and would be well armed.  It
is possible they could have tracked vehicles or armored vehicles.  So we
have to know we could fight against that kind of force."

   "Those have already been considered.  The only real worry I have is if
some fool decided to drop nuclear weapons.  But we are far enough from any
hot spot I can't see us being a target.  Would I like another hundred men?
Hell yes I would.  But are they really needed?  No not really, as long as
the miners help us."

   That was a most interesting way of spelling it out.  "I know we are
never going to need all the food we are storing.  Our production will far
out strip our needs and the stored food is back up.  But an old friend at
Bragg contacted me.  They just cut Special Forces personnel by fifty
percent.  So he has 84 men and their families looking for jobs.  All his
people have at least 7 years wearing that green beanie.  Most have at least
14 years experience.  They all served time with him in Delta Force."

   "We worked with many guys from Bragg and that is no problem.  But they
would need to handle two valleys on their own.  It also means we need some
more housing for families."

   "Not really David.  I have the apartments built into the mountains
almost ready.  The design was for four bedroom apartments and squad rooms
below the apartments.  If you look every valley has one of these complexes
in it.  It allows for the military personnel not to worry about families.
It would take a direct hit with a nuclear bomb to get them.  The living
areas have passageways to the vaults for food and other needs.  Water is
piped from inside the mountain for drinking.  Power is also underground and
off the wind turbines."

   Kelly had been following this.  "It is really cool David the way it is
set up.  Each is like a small village and each have a school as well."

   "Go ahead and invite them John."

   "Not my area David that is yours.  So you talk with colonel Carlton
Rider and work it out if you want to.  Here is his phone number and times
he would be available."

   "You do know he out ranks me don't you?"

   "He may in the military.  But this is the real world and your employed
by my company.  Here I decide who is in command and if others don't like it
they may leave.  So make that real clear to the colonel.  Any disruption to
life here and they are gone."

   David could see the fire in John's eyes.  "Yes sir it will be handled."

   "John why did you come down so hard on David?" Kelly was confused with
this.

   "He questioned if he would be in command after I have told him that is
his job.  This is not the boy scouts and I am not his mother.  He has been
given command and I expect him to handle it himself."

   That sounded reasonable to her.  "I can see that and why it got under
your skin.  But what if the new guy is better than David?"

   "What if your body was 14 and your mind 7?"

   A big smile came to her face.  "I get it now.  What if proves nothing.
So you sit back and wait to see how things go."

   "Yes and no dear.  "I know just how good David is and I also know how
good Carlton is.  Each has strengths the other does not have.  But between
the two they have no real weakness.  So knowing them the way I do David
will have overall command and yet he will listen to Carlton.  David is the
planner and Carlton is the battlefield leader.  They will make a great
team."

   It was always interesting how John saw things.  Kelly loved watching and
learning from him.  She felt he was just so smart and he seemed to see
inside people's minds.  But it was even more than that.  He never said a
mean word to anyone, was willing to listen to everyone and made large
decisions only after much thought.  His favorite quote was one from a boss
of his long ago.  That was "I'll never fire you for an error of commission,
but your gone in a heartbeat for an error of omission." He said the simple
way to put it was make the damn decision.

   Once John had made the decision where to spent the money he never looked
back.  It was a done deal once made.  So he just kept moving forward and
finding holes and filling them in.  It did not matter if he had ten hours,
days, months or years, he was going to leave a solid structure behind.



















   Chapter 5

   As Thanksgiving approached John had been very secretive and had spent a
lot of time in his office.  There was a large semi that pulled into town
just the day before the holiday.  Of course Johnstown was a small village
really.  But it did have several different types of shops, a courthouse,
company clubhouse and park in the center of the so called business
district. Here there were no bars or places for men to hang out drinking.
Beer and wine could be bought at the grocery store, party store or gas
stations coolers.  But no hard liquor was sold here at all.  In Virginia it
is in state liquor stores, as it is not sold any place else.

   John had met with David and Carlton early that afternoon.  Kelly knew he
was up to something and she just had no idea what it was.  He had taken one
of the helicopters and gone someplace just two days ago.  She just would
not ask him and he did not offer her any answers.  That night a truck from
the security force drove to every home and dropped off a turkey.  In the
apartments inside the mountain one was carried to every door.

   Dana was surprised at the size of the bird.  "I assume that the company
someway has done this?"

   John smiled at her.  "Yes my lady every single home will have one of
those as will the bachelors food service area with three of them.  There
are fifteen unmarried men, as well as six ladies here now and we keep them
in one apartment area of small living quarters.  It has its own central
kitchen and dinning area."

   "What did I see sitting outside the back door?"

   John decided to have some fun.  "I don't have a clue what you saw Dana.
Kelly why don't you go check it out and let me know?"

   She was off like a shot and they could hear her scream.  "John it is a
beautiful Christmas tree."

   John tilted his head and looked at her.  "What makes it so beautiful
dear?"

   "It was never cut down and has a big ball of roots.  The branches are
all well shaped and formed.  I saw no places where there were holes that
had to be filled."

   "That pretty well describes a beautiful tree.  But is it tall enough to
look good in the house?"

   "I could not reach the top without a ladder.  It must be at least three
times a tall as I am."

   "Well we will put it up in here tomorrow darling and after Christmas we
will plant it out back.  Each Christmas we will have another and always
plant it out back.  One day you will have a forest back there of Christmas
trees.  Each tree will tell a story for you that will remind you of that
Christmas." John watched her eyes sparkle and that idea.

   "That is so neat to think that many years from now, I will be able to go
back and remember each Christmas.  But this tree deserves a special place
as it is number one." Kelly was in a very thoughtful mood.

   "Princess I'll let you plan it and make those decisions.  The Christmas
forest is your project."

   Kelly was just blown away that John had given her the responsibility for
that.  "Thank you John as it means a lot to me." She then was off to
explore the space she would have to plant her forest.

   Dana came over and sat on John's lap.  "You're a very special man.  The
base for memories you have just planted in her head will last a lifetime.
It is those kinds of things I really miss most after dad.  He just worked
hard and did his best to protect me.  But he never gave me the mental
things you give Kelly."

   John loved making Kelly feel good about herself.  "Well Dana I need to
ask you a question now that I have not died from your shot.  Matter of fact
it seems to be working, as I do feel a lot better now days.  So considering
whatever time I have left, would you be willing to share that with me as my
wife?"

   Dana's eyes flew open wide at this offer.  "Oh yes and it will be far
longer than you think my lover."

   A small box was pulled from John's pocket and handed to Dana.  As she
opened it she almost fell off his lap.  It was an absolutely beautiful
diamond engagement ring with a good five carrot stone in the center of many
more stones.  The tears were running down her cheeks.  "I hope that is joy
and not hurt Dana.  I would hate to think I did anything that hurt you."

   "It is pure joy and you would never hurt me or Kelly in any way.  But
understand one thing John.  The money had nothing to do with our feelings
for you.  It may have been what brought us together but never was a factor
in my feelings.  Now when can we get married?"

   "That dear is your project.  I will promise to be there when you direct
me to.  Now tomorrow I am cooking Thanksgiving dinner for us.  So you need
to just stay out of my kitchen."

   "I have never seen you so much as boil water.  You think you can handle
that?"

   "There are many things that will surprise you dear as you spend more
time with me.  I am a far better cook than most.  So you will just have to
take my word and risk it." He laughed and was enjoying Dana's facial
expressions.

   The day went by quickly and the next morning John was busy in the
kitchen.  He had the dressing made, the bird stuffed and it in the oven
before Dana and Kelly even came down for breakfast.

   John had learned that the trick to good dressing was to stuff the bird
with it hot.  It also started the bird cooking inside faster.  Using the
stock from boiling the giblets, adding the onions with celery sautéed in
butter, with chicken broth added during boiling them always worked.  He
added it to a dry seasoned herb dressing mix.  Then it went into the bird
at a good 160 degrees.

   He was sitting and drinking coffee when the girls walked into the
dinning room.  "It is about time you two got up.  I have made the dressing,
stuffed the bird and have it baking now for a good twenty minutes time."

   Kelly loved it when he teased them.  "Well that is a daddies job so get
used to it."

   John eyebrow went up looking like Sprock from the old TV series.  "Just
who told you about someone being your daddy?" That was said very serious.

   "Mommy said you finally stopped being and old man and asked her to marry
you.  I advised her she needed to wait and see if this was a real change or
just an oddity."

   Now John was laughing so hard he was about to fall out of his chair. 
"Young lady you do know how to turn my own words on me."

   Kelly just seemed to fly from where she was to John's arms.  "I love you
so much and I am so happy today.  There is nothing I could ever have wanted
more than what you and mommy just gave me." She hugged John tightly and
then she kissed him soundly.

   Dana was happy also at how this was going.  "Well husband to be are you
going to feed us?"

   Kelly looked him directly in the eyes.  "Can I work with you today
please daddy?"

   "Come on we will see if we can satisfy your pushy mother." The two
walked into the kitchen smiling.

   The rolls had been baked while the dressing was being made.  So there
were several kinds of sweet rolls and coffee.  He had made cinnamon nut and
dainish pastries.  The large plates were placed on the table and the coffee
cup for Dana filled.  He had brought milk for Kelly.

   Dana had never seen such beautiful looking rolls.  "Who did you get to
do this?"

   "That hurts lady, as I was up at five this morning cooking for the two
of you.  You know I never lie.  I have prepared and will have cooked
everything I serve to you.  It may seem odd but as I told you, I am a very
good cook."

   Kelly's eyes got really big when she bit into her cinnamon roll.  "This
is great daddy.  Will you teach me how to do this?"

   "Sweetheart I will teach you anything you wish to learn and I know how
to do.  If I don't know how I will find someone who does to teach you."

   He found his arms filled with an excited little girl.  "Thank you so
much.  I have dreamed of your being my real daddy and now it is going to be
true."

   Dana looked a little ashamed.  "John I am sorry I questioned you about
your skills.  It is for sure you do have many I have no clue about.  But
these rolls are restaurant quality and for a very good one at that."

   "I have owned two restaurants dear.  Each when I bought it was loosing
money.  When I sold them they were making very good money.  Cooking is
something I did to relax and clear my mind.  So I am a very good chef and
many people knew that from the restaurants.  I cooked five nights a week
because it was fun and we were always busy on those nights."

   Now Dana was shocked at John's comments.  "You were a real chef?"

   "I guess seeing as I owned the restaurants as well.  Don't get the idea
that I graduated from some restaurant school.  My grandmother taught me how
to cook as she did that for her mother.  Her mom rented a hotel in Norfolk,
Virginia during the time of sailing ships.  She provided rooms and food to
ship captains and officers.  The early 1900's and they had a French chef
who taught grandmother."

   "That almost seem like it would be impossible for her to have lived
then."

   John had to smile at this.  "Well the big family secret is she had my
daddy when she was 13.  She always said she and dad grew up together. 
Grandmother was born in 1898 in Petersburg Virginia.  Her mother had lived
during the civil war."

   The history lesson was one that interested both girls.  They had both
sat and eaten while listening to it.  Dana was the first to speak.  "I see
you know a lot about your family."

   "Not really dear I just know a lot about the ones I care about.  Now how
was your breakfast?  It seems you two have cleaned the plates out of food."

   The two girls looked shocked after seeing both plates were indeed empty.
"I have never eaten that much before." Dana just shook her head.

   "Don't worry about it as there is a ton of air inside those rolls.  I
did fix over seven dozen and the rest are in the freezer for later.  Now if
you ladies would please get out the decorations and plan how to make this
house look like it should for the holidays I'll get to work."

   The girls spent a lot of time decorating the house inside.  They were
having more fun than either could remember?  For both John was different in
how he saw holidays than grandpa or dad had been.  He loved them and the
happy times they created.  So John's way was the way they wanted things to
be.

   They were called to the kitchen at 3 PM and told to load their plates.
The girls could not believe the food and how good it all looked.

   "Daddy I don't know how to decide what I want." Kelly was wide eyed
right now.

   "Well try a spoon of everything that looks good and then come back for
more what you liked best."

   John had his plate and they went to the dinning room and enjoyed a fine
meal.  Kelly went back several times for a little bit of this and that. 
Dana was impressed and knew he was a better cook than she was now.

   "I am not sure I can ever compete with you now when it comes to
cooking."

   "Love that is not a competition in any way.  I enjoy cooking for
holidays and that is what I did.  What you cook for Kelly and I is also
enjoyed by us.  There is no competition in this area at all.  Looking back
I can't remember a bad meal served by you to us."

   Kelly saw her mothers worry.  "Mom get a grip and stop worrying about
cooking.  Should John worry about not making the house look nice because we
did it?"

   That hit the right nerve and the laughter came quickly.  "I get the
point girl and will work on my security issue."

   After cleaning up they all walked into the living room and John saw the
work that had been done.  He brought in the tree and placed it into a tub
and then added sand around it to stabilize it.

   They decorated the tree and it took a couple of hours.  So at 6 they
took a walk.  Once down close to the park in the center of town they saw
many people.

   The small gazebo was lighted and there was a microphone there.  There
was a set of speakers and drums on set up.  It seemed like every family was
here.

   John told the girls to wait for him and he walked up on the stage. 
"Ladies and gentlemen and all the younger ones as well.  I will be brief
but I do have a few things to say.  First of all most of us do enjoy the
holidays.  But that spirit really needs to always be with us.  Not just to
be allowed out for a short time each year." There was a lot of applause
then.

   "Far to often we as humans fail to do what is right.  The coming times
are going to test our abilities to meet that goal.  So let me state the
priorities for all to hear.  First of all your families come first.  Second
on your list are neighbors and friends.  Third are those who are wounded,
sick and pose no threat to the first two.  Children always fall into this
group without injury or sickness." The applause was really loud now

   "We once government starts to fail will see people coming to steal what
we have.  Some will be looking for safety and we must be able to know which
group they fall into.  Children will always be offered protection here. 
But each of you needs to consider how far your willing to go.  Adults will
try to use children to gain access here.  Now some of you will be
approached by old friends and those you have worked with.  Before you come
to me and ask if they can come here, question if your willing to risk your
families safety for them?" It was dead quite now.

   "I assure you not many will be allow to move in here from now on.  The
ones coming have skills we will need.  Now please stop thinking about this
for a time and enjoy what has been prepared for you tonight." John reached
down and flipped a switch and the entire town lighted up with Christmas
lights.

   A group came up and instruments came out.  One girl hugged John and said
thanks.  Then she stood at the microphone.  "We are part of the Fort Bragg
group that moved in a couple months ago.  It is always nice to know who
your booing." She was laughing now and people enjoyed her.

   The group started up and she sang like none of them could believe.  She
had a voice that should have been doing records.  They did over fifteen
Christmas carols and had the whole group of people enjoying themselves.

   Once Tammy was done she came over to John and Dana.  "Lady your voice
was absolutely beautiful.  Thank you for a great start to this holiday
season."

   Tammy just beamed at John.  "My daughter said your were the sweetest man
she had ever met."

   John was puzzled now.  "When did we meet?"

   "You went to school and was reading to her class.  She was the one who
crawled up on your lap."

   He could remember the cute little black haired girl doing just that. 
"You tell that young lady she has to watch out.  Her eyes are the kind a
male could drown in.  Boys soon will be chasing her and they could easily
fall in."

   "She was right your as sweet as she said.  But right now I want to thank
you for what your doing for all of us.  What you said tonight had to be
said and it was a very good time to do that.  People will be soon starting
to regret they left here.  But the question is can we trust them?"

   "Tammy I now know every person here and I know the ones who left.  Most
were single, heavy drinkers and had poor employment records.  So they did
me a favor by leaving.  I have hidden as much of our facility as I could.
The only outward sign of prosperity is the power generating done here.  We
are selling every volt we can generate and are building more capacity. 
That has kept many from looking very hard at us.  The high wall along the
road has also stopped many from looking here as they get the feeling this
is like a prison."

   Tammy was now almost rolling in the grass.  "Man if a prison was only
this good I'd jump at being there."

   "Here is a deal I wanted to offer you and the band.  If you would be
willing to do a couple of dances at the club over there a month, I'd be
willing to pay extra for your time.  We need entertainment here and a disk
jockey and a once a year talent contest is just not going to do it."

   "Tammy considered this for a time.  "We will gladly do that, but not for
money John.  If your willing to put in a stage, lighting, sound system and
come to them we will do it for free.  We have someone who can handle sound
and one for lights."

   "Dana that is your next job.  Get with Tammy and see what she needs and
make it happen for me."

   The way John had handled it was like any military leader, but without
the bidding it was nice.  Dana set up a meeting for the next day and she,
John and Kelly walked to the house.

   Kelly just hung on to John and hugged his arm.  He finally bent down and
picked her up.  "Little one I am not going anyplace your not.  So why do
you seem so worried?"

   "It is not that I am worried.  I am in love with my daddy.  You don't
know how nice it is to have a daddy.  I had a grandpa once and loved him,
but I never had a real daddy.  It is just so hard to explain to you."

   "Look at me Kelly.  I have had two daughters and loved them dearly. 
Once they married they both just vanished from my life.  So I am getting
something very special to me as well.  I get a beautiful daughter who shows
me she loves me.  One I don't think would ever just walk away and leave me
out of her life."

   Now he could see anger in her in her face.  "Why did they do that?"

   "Well one I tried to help her and her husband.  He really did not want
to work, so I fired him and offered her the chance to stay with me.  The
other was a stepdaughter, but I always treated her like my own.  Her
husband convinced her I cheated her out of money when her mother died.  We
educated her and paid for a nice wedding for her.  I gave her money and
helped them buy a house.  But that was not enough."

   Dana was now mad as Kelly was.  "You have been badly treated John and
now I understand your not wanting family here makes sense"

   "Just hold up ladies and get over the anger.  There is nothing in a
father daughter relationship that says it has to last.  It is not a
marriage and the daughter does not get to pick the parent.  So they have
every right to change as they wish after they leave home.  Now here Kelly
has picked me and Dana has been cooperative in this decision.  For some
reason I think Kelly and I will always be close."

   Kelly kissed me hard and looked me in my eyes.  "We will always be close
I promise you."

   "It is time Kelly to go get your bath and get ready for bed.  We have
some things to do tomorrow if you want to go with me?"

   Dana enjoyed seeing the pleasure Kelly took from her and John's
relationship.  It was a very close one and meant a lot to her.  It was like
the sun rose and set with him in the girls eyes.  But she felt the same way
with him.  He had never pushed her or did anything that every made her the
least bit uncomfortable.  In fact she had been required to push him into
their relationship.  Seeing herself as the aggressor was very different for
her.

   Sam Taylor and her were ready to rescan John next week.  That first
report scared her to death.  His physical condition was much worse than he
even knew.  But once the shot was given things slowly started to improve.
He even today looked a few years younger than three weeks ago.  But this
was all new to her and to Sam as well.  They had no idea what to expect and
John was the first real test case.  But things did look like her dad had
found the fountain of youth.

   Kelly and John went to the small airport.  A small beech twin was
waiting for them and the day was cold at this elevation.  They flew to
Roanoke and landed at the cities airport.  The mall was just across the
road from the airport.  Valley View Mall was a major shopping point for a
lot of SW Virginia.

   "Daddy I have been good and not asked questions, but what are we doing?"

   "Well Christmas is coming up right?"

   "Yes."

   "Have you ever shopped for your mother where money was no problem?"

   "I have never had more than a few dollars to buy something for her."

   "Well sweetheart you have no money limits today.  That is as long as the
gift is reasonable."

   Kelly was not sure what that meant.  "What is reasonable daddy?"

   "Well lets say you found a dress you liked and did not know her size. 
So you decided to just buy them all and she could wear the one that fit."

   "That is not unreasonable daddy that is stupid.  I know all moms sizes
and what she likes and does not like.  But I also know what mom has always
wanted.  I am just not sure they sell them here."

   "What is that sugar?"

   "She has always wanted a hot tub and I mean a big one.  We have room for
one in the basements back storage area."

   John considered it and knew that they could build off this.  "Here is
what we will do for mom.  You get her a hot tub.  I'll supply a steam room
and nice indoor swimming pool.  We will do ours smaller than the ones we
build for the people in town.  How is that?"

   "Your going to build two pools?"

   "I am going to build two recreation facilities.  A smaller one for us
and a large one for our people.  We have that building at the end of the
city square that a pool, hot tub and steam room would all fit in nicely. 
The school could use the pool for PE and teach the kids how to swim.  But
it would be a nice place for people to have fun with the family during cold
weather."

   "I don't understand why two facilities?  Why don't we use the big one?"

   "Sugar in an organization like I have built I cannot get too close to
the people.  If I get to close I lose their respect and I become someone
they don't look up to.  The leader must always have some space between them
and their people.  Now the military side is easy to handle, as I am the
general for them.  The workers want someone to blame for problems and
troubles.  That is always the boss, politicians or the President.  So I
can't be a worker or a security person as they all report to me.  I make
the decisions and that is final for them."

   "That seems like a lonely way for someone to live."

   "If I did not have you and mommy it would be for me.  So for me to have
them follow my directions, I need to not associate too closely.  I have
agreed with Tammy that I would attend dances.  That I will do and you and
mother will be with me."

   They did their shopping and John bought many items for the girls and
others he needed gifts for.  Everything was to be shipped via UPS to the
company.  They had a nice lunch together and went to the spa shop to buy
the tubs and steam rooms.  He got a pool company to offer to work for an
hourly rate to build the two pools.  It was winter and they for sure had no
work coming soon.  With the economy they might be out of business by
summer? The extra parts he wanted were sold for just 10% over cost.

   They were back on the beech and taking off.  "Well my dear what do you
think about flying?"

   "I like it, but I wished I could do it myself."

   "When you turn 16 I'll see you get the chance.  But you have to get good
grades for that to happen."

   Once back to Johnstown they headed home.  They were well ahead of Dana's
getting home and John took the time to read to Kelly.  It was something she
loved for him to do with her.  Then he needed to get back up to date.

   John sat at his computer reading the news reports.  It did not look good
at all.  Oil was up again, treasuries were not doing well and the dollar
was having to be supported by China.  It was support it or lose billions on
the currency they had now.  But the federal and state governments were
spending far more than they could cover with taxes.  This was causing a lot
of confusion with the public as they were being told things were getting
better.  How could going further in debt be making things better?

   He saw the way the world was having problems with economies, employment
and finding ways to pay for it all.  No developed country had a currency
worth the papers value.  It was coming close to each having to admit they
were insolvent.  The game of hiding this was close to being over.

   Looking at the way it was all coming into focus he could see the
potential for many wars between countries.  The major players he felt were
going to be the EU, Russia and China.  Here lack of money was going to stop
some of the aggression, but the early part would be violent.  The largest
concern was the willingness to use nuclear weapons by Russia or China. 
Neither country set a very high value on life.  Both wanted power over as
large an area as they could get.  How would lack of the financial resources
hold them back or would it?

   This was very depressing to John.  Then David and Carlton walked in. 
"Why do I feel that my bad mood is going to get worse?"

   David just shook his head as Carlton smiled.  "It is really not that bad
yet boss.  The security force found six boys attempting to enter the tunnel
system.  They had been smart enough to watch before trying to get in.  So
they came close to being successful."

   John considered this and now had questions.  "I want to know a few
things.  One is how did they get in here?  Two is where did they come from?
Three is what were they after and four is were they sent or encouraged by
someone else?"

   All were sound questions that could require further response.  Carlton
took this one.  "We know how they got it as it was over the mountain.  But
none of the kids has said one word yet.  I had Jimmy get me data on each of
them and they seem to be part of a gang.  You would not want your daughter
going out with any of them."

   That was really interesting to him.  "OK I am going to the court house
and will be on the bench.  Bring them in one at a time.  I want both seals
and green beanies in full field uniform at the courthouse of course fully
armed."

   Neither man knew what John was going to do.  But they were glad it was
not them walking into this court.  They knew kids could be very dangerous
as Iraq and many wars had proven.  These boys being may be sixteen to he
guessed eighteen were old enough to fit that group.

   They headed to get this show ready and were looking forward to seeing
how John handled this.  They just could not see how the courtroom would
help?

   John dressed in his black robe walked out and went up to his bench. 
There were twelve security people in the room and all were heavily armed.
The two women and John had a talk and they giggled at things he said. 
Finally it was set.

   "Bring the first prisoner in."

   The boy walked in looking at all the armed military personnel.  You
could see fear in his eyes now.  He had walked into something he had not
known existed.

   One of the female troops walked up to the boy.  "What is your name?"

   The boy stood there and said nothing.

   The prosecutor walked up to him.  "Boy your in deep shit.  You have
entered a secret military installation.  You saw warning sign posted and
still come in here.  If you could read they said you would be shot on
sight. Now if you notice this is not a normal court.  Because you never
going to be able to tell anyone about it, look all you want.  But
understanding your never leaving here alive is important.  We can cut your
balls off and let you serve as a whore or as a gardener.  But if you don't
answer questions your just going to be dead.  Now do you understand?"

   The boy nodded his head but said nothing.  The woman reached down and
grabbed his nuts and squeezed them hard.  The boy screamed and it could be
heard all over the building.

   "Place him in a holding cell for execution." John just shook his head at
the boy and looked disgusted.

   It was the third boy that finally broke.  He spilled his guts for over
two hours.

   David and Carlton walked back into the court.  "That is a real mess
boss. How are we going to handle over two hundred gang members?  Later we
could simply fight them and kill them."

   "Spend time with that boy and understand each leaders habits.  Then send
in teams to take them out by kneecapping them.  Use a knife or bat rather
than a gun.  I want notes pinned on each target pointing at a different
gang.  They can help everyone by fighting among them selves."

   That seemed like a good plan.  "What do we do with these boys?"

   "They can work or sit in prison I really don't care.  Use them a dummies
for hand to hand fighting if you want.  But if they are going to be any
place close to a female cut their nuts off.  We don't need their genes in
our world."

   That knocked both men off their chairs.  "Your serious aren't you?"
David was blown away.

   "Why don't you take one home and let him sleep with your daughter?" John
was pissed now.

   David looked like he had been pole axed.  Carlton was amused at his
discomfort.  "That one you had coming David.  Each one of those kids came
from a long line of losers.  We don't have the time now days to spend four
years tearing them apart and rebuilding them.  It is our families at risk
if we try it here.  It will also be safer for new children coming to us
later."

   David was not happy, but he could see no way around this.  None of the
boys could be trusted, as they were never taught how this worked.  Most
thought work was for fools and they would never do any if possible.  "How
many are going to survive this John?"

   "May be none or at best one.  Remember the small rooms I had built with
a soil area and grow lights?"

   "Yes it is well down below ground and has only an elevator connection to
other areas."

   "Put them one to a room and give them the packages outside each room. 
Tell them their survival depends on their reading what is inside and
following instructions.  But they will not see anyone or talk to anyone for
many months."

   "What happens if they don't open it and read it?" David really did not
want to hear this.

   "They will kill themselves.  The seeds for food are inside that package
and the instructions for using them.  If they punch in the code then meat
will be delivered once a month.  Each will have a wristband that will
advise of health problems.  That they cannot remove so we will get reports
all the time.  Their life is in their hands."

   "But that is like murder."

   "I don't see it that way David.  It is up to them to feed themselves. 
We supply all the seed, soil, grow lights and meat they need to survive. 
Each room has plenty of water to drink as well.  Should it be our job to
cook for them, grow their food and clean their living areas?  If you were
their prisoner would they do that for you?"

   Carlton saw how John handled David.  It was impressive to him.  But for
him he agreed with John's way of handling this.  These boys had guns and
would have killed not to be caught.  Here they would have stolen whatever
they could have.  They cared nothing for anyone except themselves and did
only what they had to do to survive.

   "David have them taken one at a time down to their new quarters. 
Understand I am the only one who can unlock their doors after they are shut
in.  Now you have a decision to make for you and your family.  Do you want
to stay or not?  I would suggest you talk with your wife before deciding
that.  But I will have the beech take you and them anyplace you want to go,
if that is the decision.  If you think today was tough then you don't want
to see the future.  It is going to be a nightmare."

   Now David was really shocked.  "You want us to leave?"

   "Your not listening once more David.  I said if that is what you decide.
Right now your pissed at my decision to protect this community.  It is my
decision and I will make more that some people don't like.  My job is to
protect my family and every person here.  I am willing to do whatever has
to be done to accomplish that.  Turning those boys lose would have brought
back a lot more of them later.  That would have cost us some dead people
here.  I will not risk my people's lives that way.  If those boys could not
read the signs posted shame on them."

   It was like David had cold water tossed in his face.  "I see your point
John and should have had no position.  But they were just kids."

   "No they were rapist, killers and thieves.  Their boyhood was long past.
I had a file on each one before I came in here.  The one that cracked had
killed two boys and got away with it.  He was just the average one in that
group."

   Now David was shocked.  "How in the hell do kids get away with murder?"

   "That same way you wanted him to get away with what he did here.  US law
no longer is doing its job.  It protects the youth offended and lets the
victim fare for themselves."

   David left the room shaking his head with Carlton right behind him. 
John hoped this set the stage for the many hard issues that he knew were
coming.

















   Chapter 6

   Things were now going well and you could bet something would screw it
up. The building behind the house went up fast and the pool at the square
was moving along fine.  The pool crew had promised they would be done at
least three days before Christmas with the big one and a week before with
the small one.  The electric heaters were in place in the smaller building.
The large one had been converted many months ago.

   Today's news was constantly talking about how sales were down at the
retail stores and malls.  How odd with so many unemployed, jobs being lost
and unemployment funds running out, John thought.  States could raise their
taxes as much as they wished and never get enough money to pay their
employees.  Cities and counties in Virginia were now going bankrupt at an
amazing rate.

   To be solvent you need to be able to pay your bonds that were due,
payrolls and buy needed supplies.  Without state help for schools many
governments were having to close them.  The sales tax was not producing
enough income either as less was being bought.

   Looking at the current picture it was slowly still sliding down hill. 
Government said a lot of things that were just smoke to cover just how bad
things were.  It was sound bites that the news media bought and sold to
people.  When it all fell apart the media would sit wondering how it
happened?  They would never see they were a big part of the how it
happened? Real news reporting had long been gone from its place.  Today if
it was sensational and not germane to the story, report it and cause a
scandal.  That reporter would be rewarded for it.  Ethics in news just did
not exist any more.

   Sam came in to John's office and sat.  "Well I need more blood and
another scan."

   John had to laugh at this.  "This time Sam I am not playing your silly
game without answers."

   Sam knew he had to at least let some of his research out.  "OK I tell
you some of it."

   "Good bye Sam and have a nice day." John went back to reading.

   "Are you always this tough?"

   "Ask David that question Sam." He kept doing what he was into.

   "No thanks I have heard all about it from David and Carlton.  You do
know you can be a real prick don't you?"

   "Sam do you know who you work for?  You just stepped way over the line
and I will not allow that.  So get your ass out of my office and when you
can come in here and act like a gentlemen then may be we can discuss what
you want."

   Sam knew he had been dismissed and got up and left.  He went to Dana and
confessed his transgression.

   "It makes me mad Sam, what were you thinking?"

   "I was not thinking or this problem would never have happened."

   "I would suggest you not try to see him for a day or two.  The economy
is crumbling and it is cutting in to his heart.  He knows the amount of
children that are going to die from this and it eats at him.  Many will not
see a good Christmas this year and some will see their last Christmas. 
That he can do nothing about.  We don't have the resources to take them in
and could never find them all if we tried."

   Sam felt the knife John was feeling now.  "I have never felt like this
before Dana.  How can he carry that kind of pain?"

   "He knows the people here will survive and many children will end up
here.  He has planted information on safety for children on the Internet
and some will see it.  Parents looking to start a new life will leave them
here.  We will only take the very young, like from infant to around ten or
eleven.  Older children can work and help build a life for their family. 
We can feed 2-3 young children for every adults food ration.  So we take in
no adults and just children."

   Sam knew better than to question where children could live here.  If
Dana said that would happen you could bet on it.  He was watching Dana run
a test.  "Who do we have pregnant now?"

   "Just me Sam so it is no big deal."

   Sam's eyes shot up and he was looking intensely at her.  "Your just
pulling my chain right?"

   "Not in the least Sam.  I have run it twice and both results say I am
going to have a baby.  So now I get to tell the father.  Do you think he
will marry me?"

   "God girl he will be the oldest man I have ever seen produce a child."

   "He told me his great grandfather produced one at 70.  I just prayed
that ability ran in his family.  You know Kelly is going to be beside
herself when she hears this."

   Sam was pleased for her and yet he wondered just how long the
improvements in John's health would hold up?  That was all new ground and
he just could not believe it was a long-term thing.

   Dana decided she was just going to have to call a family meeting.  Once
John and Kelly were seated in the family room she decided to get started.
"We have two issues to be considered here.  One is the nano shot has cured
seven cases of black lung and two cases of cancer.  I don't mean slowed
down I mean cured."

   John was amazed at this report.  "Darling your dad was a genius that is
for sure."

   "Now the big issue is we are going to have a baby and I need to know how
you two feel about that?"

   Kelly was up and hugging her mother in a flash.  "Is it a brother or
sister mom?"

   "To early to tell dear as I am just a couple weeks pregnant."

   John walked over to her and held her and kissed her.  "I thank you love.
You need to slow it down a little and let me carry more of the load."

   "John I am doing fine and will keep moving at my current pace.  The
wrong thing to do would be slow down.  But thank you for trying dear.  Now
do you think you might be willing to make an honest woman out of me?"

   "Any time you complete the arrangements as I told you before."

   "Do you have the license?"

   "Yep and a circuit judge willing to stop by and do the service.  I also
have the paperwork for him to sign for Kelly making her mine.  He has
already reviewed it and it was published in the paper.  So it just takes
our wedding to finish it."

   Dana pulled his face down to hers and kissed him.  It was an earth
shaking experience for her.  She had never felt this before and hoped she
would again if that were possible.  Her panties were soaked and her breath
was coming in short gasps.  It was something she had never experienced with
John.  But his willingness to marry her with no questions was just more
than she could handle.  Then having the paper work for Kelly was beyond
what she had ever expected.  God she loved him and she knew Kelly did as
well.

   Then there was noise in the kitchen.  "What is that John?"

   "Hopefully it is our dinner being cooked." John said and Kelly laughed
at her mom's expression.

   "Mommy, daddy got us a cook so we have more time together.  Mrs.  Minch
is very nice and her kids are grown and long gone.  Her husband died three
years ago and she is lonely." Kelly spit it out like a machinegun.

   This was another of John's good deeds.  "I assume someone came and ask
about doing something for her?"

   "Nope she pulled a gun on one of the security men who came and asked her
if she might not be more comfortable in one of the small apartments.  She
told him when the company tried to do that she shot the man.  I found out
she did that just as she said.  So I was asked to go talk with her."

   Dana was still waiting for him to go on.  "Well don't just stop there."

   "Well I got there and she gave me coffee and pie and we talked.  She had
applied for several jobs and was never given one.  Before her husband died
she ran the club restaurant and bar.  She wants to stay at her old home and
will work for us.  Our agreement is she will cook breakfast and dinner for
us.  We eat little at lunch and often nothing.  But she said she would be
sure we had things to warm up."

   That seemed like a good plan to Dana.  It would make the baby coming
easier for her.  "Fine as long as I get to cook on weekends."

   "Sorry dear the deal she wanted was for 6 days a week.  So you get
Sundays only unless there is a Saturday night dance at the club.  Then she
will help handle that."

   "The two dances a month will always be on Saturday nights.  The first
dance will be New Years Eve and then the second and fourth Saturdays.  The
band has all new instruments and Tammy has a full wardrobe for performing.
That seemed fair as they are not getting paid for the shows."

   "I am not arguing in any way dear.  Will the stage, lights and sound
system be done by then?"

   "The stage is done now with and entrance from the back.  The band and
Tammy have dressing rooms now.  The sound system is wired and the speakers
will be installed just after Christmas.  The lights were a little trickier
in that the ceiling was not the right height.  It was far too high for a
normal system.  So platforms had to be built for that.  Two platforms with
one on to either side of the room, a light bar in front of the stage and
one platform for the back of the room.  Those will be installed next week.
But come New Years all will be ready and checked out."

   Just then Mrs.  Minch called them to dinner.  They all demanded she sit
and eat with them.  She did argue, but you could see she was pleased.  The
talk flowed about their day and the older woman knew she was included, as
they said just what they felt.  She would never repeat it to anyone else.
What was said was family business and not for others to know.  But she felt
that she was part of one once more and that was a very good feeling.

   After dinner Dana, Kelly and John walked the city.  They stopped by the
city pool and looked over how it was coming along.

   "This will be a great place to come a few evenings a week.  The fact
that the whole family can come and use it together makes it very nice."
Dana was able to see just how busy the pool would be.

   As they walked through the cold weather it did make them come closer
together.  Kelly hung on John's hand and arm as did Dana on the other side.
John enjoyed this closeness and savored it.  Once back up the hill and into
the house the warmth felt good.

   Kelly headed to get her bath and Dana went with John to the living room.
"I saw the Governor of California today closing down many programs and
departments of government.  This is really getting bad isn't it?"

   "California was a welfare state and one that tried to transfer wealth
from one group to another.  That is a socialist ideology.  Now the far
liberal left are socialists and the far conservative right are fascist. 
They are so close together at each end of the spectrum it is frightening.
But these groups are small compared to the many they sell what sounds like
good ideas to.  So here the fact one group worked and one did not, didn't
make any difference.  It does not work because the need for more and more
money keeps growing to support those not working, that is until there just
is no place for it to come from.  The left demands more and the right
fights to keep what they have.  That is where civil war comes from."

   Dana looked at John and she knew he was educating her.  "Why do these
problems start and grow?" She had heard civil war and did not want to go
there.

   "First of all, understand education is the key to making money and
supporting a family.  I assume you have noticed everyone here gets paid and
has a job, even if it is housewife?  She does not get paid directly, but
her husband does and she really works for him keeping their home and also
raising their children.  So they are partners in his job."

   "I never looked at it that way before.  But we have a lot of adults
taking classes to learn more here.  Wives also seem to take them as well.
Why?"

   "Your going to have our baby and you have Kelly now.  Are you going to
have to help them grow up forever?"

   "No."

   "Then you had better be prepared to get a job when they no longer need
your help right?  Jobs give people self satisfaction.  Here pay is based on
many issues.  It is not nearly what people could make elsewhere.  But they
can live very well here on what they do make.  Here there are no taxes on
their income."

   Now it dawned on her.  "OK they are preparing for later.  But how do
they know what kinds of classes to take?"

   "Jimmy and Tommy have every job we see needing to be filled for the next
ten years listed on our local area network.  It shows the education we
would like for the person filling that job."

   "I assume you will have several apply and say they are all qualified
what do you do?"

   "Every job will have a test that must be taken and passed.  The high
score gets the job, if they passed the interviews.  The interview is a week
working with people doing that job.  They each get to evaluate that person
before our testing them.  Finding good people with good attitudes is
important to successfully filling any job.  So people doing that job know
what is needed to succeed best of all."

   "Why is California having so much of a problem now?"

   "Because it paid so much more for government employees their cost of
living grew like mad.  Take most of the large states by population and
their cities and they all have a high cost of living.  It would shock you
at what living in New York City costs.  The utility bills and cost of an
average apartment in New York City would completely support a family in
many small towns.  Many of these costs come from taxes by government.  So
it is not just California that has this problem.  Theirs is just larger
than most."

   This whole problem John was planning for, was starting to make a lot
more sense to her.  "Did this happen over night?"

   John laughed at this.  "No way dear, it has taken many years to bring
the house of cards down.  Many bad moves were made to get us here.  One
being social security was a large fund and was sitting there waiting to be
needed.  The politicians decided to take it and put IOU's in the fund for
it.  They spent that fund on welfare and new programs they wanted.  So
today paying social security is draining the governments tax collections.
They don't have more money coming into the fund than going out today.  This
happened a good number of years ago and now it can't be fixed and keep the
programs it stated running as well."

   "It all comes back to poor management by government?"

   "My dear most of the politicians are lawyers.  They don't think long
term at all.  Their idea of long term is finished with a judge's decision.
They don't even have to worry about the effect the decision they created
causes ten years from now.  That is some other lawyer's job.  Here you have
people who could not manage any manufacturing plant, large retail store or
for that matter a restaurant and they are running a country.  They have
little respect for those they are supposed to serve.  God forbid they
should ever be honest in what they say."

   "You really don't care much for lawyers do you?"

   "Nope at least not for most of the arrogant fools.  Sorry sugar that
group just is one I would not trust and will have zero of them here."

   Dana go up and came over and sat on his lap.  "Thanks for answering my
questions love.  I am sure to you some sound dumb."

   John looked at Dana and she could feel his frustration.  "My love I am
willing to share anything with you.  Your never dumb in any way.  Hell I am
still learning each and every day."

   Now Dana smiled at him and melted his heart.  "I jumped on Sam after he
told me how stupid he had been."

   "Now Sam was dumb dear.  He forgot just who he worked for.  The problem
here is I have to draw a line and never allow others working for me to step
over it.  Thank God I have you and Kelly to be completely human with. 
Pulling this together has been hard and the two of you have given me a lot
of relief from the pressure."

   She had seen his way of dealing with others but never questioned it. 
They headed up stairs and she went to get a bath and John to read to Kelly.
He read every night to the girl and she loved the time with him.  This had
also made her understand he did always keep his promises to her.

   Once he had Kelly tucked in and kissed goodnight he went to get his
shower.  That was part of his day he did enjoy.  The shower here had twelve
heads and hit him from many angles and levels.  The pressure was high and
he loved the way it relaxed him.

   As he crawled into bed Dana rolled over and held him.  "Lover I don't
understand this but you have turned me into a wanton woman."

   "Baby you have been adjusting to me for some time now.  You never
trusted any boy or man after the rape.  There were many walls built up to
protect you.  So it has been slow going for you to take them down."

   His understanding of this did surprise her.  "I still don't trust most
men or older boys John."

   "But my love you finally completely trust me and that is what counts
here.  You have opened yourself up completely to me without reservations."

   She had to agree this was very different and it felt good.  But she did
not see that before her trust was not really complete.  "I have always
trusted you John."

   "Yes that is true Dana.  But there is trust and then there is trust. 
One is hard to tell from the other outwardly.  But it is much deeper and
one where you have completely opened yourself to the other.  For you I
would never have expected to see you do that due to your trauma.  But thank
God for some reason you did and I appreciate it."

   Dana had to consider these comments and look very deep inside.  It was
not something that was conscious as a decision.  But she did feel different
with John than before.  The old defensive part of her just was not here
between them.  "I don't understand it but I do like it also."

   He kissed her and she like to passed out from the feelings she had.  It
was emotional and yet electric.  Every nerve in her body was vibrating as
they kissed.  She just held on tight and enjoyed the release of her own
passion.

   As his hands rubbed over her body she felt small tremors hitting her
body.  When he touched her breast she liked to explode as the nerves just
over loaded and she came right then.  This had never happened before, as
she just could not have a climax.

   He had felt her climax and slid his hand down onto her small pussy.  She
kept it shaved as she did not like the hair.  He slipped his finger down
into her crack, she liked to have gone nuts.  Then he started sliding it in
circles around her clit and she was shaking all over.  Once he started
playing with her clit she exploded once more.

   Now he mounted her and slowly slid into her as deep as possible.  As
they had intercourse she found very new feelings from her body.  Sex had
never been like this before and she loved it.  But it was not fast or slow.
It was a feeling of being loved completely and without reservations.  This
lasted for well over an hour and she could have gone on forever.  The
messages she was getting from John were so satisfying, she could not
believe she never felt them before now.

   Once they climaxed together John lay beside her and held her.  Her body
was still firing off small explosions and she loved how this felt to her.
Just tonight she must have climaxed at least ten times and that was
something she never knew was possible.  God she loved this man and would do
anything for him.

   "Darling what do you say we take a shower together?  Your pretty wet and
sleeping might be more comfortable for you after one." Dana looked down
into John's eyes with such passion he almost came himself.

   "I will follow you anywhere my love.  You have reached into my soul and
I love having you there.  Now I understand how Kelly can love you as she
does.  She loves you so much and knows daddy will always be there for her.
There is never any question in her mind on just where you stand in her
world.  Now there is none in my world either." She held him so tight she
left marks on him.

   After showering and drying each other off they went to bed with John
holding Dana in a soft embrace.

   That next morning they sat down for breakfast and were shocked at the
food ready for them.  Mrs.  Minch had really fixed a big breakfast.

   "Now Greta sit down and eat with us.  We will never get all this down."

   They ate and talked about plans for the day and things that needed
finishing before Christmas.  It was an enjoyable hour spent together and
Greta fit right in.  She had suggested they build a toyshop and only sell
toys made here in the town later on.  That many ladies could make dolls and
dresses that the shop could buy and sell.  John decided it might be a good
time to just after Christmas to buy some toys returned to the manufactures.
Then just store them for other holidays and birthdays.

   He knew his next check from VEPCO was going to be around three hundred
thousand dollars.  He would see just how many toys he could buy with that
and stock his toy store.  But he also would use a vault to store more than
the store could take.  He had a small shop with injection molding machines
and die cast machines.  They could do some toy work as well that would be
modeled off ones he bought.  That was added to his list of items to do.

   The morning went quickly and Jimmy and Tommy had spent a very good
period rebuilding several large computers.  Now they had a very good
Internet system on their machines.  They were backing up all the data they
got each day and downloading schools, universities and government systems.
We would have the very best base for building new knowledge later.  A child
could take every class from 1st grade to graduating college on our computer
system.  The two had done great and John was very pleased.

   The small issues that had worried him were slowly being solved now. 
They could do most things that a community would need to survive.  But they
did not build firearms, make gunpowder or produce anything lethal.  If they
had to they most likely could figure it out.  But food, clothing, education
and a good family environment were being built here.

   The furniture shop made everything by hand and some was sold over the
Internet to the few who could afford it.  It helped pay for the equipment
and provide some against salaries.  But getting hand carved solid wood
furniture was today not easy.  We were one of the very few who did that. 
Each set was different as there was no line of the same things.  So that
group of the very rich still bought things like this.  The hard woods here
allow the production of top quality products.

   The ranches were now producing meat animals and shelters had been cut
into the mountainside.  Just two valleys were used for this.  We would
produce over a thousand head of cattle, five hundred head of sheep and a
couple thousand pigs each year.  There would be chickens and turkeys as
well.  The trick that was worked out were the tanks for producing fish.  We
produced several types of fish and processed them, then stored them frozen.
Meat was something we would not run out of.

   A big need was grains and wheat, oats and corn were the main ones for
us. All these were bread grains and cereal ones as well.  Next were
potatoes both white and sweet ones.  These were often freeze dried so we
lost none.  We needed sugar and that came from sugar beets.  The unused
portion was great food for feeding animals out.  Of course we had some cows
to supply milk and that took silage and ground corn.  So our farming was
something we had to protect.  We had good tractors and plenty of fuel for
the diesel engines.  It would be several years before we needed more fuel
for that.

   Here the mountains allowed for the fruit trees to be grown up the sides
of them.  Knowing that there would be frosts when trees were in bloom
protected areas were picked and electric heaters placed to assure that
would not kill the blooms.  By blowing the heat up the side of the mountain
and holding it in a smaller area, frosts could be prevented for destroying
a harvest.

   Many steps had to be taken to prevent crop failures and weather
disasters.  But as each was identified a study was done to find solutions
that would work.  It was all going to be planning and having answers before
there were problems.  But elevation, cold temps and moisture were the main
issues here.  This is where the hydroponic gardens would help.

   The case study John had built was growing each day.  He had been
documenting each day's work and accomplishments.  It provided him a
reference to go back and look at why a decision was made or what factors
were involved.  That allowed him to go back and change some decisions based
on better data.  Being on computer he could search for key words and find
where that decision was made and why.

   Tommy took John's notes each day and built a decision tree for him to
use.  That gave him a good visual picture of what was happening and what
was done.  It also helped John focus on where he needed to go next.  Anyone
assigned a task was required to fill out the decision tree form when they
were done.  These were shown in red on the tree and allowed John to check
them out before they were passed over.  Each decision needed to be reviewed
and he spent lots of time doing that.











































   Chapter 7

   Life in the mountains was nothing like being in any city.  There was no
hurrying, masses of people or cars and trucks filling streets.  The so
called town of Johnstown had no more that just over two hundred houses. 
There were twenty store or larger buildings around the square.  The club
and one restaurant were places to get out and have a meal.  Of course food
was cheap here, as the main cost of meals like this was the labor.

   The miners were given a longer dinner break to be able to use the
restaurant.  A bus ran between the mining sites picking them up and
dropping them off.  The bus was an electric one so as not to cause noise in
the town.  But it supplied transportation for the valley people to come
into town and shop or just visit friends.  That was the only public
transportation vehicle allowed here.  Golf carts were used by security
force personnel and they also were electric.

   Carlton walked into John's office.  "Boss we need to make a couple
decisions."

   John always worried about the we need to make comment.  "Why do I need
to be involved?"

   "Because you make the rules and I'm asking you to break one."

   John poured himself some coffee and offered Carlton some before sitting
back down.  "Now tell me the story."

   "I have a friend who is a priest and he knows of an orphanage that is
just being taken over for failure to pay their mortgage.  Unfortunately it
is not a big one or church supported.  So no one gives a rat's ass what
happens to the children.  There are two young ladies running it and they
would have to come as well."

   Now John could see the problem as adults were not to be brought in. 
"How many children Carlton?"

   "My friend said they had thirty one.  There are eighteen girls from 2 to
11 and thirteen boys from 3 to 9."

   "Do you know about any health problems?"

   "As far as he knew they are all healthy and getting enough to eat now."

   "Where do they come from?"

   "It seems odd but they are all from the Myrtle Beach area.  Land down
there still seems to have value." Carlton was surprised at this.

   "What are you considering doing right now?"

   "Well we have two choices right now.  We can buy a pig in a poke or we
can go down and talk with them."

   John liked Carlton's honesty and decided to fly down.  "OK set it up and
have the beech ready."

   "The plane is ready now and the engines are running."

   That caused John to laugh.  "You think you know me don't you?"

   "The only ones around here who can come close to saying that are Kelly
and Dana.  The rest of us don't have a clue most of the time.  But with 31
kids on the line I was pretty sure I knew how you would see things."

   Once off the ground John relaxed and dozed during the flight.  When they
landed there was a car waiting to pick them up.  It was an old Ford sedan
and the priest was standing beside it.  Carlton introduced him to John.

   It took about thirty minutes to get to the home as it was well out of
the business areas.  No place close to the ocean and really back in swamp
land.

   The three men walked up to the old house and John could see they had
tried to keep it up.  But here the fight was a loosing battle.  The
moisture was always going to do more damage that they could fix.  You would
have to slowly replace every board and bit of paint over and over.

   A young attractive blond came to the door and hugged the priest. 
"Gentlemen this is Krystal and her partner in crime Sandy.  They have given
up trying to have a life to attempt to raise these children." Father
Collins was pleased with these girls.

   That was not missed by John.  "Ladies it is a pleasure to meet you.  I
would love to hear how two very pretty young ladies ended up running an
orphanage?"

   The smile and his interest got the girls talking about how this
happened. By all rights if South Carolina had been in better financial
shape it would never have occurred.  Sandy's mother was the one who had run
this for her church.  It had been a church project for many years now.  But
her mom was killed in an accident and she stepped in until someone could be
found.  The church was falling apart and its doors were now closed due to
this crisis.

   John had listened very closely and liked Sandy a lot.  "Krystal where do
you come into this?"

   The girl blushed at this request.  "It was either come help Sandy or
become a hooker.  My family had thrown me out and I had no money or place
to go.  Father Collins suggested I come here and try to help Sandy.  So I
have been here for almost a year now."

   That had been very honest and to the point.  "I could really hurt people
who do that to children, let alone their own child." John was pissed now
and everyone could see it.

   Krystal looked into his eyes and saw his compassion.  "Don't think about
them I am far better off now.  Father Collins knows this but I was raped
from the time I was seven till I pulled a knife and threatened to kill my
father.  I have hated men for many years now and am just finding out there
are many good ones out here."

   John looked sad and knew he was not hiding anything from these girls. 
"May I meet the children?"

   They had the children line up and introduced John and Carlton to each of
them.  John stepped out front of the group and looked at them.  "Now I am
sure you know this house has been lost to the bank.  So it will require
your moving away from here." He could see some leaky eyes now.

   "I have a community in the mountains of Virginia.  We raise our own
food, make most of what we need and many of us live in apartments inside
the mountains.  There is a large area for children to live in there as
well. It would require your going to school, learning to help around your
living space and the older of you helping with the younger ones.  Learning
to live inside a mountain is not really that hard as you don't really see
the rock.  Now what do you think about that?"

   There was excitement in their eyes now.  Sandy spoke for all of them. 
"If you want us we would love to come."

   "I do want you, but I also need a semi to move the furniture from here
and a bus for you all to travel in." Father Collins quickly said he would
get whatever I wanted.

   I talked with the good father and gave him seven thousand in cash for
new beds, mattresses, chests, desks, chairs, several couches and recliner
chairs.  All to be loaded on a truck and delivered to me at the company. 
He was told to buy the very best quality.  If I owed him he needed to
e-mail me and I would transfer it to his account.  But if I was owed find
someone needy and take care of them.

   The bus I gave a credit card number to and then a thousand to Sandy and
Krystal for food during the trip.  They both were told to feed the kids
well and be sure to eat all they wanted.  They were to buy two large
coolers and keep drinks cold in them for everyone on the bus.

   Both girls grabbed John and hugged him.  They knew they had found
someone to believe in.

   Father Collins told the girls he would be back after taking John to the
airport.  As they drove the man was smiling.  "Carlton said you would never
leave those kids in bad shape.  But to be honest I never expected what
happened.  You need to know I have never seen either girl hug any man for
any reason."

   "Krystal, I can understand that with her.  But you can bet something
really bad happened to Sandy also father.  They both have walls built up
around their minds and bodies."

   "I am not sure I could pick that up." Father Collins was surprised at
John's comment.

   The flight back was a quite one.  John had a lot to think about and
plans to be made before the girls got there.  There was much work to be
done.

   Back in his office he looked over the e-mails he had.  Father Collins
had picked up all the furniture he had asked for and the truck would leave
tomorrow to deliver it.  The store had tossed in sheets, pillows,
pillowcases, blankets and bedspreads for the beds.  He had picked up desk
lamps as well as tables for the sitting area.  But he had over a thousand
left and felt bad.

   The e-mail back said find people who needed help and provide it, without
saying where the money came from.

   Krystal dropped him and e-mail just saying thanks.  She was so pleased
with John she really looked forward to getting there.

   As John was smiling Dana walked in.  "What young lady have you hooked
now husband to be?"

   There were times he was sure she could read his mind.  "Well really
twenty of them dear how did you miss that?"

   The look on Dana's face was one to really enjoy.  "Your kidding right?"

   "Not in the least my dear.  We have two older girls that will need some
of your help.  Then eighteen little girls, with thirteen little boys on the
way.  So our orphanage is starting somewhat earlier that I expected."

   Dana knew John liked the idea of children being here.  "What about the
older girls and their problem?"

   "Krystal is 23 and a real sweet young lady.  Her father had raped her
since she was seven.  Due to that there is a major block dealing with most
men.  Sandy is 20 and I have no idea what happen to her yet.  But she also
blocks out men.  But both girls hugged me before I left and thanked me for
my help.  They have some major damage my dear and need a friend in a bad
way."

   Dana's heart just melted at this story.  "They have been taking care of
31 children?"

   "That is pretty well the story and for over a year now.  Sandy's mom did
that for a long time before she died.  Sandy took the money she got from
insurance and kept the place running as long as she could.  If father
Collins had not let Carlton know things would have really fallen apart."

   A panic look hit Dana's face.  "God we need furniture and bedding for
them."

   "Do you think your dealing with an amateur?  It is all taken care of
dear.  That truck will be delivering the needed things tomorrow.  Security
will get it all down below and set up with beds made.  Two of the older
ladies here are going to handle the cooking for them.  One of the security
teams wives will teach classes for them to start."

   Dana just shook her head.  He was always in front of her and had
problems solved before they were problems.  "What is my job here then?"

   "Once more, these two girls need a friend."

   Dana sat on his lap and just held him.  "John your one unusual man."

   "That I am not so sure about my love.  I am sure if you looked you could
find more like me and better yet younger."

   She hit him on the arm and looked pissed.  "Don't you try to get out of
marrying me John.  With more girls coming than boys it is going to make it
harder to find a husband later.  Our numbers are already out of balance on
that issue."

   Balancing the male to female issue is one he never considered.  "How do
we balance the sexes here dear?"

   "We have 0.75 males to every female below the age of eighteen.  There
are 0.97 females for every male above that age.  The lower aged girls who
are not pretty will have little chance of marriage, at our current rate of
sexes produced."

   "That is one issue I will have to worry about later dear.  Right now I
have an orphanage to set up and a wife to marry.  The judge will be here
tomorrow at noon.  So you had best be ready.  Fail to show and I'll just
replace you with a younger model." The look on Dana's face made him laugh.

   "Unfortunately I can see Kelly jumping right in line for you.  I have
never seen the kind of love that shows in her when she is with you."

   "Kelly has looked for a fathers love for a long time.  Grandpa just was
not the outwardly affectionate man she needed.  He was afraid to show his
feelings and that was a shame for both of you.  You both needed a strong
man who showed you love openly."

   They just sat and talked until Kelly got home.  She was in John's lap so
fast it would make your head spin.

   "I did really good today daddy.  We got all our tests done now before
Christmas.  The teacher told me I had all A's coming if I keep going like
this after the holiday."

   God for a seven year old to be in sixth grade and getting straight A's?
"My little lover you are one smart lady.  But you need to know we have new
children coming to live with us.  I'm going to need your help getting them
settled.  So are you willing to do that for me?"

   Kelly hugged him and just beamed at him.  "Of course I will do anything
you ask me to."

   "Then you need to know if mom shows up to get married tomorrow, the
judge will sign the paperwork making you mine."

   Her hands went to her hips and she looked stern.  "I'll make sure she
shows up.  But if she does not want to marry the best man in the world can
I?"

   Dana was now laughing hard and tears were rolling down her face.  "See I
told you she would volunteer for replacing me."

   Kelly was just hugging John and had her face buried in his neck.  She
was now going to have a real daddy and a judge will have said he was her
daddy.  That was very important to her.

   At dinner that night John told his ladies and Mrs.  Minch about the
orphanage and the girls running it.  He did not get into the girls
problems, but covered the financial problems.  The steps he had taken and
what needed yet to be done.

   Mrs.  Minch would handle the over seeing of the food crew and being sure
the food needed was on hand.  She had two more friends who would provide
part time help for the kids.  The object was to get both of the girls who
had carried the load time off here.  They would not be tied 24/7 to the
kids from now on.

   Dana was going to get the schooling ready with Tommy and Jimmy.  There
was no way the little school would be able to handle that many more kids.
So a room would be set up for classes for the kids.  There would be
computers for all of them and Jimmy would set each up with their own
password to log on to the system.  They all would need to be tested to
figure out where to start them on our system.  The really young children
would have a playroom to keep them away from the ones studying.

   These children would use the new pool at the same time as the ones from
the town school.  As more children came in they would use this new
schoolroom as theirs.

   Kelly now was considering her options.  "Daddy could I start doing my
school work here at home?"

   This John had been expecting for some time.  "Why would you want to do
that sugar?"

   "Because I am held back and not allow to go as fast as I could.  If
allowed to I could complete two or three years of work each year.  Right
now the teacher won't let me move that fast."

   "Dana is the teacher holding her back?"

   "Yes, I am afraid she is.  If she can do her work here and your able to
answer questions for her from time to time.  I see no reason not to set up
a computer here for her.  But she would need a little help from an adult."

   "Call Jimmy and have him set her a computer over by the window.  I want
a small workstation set up for her school room and the window is to be left
so she can see out of it."

   Dana called Jimmy and set it up for the next day when they were doing
the new schoolroom.  "You do know even in a cubical she will be able to
hear anything said here?"

   "Hey I don't say anything both of you can't hear.  You two have been in
on everything from day one now."

   "I am not sure I could handle that my husband to be."

   "Kelly is smart enough to wait till someone leaves, before telling me I
just did something dumb.  I trust her judgment and yours above all others.
So why should I mind her or you hearing anything said in here?  I can't
remember sending you out when someone came in or a call was received?"

   But girls felt proud of what John had said.  It showed on their faces.
"But you know I would never say you were dumb don't you daddy?"

   "Sweetheart never say never on that issue.  I have been known to both
say and do some dumb things in my life.  Most of those times was when I was
younger.  But it is nice having someone acid test my thinking."

   The next morning the girls got together and planned the day.  John
followed the events for getting the area below set up.  He went down and
made a few suggestions on the school.  The sleeping quarters were quickly
filled with furniture and the lounge with sofas, chairs and tables.  A
large box of toys was moved into the playroom and one more of games, books
and toys for the lounge.  Each bed had a stuffed toy on it and there were
just two kids to a room.  The bathrooms were one big one for boys and one
for girls.  A terrycloth robe was hanging on the back of each door for
every child.

   Now John was pleased with his new quarters for the kids.  He went up
took a shower and dressed.  As he walked into his office at the courthouse
the Judge came in as well.  "Where are we having this dog and pony show
John?"

   "Fred if Dana hears you say that she would kick your balls off.  Just
remember she has at least three black belts."

   That did make him think for once.  "You have a point John.  Where would
the lovely lady like to do this?"

   "It will be in the court room as we will have a few witnesses.  So get
that robe on and here is the license and the adoption papers.  There are
three copies there.  One is for Kelly, one for the clerks office and one
for me."

   The judge did not know why Kelly needed one, but he was not going to
ask? The two men walked into a packed courtroom and the judge was shocked.
There had to be a hundred people here and more in the hall.

   Fred did himself well on the wedding service and handled Kelly's
adoption with great fanfare.  The little girl just beamed at him and he
felt so good about it.  But the real shocker was when John kissed his new
bride they just got lost from everyone there and she climaxed at least a
dozen times before they quit.  He had never seen anything like that before.

   John handed Fred an envelope and the couple left with Kelly.  The club
was loaded with most of the people here.  There was a lot of applause when
they came in and a large cake was rolled out.  Food had been set up as a
buffet.  Dana, Kelly and John took a seat at a table as people came by to
congratulate them.

   The reception lasted for just over an hour.  Mrs.  Minch had offered to
take Kelly for the night, but both parents said thanks but no thanks.  The
day was already incredible as far as Dana was concerned.  Her entire life
had change because of John and so had Kelly's.  It had all been for the
best she knew.  But she still could not get her mind around how her body
lost any control when John took over.  He just turned her into a shattering
earthquake.  That was a worry for her as she had always stayed in control
of her emotions.

   They walked home and the wind was really just going through their
clothing.  The cold was biting their skin.  Once in their home John turned
to the girls.  "We are going to get a small electric vehicle for us to use.
I have seen a guy not far from here that is taking jeeps and converting
them to electric.  He even has a small propane heater in them.  My big
reason for looking was the security force.  But it might save a life in the
family to have one of our own?"

   Dana started to protest.  "Mom your wasting your breath.  Dad did not
ask you if you wanted one he said we are going to get." Kelly was now
smiling.

   Dana looked at Kelly and knew she was exactly right.  "Do you have any
idea how hard it is to live with a child as smart as you?"

   "Nope I don't have to deal with her so I have no clue mom.  But if I get
some ideas I'll let you know." Then Kelly skipped off to go to her room.

   "I just saw a seven year old leave here skipping.  But my discussion was
with a good twenty five year old just two minutes ago.  How in the hell did
this happen?"

   "Darling it just did and it grew inside of you.  So either you have to
take a lot of the blame or a lot of the credit for her.  From my point of
view I am very pleased with her.  I love having a smart child like her."

   "I don't love it and just barely am able to deal with it."

   John walked over and held her tight.  "Now it is not Kelly that is
bothering you and you know that.  It is me and your reactions to me now. 
So we might as well go talk about it and try to find some answers."

   Dana could see John was not a bit mad or angry.  "OK I love the
feelings, but today was totally embarrassing."

   They were sitting on the couch in the living room.  "Now I noted this
the first time right after I said I would marry you.  I believe I also said
I would adopt Kelly as well then.  So something inside you completely let
go in your mind.  You have had to build a very good defense after the
trauma you went through.  Kelly had to almost feel like a curse, as she
reminded you of that event just by seeing her.  Remember I told you your
life stated the day we met and nothing before had any significance to me."

   Dana was now in her thinking mode.  There were many issues she had
before and most were nothing today.  "Do you think what is happening is
some kind of mental breakdown?"

   "Not in the least dear.  I think before this reaction would have
happened, at may be a little less violent level.  But it seems you were a
pretty sexual lady back in high school.  I am not saying you did anything
about it, but be assured it was there."

   Remembering back, Dana could remember the frustration she felt many
times in high school.  There were boys she wanted to date and she was never
allowed to do that.  Her dad never let her get very far away.  He seemed to
have zero trust in her.  "I can see many things in my past that says your
right about high school."

   "Well darling I guess I had better admit that I have cheated.  I went to
the library of your dad's notebooks and found one I have been reading for
some time now.  I found it shortly after the first time you went off the
way you did.  One of the side effects for a woman of the nano technology is
a sensitivity sexually.  Your dad had injected you while you were going to
high school.  He did not know this would happen to you then.  But it did
for another woman he was using to test the shots on.  So he felt he had to
watch you even closer."

   This now confused her.  "I was never affected before?  So what changed
that opened this up?"

   "May be with me now you feel completely safe and let all defenses down?
That wall before was pretty high love."

   This she could see and it had to be at least a part of it.  "There has
to be more to it than just that."

   "You understand your body is run by electricity right?"

   "Yes, of course it is."

   "Then you know there is a magnetic field that is an ELF frequency around
you right?"

   "Yes I have heard about that."

   "You know that when two fields fit together well there are side
effects?"

   "Now that I have never heard."

   "In the magnetic area it is an extreme attraction between two poles.  In
the ELF it is a building of a stronger signal when the two match.  With
your sensitivity built up over time by the shot you got years ago, you're
the one right now feeling strong emotions.  With others that wall protected
you."

   "How does it affect a man?"

   "Your dad was not very clear about that.  So I have been tracing my
feelings if and when any thing shows up.  But so far a most has had nothing
sexual about it."

   Dana just curled into John side and felt so good there.  "Enough of the
questions I just want to be held by my husband."

   Nothing seemed to pass by Kelly without her seeing it.  She had not
expected the conversation she had listened to.  But she was a very smart
young lady in a child's body.  This was something to research for her and
it could help her mom and John as well.































   Chapter 8

   The day was a cold crisp one and John liked them.  He had headed down to
check the housing for the children and saw that no decorations had been
placed there.  He went into overdrive and had a tree and each room
decorated quickly.  There was every security person awake working to be
sure the children would enjoy their new home.

   In the lounge the Christmas tree was fifteen feet tall and was a live
tree.  It had to be lowered down the elevator shaft with the car down an
additional level.  This took twenty men to make it happen.  But now it was
up, lighted, decorated and looking like Christmas was here.  This John was
sure would help the children transition.

   Once everything was cleaned up he was told the bus was entering the
gates.  So Carlton, David and he headed up to the entry point for their
living area.  The bus pulled up to their position and the girls got off.

   A group of security people unloaded the baggage area of the bus and it
was quickly sent down to the living area.  This surprised the girls.  "It
took us an hour to pack that so we got everything here."

   "Do you have things on the bus that need unloaded and moved?" Carlton
was being his efficient self.

   "Yes sir we have about the back twenty percent of the bus loaded with
things." Krystal was pleased to not have to do anything.

   That was now quickly unloaded and moved down to the rest of their goods.
All the children were brought off the bus one at a time and each handed a
new very warm coat before leaving.  Being treated like this was new to them
and they felt loved.

   They were placed into groups and John took the younger children and
Sandy with him.  They got on the elevator and went to the lounge room. 
Upon getting off the kids were in awe of the room, tree and decorations.

   "John this is so beautiful and I just don't know what to say." Tears
were running down Sandy's face.

   As each group came down they all were awed at the room and its beauty.
Dana and Kelly were introduced to Sandy and Krystal and then to the
children.  Rooms were assigned to the children and they were shown to them.
You could hear screams of joy from all over the living area.

   The adults sat at a table in the dinning area and allowed Sandy and
Krystal to get their composure back.  Dana was enjoying the impact John was
having on the children and these two sweet girls.  She had immediately like
both of them.

   "Now it is time for you to see just how this place is layout and how it
has been set up to work.  Understand your no longer going to have more work
than you can do.  Meals will be prepared and served to all of you.  Classes
are by computer and there will be an instructor there during class time. 
Housekeeping here does general cleaning.  Both of you will have some free
time each week to enjoy yourselves." John hoped this did not sound too
pushy?

   Krystal looked at John closely.  "Free time what is that?  I love to
read and have not opened a book to do that in a year now.  To take a walk
without a dozen children around me has not happened in that time either."

   "You will have almost any book to read on computer that you could want.
Besides both security and me will know where every child is 24/7 here. 
They are being fitted with a waterproof tracker that acts like a watch.  So
you can sit in the office and see where each child is at anytime."

   "You mean like a camera picks them up?"

   "No not that intrusive at all.  It just places a dot on the map of this
complex with their name beside it.  But we can locate them anyplace within
our land area.  My company owns four valleys here and that is a lot of
land. We raise our own meat animals, produce our own vegetables, grains and
fruits.  So we are very self sufficient." John hoped this eased their
minds.

   "What happens if a child takes that locator off?"

   "It can't be taken off Krystal and that is for their safety.  Of course
if they wish they could have an RFID seed planted under the skin as we all
have.  That provides the same information to the sensors for locating
people." David was now very professional.

   "Why do you want to know where everyone is?"

   "That is simple as we protect our people.  Things are getting very bad
out there and some people are getting desperate.  As the economy gets worse
people will start doing whatever they have to so they can eat.  If that
means steal it or kill for it, they will do that as well.  The world is
becoming a very dangerous place.  We caught six boys who tried to break in
here and steal what they could.  If they had found a girl they would have
raped her no questions asked.  If some young girl was where those boys had
been we would have been checking on them fast." Carlton was now talking to
assure them.

   This seemed very reasonable to both girls.  "I think the best way to do
that is use implants on all of us.  The world is dangerous and both of us
know that well." Sandy was now shaking.

   Dana reached over and held the girl.  When Sandy calmed down she looked
at Dana and smiled.  "I have been where you and Krystal have.  In my mind I
was sure I could never love a man or be held close by one.  Then I met John
and both Kelly and I fell in love with him.  Yesterday we were married and
Kelly adopted officially by him.  I found my life did not end when Kelly
was conceived, it just started then."

   Both girls were shocked at Dana's honest admission.  "How can you handle
that so easily now?" Krystal just had to know.

   "Before it was not easy dear.  I was a mess and angry with everyone
including my daughter.  Then I started to learn how to focus my mind and
slowly started to work my way out of the mess.  We humans tend to make
things far worse than they are.  When we start to take control of life it
does get better.  You two have done that by putting yourself into these
children.  Then you have left the place where bad things happened.  So here
you have a new start and can make of it what you will."

   The girls were shown the entire complex for the orphanage and school. 
Then they walked through the town and were shown the pool to be opened on
Christmas day and the club for dances.

   "We do have a few gifts for the children, but not nearly enough.  How do
we find and buy what we need here?" Sandy was the organized one here.

   "First of all you, Krystal and I will sit down with your list and handle
it.  But I am not sure if you saw it, but many are walking around right now
with their new stuffed toy.  We placed one on each bed before they got here
to show them someone cares." John was smiling at both girls.

   "I saw them but had not paid attention I guess.  But that was a nice
thing to do and I know they enjoyed it.  We would have waited for Christmas
to give those to them."

   "Oh but I own the toy store.  So I can do things others can't.  That I
guess makes me Santa here?"

   This statement brought laughter from the group.  "It almost sounds like
your Santa and the Easter Bunny rolled into one." Krystal was still
laughing.

   "The children's happiness and well being is important to me.  Hopefully
they can repair the damage done to this country and build it back stronger
when they get control.  So the future of the country depends on them and
their abilities.  They are the future for all of us." John was very serious
now.

   The rest of the trip, including riding the bus to the other valleys was
of great interest to the girls.  Now they had a picture of what had been
built here.  It was impressive and far more advanced than they had even
considered.  The original idea for them was a hippie commune and not a well
run company like this was.

   They did get their children assigned to rooms and slowly moved clothing
into them as it was found.  The first meal of lunch had been enjoyed by the
kids and girls, as they had no cooking or clean up to do.  It took the rest
of the day to get the kids settled into their rooms and start a list of
rules to live by here.  Krystal had noted several doors that were locked
now.  But with a girl's hall and boys as well, it did divide the kids
enough to many problems down.

   The next day they were in John's office and Kelly was sitting with them.
Or at least she was on John's lap.  Krystal just had to ask.  "What are all
the locked doors for John?"

   "Just more rooms for children.  We have the ability to take several
hundred children if we need to.  As the social structure falls apart there
will be many children who cannot be cared for.  Parents trying to start
over new someplace, will not be able to take young ones with them and care
for them.  Many of those people will come by here on their way to a safer
place.  Some people in a few towns around know we can take children and
they would be safe.  But we only take them from toddler to around 10 or 11.
That is why we built what we did."

   "You have really looked far down the road.  But will things get that
bad?"

   Kelly now was ready to support John.  "He is very good at estimating
what the next quarters numbers will be.  I see them before the quarter and
after it is over he may have missed by a percent or two.  That is far
better than the government can do, they lie to themselves."

   Sandy now was really confused.  "How is it your vocabulary is so
advanced and you seem to know so much?"

   Kelly just beamed as John started in.  "She may be seven in body, but
she is a young woman in mind.  Right now she is close to a seventh grade
education level.  The nice part is she does very well socially and loves
working with the other kids."

   Krystal just shook her head.  "God I am glad I did not have that happen
to me as a child.  I don't think I could have handled it."

   "It was important that daddy be the one to tell you about me.  By the
time I am 10 or 11 I should be close to finishing high school.  But I still
have a lot of things that are child like and I enjoy.  Daddy does not want
me to push myself to far to fast.  So I am his little girl and love the
feelings I get from that."

   Both girls smiled at this and saw how in love she was with John.

   "Ladies here is my list for each of your children and what I think they
need and hopefully will want." John gave them a list and let them go over
it.

   Sandy the money manager was white faced.  "This would cost way to much
to handle John.  There is no way we could spend over two hundred dollar on
each child."

   "Now lets get a couple things straight here for you.  One you work for
my company now.  I admit your salary is not a lot, but you do get housing
and food that your not charged for.  So here are your bankbooks to track
your money.  It will show in your account on the computer." Both girls
mouths hung wide open at this comment.

   "Second all costs for the children's needs are a company expense item.
So all you need to do is just check your on hand items against the list I
gave you.  The children will be having gym at the pool at least twice a
week.  So bathing suits are a needed item.  Each child has a computer in
their rooms, so they can play games and use it to study.  But the games
they have access to will be determined by grades in school and age.  Gifts
of games are rewards for them.  We have one server that is nothing but a
game center.  You can see all the games, but can only play the ones your
authorized to.  No game will load until the home work is done for that
child."

   Now the girls were just blown away.  "What do we do here?" Sandy was not
sure she had a real job.

   "You two manage the center, provided the love they need and most
important encourage and guide them.  The responsibility you had was far to
great to do the job you needed to.  At the age you have them they need lots
of love and hugs.  So enjoy them, have fun with them and make life
enjoyable for them and you."

   Both girls came around the desk and hugged John.  Krystal was just
shaking her head.  "Damn I am sorry Dana found you first."

   "Well ladies I have Dana and Kelly here would never let me slip away. 
But you will find some nice unmarried men around here.  We all have the
same belief that the US is falling apart.  I have enough highly skilled
military people to keep things pretty safe here."

   "You have military people here?" Krystal did not believe what she heard.

   "You met Carlton when we came down and David you met when you got here.
Now they are both military and very good at what they do.  Each was Special
Forces and commanded a team.  David did so for the Navy and Carlton for the
Army.  All our military is Special Forces and they are charged with safety
for us all.  There are just at under two hundred of them here."

   "How do they manage to train as I saw nothing like that happening?"

   "First of all, most work normal jobs here.  We have food to grow, energy
to produce, water to purify and sewage to treat.  There are processing
stations for meat and freeze drying rooms to handle what cannot be eaten
now.  Those all take labor to keep them running.  We have bankers, library
personnel, engineers, teachers and just about every job you can think of
working here.  So the security force trains mostly on weekends.  It is just
a once a month training system, but that should work OK.  These people are
already pros.  Now every boy and girl must spend two years in the security
force after they graduate.  Looking forward we will need more trained
people down the road."

   It made sense to the girls, but they were not sure they could do it? 
"Where do we train?" Sandy asked John.

   "You don't Sandy that is future plans for our children, after they have
grown some.  But the ones here from the old mining community are starting
to train now.  They have seals and green beanies teaching them.  It so far
is very successful and the young people like it."

   "But your teaching aggression and killing." Sandy just was not seeing
where it was going.

   "Look if you wish to let someone take your life I can't stop you Sandy.
But I damn well am going to protect the children you brought here.  Now if
that means I have to kill some bastard so be it.  It does not mean I like
killing, as I don't.  But I am willing to do what is required to protect
those kids."

   Krystal really liked this man.  "Count me in with you John.  But I would
like to know more about defending myself."

   "See Dana as she has black belts in a few forms of martial arts.  She
taught hand to hand combat to the North Carolina State Police.  There is
not one of the Special Forces people who can beat her.  Now there is one
class a week at the gym in the high school.  It is a mixed class and no age
groups.  Then the special forces people have two more classes a week there
for older children and adults."

   "I think Dana's is the right one for me to start with.  It is time for
me not to be a victim any more.  Besides I would like to help protect the
children if needed." It was a big step for Krystal.

   Sandy decided it was time for her as well.  "Count me in also.  I will
just have to see if I can cut it."

   Kelly had followed all of this.  "Hey I'm pretty good for my age and
size.  But it is fun and does help keep the muscles in good shape.  I can't
beat mom yet but one day that is going to happen."

   Sandy had not said a lot when John talked of what he felt was coming. 
"John I would like an answer to a question that is bothering me."

   "I will answer it if I can Sandy."

   "You have said things like when things get bad, people will try to steal
or kill to eat and other things that worry me.  But why do you think this
is going to happen?"

   Now he considered just how to explain this to her.  "The last time
America was in this bad of shape was the great depression.  Today most of
the banks will survive this, but a lot of the control of banking is now in
government hands.  The auto industry is in the same condition.  The US debt
is so high we don't have the gold, silver or other precious metals to
handle it.  States are running out of money and taxes are going up fast. 
Business who creates jobs is being taxed and regulated out of the market.
Most of the oil is purchased from foreign companies and governments.  But
America is being told they should not use oil because it is bad for the
environment.  A new science called Global Warming has been created from
nothing to prove this point.  But Global Warming has been going on since
the last ice age.  It can be caused by volcanoes erupting and other ways as
well, such as burning rain forests, forest fires and the likes.  There is
so much happening and so little honest news put out people don't see what
is coming."

   Sandy now saw some of John's worry.  "OK I am with you so far."

   "The last time this happened every country had many changes happen. 
Some were good and some were not.  Germany was very much like we are today
at that time.  But Hitler rose there and millions died.  I can see here
some forms of racial fighting happening, as long as government cannot step
in.  Mexico is going to be even poorer.  Canada will survive, but it will
not be easy.  When politicians are no longer paid do you think they will
continue to govern?  As federal offices are not paid they will close down.
That will happen when the debt is no longer financed by the world.  At that
point US money has no value at all."

   Sandy and Krystal just had never looked at this from John's view.  "I
see the debt is big, but they say it can be paid off."

   "What is it going to be paid off with?  We are talking debt with 12
zeros behind it and most can't conceive that.  We don't have the precious
metals, manufacturing has left this country over the last thirty years and
far too many jobs are in service areas that produce nothing of value.  The
socialists have taken control enough here to destroy what was built long
ago.  So we will see the US fall and it is going to hurt."

   "How is your currency better than what we have now?"

   "I bought gold and silver coins and have them here.  What I originally
bought is now worth almost double what I paid for them.  So I have around
forty eight million to back our credit system here.  The name credit was to
make people understand it is different from the dollar.  That way we did
not get arrested for issuing a new currency, as it is not a printed
monetary currency.  It is a computer based currency and only usable here in
our company compound.  You each will find a card in your bankbooks that can
be used as a debit card here.  But you can buy anything offered on the net
if you wish.  The value of the credit is set daily to its value to the
dollar.  From its creation it had grown stronger and the dollar weaker. 
But all other currencies are weaker over the past six months also."

   "This has been kind of mind blowing to me John.  You have created a
world within a world.  But I seem to understand this one better than the
one I came from?  That is a little confusing."

   "Here what you see is what you get.  There are no questions you have
that would not be answered.  The laws here are complete in a book of just
ten pages.  Now there are no taxes on your income and the company owns the
businesses here.  That is what makes things as low cost as they are.  But
you will see that as you do some shopping or eat at the club or diner."

   The two girls got up hugged John and headed back to their world.  "Can
it really be this good here Krystal?"

   "Come with me for a little bit.  I have been a little more adventurous
than you have and we need to walk downtown."

   The two girls walked the shops and enjoyed meeting people.  They saw how
little some things costs and how high others were.  If it was made locally
it was low cost and if not the cost was higher.  But the grocery had very
low prices for the food there and there was lots of it.

   They saw the new pool being built and the clubhouse.  Both were pleased
that dances were held for families to come.  Young children were handled in
a nursery and older ones in a playroom.  There was an adult dance floor and
one for children as well.  This small town was well set up for people to
live a nice life.

   "What do you think Sandy?"

   "Right now I think the kids are safe and will be well taken care of. 
The rest of this is such a shock to me, it is going to take some time
before I come to grips with it.  It seems John put his money where his
mouth was and I mean a lot of money."

   The office was pretty still now.  Tommy had installed the workstation
and computer for Kelly.  John was looking out the window and wondering what
was coming and how fast?  There was no longer any relationship between
reporting and fact.  So he had to search for small pieces of truth and
assemble what seemed logical.  Then hope if he acted it was at least close
to the truth?

   Christmas was very close now and John was ready.  He really needed the
break and was looking forward to the holiday.  When one of his mining
supervisors came in.  "Sir we need to talk some."

   "OK what is the problem Simon?"

   "We were cutting those extra rooms you asked for.  In the last we hit
the largest seam of gold I have ever seen.  I don't mean flakes it is solid
and a major find."

   John was not too shocked.  "Where have you seen gold seams before
Simon?"

   "I worked in South Africa in the mines for a time.  But I never expected
to see this kind of find here." He was excited and almost shaking.

   "Calm down Simon and just take deep breaths.  We can't let anyone know
of this find.  If any government knew of it, they would try their best to
take it away.  So we will just block that room off and finish the rest.  Be
sure no one has samples of that gold, as I don't want it known by everyone.
Let them know that if word gets out their ass is in deep trouble with me.
That included you Simon, as your responsible for all of them."

   "Just me and Willy knows about the gold boss.  He knows how to keep his
trap shut and I am sure he has no samples.  But I'll check him to be sure."

   "Both of you if this stays secret will do well.  You will need to find a
few more who are good at not talking.  Then as a group you will mine and
refine the gold into coin blanks.  Those jobs will pay well, have special
living quarters and will be well taken care of."

   Now John's worry was showing.  "This really worries you doesn't it?"

   "It could destroy everything I have done here.  Greed is the root of the
political animal.  Here they would not stop at just taking it, they would
nationalize the mine toss us out and claim it was for the peoples good. 
They were just protecting the peoples assets."

   Simon could see someone in government doing just that.  In the past he
would have agreed with it, but that was not the case now.  "You had better
have a guard on that area sir."

   John called David and he was there quickly.  The find was explained to
him and he did set up a guard.  Most were told it was a fault that needed
some watching.  So mining was shutdown for a time there.

   After Simon and Willy left David was ready to go after them.  "If either
one of those men say anything were going to be screwed."

   "If you said anything we would be screwed.  Those two are not leaving
the compound and their Internet traffic will be watched.  Neither uses it
much so any activity will be odd.  But I do trust them and will accept
their word.  If you see any areas to worry about let me know."

   David just could not argue with this way of moving forward.  "OK boss we
will watch and wait."

   The company now was at its greatest risk by being very rich.  So showing
debt to the government was the better way now.  The company owed John 55
million and was paying interest on that.  It had several construction
companies John owned that were also debt holders.  None made any money as
all showed losses.  But that was the way most companies today were
operating.  If any made a lot then government would be all over them to see
why.  It needed money and would find it wherever it could.

   The day before Christmas John decided to hold a little party at the
pool. Everyone had been invited and tables set up for food and drinks
behind the glass observation area.  The people were just beyond belief with
what they saw.  The pool was Olympic size with diving boards.  The hot tubs
were of two types one above ground and one sunk into the floor.  Then the
steam rooms were in each bath area.  One was for the men and one for the
ladies.  By being in the bath areas, no one had to worry about being seen
without clothing by the other sex.

   People came by and thanked John for the facility.  Kids wanted to just
strip and swim now.  It was a happy crowd and everyone was part of that.

   "My friends I thank you for your comments today.  It is my hope you all
enjoy this pool, hot tubs and the steam rooms.  There will be scheduled
events here and scheduled open swimming periods.  The schools will use it
during the daytime for two hours a day for PE classes.  Please see the
manager for any requests you might have.  But the pool schedule will always
be posted on our intranet.  It opens at 7AM and closes at 11PM seven days a
week.  So I am sure you can find a time to use it."

   The applause was loud and heart felt by most.  People felt safe and
secure in their jobs.  Watching thousands of jobs disappear according to
the news, made their world safer feeling to them.

   John, Dana and Kelly left and walked the streets of the town.  "Darling
what is eating at you?" Dana could just feel it.

   "We found a new large vein of gold below ground today.  It should
produce many tons of gold bars.  But if the government finds out they will
come and take it.  You know everything belongs to them now.  What they
don't own outright they tax until they do."

   Dana was now pissed and so was Kelly.  "Daddy no one here would ever
tell them what we have."

   "I sure hope your right little one.  Only a very few people know about
it now.  But that is bound to grow over time.  We have to hope the
government fails before anyone outside knows.  If they did find out we
would be at war with our own government."

   They walked and considered the possible problems.